’Henceforth events move fast without a check, flowing from the very hearts of men like a stream from a dark source, and we see Jim amongst them, mostly through Tamb’ Itam’s eyes.  The girl’s eyes had watched him too, but her life is too much entwined with his:  there is her passion, her wonder, her anger, and, above all, her fear and her unforgiving love.  Of the faithful servant, uncomprehending as the rest of them, it is the fidelity alone that comes into play; a fidelity and a belief in his lord so strong that even amazement is subdued to a sort of saddened acceptance of a mysterious failure.  He has eyes only for one figure, and through all the mazes of bewilderment he preserves his air of guardianship, of obedience, of care.

’His master came back from his talk with the white men, walking slowly towards the stockade in the street.  Everybody was rejoiced to see him return, for while he was away every man had been afraid not only of him being killed, but also of what would come after.  Jim went into one of the houses, where old Doramin had retired, and remained alone for a long time with the head of the Bugis settlers.  No doubt he discussed the course to follow with him then, but no man was present at the conversation.  Only Tamb’ Itam, keeping as close to the door as he could, heard his master say, “Yes.  I shall let all the people know that such is my wish; but I spoke to you, O Doramin, before all the others, and alone; for you know my heart as well as I know yours and its greatest desire.  And you know well also that I have no thought but for the people’s good.”  Then his master, lifting the sheeting in the doorway, went out, and he, Tamb’ Itam, had a glimpse of old Doramin within, sitting in the chair with his hands on his knees, and looking between his feet.  Afterwards he followed his master to the fort, where all the principal Bugis and Patusan inhabitants had been summoned for a talk.  Tamb’ Itam himself hoped there would be some fighting.  “What was it but the taking of another hill?” he exclaimed regretfully.  However, in the town many hoped that the rapacious strangers would be induced, by the sight of so many brave men making ready to fight, to go away.  It would be a good thing if they went away.  Since Jim’s arrival had been made known before daylight by the gun fired from the fort and the beating of the big drum there, the fear that had hung over Patusan had broken and subsided like a wave on a rock, leaving the seething foam of excitement, curiosity, and endless speculation.  Half of the population had been ousted out of their homes for purposes of defence, and were living in the street on the left side of the river, crowding round the fort, and in momentary expectation of seeing their abandoned dwellings on the threatened bank burst into flames.  The general anxiety was to see the matter settled quickly.  Food, through Jewel’s care, had been served out to the refugees.  Nobody knew what their white man would do.  Some remarked