Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

I

The Nellie, a cruising (to sail about for pleasure) yawl (a small two-masted sailing boat), swung (to sway to and fro) to her anchor (the iron that holds a ship in place) without a flutter (to stir with quick light motion) of the sails (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship), and was at rest. The flood (an overflowing of water) had made, the wind was nearly calm, and being bound (to tie fast) down the river, the only thing for it was to come to and wait for the turn of the tide (the sea's rise and fall).

The sea-reach (the straight stretch of a river toward the sea) of the Thames stretched (to draw out) before us like the beginning of an interminable (endless) waterway (a river or channel for boats). In the offing (the distant sea) the sea and the sky were welded (to join by heating) together without a joint, and in the luminous (giving off light) space the tanned (browned) sails (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) of the barges (a flat cargo boat) drifting (to be carried along; a snow heap) up with the tide (the sea's rise and fall) seemed to stand still in red clusters (a close bunch) of canvas (coarse strong cloth) sharply (keenly) peaked, with gleams (a soft flash of light) of varnished (a hard glossy coating) sprits (a pole holding up a sail). A haze (thin misty air) rested on the low shores (the water's edge) that ran out to sea in vanishing (to disappear) flatness (the state of being flat). The air was dark above Gravesend, and farther back still seemed condensed (to press into less space) into a mournful (full of mourning) gloom (heavy darkness of spirit), brooding (to hang heavily over; to think darkly) motionless (without motion) over the biggest, and the greatest, town on earth.

The Director of Companies (the captain and host on the Nellie) was our captain and our host. We four affectionately (with warm love) watched his back as he stood in the bows (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) looking to seaward (toward the sea). On the whole river there was nothing that looked half so nautical (of ships and sailors). He resembled (to be like) a pilot, which to a seaman (a sailor) is trustworthiness (the quality of being trusted) personified (to be the living image of). It was difficult to realize his work was not out there in the luminous (giving off light) estuary (a wide river mouth), but behind him, within the brooding (to hang heavily over; to think darkly) gloom (heavy darkness of spirit).

Between us there was, as I have already said somewhere, the bond of the sea. Besides holding our hearts together through long periods of separation (being parted), it had the effect of making us tolerant (bearing patiently with others) of each other’s yarns (a long story told to pass the time)—and even convictions (settled belief; a finding of guilt). The Lawyer—the best of old fellows—had, because of his many years and many virtues (goodness; a good power), the only cushion (a soft pillow for sitting) on deck (a ship's floor), and was lying on the only rug (a floor covering; a wrap). The Accountant (a keeper of money records) had brought out already a box of dominoes (a piece in the game of dominoes), and was toying (a plaything) architecturally (as in building) with the bones (the body's hard frame). Marlow sat cross-legged (with legs folded) right aft (at the back of a ship), leaning (to tilt against; thin) against the mizzen-mast (the mast nearest the stern). He had sunken (to go down) cheeks (the side of the face), a yellow complexion (the color of the face), a straight back, an ascetic (severe and self-denying) aspect (aspect: look; appearance — the old sense here), and, with his arms dropped, the palms (the hand's flat; the southern tree) of hands outwards (toward the outside), resembled (to be like) an idol (a worshiped image). The director, satisfied (to content; to meet a need) the anchor (the iron that holds a ship in place) had good hold, made his way aft (at the back of a ship) and sat down amongst (among) us. We exchanged a few words lazily (without effort or hurry). Afterwards (later) there was silence (absence of sound) on board the yacht (a pleasure boat). For some reason or other we did not begin that game of dominoes (a piece in the game of dominoes). We felt meditative (deep in quiet thought), and fit for nothing but placid (calm and even) staring (gazing fixedly). The day was ending in a serenity (calm clearness) of still and exquisite (perfectly fine and delicate) brilliance (dazzling brightness). The water shone (to give light) pacifically (peacefully); the sky, without a speck (a tiny spot), was a benign (kindly) immensity (vastness) of unstained (unstained: without stain) light; the very mist (thin fog) on the Essex marsh (soft wet ground) was like a gauzy (thin and light as gauze) and radiant (shining with light) fabric (cloth), hung from the wooded (made of wood) rises inland (away from the coast), and draping (hung with cloth) the low shores (the water's edge) in diaphanous (thin and see-through) folds (to bend over on itself). Only the gloom (heavy darkness of spirit) to the west, brooding (to hang heavily over; to think darkly) over the upper reaches, became more sombre (dark and grave) every minute, as if angered (hot displeasure) by the approach of the sun.

And at last, in its curved (bent in a curve) and imperceptible (too slight to notice) fall, the sun sank (to go down) low, and from glowing (a soft warm light) white changed to a dull (not sharp; not bright) red without rays and without heat, as if about to go out suddenly, stricken (struck down) to death by the touch of that gloom (heavy darkness of spirit) brooding (to hang heavily over; to think darkly) over a crowd of men.

Forthwith (at once) a change came over the waters, and the serenity (calm clearness) became less brilliant but more profound (deep). The old river in its broad reach rested unruffled (calm) at the decline (to refuse; to sink) of day, after ages of good service done to the race that peopled its banks, spread out in the tranquil (calm and untroubled) dignity (noble worth) of a waterway (a river or channel for boats) leading to the uttermost (farthest) ends of the earth. We looked at the venerable (worthy of aged honor) stream not in the vivid (bright and living) flush (a rush of blood to the face) of a short day that comes and departs (to go away) for ever, but in the august light of abiding (to bear; to put up with) memories. And indeed nothing is easier for a man who has, as the phrase (a group of words) goes, “followed the sea” with reverence (deep awed respect) and affection (warm love), than to evoke (to call up) the great spirit of the past upon the lower reaches of the Thames. The tidal (of the tide) current runs to and fro (to and fro: back and forth) in its unceasing (never stopping) service, crowded with memories of men and ships it had borne to the rest of home or to the battles of the sea. It had known and served all the men of whom the nation is proud, from Sir Francis Drake (the Elizabethan sea captain) to Sir John Franklin (the Arctic explorer lost with his ships), knights (a mounted noble warrior) all, titled and untitled (without a title)—the great knights-errant (wandering knights seeking adventure) of the sea. It had borne all the ships whose names are like jewels (a precious stone; a treasure) flashing (a sudden burst of light) in the night of time, from the Golden Hind returning with her rotund (round and fat) flanks (the side of an army or body) full of treasure (stored riches), to be visited by the Queen’s Highness and thus pass out of the gigantic (huge as a giant) tale (a story), to the Erebus and Terror (overwhelming fear), bound (to tie fast) on other conquests (victory and seizure)—and that never returned. It had known the ships and the men. They had sailed (the wind-catching sheet; to travel by ship) from Deptford, from Greenwich, from Erith—the adventurers (one who seeks adventure) and the settlers (one who settles in a new land); kings’ ships and the ships of men on ’Change; captains, admirals (the commander of a fleet), the dark “interlopers (one who pushes in where he does not belong)” of the Eastern trade, and the commissioned “generals” of East India fleets (a body of ships; swift). Hunters (one who hunts) for gold or pursuers (one who chases) of fame (wide renown), they all had gone out on that stream, bearing the sword (the long blade weapon), and often the torch (a burning light carried), messengers (a bearer of messages) of the might within the land, bearers (one who carries) of a spark (a fire's flying point) from the sacred (holy) fire. What greatness (high greatness) had not floated (to rest on water or air) on the ebb (the flowing back; fading away) of that river into the mystery (a hidden truth) of an unknown earth!... The dreams of men, the seed (the plant's grain of life) of commonwealths (a nation), the germs (a first seed of life) of empires.

The sun set; the dusk (the fading light of evening) fell on the stream, and lights began to appear along the shore (the water's edge). The Chapman light-house (the tower whose light guides ships), a three-legged (with three legs) thing erect (to raise up; upright) on a mud-flat (a flat stretch of mud at low water), shone (to give light) strongly (with strength). Lights of ships moved in the fairway (the navigable channel of a river)—a great stir (to move; to rouse) of lights going up and going down. And farther west on the upper reaches the place of the monstrous (hugely dreadful) town was still marked ominously (with threat of evil) on the sky, a brooding (to hang heavily over; to think darkly) gloom (heavy darkness of spirit) in sunshine (the sun's warm light), a lurid (glaring and unnatural) glare (a hard bright light; an angry stare) under the stars.

“And this also,” said Marlow suddenly, “has been one of the dark places of the earth.”

He was the only man of us who still “followed the sea.” The worst that could be said of him was that he did not represent his class. He was a seaman (a sailor), but he was a wanderer (one who roams), too, while most seamen (a sailor) lead, if one may so express it, a sedentary (sitting still) life. Their minds are of the stay-at-home (never leaving home) order, and their home is always with them—the ship; and so is their country—the sea. One ship is very much like another, and the sea is always the same. In the immutability (never changing; fixed for ever) of their surroundings (lying around) the foreign shores (the water's edge), the foreign faces, the changing immensity (vastness) of life, glide (to move smoothly) past, veiled (a thin covering cloth) not by a sense of mystery (a hidden truth) but by a slightly disdainful (full of scorn) ignorance (want of knowledge); for there is nothing mysterious (hidden and unexplained) to a seaman (a sailor) unless it be the sea itself, which is the mistress (the lady of the house; a kept woman) of his existence and as inscrutable (impossible to read or fathom) as Destiny. For the rest, after his hours of work, a casual (passing; unplanned) stroll (to walk idly) or a casual (passing; unplanned) spree (a wild bout of pleasure) on shore (the water's edge) suffices (to be enough) to unfold (to open out) for him the secret of a whole continent (a great landmass), and generally he finds the secret not worth knowing. The yarns (a long story told to pass the time) of seamen (a sailor) have a direct simplicity (plain simpleness), the whole meaning of which lies within the shell (a hard outer case; a bursting cannon ball) of a cracked (a sharp break or noise) nut (the shelled kernel fruit). But Marlow was not typical (if his propensity (a natural leaning) to spin (to whirl; to twist thread) yarns (a long story told to pass the time) be excepted), and to him the meaning of an episode was not inside like a kernel (the inner seed of a nut; the smell of bitter almonds) but outside, enveloping (to wrap all around) the tale (a story) which brought it out only as a glow (a soft warm light) brings out a haze (thin misty air), in the likeness (a resemblance; an image) of one of these misty (veiled in mist) halos (a ring of light) that sometimes are made visible (able to be seen) by the spectral (like a ghost) illumination (festival lighting) of moonshine (moonlight).

His remark (to say; to notice) did not seem at all surprising (causing surprise). It was just like Marlow. It was accepted in silence (absence of sound). No one took the trouble to grunt (a village on the Austrian campaign road) even; and presently (soon; now) he said, very slow—“I was thinking of very old times, when the Romans first came here, nineteen (nineteen) hundred years ago—the other day .... Light came out of this river since—you say Knights (a mounted noble warrior)? Yes; but it is like a running blaze (a bright strong fire) on a plain (simple; clear; a flat land), like a flash (a sudden burst of light) of lightning (the sky's flash) in the clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness). We live in the flicker (to burn unsteadily)—may it last as long as the old earth keeps rolling! But darkness (absence of light) was here yesterday. Imagine the feelings of a commander of a fine—what d’ye call ’em?—trireme (an ancient warship with three rows of oars) in the Mediterranean, ordered suddenly to the north; run overland (across land) across the Gauls in a hurry (to move with haste); put in charge of one of these craft (a skilled trade; cunning) the legionaries (a soldier of a Roman legion)—a wonderful lot of handy (convenient; skillful) men they must have been, too—used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to build, apparently by the hundred, in a month or two, if we may believe what we read. Imagine him here—the very end of the world, a sea the colour (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest) of lead, a sky the colour (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest) of smoke, a kind of ship about as rigid (stiff; unbending) as a concertina (a squeeze-box musical instrument)—and going up this river with stores, or orders, or what you like. Sand-banks (banks of sand under water), marshes (soft wet ground), forests, savages (wild; fierce),—precious (of great worth) little to eat fit for a civilized (brought out of savagery) man, nothing but Thames water to drink. No Falernian wine here, no going ashore (on land). Here and there a military camp lost in a wilderness (a wild waste), like a needle (the sewing spike) in a bundle (things tied together) of hay (dried grass fodder)—cold, fog (thick mist), tempests (a violent storm), disease, exile (being driven from one's country), and death—death skulking (to move about hiding) in the air, in the water, in the bush (a low thick plant). They must have been dying like flies here. Oh, yes—he did it. Did it very well, too, no doubt, and without thinking much about it either, except afterwards (later) to brag (to boast) of what he had gone through in his time, perhaps. They were men enough to face the darkness (absence of light). And perhaps he was cheered (a shout of joy; good spirits) by keeping his eye on a chance of promotion (a raising in rank) to the fleet (a body of ships; swift) at Ravenna by and by, if he had good friends in Rome and survived the awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here) climate. Or think of a decent (proper and modest) young citizen (a member of a state) in a toga (the loose robe of a Roman citizen)—perhaps too much dice (gambling with dice), you know—coming out here in the train of some prefect (a high French official), or tax-gatherer (one who collects taxes), or trader (one who trades) even, to mend (to repair) his fortunes (wealth; luck). Land in a swamp (soft flooded ground), march through the woods, and in some inland (away from the coast) post feel the savagery (wild fierce life without laws), the utter (complete; to speak) savagery (wild fierce life without laws), had closed round him—all that mysterious (hidden and unexplained) life of the wilderness (a wild waste) that stirs (to move; to rouse) in the forest, in the jungles (thick tropical forest), in the hearts of wild men. There’s no initiation (a formal admission into an order) either into such mysteries (a hidden truth). He has to live in the midst (the middle) of the incomprehensible (impossible to understand), which is also detestable (hateful). And it has a fascination (a spellbound drawing), too, that goes to work upon him. The fascination (a spellbound drawing) of the abomination (a hateful thing)—you know, imagine the growing regrets (sorrow over what is done), the longing (deep yearning desire) to escape, the powerless (without power) disgust (sick, strong dislike), the surrender (to give up), the hate.”

