第7章

`Mylast，too，\'headded。

Imadenocomment。He\'sknownforhisliberalityandhisbadluckatthegameofmonte，whichkeepshimaspooraswhenhefirstcamehere。

`Isuppose，DonMartin，\'hebegan，inathoughtful，speculativetone，`thattheSenorAdministradorofSanTomewillrewardmesomedayifI

savehissilver?\'

Isaidthatitcouldnotbeotherwise，surely。Hewalkedon，mutteringtohimself。`Si，si，withoutdoubt，withoutdoubt；and，lookyou，SenorMartin，whatitistobewellspokenof！Thereisnotanothermanthatcouldhavebeeneventhoughtofforsuchathing。Ishallgetsomethinggreatforitsomeday。Andletitcomesoon，\'hemumbled。`Timepassesinthiscountryasquickasanywhereelse。\'

This，soeurcherie，ismycompanioninthegreatescapeforthesakeofthegreatcause。Heismorenaivethanshrewd，moremasterfulthancrafty，moregenerouswithhispersonalitythanthepeoplewhomakeuseofhimarewiththeirmoney。Atleast，thatiswhathethinkshimselfwithmorepridethansentiment。IamgladIhavemadefriendswithhim。Asacompanionheacquiresmoreimportancethanheeverhadasasortofminorgeniusinhisway——asanoriginalItaliansailorwhomIallowedtocomeininthesmallhoursandtalkfamiliarlytotheeditorofthePorvenirwhilethepaperwasgoingthroughthepress。Anditiscurioustohavemetamanforwhomthevalueoflifeseemstoconsistinpersonalprestige。

Iamwaitingforhimherenow。OnarrivingattheposadakeptbyViolawefoundthechildrenalonedownbelow，andtheoldGenoeseshoutedtohiscountrymantogoandfetchthedoctor。Otherwisewewouldhavegoneontothewharf，whereitappearsCaptainMitchellwithsomevolunteerEuropeansandafewpickedcargadoresareloadingthelighterwiththesilverthatmustbesavedfromMontero\'sclutchesinordertobeusedforMontero\'sdefeat。Nostromogallopedfuriouslybacktowardsthetown。

Hehasbeenlonggonealready。Thisdelaygivesmetimetotalktoyou。

Bythetimethispocket-bookreachesyourhandsmuchwillhavehappened。

Butnowitisapauseunderthehoveringwingofdeathinthatsilenthouseburiedintheblacknight，withthisdyingwoman，thetwochildrencrouchingwithoutasound，andthatoldmanwhomIcanhearthroughthethicknessofthewallpassingupanddownwithalightrubbingnoisenolouderthanamouse。AndI，theonlyotherwiththem，don\'treallyknowwhethertocountmyselfwiththelivingorwiththedead。`Quiensabe?\'asthepeopleherearepronetosayinanswertoeveryquestion。Butno！feelingforyouiscertainlynotdead，andthewholething，thehouse，thedarknight，thesilentchildreninthisdimroom，myverypresencehere——allthisislife，mustbelife，sinceitissomuchlikeadream。

WiththewritingofthelastlinetherecameuponDecoudamomentofsuddenandcompleteoblivion。Heswayedoverthetableasifstruckbyabullet。Thenextmomenthesatup，confused，withtheideathathehadheardhispencilrollonthefloor。Thelowdoorofthecafe，wideopen，wasfilledwiththeglareofatorchinwhichwasvisiblehalfahorse，switchingitstailagainstthelegofariderwithalongironspurstrappedtothenakedheel。Thetwogirlsweregone，andNostromo，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，lookedathimfromundertheroundbrimofthesombrerolowdownoverhisbrow。

`Ihavebroughtthatsour-facedEnglishdoctorinSenoraGould\'scarriage，\'

saidNostromo。`Idoubtif，withallhiswisdom，hecansavethePadronathistime。Theyhavesentforthechildren。Abadsignthat。\'

Hesatdownontheendofabench。`Shewantstogivethemherblessing，Isuppose。\'

DazedlyDecoudobservedthathemusthavefallensoundasleep，andNostromosaid，withavaguesmile，thathehadlookedinatthewindowandhadseenhimlyingstillacrossthetablewithhisheadonhisarms。TheEnglishsenorahadalsocomeinthecarriage，andwentupstairsatoncewiththedoctor。ShehadtoldhimnottowakeupDonMartinyet；butwhentheysentforthechildrenhehadcomeintothecafe。

Thehalfofthehorsewithitshalfoftheriderswungroundoutsidethedoor；thetorchoftowandresinintheironbasketwhichwascarriedonastickatthesaddle-bowflaredrightintotheroomforamoment，andMrsGouldenteredhastilywithaverywhite，tiredface。Thehoodofherdark，bluecloakhadfallenback。Bothmenrose。

`Teresawantstoseeyou，Nostromo，\'shesaid。

TheCapatazdidnotmove。Decoud，withhisbacktothetable，begantobuttonuphiscoat。

`Thesilver，MrsGould，thesilver，\'hemurmuredinEnglish。`Don\'tforgetthattheEsmeraldagarrisonhavegotasteamer。Theymayappearatanymomentattheharbourentrance。\'

`Thedoctorsaysthereisnohope，\'MrsGouldspokerapidly，alsoinEnglish。`Ishalltakeyoudowntothewharfinmycarriageandthencomebacktofetchawaythegirls。\'ShechangedswiftlyintoSpanishtoaddressNostromo。`Whyareyouwastingtime?OldGiorgio\'swifewishestoseeyou。\'

`Iamgoingtoher，senora，\'mutteredtheCapataz。

DrMonyghamshowedhimself，bringingbackthechildren。ToMrsGould\'sinquiringglanceheonlyshookhisheadandwentoutsideatonce，followedbyNostromo。

Thehorseofthetorch-bearer，motionless，hunghisheadlow，andtheriderhaddroppedthereinstolightacigarette。TheglareofthetorchplayedonthefrontofthehousecrossedbythebigblacklettersofitsinscriptioninwhichonlythewordITALIAwaslightedfully。ThepatchofwaveringglarereachedasfarasMrsGould\'scarriagewaitingontheroad，withtheyellow-faced，portlyIgnacioapparentlydozingonthebox。ByhissideBasilio，darkandskinny，heldaWinchestercarbineinfrontofhim，withbothhands，andpeeredfearfullyintothedarkness。

Nostromotouchedlightlythedoctor\'sshoulder。

`Isshereallydying，SenorDoctor！\'

`Yes，\'saidthedoctor，withastrangetwitchofhisscarredcheek。

`AndwhyshewantstoseeyouIcannotimagine。\'

`Shehasbeenlikethatbefore，\'suggestedNostromo，lookingaway。

`Well，Capataz，Icanassureyoushewillneverbelikethatagain，\'

snarledDrMonygham。`Youmaygotoherorstayaway。Thereisverylittletobegotfromtalkingtothedying。ButshetoldDonaEmiliainmyhearingthatshehasbeenlikeamothertoyoueversinceyoufirstsetfootashorehere。\'

`Si！Andsheneverhadagoodwordtosayformetoanybody。

Itismoreasifshecouldnotforgivemeforbeingalive，andsuchaman，too，asshewouldhavelikedhersontobe。\'

`Maybe！\'exclaimedamournfuldeepvoicenearthem。`Womenhavetheirownwaysoftormentingthemselves。\'GiorgioViolahadcomeoutofthehouse。

Hethrewaheavyblackshadowinthetorchlight，andtheglarefellonhisbigface，onthegreatbushyheadofwhitehair。HemotionedtheCapatazindoorswithhisextendedarm。

DrMonygham，afterbusyinghimselfwithalittlemedicamentboxofpolishedwoodontheseatofthelandau，turnedtooldGiorgioandthrustintohisbig，tremblinghandoneoftheglass-stopperedbottlesoutofthecase。

`Giveheraspoonfulofthisnowandthen，inwater，\'hesaid。`Itwillmakehereasier。\'

`Andthereisnothingmoreforher?\'askedtheoldman，patiently。

`No。Notonearth，\'saidthedoctor，withhisbacktohim，clickingthelockofthemedicinecase。

Nostromoslowlycrossedthelargekitchen，alldarkbutfortheglowofaheapofcharcoalundertheheavymantelofthecooking-range，wherewaterwasboilinginanironpotwithaloudbubblingsound。Betweenthetwowallsofanarrowstaircaseabrightlightstreamedfromthesick-roomabove；andthemagnificentCapatazdeCargadoressteppingnoiselesslyinsoftleathersandals，bushywhiskered，hismuscularneckandbronzedchestbareintheopencheckshirt，resembledaMediterraneansailorjustcomeashorefromsomewine-orfruit-ladenfelucca。Atthetophepaused，broadshouldered，narrowhipped，andsupple，lookingatthelargebed，likeawhitecouchofstate，withaprofusionofsnowylinen，amongstwhichthePadronasatunproppedandbowed，herhandsome，black-browedfacebentoverherchest。Amassofravenhairwithonlyafewwhitethreadsinitcoveredhershoulders；onethickstrandfallenforwardhalfveiledhercheek。Perfectlymotionlessinthatpose，expressingphysicalanxietyandunrest，sheturnedhereyesalonetowardsNostromo。

TheCapatazhadaredsashwoundmanytimesroundhiswaist，andaheavysilverringontheforefingerofthehandheraisedtogiveatwisttohismoustache。

