For the next few minutes they all sat listening to the disturbance7 outside, and when at length the noise had died away, van Rheijn re-opened the conversation.
“You told us just now, my dear August, that Tio Siong Mo had found no co-operation or support among the inferior class of officials; but that these, on the contrary, sided with the more powerful company Hok Bie. Now I take it for granted that you did not talk merely at random9; but that you had some sufficient grounds for saying what you did. One thing, however, is not quite clear to me, and that is whether you meant that accusation10 to apply to the native opium11-officials or to the Europeans. You will grant me, I suppose, that the accusation is a rather serious one.”
Van Beneden did not raise his eyes, he drew a deep breath. At length after an interval12 of a few seconds, he said:
“Yes, you are perfectly13 right, the charge is undoubtedly14 a serious one. As a lawyer I am perfectly aware of that; and [472]you were quite right also in presuming that I did not utter it without due consideration. The question you now ask me is this: ‘To whom do you intend this grave censure15 to apply?’ I might answer with perfect truth, that I apply it to native and European officials alike. But to be absolutely candid16 I ought to go further and confess that, when I spoke17, I was aiming specially18 at the European officers.”
“August!” cried van Rheijn, evidently much moved at his friend’s earnestness and sincerity19. “May you not be taking too partial and unfair a view of the situation?”
“My dear fellow,” replied van Beneden, “just listen to what I am about to tell you, and then I will leave you to judge for yourself—
“Among the mass of documents relating to this Tio Siong Mo’s business, I came upon some remarks made by a very highly placed official, a man perfectly competent to form a correct opinion; and who had, in fact, been consulted on this very occasion. His remarks run thus:
“?‘The salaries paid to the officials who are employed in checking the trade in contraband20 opium are wholly insufficient21; and in the discharge of their most arduous22 duties, these public servants receive no support at all. The consequence of this is, that hardly a single person who is properly qualified23 for the work will ever offer his services. In what manner, then, are those places filled? Why, in the simplest manner possible. Individuals are appointed quite at random and are then placed under the orders of some Resident or other. These poor creatures, who, as a general rule, have no very brilliant antecedents to boast of, and who know little or nothing of the opium trade, receive a salary of 150 guilders (￡12 10s.) a month, and are stationed at such points as the smugglers are most likely to resort to. It follows, of course, from the nature of the case that these stations are far away from any inhabited spot, generally in the heart of some swamp or in the all but impenetrable jungle on the north coast of Java. In such localities there can be no question of a house; and some of these men have to hire a small bamboo hut at the rate of 25 or 30 guilders a month, or else they run up a kind of rough shanty25 at their own expense. They have no staff whatever—there being no money to provide one—and thus, on an emergency, they have to apply for help to the chiefs of the nearest dessas, and that is very much like going to the devil for confession26. Moreover, the Residents compel these people to keep two [473]horses, which animals they must purchase for themselves, and they have to pay 10 guilders a month at least for forage27 for each horse. If now we take into consideration deductions28 for widows’ and orphans’ fund, then these wretched creatures receive only about 102 guilders a month, out of which they must find house rent and servants’ wages, leaving them, say 67 guilders to live upon, to find themselves in dress, and to keep their often numerous families. Now, the question is, how can such persons manage to live at all in even the most frugal29 manner? How do they manage to keep body and soul together? They have no other resource than to apply to the opium-farmer for assistance, and in him they always find a most obliging money-lender. The whole question, then, comes to this: Are not such officers forced by mere8 pressure of circumstances to squeeze as much out of their wretched billet as can be got out of it?’
“And thus, you see, my dear Edward, that all these men either are, or very soon get to be, under the thumb of the opium-farmers, and the consequences of such a state of things are, you must grant, inevitable30. By the side of the note I read to you just now, I found a list—it was a long list—of the names of such individuals as, either for neglect of duty or for having aided and abetted31 the smugglers, had been dismissed the service. There were others who were mere puppets in the farmers’ hands, and who could not venture on the slightest remonstrance32 if the farmer himself was implicated33 in the smuggling34 trade. Then there was a third—alas! the list was a very short one—of officials who undertook to perform their duties conscientiously35, and who, looking upon a smuggler24 as a smuggler, whether he happened to be an opium-farmer or not, were determined36 to put down the illegal traffic whoever might be engaged in it. I regret, however, to have to add that those names very quickly disappear from the scene. The Residents soon found fault with such men—they had no tact—no management—in fact, some ground of complaint was sure to be found. And then, of course, the Government does not like to see the farmers, so long as they pay their contract money regularly into the treasury37, annoyed by opposition38 of any kind.”