He paused (a brief stop).

“Mind,” he began again, lifting one arm from the elbow (the arm's joint), the palm (the hand's flat; the southern tree) of the hand outwards (toward the outside), so that, with his legs folded (to bend over on itself) before him, he had the pose (a held position; to put a question) of a Buddha preaching (giving sermons) in European clothes and without a lotus-flower (the sacred flower of the East)—“Mind, none of us would feel exactly like this. What saves us is efficiency (working power without waste)—the devotion (deep loyal love) to efficiency (working power without waste). But these chaps (a fellow) were not much account, really. They were no colonists (a settler in a new land); their administration was merely (only) a squeeze (to press hard), and nothing more, I suspect. They were conquerors (one who conquers), and for that you want only brute (an animal; a beast) force—nothing to boast (to praise oneself) of, when you have it, since your strength is just an accident arising (to come up) from the weakness (want of strength) of others. They grabbed what they could get for the sake (for the good of) of what was to be got. It was just robbery (taking by force) with violence, aggravated (aggravated: made worse; with violence added) murder on a great scale, and men going at it blind—as is very proper for those who tackle (to grapple with) a darkness (absence of light). The conquest (victory and seizure) of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion (the color of the face) or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much. What redeems (to buy back; to save) it is the idea only. An idea at the back of it; not a sentimental (given to soft feeling) pretence (a false show) but an idea; and an unselfish (not selfish) belief (what one holds true) in the idea—something you can set up, and bow (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) down before, and offer a sacrifice (an offering given up) to....”

He broke off. Flames (the fire's tongue) glided (to move smoothly) in the river, small green flames (the fire's tongue), red flames (the fire's tongue), white flames (the fire's tongue), pursuing (to chase after), overtaking (to catch up with), joining, crossing each other—then separating slowly or hastily (in a hurry). The traffic of the great city went on in the deepening (growing deeper) night upon the sleepless (without sleep) river. We looked on, waiting patiently (with patience)—there was nothing else to do till the end of the flood (an overflowing of water); but it was only after a long silence (absence of sound), when he said, in a hesitating (to pause in doubt) voice, “I suppose you fellows remember I did once turn fresh-water (of rivers, not the sea) sailor (a seaman) for a bit,” that we knew we were fated, before the ebb (the flowing back; fading away) began to run, to hear about one of Marlow’s inconclusive (reaching no conclusion) experiences.

“I don’t want to bother (to trouble) you much with what happened to me personally,” he began, showing in this remark (to say; to notice) the weakness (want of strength) of many tellers (one who tells) of tales (a story) who seem so often unaware (not knowing) of what their audience would like best to hear; “yet to understand the effect of it on me you ought (should) to know how I got out there, what I saw, how I went up that river to the place where I first met the poor chap (a fellow). It was the farthest (farther) point of navigation (steering ships by water) and the culminating (to reach its highest point) point of my experience. It seemed somehow to throw a kind of light on everything about me—and into my thoughts. It was sombre (dark and grave) enough, too—and pitiful (stirring pity)—not extraordinary (beyond the ordinary) in any way—not very clear either. No, not very clear. And yet it seemed to throw a kind of light.

“I had then, as you remember, just returned to London after a lot of Indian Ocean, Pacific, China Seas (the waters of the world)—a regular dose (a measured portion of medicine) of the East—six years or so, and I was loafing (a shaped mass of bread) about, hindering (to hold back) you fellows in your work and invading (to enter as an enemy) your homes, just as though I had got a heavenly (of heaven) mission to civilize (to make civilised) you. It was very fine for a time, but after a bit I did get tired of resting. Then I began to look for a ship—I should think the hardest work on earth. But the ships wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t even look at me. And I got tired of that game, too.

“Now when I was a little chap (a fellow) I had a passion (burning feeling) for maps. I would look for hours at South America, or Africa, or Australia, and lose myself in all the glories (shining honor) of exploration (searching through unknown ground). At that time there were many blank (empty; unmarked) spaces on the earth, and when I saw one that looked particularly inviting (to bid to come) on a map (but they all look that) I would put my finger (a digit of the hand) on it and say, ‘When I grow up I will go there.’ The North Pole (a long rod; the earth's end point) was one of these places, I remember. Well, I haven (a safe shelter)’t been there yet, and shall not try now. The glamour (enchanting charm)’s off. Other places were scattered (to throw about; break apart) about the hemispheres (half of the globe). I have been in some of them, and... well, we won’t talk about that. But there was one yet—the biggest, the most blank (empty; unmarked), so to speak—that I had a hankering (a longing) after.

“True, by this time it was not a blank (empty; unmarked) space any more. It had got filled since my boyhood (the years of being a boy) with rivers and lakes and names. It had ceased (to stop) to be a blank (empty; unmarked) space of delightful (giving delight) mystery (a hidden truth)—a white patch (a mending piece) for a boy to dream gloriously (splendidly) over. It had become a place of darkness (absence of light). But there was in it one river especially, a mighty (very strong) big river, that you could see on the map, resembling (to be like) an immense (vastly great) snake (the long legless reptile) uncoiled (to unwind), with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving (a bending line) afar (far away) over a vast (very great) country, and its tail (the rear end) lost in the depths of the land. And as I looked at the map of it in a shop-window (a shop's display window), it fascinated (to charm and hold) me as a snake (the long legless reptile) would a bird—a silly (foolish) little bird. Then I remembered there was a big concern, a Company for trade on that river. Dash (a swift rush) it all! I thought to myself, they can’t trade without using (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) some kind of craft (a skilled trade; cunning) on that lot of fresh water—steamboats (a boat driven by steam)! Why shouldn (should — shouldn't: should not)’t I try to get charge of one? I went on along Fleet (a body of ships; swift) Street, but could not shake (to move quickly to and fro) off the idea. The snake (the long legless reptile) had charmed (under a charm; delighted) me.

“You understand it was a Continental concern, that Trading society; but I have a lot of relations (a connection; a relative) living on the Continent (a great landmass), because it’s cheap and not so nasty (unpleasantly foul) as it looks, they say.

“I am sorry to own I began to worry them. This was already a fresh departure (a going away) for me. I was not used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to get things that way, you know. I always went my own road and on my own legs where I had a mind to go. I wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t have believed it of myself; but, then—you see—I felt somehow I must get there by hook (a bent catch) or by crook (a bend; a hooked staff). So I worried them. The men said ‘My dear fellow,’ and did nothing. Then—would you believe it?—I tried the women. I, Charlie Marlow (the seaman who tells the tale), set the women to work—to get a job. Heavens! Well, you see, the notion (an idea) drove me. I had an aunt (a parent's sister), a dear enthusiastic (burning with eagerness) soul. She wrote: ‘It will be delightful (giving delight). I am ready to do anything, anything for you. It is a glorious (full of glory) idea. I know the wife of a very high personage (a person of importance) in the Administration, and also a man who has lots of influence with,’ etc. She was determined to make no end of fuss (needless anxious bustle) to get me appointed skipper (the captain of a small vessel) of a river steamboat (a boat driven by steam), if such was my fancy (the imagination; a liking).

“I got my appointment (a naming to office; a set meeting)—of course; and I got it very quick. It appears the Company had received news that one of their captains had been killed in a scuffle (a confused small struggle) with the natives. This was my chance, and it made me the more anxious (full of worry) to go. It was only months and months afterwards (later), when I made the attempt to recover (to get back; to grow well) what was left of the body, that I heard the original quarrel (an angry dispute) arose (to come up) from a misunderstanding (a wrong taking of meaning) about some hens (the female fowl). Yes, two black hens (the female fowl). Fresleven (the Danish captain killed in a quarrel over two hens, whose post Marlow takes)—that was the fellow’s name, a Dane—thought himself wronged somehow in the bargain (a deal; a cheap buy), so he went ashore (on land) and started to hammer (the driving tool) the chief of the village with a stick. Oh, it didn (did — didn't: did not)’t surprise me in the least to hear this, and at the same time to be told that Fresleven was the gentlest (mild and kind), quietest creature (a living being) that ever walked on two legs. No doubt he was; but he had been a couple of years already out there engaged in the noble (high-born; morally lofty) cause, you know, and he probably felt the need at last of asserting (to state firmly) his self-respect (respect for oneself) in some way. Therefore he whacked (to beat hard) the old nigger (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) mercilessly (without mercy), while a big crowd of his people watched him, thunderstruck (struck dumb with amazement), till some man—I was told the chief’s son—in desperation (reckless hopelessness) at hearing the old chap (a fellow) yell (a loud sharp cry), made a tentative (uncertain; trial) jab (a quick thrust) with a spear (a long pointed weapon) at the white man—and of course it went quite easy between the shoulder-blades (the flat bones of the upper back). Then the whole population cleared into the forest, expecting all kinds of calamities (a great disaster) to happen, while, on the other hand, the steamer (a steam-driven ship) Fresleven commanded (was captain of) left also in a bad panic (sudden overwhelming fear), in charge of the engineer, I believe. Afterwards (later) nobody seemed to trouble much about Fresleven’s remains, till I got out and stepped into his shoes. I couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t let it rest, though; but when an opportunity offered at last to meet my predecessor (the one who held a place before), the grass (the green ground plant) growing through his ribs (a chest bone) was tall enough to hide his bones (the body's hard frame). They were all there. The supernatural (beyond nature) being had not been touched after he fell. And the village was deserted (to abandon; the barren waste), the huts (a small rough dwelling) gaped (an open break) black, rotting (decaying), all askew (crooked) within the fallen enclosures (a fenced-in space). A calamity (a great disaster) had come to it, sure enough. The people had vanished (to disappear). Mad terror (overwhelming fear) had scattered (to throw about; break apart) them, men, women, and children, through the bush (a low thick plant), and they had never returned. What became of the hens (the female fowl) I don’t know either. I should think the cause of progress got them, anyhow (in any case). However, through this glorious (full of glory) affair (a matter of business; a love matter) I got my appointment (a naming to office; a set meeting), before I had fairly begun to hope for it.

“I flew around like mad to get ready, and before forty-eight (forty-eight) hours I was crossing the Channel to show myself to my employers (one who gives work), and sign the contract. In a very few hours I arrived (to come) in a city that always makes me think of a whited sepulchre (a tomb). Prejudice (judgment made beforehand) no doubt. I had no difficulty (hardness; trouble) in finding the Company’s offices. It was the biggest thing in the town, and everybody I met was full of it. They were going to run an over-sea (across the sea) empire, and make no end of coin (a piece of money) by trade.

“A narrow (of little width) and deserted (to abandon; the barren waste) street in deep shadow (the dark cast shape), high houses, innumerable (too many to count) windows with venetian (Venetian blinds: window blinds of thin crossbars) blinds, a dead silence (absence of sound), grass (the green ground plant) sprouting (begun to shoot and grow) between the stones, imposing (to lay upon) carriage (a wheeled passenger vehicle; bearing) archways (an arched opening) right and left, immense (vastly great) double doors standing ponderously (heavily) ajar (partly open). I slipped (to slide by accident; a small error) through one of these cracks (a sharp break or noise), went up a swept (cleaned with a broom) and ungarnished (bare) staircase (a flight of stairs), as arid (dry; rainless) as a desert (to abandon; the barren waste), and opened the first door I came to. Two women, one fat and the other slim (gracefully thin), sat on straw-bottomed (with seats of woven straw) chairs, knitting (to weave with needles; to draw together) black wool (the sheep's soft coat). The slim (gracefully thin) one got up and walked straight at me—still knitting (to weave with needles; to draw together) with downcast (turned down; sad) eyes—and only just as I began to think of getting out of her way, as you would for a somnambulist (one who walks in sleep), stood still, and looked up. Her dress was as plain (simple; clear; a flat land) as an umbrella-cover (the cloth case of an umbrella), and she turned round without a word and preceded (to come before) me into a waiting-room (a room to wait in). I gave my name, and looked about. Deal table in the middle, plain (simple; clear; a flat land) chairs all round the walls, on one end a large shining (the front of the lower leg) map, marked with all the colours (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest) of a rainbow (the arc of colours after rain). There was a vast (very great) amount of red—good to see at any time, because one knows that some real work is done in there, a deuce (the devil — a mild oath) of a lot of blue, a little green, smears (to spread something wet or greasy) of orange, and, on the East Coast, a purple (the deep red-blue color) patch (a mending piece), to show where the jolly (merry) pioneers (one who goes first into new country) of progress drink the jolly (merry) lager-beer (light beer). However, I wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t going into any of these. I was going into the yellow. Dead in the centre. And the river was there—fascinating (holding one spellbound)—deadly (bringing death)—like a snake (the long legless reptile). Ough! A door opened, a white-haired (with white hair) secretarial (of a secretary) head, but wearing a compassionate (full of pity) expression, appeared, and a skinny (very thin) forefinger (the first finger) beckoned (to signal with the hand to come) me into the sanctuary (a holy refuge). Its light was dim (faint; not bright), and a heavy writing-desk (a desk for writing) squatted (to crouch on the heels; short and thick) in the middle. From behind that structure came out an impression (a mark on the mind) of pale (light in color; whitish) plumpness (roundness of flesh) in a frock-coat (a long-skirted formal coat). The great man himself. He was five feet six, I should judge, and had his grip (a tight hold) on the handle-end (the end one holds) of ever so many millions. He shook (to move quickly to and fro) hands, I fancy (the imagination; a liking), murmured (to speak in a low soft flow) vaguely (dimly; without clear shape), was satisfied (to content; to meet a need) with my French. Bon Voyage (good journey — French).

