der, as if
hesitating, came back and planted himself in Lingard's way, compelling
him to stand still and listen.

"Of course you will do what you like. You never take advice--I know
that; but let me tell you that it wouldn't be honest to let that fellow
get away from here. If you do nothing, that scoundrel will leave in
Abdulla's ship for sure. Abdulla will make use of him to hurt you and
others elsewhere. Willems knows too much about your affairs. He will
cause you lots of trouble. You mark my words. Lots of trouble. To
you--and to others perhaps. Think of that, Captain Lingard. That's all
I've got to say. Now I must go back on shore. There's lots of work. We
will begin loading this schooner to-morrow morning, first thing. All the
bundles are ready. If you should want me for anything, hoist some kind
of flag on the mainmast. At night two shots will fetch me." Then
he added, in a friendly tone, "Won't you come and dine in the house
to-night? It can't be good for you to stew on board like that, day after
day."

Lingard did not answer. The image evoked by Almayer; the picture of
Willems ranging over the islands and disturbing the harmony of
the universe by robbery, treachery, and violence, held him silent,
entranced--painfully spellbound. Almayer, after waiting for a little
while, moved reluctantly towards the gangway, lingered there, then
sighed and got over the side, going down step by step. His head
disappeared slowly below the rail. Lingard, who had been staring at him
absently, started suddenly, ran to the side, and looking over, called
out--

"Hey! Kaspar! Hold on a bit!"

Almayer signed to his boatmen to cease paddling, and turned his head
towards the schooner. The boat drifted back slowly abreast of Lingard,
nearly alongside.

"Look here," said Lingard, looking down--"I want a good canoe with four
men to-day."

"Do you want it now?" asked Almayer.

"No! Catch this rope. Oh, you clumsy devil! . . . No, Kaspar," went on
Lingard, after the bow-man had got hold of the end of the brace he had
thrown down into the canoe--"No, Kaspar. The sun is too much for me. And
it would be better to keep my affairs quiet, too. Send the canoe--four
good paddlers, mind, and your canvas chair for me to sit in. Send it
about sunset. D'ye hear?"

"All right, father," said Almayer, cheerfully--"I will send Ali for a
steersman, and the best men I've got. Anything else?"

"No, my lad. Only don't let them be late."

"I suppose