“But,” exclaimed Grenits, somewhat warmly, “what becomes, at that rate, of the assertion made over and over in Parliament by the Colonial Secretary, that the abuse of opium is in every possible way kept in check? As far as I can make [474]out from your statement, the Government seems, indirectly39 of course, actually to protect the smuggling by the farmers, and these, equally of course, in order to dispose of their contraband, press the drug by all means, legal or illegal, upon the helpless population.”
“The sum and substance of all I have told you is simply this,” said van Beneden. “No man who has the slightest respect for himself can or will undertake any office for the suppression of opium smuggling, and therefore a lower class of people must be employed, and thence, you see, it becomes possible for the tricks and dodges40 of such companies as Hok Bie to succeed.”
“By Jove!” cried van Nerekool, “that’s another nice little glimpse into the charming situation which the system of opium-farming has created. Come! now we are about it, we had better exhaust the unsavoury subject as far as we can. Did you not say just now, van Rheijn, that you also had an opium tale to tell?”
“Oh, yes,” replied Edward, “and something else besides that.”
“Indeed!” said Grashuis; “go on then. I thought I was pretty well informed; but every moment I am making fresh discoveries.”
“Now, gentlemen,” said van Nerekool, “are you all furnished with cigars? Van Rheijn, we are waiting to hear you.”
“I have had a letter from Murowski,” began van Rheijn.
“From Murowski?” cried one.
“From our Pole?”
“From our doctor?”
“Yes, gentlemen, from our expert at the scientific opium-smoke. Now, as his letter contains very few, if any, secrets, and that moreover it is addressed to us in general, I need not follow our host’s example; and I will read it to you in full.”
“But, my dear fellow,” said Grenits, “it is getting late, nearly nine o’clock. Is there anything in that letter about butterflies?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Oh yes, certainly.”
“Then, I say! heaven help us, those entomologists are so long-winded; they don’t spare you a single claw, not an antenna42, not a shard43!” [475]
“Oh, you won’t find it so bad as all that,” laughed van Rheijn; “just listen.”
“?‘My dear friend, in your last letter you ask me how I pass the time at Gombong. At first, I must confess, it was tedious work and everything looked very black. You know, I was rather smitten44 with Agatha van Bemmelen, and I have reason to flatter myself that she used not to shut her little peepers very hard when she happened to meet me at Santjoemeh. So, when I first came here, my thoughts ran entirely45 on her; I detested46 my new place, and cursed the man who had played me the scurvy47 trick of having me transferred. Of entomology there was no question. Two or three times I went out and tried to get some specimens48, but I failed woefully. Wherever I went, in whatever direction I took my walks, there was but one picture before my eyes—the image of my Agatha’s sparkling eyes and my Agatha’s rosy49 cheeks.
“?‘So utterly50 lost was I in rapture51 that the rarest specimens in butterflies fluttered past my very nose without my so much as holding out my net. I gave the whole thing up in despair, and tossed all my apparatus52 into a corner. But, what to do with oneself at Gombong? The officers of the garrison53 were busy enough; but I had nothing—absolutely nothing—to occupy my time. The climate of Gombong is a wretched one—most miserably54 healthy, no chance of ever getting a patient here! Being a devout55 Catholic, I sent up a little prayer every now and then for a good epidemic56, or at least some case worthy57 of keeping one’s interest going—nothing of the kind!’?”
“Well now,” cried Theodoor, “did you ever hear of such a fellow, praying for an epidemic! Such a chap as that ought to be put out of the colony altogether—he is fit only for the new lunatic asylum58 at Buitenzorg!”
“Nonsense!” retorted van Rheijn, “does not every one pray for his daily bread? Does not our friend van Beneden here pray for a good lawsuit—and that is, perhaps, not much less serious a matter than an epidemic. But let me go on.
“?‘Seeing that my prayers were not heard, I sought refuge in poetry;—perhaps I might say I prayed and wrote verses alternately. I celebrated59 my well-beloved in alexandrines, in iambics, in pentameters, in hexameters, in odes, in lyrics60, in sonnets61, in stanzas62, in German, in Polish—’?”
“That must have sounded well!” interrupted Grashuis.