“In about forty-five (forty-five) seconds I found myself again in the waiting-room (a room to wait in) with the compassionate (full of pity) secretary, who, full of desolation (ruined emptiness) and sympathy (fellow-feeling), made me sign some document. I believe I undertook (to take upon oneself) amongst (among) other things not to disclose (to reveal) any trade secrets. Well, I am not going to.

“I began to feel slightly uneasy (uncomfortable and anxious). You know I am not used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to such ceremonies (a formal rite), and there was something ominous (threatening evil to come) in the atmosphere (the surrounding air or mood). It was just as though I had been let into some conspiracy (a secret plot)—I don’t know—something not quite right; and I was glad to get out. In the outer (on the outside) room the two women knitted (to weave with needles; to draw together) black wool (the sheep's soft coat) feverishly (with fever's restless heat). People were arriving (to come), and the younger one was walking back and forth (forward; out) introducing (to make known; bring in) them. The old one sat on her chair. Her flat cloth (woven fabric) slippers (a light indoor shoe) were propped (a support) up on a foot-warmer (a stand to keep the feet warm), and a cat reposed (rest; calm) on her lap (the seated thighs; to lick up). She wore a starched (stiffened with starch) white affair (a matter of business; a love matter) on her head, had a wart (a small hard lump on the skin) on one cheek (the side of the face), and silver-rimmed (rimmed with silver) spectacles (a grand sight; glasses for the eyes) hung on the tip of her nose. She glanced (a quick look) at me above the glasses. The swift (fast) and indifferent (without care or interest) placidity (calmness) of that look troubled (full of trouble) me. Two youths with foolish (without sense) and cheery (bright and cheerful) countenances (the face; composure) were being piloted over, and she threw at them the same quick glance (a quick look) of unconcerned (without worry) wisdom (deep good sense). She seemed to know all about them and about me, too. An eerie (strangely frightening) feeling came over me. She seemed uncanny (strangely beyond nature) and fateful (heavy with fate). Often far away there I thought of these two, guarding the door of Darkness (absence of light), knitting (to weave with needles; to draw together) black wool (the sheep's soft coat) as for a warm pall (deathly pale), one introducing (to make known; bring in), introducing (to make known; bring in) continuously (without a break) to the unknown, the other scrutinizing (to examine closely) the cheery (bright and cheerful) and foolish (without sense) faces with unconcerned (without worry) old eyes. Ave (hail — Latin)! Old knitter (one who knits) of black wool (the sheep's soft coat). Morituri te salutant (Latin: those who are about to die salute you — the gladiators' greeting). Not many of those she looked at ever saw her again—not half, by a long way.

“There was yet a visit to the doctor. ‘A simple formality (strict formal order),’ assured (to promise; make sure) me the secretary, with an air of taking an immense (vastly great) part in all my sorrows (deep sadness). Accordingly (in keeping with that) a young chap (a fellow) wearing his hat over the left eyebrow (the brow hair above the eye), some clerk (a writing officer) I suppose—there must have been clerks (a writing officer) in the business, though the house was as still as a house in a city of the dead—came from somewhere up-stairs (on the floor above), and led me forth (forward; out). He was shabby (worn and poor-looking) and careless (without care), with inkstains (a stain of ink) on the sleeves (the arm of a garment) of his jacket (a short coat), and his cravat (a cloth tied round the neck) was large and billowy (swelling like waves), under a chin (the jaw's point) shaped like the toe (the foot's digit) of an old boot (a high shoe). It was a little too early for the doctor, so I proposed a drink, and thereupon (upon that; then) he developed a vein (a blood channel; a streak) of joviality (jolly good humour). As we sat over our vermouths (a flavoured wine) he glorified (to give glory to) the Company’s business, and by and by I expressed casually (without special intent) my surprise at him not going out there. He became very cool and collected all at once. ‘I am not such a fool (one without sense) as I look, quoth (said — an old word) Plato to his disciples (a follower),’ he said sententiously (in a pompous preaching way), emptied his glass with great resolution, and we rose.

“The old doctor felt my pulse (the blood's beat), evidently (as plainly appears) thinking of something else the while. ‘Good, good for there,’ he mumbled (to speak low and unclearly), and then with a certain eagerness (keen desire) asked me whether I would let him measure my head. Rather surprised, I said Yes, when he produced a thing like calipers (calipers: an instrument for measuring width) and got the dimensions (a measure of size) back and front and every way, taking notes carefully (with care). He was an unshaven (not shaved) little man in a threadbare (worn thin with use) coat (an outer garment) like a gaberdine (a long loose coat), with his feet in slippers (a light indoor shoe), and I thought him a harmless (doing no harm) fool (one without sense). ‘I always ask leave, in the interests (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) of science, to measure the crania (skulls) of those going out there,’ he said. ‘And when they come back, too?’ I asked. ‘Oh, I never see them,’ he remarked (to say; to notice); ‘and, moreover (besides), the changes take place inside, you know.’ He smiled, as if at some quiet joke. ‘So you are going out there. Famous. Interesting, too.’ He gave me a searching (looking deeply) glance (a quick look), and made another note. ‘Ever any madness (being mad) in your family?’ he asked, in a matter-of-fact (plain and practical) tone (a sound's quality; a manner). I felt very annoyed (irritated). ‘Is that question in the interests (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) of science, too?’ ‘It would be,’ he said, without taking notice of my irritation (annoyance), ‘interesting for science to watch the mental changes of individuals, on the spot, but...’ ‘Are you an alienist (a doctor of the mind)?’ I interrupted (to break in upon). ‘Every doctor should be—a little,’ answered that original, imperturbably (without being disturbed). ‘I have a little theory which you messieurs (gentlemen — French) who go out there must help me to prove. This is my share in the advantages my country shall reap (to cut the harvest) from the possession (owning; a thing owned) of such a magnificent (grandly splendid) dependency (a land ruled from outside). The mere (nothing more than) wealth I leave to others. Pardon (forgiveness) my questions, but you are the first Englishman coming under my observation (careful watching; a remark)...’ I hastened (to hurry) to assure (to promise; make sure) him I was not in the least typical. ‘If I were,’ said I, ‘I wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t be talking like this with you.’ ‘What you say is rather profound (deep), and probably erroneous (mistaken),’ he said, with a laugh. ‘Avoid irritation (annoyance) more than exposure (laying open) to the sun. Adieu (farewell — French). How do you English say, eh? Good-bye. Ah! Good-bye. Adieu (farewell — French). In the tropics (the hot regions of the earth) one must before everything keep calm.’... He lifted a warning forefinger (the first finger).... ‘Du calme (calm — French, in Du calme), du calme (calm — French, in Du calme).’

“One thing more remained to do—say good-bye to my excellent aunt (a parent's sister). I found her triumphant (victorious and exulting). I had a cup of tea—the last decent (proper and modest) cup of tea for many days—and in a room that most soothingly (calmingly) looked just as you would expect a lady’s drawing-room (the sitting room for guests) to look, we had a long quiet chat by the fireside (the place beside the fire). In the course of these confidences it became quite plain (simple; clear; a flat land) to me I had been represented to the wife of the high dignitary (a person of high rank), and goodness (being good) knows to how many more people besides, as an exceptional (out of the common) and gifted (born with talent) creature (a living being)—a piece of good fortune (wealth; luck) for the Company—a man you don’t get hold of every day. Good heavens! and I was going to take charge of a two-penny-half-penny (cheap and poor) river-steamboat (a steamboat for rivers) with a penny (a small coin) whistle (a shrill air note) attached! It appeared, however, I was also one of the Workers, with a capital—you know. Something like an emissary (a messenger sent on a mission) of light, something like a lower sort of apostle (a messenger of a faith). There had been a lot of such rot (to decay) let loose (not tight; free) in print and talk just about that time, and the excellent woman, living right in the rush (to move with violent haste) of all that humbug (nonsense meant to deceive), got carried off her feet. She talked about ‘weaning (to draw away from a habit) those ignorant (without knowledge) millions from their horrid (horrible) ways,’ till, upon my word, she made me quite uncomfortable (without comfort). I ventured (a risky undertaking) to hint (a small suggestion) that the Company was run for profit.

“‘You forget, dear Charlie, that the labourer (one who does heavy work with the hands) is worthy (deserving) of his hire (to engage for pay),’ she said, brightly (with bright light). It’s queer (strange) how out of touch with truth women are. They live in a world of their own, and there has never been anything like it, and never can be. It is too beautiful altogether (wholly), and if they were to set it up it would go to pieces before the first sunset (the sun's going down). Some confounded (to confuse utterly) fact we men have been living contentedly (with quiet satisfaction) with ever since the day of creation would start up and knock (to strike with the knuckles) the whole thing over.

“After this I got embraced (to hold in the arms), told to wear flannel (soft woollen cloth), be sure to write often, and so on—and I left. In the street—I don’t know why—a queer (strange) feeling came to me that I was an imposter (one pretending to be what he is not). Odd (strange; uneven) thing that I, who used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to clear out for any part of the world at twenty-four (twenty-four) hours’ notice, with less thought than most men give to the crossing of a street, had a moment—I won’t say of hesitation (a pause of doubt), but of startled (surprised into a jump) pause (a brief stop), before this commonplace (ordinary; a worn saying) affair (a matter of business; a love matter). The best way I can explain it to you is by saying that, for a second or two, I felt as though, instead of going to the centre of a continent (a great landmass), I were about to set off for the centre of the earth.

“I left in a French steamer (a steam-driven ship), and she called in every blamed port they have out there, for, as far as I could see, the sole (the only; the foot's bottom) purpose of landing soldiers and custom-house (the office where duties on goods are collected) officers. I watched the coast. Watching a coast as it slips (to slide by accident; a small error) by the ship is like thinking about an enigma (a riddle). There it is before you—smiling, frowning (to draw the brows in displeasure), inviting (to bid to come), grand, mean, insipid (tasteless; dull), or savage (wild; fierce), and always mute (silent; unable to speak) with an air of whispering (speaking in hushed voices), ‘Come and find out.’ This one was almost featureless (without marked features), as if still in the making, with an aspect (aspect: look; appearance — the old sense here) of monotonous (unchanging and dull) grimness (sternness). The edge of a colossal (huge) jungle (thick tropical forest), so dark-green (deep green) as to be almost black, fringed (the hanging threaded edge of cloth) with white surf (the breaking waves on a shore), ran straight, like a ruled line, far, far away along a blue sea whose glitter (to sparkle) was blurred (to make unclear) by a creeping (to move low and slowly) mist (thin fog). The sun was fierce (savagely violent), the land seemed to glisten (to shine wetly) and drip (to fall in drops) with steam. Here and there greyish-whitish (grey-white) specks (a tiny spot) showed up clustered (a close bunch) inside the white surf (the breaking waves on a shore), with a flag flying above them perhaps. Settlements (a fixed agreement; a dwelling place) some centuries old, and still no bigger than pinheads (the head of a pin) on the untouched (not touched) expanse (a wide stretch) of their background. We pounded (a weight measure; to beat heavily) along, stopped, landed soldiers; went on, landed custom-house (the office where duties on goods are collected) clerks (a writing officer) to levy (to raise troops or taxes) toll (to ring slowly, as for a death; a fee) in what looked like a God-forsaken wilderness (a wild waste), with a tin (the soft white metal) shed (a rough shelter; to let fall) and a flag-pole (a pole for a flag) lost in it; landed more soldiers—to take care of the custom-house (the office where duties on goods are collected) clerks (a writing officer), presumably (as one may suppose). Some, I heard, got drowned (to die in water; to cover over with sound) in the surf (the breaking waves on a shore); but whether they did or not, nobody seemed particularly to care. They were just flung (to throw with force) out there, and on we went. Every day the coast looked the same, as though we had not moved; but we passed various places—trading places—with names like Gran’ Bassam (a trading place on the West African coast), Little Popo (a trading place on the West African coast); names that seemed to belong (to be one's own; to be part of) to some sordid (dirty and mean) farce (an absurd comedy) acted in front of a sinister (threatening evil) back-cloth (the painted cloth at the back of a stage). The idleness (doing nothing) of a passenger (one carried on a journey), my isolation (being set apart) amongst (among) all these men with whom I had no point of contact, the oily (like oil; smoothly slippery) and languid (without energy; limp) sea, the uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike) sombreness (gloom) of the coast, seemed to keep me away from the truth of things, within the toil (dress; ladies' finery) of a mournful (full of mourning) and senseless (without sense; unconscious) delusion (a false belief). The voice of the surf (the breaking waves on a shore) heard now and then was a positive pleasure, like the speech of a brother. It was something natural, that had its reason, that had a meaning. Now and then a boat from the shore (the water's edge) gave one a momentary (lasting a moment) contact with reality. It was paddled (to drive a boat with a paddle) by black fellows. You could see from afar (far away) the white of their eyeballs (the ball of the eye) glistening (to shine wetly). They shouted (a loud cry), sang; their bodies streamed with perspiration (sweat); they had faces like grotesque (twisted and unnatural) masks (a face covering)—these chaps (a fellow); but they had bone (the body's hard frame), muscle (the body's moving flesh), a wild vitality (strength of life), an intense (at high pitch) energy of movement, that was as natural and true as the surf (the breaking waves on a shore) along their coast. They wanted no excuse for being there. They were a great comfort (ease; consolation) to look at. For a time I would feel I belonged (to be one's own; to be part of) still to a world of straightforward (plain and direct) facts; but the feeling would not last long. Something would turn up to scare (to frighten) it away. Once, I remember, we came upon a man-of-war (a warship) anchored (the iron that holds a ship in place) off the coast. There wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t even a shed (a rough shelter; to let fall) there, and she was shelling (a hard outer case; a bursting cannon ball) the bush (a low thick plant). It appears the French had one of their wars going on thereabouts (near there). Her ensign (the lowest infantry officer; a flag) dropped limp (to walk lamely; soft and slack) like a rag (a torn scrap of cloth); the muzzles (an animal's nose and jaws; a gun's mouth) of the long six-inch (six inches wide) guns stuck out all over the low hull (the body of a ship; a huge dark shape); the greasy (covered with fat), slimy (covered with slime) swell (to grow bigger) swung (to sway to and fro) her up lazily (without effort or hurry) and let her down, swaying (to swing from side to side; to rule) her thin (of little thickness) masts (a ship's tall pole). In the empty immensity (vastness) of earth, sky, and water, there she was, incomprehensible (impossible to understand), firing into a continent (a great landmass). Pop, would go one of the six-inch (six inches wide) guns; a small flame (the fire's tongue) would dart (to shoot swiftly) and vanish (to disappear), a little white smoke would disappear (to vanish), a tiny projectile (a thrown or fired missile) would give a feeble (weak) screech (a harsh high cry)—and nothing happened. Nothing could happen. There was a touch of insanity (madness) in the proceeding (going on; a step taken), a sense of lugubrious (mournful) drollery (comic oddness) in the sight; and it was not dissipated (wasted in idle pleasure) by somebody on board assuring (to promise; make sure) me earnestly (with deep seriousness) there was a camp of natives—he called them enemies!—hidden out of sight somewhere.

