LIBRARY ANNEX 2 c<#^ Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924067400097 CORNELL UMVERSITY LIBRARY 924 067 400 097 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBIIARIES ITHACA. N Y. 14853 ]oHn M. Echols Coll . '-non Southeast Asia JOHN M. OLIN LIBRARY ViZETELLY'S ONE VOLUME NOVELS. XXX. BABOB DALIMA; on, THE OPIUM FIEND. BY T. H. PERELAER TRANSLATED PROM THE DUTCH UV THF Rev. E. J. VENNING, M.A. LONDON : VIZETELLY ^^ CO., 16 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1888, BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. CHAPTER I. AT MOEARA TJATJING. IT was a terrible night in February i88 — . A violent storm from the north-west was raging along the northern coast of Java. The wind howled and roared as though a legion of fiends were holding Sabbath in the black mass of clouds which were driving along. The waves of the Java sea were running mountain high, and came curling into the beach in monstrous billows topped with mighty crests of dazzling foam. These crests were brightly phosphorescent, and each breaker, as it came rolling in, for an instant shed a pale fantastic shower of sparks upon the black seething waters, leaving, the next instant, the blackness darker than before. The sea-coast on which our stbry dpens formed here, as in so many other places in Java, an extensive marsh, the "slimy clay of which the influence of the tropical sun had clothed with a- most curious kind of vegetation. Had it been day the eye, as far as it could reach, would have rested upon thousands upon thousands of tree-tops, closely packed together, and rising about thirty feet from the soil. The stems of these trees did not reach the ground, but rested on knotty roots, which, like arches, grew out of the earth. These roots were divided, branching out in all directions, so that the trees might be likened to many-footed creatures, the supports or legs of each of which crossed and recrossed with those of its neighbour. Thus looking along the ground might be seen a kind of tangled network under a thick canojiy of green, .nnd that network again was entwined with gigantic creepers, hanging iu IQ BABOS dalima; on, festoons from the singular archways and clijnbing upwards into the tops of the trees, By daylight, between those myriads of twisted roots forming, as it were, a gigantic labyrinth, there might have been seen a swarming mass of living things, unsightly and loathsome, which would have filled the beholder with wonder and disgust. There, among thousands of other living beings, lay the slug- gish alligator glaring at its prey with fixed and stony eye. There countless tortoises and " Mimis " were crawling and darting about in quest of food. There swarmed monstrous crabs and shrimps of all kinds, varying in size from that of the largest lobster to the almost microscopical sea-spider. AH these in millions were wriggling in the filthy ooze which was formed of the detritus of this singular mangrove forest. In the mud which clung about the roots, these hideous creatures lived and teemed, not perhaps in a state of perfect concord, yet maintaining an armed kind of peace which did not prevent them from becoming allies whenever some unhappy victim, whose luckless star bad cast upon that shore, had to be overpowered. Close by the narrow strip of land, where, not only in storms but in all weathers, land and water seemed to strive for the mastery, there stood a small hut hidden away completely among a clump of " Saoe " trees. These trees grew there, the only ones of their kind amidst the gloomy forest of mangrove, Surrounded by the dense foliage as by an impenetrable wall, the hut was completely invisible from the land. On the other side it commanded a wide view of the sea j but even there it was screened from observation by its position among the leaves. We called it a hut, — it was, indeed, little more than a large sentry box, and it, most appropriately, bore the name of *' djaga monjet " or monkey-perch. It was put together in a very primitive fashion, and was covered with "Kadjang" mats, and " attaps," both of these rough building materials obtained from the Nipah palm. The "djaga monjet" was built in the morass on piles whjoh raised it some considerable distance from the ground. Thus the waves which now and then threatened to swallow up the fore-stiore altogether, could freely wash about under it, and break and divide against the firmly driven stakes. The trunk of a tree, with some rough steps clumsily cut into it, served as a ladder and gave access to the hut which, at the time this tale begins, was wrapped in the deepest darkness, but which yet was not tenantless, THK OPIUM FIEND, II t :^h „°r,x'is:.™^j„r' "™ "■^' "^ '"'^^ "' guard's „a„S„S?.,^^'„i!;^i^The most ^^us c<»u.- » • •• ' . "'"*•" "•*" mem indeed was sooken av « i »» «n^ wZh\*''^^ "^^'^ ^^° Chinamen who, sitting in that littl.. orders were most ^i^.^''^^, re no^^^^^^^ *' ""^'"'''^ to help the men of thrkiem pS H n to »!? Th ^"P"'" safe ashore." ^ '° *° 8^* *eir cargo pa7l'lLr'burff?'a?tTa.'''^"' ^"'^ "« ^»>«» g-^°"r tannot possS' comet tonS T ^Tf J'^''^ ^^at she howls, fear hoV^the breEf oar^^^rch^^*!^^^^^ lathis /^^'' «°^ ^°"^^ ^- «^^ to^e"ouf ?„\j?h?S? ButSit'kiJrth?oTd;rri^^^^^^^^^ old sea-dog, and no weather will-" ^°^PSa.d-he is a tough see'^iTbigcVrUngt^^^^^^^^^^ " there, just there ! You by the light of the folm S bv W^/ M^l J"^* ''' >* "You are right, Liem kL^^!" L^T^an g^^^^^^^^ •djoekoeng'»(a boat made of a hXwed tree st^)"' Th^ " were two persons in her, both Tavanesell fLSl ^^"? a woman," ,;avanese~i fancied a man and 13 BAFOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND, »3 "Yes," said Liem King; "the man was rowing hard the woman seemed frightened, she had her hands up to her face. """The «dToekoe^g,''' shouted Than Khan " was headmg for the shore ; but she can never get through the breaker « I am not so sure of that," rep led Liem Kmg. She was making straight for Moeara Tjatjmg, if she can only keep that course, she may pull through," '« Why," said Than Khan, « in such a sea as this, no boat can live The must be swamped, A rare feast for the boajas, eh ? «^rhat • dtoeS,'" said Liem King, " will get through safe enouS I made hS out to be a surf boat, and you know it '^%VZt^^:^^'^^^'^^> "for all that, I am glad '"""Sol'oStrshoiS'the other. «« Look, there she is again yes.^he is making for the Moeara. If she can get behind the ''?.Tshe' t;'g:fuSrth: lee of the bow-nets, perhaps. ^"*'. AnoTher boat." exclaimed Liem King. « There are white "" The tords were no sooner uttered than two, three, tour IgXnS; ^is intently as they would, not even the. sharp eves could discover anything further. ., j^„„i„ Thin ^Thus a quarter of an hourpassed away, when suddenly Than ^'sr enot^^^^^^^^^ shone the well-kno.n green a.id red ijhts and,' high above them, the white light at the mast- ''isf:fif"'sSiiiJx^"?tmustb^ W.11 all I can say is that if the Kiem Ping H in has left her Sorage she Tnot showing any lights; she has got away '^'f^ Smt XIJ^ - -y be off home to the Ka^yong ; no steamer's Iverents. First she showed her three bghts plainly enough, she was therefore making straight for the land. After a time, however, all of a sudden, her green light disap- peared, leaving for a while the red light only visible. Pre- sently that also went out and only the white top-mast light remained visible, and, as it seemed stationary, our Chinamen concluded that the steamer had anchored or was perhaps moving with her head to the wind. Said Than Khan at length, "It is no use staying here ; while tliat cursed Matamata is about they will not be able to get anything ashore. Come, let us be going." " All right," replied Liem King ; " but I vote we first go and have a look at the Tjatjing, we may just possibly get to know something about the ' djoekoeng.' " So our two worthies clambered down the rough log which, as we have shown, stood as a ladder against the hut ; the wind howling, meanwhile, as furiously as ever. In a few steps they came upon a kind of pathway for which they had to grope with their feet in the deep darkness. They found it; and as every now and then a wave would come washing over it, the two Chinamen had to splash on in the brine. That, however, did not greatly interfere with their progress. They knew the road well, and even had the weather been rougher, they would have got along without much hesita- tion. They had, in fact, not very far to go. In a few minutes they reached the small river Tjaljing which close by emptied itself into the Java Sea. At the spot where the Chinamen came upon the stream it made a kind of bend or elbow as if, just before losing itself in the ocean, it had thought better of it and was trying to retrace its course. At that bend the mangrove roots retired a little from the shore,- leaving a pretty wide open space from which the prospect over the river would have been quite clear ; but the darkness was so intense that even Than Khan's ferret eyes could make out nothing. " If the 'djoekoeng' has reached the Moeara at all," roared Than Khan in the ear of his companion. " she must have come ashore here. They cannot possibly have got her further up the Tjatjing, there is not water enough and the marsh-weed completely chokes it up." " Hush," said Liem King ; " I hear something." He was right. In spite of the awful noise of the tempest a low moaning sound could just be heard. Both pricked their ears, took their bearings; and softly, with 14 BABOE DALIMA; OR, Stealthy tread they sneaked forward in the direction ot the sound. Presently, they almost stumbled over a boat which lay on the beach with its stern half under water. "The ' djoekoeng,'" muttered Than Khan. Directed by the moaning sound they groped along the boat which was but a hollowed tree. Its bamboo sail-wmgs were lying close by smashed all to pieces by the wmd and water ; and a few steps further on they discovered two human bemgs lying prostrate in the rank grass. . , j "Who is there ? " called Liem King as he cautiously drew " It is I," replied a very feeble voice in answer to the challenge. _, . '« I ? who is I ?" asked the Chmaman. " I, Ardjan," was the answer. „ " What ? " cried Liem King, "Ardjan of the Kiem Pmg Hm. A faint cry at these words issued from the lips of one of the castaways. . " Silence," whispered the other Chmaman. Both then bent forward over the figure which had given the name of Ardjan ; but in that thick darkness it was impossible *° Onf oftLTuS a dark lantern out of his pocket, struck a match and, with some trouble, managed to procure a light. As soon as he had recognised the features he cried out : ..By ! it is Ardjan I What in the world are you domg here?" ,„ ,, , " I have fallen overboard," was the reply. a T,^r» "Indeed you have? with that « djoekoeng ? '" sneered Liem ^'"\ found her in the water as I was swimming about," was *'« And' that woman?" continued Liem King ;'' how about her ? Did you pick her up also floating about ? Who is she? "She is Moenah, my sister," faintly said Ardjan. "Ah! your sister," exclaimed Than Khan with a low d rty laueh "I daresay she also managed to tumWe overboa d? WUh these words he threw the light of the lantern ful on the face of the so-called sister. The uncertam gleam revealed he welUshaped form of a beautiful Javanese maiden of sixteen X i^er confusion, strove to conceal her face under a ve.l, whSh like all the rest of her clothing, was dripping wet ^Ha 7' "cried Than Khan as he roughly tore the veil THE OPIUM FIEND. 15 from the girl's face, " what have we here ? Dalima ! the little ' baboe ' of His Excellency the Resident." At these words the maiden cowered down in the most abject terror. The two Chinamen exchanged a few hasty words in whispers in which the name Lim Ho could be distinguished. That name seemed to have an extraordinary effect upon the poor girl. When she heard it her face became the very picture of terror. This Lim Ho was one of the sons of the great opium farmer at Santjoemeh and the man was madly in love with the poor little Javanese girl. He had offered her large sums of money, he had tempteil her with costly gifts, but all in vain. He had addressed himself to her father, a poor peasant in the "dessa" of Kaligaweh close by the principal township, again without success. Then the wretch had sworn that, at any price, the girl should be his, even if to possess her he might have to commit a crime. He was a kind of scoundrel who would stick at nothing. At the mention of that hateful name the girl recoiled and shrunk together in terror. She knew the man, and now she also knew the two rascals into whose power she had thus been thrown. The two Chinamen kept on whispering to each other ; they spoke in Chinese of which language neither Ardjan nor l^alima knew a single word. Before, however, the former had time to collect his thoughts or his energies, the scoundrels were upon him. They tied up his hands and feet with a thin rope which Liem King drew out of the capacious pocket of his baggy trousers. Before he had time to defend himself Ardjan found himself helpless, tied up in the shape of a hoop. But even had there been time to resist, the poor fellow could have done nothing. He was quite unarmed, he had not had time even to snatch up his dagger-knife, and the frightful exer- tion of rowing the " djoekoeng " through the breakers had so completely fagged him out, that, when the men came upon him, he was lying panting for breath on the beach and quite incapable of further exertion. The low moaning sound which had guided the Chinamen to him was the sound of his gasp- ing and panting for breath as he lay on the shore. Plaving firmly secured Ardjan, the Chinamen took hold of Dalima and pinioned her also, ordering her to keep perfectly liuiet and threatening to kill her should she disobey. i6 BABOE DALIMA; OR, It was a good thing for Dalitna that lier captors could not see the expression on her face as they uttered their threatening warning. There passed over the girl's features an expression of contempt which would have given them food for reflection ; and might have induced them to make quite sure of their fair prisoner. But of this they saw nothing, and, thinking the girl safe enough, they turned to her companion. His arms were tied behind him and fastened to his feet which had also been tightly bound. Liem King now took up a stout bamboo stick which had formed part of the rigging of the surf boat, and having passed it under Ardjan's arms they each took hold of one end of the bamboo, and put it on their shoulders, and then, with their living burden thus helplessly dangling between them they ran at a slow trot up the path, along which, a few minutes before, they had groped their way. At every jolt the poor Javanese uttered a cry of anguish. It was torture indeed that they made Ardjan endure. The whole weight of his body, bent in the most constrained atti- tude, was bearing upon his arms, and the whippy motion of the pliable stick made every movement almost unendurable as the Chinamen jogged slowly along. The bones of the arms upon which, as a sack, the entire body was hanging seemed at every moment about to snap, and the limbs felt as if every jog must wrench them from their sockets. But neither Liem King nor Than Khan paid the slightest heed to Ardjan's shrieks, they kept quietly trotting along. In vain did the wretched man entreat them to kill him and so put him out of the misery he was enduring. In vain, seeing his prayers unheeded, did he hurl the most offensive epithets at the heads of his tormentors, hoping thus to provoke them to rage and goad them on to take summary vengeance. To all Ardjan's entreaties and insults, the Chinamen replied only with derisive laughter, and the "Aso tjina" (Chinese dog) repeated again and again. Than Khan, who had one hand free, repaid with a tremendous blow with his fist, the effect of which was only to increase the agony of the sulTerer. In a few minutes, however, which to Ardjan seemed an age of torture, the " djaga monjet " was reached. The ropes which tied Ardjan's feet were then untied, leaving his arms only closely pinioned. The Chinamen then ordered him to climb up the rough steps and enforced their command by pricking him with the points of their daggers. The Javanese knew well that the faintest show of resistance might cost him his life, and THE OPIUM FIEND 17 now that the torture of dangling on the bamboo was no longer felt, he began to take a more cheerful view of life. So he passively did as he was told, and in a few moments he was at the top and inside the hut. There the two brutes once again lied him up securely, and, in order to make even an effort of flight impossible, they fastened his hands tightly on his chest and forced the bamboo cane through the bend of the elbows which were sticking out behind his back. Thus trussed up, as it were, the least movement on the part of Ardjan occasioned the most unbearable pain to his bruised and swollen limbs. Then they laid him down on his back on the floor of the hut, and to make assurance doubly sure, they lashed him to one of the principal posts of the small build- ing. Having made all safe, the Chinamen went off to fetch Dalima. What they intended to do with the girl was a matter of dispute between them. Liem King proposed that they should settle by a cast of the dice which of them should possess her; but Than Khan, who was of a more practical and covetous turn of mind, explained to his companion that a good round sum of money might be got out of the son of the rich opium farmer if they delivered her into his hands. They were still debating the question when they reached the Tjatjing, where they had left their victim lying on the grass. There they soon found out that they need not have argued the matter at all ; for though they searched the whole place with the utmost minuteness, they could find no trace of Dalima. Yes, they did find a trace ; for behind a clump of undergrowth close to the spot wh^e they had left the girl, they discovered the coil of rope with which they had bound her. She had, evidently, somehow or other found means to get hfer wrists to her mouth, and had succeeded in gnawing through the cords. Once her hands were free it was mere child's play to untie her feet and legs. " Devil take her ! " exclaimed Liem King, " that tit-bit is lost to us." " Indeed she is," sighed Than Khan ; " we have allowed a nice little sum to slip through our fingers. Lim Ho would have paid well for her." " Now, I think," said Liem King, "the best thing will be not to breathe a word about her to the Company." " Oh, of course, not a single word," assented Than Khan ; " now that she has got away that would be most dangerous." " But what," askeJ the other, " had we better do now with B i8 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, Ardjan ? I think we had better let him go, too. He is sure to let out all about Dalima." " No fear," rejoined Than Khan, " he won't dare to do that. Should he utter a single word about the girl Lim Ho would have him clubbed to death." " Well," said Liem King, pensively, " for all that I think the safest plan is to let him go." " H'm," said the other, " why so ? You know as well as I do that he ought to be on board the Kiem Ping Hin. Now, how on earth did he manage to get here in that 'djoekoeng? ' Take my word for it, there is some mystery about that. Very likely it may be important to the Company to get to the bottom of that. Ah," added he, with a deep sigh of disappointment, " I only wish we had tied up that wretched girl a little more securely." " Oh, no, don't say so I " cried Liem King, " you would have bruised those darling little wrists and dainty ankles." " Bah I " cried Than Khan. "What nonsense, I wish we had her here j now she is off. Where can she have got to ? " " Yes," replied Liem King, " that is the question, where to look for her. But come along, let us hurry back or else we may find the other bird flown too. There is something, you know, that tells me we have made a good catch in him." So the two rascals got back to the hut, and found Ardjan ly- ing there quietly enough, just as they left him. He had not been able to stir hand or foot. As soon as he saw that the Chinamen came back alone his eye brightened. " Where is Dalima ? " he exclaimed, most anxiously. The Chinamen made no answer. " Has she got away ? " he asked again. Than Khan shook his head. It was enough, there was some- thing so doleful in that gesture that Ardjan did not, for a moment, doubt. Dalima had escaped. Now he could breathe more freely. If only he had been equally fortunate. He had tried all he could to get rid of these accursed ropes ; but, alas ! his arms hurt him so frightfully he thought they were br' cen, and he had to give up the attempt in despair. Where .night the dear girl be now ? He felt but little anxiety or that score. She had managed, perhaps, to run to Kaligaw n, where her parents lived — the distance was not great— she must, by this time, be close to the dessa. Perhaps, she had taken the way to Santjoemeh, where lived the family of the Resident, as she was in his service as nurse. In that case, she would have a long journey before her, and she could not reach it be- THE OPIUM FIEND. 19 fore daybreak. If only then she could at once tell her whole story — then, yes, who knows, then he might even yet be rescued. But all such reflections were roughly interrupted by Liem King, who asked him, " Where did you come from on so wild a night as this ? " " I ? " said Ardjan, " why, I have come from Santjoemeh, to be sure. I intended to take Dalima to her father at Kaligaweh. The nor'-wester drove us out to sea, I rowed with might and main to get to the Moeara Tjatjing." "What do you mean? " grinned Than Khan. " What business had you at the Moeara ? Oh, now I see, you wanted, no doubt, to pay us a visit here ! That is it — is it not ? " Ardjan trembled inwardly ; but he replied calmly enough : " I could not get as far as Sepoetran, and found myself drift- ing out to sea, so I was compelled to make for the nearest land." " But they have been after you," exclaimed Than Khan. ' You have been fired at." "So I have," said Ardjan. "It must have been a boat of that wretched Matamata, they must have taken me for a smuggler." " Have you any stuff with you ? " asked Than Khan. There was no reply to that question. Had these Chinamen known in what position he really was, they never would have asked him such a question as that. " But," continued Liem King, " you are mate of the Kiem Ping Hin. How is it you are not on board of her ? " For a moment the Javanese did not know what to answer, then he said : " Captain Awal Boep Said has given me leave to spend two days on shore." " You go and tell your grandmother that tale, it won't do for us. What ! just at this time, when there is so much work on hand ? " cried Than Khan. " Well," said Ardjan, " it is true, nevertheless." " Very good," replied Than Khan, " the Company will soo;: get to know all about that." After these words there was silence. The Chinamen wrapped themselves up in a kind of rug or mat, and sat down cross-legged on the floor, with their heads bent forwards on their breast, and thus they seemed to be falling into a doze. Ardjan, still fastened up in the most painful way to the bamboo stick, had to lie on his back. It 20 BABOE DALIMA; OR, was pitch dark in the hut ; the door and the shutters were closed to exclude, as much as possible, the cold morning air. But, when every now and then the Javanese turned his head to the right or left, he could, through the chinks of the lath floor, see that day was breaking. A greyish light began to appear under the hut, and thus Ardjan could see the filthy mud in which a number of crawling things, such as sea-eels, marsh-snakes, igunanas, and water-lizards were swarming. They were in quest of the miscellaneous offal which they were wont to find under the " djaga monjet." For a while all was quiet, when suddenly the report of a gun shook the hut. The sound startled both the Chinamen to their feet. It was evidently a signal. Than Khan rushed to the door, and threw it open. It was then broad daylight, the sun was just about to rise, and was bathing the eastern horizon in a flood of the richest purple. CHAPTER II. IN THE DJAGA MONJET. FOR a moment or two, Than Khan stood rubbinghis eyes, the sudden glare of light almost blinded him alter the dark- ness of the hut. As soon as he became somewhat accustomed to the morning light, he perceived that a great change had taken place in nature. The wind which had been howling so dismally all night long had now fallen considerably, and the thick black clouds were breaking up, while patches of clear blue sky were becoming visible on all sides. The eastern horizon was perfectly cloudless, and the sun rising in full glory was bathing all he touched in the purest gold. It was a magnificent spectacle, certainly, that morning of calm after the night of storm ; but neither Than Khan nor his companion seemed to pay the slightest heed to these beauties of nature. The two Celestials were not troubling their minds about the sun ; they were eagerly scanning the surface of the sea, and that not for the purpose of admiring the stately roll of tlie long breakers ; they were looking out for something quite diffir.nt. fHE OPIUM FIEND. it Yonder, at a considerable distance from the snore, they could just see a siiip dancing on the waves. They could make her out with the naked eye to be a schooner-brig, which, under shortened sail, was lying close to the wind, and was evidently purposely keeping away from the land. She had some kind of signal flying ; but what it was they could not make out. Liem King then produced a ship's telescope, which was kept stowed away under the "attaps" in a corner of the roof, and which had long since lost its original colour, being thickly covered with a coating of dirt and dust. The Chinaman handled the glass as one who was familiar with its use, and, after looking for awhile, he turned to his mate, and said: "The letters T.F.N.W. on a red ground. That must be the Kiem Ping Hin. She ought to have come in last night, and—" " She is trying to anchor, I suppose, ' said Than Khan. " No, she is not," replied Liem King ; " she is only trying to keep out of the smuggling radius." "Well," cried Than Khan, "that's cool enough anyhow. Why 1 only last night we had the Matamata here." " Why," said the other, " she is safe enough. Where she is now lying the steamer could not get at her, and, what's more, she is flying the British ensign. Under those colours no one will dare to meddle with her. The Dutch are frightened to death of the English." Alter looking through his glass at the schooner for a few moments longer Liem King exclaimed : " They are lowering the boat ! " " Then one of us," said Than Khan, " will have to run to the landing place at the Tjatjing." " Very well, you go," said Liem King. " No, you," said the other. " Why should we not both go together ? " asked Liem King. " Certainly not," rejoined Than Khan. " Would you," he asked as he pointed to Ardjan, " leave this fellow here alone and unwatched ? " " Perhaps you a ^ right," assented the other, " let us toss up for it." " All right," • -plied Than Khan, " I don't mind." One of ther then produced some white pebbles about the size of beans among which there were a few black ones. With a certain amount of dexterity he flung them upon a wooden board which seemed made for the purpose. Liem King 22 BABOE DALIMA; OR, counted the throw to see how many black ones were lying to gether. It was Than Khan's turn next. " I have won," he exclaimed. " You see I have seven black together. You had but five." " Very good," said Liem King. " I shall go." " But mind," said the other, " not a word about Dalima 1 " " You trust me," was the answer. A strange scornful smile passed over Ardjan's features. Than Khan sat down cross-legged in the doorway of the hut, placing himself in such a manner that while he had a clear view of the bay before him, he could at the same time watch every movement Ardjan might attempt to make. Not a single action on board the schooner escaped the Chinaman's watchful eye. He saw the smuggler lower her boat, he then saw five or six Chinese get into her. The little craft, rowed by a Javanese crew, then put off and got under weigh. It soon got into the seething breakers and as Than Khan watched the tremendous exertions of the rowers, he could not help admiring the cool steady way in which the helmsman kept her head firmly to the waves. " That must be Lim Ho himself," he muttered. Ardjan shuddered at the mention of that name. "Lim Ho ! " he exclaimed, his voice betraying his terror. " Yes," said Than Khan, " in a few minutes they will all be here." Just then the boat was getting into the Moeara. He was right, the light craft manned by eight stout rowers was flying through the water and had got clear of the dangerous surf. Once under the lee of the bow-nets and fairly in the bay, the boat was in comparatively smooth water and darted into the mouth of the Tjatjing. Liem King stood at the landing place waiting to receive his countrymen and he began at once to lead the way to the little watch-house. The five Chinamen had no sooner stepped ashore than the Javanese crew began to make all possible haste to unload the boat. A number of small tins and barrels lay piled up in the bottom and these they brought to land and most carefully stowed away, hiding them in the sand under the bushes which grew hard by. THE OPIUM FIEND. 23 " Jolly stuff that black butter," said one of the fellows, as he pointed to the barrels. . The small casks looked as if they had just come out of some Dutch farmhouse. They were all sealed with green wax and bore the well-known stamp of Van der Leeuw. ^^ " I wish I could get hold of a couple of tael of that butter, said another of the crew with a laugh. , , »u "Well," said another, "you can be off presently to the opium den of Babah Tjoa Tjong Ling and there you can get as much as you like of it. You wUl find it easy enough to get rid of your hardly earned wages." , , , j In a few minutes all the tins and barrels were safely stowed away and then the Javanese crew foUowed the steps of then Chinese masters to the "djangamonjet." , , ,. When the five Chinamen had entered the httle hut, the examination of Ardjan, who was still lying on the floor m the same painful position, was commenced at once. On the way to the hut Liem King had told his master as much as he deemed prudent about Ardjan's capture ; but not a word did he breathe about Dalima. Lim Ho listened with attention to his report. 1 his Lim Ho was a tall, powerfully-built Chinaman. He was the chief of that band of smugglers, about five-and-twenty years of age. He had a wan yellow complexion, and a false, evil look in his slanting eyes. , , . j u When he heard it was Ardjan, the mate, who had been caught, he could not repress a smile of satisfaction. As soon as Liem King had made his report, he asked in a tone of assumed indifference : . • , ,, " Was the fellow alone when you came upon lum ? " Oh yes, quite alone," readily replied Liem King. Lim Ho showed that he was greatly disappointed at the news. " He came ashore in a 'djoekoeng,' I think you told me? " he asked. " He did, sir," replied Liem King. " Could the ' djoekoeng' have turned over at sea?" contmued Lira Ho. " Very likely," replied the wily Chinaman. ^ _^ " When Than Khan and myself found t^ . ' djoekoeng,' ' he continued, " Ardjan was lying exhauste'' and wet through on the beach— he looked as if he had bcv-n washing about in the water, and the bamboos of the rigging were smashed to pieces. 24 BABOE DALIMA; OR, " All right," said Lim Ho superciliously, " we shall hear all about that presently." As he entered the hut, he did not deign so much as to cast a look at Ardjan ; but abruptly asked him : " What made you run away ? " " I was homesick," was the reply, " I was heartily sick of the ship and wanted to get back to the ' dessa.' " " Indeed ! " sneered Lim Ho. " And that was the reason, I suppose, why you took Dalima with you ? " Ardjan kept silence ; Liem King and Than Khan were growing as pale as death. " Where was the girl drowned ? " suddenly asked Lim Ho. " Drowned," shouted Ardjan, " you say drowned. Have they drowned her, then ? " " Have they drowned her ? " said Lim Ho in a mocking tone of voice. " Was not the ' djoekoeng ' upset when the pair of you tried to run away in her ? Where did that take place ? perhaps Dalima may somehow have been able to get out." " Able to get out," repeated Ardjan. " But the ' djoekoeng ' did not turn over at all," he exclaimed. "We both of us got ashore. She was terribly frightened at the storm to be sure, but quite unhurt, and I was completely exhausted with rowing." " 15ut," roared Lim Ho, " what has become of her, then ? " " Ihat, I cannot tell you," replied Ardjan, "you must ask Liem King and Than Khan." These two worthies stood trembling with apprehension. " Did you fellows hear that ? " shouted Lim Ho in a tower- ing passion. " Did you hear that ? I am waiting for you — what is your answer ? " " I do not know what has become of the girl," stammered Than Khan. " She has, very likely, been devoured by a crocodile, for all I know," added Liem King. " Did she .■;ct to land ? Yes or no ? " roared Lim Ho, while in his impatience he stamped about the little hut, shaking it to its foundations. '•'She did," rephed Ardjan. "Those two scoundrels first tied me up, and then they bound Dalima's arms and legs. They brought me in here, and after that they went out in quest of Dalima. But all I know is they came back without her." Lim Ho's piercing eyes were watching the two Chinamen as Ardjan was speaking. THE OPIUM FIBNU. 25 " I have no doubt," Liem King again ventured to say, " that some crocodile has carried her off." " Or maybe," said Than Khan, " a tiger has got hold of her." Lim Ho applied a small whistle to his lips. He blew a shrill piercing note, and at the summons one of the Javanese crew at once presented himself at the door of the hut. "Call your mates," ordered Lim Ho. In an instant the whole boat's crew was present. " Tie me up those scoundrels," cried Lim Ho, " make them fast," he said, as he pointed to Liem King and Than Khan. "Tie them up, and securely too, do you hear me ! " The men readily obeyed, it was the work of an instant. Nothing in this world gave these fellows greater delight than to be allowed to lay their hands upon a Chinaman. They set to work as roughly, as brutally as they could. The knots were tied and they hauled upon the ropes with a will. The wretched victims groaned with the pain. Oh ! if ever it should come to an outbreak, then woe to the Celestials in Java, they would find but little mercy. Who knows — were such a catastrophe to take place they might not be the only race to suffer. There are others who might get into trouble too I When both the Chinese spies were firmly secured, Lim Ho called to his men. " Now, my lads, now for a hunt ! A girl — little Dalima — has escaped from us and we must get. her back. Five hundred ' ringgiets ' six dollars to the man who finds her and brings her in i " With a ringing cheer the boat's crew dashed frorti the hut. When they had left, Lim Ho ordered one of his followers to hand him his pipe. He filled the small bowl with the slender bamboo stemwith extremely fine-cut tobacco, then he lit the pipe and began to blow the smoke from his nostrils. There- upon he took a seat on the only chair the hut contained. It was a rough and clumsy piece of furniture, cut out of the wood with a clasp-knife. The other Chinamen sat down cross-legged on the floor, while their captain once again turned to Ardjan. " Come now," said he, " just you tell us how you managed to get Dalima out of the Kiem Ping Hin. You knew well enough, did you not, that I wanted the girl ? But, look you, no lies ! No lies, mind you ! Your life is in my hands ; you are aware of that, I hope." 26 BABOE DALIMA J OR Ardjan could but utter a deep sigh. He begged that his hands might be slackened if but a little. "To be trussed up like this," said he, " is unbearable torture," " No, no," laughed Lim Ho. " First let us hear what you have to say, then we shall see what we can do for you." Nevertheless he gave the order to remove the bamboo cane which had so long tortured the poor Javanese, and as soon as that was removed the Chinaman said : " Now, speak up, I am listening to you I " "You are aware," began Ardjan, "that I am mate on board the Kiem Ping Hin. Yesterday afternoon we were lying at anchor behind Poeloe Kalajan which is not far from Santjoemeh, when a 'djoekoeng' rowed up to us in which a couple of your countrymen were seated. At first I thought that they came alongside to take off some of the smuggled opium with which the schooner is partly loaded. I, therefore, threw them a rope and helped them up the ship's side. But, instead of coming to fetch anything off, they brought some- thing aboard with them. It .was a heavy sack which they carefully hoisted on deck, and which had something of the appearance of a human form. However, that was no business of ijnine, it was not the first time that I had seen that kind of thing going on. I even lent a hand at carrying the load into the captain's cabin, and I laughed and joked with the Chinamen at the fun Awal Boep Said was going to have. " When, shortly after, the captain came on board, I told him of the bit of good luck that had befallen him, and I fancied he would be mightily pleased Not a bit of it, instead of at once rushing down into his cabin, he quietly remained on deck, simply ordering me to keep a sharp look out as he was expect- ing some friends. And, true enough, a few hours later you, Lim Ho, came on board with two of your followers. You reached the schooner just in time. Night was rapidly falling, and a north-westierly storm was blowing up. No sooner were you aboard than it began to blow furiously. The moment I saw you, an unpleasant feeling came over me, and quite involuntarily my thoughts at once flew to the sack which I had helped to get aboard, and which then was lying on the bed in the cabin. I longed to get away down below to have a look ; but the captain, who was watching the storm that was brewing, ordered the men to the braces and had a second anchor brought out. I had, of course, to take my share of duty and could not leave the deck. THE OPIUM FIEND. 27 " When, an hour or so after, I got to the cabin, I found you there stretched out on a couch. You were hard at it smoking opium, your pipe was in your hand, and with evident satis- faction you were swallowing down the smoke. — " I knew well enough what all this meant. A man whose senses are dulled and deadened by habitual excess, must find something to rouse him. 1 knew that you had some little pigeon in your clutches, and that you were seeking to recruit by opium your exhausted powers. Your object was to get the greatest possible amount of enjoyment out of your victim — You know the properties of opium, and how to make use of it. " Now all this did not concern me, I merely chuckled — I thought, that's a common thing enough ! I remember a hadji telling me that opium is a gift of Ngahebi Mohammed, and the ever-blessed in Paradise use it to renew their strength and thus are for ever beloved by the houris. " But yet, I could not get rid of that strange feeling that told me all was not well. I could not get rid of my anxious curiosity. Dalima has long ago been promised to me by her parents. She is to be my wife as soon as I can get together a few more ' ringgiets ' which will enable me to purchase a yoke of oxen. The day on which I can get them together, is to be my wedding-day. " But Lim Ho," and at these words the voice of the Javanese began to hiss and assume an almost threatening tone, " but Lim Ho, I know also that you covet the maiden, — I know what treasures you have offered her — I know what sums you have offered her parents as the price of her virtue, and of her innocence. " I made up my mind — I must see who was there in the cabin.— Oh II had not, at that time, the least suspicion that it was Dalima ! She had rejected all your advances with the utmost contempt. Her lather had even threatened to kreese you. How could the ' baboe ' of the loean Resident have come into your power ?— You see it was unpossible ! " " Yes, yes, as you say it was quite impossible," said Lim Ho w ith a grin, excited by the story of Ardjan. " I say, Ong Kwat, just tell us how the girl came into your hands ! " " No need of that," resumed Ardjan, " I know all about it. Dalima told me the whole story in tlie ' djoekoeng.' Yesterday she was out for a walk with her master's youngest child in the lane behind the Residence. The boy in his play, flung sS bAboe bALiMA; ok, his ball into a ditch by the side of the road. A Chinaman happened to be passing at the time and Dalima requested him to fetch the toy out of the water. He did so at her request ; but instead of returning the ball to the child he pitched it as far as he could into the garden. The boy ran off eagerly to fetch it, and Dalima was looking after the child, when suddenly the Chinaman flung himself upon her, gagged her, and before she could utter a single cry threw a sack over her head. Thus muffled he drngged her to the end of the lane, and put her into a 'djoekoeng' which was lying in the ditch. The boat at once put off, and in an hour's time was alongside the Kiem Ping Hin." "Just so! " exclaimed Lim Ho. "Now, Ong Kwat, is not that just about how you managed it? " The man thus addressed grinned, nodded his head and added, " Yes, master, for four whole days I had been on the prowl for that catch." "Now, Ardjan," resumed Lim Ho, "you may go on again; but mind you, no lies." The Javanese continued : " As I entered the cabin I gave a hasty look round. You, Lim Ho, were partially unconscious, still smoking opium. You had not got to that stage when the drug excites the passions to madness. Your attendant was intent upon kneading the 'mandat' balls. There was no one in the cabin but you two, so I ventured to creep in, and, by the light of the lamp that was burning there, I saw — Dalima. "With one bound I was at her side, in an instant I had severed the ropes which tied her, and in anotlier moment I had dragged her out of the cabin. Thereupon I flew forward, got some clothes which I happened to have by me, and in a few seconds was back again with them. Dalima slipped them on, and thus partially disguised I hid her under a heap of sails which happened to be lying in the stern. " Meanwhile the storm was raging in all its fury, and I have no doubt that it was chiefly owing to the noise of the wind that we had been able to get clear of the cabin unperceived. Captain Awal Boep Said, like a good Mussulman, was telling his beads, and from time to time uttered an ' Allah achbar ' (God is great), or a ' Bismillah ' (God be praised). The other men were all taking shelter in the forecastle, and your servants were lying sea-sick in their bunks. " Of these favourable circumstances 1 made the best use 1 could. The * djoekoeng,' in which Dalima had come alongside, THE OPIUM FIEND. 29 was still lying there dancing on the waves. I took hold of the painter and drew the boat up to the side. The girl slid down into her along a rope which was hanging over the ship's side. I followed her, seized upon a paddle and then I cast her adrift, and the stoim soon drove us far from the Kiem Ping Hin. " I was in hopes that I might succeed in reaching that part of the beach wliich Hes nearest to the Resident's house ; but when the ' djoekoeng ' got under the Poeloe Kalajan the wind got hold of her and we had to drift at the mercy of the waves. " Then I managed to set the wings which were lying in the bottom of the boat. Without them we must certainly have capsized and been drowned. I kept on rowing with all my might ; for I knew that once we were driven past the cape there would be an end of us. At length — at length — I managed to struggle through the breakers. One more eff'ort and we were safe at the Moeara Tjatjing ! The moment danger was over I fell down utterly exhausted, and before I had time to recover Than Khan and Liem King had discovered us. They pinioned us both, Dalima and me. Me they carried off" to this hut ; what has become of the girl I don't know. I have not seen or heard of her since. Now then, Lim Ho," said he in conclusion, " that is the whole truth." For a short time silence was preserved, Lim Ho seemed to reflect on what he had heard, and no one in the hut ventured to disturb his reflections. At length he spoke, turning to Than Khan and Liem King, and said : " Well, what have you to say to all that ? " Neither of them answered a word. "Do you intend to answer, yes or no?" roared Lim Ho in a furious passion, as he dealt Than Khan, who lay bound on the floor, a heavy kick in the side. " The Javanese lies," cried the Chinaman, writhing with pain. " We have seen nothing of the girl ! " " He probably got her off" into the woods," added Liem King, " before we came up." " I would gladly have given my life for Dalima," cried Ardjan, " but I was lying on the beach utterly prostrate ; I could not defend her, sir, I could not defend myself. I am telling you the truth. These two scoundrels must know what they have done with her ! " Lim Ho muttered a few words to himself and appeared to be thinking what he would do next, when voices were heard 3° BABOE dalima; or, outside the hut, the voices of the boat's crew who had been hunting for Dalima, and were now returning with the tidings that their search had been fruitless, and that they had nowhere been able to find the girl. Ardjan's face gleamed with satisfaction as he heard it, and he at once grew calmer. " Unless," said one of the Javanese boatmen, holding up a coil of rope, " you call this a trace of her. I found this close by the spot where we landed." Lim Ho fixed his eye upon the two wretched spies. They held their peace, that silent proof effectually closed their mouths. " These are," said Ardjan, in a much quieter tone of voice than that in which he had spoken before, " these are the cords with which they bound Dalitna's wrists and ankles. I recognise them perfectly." Lim Ho hereupon uttered but two words ; but they were words which caused Ardjan and Liem King and Than Khan to shudder with terror. In most abject terms they prayed for mercy. But Lim Ho remained deaf to all their entreaties, he scarcely deigned to cast a look at them ; but now and then in his cold rage he would deal a savage kick at the body of one or the other of the prostrate Chinamen. In a few abrupt words he gave his orders to the Javanese crew. Whatever his commands might be, his men were but too ready to carry them out. A couple of them at once left the hut while the others set Ardjan and the two Chinamen upon their legs and prepared to take them out of the cabin. " Oh, sir, have pity, have mercy upon us ! " Than Khan exclaimed in truly piteous accents. " Where is Dalima ? " was the furious rejoinder. " We don't know where she is ! " cried both the Chinamen. " And you ! " shouted Lim Ho turning to Ardjan ; " do you know what has become of her ? " " I know nothing about it," was the reply. " I think that most probably she may have got back to the Residence." " Have mercy, have mercy ! " shrieked Liem King. "What? mercy on such brutes as you?" scornfully said Lim Ho. " But," they asked ; " what harm have we done ? " " I will tell you what you have done," sneered Lim Ho. " You have had Dalima in your power and you have been pleased to let her go. That's what you have done and you THE OPIUM FIEND. 31 shall suffer for it. And you ! " he hissed out in fury as he turned to Ardjan, "you have dared to carry the girl awav Oh, you shall pay for it ! " '5 <^y- "But she is my bride," pleaded the wretched man. "Your bride, indeed," said Lim Ho with concentrated rage Your bride? Do you think a pretty girl like Dalima is destined to be the bride of a Javanese dog like you? But It was last night that you carried her off from the Kiem 1 ing Hm. Might you perhaps in that ' djoekoeng '— " A disgusting leer of disappointed passion passed over the features of Lim Ho as he uttered the half finished question. ..^^°' ".°' ^y Allah!" fiercely exclaimed the Javanese. JJahma is as pure as the white flower of which she bears the name. But," added he in a calmer mood, « you know better than that. You know that in such weather as we had last night I had very little time for trifling and love- making." ° "That's lucky for you," cried Lim Ho ; "had you so much as touched her too freely I would this very moment drive mv kreese into you. As it is, I will simply punish you for having run away. I will consent to forget that Dalima is anything to you. But,' he added with an odious smile, "you seem to forget that the matter is somewhat serious for you. You ran away, remember, to give the coastguard notice of the arrival and of the movements of the Kiem Ping Hin " " That is not true," hastily interrupted Ardjan. « That, you see, amounts to treachery— treachery to the Com- pany, continued Lim Ho without taking the slightest notice know'^^''"'^^ ^^"^"* ^^'^'^^' "^^'^^ serious matter as you "I tell you it is all a lie," cried the wretched Javanese driven to despair by the other's manner. "It is all a lie I ran away to save Dalima from your filthy clutches ; you mav drive your dagger into me for that, but I am no traitor " ^ I tell you again," replied Lim Ho with perfect calmness, that your inten ion was to betray the secrets of the Company You know the laws of the Company, do you not? I will ™ri^"T Tu^'u'"""^ punishment as to those two scoundre s. I will then have you put on board the Kiem Ping Hm ; not as her mate ; oh, no, but simply as a slave ; and you will be put ashore at Poeloe Bali and there you will have to lemain on pain of death. You will remain there, I say. as long as ever the Company shall see fit." 1), as long 3a BABOE DALIMA; OR, " Oh no ! " wildly cried Ardjan, " not that, anything but that ; rather kill me at once. I have not played the spy ; I am no traitor. I will not, I cannot live away from Dalima I " The face of Lim Ho plainly showed the bitter hatred he felt towards his rival — a hatred the more intense because he knew that Ardjan possessed the fair young girl's heart. He did not, however, vouchsafe any further reply ; but gave a sign to the boatmen. With blows and kicks they drove the prisoners before them down the rough steps. They revelled in the brutahty which they were allowed to show to these unhappy wretches. With their hands tightly bound behind their backs the three were half driven, half pushed down, and being quite unable to steady themselves they tumbled down into the filthy mud be- neath and grovelled there amidst the shouts of laughter of their tormentors until they were again roughly put on their feet. Lim Ho and his pig-tailed companions heartily joined in the merriment and thus encouraged the rough sailors in their unmerciful handling of the miserable captives. CHAPTER III. HOEKOEM KAMADOOG — THE VAN GULPENDAM FAMILY. NOTHING could be more strange, and indeed awful, than the contrast between the fair face of nature and the hideous cruelty which man was about to perpetrate on that little sequestered spot on the north coast of Java. The storm which had been raging furiously during the night had now fallen to a fresh yet warm breeze. The leaves of the singular forest of mangrove were softly rustling in the wind, and the waves, which a few hours ago were madly dashing on the shore, now were quietly running up the beach with pleasant and melodious murmurs. Indeed, the prospect from the hut over the little bay of the MoearaTjatjing, enclosed by its two headlands, was picturesque in the extreme. Under the bright beams of the early morning sun, the intense blue of the sea was glittering THE OPIUM FIEND. 33 with indescribable purity and brilliancy, the surface of the ocean was still heaving, the waves still were following each other as in pursuit, here and there a breaker might still be seen topped by a snow-white cap of foam ; but there was nothing angry in the scene. The bosom of Amphitrite still heaved, but all fierce and angry passions seemed to have died away. At some little distance from the land the schooner Kiem Ping Hin was danc- ing on the water, rising and falling gracefully, while the British ensign floated at the peak. Just in front of the hut, in which took place the stormy scenes we have described in the former chapters, and close by the small group of " Saoe " trees we have mentioned, there stood a clump of " Niboeng " palms. Straight and smooth as candles were their stems, and high up in the air their feathery tops were waving to the breeze. On all sides, excepting on that of the sea, the mangrove woodj with its maze of tangled roots, surrounded the hut as with an impenetrable wall. The bay to which Lim Ho and his attendants had dragged their unhappy prisoners was thus perfectly lonely, closely screened from every human eye. As soon as they had arrived at the spot, Lim Ho made a signal to his men. In an instant the prisoners had their clothes torn from their bodies, and stark naked they were firmly lashed to the smooth stems of three palm trees. The ropes, which had already served to confine the limbs of Dalima, now were used to tie Ardjan and the two Chinese spies to the trunks of these trees, which, to them, were to become stakes at which they were destined to endure the most excruciating agony. The victims knew well what was in store for them, and kept anxiously looking round to see what would happen ; their eyes, however, glaring around with wild terror, could not, at once, discover what they sought, and what' they were every moment dreading to see. Al- though the tropical sun was burning down on their backs, yet they were trembling in every limb, as if shivering with cold ; their hands were fastened high up above their heads, and the ropes were passed round their loins and knee-joints. Thus they could not make the slightest movement without extreme pain, for the ropes being plaited of " lemoetoe " were hard, rough, and prickly. Suddenly Than Khan uttered a startled cry, he had been anxiously looking round, and he now saw a couple of sailors coming up from the wood, each carefully bearing a bundle of leaves. The wretched man knew at a glance that the hour of c 34 BABOE DALIMA; OR, torture was at hand. The leaves which the sailors bore well deserve description. They were broad and heart-shaped, and were attached to twigs resembling brushwood. The edges of the leaves were roughly jagged like the teeth of a saw, and their upper and under surfaces were covered with white hairy down. They were leaves of the " Kamadoog," the devil thistle, the most terrible plant perhaps which the earth produces. With infinite precaution — a precaution which needs no explanation — the Javanese sailors made, of these leafy twigs, three broom-like scourges, around the handles of which they carefully wrapped some grass and bits of rag. When he saw his men thus armed, Lim Ho gave the signal to begin. Three sailors stepped up to the victims, and with the twigs began to strike their backs, their loins, their thighs, and the calves of their legs. Then was enacted a hideous, but most curious scene. It was not, properly speaking, any scourging at all, the blows which they inflicted were as light as possible ; they rather flipped or stroked the flesh of their victims, and it looked as if they were engaged in simply driving away insects or troublesome flies from the naked bodies. Now and then, one or other of them would give a somewhat harder flip, as if some obstinate fly refused to be dislodged from the spot. But the features of the unfortunate wretches, who were suffering this apparently playful scourging, were in horrible contrast with the seeming gentleness of the treatment. The faces of Ardjan and of his companions in misfortune were actually distorted with terror, their eyes were starting from the sockets. Where- ever those dieadful leaves lightly fell on the skin, the body at once shrunk away in pain, the limbs began to quiver, the muscles began to work up and to stiffen in knots, as if drawn together by violent cramp. But still that gentle flicking and stroking went on. The sufferers began to writhe and twist about their bodies in intolerable anguish. Still the heartless execu- tioners went on with their hideous task. The miserable victims panted for breath, a low, most pitiful moaning escaped from their lips ; they gnashed their teeth with agony, they bit their lips until the blood came ; but all to no purpose — nothing could bring them relief. " Have mercy, sir," they moaned with the piteous wail of a dying child. But Lim Ho had no mercy to show his wretched victims, he waved his hand to the executioners, who, at that sign, entirely changed their mode of operation, and now the gentle fanning THE OPIUM FIEND. 35 was replaced by a severe downright flogging. The blows, laid on with the full strength of the sailors, rained down upon the bare bodies of the tortured wretches, their skin resounded under the pattering of the leaves, which, less barbarous than the men who wielded them, began to tear and fly from their stems. As soon as that flogging commenced, the prisoners no longer moaned, they roared, they yelled, they howled with anguish. It was the cry of a wild beast wounded to death, which gathers up its remaining strength for one dying roar. The limbs of the miserable men now not only shrank and writhed ; but with the convulsive energy which only such ex- tremity of torture could lend, they clasped with their legs the smooth trunks of the trees, they seemed to try and sink into them and bury themselves in the wood. It was an awful spectacle, and yet, strange to say, no wounds could be seen, no contusions, no livid spots even ; nothing at all in fact to account for such unheard-of suffering. The skin only looked somewhat pufly, somewhat red and inflamed, and covered with very small blisters. The wounds which the bodies of the victims bore were serious enough, it is true; but they had nothing to do with the leaves of the terrible nettle. In their almost superhuman efforts to burst their bonds, and in their frantic contortions, the sufferers had forced the ropes into the flesh, and here and theie the strands had cut their way to the bone, so that streams of blood were pouring along their arnss, along their thighs and loins, and were forming broad red spots on the soft slippery soil. That anguish must have been acute enough in itself ; but it was nothing compared to the torture occasioned by the leaves of the devil-thistle. At length the instruments of torture had become well nigh stripped, there was left in fact only the bare twigs, on which here and there a few tattered leaves were still dangling, the poisonous leaves lay scattered in all directions, faded, torn, and shapeless about the feet of the suflerers. But, even then, Lim Ho did not think of causing the torture to cease, he seemed to be bent on utterly destroying his victims. He ordered the men to stop for a few moments. It was not because he felt any pity. Not at all, he merely caused the half dead bodies to be sprinkled with salt water, which, if possible, augmented the torments they endured. The monster was, in fact, on the point of resuming his inhuman flogging, when suddenly a cry was raised, " The police, the police 1 " 36 BABOE DALIMA ', OR, In furious haste Lim Ho and his assistants flew up to the tortured Chinamen. In a moment they had severed the cords which bound them to the trees, and the next instant they were dragging the wretches who were curling and twisting in their agony along the rough path which led to the landing-place where their boat lay moored. Two of Lim Ho's men would have performed the same office for Ardjan, but the shouts of the rescuing party became louder every instant, the men were stricken with panic, took to their heels, and with all speed re- joined their retreating comrades. They got to the boat just in time, for they had no sooner got into her, before five or six policemen led on by Dalima and closely followed by a crowd of people came to the spot. " Allah," exclaimed the young girl as she caught sight of Ardjan, who was still tied up to the tree, moaning with pain, and whose almost lifeless body was hanging like a sack in the somewhat slackened ropes; "Allah, what in the world have they done to him ! " In a moment the unfortunate man was surrounded, his bonds were severed, and he was laid down gently on a mat which somebody had run to fetch from the little watch-house. But he could not utter a word. He yelled with pain, and rolled about on the ground writhing like a crushed worm. " Oh, my God ! " he moaned most piteously, " I am in pain ! in pain ! " "Where is the pain?" cried Dalima, as she sat crouching down beside him. ." It is the kamadoog," the sufferer managed to say between his sobs of anguish. " The kaniadoog ! " cried the bystanders in horror. It was plain enough now. One of the spectators had taken up a few torn leaves, and at once recognised the terrible nettle. Every man in the crowd turned pale with horror. And truly the kamadoog is a dreadful plant. The slightest contact with its formidable leaves occasions a violent itching, painful as a severe bum ; and, when used as an instrument of torture, it causes the most intolerable suffering, for at least seven days ; it makes the limbs stiffen, and produces a burning fever, which not unfrequently ends in the most painful death. " Has anyone here any ' sirihkalk ? ' " (chalk made of sea- shells) cried Dalima. Some few of the bystanders had with them the "sirih," which they are fond of chewing. They unwrapped the sirih-leaf THE OPIUM FIEND, 37 in which were the pinang-nut, the chalk, and the tob^^^°. j""^^ form this highly-prized chew, and gave the chalk to the gir , wio hastened tJ anoint the sufferer with the paste-hke alkalu But unfortunately, so great was the surface which had been exposS t^the sSoke of the hairy leaves, that the supply o "sirih-chalk" was altogether inadequate, and onlyaj^ry small portion of the blisters could be treated with the remedy. Dalima was in despair. There was "othing else for it but to carry Ardjan into the hut, which afforded a/helter from the burning sun. Then some of the men hurried away to fetch a supply of oil and chalk, which they hoped would mitigate he pain, and check the fever. By evening, if all were well, Ardjan might perhaps have so far recovered as to bear the fatigue of being moved to more convenient quarters. While these remedies were being applied to poor Ardjan, the boat in which Lim Ho had put off, was being rowed past the djaga monjet, and was getting out of the little bay. The policemen stood on the shore calling to the crew to come back ; but no one took the slightest notice of their summons, and, as they had no firearms with them to enforce obedience, the only reply they got was a derisive cheer, and a shout ot defiance. . , . tt «_ j i • i.. As he rowed by the djaga monjet, Lim Ho had plainly recognised Dalima, who, actively employed in assisting her tortured lover, was running about, in and out, here and there. r The sight of her literally maddened the brutal Chinaman; /he was on the point of ordering his boat's crew to return and I row to land. But, in another instant, he came to himself, and recovered his reason. It would indeed have been the act of a madman to try and carry off the girl just then. He knew that he could place great dependence upon the power of his gold ; but yet, in full daylight, in the very face of all those people, he felt he could hardly try its influence upon the native police. 1 So he could only shake his fist in impotent rage, and the word I to return remained unspoken. U The boat swiftly glided out of the Moeara Tjatjing, and at once made for the Kiem Ping Hin, which was already loosening her sails, and waiting impatiently for the return of her boat's crew. As they mounted the deck, Captain Awal Boep Said came up to report to Lim Ho that the smoke of a steamer could just be seen on the horizon. " Probably," he added, " it is the Matamata, she was here yesterday." "Those white blockheads," muttered Lim Ho, with a 38 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, scornful laugh. " At night they have their coloured lights up, and we can tell them miles away. By day they take care to send up a cloud of smoke which no one can mistake. I will bet they have not discovered us yet, while we have had our eye on her ever so long ago." "It is the guard-ship, sir, likely enough. What are your orders ? " said the captain. " The wind has risen somewhat with the sun," replied Lim Ho. " Set sail at once, and steer for Bali." A quarter of an hour later, the Kiem Ping Hin was grace- fully heeling over to the freshening breeze, and, under full sail, was flying to the eastward. When, much later on, the Matamata came to the Moeara Tjatjing, the smuggler, an excellent sailing craft, was on the horizon ; she was nothing more than a faint white speck on the deep blue sea. The clumsy old guard-ship, which, under favourable circumstances, could not make more than six knots, and might perhaps do eight knots under extra pressure, had not the smallest chance of overtaking the rakish schooner, running eleven knots before the breeze. In less than an hour, the vessels were out of sight of one another altogether. Meanwhile, what had befallen Dalima that she thus managed to come up at the right moment of time to rescue Ardjan from compulsory exile ? As soon as she had succeeded in gnawing through the rope which tied her wrists, no very difficult task for her sharp white teeth — she plucked asunder the knots by which her feet were confined. That did not take long, and with a gesture of contempt she flung the cords aside and was hastening from the spot. For a moment or two, however, she stood still, considering whether she ought not to go straight to the djaga monjet, perhaps she might be of some service to Ardjan. At that moment, however, she caught the voices of the two Chinamen who were coming down the pathway in quest of her. This at once brought her to a decision and thoroughly terrified she ran off at the top of her speed in the opposite direction. As she was speeding along she made up her mind to go straight to her mistress and implore her aid. But, the question was, would she listen to her story, would she help her ? Well, if she would not, then she would go to the Resident, he surely could not refuse to hear her. Thus, like a hunted roe she flew along, the thick forest had no terrors for her, she was a true child of Nature and knew THE OPIUM FIEND. 39 her road well, and so, in a few seconds, she had disappeared amone the tangled roots of the mangrove. . , . , It was in the early morning that she reacj^ed .^l^^. f °""f^ of the house. The first thing she saw under the half open verandah or "pandoppo" was the Resident's daughter. Her vourTg mistress was quite alone, she was lying back ma com- fortable rocking-chair and was reading a book m which she nTD^m^glStl softly into the pandoppo a„d>^^^^^^^^^ making the least sound, with a graceful motion seated herself Soss iLged on the floor close to the maiden who continued Sy rSng herself as she read. " Nana." said Dahma in the softest whisper which sounded like a gentle sigh "Nana I ' At the sound'^^he young girl gave a sudden start, fe dropped her book and springing up from her seat, « Siapa ada? (who is there) she cried half in terror, half in surprise. The daughter of the Resident stood there for a few moments in the rays of the early sun, a perfect picture of loveliness Her forehead of the purest ivory-white was surrounded by a rich inass of glossy dark-brown curls, her nose and chin inight have^erved as models to a sculptor. But, though the features tere fSess y regular, the whole face was full of animation Tnd oS. The lbs of the rosiest red and of exquisite form resembled a freshly opened rosebud, the cheeks were tmged with S glow of health and the large deep-brown eyes were fu of tenderness and plainly spoke of a gentle and }oving disposition within. The neck and bust of the young g»rl were modestly Veiled under the folds of a tastefully arranged "Kabaja which however, could not hide the well-filled and perfectly rounded form it strove to conceal. , , , . "Who is there?" she had cried as startled she had sprung UD from her cbair. . , jm i„ " It is I, Nana," whispered Dalima in a scarcely audible ^°The fair young girl, whom we have tried faintly to depict to the reader, was called Anna. In ordinary conversation the servants usually addressed her as "Nonna" (Miss). But Dalima, either by reason of her youth or it may be because she was shy and gentle of nature, was Anna's special favourite and enjoyed certain privileges with her young mistress over the other servants ; she was indeed looked upon m the light of a companion, and so she always used to call her "Nonna Anna "which was first contracted into " Nonanna, and then 40 BABOE DALIMA; OR, became simply " Nana." Thus the reader will perceive that the name " Nana " has nothing whatever in common with Zola's disgusting production, nor yet with the inhuman monster who made himself so sadly notorious at Cawnpore. At the words " It is I, Nana," Anna looked down and no sooner saw Dalima seated at her feet than she recovered from her scare. She offered to raise the maiden who, however, maintained her position on the floor of the verandah. " You here, Dalima," cried she ; " where in the world have you been ? Mamma is dreadfully angry with you. Where have you come from?" " Nina," she replied, " I have been carried off! " " By whom ? " asked Anna. " By some of Lim Ho's men," said Dalima. " Lim Ho ? " cried Anna now really frightened, " Lim Ho ? What, have you been in his power ? " " Yes I have," said the young girl. "What, all night?" " No," replied Dalima, " No, not all night ; Allah has been my protection and — " "So, so I That gadabout has come home at last, has she?" cried a voice which caused both the girls to start with terror. It was Anna's mother, who just then came into the pandoppo without having been noticed either by her daughter or by Dalima. She came straight from her bathroom as was evident from the rich black hair which flowed waving down her back, and had completely wetted the kabaja she wore, while she had covered her neck and shoulders with a bathing-towel of the finest material. Bending her head backwards she drew the towel from under her hair and handed it to the nbn^h (old Javanese woman) who followed her, with the order to go and dry it immediately. Madam Laurentia van Gulpendam, whose maiden name was Termolen, was a stately matron, fully thirty-five years of age, and was still extremely beautiful. Years and maternity had not made much impression upon her charms. She had but one child, Anna, and fearing that the natural duties of a mother might impair her beauty, she had confided her daughter to the care of a nurse. In spite, however, of all precautions, the influence of time was now beginning to make itself felt, and though it could not be denied that Laurentia carried the load of years proudly enough, yet lately she had found the necessity TME OPIUM FlENt). 