“Just fancy the poor child receiving an ode from her adorer entitled ‘Solis occasus,’—and ‘Virgini Agath? pulcherrim? Bemmelensi dedicatus’—I should like to have seen her little phiz,” cried van Beneden.
“Do stop all that nonsense,” remonstrated65 van Rheijn, who nevertheless was laughing as heartily66 as the others, and when silence had been restored, he continued:
“?‘And Heaven only knows how much paper I might have wasted had not suddenly the news reached me that my adored Agatha was engaged, and was, indeed, on the point of being married. Then I crumpled67 up all my poetical68 effusions, and that very evening made a nice little fire of them. They were of some use in that way in keeping off the mosquitoes and other such like vermin. I invited all the officers of the garrison to a jolly good champagne69 supper; and, after having passed a night in which I rivalled the Seven Sleepers70 of holy memory—I arose next morning a new man—perfectly cured!—’?”
“That Pole is a practical fellow,” cried Grashuis. “I say, Charlie, you should take a leaf out of his book!”
“?‘Thereupon I resumed my insect hunting, and then, for the first time, it dawned upon me that the hemiptera, the diptera, the hymenoptera, the lepidoptera, the coleoptera—’?”
“I say, I say!” cried Grenits, “might you not skip all these barbarous words. That a Pole like Murowski makes use of them is excusable perhaps—he knows no better; but that he should inflict71 them upon us!—it is unpardonable.”
“Oh, well!” replied van Rheijn, “I have almost done—
“?‘—The coleoptera, the crustaceans72 are really our best and truest friends, and that they would, after all, afford me the most wholesome73 recreation. I happened to be in luck’s way. Patients there were none, and, to make assurance doubly sure, a medical officer, and therefore a colleague of mine, had arrived here in Gombong. He had obtained three months’ leave, and, in this mild and singularly equable climate, he hoped to find a cure for an incipient74 liver-complaint. This gentleman was willing, he was indeed quite eager, to take my place in any unforeseen emergency, if it were only to break the monotony of his existence out here. I quickly availed myself of this favourable75 opportunity to ask our military chief for eight days’ leave to go on a trip into the Karang Bollong mountains and give myself up to my passion for entomology. [477]
“?‘?“By all means,” said the kind-hearted captain, “by all means, you go and catch butterflies and snoutbeetles. Only see that in those wild mountain districts you don’t come to grief; and, mind you, be back again in time.”
“?‘An hour after, I had shouldered my gun, slung76 on my game-bag; and, with the tin box for my collection strapped77 to my back, I was on the war-path, my servant following with the other necessaries. From Gombong I marched through the dessas Karang djah, Ringodono and Pringtoetoel, and there I was in the heart of the mountain country. That journey I did not make in a single day; but I took my time, and spent two days in covering the ground.
“?‘I will not tire you with an account of my insect-hunt, that would, in fact, be casting pearls before swine.’?”
“Upon my word, that is a good one!” exclaimed Grenits, laughing. “Our Pole is exquisitely78 polite!”
“Well,” laughed van Rheijn, “he is paying you back in your own coin, you remember what you said about ‘barbarous words’ just now. But let me get on.
“?‘But yet I must tell you that my trip was very successful. I have every reason to be satisfied; for among many other rare and valuable specimens, I secured a fine Ulysses and a splendid Priamos. But what will constitute the real glory of my collection is an Atlas79, a truly magnificent creature, which, with outspread wings, covers an area of nearly a foot square. I will not however dwell on these matters. I know you take no interest in them. No, no, I have a subject to write upon which will prove much more attractive to yourself and to your friends. Our experiment in opium-smoking has been haunting me ever since I witnessed it; and I have by no means forgotten the conversation we held on that occasion. What I then heard and saw has opened my eyes and my ears, and has made me very attentive80 whenever the opium question is mentioned. And, I must say, that I have here been brought to the very spot where I am able to glean81 most interesting information about the use of that drug. In my wanderings through the Karang Bollong mountains, I have been brought into contact with the gathering82 of the far-famed birds’ nests. Whether you gentlemen are acquainted with that source of the Dutch revenue, I know not; but in order to come to the subject I wish to lay before you, that is, the abuse of opium and the encouragement the Government gives to that abuse, I must give you a short account of this most interesting gathering of birds’ nests. [478]You must, for the present at least, take my word for the truth of every syllable83 I write—’?”
“I bet we shall have a lot of learned stuff inflicted85 upon us. The prigs which the German Universities turn out can be pedantic86 to the last degree.”