“We gave her her letters (I heard the men in that lonely (alone and sad) ship were dying of fever (burning body heat) at the rate of three a day) and went on. We called at some more places with farcical (absurd) names, where the merry (full of cheer) dance of death and trade goes on in a still and earthy (like soil; of the earth) atmosphere (the surrounding air or mood) as of an overheated (too hot) catacomb (underground burial caves); all along the formless (without shape) coast bordered by dangerous surf (the breaking waves on a shore), as if Nature herself had tried to ward (one under guardianship; to fend off) off intruders (one who pushes in unwanted); in and out of rivers, streams of death in life, whose banks were rotting (decaying) into mud (wet soft earth), whose waters, thickened (grown thick) into slime (soft wet filth), invaded (to enter as an enemy) the contorted (twisted out of shape) mangroves (a tree growing in tidal swamps), that seemed to writhe (to twist in pain) at us in the extremity (the farthest end; the last resort) of an impotent (powerless) despair (loss of all hope). Nowhere (in no place) did we stop long enough to get a particularized (to go into details) impression (a mark on the mind), but the general sense of vague (unclear; dim) and oppressive (crushing; heavy) wonder grew upon me. It was like a weary (tired out) pilgrimage (a journey to a holy place) amongst (among) hints (a small suggestion) for nightmares (a dream of terror).

“It was upward (toward above) of thirty (thirty) days before I saw the mouth of the big river. We anchored (the iron that holds a ship in place) off the seat of the government. But my work would not begin till some two hundred miles farther on. So as soon as I could I made a start for a place thirty (thirty) miles higher up.

“I had my passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here) on a little sea-going (fit for the open sea) steamer (a steam-driven ship). Her captain was a Swede, and knowing me for a seaman (a sailor), invited (to bid to come) me on the bridge. He was a young man, lean (to tilt against; thin), fair, and morose (gloomy and sour), with lanky (tall and thin) hair and a shuffling (dragging the feet) gait (a way of walking). As we left the miserable (deeply unhappy) little wharf (a landing place for ships), he tossed (to throw lightly) his head contemptuously (with scorn) at the shore (the water's edge). ‘Been living there?’ he asked. I said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Fine lot these government chaps (a fellow)—are they not?’ he went on, speaking English with great precision (exactness) and considerable (fairly large) bitterness (sharp resentful pain). ‘It is funny what some people will do for a few francs (the French coin) a month. I wonder what becomes of that kind when it goes upcountry (inland)?’ I said to him I expected to see that soon. ‘So-o-o!’ he exclaimed (to cry out). He shuffled (to drag the feet; to mix cards) athwart (across; crosswise), keeping one eye ahead vigilantly (watchfully). ‘Don’t be too sure,’ he continued. ‘The other day I took up a man who hanged himself on the road. He was a Swede, too.’ ‘Hanged himself! Why, in God’s name?’ I cried. He kept on looking out watchfully (on the watch). ‘Who knows? The sun too much for him, or the country perhaps.’

“At last we opened a reach. A rocky (full of rocks) cliff (a steep rock face) appeared, mounds (a raised heap of earth) of turned-up (curled upward) earth by the shore (the water's edge), houses on a hill, others with iron roofs, amongst (among) a waste of excavations (a dug-out hollow), or hanging to the declivity (a downward slope). A continuous (unbroken) noise of the rapids (fast) above hovered (to hang in the air) over this scene of inhabited (lived in) devastation (ruin). A lot of people, mostly black and naked (bare of clothes), moved about like ants (the small toiling insect). A jetty (a landing-stage built out into water) projected into the river. A blinding sunlight (the sun's light) drowned (to die in water; to cover over with sound) all this at times in a sudden (without warning) recrudescence (a breaking out afresh) of glare (a hard bright light; an angry stare). ‘There’s your Company’s station,’ said the Swede, pointing to three wooden (made of wood) barrack-like (like soldiers' plain quarters) structures on the rocky (full of rocks) slope (rising ground). ‘I will send your things up. Four boxes did you say? So. Farewell (a goodbye).’

“I came upon a boiler (a vessel for boiling) wallowing (lying sunk in mud or water) in the grass (the green ground plant), then found a path leading up the hill. It turned aside for the boulders (a great rock), and also for an undersized (smaller than usual) railway-truck (an open rail wagon) lying there on its back with its wheels in the air. One was off. The thing looked as dead as the carcass (the dead body of an animal) of some animal. I came upon more pieces of decaying (rot; falling apart) machinery (machines), a stack (an ordered pile) of rusty (covered with rust) rails (a fixed bar; to complain bitterly). To the left a clump (a group of trees) of trees made a shady (giving shade) spot, where dark things seemed to stir (to move; to rouse) feebly (weakly). I blinked (to shut and open the eyes quickly), the path was steep (sharply sloping). A horn (an animal's pointed growth; a wind instrument) tooted (to sound a horn) to the right, and I saw the black people run. A heavy and dull (not sharp; not bright) detonation (an explosion) shook (to move quickly to and fro) the ground, a puff (a short blow of air or smoke) of smoke came out of the cliff (a steep rock face), and that was all. No change appeared on the face of the rock. They were building a railway (a road of rails for trains). The cliff (a steep rock face) was not in the way or anything; but this objectless (without purpose) blasting (breaking rock with explosive) was all the work going on.

“A slight (small; to treat as of no account) clinking (to touch glasses in a toast) behind me made me turn my head. Six black men advanced in a file, toiling (dress; ladies' finery) up the path. They walked erect (to raise up; upright) and slow, balancing small baskets (a woven carrier) full of earth on their heads, and the clink (to touch glasses in a toast) kept time with their footsteps (the sound of a step). Black rags (a torn scrap of cloth) were wound round their loins (the lower back and hips), and the short ends behind waggled (to wag to and fro) to and fro (to and fro: back and forth) like tails (the rear end). I could see every rib (a chest bone), the joints of their limbs (an arm or leg; a branch) were like knots (a hard lump where a rope or wood is tied or twisted) in a rope (a thick twisted cord); each had an iron collar (the neck band) on his neck, and all were connected together with a chain whose bights (a loop of rope or chain) swung (to sway to and fro) between them, rhythmically (in steady beat) clinking (to touch glasses in a toast). Another report from the cliff (a steep rock face) made me think suddenly of that ship of war I had seen firing into a continent (a great landmass). It was the same kind of ominous (threatening evil to come) voice; but these men could by no stretch (to draw out) of imagination (the picture-making mind) be called enemies. They were called criminals, and the outraged (deeply offended) law, like the bursting (exploding) shells (a hard outer case; a bursting cannon ball), had come to them, an insoluble (impossible to solve) mystery (a hidden truth) from the sea. All their meagre (thin and poor) breasts (the chest) panted (to breathe in short gasps) together, the violently (with violent force) dilated (to widen) nostrils (the openings of the nose) quivered (to tremble finely), the eyes stared stonily (hard and unmoved as stone) uphill (up a slope). They passed me within six inches (a small measure of length), without a glance (a quick look), with that complete, deathlike (like death) indifference (absence of care or interest) of unhappy (not happy) savages (wild; fierce). Behind this raw matter one of the reclaimed (to bring back from a wild state), the product of the new forces at work, strolled (to walk idly) despondently (in low spirits), carrying a rifle (the grooved long gun) by its middle. He had a uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike) jacket (a short coat) with one button off, and seeing a white man on the path, hoisted (to raise up) his weapon to his shoulder with alacrity (eager quickness). This was simple prudence (careful good sense), white men being so much alike (the same) at a distance that he could not tell who I might be. He was speedily (quickly) reassured (to give back confidence), and with a large, white, rascally (like a rascal) grin (a wide smile), and a glance (a quick look) at his charge, seemed to take me into partnership (sharing as partners) in his exalted (raised high in rank) trust. After all, I also was a part of the great cause of these high and just proceedings (going on; a step taken).

“Instead of going up, I turned and descended (to go down) to the left. My idea was to let that chain-gang (prisoners chained together) get out of sight before I climbed (to go up) the hill. You know I am not particularly tender (soft with love); I’ve had to strike and to fend (to fend off: to keep away) off. I’ve had to resist (to stand against) and to attack sometimes—that’s only one way of resisting (to stand against)—without counting the exact cost, according to the demands of such sort of life as I had blundered (to stumble into mistakes) into. I’ve seen the devil (the evil one) of violence, and the devil (the evil one) of greed (grasping desire), and the devil (the evil one) of hot desire; but, by all the stars! these were strong, lusty (full of strength), red-eyed (with red eyes) devils (the evil one), that swayed (to swing from side to side; to rule) and drove men—men, I tell you. But as I stood on this hillside (the slope of a hill), I foresaw (saw beforehand) that in the blinding sunshine (the sun's warm light) of that land I would become acquainted (knowing; familiar with) with a flabby (soft and sagging), pretending (to make believe), weak-eyed (with weak eyes) devil (the evil one) of a rapacious (greedy and grasping) and pitiless (without pity) folly (foolishness). How insidious (secretly creeping) he could be, too, I was only to find out several months later and a thousand miles farther. For a moment I stood appalled (filled with horror), as though by a warning. Finally I descended (to go down) the hill, obliquely (at a slant), towards the trees I had seen.

“I avoided a vast (very great) artificial (made by man; not natural) hole somebody had been digging (to break ground) on the slope (rising ground), the purpose of which I found it impossible to divine (of God). It wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t a quarry (the hunted animal) or a sandpit (a pit for digging sand), anyhow (in any case). It was just a hole. It might have been connected with the philanthropic (given to good works) desire of giving the criminals something to do. I don’t know. Then I nearly fell into a very narrow (of little width) ravine (a deep narrow valley), almost no more than a scar (the mark of a healed wound) in the hillside (the slope of a hill). I discovered that a lot of imported (meaning; to bring in) drainage-pipes (pipes for draining water) for the settlement (a fixed agreement; a dwelling place) had been tumbled (to fall rolling) in there. There wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t one that was not broken. It was a wanton (playful without shame; reckless) smash-up (a wreck). At last I got under the trees. My purpose was to stroll (to walk idly) into the shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color) for a moment; but no sooner within than it seemed to me I had stepped into the gloomy (dark and heavy of spirit) circle of some Inferno. The rapids (fast) were near, and an uninterrupted (without a break), uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike), headlong (rushing head first), rushing (to move with violent haste) noise filled the mournful (full of mourning) stillness (quiet; no movement) of the grove (a small wood), where not a breath stirred (to move; to rouse), not a leaf (the green blade of a plant) moved, with a mysterious (hidden and unexplained) sound—as though the tearing (a drop of weeping; to rip) pace (a step's length; speed) of the launched earth had suddenly become audible (loud enough to hear).

“Black shapes crouched (to bend low), lay, sat between the trees leaning (to tilt against; thin) against the trunks (a great chest; a tree's stem), clinging (to hold fast to) to the earth, half coming out, half effaced (to wipe away) within the dim (faint; not bright) light, in all the attitudes of pain, abandonment (leaving behind for good), and despair (loss of all hope). Another mine on the cliff (a steep rock face) went off, followed by a slight (small; to treat as of no account) shudder (a shiver of horror) of the soil (the growing earth) under my feet. The work was going on. The work! And this was the place where some of the helpers (one who helps) had withdrawn (to draw back) to die.