`Theirrevolutions，theirrevolutions，\'gaspedSenoraTeresa。`Look，Gian\'Battista，ithaskilledmeatlast！\'

Nostromosaidnothing，andthesickwomanwithanupwardglanceinsisted。

`Look，thisonehaskilledme，whileyouwereawayfightingforwhatdidnotconcernyou，foolishman。\'

`Whytalklikethis?\'mumbledtheCapatazbetweenhisteeth。`Willyouneverbelieveinmygoodsense?ItconcernsmetokeeponbeingwhatI

am:everydayalike。\'

`Youneverchange，indeed，\'shesaid，bitterly。`Alwaysthinkingofyourselfandtakingyourpayoutinfinewordsfromthosewhocarenothingforyou。\'

Therewasbetweenthemanintimacyofantagonismascloseinitswayastheintimacyofaccordandaffection。HehadnotwalkedalongthewayofTeresa\'sexpectations。Itwasshewhohadencouragedhimtoleavehisship，inthehopeofsecuringafriendanddefenderforthegirls。ThewifeofoldGiorgiowasawareofherprecarioushealth，andwashauntedbythefearofheragedhusband\'slonelinessandtheunprotectedstateofthechildren。Shehadwantedtoannexthatapparentlyquietandsteadyyoungman，affectionateandpliable，anorphanfromhistenderestage，ashehadtoldher，withnotiesinItalyexceptanuncle，ownerandmasterofafelucca，fromwhoseill-usagehehadrunawaybeforehewasfourteen。

Hehadseemedtohercourageous，ahardworker，determinedtomakehiswayintheworld。FromgratitudeandthetiesofhabithewouldbecomelikeasontoherselfandGiorgio；andthen，whoknows，whenLindahadgrownup……Tenyears\'differencebetweenhusbandandwifewasnotsomuch。Herowngreatmanwasnearlytwentyyearsolderthanherself。Gian\'

Battistawasanattractiveyoungfellow，besides；attractivetomen，women，andchildren，justbythatprofoundquietnessofpersonalitywhich，likeaserenetwilight，renderedmoreseductivethepromiseofhisvigorousformandtheresolutionofhisconduct。

OldGiorgio，inprofoundignoranceofhiswife\'sviewsandhopes，hadagreatregardforhisyoungcountryman。`Amanoughtnottobetame，\'

heusedtotellher，quotingtheSpanishproverbindefenceofthesplendidCapataz。Shewasgrowingjealousofhissuccess。Hewasescapingfromher，shefeared。Shewaspractical，andheseemedtohertobeanabsurdspend-thriftofthesequalitieswhichmadehimsovaluable。Hegottoolittleforthem。

Hescatteredthemwithbothhandsamongsttoomanypeople，shethought。

Helaidnomoneyby。Sherailedathispoverty，hisexploits，hisadventures，hisloves，andhisreputation；butinherheartshehadnevergivenhimup，asthough，indeed，hehadbeenherson。

Evennow，illasshewas，illenoughtofeelthechill，blackbreathoftheapproachingend，shehadwishedtoseehim。Itwaslikeputtingoutherbenumbedhandtoregainherhold。Butshehadpresumedtoomuchonherstrength。Shecouldnotcommandherthoughts；theyhadbecomedim，likehervision。Thewordsfalteredonherlips，andonlytheparamountanxietyanddesireofherlifeseemedtobetoostrongfordeath。

TheCapatazsaid，`Ihaveheardthesethingsmanytimes。Youareunjust，butitdoesnothurtme。Onlynowyoudonotseemtohavemuchstrengthtotalk，andIhavebutlittletimetolisten。Iamengagedinaworkofverygreatmoment。\'

Shemadeanefforttoaskhimwhetheritwastruethathehadfoundtimetogoandfetchadoctorforher。Nostromonoddedaffirmatively。

Shewaspleased:itrelievedhersufferingstoknowthatthemanhadcondescendedtodosomuchforthosewhoreallywantedhishelp。Itwasaproofofhisfriendship。Hervoicebecamestronger。

`Iwantapriestmorethanadoctor，\'shesaid，pathetically。Shedidnotmoveherhead；onlyhereyesranintothecornerstowatchtheCapatazstandingbythesideofherbed。`Wouldyougotofetchapriestformenow?Think！Adyingwomanasksyou！\'

Nostromoshookhisheadresolutely。Hedidnotbelieveinpriestsintheirsacerdotalcharacter。Adoctorwasanefficaciousperson；butapriest，aspriest，wasnothing，incapableofdoingeithergoodorharm。NostromodidnotevendislikethesightofthemasoldGiorgiodid。Theutteruselessnessoftheerrandwaswhatstruckhimmost。

`Padrona，\'hesaid，`youhavebeenlikethisbefore，andgotbetterafterafewdays。IhavegivenyoualreadytheverylastmomentsIcanspare。AskSenoraGouldtosendyouone。\'

Hewasfeelinguneasyattheimpietyofthisrefusal。ThePadronabelievedinpriests，andconfessedherselftothem。Butallwomendidthat。Itcouldnotbeofmuchconsequence。Andyethisheartfeltoppressedforamoment——atthethoughtwhatabsolutionwouldmeantoherifshebelievedinitonlyeversolittle。Nomatter。Itwasquitetruethathehadgivenheralreadytheverylastmomenthecouldspare。

`Yourefusetogo?\'shegasped。`Ah！youarealwaysyourself，indeed。\'

`Listentoreason，Padrona，\'hesaid，`Iamneededtosavethesilverofthemine。Doyouhear?AgreatertreasurethantheonewhichtheysayisguardedbyghostsanddevilsinAzuera。Itistrue。IamresolvedtomakethisthemostdesperateaffairIwaseverengagedoninmywholelife。\'

Shefeltadespairingindignation。Thesupremetesthadfailed。Standingaboveher，Nostromodidnotseethedistortedfeaturesofherface，distortedbyaparoxysmofpainandanger。Onlyshebegantotrembleallover。Herbowedheadshook。Thebroadshouldersquivered。

`ThenGod，perhaps，willhavemercyuponme！Butdoyoulooktoit，man，thatyougetsomethingforyourselfoutofit，besidestheremorsethatshallovertakeyousomeday。\'

Shelaughedfeebly。`Getrichesatleastforonce，youindispensable，admiredGian\'Battista，towhomthepeaceofadyingwomanislessthanthepraiseofpeoplewhohavegivenyouasillyname——andnothingbesides——inexchangeforyoursoulandbody。\'

TheCaptaindeCargadoressworetohimselfunderhisbreath。

`Leavemysoulalone，Padrona，andIshallknowhowtotakecareofmybody。Whereistheharmofpeoplehavingneedofme?WhatareyouenvyingmethatIhaverobbedyouandthechildrenof?ThoseverypeopleyouarethrowinginmyteethhavedonemoreforoldGiorgiothantheyeverthoughtofdoingforme。\'

Hestruckhisbreastwithhisopenpalm；hisvoicehad$$word$$mainedlowthoughhehadspokeninaforcibletone。Hetwistedhismoustachesoneafteranother，andhiseyeswanderedalittleabouttheroom。

`IsitmyfaultthatIamtheonlymanfortheirpurposes?Whatangrynonsenseareyoutalking，mother?Wouldyouratherhavemetimidandfoolish，sellingwater-melonsonthemarket-placeorrowingaboatforpassengersalongtheharbour，likeasoftNeapolitanwithoutcourageorreputation?

Wouldyouhaveayoungmanlivelikeamonk?Idonotbelieveit。Wouldyouwantamonkforyoureldestgirl?Lethergrow。Whatareyouafraidof?YouhavebeenangrywithmeforeverythingIdidforyears；eversinceyoufirstspoketome，insecretfromoldGiorgio，aboutyourLinda。Husbandtooneandbrothertotheother，didyousay?Well，whynot！Ilikethelittleones，andamanmustmarrysometime。Buteversincethattimeyouhavebeenmakinglittleofmetoeveryone。Why?DidyouthinkyoucouldputacollarandchainonmeasifIwereoneofthewatchdogstheykeepoverthereintherailwayyards?Lookhere，Padrona，Iamthesamemanwhocameashoreoneeveningandsatdowninthethatchedrancheyoulivedinatthattimeontheothersideofthetownandtoldyouallabouthimself。

Youwerenotunjusttomethen。Whathashappenedsince?Iamnolongeraninsignificantyouth。Agoodname，Giorgiosays，isatreasure，Padrona。\'

`Theyhaveturnedyourheadwiththeirpraises，\'gaspedthesickwoman。

`Theyhavebeenpayingyouwithwords。Yourfollyshallbetrayyouintopoverty，misery，starvation。Theveryleperosshalllaughatyou——thegreatCapataz。\'

Nostromostoodforatimeasifstruckdumb。Sheneverlookedathim。

Aself-confident，mirthlesssmilepassedquicklyfromhislips，andthenhebackedaway。Hisdisregardedfiguresankdownbeyondthedoorway。Hedescendedthestairsbackwards，withtheusualsenseofhavingbeensomehowbaffledbythiswoman\'sdisparagementofthisreputationhehadobtainedanddesiredtokeep。