“No fear,” replied van Rheijn, “for my part I must say that I have found in this letter, a great number of highly interesting particulars. But I must get on.
“?‘The Karang Bollong mountain range is, as you are probably aware, a spur of the Goenoeng Djampong which again forms the connecting link between the Midangang mountains and the Goenoeng Batoer. The bulk of these Karang Bollong mountains consists of extensive chalkbeds which form the table-land known as Goenoeng Poleng; and, on the side of the sea, these chalk-beds are surrounded by a broad band of trachyte rock which rises perpendicularly87 out of the Indian Ocean. In this massive wall of trachyte the ocean, with its mighty89 breakers rolling in from the South Pole upon Java’s coast, has washed numerous holes or cavities, some of which extend to a considerable distance underground. It is in the innermost recesses90 of these caves that men find the nests of a certain kind of swallow which the natives call manoek lawet, and to which the Zoologists91 give the name of hirundo esculenta.’?”
“Didn’t I tell you so?” cried Grenits indignantly; “the Pole is beginning already to bring in his Latin names. Heaven only can tell what may be in store for us!”
“And what about me, then?” remarked van Rheijn. “I have had to read the whole letter! You need not trouble yourself, that Latin will come all right enough. I go on:
“?‘——give the name of hirundo esculenta. The nests consist of a slimy substance which is found in the stomach of the birds. These little swallows cover the spot in the rock they have selected for their nest with an extremely fine coating of this gelatinous stuff. As soon as this layer has dried and has had time to harden, they apply a second coat, which again must have time to dry before they can proceed with their building. And thus they go on gradually and layer by layer until the nest is complete. When it is finished it looks like a saucer of small diameter which has been broken in two with the line of fracture cemented to the wall of stone. Thus these little nests [479]consist of a hardened gelatinous mass of a light yellow colour and which, when they are of superior quality, ought to be somewhat transparent92.’?”
“And the Chinese eat such trash as that and like it?” cried Grashuis curling his lip in disgust.
“Do let me go on,” said van Rheijn.
“?‘When soaked in water and properly cooked these nests are looked upon by the Chinese as the rarest delicacy93. A cup of broth94 made of that gelatinous substance represents, in their estimation, the most delicious beverage95 that can gratify the human palate. They ascribe to this soup rare medicinal virtues96 and prize it as a never-failing aphrodisiac. In my opinion this latter is the only quality which gives value to the nests.’?”
“And this again is the sort of thing out of which the Dutch Government makes a revenue!” exclaimed Grenits. “It is a very lucky thing that the ingathering of these nests can only be carried out on a small scale, or else, no doubt, some means would be found to force this kind of food upon such Chinese as do not, at present, crave97 for it; just as the farmers do their utmost to drive the population into their infamous98 opium-dens.”
“?‘The gathering of these nests,’?” continued van Rheijn still reading Murowski’s letter, “?‘takes place three times a year. The first gathering begins in the latter part of April and is called “Oedoean kesongo.” The second begins in the middle of August and is called “Oedoean telor,” and the third, the “Oedoean kapat,” takes place in December. Now that kind of birdsnesting, my friends, is an occupation which I very willingly leave to the Javanese who make it their business. To gain the entrance of one of those caves they must clamber down the perpendicular88 face of the rock along ladders. The ladder, for instance, which leads to the mouth of the Djoembling cave is only 660 feet long. My heart beat high with desire to make a trip to these subterranean99 vaults100. But—when I laid myself flat down and got my head over the edge of the rock while a couple of Javanese were holding on to my legs—when I saw that rottang ladder swinging hither and thither101 in the breeze sometimes clinging to the wall and then again curving inward and for a while lost to the eye. When, at a giddy depth below, I saw the huge breakers come tumbling in and forming there at the foot of the rocks a savage102 scene, a wild and whirling chaos103 of spouting104 water, of dazzling foam105 and of blinding spray. When my ear caught the hoarse106 thunder of their charge while I felt the very stone under me [480]quiver with the shock—then, I must confess a feeling of sickening horror came over me; I started back involuntarily, and nothing on earth could have induced me to plant my foot on the crazy ladder which, a few moments ago, I had made up my mind to descend107.