41 of bringing certain powders and certain mysterious toilette- confections into requisition, to help out the soniewhat fadmg complexion and (to use an elegant expression of her husband who had had something to do with the sea, and was always interlarding his conversation with nautical terms) to caulk here and there an indiscreet, and too obtrusive wrinkle. Here and there also a silver thread might have been detected among the wealth of jet-black hair, had not the Nfenfeh Wong Toewa been anxiously watchful, and at its very first appearance plucked out the traitor. The finely formed lips also had begun to lose somewhat of their bright carnation; and the comers of the mouth were beginning to droop. But for these tokens of ad- vancing age also, the nfenfeh was on the watch. For preserving the mouth she had a sourish kind of fluid prepared from the red ant which she used as " vinaigre de toilette, and for the wrinkles she had an ointment made of the fat ol lizards, in which when boiling hot sundry scorpions and centipedes had met a painful death. But Nenbh Wong Toewa was moreover an old, experienced doctoress, and she had many other wonderful secrets in her possession which she placed at the disposal of her mistress; and if the stately Laurentia still kept her lawful lord and master en- thralled by her charms,— if the worid around was still bound to confess that she was a fine woman,— if her waist, her shoulders, her bosom did still, in a ball-room, attract the greedy, admiring eyes of the men, and awakened envy among the ladies— then to Wong Toewd a great share of these much coveted honours was due, and often from behind a screen the old crone would stand unobserved and enjoy the triumph of her mistress, and delight in the homage which followed her wherever she went. Laurentia Termolen was the daughter of a former resident, and was an exceedingly handsome and agreeable girl when, at the tender age of sixteen, she became the wife of Mr. van Gulpendam who, at that time, was controller of the Home Department, and her father's right hand. Though born in India she was of European parents, both on the mother's and father's side : and she had had the advantage of an excel- lent education, that is to say, large sums of money had been lavishly spent upon her. She had had the very best masters in language, in music, in dancing, &c., she had even been sent to Holland to receive the finishing touches. Now, under ordinary circumstances, she might— nay she would have 42 BABOE DAUMA; OR, ?h«l°^^^- ° ^" e^'cellent woman ; but unfortunately for her. For bo^h n".7 ^f '^'^°"'""'''" circumstances were ^wanting and had Sn ""'^T "^'^^ P"°P'« of inordinate ambitioS. one rulinrnn? •■■' "^f'^^P^ m consequence of that ambition r/lr/?^ passion the love of display. They wanted to make a great figure m their little world, and to keep up an unmense amount of outward show. But all this cost money. SiS^"?°"7: very much money, and the means whereby they Lo^S ^? "''u '" ^^^ necessary dross, were not always such as r^nll.- "u i'"u'* ^''""•"y: ^'°"' ^^^ earliest childhood, Laurentia had heard snatches of conversation, later on she mlr^f ^" P'^u-'V* ^- j""-vl i " By Ardjan ? by Ardjan ? " shouted her mistress. Oh ! you filthy creature. Now I see it alL Of course you ran away from ' master T ' o to go and have a game with your Ardjan, and now you want to put it all upon Lim Ho. Wait a bit, I will- .„ r. L Ml " Gulpendam ! " she shouted, " Gulpenda-a-m ! So shrill arrl io sharp sounded her voice as she thus called for her liusband, that a couple of servants came rushing in thinking something terrible must have happened. " Call your master ! " she cried to them. " Pardon, madam, pardon ! " cried poor Dalima in wailing tones. " No, no," said her mistress, " no pardon for a creature like you." CHAPTER IV. THE PLOT THICKENS. MR. VAN GULPENDAM came rushing in. Stately and dignified as was the " Kandjeng toean Resid^n " (High and mighty Lord Resident), yet when fair Laurentia called in that tone of voice he became briskness personified. A wicked world, indeed, whispered that on such occasions he dared not for his life be one whit less nimble. The resident was, like his fair spouse, in undress ; he had on only a pair of pygamas and a " Kabaja," and in this airy costume was seated in the outer fore-gallery of the 46 BABOE DALIMA; OR, spacious residence, engaged in leisurely sipping his coffee and enjoying his morning cigar, when the voice of his wife was heard re-echoing through the house : " Gulpendam, Gul- penda-am ! " As if electrified, at the last long drawn-out syllable, van Gulpendam flew up out of his rocking-chair, and that with such violence and speed, that he drove the thing flying away several feet behind him. " Man, the umbrella, quickly ! " he roared. Besides the habitual and constant use of nautical terms to which we have already alluded, van Gulpendam had another weakness; he would always insist upon having the emblem of his authority, the pajoeng, (umbrella) close by his side. In the very entrance of the oflicial mansion four of these umbrellas were placed in a stand by the chair which the Lord Resident was wont to occupy. In his private office another pajoeng stood close by his writing desk ; in his bedroom yet another was conspicuous at the head of the residential bed-stead. Thieves might break in during the night, such was his argument, and at the majesty of the mighty pajoeng would recoil in horror. To that argument Laurentia, imperious though she was, had had to bow, and had been forced to suffer the emblem of her lord's supremacy in the inmost sanctuary of her bed-chamber ; but in the pandoppo where, in her capacity of mistress of the house, she was determined to rule supreme — no pajoeng was ever allowed to intrude. If the Resident wished to go out for a walk then it was always " Man, the umbrella ! " and the um- brella and the cigar-case and the lighted slow match obedi- ently followed his footsteps. Sometimes when the great man would cool his forehead in the breeze, the servant obse- quiously carried the official gold-laced cap — reverently it was carried behind him as a priest might bear some holy relic. As van Gulpendam made his appearance in the pandoppo he was greeted with the words, somewhat sternly uttered : " What business has that pajoeng here 1 You know I won't have the thing in this place." And turning very sharply upon the unhappy attendant, Laurentia cried : " Back with you, away, quick I " and a single look from the master caused the man to disappear with his umbrella faster, indeed, than he had entered. " I say," said Mrs. van Gulpendam, addressing her husband, " Dalima has come back. I want you just to guess where that good-for-nothing creature has been to." THE OPIUM FIEND. 47 "What is the use of my trying to guess?" replied the husband. " She has no doubt dropped anchor somewhere in the dessa." " In the dessa," scornfully exclaimed the lady, " oh, no doubt. Not a bit of it — she has been on the tramp with that Ardja'n of her's." " Pardon, madam ! " cried the poor girl, who understood Dutch quite well enough not to lose a syllable of her mistress's words. " And now," Laurentia went on, all in a breath, " now she has came home with quite a romantic tale. She pretends that she has been carried off, forsooth, by Lim Ho, and that she has passed the night in a ship. Just fancy that" At the name of Lim Ho, and at the mention of the word "ship," the Resident pricked his ears. The captain of the Matamata, the guardship, had sent in a report in which he had said that the Kiem Ping Hin had been cruising about the coast. That schooner-brig belonged to the opium fanner, who was shrewdly suspected of being in close league with the opium smugglers. Hence the attention of the Resident was so suddenly arrested. " What ship ? " asked van Gulpendam, somewhat hastily. "How should I know what ship?" replied his wife. "You had better ask that wretched girl." " Pardon, madam ! " cried Dalima, as she was still cower- ing in great terror on the floor of the pandoppo. " Come, Dalima," said van Gulpendam, with some kindness in his voice, " come now, my girl, just tell us what has really happened to you." " Allah, master, they have caught Ardjan. Have pity ! " " They have qaught Ardjan, you say," interrupted van Gulpendam, " who have caught him ? " " Babah Than Khan and babah Liem King," replied the girl, weeping bitterly. " Oh ho," muttered her master to himself, and then turning to the girl again, he said, aloud, "Where did they lay hands on him?" " In the Moeara Tjatjing, toean," was the reply. " In the Moeara Tjatjing," said Van Gulpendam, musingly ; " what brought him there, I wonder ? " " He had just escaped with me," sobbed Dalima. "That's it, now what did I tell you I" almost shrieked Lau- rentia. 48 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, " From the ship," added poor Dalima, between her sobs. " Aye, no doubt!" cried her mistress. " Run away from this house. That is nearer the truth ! " " For goodness sake," said the Resident, apart to his wife, " lei the girl get under weigh, or else we shall never get to land," and turning to Dalima, he said : " Now come, first of all, let us hear how you got on board the ship." Thereupon, the poor girl, still seated cross-legged on the floor, began to tell her master all that had befallen her from the time of her forcible abduction out of his garden, to the moment that she had succeeded in gnawing through the ropes which bound her, and had taken to headlong flight. Just as the girl was beginning her tale, Anna had quietly re- entered the pandoppo, and thus heard the whole story. " Well," said the Resident, when Dalima had ended the story of her woes. " Well, that is a curious tale certainly j and now what about Ardjan — did you leave him behind you at the Moeara Tjatjing? " " Why, sir," replied Dalima, " he could not move, he was tied hand and foot when the two Chinamen carried him off on the pole. They could not, however, have taken him very far J for scarcely had I got my feet free, before I saw their lanterns shining between the trees, and heard their voices approaching. Had it been light enough they must have seen me running away, and most probably I should never have got clear of them at all." "Then you suppose Ardjan is still there?" asked her master, somewhat eagerly. " That I cannot say, toean," replied Dalima. " I overheard them saying to each other that they intended first to take Ardjan to the djaga monjet, and then come b^ck and fetch me." "To the djaga monjet," hastily cried van Gulpendam. " Man ! man ! " '' If I were you," said his wife, as bitterly as she could, " I woiild this time leave the pajoeng behind." But without taking the slightest notice of the amiable re- mark, the Resident turned to the servant, who had appeared at his call, and said : " Man, you will go at once with a couple of your mates to the Moeara Tjatjing. As you go you are to rouse the people of the neighbouring dessas, and take as many of them with you as you think you will require to help you, and then you will try and arrest Ardjan the Javanese. Baboe Dalitna there will show you the way." THE OPIUM FIEND. 49 " Oh, you believe the girl's story then ? " contemptuously asked Laurentia. " Well, not all of it perhaps," replied her husband, " but any- how it is of the utmost importance that the matter should be cleared up." And turning to his servant, he went on : "You carry out my orders to the letter j do you hear ? And now go, and take Dalima with you." When both had disappeared, van Gulpendam said in a whisper to his wife : " At the bottom of all this mystery, depend upon it, there is some opium-scandal. Whenever Lim Ho's name is mixed up in anything, there is something going on that must not see the light ; and — if my soundings are correct — then — the rich papa will have to pay the piper." These words the Resident accompanied with a most ex- pressive gesture, moving his thumb and fore-finger as a man who is counting down money. Mrs. van Gulpendam tried to stop him by looking significantly at her daughter Anna. " Oh, come, come," laughed the husband, " she is no longer a baby. When you were her age you had seen a good deal more than that at your parents'. She must by degrees get to understand where all the housekeeping-money comes from." And drawing his daughter to him, he said to her, as he patted her smooth cheek, " I am right, Anna, am I not ? When by- and-bye you are married, you will like to live in a fine house like this, you will like to have your jewels like your mother, you will want fine dresses, elegant carriages, the best and most thorough-bred horses, eh ? " " Well, my dear father," replied the fair girl, with a blush and a most bewitching smile, "I suppose every girl would; however, I am not particularly fond of all these things." " Oh, no," interrupted the Resident with a laugh, " we know all about that. All girls talk just as you do when they are your age. It is always the same thing, 'Beauty when unadorned &c., &c.' But," he continued, "all that sentiment does not last very long ; in time women begin to see that the vital question is to appear as beautiful as possible. And now, my girl, you run away, and go and have a look to my breakfast ; I have ordered it to be laid in the verandah and I have asked my secretary van Nes to come and have it with me. You know he is a man who knows what is good — so mind you look to the honour of the galley." When his daughter had left the pandoppo to do her father's bidding, he turned to his wife and said : " Now, my dear so BABOE DAUMA3 OR, Laurentia, just you listen to me. In a day or two I have to pay our bill to John Pryce of Batavia, it comes to 20,000 guilders, as you know, and of that sum I haven't got the first thousand together yet. Now, if I am right about this Lim Ho business, why then you will see, we shall have fair weather enough for our money-question; oh yes, and we shall log a good bit more than that — we shall have a nice little sum in the locker after the bill is paid — that may come in handy — what do you say, eh ? " " Of course," replied his wife thoughtfully, " but then that running away of Dalima, I don't like — " /~^ Now, now," cried her husband, " just you wait a bit, don't f be in a hurry, don't go running off the stocks too fast I If the girl's yarn be true, then — yes — I am afraid that Lim Ho has been fishing behind the net. And yet, when I come to look at it that is not so bad for us either. It will only make him clap on more sail and — ^if we can only keep our helm steady, then that little job may turn out a very nice little breeze for usT^ A Chinaman, you know, will go far — aye he will go very far to gratify his passions. So you just let me brace up, and mind don't you go taking the wind out of my sails." It was growing rather late in the evening — about half past "Seven — when the Oppas, who had been sent out, returned and reported to his master that, with Dalima's help, he had found Ardjan. The news came to Mr. van Gulpendam just after he had risen from table, and was sitting with his wife and daughter in the cool front gallery of the sumptuous Residential mansion. They were awaiting the arrival of some friends and acquain- tances who were, on that evening, to partake of the family's friendly and sociable hospitality. Yes — we use the words friendly and sociable hospitality ; for the van Gulpendams, with all their faults, were very hospitable, and could be most 'friendly and sociable. Of course their intense worldliness and love of display had a gieat deal to do witii their hospitality; but it was so tempered by the bon-ton of both host and hostess that, on such evenings as this, their ostentation was hardly, if at all, perceptible. This was to be a friendly and sociable evening. On such evenings not every one had the entree of the Residence ; they were, in fact, quite different from the grand official receptions. These formal receptions took place regularly, once a week, on Wednesday. Then lower officials, subaltern officers, lead- ing men of commerce, planters, strangers, in one word mere THE OPIUM FIEND. s» official visitors were received. On these grand occasions the Lord Resident would appear in state, clad in light-blue cloth coat with silver buttons, in white cashmere trousers, in all the splendour, in short, which his high office could shed upon poor mortal man. Then also his handsome wife decked out in all her jewellery would flaunt about like a gorgeous peacock. But at such receptions not a gleam, not a vestige of friendliness or sociability could be discovered within the walls of the house. Then on the one side, there was nothing but pride, conceit and arrogance, and, on the other, all was humility and obsequious cringing with here and there a little touch of half- concealed mockery. But the ordinary evening gatherings were for intimate friends and highly-placed officials who, by reason of their position or wealth, could venture familiarly to approach the Residential throne. Invitations there .were none; but certain dignitaries were sure to put in an appearance, such as the Commandant of the garrison who was a Colonel at least, the President of the High Court of Justice, the Chief of the Medical Staff, the President of the Local Board of Trade, and such like. All these good people came without ceremony, without compliment, stood and chatted for a moment or two with Mrs. van Gulpendam or said a few pretty things to her fair daughter, shook hands with the Resident in a friendly way, talked over the bits of news of the day and then settled down at the little card-tables for a quiet game. As a rule Mrs. van Gulpendam would take a hand, and, it must be said, that she was by no means amongst the least lucky of the players, especi- ally when, towards the end of the evening, the play began to run rather high. Of this love of play dear little Anna used to make excellent use. As soon as she had seen the guests pro- perly attended to, she would slip away indoors, take her seat at her piano, and there would give herself up to the full enjoy- ment of Chopin or Beethoven or Mozart, whose masterpieces the young girl revelled in and would study with the enthusiasm of a born musician. Such was to be this evening's programme, though as the sequel will show, the music was to serve quite another purpose. When the " Oppas " had, in minute detail, reported all he had learnt to know about poor Ardjan, and how he had con- veyed the Javanese who was in a burning fever, to the hospital t) bs there further taken care of — the countenance of his chief brightened up wonderfully. " The deuce, the deuce," he muttered between his teeth, 5' BABOE DALIMA; OR, " that bit of a joke with the devil-nettle may come to cost Lim Ho's worthy papa a pretty penny ! " From a distance Mrs. van Gulpendam was eagerly watching the emotions which were pretty clearly reflected on her husband's countenance. But the good humour of the Resident rose to absolute satisfaction when the man went on reporting to him that his people, with the assistance of the inhabitants of the dessa, had discovered certain small casks and tins carefully stowed away in the dense underwood, and which, in all probability, contained opium. "Who, do you say, found these things?" asked the Re- sident. " Oh ! " said the Oppas, " all of us." "What," fell in van Gulpendam, somewhat taken aback, " did the dessa folk see them as well as you ? " " Engbh (yes), Kandjeng toean," replied the man, who was seated cross-legged in front of his master. The reply evidently did not please his excellency at all, and his displeasure was plainly reflected in his face. "And where did you make this haul?" he continued. " Have you brought it along with you ? " " Pardon me, Kandjeng toean," replied the Oppas, " I had the things taken to the chief inspector of police." " Stupid ass I " muttered van Gulpendam almost inaudibly. " Engfeh, Kandjeng toean," was the stolid reply— the man did not understand the epithet. The word " Engfeh " is always in the mouth of a Javanese whenever he addresses a Europeaa He will give that answer even when he has not understood a word of what has been said to him, and it must not be taken to express any opinion of his own, but it is simply a meaningless and polite kind of consent to whatever his superior may choose to say to him. Van Gulpendam thoroughly knew the Javanese character, and was therefore not the least surprised at his man's answer. _ " Go," said he, " to the inspector and tell him that I want him to come to me at once." The servant still retaining his posture, pushed himself backward for a few paces, then sprang up and hurried off to carry out his master's order. A few moments later, after the usual greetings and compliments had been exchanged, the conversation became general. Anna seized this opportunity, and quietly slipped away, scarcely noticed by any one present Dalima, she knew, had returned, and she was full of curiosity to hear what had become THE OPIUM FIEND. 53 of Ardjan. She had managed to overhear a few scraps of her father's conversation with the " Oppas," but had not been able to get at the truth of the story. When she reached the pandoppo she found Dalima there, seated, cross-legged as usual, but with tears streaming down her cheeks. " What in the world has happened to you, Dalima ?" cried she. " Do tell us all about it." "O Nana," cried the poor girl, "they have abused my Ardjan so shamefully ! " And thereupon she told her mistress in what a pitiable state she had found her lover. " Oh," she sobbed, " if I could have got there a little sooner 1 " " But, who has treated him so dreadfully? " cried Anna full of sympathy. " Lim Ho," replied Dalima. " Lim Ho ? " said Anna. " Why, what was he doing there ? " "That I can't tell you," replied the girl. "All I can say is that I recognised him quite plainly as he was rowed past the djaga monjet ' out of the Moeara Tjatjing.' " " Oh, you may have been mistaken, Dalima," said her young mistress. " Mistaken, Nana ! Oh no," replied the girl. " I could see him clench his fist in anger when he caught sight of me. I feel sure, indeed, he would have put back had he dared ; and the few words Ardjan could speak have made me certain it was he." " But," asked Anna, " what could have induced him to torture the poor fellow so unmercifully with the kamadoog?" " I am sure I don't know," said Dalima, colouring ; " perhaps it was because Ardjan is my sweetheart ; it may be because he rescued me. from the Kiem Ping Hin. Oh, dearest Nana," continued the poor girl, with a flood of tears, "poor dear Ardjan has gone mad, he does nothing but rave." " And where is he now ? " asked Anna, striving to quiet the sobbing girl. " He is in the hospital ; the police took him there after they had gone to fetch the inspector." " The inspector ? " cried Anna. " What had he to do with it?" " The men took some small casks and some tins which they had found, to his house," was Dalima's reply. " Opium ! " exclaimed Anna, now really frightened, " Where did th?y find the horrid styff?" 54 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, * ••They found it close to the hut where Ardjan was tortured." Close to the hut, you say," cried Anna. "They found it at the same time that they discovered Ardjan ? " "Yes, Na," faltered Dalima, scarcely audibly. For a moment the fair girl stood as if lost in thought. " I hope It will not compromise poor Ardjan," said she, musingly and then, havirig collected her thoughts, she again turned to Dahma, and said : o b lu • 'l^T y,°" "l^l'.^ ^°"^ "^''^ A'djan when you left the ship m the djoekoeng ?" *^ " Quite alone, Nana." "You are sure, there was nothing in the djoekoeng when you got mto her? Now think well." "Quite sure, Nana, nothing whatever," replied Dalima. " How could there be ? We slid along a bit of rope into the boat, while the storm was howling all round us, and glad enough we were to get out of the ship and away from her as soon as possible." Nonna Anna reflected for a few moments. Then she started *l- u ^"°*^^" thought had struck her, ran into her own room which adjoined the pandoppo, and soon returned carrying with her a writing case. She put it down before one of the lamps which were burning there, and hurriedly scribbled a little note When she had sealed it, she handed it to the maid, and said • " Now, Dalima, listen to me. Do you really love Ardjan and are you anxious to save him ?" ••Oh, Nana," cried the poor girl, ready again to burst into tears ; "how can you ask that ?" " Very well," said Anna, quietly, " then take this note to Mr. van Nerekool, you understand ? " " Oh yes, I know," cried the girl ; "he lives in Aboe Street close by the Catholic Church. But it is so far away, and it is now so late." " Then you had better tell Sodikromo, the gardener's boy, to go with you," said Anna. " You can take a * sados ' (dos-a- dos) and you will soon be there and back— So now quick- make haste." It did not take Sodikromo long to get the vehicle ready, and soon he and Dalima were on their way with the nonna's message. While this was going on In the pandoppo, Mr. and Mrs. van Gulpendam were receiving their giiests, who kept on gradually arriving, with the courtesy and suavity they could so well put on. THE OPIUM FIEND. '• Well, that is kind of you, colonel, I call it really very kind of you to remain faithful to our little party," said Laurentia to a gentleman who had just come in. He was in plain clothes ; but his bearing and his white hair closely clipped and his bristling moustache plainly proclaimed him a soldier. '•And why, madam," replied he, "what may have led you to suppose that I would have denied myself the pleasure of presenting myself here to-night ? " •'Van Gulpendam has told me," replied the hostess, "that there has been very ugly news from Atjeh, and that a con siderable part of our garrison would have to leave. So I took it for granted that you would be much too busy to — " •• Do what, madam ? " said the colonel, smiling. •• To come and take my hand here as usual ? " " By no means, I can assure you that a good deal would have to happen before I would forego the pleasure of your charming society. Oh, no," he continued, " I have given my orders — the rest, the chief of my staff will see to." '•And you," said Laurentia, turning to another of her newly-arrived guests, '• have not these sad tidings given you a great deal to do? A very large medical staiiff will have to accompany the expedition — at least, as member of the Red Cross I have received some such intimation from Batavia." •' No, madam," replied the gentleman thus addressed, who was chief medical officer at Santjoemeh. " I have not to complain of overwork. Every provision for our expedition to Atjeh has been made and I need not trouble my head about it any more. But, for all that, I can assure you that I was in real danger of being obliged to miss your pleasant party this evening." "Indeed," said Laurentia, with much assumed interest, "I hope there is no case of serious illness among our friends, doctor?" •'I am glad to say there is not, madam," replied the doctor. "But, as I was at my dinner this afternoon, the young surgeon on duty at the hospital came running in to tell me that I was urgently wanted. A young native, he said, had been brought in by the police, who was in a most dreadful condition, suffering from something which completely puzzled him. His diagnostica was altogether at fault." "His — what was at fault, did you say, doctor?" enquired Mrs van Gulpendam, 56 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, " His diagnostica, madam," replied the surgeon. " That is the name, you know, we give to the science by which we recognize a special form of disease. Well, as the young fellow assured me that the patient was in an extremely critical state — in fact in extremis — I had no choice but to go and see him. You know, dear madam," proceeded the surgeon, senten- tiously, " a physician's devotion must be that of a priest." " Oh, I know, of course," replied Laurentia, with a slight smile ; " but pray go on." ' Well," continued the surgeon, " I went all the way to the hospital. And now, just guess what was the matter! — Oh, those young doctors of the new school ! The fellow had his mouth full of fine words — of absent diaeresis, of efHorescentia, of formicatio, of hemianthropia, and what not. But he couldn't see with all his brand new science, that he had to do with a very simple — though I must own — a most severe case of urtication." " A severe case of what ? " enquired Laurentia. " Why, madam, of urtication," replied the doctor, " the man had undergone, somehow or other, a most severe flogging with nettle-leaves." " Nettle-leaves ! " exclaimed van Gulpendam, breaking into the conversation, his interest being thoroughly aroused at the doctor's words. " These things," he continued, " are called in Javanese, I think, Kamadoog — are they not, doctor ? " "Precisely so. Resident, you are quite right," was the surgeon's reply. " Pray, doctor, do go on with your story," said van Gulpen- dam. " Ten knots an hour if you please." " Well," said the doctor, " that foolish young fellow might have let me finish my dinner in peace. There was nothing to be done in the case but what the people of the dessa had done already, the parts most afflicted had to be covered with sirih- chalk and the other parts with oil. It was very simple. The man was, of course, in a burning fever, but I need not have been disturbed for that, there are antifebrilia and antidinika in abundance in store, he migiit have administered them without calling me in." " And how long," asked van Gulpendam, somewhat eagerly, "do the effects of such an urtication, as you call it, last?" " Oh, that is impossible to say, that depends entirely upon how the nettle has been applied. This patient of ours has had an uncommonly heavy dose of it, and, in my opinion, the fever THE OPIUM FIEND. 57 will last some forty-eight hours. Then, I hope, it will abate, bit it'will be quite a fortnight before the man is on his legs ^^ " A fortnight," said van Gulpendam, with a frown. " Why, **'^' Yes '^'°saidThe surgeon, « it will be quite a fortnight, and "^'^X'^Fc^^La the Resident. « will it leave any "VSrrare" my dear sir. If the patient once gets well ^^^.^B^ut Sy/'Sr^vLTul^ndam^ "there will be scars and the skin will be discoloured." " Certainly not-nothing of the kmd," replied the other. " So that,'' continued the Resident, " after the cure there will be no visible proofs of the treatment he has received? "There will be none. But, Resident, why all these ques- tions ? Perhaps you take some special interest m the nnan ? "Not I." said van Gulpendam, carelessly, but yet with some confusion. " Why should I? I know nothing about the case, I have heard nothing about it ; but I have heard so much of the terrible effects of the Hoekoem Kamadoog that I often have wished to learn something more about It." Other guests were arriving, and so the conversation dropped. After the usual greetings the card-tables were occupied, while Anna was busying herself at the tea-table. Play had, however, scarcely begun before the chief inspector of pohce was an- nounced. He paid his respects to the lady ,of the house, interchanged a few words with some of his acquamtance, and then turning to the Resident he said : " I beg your pardon, sir, for thus disturbing you ; but the message I received, left me no choice but to intrude myself upon you at once " Quite right, quite right, Mr. Meidema," said the host, as he rose from his seat and turning to his partners he said : "Gentlemen, you must oblige me by playing a three-handed game for a few minutes, I have urgent business with Mr. Meidema." . , , . , , The two officials entered a side-chamber which opened upon the gallery, and after having carefully shut the door, Mr. van Gulpendam, without preface whatever, said to the inspector : " Mr. Meidema, you have made a considerable capture of opium to-day, I hear." i , ,, . "Yes, Resident," was the reply, "three buttertubs full, and S8 BABOE DA LI ma; OR, fifteen tins have been delivered into my custody. In the tubs one and a half • pfkols.'" ^ *''°^^ ^"°""'' *" ^''°"' «?vh;!°K" ^^'** van Gulpendam, "that is a pretty good haul." Which are worth," continued Meidema, "I should sav about nine thousand guilders." ^' tnl'i^r'' *^° ^°" ™!''^ '^^^ °"* '' " asked the Resident. " You ratfof rS"' t."T '^^ '^^°P'"™ *° the farmers at tSe rate of 30 guilders the kattie. Now, 30 x 150, is. according S.iS/'1°"'"^' r "T '^^'^ four'thousa^d KunS guilders. I am right, am I not ?" ••You are perfectly right, sir," replied Meidema. " But you ZS 'T"!?^"^ '^^' this is not raw material. We have go" hold of tjandoe, and you know, I suppose, that one kattie of raw opium gives only fifteen thirty second parts of pure Sndoe " I daresay you are right," said the other. " But." he added Without appearing to notice his superior officer's look Meidema answered at once : «« It is something better than that sir it is tjandoe. Look at the sample, I have one here with me. It IS the purest Bengal article." •' Hadn't we better," said van Gulpendam, " submit that sample to a chemist for analysis?" «i,v'k!"'J ^' ^°r P^^s^'" s«id Meidema; "but I see not the shgh est need for that. It is tjandoe, and it contains, at least, twenty or thirty per cent of morphia." • ••Indeed," quoth van Gulpendam. " I was only thinking— Well, it IS your business, you know what is best. The contra- band has been placed in your custody. You know, I suppose, where it came from ? " ' fi "^"^i " Oh yes, sir, I know where it came from. Your chief ser- vant told me that it was put on shore from the Kiem Ping Hin, and you know — " * J "^'^*l!^wl'^ ^'^'" ^'"S Hin," hastily exclaimed van Gulpen- dam. What makes you think that ? " uZ^^^i^ ""^""^^ "^ think that?" slowly repeated Meidema. Why, Resident, I told you just now your chief servant told me so. "Man, man," cried the Resident, in a loud voice. The servant thus summoned appeared ; and then turning to THE OPIUM FIEND. 59 Mr. Meidema and pointing to the Javanese, the Resident said: •• Is that the man who told you this ? " •' Yes, sir," said Meidema, " that is the man." "Man," said the Resident, as he sternly fixed his eye upon his Javanese servant, •• that opium which you delivered to the toean Inspector, was found upon Ardjan — was it not ? " " Engfeh, Kandjeng toean," was the man's reply. " But "— "I will have no 'but's,'" cried van Gulpendam, "simply yes or no." " Engfeh, Kandjeng toean," said the man again stolidly. " You hear it, Mr. Meidema ? " " Oh yes, Resident, I hear it," replied the inspector, in a strange tone of voice. ••Very well, then," continued his superior officer, "you will please to draw up your official report in accordance with that man's evidence." " But, sir — " began the other. "I will have no 'buts,'" interrupted van Gulpendam, sharply. '• All you have to do is to do your duty." •• Have you any other commands for me. Resident ?" drily asked the inspector, with a stiff bow. '• No, thank you — none at present." A few moments later the card parties were in full swing, and Laurentia, who was holding splendid hands, was in unusually high spirits, and exceedingly talkative. •• Humph," muttered her husband, as he took his seat at his own table. " She is beginning rather early — rather too eariy I am afraid." CHAPTER V. MUSIC HATH CHARMS. JUST as Mr. Meidema was leaving the Residence in his brougham, another carriage drove up and Mr. van Nerekool walked up the steps which gave access to the gallery in which the company was assembled. It may have struck the reader as somewhat strange that so 6o BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 6t young, so well-educated and so refined a girl . as Anna van Gulpendam assuredly was, should have ventured to write to the young lawyer, and strange also that the latter should so speedily have answered her summons in person. But, in the iirst place, it is well to remember that, when she wrote that letter Anna, completely carried away by the sore distress of Dalima, and, in the kindness of her heart, most anxious to do what she could for her favourite servant, acted purely upon impulse ; and had not stopped to consider that perhaps her action might be looked upon as somewhat forward and in- delicate, further it must be said, that although never a word of love had passed between them, yet they were united in the very strongest bond of sympathy — such sympathy as always will draw together true and noble natures whenever they happen to meet. As they were themselves perfectly honest and guileless ; no paltry suspicions could possibly arise on either side. That this strong bond of sympathy did exist between Anna van Gulpendam and young Mr. van Nerekool, cannot be denied ; but for the present at least, there was no more than this. Whether or not that bond would ever be drawn closer and give place to more intimate and tender re- lations the sequel will show. " Good evening, madam," said van Nerekool as he made his bow to the hostess, " I hope I have the pleasure of finding you well." " There's that fool again I What has that booby come on board for I wonder?" grumbled van Gulpendam, while fair Laurentia answered the young man's greeting as amiably as possible. " Well, Mr. van Nerekool, this is indeed kind of you," said she. " We are glad to see you I You do not wear out your welcome. We only too seldom have the pleasure of seeing you ! " " Very good indeed of you to say so, Mrs. van Gulpendam ; but, you know, I don't much care for cards and, in the presence of such an adept as you are, I cannot help iieeling myself, to say the least, somewhat of &f&cheux troisiime." As he was speak- ing his eye at a glance took in the whole company but failed to light on her whom it sought So turning to the gentlemen he said : " Well, Resident, I need not enquire after you, nor after your health, colonel, nor yours, my dear doctor ; anyone can see there is not much the matter with you. How are the cards serving you this evening ? I hope you are in luck," continued he to the secretarv seated at the other table. "Not over well," muttered van Nes. "I was getting on pretty fairly just at first but — " j _ :„ fUo " Ah Mr. van Nerekool," cried Mrs. van Gulpendam m the best of spirits; "you should have come a few minutes earlier, YOU should have seen my last hand. Why I hea— " Will Mr. van Nerekool take tea or coffee ? said a silvery voice interrupting the threatened explanation. The young man turned at once. "Good evenmg Miss Anna," said he most heartily. " How are you ? But I need not ask, you look like a fresh-blown Devonshire rose, so charm- "'^" wiiT you take tea or coffee ? " said Anna, demurely, with an arch smile at the young man's compliments. ^^ " Did you make the coffee yourself, Miss Anna t " Oh, no," replied the still smiling girl, " our cook always '"^" And the tea? " asked van Nerekool also with a smile. " Yes, that is my department, Mr. van Nerekool. " I will take a cup of tea if you please." „ • j " Our cook makes most excellent coffee, I assure you, cried Mrs. van Gulpendam. "I don't doubt it," replied the young man, with a slight bow. " I do not for a moment question her talent, madani ; but, if vou will allow me, I prefer a cup of tea. It reminds one of home, you know. If you please. Miss Anna, may I ask you for a cup of tea ? " • , , r n " On one condition," said the young girl, playfully. " It is granted at once," replied the young man. Now, what is it ? " . . t-, ji > " That you will presently accompany me in Fleurs d oranger. You know Ludovic's charming duet, do you not?" Van Nerekool made a wry face and slightly raised his hands in a deprecating manner. " Oh," continued the young girl, laughing. You may look as solemn as a judge on the bench ; but I won't let you off. The 'Fleurs d'oranger' or no tea— there you have my ultimatum. My ultimatum, that is what they call the last word before a declaration of war, don't they, colonel? " " Quite right. Miss Anna," said the old soldier, who, wholly engrossed in his cards, had heard nothing but the last words of the question. ,,„,,• c " An Ultimatum," cried van Nerekool, a declaration ot war ? Who would be so mad as to declare war against you ? "2 BABOE DALIMA; OR, No, no; sooner than be suspected of that I would play ' Fleurs d'oranger ' the whole evening ! " " There you go to the other extreme," laughed Anna, "that IS always the way with you lawyers, at least papa says so; you are always finding paragons of perfection or else monsters of iniquity." " No, no, we are not so bad as all that, Miss Anna I" said van Nerekool, " But will you allow me for a few moments to watch your mother's play and take a lesson from her?" "Do so, by all means," said Anna, "meanwhile I must go and pour out the tea and see to the other refresh- ments, and when I have done I mean to play a sonata of Beethoven." " Beethoven ! " cried van Nerekool, " most delightful. Miss Anna, do let me beg of you to give us the second sonata in D dur Op 36." " What tyrants you gentlemen are," replied the young girl. "Very well, you shall have your sonata, but, after that, re- member, ' Fleurs d'oranger.' Now go and take your lesson." The young lawyer went and took a seat behind Mrs. van Gulpendam's chair, and, although he did not pretend to any great knowledge of cards, yet he could not help admiring that lady's fine and close play, while Anna did the honours of the tea-table, and was busily tripping about to see that the servants did not neglect their duties, and that the guests were properly attended to. As he was seated there behind fair Laurentia, and was attentively studying her cards, the glow of light which numerous splendid chandeliers shed over the entire gallery, finely brought out his clearly cut profile. Charles van NerekooTwas a man of five or six and twenty years of age. After he had most honourably completed his studies at the university of Leyden, he had been appointed junior member of the Court of Justice at Santjoemeh when, a few months back, he had arrived from Holland. He was a tall, fair-haired man, scrupulously neat in his attire, and most careful of his personal appearance. His fine, sharply chiselled features had not yet lost their European freshness and bloom, and were well set off by a thick curly beard and moustache, some shades lighter than his hair. His winning manners, which were those of a courteous and highly- bred gentleman, perfectly harmonized with his handsome countenance, and he was universally esteemed an accomplished THE OPIUM FIEND. 63 and most agreeable companion. But, though society had justly formed a high opinion of him, there was one point in his character which would not allow him ever to become a popular man. He was a lawyer in the truest and noblest sense of the word. A man who, deeply versed in the law, yet would tolerate nothing that was not strictly just and upright. Quibbling and casuistry had no attractions for him ; he was, in fact, honest as gold and true as a diamond. Hence his manner of speech was always frank and straight- forward — oftentimes he was too plain spoken, for he would not and could not condescend to wrap up his real sentiments in fine words or ambiguous phrases. Anyone therefore, who has the slightest knowledge of the present state of society, may readily understand why the number of his real friends was but small. A strict sense of justice, a noble frankness of expres- sion, and an intense love of truth, for truth's sake, are, un- fortunately, not the qualities which serve to push a man forward most quickly in the official world— at least not in the official world of India. Van Guipendam, especially — though he could not close his doors to a man in van Nerekool's position, heartily detested him, and had repeatedly expressed his dislike to the old judge who presided over the Council at Santjoemeh. " Ah well ! " this latter had, on one occasion, said to him, " you are rather too hard upon our young colleague. Re- member this Mr. van Nerekool is but a newly fledged chicken. You will see when he has been here a year or two he will turn out a very useful fellow indeed. Why, every one of us had, at his age, just those fine idealistic views of life which he now holds." This answer made our worthy friend, van Guipendam, look rather queer. His conscience, at any rate, did not accuse him of fine principles and idealistic views, — not such views, at least, as those for which he found fault with van Nerekool. The young man was still seated behind Laurentia's chair, attentively keeping his eye on her cards. " I cannot say," said the lady with a forced smile, " that you improve my luck. Since you have been sitting there I have scarcely picked up a card worth looking at. 1 wish you would go and have a look at the Resident's hand. — " " Thank you," cried her husband, " much obliged, you want to give me a spell of bad fortune." 64 BABOE DALIMA; OR, TtlE OPIUM FIEND. 6S There are no more superstitious people in the world than your veteran card-players. At Mrs. van Gulpendam's not very reasonable or very courteous remark, van Nerekool had of course risen, and the Resident's exclamation made him feel rather awkward ; he did not, in fact, very well know what to do, when the young lady of the house came to the rescue. " Now Mr. van Nerekool," said she, " my ' Fleurs d'oranger!' what has become of them ? It is time to begin, I think." " And my sonata in D dur," replied the young man, " what has become of it ? I have not heard a single note of it yet," " True," she said, " I had quite forgotten it ; come and turn over the music for me." " Yes, that's right," said fair I^urentia, " you go and turn over the music," and for an instant she looked at the young people as they retired together and then fixed her eyes once again upon her cards. " Now, you see," continued she, " what did I tell you, no sooner has he turned his back than I get quite different cards!" " Oh," muttered van Gulpendam from his table, " I can't bear to have a fellow prying into my hand. If he does not wish to play what does the booby want to come here for at all, I wonder ? " " H'm," said the old colonel, " perhaps he is anxious to learn." " To learn," contemptuously echoed van Gulpendam, " he will never be any good at cards, he is not practical enough for that 1 " " I quite agree with you. Resident," said the judge some- what drily, " a man who is not of a practical turn of mind will never make much of a hand at cards." " No, nor at anything else either," grumbled van Gulpendam j " come, let us go on with the game. It is my lead. Hearts, I say." The two young people had entered the inner gallery and were no sooner out of sight of the company, before van Nere- kool b^an : " I have received your note. Miss Anna, and, as you see, I have hastened to obey your summons." " For goodness sake speak lower," whispered she. And then in her usual tone of voice she continued : " Just help me, please, to find the music." Whilst they were engaged in taking the pieces one by one i : i out of a curiously carved etagfere which stood by the piano and / ;, examining them, the young girl said in a whisper: Yester- ' ' day our baboe Dalima was forcibly earned away out of the garden— Hush ! do not interrupt me or I shall not have tmie to tell you all. The author of the outrage is Lim Ho. She has, however, been most providentially rescued by Ardjan, the man to whom she is engaged to be married. 1 hereupon Lim Ho has had him most fearfully tortured with Kamadoog leaves —so dreadfully that he is now in the hospital— "Look here. Miss Anna, I have found your 'Fleurs dor- anger,'" said van Nerekool aloud as he heard some one moving °""Yes thank you," replied Anna. "But what can have become of that sonata? Here it is," she continued in the same tone of voice, " I have it ; but pray, Mr. van Nerekool, put that heavy pile of music on the piano." " Oh," said he, " you intend to give us the sonata before the waltz ? " " Yes," said Anna, " that is best I think ; " and then she continued softly, " I know that sonata so perfectly that I can go on talking while I am playing it by heart." She sat down to the instrument, van Nerekool standing close by her side ready to turn over the leaves for her. Anna struck the first notes of Beethoven's magnificent work while she continued : " As I was telling you, Ardjan had to be taken to the hospital in consequence of the brutal treatment he had received. But that is not what made me write to you." "What was it then?" whispered van Nerekool eagerly. "I am all ears. Miss Anna." « Well then," said she, " pay attention to me. And while the nimble fingers of the talented girl ran over the keys, while she rendered in most masterly style the lovely reveries of the inspired musician— strains which full of sweet- ness yet here and there seem clouded by the great gloom which was impending over the author's future life— she told the young man the whole story of Dalima's abduction, of her rescue by Ardjan, in what wretched plight the poor Javanese had been found, and she told him also that close by the place where they found him a considerable quantity of smuggled opium had been discovered, and had been delivered into the custody of the chief inspector of police. Van Nerekool had not for a single instant turned his eye from the music, he had never once made a mistake in turning E 66 BABOE DALIMA; OR, over the pages ; but yet he had been listening so attentively that not a single word had escaped his ears. At the ill-omened word opium his countenance fell. The young girl noticed the change of expression though she did not allow her emotion to influence her play. Indeed she executed the final movement of the sonata — that brilliant movement in which a very flood of fancies all seem to unite in conveying the idea of perfect bliss — in so faultless and spirited a manner, that the card-players in the outer gallery, pausing for a few moments in their game to listen, broke out in a loud chorus of applause. " But do you know for certain. Miss Anna," said van Nere- kool, under cover of the noise, " that it was opium ? " " How should I'know ? " replied she before the clamour had subsided. " But was that opium brought ashore by Ardjan and Dalima?" " Most certainly not," said she in a whisper, " there was nothing of the kind in the djoekoeng in which they came to land." " How then did the stuff" get there ? " asked van Nerekool. " Dalima could tell me nothing about it," continued the young girl. " And now," she went on in her usual tone of voice, "now for the 'Fleurs d'oranger I '" " But," insisted van Nerekool in a scarcely audible whisper, " what makes you fear that Ardjan will be suspected ? As far as I can see there is not a shadow of a suspicion against him, unless — " " Hush ! " said Anna, " presently—" And then, as a pleasant sequel to Beethoven's sublime melody, the sparkling notes of the delightful waltz were heard filling both galleries with gay and pleasant music. While the last chords were still re-echoing, the young girl answered van Nerekool's question : " Just now," said she, " Mr. Meidema was with my father and — " dear little Anna paused and hesitated. " And ? " said van Nerekool. "Come, Miss Anna, you must tell me all." " I overheard part of their conversation—" " Oh," said he, " you listened just a little bit ? " The poor girl blushed deeply, face, neck and ears were covered with the glow. " Well yes," said she resolutely, " I did liiten. I had heard my father ordering the Oppas to go and fetch Mr. Meidema and somehow I could not get rid of the suspicion that it had something to do with Ardjan. When THE OPIUM FIEND. 67 the inspector called I got behind the screen which masks the door and - " " Well, yes. Miss Anna, go on, you must tell me all." " And then I heard all they said," continued she. " What did you hear ? " asked the young man, eagerly. " All they said," she replied. "Yes ; but," continued he, " what did they talk about? " " Oh ! Mr. van Nerekool," said Anna, " I really cannot tell you all that passed." " Perhaps not ; but yet you can remember the gist of their words. Do try. Miss Anna." " Mr. van Nerekool," said she ; " I am not at all sure that I have a right to — " " But my dear Miss Anna, why then did you send for me ? Just ask yourself that question ?" " Oh ! " sighed Anna, " I was so over-anxious to save Dalima's lover." " Just so," replied he ; "I can quite understand that ; but in what way can I possibly serve you unless you will trust me with all that took place ? As far as I can see at present, there seems not the remotest reason why Ardjan should be accused of this smuggling business. Do pray trust me, Miss Anna ! " " Oh ! how I wish I could ! " sighed the poor girl again. " How I wish I could ; but it is so very hard." " What is your difficulty ? " insisted the young man. " That conversation between my father and Mr. Meidema," replied she. " But come," she continued ; '• you are right ; you must know everything or nothing. I will tell you all." Thereupon, burning with shame, the young girl repeated just what had passed between the two officials. She concealed nothing — neither the supposed value of the smuggled wares, nor Meidema's suspicions as to their source, nor the exami- nation of the chief servant. But when she came to reveal the fact that her father had, in a manner, forced the policeman to accuse Ardjan, the poor girl almost broke down. Van Nerekool understood her confusion but too well, he knew enough and felt too deeply how humiliating was her position to wish to prolong the conversation. But before dis- missing the subject he' said : " Just now you told me that Mr. Meidema had mentioned the name of the ship from whence he suspected the opium to have been brought. Do you happen to remember it ? " 68 BABOE DALIMA; OR, " Yes," said Anna ; " I believe it was Hing Kim Lin, or Lin King Him, or something of that kind." " Was it perhaps Kiem Ping Hin ? " asked the lawyer, in a very grave voice. " Now think well before you answer." " Yes, Mr. van Nerekool," she cried still in the same sub- dued tones, " that was the name." The young man could not suppress a sigh as he looked down sadly at the fair girl beside him. "Why do you look so strangely at me?" asked Anna in some alarm. " Do you know to whom this Kiem Ping Hin belongs ? " he asked. " No," said she ; " how should I ? " II Well, then, the Kiem Ping Hin belongs to Lim Ho." "To Lim Ho? what, to the son of the opium farmer?" cned the girl, covering her face with her hands as if she were trying to hide herself. "That is the man," replied van Nerekool, as he looked down anxiously at her. * Then Anna remembered the infamous dialogue between her parents at which that morning she had been present. The hot tears of shame came rushing into her eyes, forced their way through her closed fingers and went trickling down her shapely hands as she sobbed out : " Oh, my God I my God I " " Miss Anna, dear Miss Anna," said van Nerekool, deeply moved at the sight of her grief; " do be calm ; pray, do not despair. I will do all I possibly can to save that unfortunate man. I promise you that solemnly." "But, my father," cried Anna,' as she hurriedly with her handkerchief tried to wipe away the tears which were still flowing fast. " But, my father ? " " Not a word of all this to him." "Oh! no; Mr. van Nerekool," said she, "I do not mean that; but will this wretched business compromise himin anyway?" " Not if I can help it," replied he ; " I shall do my best to arrange matters so as to leave him out of the question alto- gether. Trust me." "Thank you, thank you," said Anna. "Now let us say no more. I will go in and try to hide my feelings; you had better remain at the piano for awhile." "Yes," said he, "I shall go on playing something or other and then I will take my leave." THE OPIUM FIEND. 69 In a quarter of an hour or so, van Nerekool was again standing behind the card-players. The game was nearly over, they were just having the last round and soon the company began to break up. " Really, Mrs. van Gulpendam has too much luck," said the old colonel, as he sat ruefully looking at the few scattered counters he had before him. Presently all had taken their leave and the Resident was standing looking out at the departing guests when he heard a subdued voice saying behind him : " May I be allowed to say something, Kandjeng toean ? " Van Gulpendam turned and saw his chief servant seated cross-legged beside him. " What have you got to tell me ? " asked he, abruptly. " I made a mistake just now, Kandjeng toean," was the man's reply. "A mistake," said the Resident ; "what do you mean? " " When I told the inspector toean that the opium was found on Ardjan." " Brute ! " roared van Gulpendam. " If you dare to retract your words I give you the sack — I shall have you clapped into prison. Do you hear me ? " •' Engbh, Kandjeng toean," said the poor native with his usual diawl, and placing his folded hands upon his forehead he respectfully and submissively made his " sembah " (salaam). CHAPTER VL A LUCKY DAY. VAN NEREKOOL'S interference was destined to bear very little fruit ; but, on the other hand, it involved him in the most serious troubles. He was so young, he was so utterly without experience of all the complicated mazes of injustice which, in Dutch India, are found in both the judicial and administrative departments as soon as ever these are brought into contact with anything that touches the great Opium monopoly. 70 BABOE DALIMA; OR, thiw»i" ^'^'^^'^ ^^"^ President, Mr. Zuidhoorn, "there is in indeSdr "'^ '^""""^ ^^**"-' -»>-h I do nS' at' all "Indeed," said van Nerekool, "what may that be?" Why It ,s this," said Mr. Zuidhoorn. « Last week I re before^s » ^' ^^ *^"'' "' '° ^^'^^ '*>« *=^ses we have Hn'lS^'""M''^".^^'"^''°°'' "J^e has no right whatever to tt?^S"^Swt''^'°" '^ perfectly illegal-it I direcS;con. "Precisely so," continued Zuidhoorn. ««And as vou iTsKffi ' O^S ^flrr'^^^ i° °bey his directll S irof^ ^^Can^y-o:;''^^^ -'«' ^^ P- ^^e very J'Z3" '"^ ^^l. Nerekool. "I daresay it is because he has a meS ttST, '^^ "'"• /D ^"'^'^ ^ ^^'^ ^^^^^'^ that it k a mere trumped up case, and knowing that it is so he wishes Stimafe f^t ™'" "' •^^"l f P°^^'^'^ '" *="«t°dy. so that Then hi^X^SL'' tf ^"L"'^' ^' "^y ^^^^ t''^ satisfaction of say p&sire." ^'" "" many months locked up for m^y Mn Zuidhoorn ^st a sharp look at his young colleague th^rjl^LKlfllfe^m^;?" ^ P^"^^' "^-'-' ^- ^« - '« w25^'*^r-f d '^l °?K •■' " "'^^'' '*•""• '^ y°"^ opinion ? " !,» « V ^ r'^ ^'■- 2"«dhoorn, "you know, I suppose, that I have applied for leave of absence on account of my hea th and that I am going to Holland ? " ^ ' ° that?"''*''^ ^^'^ so," replied the young man; "but what of "What of that ? "repeated the President. « Don't you see • If the cases should be taken in the order van Gulpendam nS T ^ • Tl'^-f ^"-^^ '** ™?"y °f 'hem that Ardjan cannot possibly be tned before six or eight weeks." THE OPIUM FIEND. 71 "Certainly, I see that," said van Nerekool ; " but — " "You see," continued the President, "by that time I shall be far enough away." " Quite so," rejoined the other ; " but what does that matter ? I suppose some other judge will be appointed in your place to preside at Santjoemeh, while' you are absent." A bitter smile curled the lip of Mr. Zuidhoorn. "Who knows ? " said he, " where that substitute may have to come from. Travelling in India is a slow business. If, for instance, Mr. Raabtoon were called from Padang, or Mr. Nellens had to come from Makassar, why, there are two months gone before either of them can be properly installed, and meanwhile^" " Meanwhile," interrupted van Nerekool, "they may appoint some other member of the court for the time being, to get through the unfinished cases." "Yes," replied Mr. Zuidhoorn. "They could do that no doubt ; but they will not. You know well enough that in case of absence on leave, the Resident has the power himself to preside at the Council." " Yes," said van Nerekool ; " what if he did? " " If he did," continued Mr. Zuidhoorn, " it is obvious enough what would happen. As soon as I am gone, the Resident will take Ardjan's case himself." " But, my dear sir," said van Nerekool, " why should he do such a thing ? " "How can I tell why?" replied the other. "You recollect how, some time ago, a colonial minister wrote to the king and drew his majesty's attention to the fact that officials are system- atically bribed by the opium farmers, and that thus the authority of those who have to carry out the laws is undermined, seeing that they are whoHy under the influence of the Chinese opium farmers and smugglers. Look you, my dear sir, I have much more experience in these matters than you can have, and when I come to consider the evident anxiety there seems to exist at headquarters, to have this case of Ardjan's put off to the last, then I cannot but suspect that an attempt is being made to get the case out of the hands of the unprejudiced and competent judge." " But," exclaimed van Nerekool, indignantly, " that is most monstrous, it is infamous." " No doubt it is," quietly said the President. " And what course have you taken ? " asked van Nerekool. " I have taken the only course I could take," replied Mr. 72 BABOE DALIMA; OR, Zuidhoorn. " I have simply done my duty. I have already told you that I have flatly refused to put off the case. It will, therefore, come before us in its proper turn, that is to say, about Tuesday fortnight." It was not, however, to be so. A few days before the above conversation took place between the legal officials, the Resident, Mr. van Gulpendam, received an unexpected visit. Yes, the visit was a wholly unexpected one, for it was Sunday, and about two o'clock in the afternoon, at a time when, of all others, no man in Dutch India looks to be disturbed. About eleven o'clock that same morning, Mr. van Gulpendam had gone to his club, and had amused himself with a game or two at billiards. He liked to show his subordinates that, though he had not cruised about Delft or Leyden, he yet was just as handy as they were at cutting a ball into the middle pocket, and had not forgotten how to put on side. About one o'clock, he had gone home, had made an excellent and hearty luncheon, and then, in the pleasing consciousness of being able to enjoy the Lord's Day undisturbed, had put on his pyjamas and kabaai, and was just preparing to turn in for his afternoon nap. His hand was already on the handle of his bedroom door, when lo, his chief servant appeared in his usual quiet, stealthy way, slid down to the ground, made a most respectful " sembah," and softly whispered that Babah Lim Yang Bing requested the honour of a few moments' interview with the Kandjeng toean. "Babah Lim Yang Bing," exclaimed van Gulpendam, in surprise. " What ? the Opium farmer ? " * Engfeh, Kandjeng toean." " Show him in at once," ordered the master. "But, van Gulpendam," said his wife, "what are you thinking about ? In that costume ? " " It does not matter, my dear," replied the husband, " we must sail when the wind blows fair. But — oh yes — " and, calling another attendant, he ordered, "Go and fetch the pajoeng stand here." Laurentia shrugged her shoulders. " There's a pretty thing, the Resident in pyjamas and kabaai, and the golden pajoeng by his side." " It looks more dignified, my dear. You leave me to manage, we are having a fair breeze, I tell you. Now you run away to your nest." THE OPIUM FIEND. 73 " Humph," muttered Laurentia, with her most captivating smile. " Very sociable, I must say, all alone. Come, my dear," she continued, " do send that Chinaman about his business." "Not a bit of it," said van Gulpendam, "we must keep the galley fire in — you seem to forget our bill to John Pryce;" But the lady had vanished. One of her female attendants had come in and whispered to her mistress that M'Bok Karijih was in the kitchen waiting to see her. This M'Bok Kirijah was a friend of Nfenfeh Wong Toewd and .pretty nearly as old as she was ; but she had more strings to her bow than Mrs. van Gulpendam's confidante, for besides being a doekoen, she was also a beporro, a dealer in jewellery. " Much use her coming now," muttered the lady, " now that my husband has this Chinaman on his hands." ■ She hastened however to her room, and ordered her servant to show the old woman up. At the entrance of the pandoppo the Chinaman and the old crone met. Neither, however, seemed to have the slightest knowledge of the other ; but a smile played upon the lips of the babah. For anyone but M'Bok Kdrijah that smile was no more than the stereotyped smirk which the sallow face of every Celestial wears when he is about to enter the presence of a 'superior. The old woman, however, knew that it was a smile of inward satisfaction. Preceded by the servant girl she entered the inner gallery and was admitted into the njonja's bed- chamber, while the Chinaman approached the Resident who sat comfortably balancing himself in his rocking-chair by the side of which was displayed the pajoeng stand which sur- rounded the high and mighty lord with its lustre of umbrellas. "Well, babah," began van Gulpendam as with a careless gesture he motioned the Chinaman to a seat, " Well, babah, what brings you here this hot time of day ? " The Chinaman took a chair without ceremony, and with a sly look he said airily, " Oh I merely came to inquire after the health oCthe Kandjeng toean." " The deuce you have, babah, I must say you might have chosen some other time for that" " Oh, pray don't say so, Kandjeng toean. Really this is the very best time for a little quiet chat. Body and mind are now both at rest, and this is the very moment for a little business." " Oh so," said van Gulpendam, with a laugh, " the babah has come on business, has he ? " " That is why," said the Chinaman lowering his voice, " I 74 BABOE DALIMA ; OK, was SO anxious that no one should see me slipping into the gar- den of the Residence." Van Gulpendam pricked his ears. " You are very mysterious, babah," said he, " have you come to bpther me again about that confounded opium ? " " Yes, Kandjeng toean, and for something else besides." " Very well, babah, let us hear what you have to say." He had it on the tip of his tongue to call out, " Very well, babah, haul away," and, had he at the moment known how to get it out in Malay, out it would have come. But he had time to reflect that the Chinaman would not, in any case, have appre- ciated the force of the nautical phrase. Babah Lim Yang Bing, then, in his oily fashion proceeded to give his version of the seizure of opium near the djaga monjet in the Moeara Tjatjing, and made some attempt to ex- plain to the Resident that what had been seized there was in reality no opium at all. " Oh, indeed," laughed van Gulpendam, " that is your tack is it ? It was not opium — what was it then ? " " Oh Kandjeng toean," smiled the other, " it was nothing but scrapings of opium pipes mixed with the thickened juice of certain plants." " Well," said the Resident in a mocking tone of voice, " if that be so, then there is an end of the matter, then there is nothing 'illegal at all in it" " Yes, yes," replied the other, " but the inspector of police insists that it is opium." " The deuce he does ! " said van Gulpendam. " Yes," said the Chinaman, " and he has consulted a couple of Chinese experts, and these, not knowing where the stuff came from, and judging by the smell and the taste have come to the conclusion, and have publicly declared, that it is first class tjandoe, very superior to that which the government sup- plies us farmers with." "You mean to tell me," cried van Gulpendam in amaze- ment, " that the inspector has told you all that ? " " Yes, Kandjeng toean, and he has done more than that. He has placed a sample of it into the hands of a chemist." "Well," said the other. "And what is the chemist's opinion ? " « He has made an affidavit," replied the Chinaman, " to the effect that it is real tjandoe containing thirty-two per cent, of morphine." THE OPIUM FIEND. 75 it hlh^'h 'f ^' the matter," said the Resident. " I am sorry for cou«e." ' ''""°' ^'^^ ^°" "' ^'' ^'''"e^ ™"«t take Lt wav as'if his S ''"^ ''^" Gu pendam in an absent kind of KoTh/ig r;ou. "" °" "™^'''"^ ^'^" " ^°' '^^bah. I can «l\u"' ''"yj''"y to hear it," said the Chinaman affecting to sigh though the stereotyped smile still hovered 0^?," Hps ^K ' T"h ready tact dropping that topic of conversation a £ gether, he began to talk about indifferent maS^Kt h^ gossip of the day, the state of trade, about the shTps that had just come m, and so on-when suddenly he said « Yesler f2iZ^''''Vu\^^l'^'" °f the Rotterdam LioydSme into harbour. She has brought me a splendid consignment of Havanah cigars. I have had a few of them packid un as samples in cases of a dozen. They are very fiSe indeej t happen to have one of these little cases about me Will 'the Kandjeng toean do me the favour of having a look at ir? » With these words the wily Chinaman produced a cigar-case which as far as outward appearance wen^ was really vefjprettv indeed. It was very tastefully embroidered mth buLK rej op^^d r^r cltii'^^d ?w1«|ls" ^^^^tf^'^ etXnt'b;':^?' '^'''" rrag^ceX^ JSubtedl °ota"5 Srt Sd af tl^^cat^ fniT conS in T"'' ^ stracted mood, as if he hardly Lw it at aS hS tl uf "^ ^''■ evidently elsewhere. At len/thThe handS' the <^Xl ?nd « W ^fi' u ""V P'^tty thing-it seems a very fine sTmnle » "Would the Kandjeng toean condescend to^accjpt ?hem at wiiisie'ihi^ ^^^:f':z.:'^rJ^iSr^ -- will answer for it-and hewill bemnfrS.l °"' "='8"— ' upon me if he „iU accept .''heln''L':';S7e''?ret.