“They were dying slowly—it was very clear. They were not enemies, they were not criminals, they were nothing earthly (of this world) now—nothing but black shadows (the dark cast shape) of disease and starvation (death by hunger), lying confusedly (in confusion) in the greenish (somewhat green) gloom (heavy darkness of spirit). Brought from all the recesses (a set-back hollow) of the coast in all the legality (lawfulness) of time contracts, lost in uncongenial (unsuited to one's nature) surroundings (lying around), fed on unfamiliar (not known) food, they sickened (to make sick), became inefficient (working badly), and were then allowed to crawl (to move on hands and knees) away and rest. These moribund (dying) shapes were free as air—and nearly as thin (of little thickness). I began to distinguish (to tell apart) the gleam (a soft flash of light) of the eyes under the trees. Then, glancing (a quick look) down, I saw a face near my hand. The black bones (the body's hard frame) reclined (to lean back at rest) at full length with one shoulder against the tree, and slowly the eyelids (the eye's cover of skin) rose and the sunken (to go down) eyes looked up at me, enormous (vastly big) and vacant (empty), a kind of blind, white flicker (to burn unsteadily) in the depths of the orbs (a globe; a shining sphere), which died out slowly. The man seemed young—almost a boy—but you know with them it’s hard to tell. I found nothing else to do but to offer him one of my good Swede’s ship’s biscuits (hard dry bread) I had in my pocket (the sewn-in pouch). The fingers (a digit of the hand) closed slowly on it and held—there was no other movement and no other glance (a quick look). He had tied a bit of white worsted round his neck—Why? Where did he get it? Was it a badge (a worn mark of rank)—an ornament (a decoration)—a charm (winning attractiveness; a magic token)—a propitiatory (meant to win favour) act? Was there any idea at all connected with it? It looked startling (surprising and alarming) round his black neck, this bit of white thread (a spun filament) from beyond the seas (the waters of the world).

“Near the same tree two more bundles (things tied together) of acute (sharp) angles (a corner's measure) sat with their legs drawn up. One, with his chin (the jaw's point) propped (a support) on his knees (the leg's middle joint), stared at nothing, in an intolerable (unbearable) and appalling (filling with horror) manner: his brother phantom (a ghost) rested its forehead (the brow), as if overcome (to conquer; overpowered) with a great weariness (tiredness); and all about others were scattered (to throw about; break apart) in every pose (a held position; to put a question) of contorted (twisted out of shape) collapse (to fall in), as in some picture of a massacre (a wholesale slaughter) or a pestilence (a deadly spreading disease). While I stood horror-struck (struck with horror), one of these creatures (a living being) rose to his hands and knees (the leg's middle joint), and went off on all-fours (on hands and knees) towards the river to drink. He lapped (the seated thighs; to lick up) out of his hand, then sat up in the sunlight (the sun's light), crossing his shins (the front of the lower leg) in front of him, and after a time let his woolly (with tightly curled hair) head fall on his breastbone (the bone in the middle of the chest).

“I didn (did — didn't: did not)’t want any more loitering (hanging about) in the shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color), and I made haste (hurry) towards the station. When near the buildings I met a white man, in such an unexpected (not looked for) elegance (refined grace) of get-up (dress and appearance) that in the first moment I took him for a sort of vision. I saw a high starched (stiffened with starch) collar (the neck band), white cuffs (the wrist end of a sleeve), a light alpaca (a light cloth of soft wool) jacket (a short coat), snowy (white with snow) trousers (trousers), a clean necktie (a tie), and varnished (a hard glossy coating) boots (a high shoe). No hat. Hair parted, brushed (brushed: smoothed with a brush), oiled, under a green-lined (lined with green) parasol (a sunshade) held in a big white hand. He was amazing, and had a penholder (a holder for a pen) behind his ear (the organ of hearing).

“I shook (to move quickly to and fro) hands with this miracle (a wonder beyond nature), and I learned he was the Company’s chief accountant (a keeper of money records), and that all the book-keeping (keeping accounts) was done at this station. He had come out for a moment, he said, ‘to get a breath of fresh air. The expression sounded wonderfully (with wonder) odd (strange; uneven), with its suggestion (an offered idea) of sedentary (sitting still) desk-life (a life spent at a desk). I wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t have mentioned the fellow to you at all, only it was from his lips (the mouth's edge) that I first heard the name of the man who is so indissolubly (so as never to be parted) connected with the memories of that time. Moreover (besides), I respected the fellow. Yes; I respected his collars (the neck band), his vast (very great) cuffs (the wrist end of a sleeve), his brushed (brushed: smoothed with a brush) hair. His appearance was certainly that of a hairdresser (one who cuts hair)’s dummy (a sham figure); but in the great demoralization (loss of all order and spirit) of the land he kept up his appearance. That’s backbone (firmness of character). His starched (stiffened with starch) collars (the neck band) and got-up (dressed up for show) shirt-fronts (the stiff fronts of shirts) were achievements (a thing achieved) of character. He had been out nearly three years; and, later, I could not help asking him how he managed to sport such linen (cloth of flax; underclothing). He had just the faintest (weak and dim; to fall senseless) blush (to redden with shame), and said modestly (with modest reserve), ‘I’ve been teaching one of the native women about the station. It was difficult. She had a distaste (dislike) for the work.’ Thus this man had verily (truly — an old word) accomplished (to carry through) something. And he was devoted (given wholly in love) to his books, which were in apple-pie (apple-pie order: perfectly neat) order.

“Everything else in the station was in a muddle (a confused mess)—heads, things, buildings. Strings (a thin cord) of dusty (covered with dust) niggers (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) with splay (spread outward) feet arrived (to come) and departed (to go away); a stream of manufactured (made in factories) goods, rubbishy (worthless) cottons (the soft plant fiber), beads (a small pierced ball for threading), and brass-wire (wire of brass) sent into the depths of darkness (absence of light), and in return came a precious (of great worth) trickle (to flow in a thin stream) of ivory (the elephant's white tusk).

“I had to wait in the station for ten days—an eternity (endless time). I lived in a hut (a small rough dwelling) in the yard, but to be out of the chaos (utter confusion) I would sometimes get into the accountant (a keeper of money records)’s office. It was built of horizontal (level; flat across) planks (a long flat board), and so badly (in a bad way) put together that, as he bent (to curve; to bow) over his high desk (a writing table), he was barred from neck to heels (the foot's back) with narrow (of little width) strips (to take off; a narrow band) of sunlight (the sun's light). There was no need to open the big shutter (a window's wooden cover) to see. It was hot there, too; big flies buzzed (the hum of insects) fiendishly (like a devil), and did not sting (a sharp prick), but stabbed (to pierce with a point). I sat generally on the floor, while, of faultless (perfect) appearance (and even slightly scented (sweet-smelling)), perching (to sit high like a bird) on a high stool (a backless seat), he wrote, he wrote. Sometimes he stood up for exercise. When a truckle-bed (a low bed on wheels) with a sick man (some invalid (a sick person; without force) agent from upcountry (inland)) was put in there, he exhibited (to show) a gentle (mild and kind) annoyance (irritation). ‘The groans (to give a deep pained cry) of this sick person,’ he said, ‘distract (to pull the mind away) my attention. And without that it is extremely difficult to guard against clerical (of clerks or of clergy) errors in this climate.’

“One day he remarked (to say; to notice), without lifting his head, ‘In the interior you will no doubt meet Mr. Kurtz (Mr Kurtz, the Company's most successful ivory agent, far up the river).’ On my asking who Mr. Kurtz was, he said he was a first-class (of the best kind) agent; and seeing my disappointment (a failed hope) at this information, he added slowly, laying down his pen (the writing tool), ‘He is a very remarkable (worthy of note) person.’ Further questions elicited (to draw out) from him that Mr. Kurtz was at present in charge of a trading-post (a station for trade), a very important one, in the true ivory-country (country rich in ivory), at ‘the very bottom of there. Sends in as much ivory (the elephant's white tusk) as all the others put together...’ He began to write again. The sick man was too ill to groan (to give a deep pained cry). The flies buzzed (the hum of insects) in a great peace.

“Suddenly there was a growing murmur (to speak in a low soft flow) of voices and a great tramping (stamping heavily) of feet. A caravan (a train of travelers and wagons) had come in. A violent (of raging force) babble (confused talk) of uncouth (rough and awkward) sounds burst (to break open suddenly) out on the other side of the planks (a long flat board). All the carriers (the man who carts goods) were speaking together, and in the midst (the middle) of the uproar (a loud confused noise) the lamentable (sorrowful) voice of the chief agent was heard ‘giving it up’ tearfully (with tears) for the twentieth (the 20th) time that day.... He rose slowly. ‘What a frightful (causing fright) row,’ he said. He crossed the room gently (with mild softness) to look at the sick man, and returning, said to me, ‘He does not hear.’ ‘What! Dead?’ I asked, startled (surprised into a jump). ‘No, not yet,’ he answered, with great composure (calm self-control). Then, alluding (to hint at) with a toss (to throw lightly) of the head to the tumult (wild noisy uproar) in the station-yard (the yard of a trading station), ‘When one has got to make correct entries, one comes to hate those savages (wild; fierce)—hate them to the death.’ He remained thoughtful (full of thought; considerate) for a moment. ‘When you see Mr. Kurtz’ he went on, ‘tell him from me that everything here’—he glanced (a quick look) at the deck (a ship's floor)—‘is very satisfactory (good enough). I don’t like to write to him—with those messengers (a bearer of messages) of ours (belonging to us) you never know who may get hold of your letter—at that Central Station (the Company's middle post, where the steamboat lies wrecked).’ He stared at me for a moment with his mild (gentle), bulging (to swell out) eyes. ‘Oh, he will go far, very far,’ he began again. ‘He will be a somebody in the Administration before long. They, above—the Council in Europe, you know—mean him to be.’

“He turned to his work. The noise outside had ceased (to stop), and presently (soon; now) in going out I stopped at the door. In the steady (firm and even) buzz (the hum of insects) of flies the homeward-bound (on the way home) agent was lying finished and insensible (unconscious); the other, bent (to curve; to bow) over his books, was making correct entries of perfectly correct transactions (a piece of business); and fifty (fifty) feet below the doorstep (the step at a door) I could see the still tree-tops (the tops of trees) of the grove (a small wood) of death.

“Next day I left that station at last, with a caravan (a train of travelers and wagons) of sixty (sixty) men, for a two-hundred-mile (two hundred miles long) tramp (to walk heavily; a walking journey).

“No use (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) telling you much about that. Paths, paths, everywhere; a stamped-in (pressed in by treading) network of paths spreading over the empty land, through the long grass (the green ground plant), through burnt grass (the green ground plant), through thickets (a dense growth of bushes), down and up chilly (rather cold) ravines (a deep narrow valley), up and down stony (like stone; hard) hills ablaze (on fire) with heat; and a solitude (being alone), a solitude (being alone), nobody, not a hut (a small rough dwelling). The population had cleared out a long time ago. Well, if a lot of mysterious (hidden and unexplained) niggers (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) armed with all kinds of fearful (full of fear; dreadful) weapons suddenly took to travelling on the road between Deal and Gravesend, catching the yokels (a country simpleton) right and left to carry heavy loads for them, I fancy (the imagination; a liking) every farm and cottage (a small country house) thereabouts (near there) would get empty very soon. Only here the dwellings (a place lived in) were gone, too. Still I passed through several abandoned (to leave behind for good) villages. There’s something pathetically (in a way that stirs pity) childish (like a child) in the ruins (destruction; broken remains) of grass (the green ground plant) walls. Day after day, with the stamp (to strike the foot down; a mark) and shuffle (to drag the feet; to mix cards) of sixty (sixty) pair of bare (uncovered) feet behind me, each pair under a 60-lb. load. Camp, cook, sleep, strike camp, march. Now and then a carrier (the man who carts goods) dead in harness (a horse's working straps), at rest in the long grass (the green ground plant) near the path, with an empty water-gourd (a dried gourd used as a water bottle) and his long staff lying by his side. A great silence (absence of sound) around and above. Perhaps on some quiet night the tremor (a fine trembling) of far-off (far away) drums (the beaten war instrument), sinking (to go down), swelling (to grow bigger), a tremor (a fine trembling) vast (very great), faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless); a sound weird, appealing (calling for help or pity), suggestive (hinting at), and wild—and perhaps with as profound (deep) a meaning as the sound of bells in a Christian country. Once a white man in an unbuttoned (with buttons undone) uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike), camping on the path with an armed escort (a guarding company) of lank (tall, thin, and loose-limbed) Zanzibaris, very hospitable (generous in welcome) and festive (of feast and celebration)—not to say drunk. Was looking after the upkeep (the cost of keeping up) of the road, he declared. Can’t say I saw any road or any upkeep (the cost of keeping up), unless the body of a middle-aged (of middle age) negro (a Black African man — the word of the book's time), with a bullet-hole (a hole made by a bullet) in the forehead (the brow), upon which I absolutely stumbled (to trip in walking) three miles farther on, may be considered as a permanent improvement (a bettering). I had a white companion (one who keeps company), too, not a bad chap (a fellow), but rather too fleshy (plump with flesh) and with the exasperating (maddening) habit (a settled way of acting) of fainting (weak and dim; to fall senseless) on the hot hillsides (the slope of a hill), miles away from the least bit of shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color) and water. Annoying (irritating), you know, to hold your own coat (an outer garment) like a parasol (a sunshade) over a man’s head while he is coming to. I couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t help asking him once what he meant by coming there at all. ‘To make money, of course. What do you think?’ he said, scornfully (with scorn). Then he got fever (burning body heat), and had to be carried in a hammock (a hanging bed of netting) slung (hung by a strap) under a pole (a long rod; the earth's end point). As he weighed (weighed: was heavy) sixteen (sixteen) stone I had no end of rows with the carriers (the man who carts goods). They jibbed (jibbed: stopped short and refused to go on), ran away, sneaked (to slip away secretly) off with their loads in the night—quite a mutiny (rebellion against command). So, one evening, I made a speech in English with gestures (a meaning movement), not one of which was lost to the sixty (sixty) pairs of eyes before me, and the next morning I started the hammock (a hanging bed of netting) off in front all right. An hour afterwards (later) I came upon the whole concern wrecked (a ruin) in a bush (a low thick plant)—man, hammock (a hanging bed of netting), groans (to give a deep pained cry), blankets (a bed covering), horrors (shaking fear and disgust). The heavy pole (a long rod; the earth's end point) had skinned his poor nose. He was very anxious (full of worry) for me to kill somebody, but there wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t the shadow (the dark cast shape) of a carrier (the man who carts goods) near. I remembered the old doctor—‘It would be interesting for science to watch the mental changes of individuals, on the spot.’ I felt I was becoming scientifically (in a scientific way) interesting. However, all that is to no purpose. On the fifteenth (the 15th) day I came in sight of the big river again, and hobbled (to walk lamely) into the Central Station. It was on a back water surrounded (to close in on every side) by scrub (to rub clean hard) and forest, with a pretty border of smelly (bad-smelling) mud (wet soft earth) on one side, and on the three others enclosed (to shut in) by a crazy fence (a boundary barrier) of rushes (to move with violent haste). A neglected (to leave uncared for) gap (an open break) was all the gate (a wall's door) it had, and the first glance (a quick look) at the place was enough to let you see the flabby (soft and sagging) devil (the evil one) was running that show. White men with long staves (a verse of a song — this book calls its chapters staves) in their hands appeared languidly (without energy; limply) from amongst (among) the buildings, strolling (to walk idly) up to take a look at me, and then retired (to withdraw) out of sight somewhere. One of them, a stout (fat and solid; brave), excitable (quick to be stirred up) chap (a fellow) with black moustaches (hair on the upper lip), informed (to give knowledge to) me with great volubility (a flow of talk) and many digressions (a wandering from the subject), as soon as I told him who I was, that my steamer (a steam-driven ship) was at the bottom of the river. I was thunderstruck (struck dumb with amazement). What, how, why? Oh, it was ‘all right.’ The ‘manager himself’ was there. All quite correct. ‘Everybody had behaved (to conduct oneself) splendidly (grandly)! splendidly (grandly)!’—‘you must,’ he said in agitation (troubled excitement), ‘go and see the general manager at once. He is waiting!’