“?‘But how grand, how magnificent, how sublime108 was the spectacle! The towering waves which like a stately row of hills came moving along the intense azure109 blue of the Indian Ocean—that graceful110 curve of the billow as it neared the pumice reefs which lie at the base of the mass of trachyte—then the thundering fall of this mighty crest111 toppling over, as it were, into a sea of seething112 milk in which every drop, every foam-speck glittered in the rays of the tropical sun—that finely divided spray which hung over the watery113 mass and wrapped it as in a veil of transparent silver-gauze—all this, my friends, formed a spectacle which can never be effaced114 from my memory but will dwell there engraven as on tables of stone. At times, when a wave of unusual height came rolling in, the entrance of the caves would be completely swallowed up and hidden and the water driven into the interior would continue its perpetual work of excavation115. Then, for a few moments it seemed as if the holes had disappeared. But presently, when the wave flowed back again, the water, impelled116 by the tremendous force of the compressed air within, would rush forth117 like a horizontal fountain five or six hundred feet in length, spouting and hissing118 and blowing with a roar which was perfectly appalling119, and forming whirls and high-flowing eddies120 in the retreating wave.
“?‘No, no, no, I durst not touch that swinging ladder; but I have nevertheless made up my mind to penetrate121 by some other means into the interior of those mysterious cavities. The natives here tell me that when the south-east trade-wind is far from the south-coast of Java, on very calm days a flat-bottomed boat may enter the Goewah Temon, which is the name of one of the grots. The loerah of the dessa Ajo has promised me to keep a canoe in readiness for me, if I will give him notice beforehand; and, on the first favourable opportunity I mean to make the attempt. Meanwhile, however, I have had to satisfy myself with a description of this birdsnesting which I soon hope to witness in person, and this is what one of the chiefs has told me concerning it.
“?‘From the mouth of the caves the Javanese have stretched a couple of cables along the interior wall. The lower of these [481]rottang-cables serves as foot-hold, the upper is grasped in one hand, while with the other hand, the man engaged in the work picks the birds’ nests from the rock. When the hand cannot reach them the man detaches them by means of a long bamboo pole furnished with an iron hook, and as they fall he has to catch them in a small hand net. As you may suppose, the taking of these swallows’ nests is an extremely perilous122 undertaking123. First to clamber down that ladder to an extreme depth along the perpendicular face of the rock and dangling124 over that boiling sea, then to penetrate into these holes into which the ocean thrusts its waves. In rough weather the work has to be stopped altogether in many of the caves; and, not unfrequently, it happens that the ropes are washed away and the poor fellows who trust to them are dashed to pieces or miserably drowned. You will ask then, perhaps, how can people be found to venture on so hazardous125 an undertaking? You know, of course, that no race on earth is more attached to its native soil than the Javanese. That characteristic is found in this part of the island also. There is perhaps no wilder and more ungrateful soil in this world than this region in the Karang Bollong mountains. Nothing, or next to nothing, can be made out of agriculture. The tiny rice-fields one meets with here and there on the mountain slopes, are not worth mentioning; and, as far as tradition reaches, the scanty126 population of this part of Java has always supported itself and does still support itself, by collecting these edible127 nests.
“?‘Whether they fared better or worse before the Dutch government appropriated that source of income to itself, I have not been able to ascertain128. But one thing is certain, that the pay these poor wretches129 receive from the Government is something worse than pitiful. I have now lying before me a statement drawn130 up by an official in this part of the country, from which I gather that, for every sack of 80 nests delivered into the Government stores, the man who collects them gets a sum of 15—let us put it down in words—of fifteen cents (about 3d.)!’?”
“Aye but,” said Grashuis, “before we follow the grumblings of our Pole any further, it would be well to know what is the commercial value of those 80 nests.”
“As a merchant,” remarked Grenits, “I can at once supply you with the information you require. The Chinese are always ready to give five thousand guilders for a pikol of nests, and, since one hundred of them weigh about one kattie and the pikol contains one hundred katties, our Government receives [482]four hundred guilders, while it sends the poor devil of a native about his business with 15 cents! By Heaven it is a crying shame!”
“But has not the Government other expenses to meet?” asked Grashuis.
“Allow me to continue,” said van Rheijn, “I promise you an answer to your question, August.”
“All right, drive ahead!”
“?‘It is true,’?” continued van Rheijn, “?‘that when a man has good luck he may deliver 12 bags.’?”
“That comes to one guilder eighty cents (about 3s.),” cried Grenits! “and then he must be in luck! God help the poor fellow!”
“Now do not be constantly interrupting me!” cried Edward impatiently.