Downstairsinthebigkitchenacandlewasburning，surroundedbytheshadowsofthewalls，oftheceiling，butnoruddyglarefilledtheopensquareoftheouterdoor。ThecarriagewithMrsGouldandDonMartin，precededbythehorsemanbearingthetorch，hadgoneontothejetty。DrMonygham，whohadremained，satonthecornerofahardwoodtablenearthecandlestick，hisseamed，shavedfaceinclinedsideways，hisarmscrossedonhisbreast，hislipspursedup，andhisprominenteyesglaringstonilyuponthefloorofblackearth。Neartheoverhangingmantelofthefireplacewherethepotofwaterwasstillboilingviolently，oldGiorgioheldhischininhishand，onefootadvanced，asifarrestedbyasuddenthought。

`Adios，viejo，\'saidNostromo，feelingthehandleofhisrevolverinthebeltandlooseninghisknifeinitssheath。Hepickedupablueponcholinedwithredfromthetable，andputitoverhishead。`Adios，lookafterthethingsinmysleeping-room，andifyouhearfrommenomore，giveuptheboxtoPaquita。Thereisnotmuchofvaluethere，exceptmynewserapefromMexico，andafewsilverbuttonsonmybestjacket。Nomatter！Thethingswilllookwellenoughonthenextlovershegets，andthemanneednotbeafraidIshalllingeronearthafterIamdead，likethosegringosthathaunttheAzuera。\'

DrMonyghamtwistedhislipsintoabittersmile。AfteroldGiorgio，withanalmostimperceptiblenodandwithoutaword，hadgoneupthenarrowstairs，hesaid:

`Why，Capataz！Ithoughtyoucouldneverfailinanything。\'

Nostromo，glancingcontemptuouslyatthedoctor，lingeredinthedoorwayrollingacigarette，thenstruckamatch，and，afterlightingit，heldtheburningpieceofwoodabovehisheadtilltheflamenearlytouchedhisfingers。

`Nowind！\'hemutteredtohimself。`Lookhere，senor——doyouknowthenatureofmyundertaking?\'

DrMonyghamnoddedsourly。

`ItisasifIweretakingupacurseuponme，SenorDoctor。Amanwithatreasureonthiscoastwillhaveeverykniferaisedagainsthimineveryplaceupontheshore。Youseethat，SenorDoctor?IshallfloatalongwithaspelluponmylifetillImeetsomewherethenorth-boundsteameroftheCompany，andthenindeedtheywilltalkabouttheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoresfromoneendofAmericatoanother。\'

DrMonyghamlaughedhisshort，throatylaugh。Nostromoturnedroundinthedoorway。

`ButifyourworshipcanfindanyothermanreadyandfitforsuchbusinessIwillstandback。Iamnotexactlytiredofmylife，thoughIamsopoorthatIcancarryallIhavewithmyselfonmyhorse\'sback。\'

`Yougambletoomuch，andneversay“no“toaprettyface，Capataz，\'

saidDrMonygham，withslysimplicity。`That\'snotthewaytomakeafortune。

ButnobodythatIknoweversuspectedyouofbeingpoor。Ihopeyouhavemadeagoodbargainincaseyoucomebacksafefromthisadventure。\'

`Whatbargainwouldyourworshiphavemade?\'askedNostromo，blowingthesmokeoutofhislipsthroughthedoorway。

DrMonyghamlistenedupthestaircaseforamomentbeforeheanswered，withanotherofhisshort，abruptlaughs:

`IllustriousCapataz，fortakingthecurseofdeathuponmyback，asyoucallit，nothingelsebutthewholetreasurewoulddo。\'

Nostromovanishedoutofthedoorwaywithagruntofdiscontentatthisjeeringanswer。DrMonyghamheardhimgallopaway。Nostromorodefuriouslyinthedark。TherewerelightsinthebuildingsoftheO。S。N。Companynearthewharf，butbeforehegottherehemettheGouldcarriage。Thehorsemanprecededitwiththetorch，whoselightshowedthewhitemulestrotting，theportlyIgnaciodriving，andBasiliowiththecarbineonthebox。FromthedarkbodyofthelandauMrsGould\'svoicecried，`Theyarewaitingforyou，Capataz！\'Shewasreturning，chillyandexcited，withDecoud\'spocket-bookstillheldinherhand。Hehadconfidedittohertosendtohissister。`Perhapsmylastwordstoher，\'hehadsaid，pressingMrsGould\'shand。

TheCapataznevercheckedhisspeed。Attheheadofthewharfvaguefigureswithriflesleapttotheheadofhishorse；otherscloseduponhim——cargadoresofthecompanypostedbyCaptainMitchellonthewatch。Atawordfromhimtheyfellbackwithsubservientmurmurs，recognizinghisvoice。Attheotherendofthejetty，nearacargocrane，inadarkgroupwithglowingcigars，hisnamewaspronouncedinatoneofrelief。

MostoftheEuropeansinSulacowerethere，ralliedroundCharlesGould，asifthesilveroftheminehadbeentheemblemofacommoncause，thesymbolofthesupremeimportanceofmaterialinterests。Theyhadloadeditintothelighterwiththeirownhands。NostromorecognizedDonCarlosGould，athin，tallshape，standingalittleapartandsilent，towhomanothertallshape，theengineer-in-chief，saidaloud，`Ifitmustbelost，itisamilliontimesbetterthatitshouldgotothebottomofthesea。\'

MartinDecoudcalledoutfromthelighter，`Aurevoir，messieurs，tillweclasphandsagainoverthenew-bornOccidentalRepublic。\'Onlyasubduedmurmurrespondedtohisclear，ringingtones；andthenitseemedtohimthatthewharfwasfloatingawayintothenight；butitwasNostromo，whowasalreadypushingagainstapilewithoneoftheheavysweeps。Decouddidnotmove；theeffectwasthatofbeinglaunchedintospace。AfterasplashortwotherewasnotasoundbutthethudofNostromo\'sfeetleapingabouttheboat。Hehoistedthebigsail；abreathofwindfannedDecoud\'scheek。EverythinghadvanishedbutthelightofthelanternCaptainMitchellhadhoisteduponthepostattheendofthejettytoguideNostromooutoftheharbour。

Thetwomen，unabletoseeeachother，keptsilenttillthelighter，slippingbeforethefitfulbreeze，passedoutbetweenalmostinvisibleheadlandsintothestilldeeperdarknessofthegulf。Foratimethelanternonthejettyshoneafterthem。Thewindfailed，thenfannedupagain，butsofaintlythatthebig，half-deckedboatslippedalongwithnomorenoisethanifshehadbeensuspendedintheair。

`Weareoutinthegulfnow，\'saidthecalmvoiceofNostromo。Amomentafterheadded，`SenorMitchellhasloweredthelight。\'

`Yes，\'saidDecoud；`nobodycanfindusnow。\'

Agreatrecrudescenceofobscurityembracedtheboat。Theseainthegulfwasasblackasthecloudsabove。Nostromo，afterstrikingacoupleofmatchestogetaglimpseoftheboat-compasshehadwithhiminthelighter，steeredbythefeelofthewindonhischeek。

ItwasanewexperienceforDecoud，thismysteriousnessofthegreatwatersspreadoutstrangelysmooth，asiftheirrestlessnesshadbeencrushedbytheweightofthatdensenight。ThePlacidowassleepingprofoundlyunderitsblackponcho。

Themainthingnowforsuccesswastogetawayfromthecoastandgainthemiddleofthegulfbeforedaybroke。TheIsabelsweresomewhereathand。`Onyourleftasyoulookforward，senor，\'saidNostromo，suddenly。Whenhisvoiceceased，theenormousstillness，withoutlightorsound，seemedtoaffectDecoud\'ssenseslikeapowerfuldrug。Hedidn\'tevenknowattimeswhetherhewereasleeporawake。Likeamanlostinslumber，heheardnothing，hesawnothing。Evenhishandheldbeforehisfacedidnotexistforhiseyes。Thechangefromtheagitation，thepassionsandthedangers，fromthesightsandsoundsoftheshore，wassocompletethatitwouldhaveresembleddeathhaditnotbeenforthesurvivalofhisthoughts。Inthisforetasteofeternalpeacetheyfloatedvividandlight，likeunearthlycleardreamsofearthlythingsthatmayhauntthesoulsfreedbydeathfromthemistyatmosphereofregretsandhopes。Decoudshookhimself，shudderedabit，thoughtheairthatdriftedpasthimwaswarm。Hehadthestrangestsensationofhissoulhavingjustreturnedintohisbodyfromthecircumambientdarknessinwhichland，sea，sky，themountains，andtherockswereasiftheyhadnotbeen。

Nostromo\'svoicewasspeaking，thoughhe，atthetiller，wasalsoasifhewerenot。`Haveyoubeenasleep，DonMartin?Caramba！IfitwerepossibleIwouldthinkthatI，too，havedozedoff。Ihaveastrangenotionsomehowofhavingdreamtthattherewasasoundofblubbering，asoundasorrowingmancouldmake，somewherenearthisboat。Somethingbetweenasighandasob。\'

`Strange！\'mutteredDecoud，stretcheduponthepileoftreasureboxescoveredbymanytarpaulins。`Coulditbethatthereisanotherboatnearusinthegulf?Wecouldnotseeit，youknow。\'

Nostromolaughedalittleattheabsurdityoftheidea。Theydismisseditfromtheirminds。Thesolitudecouldalmostbefelt。Andwhenthebreezeceased，theblacknessseemedtoweighuponDecoudlikeastone。

`Thisisoverpowering，\'hemuttered。`Dowemoveatall，Capataz?\'

