Baboe Dalima; or, The Opium Fiend

"Baboe Dalima; or, The Opium Fiend" by M. T. H. Perelaer is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story opens against the backdrop of a stormy night on the northern coast of Java, blending themes of adventure and danger with elements of intrigue involving characters who grapple with crime and opium smuggling. The narrative centers around Ardjan and Dalima, two Javanese individuals caught in a perilous entanglement with the nefarious figures of the opium trade, primarily represented by the sinister Lim Ho. The opening of the book sets a dramatic scene, highlighting a raging storm as two Chinese men, Than Khan and Liem King, are stationed to assist a ship's crew at Moeara Tjatjing. As they scan the tumultuous sea, they spot Ardjan, who has fallen overboard and managed to reach the shore clinging to a surf boat. Dalima, his sister, is also rescued, but the two are ambushed by Liem King and Than Khan, who are intent on capturing them for Lim Ho, an opium farmer with dark intentions. The chapter establishes the conflict, with Ardjan being restrained and Dalima facing the malevolence of her captors as she navigates her troubled fate, setting the stage for the ensuing drama of the narrative.