*"""' *"'" whereithadbLwSioff ^ ^' ™"'='«t.on precisely 76 BABOB DAUMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 77 "When that opium came ashore," said he, "did anyone happen to be present ? " " No one, Kandjeng toean, but my two spies, Liem King and Than Khan." " Can you trust the fellows ? " " Most absolutely," was the reply, " there is not the smallest fear from that quarter." " And the opium was discovered, you say, close to the spot where Ardjan was picked up ? " " Not two hundred yards from where he was," replied the Chinaman. " And they found the djoekoeng in which he came ashore did they not ? " asked van Gulpendam. " Yes, Kandjeng toean, it was a surf boat." " That is all I want to know, babah," said the Resident. The astute Chinaman took the hint, he rose and was pre- paring.to leave ; but the Resident motioned him back to his seat. "You have not said a word yet, babah, about that other business," said van Gulpendam carelessly. "What business?" " Your son Lim Ho has treated Ardjan most barbarously." " One has nothing but sorrow from one's children, E^andjeng toean," said the Chinaman piteously. " That is all very fine," said the Resident, " but the chief medical officer has made an official report which is very serious, very serious indeed. I am afraid, I am afraid — " " Ah, this is a world of suffering and woe, Kandjeng toean," sighed Lim Yang Bing most dolefully. " Is there no possible means of squaring it with the doctor ? " " Who knows," said van Gulpendam thoughtfully. " Now if I had the matter in hand, I might perhaps — " " O pray, Kandjeng toean," whined the Chinaman. " Do pray help me I beseech you." "I shall see," said van Gulpendam. "A great deal depends upon yourself, babah. You know the penalty for ill-treatment is very severe." The Chinaman, in a moment, took the not too delicate hint. He felt in his pocket and drew forth a litlle silver tea-caddy of most exquisite workmanship. Said he ; " That Wylierton I mentioned just now, has brought me some very fine silver ware from Paris. Just look at that fretwork. Do you think van Kempen in the Hague could turn out anything better than that?" Van Gulpendam took the box. "Aye, aye " said Hp « k exammed it, "it is marvellously prett^^Te^y ^.MlZ^^ --. „ .,, ^v.i.,ujcng toean, is it not delicious ? " no?^£efore t"LTr? '^^ '^^'^'^^'^ ""^ P"' his nose to it, but not before he had had a peep ins de it. " Most delirim,.: " il exclaimed. "Why, babah, you must send me some of th,? tea, we cannot get anything worth drinking here the n ion 5, f ^I'Tfys grumbling at her storekeeper." ^ ' ^ "^°"J* " Oh! cried the Chinaman, "may I bee the lCflnH5»« «' T^r^P' *^'* ""'^ ^^'"P'^ -' anWen^nlto the i3;& Thank you very much, babah, I am pieced to accemit Th. f""^- f V"^'"''^ 'he will be delighted with it " ^ thaTtfh^eCh^^S^^^^^^^ then " said he, "that the kJa^X^S-'^ ' "'^ '"^^ dent '^"iTaT/'iri; ""''"'"^ u ^I^' ^'-^^ah," said the Resi- ufiic. 1 snail see, however, what I ran Ho " h„ ,„ l of J^L'- ' '^"'^ ""^ " " ^'^ ^">i", *e tohe, or o.^t'S'S-j-rgeS'S?''^ '•="■'•' «°- ^y "At fei^v!^,^''? "P i" '"'P"'«i ""ol be saw through it mine. I shall see what I can do" ' ''"™^' "' >v»gging his tail, came faJSn, Z »- ? '^'"''VPO, and STo?.tXr^»[-- "--rpS itT2?K"e £.\^'isSL-ras'Lhi;srih-cs-d:^^S"e^; 78 BABOE DALIMA; OR,* lie, with a greedy look, opened the cigar-case and emptied it on the table. His face beamed with joy, for round each havanah there was very neatly wrapped a bank-note of a thousand guilders, in such a manner that one half of the cigars only was covered, and nothing could be seen of the paper when first the case was opened. Next he put his fingers into the tea-caddy. Yes, there again he encountered the same soft kind of paper. He was about to pull it out; but sud- denly he thought better of it, he hurriedly replaced the precious cigars, snatched up the case and the silver box, and rushed into his private office where he immediately sat down and be- gan to write the letter which so puzzled the President of the Council at Santjoemeh. Just as he had sealed it, he heard his wife coming into the inner gallery, and taking leave of M'Bok Klrijih. "A lucky day," he whispered in her ear, as he threw his arm round her neck. " A lucky day," and thus he drew her along. " A lucky day ? " she asked, replying to his embrace by fold- ing her arm round his waist as she gazed at him with moist and glittering eyes. Thus they went to the bedroom. When he got there van Gulpendam carefully closed the door and double locked it. Then he drew his wife to the table, and, taking a scat, he shook out upon it the contents of the cigar-case and of the tea-caddy, while Laurentia stood by him, her eyes fixed upon the bits of paper. There were five-and-twenty of them, there could be no mistake about them, for the mark upon their silky surface told plainly enough that each represented the value of one thousand guilders. A shade of disappointment passed over I^urentia's handsome features. It passed away in an instant, and was gone long before her husband could notice it. He saw her eagerly seizing upon the notes, care- fully unrolling them from the cigars and smoothing down those which had come out of the tea-caddy in a sadly crumpled condition. "Twenty-five thousand guilders!" cried she. "A pretty sum indeed — Truly it is a lucky day, for added to what I have got-" " What have you got ? " cried her husband. " Yesi what I have just now received from M'Bok Karijah ! " " Let us see 1 What did she give you ? " eagerly cried van Gulpendam. THE OPIUM FIEND. 79 slJL:? upTffi^S"^^^^^^^^^ '^"S^'?-" A« «he spoke the side of a cardbmrH h7 uT.^'Jy'"g °" ^^e table by already been opened sE^.k'"'*' ^°? ""^^ ^^ having put asfde the pSn 'leaves i^ ^^"PP^^ °ff -"d and at ^ength^he%Tced « ^tl tjT h:" ""P'""' earthenware, which contiin«.Ho„ • P ■ commonest most disgu ting appeScT' ^^rsTtke^r '^."^ .^^»^' °^ rentia, as, with a tiny Chinese sooon .hi 'i '^'*^ ^"- greenish mass, a piece about fh^^c?' r^ l*'°°P^*^ °"t °f 'he it to her husband? hps as thoul'^^^ ^'^^ gi^m^SrShisr:^ o^ des^aTat the ing which baffles description ^'S fihhTrf " °''°^^''- whin^d submissively. '''You'know'it is n'o gL^ ^^^'"'" ^' It n?u^t Sk. ^tl^^V^V^-^- new drug, morning." ' ^"'J*'* *""°»ght it to me only this "Tomr(iS"''iV-"^'?°^ '^^' horrid stuff?" his SS.'^^'PSow'doi? :?• l-^iK^'^' '^^'^ '"^^ «P-n to . You will see how r;ill Jork » cr n. ''''/"u"°^ " ^' °"<=e. his back with her h" nd. "^^Now tS f 5 ^ ^^e patted down, and then I will tell vou h^w T k^ u i^^'' ^'^*"°^ '^ ontong as you." ^ ^°'' ' ^^""^ ^^ as good a Han intrns:t"o';;yTf^^^^^^^^ -Jent looks, or his repugnance ma«ers but iSe Suffil'S '"" '^""' ^^^^^^^^ his wretch shut his eyes, and oiUn^H k- *° ^J'' "^^^ the poor with the spoon, plTtheJ^Zttu •"°"*^' ^'^"^ »>•« J^'^. As he tasted i he heave^tf ^- ? , ™".' "P°" ^'^ tongue that an explosiontetTfmmin;'nt"^'^ ""'' '"^^"^ ^-^-t, hisb^rSitrhtr^ftTanT- ^g- patting clean the spoon, the tuff"s muchln n '' ' "^^'' ^"^ "^^ So the unhappy man was "or^tn./.^^'-^' '° ^'"^^te." the last vestige of thrnrseouTr^i "i'^'t^P ^"^ ^^allow spoon. ^ ^ nauseous compound which clung to the "And now," said he, " now for your storv " ■ »m .e,, ,o„ a,, .^„. 1J- 1 *-- 5. - on .he^djva^ a„j 8o BABOE DALIMA; OR, tabic, and seating herself cross-legged on the divan after the fashion of the natives, she drew her husband close to her side. And now she proceeded to relate to him how M'Bok Kirijah had, in the strictest confidence, told her how madly Lim Ho was in love with the baboe Dalima, and, as if they both did not know that well enough already, she added, with a strange smile, that he would do anything in the world to gain possession of the maiden. The forcible abduction from under the very eyes of her mistress was indeed -proof sufficient of the ardour of his passion, and the poor fellow had been most grievously disappointed that he had been unable to attain his object Fair Laurentia did not tell her husband all this simply, and as a matter of fact story. No, no, she was an artiste in the arts of wheedling and seduction. She took her time and knew how to impart to her tale the necessary shades and tints — here and there seeming to hesitate as if modestly disinclined to enter into somewhat questionable details; and then again at the right moment launching out into a freedom of speech which threatened to become impassioned if it did not indeed actually border upon the indecent And so she managed to finish her story by a glowing description of the ardent Chinaman and the personal charms of lovely Dalima. Van Gulpendam had first listened to her attentively, her highly coloured narrative had greatly interested him. But — • Was it the effect of the drug he had swallowed, or was it an occasional peep into fair Laurentia's half-open kabaja, or were there other influences at work which made him lose his mental balance ? At all events, the man was trembling with excite- ment when his fair neighbour brought her story to an end with the words : " M'Bok KarijAh implored me to lend her my assistance and to exert my influence with Dalima to make her yield to Lim Ho's ardent passion. As earnest of the man's gratitude she offered me this." Thus saying, Laurentia opened the box and drew forth a magnificent red coral necklace depending from which hung a large rosette of precious stones. " Look, Gulpie, look ! " she cried, triumphantly, " these brilliants alone are worth more than ten thousand guilders," and as she spoke she threw the necklace over her well-shaped shoulders. The deep red corals showed off splendidly on the THE OPIUM FIEND, 8l But van Gulpendam had no eyes for the costlv mft H» " You are lovely, my Laurentia ! You are too lovely 1 " M'Bok Ktiilh'h' drug," cried she. "you see it ?s the drug! see ! » ^ surpassed herself. You see, Gulpie, you the'sTuff '^ffi"f.>^'"''S'" "^""^ he. in ecstasy. "It must be mestuH. I feel It working m my veins." Indeed, indeed, this is-this is indeed, a lucky day t " CHAPTER VIL A TRAITOR IN THE DESSA. ABOUT twelve miles to the south-east of Santjoemeh in a hilly country which offers to the eye a Tontin^t succession of picturesque and lovely views lies the HmrH^ Kaligaweh. It is situated in the cen're of an exten "e fores? of cocoa-nut trees which encloses it as in a cirde of emerlw and which viewed from an eminence closeTy, re eSes a n^.ghty garland of verdure whose tops waving^ 0^^ Gentle breeze have the appearance of a fra'me of g^a^JgtnT^i! f "1 ^ fl "" *^^ ^P^<^es between the little huts and the trees and flowers in the wildest profusion fill the air with thdr The dessa itself is enclosed by dense rows of bamboo, the 82 BABOE DAIJMA; OR, thick and tall Elack bamboo, which furnishes the natives with the most useful building material, and whose long massive stalks growing quite close together and gracefully bending under the load of the heavy plumage of verdure they have to support, form an almost impenetrable hedge, while at the same time they cast the most grateful shade over the enclosure within. Kaligaweh was but an inconsiderable dessa. Some thirty or forty huts scattered here and there in picturesque disorder among the fruit trees formed the centre of the small community. The inhabitants of this spot so highly favoured by nature occupied themselves, for the most part, with the culture of rice to which the soil was admirably adapted, and the fruitful rice-fields rose all around in the form of an amphitheatre on the hill-slopes. The lower grounds contained several fish- ponds well stocked with bandengs, djampals, Cataks, Gaboes, and many other kinds of fish, all of them highly esteemed by the European and Chinese inhabitants of Santjoe- meh, and therefore fetching good prices in the market of that place. Hence the population of Kaligaweh might have been a highly prosperous and flourishing community, had it not been for the ravages which one fatal and all-destructive pest spread among them. Their bane was the passion for opium. That fatal drug had undermined not only their prosperity, but broken down also the constitutions of all those who gave themselves up to its use. It was a sad fact, alas, that the great majority of those who dwelt in Kaligaweh were enslaved to it ; but sadder yet it was that there were not a tew among them who could recall the good time when the name of opium was scarcely known there. In that short space of time, how complete a change had come over so lovely a spot ! About twelve years ago a native of the dessa, who, in his youth had left it to seek his fortune elsewhere, returned to Kaligaweh. This man, whose name was Singomengolo, but who usually was known as Singo, had let loose the opium fiend upon the quiet and innocent little dessa in which he was born. Singo, on leaving home, had fallen into the hands of the recruiting Serjeants. By encouraging his innate passion for gambling, and by initiating him into the mysteries of opium smoking, these soul-destroyers had, in an unguarded moment, induced him to enlist, and thus to bind himself to the service for a period of six years. The wretches helped the miserable man soon to get rid of the bounty in opium-dens, in gambling THK OPIUM FIEND. Sj &t^:tate' '■" '''''''' °^^» '^•■n^^- Then for obtained a place as oSsser ?n« " "^ '^v'*'' ^°™« ^^'edit, and government controller^ re iSorTf'll ""?^°"« °' '^e gave evidence of considerable S as ° h f "^■^"^- ^^ «°on for himself the reputation of a very sharn^'r*. ""'^ ^™^ This reputation brought him LdJLu^ •"** ''^^^«'" officer, agents of the opium fSL for Jhe d Jtricr? "^ °"^ °^ '^e him to the Company; and the Comni ° '^'=°™'»ended services, obtained V him the plaS^T;^^ appreciating his '^t^^^ir^-^heir chief office at Cfoeme^^^^^ °' ''P''''"'- <^^^^^'J^^^ ± -„.n, not only i„ ..e stantly to employ Wm, Lpedailv i?l^ ^^"^^'^ ""^^ used con- shrewdest of 'his^gems TnTSes J.W ''"^ ^^^ ^^"^^^ ^^e fact, mvaluable to h\ master ;f^rwhet4^V""^^^^ *"^^' *" other, a man stood in the tichCh^^^^l ""^ '"'"^ reason or always be depended upon to fi?H'"^"^ *^y. Singo could possession, tho^ the Si,^° Ji^ Tlf ' "P""" '" ^is his hfe so much as seen the dr^^ ^ ^^""^ P^'"'^aps, in all brll^r;.^^^^^^^ by sheer dint of district increased by tin ; and amSnL ^L^^'T '"''^' '" his which were thus poisoned by saSn o? ","^°[!""^^« ^^^ssas ment, was Kaligaweh. Now, it was ea.v ^^ P"'"*^ 8°^^'"- opmm den in the little Slage buT J °"^ ^ set up an matter to make it pay. which wfs^ULmV*^' ^^^^ ^"^^^er As soon as the government haTi^anteTth^l^ ^'"^ "^'^^ f^'- store arose in Kaligaweh, a hole Sv fn .K '''^^"'^' ^" OP^"™ remain faithful to tl>e tradition of sucii ""^ -™^' '° ^^ ^° appeared a black board on which fn t *^^"'-, .^ver the door conspicuously painted the woTds "OnJ^^^ ""'"'^ "eiters were Javanese, and in Chinese, and in Se r? ''°'"' '" ^^'<'^' '" those tongues. The two Chinamen wL ' Peculiar to management, did their very besT?o'arti..r'' ^^''^^'^^ *'th its their most winning smiles^upon the n««' P^P'^L^'^^y lavished every means of enticing theTto ent^r T> ""^^ ^^hausted Not a single man ever^.enturertr;i fc^in^^'it 84 BABOE DALIMA; OR, I Babah Lim Yang Bing was not slow to perceive that so good an example would become contagious, and might spread among the other dessas of his district. It was quite obvious to the most casual observer, that Kaligaweh and its environs were wealthy and prosperous out of all comparison with the places where the opium trade flourished. Why, the mere outward appearance of its people was quite enough to show this ; and the broad chests and sinewy arms of its men, and the firmly rounded hips and full shoulders of its women and girls, whose bronzed skin bore the ruddy glow of health, formed the most startling contrast with the ghastly, sunken countenances, and shrivelled frames of the walking skeletonswhich one encountered in other less favoured localities. But, chiefly was the eye of that cunning Chinaman attracted by the rich rice-fields which covered the entire district, and which pleasantly surrounded its little dessas nestling in the dark foliage of their fruit trees as islets amidst a sea of emerald, when the young crops imparted light and cheerfulness to the scene ; or presently again would encircle these dessas as in a bright band of gold, when the stalks, ripening under the tropical sun, were bending under their weight of grain, and waved to the soft harvest breeze. In whatever season of the year, or from whatever side one might, at that time, approach Kaligaweh, its fields testified to the frugal industry of its inhabitants. They always spoke of regular and systematic cultivation, and of careful and constant irrigation, and they thus loudly proclaimed — a fact with which the reader is already acquainted — that its people were prosper- ous and happy, and led very different lives to the squalid and wretched existence which was dragged out in the places where the passion for opium had taken root. All this it was Lim Yang Bing's purpose to alter. Not only was the material welfare of the dessa a thorn in his side ; but his covetous nature longed to transfer the earnings of its simple and frugal population to his own already over-filled pockets. His attempt with the opium-store had hitherto, we have seen, borne no fruit ; it had proved a failure, and had brought loss rather than profit to its owner. He had determined, at any cost, to bring about a change. On a certain evening, it was towards the end of harvest, the population of Kaligaweh, men and women, young men and maidens, were returning homewards from the fields. The women had been hard at work all day, handling the THE OPIUM FIEND. 85 laLLs^coiKntuDonaX^^^^^^^^ '^' """'^ '^"'"ble in itself, was quiS sufficient to ^7^1"* '" "^'"d- '^'^at, humour^nd SyStvaile^^^^^^ '°^*'^ ""'^^^^^' ^^^ island\?f7atTJ5iS' 'Vr'^^"^f' ^'^^^^^ ^^ ^^e rich for its simpTe pcS IT ^'''''''f ^ ^^^ "^ Joy* ^^^h, the otherXhoSan'SstSaT ''S'i/r' "^ S/" time. Clad in their eav mJmZ!"! I i*"^" ^°'' ^^^"^ ^air and maidens asseribll on ^h^^'? ^^'^'' ^^^ ^°'"^» the first time ?eeTs thr^ ^ ^'^^'' ' ^^^"^ ""^"V » heart, for love-affair TsettS InH '^"' P^'''°"' '^'^^ ™^«y ^n oj mured. The dmat; fh. ™''"^ ^^ " ^^ " '' «»% "ur- harvest-fields ainnvS.^ surroundmg scenery in those glad we must not de^JT that^'on'T'. '"^ ^'''- ^™^ '* «' innocence is sometLes beL.Z f O'^^s.ons, unguarded offering is brougTtrtheSeV"! ./''''' "r '"^ "'^"' ^" frequently, the vows then mS °m '^"cma; but, much more confirmed'by theTriest and a? t? " P"^"'""*'^ ^' ''"'^^^'^ -"d ful consequences ensue ^^., ^ ''^'>' '"''^^' "" ^uch fright- civilized society """"^ '° ^"'^ '" ™°^e highly the^'jeLttr^i/Lt o;X'^"^rf -P- ^PP-ched The people looked^at one anoth' in", f ' -'^ "P°" '^^" ^''■ wonted sounds, and were at a lo«l f^°"«h"ient at the un- for^hem this pleasant surprise. ° ^"""^ ''^^ ^^ P^^P^^^d erected^'Sd'^rTe'sJi^i^fe^f;^^". ^''^^^^ »-° booths overshadowed the dessa and ov- - 5^ or wiij.fig t^ees which waved the Dutch flag "^'^ ^^^"^ "'^ **>««« booths there we?e"s^eatd^rs^£-^^^^^^ -the back of the other a«r resound with thdr in.nfw.- '»"?"='a»s, who made the 86 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, arose from the village crowd, for now they began to see that they might expect a much richer treat than a mere concert. Singomengolo, whom Lim Yang Bing had despatched with plenary powers to Kaligaweh and who had provided this enter- tainment for his friends in the dessa, was standing close by leaning up against one of the bamboo stems, which supported the roof of the booth, and was, with sundry nods and smiles, welcoming the fresh arrivals who were, for the most part, old acquaintances of his, and who warmly greeted him on his return to the dessa. ^ , . ji In a twinkling, the sickles, the bands of straw, and the bundles of rice were stowed away, and the broad-brimmed hats, with which the labourers protected themselves at their work from the full glare of the mid-day sun, were laid aside. Soon the entire population came crowding to the green, and romping and playing filled the open space in front of the booth, then by de- grees seated themselves on the soft carpet of tuft. Meanwhile, the sun had gone down in the West, and the stars were coming out one by one, and began to show their soft and twinkling light, while the moon, rising in the dark blue vault of heaven as a large blood-red disc, shed the fantastic shadows of the Wariengien trees upon the assembled groups. Kouna about the tree-tops innumerable swarms of bats fli"e«.»" giddy mazes uttering their peculiar, short, shrill cry, and high above them, in the evening air, sundry flying squirrels kept circling round mysteriously, who seemed to be selecting the juiciest fruits on which, presently, they intended to make a ^^ When all were seated, and some degree of order had been obtained; at a signal from Singo the ^y^^als ^"^,jf " *^^^^^^ struments in the orchestra struck up, and filled the air with '''"" SogiS! Bogiro ! " shouted the younger and more enthusi- astic Dart of the audience. ^ , . „ j That first piece, indeed, which may most fitly be compared with our overture is one in which all the instruments of a Javanese orchestra play together, and which serves as arMn ro- duction to the programme which is to follow At times, it mus be laid, thf cymbals would make a "-st d'scord-t and deafening noise, but this was varied "^ f"^ then byolos which were musical and pleasant enough to th^^"- . ™"4^J the musicians were this evening on their settle, they exerted hemselves to the utmost to deserve the applause of their simple THE OPIUM FIEND. 87 audience; and the profound silence with which that wanton and excitable crowd sat listening, sufficiently testified to the success of their endeavours. At the last clash of the cymbals, the people broke silence, and by ringing shouts and lively cheers gave vent to their sat- isfaction as a Westerly audience would have shown its approval by clapping of hands. Singomengolo, with the help of a couple of his assistants, and aided by the two Chinamen who kept the opium-store, then offered the notables, who were present, cigars wrapped in leaves, while sweets and confectionery were handed round to the more distinguished ladies of the company. Round the two booths several stalls had been erected, at which the lower classes could go and gratify their tastes. The satis- faction of these poor people was unbounded, when they found that all these dainties were provided free of charge, and that it was in this generous manner that Singo had determined to celebrate his return among them. On all sides, praises and thanks were lavished on his liberality. But the tempter took good care not to let them know that the tobacco of which those pleasant little cigars were made had been well steeped in infusion of opium, and that the pernicious juice of the Polyanthes tuberosa largely entered into the composition of the nice sweets he had so bountifully served out. Perfectly unconscious of this treachery the poor people thoroughly enjoyed their treat, and were loud in praises to their generous friend. Presently, the cymbal was heard again, and every one hurried back to his seat. At the first notes of the piece which followed a loud cheer arose; "Taroe Polo, Taroe Polo " was the cry as the people recognised the well known sounds, then all sat silent and listened with rapt attention. The story or legend of which the musicians were about to give a musical interpretation, was familiar to almost every inhabitant of the dessa, yet here and there small groups gathered round some old man as he told the oft-repeated tale to his younger, friends. The music of Java is the interpretation, the embodiment, the rhythmical expression of the numberless fables, legends, and romantic tales current in the island. It is inseparably connected with them just as appropriate gesture and modulation of the voice are the necessary accompaniments of oratory. Of these legends the story of Taroe Polo is one of the preUiest and well- 88 BABOE DALIMA; OR, calculated to awaken the softest emotions in the breast of the susceptible Javanese. In very low tones, which blended with the notes of the music, but yet in an audible voice, the old man said : Taroe Polo was a young prince who one day while he was out hunting lost his way in the dense tropical forest, and as he was wandering about, suddenly came upon an old ruin- ous palace the existence of which had never been sus- pected. Making his way through the tangled undergrowth, he soon came up to the walls and entered the ruin. As he roamed about the spacious and much decayed galleries, he was greatly surprised to find himself in an apartment which the hand of time had spared, and which retained all its former fresh- ness and splendour. As he looked round in amazement at so sudden and strange a sight, his eye lit upon a young damsel of wondrous beauty surrounded by a train of attendants, who, although unable to vie with their mistress in loveliness, yet were all comely and young. She was a princess, a king's daughter, confined by the cruelty of her mother to that lonely spot, because she would give no ear to the suit of an old though powerful monarch, who was anxious to make her his bride. The moment prince Taroe Polo caught sight of this enchant- ing vision, he felt a fire kindle in his breast, and casting himself down at her feet, he began to pour out to her the tale of his passionate love ; hear how well the little silver •cymbal and the strips of resonant wood struck with small hammers with their soft silvery tones express the tender feel- ings of the prince, how they seem to sing, to woo, to implore as the young man kneels to his love. The young maiden listens but too willingly to his eager suit, her bosom heaves, she sighs, the flute with its languishing notes quite plainly tells the tale. But she is compelled to repress her emotion, for she is guarded by her attendants, who are her mother's slaves, and who one and all will be ready to betray her. She replies in broken accents, in single syllables, the harp faithfully gives back her confusion. Gently however, and with the cunning of love she tries to get rid, if but for a few moments, of those who stand around her. She succeeds, and now the passionate joy of the lovers breaks forth unrestrained. How well that burst of passion is rendered in full symphony by the two stringed viol, the accordian, the flute and the zither. Thus having, for a THE OPIUM FIEND. 89 while, given way to their feelings, they suddenly remember that they can never win the mother's consent, that her fol- lowers are incorruptible and that their only chance of bliss is to flee away together— far away to the mountains. The lovely princess, however, will not yield, her maiden pride refuses to take the irrevocable step. But the prayers of Taroe Polo, now soft as the gentle breeze which rustles in the tree-tops, then vehement and passionate as the tempest blast which howls over the fields— at length prevail. Her own heart pleads for him, her love is sounding his praise, still she wavers, she hesitates. But the thought of her mother and of the fate which awaits her should the secret of her love become known, quite overcomes her. With downcast eyes, but with a smile of joy she casts herself into the arms of her love, and with him she flies— she flies to the blue mountains, which loom far away in the mist. The whole Javanese orchestra celebrates this happy close with a full burst of melody, the cymbals with rapid clang indicate the swiftness of their flight, and then the coy sighs of the maiden are succeeded by the jubilant song of the prince, and a loud clash of victory brings the piece to a triumphant close. The whole population of Kaligaweh— simple folk— sat awe-struck listening with breathless attention until the last sounds of the gamelang had faded, quivering away in the dis- tance. The moon had meanwhile risen, had lost her blood-red hue and was now prying down upon that rustic village green through the tall Wanengien trees and flooding all those who sat there with silvery light. By this time the other booth had been opened and within a group of men could be seen cleverly manipulating some packs of Chinese cards.- Your Javanese is a born gambler. With him the love of play is the ruling passion, nay the mother of all others, which without that excitement might be harmless enough. The sight of that booth is irresistible, many of the men rise at once to take part m the seductive game, whilst others who are anxious to see the theatrical |)erformance which was to follow begin to ask Singo or his attendants for one of those cigars which they had found so delicious. The poor little women too are so forid of those nice little sweetmeats and cannot help showing that a second edition of those dainties would not be unwelcome. But, the crafty minions of Lim Yang Bing were on 9° BABOE DALIMA; 0\ the watch. With the most pleasant smiles they told the com- pany that the supply intended for free distribution had come to an end ; but that the stall-keepers were ready to sell cigars and sweetmeats to anyone who would pay for them. It was a sore disappointment ; the stall-keepers were ready to sell, but where was the money to come from ? For though we know that the people of Kaligaweh were in every way prosperous, yet there was but very little of the filthy dross of this world among them. Singomengolo read their feelings at once, and with devilish craft he pointed to the open gambUng booth. There, he grinned, plenty of all sorts of coins could be picked up in a few minutes. It was a mere matter of luck. His words acted like oil cast upon the fire. " But to play, one must have ready money to stake," sug- gested one of the bystanders. And how then about the rice which you have just brought home ? said the tempter with a leer worthy of Satan himself. A new light dawned upon the wretched people. The rice, of course, how was it that they had never thought of that ? " And will they take rice for payment ? " asked one. "Take it? " cried Singo, "of course they will and allow you the full market value for it." "And," continued the tempter, " You can see for yourselves that to-day is a lucky day for you. Look at Pak Ardjan how he is rattling the rix-dollars. It was true enough, there stood Pak Ardjan, the father of the late mate— there he stood dancing and jumping about like a madman, while he rattled in his closed hands the three rix-dollars he had just won. Three rix-dollars! Why that was at least half a month's wages! And to win all that money in a few minutes ! All one wanted was but a little pluck— fortune would be kind enough. Thus spake many of the poor creatures, little knowing what nets were spread around them. Still there was a great deal of hesitation— men had not altogether taken leave of their senses. The great majority still held back, and but very few bundles of rice had found their way to the gambling booth. Tust then— Kaseran and Wongsowidjojo and Kamidm, and Sidin, and so many others began to cut the same capers as Pak Ardjan. They also danced about, they also shouted for ioy they showed the people— the one three, the other five, a third seven, and yet another ten guilders which they had made in a twinkling. That Singo really was an excellent fellow, he had returned to make the fortunes of all his friends. THE OPIUM FIEND. 9' Then there was no holding them. Soon the whole booth was full of men blindly intent upon tempting fortune, while out- side the cymbal re^^ounded, and the voices of the actresses (?) were beginning to make themselves heard. But the keepers of the gambling-booth were no fools. Their policy was not to frighten the poor dessa-people at this first attempt ; and evidently only a very small portion of the rice-harvest had fallen into their hands. The cheerful and happy faces of the gamblers told plainly enough that there were not many losers among them, and if here and there one had been unlucky, it was always one who could very well stand a slight reverse of fortune. In truth, the "croupiers " did but very little business that night, though they were clever enough to take care, now that the ball had been set rolling, that their losses were not ruinously heavy. In fact, as the night grew on, the rix-dollars of the winners were^imperceptibly but surely melting away to guilders and the guilders to still smaller change. Yet, on the whole, the gamblers had won sufficient to make them all noisy and happy. At length came the hour of midnight, and the heavy gong was struck at the guard-house. The booth-keepers declared that they intended to close, that they had had a really bad night, and they actually did blow out the candles and shut up the place. Many of the people were still lingering about and listening to the cymbal and the craving for cigars began to be felt again. Thus the stall keepers did a roaring trade, and seeing that they also were in the pay of the Babah I Jm Yang Bing the money which the confederates had lost at cards, managed to come back to them again through another channel, so that the sacrifice, after all, was not a very alarming one. At length the "store of those pleasant cigars, which was not a very large one to start with, was exhausted. Then, with an indescribably low and nasty smile, Singo and his accomplices began to point to the opium-den where, for the same money, much more. real enjoyment could be obtained. In that wretched hole some girls were publicly seated on the rough benches, and with their shapely fingers were daintily rolling the little balls of opium, and casting seductive looks, coupled with wanton gestures, at the poor victims who stood gazing at the open door of that fatal den without being able quite to pluck up the courage to enter. Alas ! for many of them, the temptation was too strong. Ex- 92 BABOE DALIMA; OR, cited by tlie poison which they had already imbibed in con- siderable quantity — seduced by the wanton allurements of those fair women— first one gave way, then another, and al- though that night not every compartment of the opium-den was occupied, yet the Chinamen who kept it had every reason to be satisfied. When Lira Yang Bing was told of the result of that night's work he rubbed his hands together as he chuckled, that "Singomengolo is really an invaluable fellow — I must not lose sight of him." CHAP'1»ER VIII. DECAY OF THE DESSA. — ^ARREST Or PAK ARDJAN. THIS first fairly successful attempt upon the little dessa was systematically repeated, and every evening the in- spiriting tones of the cymbal resounded on the green of Kaligaweh, and every evening also the temptations described in the former chapter were renewed. All this might cost Lim Yang Bing some money at first ; but he knew well enough that he would be the gainer in the end and that his capital would soon return to him with ample interest By degrees it became less and less necessary to allow the gamblers to win ; and it was not very long before such a thing only happened now and again so that the hope of gain might not die out altogether. Gradually the poor deluded people began to lose more and more ; and one bundle of rice after another passed into the hands of the sharpers who, it must be said, gave liberal prices ; and allowed somewhat more than the full market value for the produce. But it was not only the spirit of gambling which had thus been aroused in Kaligaweh; together with that degrading passion — perhaps in consequence of it — the abuse of opium began to in- crease to an alarming extent. Six months, indeed, had scarcely elapsed before it became a notorious fact that a very consider- able part of the population had taken to opium smoking ; and — sadder still — that the opium farmers found powerful allies in the women of the dessa, who very soon began to perceive THE OPIUM FIEND. 93 the influence which the drug had upon their husbands, and who, mstead of trying to arrest the unfortunate creatures on their road to ruin, rather endouraged their fatal passion. One reason of this was, that the terrible effects of the poison did not at once manifest themselves. No — the enemy made his approaches in the dark, he advanced slowly but surely. At first the quantity used was but very small, a couple of malas or so a day, not even as nmch as that, were for those primitive people who were wholly unaccustomed to the drug quite sufficient to procure blissful rest and delightful sleep, and to call up visions of the houris with which Mohammed has peopled his paradise. Double that quantity would produce exuberant gaiety and excite to the most inordinate passions. And that peace, that excitement, that bliss could be purchased at the opium-store for fourteen cents (about 2|d.) a mata. It was indeed dirt- cheap ! But— though in the beginning of his downward course, the opium smoker could rest satisfied with so moderate an allow- ance—albeit even this did not fail to make a breach in his modest budget seeing that the expenditure was pretty constant —presently his constitution began to get seasoned to it, and it took a much greater quantity of the poison to have the desired effect. At first a man would only occasionally indulge and take up the bedoedan (opium pipe) say, once a week ; but gradually his nervous system began to grow accustomed to the stimulant, and then a craving for the poison began to be felt so that already several men could be pointed out who, as soon as the mfluence of the narcotic had passed off, were dull, down- cast, nervous and restless; and who, in consequence, felt utterly miserable. There was but one means to raise them out of their state of depression; and so they would take up the bedoedan again and swallow another dose of the poison. And thus by degrees it came to pass that at length there was with them scarcely an interval between one fit of intoxication and the next. I hat thus the prosperity of the dessa was inevitably destmed to disappear did not admit of the slightest doubt Not only was the actual expense of this habitual induloence greater than the means of many would allow; but the fatal°habit engendered other cravings which also had to be gratified and which helped to sweep away the little that opium had' left Moreover the love of work— never under any circumstances too strong in a tropical land— was first seriously impaired then wholly extinguished, and, When not under the influence of the 94 BABOE DALIMA; OR,* opiate the smoker was a slovenly, drowsy, lazy and objectless being, wholly unfit for the least exertion, whom nothing could rouse into activity but fresh indulgence in the baneful remedy. Indeed the sanitary condition of the people of Kaligaweh had degenerated with such alarming rapidity, that the most casual observer could not fail to be struck by the change. If, m days gone by, a European visited the dessa— which it is true but very seldom happened— he could not fail to admire the healthy and sturdy look of its inhabitants ; but now he constantly came upon men and women whose ghastly appearance could not but excite in him the deepest pity. There could be no mis- take about it, at a single glance it was evident that he had be- fore him the victims of the terrible opium-fiend. Those grey livid faces from which every trace of the Oriental bronze tint had faded; that wrinkled skin which looked like oarchment overheated without being scorched ; those wasted angular features which gave to the head the appearance of an unsightly skull ; those deep sunken eyes with their jaded look and the dark blue rings around them ; those stooping forms and receding chests; that extraordinary emaciation of the upper body, of which every rib could bp counted, and which conveyed an idea of transparency, for the specimens which one met had hardly a rag Ibout ihem; barely a bit of dirty clothing wrapped round their loins to hide their nakedness ; that deep distressing cough which came, with hollow sound, from the Ubouring breast and spoke of lungs wasted with disease whU t t seemed to shake to pieces the entire frame; those spindle egs. so poS, so meagrefthat they seemed hardly able to totter Song under the weight of the body ^hey had to support; all S formed the stereotyped picture of defaced humanity and bore incontestable witness to the protracted s"ff"«"g« ^^ u^ fathomable misery which had reduced these poor blighted rrpatures to mere walking skeletons. , u When later on Singomengolo revisited the dessa where he first saw the light, and where, as a thanksoffenng he had p IntedVe mos? terrible curse, his lip must have curled with a Satonic smile. Yes. all he could now see there ; those cocoa- nu??rees Overgrown with moss and parasites ; those orchards npalected and decayed; those unwatered rice-fields and half- Slled fields -those wo or three oxen whose lean and sickly i«n.i <;noke olainlv of neglect and starvation; yes, all SfrSs were Ws worl^ l^vas his fault that now the harvest wfss-"ty and worthless; it ...his fault that even THE OPIUM FIEND. 95 that wretched harvest had been pawned long before the ani anis had so much as begun their work ; it was his fault that clothes, furniture, tools, everything, had been sold or pawned for next to nothing, and that all had been swallowed up in the bottomless pit of that national curse. But Babah Lim Yang Bing the opium farmer and his friends Ong Sing Beh and Kouw 'I'hang the keepers of the pawnshop and of the gambling-booth were thriving wonderfully, and by their glorious aid the Dutch Treasury also was doing well in comparison, at least, with former days when those three noble sources of income contributed little or nothing to that unsati- able Moloch, the Revenue. Gaily therefore might the Dutch flag wave in the breeze, and proudly might the Dutch arms display their manly motto " Je Maintiendrai " above the opium- den, the gambling-booth and the pawn-shop — that much worshipped Trinity which forms the most elaborate system of extortion under which ever a poor conquered race has groaned. Among the first of the infatuated wretches which fell into the pit so carefully dug for them, was Pak Ardjan, the father of the mate of the schooner brig Kiem Ping Hin. But a short time ago he was looked upon as a thriving and well- to-do Javanese peasant, the possessor of a yoke of power- ful oxen, now he had gambled, rioted and smoked away house and goods and had plunged his helpless family into the most hideous misery. Where was now the pleasant little cottage with its neat hedge of golden-yellow bamboo and its clean dark-brown roof of thatch made of leaves ? Where was that comfortable little house in which Pak Ardjan was wont to sit with wife and children, passing his days in peace and cheerfully looking for- ward to the future? Alas ! the miserable hovel which now barely sheltered the once happy family was small, low, close, in fact a ruin. The single room of which it consisted was pervaded by »hat oflTensive musty smell which decaying bamboo generally emits. One look at the walls, the lower parts of which had already rotted away while the upper were rapidly crumbling under the attacks of the white ant, and one glance at the roof which was in one place bulging inwards and in another fast going to dust, was quite sufficient to account for the closeness of the air. On the bits of matting, which covered the still more filthy floor, the children were rolling about, many of them naked as they were born, while the mother and father, if he happened to be at 96 BABOE DALIMA; OR, home, clad in rags which were never washed and were leaving their bodies in tatters sat crouching on the floor stupidly gazing at the scene of desolation before them. Gazing ! aye, if the stony mechanical stare could be called by that name. For the father had lost all consciousness of the hopeless misery of his family. The frightful selfishness produced by the abuse of opium : the constantly growing indifference to all things round about him, even to his own wife and children ; the rapidly in- creasing love of idleness, and incapacity for work, for care, for exertion in fact of any kind which at length made him utterly unable to think of anything by day or night except of how he might gratify his passion and the other cravings it engendered, and for which he was driven to sacrifice everything. All this had clouded his sight, and as a man stone-blind he was totter- ing on the very brink of a precipice. Whilst he was in the first lethargic state brought on by the moderate use of the narcotic, he would be quiet, peaceful and contented, and would dose away and dream and build up for himself — for himself only — a paradise in which none but sensual pictures presented themselves to his eye and to his mind. Then as he continued to smoke, and when he reached the next stage — the stage of frenzy — he would, regardless of his chil- dren's presence, shamelessly pursue his wife round the cabin, for at such times she seemed to him the houri of his dreams, and then, in that wretched hovel at any hour of the night or day, scenes would be enacted such as the poor innocent chil- dren ought never to have witnessed. For, at such times the man was like a brute beast, wholly incapable of bridling his de- graded passions. Then the final paroxysm would be reached, and the effect of the dreadful poison would begin to wear off ; and then the wretched creature would fall into a state of utter prostration, of annihilation which for himself, and worse still for his family, was indeed a cup of woe. Then the smoker would begin to tremble all over, then he became restless and uneasy, then his entire nervous system seemed to be out of joint, then every limb would be racked with pain — then he would moan most piteously, and cry like a child, sobbing and declaring that he was at the point of death and then — yes ; then there was but one single means to relieve him and to bring him back out of that state of intolerable agony, and that was once again to grasp the pipe and to fight the disease with the poison which had caused it. Then the wife had to run out to buy THE OPIUM FIEND. 97 opium — where the money was to come from, that was her business. Then one of the children had to knead and roll the opium- balls and another little one had to hold the lamp which, for that kind of smoking, is indispensable, and a third had to make strong coffee which was generally got by theft out of the govern ment-plantations. And if, from sheer want of money, all this could not be done — nay even when it was not done quite quickly enough for the impatience of the nervous sufferer— then the wretched man would fill the hut with wailing and lamenta- tion, with curses and revilings which drove its inmates to the verge of despair. Amidst such surroundings as these Ardjan had grown up, and although he had not fallen as deeply as his father, yet in the years of his childhood, the age which is most susceptible of good or evil, his heart and mind had received the impressions which made it possible for him later on to take service on board a smuggling-brig, and to make him feel towards the company which employed him in its nefarious transactions, such loyalty as we heard him express in the djaga monjet before Lim Ho the son of Lim Yang Bing the opium farmer at Santjoemeh. So long as Ardjan, who was the eldest son, was but a child, the family was plunged in the depths of bestial degradation ; but when he had grown up and, after having served awhile as , a sailor in a government vessel, had gone on board the Kiem Ping Hin, things began somewhat to mend at home in the dessa. This was especially the case when young Ardjan, who had a very good head on his shoulders, was jiromoted to be mate of the smuggling brig. In that capacity he had constant opportimities of handling the cargo, and of such a drug as opiumj which takes up but little space, he could very easily now and then appropriate to himself quantities of com- paratively considerable value. This he did the more readily, and with the less reluctance, as his notions on the vieum and tiium were of the vaguest description. The opium thus pilfered he used to deliver to his father who, in this manner, was en- abled, not only fully to indulge in his ruling passion, but also to dispose of the superfluity to his neighbours. In this illegal traffic Pak Ardjan frequently made considerable gains, which, however, far from being of any substantial benefit to his em- poverished household, would always be squandered with lavish extravagance. 98 BABOE DAUMAJ OR, Such was the state of things when Resident van Gulpen- dam gave Lim Yang Bing the hint that Pak Ardjan was, in the estimation of the police, held to be a notorious smuggler. From what has been said above it is evident that what the Resident had said was true, the police had their suspicions, and had often been on the old smuggler's track, without ever having been able to bring the offence home to him. It must be said indeed, that so long as Ardjan was on board the Kiem Ping Hin they made no very determined efforts to convict his father. Equally true it was that Pak Ardjan, not knowing at the time that his son lay under suspicion of having brought on shore the discovered opium, had laid a formal accusation against Lim Ho, on account of the brutal manner in which he had treated his son. Now, the old opium-smoker had taken this step, not because he felt any pity for his son, nor because he wished to be revenged upon the Chinaman for the wrong he had thus inflicted upon one of his family — still less had he done so because he was anxious that the offender should re- ceive condign punishment Oh no, Pak Ardjan was not actuated by any such motives as these. A short time before his adventure at the Moeara Tjatjing Ardjan had procured for his father a few katties of opium. So long as the supply lasted, the old man had not troubled himself in the least about the treatment his son had undergone ; but when he saw that the supply was beginning to run low, then he began to look with apprehension to the future, and especially alarmed was he when he heard that Ardjan had exchanged the hospital for the jail. His poor muddled brain fancied that he might hasten Ardjan's release by making 'a charge against Lim Ho ; and he had been further encouraged to take the step by the advice of a pettifogging lawyer, who thought that, in an action against the rich son of the still more wealthy opium-farmer, he had discovered a very pretty little vein of gold. Thus the charge was, in the proper form, laid before the Court at Santjoemeh and a prosecution against Lim Ho was ordered accordingly. This matter the president of the Council had put into the hands of his young colleague, van Nerekool, and he, most anxious that justice should be done and that the miscreant should pay the legal penalty for his offence ; and glad also, thus to be able to perform the promise which he had made to Anna, the fair daughter of the Resident, that he would do his best to save Dalima's lover, bad readily undertaken the case, and was THE OPIUM FIEND. 99 confident that he would be able to bring it to a successful issue. But, on a certain afternoon, while the sun was yet high in the heavens, Pak Ardjan had gone to have a look at his store of opium which he had secreted by burying it deep in the ground, and heaping over the place a heavy layer of stones. Much to his regret he found, upon opening his store, that, at the most, he had but a couple of tha€l left. These he pro- ceeded to carry home with him; for he had promised some opium-smoking friends to let them have a supply that evening, and, as they were good customers and paid him handsomely, he would not disappoint them. When he reached home his children informed him that Singomengolo had made his appearance in the dessa, and had been making sundry enquiries about him. The appearance itself of the man in the dessa, was nothing very extraordinary, nor was it, under the circumstances, strange that Pak Ardjan's name should have been mentioned by him. But somehow or other an accountable feeling of distrust came over the old man which impelled him to try and hide the opium he had about him. Now if he had been in his normal condition he would straightway have returned to the ravine and buried his treasure safely in its former hiding place, before further steps could be taken against him. But the fit of depression was on him, his nerves were again beginning to play tricks with him, his mental powers were, as usual after prolonged abstinence, growing con- fused — in short he was bordering on that stage in which he would need another dose of opium to pick him up. Accord- ingly, he set aside a couple of matas for his own use, and, having carefully wrapped the remainder in nipah-leaves, he thrust the packets for concealment behind the attapa-leaves which formed the crazy roof of his cabin. This done, it was the old story again, and the whole family had to set to work to minister to him in his disgusting opium debauch. But as he lay stretched there on the bench, and just as he was beginning to light his third pipe, before that, therefore, he was wholly under the influence of the poppy-juice, Singomengolo suddenly appeared on the door-step, accom- panied by four or five policemen, and by the two Chinamen, who kept the opium-store. The instant he crossed the threshold, the bandoelan knew what was going on within, although Pak Ardjan had started up, and with some dexterity. lOO BABOE DALIMA ; OR, had managed to hide his pipe under the filthy pillow which is inevitably present on every couch, and his children had secreted the lamp and the yet unsmoked opium. The sickly sweetish smell, however, which pervaded the close stuffy room could not deceive anyone, least of all a bandoelan so thoroughly experienced as was the agent of the opium- farmer. " There has been opium smoked here ! " he cried in a peremptory tone, as he and his followers made their way into the cabin. " Oh no," slammered Pak Ardjan in dismay, " oh no, indeed there has not ! " while his wife and children, like so many frightened sheep, huddled together in a corner. "Guard the door and the windows," cried Singo to his policemen, and then turning again upon Pak Ardjan he repeated more sternly even than before, "You have been smoking opium, I tell you ! " "Oh no, indeed 1 have not," replied the unfortunate man. " Why tliere is the pipe," cried the opium hunter, as he triumphantly drew the corpus delicti from under the pillow. " Why here is the pipe, and quite hot too ! " Pak Ardjan already beside himself with fear felt completely crushed at this evident proof of his guilt. " Where is the opium ? " asked Singomengolo in threatening tones. Pak Ardjan returned no answer. " Well, never mind," said Singo, " we shall soon find it," and a horrid smile crossed his lips. He made a signal to the Chinamen, and to the policemen who were not engaged in watching the door and windows ; and then ensued a search, we may call it a hunt, the description of which may uell seem incredible to those who do not know that such frightful scenes are not at all of uncommon occurrence. Under the couch, under the mats which covered the floor, they searched, they rooted up the very floor of the cabin, they poked about under the stove and in the ashes of that very primitive kind of cooking-apparatus ; pillows were rent open, and their contents scattered on the floor ; the few boxes and baskets were torn open, and the noisome rags they con- tained were shaken and contemptuously flung aside ; the poor miserable furniture, a few pots and pans, tlie rice-kettle, the tonibok-block, the rice-panniers, even the sirih-box were turned over, but nothing — nothing could they find. THE OPIUM FIEND. lOI Singomengolo was angry. Now he ordered a body-search to be made. First they seized upon Pak Ardjan and, though he offereJ some resistance, he was, with sundry kicks and blows, very soon shaken out of the few filthy rags which hung about him, and, in his hideous leanness, he stood there naked before the eyes of his family. The sense of decency, which never leaves even the most utterly degraded, made the poor man cower down moaning to the ground trying to hide his nakedness from the eyes of his children. Then came the mother's turn, and the turn of the children — some of them girls from seven to fourteen years of age. Re- gardless alike of the mother's feelings or of the innocence of childhood, the inhuman monsters proceeded in their search, and a scene was then enacted so hideous, so disgusting, that over it we must draw a veil. The children cried, the girls sobbed and wept, the mother shrieked under this base and violent treatment, it was of no avail. But presently, one of the policemen rudely seized upon the eldest daughter, poor little Sarina, a girl of fourteen ; she, in her fright, dropped her sarong, and uttered a scream of terror. That cry made Pak Ardjan bound to his feet, madly he flung himself upon the cowardly wretch, with one wrench he dragged the fellow's sabre from its scabbard, and with its edge he dealt the miscreant two such blows as sent him, sorely wounded and howling with pain, flying from the scene of his dastardly exploit. But the poor father thus goaded to madness and blinded by fury, whose withered arm and wasted frame could not endure any sustained exertion, was at' once overpowered and disarmed before he could strike another blow in defence of his outraged household. They bound him most cruelly, they tied" his ankles together and forced the rough and prickly gemoetoe-cords between his toes, which at the slightest move- ment, put the unfortunate man to excruciating torture. Next they proceeded to handcuff him ; but, as the manacles were much too wide to confine his shrivelled wrists, they drove in be- tween the arm and the iron, rough pieces of firewood, and this caused such intolerable pain that a lamentable howl came from Pak Ardjan's lips — a howl most like that of some poor beast in its dying agony. But now the opium ? The opium ? Hitherto none had been found. Singomengolo stood scratching his car. He was, indeed, in a most awkward predicament. I02 THE OPIUM FIEND 103 BABOE DALIMA J OR, "What a rage the Kandjeng toean Resident will be in," muttered he. But he did not mind him much. He would bluster no doubt a good deal and bark ; but he would take good care not to bite. But, what would Babah Lim Yang Bing think of it ? might he not look with suspicion upon all this fruitless zeal. And then the the newspapers ! What if they began to talk — and talk those confounded papers would there could be no doubt about it. And the judges! What if they should take it up? They must take it up of course. Pak Ardjan had vio- lently, and with arms in his hand, resisted the police — the opium police. And that was a crime which could not be hushed up. That was one of the offences which the Dutchmen always punished with the greatest severity. Yes, but then the fact would come out that there had been a visitation, a pretty severe visitation, and that nothing had been found. And then other mattecs might, and would probably, leak out. Aye, they had handled the little girls a little too brutally. And those judges were such an inquisi- tive lot, they were sure to get to the bottom of it all. He was in an awkward plight. Oh! had he but found the opium I Or better still, had he but taken his usual pre- cautions I " And yet," muttered he, as his hawk-like eye darted round the little hut, " I had such very precise instructions. I was to wait until Pak Ardjan had returned from the ravine, then — But would it not have been much wiser to surprise him in the raviiie? — No, no — that would never have done — he might have sworn that he had found the opium there by chance, and those judges are so lenient, they will believe- anything, and they never convict if there is the possibility of a doubt. No, no, the opium must — it shall — be found in Pak Ardjan's own possession, that only will be conclusive evidence of guilt. But — I cannot find it — Eh ! eh ! " he exclaimed, " what have we here ? " With one bound Singo- mengolo reached the corner where a slight bulge in the roof seemed to look as if it had quite lately been disturbed. The edges of the nipah-leaves did not look quite so dark in that spot as the others which had been exposed to the smoke. The bandoelan thrust his hand into the roof, he felt about for a few moments, and then, he drew forth two small parcels. These he hastily unwrapped and uttered a cry of triumph. It „as the opium which ^'\^f^T.i^\,"fJtc^^^p Store his home «as ^»^'',=^„ ,5™ he dealt him a Ijlow 'Zt. K-wi^rtf olr Sa. .h^h made .he biood '%'ruher«e;«p'ri;dno..awo,d ^^i b, When the capBred or" ."Sf^ft^rs tog into a Mth, -da;rr5,rdro«--nsi:;arr? 5;^^ rSn.eIS'rt'„&%h. and i*d m the wounds in the affray. , ^y^Q charge, and as .e^^i:?='^tSSS St smile. "U is disgust- ing' Wtered he, " disgusting 1 CHAPTER IX. KJONJAMAHAL-THE THREE FRIKKDS. . , r HEN Lim Vang B^",^^^^^^^^^^ VV ^'s accuser I'a^^''**^*"' " Lim Ho chuckled with sole of the details of the -P*^«,^^rall events," quoth he, delight. "That's one good riddance, , our to himself. " Now,j^th a ve y ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^ ^ , part, that fellow will ^^-^f ^°|^7come on at all The most Lfore his son's smugglmg case can con „ . dangerous witness will then be out^t ^^^^ y.^ ^^^^^^^ ^ Then, for a while, Lim Ho ^eem handsome and had made the njonja «f ^he Residen y.^^ ^^ ^^^ valuable present of J^^^f^' ^-^i f SSt she would see what she -SorhS;! S tK^^Sucing the girl to listen to his I04 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 105 proposals. " Indeed ! njonja mahal, an expensive lady," he muttered. "By Kortg, what will be her price if I should need her active help in the case of the girl's refusal ? Mercy on me ! that will cost a pretty penny." But Pak Ardjan's arrest gave another direction to his thoughts. "No, the girl is not to be won, of that I am certain, she hates me too much to consent. But that is precisely the thing which makes her so attractive to me. She is an elegant, pretty girl I That's true enough, but there are many other good-looking maidens in the dessas — That's tame, I know all about them. No, no, to make the rebellious hussy bend to my will ; to cover her, who detests me, with my kisses ; to have her, who despises me, in my arms ; and then — yes, then, when I am tired of her, and she is soiled and faded body and soul — then to be able to trample upon her, and fling her from me. That, look you, is the highly flavoured dish which, in my pursuit of her, I intend to enjoy. And, by Kong, I shall have my way, too. How? that I don't know, just yet. By force or by cunning ? that matters little — if needs be, by both ! " Thus he muttered to himself as, in his father's house, he lay stretched out on a most lux-lrious divan, with his long Chinese pipe in his mouth, in which he was smoking the most fragrant tobacco the Celestial empire produces. " By cunning? " he continued, after a fews puffs at his pipe, " by cunning ? Now, what is the most serious obstacle ? The girl's will, no doubt ; — well, I shall know how to get over that, if I get the chance, that will have, I daresay, to be a matter of violence after all. Now what else is there ? The njonja I — The baboe is in her service ; but I think she will help me, especially if — " Here the wretch moved his hand in the manner so peculiar to the Chinese, when they count money, putting down at each gesture a little pile of coins, which always contains the exact number required, never one piece more or less. " Now, is there any one else in my way ? Yes, there is Ardjan, who wants to marry her ; but he is pretty well accounted for, he is safe enough in jail, and won't verj' easily get out of the mess he is in, as he is charged with having smuggled a couple of pikols of opium. Long before he has been condemned, and has served his time, the deed must be done. Yes, long before that Dalima must have been mine ! What, then — why, then ? I sha'n't give either of them another thought, then the question will be, what pretty one will next take ^y fancy,-from Ardjan, I have nol^Jt^g *°£t^od?al withhhn. SLrPun-hment.thecompan^^^^^^^ • There is only one njan left against whom ^^^^^^ Javanese, that is Setrosmito, »f ™f^^. J^^JV^ y," ? When I offered him he threatened me with his kr s, d^d he ^ ^ ^j^ p^y h,m five hundred nx-dolars for his dy^^^^^^ ^^^ out for that. But '^"^^^"rf *S\he easiest matter m the of Pak Ardjan seems 1° Jave *5^en ^^^^ .^^^ ^^^p world. If S^osmito could be rnaae ^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ , „ _if we could secure Jm-were it o^ ^j ^^.^n Springing «p from his -^o^^J' ^'"^.^^^^^ foot of china, and stood by a pillar «"PP°f^^ J'^^^eTin the shape of a croco- Ss\TadNhT^a£m\TNgX^^^^^ -^ --^ ^- ^H:'ryot;hink.Drono,"askedLimHo,«'thatSingomengolo '' ^.lT:?hSy1his morning, babah," replied Drono, as he repeated his sembah. ,,„„„" said Ms master. "Vou ';.TI>enmnandfetcl,l,.malonce,^J'a» ^^ ^p.^_„. „hicl?he entn^ce of '^^"^'^^ XTnfdoubt, I iould were Ijut for a few weeks, in ">»• ' ™' ', " The nlon a Re- :;^j;;;UTK'™tt-3 ;f !^e3, , ... u'wi.. cost -^■J'ira;d'SS:='"st,ra'S-a„o,,,er,ava^ to start." J „ v- 1.-1. " ordered Lim Ho. r,^i:^?'.rLl"SrSeS'se„a„. again stood before him. io6 6A60E DALIMA; OR, "Before you go to look for Singo," said the master, "you must go to the house of M'Bok K^rij^h, and you must tell her that I want to see her here as soon as possible." " Saja-babah," said Drono, as again he made the sembah. "Yes," cried Lim Ho, impatiently, "but be off at once. Saja-babah." The next day, M'Bok K^rij&h entered the Residence, and asked to see the njonja besar, or great lady. She was admitted at once, for it was morning, and Lauren tia had just finished attending to her household duties, and had given out all that was needful to the cook. She was at that moment engaged in changing her morning kabaai for another one, made of fine lawn trimmed with lace. Indeed, the lady's doors were never closed to the old quack, and she would always receive her, at any hour of the day, if she could possibly do so. "Good morning, njoonjaa," said the old woman, in that drawling tone so peculiar to the obsequious Javanese, while she squatted down at the European lady's feet. " Tabeh nfenfeh," replied Laurentia. " Did the obat have the desired effect ? " began the old hag. " Oh yes," replied Laurentia ; " it worked admirably, you must let me have a good supply of it." " That is what I intended to do, njonja, but the ingredients, you know, are so difficult to get, they are so expensive." Laurentia took a small purse from her work-basket, and put a couple of rix-doUars into the old woman's hand. " There," said she, " take that to buy them, and mind you let me have some soon." The crone took the money, and tied it up in the corner of a dirty handkerchief, from which a bunch of keys was dangling, and, with a cunning leer, she assured the lady tliat she would have no reason to complain. Then she began to talk about master Leo, and to tell laurentia what a dear, clever little chap he was, and how everyone in the street turned back to look at the little fellow as he passed. No doubt, now and then, an eye might be cast on the baboe also who had charge of him ; for, there could be no question about it, the baboe was exceedingly pretty. Really, the njonja ought not to allow such a girl to go about so freely ; she was too good-looking, and there are always people wicked enough to take advantage of innocence. The njonja knew that well enough, and it would be such a pity if the poor girl should get into bad hands. There was so much money to be THE OPIUM FIEND. 107 -aa 00. o. .e, so .h. CM h.g SSUiSr.' ^ ^isiointed way, and by ed ">".'^:r?ure. repeated i^Ste'-nSt ^TmX\ SL;'Ut'isrdo;:rr"^.S going .o.eta.eni«h, enough what «»= "X^"' "-Jj ,h^°Sh"vhich confined the sarong little box out of *=i°^'°;?oS it » *' "i"»"^ \ S"^a1'air3^lS ^f^^^ or Chine, wort^an- *SlfS1'ilT*S°"Mr;. van Gul,.ndan„ .ith . con- he b?roireS"pe=?^;--^---°- ^J loon as.the a«rl«,fX? Ae affair has suc^af ,*= LaurentB laughed, When ^^^ , ^„^ j 4„„ < repeated, scornfully. A pretty ;. intend to see the babah at all. log BAfiOE DALIMA; Ott, THE OPIUM FIEND. tog " But, njonja— " " That will do," said Laurentia ; " not another word about it. Come," continued she, " you may take those things away with you again." " But what then am I to tell Lim Ho ? " asked the nbneh. " You may tell him just whatever you like, nhh." " But, njonja—" " Now, M'Bok," said Laurentia, resolutely, " not another word on that subject. Don't forget to bring me a good supply of the obat." " Has the njonja no other orders for me ? " " None at present," was the answer. " I only wished to tell you that I have another little lot of jewellery at home," insisted the old hag ; " ear-rings, rings — ! " " No, no, nbh," said Laurentia, interrupting her ; " but if you should happen to know of some bracelets." " Bracelets, njonja ? of what kind ? " " Golden ones, of course," replied Mrs. van Gulpendam. " A little while ago I saw some that I should very much like to have ; the Chinese major's daughter was wearing them. They were beauties, serpents of old gold which went three or four times round the wrist and they had eyes of brilliants and in their mouth was a rose-coloured diamond as thick as that, look 1 " And the njonja at these words held up her little finger. Old M'Bok Karijah devoured, so to speak, the words which she heard. " If," continued the njonja, " you could find me such a pair of bracelets, I should think them well worth having and — there might be a little profit for you too." These words were uttered in the most careless manner possible, though Laurentia's eyes seemed to pierce the old woman as she spoke them. "Saja, njonja," replied M'Bok, scrambling to her feet; " Good morning, njonja." " Good morning, nfeh," said the lady. Half an hour afier this interview Lim Ho uttered a frightful curse as again and again he repeated the words, " An expensive lady ! " But he was too much intent upon his purpose to hesitate and so next day he handed M'Bok the bracelets for which she had asked him. Before proceeding further with our ^tpry, je shaU haveto sive the reader some information concernmg Mr. v*" NereKoo fl7e young lawyer to whom Anna van Gu lpe"dam J^u^^^^^^^^^ for h'elp fn her anxiety to save Argan he Jture^^u J^ ^^ -r^a=\tp!lm^;S^^^ clearly cut features, a light beard ana m ^ ^^^j^^ ^^ curly hair of a somewha barker shade. ±ie ^^^ I Vden, the Athens of Holland. But though J^e n^^^^ his examinations most creditably, ye^ he com^^ l fessing to Wmself that he J^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ alid at the his great abihties ^o^ at the Oram ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ University he had Passed for a someway fellow in his studies. He had, ^'^o^^^^'^-Ses^s hobbies ; but much inclined to waste h.s time on ob ecdess hobme ^ ^^ SreTSe toE^er'^rpiJeM Utmng people such pe«n. ..are al»avs most anxious about things «hich in no JOT no BABOE DALIMA; OR, and his honesty ; and where these are present, he will be highly valued m the world-in the world, that is to say, of people whose esteem is worth having. His mother was supposed to be in very easy circumstances and to enjoy a very sufficient income. At all events, the young man's studies had always been amply provided for, and his allowance at Leyden had been liberal enough to enable him to take part in all the amusements in which his fellow students used to indulge. But when to- wards the end of the young man's time at college, Mrs. 