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be among those who make this temporary misfortune into a shining opportunity, for your perspicacity will be long-remembered by the merchants whom you aid now.” He was becoming enthusiastic, using his hands for emphasis. “I can’t approach any Chinese merchant about this without going against the foreigners’ laws, but you may hear me out and benefit from the fortuity.”
    Zangi-Ragozh heard him out, standing still while Lampong-Chelai made his way around the salon again. “Of course, this would also benefit you and your business,” he remarked while his visitor marshaled his next round of arguments.
    “Yes, and it would spare a great many tradesmen a year of lean earnings. There may be some hazard at present, but those who do not let fear stop them will rejoice later, when times are better. We remember such gestures in Vijaya, as the merchants will in Sunda Kalapa, and we express our gratitude in real terms. All those ports are languishing now, because superstitious Captains avoid us in favor of more tranquil seas. If you would guarantee to keep your ships coming to the ports on the South China Sea, the Java Sea, and the Sulu Sea, we Champa may hope to prosper again when the danger is over.” He came to a stop near the windows that looked out on a small formal garden.
    “I have ships in those seas even now,” said Zangi-Ragozh. “The Captains have the authority to decide which ports to visit, but they have an itinerary, and I expect them to keep to it except in an emergency.”
    “A prudent provision,” said Lampong-Chelai. “But your Captains may panic and turn back northward if they hear too many ill reports.”
    “Some of my ships have gone to trade with India and Burma,” said Zangi-Ragozh. “They will have to come through the South China Sea to reach this port, and they are not likely to turn away from ports where they have done good business before, not unless there is a concern that overrides their desire for profits. Their shares are decreased when they fail to—”
    “I know, I know. It is the same with all traders,” said Lampong-Chelai impatiently. He made fists of his hands and glowered at a place just over Zangi-Ragozh’s left shoulder. “If your Captains panic, you may lose a great deal of money.”
    “So I might,” said Zangi-Ragozh. “But I would rather lose money and save ships and the lives of sailors than risk too much in the name of gain.”
    “But you won’t ,” Lampong-Chelai insisted energetically. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. You need not risk anything. There is profit to be made, especially now, when so many of the southern ports are seeking merchants to trade with, for they need to find markets and will show favor to those who help them in these trying times. The merchants who will not go to the ports of Sumatra and Java and others in the region are being superstitious fools. They are shying away from nothing— nothing! This volcano, Krakatau, is often spewing rocks and emitting odors and causing the sea to froth. Every year something happens that puts the timorous to flight. And every time it happens, sailors are frightened by it and stay away from many ports, even some distant ones, for fear of what might—and that might is a remote one—happen.”
    For a long moment, Zangi-Ragozh said nothing. Finally he gave a little nod. “Very well. I’ll consider what you have told me, and if it is in accord with the opinions of my Captains, I will do what I can to encourage them to keep to their itineraries. Better than that I cannot promise, what with the time it takes to get messages to my ships.”
    Lampong-Chelai took a long breath. “I am most grateful to you, worthy foreigner. You have given me cause to hope for my business and my people. If you are willing to tell your friends among the Chinese merchants that tales will not deter you from attending to your voyages, they may follow your example. If enough of them continue to trade in our