erect in the stern sheets, but in a little while all the outlines got
blurred, confused, and soon disappeared in the folds of white vapour
shrouding the middle of the river.

Almayer had approached his daughter, and leaning with both arms over the
rail, was looking moodily down on the heap of rubbish and broken bottles
at the foot of the verandah.

"What was all that noise just now?" he growled peevishly, without looking
up. "Confound you and your mother! What did she want? What did you
come out for?"

"She did not want to let me come out," said Nina. "She is angry. She
says the man just gone is some Rajah. I think she is right now."

"I believe all you women are crazy," snarled Almayer. "What's that to
you, to her, to anybody? The man wants to collect trepang and birds'
nests on the islands. He told me so, that Rajah of yours. He will come
to-morrow. I want you both to keep away from the house, and let me
attend to my business in peace."

Dain Maroola came the next day and had a long conversation with Almayer.
This was the beginning of a close and friendly intercourse which, at
first, was much remarked in Sambir, till the population got used to the
frequent sight of many fires burning in Almayer's campong, where
Maroola's men were warming themselves during the cold nights of the north-
east monsoon, while their master had long conferences with the Tuan
Putih--as they styled Almayer amongst themselves. Great was the
curiosity in Sambir on the subject of the new trader. Had he seen the
Sultan? What did the Sultan say? Had he given any presents? What would