'van Nerekool died somewhat suddenly, it appeared that in reality her means were most slender; and that she had indeed realised all the property she possessed and denied herself everything in order to be able to defray the expenses of her son's education. Seeing this, the trustee who undertook the settlement of Mrs van Nerekool's affairs, strongly advised the young man to try and get appointed to the judicial sUflF in Dutch India. This advice young van Nerekool took. The short time which he had yet to spend at the University he employed in the closest application to his studies, and after having passed a brilliant examination, he was appointed to a place in India and put under the orders of the Governor General. When he got out to Batavia, they kept him for a year in the capital to help the members of the high court of Justice to get through arrears of work which had accumulated. This year was by no means time lost ; for young van Nerekool thus got a much clearer insight in all legal matters which concerned the natives of the island than he could otherwise have done, seeing that the revision of all sentences passed by the courts in Java and Madura had to go through his hands. Shortly after, he was appointed member of the Council at Santjoemeh, which appointment gave him fuither opportunity of gaining useful information. At Santjoemeh, the young man had the good fortune to find in Mr. Zuidhoorn, the presi- dent of the Council, a thoroughly worthy and honest man, who proved himself a trustworthy guide, and who, fully appreciating the abilities and sterling qualities of his young colleague, took every opportunity of developing them in the right direction. In Mr. Zuidhoorn he had before him a living example of strict integrity and of that impartiality and freedom from prejudice which it is not always easy to practise in the service of dame Justitia. At Santjoemeh van Nerekool made the acquaintance of two men, one of whom was about his own age and the other four THE OPIUM FIEND. Ill or five years his junior. The names of these gentlemen were William Verstork and Edward van Rheijn. Both were in the government service in the Residence of Santjoemeh ; but Verstork was obliged to live at Banjoe Fahit, which was the chief dessa of the division of that name to which Kaligaweh also belonged, and van Rheijn was serving his probation in the capital and in the office of the Resident. They were both fine honest fellows quite unspoiled by Indian intrigue and corrup- tion and who held every evasion of the truth in abhorrence. In the main point therefore their dispositions harmonised admirably with the frank nature of Charles van Nerekool, yet were their characters somewhat difierent from his. Mr. Verstork was, probably in consequence of his longer stay in India and his greater experience, of a much more pliable dis- position than his friend ; and though himself incapable of any- thing mean or underhand, yet to a certain extent, he was inclined to give way to his superiors and to wink at, or c\os6 his eyes to, transactions of theirs which would not bear the strictest scrutiny. This he was compelled to do, he said, in order not to spoil his career. This pliability of character frequently used to involve him in warm disputes with his two friends, in which, however, he would not try to justify himself, but used to palliate his conduct by appealing to the excep- tional circumstances in which he was placed and which were indeed of sufficiently trying a nature to give him a claim to indulgence. He also had, at an early age, lost his father ; but less fottunate than van Nerekool, he was left as the eldest son of a large and needy family ; and though his mother had heroically striven to provide for the wants of herself and children, yet her earnings were not by any means suflicient even partially to attain that object Moreover at the time of old Mr. Verstork's death two of William's younger brothers were receiving their education in Europe, and the studies of these young people could not be interrupted without altogether marring their prospects of future success. Thus it came to pass that Controller Verstork had a very heavy burden of care resting upon him, since the future of that family, of which he was in reality the bread-winner, depended entirely on the career he might make. If, therefore, he could now and then be accused of lukewarmness, or if for the shortcomings of others he was too ready to find extenuating circumstances or excuses, the difficult position in which he was placed ought to be fairly considered. As far as he himself was concerned he always 112 BABOE DALIMA; OR, was in word and deed scrupulously just and honest, and the future will show that, in cases of emergency, he could play his part with manliness and vigour. Edward van Rheijn, the probationary-controller, was not of so yielding a nature, lukewarmness was not one of his faults. He was, indeed, as yet too young to have acquired Verstork's circumspection and prudence; but in the office of Mr. van Gulpendam, under whose immediate orders he had been placed, he was in a terrible school and he had every oppor- tunity to become, according to the latter's favourite expression, '■ a thoroughly useful and efficient Indian functionary." These three men, then, were friends in every sense of the word, and they never neglected a single opportunity of enjoy- ing each other's society. Charles and Edward had, of course, constant chances of meeting since they both lived at Santjoemeh. They might, indeed be called inseparables. It was not so, however, with Verstork, whose station, the dessa Banjoe Pahit was quite twelve miles from the Residence ; and for whom, therefore, there could be no question of daily intercourse with his two friends. Every Saturday afternoon when his work was over and he had closed his office, he used to jump on his horse and ride off at full speed to Santjoemeh where he was wont to lodge with one of his friends. The Saturday evening he used to spend at the " Harmonie " and listen to the excellent music of the militia band. On Sunday he was accustomed to pay some visits, and, of course, to call upon his chief officer, the Resident, and on Monday morning he was off again before daylight so as to be able to take his bath and have his break- fast and to be in his office punctually at nine o'clock. The two inseparables generally accompanied him wherever they could, but the Sunday evenings were specially devoted to friendly intercourse and conversation. These they invariably used to spend together either at van Nerekool's house or at van Rheijn's. On one of these occasions, Charles had told his friends how that, on one of his visits to the van Gulpendams he had been introduced to the Resident's daughter Annn, how he had culti- vated that young lady's acquaintance whenever he had met her at the " Harmonic," at evening parties, or at the Residence itself; and he further confessed that Miss Anna van Gulpendam ap- peared to him the most amiable and accomplished girl he had ever in his life had the pleasure of meeting. " Indeed," he had continued to say, " I do not exactly know THE OPIUM FIEND. "3 what my sentiments are. Is it a mere friendly feeling towards a pretty and accomplished child, or is it perhaps love which is beginning to nestle in my heart ? I am so utterly in- experienced in such matters that I cannot tell ; all I know is that I am never so happy as when I am in her company." "And you manage to be so pretty frequently ? " said van Rheijn with a malicious smile. " For some time," he con- tinued to Verstork, " friend Charles has been away from home almost constantly. I really see very little of him, he is out almost every evening, and then you are sure to find him wherever Miss Anna and her parents happen to be, or else at the Resi- dence whether it happens to be a reception night or not. You know I am half beginning to suspect him of taking a hand at the Residential card-table. I have several times strolled round the house trying to find out something ; but the place is so closely hedged in by flowers and shrubs, that my curiosity has never once been rewarded and I have not been able to get at the secret at all." William Verstork shook his head doubtfully at this com- munication, " Is there any truth in all that ? " he asked, as he stedfastly kept his eye on van Nerekool. " Oh yes," said the latter without the least hesitation, " but yet—" " It is a very sad thing," said Verstork, interrupting him. " A sad thing ? " asked Charle», somewhat hastily, "what do you mean ? you won't allow me to finish what I have to say." " Very well," said Verstork, " say on." Van Nerekool then went on to tell him how very powerfully he had felt himself attracted to the young girl ; but that hitherto he had not allow^ed a single word to betray his feel- ings. What had passed between them was mere conversation, in which he had indeed discovered how fresh and ingenuous the young girl was-; but which had never gone further than the merest every-day talk, and had entirely been confined to little compliments, and to those harmless encounters of wit in which young people who are fairly gifted, and are not particu- larly anxious to hide their light under a bushel, are wont to indulge. He was absolutely certain that Anna was wholly un- conscious of what was passing in his bosom. But he continued to tell his friends, that on a certain evening, it was getting rather late, a Javanese servant had brought him a note in which dear little Anna had begged him to come at once and see her at the Residence. H 114 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, William Verstork could not help smiling at this communica- tion. "Pray don't laugh," cried Charles gravely, "although I can- not help confessmg that very strange thoughts forced themselves upon me also. It was so strange, was it not? So wholly contrary to the usages of society that a young girl should write such a letter at such a time, ^t the time I could only look upon it as an dtourderie, a thoughtless action ; but I am glad to tell you I soon found out my mistake. The dear girl saw me appear at her father's house without showing the slightest symptom of confusion, and soon convinced me that she had excellent reasons for her seemingly strange conduct. As it was not at all an unusual thing for me to accompany her, it could not awaken any one's suspicion, that we took our places at the piano in the brilliantly lighted inner gallery. Then I learnt why Anna had thus strangely summoned me. She wished to invoke my assistance for a certain Javanese, who is the lover and is to be the future husband of her baboe; and who now lies under a charge of opium-smuggling." Thereupon van Nerekool told his friends all he had heard from Anna, about Ardjan's ill-treatment, and about the opium discovered at the Moeara Tjatjing. When he had finished speaking, William Verstork again said feelingly : " It is very sad I " "Yes, it is very sad," rejoined Charles, totally misunder- standing the meaning of his friend's words. " But I hope the Javanese will not be found guilty." " And," asked Verstork deliberately, " And — ^your affection for this girl is, you say, very strong ? " " Well," resumed van Nerekool, " since that evening I have, as Edward has told you, had frequent opportunities of meeting my dear Ann.i, sometimes at the Zuidhoorns', sometimes at the Commandant's, and sometimes at her parents' house ; and 1 have had frequent conversations with her on the subject of this tmfortunate police-case. And every time I have seen her I have received stronger and stronger proofs — " " Of the innocence of the Javanese, I suppose ! " said van Rheijn, somewhat playfully. " No, not so," said van Nerekool, " but of the goodness of her heart, of the true nobility of her soul and of the hones'.y and purity of her character. And — my dear old friends, I must confess it, I am now entirely under her spell." " It is a very sad thing," said Verstork most seriously. THE OPIUM FIEND. "5 "But what the deuce do you mean — 'by your very sad thing ? ' " cried Charles, somewhat out of patience. "Your affection for her, my dearest friend," said the other; " you are laying up for yourself a very sad future." " But how so ? " cried Charles. "My dear friend," said Verstork, " I ask you to give me a week to answer that question." " Why," cried van Nerekool, "you talk as if you had to pro- nounce a sentence. Come, there's a good fellow, out with it at once." " Next Saturday," said Verstork, " I intend to come again to Santjoemeh and, take my word for it, then I will give you an answer." Whatever efforts van Nerekool might make, he could make nothing more out of the mysterious controller, and he had to rest content with the promise of a full explanation on the next Saturday. CHAPTER X. UNE INVITATION A LA CHASSE ET UNE INVITATION A LA VALSE. WILLIAM VERSTORK was destined to keep his ap- pointment with his friends ; but it was not at all in the way he intended. When he promised to meet them he thought that he would, as usual, ride over to Santjoemeh on the Saturday afternoon and stay until Monday morning. It was, however, not to be so. On Thursday morning Charles van Nerekool and Edward van Rheijn received a letter inviting them to go to Banjoe Pahit. " That will be," wrote Verstork to his two friends, " a com- plete change of parts. Hitherto I have been your guest, but now I insist upon appearing in the character of host. Of host ! — surely my pen must be playing tricks with me. Yes, indeed, for in order to play the host, one must be able to show hospi tality — no, no — hospitality is not the right word ; but in order to play the host one must be able to provide for one's friends ; and though I know well enough that you would not at all ob- ii6 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, ject to put up with my poor controller's lodging and with my still more humble dish of rice — yet I do not intend to offer you such meagre fare. Where I shall stow you away I really don't know, nor can I tell where you will find your enter- tainment. There's a fine invitation ! I hear you exclaim. Yet, my dear friends, I feel quite certain that you will accept it. Just hear what I have to say. For some time past the maize fields of the inhabitants of my division, have been ravaged by wild boars, these have, in fact, of late become a real plague ; and the dessa Kaligaweh is the principal scene of their nightly depredations. The main body of these formidable poachers finds, I am told, a refuge in the wild bush which surrounds the Djoerang (ravine) Pringapoes. This djoerang is a wild moun- tain cleft, and is situated very nearly in the centre of my divi- sion ; the two dessas Banjoe Pahit and Kaligaweh, which are about five miles apart, lie on the outskirts of it ; the one in the hilly country and the other in the lower grounds sloping down to the sea-shore. I have made up my mind to clear my dis- trict, as far as I can, of these mischievous creatures, and, for that purpose, I intend next Saturday and Sunday to hold a battue. I cannot possibly take any other days for it, as I can- not, at any other time, be away from my office. You see, therefore, my dear friends, that my letter to you is ' Une invi- tation k la chasse,' and that kind of thing, I know, you will not refuse. On Saturday morning I will send you a couple of first-rate horses which the wendono has offered me for the use of such of my friends as may like to join in the sport. I suppose that you will, both of you, be able to knock off work at about two o'clock ; you will then want an hour to have a bath and to get your shooting-coats on. Pray don't for- get a pair of tall gaiters, which in our rough country and among our thorny bushes, you will find absolutely necessary. So that, say at three o'clock, you can be in the saddle. If you will only give your horses their heads I know they will easily carry you six miles an hour, so that at about five o'clock you will be at my house. That is agreed upon, is it not ? " " Certainly, by all means," cried Charles and Edward both together, as if they wished to convey their acceptance of his invitation to the writer at Banjoe Pahif. Said van Nerekool: "I must go and have a look at my gun, and I should think it would be well to take a couple of re- volvers." "Of course," said van Rheijn, "William says so in his letter. THE OPIUM FIEND. 117 Just hear what he goes on to say. ' Look well to your firearms, and see that they are in good order, for I can tell you that these pigs, when they are roused from their lair, are not by any means contemptible foes. You must, beside your guns, bring revolvers or, at least, a good hunting-knife, one you can fix on the end of your rifle, as a sword-bayonet.' " " The devil we must I " said van Nerekool, " where in the worid must I get all these things from ? I shall have to try and borrow them somewhere I suppose, I have got a pretty good shot-gun of my own, but I can't fix a bayonet to it. I don't think it is much use except for shooting rice-birds, or sparrows. I must somehow manage to get hold of a rifle." "Well," said van Rheijn, "the Regent of Santjoemeh, Radhen Mas Toemenggoeng Pringgoe Kesoemsoe has, I know, a splendid repeatmg rifle and a yatagan, and the Vice Regent has a pair of excellent Le Faucheux central-fire revolvers. I have no doubt they will gladly lend them to you." " Then the best thing for me to do is to go and pay a visit at the Regent's house," said van Nerekool. „ J.' ^^^^® '^ "° "^^d whatever to do that," said van Rheijn. " There is to be a grand reception and ball at the Residence to-night. On such an occasion those native grandees are not at all likely to be absent. You will be there, I presume ? " he continued, with a very meaning smile. "Certainly," cried van Nerekool, with much warmth, "do you thmk I would — ? " " Lose an opportunity of a dance with pretty Miss Anna ? " asked van Rheijn, finishing the sentence for him. "Well, you can at the same time ask for the loan of the weapons, that will save you a tedious call upon those Javanese worthies. But—" "Well, but— what?" asked van Nerekool, "what do you mean ? " ' "Do you know how to handle a rifle?" " Oh,Pyou need not trouble yourself about that," replied van Nerekool, "I was always practising shooting at Leyden, and they used to consider me a very good shot, too." That evening the Residence at Santjoemeh was most brilli- antly Illuminated. In the spacious outer gallery, in the inner gallery, m the pandoppo, in the side-rooms, in fact on all sides, rich chandeliers were glittering in the stately mansion. The innumerable jets of gas surrounded by globes of ground glass cast a bright, yet pleasantly softened light over the handsome apartments, and even over such parts of the garden as immedi- I [8 BABOE DALIMA; ORj ately surrounded the house. But there, amidst the shrubs and flowers, the gash'ght had to compete with the brightly shining moon, a competition in which man's invention could not hope to gain the advantage. The Queen of Night was casting over everything her placid white light ; houses, roads, grassy lawns, shrubs and flowers lay bathed in her radiance; and wherever her beams glided through the branches they shed a dim, uncertain twilight, which was gentle as a caress, and mysterious as the vision of a dream. The glare of the gas, on the other hand, surrounded the building as with a reddish circle, in which, it is true, everything was brilliantly lighted, but in which every object seemed touched, as it were, with an unclean finger, when compared with the lily white hue of the natural illumination outside. This reddish circle grew fainter and fainter as it spread farther from its centre. For some little distance the gaslight seemed to soil the absolute purity of the moonbeams; but gradually their lily-white prevailed, and calmly rested upon the landscape beyond. In front of the house there was a splendid avenue of Kanarie trees which led from the domain to Santjoemeh. At that hour of night, when seen from the front gallery, the gas-jets, by which the avenue was partially lighted, looked in the moonlight which fell through the tufted trees, like so many big fire-flies, and, in the soft breeze which barely moved the foliage, they threw on the well-kept gravel path, the most fan- tastic shapes which seemed to run after each other in perpetual chase. In the far distance more fire-flies were seen, red, green, blue, yellow, all the colours of the rainbow, in fact. These were the carriage-lamps of those who were coming to attend the reception and ball, and who thus, by different coloured lamps, gave notice of their approach. The front gallery was as yet empty, only the daughter of the house stood for a few moments at the balustrade looking down the whole length of the avenue. Said she to herself: "Yon red light which glitters so brightly is the carriage of the assistant-resident of police, he always has the right of precedence. And that blue one is Mr. Zuidhoorn's, and that violet— Ah, there right away in the distance, that green— I must be off— the foremost carriage is almost in the grounds— However, I am glad van Nerekool is coming— It would never do for him to see me looking out." She turned and joined her parents, who, having been told by THE OPIUM FIEND. iiy the Chief Constable that the guests were approaching, had entered the inner gallery. Anna took her place by the side of her mother ready to receive and to return the greetings of the visitors. Mr. van Gulpendam, however, first went to have a look in the front gallery. He was dressed very simply in black evening coat without any official badge or distinction whatever, though the pajoeng stand figured conspicuously enough at the end of the gallery. He walked to the balustrade and cast a look outside. Down below at the foot of the broad flight of steps which on both sides gave access to the front gallery, a couple of sentinels were marching up and down with shouldered arms. They regulated their walk, so that they met in front of the middle of the gallery, then, in turning round they took care that the tips of their bayonets should just clash together, a sound which evidently was as sweet as heavenly music in the Resident's ears. At all events he looked down with much complacency upon the two sentinels and thrust forward his chest as one who would say : " Look, that is the homage due to my exalted rank and transcendent merit." Close by the main building, but a little on one side of it, a small temporary pavilion had been erected, and upon it also the Resident bestowed a look. The bandsmen of the militia at Santjoemeh, dressed in full uniform, had just arrived, and were engaged there in arranging their desks and opening their music-books and making other preparations. A condescending nod to the bandmaster showed that Mr. van Gulpendam was in an excellent humour. Thereupon he turned and joined his wife and daughter. " Those fellows," said he, " don't seem to drive very fast, however, they are heaving in sight now." Fair Laurentia, proud as any queen, had taken up her posi- tion in the middle of the inner gallery, in front of a sofa which had been placed there on purpose before a valuable Japanese screen. She held in one hand a splendid bouquet of the rarest flowers, while from the wrist of the other dangled her curiously carved ivory fan, a weapon which the lady knew how to handle most becomingly. She was clad sumptuously in a black satin dress, which set off wonderfully well the perfection of her ample form. The corsage, reduced to the very limits modesty would allow, that is to say that it was sleeveless and cut down very deep in the back and very low in front, gave an ample view of her finely formed and well rounded arms, of her splen- I20 BABOE DALIMA; OR, did shoulders which looked as if carved out of alabaster, and of a bosom which might have moved Venus Kallipyga to envy. One line lower, and that corsage would not have been able to contain the charms which it had to confine within almost too narrow compass. An exceedingly elaborate coiffure sustained the dark-brown locks of her stately head by means of a magnificent diadem glowing with precious stones, while a number of coquet- tish little curls straying over her clear white forehead, imparted to the sparkling dark eyes of the beautiful woman an uncom- monly seductive fire. Round her neck she wore the blood- coral necklace with diamond clasps which M']3ok Karjah had handed to her, and on her wrists glittered the two serpent bracelets of old gold with diamond eyes which she had so greatly admired on the nonna of the Chinese major, and which had wrung from Lim Ho an imprecation accompanied by the words, " Betoel, njonja mahal ! " By her side stood her daughter Anna, who by the absolute simplicity of her attire, formed the strangest possible contrast with her mother. However much Laurentia had tried, nothing would induce Anna to appear in a low-necked dress. Her corsage, which like the dress was of rose-coloured silk, was modestly closed around the neck, yet did not prevent the imagination from picturing to itself the treasures which it modelled with perfect exactness. For jewellery of any kind, the pretty girl had a positive distaste. One simple Malmaison rose glowed in her dark glossy hair, which was dressed as plainly as possible, but the wealth of which she was not able to conceal. On her bosom a little bud of tea-rose attracted attention to its delicately shaded yellow tints, while it dispersed thoughts which, at that modestly veiled yet finely modelled bust, might perhaps be tempted to take too wild a flight. • 'How absurd of you it is, Anna," said Mrs. van Culpendam, crossly enough, as she surveyed her daughter from head to foot with a sarcastic smile, " to appear at an evening party so shabbily dressed as that ! Wliy, your late governess used to make a better figure. People would take her for the daughter of the house, and you for the governess." In a certain sense the worldly woman was right enough. The late governess she alluded to was a frivolous Parisi- enne, who had in every way encouraged Mrs. van Gulp- endam in her tastes, and had even urged her on to greater extravagance. Thus she iiad got into tiie good graces of the mistress of the house, and — evil tongues used to whisper — THE OPIUM FIEND. 121 she stood very high in favour with the Resident also. But be this true or false, this much is certain that Mademoiselle Helfene Fouill^e had no more succeeded in corrupting the mind of the young girl entrusted to her care, than in spoiling her naturally excellent taste. It was not Anna's intention to reply to her mother's ill natured remark, even had she had time to do so. At that moment was heard the sound of feet mount- ing the broad steps which led to the front, gallery, and in a few seconds, in came a number of young gentlemen of different races, some with white cheeks, some with brown, some with fair hair, and some with black locks heavily oiled and stiff as pipe stems, all in correct evening dress, with the starchiest collars, and with opera-hats under their arms. These were, as Mr. van Gulpendam used to style them, the ordinary seamen of the feast, who had to keep up the liveliness of the mess ; and who were expected to stand always ready by the signal halliards. With this peculiar figurative language he meant to convey that these young gentlemen were expected to hold themselves in readiness for any emergency. Most of them were clerks and writers in the Resident's oflSce, who were admitted on these high occasions on condition that they were always prepared to dance with any lady who might happen to be in want of a partner. Very humbly and very modestly they approached to pay their respectful compliments to the family. In return for this homage they obtained a condescending shake of the hand from their chief, a pleasant little smile and nod from his pretty daughter, while mamma, with her own fair fingers, fastened a rosebud in their buttonholes, thus dubbing them the stewards of the evening's entertainment. , "And now, young people," said Laurentia, with her most fascinating smile, " you must dance merrily to-night." " Aye, aye," grumbled van Gulpendam, " a good stiff breeze mind — no doldrums, do you hear ! " All heads were submissively bent under this windy ex- hortation, when suddenly Laurentia cried : " Quick, there come our guests 1 " As a black cloud the young men rushed from the room, as the foremost carriages drove up. Presently, three of them re- turned to the inner gallery, escorting the wife of the assistant resident of police and her two daughters, a pair of good-look- ing twins of about twenty. "Well, how very kind of you, Mrs. Meidema," cried Laurentia, 122 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, in her most pleasant tones, as she grasped the hand of the lady who had just arrived and drew her close to give her a kiss on the forehead. Each of the two young girls also obtained this high distinction. " It is really kind of you to have come," continued the garrulous hostess. " I hardly dared to hope that we should have the pleasure of seeing you here to-night. Mrs. Zuidhoorn was this morning telling me that one of your children is ill." " Oh no, I am glad to say," replied Mrs. Meidema, " it is not so bad as that, only slightly indisposed, it is nothing but a slight cold." The Assistant Resident who followed his ladies, made his bow to the mistress of the house, and then shook hands with his chief. As the young ladies were exchanging greetings, one of the sisters whispered to Anna van Gulpendara, " I have something to tell you presently, Anna." " Secrets, Matilda ? " asked she. A slight nod was the answer, in fact no other reply was possible ; for after the family Meidema a constant stream of visitors came up and crowded around the host and hostess to pay them their respects. Then appeared the President of the Court, and the members of the judicature, the officials of the Home Department, the officers of the garrison, the leading commercial men and principal manufacturers — all these accompanied by the ladies of their families, whenever these were old enough to join in the dancing. There further appeared the Regent of Santjoemeh Radhen Mas Toemenggoeng Pringgoe Kesoemoe and the Vice- regent Kadhen Pandjie Merto Winoto and the chief djaksa (public prosecutor) Mas Djogo Dirdjo and many other Javanese grandees and all these with their principal wives. There appeared also the major of the Chinese Tang Ing Gwan and captains, Lim Liong Hie and Tjaa Kwat Kong and several lieutenants of that nation. There also Lim Yang Bing the opium farmer at Santjoemeh and his son Lim Ho put in an appearance. All these people tlironged around the three members of the Residential family as they stood by the above mentioned sofa. They all smiled and nodded, and bowed, and shook hands, and made protestations — indeed, at the Hague you could not have seen it done better. If all these utterances which spoke of attachment and devotion, were but in sober reality the outcome of hearty good will — why, then Santjoemeh would have been an earthly Paradise. THE OPIUM FIEND. 123 Meanwhile, the militia-band had been playing the overture of La Dame Blanche, to which music, however, not a single soul had paid the slightest attention. When the overture was ended, and flattery, and incense, and compliments, had, at length, been exhausted, the Resident made a signal, which was forthwith repeated by one of the ministering spirits in the front-gallery. Straightway were heard the tones of a formal Polonaise, whereupon the assembled guests pairing off began to move about in the spacious inner and outer galleries. It was a stately procession, reminding one very much of a march-past, during which the keen eyes of the ladies could sharply criticise each other's toilettes. The Resident led the procession with the Commandant's wife on his arm, immediately behind them, came fair Laurentia on the arm of that commanding officer, while the chief of the medical staff followed with Anna. This was a thorn in van Nerekool's side ; but when, after the Polonaise, were heard the exhilarating strains of " L' invitation k la valse," the old doctor had led Anna to a seat, youth asserted its rights, and soon Anna and Charles were gliding together in the inner gallery. It was a sight, to see the two young people so happy, with pleasure beaming from their eyes. " I believe," said Anna in a subdued voice, as she waltzed, " I believe there is some news about Ardjan." " About Ardjan ? " asked Van Nerekool, evidently perplexed. Not, indeed, the case of Anna's protegd but merely his name had escaped the young man's memory, his face told that plainly enough. "Yes, Ardjan, don't you recollect, baboe Dalima's lover," rejoined Anna, " have you forgotten him already — Oh those men, those men ! " " I confess, it is very stupid of me," replied van Nerekool ; " but what news is there, Miss van Gulpendam ? " " I don't yet know what it is, Mr. van Nerekool." " Mr. van Nerekool ! " said Charles, " that sounds remark- ably stiff and formal." "Miss van Gulpendam," said Anna playfully in the same tone, " that also sounds remarkably stiff and formal." " Will you then give me the right to call you Miss Anna, or, shorter still — simply Anna — dear, darling Anna?" The young girl blushed most prettily. She did not utter a word ; but her hand, as it rested lightly on his shoulder, was her interpreter. The slightest little pressure, and that was all. 124 BABOE DALIMA; OR, It was almost imperceptible, but it was enough to make Charles the happiest of mortals. His right arm encircled her waist, with his left hand he held hers, while his eye was stedfastly fixed downward on the graceful form before him. Thus, for a few moments they glided on in silence, " I am waiting for your answer," said he at length, "dear — darling Anna. I may call you so, may I not ? " No distinctly spoken word came from her lips ; but she uttered a sound, very pleasant to hear, though quite indefinite. It was a gentle breath, something like a suppressed sigh, and sounded like a veil which her maiden modesty cast over the unpronounced answer. Yes — but — might it not have been her breathing somewhat quickened by the exertion of dancing ? With the blindness and bungling so peculiar to true lovers, Charles at once interpreted that sigh as a sign of fatigue, and somewhat anxiously he said to her : " You are tired ! shall I take you to your seat ? " " Oh no," said she in a scarcely audible whisper, " I am not at all tired. Do let us go on dancing." However inexperienced in such matters van Nerekool might be, those words were plain enough. " With the greatest pleasure, dear Anna," he cried, as he led his partner on amid the maze of dancers. " You give me leave then to call you dear — dearest Anna ? " One eloquent look from the fair girl was the answer. "Oh then," continued he passionately, "let me tell you how dear you are to me, how dearly, how fondly I love you." Her well-gloved hand moved convulsively on his shoulder. " Yes, darling Anna," he continued in a lower tone, but more eagerly than before — " I love you as never man can have loved before, — I love you with all my heart and with all my soul, and the proudest and happiest moment of my life will be that in which I shall be able to call you mine — my own ! Tell me, dearest Anna, tell me, may I hope for some return of my love ? " The girl's eye fell before his burning glance, but this was a turning point in her life, and when it was a question of such vital importance to both, she was much too frank and too honest to try and hide her feelings under a cloak of false modesty. Very softly therefore ; but in a voice which to Charles was distinctly audible, she murmured, " Yes." For a few moments he was silent, and seemed lost in thought. Gently they glided on together to the lime of that THE OPIUM FIEND. »2S delightful music, and, though in the midst of a throng of dancers, wholly engrossed in each other, they felt as lonely as on some island washed by the storm-tossed waves. But his arm now more firmly clasped her waist, for a single instant it seemed as if he would have caught her up to his breast and held her there, as if to take possession of his treasure. " You make me too happy," said he at length, " You make me too happy with that little word, which to me is full of the deepest meaning. Now will you allow me to see your parents to-morrow and lay before them my formal request foryour hand ?" At these words the giri's countenance fell, she replied however : " Most certainly I will allow you, Mr. van Ne " " My name is Charies, dearest Anna," whispered the young " Certainly, Charies, I will allow you— but it would not be right to try and conceal from you the fact that my father is prejudiced against you. My father does not like you at all, I have gathered that from many an unguarded expression that has fallen from him." "Oh, yes," he replied, "I know that well. I also have "°« «r „ If *^!^''''^- ^"* ^^^^ objection can he have to me ? " Well, said Anna, " to tell you the truth, I do not think he knows that himself— some unaccountable antipathy, I suppose. You know he calls you a dreamer, an enthusiast, an unpractical person, in fact, who will never make much way in the worid." And my Anna," asked the young man, « does she also look upon me as a dreamer and an enthusiast ? " The fair giri looked up to him with a merry smile. Yes, continued van Nerekool, " I am an enthusiast— that IS quite true I am devoted to all that is good and all that is beautiful. I am an enthusiast where my darting is concerned— Sr ''"^ ^"°"^\ ^J!f •' •* * ^**^' ^''^^ I ^™ ^n unpractical fellow, and one who will never make his way in the worid? Methinks that just now, when I am trying to win the dearest girt in the worid, I am proving myself to be most thoroughly practical, inasmuch as I am striving to secure for myself the greatest imaginable happiness, and I think that, far from dream- i"ioi, ^ n ^'^.'"^ P'u°^ °^ ^*"S very properiy and very wide awake. Don't you think so, dearest ? " Another soft pressure on that poor shoulder which already had had so much to bear was her answer. 126 BABOE DALTMA ; OR, " And do you think, dearest Anna," he continued, " that that antipathy is strong enough to make your father so hos- tile to me that he will refuse his consent to a union on which he knows that your happiness as well as mine depends ? " " I do not say so, Charles," was her reply. " But you must make up your mind to difiiculties and obstacles of all kinds." " Very good," said he, " we shall have to fight against them; difficulties are made to be removed and obstacles to be over- come. Anna, my darling, I count upon your love and your constancy; you may safely count on mine. Nothing— you hear me?— nothing in the world will in the slightest degree affect my love to you. The very obstacles you speak of will only serve to enhance the joy of our union." The music ceased, and with it ceased the dance. Charles released his partner's waist and offered her his arm. " Let us walk about for a few minutes," said he ; " to-morrow I shall call upon your parents. I will request them to see me some time in the morning. That is a settled question, is it not?" She nodded with her calm, sweet smile. After having made a couple of turns around the inner gallery the two lovers found themselves at one of the doors which opened upon the pandoppo, where the illumination was equally bright. Several couples— groups of young girls— also were passing through the pandoppo to get to the garden of the Resi- dence, there to enjoy for a while the freshness and coolness of the pleasant night. Anna and Charles followed the others some- what mechanically ; and soon found themselves among the orna- mental shrubberies and bushes which the tropical sun brings forth in such abundance. Between these the pathways, laid down in the style of an English park, meandered gracefully and fantastically as the inspiration of some skilful artist. " I fancy I saw Matilda Meidema and a couple of my friends yonder just now," said Anna, " down there in the Salak-lane. She has something to tell me. I shall be with you again "was^^it natural modesty? Was it a kind of dread of being alone for the first lime with him whom she loved, and to whom she had just now spoken her faithful and trustful « yes ? Was it perhaps womanly curiosity which impelled her to go and hear what secret her friend had to communicate, and a burning anxiety also to pour into her ear the great secret of her own happiness? Perhaps so. At all evente, she was about to speed THE OPIUM FIEND. 127 away, but van Nerekool prevented her with gentle violence as he pressed to his heart the hand which lay on his arm. " There will be time enough presently, dearest love," mur- mured he in a whisper, as if he feared some one in the garden might catch up his words ; "there will be time 'enough pre- sently to hear what Matilda has to tell you. This hour is mine." CHAPTER XI. A GARDEN SCENE. MEANWHILE, the moon had risen high in the heavens. Through the lofty • tree-tops, her beams formed the most curiously shaped and fantastic silhouettes, which, under the influence of the cool night-breeze, seemed to drive one another up and down in endless chase along the bright yellow paths, and the velvety lawns. Here and there, the moonlight fell through groups of Tjemara trees, which, with their long needle-like foliage, greatly resemble our larches, and thus had, as it were, to pass through a network of the finest lace. Nothing could be more weird, and, to a poetic eye, more pleasing, than these strange patches of sifted light, which cast no shadows, and offered -so great a contrast to the calm white radiance around, that they looked like the mysterious rings in which elves and fairies hold their nightly revels. This night, however, the otherwise so quiet garden offered a most animated spectacle. On all sides, in the avenues, under the trees, on the lawns, were scattered about merry groups of young men and girls, and many more sedate parties also of older people, all thoroughly enjoying the fresh balmy air, and, after the heat and glare of the crowded ball-rooms, finding relief in the cool breeze and pleasant moonlight. After the waltz was over, the band had struck up a fantasia on airs from La Traviata. As the picolo and the cornet began the well-known duet of the first act in which Alfred and Violetta declare their mutual love, and where the music so eloquently interprets the words : 128 BAnOE DALIMA; OR, " Un jour r^me ravie, Je vous vis si jolie, Que je vous crus sorlie Du celeste sejour. V^tnit-ce done un angc, une remine, Qui venait d'embraser mon kme ? I^ I je ne sais encor .... mais depuis ce beau jour, Je sais que j'aime d'un pur amour." Van Nerekool's arm stole round the waist of his dear Anna, as he led her into a thick grove of Pandan, under whose heavy and broad foliage they might hope, for a few moments, to escape from the observation of those around them. " Now, my own dearest Anna," said he, " now that we are alone, let me repeat the words which, yonder in the midst of all those people, and with all those eyes fixed upon us, I could but whisper." The young girl hung trembling all over on her lover's arm. " Anna, my darling, 1 love you ; I love you more dearly than my words can express, more dearly than my mother, than my sister, more dearly than myself. As I am by your side, I can dream of nothing but happiness, to breathe the same air that you breathe is bliss indeed. O darling Anna, let me tell you again and again how dearly, how faithfully, I love you I " The strong man clasped the girl to his breast, and she hid her head on his shoulder. " Tell me, Anna," he continued, passionately, " tell me, do you feel some such love for me ? Do you love me, dearest ? I know I have already had your answer, but repeat that word once again now that we are here alone, now tliat we are here far from the noise of the world, repeat that little word now as we are standing under the eye of God himself." He drew the young girl still more closely to him, as he bowed his head down to her lips to listen. She closed her eyes, and then, blending with the wondrous soughing of the breeze in the Tjemara trees, softly and melodiously the magic syllable fell from her lips. He all but uttered a cry of joy, and, bending his head still deeper down towards her, he whispered in trembling accents, " Dearest one, now let me set the seal to my vows of true and faithful love;" and, before Anna had time to utter a word, their lips met, and^then, with one long, ardent kiss, they THE OPIUM FIKNU. 129 / ^iTi ^^^ b^"^,."''"'?h, for this transitory world, was to hold their hearts and lives mseparably united. Thus for a few moments they stood in fond embrace frazin» at one another with joy inef/iible, while high above therSe unXr l^'l'^f'^^'rVT S^"^'>' ^^■'^^''"g «"d shelter Sg hen under theif friendly shade, and the wind sighinc to the Tiemnrn! wa ted to them from yonde.- distance fhe 'sweet slSs melody which again and again seemed to say : " . . . . . Mais depuis ce beau jour, Je fais que j'aime d'un pur amour." mir^nf \"^^ "moments of rapture were indeed, for the hapnv pair of lovers, an ever-memorable page in the book of thSJ 00.^ fb '"''' ^'^\ "° ^°"'''' ^"d the happiest. Soon too dream ' ^"'" *° ^' '""^^^'^ ^^^"^^^ °"^ '^ their Kul "Anna ! " cried a loud voice, " Matilda Meidema is lookina for you everywhere. Where can you have got to, my chS ?"^ It was the voice of Anna's mother Laurenlia, which suddenlv startled our lovers out of their ecstasy. At a sinSrelance S sharp-sighted woman had taken in the whole scfne but S tblT^'TleftSdr'' !" ''' "-^-nn-rranne? ct unuen . 1 left Matilda, only a moment ago, bv vonder bprl nf roses-if you will follow this path, you can't help SL her >' « S ,f ^^' daughter stood irresolute • '^ ^ "' 1,0.1 -I'l i!'"?'*^^' "y°" "^^d not be anxious : Mr van Nere kool w,l be kmd enough to offer me his arm, so you see you I30 BABOE DALIMA; OR, ■ Charles cast his eye on the woman who was leaning on his arm, and who, so calmly and with so musical a voice, signified her maternal disapprobation. They had come forth from the Pandan grove, so that the moonlight, shining full upon the perfect form of her snowy bosom, which a thin tulle handker- chief only nominally protected from the night air, imparted to her person an indescribably fascinating appearance. As though dazzled at the sight, the young man, for a single instant, closed his eyes ; and when he opened them again, he found the deep, dark gaze of the beautiful woman fixed full upon him. She seemed to divine the impression which the view of her charms h id, for a passing moment, made upon the youthful and sus- ceptible man. Her look seemed to interrogate, and, at the same time, was encouraging. " Madam," said Charles at length with a deep breath, as if he were putting from him an unwelcome thought j " Madam, you were doubtless surprised to find me walking with Miss Anna in this somewhat lonely part of the garden — " " Walking with her, yes, — and kissing her," said fair Laur- entia, completing the sentence. " Well, yes," continued Charles, " and kissing her ; but should you perhaps think that we had purposely selected this spot, then—" " Well, what then ? " asked she, with a sly smile. " Then you would be misjudging Miss Anna and myself." " I considered," retorted Laurentia, somewhat sarcastically, " that the spot was an admirable one — well-chosen for kissing." " Yet it was the merest chance that brought us to it. Believe me, before that moment, — or to speak more correctly, — before this evening, not a word of love had ever passed between us." " Oh, Mr. v.m Nerekool I " exclaimed Laurentia, with a mocking smile, " that is quite incredible I Do you expect me to believe that two young people of different sexes, should be kiss- ing each other in an out-of-the-way corner, if there had not previously been .some words of affection, — of love, — spoken be- tween them — without, in fact, any question of passion on either side?" "And yet, madam, believe me, it is the perfect truth. I never tell a lie," broke in Charles, with considerable vehemence. " Aye, aye," said Laurentia, " I know all about it. I once was young myself. Oh," continued the pleasure loving woman, her voice falling at the remembrance of that youth from Avliich she was so loth to part. " Oh, when I was nineteen, I was THE OPIUM FIEND. 13" exactly what Anna is now— I was, as she is now, a budding n^Zh i ^?'r^', ^'^'\ ^"'^ y°"'^f"l feelings-I was just ai childlike and playful as she is." with^thf moth r* ^''"''^^'■^*^ ^' "^'* comparison of the daughter " I was just as kind-hearted, just as lovable as she is. Oh believe me, continued she, excitedly, while she allowed iier hand to lean on his arm more heavily perhaps than was needful, and gave that arm a gentle pressure. « Believe me, one need nrPolcTi^u''^''^.^^'^ imagination to see that Anna will be precisely like me." For a moment she paused, as if she began to see that she was being earned away by her subject. oil" ^A u°"'''' »"*dam," replied van Nerekool, gallantly, as he allowed his eye to wander from the face of his flir companion to her shoulders, to her bosom, to her feet. « No doubt, one may safely predict that Miss Anna will, in charms and perfeo tions, nearly come up to her mother." wit7a7irmt"'°°^ "° compliments." said Laurentia. "But may I beg of you," continued he. "to let me know for what purpose you drew the parallel? I do not quite see—" Laurentia shook the wealth of curls which covered her neck and descended to her shoulders. No, the simpleton whose arm she he d, did not understand her. That was ^lain enouah One thought of M'Bok Karijah swiftly passed^hrougli he^ brain, and drew a sigh from her. ^ .« "c?«^'?''^ continued, while her bosom rose and fell quickly as she drew breath more rapidly. "I merely meant to state that I was young once — " !,'^"^ yo" ?"■« yo"ng still," cried van Nerekool, politely, that a kiss has been snatched from me too," continued Laurentia, with a smile of pleasure at the remembrance, "but that occurred in open daylight, in the presence of my parents and not in the darkness of a Pandan grove " Parents, "Now, madam." said van Nerekool, very seriously, "allow me, I pray you, to tell you how it all happened. Fo about a twe vemonth I have been visiting at your house. At first mv visits were but rare, of late they have become much more fre^- quent. Now, you are a clever woman and you cannot have failed to see the reason of this. I had made L acquaintance of your daughter, and the more thoroughly I began to appred- ate her amiable and noble character, the Lore deeply did the »32 BABOE dalima; or, shaft which had struck nie at my first visit, enter into my heart. How shall I go on, madam — the simple truth is that soon I felt that at her side only I could be truly happy. But ; — though I ventured to hope that Miss ^nna had no aversion for me — and though I thought that I might reckon upon your friendly aid also —yet I very soon began to notice that I failed to gain the good-will of Mr. van Gulpendam. Indeed, I may say, that he positively dislikes me. That feeling of dislike he could not always repress, though he observed towards me the forms of strict politeness j and, though I cannot complain of any pur- posely inflicted slights, yet now and then his repugnance would show itself in a manner which, to me, has been wholly unmis- takable. This, in some measure, discouraged me. Then again, I know that, as yet, my income will not suf fice t O-set_up housekeeping on however mod est a.scal£^ Thus, you yourself, my dear madamTmust have^rceived that I left Miss Anna in utter ignorance of my affection for her. Whether or not she may have suspected my passion, I do not dare to say ; but certainly I uttered no single word of love to her — " " But Mr. van Nerekool — " " Allow me, madam, to finish my story : certainly I uttered no single word of love to her until this evening when, in the giddy whirl of the dance, the secret which I had so long and so faithfully kept escaped me. I was beside myself with joy when the first declaration of my love was not met with a re- fusal. And, as a loving mother, can you now blame me because, as we were walking together a few moments later in this gar- den, I was driven, by the magic power of this lovely scene, by the solemn quiet of this enchanting spot, and by the seductive notes of the music which could not but find an echo in my heart, again to declare my love ? Can you blame me because, as I held in my arms the pure angel of my dreams and clasped her to my heart, I sealed the solemn compact of our love with a kiss as pure and as holy — I swear it — as the angels in Heaven might interchange ? " Charles van Nerekool spoke with the fire, with the enthusi- asm, of truth. His words were nothing like the commonplaces of society, nothing like the phrases which sound like a mere sentimental lesson learnt out of the romantic pages of Georges Sand, of Georges Ohnet or of Hector Malot. His words were eloquent, manly ; and came from a true and loyal heart, and they made a deep impression on the fair lady who leaned on his arm. Laurentia— always very impressible — closed her THE OPIUM FIEND. 133 eyes for a moment, as if dazed by the power and purity of his love. Had Mr. van Gulpendam ever, thought she, thus de- clared his love to her— had he ever spoken of her in such terms ? Alas ! no ; he was a man wholly absorbed in the love of money; and-- and- But she-she ?-was she free from those faults which now she looked upon with such horror in her husband ? For one single moment she was forced to con- fess herself guilty, for a single moment better thoughts pre- vailed. But this was only for a moment. The instant after she began to feel jealous of her daughter. Yes, jealous and angry at the thought that Anna has succeeded in winning so pure so proud, so manly a love— a love which she herself had never either felt or inspired. Moreover she put no faith in so much purity and sincerity as the words of van Nerekool evidently conveyed. Her very nature forbade her to do so. All affec- tion, all love between persons of opposite sexes was, in her estimation, the mere expression of material passion and the consequence of carnal desire. Purity and love were, to her mere sounds, which, if she could understand them at all, only served as a cloak for far different sentiments. To her thev ,v^re-they could be-nothing more. Under the influence, lnt«r'ii ^^$ ™»serably grovelling views, she answered sarcasically: "Yes, I can understand all that! Immeasur- able bliss under the Pandan bushes! Now, Mr. van Nerekool sliall I tell you what I think of that chaste iciss and aU the rest thin/whih ' • K '^^' '^^^^'^. ™'^^'J' fi"« "^'"^^ for some- ^ing which might be expressed in totally different language L l?\ ^' ^ "^"; y°" ^""^^^y '""St J^f^ow what meaning the world attributes to a kiss ! " ^ "Pardon me, madam," replied Charles, somewhat sadly, I <' ^ ^« ' ^^'^ y°""S ^"^ ^^'■y inexperienced." perceive that'." ^"''"*'* '''*'' a mocking laugh, "I can quite "Oh madam," cried the young man, "I beg you let us not waste time in useless playing wUh words. AsTam Lng th^S ' V V"f P"'""""^' I ^^^« but little knowledge o the sentiments which seem to pass current in the world : feelings which appear to be ticketed like .he samples of some corSmIr ml traveller, each to fit into their own compartment -Tne senses. Of all his I know nothing. I can say but one thine I truly, and mall good faith and honesty, love ^ur dahgh "r ' and especially, my love for her is a pure love in which thlpup 134 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, suit after pleasure has not once entered. Believe me when I say this in all the sincerity of my heart. Such insinuations I never expected to hear from her who is the mother of her whom I honour and respect above all things. I love Anna with all my heart and with all my powers, and I feel within me the glorious strength which honourable love alone is able to impart." These principles of the young man spoken out so forcibly and in so manly a spirit, baffled Mrs. van Gulpendam com- pletely. She felt at once that it would be no use whatever to try and play any idle games with him. "But," said she somewhat impatiently, "what then do you want of me ? " This she asked quite forgetting that it was she who had asked van Nerekool to ^ve her his arm, and that it was she who had brought up this conversation — a conversa- tion which seemed to be turning greatly to her discomfiture. " I caught you," she continued, "as you were holding Anna in your arms, in a lonely spot, and as you were pressing a kiss upon her lips. Now I ask you, what am I to think of the vaunted purity of your love ? Your practice seems to me to be in direct contradiction with your fine principles. I ask you again : is such conduct in any way excusable, while the girl's parents are left in ignorance of this passion ? " « Mrs. van Gulpendam, I have tried to explain to you how circumstances entirely beyond my control, have led me to be- tray my feelings. If you will not take my word for it, then I can only lament that you, my dear Anna's mother, have formed so low an opinion of my character. But, much as I do regret that such considerations can now no longer withhold me. 1 have agreed with Miss Anna, that to-morrow 1 will ask your leave to call upon you in order to formally make my request to yourself and Mr. van Gulpendam, for your daughter's hand. Now however, let me anticipate that to-morrow and make my petition to you here which it was my intention to lay before ■ you to-morrow. And, may I add to that request, the prayer that you will kindly intercede on my behalf, with Mr van A^Te made his petition Charles van Nerekool had stopped in his walk and had dropped Laurentia's arm, and now he was looking up into the eyes of Anna's mother, with the beseeching look of yearning love. Knowing the young man's character, it cannot for a monient be supposed that he acted with any view to theatrical effect when he stopped exactly in the centre of one of those strange THE OPIUM FIEND. 135 shadowy glades under the Tjemara trees. The curious light, however, surrounded his head as with a mysterious aureola which made the finely chiselled features of his grave counten- ance and his fair curls stand out to the greatest advantage. Fair Laurentia was an excellent judge of manly beauty ; and the ardent look which she cast upon the young man, as he stood there in an attitude of supplication before her, would have filled Anna with dismay had she been able to see it and been able to understand its significance. The momentary danger, however, fortunately passed away ; for the thoughts of the practical woman were just then dis- tracted by the approach of two sons of the Celestial empire, who, walking in an avenue which ran parallel to that in which she was, made the fine gravel crunch under their curiously curved but heavy sandals. These were babah Tang Ing Gwan the major of the Chinese troops at Santjoemeh and babah Lira Yang Bing the opium farmer. They also had come out to enjoy the fresh air, and were honestly confessing to each other that, on the whole, they did not find much amusement in these European entertain- ments. Said Lim Yang Bing with a most disgusting leer to his companion, " It is only the bare shoulders, arms, &c., of the European ladies and girls that reconcile me in any way to so tedious a party. It cannot be denied that the creatures are well made. But what on earth can the husbands and fathers of these things mean, to come and exhibit them thus publicly ; and then what shamelessness, what want of modesty in those white women to show themselves thus, Tjiss 1 Fie upon them!" " Yes, indeed, Tjiss ! " said the Chinese major, an elderly man who with his long grey moustache drooping on to his breast, had a very martial, indeed a venerable appearance. " Yes, Tjiss ! " said he, " I would not allow my wife or daughters to appear before me in such dress as that, or rather in such un- dress ! " " Have you noticed the njonja toean Resident ? " said Lim Yang Bing. " She—" " Hold your tongue ! " whispered the major in a warning voice, " she is standing just there talking to the young judge ; what can she have to say to him ? " Lim Yang Bing answered not a word ; but a low cunning smile played upon his lips. The intrigues of his son Lim Ho were perfectly well known to him. He also remembered his con- 136 I'.ABOE IMr.lMA ; OR, No ! the njonja had heard nothing but the crunching of the fZf-'u^lu '^1 ™r". ^'S'^' °f ^h"« two Chinamen-and especially the sight of the opium-farmer, which brought at once vT;,'^'' '° fu"'?*^' ''"'^ ^^"^ arrangements with M'Bok Kanjah-caused the demon of money to triumph, and put to silence all other passions in her breast. vojl^'W?",,^"?""''" '^'^ '•'^ *" ''^ g^""e coaxing tone of voice, "the Resident is not at all so badly disposed towards you as you seem to think. But he is a man who has a great eye for all that is practical.— Allow me to speak and do not interrupt me.— Our conversation has already lasted too long, ou n'S'?^' ™ ' ^°" ''"o^-^"' no. yo» love my daughter do She hesitated — she stammered, she was trembling all over Young van Nerekool gazed at her with a strange puzzled expression which she seemed perfectly to under- "The Resident," she resumed, " will have practical men and— you must pardon me," she continued with slight hesitation you must pardon me for saying so ; but you are not a practical man. No, no, ' continued she hastily, " don't look at me like that ! You are moving in a world of dreams, which is very far removed indeed from practical every-day life. You picture to yourself an ideal world as different as possible from the one in which we live. And, I can tell you, if you cannot somehow or other manage to wake up out of your day-dreams, you will be in great danger of never making any way at all in the judicial career which you have chosen. Vours is, in sober fact, a most prosaic career ; and the one of all others, in which dreams and fancies are utterly out of place." Van Nerekool listened to this homily with the greatest attention and most submissively, though he felt arising within him a nameless feeling of uneasiness which he had much trouble to suppress. "I am prepared to accede to your request," resumed fair Laurentia with her most winning smile, but at the same time emphasizing every syllable as if she counted them,— "I will speak for you, and I will plead your cause with the Resident,— and if I once consent to do that, Anna will be yours." "Oh how can I sufficiently thank you," exclaimed \a THE OPIUM FIEND. 137 Nerekool, laying his hand on his heart, as if he wished to keep down its beating. Very little more and he would, in his transport of gratitude, have snatched up Laurentia to his breast and covered her with kisses. Happily, however, he restrained himself, — happily, for who knows what effect such an act might have had upon the excitable woman. " Be calm, Mr. van Nerekool," said she, " be calm. I am ready to intercede for you ; but then, on your part, you must make me one promise." " Oh speak, madam, speak — I will in every way — " " Mr. Zuidhoorn," quietly resumed Laurentia, " is, as you may have heard perhaps, on the point of starting for Holland to recruit his health — I am right, am I not ? " "Very good," she continued as Charles made a gesture of assent, "there is a case coming before the Court which I am particularly anxious to see satisfactorily settled." " But, madam," interposed the lawyer, " I am a member of the judicial council and have nothing whatever to do with the lower court." " At my recommendation," replied Laurentia, " you will, being one of thejunior judges, be appointed President of the lower court pending the arrival of Mr. Zuidhoorn's substitute. That will be a step for you, will it not ? " " Certainly it will," said van Nerekool, " I pray you go on." " And — who knows ? — But to come to the point. There is a Javanese at present in custody whose name is Ardjan, the fellow has been smuggling opium." Van Nerekool's heart began to throb almost audibly. Of course the mother of his dearest Anna could but wish to help this poor Ardjan out of his trouble, and was about to call upon him to lend her his assistance. He therefore thought that he quite spoke her mind when he interrupted her by say- ing : " Who is accused of smuggling opium, you mean, dear madam." " That comes to the same thing," replied Mrs. van Gulpendam somewhat tartly. The young lawyer looked up in surprise, he could make nothing of it. " Ardjan," continued Laurentia, again quite calmly, " is an arch-smuggler, he belongs to a family of smugglers. Just lately — a day or two ago — his father was caught in the act, and offered 138 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND, 139 anned resistance to the police in the execution of their duties. Such scum as that must be severely dealt with — do you hear?" " Yes, madam, I hear," said van Nerekool, drily, " I know that he did offer resistance to the authorities ; but — as far as opium-smuggling is concerned — " " Smuggling ! " cried the lady, vehemently, " is theft — is theft I you know that well enough, Mr. van Nerekool, it is steal- ing from the revenue, it is stealing from the public purse." " Most undoubtedly it is, madam ; but what I wanted to ask is — Has this case of smuggling been properly brought home to them ? ■' " Oh, certainly it has," cried Laurentia. " Ardjan is the guilty man — ^there is no one else to suspect. Of course, I know well enough that a conspiracy had been formed to cast suspicion upon Lim Ho, the son of the great opium farmer. Now what an absurdity 1 — the son of the farmer who, with his father, has the greatest interest in stopping all smuggling transactions ! — it is simply absurd. I know also that in order further to prejudice Lint Ho, an accusation has been trumped up against him in the upper court, in which he is charged with having flogged Ardjan with Kamadoog leaves. But, of course, Mr. van Nerekool, you will know how to tear to pieces that web of deceit and perjury. You will know how to deal with that nest of smugglers, and make short work of all these perjurers ! " " Madam," replied the young man, " you may be quite sure that, if I have the honour of being appointed to the temporary presidency of the lower court, I shall, to the best of my abilities, discharge my duties with the strictest impartiality. He who is in the right shall have justice ; and he who is guilty, shall not evade the punishment he deserves. I happen to know some- thing about that smuggling business, and also of the so-called resistance to the police of which Pak Ardjan stands accused, and I think I can assure you that neither father nor son is as culpable as he is supposed to be." " What a downright simpleton the booby is," thought Mrs. van Gulpendam. " Mr. van Nerekool," she whispered in his ear, " the Resident is quite right — You are not a practical man." " But, madam—" " But remember, it is only if you follow my directions, that Anna will be yours. You mind that ! " " But," cried Nerekool, in extreme perplexity, " what is it you require me to do ? " .. Ardian and his father ™ J both h. .rans^'^j;;-^^^^ resolutio'n, "both of thOT, th^ «= ^<'^y„%,„' Gnlpendan, ..Guilty or not gudty 'f 5'™r„„ p,Bidenc,-Yoa w.ll ..youwiUdoasItellyoul-Orelse _F ^^_^^,„ do as I tell yoa-H.r f => «fP/^°Sf "he upright yoU"g i* in the heat of his indignation. ^^^^ ^„„^. but to Never, never ! " .'Never?" sneered Laurenna,^^ exclaimed van Nerekool, "Itismylastwordtoyou-^itiswaro v r^irreXS'^Sh-ralhehurriedfrou. L^r?^^«3St:^=en-'«, meni^ seeking the 1°"^ ^ «^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^, composure, and, stunned however, he somewhat recovereanis v ^^^^ ^,,g ^^^y by the blow that had 3"J^^%b"reh? found Matilda van back again to the mner galkry. 1 he e ^ ^^ ^^^ ^ Meidema, who called ^o him, and saio ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ tny friend Anna has -^eq^f ^f " Ve be f<"i" ^^^^ .pted hopelessly lost All the witnesses n^^^^^ or put out of the way. so ^ J h« ^^ , ^u this informaUon?' .. And from whom has Miss An & -^f^hrha^itfom^^^^^^^ 14° «ABOE DAI.IMA ; OR, your curfosiiy i, p„fe JJ^. she continued „i,h „ Sfih c?o 4"- sn V --Sa.L"th°f;^,='r"« '"^ oFthl u ^'^ 'oo'fed round for Ar^ /-^"rentia he could wore Its usual pleasant sS t/^^ '*=^"^ around hS vet ? ■lake care I Tii;«i -^ whispered „„rd. a?i;2'„;L°;!L"S;'inglr ° ^"™*'^ - CHAPTER XII. HUSBAND AND WIFE.- -MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. sO^'?''^"^^^^^^^^^^ M all' T '^^^ ^"-^^ seat at the breakfast-table in thJ ^^",^"'Pendam took their according to his invar able cls^lTf^P^' The Residen ladies did not ouite ^n . ^"^tom, had risen early • bn^ thl ;-t night's baIl'"1C:rWtr;-'T ^'^^ 4'u'es'?ftt thepandopposhe found her hSn^v^-'"":"""'^ appeared S blue coat and silver bii/tnn ^-^'"'"g'" ^u" dress liaht shone conspicuousTburevidenTlvIr' 'he ar.s of n'olfid -n^patientl, turning aboutfp^Vr THE OPIUM FIEND. 