“I did not see the real significance (meaning; importance) of that wreck (a ruin) at once. I fancy (the imagination; a liking) I see it now, but I am not sure—not at all. Certainly the affair (a matter of business; a love matter) was too stupid—when I think of it—to be altogether (wholly) natural. Still... But at the moment it presented itself simply as a confounded (to confuse utterly) nuisance (a troublesome bother). The steamer (a steam-driven ship) was sunk (to go down). They had started two days before in a sudden (without warning) hurry (to move with haste) up the river with the manager on board, in charge of some volunteer (one who offers himself freely) skipper (the captain of a small vessel), and before they had been out three hours they tore (a drop of weeping; to rip) the bottom out of her on stones, and she sank (to go down) near the south bank. I asked myself what I was to do there, now my boat was lost. As a matter of fact, I had plenty to do in fishing my command out of the river. I had to set about it the very next day. That, and the repairs (to mend) when I brought the pieces to the station, took some months.

“My first interview with the manager was curious (eager to know; strange). He did not ask me to sit down after my twenty-mile (of twenty miles) walk that morning. He was commonplace (ordinary; a worn saying) in complexion (the color of the face), in features, in manners, and in voice. He was of middle size and of ordinary (usual; common) build. His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably (notably) cold, and he certainly could make his glance (a quick look) fall on one as trenchant (cutting sharply) and heavy as an axe (the chopping tool). But even at these times the rest of his person seemed to disclaim (to deny having) the intention (what one means to do). Otherwise there was only an indefinable (impossible to define), faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless) expression of his lips (the mouth's edge), something stealthy (secret and quiet)—a smile—not a smile—I remember it, but I can’t explain. It was unconscious (without waking sense), this smile was, though just after he had said something it got intensified (to make stronger) for an instant (a moment; immediate). It came at the end of his speeches like a seal (a stamped closing mark; to close fast) applied on the words to make the meaning of the commonest phrase (a group of words) appear absolutely inscrutable (impossible to read or fathom). He was a common trader (one who trades), from his youth up employed (to use; to give work) in these parts—nothing more. He was obeyed (to do as ordered), yet he inspired neither love nor fear, nor even respect. He inspired uneasiness (uncomfortable worry). That was it! Uneasiness (uncomfortable worry). Not a definite (clear and fixed) mistrust (lack of trust)—just uneasiness (uncomfortable worry)—nothing more. You have no idea how effective such a... a... faculty (a power of mind) can be. He had no genius (surpassing inborn power) for organizing (setting in order), for initiative (the first bold step), or for order even. That was evident (plain to see) in such things as the deplorable (to be grieved over) state (state: ceremony; pomp — the old sense here) of the station. He had no learning, and no intelligence. His position had come to him—why? Perhaps because he was never ill... He had served three terms of three years out there... Because triumphant (victorious and exulting) health in the general rout (the fixed daily round) of constitutions is a kind of power in itself. When he went home on leave he rioted (a wild public disorder) on a large scale—pompously (with self-important show). Jack ashore (on land)—with a difference—in externals only. This one could gather (to bring together) from his casual (passing; unplanned) talk. He originated (to take its beginning) nothing, he could keep the routine (the fixed daily round) going—that’s all. But he was great. He was great by this little thing that it was impossible to tell what could control such a man. He never gave that secret away. Perhaps there was nothing within him. Such a suspicion (a feeling that something is wrong) made one pause (a brief stop)—for out there there were no external checks. Once when various tropical (of the hot lands near the equator) diseases had laid low almost every ‘agent’ in the station, he was heard to say, ‘Men who come out here should have no entrails (entrails: the inner organs).’ He sealed (a stamped closing mark; to close fast) the utterance (speaking; words spoken) with that smile of his, as though it had been a door opening into a darkness (absence of light) he had in his keeping. You fancied (the imagination; a liking) you had seen things—but the seal (a stamped closing mark; to close fast) was on. When annoyed (irritated) at meal-times (the times for meals) by the constant quarrels (an angry dispute) of the white men about precedence (the right to go first), he ordered an immense (vastly great) round table to be made, for which a special house had to be built. This was the station’s mess-room (the room where a crew eats). Where he sat was the first place—the rest were nowhere (in no place). One felt this to be his unalterable (never to be changed) conviction (settled belief; a finding of guilt). He was neither civil nor uncivil (rude). He was quiet. He allowed his ‘boy’—an overfed (fed too much) young negro (a Black African man — the word of the book's time) from the coast—to treat the white men, under his very eyes, with provoking (to stir to anger) insolence (rude disrespect).

“He began to speak as soon as he saw me. I had been very long on the road. He could not wait. Had to start without me. The up-river (further up the river) stations had to be relieved (to ease; to take another's place on duty). There had been so many delays (to put off) already that he did not know who was dead and who was alive, and how they got on—and so on, and so on. He paid no attention to my explanations (a making clear), and, playing with a stick of sealing-wax (the wax melted to seal letters), repeated (to say or do again) several times that the situation was ‘very grave (the burial pit; solemnly serious), very grave (the burial pit; solemnly serious).’ There were rumours (a distant sound; talk going round) that a very important station was in jeopardy (danger), and its chief, Mr. Kurtz, was ill. Hoped (to jump on one foot) it was not true. Mr. Kurtz was... I felt weary (tired out) and irritable (quick to anger). Hang Kurtz, I thought. I interrupted (to break in upon) him by saying I had heard of Mr. Kurtz on the coast. ‘Ah! So they talk of him down there,’ he murmured (to speak in a low soft flow) to himself. Then he began again, assuring (to promise; make sure) me Mr. Kurtz was the best agent he had, an exceptional (out of the common) man, of the greatest importance to the Company; therefore I could understand his anxiety (gnawing worry). He was, he said, ‘very, very uneasy (uncomfortable and anxious).’ Certainly he fidgeted (restlessly shifting) on his chair a good deal, exclaimed (to cry out), ‘Ah, Mr. Kurtz!’ broke the stick of sealing-wax (the wax melted to seal letters) and seemed dumfounded (dumfounded: struck dumb) by the accident. Next thing he wanted to know ‘how long it would take to’... I interrupted (to break in upon) him again. Being hungry (needing food), you know, and kept on my feet too. I was getting savage (wild; fierce). ‘How can I tell?’ I said. ‘I haven (a safe shelter)’t even seen the wreck (a ruin) yet—some months, no doubt.’ All this talk seemed to me so futile (useless; vain). ‘Some months,’ he said. ‘Well, let us say three months before we can make a start. Yes. That ought (should) to do the affair (a matter of business; a love matter).’ I flung (to throw with force) out of his hut (a small rough dwelling) (he lived all alone in a clay (the moldable earth) hut (a small rough dwelling) with a sort of verandah (a roofed porch along a house)) muttering (to speak low in the throat) to myself my opinion of him. He was a chattering (quick idle talk) idiot (a fool). Afterwards (later) I took it back when it was borne in upon me startlingly (in a way that surprises) with what extreme nicety (fine exactness) he had estimated the time requisite (required) for the ‘affair (a matter of business; a love matter).’

“I went to work the next day, turning, so to speak, my back on that station. In that way only it seemed to me I could keep my hold on the redeeming (to buy back; to save) facts of life. Still, one must look about sometimes; and then I saw this station, these men strolling (to walk idly) aimlessly (without aim or purpose) about in the sunshine (the sun's warm light) of the yard. I asked myself sometimes what it all meant. They wandered (to roam without aim) here and there with their absurd (against all sense) long staves (a verse of a song — this book calls its chapters staves) in their hands, like a lot of faithless (without faith) pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place) bewitched (to charm as by magic) inside a rotten (decayed) fence (a boundary barrier). The word ‘ivory (the elephant's white tusk)’ rang in the air, was whispered (a soft hushed voice), was sighed (a long sad breath). You would think they were praying (to speak to God) to it. A taint (a trace of something bad) of imbecile (a weak-minded fool) rapacity (greedy grasping) blew through it all, like a whiff (a light breath of smell) from some corpse (a dead body). By Jove (a mild oath: by Jupiter)! I’ve never seen anything so unreal (not real) in my life. And outside, the silent (making no sound) wilderness (a wild waste) surrounding (to close in on every side) this cleared speck (a tiny spot) on the earth struck me as something great and invincible (impossible to defeat), like evil or truth, waiting patiently (with patience) for the passing away of this fantastic invasion (an enemy's entry).

“Oh, these months! Well, never mind. Various things happened. One evening a grass (the green ground plant) shed (a rough shelter; to let fall) full of calico (cheap cotton cloth), cotton (the soft plant fiber) prints, beads (a small pierced ball for threading), and I don’t know what else, burst (to break open suddenly) into a blaze (a bright strong fire) so suddenly that you would have thought the earth had opened to let an avenging (to take revenge for) fire consume (to use up; devour) all that trash (worthless rubbish). I was smoking my pipe (a smoking tube; a music tube) quietly (without noise) by my dismantled (taken apart) steamer (a steam-driven ship), and saw them all cutting capers (to leap about playfully) in the light, with their arms lifted high, when the stout (fat and solid; brave) man with moustaches (hair on the upper lip) came tearing (a drop of weeping; to rip) down to the river, a tin (the soft white metal) pail (a bucket) in his hand, assured (to promise; make sure) me that everybody was ‘behaving (to conduct oneself) splendidly (grandly), splendidly (grandly),’ dipped (to lower briefly into) about a quart (two pints) of water and tore (a drop of weeping; to rip) back again. I noticed there was a hole in the bottom of his pail (a bucket).

“I strolled (to walk idly) up. There was no hurry (to move with haste). You see the thing had gone off like a box of matches. It had been hopeless (without hope) from the very first. The flame (the fire's tongue) had leaped (to jump) high, driven everybody back, lighted up everything—and collapsed (to fall in). The shed (a rough shelter; to let fall) was already a heap (a piled mass) of embers (a glowing coal) glowing (a soft warm light) fiercely (with fierce force). A nigger (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) was being beaten near by. They said he had caused the fire in some way; be that as it may, he was screeching (a harsh high cry) most horribly (in a horrible way). I saw him, later, for several days, sitting in a bit of shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color) looking very sick and trying to recover (to get back; to grow well) himself; afterwards (later) he arose (to come up) and went out—and the wilderness (a wild waste) without a sound took him into its bosom (the breast) again. As I approached the glow (a soft warm light) from the dark I found myself at the back of two men, talking. I heard the name of Kurtz pronounced (to speak a word; declare), then the words, ‘take advantage of this unfortunate (without luck) accident.’ One of the men was the manager. I wished him a good evening. ‘Did you ever see anything like it—eh? it is incredible,’ he said, and walked off. The other man remained. He was a first-class (of the best kind) agent, young, gentlemanly (like a gentleman), a bit reserved (held back; distant in manner), with a forked (the pointed table tool; a branching) little beard (the chin's hair) and a hooked (bent like a hook) nose. He was stand-offish (cold and distant) with the other agents, and they on their side said he was the manager’s spy (a secret watcher) upon them. As to me, I had hardly ever spoken to him before. We got into talk, and by and by we strolled (to walk idly) away from the hissing (a sharp s-sound) ruins (destruction; broken remains). Then he asked me to his room, which was in the main building of the station. He struck a match, and I perceived (to see and grasp) that this young aristocrat (a person of noble birth) had not only a silver-mounted (fitted with silver) dressing-case (a case for toilet things) but also a whole candle (a wax light) all to himself. Just at that time the manager was the only man supposed to have any right to candles (a wax light). Native mats (a floor piece) covered the clay (the moldable earth) walls; a collection of spears (a long pointed weapon), assegais (slender African spears), shields (a protecting plate), knives (the cutting blade) was hung up in trophies (a captured prize of war). The business intrusted (entrusted: given into the care of) to this fellow was the making of bricks (baked building clay)—so I had been informed (to give knowledge to); but there wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t a fragment (a broken piece) of a brick (baked building clay) anywhere in the station, and he had been there more than a year—waiting. It seems he could not make bricks (baked building clay) without something, I don’t know what—straw (dried grain stalks) maybe. Anyway, it could not be found there and as it was not likely to be sent from Europe, it did not appear clear to me what he was waiting for. An act of special creation perhaps. However, they were all waiting—all the sixteen (sixteen) or twenty pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place) of them—for something; and upon my word it did not seem an uncongenial (unsuited to one's nature) occupation (one's work; military holding), from the way they took it, though the only thing that ever came to them was disease—as far as I could see. They beguiled (to pass time pleasantly; to charm) the time by back-biting (speaking ill behind backs) and intriguing (plotting in secret) against each other in a foolish (without sense) kind of way. There was an air of plotting about that station, but nothing came of it, of course. It was as unreal (not real) as everything else—as the philanthropic (given to good works) pretence (a false show) of the whole concern, as their talk, as their government, as their show of work. The only real feeling was a desire to get appointed to a trading-post (a station for trade) where ivory (the elephant's white tusk) was to be had, so that they could earn (to gain by work) percentages (a share of the profits). They intrigued (secret plotting) and slandered (false talk against a name) and hated each other only on that account—but as to effectually (with real effect) lifting a little finger (a digit of the hand)—oh, no. By heavens! there is something after all in the world allowing one man to steal (to take by theft) a horse while another must not look at a halter (a rope for leading a horse; a hangman's rope). Steal (to take by theft) a horse straight out. Very well. He has done it. Perhaps he can ride. But there is a way of looking at a halter (a rope for leading a horse; a hangman's rope) that would provoke (to stir to anger) the most charitable (generous to the poor) of saints (a holy one of God) into a kick.