`Notsofastasacrawlingbeetletangledinthegrass，\'answeredNostromo，andhisvoiceseemeddeadenedbythethickveilofobscuritythatfeltwarmandhopelessallaboutthem。Therewerelongperiodswhenhemadenosound，invisibleandinaudibleasifhehadmysteriouslysteppedoutofthelighter。

InthefeaturelessnightNostromowasnotevencertainwhichwaythelighterheadedafterthewindhadcompletelydiedout。Hepeeredfortheislands。Therewasnotahintofthemtobeseen，asiftheyhadsunktothebottomofthegulf。HethrewhimselfdownbythesideofDecoudatlast，andwhisperedintohisearthatifdaylightcaughtthemneartheSulacoshorethroughwantofwind，itwouldbepossibletosweepthelighterbehindthecliffatthehighendoftheGreatIsabel，whereshewouldlieconcealed。Decoudwassurprisedatthegrimnessofhisanxiety。Tohimtheremovalofthetreasurewasapoliticalmove。ItwasnecessaryforseveralreasonsthatitshouldnotfallintothehandsofMontero，butherewasamanwhotookanotherviewofthisenterprise。Thecaballerosovertheredidnotseemtohavetheslightestideaofwhattheyhadgivenhimtodo。Nostromo，asifaffectedbythegloomaround，seemednervouslyresentful。Decoudwassurprised。TheCapataz，indifferenttothosedangersthatseemedobvioustohiscompanion，allowedhimselftobecomescornfullyexasperatedbythedeadlynatureofthetrustput，asamatterofcourse，intohishands。Itwasmoredangerous，Nostromosaid，withalaughandacurse，thansendingamantogetthetreasurethatpeoplesaidwasguardedbydevilsandghostsinthedeepravinesofAzuera。`Senor，\'hesaid，`wemustcatchthesteameratsea。Wemustkeepoutintheopenlookingforhertillwehaveeatenanddrunkallthathasbeenputonboardhere。

Andifwemissherbysomemischance，wemustkeepawayfromthelandtillwegrowweak，andperhapsmad，anddie，anddriftdead，untiloneoranotherofthesteamersoftheCompaniacomesupontheboatwiththetwodeadmenwhohavesavedthetreasure。That，senor，istheonlywaytosaveit；for，don\'tyousee?forustocometothelandanywhereinahundredmilesalongthiscoastwiththissilverinourpossessionistorunthenakedbreastagainstthepointofaknife。Thisthinghasbeengiventomelikeadeadlydisease。IfmendiscoveritIamdead，andyou，too，senor，sinceyouwouldcomewithme。Thereisenoughsilvertomakeawholeprovincerich，letaloneaseaboardpuebloinhabitedbythievesandvagabonds。Senor，theywouldthinkthatheavenitselfsenttheserichesintotheirhands，andwouldcutourthroatswithouthesitation。Iwouldtrustnofairwordsfromthebestmanaroundtheshoresofthiswildgulf。Reflectthat，evenbygivingupthetreasureatthefirstdemand，wewouldnotbeabletosaveourlives。Doyouunderstandthis，ormustIexplain?\'

`No，youneedn\'texplain，\'saidDecoud，alittlelistlessly。`Icanseeitwellenoughmyself，thatthepossessionofthistreasureisverymuchlikeadeadlydiseaseformensituatedasweare。ButithadtoberemovedfromSulaco，andyouwerethemanforthetask。\'

`Iwas；butIcannotbelieve，\'saidNostromo，`thatitslosswouldhaveimpoverishedDonCarlosGouldverymuch。Thereismorewealthinthemountain。

IhavehearditrollingdowntheshootsonquietnightswhenIusedtoridetoRincontoseeacertaingirl，aftermyworkattheharbourwasdone。Foryearstherichrockshavebeenpouringdownwithanoiselikethunder，andtheminerssaythatthereisenoughattheheartofthemountaintothunderonforyearsandyearstocome。Andyet，thedaybeforeyesterday，wehavebeenfightingtosaveitfromthemob，andtonightIamsentoutwithitintothisdarkness，wherethereisnowindtogetawaywith；asifitwerethelastlotofsilveronearthtogetbreadforthehungrywith。Ha！ha！Well，Iamgoingtomakeitthemostfamousanddesperateaffairofmylife——windornowind。Itshallbetalkedaboutwhenthelittlechildrenaregrownupandthegrownmenareold。Aha！theMonteristsmustnotgetholdofit，Iamtold，whateverhappenstoNostromotheCapataz；

andtheyshallnothaveit，Itellyou，sinceithasbeentiedforsafetyroundNostromo\'sneck。\'

`Iseeit，\'murmuredDecoud。Hesaw，indeed，thathiscompanionhadhisownpeculiarviewofthisenterprise。

Nostromointerruptedhisreflectionsuponthewaymen\'squalitiesaremadeuseof，withoutanyfundamentalknowledgeoftheirnature，bytheproposaltheyshouldslipthelongoarsoutandsweepthelighterinthedirectionoftheIsabels。Itwouldn\'tdofordaylighttorevealthetreasurefloatingwithinamileorsooftheharbourentrance。Thedenserthedarknessgenerally，thesmarterwerethepuffsofwindonwhichhehadreckonedtomakehisway；buttonightthegulf，underitsponchoofclouds，remainedbreathless，asifdeadratherthanasleep。

DonMartin\'ssofthandssufferedcruelly，tuggingatthethickhandleoftheenormousoar。Hestucktoitmanfully，settinghisteeth。He，too，wasinthetoilsofanimaginativeexistence，andthatstrangeworkofpullingalighterseemedtobelongnaturallytotheinceptionofanewstate，andacquiredanidealmeaningfromhisloveforAntonia。Foralltheirefforts，theheavilyladenlighterhardlymoved。Nostromocouldbeheardswearingtohimselfbetweentheregularsplashesofthesweeps。`Wearemakingacrookedpath，\'hemutteredtohimself。`IwishIcouldseetheislands。\'

InhisunskilfulnessDonMartinover-exertedhimself。Nowandthenasortofmuscularfaintnesswouldrunfromthetipsofhisachingfingersthrougheveryfibreofhisbody，andpassoffinaflushofheat。Hehadfought，talked，sufferedmentallyandphysically，exertinghismindandbodyforthelastfortyeighthourswithoutintermission。Hehadhadnorest，verylittlefood，nopauseinthestressofhisthoughtsandhisfeelings。EvenhisloveforAntonia，whencehedrewhisstrengthandhisinspiration，hadreachedthepointoftragictensionduringtheirhurriedinterviewbyDonJose\'sbedside。Andnow，suddenly，hewasthrownoutofallthisintoadarkgulf，whoseverygloom，silence，andbreathlesspeaceaddedatormenttothenecessityforphysicalexertion。Heimaginedthelightersinkingtothebottomwithanextraordinaryshudderofdelight。

`Iamonthevergeofdelirium，\'hethought。Hemasteredthetremblingofallhislimbs，ofhisbreast，theinwardtremblingofallhisbodyexhaustedofitsnervousforce。

`Shallwerest，Capataz?\'heproposedinacarelesstone。`Therearemanyhoursofnightyetbeforeus。\'

`True。Itisbutamileorso，Isuppose。Restyourarms，senor，ifthatiswhatyoumean。Youwillfindnoothersortofrest，Icanpromiseyou，sinceyouletyourselfbeboundtothistreasurewhoselosswouldmakenopoormanpoorer。No，senor；thereisnoresttillwefindanorth-boundsteamer，orelsesomeshipfindsusdriftingaboutstretchedoutdeadupontheEnglishman\'ssilver。Orrather——no；porDios！

Ishallcutdownthegunwalewiththeaxerighttothewater\'sedgebeforethirstandhungerrobmeofmystrength。ByallthesaintsanddevilsI

shalllettheseahavethetreasureratherthangiveituptoanystranger。

Sinceitwasthegoodpleasureofthecaballerostosendmeoffonsuchanerrand，theyshalllearnIamjustthemantheytakemefor。\'

Decoudlayonthesilverboxespanting。Allhisactivesensationsandfeelingsfromasfarbackashecouldrememberseemedtohimthemaddestofdreams。EvenhispassionatedevotiontoAntoniaintowhichhehadworkedhimselfupoutofthedepthsofhisscepticismhadlostallappearanceofreality。Foramomenthewasthepreyofanextremelylanguidbutnotunpleasantindifference。

`Iamsuretheydidn\'tmeanyoutotakesuchadesperateviewofthisaffair，\'hesaid。

`Whatwasit，then?Ajoke?\'snarledtheman，whoonthepay-sheetsoftheO。S。N。Company\'sestablishmentinSulacowasdescribedas`Foremanofthewharf\'againstthefigureofhiswages。`Wasitforajoketheywokemeupfrommysleepaftertwodaysofstreetfightingtomakemestakemylifeuponabadcard?Everybodyknows，too，thatIamnotaluckygambler。\'

`Yes，everybodyknowsofyourgoodluckwithwomen，Capataz，\'Decoudpropitiatedhiscompanioninawearydrawl。

