When I hear of white men driven from the islands, then I shall
know that you are alive, and that you remember my words."
"I shall always remember," returned Nina, earnestly; "but where is my
power, and what can I do?"
"Do not let him look too long in your eyes, nor lay his head on your
knees without reminding him that men should fight before they rest. And
if he lingers, give him his kriss yourself and bid him go, as the wife of
a mighty prince should do when the enemies are near. Let him slay the
white men that come to us to trade, with prayers on their lips and loaded
guns in their hands. Ah!"--she ended with a sigh--"they are on every
sea, and on every shore; and they are very many!"
She swung the bow of the canoe towards the river, but did not let go the
gunwale, keeping her hand on it in irresolute thoughtfulness.
Nina put the point of the paddle against the bank, ready to shove off
into the stream.
"What is it, mother?" she asked, in a low voice. "Do you hear anything?"
"No," said Mrs. Almayer, absently. "Listen, Nina," she continued,
abruptly, after a slight pause, "in after years there will be other
women--"
A stifled cry in the boat interrupted her, and the paddle rattled in the
canoe as it slipped from Nina's hands, which she put out in a protesting
gesture.
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