141 •' What do you mean by at last," she rejoined, " J suppose that is to be my good-morning ? " "Very likely," said he gruffly. "Now is iIiIh breakfast-time I ask you ? You know how very busy I am." " Then why did you not have your breakfast before ? " asked his wife. "Why? why?" he grumbled, "that is always the way you women put us off ! You know I don't like to sit down to meals alone ! " " Then why did you not call Anna ? She would have had some news to tell you," replied the wife. It appears that, after the party, Laurentia had not taken the trouble to enlighten her husband as to what had occurred on the previous evening. She had so much to do as hostess — and then she had not missed a single dance ; — the young men of Santjoemeh had been simply charming ! "Anna, Anna," growled van Gulpendam, "why, I have seen nothing of her yet. You women never can have a good stiff run without being knocked up all the next day ! But — what is up with Anna ? What news may she have to tell me?" " I will leave that to her — Anna ! — call your young lady," said Laurentia turning to Dalima, who just then came into the pandoi)po. • " Miss Anna will be here presently," said the baboe. "But meanwhile," repeated van Gulpendam, "what news has the girl to tell me ? " " Oh," said Laurentia wearily, " I would much rather she should herself tell you. She could much belter explain it herself why she allowed van Nerekool to kiss her last night in the garden. But, I should like to know what paper that is there in your hand. You know I don't like to see the rubbish at my table. There is room enough in the office for all that sort of thing ; and what's more you have my full leave to keep all those things tliere ! " Van Gulpendam had taken the rather startling communica- tion of his Ivife quite coolly ; so coolly, indeed, that it exceed- ingly provoked fair Laurentia. She had, therefore, sought to vent her displeasure upon something, and that something, she had found in the unlucky piece of paper. " It is a telegram," said van Gulpendam, moodily, " which I have just received, and which has annoyed me not a little." " A telegram ? " she cried. 142 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, " Yes, a message from the Hague. Look ! yesterday evening at nine o'clock, this thing was sent off, and this morning by daylight, we have it here." " Well," said Laurentia, in no mood to humour her hushand, " do you call that so vmy quick ? Don't you remember Amy's letter, when we had sent her our congratulations on her en- gagement ? Our telegram left the office at Santjoemeh at eleven o'clock, and, she wrote to us, that the very same morn- ing at nine o'clock, it Avas delivered to her. That's quick if you like — it seems to me, rather more than quick ! " " Why, laurentia," said her husband, " I have explained it to you. The reason lies in the difference of longitude." "Yes, yes, I know all about that, the sun turns — no the earth turns. Oh yes, I know all about it But that does not alter the fact that it was very quick work. Fancy to receive a telegram, actually before it was sent off ! But what can there be in that telegram from the Hague, to put you out so ? " " Bah 1 " said van Gulpendam, " what do you women know about business ? " " Yes, but tell me," she insisted, " from whom is it ? " "It iafrom my brother Gerard,"replied van Gulpendam shortly. " And what is it about ? " asked Laurentia ; " now don't keep me waiting, it is not gallant." At the word gallant, van Gulpendam made a wry face, " Oh," said he, " it is about, the matter of the Netherland's Lion. Nothing can come to it — unless — " " Yes, unless what ? " inquired Laurentia. " Unless the opium monopoly at Santjoemeh, can be made to bring in a great deal more money than it does at present. The estimates of our colonial secretary are not at all approved of, and they reckon upon getting a couple of millions more from that source." "They, they, who are they?" continued Laurentia. "Why — Sidin, pull down the blinds!" said the resident prudently. "That sun," continued he, "is so troublesome shining through the Venetians. You ask who are they ? Why they are the government, the ministers, the Lower House in fact." "Oh," said Laurentia, carelessly, "is that all? " " Is that all ! of course it is," replied her husband grumpily, " quite enough too, you know as well as I do that the farmer pays more than twelve hundred thousand guilders for his privilege." THE OPIUM FIEND. M3 have to put down fifteen or eig" ■"^f^ fste cintrac. to be .enewed P " a*=d she. .. Ss Septembe.," «a» the rep y. „ '::kT^-^^'^3^:\. u. have „o r„., ..No;, my ■)="•;. '"Itni hav?to smoke a little more "r ^="J"'S-yo »ffl -arte bertesknabbeldat-wha. oirtum apiece— anu jy, _ . do you call the thmg? „„ pnlnendam, with dignity. « Now Gulpie, that is ""Y fe^et. thousand more, contract will produce four or s x huna .^ ^ ^^ Son't therefore let us have any troubung .^ ^,g time. Now let us change t^^ jubjert. ^^^ ^^j^ y^^ continued, " that you took so cooUy what j ^^^^^^^^^„ about Anna ? about Anna. you.kn°w a ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ Van Gulpendam shook h,s head. j^ ^^ her maid "Pass the coffee, nfenfeh, said Lau ^TheX:^ cups of ^^gS-^d hl^rtdt Tn» -tntnrs^on^^p^enison, the lady. st.U ILious to have her answer asked: .< Well now, Gulpie dear ? ^^^ ^^ ^^e opium "If I am ever to succeed m getting " ^^^^ ^^„ contract," said he musingly, I shall p Nerekool's help." , . ,^ ^n„tract? " said Laurentia, •^^Vishelp? WtatJ. f fteopm^coj^ctJ^ ^^^^^ ^, ^„ with an innocent smile, as ii mi«. about the matter. husband. " If Lim Ho, in "Just listen to me, '^Plj^^he n ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ihat matter, you know, of Arajan, 144 HABOE DALlAfA ; OR, course be excluded frll tt%o.tetii'"" J'"' ^'"^ '"-'. of L'On c you seo wh d » no other reason; then simpir!o''shm'r ^"'l'^"d'-»'"-" If for What a row they would make if .k '5^™o»'h of the papers gU'Uy of opium4H,gg bAnd o/J'k'^'?"' °^ "^ >nan foS over, should have the iiionnS ^ barbarous outrasc ,„o" be worse than the no se itt'S"''' ''""• ^^'f^)' -^ ou d heaving the anchor ! » "' ^''^ '^'''Pstan wlien tliey are ^^^-^^^tZ^^ui^LVe^^^^^^ "^°^-" ''"-nk that at Jocal papers ? " ^ themselves about the barking of the have to order an inquiry " ^*'"' '" se'f-defence, they will '"" Si? "'"■'''' "' '" """ " "' """" ■"'"" '"" '" certamly be advisable tharhis Ather ,h ^T^' '^^'°"'d ™ost the monopoly." ''^^''^'^ ^^°»^d not bid at all for Compan;.""' '^''^"""^•^' "^« - "- wealthiest of the Chinese . "P- hr'Sd:.S^"^"S7^|ed her husband, insisted his wife. ^'^ '"" '^'^ 'nstead of rising," " No doubt they will " » R ?f ' ®'^'^ ^^' moodily. any price, thal's my way onSgS, " ' """ •« 8°' ""'^ 1111'; oi'iuM I'lF.Nn. MS our son-in-law— or if the mere prospect of such a thing were lo be held up to him— then— I have already told you, that J intend— as soon as Zuidhoorn is out of the way, to appoint him president of the court /w Urn." " Yes," broke in Laurentia, hastily, " but he won't hear of It." " Won't hear of it ? " said her husband, slowly, and in sur- prise. " No, he won't hear of it." " How do you know that ? " " Well," said Laurentia, " I will tell you. When last night I found these two young people hugging and kissing in the garden, I sent Anna about her business." " Yes," said the Resident, very anxiously, " and tlien — " "Then I just took the opportunity of sounding the young gentleman." o j e> " Of sounding him ?" cried van Gulpendam in dismay. ;'Aye, my word was ' sounding,'" replied Laurentia, very quietly, " but I tell you there is no dealing with that fellow." Thereupon Laurentia told her husband pretty accurately what had taken place the night before in the Pandan grove and under the Tjemara trees, and reported to him the conver- sation she had there held with Charles van Nerekool. She omitted to tell him— very prudently too— that if she, by chance,>y? had had to deal with a man of laxer morals and jjrinciples] she would have run great risk of becoming her daughter's rival. When her story was ended, her husband heaved a deep sigh and throwing himself back in his chair he said : " Oh those women, those women ! You have gone to work much too rashly," continued he. " You ought to have tacked about instead of running. No doubt you had a fair chance before you— a very nice south easterly trade— but you have thrown it away. You have gone full tilt at your object, and so have overshot your anchorage ! " "Oh, bother your lacks and runnings and trades and anchorages," cried fair Laurentia, out of patience, and vexed beyond measure to find that all her fine management was so hghlly spoken of. « You just let me alone, that's the best thine you can do." ° " S"*^'" ^^^^ "^^ Resident, "you have spoilt the whole job i " ' There was not much to spoil in the job, I can tell you there was no doing anything with that booby." ' Very bitterly indeed did the fair woman speak these words 146 BABOK DAI.IMA ; OR, If but her Gulpic had been able to seize the meaning of her smile. But after all the French realistic school may be right when it says that there is no blinder thing in the world than a husband. At all events, poor van Gulpendam did not see, or he did not understand that peculiar smile. " No doing anything with him, you say ? Ah, well, who knows. Just listen to me, Laurie. It is just possible, nay it is probable that, after such a conversation, van Nerckool will shortly — to-day perhaps or to-morrow — come and ask me for our Anna's hand." " Well," said Laurentia, "what then ? " " Then I shall see," replied her husband with a self-satisfied smile, " then I shall see what port I must steer for. I may, perhaps, know how to bring him to his bearings. I may be clever enough to drive him into some harbour of refuge." " I hope you may," said Laurentia, increduously, " but I very much doubt your success." " Meanwhile," resumed van Gulpendam, " you must use all your influence with Anna. It is very likely that van Nerekool will give her a hail before h.e makes up his mind to board me Now, should that happen — why then all may be well — You understand me, Laurie, don't you ? Anna must be our strongest ally." " But," cried Laurentia, " Avould you really give our dear, beautiful child to that sanctimonious young prig ? " " I must, if I can't manage it otherwise ; but, you see we are not on that tack just yet. If once we get into a good steady trade, and we have got what we want — why then, we shall no doubt find some means to get Anna to go about." ■Laurentia nodded. How little did these two parents know their own child ! "And," continued the Resident, cynically, "to heave the love-stricken simpleton overboard as so much useless ballast." " Hush," said he, " here she comes ! " " Good morning, Anna, my darling. You have slept soundly, I daresay, after your night's dissipation. How she did enjoy herself ! How the little corvette ran from the slips ! Why 1 you did not miss a single dance ! " Anna, to use her father's favourite phraseology, was thoroughly taken aback. Her father then, had heard nothing at all about it — absolutely nothing I After her adventure in the garden, she quite anticipated stern faces in the morning, and was prepared for a good scolding. That, indeed, was partly the THE OPIUM FIEND. '47 reason why she had lingered so much longer than usual in her room And now, lo and behold 1 her father greeted her more kindly and more cheerfully than ever before. Perhaps mamma had had no time to make the serious communication. No, that was hardly possible, her parents had been for a consider- able time together in the pandoppo she knew that from Dalima And yet-well -she replied to her father's hearty greeting with an equally hearty kiss, and was just turmng lo her mother when van Gulpendam said : " That's right— now I have had my breakfast, I have had my morning kiss-now I must be cff to work, there is plenty of it waiting for me. I must leave you ladies alone. "Anna," continued he, more seriously, " listen attentively to what your mother will have to say to you. Remember you must take all that she will tell you as if it came from me. Good-bye, Anna, good-bye, Laurentia." And off he was, through the inner, into the front gallery, where he met his private secretary who had been, for some time, waiting for him. He shook hands, offered him a c,g„ took one himself, and proceeded with great care to light it at the match which his oppasser respectfully offered bim. A\hen it was well lighted, he handed tiie taper to his subordinate who addressed himself as carefully and as systematically as his chief to the important function of lighting his cigar. This done the two officials walked for awhile up and down the roomy gallery, discussing the morning's news, and making arrangements for the day's work which lay before them. Meanwhile, nonna Anna had exchanged her customary morning greeting with her mother, and had sat down by hei side at the breakfast table, while baboe Dalima offered hci the .cup of coffee which she had poured out at the little side " it is nice, miss Anna," said she, with a pleasant smile t( her youthful mistress. Anna gave her a friendly little nod, took up the cup, am slowly sipped the fragrant decoction, now and then passing tk tip of her tongue over her rosy lips as if unwilling to lose the least drop. When the little cup was empty, she handed it back to the baboe, with the words : "Another cup." . , , 1 " Engeh, Nana," answered Dalima, as she took the cup and hastened to the side-table. n.t.c Then Anna buttered a slice oi bread j but she did this sc T48 BABOK T)AI.IMA ; OR, slowly and deliberately, with sucii an amount of concentrated attention indeed, that it was clear her mind was not upon what she was doing. In fact, she dreaded the opening of the impending conversation. Laurentia sat next to her daughter not speaking a single word ; but keeping her eye constantly upon the girl. Very steadily she looked at her, and very kindly too. She sat admiring the pure, fresh complexion of the young girl, who, although she had passed a great part of the night in dancing, and had probably slept but very little during the remaining portion, was still as clear and bright as ever. She admired also her slim yet well rounded form, admirably set off by the pretty kabaja, and she sat calculating to what extent those charms might have captivated that cold and pensive van Nerekool, to what extent they might force him to bow his neck under the yoke which was being prepared for him. But, if the mother's eye brightened as she looked upon her daughter's beauty, yet, amidst all this admiration, one sad thought would come up to her mind. More than a quarter of a century ago, van Hoop gave that thought utterance when he said : " Daughter a-courting — mother grows old." And then there came over her a feeling of jealousy, as she thought of the manly beauty of Charles van Nerekool, who had treated her with such strange indifference. Would she have to give up all hope of entangling that young man if he could be made to despair of ever obtaining Anna's hand? But — away with all such idle thoughts and fancies. The words of her husband were still ringing in her ears. Her business was to save the son of the opium-farmer, if she wished to see her dear Gulpie's breast adorned with the bertes knabbeldat. Thus, in silence, the daughter and the mother sat side by side. The former could not trust herself to speak, and tried to hide her confusion by affecting to be wholly engrossed in her breakfast, for whicii, if the truth were told, she felt but very little appetite. The latter sat collecting her thoughts, and making up her mind how best to make the attack. At length, Laurentia began in the most affectionate manner. " Anna, my dear child, now just tell me what could have induced you to walk about in the garden alone with Mr. van Nerekool last night ? " " Mother," stammered the girl, in dire confusion. "You need not blush so, my dear child," continued her mother ; " I saw quite enough yesterday to tell me all that is THE OPIUM FIEND. 149 1 going on. But that does not make it clear to me how you formed that attachment. 1 fancy, Anna," she continued, " I fancy I have some right to your confidence, have I not ? " " O mother ! " cried the poor girl, " I cannot myself explain to you how it all happened." " But, Anna ! " " I love Charles," cried Anna, wildly; " I love him, that is all I know about it ! " " But tell me, Anna, have you ever seriously asked yourself whether you feel for him that deep and lasting affection without which no woman ought to permit the addresses of any man ? " " Yes, mother." " Have you asked yourself whether this man, who has for the moment gained your affections, is the one to whom you are jjrepared to devote your whole life ? " " Yes, mother," replied Anna, bravely, " yes, mother, for my love for him rests entirely on the noble qualities which dis- tinguish him from all others. It is his honest heart especially which has won my love." " Now all this, Anna," resumed Mrs. van Gulpendam, " is somewhat frivolous." " Frivolous, mother ! " cried the young girl ; "do you call it frivolous that my eye has been open not to mere outward show, not to the mere superficial varnish and polish of society; but to genuine and substantial qualities, to sterling firmness of character and to honesty of principle ? " " Tut, tut, tut ! " exclaimed Laurentia, " these are mighty fine words indeed." " Do you disapprove of my choice, mother dear ? " asked Anna. " Disapprove," said Laurentia, gravely, " no, my child, it is not I who disapprove." " Oh ! yes; I know that papa is not at all fond of Mr. van Nerekool ! " Mrs. van Gulpendam made no reply to this exclamation. " Have you loved him long?" asked she at length. " Yes, mamma ; my love for him has grown without my knowing it." " Come now, Anna," said Laurentia, with a sad incredulous smile, " come now." " I do assure you," pleaded the girl, " it was altogether with- out my knowledge." »5o THE OriUM FIEND. BABOE UALIMA ; OR, J51 " How then, and when did you discover that you were in love with him ? " persisted her mother. " You know, mainma, do you not ? that he used to visit here frequently — very frequently." " Well, yes," said Laurentia, " I know that ; but that is no answer to my question." " During his visits here," continued the young girl, " I was generally alone in his company. At one time you would be engaged at cards ; at another you were surrounded by your friends and taken up in discussing some article of toilette or deep in the secrets of a plum-pudding. At another time again, you, as hostess and wife of the chief man in the district, had to do the honours of the house and had to occupy yourself with generals, colonels, presidents and such like ; and amidst all this business you had no time to devote to your daughter — " " But," cried Laurentia, interrupting her daughter's words ; " that sounds very much like a reproach." " Do let me get on, mother dear," implored Anna ; " do let me get on. You have asked me how that affection arose in my heart — I would now lay open my heart to you ; you have a right to.it ; you are my mother." "Then," she resumed, "I felt myself so utterly lonely in those gay circles in which commonplace, self-sufficiency, mediocrity, and frivolity reigned supreme. I felt myself so lonely in the midst of that buzz of conversation which, to me, had no attraction — in the midst of all those people for whom I had the greatest aversion — " " Anna, Anna 1 " cried her mother, " take care of what you are saying. Remember it is your parents' friends and your parents* company that you arc thus censuring." " Is it my fault, dearest mother," continued Anna, " that I feel a distaste for all such society ? Have you not often felt the same aversion — tell me, mother dear ? " Laurentia gave no reply ; she seemed to devour her daughter's words. " Go on," said she, somewhat sternly. " Then," resumed Anna, " I used to slip away quietly to my piano ; there I found one never-failing means of getting rid of the company 1 disliked^then — " " Oh ! yes," said Laurentia, sarcastically, " then my daughter used to plunge into Beethoven, Mendelsohn, Mozart, Chopin and all the rest of them, and neglect the world — " "No, mother," hastily broke in Anna, "not neglect — ^but ii- if tried for a while to forget tiie world which for me, as I have said, has no attractions — in the glorious realm of music, whicii, as a paradise, lay open before me." " That is a mighty fine speech," said Laurentia, with mock- ing lip but with moistened eye ; for the emotional woman could not, with all her cynicism, remain unmoved at her daughter's enthusiasm. " Very fine, indeed ; but, all this, rememb.r, does not explain to me how you first came to discover that you were in love with van Ncrckool." " Among all the company which surrounded you," continued Anna, " there were but very few indeed who could resist the temptation of a quadrille-party, of some political dispute or of a description of a white damask burnouse to — " " To group themselves around the priestess of Harmony," said Mrs. van Gulpendam, with a good-natured smile. " To enjoy some better and higher pleasure than the trivial conversation of the so-called ieaii monde," continued Anna. " Among those few was Mr. van Nerekool, or rather I should say he was the only one; for even if now and then some young man would come and stand at my piano for a moment or two, — he did so — not for the sake ot the music, still less for the sake of her who played it — " " Now, Anna dear ! " broke in Mrs. van Gulpendam, " we are getting a little too modest I think ! " "Still less I said," continued the young girl, not noticing the interruption, " for the sake of her who played it ; but merely 1 :e cause I happened to be the daughter of the Resident to wliicli some liitle compliment ought now and then to be paid, anl some little politeness was due. All these would run .j.-.ay quickly enough the moment the cards were brought in or llu moment they heard some quotation from the colonial news in the Javai papers. Then it was that I was left alone with Charles. I found in him a true lover of music, and one who can feel what music means ! Thus we were generally isolated in the midst of a crowd, and thus used we to express our feelings in the delicious melody whicii our fingers could produce — No, no, dear mother," she continued, most seri- ously, "pray do not smile. On such occasions never one word escaped from the lips of either of us which could convey the slightest hint of what was passing in our hearts. That word might perhaps have remained unspoken ; for I am con- vinced that van Nerekool was thinking as little about love as I was, and that wc l>o'.h felt nothing moic than a mutual attrac- 152 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, tion to one another. But last night— during the Invitation a la va/se, our secret slipped out — and oh, dearest mother, you yourself witnessed our first kiss ! " As she spoke these words the young girl gently laid her head upon her mother's breast, who flung her arm around her as she looked into her daughter's appealing eyes. ^ " And now, mother," continued Anna, softly, " can you for- give your child for having obeyed the voice of her heart ? " " My darUng girl," said Laurentia, " not only do I forgive you for wliat was no more than natural j but what is more, I can tell you that circumstances might arise which would make me fully approve of your choice." " Approve of my choice, mother ! " exclaimed the girl. " Oh, you make me happy indeed ! " And kneeling down, she hid her face in her mother's lap and broke out into convulsive sobs which shook her entire frame. Laurentia, wholly unprepared for this storm of passion, lifted her up and tried to soothe her. "Come, now, Anna," said she, "try and be calmj try and compose yourself! How can my simple words have moved you so ? Could you possibly suspect me of not doing my utmost to secure your happiness ? " "My happiness ! " cried the young girl. " Yes, my happiness — yes, dearest mother, that is the right word — it is indeed my happiness," continued she, as she covered her mother's face with kisses. " Now, Anna," at length said Laurentia, anxious to put an end to this tender efl'usion, " do sit down quietly by my side, as you were sitting just now, and then with your hand in mine and your eye fixed on mine, we c&n talk over this delicate matter quietly. Come and sit down here close to my heart." She pressed her child's head to her bosom. It was a pretty picture, but it conveyed, alas ! the exact contrary of the story of the serpent and the husbandman. " But," asked Anna, anxiously, and folding her hands as if in prayer, " do you think papa will ever give his consent ? " " I think he may," replied Laurentia. ' Oh, that would be a blessing ! " cried Anna. " Don't you think, mammy dear, that would be too great a blessing ? " " No, Anna, not at all, now listen to me. Your father will not be very easily won, in fact Ave shall have to take him by storm." THE OPIUM FIEND. 153 " Dear mother," cried Anna, " have you not spoken to papa about it yet ? " "Not only will it be hard to gain him," continued Laurentia, coldly, without noticing her daughter's interruption, " but something would have to happen by which van Nerekool might conciliate him." " I feel certain, dearest mother," cried Anna, " that Charles will do anything to obtain my hand I " " Do you ? " asked Laurentia. " He would do anything you say. Are you quite sure that you are not just a little too sanguine ? " " Oh, mother dear ! " cried the girl in a deprecating tone. " Yes, I said too sanguine ; for I have some reason to fear that Charles is not quite so deeply in love as he would wish you to suppose." " Mother ! " cried Anna, looking up at her reproachfully. " Don't interrupt me, Anna. Last night, as you know, I re- mained for some time in the garden with Mr. van Nerekool after I had, from his own lips, heard the confession of his love." "Mamma dear!" cried the young girl, breathlessly, "his confession did you say ! " " Now pray don't excite yourself," said Laurentia with an icy smile. " After he had confessed his attachment to you — I opened to him the prospect, not only of obtaining your father's consent — " " Oh, mother, dear, how kind of you," now sighed the young girl as she covered Laurentia's face with kisses. Laurentia gently put her aside and resumed : " I opened to liim not only the prospect of gaining your father's consent; but I further proposed to him a means of greatly improving his own position, and of thus making his marriage with a girl like you, more possible." " A girl like me ? " asked Anna in surprise. " Am I then unlike all other girls that a marriage with me would be less possible ? " " My dear child," said Laurentia, " listen to reason. You know that from your childhood you have been brought up in the midst of a certain degree of luxury, — now surely you would not like to renounce all these comforts, to which you have been born and bred and — " " For the man I love I would sacrifice anything ! " eagerly cried the girl. •'Yes, I know," replied laurentia coldly, "all that reads 154 BABOE DALIMA; OR, TJZflf" "" '•°''^'' ^."^ y°"^"' "ot fi»d that it will stand ouLtthevWndo^'"" ^"'"^^ ^"'^" ^' '""^ d°-' 1°- A- Char?et."" "'^^ ^""^' "**'''^ '^ "° ^^" ^^ ^l'^' ^'th me and "That is all very fine," continued Laurentia, "but we vonr Chnn;,''' "^^ "^'T '° ^"'™«' y°"' future happinrss r. husband, we must take care that that husband caSe you a home free from the anxieties of poverty. Now we were in 'Fn^Z'^^t!"'''^-'' ^'-" Nerer^liy^L;;" " Wjlrr^'l' T"""^^ ^ °^' *^" •»« what he said." •nev«?'' "* °"'^ °"^ ^°'** *° ^^y-^"d that word was moili^rYonl'lH ^""f.: n ^'' "°* *1"'^^ understand you, "e-you JZT,Z:^1 ::f.r^_«Ai« P" that he iL; he nervously. ;; A condition ! " cried Anna, " what might that be ? " plainly!" ''''' '" '°"'^'"°" °^ "amage-if you will have it rephed never? I am more puzzled than ever." ^ It was after all but a very trifling matter," said Laurentin It was merely just a little thing to please y^ur father and S complymg w,th It, Mr. van Nerekool might have helped vou^ father to wm honour and glory-and, moTeoveriie nS have considerably improved his own position " ^ /'Oh, dearest mother," said Anna, "there must be some misunderstanding Charles is a noble fellow-U I e ?me not mlvT"' '"^r^ ™''""'y ^"'^^'«d me to him- Why ! not many weeks ago he promised to help me in saving the lover of my baboe and would he now— ? " ^ " Yes'" ^rJue!rT^ ^""T^'t'u' '^^ '"^^^ °^ y°"' baboe ? " thatTodorhU?=^""^ °' '•'^''"^ ^^•''"^- ^"' -»^^t ''- rec':mme?d!n'g S to-" " "'^' ''^^- ^''^" ^"'P^^^' " ' -- her' mothe?'" Jo.*! '"''" f'^/"""' ^"'^''y' '-^^ ^'^^ interrupted her mother, you see clearly there must be some misuiider- THE OPIUM FIEND. IS5 11 standing — all that will very easily be explained. Tdl me, pray, what condition did you propose to van Nerekool ? " " Yes," said Laurentia slowly after a moment's pause, " you are the only one who can arrange this matter. And, pray remember, that this is a question upon which depends van Nerekool's future career —and your own marriage." And then, the proud ambitious woman, told her daughter that she was bent upon obtaining for her husband the order of the Netherland's Lion ; that this distinction, however, would not be got unless the returns of the opium trade at Santjoemeh improved considerably — that in fact the Virtus nobilitat was to be the price for the increase in the revenue of Holland. " But," continued Laurentia, "in order to make that increase possible, LimYang Bing. must continue to hold the opium monopoly — and that he must cease to do if his son Lim Ho be found guilty of smuggling and of outrage upon the natives. Therefore we are under the cruel necessity — ! " As her mother began to speak Anna listened attentively; as she continued, the. girl sat with her eyes fixed on her mother's lips as though she would read the words before she uttered them ; at these last words, she flew up wild and furious and passionately broke in upon Laurentia's speech : " Ardjan is to be sacrificed, that my father may get the Netherland's Lion — that never — no, mother, do you hear me, that cannot — that shall not be ! " " But, Anna 1 " exclaimed Laurentia much alarmed at her daughter's violence, " pray do not excite yourself so ! " "And did you make that proposal to Cha'rles? — Yes? Oh, then I am wretched indeed ! " " But, Anna — " Laurentia began to say. " Now I Understand his • never,' " said the girl bitterly. " No, he is right, never, never shall he marry the daughter of such parents as mine ! " At these words she dashed out of the pandoppo and locked herself in her own room. »56 BABOE DALIMA; OR, CHAPTER Xlll. A RIDE TO BANJOE PAHIT. AWOKH ! " 1\I ^^^ ^^^ ^°" ^^^^^ *° Start ?" The young men bad not lone lo wait for th,.^- 1,,^ i S"m t"^"^'" *'°'''' ""^^ '^^" appearance^ iS werlweT at I, S"'"'"' "^' '^P'"''^'^* '" ^J^ape, and handsome to k,ok hronH I?''' ^' ^u "^''^'■^ ' '^"t good Serviceable ankia s wUb broad, well made chests, indicating both strength and enH.r ance, and provided with good sinewriees whfch !f r..! ticubrly symmetrical. were'stron^XiTr SUrk"' ^"^■ in a twmklmg, the young men were in the saddle And now, your rifle? » said Edward. servant"' ^^^ '"' '^^ ^""'" ^^ ^'''" ^^'^^''''^ '« ^is hJ^! ""r l^""^^^ '° ^'^ ™^'''^'" *'^e splendid rifle which, at lincSa'r;!' ""'""' "' ^'"'^^""^^ ''^^ ^^"* '° ''^^ judicial a SnfnJr f ""^ I'''' ^^■^''^P°">y the strap over his shoulder, put a couple of revolvers into his holsters ; so that, as far as arms went, he was almost as well ofT as his friend van Rhe.> A few .noments later, the pair had left Santjoemeh, and at a brisk trot S Se'S'nSr ' '" ''' '''^^^•°" °^ ^'^"^- ''^''' -'^-•^ - on J'lt^ ^'^ "°'i^"' "'"'^^ ''>' *''^ "■-''y' '" '■^c' only a word now and then passed between them. There was indeed no very great inducement to conversation; for, though the road thev were following was fairiy well shaded by Tamarind and Kanan trees yet the tropical heat was most oppressive, and would not much decrease until the sun was Hearing the horizon. But it was only three in the afternoon, so that the orb of day was still far from the end of his journey. THE OPIUM riENP. '0/ Tiie horses, however, were high-mettled and indefatigable and kept up a good pace, at a trot where the road was level, and breaking into a gallop, when if ran up hill. The noble animals very seldom required to be pulled up to a walk, and could not long be kept to that pace to which they were but little accustomed. Moreover, the scenery through which the two friends were passing might well, in every sense of the word, be called enchanting. First their road lay through pleasant looking dessas, whose dark roofs of atap-leaves and golden yellow fences, formed a most agreeable prospect in the midst of the dark foliage of the fruit trees which completely overshadowed them. Next came plantations of cocoa-nut trees where the slender palms planted in regular rows, lifted up high in the air their waving plume-like tops, and cast curious ever-changing shadows on the turf which covered the ground. Further on still, as squares on a vast chess-board, were seen the extensive rice-fields, the dikes or mounds which bounded them richly over- grown with grass or shaded by toeri or klampies bushes showing quite distinctly, while the rice-fields themselves lay, at this time of the year, glittering in the sunlight, like so many huge water- tanks ; for after harvest they are flooded, and then present an aspect of molten silver enclosed in frames of bright green. Then behind the rice-fields arose the stately mountains which densely covered with virgin forest, formed a deep band of dark-green around the glittering squares. Further on again, in the far distance, all became indistinct, and assumed a uniform deep purple hue which contrasted sharply and most beautifully with the light azure of the sky above. Now and then, after the horses had had a long stifl" gallop up a more than usually steep slope, they would require a few minutes' rest j then tiie riders upon looking back, caught glimpses of the Java sea which lay on the horizon, shining under the sun's beams like a boundless mirror on which the white sails of the ships ap- peared as hovering sea-gulls, or the thick smoke from some steamer's funnel curled darkly over the watery expanse. Thus, our young friends had but little time to notice the in- tensity of the heat. Their's was still that happy time of life in which man is most capable of enjoying all that is grand and beautiful, l^oth of them also were of a somewhat poetical nature, and the ever-varying scenery which to the right and to the left lay stretched out before them, could not fail to captivate and charm ihem by its sublimity and its beautj-. Time had indeed flown with them, when, in the neighbourhood of a small •58 THE OPIUM FIF.ND. 159 BABOE DALIMA; OR, dessa called Kalimatti, they caught sight, in the distance, of four gentlemen, followed by a numerous escort all mounted and spurring on to meet them. "Hurrah!" cried van Rhcijn, "there is William Verstork. Look, Charles, that man yonder on the fine iron-grey riding at the head of the party 1 " " Who are those with him ? " asked van Nerekool — " Why if my eyes don't deceive me — they are August van Beneden, Leendert Grashuis, Theodoor Grenits and — by Heaven — yes, Fritz Mokesuep also ! " " You are right I " shouted his companion, " and escorted by the wedono, the djoeroetoelies, the loerah, the kebajan, the kamitoewag, the tjank (native chiefs) good Heavens ! — by all the district and dessa-grandees of Banjoe Pahit and their whole suite ! And," he continued, as he drew nearer, " upon my word all in full dress on their little horses, with tiger-skin saddle-cloths and richly embroidered red velvet or cloth saddles. Hurrah, capital fun ! " cried Edward van Rheijn, greatly excited as he waved his pith helmet to the advancing troop. " Hurrah, hurrah ! " shouted the others gleefully, and soon the group of horsemen had joined the two friends and greet- ings and welcomes were warmly exchanged. " You seem to be out of spirits, Charles," said Verstork to van Nerekool as he shook his hand ; " what is the matter with you, old fellow — 1 hope you are not ill ? " " No, thank you," replied the other, " I am perfectly well. I will tell you by-and-by what ails me." " Mr. van Nerekool is suffering perhaps from the effects of a refusal," remarked one of the young fellows who had accom- panied Verstork. The controller cast a look at his friend and noticed at once that the random and heedless shaft had struck home. He therefore at once changed the conversation and said, "If you are not unwell then let us forward to Banjoe I'ahit." " Gentlemen," he cried, " by threes trot ! " and a moment after he gave the word " Gallop ! " just like some old cavalry officer. There was no need of the spur,— the fiery horses at once dashed forward, and away went the little band of friends galloping down the avenue which lay stretched out before them, and which, with its soft carpet of turf, liardly gave out a sound under the horses' hoofs. ..CapW road <^." ^j:^^^TJZ'S&.ir"''" '" SK&- o&ea r„r;°Sa -- s.Ue, .. i. .he popuWon is »n»«=^;° ™!,t "'l°iemTn; at the distance pre- •^Behind the party of European hoKeme, ^.^^ scribed by ^itl"''''^'""""'^^ „„^pirited little boms of rednue. They v,ere ?" '"°";;''?Je able to keep np «th the r,S of S S, S* ilSyrbap,, in a long ,o„rney, have Pahit, we wil seize the opporwmt^^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ ^ tance with the .^«>^lJ7"y/rs possible, as some of them, at We will do this in =s few words as p ^^^^^ least, are only casually connected witn ^^^j^^^and, a fine Augustus van Beneden was a nauv ^^^^ healthy looking fe"°- °J-^^°„Ce "^^^^^^^^^^ of }^- and firm, y^/ °P^""°'^f\Te was a barrister by profe^^^^^ S^S^^I? seSffdo^^-tjoemeh where he was deputy smveyor at t'jjJ^^JSst^^^^^^ was an excellent ^f^^^'^T^eomm'hic sciences. As survey- himself in t^e .geodesic ^n^^^^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^^^^^,,, ^^ ing engineer, his semc^^^^^^^ property in the had to do ''!* *^f^*'?^tered upon his duties, he found the residence. When he en^^yf"."*;. gt utter confusion-a ^^n^^ "^%i:i Cat nly wtsrconfounded, when in confusion, which became on y maps had to settling disputes about re^ P™P"^^*J',; called upon to give his be produced and appeded ta When ca ^^^ ^ P ^ ^^ ^.^^^ decision, Leendert Grashuis always „ osition to all equity, and offered the -riost ^etam' j \^ ^ to be manner of rapacity ot exaction eve" stio ^^nent. He privilege of knowing hiro. THE OPIUM FIEND. 161 160 iiAnoK n\i.iMA; ok, Theodoor Grenits also, was a man of a similar nature. He was a native of Limburg, and, in his intercourse with his neighbours the Belgians, had acquired a good deal of the free and easy manner of that nation. He, therefore, was more especially in request in company where youth and pleasure presided. He had received his early education at the Athenaeum at Maastricht, and had then gone to Leyden to complete his legal studies. But in these studies, he had most signally failed. Now he was employed in a merchant's office, and was striving, by strict attention to his work and by diligence, to make up, in a mercantile career, for the time he had wasted at the University. But, though no great student, he also was a right noble and honest young fellow, and in thorough sympathy with the company in which we just now have met him. Fritz Mokesuep, however, was a man of totally different stamp, and was in every way the very opposite of the others. He was about thirty years old and was a clerk in the revenue office at Santjoemeh. Education he had none ; for at a very early age his father had placed him in the office of a tax- collector in a small provincial town in Holland. This want of education necessarily closed to him the prospect of rising in the social scale, which, however, he was very ambitious of doing. An opportunity had offered, which he thought would enable him to attain his object. The Colonial Secretary, having need of the services of men acquainted with certain special branches in the collection of the revenue which were at that time badly managed in Dutch India, offered to send out thither a certain number of men thus specially qualified, without demanding any further examination whatever. Of this offer Mokesuep had taken advantage, in the hope that adroit- ness and suppleness of spirit might, in those far-away possessions, supply for him the place of more solid attainments. In this hope, however, he was doomed to be disappointed, for, having on his arrival in Batavia, been placed as third clerk in the de- partment of finance, he had very soon given abundant evidence of the exceeding narrowness of his views and abilities ; and thus he was packed off to Santjoemeh in the capacity which he was now still occupying there, and which bid fair to be his " baton de mar^chal." He was literally a " tax-collector " in the least favourable sense of the word ; and, upon his naturally de- praved character, the very nature of his office had had a still more depraving effect. He was artful, cunning, hypocriti- cal, and thoroughly false by nature. His only pleasure THE OPIUM FIE«u. A he scrupieti nu"- >■ tmmMm I excise questions, at au ,,u with these very pleS remarks^ ,,eupying ^^^f J^^ed the dis^ P' While the reader ^^^^^ , ,de had ;^^^. ^^^ B,„,oe its expected gue«s, ^ l62 BABOE DALIMA; OR, inhabitants appeared out of doors, even the women and children all in their very best apparel which they generally wore only on Fridays. At the flag-staff, which stood in the grounds of the Controller's quarters, a brand-new Dutch flag was flying. The Wedono, the Lcerah, and other principal men of the dessa — aye, even the public vaccinator and the Mohammedan priest had followed that example, and expressed their zeal on this occasion, and their goodwill, by hoisting the tricolor by the side of their houses on the bamboo pole from which usually a dovecote used to dangle. The cymbals also were sounding merrily, and imparted to the demonstrations of the inhabitants, who all had turned out to welcome the strange gentlemen, a very characteristic and local stamp. " Upon my word," cried Edward van Rheijn, once again, " capital fun — our Controller is giving us a grand reception — that is a good beginning." " I have no hand, whatever, in that fun," replied Verstork. " The people are rejoicing because you have come to rid them of the swarms of tjellings, which ravage their fields to a fright- ful extent. You will see how enthusiastically they will turn out to-morrow to help us in beating up the game." The cavalcade had now entered the grounds, in which stood the Controller's house, and the riders were dismounting. " Gentlemen," said Verstork addressing van Nerekool and van Rheijn, "I bid you welcome to my poor dwelling." And then more generally to the company, he said : " We shall take a few minutes to make ourselves comfortable after our hot ride, and have a bath, and then it will be time to sit down to dinner." " So early as this ? " asked one of the guests. " To be sure," replied Verstork, " for after we have had something to eat — which meal you must take as a hunter's dinner, substantial but short — we shall have to get into the saddle again, to make a reconnaissance at the Djoerang Pring- apoes, for we must settle before sunset where our battue will have to start from, and where we shall have to post ourselves and lie in wait for the animals." " But we shall have the moon to-night, shall we not ? " en- quired van Rheijn. " I even fancy that it is full moon." " You are quite right," said Verstork, " and we shall need it, too, on our ride home. Believe me, our arrangements will take up some considerable time ; and then we shall all have to turn in early, because to-morrow by daybreak we must be at our posts in the Djoerang, and begin work." 163 THE OPIUM FIEND. orhiefs wbo bad followed Djoerah ? " ,. ^as their reply- «ut in the most courteous ^^ gome busmess 10 with lard or some other ingr and unclean beast. ^^^ finished r Smen. and Char matters p=r.a.mn. ^ ^ ^^ *°tU happened to be just *'? J° *^, '^ht' SUh '"?, °?rzf5^/nr:'£7SVttrstSe%hf?anS" Residence Of Santjoemeh. . i,;^ i^y the dessa I few hundred yards off, ^^^ JJf J ^ ^ts with which the where With its trees, its P^l"*^' " i^^tie yellow-fenced huts, TvS almost entirely embosomed th^ l^tle y ^ ^.^^^^^ , that little dessa casting Its image upon ^ could not ?sLne of such magic beauty that the J^u ^^^^ ^^^^ teirthemselves (-- g,^- wly Se the rising moon, could S; S "S^ ^^hl L^ah of Kaligaweh 164 BABOE DALIMA; OR, suddenly in the direction of the last named dessa, there was heard a frightful tumult. All started and stood still, and listened in the utmost astonishment. The yelling and screaming con- tinued, and then amidst the confused noise made by the shrieks of women and children, the dreadful word, " Amokh, Amokh !" (murder) was distinctly heard. " What on earth can all this mean, Loerah ?" cried Verstork to the chief of the dessa who was still by his side. "I don't know, kandjeng toean," replied he; "but I will ride off at once and find out." " Wait a bit," cried another, " here comes a policeman run- ning like mad." So it was ; panting and almost completely out of breath one of those canaries (so called from their yellow braided uniforms) came running up along a pathway which led across the sawah- fields to the Djoerang Pringapoes. As soon as he got up to the group of horsemen he squatted down by the Controller's horse and made the sembah. " Kandjeng toean," he panted, " they are running Amokh in the dessa yonder. One baiidoelan has been already krissed and a policeman severely wounded." "Who is running Amokh ? " cried Verstork. " I don't know, kandjeng toean," replied the man. " Women and children are flying about yelling and screaming and I hurried off at once to fetch the Loerah ; but as I ran along I heard that Setrosmito is the murderer." " Setrosmito ! " exclaimed Verstork in utter amazement. "What, old Setrosmito? Quite impossible ; is it not, Loerah?" " No, kandjeng toean," was the chief's reply. "But the man is much too quiet a fellow for that," con- tinued the Controller. " Moreover, he is not given to opium smoking, is he ? " " No kandjeng toean," was the cautious reply. The screaming still continued, and though it was already growing dusk, people could be distinctly seen running about wildly in the dessa. "Come, gendemen," said Verstork to his friends, "my presence is required yonder. Will you come with me ? If we make haste we can get there in a minute or two " " All right," cried the young men with one voice j " lead on, we follow you." There was but one of the little party who ventured to ask : " Is it quite safe, do you think ? " THE OPIUM FIEND. 16s That man was Mokesuep ; but Ins obgction wa^^^^^^^^^^ not quite so rash as that DrefuUaksof A ^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ were crossing his bram. ^^"/^ .^."""J"! better do j but just irresolute not well knowing ^^at he had be„ej > ^^^^ ^^^._ then the shrieks '^^do^Wed while the gon^s we ^^^.^ ously. That was quite enough for hitn A^o^S ^ ^eep -Yl^-r- r he tL^hrhtt g- it the spurs ank ^gaUopedS to Ba'^joe^Uit i-tead of - K ^^^^^^ , ^,, only serve 10 ma ^^ revolvers ready. " At all events,' said he, ^^^^P /"" , , ^^gn the horsemen His caution was, however, "^Pl^'^^^^- (J^ S\,i^ryti women S'i^^ :^izz:^^!:%:^!^'«^ «^- *- '""' the cry. r • „ ,Kni,f ? " cried Verstork, leaping r„;r .l^il! Str S^.o ?nf or *e b,,.»ae., '"5£?So"h alw ™n""8 '^<*'''" "" *= "'"' ""'" "".^'^Trosmito, how is it possible?" muttered tl,e Controller, inaudibly. , , . . „„„.j .he words, before the door of But scarcely had be uttered ne wo u, ^ the cabiu new open »"'' ^''XSzKhTwW* was flying in ?it\Ssfl^\°a:.d's°i"si'r.?* blood, so .bat the of a mad rush. 1 66 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, I don t wish to hurt anybody," cried Setrosmito, (o his fellows of the dessa. " But let no one come near me to lay a hand on me; the first that touches me is a dead man ! " A-^u^ so frantic a gesture did he wave his kris, and so ghastly did he look in his frenzy, that the crowd rushed back in dismay. Thus Verstork, who the instant before had stood lost m the press, now found himself standing in the fore- ground. No sooner, however, had the unfortunate Javanese caught sight of the white man than he cried out in piteous tones, "Pardon, kandjeng toean, pardon," and hurling his »D ?°™ ^^'"^ '^^ ''""S himself at the Controller's feet. " Pardon, pardon, kandjeng toean ! " he cried again and agam. All this had passed with lightning rapidity— so quickly, l?rL ^'^' ^'^^^ ^^^ bystanders scarcely knew what 'was going on. VVhen the man besmeared with blood had advanced towards the Controller, many thought that the latter's life'was in danger. His friends, revolver in hand, rushed forward to protect him, the natives also were springing forward to despatch the now defenceless murderer. But Verstork calmly stopped them, put the foremost back with his hand, and restrained the others by crying out in a tone of command : "Back, all of you I Keep back from the man. Do you hear?" And going up to the crouching wretch, who was still crying m an imploring tone of voice " Pardon, kandjeng toean," he said : " Have you been running Amokh, Setrosmito ? " "Sir," cried the latter, "I have killed a bandoelan who was acting disgracefully towards my child. Yes, I have done that. I have also wounded a policeman who was helping him in it. Who would have protected my child if I had not done so ? But I have harmed no one else. The whole dessa will tell you so ! " Verstork looked towards the crowd. All stood breathless around; not a word of protest was spoken. " You confess to having killed a bandoelan and wounded an officer ? " asked Verstork, sternly. "Yes, kandjeng toean," said the poor Javanese, almost inaudibly. "* " Wedono," said Verstork, " have this man bound." " Pardon, kandjeng toean, pardon! " cried the wretched man. THE OPIUM FIEND. 167 when he heard the order. " Pardon ! I have only protected my daughter from disgusting ill-treatment." " You have resisted the authorities, nobody has a right to do that," replied the Controller in a firm and impressive voice. " But, Setrosmito," he continued, " the matter will be investi- gated by the proper tribunal, and if, as you say, your child has suffered ill-usage — no doubt that will be taken into consider- ation, and your punishment will be lessened accordingly." A dull murmur arose in the crowd. They knew by sad experience what kind of justice they might expect from the white man when there was opium in the question. A bitter smile was on every countenance, and many a curse was muttered against that unmerciful race which holds sway over Java and sucks its very life's blood. Now that the people began to see that they had to do — not with a wild Amokh runner who murdered indiscriminately but — with a father who had merely protected his child from outrage, the feelings of the crowd instantly changed and not a man or woman in the dessa but pitied the wretched criminal. But a single com- manding look from the Controller and one wave of the Wedono's hpnd sufficed to repress every sign of displeasure. "Wedono," said Verstork, "you will have that man care- fully g [r ded — you and the Loerah will be answerable for him ; anc> you will further see that to-morrow morning early, he is taken under properly armed escort to Santjoemeh." " Pardon, ' andjeng toean," again groaned the unhappy father, as tht ^ aople of the dessa helped to tie his arms. " The ' Higher Court ' must decide the matter, Sclro- smito," said Verstork, " I may and 1 can do no more than my duty." CHAPTER XIV. A SEARCH FOR OPIUM. WHAT CAME OF IT. TO return that night to Banjoe Pahit was clearly impossible. Verstork had to hold a preliminary inquiry into the terrible event which had so suddenly disturbed the dessa, and about this investigation, he was determined to set at once, and i68 BAIIOE DALIMAJ OR, facts which .his taqShy'SS^ ^O (Sf """■ ""^' "'« '"^ «heir appea„„ce in feK KaliSi" h Thl°h "h" ""' ".""l str-gh. .0 .he opiumKlen, S X hid L I'^T""" home, havinff hp,.n ^ J J!. ' ^ runctionary was not at BabahThai°Ktk's.^™''°= "^°" "^^^^ ^'^'^ '"^^ ^^°'« kept by caoan man Kik Sioe, you never smoke any opium therp nnr even purchase any from him. The opiumSe™ I as there hold ofTm!f '?V°"^'"^*°" '^'^^ y°» mW^m h^Jto get" yot hoVs^ffuX^ ^"^'°"' -^ '''''' ^'^ '^ ''^ " I never go to the den to smoke," was the honest old nei^ ant's sra^htforward reply, "nordo'l smoke opiSS at home you Sle l" "°'""^ °' *'' '^'■"'^ ""'^^^ ™y ™°f- But do a^' Thereupon, the Chinaman and his two policemen were about to enter, when Setrosmito stopped them. "No, no "said he. very calmly, "wait a bit. Before you begm, I shall have you fellows searched." ^ And. turning to some of his friends whom the appearance of the bandoelan had brought about the hut, he said "Sidrnand Sanman, just lend a hand to overhaul these fellows " The opium-hunters were too well used to such treatment to make any serious resistance, and they submitted to the scrutiny —a scrutmy which was conducted most minutely, but which Ti! "u^^""!^"^ '" P'"o^"cing the least trace of opium. When they had been examined thoroughly, Setrosmito allowed the men to enter his dwelling, and to proceed with their visitation of the premises. The hunt which ensued was merely a repetition of the scene THE OPIUM IMENU. 169 which had, a short time ago, taken place in the wretched cabin of poor Pak Ardjan ; but if no opium had been found upon the persons of the searchers, neither did the Chinese bandoelan, nor his men succeed in discovering the slightest trace of contraband goods in any corner of the house. Just as in Pak Ardjan's case, here again they turned over everything, and ran- sacked every hole and corner ; but not the slightest vestige of opium was found in the place. At length tlie Chinaman despairing of success, and very angry at his failure, cried out in a rage : " Where are your children ?" Setrosmito quietly answered, " The children are on the common minding the oxen." An evil smile played upon the yellow features of the bandoe- lan, when he heard this man actually was the possessor of a pair of oxen. In the once thriving dessa Kaligaweh, there were, alas ! at present very few of the inhabitants who could boast of owning so much as that. He did not, however, speak a single word ; but he left the hut taking his two policemen with him, and went to report to Singomengolo that all their trouble had been fruitless. When Singo had heard his subordinate's statement, he looked with a contemptuous and pitying smile upon him, as he scorn- fully said to the Chinaman : " Much use you are to Lim Ho and Lim Yang Bing ! You a bandoelan ! You will never find smuggled opium," he con- tinued, in a jeering tone, " you are too clumsy." " No," was the man's indignant reply, " nor you either, where there is no opium to be found ! " " Come, Keh," said Singo. " Will you bet me a ri.x-dollar that I don't manage to find some ? " " Quite impossible," cried the Chinaman, "I have turned the house inside out. I have searched the bamboo laths of the walls and roof, and there is nothing — absolutely nothing anywhere." '* Have you looked under the hearth ? " asked Singo- mengolo. "Yes." "And in the ashes under the hearth ? " " Yes," was the reply again. " And have you grubbed up the floor ? " "Yes." "And have you turned over the baleh-baleh and the cushions ? " 170 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, " Yes, yes, yes ! " cried the man, impatiently. " I am no child, I suppose." " No, you are no child," jeered Singo, " but you are one of the greatest fools in the world ; as stupid as one of those oxen! Now, just )ou come along with me," he added, after having flung these amenities at the head of his pig-tailed coun- tryman. " Just you come along with me and you will see that my eyes are better than yours. You could see nothing ; but I shall manage to ferret out something before long. Those mangy dessa-dogs always have opium about them." The wretch seemed to forget that in that very dessa he had himself first seen the light ; however — that is the way of the world ! So the four men set out once again to Setrosmito's house j and once again, as before, did the Javanese attempt to insist upon searching the persons of his unwelcome visitors before allowing them to enter. But Singomengolo would have nothing of the kind. He refused point-blank to submit to any search. Said he, in his blustering way: " You lay your hands on me and 1 will thrash you like a mangy cur ! " Setrosmito tried to pro- test ; but it was in vain. " Aye, aye," said he, " if that be the case then I have but little doubt that they will find anything they want. I know all about those tricks. Kabajan," he con- tinued, as he turned to one of the chief men of the dessa, who stood looking on among the crowd which was rapidly assem- bling. " Kabajan, I call upon you to witness what is about to happen here." But the latter, who had the greatest horror of coming into collision with the wretches of the opium monopoly, made no reply whatever to the old man's appeal, and quietly slipped away. Singomengolo, with a brutal and defiant laugh, entered the hut with his followers. It so happened that at the moment, Setro- smito's little children also came in. The two boys and their sister had just returned from the common, and opened their eyes wide at seeing so many people assembled round their father's housa. The two boys were eight and nine years of age. Like most of the young Javanese children, they had pretty little faces, with the funniest expression in their twinkling and roguish dark-brown eyes ; but their appearance was, to a European eye, wholly spoilt by the manner in which their heads had been treated. They were clean shaven except one single tuft of hair of about a hand's breadth, which the razor THE OPIUM FIEND. 171 , ,1 ^ «f thP hovs wore on the top of his had spared and which one °l'^l^ll^\uey had the well- head, and tlie other over h. left ^^^ .J^-^ „f their race, formed and supple hmbs ^j"f ' ^^^^^^^^^^^ These natural ad- and were exceedingly f^^^^er in Je^J^^^^^^^^ . ;„ ..^ord- vantages were seen to the f ^^^f ^/rj^'^gi^^^d, they ran about ance with the primitive customs of ^J« «' ,^ / 3ii,er ring completely naked wO^nothmg n a all ^exc^ , ^^^^^^ round each ankle ^ ^^ ,,"1,L childish face peepmg out markably pretty, her ^f >-f°™^J ,^f.black glossy hair. Her charmingly under a Vrof^^^^o^Xgshe wore was a bright- arms were bare, and the onlyj;l°''""f ^^^ ^; coloured patchwork apron which J^?^ ^^^^ j^j ^ ,^m orna- byaslenderchainof silver, from wh^h dang ^^^ .^^^ ^^^ mental plate of the same metal. ™" ^j ,^,^^^ over hut they found S'ngomengolo very busy ^ns. while the contents of boxes »"^ PW "to P° ^^^^l^ ^^ ^^^^^ their father was most carefully ^^^^^'^^^ J^is nimble hands to and was -t allowing a -^^^^^^^ of^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^,,, pass unnoticed. 1 his ciose dive , frustrated, be- beyond measure, who thus saw his ^^j^jlffi" g, he could caise, while those keen «r\^'%«,,Xt„f and without b.ing not even attempt to exercise h'^^'^'g^^^^^ „f distracting the instantly detected In 2^^«.J°P\i™°the Chinaman, who, father's attention, Singo «>f ^^ ^/'^f ^j^" ehildren and leering with his slanting eyes, sat \oof '"^ ^^^^^ "^ ihe man under- most offensively at Pretty httk Kembang. ^^^^ stood the signal and at """^^^^''^^J^ied opium, he felt all under the P^-etence of searching for conceaiea op ^^^^^ over their little bodies, under ^« J3*^;3.b Sty lie l?idden. wherever a W"le™andat-ball could by g po^^^^^^^^ ^^^^„^ But when the bandoelan la-f ^old of the g^^^^^ slrov ^^ 172 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 173 " Your turn next," cried the Chinaman to the mother, " that young cat has had plenty of time to pass the stuff to you. Keep your seat ! " Then the disgusting scene through which the two boys had passed was re-enacted on this helpless child — a proceeding in- finitely more loathsome, inasmuch as its victim was a little creature of the tender sex towards whom the wretch thought he might with impunity act as he pleased. " Alia tobat ! " screamed the poor woman who was compelled to see her daughter thus outraged wantonly before her eyes. That bitter cry of distress had the desired effect. For a single instant it caused Setrosmito to turn his watchtul eyes to his wife ; but that single instant was sufficient. Quick as lightning Singomengolo took advantage of it, and slipped his closed hand under the little Pandan mat which was spread out over the baleh-baleh and which, during the search, had already three or four times been lifted and shaken without result. Then, in triumph, he produced from under it a little copper box, and, as he held it up with a theatrical gesture he exclaimed : " You see that ; after all, there was smuggled opium in the house j I knew I should find it ! " Setrosmito turned deadly pale at the sight ; he well knew what the Dutch law-courts had in store for him, and the thought of the ruin which thus stared him in the face filled him with rage and fury. "There was no opium concealed here," he cried out; and in his despair not well knowing what he was doing, he put his hand out mechanically to the kris, an old heirloom which was stuck into the bamboo-wall above the baleh-baleh. " You dirty dog," he cried to Singomengolo, " it was you yourself that slipped that box under the mat I " ■ The words had scarcely passed his lips before Singomengolo answered the frantic accusation by a blow with his clenched fist which struck Setrosmito right in the mouth. Maddened with pain and rage the unhappy man plucked the kris from its sheath ; but at that moment, suddenly, little Kembang uttered a heartrending scream of pain and horror. That cry saved the life of the opium spy. The poor father looked round as if bewildered at the sound ; but when he saw the disgusting leer upon the Chinaman's face and in what an outrageously in- decent manner that wretch was treating his pretty little flower, the blood seemed to rush to his head and his rage was at once ,. • A rpfi mist — red as blood — turned into another direction. A red mist Soon on all sides resounded the fatal worub. "Amokh, f ™ol?_^'-" . , .„u their lances and krisses, not in wildly to the guardhouse and began they could upon the public gongs. ^^^^ ^ fhe policeman who had been the firs^to^ ^^ frantic effo.t to draw .^.s sabre bu^ ^Jie D ^^^^^ ^^^^^ rusted into the ^^'f'^^^^°^,l,r. who had no time to draw the weapon. The °ther pou Javanese; but as draw tried to lays hands upon J^e jfum^^^^^^ ^^ross the face he attempted to seize h"«, he received a si ^^^^ ^^^ and breast which was no doubt but ^ ^^^p ^^ ^^^^ though not «^f^\°S,San?eirback moaning and was bleeding that the wounded ™^" ^^ fl^ ^t. The sight was ^:^v^^ -^ ^« ''- -^ '^ ""' '-''' " Srrg :rose'fu;:geo;s'behaviour there could be not the slightest doubt. „ ,j jj the father, mad .'Let her go! let her 8°' ^^^Y [^ Whether the ban- with rage and f^f^'^f./; ';%;""" een^e of such imminent doelan was "tterly bewildered in the prese ^^^^ ^^^^ peril, or whether, in his ^xcitenien^ he am Lxtent of the danger; ^^^^^^J J?,,7„r made more than that supreme command. .^»^^^" 7^^acant and unmeaning usually hideous by pass on.^w^^^ a vac^^^ ^ried to get Shi; ^ollt'oflJlSl^a^V^SldhiLelf behind her. 174 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 175 " Amokh, Amokh 1" was still the cry all around. " Let go !" roared Setrostnito, again; and again the wretched Chinaman replied with a vacant laugh. " Amokh, Amokh ! " resounded the gong with threatening roar. " Let go ! — You won't ! — Well then, die like a dog ! — " shrieked the wretched father, goaded to madness. And — with lightning speed, before the miserable Chinaman had time to cower down behind the little girl whom he still held before him — Setrosmito drew the well-tempered blade across the fellow's throat. "Alas, I am dead 1 " yelled the Chinaman, his eyes wildly rolling in his head. They were the last words he uttered. With convulsive clutch he tried to close the gaping wound in his neck ; but it was no use, the blood violently came spirting in fine jets through his fingers, a dreadful fit of coughing seized him, and the torrent of blood which rushed from his mouth covered poor little Kembang from head to foot. Tottering like a drunken man, and still grasping the girl, the wretch, for a few moments, tried to steady himself, but then reeled and fell heavily to the ground in the agony of death. " Amokh, Amokh ! " was still the cry all round the hut. " Amokh, Amokh ! " still harshly roared the gongs. For three or four seconds Setrosmito, after his dreadful deed, stood gazing about him like a man utterly dazed or in a dream. He at length brought his left hand to his eyes and then slowly he seemed to recover his reason ; then he began to realize his position. At his feet there l.iy the Chinese ban- doelan still convulsively twitching in the throes of death ; but soon all was over. All this had passed in an incredibly short space of time, almost with the swiftness of thought ; but the room in which the father stood over the victim of his momentary frenzy was already quite deserted ; for, with his men, Siiigomengolo had also taken to his heels. Even the two little boys, who at first had stared at the spectacle hardly knowing what was taking place, had taken to flight in alarm at their father's threatening kris, and the wife had snatched up her little daughter and she also had rushed from the house. " Amokh, Amokh ! " that shout outside sounded in the ears of (he unhappy man as his death-knell. He knew but too well of what terrible significance was the fatal word. He knew cuts him down ^'^^"'V^'^f nothing Vorse than merely Snt/trow'n^i^:;r^rte;Sng fhe honour of wife or •^^ AlrSdy a few armed men came charging into the hut with their lance-pomtslevene^^^^^^^ ^^^ „„t yet "Stand back .^^""'^^..Itand^ack ! whoever comes nearer had time to cool down. /J^"'*^^ ^^ , » I will serve as I have served t^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ ^nd the kris was The man was evidently '"deadly earn« a ^^^^.^ ^aved in so threatenmg a manner a^ ^^..^ed up in a close ring ants turned and f^V^t ctclTthere wasTgrea?dealof to^^^^^^ around the hut In that "^^'^^^f^Jj^jinl. but there seemed lTfen7="'^o^^^^^^^^^^ desire of again crossing the threshold. p^ntroUer Verstork came gallop- l,?,e"L;4 p* afSarthe n>urde,0U3 scene by u,tag .he £tirhorrnrrc,.%'.^"i.e-. or «,= op... farmer, he had confiscated. ^j mity In the small copper^ox ther^as but ^ ^^y q^ ^J^^ ^Mr«^SfeS^«KH^;i^ °^!^0\';S^S„y,■n?i^he";.'^•*eChi„e.eW0e..n ""^Se^ln-'^ho is dead? Anyone else?" continued .he Controller. . " Yes the two policemen, said bingo. « Indeed ! " remarked Verstork. "These were the men I things a few moments before could discover nothing? 176 BAKOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIE^O- t77 " No matter," said the opium spy with great effrontery. " I, kandjeng toean," he continued, "am a sworn bandoelan — I found it there and my word suffices. The testimony of the policemen is altogether superfluous." The look of utter contempt and loathing which Verstork cast upon him as he spoke seemed to have but little effect upon the shameless spy ; for he merely made the usual obsequious salute and as he turned to go, he muttered : " I shall go and make my report to Babah Lim Yang Bing and to the Inspector of Police." Then he mounted his horse and rode away seemingly along the high-road to Santjoemeh. Seemingly ; for presently it will appear whither he actually did go and what business he had on hand. As soon as he was out of sight of the dessa he took a path- way to the right which ran through the rice-fields and along that bridle-path he rode across the . hilly country and thus took a more direct way to the capital than that which the highway offered. His horse seemed to know the country well and made good progress, so that it was hardly midnight when he reached a lonely little cabin. There he dismounted, knocked up its inmate and sent the man on with a message to Sant- joemeh. When Verstork reached the house of the Loerah who with the Wedono had actively assisted him in his troublesome in- quiry, it was about nine o'clock in the evening. He found his friends assembled there and impatiently await- ing his arrival. " I say," muttered August van Beneden, " how long you have kept us ! " The young barrister was not in the best of tempers just then for he had lieen very anxiously looking forward to the promised expedition and now he began to fear that it might not come off at ail. Moreover he had, in the Loerah's house, been frightfully bored as he waited for his friend's return. " I say, how long you have kept us !" " It was no fault" of mine," replied Verstork. " I have had my hands pretty full to-night." " Besides," he continued, " it makes no great difference ; for the more I can get through to-night the less I shall have to do in the morning." " In the morning ? " said another of the company in no agreeable surprise. THE OPIVJOT r—- "Ves.-ours.;-:^y:?SSj^ K as we P^oP^^^'^^^f and then we must have said go ft all to-morrow morning .. ^^^^^ to our hunting P^^Jv _,,. echoed Edward van Rheijn. .« To-morrow mo'^^^'Jf ' _ ^one just as wejl ? evidently not Monday -"^-f.f i^' oU rd\ £rp antS on t hi The Controller gave „' ^ad indeed a snarp* ^^ Js full of f^'^^Z^ It refrained from uttermg tip of his tongue , Dm ^^^^^ ^^ .. And you wiU be aDie ^^^^ ^ hope." „_ed not trouble about that, cou^^^^tS^'criedvanB^ii^bml^^^ :lSS^f^^^-^St;>e doctor to come ^ ^^^""! Se bodTS t'o ^oX^}'^'^-^'^^,,.^ he. turning to and view the twoy ^grekool ? com ^^^ p " ^? ""f *fThat is the proper course to take ^^^.