`Lookhere，senor，\'Nostromowenton。`Ineverevenremonstratedaboutthisaffair。DirectlyIheardwhatwaswantedIsawwhatadesperateaffairitmustbe，andImadeupmymindtoseeitout。Everyminutewasofimportance。Ihadtowaitforyoufirst。Then，whenwearrivedattheItaliaUna，oldGiorgioshoutedtometogofortheEnglishdoctor。Lateron，thatpoordyingwomanwantedtoseeme，asyouknow。Senor，Iwasreluctanttogo。Ifeltalreadythiscursedsilvergrowingheavyuponmyback，andIwasafraidthat，knowingherselftobedying，shewouldaskmetorideoffagainforapriest。FatherCorbelan，whoisfearless，wouldhavecomeataword；butFatherCorbelanisfaraway，safewiththebandofHernandez，andthepopulace，thatwouldhavelikedtotearhimtopieces，aremuchincensedagainstthepriests。Notasinglefatpadrewouldhaveconsentedtoputhisheadoutofhishiding-placetonighttosaveaChristiansoul，except，perhaps，undermyprotection。Thatwasinhermind。IpretendedIdidnotbelieveshewasgoingtodie。Senor，Irefusedtofetchapriestforadyingwoman……\'

Decoudwasheardtostir。

`Youdid，Capataz！\'heexclaimed。Histonechanged。`Well，youknow——itwasratherfine。\'

`Youdonotbelieveinpriests，DonMartin?NeitherdoI。Whatwastheuseofwastingtime?Butshe——shebelievesinthem。Thethingsticksinmythroat。Shemaybedeadalready，andherewearefloatinghelplesswithnowindatall。Curseonallsuperstition。ShediedthinkingIdeprivedherofParadise，Isuppose。Itshallbethemostdesperateaffairofmylife。\'

Decoudremainedlostinreflection。Hetriedtoanalysethesensationsawakenedbywhathehadbeentold。ThevoiceoftheCapatazwasheardagain:

`Now，DonMartin，letustakeupthesweepsandtrytofindtheIsabels。

Itiseitherthatorsinkingthelighterifthedayovertakesus。WemustnotforgetthatthesteamerfromEsmeraldawiththesoldiersmaybecomingalong。Wewillpullstraightonnow。Ihavediscoveredabitofacandlehere，andwemusttaketheriskofasmalllighttomakeacoursebytheboatcompass。Thereisnotenoughtoblowitout——maythecurseofHeavenfalluponthisblindgulf！\'

Asmallflameappearedburningquitestraight。Itshowedfragmentarilythestoutribsandplankinginthehollow，emptypartofthelighter。DecoudcouldseeNostromostandinguptopull。Hesawhimashighastheredsashonhiswaist，withagleamofawhite-handledrevolverandthewoodenhaftofalongknifeprotrudingonhisleftside。Decoudnervedhimselffortheeffortofrowing。Certainlytherewasnotenoughwindtoblowthecandleout，butitsflameswayedalittletotheslowmovementoftheheavyboat。

Itwassobigthatwiththeirutmosteffortstheycouldnotmoveitquickerthanaboutamileanhour。Thiswassufficient，however，tosweepthemamongsttheIsabelslongbeforedaylightcame。Therewasagoodsixhoursofdarknessbeforethem，andthedistancefromtheharbourtotheGreatIsabeldidnotexceedtwomiles。DecoudputthisheavytoiltotheaccountoftheCapataz\'simpatience。Sometimestheypaused，andthenstrainedtheirearstoheartheboatfromEsmeralda。Inthisperfectquietnessasteamermovingwouldhavebeenheardfromfaroff。Astoseeinganythingitwasoutofthequestion。Theycouldnotseeeachother。Eventhelighter\'ssail，whichremainedset，wasinvisible。Veryoftentheyrested。

`Caramba！\'saidNostromo，suddenly，duringoneofthoseintervalswhentheylolledidlyagainsttheheavyhandlesofthesweeps。`Whatisit?Areyoudistressed，DonMartin?\'

Decoudassuredhimthathewasnotdistressedintheleast。Nostromoforatimekeptperfectlystill，andtheninawhisperinvitedMartintocomeaft。

WithlipstouchingDecoud\'searhedeclaredhisbeliefthattherewassomebodyelsebesidesthemselvesuponthelighter。Twicenowhehadheardthesoundofstifledsobbing。

`Senor，\'hewhisperedwithawedwonder，`Iamcertainthatthereissomebodyweepinginthislighter。\'

Decoudhadheardnothing。Heexpressedhisincredulity。However，itwaseasytoascertainthetruthofthematter。

`Itismostamazing，\'mutteredNostromo。`Couldanybodyhaveconcealedhimselfonboardwhilethelighterwaslyingalongsidethewharf?\'

`Andyousayitwaslikesobbing?\'askedDecoud，loweringhisvoice，too。`Ifheisweeping，whoeverheishecannotbeverydangerous。\'

Clamberingoverthepreciouspileinthemiddle，theycrouchedlowontheforesideofthemastandgropedunderthehalf-deck。Rightforward，inthenarrowestpart，theirhandscameuponthelimbsofaman，whoremainedassilentasdeath。Toostartledthemselvestomakeasound，theydraggedhimaftbyonearmandthecollarofhiscoat。Hewaslimp——lifeless。

Thelightofthebitofcandlefelluponaround，hook-nosedfacewithblackmoustachesandlittleside-whiskers。Hewasextremelydirty。Agreasygrowthofbeardwassproutingontheshavenpartsofthecheeks。Thethicklipswereslightlyparted，buttheeyesremainedclosed。Decoud，tohisimmenseastonishment，recognizedSenorHirsch，thehidemerchantfromEsmeralda。

Nostromo，too，hadrecognizedhim。Andtheygazedateachotheracrossthebody，lyingwithitsnakedfeethigherthanitshead，inanabsurdpretenceofsleep，faintness，ordeath。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter88Foramoment，beforethisextraordinaryfind，theyforgottheirownconcernsandsensations。SenorHirsch\'ssensationsashelaytheremusthavebeenthoseofextremeterror。Foralongtimeherefusedtogiveasignoflife，tillatlastDecoud\'sobjurgations，and，perhapsmore，Nostromo\'simpatientsuggestionthatheshouldbethrownoverboard，asheseemedtobedead，inducedhimtoraiseoneeyelid，andthentheother。

ItappearedthathehadneverfoundasafeopportunitytoleaveSulaco。

HelodgedwithAnzani，theuniversalstorekeeper，onthePlazaMayor。Butwhentheriotbrokeouthehadmadehisescapefromhishost\'shousebeforedaylight，andinsuchahurrythathehadforgottentoputonhisshoes。

Hehadrunoutimpulsivelyinhissocks，andwithhishatinhishand，intothegardenofAnzani\'shouse。Feargavehimthenecessaryagilitytoclimboverseverallowwalls，andafterwardsheblunderedintotheovergrowncloistersoftheruinedFranciscanconventinoneoftheby-streets。Heforcedhimselfintothemidstofmattedbusheswiththerecklessnessofdesperation，andthisaccountedforhisscratchedbodyandhistornclothing。

Helayhiddenthereallday，histonguecleavingtotheroofofhismouthwithalltheintensityofthirstengenderedbyheatandfear。Threetimesdifferentbandsofmeninvadedtheplacewithshoutsandimprecations，lookingforFatherCorbelan；buttowardstheevening，stilllyingonhisfaceinthebushes，hethoughthewoulddiefromthefearofsilence。Hewasnotveryclearastowhathadinducedhimtoleavetheplace，butevidentlyhehadgotoutandslunksuccessfullyoutoftownalongthedesertedbacklanes。Hewanderedinthedarknessneartherailway，somaddenedbyapprehensionthathedarednotevenapproachthefiresofthepicketsofItalianworkmenguardingtheline。Hehadavagueideaevidentlyoffindingrefugeintherailwayyards，butthedogsrusheduponhim，barking；menbegantoshout；

ashotwasfiredatrandom。Hefledawayfromthegates。Bythemerestaccident，asithappened，hetookthedirectionoftheO。S。N。Company\'soffices。Twicehestumbleduponthebodiesofmenkilledduringtheday。

Buteverythinglivingfrightenedhimmuchmore。Hecrouched，crept，crawled，madedashes，guidedbyasortofanimalinstinct，keepingawayfromeverylightandfromeverysoundofvoices。HisideawastothrowhimselfatthefeetofCaptainMitchellandbegforshelterintheCompany\'soffices。

Itwasalldarkthereasheapproachedonhishandsandknees，butsuddenlysomeoneonguardchallengedloudly，`Quienvive?\'Thereweremoredeadmenlyingabout，andheflattenedhimselfdownatoncebythesideofacoldcorpse。Heheardavoicesaying，`Hereisoneofthosewoundedrascalscrawlingabout。ShallIgoandfinishhim?\'Andanothervoiceobjectedthatitwasnotsafetogooutwithoutalanternuponsuchanerrand；perhapsitwasonlysomeNegroliberallookingforachancetostickaknifeintothestomachofanhonestman。Hirschdidn\'tstaytohearanymore，butcrawlingawaytotheendofthewharf，hidhimselfamongstalotofemptycasks。Afterawhilesomepeoplecamealong，talking，andwithglowingcigarettes。Hedidnotstoptoaskhimselfwhethertheywouldbelikelytodohimanyharm，butboltedincontinentlyalongthejetty，sawalighterlyingmooredattheend，andthrewhimselfintoit。Inhisdesiretofindcoverhecreptrightforwardunderthehalf-deck，andhehadremainedtheremoredeadthanalive，sufferingagoniesofhungerandthirst，andalmostfaintingwithterror，whenheheardnumerousfootstepsandthevoicesoftheEuropeanswhocameinabodyescortingthewagon-loadoftreasure，pushedalongtherailsbyasquadofcargadores。Heunderstoodperfectlywhatwasbeingdonefromthetalk，butdidnotdisclosehispresencefromthefearthathewouldnotbeallowedtoremain。Hisonlyideaatthetime，overpoweringandmasterful，wastogetawayfromthisterribleSulaco。

