Achmed Abdullah

Name: The Fetish of Remorse
Author: Achmed Abdullah

The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

Summary

“The Fetish of Remorse”, published in 1916, is a work by Achmed Abdullah. It explores elements such as Tonkinese, Vasanda and Durand.

Quotes from The Fetish of Remorse (Achmed Abdullah)

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ All his life he had amused his friends with card tricks. He reflected. There was the Coast. There was the stone. There was the gold. There was Paris. And here was the stinking, festering jungle—the Tonkinese—Vasanda—the little knives—and the ants—the ants.
Another ace joined the first at the bottom of the deck—the third—the fourth.
Then the harsh, jarring, arrogant voice of Jean Durand.
"Deal! Damn you, deal! You'll shuffle all the spots from the cards." Gautier was about to shuffle again. But the other stopped him with a savage gesture. "No, no, no. Don't you dare shuffle them again." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ The moon, a bloated thing of copper swinging among the trees, threw down a single broad ray of orange which fell on Durand's face. Gautier recognized the familiar features, the round face, the black, silken beard, the crooked sabre cut across the forehead which he had received at fencing school when the leather tip had slipped from the blade.
They were both deep in thought. Something had to be done. The Tonkinese had given them until daylight to decide. Two more hours! A low wind stirred the dead leaves at their feet, a wind as hot as a breath of flame. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ The Australian agent waits for it now, there, at the Coast." He had pointed to the East, into the silent, brooding jungle. "He is waiting; and he is waiting to pay—five million francs. He will pay it to the one of you two who brings the stone. Such was your agreement. For, careful men, you considered the possibility of one of you dying of fever. An unhealthy land this!" He had smiled. "And so it will be. One of you will go to the Coast with the stone. He will go unharmed, peaceful. I myself shall show him the right way. He will give the stone to the Australian and receive the money—in gold. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ He had spoken with a suspicion of arrogance.
"What have we got to do with it all, Vassanda?"
"Everything, my master, everything. Because, look you: you will supply the gold. You do not believe me? Behold. I will show you." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ Gautier cleared a little space on the ground with the point of his shoe. The dead leaves stirred with a dry, rasping sound. Something slimy and phosphorous-green was rapidly squirming away.
"Cut, Durand."
He put the cards down between them, on the ground. The other was calmly lighting a cigarette, making no attempt to cut the deck. Gautier spoke again. There was entreaty, supplication, despair in his tense, strained voice. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ They were young and strong; they were fairly familiar with jungle-craft. They would make the Coast somehow. And then—just three minutes' talk with the agent of the Australian syndicate. They would pass over what they had brought from the interior, and in return they would receive a check of six figures. Even split in two, it would mean a comfortable income for life; more than that: it would mean riches and the chance to multiply them.
Then, a few hours ago, the Tonkinese had come from nowhere, out of the jungle, hundreds of them. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ They knew that their mutual liking and friendship, their trust in each other, their combined honest, square-souled decency and strength was a solid edifice which sheltered them against petty jealousy and envy. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ It depends upon the vitality of the man who is being killed. You both look strong and healthy. You would last a long time under the little knives. Raw wounds, my friends, remember that. Also there will be insects, the flying cockroaches and the bramras which follow the smell of blood and festering flesh. Also there will be ants, many ants, and a thin river of honey to show them the trail. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Achmed Abdullah, The Fetish of Remorse (1916)

“ We have consecrated our souls and our bodies to our people." Again he had smiled, a boyish, impish smile. "But it appears that prayers and the laying of blades on shaven heads do not purchase the rifles and ammunition the French are using. ”

Achmed Abdullah

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Quotes from The Fetish of Remorse (Achmed Abdullah)

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