^^ lis friend. "^^^1,^^ said the young lawye^^^^ _j^3t 1? "? ^.fThaUsX proper course^totaKe-^^^^^^^^^ his friend. ^./,^',\'' ?" said the young lawye^^d -lost ..What did you say f ^^^^^ over p\^ '°, gstion. ■l-he .1»«»»» « ' ^ .,„ setback 10 Banioe '-r^'e have a f^^^J'^S^^^ '— '^'^"^ to Banjoe Pahit to-wgw. ^^ 178 BABOE dalima; or, however brightly the moon may be shining we cannot possibly go faster than at a walk, so that we cannot expect to reach the Controller's quarters before midnight No, I shall write my official letters here at the tjarik's, they can then be at once sent off by the Loerah. The Wedono will ride back to Banjoe Pahit to get everytliing ready for to-morrow's worL He has the command of all the beaters there, that has been all arranged and settled and we need not trouble about that, even though we change our quarters for the night" "That is all very well,'' said August van Beneden, "but where shall we find these quarters ? " " Well," rejoined Verstork, " we must do the best we can, 'k la guerre comme k la guerre.' There is a small passangrahan here in the dessa which is furnished with a single baleh baleh and we must ask the Loerah to fit it up for us somehow or other." " To fit it up ? " cried Grenits in surprise ; " have you an out- fitting store here in this out-of-the-way place ? " " No, no, my worthy disciple of Mercury," replied Verstork with a laugh, " that kind of establishment would do but a very poor business here. If we can lay our hands upon a few pillows and a couple of mattresses we must think ourselves very lucky." " A couple of mattresses for the seven of us," grumbled van Beneden who was by no means unmindful of his bodily comforts, "that is but a poor allowance I fear." " For my part," said Verstork, " I am quite ready to give up my share. I prefer the baleh baleh. It will not be the first time I have slept on one ; and slept very soundly too I can tell you. The others must draw lots. But — " " But what? " asked van Rheijn. "Someone just now spoke of seven," replied Verstork. " It seems to me we are but six — Who is missing ? The deuce ! where is Mokesuep ? " " Yes," cried a couple of others, " where has Mokesuep got to?" " He was off like a shot as soon as he heard the cry of Amokh," said van Rheijn laughing. "I saw him when we turned for Kaligaweh riding back full speed to Banjoe Pahit." " Now, I call that prudence with a vengeance," remarked Grenits. " Prudence ! Is that the right word do you think ? " asked one of the others. 179 THE OPIUM FIEND. x,u • „ "I am heartily glad we ,„ » qaid van Rheijn, >- events. I say, " "'°" M Tlhe Wlow, fot the lime, »' ,^' Xw ot »ch have got II* o<'f' ';„,a'did you manage to g« •« Well." said van Kneijn, A - *r "ilet S:SS Slnfh'e i-na... CHAPTER XV. „HDER THE WAKIENGIEN TREE. IN THE OPIUM-DEN. UNDER THE wftiv.-. ^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ment, ^not reveai. .^^^ ^,^ chairs, very j ^^^ just witnessed to think oi going I So BABOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. l8l the chairs upon the aloon aloon in front of the passangrahan, and having seated themselves in a circle they made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would allow and lit their manillas. There was, of course, no question of getting any- thing to diink in the shape of wine or beer, still less possibility was there of obtaining a glass of grog. Unless there are Europeans settled in a dessa, such liquors are nowhere to be found. But the Loerah had supplied for the relreshment of his guests an ample quantity of cocoa-nut milk, and that drink was pronounced most excellent. Indeed it is a most delicious and very refreshing beverage when it is obtained from a young nut before the flesh has had time to set and harden inside the rind. Very soon the little circle of friends was comfortably seated under a gigantic Wariengien tree, the tall branches of which spreading out far and wide on all sides formed a canopy which covered nearly the entire space of the aloon aloon, and offered a most grateful shade by day, and a shelter also against the heavy dews of night. From the majority of the horizontal branches there grew down a number of shoots, some as thick as a man's finger, others no thicker than a pipestem, others again as fine as whip- cord. . These shoots, as soon as they reached the soil, struck root and then rapidly increasing in girth, formed, as it were, a number of pillars which helped the old giant to bear his dense mass of wood and of foliage, and greatly enhanced the beauty of the venerable tree. The firmament above was of the deepest blue, and wonder- fully pure and clear. In that vault of Heaven innumerable stars glittered and twinkled in spite of the moon which, now about her full, was shedding over the peaceful scene her soft and placid radiance. But nature, though so calm and placid, was by no means silent. The air was full of sounds, the strange mysterious music of a tropical night. A gentle breeze was rustling in the branches, and amidst the countless leaves of the colossal wild fig-tree was thus forming, so to speak, the groundwork of a con- cert produced by a host of invisible artists. In si)ite of the late nightly hour, a wood-pigeon would now and then come flying home into the crown of the Wariengien tree, and be welcomed on its return by the soft cooing of its mate. Sometimes a solitary cock would start up and, beguiled by the bright moon- beams, would utter his shrill musical crow, fondly imagining, no :■ ^t A-xv Every moment d„„b>, .ha. he was f ^^if ^Srfl^e '"""A^S glided about m a giddy '"aje oj i^^gg again f^om atar ?hese sounds, some ""^^f'^^tess humming concert which upon as the solo-parts '" '^^^e "an ^^' 'he performers were mvis- mevailed on aU sides and of which tnep ^^^^^^^ the ear FbTrto human eye. In t^iat "»ghtly ^^^^^^^^ throbbing sound might turn it heard a ^^oft'^"*^"';^ it unpleasantly affected Smetimes rising to such a pitch that J^ " J^^^^^^ Pfceptible the ear, then again dying '^^^Xm and then suddenly ceasing m^rSu; of the breeze m a c-nfif ^^^^^^^^^^^ of the leaves to for a moment or two as ^ ^ aUow tn .^ ^^^^^ ^ be heard for an '"stant, but omy j j^er sounds. This renewed vigour.as if wishing JO drow-^^^^.^^, ,, the ^eemsh was the chirping of «»*"'°"'3h perched on every blade ot at times made tne m j ^ , .„ .u:., "°Sd the young ^^ ^n^.tX^""'^^^^^^-^^^^^^^ mysterious melody? ^^f, ffy/SnSit hour more tuneful which in the tropics, make th^,™°uf sun, m his full power, Zn the dull and heavy noon, when the s"n ^^^ ^^^^ 'ilaU nature thirsty and si^^^^^^^^^ ?ts gUttlring firmament, delicious night, with its soft bre^e. ^ ^^^ ^ Us quiet but .8^0"°"^, jXht they hlrd or saw anythmg shadows? It is doubtful whether uey ^^ j„ conversa- of all these. Indeed, they ^^'^^^^^"'^^^^"^an upon the events tiLn and that^rraSuc^e'e oT^mtsery' at which they of the day. The dreadfu scene o ^^ ^^ dismissed from had been present ^^^ f^^^^derseene was talked over and their thoughts. That m^J^^; point of view ; but, tSmed about, and ^o^^l^S^eSk! before he went off the few hurried ^o^^^sj^th wh^ed the ^^^^^^^ ^„ his friends, to write his letters, had expU^^ecl ^ ^.^^ ^^^ ^^^^ l82 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, Said Grashuis : " What untold misery does that detestable opium-policy bring upon this, in other respects, so richly blessed island ? Is it not enough to make one hide one's head with shame at the thought that a considerable portion of the Dutch revenue is derived from so foul a source ? " " Tut, tut," interrupted van Beneden, " that foul source, as you call it — I suppose you mean the opium-revenue — is in no way different from any other tax levied on an article of luxury." "Granted," replied Grashuis, "but, who made the inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago acquainted with that luxury ? " " That's more than I can tell you," said the other. " I daresay it is with opium very much as it is with drink ; whence did we get the products of distillation ? Who first discovered them ? I fancy it would be no easy matter to find a satisfactory answer to those questions. One thing, however, is quite certain, that the Dutch nation is not responsible for the discovery of opium." " That's true enough," replied Grashuis, " but I hardly think that a mere negative certificate of that kind will be accepted as a proof of good conduct." " No, certainly not," interrupted Grenits, "for our conscience, though it is clear of the charge of having discovered the drug, by no means acquits us of the more serious charge of having introduced and imported it, and — " " Come, that's all nonsense," cried van Rheijn, " that is a mere assertion of yours, which will not stand the test of inquiry. If you will look into Band's well-known ' Proeve,' there you will find that the Orientals, such as the Turks, the Persians, the Arabians, and the Hindoos, have been for many, for very many centuries, addicted to the use of opium. It is, therefore, most probable that when the Dutch first came to India, they found the habit of opium-smoking already established," " You are quite wrong, my worthy friend," cried Grenits, interrupting him. " You are quite wrong, for this same Band, whose authority on the subject I am as ready to admit as you are, expressly declares that he has not been able to discover when opium began to be used in Dutch India. Now, this confession is, in my opinion, most significant, coming from so distinguished a statesman as Band. For, surely, if he had been able to prove in his treatise on opium, that its use was common when we first arrived there, he would, for the sake of our national honour, not have concealed so important a fact, but, on the contrary, have made the most of it. But I go THE OPIUM FIEND. 183 nirther than this. I-^ ^^^^t^,^ S Zfl that when in the «f ^.^"^^^J^^^^^^^^^^ use of opium was known show themselves .nlnd.an water, the l^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ only in the ^^^^^^'.^i^fe^^^^^^^ Lon| a very few foreigners, Archipelago, Us abuse f^*f;^" .«■ ; ^ sea-ports." vvho had 'settled down m he d,fferen s^^^^p ^^^ ^^^ ..Well," asked van ^f^'J"',gprivatc opinion ? What do *^^ ^^ P h^cSnued urX I van . iSerekool. " Band, To^Te wasro^Tnentoftheuse^^^^^^^^^^ ,, ,^,„ J^ts^^fd^lrno^^^^^^^^^ - --• .-What? Band^"°P71!Sy no^o^t of his book, which did you ge^'*^^V^,7:! ,fpi t of&rictest impartiality. He throughout is written in ^ sp'"t 01 i ^^ ^^^ poppy-]u>ce ; cannot help mentiomngthe^eeterK^^^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^^^^^ but he does so ^'^h .the utinost cam , ^^ ^^ ^^ ^ discover in his treatise the merest hmi ^^^ ^^„^j a proposal for counteract^ ity^u^e J ^^^.^^^^^^^.^^ Band's opinion a P^'^^^^^^^^.btThtt opinion is personal ; but of opium is concerned, no do»bt that P ^^^ ^^^^^^^ „f it is an opinion which has been con " ^ ^ f^, i„stance, a host of distinguished travellers oH '« ^y^ ^^^^^., Houtman, opinion." . .. . ^^^ civilly, "where the ^"■» *»"a*„= Shu. came to the rescue o( "Sir^he'££erro„na triumphantly, as he ev '%ei hear • You see, gentlemen, I am not the only one "For," continued Grenits, without pay K Jj ^ cravmg terruptiin, "for the a^"- ° J-^.^f, S of wUl-power to after pleasure and oblivion ^nd Fove^ , ^.chased at the ?eslt?hat craving, even ^^«";^\;~' ^^d health. To deny price of self-respect, domest^hapinne^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^ „f Mre;aXUTSL?^ 1 86 THE OPIUM FIEND. 187 Bi^BOE DALIMA ; OR, But, you will pardon me if I adhere to the opinion I have al- ready expressed, that in thus placing the abuse of opium on the same level with tlie abuse of alcohol shows an ignorance of established facts and an ignorance also of the literature of our colonies with regard to opium. For, remember, my friends, our own countrymen, such men as van Linschoten, Valentijn, Band, van Dedem and I do not know how many more stigma- tise opium as an aphrodisiac — as a powerful means of exciting unclean passions. Van Linschoten in the account of his travels, plainly speaks of certain effects ot the abuse of opium which, though we are men together here, I could not venture to repeat ; and foreign travellers most fully confirm his testi- mony. The learned Chinaman Li Schi Ischin in his Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which was written as early as 1596, tells us that the common people in China, made use of opium chiefly as an aphrodisiac. The (Jerman traveller van Miclucho Macclay in 1873, after he had made personal experiments at Hong Kong in opium smoking, has noted down certain details with which I cannot bring myself to pollute your ears. Now all this ought, I think, to give us much food for reflection. And when we find men like Rochussen, Loudon, Hasselman, van Bosse, and many others, who, the one as Governor General, and the other as Colonial Secretary, some of them in both capacities, have stood up in their place in parliament, and have openly spoken of opium as an evil, as a most terrible evil, indeed as a poison and a pest, why then, I think, it will not be very difficult to come to the conclusion, that the effects and the consequences of the abuse of opium are of a differert nature altogether, and are infinitely more fatal than those which result from the abuse of alcohol." " Would you not like," said van Beneden, "just merely for the sake of experiment, to try opium smoking ? I, for myself, very much wish to know what its eflTccts really are." "So would I," said van Rheijn, "and we could make the experiment easily enough." " How so ? " asked Grashuis. " For us Europeans, opium is not easy to get, and surely we could not go to the opium den and smoke there, and make ourselves a laughing-stock of the people." "No, we could hardly do that," said van Rheijn; "but among my acquaintances, I count one Lim Ho the son of the great opium-farmer. 1 know, if I ask him, he will procure me a few madat balls." ..Contraband. I suppose," sjnd C^^^^^^^^^^^ .. You know those op-um farme«^>^«^„ ^ .. ^pium is .. What does that "^f"^'T ^e able to get a pipe, and opium 1 suppose ; 1 shall, "° d°"j';;net you know, and then S soon as I. have got the thmg^, I w. y^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^, tVshall meet at -Y hou-- W-^^^^^^i, himself to the exper. s t,r tt "hef--- -' -^'' "°'^^- " ; ^^^^triyel-they.Ucrled^-^- was sUll abstracted, and deep Y pl^nj^^ ..j f.^l bound in fair- "'f.Meanwhile,"contmuedv^nRheun ^^ ^^^ defended his ness to confess that our tnena ^^^^ say that I corps to take offence at them. ^^ ^^^ arguments, he "But " continued van Rheijn, ^un ^jgery, will never persuade me that "P'^^^ ^^^^^'^y Xn^tr^ drink." Indthatonumisagreatercujetoacoun^^^^ ^ ^^^ While this discussion J^^^Jf^^^^off ^to the authorities at written his ^^ports and had sent the^^^ p^ssangrahan in tmie Santjoemeh, and '^^^^^ 8°* S of opium smoking. Hea^o theS-Pon at once P«t in h.s word. ^^^ ^,^ f ; t .. Well, gentlemen," said he J^e^^^^^^ ^^ ,he truth of possible opportunity of ^f^'^^"/ ° ^^jty is, in fact, too good to W Grenits- argument Ih^w;^ y^^^; n,ost wretched o be neglected. You are here mo opium-monopoly. U aU dissas which ^^^.i^^S^rme Kaligaweh was rernarkable is not very long ago that th'^ ^^"^^ i^ost prosperous of all our as one of the cleanest, nea est, and mosii w Everything 5avTnese villages. Now, ^"^^^"^"jty The' huts are, almost s neglected, and is falling "to dec^^j^ j^ad to the dessa, and all, tumbling to rum-the "^o^f' ^"' j ^^d, and of the well- thich run through i^' ^I^ ^//^^.r^hich once separated these trimmed and ^^^^" ^^"^^^'.^Sge now remains. It is hardly roads from the fields, not a ves g ^j^^^^ 1 he ten o'clock as yet, and the ^""1-den ^^ "° J ^^^^^ ^^mg to inhabitants, moreover, are in a state ot 1 88 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIBND. 189 that murder, and are also disturbed by the presence of so many European gentlemen. They are, therefore, wide awake. In the opium-den you will be able to feast your eyes, and satisfy your curiosity." At the proposal all the young men had jumped to their feet — all but van Nerekool who, with his head still resting on his hand, seemed unconscious of what was going on around him. "Come, Charles," said Verstork, laying his hand on his friend's shoulder, " come, Charles, you will come along with us, won't you?" The young lawyer started as if awakened out of a dream. " Where are you going to ? " asked he, with so genuine an air of surprise, as made it evident that he had not heard one word of what was going on around him. Said Verstork, " We are off to the opium-den." " To the opium-den ! " cried van Nerekool, in a tone of alarm, •' to the opium-den, surely you are not going — " " To smoke," said Verstork. " No, no, my friend, you need not be alarmed, we are only going to have a look. But," con- tinued he, " gentlemen, you must make up your minds to see some very unpleasant sights, for, I think, to-night the den happens to be very full. " But, wait a bit, if you intend really to gain some insight into these opium matters, we must — " And, turning to one of the policemen who was always in attendance, he said : " Sariman, run and call the two Chinamen of the opium-store — tell them I want to speak to them, at once." "Very well, kandjengtoean." " One moment, gentlemen ! otherwise you would miss the most interesting part of the show." They had but a very short time to wait, for the two China- men came running up as soon as they received the message: " Come, quick, quick, the noble noble lord calls you ! " When the Chinamen reached the group, Verstork said to his friends : " Now, then, gentlemen, let us go." " But," said one of the Chinamen, in a somewhat insolent tone of voice, when he saw that his presence was wholly ignored, " But you sent for us, sir." " Hold your tongue, babah," said Verstork, briefly ; " we are going to pay a visit to your opium-den. You come along with us. • ^.n I " cried the babah, "then I will go. "To the opium-den! crieu mc '"f. yL stay here v,Uh me ; both of you," .aU .h= Controller i„ JoreS.ho,i.y»hich.heyaared-.d.oLe^^^^ ^^ ____^ The wo Celesml».nterchanged looks ,D> „t,e, one word and »lg>J» ^JY^ Sd the chapel at the The opium-den at Kalip«en lay " visitors, therefore, eastern ex.reu,i.y of the ,loon^oon The v^^^ ^ ?4thed\it'^Su es^SS. Lnsed hy the Dutch ruler. -'So.clinly.it .as.no. > P'-J.t;iS\S°« "f *= maiesUcany, in «|= /SSr.rruSlxcheqLr. Not at rSlfo^el^*a-S;nLt^hich'pours millions up. on millions into the treasury. squalid, filthy little No. a thousand t™^% "? L }L S old tumble-down barn bamboo building, which lo°^f.^, '""J^^" "L long neglect, and or shed. The walls were par mlly rotten by i^^ ^^^ gave out the pecuhar «^?^^*y "^f^^/^S "^^^^^ in upon the ?oof, bulging in here ^."^.^^^'^^jjfe^arestructu^ was a picture heads of the visitors within. The ^^ ^f ^^^ den completely of decay and desolation, and t"^ mside o .^ ^^^^^ correspUd -^^^ ^J^^.^Zoi waS extremely low, and mouldy walls and that hall 'Ot«" ' - j ji^e, but was Se dalip "TX''"k:sT,e"s cSswSS. 'mell .hU is the permeated with the offensive »« V ™ . ,„ „, bmng opium, invariable and un"lst.k.We ctoactK^st^ ^^^ ^^.^ ^^ The floor of the f^V^^^^S^ is the case in almost all bd""s:l'es°':r'rclSe!rharU*ed\ill the, looUed ='"S:„?t;^«,.he»mo.y.^ola^^^^^^^^ t?itor:bo%rS»s"S'SeC him, would not let h,m igo BABOE DAI.IMA; OR, Utter a sound and in a threatening tone of voice whispered to him : " Be quiet, bahah." When the visitors liad entered they found themselves in a small square apartment at the end of which was a partition with two doors and a small opening. " That door," said the Controller, who acted as guide, pointing to one of them, " opens into a little room in winch one of the storekeepers generally sits, and through that little square open- ing hands to the customers bits of red paper covered with Chinese characters. The buyers of opium have to pay ready money for one of these tickets which represents a greater or smaller quantity of tjandoe according to the price paid. With that bit of paper the purchaser then vanishes through that other door." " What a beastly hole, to be sure 1 " remarked Grenits. " Oh I " replied Verstork, " this is only the anteroom. Wait until you get inside and then you will see something much better than this." Thus speaking he pushed open the second bamboo door which did not turn on hinges but was fastened to the door-post with loops and ran squeaking and scraping along a bit of smooth wood. This door gave access to a narrow passage which would have been in total darkness but for the hazy light of a few wretched oil-wicks which could only just be seen glimmering, through the chinks of the bamboo partition on either side. In this passage the atmosphere was still more stuffy and the nasty smell of the madat still more nauseous. The floor of the passage was so uneven, so slippery and so indescribably filthy, that it required the greatest care to keep on one's Ifegs at all, and to prevent oneself from slipping down full length into the soapy mud. This passage ran down the centre of the barn and on either side of it were rows of pens twelve in number, the entire barn being thus divided into twenty-four partitions. The partition walls did not exceed four or live feet in height, so that from one pen one could easily look into another. These compartments had each a door which opened upon the passage in which the European visitors were standing. " May we open one of these doors ? " asked van Beneden, as he stretched out his hand to one of them. " You may not, sir ! " cried one of the Chinamen who, having noticed the gesture, understood the meaning of the question. THE OPIUM FIEND. I9t ™ju vou I " said Verstork, in a loud tone « Hold you tongue, will you • ^aia j^^, » of voice. "You be off. °"*.f .'^.^^^^^^^ t"^"^'* *°>'' And after the Chmaman had d^s^ppea . ^ ^^^ ^^ .^^„ friends, and sa.d : '' ^ ^o "° ,f ^ Lough what is gomg on those filthy holes. We f n see ^^,^^^ ^^^ ^eed, I inside through the chmKS m "' i ., g ^q enter. Seve, we/hall thus see more A^^^^^^ - ^J ^^.^er in the first " Look," contmued he, tnere yuu stage of intoxication." Javanese. There he lay Yes' there, on the baleh balen, lay «! j ^ ^^^^ g,^ on the only Article of f^ "Thllf ' ecSSng or. his side. He fetched out full.len^h, and ha^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^ Ho;.t.d had thrown off his head-clo^h and \ench. His eyes over the disgustmgly filthy P»''°^. P" ^alf closed, and which betra/ed his ecst^^J^jt ^^^^^^^^^ ''^"^ ^^' '""^ every now and then, he brought ^"n^.^ 6 ^.^^^^- on a 'of hTs opium pipe to the t;ny^ame which ^ ^^ bit of wick dipping ma httle saucer ^ ^ ^^^^ head, partly s"PPO^tf^°">t'itmboo stem of the pipe between iorward, as he took the thick bamoo ^^^ smoke of the his lips. Then, very slowly, h^ '^^ ^„^„ the pipe and kindling opium. After a few puff^ he P ^^^^ ^^^ turned over on his back' *iis heaoi ^^^ ^^^^.^^^ ^ ^ The smoker "^^ ^^^^^^^..^''tSrsn^Sce he had inhaled As mieht and main to swallow the smoKe i ^^.^^ "o?n as he had succeeded in do>"g„ J*" J^^V ^veT his counten- alook of satisfaction =^"d enj^^ent^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^, ance That look of satisfaction, hoover, o ^^^^ Snt;ast with the -bole -teri°r a^^-nc^^^^^^^^ the ^^^^ with.the features on which 't aPP^e^- ^^^ now lay ^oteSXby b': sht1"hfch":S the filthiest and most admirably fitted to take b'^ l^J^^^^^^^ery rfb in his body, and faint light of the little Pfb^sh^ed every ^^^^ ^^^ the dark shadows which they cyt showed ^^^l ^^^^ j.^^ cavities between that trellis yo« °J bone^ ^^^^ ^^^ sticks encased in brown lealher4^keskin^ ij^ appearance of visible, being covered by the^«i^2thrgarmentr^^^^^ ^at the feet, which Fotrudedfroni under ig ^^.^ ^^^ like the arms the legs a^o were notti. g ^^^ he had When the man had, for awhile, held tne smo THE OPIUM FIEND. 193 193 BABOIi! DALIMA ; OR, swallowed, he blew it out again very slowly through his nostrils, a proceeding which it took some time to accomplish— then he turned over on his side and appeared to fall into a deep sleep. At that sight a female form, which had been crouching in one corner of the compartment, and had thus remained unnoticed, rose up and made for the door. The poor creature had been present there all the time — In her haste to leave the wretched little ajiartment, she nearly ran up against the European gentlemen. " Oh, heavens ! the devil I " she cried ; but, in the darkness, she could not recognise anyone, and so she hurried into a neighbouring recess. In that recess, the spectacle was more horrifying still. There, stretched out on the baleh baleh, lay an old Javanese. He was as angular, as emaciated, and as much wasted away, as the other man ; but he was in another stage of intoxication. He had smoked more than one madat ball, hence he was in a different state of ecstasy. His hollow, sunken eyes glittered with unwonted fire ; his breast heaved, and his face wore a bestial grin, the lower jaw protruding far beyond the upper stamping the features with the mark of the brutal passions which were raging within. The upper part of his body also was bare, but the violence of the passions which possessed him caused his entire frame to heave and quiver, and had made him cast aside even his sarong, so that now he lay there in the state in which the patriarch Noah was discovered by his sons. No sooner had the creaking door given admittance to the woman than he called out sharply to her : " Where have you been all this time ? Come, make haste, get me another pipe." The wretched creature obeyed without a murmur. She advanced to the baleh baleh, took some tandjoe out of a small box, warmed it at the flame of the palita, and then mixed it with a little very finely cut tobacco. Then she rolled it in her fingers into a little ball about the size of a large pea, put this into the bowl of the opium pipe, and handed it to the wretched smoker. During these operations, and when she leaned forward to hand him the pipe, the miserable smoker, no longer master of his passions, and wholly unable to restrain himself, had acted in a manner so outrageously indecent, that Grashuis cried out: THE Ql'li"" ' . - nff I cannot .voUina> Come, let us be off, I « Oh. this is too revoUmg ^^^^^ ^^sNar^oment a cry .as heard a little u ^^ Beneden, hardly able to p ^^^^^ ^^^^ "Come along. ^^.pstY." said Grashuis , ^y^g once aB»i" '\'" l™! care," said h=. "J"' " so„„ find me ..I shall take 8°;* %,'Batavia, """'f "''„t and, ho«evet opium matlets. '''''' •ovemment appomtment an ^ ^^ „l,olly""«"°'!.°' ^hl t should find no y" „hole Galpendam m, sufeno ^^ ,^^^_ I mo XlhSttJ;„„,,.,,amno.boundh,an,.u*c„n. 194 BABOE DALIMAj OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. J95 age came rushing out of the lofcthsome den, she sobbed and moaned as she ran past the European gentlemen. "Oh this is fearful — this is fearful," cried Grenits, "and then tohavetostandstill while such horrors are going on ! Ishould like to — But — " continued he as he turned to van Beneden, " will you still maintain that opium is in its effects to be com- pared to drink." August van Beneden diil not reply ; but the deepest indigna- tion was visible in his countenance. " Co:ne," said Verstork, as he tried to calm his friend, " let us not remain standing here, men, women and children are beginning to crowd round." " Those people," cried Grenits, " were just now looking on at those filthy scenes through the chinks of the bamboo walls." "And," said van Beneden, "the opium farmers did not try to prevent them, but seemed on the contrary to encourage them. I could see it all plainly enough." " Come," said Verstork again, " let us be off. Let us go and sit down again under the Wariengien tree. Oppas," continued he to one of the policemen who always kept near him, " you go and tell these dessa people that they are to go home — it is time for all to go to sleep." CHAPTER XVI. THE OPIUM-MONOPOLY. A QUIET CHAT. THE people of Kaligaweh were quiet folk, and did as they were tuld. Very soon the dessa had resumed its ordin- ary peaceful appearance, and thj liitle group of European gentlemen were once again seated under the widtly-spreading crown of the gigantic wild-fig tree. But if, a short time ago, they had paid but very little attention to the wondrous beauties of the tropical night, their visit to the opium-den made them still more indifferent to its attractions. As soon as they were again seated, the conversation, naturally enough, turned upon the terrible scenes which they had witnessed. " In that passage," said Grashuis, who, as surveyor, was ac- 1 ^Unrf^ *' there were A ,„ take to I'M' :.^n;tuS„StShai«e„>.y. U^s. 196 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 197 intention to appoint Setrosmito, the poor devil who just now has got himself into trouble, and it was only because the man could neither read nor write that I had to give up the idea. The inquiries, however, which I then was forced to make, re- vealed to me the startling fact that women, and even children of eight or nine years of age use opium. They actually scrape out the father's pipe in order to get hold of the fatal narcotic." " But," remarked van Beneden, "Kaligaweh probably forms an exception." "Not by any means," rejoined Verstork, testily ; "during my official career I have been stationed in several residencies, and I venture to affirm that, as far as opium is concerned, their condition is much the same as that in Santjoeraeh. You will find hundreds of dessas in the island like Kaligaweh." "I suppose," put in Grenits, " we must except the Preanger districts ? " " Oh yes, certainly," assented Verstork, " the use of opium is altogether forbidden there." " And does that work well ? " " Excellently," said Verstork. " That is, I have no doubt," asked Grashuis, " a tentative measure on the part of the Government which, if it succeeds, will be extended to the whole of Java ? " "Not at all," replied Verstork. "In the first place the prohibition has been in force too long to be merely tentative for it dates back as far as 1824 ; and then, in the next, it was not at all adopted with the view of checking the abuse of opium ; but merely because it was feared that the people would take to coffee-stealing in order to be able to satisty their craving." " Come," said van Rheijn, " that is not at all a bad idea." " Is it possible," exclaimed Grashuis, " to conceive a more cynical confession of the fact that opium demoralises the people ? " " And if," continued Grenits, " you add that confession to the scenes which we have just witnessed, then put the question seriously to yourselves : is there any truth in the assertion made by van Rheijn and backed up by van Beneden, that the abuse of opium can in any way be compared to the abuse of alcohol, or put on the same level with it ? No, no, in my opinion, it is infinitely more deplorable 1 " "Such is my opinion also," assented Verstork; "every attempt made to put down or to limit the extent of opium- smoking and to check its abuse, must be looked upon as an ,et of much greater Ph^f hr°py t^^^^^ friends of temperance or the pre ^"^vls-butwhat?" crif an^^^^^^^^^ ,,tempt is a direct blow " But " contmued he, evciy aimed at the revenue at home. _, "."^^fTZ SagaT.°e"*°— ''r,°?nS^^^^^^^^^ vanRheij,. ".he, 2:t''^,S'S^s;tt*j«-«-7°';; 5-rJ:5^^S7;=.r.V-n..oe.ee.a» ' V^V^h'-r^rctX'aa Rheiin and van Beneden a. .n P'?.'^v" > gentlemen," asW ^^HxJeSSSVds me now, »e *=»-'■ l^evTap on the shonldets ot the ^HS^^tetv^toV;^;^"^"--"''"^ 198 BABOE DALIMA; or, THE OPIUM FIEND. 199 " If you will take the trouble to look into the matter," said Grenits, "you will find that they do not pay anything like what the people have to pay here. Then again, I ask, do they not exceed all bounds and limits in increasing the burdens, al- ready too heavy, which the poor native population has to bear ? " " I quite agree with you there," said Verstork. " Do they not," continued Grenits, "exceed all limits in the pitiful and niggardly way in which they treat their soldiers out here ? " " How so ? " asked van Rheijn. " Why, to give you but one instance, by loudly declaring that there is peace at Atjeh — a peace which has no real existence whatever — and thereby robbing the poor soldiers and doing them clean out of their already too meagre pay ? " " Oh, what need we bother ourselves about those soldier fellows ! " cried van Rheijn. " Do they not again," continued Grenits, " overpass all reasonable limits, by encouraging and fostering the abuse of opium ? " " Now, that is too bad," cried van Beneden, " now you are going too far ; that accusation of yours is not a fair one." "You think so, do you?" said Grenits. "Well then just take Band's book in hand. There you will find proof abso- lute of the fact that it is, and has always been, the policy at the Hague to encourage and to foster the opium-trade as much as possible. Figures are stubborn things — ^just listen to what they have to say. In 1832, the opium revenue amounted to three millions, in 1842 it rose to very nearly sevtn millions. In 1870 it was quite ten millions, in 1880 it amounted to thirteen millions. In 1885 that same revenue rose to nineteen millions; and now, in 1886, it is estimated at quite twenty one millions, and our House of Rejjresentatives has accepted that estimate without the slightest demur, and without one word of jjrotest. Of course, every now and then, there is a great moan made in political and in other circles at home, and a ureat deal is said about the iniquities of the opium trade ; but, for all that, the authorities have their hands perfectly free and are encouraged by all parties to squeeze out of that trade as much as it can be made to yield." " But, excuse me," asked van Rheijn, " is it not one of the first duties of every government to make an impost as produc- tive as possible ? " • »iv therein that lies the m- . , , ;. is -and it is precisely ^f.^^ op''"™'""""^"/' '' S'''"'"i\helmorali/.ing tendency of the o^^ ^^^^.^ t,jds. morality and the de. ^^^ f^,,„ers to inc ^^^^ You see, m f^'^^^ „ust be encojaged^ ^,„ ^^^ the abuse of the cuug .^^^ ^J'^.^f aktiest means seem natives are dr>ven, we m y y ^^^ the dir est ^^^^ by every n^^^"^'^„'cr Just read pur local ^^^'^ ^^ich to have the P^^f^'.^^f hint, at the '"famous annoy ^^^^ laudable object of ^« „f as few people as pos^^^^^ leaving K wuhn. the reac^^^^^,,^^ Tcreasing the sale, that principle, theretore, 7 gnue by. increasing which tends to -"J'^X^Sf Secretary rehes "P°;,;^„%fhave But, at ^^^^"tr/o? increasing the -revenue JV',en^,,d ^, as a regular "^^J before us, facts ^;\»^J""" renounce this such facts as these beio ^^^^ j^ven to pr"" f^^y demonstration then we^iee^^ and o-^^^ abuse of opium judgment : Our go ^^^^^ ^^^ ^ "'Consent to forego entire population . , That is a rather strong v»c.ntly (or » "-"S "Z^to he ^ undetslood the q«« , ri ™p7ed^„ „, .ere he procured .Uho„. *e «« Yet that same poison m^y 200 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 20I slightest difficulty, nay more than that, is actually forced upon the poor people in the most shameless manner by the Chinese scoundrels who keep the opium dens. And that goes on under the eyes, and with the full cognizance, sanction, and under the protection of the IJutch Government." "You are growing tiresome," sneered van Rheijn, "you keep on harping on that one string — the Dutch Government — The fact is, my dear fellow, you are tarred with the self-same brush of discontent as all the manufacturers and merchants out here in India." "Why should 1 not be?" cried Grenits passionately. "I do not always agree with all their opinions ; but yet I do form a part of that important commercial body ; and when a question arises which eflects the vital interests of industry and commerce —Well, yes, then you maysaythati amtarredwiththesame brush." " But have these grumblers really so very much to complain of? " asked Grashuis in a bantering tone of voice. " I should think they have," replied Grenits. •' Under our present system we are not only flayed ; but we are sucked dry, in a manner which, elsewhere, would drive men to open rebellion. When the Dutch revolted against Spain, and when the Belgians rose up in arms against the Dutch, neither of them had anything like so much to complain of as we have here, — neither of them suffered anything like the extortion which the Indo-Europeans have to put up with at the hands of their present oppressors." " Oh, oh, oh ! " cried several voices. "We have now to pay duties and taxes compared to which the tithes at which our ancestors rebelled were the merest child's play. And then, in return, what rights do we enjoy? — If one could, on so serious a subject, be capable of indulging in a sorry joke — I might say that we have the privilege only of having absolutely no rights at all. For, that which here in India goes by the name of law and justice, is in realitynothing more than the merest burlesque ; and that is especially true in all matters which concern the revenue. Wherever there is a little money to be made, the State flings itself upon its victims as some ravenous beast leaps upon its prey, and then one may look in vain for the smallest protection — least of all in any case which concerns that imperium in imperio the terrible opium monopoly ! " " You are exaggerating, you are talking wildly ! " cried van Rheijn. J /- ^„if« ■ " but iust take up that "I wish I were," continued Gremts, ^^^ ^^.^^^„ y^ ^ terrible book ' ^f'^^ ^^"'"f /See a? Batavia. who was for- merly, for many years, A"P^".^ president of the Resi Tnd for half an ordinary W^^™^^;''^! ^ ought to know, and deStLl Council. A mari ^'^^;^^^l^Z, ani then-when you who does know what he is talking . exaggerating. Jav°e read what he has fj -V-^^f i^lher g-m^lf ^ ' " Sd "Oh, the writer of that booK ^^^ ^^^j^ ^,orid van Rheijn, "whose .0"^^ °KdSii istration." . against the functionaries of our Adn« ^^ ^^.^^ against a n an ^"That is a very heavy accusaiiu who has had the plain unvarnished trutn. ^ y gratitude!" , . ^ ,„ ^.u^iin "lam not at all surprised ^ "Oh yes!" cried yf^J;^^^'i"^estasies about that man and to find you commercial men '" ^^^f.*'f course meat and drink.' abouhfsbook. ToallgrumWer^i sofcou^^i^^,,„its, ..,|,at "'..Let me tell V""' ;;yXt f^Uo .^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^n those whom you ca U grumblers "r^^^;know."said^C^sSeSi:Si;^^ rpro7rs:s^oove-e- ^^^^_,^. .., ..Tame insurgents! , ^""J^^f^ot at home taunt us much insurgents ! By heaven ! l^^^J^^" ^^^^i, „,ore, and they will be loniier with that name. A very ""^ ^^'^ „hich will prove IXr wits' end to deal wU^. an nurrec^ itself anything but tame. IJ"" ' '"^y^^t ^t Atjeh, they had to o carry on a miserable war Uke that ^ J^^^ ^^ ^^ sweep up the scum of ^"'"P^i'de the poor wretches whom Sm ?n our town-t hom ^^^l^^ P'-sant refram •. they manage to F^ss for^tnat ^^^ ^^^^^ ^ To Atjeh I will 6° • • • 302 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 203 "Grenits, Grenits!" cried Verstork, trying to calm his friend's growing excitement. " Yes," said he, " my dear Verstork, I am wrong and I am going too far, 1 have very nearly done. But those heedless words, ' tame insurgents,' have worked a great deal more mis- cliief than those who first uttered them could possibly foresee. They have proved to us that, in our lawful resistance to extor- tion, we have nothing to expect but only contempt and abuse. May God in his mercy protect Holland ! But I have good reason to know that if a man were to arise amongst us possessed of the necessary talent for organisation, and one who, at the same time, had sufficient tact to gather around him all that dis- content which at present is jjowerless because it is divided amongst itself — If such a man, I say, were to arise who could make the most of the utter state of perplexity they are in yonder — we, the ' tame insurgents,' would make our mother country pass through very evil days indeed ! " " Well," said van Rheijn, " all that is not so very formidable after all. In case matters came to the worst, the army would know how to do its duty." " Its duty ! " cried Grenits. " That sounds well from you who just now were the first to scoff at those ' soldier fellows'. But I ask you this one question : — Has the Government any right whatever to reckon upon the fulfilment of that duty? Has it not neglected, in the most shameful manner, its duty towards that army? I will allow — I am indeed fully persuaded— :-that in spite of any treatment the officers would stick to their duty, and would do it strictly and honourably. But — I can one expect as much from all the foreigners, which have been shipped out hither? Why, even now in Atjeh, they are deserting to the enemy with bag and baggage, with arms and ammunition — and, in the case I was supposing, they would go over in entire com- panies. Can one look for any sense of duty iu these poor wretched native soldiers, who have almost to a man, by the most shameful means — by opium, by gambling, by the allure- ments of the vilest women — been pressed into the service. No, no, pray don't go on deceiving yourselves." " There I " cried van Rheijn, " now you are simply talking treason — your language is seditious." "Treason, do you call it?" cried Grenits, passionately. " When I do nothing more than lay my finger upon the wound?" "Gentlemen," said Verstork interposing, "methinks it is high time to close this discussion. Such topics are very apt to to retire. r rnshuis " that old Muizenkop was not " I am very glad," said Grashms, u a to-morro^v present at this <^.°"^"f";3-v,,,"eU„own all about it^ Evening the Resident would have know ^^^ ^^^^.^^^^ verse, with no doubt the necessay ^^^^ ^^^ ^ pression. matter with you, old fellow?" absent all day, you must be .11 1 fe^u! " No, William, I am not ill, but 1 teei so vc y '''" Wretched!" said Verstork, "come now, tell us all about i,thTrra ood fellow, let m^^^^^^^^^^ you recollect our conversation of last baturaay g ^"'^EvJrv word of it," replied Verstork. " I then told youthat in one'wVek's time 'l. w'ould give y- -^ ^J^^Uy ad sideredyour love affair with M,ss van Gulpendam a very business. That week is up to-day-.s it not ? "Yes, my friend." said van Nf;f^°°^^i;;7,3t^^^^^^^ ^any Cgrha^Te^h^^pentr rupprXt^^on Saturday 204 THE OPIUM FIEND. 205 BABOE DALIMA; OR, last you knew that Resident van Gulpendam was not at all well disposed towards me ? " To that (luestion Verstork gave no direct reply ; but he insisted upon being told all that had taken place. "Come," said he, "come, Charles, tell me all about it. You know perfectly well that you have in me a true friend. Let us hear all about it." " But," replied van Nerekool, " you want rest. You ought to go to sleep. To-morrow you have a hard day before you," "Oh!" said Verstork, lightly, "nevermind about that. I have often enough gone the rounds of the government coffee- plantations, and have passed many a sleepless night in the dessas with quite as hard a day in prospect as to-morrow is likely to be. I can very easily afford an old friend like you an hour or so of sleep. Do pray speak out." Charles van Nerekool hesitated no longer. He felt indeed in great need of sympathy ; and wanted, above all things, to pour lout his heart to his friend. He began his story therefore, by telling him how, on the occasion of the State-ball, he had declared his love to Anna. In the most vivid colours he described to his friend that happy moment in which, carried away by the excitement of the dance and the glorious tones of AVeber's waltz, he had allowed the long-treasured secret of his heart to escape from him ; and his rapture when the girl, whom he so dearly loved, had uttered the one little word which assured him that she returned his affection. He told him of that sacred moment when their lips first met in the garden. •' Oscula qui sumpsit, si non et caetera siimpsit Hacc quoque quae data sunt, perdcre dignus era I," muttered Verstork to himself. He, in his youth, had studied the classics, and now he could not help smiling as he recalled the two well-known lines from Ovid's Ars Aniandi. But when he saw with what a sorrowful shake of the head his friend answered the half audible quotation, he at once discovered how deep a wound had been struck into that poor heart. The story of that blissful love-scene and of those happy moments spent in the garden of the Residence in the shade of the Padan arbour, was followed by an equally graphic description of the rude awakening out of that dream of love and felicity. Charles van Nerekool went on telling his friend how Mrs. van Gulpendam had broken in upon the interview — he told him all Laurenlia. . ., „,.,pj over the Controllers lips u Well, go on, I am all ears. ^T„,«irr.nl " I paid a visit to .. S nixl diy." ■»»«»»"* ™3 r„;fl iould do ; in order the Residence, as I had P"""^* ^™L fo "her hand. I had i„ la, before her father oy '"""S^'i^u ; and it «as not '; Jdffic^,^ j ob^n^ -„-Kle tin-etha. I go. .0 be riSSi«5t";«-ce°f *=r'^^^ ,,, „,„ his hrst J^s^lTeic-ol'SenTfaare'rn.e^r .hi oSce in »h.ch he "'..'?l'h"e nS «ry mnch time .0 spare, therefore I beg yon "•''ifMnrGnt^S' I began, 'y-te-aay I -^d -me talk with Miss Ann''r1'"J„, , „ied he, inlerrnpting my open- " ' Do pray set sail at once, cneu , jawdhng. . I i„g speecS, • I teil VJ »S^'°J SnU it a very proper thing K^X'f rge\'a v4o^t'"'°lnTlsrman si; S^ifc":^ Vfhar^&n^nd trimming are not to my taste, I can tell you' ^^^^^^ told Mrs. van '.<«My dear sir!' "»e<*.^^^' ^„ "^^^ the surroundings had Gulpendam that the ^''^^^^^^^f ^f ^ow, and it always was, quite throwmne off my guard It ^^ "° '^ daughter's I, intention to ask you fair =^nd J^^^tion of any intrigues hand. There can, between us, be no q (.^, „dam, has or mysteries, and my F^,^Xe t J ;«« my love to Miss Anna, no other motive than to declare to you y ^^^ ^^.^^ . and to obtain YO-J^.S the wld it in that quarter? You " ' So, so,' said he, does tne wu , ^ Quid you -o^-='SS?«'-e,e.«s most importance, saia i, ama 2o6 BABOE DALIMA; OR, sea-jargon. ' In heaven's name let us lay aside all jesting. I simply have the honour of asking you for the hand of your daughter.' " ' Mr. van Nerekool,' he replied, ' I also am in a most serious mood.' This he said in a somewhat nettled tone, however, not another nautical expression passed his lips during the in- terview. ' How can you suspect me of jesting, when I ask you whetlier you can surmise to what decision I am about to come with regard to your question ? ' " ' I hope,' cried I, ' that your decision will not be unfavour- able to me ! Oh, sir, I love Miss Anna with all my heart and with all my soul ! ' ^ "'Of course, of course,' said he, 'these are the regular stock phrases of all lovers. Now, are you really and seriously in love with her ? ' " ' How can you ask such a question ? ' cried I, vehemently. " ' Well,' replied van Gulpendam, ' I have my reasons, — and they are very good reasons too — for doing so. You had an interview yesterday evening with my wife, had you not ? ' " ' Yes, Resident,' was my reply. "'And the conversation you then held with her opened up to you the prospect of a future career. I think I am right there ?' was his second question. "I simply sat staring at the man in utter amazement. Never, never, could it have come into my head that he and his wife were of the same way of thinking in such a matter as that." " Why not, pray ? " asked Verstork, very quietly. " Why, my dear friend, I looked upon the Resident as worldly and frivolous indeed ; but I thought he was an honour- able man, and one who kept himself altogether clear of the intrigues in which his wife ai)pears to dabble." Again the bitter smile curved Verstork's lips ; but in the deep shadow of the the Wariengien tree, van Nerekool failed to perceive it. "Go on," said Verstork, who, though deeply moved, spoke in so perfectly quiet and composed a tone of voice, that his friend did not notice his feelings. "To his last question," resumed van Nerekool, "I replied, ' Yes, Resident, you are right. Mrs. van Gulpendam did make me certain proposals.' "'She spoke to you then of your future prospects, as well as on the subject of your present request ? ' asked the Resi- dent. (I f * THE OPIUM FIEND. .. . Ve, R«iden.; ..» n>y reply.-indeed I ..» g-lng ven, practical common sense. ^^.^j^,,^ y^^ will not.ce .^ "My dear Wilham ! at ^f'fy .j^e of my request, upon cast a 'grave ^-P't^eSe" hap;"rdepenled, I felt, as tt which, however "^ .™^,J; f^m under me. were, the ground ^.^^"g^f^/^rdespair, ' do you really know " ' But, Resident, I /"^^'.^" _ ' e to me ? ' what Mrs. van Gulpendam did propose ^^^^^^^^^^ „„,k,„g '"Well, yes,'he said, m ^ ^^ry oH "lanQ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ manner, 'l^^^'J :^\^::X^^L^^or to the present Chair- the prospect of bemg appomtea s ■ ,^^nt position, I man of the Council ^^ fan^^^^^^^l^'obably be permanently con- think she told y°%";f;,:,SVirnot refuse you her daughters ferred upon you. Further sneaiu ^ ^^^^j You hand-Shorn you declare that you l^ve ^y^^ ^^^^^^ ^,p„„ see I am pretty well '"f°™f ^u^ T^a antees I can give you me this morning to ^^fjf^^j" jS-and allow me to teU you that these F0P°^^^%!'' i^Vn"^^^^^^^ certainly take-then, I ^^^^:^^^-S% motives, stung me to jq^rt^rSnS^^^^^^^^^^ --' '-'' warmly, ' I was not '".^'\%^^f ^^^e ^morning in order to Still less, if possible did 1 ^^JJjt ^f all this was present to my Mrs van Gulpendam made ™e las "'ght ^ ^^^^ ^.^. ..'Indeed,' said he very coolly, ^^^ ^ j„ that case understood you altogether Mr. van Ne. e ^^ ^^ ^ , with what intention did you put tjat q , ,„ gn- " ' ^'^^-^ '"r Z "Sru awU &Mrs. van^Gulpendam tion was simply this. Are ) ou a , JJ^^^i Lr'no^.tS .a^n.0 W* ment?' 208 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 209 " ' My dear sir, you must be dreaming,' said he in the same tone of banter. " ' Are you aware,' I still continued, ' that the prospect of obtaining your daughter's hand, that honours and promotion were offered me at the price of a human life ? ' " ' Now Mr. van Nerekool,' cried van Gulpendam with much assumed indignation, ' now you are going too far ! I forbid you to utter such insinuations and to make such charges against my wife. What ! you come here to me to ask me for my daughter's hand, and you think you will obtain your re- quest, I suppose, by heaping insults and slanders upon the mother of the woman you pretend to love ! ' " ' Insults and slanders ! ' I exclaimed. " At these words of mine he cooled down immediately. " ' Well,' said he, ' perhaps the expression is too strong. There must be some misunderstanding.' And then, very quietly, he went on : ' Your proposal, Mr. van Nerekool, is a great honour both to my daughter and to myself. It has, however, come upon me so very unexpectedly that I feel sure you will allow me some time for reflection. I must indeed take some little time to consider a matter upon which the entire happiness of my daughter will depend. Moreover, you see there can be no hurry. Anna is very young — she is in- deed much too young to think of marriage just yet.' " ' You do not therefore deprive me of hope ? ' I exclaimed and, in my excitement, I seized his hand and held it. " He looked at me in astonishment. ' I can promise you nothing, absolutely nothing, Mr. van Nerekool. Anna has plenty of time before her, she can take a year— two years, perhaps — before she decides upon a step which involves a union for life. By that time we can talk over these matters again. Meanwhile — ' He broke off hesitating. " ' Meanwhile ? ' I asked almost breathlessly. " ' Meanwhile,' he continued very coldly, ''you will do well not to continue your visits at the Residence. I know you do not wish to compromise a simple-hearted and honest young girl, I shall, therefore, not expect to see you here excepting, of course, at our official receptions.' "That was plain speaking enough,— was it not William? It was tantamount to a refusal." Verstork looked at his friend with very real and deep sympathy. " I had a presentiment," he said, " of the trouble that was .. „„ vo. , «embe, in*, manner I «cei«d your .-ifli^ThS^flStSr^ my dear fellow, was the and nrove wholesome to yo"J " , Come along, work to morrow we must get .some s^ep ^^^^^ ^^^ y 2IO BABOE DALIMA; OR, CHAP TER XVII. IN THE DJOERANG PRINGAPOES. TOEAAN ! — Toeaaan ! — Toeaaaan ! — Such were the most unwelcome sounds which, a few hours later, were heard in the hut in which all our friends lay heavily sleeping. Gentle sleep had, at length, taken compassion on poor van Nerekool also. For a long time after his conversation with Verstork; he had not been able to close an eye ; and had been tumbling and tossing about and making the crazy couch creak and groan to such an extent that Leendert Grashuis and August van Beneden, who were close beside him, had uttered many an angry exclamation : " For heaven's sake keep quiet ! don't keep rolling about like that — it is enough to make a fellow sea-sick — " and then again : "The majesty of the law seems uncommonly restless to- night ; perhaps tiie mosquitoes trouble it, or an unquiet con- science, or a fit of the blues." But at length, thank God, Charles had fallen into a deep sleep ; he was not destined, however, very long to enjoy that blissful rest. "Toeaan ! Toeaaan ! " Thus once again the voice began to cry. It was the voice of Verstork's servant who had got the watchman of the guard-house to Wake him, and was now very cautiously trying to rouse his master out of his sleep. But the Javanese servant felt that he was engaged in a very ticklish duty ; and he set about it with all the circumspection which he was aware such unpleasant duties required. He knew, by sad experience, that European gentlemen are apt to lose their temper when suddenly, at a very early hour, they are aroused out of a delightful sleep ; therefore, on all such occasions the wily Javanese serving-man preferred to keep at a respectful distance from his Kandjeng toean, who, he knew, might at such a time be easily moved to raise his hand and deal him a sound box on the ears for his trouble. Not that Verstork was at all given to such rough usage of his servants ; on the contrary, he was known and beloved among the natives for his kindly consideration, and for the coolness THE OPIUM FIEND. 211 . • . „, «nt this was a wholly exceptional occasion, of h,s tempe . Bat th wa ^J^^^ .^^.^^^^^ f being and one could never ten wiu . , ^ projuce. It «;;''rnL' d;s"»4e- «„. ve.... did „o. ^, ""Toeaan ! Kandjeng toeaan !" :r ^uSed' »rS>rrd™X. vo,., "T«a»». toeaaaan!" , t „ limh nnlv van Nerekool seemed Still Verstork stirred "°' j^ "' %e„inn"ng to move about to have caught the sound, and was Beginning restlessly. „„„fi„_<,o centlv that it could not dis- Then the man, ^^^^y f "' J^j^'b Jk S P"' °^ '^' ^"^ ^^''^ turb the sleeper-began to fold bacKin p ^^^ '^xt^ "^v^^ rtd^Su"£S convey such an impression, especially on a man wno ''"wTo'is there?" he cried again. But by this time the wno IS 1"^"= ' _, ....... .° J :„„,npd awav out of the "■;rsvtr.r'jrcranTsr:-de,,. v^^ - .» ""I?that all?" growled Verslork, who thought that hfe rest 212 BABOE OALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 213 had been very unnecessarily disturbed. Who knows what absurdity he might in his drowsiness have added, had not the " toeaan, tocaan " of his servant, and the subsequent noise awakened van Beneden also, who was sleeping quite close to him. He jumped up at once, and the moment he was awake be- gan, as the Resident might perhaps have said, to turn up all hands. " Come boys ! " he shouted cheerily " Come boys, get up all of you 1 " as he threw himself fron» his bed with such energy as made the slight bamboo structure sway and creak as if it had been rocked by an earthquake. " What's the matter, what's up ? " cried several voices starting out of sleep. " What's up ? " cried van Beneden. '* There's nothing up I You get up, all of you, as fast as you can. It is four o'clock, and the dessa folk are all ready for the chase." That word acted like magic. In a twinkling all were on their legs. They dressed, washed, combed, brushed them- selves as well as one can perform all these processes in the in- terior of a dessa, which offers no great facilities for an elaborate toilet to Europeans who have passed the night in a small country hut. For washing, indeed, there was no convenience at all — the only basin in the place was a mere potsherd. But, all were anxious to be off, and like soldiers who, in the field, have not always Sevres or even Delt at command, they did the best they could, and soon completed their hasty toilet. Diogenes, the Greek jjhilosopher of Sinope, had freciuently, no doubt, dres.sed himself in much the same fashion. In a few moments all were ready, even van Nerekool who was bent upon seeking some relief for mental pain in physical exertion. When they stepped out of the cabin they saw the entire male population seated cross-legged on the village green, trying to protect themselves from the cold morning air by drawing their sarongs as far as possible over their shoulders. Every man had brought his lance, and had stuck it upright before him into the ground. Every one of them held a huge rattle, an instrument very like that with which our old watchmen used to murder sleep while they pretended to keep guard over the sleepers. The moon Avas, by this time, casting her beams under the branches of the Wariengien tree, and, as the pale light shone upon .ha. »an6= ^^^'^."03'*?!^*^^^^ clave of apes. t nerah ?" asked Verstork. " Are all your men here, Loeran r ste"«tt::a'S™"r„ror.r^^^^ let the rest go right into the t«me^ ^ „ ;;?;a'tfStriIed vttotk, noticing the Loe«hs hesitation. . „ . , .^ ^.y^igf " thus make their « May not the animals, P^'^^^the cnie^ „ escape through the eastern !>%f J/^^^^ » y^'^ have heard, I "kow so, Loerah?' ^^/J J^f "/f^" p^^it will occupy the suppose, that the people ^jo^j^"^^^^ Jfthe western side of whole of the eastern ^j^e, and par^en o ^^^ ^^^^^ i the ravine? Very good, ^"J JT ^ . ^nd will post our- hope. We shall get on horseback at onc^j „„, instructions selves in the upper par of the P^^^; J ^ ^^ t,,, ,^e must "^l^X^ jrKiu^t Sercarefully to what I have to tell you, Loerah." " Yes, Kandjeng toean. ^ ^^^ ^^^i^s we " As soon as Ave have got to the upper p^ shall fire a shot." .. bottom ? " "Shall we hear it, sir, right down a tj^ ^ ^^ distance- »You are right, Loerah, quUeng .1 ^^^g^^ „,„,t perhaps too far- W^^^^^^' L'^^jSut. mind you, before So. As soon as day begms to beak D y^ ^^ the sun has ^^'^^ f "^^"P/^ J^^ he beasts have the road But, whatever you do, take care uia to the ravine left open to them. j j^tle answer of the .oS;"o- wK'eS;erhte.en too. the ,oad to at a very slow walk. 1 his very m ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ rrjkt'h=Snr:in:S^Hte*«oS,. Hce r,e.a„ and the THE OPIUM FIEND. 215 214 BABOE DALIMA; OR, slightest deviation might have led to a highly unpleasant mud- bath. Presently, however, a faint streak of light was beginning to show itself on the eastern horizon. At first it was all but iniperceptil)le, it seemed like a faint reflection of the waning moonlight ; but gradually it became broader and deeper, then is began to spread a fiery glow over the eastern sky, and made the stars, which were still l)rightly twinkling in the zenith, to pale and fade away. The narrow path kept winding upwards ; for Bnnjoe Pahit, towards which the riders were making their way, lay on much higher ground than Kaligaweh which was situated on the low foreshore. As the dawning light grew clearer and brighter, the horsemen were able to mend their pace, and soon the horses were going along at a good sharp trot, impelled, in a measure, by the instinct which told them that they were heading in the direction of their stables. The upper end of the ravine was reached in good time, and the horsemen dismounted and gave their beasts in charge of a couple of Javanese servants who had come to meet them along with the body of beaters from Banjoe Pahit to which Mokesuep also had joined himself. These men at once took the horses home to the dessa. It was not yet full daylight. The western sky was still a deep dark blue ; but in the East the dawn was clothing itself in all the brilliant hues which herald the near approach of the perfect day. On all sides trees and bushes grew in the wildest disorder, and in their branches birds innumerable were piping and warbling, each, in his own way, sending up his hymn of praise to the great Creator. Leaves, twigs, boughs, flowers, and grass-blades, all were thickly covered with the tiniest pos- sible specks of dew ; and, as the light gradually brightened in the East, seemed bathed as it were in molten silver. In spite of their impatience to begin their work upon the game, our young friends could not help pausing for a few moments in order to admire the magnificent spectacle before them, and to enjoy the delightful freshness of that glorious time which immediately precedes a sunrise ; when suddenly, very far in the distance, was heard the confused noise of a most frightful tumult. " There they go I " cried Verstork, " those are our beaters, what a row the fellows are making to be sure." The natives were indeed hard at it, springing their rattles, banging on bamboos, yelling and screaming in a manner which drowned every other sound in nature, especially in that solemn morning hour when the orb of day is just about to rise. . „„,, as a mere confused hum very At first the nowise was heard as ^^^^^ ^ far away in the distance ; but, ^s it g ^ Nerekool, for- neSt became so exctmg that even po ^^^^^^^^ ^.^ Sng his woes for a ^^hde, ran ivp ^„„ ^ions, more Se w.th tren,h'-gX''ha"d't5w:lpons atfuil cock, ready Stpl"re"at a"momen^s notice^ ,„ ,,,, ^own °^Now then, my friends ..^^'^ V\ ^^^ , j,,,„ty all this unnecessary flurry , Fay J^^X^^ ^^ ^^^,, ^^^, ,,^, of time before us. Please aiii^ i nrcident with those firearms. , „ i^gd Grashuis. ^^•ilte we in a good POsUion he-J f ^^ .^^,^ ^^ „ ,,„arked " We are standing too close i»b ''?.Snd"-.o.»ke yo„am.,e fu«..=r i"to Ae ravine," »d Verstork. ^ , ^„„,_ fifty or hundred yards along a So they all ad^?"»f f,„';Tnding down through shaggy hushes steep pathway which "^n w ndmg ^^ ^ ii,_ the and rocky boulders. J«st » V tj^^^^^ard course along Us bed LookBanjoePahitbegan Its down ^.^^^^ ^^^^^^ . „, of rocks. It was a wonderfully beau ^^ waterS of the P"f VTSasa^litS^^ or pool, at another forming, in one place, a F^^^^"; ' ^^ and splashing wa erfalls, tumbling down in foammg cataracts an F altogether for tS suddenly and ."Yf "°"!^y^ Sd boulders, and then a a while amidst the wild shrubs »"d mff ^cl .^^ ^^^^^^ing and little further on, sprmgmg "P W pringapoes was as wanton play. The 3;"J?^aml1ousfy picturesque wfhj^ wild and savage as Pos^ble, but ma ^^ ^ ^^^.^^ ^ ^f the When the party had ^^^^^^^^^^^^^Xch, up to that point conv %tl.o.o.f the r^^^:Z.S ^^^^''^ STw^Sa^uffiUtran^^^ stems of the trees ^^'^^l^'l^^^ZlZ still bearing tufts of 2l6 BABOE dalima; or, THE OPIUM FIEND. 217 came down in torrents from the heights — the Banjoe Pahit could howl and roar along, and form dreadful currents and whirlpools ; and that, at such times, it was well to keep out of the now quiet defile. As the hunters were looking about them at the savage scene around, the din made by the beaters was gradually coming nearer and nearer. It was still a considerable way off and not a solitary head of game had shown itself. "I wonder how that is?" said August van Beneden. "I fancied that we might have set to work shooting at once. May not our wild boars, if there are any at all in this ravine, have got away by some other road ? " "No, no," replied Verstork, "the Djoerang Pringapoes is hemmed in on almost all sides with perpendicular rocks, such as not even a wild pig can climb. There are two or three spots where the walls are not quite so steep, and which such animals might perhaps scale ; but, if the Loeras of Banjoe Pahit and of Kaligaweh have carried out my instructions, these weak points have all been occupied by their men, so that none of the animals can have got away by them. The beaters, you see, with their abominable rattles are driving the pigs into the ravine, and I know they will all make for it, especially as it is their usual haunt." " Aye, aye," said van Rheijn, " I see ; but once in this ravine, depend upon it they will lie very close, there is plenty of room here for a game at hide and seek, and if they choose to get to cover, we may stand here waiting for them till dooms- day." " That might be so," remarked Verstork with a smile, " if the beaters would let them. But those fellows with their rattles will follow the pigs into the ravine and drive them in our direction. You will see how they will manage that presently. Just listen — what a row they are kicking up yonder — one would think they were a pack of fiends I " Verstork indeed might well say so ; for your Javanese, under ordinary circumstances cool and phlegmatic enough, can, on such occasions as a boar-hunt, display activity and energy in abundance. Then he seems almost beside himself; then he screams, he yells, he bellows, he whistles, he hisses, he crows, he shrieks. Then he frantically plies his rattle and, with any weapon he may happen to have in his hand, he bangs upon anything and everything he comes across, on trunks of trees, on stones— which, by the way, not unfrequently give out most melodious sound»-on the f^"^k°„'„'';L''*un°of Stedl, he »ou.d bnng tiered To t °o And .11 this take. . , ,^ ^ , „ •„.. a few paces further on and then « Now," said Verstork, 3ust ^Jew pa ^^^^^ ^ ^ ^, we come to the ^"^rance oMhe Dj^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^ stream, which we cal the Karang A , ^^^ ^^^r Pahit. After the junction ^f *J°p,i„ poes. Look there, teS S«f i-ia^e'l^^P^ pan of .he ,a..ne a„d get away." . ^ t,u«::„ «' this does not strike me as a -^^tt^^Tlern^escen. Tbe^ ^^^ ravines, consstmg ^^tirdy of grey ^^ ^^^^ ^ perpendicularly mto t^^^^^^y- ."j^'^jts descent, to have stuck Llls, a mass of ^tone seemed mts ^^^^ tiered .on fast; and, in course of t'"^' f T jh vegetation had un- its surface. In this '^^^ZSthLl^^t wire, a little green mediately sprung up and J^^^^^^^^^^ of desolation. Huge island in the midst of the a/jy ^ j^^out in the wildest fragments °f /^ged X^J^J^^^y S and unsightly plants confusion, and amidst l*^ese. many ^^^^ Kemandcn grew and flourished. ««^h^j;;^\^itrTs venomous prickles. Lrbo and ^^e Oermg aring w^t^^^^^^ There also .were seen the gnawed ^^^^^ stunted trees raised Djatie doene and of the i'lwaiian. ^^^^ ^^y ^ their poor meagre "owns out of rt^e se ^^^^^^^^^ ^^.^.^ resting the progress °[ ^^^f^^^ ^tju ,uore effectually. along, served to b)"^^ "P,*!l^^ve,st^^^^^^ «Nowthen,myfnends, sadVerstor^ ^^^^^^^^^ tie standing here much too ^Ipse togf^^ej. ^^^^ Wedono, and myself will take our s ana ^^ ^^^^ ■X^:X re -™ .= p'oi„U ,00 .m have .he 2l8 BAnoE dalima; or, THE OPIUM FIEND. 319 gorge completely under your fire, and — if you really are as good shots as you are supposed to be — why then not a solitary pig ought to escape us. But make haste, get into your places — the beaters seem to be getting quite close." It was indeed high time ; for every instant the infernal din was coming nearer and growing more distinct. It was, in fact, becoming positively deafening. It sounded as if a veritable Pandemonium had broken loose. Grenits made a very wry face when he found that Mokesiiep was to be his companion ; but he had no chance of remonstrance at thus being saddled with a most uncongenial companion, tor he had to get to his post without delay. The positions which the guns were to occupy had been ad- mirably chosen and showed a perfect knowledge both of the game and of the ground. The marksmen were all posted in full view of one another, so that there could be no risk of acci- dent, at the same time their fire commanded the narrow open- ing of the ravine which lay open before them. Moreover they were all directed to take their stand upon spots slightly elevated above the level of the soil and were thus, to a great extent, out of the reach of the fearful tusks of the infuriated animals. Thus then they stood, most eagerly watching ; but, though the entrance to the Djoerang lay perfectly open before them with here and there a few stunted shrubs much too low and small to conceal even the smallest pig, not a vestige of any animal could be seen. This suspense seemed intolerably long to the impatient and impulsive Europeans who were far from being endowed with the calm phlegmatic temperament of the natives. The Wedono stood there quiet and motionless as a statue. " I can see nothing whatever," shouted August van Beneden to his friend, making use of his hands as a speaking-trumpet. " I fancy our good dessa-folk have taken it easy and have allowed the game to slip away quietly to the right or left." " It is my opinion that the ravine is empty," remarked van Nerekool, to whom this long inaction was more irksome than even to the others. Verstork interpreted van Beneden's words to the Wedono who, rifle in hand, was standing by his side, and asked him if he thought it possible. " It may be, — but — perhaps it is not so," was the chief's cautious reply. » n«,i thpjr ells became more dis- proaching with -^7^ f^^/^^ouid de^^« the question whether Snct. A few "^'""^f^X JS^^ or not, for a very short time there was any game n the rav'ne ^^ ^^^ ^ would bring the l^eaters to he m impatience, jokes Verstork was getting ^1" J« ""j;°,„,ong his friends, and al- wont disagree with us ! "— , Muisenkop," said Theodoor " Hold your tongue, f ^'"^^^^^ ™'"hing to say ! " Grenits. " You always ,fif^^«°^"jSLuep' ^ """ *'" ^"^ ^ ••That'« f.:.!?y I^A o Indin"^ here. ^Alot of fellows m- Cfill tliotf nroifoH nnH nraifoH fnA Hin r\f fna rtAof n-wtf vrrno nt-t ^' "The pigs were ,»^-%lKp%°s"e^ou can bTame vW^^^^^^ rhe^Se^rsTavV'a^^^^^^^^ r. ^"Sy^^tShTrSr^^^^^^^^^^ Wedono. These thr^e were posted a the v^^^^^ .^^.^^.^^^ ravine, and had suddenly caught sight 01 a B > .^^ ^^ miss of living things rushmg ^^.^J^^^y.^^^^^^^^^^ shoulders thought, the three had thrown th^u "«^' "^P ^^ ^f swine. The and had opened fire upon the ^f^^^/^Th^ rattling and other hunters had, as yet. «^^" ""^^^JSble in intensity the veiling of the beaters seemed to '^^^^'i^ost drowned the Some'nt they heard t\- R-^^^^^^J^^^^^^^ into to the issue of the day's ^P0^',y^7.