XII

           Mr.VanWyk,thewhitemanofBatuBeru,anex-navalofficerwho,forreasonsbestknowntohimself,hadthrownawaythepromiseofabrilliantcareertobecomethepioneeroftobacco-plantingonthatremotepartofthecoast,hadlearnedtolikeCaptainWhalley.Theappearanceofthenewskipperhadattractedhisattention.NothingmoreunlikeallthediversetypeshehadseensucceedingeachotheronthebridgeoftheSofalacouldbeimagined.

           AtthattimeBatuBeruwasnotwhatithasbecomesince:thecenterofaprosperoustobacco-growingdistrict,atropicallysuburban-lookinglittlesettlementofbungalowsinonelongstreetshadedwithtworowsoftrees,emboweredbythefloweringandtrimluxurianceofthegardens,withathree-mile-longcarriage-roadfortheafternoondrivesandafirst-classResidentwithafat,cheerywifetoleadthesocietyofmarriedestate-managersandunmarriedyoungfellowsintheserviceofthebigcompanies.

           Allthisprosperitywasnotyet;andMr.VanWykprosperedaloneontheleftbankonhisdeepclearingcarvedoutoftheforest,whichcamedownaboveandbelowtothewater’sedge.HislonelybungalowfacedacrosstheriverthehousesoftheSultan:arestlessandmelancholyoldrulerwhohaddonewithloveandwar,forwhomlifenolongerheldanysavor(exceptofevilforebodings)andtimeneverhadanyvalue.Hewasafraidofdeath,andhopedhewoulddiebeforethewhitemenwerereadytotakehiscountryfromhim.