He began by asking me for the ammunition and weapons they are to get from you, saying he was anxious to sail at once toward Wajo, since it was agreed he was to precede you by a few days.  I replied that that was true enough but that I could not think of giving him the powder and muskets till you came.  He began to talk about you and hinted that perhaps you will never come.  “And no matter,” says he, “here is Rajah Hassim and the Lady Immada and we would fight for them if no white man was left in the world.  Only we must have something to fight with.”  He pretended then to forget me altogether and talked with Hassim while I sat listening.  He began to boast how well he got along the Bruni coast.  No Illanun prau had passed down that coast for years.

Immada wanted me to give the arms he was asking for.  The girl is beside herself with fear of something happening that would put a stopper on the Wajo expedition.  She has set her mind on getting her country back.  Hassim is very reserved but he is very anxious, too.  Daman got nothing from me, and that very evening the praus were ordered by Belarab to leave the lagoon.  He does not trust the Illanuns—­and small blame to him.  Sherif Daman went like a lamb.  He has no powder for his guns.  As the praus passed by the Emma he shouted to me he was going to wait for you outside the creek.  Tengga has given him a man who would show him the place.  All this looks very queer to me.

Look out outside then.  The praus are dodging amongst the islets.  Daman visits Tengga.  Tengga called on me as a good friend to try and persuade me to give Daman the arms and gunpowder he is so anxious to get.  Somehow or other they tried to get around Belarab, who came to see me last night and hinted I had better do so.  He is anxious for these Illanuns to leave the neighbourhood.  He thinks that if they loot the schooner they will be off at once.  That’s all he wants now.  Immada has been to see Belarab’s women and stopped two nights in the stockade.  Belarab’s youngest wife—­he got married six weeks ago—­is on the side of Tengga’s party because she thinks Belarab would get a share of the loot and she got into her silly head there are jewels and silks in that schooner.  What between Tengga worrying him outside and the women worrying him at home, Belarab had such a lively time of it that he concluded he would go to pray at his father’s tomb.  So for the last two days he has been away camping in that unhealthy place.  When he comes back he will be down with fever as sure as fate and then he will be no good for anything.  Tengga lights up smoky fires often.  Some signal to Daman.  I go ashore with Hassim’s men and put them out.  This is risking a fight every time—­for Tengga’s men look very black at us.  I don’t know what the next move may be.  Hassim’s as true as steel.  Immada is very unhappy.  They will tell you many details I have no time to write.

The last page fluttered on the table out of Lingard’s fingers.  He sat very still for a moment looking straight before him, then went on deck.