Andnowheregretteditverymuch。HehadheardNostromotalktoDecoud，andwishedhimselfbackonshore。Hedidnotdesiretobeinvolvedinanydesperateaffair——inasituationwhereonecouldnotrunaway。TheinvoluntarygroansofhisanguishedspirithadbetrayedhimtothesharpearsoftheCapataz。

Theyhadproppedhimupinasittingpostureagainstthesideofthelighter，andhewentonwiththemoaningaccountofhisadventurestillhisvoicebroke，hisheadfellforward。`Water，\'hewhispered，withdifficulty。

Decoudheldoneofthecanstohislips。Herevivedafteranextraordinarilyshorttime，andscrambleduptohisfeetwildly。Nostromo，inanangryandthreateningvoice，orderedhimforward。Hirshwasoneofthosemenwhomfearlasheslikeawhip，andhemusthavehadanappallingideaoftheCapataz\'sferocity。Hedisplayedanextraordinaryagilityindisappearingforwardintothedarkness。Theyheardhimgettingoverthetarpaulin；thentherewasthesoundofaheavyfall，followedbyawearysigh。Afterwardsallwasstillinthefore-partofthelighter，asthoughhehadkilledhimselfinhisheadlongtumble。Nostromoshoutedinamenacingvoice:

`Liestillthere！Donotmovealimb。IfIhearasmuchasaloudbreathfromyouIshallcomeoverthereandputabulletthroughyourhead。\'

Themerepresenceofacoward，howeverpassive，bringsanelementoftreacheryintoadangeroussituation。Nostromo\'snervousimpatiencepassedintogloomythoughtfulness。Decoud，inanundertone，asifspeakingtohimself，remarkedthat，afterall，thisbizarreeventmadenogreatdifference。

Hecouldnotconceivewhatharmthemancoulddo。Atmosthewouldbeintheway，likeaninanimateanduselessobject——likeablockofwood，forinstance。

`Iwouldthinktwicebeforegettingridofapieceofwood，\'saidNostromo，calmly。`Somethingmayhappenunexpectedlywhereyoucouldmakeuseofit。Butinanaffairlikeoursamanlikethisoughttobethrownoverboard。

Evenifhewereasbraveasalionwewouldnotwanthimhere。Wearenotrunningawayforourlives。Senor，thereisnoharminabravemantryingtosavehimselfwithingenuityandcourage；butyouhaveheardhistale，DonMartin。Hisbeinghereisamiracleoffear——\'Nostromopaused。

`Thereisnoroomforfearinthislighter，\'headdedthroughhisteeth。

Decoudhadnoanswertomake。Itwasnotapositionforargument，foradisplayofscruplesorfeelings。Therewereathousandwaysinwhichapanic-strickenmancouldmakehimselfdangerous。ItwasevidentthatHirschcouldnotbespokento，reasonedwith，orpersuadedintoarationallineofconduct。Thestoryofhisownescapedemonstratedthatclearlyenough。Decoudthoughtthatitwasathousandpitiesthewretchhadnotdiedoffright。Nature，whohadmadehimwhathewas，seemedtohavecalculatedcruellyhowmuchhecouldbearinthewayofatrociousanguishwithoutactuallyexpiring。Somecompassionwasduetosomuchterror。Decoud，thoughimaginativeenoughforsympathy，resolvednottointerferewithanyactionthatNostromowouldtake。ButNostromodidnothing。AndthefateofSenorHirschremainedsuspendedinthedarknessofthegulfatthemercyofeventswhichcouldnotbeforeseen。

TheCapataz，extendinghishand，putoutthecandlesuddenly。ItwastoDecoudasifhiscompanionhaddestroyed，byasingletouch，theworldofaffairs，ofloves，ofrevolution，wherehiscomplacentsuperiorityanalysedfearlesslyallmotivesandallpassions，includinghisown。

Hegaspedalittle。Decoudwasaffectedbythenoveltyofhisposition。

Intellectuallyself-confident，hesufferedfrombeingdeprivedoftheonlyweaponhecouldusewitheffect。NointelligencecouldpenetratethedarknessofthePlacidGulf。Thereremainedonlyonethinghewascertainof，andthatwastheoverweeningvanityofhiscompanion。Itwasdirect，uncomplicated，naive，andeffectual。Decoud，whohadbeenmakinguseofhim，hadtriedtounderstandhismanthoroughly。Hehaddiscoveredacompletesinglenessofmotivebehindthevariedmanifestationsofaconsistentcharacter。Thiswaswhythemanremainedsoastonishinglysimpleinthejealousgreatnessofhisconceit。Andnowtherewasacomplication。Itwasevidentthatheresentedhavingbeengivenataskinwhichthereweresomanychancesoffailure。`Iwonder，\'thoughtDecoud，`howhewouldbehaveifIwerenothere。\'

HeheardNostromomutteragain，`No！thereisnoroomforfearonthislighter。Courageitselfdoesnotseemgoodenough。Ihaveagoodeyeandasteadyhand；nomancansayheeversawmetiredoruncertainwhattodo；butporDios，DonMartin，Ihavebeensentoutintothisblackcalmonabusinesswhereneitheragoodeye，norasteadyhand，norjudgementareanyuse……\'HesworeastringofoathsinSpanishandItalianunderhisbreath。`Nothingbutsheerdesperationwilldoforthisaffair。\'

Thesewordswereinstrangecontrasttotheprevailingpeace——tothisalmoststolidstillnessofthegulf。Ashowerfellwithanabruptwhisperingsoundallroundtheboat，andDecoudtookoffhishat，and，lettinghisheadgetwet，feltgreatlyrefreshed。Presentlyasteadylittledraughtofaircaressedhischeek。Thelighterbegantomove，buttheshowerdistancedit。Thedropsceasedtofalluponhisheadandhands，thewhisperingdiedoutinthedistance。Nostromoemittedagruntofsatisfaction，andgraspingthetiller，chirrupedsoftly，assailorsdo，toencouragethewind。NeverforthelastthreedayshadDecoudfeltlesstheneedforwhattheCapatazwouldcalldesperation。

`IfancyIhearanothershoweronthewater，\'heobservedinatoneofquietcontent。`Ihopeitwillcatchusup。\'

Nostromoceasedchirrupingatonce。`Youhearanothershower?\'hesaid，doubtfully。Asortofthinningofthedarknessseemedtohavetakenplace，andDecoudcouldseenowtheoutlineofhiscompanion\'sfigure，andeventhesailcameoutofthenightlikeasquareblockofdensesnow。

ThesoundwhichDecoudhaddetectedcamealongthewaterharshly。Nostromorecognizedthatnoisepartakingofahissandarustlewhichspreadsoutonallsidesofasteamermakingherwaythroughasmoothwateronaquietnight。ItcouldbenothingelsebutthecapturedtransportwithtroopsfromEsmeralda。Shecarriednolights。Thenoiseofhersteaming，growingloudereveryminute，wouldstopattimesaltogether，andthenbeginagainabruptly，andsoundstartlinglynearer，asifthatinvisiblevessel，whosepositioncouldnotbepreciselyguessed，weremakingstraightforthelighter。

Meantime，thatlastkeptonsailingslowlyandnoiselesslybeforeabreezesofaintthatitwasonlybyleaningoverthesideandfeelingthewaterslipthroughhisfingersthatDecoudconvincedhimselftheyweremovingatall。Hisdrowsyfeelinghaddeparted。Hewasgladtoknowthatthelighterwasmoving。Aftersomuchstillnessthenoiseofthesteamerseemeduproariousanddistracting。Therewasaweirdnessinnotbeingabletoseeher。Suddenlyallwasstill。Shehadstopped，butsoclosetothemthatthesteam，blowingoff，sentitsrumblingvibrationrightovertheirheads。

`Theyaretryingtomakeoutwheretheyare，\'saidDecoudinawhisper。

Againheleanedoverandputhisfingersintothewater。`Wearemovingquitesmartly，\'heinformedNostromo。

`Weseemtobecrossingherbows，\'saidtheCapatazinacautioustone。

`Butthisisablindgamewithdeath。Movingonisofnouse。Wemustn\'tbeseenorheard。\'

Hiswhisperwashoarsewithexcitement。Ofallhisfacetherewasnothingvisiblebutagleamofwhiteeyeballs。HisfingersgrippedDecoud\'sshoulder。

`Thatistheonlywaytosavethistreasurefromthissteamerfullofsoldiers。

Anyotherwouldhavecarriedlights。Butyouobservethereisnotagleamtoshowuswheresheis。\'