“I had no idea why he wanted to be sociable (fond of company), but as we chatted in there it suddenly occurred to me the fellow was trying to get at something—in fact, pumping (the water-raising machine) me. He alluded (to hint at) constantly to Europe, to the people I was supposed to know there—putting leading questions as to my acquaintances (a person one knows slightly) in the sepulchral (like a tomb) city, and so on. His little eyes glittered (to sparkle) like mica (a mineral that splits into glittering thin sheets) discs (a flat round plate)—with curiosity (eagerness to know)—though he tried to keep up a bit of superciliousness (proud contempt). At first I was astonished (greatly surprised), but very soon I became awfully (terribly; very) curious (eager to know; strange) to see what he would find out from me. I couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t possibly imagine what I had in me to make it worth his while. It was very pretty to see how he baffled (defeated; foiled) himself, for in truth my body was full only of chills (a cold shiver), and my head had nothing in it but that wretched (a miserable creature) steamboat (a boat driven by steam) business. It was evident (plain to see) he took me for a perfectly shameless (without shame) prevaricator (one who dodges the truth). At last he got angry, and, to conceal (to hide) a movement of furious (raging) annoyance (irritation), he yawned (to open the mouth wide with tiredness). I rose. Then I noticed a small sketch (a rough quick drawing) in oils, on a panel, representing a woman, draped (hung with cloth) and blindfolded (with the eyes bound), carrying a lighted torch (a burning light carried). The background was sombre (dark and grave)—almost black. The movement of the woman was stately (grand and dignified), and the effect of the torchlight (the light of torches) on the face was sinister (threatening evil).

“It arrested me, and he stood by civilly (politely), holding an empty half-pint (a small measure) champagne (the sparkling French wine) bottle (medical comforts (ease; consolation)) with the candle (a wax light) stuck in it. To my question he said Mr. Kurtz had painted this—in this very station more than a year ago—while waiting for means to go to his trading post. ‘Tell me, pray (to speak to God),’ said I, ‘who is this Mr. Kurtz?’

“‘The chief of the Inner Station (Kurtz's post, deepest up the river),’ he answered in a short tone (a sound's quality; a manner), looking away. ‘Much obliged (to compel; bind by duty),’ I said, laughing. ‘And you are the brickmaker (a man who makes bricks) of the Central Station. Every one knows that.’ He was silent (making no sound) for a while. ‘He is a prodigy (a wonder),’ he said at last. ‘He is an emissary (a messenger sent on a mission) of pity (sorrow for another's pain) and science and progress, and devil (the evil one) knows what else. We want,’ he began to declaim (to recite grandly) suddenly, ‘for the guidance (guiding direction) of the cause intrusted (entrusted: given into the care of) to us by Europe, so to speak, higher intelligence, wide sympathies (fellow-feeling), a singleness (being single-minded) of purpose.’ ‘Who says that?’ I asked. ‘Lots of them,’ he replied. ‘Some even write that; and so he comes here, a special being, as you ought (should) to know.’ ‘Why ought (should) I to know?’ I interrupted (to break in upon), really surprised. He paid no attention. ‘Yes. Today he is chief of the best station, next year he will be assistant-manager (the manager's deputy), two years more and... but I dare-say (I dare say; I suppose) you know what he will be in two years’ time. You are of the new gang—the gang of virtue (goodness; a good power). The same people who sent him specially (for a special purpose) also recommended you. Oh, don’t say no. I’ve my own eyes to trust.’ Light dawned (the day's first light) upon me. My dear aunt (a parent's sister)’s influential (with power to sway) acquaintances (a person one knows slightly) were producing an unexpected (not looked for) effect upon that young man. I nearly burst (to break open suddenly) into a laugh. ‘Do you read the Company’s confidential (told in trust) correspondence (exchanged letters)?’ I asked. He hadn (had — hadn't: had not)’t a word to say. It was great fun. ‘When Mr. Kurtz,’ I continued, severely (with hard strictness), ‘is General Manager, you won’t have the opportunity.’

“He blew the candle (a wax light) out suddenly, and we went outside. The moon had risen. Black figures strolled (to walk idly) about listlessly (without interest or energy), pouring (to flow in a stream) water on the glow (a soft warm light), whence (from which place) proceeded (to go on) a sound of hissing (a sharp s-sound); steam ascended (to climb up) in the moonlight (the light of the moon), the beaten nigger (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) groaned (to give a deep pained cry) somewhere. ‘What a row the brute (an animal; a beast) makes!’ said the indefatigable (never tiring) man with the moustaches (hair on the upper lip), appearing near us. ‘Serve him right. Transgression (a breaking of the law; sin)—punishment (suffering imposed for a fault)—bang (a sudden loud noise)! Pitiless (without pity), pitiless (without pity). That’s the only way. This will prevent all conflagrations (a great destroying fire) for the future. I was just telling the manager...’ He noticed my companion (one who keeps company), and became crestfallen (with fallen spirits) all at once. ‘Not in bed yet,’ he said, with a kind of servile (cringing like a slave) heartiness (warm whole-hearted spirit); ‘it’s so natural. Ha! Danger—agitation (troubled excitement).’ He vanished (to disappear). I went on to the riverside (the side of a river), and the other followed me. I heard a scathing (cutting and cruel) murmur (to speak in a low soft flow) at my ear (the organ of hearing), ‘Heap (a piled mass) of muffs (a clumsy useless fellow)—go to.’ The pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place) could be seen in knots (a hard lump where a rope or wood is tied or twisted) gesticulating (to wave the hands while speaking), discussing. Several had still their staves (a verse of a song — this book calls its chapters staves) in their hands. I verily (truly — an old word) believe they took these sticks to bed with them. Beyond the fence (a boundary barrier) the forest stood up spectrally (like a ghost) in the moonlight (the light of the moon), and through that dim (faint; not bright) stir (to move; to rouse), through the faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless) sounds of that lamentable (sorrowful) courtyard (an enclosed yard), the silence (absence of sound) of the land went home to one’s very heart—its mystery (a hidden truth), its greatness (high greatness), the amazing reality of its concealed (to hide) life. The hurt nigger (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) moaned (a low cry of pain) feebly (weakly) somewhere near by, and then fetched (to go and bring) a deep sigh (a long sad breath) that made me mend (to repair) my pace (a step's length; speed) away from there. I felt a hand introducing (to make known; bring in) itself under my arm. ‘My dear sir,’ said the fellow, ‘I don’t want to be misunderstood (taken wrongly), and especially by you, who will see Mr. Kurtz long before I can have that pleasure. I wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t like him to get a false idea of my disposition (temper of mind; battle arrangement)....’

“I let him run on, this papier-mache (paper pulp moulded and hardened — sham and hollow) Mephistopheles, and it seemed to me that if I tried I could poke (to jab) my forefinger (the first finger) through him, and would find nothing inside but a little loose (not tight; free) dirt (earth; filth), maybe. He, don’t you see, had been planning to be assistant-manager (the manager's deputy) by and by under the present man, and I could see that the coming of that Kurtz had upset them both not a little. He talked precipitately (in a headlong rush), and I did not try to stop him. I had my shoulders against the wreck (a ruin) of my steamer (a steam-driven ship), hauled (to drag heavily) up on the slope (rising ground) like a carcass (the dead body of an animal) of some big river animal. The smell (to sense through the nose) of mud (wet soft earth), of primeval (from the first ages of the world) mud (wet soft earth), by Jove (a mild oath: by Jupiter)! was in my nostrils (the openings of the nose), the high stillness (quiet; no movement) of primeval (from the first ages of the world) forest was before my eyes; there were shiny (giving light) patches (a mending piece) on the black creek (a small stream). The moon had spread over everything a thin (of little thickness) layer (a spread thickness) of silver—over the rank (a line of soldiers; one's standing) grass (the green ground plant), over the mud (wet soft earth), upon the wall of matted (tangled flat together) vegetation (growing plants) standing higher than the wall of a temple (a house of worship; the head's side), over the great river I could see through a sombre (dark and grave) gap (an open break) glittering (to sparkle), glittering (to sparkle), as it flowed broadly (widely) by without a murmur (to speak in a low soft flow). All this was great, expectant (waiting in hope), mute (silent; unable to speak), while the man jabbered (fast unintelligible talk) about himself. I wondered whether the stillness (quiet; no movement) on the face of the immensity (vastness) looking at us two were meant as an appeal or as a menace (a threat). What were we who had strayed (to wander off) in here? Could we handle that dumb (dumb: silent, mute — the old sense here) thing, or would it handle us? I felt how big, how confoundedly (very) big, was that thing that couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t talk, and perhaps was deaf (unable to hear) as well. What was in there? I could see a little ivory (the elephant's white tusk) coming out from there, and I had heard Mr. Kurtz was in there. I had heard enough about it, too—God knows! Yet somehow it didn (did — didn't: did not)’t bring any image with it—no more than if I had been told an angel (a heavenly messenger) or a fiend (a devil) was in there. I believed it in the same way one of you might believe there are inhabitants (one who lives in a place) in the planet Mars. I knew once a Scotch sailmaker (one who makes sails) who was certain, dead sure, there were people in Mars. If you asked him for some idea how they looked and behaved (to conduct oneself), he would get shy (timid) and mutter (to speak low in the throat) something about ‘walking on all-fours (on hands and knees).’ If you as much as smiled, he would—though a man of sixty (sixty)—offer to fight you. I would not have gone so far as to fight for Kurtz, but I went for him near enough to a lie. You know I hate, detest (to hold back; delay), and can’t bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appalls (to fill with horror) me. There is a taint (a trace of something bad) of death, a flavour (the taste of a thing) of mortality (death; being subject to death) in lies—which is exactly what I hate and detest (to hold back; delay) in the world—what I want to forget. It makes me miserable (deeply unhappy) and sick, like biting (to cut with the teeth) something rotten (decayed) would do. Temperament (one's natural temper), I suppose. Well, I went near enough to it by letting the young fool (one without sense) there believe anything he liked to imagine as to my influence in Europe. I became in an instant (a moment; immediate) as much of a pretence (a false show) as the rest of the bewitched (to charm as by magic) pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place). This simply because I had a notion (an idea) it somehow would be of help to that Kurtz whom at the time I did not see—you understand. He was just a word for me. I did not see the man in the name any more than you do. Do you see him? Do you see the story? Do you see anything? It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream—making a vain (useless; empty-proud) attempt, because no relation (a connection; a relative) of a dream can convey (to carry; make known) the dream-sensation (the feeling of a dream), that commingling (mixing together) of absurdity (ridiculous nonsense), surprise, and bewilderment (utter confusion) in a tremor (a fine trembling) of struggling revolt (an uprising), that notion (an idea) of being captured (to take prisoner) by the incredible which is of the very essence (the deepest nature) of dreams....”

He was silent (making no sound) for a while.

“... No, it is impossible; it is impossible to convey (to carry; make known) the life-sensation (the felt sense of being alive) of any given epoch (a turning point; a new age) of one’s existence—that which makes its truth, its meaning—its subtle (fine and delicate) and penetrating (to pierce into) essence (the deepest nature). It is impossible. We live, as we dream—alone....”

He paused (a brief stop) again as if reflecting (to throw back; to think over), then added:

“Of course in this you fellows see more than I could then. You see me, whom you know....”

It had become so pitch (to throw; the height of a note; tar) dark that we listeners (one who listens) could hardly see one another. For a long time already he, sitting apart, had been no more to us than a voice. There was not a word from anybody. The others might have been asleep (sleeping), but I was awake (not sleeping). I listened, I listened on the watch for the sentence, for the word, that would give me the clue (a guide to an answer) to the faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless) uneasiness (uncomfortable worry) inspired by this narrative (a told story) that seemed to shape itself without human lips (the mouth's edge) in the heavy night-air (the air at night) of the river.