“?‘One must be a Javanese to encounter such perils131 for so miserable132 a pittance133; for, to realize that magnificent sum, the poor devil must make several trips to the cave which has been assigned to him. The shortest gathering always lasts three weeks, and the longest sometimes goes on for more than two months. Now, how can the native be induced, for such utterly inadequate134 pay, to face this perpetual and deadly risk? I fancy I can see that question hovering135 on your lips, and if you will bear with me for a few moments I will tell you. In the first place the Government has secured the co-operation of the native chiefs. You know what a dependent race are the Javanese, how they trust implicitly136 to their chiefs, and these men are indeed paid on a much more liberal scale. Where the actual worker receives his three shillings, the loerah, for instance, is paid twenty guilders (￡1 13s. 4d.), besides a number of perquisites137 of all kinds, and he receives this, mind you, merely for superintending the work, as it is called. Yet it is probable that the respect and obedience138 of even a Javanese would not endure such miserably inadequate pay, and therefore the Government has devised another means of binding139 these poor creatures hand and foot, and that means, my dear friends, is—opium!
“?‘I will not trouble you with all the superstitious140 fads141 which the Government not only tolerates but pays for in the matter of this gathering of birds’ nests; nor will I speak of the idolatrous worship of Njahi Ratoe Segoro Kidoel which precedes every expedition, and which also is paid for out of the public purse. I will merely point out to you the use which is made of opium, [483]the pernicious effect of which, when taken in anything like excessive quantities, you have yourselves been able to observe.
“?‘Well then, let me tell you that in everything which has any relation whatever to this gathering of nests the current coin is opium.
“?‘If the wajang and toppeng-players have to be sent for, five petty chiefs and four dessa-folk are despatched to fetch them. For this piece of service each of the former receives one kedawang, and each of the latter half a kedawang of opium, the kedawang being equivalent to about two matas. For the cleansing142 and clearing of the Goewah Bollong loerahs and other chiefs are specially appointed, the former receiving each two and the latter one kedawang of opium. The wajang and toppeng-players receive on their arrival, sixteen kedawangs apiece and four kedawangs for sadjen or offering, and, on their departure, they are paid with a further present of sixteen kedawangs of opium.
“?‘In the Goewah Bollong a feast is always held before the commencement of the expeditions; and for this feast, a certain number of bullocks and one goat have to be killed. For the slaughtering143 of each of these animals eight kedawangs of opium are paid. For each quarter of the slaughtered144 animals which must be brought in and carried by one petty chief and two dessa men, the chief is paid one, and the men have half a kedawang of opium apiece. When the ladders are brought to the edge of the cliff, a ceremony which requires two chiefs and two men, the former receive one kedawang, and the latter half a kedawang of opium.
“?‘But I have not finished yet, the abuse of opium goes much further than that. My friends, I beg you have patience and read on.
“?‘At the festival itself the following quantities are served out: to each loerah and each petty chief two kedawangs, and to every guest one kedawang. I have now lying before me a paper from which the following words are an extract:
“?‘?“It is impossible to give, with any exactness, the number of persons present at these customary festivals; but seeing that every guest has his portion of opium served out to him, it may be taken for granted that no one who has the slightest right to be present, fails to avail himself of it. At the opening of every cave eight kedawangs are served out, and when the ropes are fastened another eight kedawangs are paid.”
“?‘During the ingathering of the nests—but how shall I get [484]through it all? Let me try to be brief. The loerah of Goewah Jedeh gets 76, the loerah of Goewah Dahar gets 64, the one at Goewah Mandoe Loro 44, and the other loerahs receive 40 kedawangs apiece. The toekans of these caves receive each 54, the bekels 24, and the sekeps each 12 kedawangs of opium.
“?‘But even this is not all. The dessas in which the ladders are made are paid in opium, the persons appointed to mount guard over the nests when they are gathered receive their pay in opium. The transmission of the produce, the carrying to and fro of orders, the return of the ladders, the guarding of the caves—everything—everything—is paid with the same fatal drug. In one word, the entire thing is simply an opium debauch145 on a colossal146 scale; and it is the surest means of accustoming147 the people to the use of the deadly narcotic148. But—why should I further dilate149 upon this matter, my letter is already, I fear, too long and I have still to communicate to you certain things which I know will be of the greatest interest to you.’?”
“Is there much more of the letter?” asked Grashuis.
“Yes, I have some pages more to read,” replied van Rheijn.