Decoudstoodasifparalysed；onlyhisthoughtswerewildlyactive。

InthespaceofasecondherememberedthedesolateglanceofAntoniaasheleftheratthebedsideofherfatherinthegloomyhouseofAvellanos，withshutteredwindows，butallthedoorsstandingopen，anddesertedbyalltheservantsexceptanoldNegroatthegate。HerememberedtheCasaGouldonhislastvisit，thearguments，thetonesofhisvoice，theimpenetrableattitudeofCharles，MrsGould\'sfacesoblanchedwithanxietyandfatiguethathereyesseemedtohavechangedcolour，appearingnearlyblackbycontrast。EvenwholesentencesoftheproclamationwhichhemeanttomakeBarriosissuefromhisheadquartersatCaytaassoonashegottherepassedthroughhismind；theverygermofthenewState，theSeparationistproclamationwhichhehadtriedbeforehelefttoreadhurriedlytoDonJose，stretchedoutonhisbedunderthefixedgazeofhisdaughter。Godknowswhethertheoldstatesmanhadunderstoodit；hewasunabletospeak，buthehadcertainlyliftedhisarmoffthecoverlet；hishandhadmovedasiftomakethesignofthecrossintheair，agestureofblessing，ofconsent。

Decoudhadthatverydraftinhispocket，writteninpencilonseveralloosesheetsofpaper，withtheheavilyprintedheading，`AdministrationoftheSanTomeSilverMine。Sulaco。RepublicofCostaguana。\'Hehadwrittenitfuriously，snatchingpageafterpageonCharlesGould\'stable。MrsGouldhadlookedseveraltimesoverhisshoulderashewrote；buttheSenorAdministrador，standingstraddle-legged，wouldnotevenglanceatitwhenitwasfinished。

Hehadwaveditawayfirmly。Itmusthavebeenscorn，andnotcaution，sincehenevermadearemarkabouttheuseoftheAdministration\'spaperforsuchacompromisingdocument。Andthatshowedhisdisdain，thetrueEnglishdisdainofcommonprudence，asifeverythingoutsidetherangeoftheirownthoughtsandfeelingswereunworthyofseriousrecognition。

DecoudhadthetimeinasecondortwotobecomefuriouslyangrywithCharlesGould，andevenresentfulagainstMrsGould，inwhosecare，tacitlyitistrue，hehadleftthesafetyofAntonia。Betterperishathousandtimesthanoweyourpreservationtosuchpeople，heexclaimedmentally。ThegripofNostromo\'sfingersneverremovedfromhisshoulder，tighteningfiercely，recalledhimtohimself。

`Thedarknessisourfriend，\'theCapatazmurmuredintohisear。`I

amgoingtolowerthesail，andtrustourescapetothisblackgulf。Noeyescouldmakeusoutlyingsilentwithanakedmast。Iwilldoitnow，beforethissteamerclosesstillmoreuponus。ThefaintcreakofablockwouldbetrayusandtheSanTometreasureintothehandsofthosethieves。\'

Hemovedaboutaswarilyasacat。Decoudheardnosound；anditwasonlybythedisappearanceofthesquareblotchofdarknessthatheknewtheyardhadcomedown，loweredascarefullyasifithadbeenmadeofglass。NextmomentheheardNostromo\'squietbreathingbyhisside。

`Youhadbetternotmoveatallfromwhereyouare，DonMartin，\'advisedtheCapataz，earnestly。`Youmightstumbleordisplacesomethingwhichwouldmakeanoise。Thesweepsandthepuntingpolesarelyingabout。Movenotforyourlife。PorDios，DonMartin，\'hewentoninakeenbutfriendlywhisper，`IamsodesperatethatifIdidn\'tknowyourworshiptobeamanofcourage，capableofstandingstockstillwhateverhappens，Iwoulddrivemyknifeintoyourheart。\'

Adeathlikestillnesssurroundedthelighter。Itwasdifficulttobelievethattherewasnearasteamerfullofmenwithmanypairsofeyespeeringfromherbridgeforsomehintoflandinthenight。Hersteamhadceasedblowingoff，andsheremainedstoppedtoofaroffapparentlyforanyothersoundtoreachthelighter。

`Perhapsyouwould，Capataz，\'Decoudbeganinawhisper。

`However，youneednottrouble。Thereareotherthingsthanthefearofyourknifetokeepmyheartsteady。Itshallnotbetrayyou。Only，haveyouforgotten——\'

`Ispoketoyouopenlyastoamanasdesperateasmyself，\'explainedtheCapataz。`ThesilvermustbesavedfromtheMonterists。ItoldCaptainMitchellthreetimesthatIpreferredtogoalone。ItoldDonCarlosGould，too。ItwasintheCasaGould。Theyhadsentforme。Theladieswerethere；

andwhenItriedtoexplainwhyIdidnotwishtohaveyouwithme，theypromisedme，bothofthem，greatrewardsforyoursafety。Astrangewaytotalktoamanyouaresendingouttoanalmostcertaindeath。Thosegentlefolkdonotseemtohavesenseenoughtounderstandwhattheyaregivingonetodo。ItoldthemIcoulddonothingforyou。YouwouldhavebeensaferwiththebanditHernandez。Itwouldhavebeenpossibletorideoutofthetownwithnogreaterriskthanachanceshotsentafteryouinthedark。Butitwasasiftheyhadbeendeaf。IhadtopromiseIwouldwaitforyouundertheharbourgate。Ididwait。Andnowbecauseyouareabravemanyouareassafeasthesilver。Neithermorenorless。\'

Atthatmoment，asifbywayofcommentuponNostromo\'swords，theinvisiblesteamerwentaheadathalfspeedonly，ascouldbejudgedbytheleisurelybeatofherpropeller。Thesoundshifteditsplacemarkedly，butwithoutcomingnearer。Itevengrewalittlemoredistantrightabeamofthelighter，andthenceasedagain。

`TheyaretryingforasightoftheIsabels，\'mutteredNostromo，`inordertomakefortheharbourinastraightlineandseizetheCustomHousewiththetreasureinit。HaveyoueverseentheCommandantofEsmeralda，Sotillo?Ahandsomefellow，withasoftvoice。WhenIfirstcamehereI

usedtoseehimintheCalletalkingtothesenoritasatthewindowsofthehouses，andshowinghiswhiteteethallthetime。Butoneofmycargadores，whohadbeenasoldier，toldmethathehadonceorderedamantobeflayedaliveintheremoteCampo，wherehewassentrecruitingamongstthepeopleoftheestancias。Ithasneverenteredhisheadthatthecompaniahadamancapableofbafflinghisgame。\'

ThemurmuringloquacityoftheCapatazdisturbedDecoudlikeahintofweakness。Andyet，talkativeresolutionmaybeasgenuineasgrimsilence。

`Sotilloisnotbaffledsofar，\'hesaid。`Haveyouforgottenthatcrazymanforward?\'

NostromohadnotforgottenSenorHirsch。Hereproachedhimselfbitterlyfornothavingvisitedthelightercarefullybeforeleavingthewharf。

HereproachedhimselffornothavingstabbedandflungHirschoverboardattheverymomentofdiscoverywithoutevenlookingathisface。Thatwouldhavebeenconsistentwiththedesperatecharacteroftheaffair。

Whateverhappened，Sotillowasalreadybaffled。Evenifthatwretch，nowassilentasdeath，didanythingtobetraythenearnessofthelighter，Sotillo——ifSotilloitwasincommandofthetroopsonboard——wouldbestillbaffledofhisplunder。

`Ihaveanaxeinmyhand，\'Nostromowhispered，wrathfully，`thatinthreestrokeswouldcutthroughthesidedowntothewater\'sedge。Moreover，eachlighterhasapluginthestern，andIknowexactlywhereitis。I

feelitunderthesoleofmyfoot。\'

Decoudrecognizedtheringofgenuinedeterminationinthenervousmurmurs，thevindictiveexcitementofthefamousCapataz。Beforethesteamer，guidedbyashriekortwo(fortherecouldbenomorethanthat，Nostromosaid，gnashinghisteethaudibly)，couldfindthelightertherewouldbeplentyoftimetosinkthistreasuretieduproundhisneck。

ThelastwordshehissedintoDecoud\'sear。Decoudsaidnothing。Hewasperfectlyconvinced。Theusualcharacteristicquietnessofthemanwasgone。Itwasnotequaltothesituationasheconceivedit。Somethingdeeper，somethingunsuspectedbyeveryone，hadcometothesurface。Decoud，withcarefulmovements，slippedoffhisovercoatanddivestedhimselfofhisboots；hedidnotconsiderhimselfboundinhonourtosinkwiththetreasure。HisobjectwastogetdowntoBarrios，inCayta，astheCapatazknewverywell；andhe，too，meant，inhisownway，toputintothatattemptallthedesperationofwhichhewascapable。Nostromomuttered，`True，true！Youareapolitician，senor。Rejointhearmy，andstartanotherrevolution。\'Hepointedout，however，thattherewasalittleboatbelongingtoeverylighterfittocarrytwomen，ifnotmore。Theirswastowingbehind。

OfthatDecoudhadnotbeenaware。Ofcourse，itwastoodarktosee，anditwasonlywhenNostromoputhishanduponitspainterfastenedtoacleatinthesternthatheexperiencedafullmeasureofrelief。Theprospectoffindinghimselfinthewaterandswimming，overwhelmedbyignoranceanddarkness，probablyinacircle，tillhesankfromexhaustion，wasrevolting。

Thebarrenandcruelfutilityofsuchanendintimidatedhisaffectationofcarelesspessimism。Incomparisontoit，thechanceofbeingleftfloatinginaboat，exposedtothirst，hunger，discovery，imprisonment，execution，presenteditselfwithanaspectofamenityworthsecuringevenatthecostofsomeself-contempt。HedidnotacceptNostromo\'sproposalthatheshouldgetintotheboatatonce。`Somethingsuddenmayoverwhelmus，senor，\'

theCapatazremarkedpromisingfaithfully，atthesametime，toletgothepainteratthemomentwhenthenecessitybecamemanifest。