^^Xd over the three fore- The three first "Je shots ^"^ ^TJ^^? „°!'ntic si«, most animals, one of which ^^^ J J'^re h«d. The wounded a moment stopped the ^^^.t^uaS and fighting, utter ng animals lay on the ground, s^V^S^^^dleft with their for- fearful squeaks and striking «"* "8^* J"'^th„s almost wholly midable tusks at those who came beh f '^^^^^^^^^ only for ^'^f^^rZl^^So^ TbSrs drove the crea- rirtm«»nt 220 BABOE DALIMA; OR, tures to such a pitch of fury that, in spite of all opposition, they rushed over the bodies of their fallen leaders. But the three men who had first opened fire, had, in those few moments, had tmie to reload, and an instant after, all the others posted to the right and left caught sight of the game and at once opened fire upon the dense struggling mass of pigs, hardly a single shot being lost. Thereupon a scene of the direst confusion en- sued. The wounded animals tumbled over one another uttering groans and squeaks whicli baffle description. The hindmost ones, still urged on by the terrific noise of the beaters, fought and pushed their way to the front. The sows grimly defended their young and seemed to vent their fury upon the carcases of the dead and wounded, and, in that terrific mel^e, the bullets of the seven hunters kept plunging with the deadliest effect. The rifled breech-loaders poured shot after shot into the densely packed mass, and every moment the narrow gap be- came more and more impassible. That went* on for the space of about three minutes, during which the breech-loaders plied their unerring fire. Presently van Nerekool said to Verstork: "Are we not running the risk of hitting some of the men in the rear ? " "Oh, no," replied Verstork, "if they have followed my instructions there is no danger whatever. A few yards lower down there is a sharp elbow in the ravine, so that if one of our bullets should happen to miss or to pass through the body of one of these beasts it must bury itself in the walls of rock. You hear — according to agreement, the fellows have already stopped their noise — they are not at all anxious to come to close quarters and to expose themselves to a stray bullet." Meanwhile the fire had been kept up with hardly any cessation and with almost the same fatal effect. The grunting herd still was striving to push onward and to get clear of the deadly pass, and again and again the bullets knocked down the foremost, who in their death-struggle, dealt ripping blows all around. But at length, after having for a while wallowed about hope- lessly, a small renmant which still remained unwounded, suddenly headed round, led on by a huge black-coloured boar, and now no longer awed by tlie beaters, made a headlong charge back into the ravine from which they found it impossible to escape. THE OPIUM FIEND. 22t CHAPTER XVIII. ENTRAPPliD. HURRAH I they have turned tail, they are makmg off !" exclaimed Mokesuep. That hero had all the while been trembling with fear; he had been in mortal terror lest the pigs should break through the line of firT; for if they had succeeded in dou.g so, a close struSe with the sword bayonet would probably have ensued Therefore he had most anxiously been peermg about to see if Krd'Lterany way of -'-at up U.e steep mou.uam sides If during that mornmg there had been shots n.ea whfch had flown lide of the mark, such misses had been due To S shaking hand. Indeed, some of his bullets had gone ri J over the wall of rock winch hemmed in the ravine ..n all sWes but mosTfortunately had not injured any of the Javanese Sho were bTting on the other side. The unpleasant whistling, Swev^of the projectiles from Mokesuep's rifle had scared the natives and it was in a measure owing to those stray shots that "he Saters had given up the battue rather sooner than they "t^eiu'wlTa rage. "What are you hurrahing ab^"'^^ cried he to Mokesuep, "you were never born to be a Nimrod, '^MA/^^Serld the.coward, whose Hps were still white with fear • " it is all right, is it not ? " ^^ ^ -AU right " cried Gr.nits, « no. ifs all wrong. Don t you see that"he remnant of the herd will get clear away ? Come 1 orward! The™ are getting away. I tell you. we must get after them and not let a single head escape 1 Forward, boys, forward ^l^e other young men. who were just as much vexed as was Crenits at ti/e unsatisfactory result of their hunt, rushed into he pa s together rifle in hand. Mokesuep only, very prudently emiSdbehind, not even could the Wedono get^him Jo M ow bv crying out to him, " Come 1 qmck, sir Our hero merely shook Ms head and stood looking after his companions until hey disappeared out of his sight. Then throwing h,s rifle over his shoulder he took the road to Banjoe Pahit as he muttered '°«N? doubt, that's all very well; but 1 shall take precious 222 BABOE DALIMAJ OR, good care not to come into contact with that filthy vermin. No, no, I shall go and have a chat with the wife of Verstork's cook — who knows what I may manage to do in tiiat quarter ! A nice little woman that ! A devilish sly dog that Controller; what fun if I could get some shooting over his preserves ! " Thus mumbling to himseli he walked along and had gained the upper entrance to the Djoerang Pringapoes. From that eminence he could command a fine extensive view over the broad rice-fields which rose in terraces on the hill-slopes, and whose surlaces, flooded with water at that time of the year, lay glistening in the bright sunshine like so many polished mirrors. It was as yet very early — scarcely half past seven o'clock. Mokesuep stood there looking all around him, not indeed in admiration of the beauties of nature; for a creature of his stamp could have no eye for that kind of thing ; but gazing about anxiously and more than half frightened at the silence and solitude in which he now found himself after the riot and confusion down in the ravine. In the far distance he could still distinguish the shouts of the hunters and could now and then hear a shot fired by them at the retreating game ; but the noise of the hunt grew fainter and fainter, and as it gradually died away in the depths of the Djoerang, not another sound was heard round about. This sudden stillness had something very disquieting about it. Mokesuep half wished that some human being would appear to share the solitude with him, and yet, on the other hand, he was wholly afraid of meet- ing with some of the natives. He had heard dreadful tales of the robbers by which some of the inland parts of Java were infested and rendered unsafe ; and though he had a rifle slung from his shoulder which might have inspired any other man with confidence, he was of far too cowardly a nature to put any trust in his weapon. He stepped along slowly and cautiously, and presently, at the foot of a small range of hills lying to the northward and which formed a continuation of the chain of mountains in which the Djoerang Pringapoes was situated, he discovered a solitary hut, partly hidden away in the thick underwood which grew around it. Close by a couple of oxen were grazing by the side of a pathway. This little road ran past the hut to the north-west, and winded along the low dykes of the rice-fields. As Mokesuep traced the pathway in its course over the hill-slopes, he suddenly perceived a human figure evidently making for the hut It was the form of a woman, of that there could be no doubt. Mokesuep breathed THE OPIUM FIEND. 223 freely again; in the presence of a woman, especially if that wornln happened to be a native, he felt brave enough ; so he determined to wait for her, to try and enter into conversation and to walk pleasantly and sociably together to Banjoe Pah.t The approaching font., standing out boldly over the flooded rice-fields and reflected in their shining surface grew more and more distinct with every moment. , , . . ,, .^ «Bv love," muttered Mokesuep, after having watched her for awhile "by Jove, what a pretty girll All the better for me-I shall have a charming walk with that dear little thmg !" He was, however, altogether out m his reckoning. When the eirl got close to the hut, she took a side path which ran in a south easterly direction downwards amongst the "ce-terraces, and which appeared to lead to Kaligaweh Great was Moke- suep's disappointment at seeing this, and he was about to ca 1 out to her. Just then a Javanese came out of the hut and be- gan beckoning to'the girl. . . „. . , '' By heaven 1 " muttered Mokesuep, " that is Singomengolo the opium spy. What in the world is he doing here ? And immediately he concealed himself behind some bushes which were erowine by the wayside. It was indeed Singomengolo, the wretch whom the evening before we saw leaving Kaligaweh and riding to the >onely hut- Again and again, he beckoned to the girl ; but as she did not heed him, he cried out : " Dalima ' " At this call the girl turned for an instant. Yes, it was pretty little Dalima, the baboe in the family of Mrs. van Gulpendam. She stopped for a moment, while her features showed undis- cuised terror as she recognised the notorious ppium-huntcr, whom she knew well by sight. She did not, however, stop for more than a. single instant, and then sped on again as last as " Dalima 1 " again cried Singomengolo, " Dalima, where are you hurrying to ? " " I ani going to Kaligaweh," said the girl m a nervous tone of voice. J c- ' " Well, just come here for a moment," continued bingo. " No, no," she replied, " I have not an instant to spare, l must get to my father as quickly as I possibly can," and again she sped on her way. . . " Come here, I say," cried Singmengolo, " I have something to tell you about your father ! " 224 BABOE DALIMA; OR, " Oh, yes, I know," rejoined the young girl, " they told me father is very ill — that is why I am in such a hurry." " You are wrong." cried Singo, " your father is not ill— it is something much worse than that." The girl sioiiped at once : "Worse than that?" she asked, " tell me, is he dead ? " " No — much worse I " "By Allah— what is it?" " Come here," said Singo, " and I will tell you. There are things, you know, that one cannot shout out by the wayside." This brought Dalima to his side. As she walked up to him, she had to pass the bushes behind which Mokesuep was lying concealed — in fact, in passing she brushed by them. As usual Dalima was very neatly dressed. Round her waist she wore a gaily coloured sarong, her bodice was of pink cotton, and over her shoulders was folded a red kerchief, Jrom one oi the points of which dangled a bunch of keys. She had a double inelattie flower in her thick heavy tresses, which, in the midst of that ebon-black mass of hair, looked like a pretty white rose. Just then her face was covered with a rich flush caused jiartly by the exertion of her long walk, partly by the pleasant coolness of the morning air ; but this rich colour added animation to her pretty features, and blended most har- moniously with the deep bronze of her complexion. The experienced eye of the concealed fiscal functionary did not allow a single one of these charms to escape it. Yes, there were certain cases in which Mokesuep was by no means in- sensible to the beautiful, though its contemplation generally awakened evil passions in his breast ; and not unfrequently led to criminal designs. What might have happened had he walked alone with Dalima to Banjoe Pahit, who can tell. For the present the appearance of Singomengolo forced him to remain in hiding. When the girl had come close to the hut, she asked again : " What is the matter? tell nic I " " Come in with me," replied the opium-spy, " and I will let you know why your father has been taken into custody." As he said these words, Dalima suddenly uttered a loud shriek. Singomengolo thought, of course, that the news he had told her and his rough manner of conveying it, had wrung that cry from the young girl ; but Dalima had turned round abruptly and was trying to run away as fast as her feet would carry her. The fact is, she had, through the half open door THE OPIUM FIEND. 225 of the hut seen the odious face of Lim Ho gazmg at her with evi dilated w"th passion. That sight made the poor g.rl turn and dart awry • but she had hardly gone a ^w yards before l^gomengolJ overtook her, and grasping her wr^ts. trgd by main force, to drag her along with h.m '"^^ ^^In ^^i,,^?^^";^ resisted with all her might. She screamed for help, sh^ k 'ckea at her captor and tried to bite the hands with which he 1 e W her arms Stly clasped. In fact she fought as desperately as a wUd cafdetermiLd to resist and defend herself to he very C She was in hopes also that her cries might pos.b ly be heard for she was under the impression that just now she had seen a European on the pathway which crossed the road she wS taking Any other man but Mokesuep would have flowHo the fescue of the poor child; who knows to what rarTdi^^Txrout^^f*^^^^^^^^^ fac'^eVur^nVwithiU^^^^^^^^ t^^^^^l^ St -p'the fullest advantage ""IuL'hoS:" was an enormously wealthy man and when ^ the ^fey or reputation of his son was concerned he would : not mini comiJg down handsomely-a coug^oLthousand \ guilders or so were nothing to a man of that kind. '-H555V little Dalima ! In utter despair she had flung herself to ^Zund most heartrending were her shrieks of agony, help ! help 'but it was all in vain. ^The mean wretch who might by mefey raising his hand so to speak, have set her free, kept Ssdf S? concealed. He looked upon the struggle with ciS eyefnay was actually gloating with satisfaction a the Xnpscs which now and then he caught of the charms, which, fn he V oTence of her resistance, Dalima could not alw;ays keep conceals This went on for some little time and Singomcn- Torbegan to feel that it was impossible for hmi to drag her Lng any further without assistance from L-m H° JB^^^^^^^^^^ to the Chinaman to come to his aid. The Jitter at once obeyed the call, came out of the hut, and tried to clasp the cirl in his arms and thus carry her along. But when, in that attempt, he got a very painful bite m the ear, the 226 BABOE DALIMA: OR wretch became mad with fury. He laid hold of the mass of hair which in the struggle had become loosened, and was now quite unrolled, and twisting his hand into the heavy tresses while Singomengolo still held the girl's wrists, he dragged her by main force into the hut. For a considerable time after that the fearful shrieks " Help ! help ! toean ! " were still heard; but gradually they grew fainter and fainter until at length they ceased altogether. In the very far distance rifle shots still resounded; but even if Dalima could have heard them in the excitement of the struggle, she must have understood that her voice could not possibly reach so far, and that, in any case, if help did come, it must come too late. How did Dalima happen to be on the fatal spot at that early hour ? The reader may remember how that, after having accom- plished his heroic deed in the dessa Kaligaweh, Singomengolo had ridden away and had taken the direction of the lonely hut in the hill-country ; and how, on his arrival, he had sent the man who lived there as his messenger to Santjoemeh. This man had two commissions to execute. In the first place he was told to go and give into Lim Ho's own hands a little note with which Singo had entrusted him, and, after having done that, he was to call at the Residence and was to tell baboe Dalima that her father Setrosmito had suddenly been taken dangerously ill and that he was most anxious to see her. The messenger, who was a very shrewd and clever fellow, had at once jumped on the back of one of those small and ugly, but well-nigh indefatigable Javanese ponies, whose muscles of steel seem never to tire and carry them in a surprisingly short space of time over vast distances. It was about eleven o'clock when he reached the stately mansion of babah Lim Yang Bing. He was very lucky, for he was not kept waiting a single Instant, as Lim Ho happened to be within at the time. The son of the rich opium farmer lay reclining luxuriously upon a splendid divan, his long Chinese pipestem was between his lips and by his side on a small table stood a cup of arrack. He was listening in a kind of rapture to two of his servants, who, like himself^ were children of the Celestial Empire. These fellows seated on low ivory stools were twanging on a kind of two-stringed fiddle or guitar, and were drawing tones out of their instru- ments which would not only have horrified a Vieuxtemps or a Paganini, but would have instantly dispersed even a meeting of tom-cats who, in the matter of iiarmony, are not usually THE OPIUM FIEND. 227 reckoned to be exacting. Lim Ho no -°"Vom?hVi:tuch! Sineomengolo's emissary, than he jumped up from the coucn SeTSfe letter which the man held out to h.m, and eagerly Sred t'e very few words it contained., ^t was a doc n brief and laconic as a telegram but, to L"" H^'^f J^^^J^i;^; ■jitrnificance The words it contamed were only these l>vcry SfTady, be here by seven in the morning." Ihe Chma- man pulled out his watch, he looked at the tune wh.le he asked the messenger what the weather was like. "Bright moonlight, babah," was the mans reply. Lim Ho then dismissed him, flingmg him a rix-dollar, and tel£ him to be specially careful how he discharged his second commission He ordered him to come and report the result to hhi Then he ordered his horse to be saddled and wkited. The' man did not find his second task quite such an easy one to perform as the former. The Resident van Gulpendam and his^wi e were seated with some visitors at the usual card- Ses but the daughter of the house had already retired to her own room, and had given her baboe leave to go to bed without waSg up any longer. The fellow found it therefore necessary to go to the back of the premises, and at length he SntrS to^ get one of the servants to go and rouse ^ ThL'young girl was terribly shocked at hearing the dreadful tidings of her father, whom the rascal represented as being in a dvinf state. She at once rushed into the pandoppo and enlered the bedroom of her young mistress who, fortunately, '^" Sirgivl'me LVv? ! " she cried, in the greatest agitation. ^^^.c°om^:;'sli'^^^^^^^^^ you' ^0J2 and be calm." The young lady had perceived at once that Sere was omething very wrong, and tried to quiet h.r ser- vants excitement by herself remaining perfectly cool and self- ''^Thereupou Dalima told her that a man had just arrived from Kaligaweh with a message from her father who ^^^ ying at death's door, and who wished, for the last time perhaps, to see '"'" Ohf Nana," begged the poor girl, "do try and get me leave *° " But"Dalima," objected Anna, '' what is the time ? " And looking 'at a handsome clock on a console close by, shs con- 228 BABOE DALIMA; OR, tinned, " Why it is close upon midnieht l— Jt ;= , c ., '"''Or.~cdId dT''^ nofpossibiylo out in e da^k' »' "" th^u'^i^rLS;^^^ trini'i;/^ that very sontude or a wild boar " """'^"^'^ *'• ^ou might come across a tiger boars. I am not the least bi afraid of th.^ Ih'™' T'*^ ^' ^°'" away if they possibly can Drlf fest N^^^^^^ '"" leave to go. I nromisp ^,r,» n,of k 7 ' "^^"^^^^ Nana, get me back again." ^ ^ ^''^' ''^ to-morrow night I shall be ^^^'I don't at all like the idea of it. Dalima. What will mamma Ja?^' ^^"^ '^^"'" "'^^ ^^^ baboe, in despair, "do orav eo ^"? '?'— do pray go and ask madam i " ^ ' ^^ ^^ She IS quite sure to refuse," said Anna. ^ Why should she ? " persisted the girl She will be just as much afraid as I am that in the dirt ness of the night some accident may happen to Jou How can you possibly dare to undertake such a jSney. Dalimal •' "My father is dyi„g_he wants to see L ! "cried D3ima That IS quite enough to give me courage for anything Mss Anna. I would go to Kaligaweh even if I knew St tht S was full of ghosts-yes if there were a ghost behind every tree! men ^jj;„7f ,"™°^^ f"8htened of ghosts than of beastJor of "W n » 'i ^^^ ''"'^ pray-do go and ask your mother ! " Well." said the tender-hearted young girlf « I will go and "Thank you. Nana, thank you." Thereupon Miss Anna rose from the divan upon which she had taken a seat after she had admitted Dalima. Se thrush thrown?ff""TV''' "'" ^- ?^'^ °^^"PP^" «^^ had card sly aTau T'^^ y.O""g g"^> ™s already partially undressed and had been reclmmg in only her sarong and kabaai: but she very soon threw about her a richly embroidered morning gown with a few turns of her dexterous hand she twisted the rich mass of her loose-hangmg hair into a knot, and ran to the front-ga ery in which her parents and the other card-playeis were still engaged in their game. t"*;'<-i:. THE OPIUM FIEND. 22g To her great surprise fair Laurentia made no difficulty at all. and at once acceded to her daughter's request, stipulating only that, before setting out, Dalima should finish some needle-work which she had given her to do and which she particularly wished to have ready by the morning. Oh, no I Mrs. van Gulpendam had no objection whatever to Dalima's going to Kaligaweh ; on the contrary, she thought it very praiseworthy in the girl that she showed so much devotion to her parents. A honey-sweet smile hovered on her lips as she gave her gracious permission, and no one — least of all her pure and innocent daughter — could have guessed at the awful abyss of wickedness which lurked behind that sunny smile. Highly pleased with the result of her attempt. Anna hastened with her good news to Dalima. and in the kindness of her heart she gave up a considerable portion of her night's rest to assist her baboe in getting through her task of needle-work. It is a dreadful thing to have to say ; but Laurentia had not made that stipulation about finishing the work without an ob- ject. Her object was to delay Dalima's departure, so that she might not reach the hut in the middle of the night, and, in the darkness, perhaps pass it unobserved. Diligently assisted by her mistress, the baboe was able to set out on her journey about three o'clock in the morning. After having affectionately taken leave, Dalima left the premises by the back-way through a small garden gate, of which Anna had procured her the key. This gate took her straight into the road which led over the hills to Kaligaweh. Tlie moon was shining brightly in the heavens, and thus the girl was able to walk along rapidly, and soon she lost sight of Santjoemeh while not a single thought of danger crossed her brain. Lini Ho had been informed by Singomengolo's messenger that the pretty baboe had received the news of her father's illness — the reader however knows that a far different calamity had befallen Setrosmito — so he said in a highly satisfied tone : " That is all right. You must be tired out, and I don't sup- pose you care to return to your hut to-night ? Eh ? " " No, babah," was the man's ans'ver. " Very well, my people will show you a bedroom, you can go and have a rest. To-morrow I will pay you for your service." As soon as the fellow had disappeared, Lim Ho consulted his watch. " Nearly one o'clock," he muttered to himself, and then aloud he added : 230 BABOE DALIMA; OR, " Than Loa, is the horse ready saddled ? " The servant replied with a couple of Chinese words, where- upon Lim Ho rose. He put on a kind of cap without peak, in shape not at all unlike a Scotch bonnet, then he snatched up a riding-whip and leaped into the saddle. " Don't go to sleep — keep good watch — mind," he cried to his servant as he rode off, and setting spurs to his horse he was soon out of sight. The main road which he took was a much longer one than the narrow foot-path which Dalima had chosen; but by starting thus early he knew he could easily get before her. He did not know that before she could set off to her father's bedside the poor girl would have a good deal of sewing to do, and he thought therefore that he had to hurry in order to be in time at the hut. But his horse was a fine animal of Persian breed, and he felt confident that it would bring him to the spot before Dalima could possibly reach it. It was about half-past three when he dismounted and joined Singomengolo, whom he found waiting for him. The pair of villains sat doAvn to consult about the best way of carrying out their infamous attempt. During this consulta- tion Lim Ho repeatedly showed signs of impatience at Dalima's unexpected delay. They were still talking together when the day began to dawn, and presently the sun rose, when, of a sudden, a dreadful outburst was heard in the far distance — a noise was heard of yelling, of rattling, of banging — it seemed as if the world was coming to an end. Lim Ho started up. in terror from the mat upon which he was seated by the side of the opium spy. " What on earth may that be ? " he cried. " Oh," replied Singomengolo as calmly as possible, " that is nothing at all — only the toean Controller of Banjoe Pahit going on a pig-hunt — the dessa folk of that place and of Kaligaweh are beginning to beat up the game." " How do you know that ? " asked Lim Ho. " I was at Kaligaweh yesterday, and there I met the Con- troller and the company he has with him ; they came to make the necessary arrangements for the day's hunting." " You were at Kaligaweh ? " asked Lim Ho. " Of course I was, babah," replied Singo quietly. " I was there," he continued with a nasty smirk, " to catch old Setros- mito at opium-smuggling." " Aye, aye," said Lira Ho, " that's true, I know now." THK OPIUM FIEND. 231 Lim Ho pronounced these words in a tone of yo^f .^i^^Jj sho^TdS^tShim the infamous plot whereby a v,ct,mh^^^^^^^^^^ rpmoved out of his father's way, was the most tuUing mciaent InT w Jd, a bagatelle which had wholly escaped h.s memory. " And did vou succeed in fmdmg opmm f "Of coursl I did." replied Singomengolo, "you know we 1 enough, babah. that'l always succeed when U suits me to try. ^^ " How soT* Has anything else happened then ? " « Srosmito has run'amokh and has kiHed a countryman o vours outright, and severely wounded a policeman. It was CcTous nfariV all up with me too; but 1 managed to slip ^^^ffll'^od ! '' :J?IS^^^^^^ -bb'"S ^^ ^-^^ ^"^frihain^SI^^^n^Solo, -alii^ -Se^ thev don't hang him, will be at the very least imprisoned for life. "You know," said Lim Ho. "that was wonderfully cleverly TnTht dJtre'fweirr^s^Cd rifle-fire was heard, in fact ^'^. K^onlf theTentlemen in the Djoerang PHngapoes Jhey are firing at the wild-pigs I suppose. Allah prosper them ! '< B<' said Lim Ho: " may not those white fellows get into nur wav the ravine, you know, is not so very far oH. °"«Th'e toean:,"s'ai'd Singo, " -e a. great tleal too much ej- grossed in their sport to take any notice of what we are about FormySf imu^h prefer to hear them blading away yonder fo hdr heWt's contint in the Djoerang Pringapoes, than know that they are sitting quiU-driving m their offices. Yo. white man with a pen in his hand is a "H'ch more ibnn.da c creature, and is much more formidably armed too, than whtn ^'TSufthey Tamlking and listening to what was going on be- neath them in the Djoerang, while time --^'^-lf ^^ P^l".^ -^J^" " But Dalima does not seem to be coming, sighed Lim no, ""''I^YTshrS/' said Singo, "yonder on that path between the rice-fields I see someone— that must be she." 432 BABOK Dalima; or, " Look, look ! " cried Lim Ho, in consternation, " there from the ravine comes a white man — now we have lost our chance." Singomengolo turned his eyes in the direction which Lim Ho indicated, and, as he looked, he muttered a deep curse j he saw at once that the Chinaman had not been mistaken. Yet, he could not make out at all who it could be so quietly making his way towards the hut. He was one of the shooting party, there could be no doubt about that, for he carried a rifle and came from the direction of the Djoerang. And that wretched mar-plot must come right across Dallma's path, just as she was coming in the other direction ! Everything had been so carefully planned — and now — that brute! It was enough to drive a fellow mad ! But the next moment Lim Ho cried out joyously : " By Jove, it is toean Mouse-head that is coming along there. I know him perfectly well. Now I don't mind a bit. I know him. You may call the baboe as much as you like, there is no danger. I will square matters easily enough with that fellow yonder ! " Lim Ho had recognised our friend Mokesuep. As the reader has been told, that gentleman used familiarly to be called by almost everyone in Santjoemeh, " Muizenkop," and this nickname some wags had translated into Javanese. Thus he Went by the name of Kapala tikoes, or the Mouse-head. Singo- mengolo also recognised the exciseman of Santjoemeh, and now he no longer felt much apprehension that his detestable plot would be frustrated. " A mere matter of money," said he to the Chinaman, with a significant smile. As Dalima came to the crossway, and was about to enter the path which ran down to Kaligaweh, the opium-spy had left the hut, and was preparing to call to her to stop, when he saw the European hastily conceal himself behind the clump of bushes by the roadside. This move on the part of Mokesuep completely reassured the accomplices, and their wicked plot was crowned with the success with which the reader has already been made acquainted. Even had Mokesuep felt any inclination to present himself in the character of rescuer, that impulse was wholly extinguished the moment Lim Ho appeared upon the scene. The wretched coward only hid himself more closely behind his screen of leaves as he muttered : THE OPIUM FIEND. 233 " By Jove, dame Fortune is playing into my hand— no one but an ass would refuse so fair an offer." Meanwhile the despairing cries of poor little Dalima were gradually dying away as her strength began to fail, and as she became utterly exhausted. " Help, help ! toean, help 1 " was the last piercing shriek which re-echoed in that solitude. The only response, alas ! was the well-sustained rifle-fire in the distance. CHAPTER XIX. HELP I HELP ! BUT yet, poor Dalima's shrieks and wild cries for help had been heard. That part of the mountain cleft, into which the hunters had plunged in pursuit of the retreating wild boars, did not extend very far, it was not longer than about a tliousand yards ; but the bottom of the ravine was just there exceedingly winding, and, as it followed the tortuous course of the small stream Banjoe Pahit, it was strewn all over with huge fragments of stone, while the dark-grey walls of volcanic trachyte towered up almost perpendicularly to the height of more than fifty or sixty yards. In that narrow pass the scene of confusion was utterly inde- scribable. The grunting and squealing of the maddened herd of swine, the yelling and rattling of the beaters who, on seeing the animals charge back, had resumed their unearthly noise, the almost incessant crashing of the fire from the breech-loading rifles — all these sounds, echoing and re-echoing within that narrow rock-bound gorge, made a din which was absolutely deafening. The hunted animals now desperate and infuriated, madly charged at the line of native beaters, who seemed to them less formidable than their European foes. For a few moments the dessa folk attempted to make a stand, and thrusting about furiously with their lances, they made some ineffectual efl'orts to turn the beasts back again into the ravine. But they very 234 BABOE DALIMA; OR, soon had to give way before the charge of the formidable tusks, and took to their heels altogether as soon as the rifle bullets Ije- gan to screech over their heads. Those cylindero-conical pro- jecticles from the new-fashioned rifles make such a horrid screaming as they speed overhead on their deadly errand, that it is no wonder they demoralised the poor natives altogether. In less than no time the line of beaters had vanished before the charge of the boars, as the mountain mist before the morning sun. The greater part of the Javanese managed to swarm up the high rocky peaks, others darted up the trees ; but not a single one ventured to remain within reach of the sharp tusks of the wild boars. The animals were however greatly diminished in numbers and not very many of them succeeded, under the incessant rifle-fire, in getting clear of the pass. Upward of fifteen car- cases lay stretched motionless on the ground ; but a far greater number had received wounds more or less severe j which, however, in that climate were sure to prove fatal. " Forward, boys, forward ! " cried Verstork, excited by the success they had gained ; " forward, we must not let a single one of that mischievous brood escape ! " That, however, was much more easily said than done. The hunters continued to press the retreating game, and contrived lo fire many a shot and to bring down many a victim ; but the pigs were uncommonly fleet of foot and now that the chain of beaters was broken and there was nothing to stop them, they were soon lost to sight amid the inextricable tangle of shrubs, tree-trunks, and boulders which encumbered the bottom of the ravine. Our European friends did their very ut- most to keep up with the game ; but it was a task which would have required nothing less than the nimbleness and dexterity of an orang-outang to accomplish, perhaps even that animal might have had to give up the pursuit. yes, there they stood at length, dead beat, their clothes in tatters, their hands torn by the thorns through which in the heat of the excitement they had torced their way, in one word, completely pumped out and exhausted, there they stood pant- ing and gasping for breath. At length Verstork managed somewhat to recover his wind, and shouted to his friends to rally them. " Where is Grashuis ?" asked the Controller, looking around him. " And where is Grentts ? " van Rheijn managed to gasp out. THE OPIUM FIEND. 235 They were nowhere to be seen, and their friends were be- cinning to feel anxious about them, when a couple of rifle-shots in the distance informed the hunters that the two missing men were still obstinately bent on continuing the pursuit. "That will never do," said Verstork, "we must go after them, one can never tell what may happen and what need there may be of assistance. But," continued he, " can any of you tell me where the shots came from ? " r . , ^ u Every hand was raised at once ; but they unfortunately all pointed in different directions. Had there been hands enough they would, no doubt, have indicated every point m the compass. " There," said one. " No, no, there," cried another. ..... ,> " You are wrong," said a third, " they came from this side. " That's a confounded nuisance," said Verstork much per- plexed, " the shots took me quite by surprise and I really dorit know from what direction they came. We must wait a bit, perhaps they will fire again." t, j .« » ^„„ « I am precious glad of it," said van Beneden, now we can sit down and rest a bit on that rock yonder. I am regularly faeged out." , , . • . He had not, however, a very long rest, for barely ten minutes had elapsed before another shot was heard, and this was followed almost immediately after by a second discharge. This time the reports were evidently further off than before ; but there was no mistake about the direction from whence they " Come gentlemen," cried Verstork, as he snatched up his rifle again, "come, gentlemen, this way!" „ , ,, " Might we not wait a few minutes longer ? pleaded van Beneden, " I am dead tired." ... .u " Meanwhile," said the Wedono, as he pointed to the smooth trunk of a komessoe tree, "I shall get up into that tree. Perhaps I may catch sight of them." The Javanese dessa-chief was a nimble young fellow, and usinsj his hands and feet he soon was in the top. "Can you see anything, Wedono?" cried Verstork. ^ " No, nothing yet, kandjeng toean," was the man's reply. « But wait a bit— Yes, there they are yonder — both of them. They are clambering along the side of the ravine still after the pigs. But it is a good way off ! " " Come, gentlemen," said the Controller, " it won't do to sit here, we must be off at once, we must try and get up to them." 236 BABOE DALIMA; OR, Meanwhile Leendert Grashuis and Theodoor Grenits had been running on ahead and were pursuing with the indomitable energy and hot enthusiasm of youth, a small family of pigs consisting of one gigantic boar, a sow and four young ones. Helter skelter they rushed on, pursuers and pursued, over and under rocks, over and right through thorny bushes, some- times by the side of the small stream, sometimes in the water in which the animals would plunge and disappear for a moment in the whirling eddies, and then reappear again vigor- ously swimming and struggling. Now and then, as the beasts were scrambling up the face of a rock, the two hunters would catch a momentary glimpse of their prey. Then they would try to steady themselves in order to get a fair shot ; but before they could pull the trigger, the beasts had again disappeared among the stones and bushes, and then after them again in spite of the heat and fatigue. This continued for a while until the old boar led his party up the steep slope of the ravine wall, ■evidently with the view of gaining the open field at the top along which they could fly with greater speed. But, alas for them 1 that move on the part of their leader gave the rifles fair play. As soon as the animals began to ascend they became visible among the stunted grass which grew on the slope, and two shots resounded almost simultaneously. One of the little ones, mortally wounded, rolled down the slope and the old sow flew madly to its assistance. But the pains the poor animal took to get its young on its legs again and to push it along were all in vain, her instinct seemed to tell her that she must hurry back along with the others in order to escape from the deadly bullets. A moment or two afterwards, another young one lost its footing and began to stumble down the slope. The mother was on the spot again and trying to help it along. It was a touching sight indeed to see that mother defending and taking care of her little one, to see how she strove to push it along very gently yet very strongly too with her pointed snout, utter- ing the while the most loving and encouraging grunts. But hunters have no bowels of mercy. Scarcely had the pair pro- ceeded a few yards before the two rifles cracked again, and sow and young one rolled to the very bottom of the ravine. As she fell she glared defiance at her enemies, while she kept her eye still fixed on her offspring and uttered a sharp squeal of warning to her mate above. At that moment a third shot was fired and the third little pig came rolling down to the very feel of the hunters. THE OPIUM FIEND. 237 The boar thereupon turned to bay uttermg the most fearful erunts turning up his bristles and drawing back his lips so as Kow not (Illy his formidable tusks but also the teeth which we e white as iJory and sharp as chisels. Another shot was fired but missed and, when the smoke of the Ppwder had cleared away, the boar and the only young one which was left had disappeared round a corner. , ., • 1 „r But Grenits and Grashuis did not for a moment think of leaving him to escape, and they at once proceeded to clamber up the steep rock in pursuit. They knew that to cut off the Soar's retreat they must gain the top be ore him. But they found it no child's play. They kept on climbing with the niobt dogged determination; but they found the rocky slope upon which even the split hoof of a wild boar could hardly keep a precarious foothold, a very dangerous path for a-foot encased Fn a European boot. At length, after almost superhuman efforts, they had managed to clamber up to the top and, as they panted for breath, they anxiously looked around ; but could discover not a vestige of the animals they had so painfully nursued. They had no doubt gained the top of the rock before them and had disappeared in the tangled underwood which covered the plain. To hunt any further for the fugitives would be sheer waste of time and of strength. Completely fagged out with their exertions, the two friends were about to throw themselves down on the grass under the ^shadow of some low bushes, when suddenly Grenits uttered a sharp "y- He toimd himself face to face with the terrible wfld boar. The animal, on gaining the top of the rock with its young one, had, likewise exhausted, stretched itself out to rest, thinkmg it had shaken off the pursuit of its enemies. Now, however, it fancied that it was attacked in its very lair, and too weary to attempt to escape, it turned to bay and, as such animals will do, when driven to fury, at once assumed the offensive. Grenits had but just time to jump aside and to bring his rifle into a position of defence. The boar nimbly avoided the bayonet thrust which Theodoor aimed at it, and then furiously turning upon his foe, he charged. It was a very fortunate thing for Grenits that his legs were encased m stout leather eaiters or else the sharp ripping tusk would have inflicted a terrible wound. But though the leather resisted the blow, yet such was the fury of the attack that Grenits lost his balance, fell backward, and for a second was in the most deadly peril. Had he been alone, the furious beast would undoubtedly 238 BABOE DALIMA; OR, have flung itself upon him and in that defenceless position he must have been ripped open in an instant. Already the boar was darting at his fallen foe. For an instant Theodoor sliuddered as he saw his bloodshot eye and felt the hot breath of the monster in his face. Then he closed his eyes and awaited the fatal thrust. But at that moment the beast uttered a wild grunt of rage and turned away from Grenits to face another opponent. All this, though it takes some lime to tell, had passed with the rapidity of lightning ; but short though the time was, yet Leendert Grashuis had been able to shove a cartridge into the breech of his gun and to bring his sword-bayonet to the charge. He had no chance of firing however, for the shot would have been much more likely to injure his prostrate friend than to kill the boaj. Not the fraction of a second was to be lost if he would save Grenits' life. Theodoor, as we have seen, was already lying helpless on the ground and the next instant must have been fatal. Then with all his might Grashuis drove his bayonet at the infuriated creature. The thrust caused a painful wound but glanced off on the right shoulder blade, while the monster at once turned to confront this fresh assailant. The boar then tried to deal Grashuis a blow with its prominent tusks, but was caught on the bayonet. 'Ihe force of the blow was such that the weapon bent like a hoop and was driven up to the muzzle into the boar's throat. For an instant Leendert thought of drawing his weapon back ; but at once seeing the impossibility of doing so he pulled the trigger and the animal received the entire charge full in the head. With a terrific bound it sprang back tearing the rifle out of Grashuis' hands, then it turned round once or twice and fell down twitching convulsively in the throes of death. A few seconds afterwards, all was over. All this had passed so quickly that the two friends scarcely realised what had happened. They stood for a second or two gazing at the dcatli-stiuggle as if they were stunned and dazed; but presently the truth dawned upon them, and they began to understand how dreadful was the peril from which they had so narrowly escaped. Then they embraced and congratulated one another most heartily, Theodoor Grenits especially felt that he had escaped death as by a miracle. After the first excitement had somewhat abated, human in- firmity began to make itself felt. The wild pursuit of the game, the oppressive heat, the painful clambering up and along THE OPIUM FIEND. 239 ■i ll the ravine wall, and last but not least, the desperate hand to hand struggle, which followed this exertion, had exhausted oUr two friends so utterly and so completely, that they ruuld no longer keep their feet, but flung themselves full length upon ' Thus^they lay, panting and striving to recover their breath, when after the lapse of a few minutes, Grenits thought that m the bushes close by he caught a glimpse of the last little pig that had escaped the butcliery. Without taking the trouble to rise, he slipped a cartridge into his breech-loader, put his weapon to his shoulder and fired in the direction where he had fancied he had seen the little beast disappear in the bushes, ihe echo of the report reverberated grandly through the ravine like a clap of thunder— on and on rolled the stately sound, gradually growing fainter and fainter, until at length it died away softly rumbling in the far distance. , r. u • But the sound had not quite passed away, when Grashuis, as if suddenly moved hy some spring, raised himself upon his dbow ' " Did you hear that?" asked he, in a tone almost of alarm. "Hear what?" said Grenits, "the report of my rifle— Of course I heard it." . , , , . . " No, no," said the other, " I fancied I heard a human voice just now ! Listen." Yes, yonder in the far distance, but yet audibly and distinctly was heard the cry : •' Help ! Help ! Help 1 " " By heaven ! " cried Grenits, jumping up, " that s a woman s voice ! " , " Help ! help ! toean 1" . "A woman's voice," repeated Grashuis, " and crying out for help ! Listen again." " Help I help 1 toean 1 " " I can see no other toeans besides ourselves. Our com- rades are far away in the ravine— and the voice does not come from that direction at all," continued Grashuis. " But," said Grenits, as he looked all around, " I can see nothing anywhere, Leendert ! " , " No more can I," replied the other. " The reflection from the water on those rice-fields dazzles me painfully." " Look yonder— 1 fancy I can see a hut— surely the ciy must have come from there," said Grashuis. Just then the cry was heard again, but muc'.; more faintly. 240 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 241 " Help ! help ! toean ! " " That is a woman's voice," repeated Grenits, " she is crying to us for help." " But," said Grashuis, " what toeans can she be calling to?" " What is that to me ? " exclaimed Grenits. " Come along, some poor thing is calling for help. Come along, I don't feel a bit tired now." Before they hastened away, the two friends cast a look at the ravine, out of which they had clambered a short time be- fore — and there they caught sight of their comrades who were following them, and who were, in their turn, preparing to gain the summit of the rock. Grenits thereupon fired off his gun, in order to attract their attention, and when he saw that he had succeeded, he called to them, at the top of his voice, while he stretched out his arm towards the west : " There, there ! " he cried. Then both hurried away. " What did Theodoor say ? " asked Verstork. " Could you make it out ? " " Not a word," replied van Nerekool, " he was much too far off; but something strange seems to have happened." " Come let us hurry on," said Verstork. The little party then began to toil up the steep. They were not, however, fired by the same enthusiasm which had inspired their friends, and thus they took thrice as long to accomplish the ascent. When they at length reached the summit, they could, in the distance, see Grenits and Grashuis running at the top of their speed between the rice-fields. The latter turned for an instant and waved his arm as if to urge his comrades to greater speed. "Help! help! toean!" was heaid again, but this time the cry was so faint as to be barely audible. The two European gentlemen had, however, by this time, got much nearer to the hut. " Come on, come on," shouted Grenits, hoping that he would urge his friends to greater speed. " Are you sure," asked Grashuis, " that we are going in the right direction ? It appears to me as if we were getting further away from the sound." But they had no time for considering the matter, for, at that moment a female form was seen rushing from the hut and run- ning to meet them. " Help, toean, help ! " she cried, as she fell down at their feet. their amazement they k„e« f ' "^at (o do. GrenU^ Bo , tV^^:l'^^:.^'''rZp'o'':£Zr „L the ^'^^ai a"i^=i!^tettSt she .«.o cast thethicU masses of hair over her bosom. , ^ Just then a man, a Javanese, came dartmg out 01 ^ '"?.SSatS!:™:;i-m!'' shouted Grenits, boiling with rag. " Whfuave you got to do with her ? " asked Grashuis, who now recognised Singomengolo. ^ "She has been smugghng opmm, .'^^P^'^'^^^^'^Sp'^" ^^^^„ Ing to the girl he hissed in a threatenmg tone. Come along, ""«Se°pify"7me. gentlemen, take pity on me 1 » cried the ^"^SiTng%ill you I" shouted Singomengolo, furiously. as he tried by main force to drag her away. ^ "Let go that woman, I say-or else 111 smash your skuii '"Klt'^GSiuti'^L^r^^o .o„h. ..= ^Zrs^^^s^^^:^ .>- h, a St of bringing down the butt of his gun crash upon the sku S? the cSan. when he felt someone graspmg his arm from behind and heard a voice whispering in his ear : Q 24^ BABOE DALIMAJ OR, " Take care Theodoor, take care, it is a dangerous thing to meddle with those opium fellows." Theodoor looked round, and, to his great surprise, he saw that it was Mokesuep who thus warned him. " You, Muizenkop I " cried he. " Where have you sprung from ? " " I lost my way," was the reply. " But for heaven's sake keep cool or you will get yourself into trouble." " What do I care," shouted Grenits ; " let go my arm, I will soon settle the matter with that confounded opium spy ! " Singomengolo stood there before him with an indescribable look of ferocious malice on his evil countenance. He had laid his hand on the hilt of his kris and, proud and impetuous as he naturally was, he would undoubtedly have answered any act of violence with a stab of his knife, if indeed the first blow had not laid him senseless. For a moment he stood glaring at the European with bold and glittering eye. Then suddenly he seemed to change his mind. He released the girl's arm, for, across the rice fields, he now saw another group advancing rapidly. In this group his quick sight had at once recognised not only the Controller of Banjoe Pahit but also the wedono of the district, and at the sight his sallow face grew pale. " What's all this about ? " asked Verstork as he came up to the spot. " 'i'hat wretched woman has been smuggling opium, Kand- jeng toean," replied Singomengolo. "That woman?" " But — " cried van Nerekool, in amazement. " But, it is Dalinia ! " "Dalima?" " Yes Dalima, the baboe of the Resident." " Good," said van Rheijn, with a laugh. " Our Resident keeps a baboe — a stock of feeding bottles also — no doubt ! " Van Nerekool turned crimson. He had not wished to say, " the baboe of the Resident's daughter." Verstork removed one of the girl's hands from her face. " Yes — it is indeed Dalima ! And you say that she has smuggled opium ? " he continued, turning to Singomengolo. He made a sign to one of the wedono's servants, who at once gave the young girl a shawl, into which she hastily wrapprd herself. " Most assuredly," replied the bandoelan, " 1 have searched her myself." 243 ^-°"""""7\ ...ndtornoffber .indeed you have,; yeioinedVerstorU. clothing in the V^^^^^^^,, .< ^^0 have so « She would not aiiow ^ ^^^^^^^^^ VerstorK, .. And it IS you then, ^^ ^^_ shamefully in-treated her ? „ She .. But what was 1 to oo, ^^^^ "P^' rontroUei's view sistance, --^-''tX^^oXo held up ^o f ^^S t" ^^e one AS he spoke, ^"gP^'e ^^^ ^^s ^tra^g^^^J,';^ Verstork. In- " Did you nnQ W'*'- " v, h d ..1 toe not smuggled opM^ „„, smuggled J^g,; e„«ing on *e g-o-i,„, ^ >»-j;»["':^"SeSl? »' S-»^°,ijSnSaand Com noun, Anna, ,ou sa.d, « Leave from the nj , _ Dalima. «c Then those two laaics *"^"V,'^<;ked Verstork. '^^ffeSelsestoswearthatthisgi^hadop.. ;r-SoioSstac^^^^^^^^^^ HelSv Mokesuep qmert^^^^^^^^^ -"^TSoTo unper2eived „,an had ta^^" ^^ ^e had a chance to do so ul^^^ sneaked away, ^^I^^." ^^ for so doing, but &i 6 He had Reasons otn ^^.^^ gentleman here, lio curled with a aisaai ^ ^ putcn ge» ^ j^ ^'^..just now," quoth he'„7'^oed Verstork, "O^^at „ou a "A Dutch gentleman^^ - ^^^„ , ,,,, care what y his temper. «■ ^ 244 BABOE DALIMAJ OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 245 saying. Are you trying to make a fool of me ? I won't stand such impudence, do you hear ! " " Muizenkop was here just now," remarked Grenits interrupt- ing him. "Muizenkop? why I have seen nothing of him all the morning ! " " I don't know how it is," replied Grenits, " he told me something about losing his way." " But, what has become of him ? " asked the Controller. "That I don't know— anyhow, he was standing here a minute ago." "But," continued Verstork speaking to Singomengoio. " You said two witnesses — who is the other ? " " Lim Ho," was the fellow's insolent reply. " Lim Ho ! " exclaimed van Nerekool in amazement. "And Dalima in that condition 1 Now I understand all about it ! " "Lim Ho has terribly ill-used me," sobbed the poor girl " and — " but she could not utter another word. " And ? " persisted Verstork. " He and that man there held me fast." " You villainous brute 1 " shouted van Nerekool as he shook his clenched fist in the wretch's face. " She has smuggled opium," replied the spy without flinch- ing. "She has smuggled opium, and I found it upon her — that is all. The gentlemen must try not to lose their tempers. The girl is simply telling a parcel of lies." "I do not lie," cried Dalima, "I have not smuggled— my condition shows plainly enough how they have treated me." At a gesture from the controller a couple of oppassers lifted up the young girl from the ground. Van Nerekool assisted them, and called for another covering to wrap around her. Then turning to the Controller he said, " A foul outrage has been committed here — the way that poor girl lias been treated is simply infamous ! " Having thus for the moment taken care of Dalima, the company entered the hut. There they found Mokesuep smoking a friendly cigar with Lim Ho. The latter's ear was bandaged. "So," said Verstork to Mokesuep without bestowing so much as a look upon the Chinaman. " So you're here I " "Yes," was the reply, " I am here, I lost my way this morn- ing in the ravine and have been wandering about until I came ,. ., I then sought shelter from the burning sun. •'Well yes," was the reply, aoou tinaed Verstork. , ^„^^3„,p ^ if mach astoMshed. .. ;t*r Stag at anabou. U^" ^„^ ,, ,,„„Wed Singo all has taken place here, ^ ^^^^h j ^J^^ ^ both u'ese^en of havmg perpetrated a^ ^^^^^ .o.fonn^ed Mokesuep, who did not know i > ^^^ Resident ! Jre aSciouslypufflng at teagar ,^,_„ ^^ „p„ed "I have seen nothmg »k^=;'"^K in a taunling lone ot •'Rut I" interrupted S'ngomengoi , j opium— 1 voic?"' I accuse .l>a« 'i^-.^J^h S tie ^ch g-tlenra„ founditlnherpossMSlon-ttieDa -^.Ku™%edr»tat,nce,vii. and ntteriy de- The Chinaman did not answer 246 BABOE DAUMA; OR, praved though he was, yet even he hesitated. He could not quite make up his mind utterly to destroy the poor girl whom he had so deeply injured. But Singomengolo gave him a significant look and made him a sign which was almost im- perceptible. " Yes," said Lim Ho at length, " that is perfectly true." " Is that true ? " said Verstork turning to Mokesuep. "Yes — it is true," replied the latter with the utmost effrontery. " Did you actually see the bandoelan find this box in the girl's possession ? " " Yes," replied the wretch. ^ At this word Dalima fell into a dead swoon. The other men present at the scene could not repress gestures of contempt and loathing, for all were firmly convinced of the poor girl's innocence and of the perjured scoundrel's infamy. " You damned wretch ! " shouted Theodnor Grenits beside himself with fury and utterly unable any longer to restrain himself. A contemptuous smile, accompanied with a still more con- temptuous gesture, was Mokesuep s only reply. That was too much for Grenits. " There! there I " he shouted livid with rage, " there, there ! take that." And at the words he dealt the infamous scoundrel two swinging blows in the face. " Mr. Grenits ! Mr. Grenits," cried Verstork in a dignified manner, " Do pray control yourself, do ndt make my official duty more difficult to perform than it already is," CHAPTER XX. A DINNER-PARTY. A FEW hours later our sportsmen were seated at table in the pandoppo of the Controller's house at Banjoe Pahit Fritz Mokesuep, however, we need hardly say, was not of the party. William Verstork was a man who, as a rule, could put up with a good deal ; but on this occasion he had not cared THE OPIUM FIEND. 247 ,0 conceal *e a,e«Lon «.h »hich .h». individual inspired "T. soon as poor Da,i™a ^^^^^^^''^SJSI^it^^t under escort of . I?"''"™-^ " ''Slcr had told Mokesuep, a prisoner to S»n'J"°"* *' £ " Xt had talren place be- ;".eai.i;'td"ss r crp'antcouw -y -" "= ^"- ,,ensed«ith. , Mokesuep's reply, "that the ^1 XinLS'thetsult is the one that ough, ,0 stand aside." , „„Apr ordinary circumstances, have "Such, no ^^^^'l^:^'^^^^%eZk with icy coolness; been my opmion also, ^^f^^l^. ^g ^y guest, you will " but before I can consent to «cme yo" ^J ^ow you came to said iU-used, ^^ the pi^sent m^^^^^^^^ "and Weeding ^nd expression. We found her nere n therefore, evidently she was calling upon us for help, ^he had, tnere , been ill-treated, at present! ^^^y ""^^ "^^^^^l^i^^^^^^^^ suffered this ill-treatment in y°"^ P-^^^"";^" a wliat I said just .hopietend tobeagenU...n; an^^^^^^^^^ that it was Z'il7o:'l<^Ti:iSstor defend this poor young girl be- [ore T will consent to receive you under my roof. ll^J^caT^af^-Kof the su^picipn v^ perhg very unjustly, at present -sts upon you 1 -" -buc you my friend G^e"'^%«'^°"'VSs " Mr Mokesuep will find me ^aEi.2Ssu-^^o?=^ -«r;::"tn^s.s«rd;...to-sh me with the explanations I require ? Vprstork " cried «'I owe you no explanations whatever, Mr VerstorK, cr Mokesuep,"^'? intend to reserve my explanations for the Res- dent's ear." 248 BABOE DALIMA; OR, " Very well, sir, just as you please," replied Verstork. " In that case T have nothing further to say to you," and with a stiff, formal bow he added : " Pray let me not detain you any longer." Mokesuep ground his teeth with rage at this direct dismissal; he flung his rifle over his shoulder, and, accompanied by Lim Ho and Singomengolo, who had stood by as silent spectators of the scene, without understanding much of what was going on, he hurried away in the direction of Santjoemeh, As he went he cried, " You shall pay for this, Mr. Verstork. I shall have my revenge ! " It was a terrible threat, no doubt ; but it did not take away the appetite of our friends ; and so, as we have said before, a few hours after found them seated at the table in the pandoppo of the Controller at Banjoe Pahit. The pandoppo of the Controller's house could not, in size or extent, be compared with the splendid gallery in the stately residential mansion at Santjoemeh. But, for that very reason, it was more homely and more comfortable. It lacked the vast empty spaces between the columns, reminding one of a big market-hall, and it had not the lofty roof which made one think of a cathedral. It was, in fact, much more like a cosy sitting-room, and to this air of homely comfort, the tasteful manner in which Verstork had furnished it, contributed not a little. Indeed, this pandoppo was Verstork's ordinary sitting- room, and a very pleasant retreat it was. The big windows, all of them furnished with Venetian blinds, gave free access to the breeze, while, on the sunny side, they could be closed so as to exclude the heat; and thus within that gallery it was always deliciously cool. The entire house moreover was sur- rounded by trees encircling it as with a crown of verdure, and their pleasant shade tempered the glaring light of the tropical day. There, William Verstork used to sit whenever his presence was not required in his office. There, at sunrise, he sipped his early cup of coflee, there he breakfasted and used to dine. There again he was wont to enjoy his papers and periodicals as in the afternoon he took a cup of tea, and used to dream away the evenings musing within himself, and often wondering whether, in such a place, it was well for a man to be alone. At any time of the day this pandoppo was a pleasant retreat, and specially gay and comfortable did it look now when the host had gathered his friends around his table, THE OPIUM FIEND. 249 The very table itself contributed to the gaiety and brightness of the scene. riUnlaved the inevitable bowls of On that board were d'spla^^J "^^ ^ ^ i^^ every rice, cooked by steam.ng '" ^^°"'"^^^^^^^^^ «ith this stand- grain snow-white, distmct ^"f ,f,^Pf'^3^^^n saucers, an endless fr^g dish of rice were P^^-^^^ "l^^'^J^les, and condiments of variety of soups, vegetables, sauces. Pickles ^^^ ^^^^^ all kinds. There j^^-^^^.^J^^^^^^X of dishes thicker kinds of soup. Then a variety ^^^.j^^^ ^^^^^ Spanish pepper, among which devmecisn p, ^^ ^^^ the celebrated little red-fish °f .fJ^^^^^l'^J' ^^^^ Paskia speciosa and the famous P"^^e Pepper ^^^^ ^^^ doubt on account of its f '"^^^"I^PJ^gh ^uch as jerked beef, stantial dishes consisted of "^^^ a'^d fis^' Sed Ind braised smoked venison F«^«%°;. ^^^'^f^ fi ^'the Olfromeus Olfax. fowl, and a delicious ^^jf ^^^^'.'/oug to m^^^ Srerup^fa^cottSet^^^^^^^^^ ^i" ^ ^''^ LucuUuses as they entered ^^e Pandoppo a ^ hem smack their lips in =^"t»f;P^J°^„fhe een^^^^ sucking pig which stood cony. cum^^^^^ ^^,^^ ^^^^^^^ in a capacious dish. It ;^?fj^°^,'!^ i„ j^s snout. It was entertainment. ^^^^^^^ ^^ the good fare Every one of the ffff^"'"- h^^^aliant trenchermen ; but and all proved themselves to be ^'gh va >a ^ ^^^ though the g""d^:^:"^i\P'Sy fl^^^^^^^ '^^^ ^"^^"^^"* '" .^ThaJTonfounded Muizenkop ! " quoth Theodoor Grenits, "^eT?:™?"!?!:^ ZVbZ£<- .-a. sucking pig is a most delicious morsel." 250 BABOE DALIMA; OR, " Very nice, indeed," remarked van Rheijn. " But, how many of those chaps have we bowled over I wonder ? " " That I cannot tell you," said Verstork. " But," resumed van IJeneden, " we ought to know the number in order that we may be able to judge in how far our expedition may be called successful. How shall we find out?" " Patience, August, patience," said Verstork with a smile. "All right, William," continued van Beneden, "you know I have no great stock of that commodity. I wonder how many of those beasts we have knocked over. I saw a good number of them sprawling about." "The wedono will be here presently with his report," replied Verstork. " The wedono ! Yes, he has disappeared — where can he have got to ? " '• Well," said Verstork, " I ordered him and the two loerahs to make a careful search in the Ujoerang Pringapoes. He will no doubt soon be here to tell us the result of our day's work." The words were scarcely spoken, before one of the oppassers came in to announce the arrival of the dessa-chief. "Show him in ! " cried Verstork. " Well, Wedono," he continued with a smile, " I see you come to share our rice-table, that is very kind of you, I am glad to see you." The Javanese chief, however, had recoiled in terror. Had the conscientious Mohammedan been a Roman Catholic he would most assuredly have crossed himself. As it was he merely muttered in the direst confusion, "Excuse me, Kandjeng toean ! You know that we are not allowed to eat pork." " But, you can take something else, Wedono — there is beef on the table and fowl and duck and fish — anything you like in fact." " Thank you, Kandjeng toean, thank you ; but all these things have been cooked in the same kitchen as the sucking pig, and, you know our religion forbids us — " " I am sorry for it, Wedono," replied Verstork. " I came here, Kandjeng toean," continued the chief, "to give you my report of the day's hunting." "Very well, Wedono!" " Seventeen pigs great and small have been killed. The Chinamen at Kaligaweh and at Banjoe Pahit have bought the carcases from the village people and are now busy carting them away." THE OPIUM FIEND. 251 ..Ah, Wedono, those Chinamen know what is good," said '''Tsu';pose so, Kandjeng toean," replied the dessa-chief with a forced smile. „„mbpr I think— is it not, Wedono ? " ''\'''V:a7Rt^ir ''Do'you tS." he continued, "that remarked van Kheijn. ^ j „ we have pretty weU exterminated them ? ^_ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ "Pretty nearly," ^"swered the wedono^ ^.^ people have gone after the Fg^ ^^^^ ^rok^ ''J'Zy few left and patched several of t^^" .e T^tie hgh mountain land, so that iVorthTnnrwfshiVbV^^^^^^^^ any more by that mis- ^^if^SSS^yftierrds^cn^;^^ lr'ij:^w1r Her^i go^o^dTIck to Banjoe Pahit and the dcssa-folk 1 " . , ^ raised their glasses. will know him by his long tusks— 1 very '"^.Sllen., excelled.," exclaimed "'"^^^^J"^ '"" wed«"o he cSnued, "The™ tother, I «an, you a. o„ce to open the Inquiry in the matter ot Dalima. :;^=Se^mC"p--!^-' "-' --' ^ '•*""' you about that affair." ^^ " Very good, Kandjeng toean. ^ u , » nnd "Presently," cried van Beneden, "presently why- and then he struck up '« We wont go home till morning . . . Till daylight doth appear. The entire company joined in the well-known old tune. When S^ noSrhadTomewhat subsided. Verstork continued : 252 THE OPIUM FIEND. 253 BA60E DALIMA] OR, " Duty, my friends, before pleasure. You will presently go and have your afternoon nap, then you will take a bath. I shall pursue this inquiry with the help of the wedono. This evening it is my intention to return to Santjoemeh with you ; for the first thing to-morrow morning I must have an interview with the Resident. You have understood me, Wedono, have you not ? " " Yes, Kandjeng toean." " Very good then, I will not detain you." With a courtly bow, the dessa-chief took leave of the com- pany and retired. The dinner went on ; but the mention of Dalima had some- what dashed the high spirits of the guests. The recollection of the sad event of the morning seemed to cast a chill over them all and to sober down even the merriest of the party. "Poor little Dalima!" sighed Grashuis, after a few moments' silence during which he had been discussing a duck's wing, "Poor little Dalima! could she be guilty of smuggling opium?" " Get along with you," cried van Beneden. " Does that pretty little thing look like a smuggler ? " " Take care, August," said van Rheijn with a laugh, " a lawyer ought not to allow himself to be influenced by outward appearance. Am I not right, Charles ? " Van Nerekool was not there and then ready with an answer to this appeal ; he was in fact busily employed in removing the bones from a splendid slice of fish. But after a moment's pai^se he said : " Certainly not— yet, for all that I also am firmly persuaded of the girl's innocence." "Of course, of course — the baboe of nonna Anna, eh Charles — cela va sans dire ? " " But," remarked van Rheijn, " the thing that puzzles me is that the opium was found upon her." " Do you believe that ? " asked another. "Well I don't know what to say, there is Muizenkop's testimony." " What ! would you take that scoundrel's word ? " " Aye, aye," said Verstork very seriously, " the whole busi- ness looks ugly enough." " As far as I can see," said Grashuis, " there is but one hope left, and that is that nonna Anna may have influence enough with her father to get the affair hushed up." A bitter smile curled van Nerekool's lip, but he uttered not a word, .No, It Urn HO, .he »n ^^^^fZ^y^^^^^ mixed up in the nutter," »»'*J''^XpTl,ef-^hen 1 thinlc ,ou inisht have some reason '••''^^r^ ' ' "My dear friend-my good AopKI^ '=P' ^ India once highiy'plaeed i-f 'r'^VKSrSdriS » >on Vis country , spoke these words : Ihe 0P»"™ ^ . upon everythmg, as a heavy curse-it ^^f^^P'^^jfuSc? ? think I am rifht. alas, even upon our courts ot justice. tl ^ Van Nerekool nodded affirmatively^ ^^^ r^ "Well." said van Rheip ' all tha .s very ^^^.^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ state of things indeed; but the worsi ui i ^^ I opium makes opium-farming a pcessary g • i^^^y. " What nonsense you do talk • cneu v* " But Theodoor ! " " But Edward ! ''— , . ^ ^ely there would at:rbetn^nW;ir^^^^ ^-- ' "^y., replied G^enits.^t sc^ -V P^^.^ doubt; but now «"PP°^X^he^the aS of Uie drug ^vould were no opmm-monopoly *en tne ao ^^^^ ^^^ never have assumed '{^P^'^^'^XifJ a statement which is perhaps sound so pleasant , but ii "^"0?trye'tl heard all about that last night; unfor- ■-aSto^-iJ;. S:u .-y is :;ltSrcoS:ttr-* -SllS'^o'^^ - di.Le„.vie.-so much for history." „„t,i\=trustthe Councilof India? ' " But Edward. I hope you do "ft'l'^trust tne l.o _^ .. Well what does the Council ^ay. heodoor ? _ "If my memory serves me it ^^yf^J^^^^^^^^^sly watched ; ^ sbr":uS''onnreTitiroSUWed.'" 2S4 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THB OPIUM FIEND. 255 "Aye, aye," returned van Rheijn; " but is all this true?" " Why," said Grenits, " I hope, Edward, you do not doubt my word ? " " Not in the least, my dear fellow, not in the least. I am quite ready to admit that your quotation is accurate ; but was the Council properly informed when it gave that opinion ? " " Well," replied Grenits, " if you go on like that, then we shall not be able to trust anybody or anything. Those people are paid, and most handsomely paid, to get the best and most trustworthy information. But independently altogether of the Council's opinion, in which you seem to have but little faith, tell me, does not the constantly rising revenue from the farming of opium aflford proof absolute of the truth of the Council's word ? Every successive year the estimate is higher and higher." " 1 know that," said van Rheijn, " but estimate and actual produce are widely different things." " True enough, they are sometimes widely diflTerent ; but in this particular case they are not. Heaven and earth are moved to reach the figure at which the minister has estimated the revenue, and means the most unfair, even the most criminal, are employed in order, if possible, to surpass the sum at which the revenue has been placed. How many a Netherland's Lion has been given away because, in this district or in that, the produce of the opium contract has exceeded the figure at which the minister jjut it ! How proudly must the ' Virtus Nobilitat' thus earned glitter upon the breast of its possessor ! " " But I want to know," remarked August van Beneden, " is the use of opium really as injurious to the body as men say it is ? We saw with our own eyes last night that as far as morality is concerned it has not much to recommend it ; but how about its influence upon the material body ? We some- times hear the word poisoning used ; that very term indeed was made use of last night, but it seems to me that it is a system of poisoning under which a man may attain to a very good old age, just as a man may grow old who drinks a glass or two of grog." "Listen to me," said Verstork in a most serious tone. "We are sitting here together, all, 1 hope, honest trustworthy men 1 can therefore speak my mind freely and fearlessly before you, and I may without reserve give you the conclusion to whicli a long and richly varied experience has led me on the subject of opium. "The habitual use of opium, even in comparatively moderate doses, invariably leads to vitiation of the blood and 1 ThU aeain eives rise to an asthmatic constriction of the vessels Thisjmgv^^ almost always condition and to a ^-^^^^^itcX^^^^ ^y the most d.s- incurable dysentery, /.