From the same cause, he--the hater of white men--would to some extent admit the eventual expediency of Dutch protection.

But nothing should be done in a hurry.

Whatever his master Lakamba might think, there was no use in poisoning old Patalolo, he maintained.

It could be done, of course; but what then?
As long as Lingard's influence was paramount--as long as Almayer, Lingard's representative, was the only great trader of the settlement, it was not worth Lakamba's while--even if it had been possible--to grasp the rule of the young state.

Killing Almayer and Lingard was so difficult and so risky that it might be dismissed as impracticable.