“You have given us quite a budget already,” remarked van Beneden.
“True; but it is extremely interesting,” said Grenits.
“By Jove, those Poles know how to make use of their eyes.”
“He has learnt that lesson from the Germans, you know they steal with their eyes.”
“True, witness the Franco-German war in which the Teutons proved that they knew more about France than the French authorities themselves.”
“Don’t you think,” asked van Rheijn, “we had better get on as fast as we can? The most interesting part of the letter is yet to come.”
These last words he spoke with a strange look at Charles van Nerekool.
“Had we not better have a drink first?” suggested Grenits.
“By Jove, yes!” cried van Rheijn, “my throat is as dry as a rasp.”
“Sabieio!” cried van Nerekool, “fill the glasses.”
While the servant performed that duty the gentlemen lit a fresh cigar, rocked themselves for a while in their rocking-chairs and then were all attention. [485]
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patriotic
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upwards
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crescendo
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festive
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din
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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7
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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8
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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9
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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10
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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11
opium
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| n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的 | |
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12
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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13
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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14
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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15
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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16
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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17
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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18
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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19
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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20
contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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21
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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22
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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23
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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24
smuggler
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| n.走私者 | |
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25
shanty
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| n.小屋，棚屋；船工号子 | |
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26
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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27
forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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28
deductions
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| 扣除( deduction的名词复数 )； 结论； 扣除的量； 推演 | |
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29
frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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30
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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31
abetted
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| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
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32
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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33
implicated
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| adj.密切关联的；牵涉其中的 | |
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34
smuggling
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| n.走私 | |
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35
conscientiously
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| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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36
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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37
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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38
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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39
indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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40
dodges
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| n.闪躲( dodge的名词复数 )；躲避；伎俩；妙计v.闪躲( dodge的第三人称单数 )；回避 | |
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41
beetles
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| n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 ) | |
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42
antenna
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| n.触角，触须；天线 | |
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43
shard
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| n.（陶瓷器、瓦等的）破片，碎片 | |
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44
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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45
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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46
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
scurvy
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| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
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48
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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49
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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50
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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51
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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52
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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53
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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54
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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55
devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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56
epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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57
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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58
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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59
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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60
lyrics
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| n.歌词 | |
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61
sonnets
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| n.十四行诗( sonnet的名词复数 ) | |
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62
stanzas
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| 节，段( stanza的名词复数 ) | |
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63
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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64
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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65
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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66
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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67
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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68
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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69
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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70
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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71
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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72
crustaceans
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| n.甲壳纲动物（如蟹、龙虾）( crustacean的名词复数 ) | |
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73
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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74
incipient
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| adj.起初的，发端的，初期的 | |
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75
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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76
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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77
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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78
exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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79
atlas
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| n.地图册，图表集 | |
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80
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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81
glean
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| v.收集(消息、资料、情报等) | |
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82
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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83
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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84
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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85
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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87
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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88
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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89
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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90
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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91
zoologists
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| 动物学家( zoologist的名词复数 ) | |
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92
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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93
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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94
broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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95
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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96
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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97
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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98
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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99
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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100
vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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101
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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102
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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103
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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104
spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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105
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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106
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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107
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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108
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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109
azure
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| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
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110
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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111
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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112
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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113
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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114
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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115
excavation
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| n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地 | |
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116
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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118
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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119
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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120
eddies
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| （水、烟等的）漩涡，涡流( eddy的名词复数 ) | |
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121
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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122
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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123
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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124
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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125
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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126
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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127
edible
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| n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的 | |
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128
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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129
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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130
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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131
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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132
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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133
pittance
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| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
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134
inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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135
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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136
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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137
perquisites
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| n.（工资以外的）财务补贴( perquisite的名词复数 )；额外收入；（随职位而得到的）好处；利益 | |
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138
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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139
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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140
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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141
fads
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| n.一时的流行，一时的风尚( fad的名词复数 ) | |
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142
cleansing
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| n. 净化(垃圾) adj. 清洁用的 动词cleanse的现在分词 | |
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143
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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144
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
debauch
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| v.使堕落，放纵 | |
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146
colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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147
accustoming
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| v.（使）习惯于( accustom的现在分词 ) | |
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148
narcotic
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| n.麻醉药，镇静剂；adj.麻醉的，催眠的 | |
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149
dilate
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| vt.使膨胀，使扩大 | |
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