ButDecoudassuredhimlightlythathedidnotmeantotaketotheboattilltheverylastmoment，andthatthenhemeanttheCapataztocomealong，too。Thedarknessofthegulfwasnolongerforhimtheendofallthings。

Itwaspartofalivingworldsince，pervadingit，failureanddeathcouldbefeltatyourelbow。Andatthesametimeitwasashelter。Heexultedinitsimpenetrableobscurity。`Likeawall，likeawall，\'hemutteredtohimself。

TheonlythingwhichcheckedhisconfidencewasthethoughtofSenorHirsch。NottohaveboundandgaggedhimseemedtoDecoudnowtheheightofimprovidentfolly。Aslongasthemiserablecreaturehadthepowertoraiseayellhewasaconstantdanger。Hisabjectterrorwasmutenow，buttherewasnosayingfromwhatcauseitmightsuddenlyfindventinshrieks。

ThisverymadnessoffearwhichbothDecoudandNostromohadseeninthewildandirrationalglances，andinthecontinuoustwitchingsofhismouth，protectedSenorHirschfromthecruelnecessitiesofthisdesperateaffair。Themomentofsilencinghimforeverhadpassed。AsNostromoremarked，inanswertoDecoud\'sregrets，itwastoolate！Itcouldnotbedonewithoutnoise，especiallyintheignoranceoftheman\'sexactposition。Whereverhehadelectedtocrouchandtremble，itwastoohazardoustogonearhim。

Hewouldbeginprobablytoyellformercy。Itwasmuchbettertoleavehimquitealonesincehewaskeepingsostill。ButtotrusttohissilencebecameeverymomentagreaterstrainuponDecoud\'scomposure。

`Iwish，Capataz，youhadnotlettherightmomentpass，\'hemurmured。

`What！Tosilencehimforever！Ithoughtitgoodtohearfirsthowhecametobehere。Itwastoostrange。Whocouldimaginethatitwasallanaccident?Afterwards，senor，whenIsawyougivinghimwatertodrink，Icouldnotdoit。NotafterIhadseenyouholdingupthecantohislipsasthoughhewereyourbrother。Senor，thatsortofnecessitymustnotbethoughtoftoolong。Andyetitwouldhavebeennocrueltytotakeawayfromhimhiswretchedlife。Itisnothingbutfear。

Yourcompassionsavedhimthen，DonMartin，andnowitistoolate。Itcouldn\'tbedonewithoutnoise。\'

Inthesteamertheywerekeepingaperfectsilence，andthestillnesswassoprofoundthatDecoudfeltasiftheslightestsoundconceivablemusttraveluncheckedandaudibletotheendoftheworld。WhatifHirschcoughedorsneezed?Tofeelhimselfatthemercyofsuchanidioticcontingencywastooexasperatingtobelookeduponwithirony。Nostromo，too，seemedtobegettingrestless。Wasitpossible，heaskedhimself，thatthesteamer，findingthenighttoodarkaltogether，intendedtoremainstoppedwhereshewastilldaylight?Hebegantothinkthatthis，afterall，wastherealdanger。Hewasafraidthatthedarkness，whichwashisprotection，would，intheend，causehisundoing。

Sotillo，asNostromohadsurmised，wasincommandonboardthetransport。

Theeventsofthelastforty-eighthoursinSulacowerenotknowntohim；

neitherwasheawarethatthetelegraphistinEsmeraldahadmanagedtowarnhiscolleagueinSulaco。Likeagoodmanyofficersofthetroopsgarrisoningtheprovince，SotillohadbeeninfluencedinhisadoptionoftheRibieristcausebythebeliefthatithadtheenormouswealthoftheGouldConcessiononitsside。hehadbeenoneofthefrequentersoftheCasaGould，wherehehadairedhisBlancoconvictionsandhisardourforreformbeforeDonJoseAvellanos，castingfrank，honestglancestowardsMrsGouldandAntoniathewhile。HewasknowntobelongtoagoodfamilypersecutedandimpoverishedduringthetyrannyofGuzmanBento。Theopinionsheexpressedappearedeminentlynaturalandproperinamanofhisparentageandantecedents。

Andhewasnotadeceiver；itwasperfectlynaturalforhimtoexpresselevatedsentimentswhilehiswholefacultiesweretakenupwithwhatseemedthenasolidandpracticalnotion——thenotionthatthehusbandofAntoniaAvellanoswouldbe，naturally，theintimatefriendoftheGouldConcession。

HeevenpointedthisouttoAnzanionce，whennegotiatingthesixthorseventhsmallloaninthegloomy，dampapartmentwithenormousironbars，behindtheprincipalshopinthewholerowundertheArcades。Hehintedtotheuniversalshopkeeperattheexcellenttermshewasonwiththeemancipatedsenorita，whowaslikeasistertotheEnglishwoman。Hewouldadvanceonelegandputhisarmsakimbo，posingforAnzani\'sinspection，andfixinghimwithahaughtystare。

`Look，miserableshopkeeper！Howcanamanlikemefailwithanywoman，letaloneanemancipatedgirllivinginscandalousfreedom?\'heseemedtosay。

HismannerintheCasaGouldwas，ofcourse，verydifferent——devoidofalltruculence，andevenslightlymournful。Likemostofhiscountrymen，hewascarriedawaybythesoundoffinewords，especiallyifutteredbyhimself。Hehadnoconvictionsofanysortuponanythingexceptastotheirresistiblepowerofhispersonaladvantages。ButthatwassofirmthatevenDecoud\'sappearanceinSulaco，andhisintimacywiththeGouldsandtheAvellanos，didnotdisquiethim。Onthecontrary，hetriedtomakefriendswiththatrichCostaguanerofromEuropeinthehopeofborrowingalargesumby-and-by。Theonlyguidingmotiveofhislifewastogetmoneyforthesatisfactionofhisexpensivetastes，whichheindulgedrecklessly，havingnoself-control。Heimaginedhimselfamasterofintrigue，buthiscorruptionwasassimpleasananimalinstinct。Attimes，insolitude，hehadhismomentsofferocity，andalsoonsuchoccasionsas，forinstance，whenaloneinaroomwithAnzanitryingtogetaloan。

HehadtalkedhimselfintothecommandoftheEsmeraldagarrison。ThatsmallseaporthaditsimportanceasthestationofthemainsubmarinecableconnectingtheOccidentalProvinceswiththeouterworld，andthejunctionwithitoftheSulacobranch。DonJoseAvellanosproposedhim，andBarrios，witharudeandjeeringguffaw，hadsaid，`Oh，letSotillogo。Heisaverygoodmantokeepguardoverthecable，andtheladiesofEsmeraldaoughttohavetheirturn。\'Barrios，anindubitablybraveman，hadnogreatopinionofSotillo。

ItwasthroughtheEsmeraldacablealonethattheSanTomeminecouldbekeptinconstanttouchwiththegreatfinancier，whosetacitapprovalmadethestrengthoftheRibieristmovement。Thismovementhaditsadversarieseventhere。SotillogovernedEsmeraldawithrepressiveseveritytilltheadversecourseofeventsuponthedistanttheatreofcivilwarforceduponhimthereflectionthat，afterall，thegreatsilverminewasfatedtobecomethespoilofthevictors。Butcautionwasnecessary。HebeganbyassumingadarkandmysteriousattitudetowardsthefaithfulRibieristmunicipalityofEsmeralda。Lateron，theinformationthatthecommandantwasholdingassembliesofofficersinthedeadofnight(whichhadleakedoutsomehow)causedthosegentlementoneglecttheircivildutiesaltogether，andremainshutupintheirhouses。SuddenlyonedayallthelettersfromSulacobytheoverlandcourierwerecarriedoffbyafileofsoldiersfromthepostofficetotheComandancia，withoutdisguise，concealment，orapology。

SotillohadheardthroughCaytaofthefinaldefeatofRibiera。

Thiswasthefirstopensignofthechangeinhisconvictions。Presentlynotoriousdemocrats，whohadbeenlivingtilltheninconstantfearofarrest，legirons，andevenfloggings，couldbeobservedgoinginandoutatthegreatdooroftheComandancia，wherethehorsesoftheorderliesdozeundertheirheavysaddles，whilethemen，inraggeduniformsandpointedstrawhats，loungeonabench，withtheirnakedfeetstuckoutbeyondthestripofshade；andasentry，inaredbaizecoatwithholesattheelbows，standsatthetopofthestepsglaringhaughtilyatthecommonpeople，whouncovertheirheadstohimastheypass。

Sotillo\'sideasdidnotsoarabovethecareforhispersonalsafetyandthechanceofplunderingthetowninhischarge，buthefearedthatsuchalateadhesionwouldearnbutscantgratitudefromthevictors。HehadbelievedjustalittletoolonginthepoweroftheSanTomemine。

TheseizedcorrespondencehadconfirmedhispreviousinformationofalargeamountofsilveringotslyingintheSulacoCustomHouse。TogainpossessionofitwouldbeaclearMonteristmove；asortofservicethatwouldhavetoberewarded。Withthesilverinhishandshecouldmaketermsforhimselfandhissoldiers。Hewasawareneitheroftheriots，norofthePresident\'sescapetoSulacoandtheclosepursuitledbyMontero\'sbrother，theguerrillero。