“... Yes—I let him run on,” Marlow began again, “and think what he pleased about the powers that were behind me. I did! And there was nothing behind me! There was nothing but that wretched (a miserable creature), old, mangled (torn and battered) steamboat (a boat driven by steam) I was leaning (to tilt against; thin) against, while he talked fluently (smoothly) about ‘the necessity (unavoidable need) for every man to get on.’ ‘And when one comes out here, you conceive (to form in the mind), it is not to gaze (a long steady look) at the moon.’ Mr. Kurtz was a ‘universal (of all) genius (surpassing inborn power),’ but even a genius (surpassing inborn power) would find it easier to work with ‘adequate (enough for the purpose) tools—intelligent (quick of mind) men.’ He did not make bricks (baked building clay)—why, there was a physical impossibility (a thing that cannot be) in the way—as I was well aware; and if he did secretarial (of a secretary) work for the manager, it was because ‘no sensible (sensible: aware — the old sense here) man rejects (to cast aside) wantonly (recklessly, without cause) the confidence of his superiors (higher; one above).’ Did I see it? I saw it. What more did I want? What I really wanted was rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together), by heaven! Rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together). To get on with the work—to stop the hole. Rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) I wanted. There were cases of them down at the coast—cases—piled (a heaped mass) up—burst (to break open suddenly)—split! You kicked a loose (not tight; free) rivet (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) at every second step in that station-yard (the yard of a trading station) on the hillside (the slope of a hill). Rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) had rolled into the grove (a small wood) of death. You could fill your pockets (the sewn-in pouch) with rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) for the trouble of stooping (to bend down) down—and there wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t one rivet (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) to be found where it was wanted. We had plates that would do, but nothing to fasten (fixed firmly on) them with. And every week the messenger (a bearer of messages), a long negro (a Black African man — the word of the book's time), letter-bag (a bag for carrying letters) on shoulder and staff in hand, left our station for the coast. And several times a week a coast caravan (a train of travelers and wagons) came in with trade goods—ghastly (horrible; deathly pale) glazed (to turn glassy) calico (cheap cotton cloth) that made you shudder (a shiver of horror) only to look at it, glass beads (a small pierced ball for threading) value about a penny (a small coin) a quart (two pints), confounded (to confuse utterly) spotted cotton (the soft plant fiber) handkerchiefs (a cloth for the nose or eyes). And no rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together). Three carriers (the man who carts goods) could have brought all that was wanted to set that steamboat (a boat driven by steam) afloat (floating).

“He was becoming confidential (told in trust) now, but I fancy (the imagination; a liking) my unresponsive (giving no response) attitude must have exasperated (to anger greatly) him at last, for he judged it necessary to inform (to give knowledge to) me he feared neither God nor devil (the evil one), let alone any mere (nothing more than) man. I said I could see that very well, but what I wanted was a certain quantity (an amount) of rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together)—and rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) were what really Mr. Kurtz wanted, if he had only known it. Now letters went to the coast every week.... ‘My dear sir,’ he cried, ‘I write from dictation (speaking words for another to write).’ I demanded rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together). There was a way—for an intelligent (quick of mind) man. He changed his manner; became very cold, and suddenly began to talk about a hippopotamus (the huge river animal); wondered whether sleeping on board the steamer (a steam-driven ship) (I stuck to my salvage (a wreck saved from loss) night and day) I wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t disturbed (to break the quiet of). There was an old hippo (the hippopotamus, the huge river beast) that had the bad habit (a settled way of acting) of getting out on the bank and roaming (to wander) at night over the station grounds. The pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place) used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to turn out in a body and empty every rifle (the grooved long gun) they could lay hands on at him. Some even had sat up o’ nights for him. All this energy was wasted, though. ‘That animal has a charmed (under a charm; delighted) life,’ he said; ‘but you can say this only of brutes (an animal; a beast) in this country. No man—you apprehend (to grasp; understand) me?—no man here bears a charmed (under a charm; delighted) life.’ He stood there for a moment in the moonlight (the light of the moon) with his delicate (finely tender) hooked (bent like a hook) nose set a little askew (crooked), and his mica (a mineral that splits into glittering thin sheets) eyes glittering (to sparkle) without a wink (to close one eye quickly), then, with a curt (short and blunt) Good-night, he strode (a long step) off. I could see he was disturbed (to break the quiet of) and considerably (by a good deal) puzzled (a baffling question), which made me feel more hopeful (full of hope) than I had been for days. It was a great comfort (ease; consolation) to turn from that chap (a fellow) to my influential (with power to sway) friend, the battered (beaten out of shape), twisted (bent round), ruined (destruction; broken remains), tin-pot (cheap and shabby) steamboat (a boat driven by steam). I clambered (to climb with effort) on board. She rang under my feet like an empty Huntley & Palmer (the famous biscuit makers) biscuit-tin (a tin for biscuits) kicked along a gutter (the drain channel of a street); she was nothing so solid in make, and rather less pretty in shape, but I had expended (to spend; use up) enough hard work on her to make me love her. No influential (with power to sway) friend would have served me better. She had given me a chance to come out a bit—to find out what I could do. No, I don’t like work. I had rather laze (to lie idle) about and think of all the fine things that can be done. I don’t like work—no man does—but I like what is in the work—the chance to find yourself. Your own reality—for yourself, not for others—what no other man can ever know. They can only see the mere (nothing more than) show, and never can tell what it really means.

“I was not surprised to see somebody sitting aft (at the back of a ship), on the deck (a ship's floor), with his legs dangling (to hang swinging) over the mud (wet soft earth). You see I rather chummed (chummed: made friends) with the few mechanics (a workman of machines) there were in that station, whom the other pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place) naturally (by nature; of course) despised (to look down on with contempt)—on account of their imperfect (not perfect) manners, I suppose. This was the foreman (the head workman)—a boiler-maker (a man who builds and mends boilers) by trade—a good worker (one who works). He was a lank (tall, thin, and loose-limbed), bony (full of bones; thin), yellow-faced (with a yellowish face) man, with big intense (at high pitch) eyes. His aspect (aspect: look; appearance — the old sense here) was worried, and his head was as bald (without hair) as the palm (the hand's flat; the southern tree) of my hand; but his hair in falling seemed to have stuck to his chin (the jaw's point), and had prospered (to do well) in the new locality (the place and its surroundings), for his beard (the chin's hair) hung down to his waist (the body's middle). He was a widower (a man whose wife has died) with six young children (he had left them in charge of a sister of his to come out there), and the passion (burning feeling) of his life was pigeon-flying (racing pigeons). He was an enthusiast (one full of eager belief) and a connoisseur (an expert judge of fine things). He would rave (to talk wildly) about pigeons (the gray town bird). After work hours he used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) sometimes to come over from his hut (a small rough dwelling) for a talk about his children and his pigeons (the gray town bird); at work, when he had to crawl (to move on hands and knees) in the mud (wet soft earth) under the bottom of the steamboat (a boat driven by steam), he would tie up that beard (the chin's hair) of his in a kind of white serviette (a table napkin) he brought for the purpose. It had loops (a ring of string) to go over his ears (the organ of hearing). In the evening he could be seen squatted (to crouch on the heels; short and thick) on the bank rinsing (to wash lightly) that wrapper (a cloth wrapped round something) in the creek (a small stream) with great care, then spreading it solemnly (with grave seriousness) on a bush (a low thick plant) to dry.

“I slapped (a blow with the open hand) him on the back and shouted (a loud cry), ‘We shall have rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together)!’ He scrambled (to climb in haste) to his feet exclaiming (to cry out), ‘No! Rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together)!’ as though he couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t believe his ears (the organ of hearing). Then in a low voice, ‘You... eh?’ I don’t know why we behaved (to conduct oneself) like lunatics (a madman). I put my finger (a digit of the hand) to the side of my nose and nodded (to bow the head slightly) mysteriously (in a way not to be explained). ‘Good for you!’ he cried, snapped (to break with a crack) his fingers (a digit of the hand) above his head, lifting one foot. I tried a jig (a lively dance). We capered (to leap about playfully) on the iron deck (a ship's floor). A frightful (causing fright) clatter (a rattling noise) came out of that hulk (the body of an old ship), and the virgin (an untouched maiden) forest on the other bank of the creek (a small stream) sent it back in a thundering (the storm's deep roar) roll upon the sleeping station. It must have made some of the pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place) sit up in their hovels (a poor, mean little house). A dark figure obscured (dim and little known) the lighted doorway (the opening of a door) of the manager’s hut (a small rough dwelling), vanished (to disappear), then, a second or so after, the doorway (the opening of a door) itself vanished (to disappear), too. We stopped, and the silence (absence of sound) driven away by the stamping (heavy treading) of our feet flowed back again from the recesses (a set-back hollow) of the land. The great wall of vegetation (growing plants), an exuberant (bursting with growth) and entangled (caught in a tangle) mass of trunks (a great chest; a tree's stem), branches, leaves (the green blade of a plant), boughs (a branch of a tree), festoons (hung in loops and garlands), motionless (without motion) in the moonlight (the light of the moon), was like a rioting (wild disorder) invasion (an enemy's entry) of soundless (without sound) life, a rolling wave of plants, piled (a heaped mass) up, crested (topped), ready to topple (to fall over) over the creek (a small stream), to sweep (to brush clean; to move widely) every little man of us out of his little existence. And it moved not. A deadened (to dull) burst (to break open suddenly) of mighty (very strong) splashes (to dash liquid about) and snorts (to blow sharply through the nose) reached us from afar (far away), as though an icthyosaurus (the fish-shaped sea reptile of ancient times) had been taking a bath (a washing in water) of glitter (to sparkle) in the great river. ‘After all,’ said the boiler-maker (a man who builds and mends boilers) in a reasonable tone (a sound's quality; a manner), ‘why shouldn (should — shouldn't: should not)’t we get the rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together)?’ Why not, indeed! I did not know of any reason why we shouldn (should — shouldn't: should not)’t. ‘They’ll come in three weeks,’ I said confidently (with sure confidence).

“But they didn (did — didn't: did not)’t. Instead of rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together) there came an invasion (an enemy's entry), an infliction (something laid on as a burden), a visitation (a visit from a spirit). It came in sections during the next three weeks, each section headed by a donkey (the long-eared beast of burden) carrying a white man in new clothes and tan (brown from the sun) shoes, bowing (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) from that elevation (height; a rise) right and left to the impressed (stamped in mind) pilgrims (a traveler to a holy place). A quarrelsome (given to quarrelling) band of footsore (with sore feet from walking) sulky (silently cross) niggers (a Black African; the insulting word of the colonial age, kept because the text keeps it) trod (worn down by treading) on the heels (the foot's back) of the donkey (the long-eared beast of burden); a lot of tents (the cloth field shelter), camp-stools (folding stools), tin (the soft white metal) boxes, white cases, brown bales (a large bundle) would be shot down in the courtyard (an enclosed yard), and the air of mystery (a hidden truth) would deepen (grew deeper) a little over the muddle (a confused mess) of the station. Five such instalments (one part of something given in parts) came, with their absurd (against all sense) air of disorderly (without order) flight with the loot (to plunder) of innumerable (too many to count) outfit (a set of equipment) shops and provision (supplies; a made arrangement) stores, that, one would think, they were lugging (to heave), after a raid (a sudden attack), into the wilderness (a wild waste) for equitable (fair and even) division. It was an inextricable (impossible to escape or unwind) mess of things decent (proper and modest) in themselves but that human folly (foolishness) made look like the spoils (to ruin; plundered goods) of thieving (stealing).

“This devoted (given wholly in love) band called itself the Eldorado Exploring Expedition (a band of greedy treasure-seekers), and I believe they were sworn to secrecy (keeping things hidden). Their talk, however, was the talk of sordid (dirty and mean) buccaneers (a pirate): it was reckless (without care of danger) without hardihood (bold toughness), greedy (wanting more than one's share) without audacity (daring boldness), and cruel (hard-hearted) without courage (bravery); there was not an atom (the smallest particle) of foresight (seeing ahead) or of serious intention (what one means to do) in the whole batch (a set) of them, and they did not seem aware these things are wanted for the work of the world. To tear (a drop of weeping; to rip) treasure (stored riches) out of the bowels (the inner parts of the belly) of the land was their desire, with no more moral (of right and wrong; the lesson) purpose at the back of it than there is in burglars (one who breaks in to steal) breaking into a safe. Who paid the expenses (cost) of the noble (high-born; morally lofty) enterprise (a bold undertaking) I don’t know; but the uncle (a parent's brother) of our manager was leader of that lot.

“In exterior (the outside) he resembled (to be like) a butcher (a seller of meat) in a poor neighbourhood (the surrounding district), and his eyes had a look of sleepy (heavy with sleep) cunning (sly skill). He carried his fat paunch (a fat belly) with ostentation (showy display) on his short legs, and during the time his gang infested (to swarm over) the station spoke to no one but his nephew (a brother's or sister's son). You could see these two roaming (to wander) about all day long with their heads close together in an everlasting (lasting forever) confab (a talk together).

“I had given up worrying myself about the rivets (a metal pin hammered flat to hold plates together). One’s capacity for that kind of folly (foolishness) is more limited than you would suppose. I said Hang!—and let things slide (to move smoothly along). I had plenty of time for meditation (deep quiet thought), and now and then I would give some thought to Kurtz. I wasn (was — wasn't: was not)’t very interested in him. No. Still, I was curious (eager to know; strange) to see whether this man, who had come out equipped (to fit out) with moral (of right and wrong; the lesson) ideas of some sort, would climb (to go up) to the top after all and how he would set about his work when there.”