^f^^l^. suffering. Upon the opmm tressing symptoms and mtokrables^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ smoker, moreover, •"^^^'^;^^' ^^^^^^ effect, exceptmg the narcotc po^^^^^^ seek relief in augmented titles. Hence he suffere « ^nve ^^^^^^ ^.^ ^^^ doses of the poison, and if he amno ^^ .^ ^^ becomes utterly unbearable. Yet to tn^^^^^^ ^^ ^^e other, unless he can pass f'^°"?°"f;\° alleviate the miseries of the Opium smoking is he only ^hing *« ?^"« j^ ^^ ^ut few can coUapse -hich /ollows an op um deb^^^^^^^^ ^j^^^^ afford the continual ^jn of ^^^Jg^^^^ ^od is taken, these a sufficient quantity °f 8°°^ J;„Sng themselves ; and a lamentable results may be f J >\ ^^"^^^^^^^^ many a man, generous and strengthemng diet has preser ^^^ ^^^^^^ „f for an entire Iffetime, from the ^JJ* f ^^^ ^4 ^^ ^^ his pernicious habit. But even in ^»«=^ j^ ' ^ad, that blood and the ^---^•^^''^Z^LX^or. slight wound, trifling ailments, ^.'^^^ J.^ ^i"^",^^^^^ lead to fatal re- fr«e =rraraluv:r.e%Tea,,, ...»va.ed by *. habitual use of opium ? Quantity of nutritive food ; .. I spoke just now of ^'"fS^G^^^^Senl also knows it- but we know too -f'^^^^^^^ ^°„^Xd a supply of food that but very few of jje jati^J nutritious. It is well which can be called e^"^^^^™*; diet of the Javanese is, even known how -cee<^"|V ^ab y ^^^^^^^ ' ^"^ j* ''' among those who are m toierauiy guu seldom 'wdl known also that, ^^f " ^)'e" ^e can affo d i^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ makes use of food Y^^^^^^^^^J^^^'y ^'^^^^^^^^^ become diet, be it more or less gj^^^^^r/^' "^ considerable, and more and more meagre when e^ery aay j^ndered in ever mo.e considerable P^^ ^^^^^f^f ^^J,;^::,^^^ Sf tends to t^::^i^C^^f^^ *h it might be indulged in -^If, ^^/^Ig^^^^^^^ cases lack of money "«"t'y°"rlifSe to limh themselves to a very must compel these people Jo um preserved from ThSxrrriJeiSgSiL. sue, u,., . »« SS6 BABOE DALIMAJ OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 257 always the case. There are men, and their number is by no means small, who in the days of their prosperity have gradually accustomed themselves to a very considerable consumption of the drug ; and who, when all their worldly possessions have vanished in clouds of intoxicating smoke, have been com- pelled either to satisfy themselves with diminished doses of opium or else to abstain from smoking altogether. It is diffi- cult to fathom the hopeless misery of such poor creatures. Further, experience has proved, that very many whose daily consumption is strictly moderate, yet at forty years of age and upwards suffer frightfully from the ill effects of opium, especially of the most painful and incurable dysentery. I my- self have at Berbek, at Trengalek, at Santjoemeh, here at Banjoe Pahit and elsewhere, cured a great number of such sufferers with a certain remedy, and thus I have had ample opportunity to make myself personally acquainted with the facts. " Now, if with these unfortunate creatures we compare the thousands who, at home, drink their couple of glasses of beer or of spirits, then it will appear at a glance how much more pernicious is the use of opium than the use of alcohol. The former indeed, is infinitely more stupefying and deadening, and thus, very much more rapidly than alcohol, it destroys the appetite ; so that, even when plenty of wholesome food is at hand, it either cannot be taken at all or else loses much of its nutritive value. Confirmed opium smokers have repeatedly told me that, in consequence of their pernicious habit, they could eat only a few pinches of rice a day, whereas, when, by the help of a remedy with which I supplied them, they were able gradually to diminish their daily dose of opium, they could take ten times the amount of nourishment. " Then comes another point, and that is the extreme fascina- tion and seductiveness of opium, which causes the most pleasurable bodily sensations, which fills the mind with glorious dreams, which, for a while, removes all pain and suffering, while it, at the same time, deadens much more effectually than strong drink, the mental faculties, in this depressed race already sufficiently dormant, and thus the use of opium holds its victim much more securely bound in the fetters of his fatal passion, than the moderate use of alcohol enslaves anyone at home. " Having thus, by degrees, come to the influence of opium upon the mind and the character, I must certainly not omit to draw your attention to the selfishness and self-indulgence which . devel ,ps in the smoker ^^:rXSSS^^ all his surroundings, even »« ^is own wue ^^ ^^^^^^j^ ,^ listless indolence \" VrSth by nigh? or dky, allows hnn fact of any kind, which at length by^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^,1 ,^3 ^on- to think of nothing but of ^f J"J^„'"^f ^hid, everything must comitant cravings, to ^^e gr^t^^Xo^^^^^^^^ A g"^ be sacrificed, and f f-^y^"^^ T:f ignoble passion, demands no drinker, for the indulgenccin his ignob.c P .^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^,, other service than that now a'^dj:hen sm«e ^^^^^ ^^^^ ?etch him his dram ; ^"\'^« °P'rolSs the services of his en- luxury of attendance at all, monopolises the se ^^^^^^^ ^^ Ure household. One «^"^^^°^'l„'ltEl/° it go and purchase satisfying his "pensivecrav^ another must g^ ^^^^ ^.^ ^ his opium, a third must stand by m reaa ^^f^.^^^ents he fourth must prepare his «f^^ Xt he is not so violent and requires. It is true, no doubt, ^^^\J'^. . t,,e influence noTso noisy in ^js debauch as on^w^^^^^^^^ ,,,earoff of liquor ; but, ^^;^'^V .nf Sain be Jn to make themselves feU, and his pains and ||'^n»•^"'^^SaIu beg ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ then, unless the whole amay-sat^h^^^^^ ^^^ house with once more to minister to his pas W „oanings and invectives and ^hreat^rVhrnrtrendil If to this we add lamentations most P't/^^^^.^f^Xch the ^P'""^ '''"" '''"" the bodily and niental debg M I ^,^^ ^^j^„^y mits as a legacy to his w etched ^^'g^ e^,^iidren at all, then we of smokers cease at aa earl age^ohav ^^^^^^^ stunted race ^t'th^ Tond'o? tSteneration from the present °"f. And then," continued Vcr^tork, a^^^^^^^^^ ToplumtntS the poverty and destitution wh^h W>e "^\° ^^^^^^y been,- What an aUunt of prosperity and welfare has ^ J^ ^^^^^^^^ andisdailybeing--swnovedupbyt.he ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^.^^ drug 1 Among the lower ^I'^sses, a 1 ^^^.^^^ ^^ ?ho§ghhe -°^- -jXorht tir^^^^^^^^ to the pui- Ihe point when he must devote ni ^^ ^^^ chase of the drug, while at the same^^^^^ ,^^ ^^.i^ned. freshing and st.mulaun^ dainties mus ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ The families are leg>^°" !"/ I^he o^^^^ breadwinner. Should asS BADGE DALIMA ; OR, misery are much more frequent out here than similar cases of destitution in Europe occasioned by the abuse of drink. " Now all these powers, bodily, mental, and moral ; and all that prosperity, which at present opium saps and destroys, might be devoted to industry and agriculture. If such use were made of them, how much greater would be both produc- tion and consumption, and how much more considerable would be the profit to the exchequer — a profit earned in a fair and legitimate way — than any revenue which the accursed system of opium farming can produce ! Thousands upon thousands of the natives here have neither the energy, nor the means, nor the inclination to work or to learn how they may profitably cultivate their gardens and fields, neither do they care to pro- gress in any branch of industry whatever; because they have offered up — and are continually offering — all they possess in the world to opium. But, are not industry and agriculture the very life-blood of a State ? Yet here, the state itself does all it possibly can to poison that life-blood, and thus to bring about its own destruction." William Verstork here paused for awhile, after so long an oration, he felt the necessity of quenching his thirst with a glass of beer. All his guests sat silently waiting for what he might further have to say. His words had evidently made a very deep impression upon his hearers, for the language to which they had listened was the simple and unvarnished tale of actual experience ; and, however young and heedless some of them might be, yet the speech of their friend had awakened their interest, and had gone straight to their hearts. At length, after having drawn a long breath, the Controller went on to say : " You know, my friends, that my olhcial career has not been ])assed entirely at Santjoemeh. My probationary time I spent in the capital of the Kediri residence. As second-class con- troller I was some time at Berbek and at Trenggalek. I know, therefore, from personal experience how matters stand in those residencies also. Now listen to me. Kediri has a population of about 700,000 souls — the vast majority of them very poor people. In that place the opium contract produces eighteen hundred thousand guilders. If to that sum we add the price paid for the drug delivered to the farmer, and the profits which he makes on the sale then, I think, we shall be well within the mark if we put down two and a half millions of guilders as the sum which those poor people, of their own free will, pay annually to purchase a few hours a day of enjoyment and oblivion. I THE OPIUM FIEND. 259 sav nothing now about the cost of smuggled opium; the amount paid for it is not known, and every one must, therefore, form his own opinion of that. How is it possible for a popula- b^so poor to find so large a sum of money, in add't'O"; ™Llf you, to all their other burdens, such as compulsory laboiur, salt- tax rent, licenses, import duties, &c.? That is a mystery to r^e-but then you should see what kind of a life is that of a P^^iV&'^seTs^Urally very small, built of bamboo and covered with straw. Furniture they have none whatever ; a mat spread out on a bamboo bench, and a coarse pillow is what They sleep on. They cook their food on the grourid m pots and pans of the commonest earthenware ; they eat it on pisang leaves with their lingers; they drink water out of an earthinware pitcher. They seldom, we may say never, wash their clothes which, such as they are they continue to wear until they fall in rags from their bodies. The children run about naked, and grow up in the mud among the bulloclB At five o'clock in the morning they rise and go to work so as to be present in time for roll-call at six. They work for the^ masters, in the rice-fields, at road-making, m the coffee planta- tions, or in the osier-beds. Should a man get a day off, he may go and work on his own account, and then he can earn about 40 or so cents (10 pence) for ten hours' labour When they get home in the evening, they have their morsel of food and fully half the day's earning is spent on opium. At eignt o'clock all are fast asleep, and up to eight o'clock the only lamp they have in the hut is a saucer with a cotton wick in a little stinking oil. Such is the faithful picture of the daily life of a Javanese opium smoker. Nothing— absolutelj^nothing to make the slightest break in this weary monotony. Nothing but woric, f hard work ; mostly for insufficient wages, very frequently com- I pulsory labour for no wages at all. And then, behind their i backs to be called a pack of lazy scoundrels ! 1 hat is a little \ too bad. Tell me, have we„12utch ariyfeeling^taUjOT^ \ fellow-creatures? Is it not at leHgtTTTngrTimTthat all that .:ompuU6fy an'dunpaid labour should be done away with and that the opium curse should be banished from the landf Every right-minded Dutchman ought to do his best according to the utmost of his power to attain that end, because every Dutchman is personally and individually responsible for so frightful a state of things, and every Dutchman ought to be heartily ashamed of himself while the poor patient Javanese 26o BABOE DALIMA; OR, are being so shamefully imposed upon. All that the poor native can earn either by his work for his masters or in his own free time, he must, in one shape or other, offer up to that in- satiable Moloch, the public treasury. There is but one thing left for him, and that is a little rice ; and of that he has not enough to last him for the whole year." "Yes," observed Grenits, when Verstork had finished speaking, "yes, William, you are perfectly right, and that is the reason why he seeks for consolation and temporary oblivion in the opium den, just as in Holland a poor man in similar circumstances flies for relief to the bottle. Thus cause and effect act and react upon one another ; misery suggests opium or drink, and drink and opium in their .turn engender misery. It requires a very powerful effort of the will to shake off either bad habit, and drink and opium are the very things which deprive a man of whatever power of will he may have. Therefore it is perfectly hopeless to expect the people to take the initiative in any such reforms as Verstork has mentioned ; the evil keeps on spreading and is daily striking deeper roots. The ruling power ought to exercise its authority and drag these poor degraded people out of the slough of despond in which so many of them are wallowing. It ought to do this, 1 say, regardless of cost and trouble ; and regardless also of the pain it may for the moment inflict. Every right-minded citizen ought, according as he is able, to assist the government in that arduous task, and whoever would, for selfish motives, strive to retard or to frustrate this plan of rescue ought at once to be put aside and rendered harmless. If Holland and Dutch India cannot continue to exist, or to speak more correctly, cannot continue to pay their way without screwing a revenue out of such i mmoral sources ^as abuse of opium._^abuse of drink and unpaid^mpuisoryHabour — why then for honour of the country it were better that it should do like the man who is no longer able to maintain, by honest means, a separate home of his own, and go and live as a boarder in the house of another." For a few moments all sat silent. They all felt the truth, the undeniable truth of Theodoor's words, though his con- cluding sentence had most deeply wounded their patriotic pride. At length van Beneden started up from his seat, and going up to Verstork he took his hand and pressed it cordially. " I thank you," said he in a tone of deep emotion, " I thank you heartily for the insight you have given me into the fatal effects of opium. J am but a young lawyer and have, as yet. THE OPIUM FIEND. 261 had no opportunity of appearing as counsel in any case con- nected with the traffic. I have read much about the abuse of the drug, and I learned much last night under the Wariengien tree on the green at Kaligaweh ; but your manly and vigorous words have awakened my conscience, and here, in the presence of you all, I solemnly promise that I will, on the very first opportunity that may present itself, make the very best use I can of what your experience has taught me." " Hurrah 1 " cried Leendert Grashuis. "William, your excellent speech has thus had not only a practical, but it will have an immediate effect. Aye, my friends, I say an immediate effect : for I have a proposition to make to you — " " Out with it I " they cried, " let us hear it." "Yesterday, we all but witnessed the Amokh which took place at Kaligaweh ; this morning we were within a few minutes of witnessing another and no less terrible crime. It is not my intention to analyse the feelings to which these scenes have given rise in our hearts — the father ajnanslayer, jmdjhe daughter dishonoured. Both these events, however, are intimately and immediately connected with_tlie infamous system of opium- farming. We have heard the testimony of our superior officer. In the name of all assembled here, I thank him for his noble sentiments ; and now my friends let us not be behind him in generosity. Dalima and her father must have an advocate in the trial which awaits them, and that advocate we have found. Both the accused parties will, in our friend August van Beneden, find a defender who will take up their cause with zeal and ability. Methinks, I can hear his maiden speech — it will be a splendid one." "Thank you, Leendert," said van Beneden with much emotion, " I can assure my friends that they have not mis- judged me." " Aye, aye," continued Grashuis, " I know that well ; but we all of us intend to participate in the good work, do we not ? " " By all means ! " was the general cry. " Well then, listen to me, for now I come to the proposal I have to make. In this case there can be no question of offering our friend van Beneden any honorariutp — that would deprive his labour of love of its chief merit. But in carrying on this defence many expenses will necessarily be incurred and many fees will have to be paid in advance. We all know that Dame Justice is in India an expensive — a most expensive hussy. Well then, let us all join hands and undertake to find the funds that 262 BABOE DALIMA; OS, may be required — then August will be able to carry on both cases in the most effectual and vigorous manner." " Agreed, agreed 1 " they all exclaimed. " Now, August, do your best ! " "Now that we have arranged that business," resumed Grenits, " I have a question to put to our host" " By all means, Theodoor," said Verstork, " what is it ? " "I am a merchant," said Grenits, "and as such, I am bound to be very inquisitive. In trade I not only need all the in- formation I can obtain about any article of commerce ; but I find a little chemistry uncommonly useful — " " Come to the point," cried several of the guests ; " we don't want any lectures on chemistry and commerce ! " But Grenits, without paying any heed to the interruption, went on : " Just now in your speech you made mention of a certain remedy which I think you said you found useful in curing some unhappy slaves to opium. Is that, may I ask, a secret remedy ? " " A secret remedy ? " asked Verstork, with a laugh. " What do you mean — do you take me for a quack-doctor ? " " Not by any means," replied Grenits. " Since this remedy then is not a secret one, will you tell me what it is ? " " With pleasure," said Verstork ; " they are pills which were given me by a missionary. They are composed of opium and radix rhei or rhubarb, in the following proportions : Twelve of these pills contain three grains of opium and twelve grains of rhubarb. They are to be administered every five days ; the first time twelve have to be taken, the next time nine, the third time six, but it is very seldom indeed that the third dose is required, for by that time the patients are generally cured." " And," persisted Grenits, " can you actually vouch for their efficacy ? " " To be sure I can," replied Verstork. " In my study you will find a kind of trophy consisting of a dozen bedoedans or opium-pipes which the smokers have deposited with me with the solemn promise that they would never touch the pipe again. The missionary who gave me the pills can speak most positively of upwards of seventy cures." " Now," asked Grenits, " you will not be offended if I give you a bit of advice in your own interest and in the interest also of the missionary ? " "Certainly not," said Verstork, " let us hear it, by all means." " Well, my advice is this : keep that priescription strictly to THE OPIUM FIEND. 263 yourself and don't say a word about it to anybody. 1 he coEl secretary who has but one object in view, and that .s^ tora"e the opium revenue as much as possible might look upon your remedy as an attack made upon the golden calf ; and Sonaries have before this been impeded in the.r Gospc "ork and men have been expelled from the colonies, and official functionaries have been suspended or pensioned off for °he commSL of much more venial offences than bringing such pills as yours to the opium-smoker. ^ . . , . ,, „ Ve?stork turned slightly pale as he heard his fnendswd^ meant advice. For a single moment his thoughts flew to those dear ones who so greatly needed his assistance ^nd support D?d he repent of having thus honestly spoken his mind ? Who can say '-He put his hand to his forehead as 1 to wipe away some unpleasant reflection. «' Oh," said he, « it is not quite so ''^"RrSs'n'SF-id Grenits, with a smile, "but your pills will not earn you the Netherlands' Lion." . "That may be," said the Controller, "however. Fats ce qm dots, advienne que ponrra, that is my mo«0;, ^o' ^^ *^^* ^ shall not give the poor souls one pill the less. Then, allowing his eye to wander over the table which by this time had been pretty well cleared, for our friends had sat down to dinner as hungry as hunters, he continued— "Mv friends, our dinner is over. After yesterday s jaunt and this morning's exertion, and after the very short rest we had last night, you must all need repose. My servants w 11 show you to your rooms. I am going to work and, as 1 told you just now, this evening I am off with you to Santjoemeh. I wish you all a pleasant siesta. , , ^ j. A few minutes later the pandoppo was deserted and towards evening the five friends were galloping along the road to the capital. CHAPTER XXI. IN THE resident's OFFICE. VERSTORK was much too late. After the scene in the hut near the Djoei ang Prmgapoes, he ought at once to have jumped into the saddle and there and 254 DABOE DALIMA; OR, then have galloped off to Santjoemeh ; thus he might possibly have succeeded in warding off the storm that was gathering over his head. As it was, he had allowed another to forestall him. It was not long before he found that out. " So I— that is your report of what has taken place ! " said van Gulpendam, in the most offensive and sneering tone imag- inable, when the Controller at length, after having long been kept waiting and after having times out of number paced up and down the front-gallery, had been admitted into the presence of his chief. " So — that is your report is it ? It seems to me you have taken your time about it ! Yesterday, before noon, the infor- mation had already reached me. A pleasant dinner time for me when such things are occurring in my residency. But the gentlemen, it seems, were amusing themselves with hunting. Oh, yes ! anything may be going on in their district, then they see nothing, they hear nothing ! " " But, Resident — " Verstork ventured to say. "Hold your tongue, sir," cried van Gulpendam, savagely, "I have asked you no question, when I do it will be time enough to answer, and then, I suspect, you will have no reply to make." Verstork was standing there, in the office of his superior officer, pale as death and unnerved and biting his lips with suppressed rage. " I cannot say, Mr. Verstork, that you have clapped on too much sail — you liave been somewiiat slow in making me ac- quainted with these painful events." " Resident, I—" " I did not put any question," again roared van Gulpendam, with a look of scorn and contempt upon his subordinate, " please hold your tongue 1 " " It appeared to me. Resident, that — " " Be silent, I say ! I only have a right to speak — " Verstork, however, took no heed of this rude interruption, and quietly went on : " — That you made some remarks about the time of my presenting my report. If that be so, I feel it my duty, nay my right, to exculpate myself." " If you will not keep silence," shouted van Gulpendam, " I will call — " he was on the point of making a mistake, he was just going to say the boatswain's mate ; but he checked him- sell and said, " I will call my chief constable and have you removed out of my presence." " Hark you, Mr. van Gulpendam," said Verstork drawinj THE OPIUM FIEND. 265 :"'Vr in" Sh" K Slfo:°U if yo» con,in„= the watch. And, f"™' '" [ .„ , 'j„ „ complaint against that he had go""!'"'' '""i'" j "' ^tore Mm and putting tomed to see eve^J.oue bowng J™°j'^^= ^ ,bat he never up with all ^^^}"''i.^'"\,'^';,Si^!iJ^lsV^rstotW,^y«" thought of *ect.ng l>™>d' '° *IS^S ^nd good-tempered ISr ^He'irhiT,^" « -?S' -rhislorns and said Come, take a seat, I should l^'^eto run X > ^^ ^^^^ ""^^ V tal'to the S";n?b gan%e"ding"the document. turned his back to the ugni «"" » nnoasseis were pacing up Outside the office, a couple of P°"« 7^^=",^^ high ton? of and down, attracted, no do"^ to the 'P^' "V^ ; ^ >• ,„ ^ «ce i»»U*'''=/°"3'^J^''^„Se"„t-••I thought rSi-1 h^d'Cn'S'd of-'this-" But. checking him- -f;^at""r?vSts:"^r"^e..-.oiu,- '."aftSrolheTghrhTsaV with an assumed air of ?Elt.tuCemt ?r cS,Sc?rd^ o? inL°;:^"'"1 -Xc^r^rB-cirmethatkm^^^^ bad impression. ^ ^° ""^^"'^"JJJuse "ou demand the infor- Kettrul'eSKl^- r.S^"'^^; hut. 266 BABOE DALIMA ; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 267 in such a light as to make it appear that a successful attempt has been made on the honour of this Javanese girl. " But, Resident," said Verstork, very gravely, " this question concerns a person who is in your service, who is the baboe — I may almost say — the companion, of your own daughter." "And who, as such," said van Gulpendam, interrupting him, "ought to be a person of unblemished character. I quite agree with you there. Unfortunately, she is nothing of the kind. Only a few days ago she was roaming about outside the house for the whole night, and then came in with a long rig- marole about a forcible abduction of which she pretended to have been the victim. Now again, for the second time, she is out at night, and this time she is found in the possession of opium. She is the daughter of a smuggler — you know that as well as I do, seeing that on Saturday last there was a murder committed in her father's house, of which, luckily, you sent me timely notice. She is engaged to be married to another opium smuggler ; and now it has been proved that she is a smuggler herself. At present she is safe under lock and key, and I am glad of it, as it will spare me the trouble of driving the brazen- foced slut out of my premises." " But, Resident," resumed Verstork, as soon as his chief paused for a moment to lake breath, " when we came running up to her cries for help, she was naked, bleeding, her hair dis- hevelled. Everything in fact pointed to — " " A desperate resistance to the police," broke in van Gulpen- dam. " I know all about that. Did you examine her ? " " No, I did not." "Very well, that examination I have ordered the medical authorities to hold, and see there," continued the Resident, as he looked out of the window, "why, unless I am mistaken, that is the carriage of the chief medical officer now stopping at the gate ! We shall soon get to the bottom of this business." Almost immediately after this the chief constable came in to announce the arrival of the Surgeon General. The latter ad- vanced to the Resident's chair, shook hands very ceremoniously, and then went through the same process, but much more familiarly, with the Controller. " Ha, Verstork — you here ? " he said. Before, however, the Controller had time to reply, the Resi- dent, turning to the doctor, said : " Take a seat, doctor— well l—" "No question of any such thing. Resident I" „.„,.ea-no,«dIno..e«rou«.. B„. *e g>,. «. "T^t'SK no ™,K,r™.= ,„.>eve,-m«e.M«,ng skin-wounds and a «!«= """.ta-sto-.ha. did ,oa call it? " " Theresas therefore no sla SI ^, ,^3 k„d. Sien.tosatis|yallobiec.,<»..^ ^^ „ .. Thank y»V. "'°'='?'-Tb« voS to excuse me. I mmt be .;a?S:«''af Se'aTu^be^o'f visits .0 pay Good-bye, s,r -S-^^iluitl^W, doctor," ^id van Gulpendan., "don't dam turned to Verstork and saulj^, shaken." "It is not? :^°e/Si''alf;hat," said van Gulpendam, airily. "I advrse r^X^vfio! I don't undersund you," said Verstork, advice?" . . ^^e facts mentioned m it are titTS^-S. -* ^""""* "■"" ' ^'"*^ But without beedmg h.m van Gu^peJdam ^^^^ ^.^ .. In fact that paper reads 1 ke a sensatw^ v ^^^ ^^ a„,ly is aimed at ««=^»'"6J°SUfcr most certainly will be SSy tpleSg to S,e'Sv^— . Here, for instance, .s one of them : " . i-,„es of the document, and JJ;^^SrloS*^a^^rSssage. having found.. he read as follows : 268 BABOE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 269 " Allow me also to state that my official career of twelve years has taught me that the opium-monopoly is an iinperium in imperio ; that in order to promote the opium-trade every- thing the jieople loves and honours is trampled upon and trodden under foot. The opium-farmer does not trouble him- self in the least about police regulations or about penal statutes, his satellites *simply enter people's houses and violate the right of domicile ; his spies and his policemen— at all events the police which he has in his pay— have no scruples whatever, and pay no respect to anything. A European would make himself liable to severe punishment were he to treat the natives in the manner in which the refuse of maiiEmHrifoniy they are in the'opium-farme?s enipToj, dares to treat them. These opium- ageiots have respect neither for the husband, the wife, nor the daughter. In the houses, aye even on the public roads, they strip them, they search them in the most disgusting manner, and never trouble themselves about any protest at all. These scoundrels, sheltering themselves under the impunity which the opium monopoly casts over them, inflict upon the natives the most horrible insults frequently to satisfy their own pas- sions, sometimes merely for the purpose of revenge. A sad proof of this is the treatment to which the Javanese girl, Dalima, has been subjected." The Resident paused here for an instant and fixed a pene- trating glance upon his subordinate ; but the latter as steadily returned his gaze. " You see," he continued, " when I read such rant as that, then I am forced to suspect " — and here the high functionary significantly tapped his forehead with his finger — " that there is something wrong with you here ! " " Resident ! " exclaimed Verstork, " you are forgetting your- self ! " " Not at all, my dear sir, for by writing thus, what do you in fact tell me, in so many words ? What but this : that in your districts these domiciliary visits and these searches on the high roads are necessary to prevent the illegal sale of opium. You know, even better than I do, that quite lately there have in your districts been several very ugly revelations. I have only to call to your mind the capture at Moeara Tjatjing, the capture at Kaligaweh in the house of Pak Ardjan, and now again smuggled opium is found with Setrosmito and with his daughter Dalima. Suspicions may perhaps have arisen in my mind that Banjoe Pahit is a hot-bed of smuggling; but ^lf,..ho»cve, peat » '''='Xc *S allow these «ords of reeU, well ^-^'^''^i TS ^r. you. I am too coo- van Gulpendam. ,, _pc„med Verstork ; " I |i^^^ '"..Give me leave to/,f„n' u'aSnst your imputations been attacked, I now defend mjseU ag ^.y ^ ^^ it is my duty to do so, and I claim ij / ^^ smuggling. iVdutU deny that Banpejahvtjs^^^ ^^ ^^^p^^,,„, " Do you intend to ten uic , „ .. that no%muggling IS earned on die^^^^^^^ ^^^^.^^ ^^^^ U, « I do nothing of the kina, ^ j ^^^^ ^^ be un- .. ,vere I to do so that wodd be say mg ^^^ everywhere true. My district lies right along u v^ ^^^^^^y the accessibJcoast of the Java -a^ ^l^^,^ -holly insufficient; illegal traffic in opium are, as you a ^^^ ^^ out and. even such as /hey ar\we Jave h rtJjhe.jmugs^ the laws effectually, ^o wonaer i ,^^— ^^^^^^ .^-«^^g^,:p:Ho^wonder, 1 say, i"* ^^ that it ^dTthinax^e of thmg^;^/,,^'^^^^^^^^^ trade which goes Should be so ; but If you ^"'"P^^Vd^^ iJ the adjoining dis- on at Banjoe Pahit with the sm"|gi B j maintam that °HcU which lie along the .^/^^^^^J-^^g^^^^^^ you would have you will fmd that my district, far from ^^ ^^ very t a hot-bed of smugghng, ^""^w as regards the cases to favourably with the others ,^j°^; eon Set of the district, which you have twice ^Ih^ded I, as con ^^ ^^^ hive v'ery carefully ^-l^Xt^^o^^^^^^---^^'^^ "^ ^Ti". as my deliberate opmion th^t t^e "P ^ schooner br g -rjatjW was put on «i;o^;,^X ^^^^^^^^^ does not stand in I^iem Ping Hm, -^;;^;^^,£'^^h J other t^i concern but very the odour of sanctity , wn'isi ""? 270 BADGE DALIMA; OR, THE OPIUM FIEND. 271 minute quantities of the drug which assuredly would never have been found at all, had the bandoelans been previously themselres well searched." " That is all very fine, Mr. Verstork," replied van Gulpen- dam, " but for the present it carries us too much into detail. To come to the point, however, I now again repeat my friendly advice, go about, go about, and take back this report." William Verstork sat there pale as death. For a moment he covered his eyes with his hands as if he would exclude some painful vision, and he reflected. The thought of his mother, of his sisters and brothers, came up vividly before him, and ran like a red-hot iron through his brain. He fully grasped the purport of the advice he had heard. He knew perfectly well that it was not only a counsel, but also a threat, a threat moreover from an all-powerful superior to a helpless subordinate. For one moment — to bis honour be it said, it was but for one moment — he hesitated ; then his strong natural sense of duty resumed its sway. " Resident," said he in a gentle and low, but yet in a per- fectly steady voice, " what would be your opinion of me if I were to give way and follow your counsel ? What would you think of me if I were to take back my report ? I say nothing now of the violence which I thus would be doing to my sense of common honesty." " Sirrr 1 " roared van Gulpendam in a passion. " Would you not, in that case, consider me wholly unfit for the position which I at present occupy ; would you not feel the deepest contempt for my character, and would not your sense of duty urge you at once to request me to retire from my coun try's service? At any rate, I know that you could never again, from that moment, place the slightest confidence in me. Is not that true ? And yet the position I occupy imperatively demands that I should enjoy the fullest confidence of my superior officer." Mr. van Gulpendam had by this time recovered his temper, he could not help feeling the force of Verstork's words. "You take the whole business," said he in his most con- ciliatory manner, " much too seriously. Now, just see how I look upon it. Yesterday you gentlemen had a most fatiguing day's hunting. I make no doubt that now and then the pocket-flask was appealed to — of course it was, and very naturally too. After the hunt was over, a jolly sociable dinner, at which strong, heady Haantjes beer and heavy Baour wine — harm m that, all inai is i-^ p^nect noth ng else. Well report-that is how I look "PO" •*■ . _ ., .u^t report of mine influence of liquor? ^ ^ gj ^yay of « Mr. Verstork, my dea sir, you have ^4^ blurting out things. Bel'^J^^^^lJn ^^^, own interest mind career depends upon you. K'°'HrS only too clearly that, Veraork heaved a '»'?? ''£; i.™ '*"t Ws position ias an in whatever way he might ^"'^^/'n^S., he would not re- exceedingly diffieuU on. But^fo^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^,, ^„^ SrSrkr'was'tWoftJh and honour, and ve„ "•"i^KeU^'dTcrsionfuicen. Come what will. I refuse to take back my report" ^^ " Is that your final decision ( :S<;5 t^Sict wdl over-is that your las. word P » ,,;iKpB;;:e«l:ir^.^^«^=S's^^ "^""Tam prepared to meet the consequences. Resident" %"e^."wa's'';*;lring .0 rise and Ute hU leave, thinking "Just si. down for ano.her few mmutes-I have ano.ner •°;?;CistrXiS:»" asked the Con.r„l,e, THE OPIUM FIEND. 273 272 BABOE DALIMA; OR, merely because, at your bidding, he bore testimony to the truth. That abuse and that ill-treatment he suffered in your presence and you did not, so far as I am aware, exercise your authority either to prevent it or to put a stop to it." " It was all the work of an instant," replied Verstork ; " the words were uttered and the blows were dealt so suddenly and so unexpectedly, that no one — not even you — had you been pre- sent — could have interposed. I can assure you that had there been the slightest fear of the offence being repeated, I would have stepped in to prevent it." "I know nothing about all that," said van Gulpendam coldly. " I only know that abusive words were uttered and blows were dealt, while you, the superior officer, stood by. That is how the matter stands. Now if I could only have suggested to the authorities that our young hunters were in a state of excitement and that the action was merely one of youthful indiscretion." " No, Resident, not so," exclaimed Verstork, " not at all — not at least under the influence of that particular kind of ex- citement which you were kind enough to suggest just now." " It was done therefore in cold blood I I am obliged, Mr. Verstork, to take notice of that fact ; you see even if I were disposed to be lenient, your own words deprive me of the power of hushing the matter up. All this, I fear, is not much in your favour, sir, and your friend, who seems so ready with his fists, will thank you no doubt for your testimony to his sobriety." " My friend ! " cried Verstork, " what has he got to do with all this ? " " What has he got to do with it ? Why he will find that out soon enough I fear. I have here lying before me a formal accusation, which I hoped I might be able quietly to shelve and say no more about ; but now, I must forward it to the authorities. You see, Mr. Verstork, you might have avoided all this unpleasantness." " Ah, Resident," replied Verstork very bitterly, " I begin to see that Mr. Mokesuep has not allowed the grass to grow under his feet. Be all that, however, as it may. If you think that this trifling occurrence must be followed up — very well then, let the law have its course i I shall be the very first to appear as a witness." The Resident uttered a strange short laugh ; but made no reply. Verstork rose from his seat. "Have you any further orders, sir ?" he said with a formal boW. .< None at present, Mr. Verstork.'^ ^^^^^.^ "Then I beg to ^\^J y°"J/e„t! who still kept h.s scat at h.s the mansion muttermg I ..yes an P^^'sSS ass." said van Oulpendan; ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ arran fool indeed ! Now that ^.at y^^^^ ^ friend van Nerekool. Th^^^Xthlt pressing business woud since van Rhei n had sent yora v ^ therefore not be in keep him at the office and tha^ he g." ^^^ „f ^j fo dinner. The two "end, were a ^^^^.^^^ , put some courage into h^^"?' „ .^ .. ^^^', hang your head "r^'StouffaS'n'a^e me think that you repent S Recourse of action you have taken. ^^^ "'^Repent. Charles," -led ?^ ^t ? noVever, if it were a U .ithout'asignof hesuauon^ J^^^P^^^^^^ ^^ , ^,,edone. But, tn do a-^ain I would, in every icaj ^ _^ my poor mother, my.P°°'J'Sy " said van Nerekool. ^«. Don't look at things so darkly^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^ »So darkly did you say JW^^^^^^^ ^ ^^her place-that happen is that I ^^^l^^ spS e o^^^ ^° "^^^^^^ '"' I shall be torn out of the spher ^^ become accustomed. suppose that should happen ? "Well," said Charles ^"^^JJJ^ ^ave misfortune; you "Why that in itself >«. ^"''t in India. Then comes the 275 »74 BAKOE DAI.IMA ; OR, while, it will be impossible for me to do for my dear family that which it has now so long been my pleasure to do." " Come, come," replied Charles van Nerekool, " cheer up ! Even if it comes to the worst, some remedy will be found for that at least — I can promise you so much at least." " But, my dear Charles — that is the smallest misfortune that can happen to me. Every other possibility is simply terrible. Just think — what if they dismissed me from the service alto- gether ? " " Now," said Charles, " you are exaggerating. AVhat in the world have you done to deserve dismissal ! On the contrary, you have secured for yourself the esteem and admiration of every honest man." " Honest man ! " said Verstork bitterly, " oh you don't know with whom I have to deal ! " Van Nerekool's face twitched painfully — he had learned to know something of the man with whom his friend had come into collision. " But," continued he as cheerfully as he could, " but can we not think of some means of warding off the blow ? Can we not manage to avoid even the least of these misfortunes ? " " Aye," cried Verstork, " that is the very thing I have been cudgelling my brains about ? " " Have you any friends at Batavia," asked van Nerekool, " do you ktiow any one there ? " " Friends ? yes, I know one man, a certain Mr. Reijnaals." "What? Reijnaals — the son-in-law of the member of the Indian Council?" " Yes, that is the man." " Why then he is your man. Come cheer up and let us now togeti.er sit down and draw up an accurate account of all that has t.nken place. That account you will send to Reijnaals. And I also have friends in Batavia who, I think, have some in- flutncc. I will write to them. Come let us set to work and begin our battle fearlessly — it is no good moping." So the two friends sat down to their task and when, very late in the afternoon, Edward van Rheijn came home from his office, two letters almost as bulky as parcels, had been sent off by the mail. Van Rheijn looked weary and care-worn. " You are very late," said van Nerekool — "have you been very busy?" " Yes, very busy," was the brief reply. " I am tired out and am going to lie cown a bit." THK OPIUM FIEND. " Anything particular ?" ^^ ^^,^>> ..Excuse ™e." ''P^i^r.S' I ™'. liberty .o-ev-V •"Vu*E= *rS ta:Xtud,y cast a pM^g •o-l' "» William Verstork. CHAPTER XXII. A SALE AT BANJOE PAHIT. ^N a Saturday evening^^Jo^^^^^^ ( ) number of yo""g PlX'lerandah of Concordia, the aV>en our fnenfl urenn» ""'^.id'S^SuiSop did catch -I say «1». has con,e of ""He'tjLught an action against n>e,» shortly replied '^'« Has he ? The brute ! But how do you know that, Theo- ■"""why," said Grenits, " he has e ved me with a summons." »78 BABOE DALIMAJ OR, fr;rnH'~i'Il^* means a few days' free lodging fvTyou, my fnend Well, never mind, we will come and look you up now and then— wont we, gentlemen ? " •' To be sure we will," was the general chorus. 1 u ^""^ V^^t '° *'''"'' °f '"^^f'" said Grenits. " If I am locked up I shall expect to see you, my friends. But just at present we have something more serious to attend to. About tim sale— I mvite you all to put in an appearance on Monday "That Grenits always has an eye to business," said one of the young men with a laugh. "Gentlemen," continued Theodoor most gravely, "this is no joking matter. It concerns an innocent man who hitherto has maintained a mother and sisters entirely dependent upon his aid— and the question is whether he will, in the futuref be ^ « Au '^°"*"'"^ *° g've them that assistance ? " Oh, is that it ! "was the cry all round, " then we shall all "e there— you may dei^end upon us I " " Yes, you may depend upon every one of us • " ' Thank you," said Grenits, " that's a bargain." Yes I William Verstork was removed from Banjoe Pahit and was to be sent to Atjeh I The detailed report which he had dispatched to Reijnaal had been of no avail. He might per- haps have over-estimated his friend's influence-or, perhaps, that fnend did not much like to meddle in the matter : at all events nothing came of Verstork's appeal. The letters also which van Nerekool had written to Batavia led to nothing. He did receive a kind of answer; but they were only a few vague and half intelligible sentences. What really happened in Batavia was this. On a certain l-riday— the usual day on which the Council of India meet— the assembled members were greatly surprised at seeing the Gover- nor General suddenly appear in their midst, a thing which very seldom happened. ■' ■ " ^^"t'emen," he said, after the customary ceremonial greet- ings had been exchanged, "Gentlemen, a very serious complaint against a first-class Controller has been forwarded to me by the Kesident at Santjoemeh. I have also received a document from the subordinate officer, containing his defence to the charges made by his superior. This document directly contra- dicts many of the Resident's statements, and it is for that reason that I am desirous of having the advantage of your opinion THE OPIUM FIEND. 479 Now the Resident at Santjoemeh is a most zealous and meri- torious public servant, thoroughly devoted to his country's interests ; but it must be said that in the discharge of his duties, and especially in his conduct towards his subordinates, he is frequently too absolute and peremptory, and allows his feelings to get the better of him. I must, at the same time, however, confess that even thus he never loses sight of the common-weal. Such being the case in this matter also, it would not have been difficult for me, I think, so to settle the dispute as to satisfy both parties without in any way interfering with the superior officer's authority. Unfortunately, however, the question is a more complicated one. The difference between the Resident and his Controller is one which seems to implicate the opium- farmer at Santjoemeh, and which threatens to bring us into conflict with him. I think indeed I may go a step further, and that I am justified in saying that a strict investigation, such as the controller insists upon, would bring to light certain trans- actions which would compel us altogether to exclude the present farmer Lim Yang Bing from the approaching contest for the opium monopoly. Now, in strict justice, that exclusion would no doubt be highly desirable ; but we must not lose sight of the fact that this Lim Yang Bing is the wealthiest Chinaman in Santjoemeh, that he stands at the head of the most considerable company in that district, and that he thus exercises almost ab- solute control over his countrymen there. The consequence, therefore, of excluding him from the coming opium competition, would be a very considerable fall in the amount which, at present, it is expected to realise. And that, in days like the present ! — Yes, gentlemen, I repeat it, at a time like the present I — Just now I received a telegram in qypher from the Hague, which tells me that the estimate of the Colonial Secretary has found no favour in our house of Representatives ; because it is thought that his estimate is much too low, and that expenses have not been sufficiently kept down. That telegram further states that one of you gentlemen will most probably soon be invited to take the place of our present Colonial Secretary. Well — whoever he may be, I cannot say that I envy him the distinction. It is quite certain, however, that the first thing he will be expected to do, is to drive up the revenue to as high a figure as possible, and, for that purpose, the opium monopoly, in spite of what men may think or say about it, seems to me to be the only available means. In order, therefore, not to make the task of the future minister more difficult than it must 28o BArOE DALIMA; OR, Of necessity be, it is my opinion that it would be good noHcv just at present to protect the opium farmer, xie Residen df Santjoemeh tells me that the withdrawal of Lim 1^7 Bint rom he compelition will make a difference in he revenue o^f at least SIX or seven hundred thousand guilders " At the mention of these figures, the eyes of the vouneest member of the Council sparkled wilh unwonted fire an^dTn^S t^r^v^:!CcT"'''''r' f°r.*'"e the usual etiquette, he SeThfslptc^^r"" ""'""^^ '^^'"■^ ^^^ >^^'- had quite •hiJTof T' ^-'^""^"'^y's leave," said he, jumping up from his scat with much animation, "I would remark, Ind I fed sent nSso/'al? :'-''' J,^"^ ^'"V^ ^° '^^^ ' shaU Gutter the sentiments of all my colleagues, that under circumstances like the present, we ought not to hesitate to adopt any measures which may serve to make the finances of the country^co~nd to the demands of the times. Any proposal which mav nro mote such equilibrium cannot fail of Ldy accIptaL froSa board such as ours, which, inspired by the highes? patriotic feel SandT' ^'"^'""^ '° '"'''' '''"y ^^^"fi<^« f°^ the v.el'lre oV .•t«:Ti^.»^^^'''''rY'''' '° shameless that its very grossness insured .ts success. 1 he members of the Council bowed their heads errS Sh"''"' 'T'^ It^ ■ 'S'* ^'""'^ ^°"^^ '^^^^ ""^'^d such terrible truths, under the influence, doubtless, of the enervating effect of the tropical sun, now merely opened sleepily to utter an obsequious : r r j ^y.^ "Yes, your Excellency !" The Governor General, who at once perceived that he had gained his point, then said with a sigh : " I" l']'^' ^''^'^^ '"y ^°"''s^ ^"h the Controller is clear. I am much obliged to you, gentlemen, for your counsel " The next moment the drum was rolling at the main guard, and the men turned out to present arms to the king's representa- tive as he drove away (o his palace on the Koningsplein, well satisfied, no doubt, that he had performed a signal service to his country, if not tojiumamty at large. In four days' tTinrWnTiani Verstork received the order of his removal to Atjeh, and, what was perhaps more galling still along with it a letter from the Director of the Home Depart- ment, m which that official expressed the hope that, in his capacity of Controller, he would make the best use of his un- doubted abilities and of his great knowledge of the native THE OPIUM FIKND. 281 character to aid and assist the military authorities in their arduous task of pacifying the population. And, the director went on to say : " Allow me also to cherish the expectation that, in the future, you will exhibit a greater amount of tact; and to suggest that you sliould show more deference and respect to your superiors ; for, after this plain warning, you can expect no further indulgence." " Well, Charles," cried Verstork, as he flung the letter upon the table, " what do you think of that ? " " I think it is a burning shame 1 " replied van Nerekool, his voice trembling with indignation. " You see, my dear fellow," continued Verstork, " this is the most favourable result we could anticipate. Removed to Atjeh ! that is to say struck off from the list of the Home Department of Java and Madura. It is simply a degradation. Are these the principles which animate our rulers ? The state of society out here is rotten — rotten to the core ! " " No, no I " cried van Nerekool, with animation, " don't say that — there is one part of that society which is sound and un- defiled, and which stands high above the tricks and paltry intrigues of the ruling powers — and that is the judicature. The power of the law will succeed in bridling and subduing the monster of injustice and tyranny." Charles van Nerekool spoke these words with all the enthu- siasm of truth — he was fully persuaded of the truth of his assertion. Verstork looked at his friend and a bitter smile came over his troubled countenance. He did not, however, say a single word, he would not disturb the day-dream of his friend — the future, he knew, would soon enough dissipate his fond illusions. Banjoe .Pahit, that quiet and secluded dessa, was, on Monday morning, the scene of the greatest excitement. At the gate of the Controller's house a Javanese stood strik- ing measured blows on the gong, and that unwonted noise brouglit the entire population around him. Within tlic house, (Jrenits, Grashuis, and van Nerekool were busily employed helping Verstork to set out the furniture, which, presently, was to be offered for sale, to the best advantage. In one place a writing-desk had to be placed in a more prominent position — in another a cupboard or table had to be re-arranged. Pictures also and statuettes had to be placed in the most favourable light ; for Grenits, with the true eye of a commercial man, knew 282 BABOE DALIMA; OR, that, next to advertising, a tasteful exhibition of the articles would attract the attention of the buyers. At length all was considered in readiness, and it was with a kind of mournful satisfaction that the friends walked through the apartments, surveying and admiring the arrangement in which they had borne a principal share. In the back galleries especially, where the glass, the crystal and the dinner-services were displayed, their finishing touches had been remarkably successful. Everything looked so neat, and in such perfeci order, that Grenits could not help exclaiming : " No one would think that these are bachelor's quarters I William, I can promise you an excellent sale." Meanwhile the gong kept on clanging incessantly. Just then a couple of carriages came rolling up to the Controller's house. Out of one of these stepped the Regent of Santjoemeh, and he at once walked up to the European gentlemen. After the customary saluations : " Well, Kadhen Mas Toemenggong," said Grashuis hugely pleased at seeing the Javanese chief arriving thus early, " you are coming, I hope, to buy a good lot I " " Perhaps, sir, but money is scarce," replied the Regent with a smile. "Never mind that, Kadhen Mas," laughed Grenits, " you can buy on tick." The cautious old chief smiled and shook his head, but had no time to reply ; for by this time the second conveyance, a capacious drag, had discharged its load which consisted of a member of the firm of Gladbach and Co. and the whole of his staff of clerks, &c. The agent walked up to Verstork, shook hands with him and whispered : " Very bad news, Controller ! " " What is the matter? " asked Verstork. " The Chinamen at Santjoemeh have been ordered not to come to your sale." " Who gave that order ? " " I don't know," replied the agent shrugging his shoulders. This was bad news indeed ; for the Chinamen, if they happen to be well disposed towards the owner, are generally very brisk bidders. Their abstention indeed threatened to be very disas- trous. Verstork heaved a deep sigh as he ran his eye over his THE OPIUM FIEND. 283 possessions which now bid fair to go for an old song. He sighed, not because he particulariy regretted the probable loss , but at the thought of his dear ones yonder who— But fortunately he had no time for mdulging m melan- choly forebodings, for the carriages now succeeded one another with amazing rapidity. Drags, landaus waggonettes, dog-carts, and spring carts, came flying up the drive and began settmg down their loads at the entrance of the Controller s house. A great number of horsemen too and pedestrians from the estates round about, began to flock in ; and the oppassers on duty found it as much as they could do to keep the carriages m line, to put up the saddle-horses and to usher the gentlemen into the house. , . , All ranks of European society in Java were there represented, landowners, tenants, coffee planters, rice-planters, su^ and indigo manufacturers, merchants, insurance agents, shipping agents, solicitors, notaries, barristers, judges, officers of the Army and Navy, in fact it seemed as if the whole of Santjoe- meh had migrated bodily to Banjoe Pahit In the capital all business was at a standstill ; there was not a single conveyance, not a single spring-cart or carriage to be go* tn^re. 1 he Resident van Gulpedam noticed that these vehicles did not occupy their usual stands, and vJas told that they were all off to Banjoe Pahit , . , He smiled at the information j but it was on the wrong side of his mouth. ..,,-,• j » Still the gong went on giving forth its harsh discordant sounds. , . , , J .. ^ The employe's of the Home office and its clerks and writers, who were employed in the Residential office, were conspicuous by their absence. Not one of them had been able to get leave for an excursion to Banjoe Pahit. , The Javanese population, in their usual retiring way, timidly crowded round the animated scene. These poor people most assuredly did not come to buy, they were impelled by cunosily just to get a peep at the interior of a European's dwelling house. TreSng, tre^ng went the gong incessantly. When the com- pany had pretty well assembled, and compliments had been duly exchanged, Verstork left the place. He could not bear to be present and see his household gods dispersed. So he went to the Mohammedan priest, with whom he had some matters to settle before he left the dessa, and after the sale was 284 BABOE DALIMAj OR, minutes, and then suddenly ceased altogether ^ 1 he proceedings now began. ..iw?"'"'^ Ti "P^"^*^ ^" *^^ f^o"^ gallery in which a very fine collection of flowers in ornamental %ts and tul^S. were taste to trSlr 'r^ °'' '"r"' °" *»>« steps'v'hkh ed ip to the verandah. These were the first lots to be disposed of ;| One guilder !" cried someone in the crowd. theSLSawr '"' °"^ ^""'"'" "'^^ '"^^ -«--- - "One and a half!" "One and a half," repeated the auctioneer. .„,M ,..^"'''^"l'' J!?'^^ S"'''^^^^' Four guilders! Five gu ders ! came the bids in quick succession. " Whrh?H"« 'If'V f ^1 g»"d«^« bid ! " cried the auctioneer, Who bids higher? Five guilders are bid," drawled the WddeTbut'one '"""'^ '"' """'^ '"'^ ''"'"^ *^"^ ^' "'^ '^^' "Eight guilders !" cried the latter. TK'^if^^"""^^"'!," "'^^ the echo, "who bids higher?" Then the fire opened again. ^ " And a quarter," cried a voice. " Eight and a half ! " " Eight three quarters ! " " Nine guilders ! " " Ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen ! " "Thirteen guilders." cried the auctioneer, "who bids more than thirteen ? " "I wouldn't mind," cried a voice, "if I only knew how to get those confounded pots home to Santjoemeh." "Never mind that," shouted another, "I will take them for you m my cart." " Thirteen, twice ! " said the auctioneer. "Fourteen, fifteen," went the bids. "Fifteen !— once ! " said the auctioneer. THE OPIUM FIEND. 285 1 I " Twenty guilders ! " shouted a voice which rang out above all the noise. " A fine bid," murmured Grenits. "Twenty guilders, once — Twenty, twice — Twenty for the third and last time ! " Bang ! down came the hammer. " Who is the buyer ? " asked the clerk. " I am," replied an officer. He was an elderly man — a first Lieutenant of Infantry. " Who is I ? " asked the auctioneer from his perch. " I, Langeveld, first Lieutenant of Infantry." "Mr. Langeveld, do you pay cash down?" asked the auctioneer. " Cash down ? " asked the officer, quite surprised, " what do you mean ? Your office always gives three months' credit." " Only to those whose pay is above two hundred and fifty guilders," said the man. " Two hundred and fifty guilders ? Whose order is that ? " " It is the order of the superintendent of sales at Santjoemeh," replied the auctioneer. " The Resident," muttered van Nerekool, " a most infamous trick!" " Do you pay ready money? No ? ' continued the auctioneer, " then you will have to find some security, or else the lot will have to be put up again." The officer, who was a man of unblemished name and character, turned fiery red at this wanton and unexpected insult. " Lieutenant Langeveld, I will be your security ! " cried van Nerekool. The officer bowed his thanks. The second lot of flowers, however, which was much finer than the first, did not fetch a rix-dollar. The shameful dodge at headquarters evidently had its efl"ect on the spirits of the buyers. Grenits saw the drift of all this in a moment. He held a hasty consultation with van Nerekool and a few landowners who were standing by him. Just as the third dozen of pots were being put up, a burly, broad-shouldered gentleman cried out : " A word with you, Mr. Auctioneer. A disgraceful trick is being played here — I never saw such a dirty thing done before — a trick which Mr. van Nerekool, Mr. Grenits and myself are determined to frustrate. For every gentleman who wishes to buy at this sale, and who may happen to fall under this novel condition of having to pay ready money, we will stand security." THE OPIUM FIEND. 287 286 BABOE DALIMA; OF, " Bravo ! bravo ! " was the general shout. " Does that satisfy you, Mr. Auctioneer ? " The man nodded assent. He could not do otherwise. This incident served to rouse a general enthusiasm ; the third lot of flowers brought eighty guilders ; the last no less a sum than two hundred and fifty. True it is that before this last lot was put up Grenits had cried : " Crotons ! magnificent crotons ! The Adal-adal ! (Croton Tiglium) ; the Camilla (Rothlera tinctoria) ; the Kamillakkian (Croton Corylifolius) and the wax-bearing Croton (Croton sebiferus) ! Who will bid for them ? I bid sixty guilders ! " A cheer followed his words ; the game went on merrily — seventy — eighty — ninety guilders! Higher and higher still went the bids, until the two hundred and fifty guilders were reached. The lucky man who secured the lot received quite an ovation, just as if he had drawn the first prize in the State lottery. ^ That set the ^^fl a-rolling. Chairs, tables, mats, lamps, wardrobes, mirrors, pictures, all went for the same fabulous prices. At last it became a mad charge in which every one seemed bent on securing something, no matter at what cost. Long faces were drawn indeed ; but it was not because the bids were too high but because the prices were wholly out of the reach of some pockets. It was in the back gallery, how- ever, that the excitement rose to its highest pitch. " Twelve liqueur glasses ! " shouted the auctioneer. They were very ordinary little glasses — in Holland they might be worth a penny a-piece — in India they might cost perhaps five or six pence. " Twelve liqueur glasses 1 " again shouted the man. "•Out of which the bitters taste remarkably good 1 " cried Grashuis, " I know that by experience." " We might try some," cried a voice ; "yonder in that stand I see a decanter of bitters." A cheer followed this proposal — a servant was already busy pouring out the liqueur. " What kind of bitters is that? " " Maagdbitter," said a sienjo. " Pahit prawan," translated an interpreter. A thundering hurrah greeted that splendid attempt at translation. " I say, Kees, you must be made interpreter — sworn inter- preter 1 " shouted one of the bystanders. « Here's to you ; I drink your health in pahit prawan 1" .. One rixdollar!" cried Grems. .^ ^^^^ "Seven! Eight!—' "Ten!" cried Grenits. -..^Honeer with the utmost in- ""rrl i°,M7^'?"on', any gentoan go higher .ha- «n.» Ba„g 1 . .ha. price." . . , „ "Especially pahit prawan! _^ "Well, give us another glass . t^^at is a simple '^^X^m^l Idtmed^r&wing «a.e. o?er cocoa-nut vessel wiind guilders. rc.S^S'up.ra'Sp..Tho..e ve. neaH, came down with .he <>«'=™J8 "Jeets. „den,l" ex- thanks, my friends. Nerekool. with Grashuis, He shook hands warmly with van Nerekoo, w .ith van Beneden and juh Grem .Y-^J-^,,^. "V7hTSaTs after tScoS\l^^ was sta'nding, in excellent Eight days ^"^^' "7. ^ n,. ^Uorah which was to convey him 288 BABOE DALIMA ] OR, commending her to be very careful of it, as he might most probably be obliged, in consequence of his removal from Banjoe Pahit, to diminish the amount of his monthly remittances. When the Tambora was nearly on the horizon tliere were slill handkerchiefs waving farewell to him from the shore-boat. Verstork still kept on deck gazing at the shore. "Fine noble fellows," he muttered as he wiped away a tear. CHAPTER XXTII. THE COURT ADJOURNED. ON a certain day, not very long after the events narrated in the former chapters, a carriage drew up before the pandoppo of the Regent's house situated on the green of Santjoemeh, where the members of the judicial bench of that district used to hold their court. Out of the carriage there stepped a gentleman who looked with some surprise at the concourse of people which had gathered around the house ; but who, nevertheless, with calm and dignified air, walked up the steps which led to the interior. That gentleman was Mr. Zuidhoorr -.the president of the district-court, who, on the day appointed, had come to open the session. The crowd assembled in front of the Regent's pandoppo consisted chiefly of Javanese, a circumstance which could not but attract the notice of the judicial functionary, inasmuch as the native population, which was formerly so fond of frequent- ing the courts held under the Wariengien trees of the village green by its native chiefs, now shows the greatest disinclination to enter the Dutch courts of justice. As a rule, the Javanese is never seen there except he be fettered or under the escort of a couple of policemen— that is to say, either as a ])risoner, as a criminal, or as a witness. Among the crowd some Chinamen also were conspicuous, and all were evidently awaiting with anxiety an event of no common interest. "What is the meaning of this concourse, Mr. Thomasz?" THE OPIUM FIEND. 289 asked Mr. Zuidhoorn of the deputy-recorder, whom he met as %Si?X"warhalf-naste, looked up at his chief with ^ ^^s^:^rX^-rr' ft ':£?■'"• corder, not without hesitation, "how it will end. " How will what end ? " . r u • » " Well sir. what will be the result of the session. "The' session?" repeated Mr. Zuidhoorn, surprised in his turn, " is there anything very remarkable about it? The recorder evidently felt very ill at ease. . , . „ "Sir," he stammered, "you seem not to know what has *^^» NoTdon't," replied Mr. Zuidhoorn, "what is the matter?" Mr. Thomasz was getting more and more nervous. His face. which was very sallow, began to assume a greenish yellow com^erion. Mr. Zuidhoorn seeing the man's confusion cried °""'sDeak up for goodness sake, man, speak up ! " "The native members-of the council, sir-have received a letter from the Resident—" he managed to stammer. "A leTter-1" exclaimed Mr. Zuidhoorn-" from the Resi- dent ! What in the world about ? " "It was a letter, sir, forbidding them to attend this session. "Forbidding them to attend!" exclaimed Mr. Zuidhoorn, now fairly astonished.^ "Why, Mr. Thomasz, have you taken ^'""No^srindeed I have not," replied the recorder with a painful smile. "You question me and I am obliged to an- swer— and further—" .,..,,„ "Well, what else? Out with it! "The Chinese assessors and the head-djaksa have received simi'ar communications — so that — " " So that what ? " cried the president impatiently. "So that there will be no court held to-day since you will be the only member present." „ t . n «« Is it possible ? " exclaimed the president. " I tell you what Mr. Thomasz, my carriage is still at the door, you jump into it and drive off at once to all the native members and also to the Chinese assessors, and to the djaksa, aiid tell them that I order them to come here without delay. To-day is the T 290 BABOE DALIMA J OR, assize-day, and I am determined that the cases shall be heard." " I will do as you bid," replied the recorder. " You are my superior officer." " Very good — make haste." As soon as the man had left, Mr. Zuidhoorn began pacing up and down the pandoppo in great excitement. " It is a monstrous thing ! " cried he to himself, " I could not — I dared not — suppose that they would carry matters so far ! Yet I ought to have foreseen something of the kind ! Yes — I am a great fool — why ! when a lew weeks ago I received a re- quest from the Resident to alter the order of the cases, a request with which I refused to comply, then I suspected that there was some scheme on foot ; but that they would have adopted so arbitrary a course as this ! A few days ago even, when I received a written statement from the Resident informing me that I was no longer competent to preside over the court, be- cause I had obtained leave of absence, even then I could not suppose that they would have recourse to so high-handed an infraction of the law. Yesterday the Resident inlormed me by word of mouth that he intended to avail himself of the right of presiding in person ; but I made no reply, for I looked upon his words as a merely formal notice, and never dreamt that anyone could be foolish enough to tamper so offensively with the regulations of the court. Yes ! for a most stupid thing it is thus to enforce an old and obsolete rule, which was made when, as yet, there was no idea of any individual being specially appointed as President of the Sessions. But — wljat can be the drift of all this ? What can it all mean ? " he asked himself as he paced up and down. His eye lit upon the charge-sheet which the recorder had left lying on the green-baize cover of the table. He took it up and began to read out the cases inscribed upon it, making his remarks upon them as he went on. "M°. Bok Bardjo : accused of secretly conveying away coffee ! Poor people who are compelled to plant coffee, and are not allowed to drink it ; but are obliged to put up with a wretched decoction of coffee-leaves ! " Bariedin : charged with wearing in public a civilian's cap — Ridiculous ! Those fellows in the Home Department do make fools of themselves — such a trifle is high treason in their eyes. " Sarina : charged with deserting her infant child — that's bad — not so bad however as flinging the poor little thing into THE OPIUM FIEND. 291 the river or the canal as they generally do at home in such cases. " Pak Ardjan : accused — of — opium — smuggling — and wounding— a policeman ! Now I think I am coining to it— now a light dawns in upon me ; and the next case ? "Ardjan: accused— of— opium— smuggling ! Ardjan the future husband of the baboe JJalima ! " These two last cases Mr. Zuidhoorn had read so slowly and so deliberately that he seemed almost to spell every syllable • then, for a while, he stood lost in thought, while he put his' finger to his forehead. "How could I have forgotten that? And van Nerekool who so recently talked the whole of this business over with me!— And— the day after to-morrow I must be off to Holland ! " Well, no matter, those cases must be disposed of to-day and they shall be disposed of at any price I I shall see about that ! Yes, the judge would see ; but not in the sense in which he meant it ; he would see that the court was not to sit at all that day. When he had got thus far in his soliloquy, the door opened, and the Regent of Santjoemeh appeared, and with him came one of the most considerable of the native chiefs of ^he Resi- dence, Radhen Ngahebi Wirio Kesoemoe. They were both members of the court, and it was their turn to be in attend- ance. Ihey were accompanied by the panghoeloe or priest carrymg the mevitable Koran in his hand. Both the former dignitaries confirmed the statement of the deputy-recorder, and told Mr. Zuidhoorn that the Resident had expressly for- bidden them, to attend the court on that day. "But " thev continued "since the Kandjeng toean judge has summoned us, we feel it our duty to obey his commands." • "^f"''!'^''''''^ /!{''. president, "what reason does the Resident give for this prohibition ? " The Regent merely shrugged his shoulders and, very pru- dently, made no reply. Radhen N,^'ah=bi however skid : Yesterday I called upon the Resident, and then the Kand- jeng toean informed me that, after having got leave of absence you were no longer qualified to take the chair at the sessions ; i '""^^ "'■ *^^* ''^^^°" '>^ '^^