The murmur of the crowd reached him faintly, bringing with it the assurance of some unusual event.

He glanced at the river just as he was going to leave the verandah and checked himself at the sight of a small canoe crossing over from the Rajah's landing-place.

The solitary occupant (in whom Almayer soon recognised Babalatchi) effected the crossing a little below the house and paddled up to the Lingard jetty in the dead water under the bank.
Babalatchi clambered out slowly and went on fastening his canoe with fastidious care, as if not in a hurry to meet Almayer, whom he saw looking at him from the verandah.

This delay gave Almayer time to notice and greatly wonder at Babalatchi's official get-up.

The statesman of Sambir was clad in a costume befitting his high rank.