At the appearance of Nina, Almayer's arm fell by his side, and he made a step forward.

Dain pushed the girl gently aside.
"Am I a wild beast that you should try to kill me suddenly and in the dark, Tuan Almayer ?" said Dain, breaking the strained silence.

"Throw some brushwood on the fire," he went on, speaking to Nina, "while I watch my white friend, lest harm should come to you or to me, O delight of my heart!" Almayer ground his teeth and raised his arm again.

With a quick bound Dain was at his side: there was a short scuffle, during which one chamber of the revolver went off harmlessly, then the weapon, wrenched out of Almayer's hand, whirled through the air and fell in the bushes.

The two men stood close together, breathing hard.