第12章

AlreadyNostromowaswalkingslowly，hisheaddropping，asifcheckedinhispacebythewearinessofirresolution。

`Whatisthattoyou?Ah！Iforgotyouwantmeforsomething。Always。SiempreNostromo。\'

`Whatdoyoumeanbytalkingofstranglingme?\'pantedthedoctor。

`WhatdoImean?Imeanthatthekingofthedevilshimselfhassentyououtofthistownofcowardsandtalkerstomeetmetonightofallthenightsofmylife。\'

UnderthestarryskytheAlbergod\'ItaliaUnaemerged，blackandlow，breakingthedarkleveloftheplain。Nostromostoppedaltogether。

`Thepriestssayheisatempter，dotheynot?\'headded，throughhisclenchedteeth。

`Mygoodman，youdrivel。Thedevilhasnothingtodowiththis。Neitherhasthetown，whichyoumaycallbywhatnameyouplease。ButDonCarlosGouldisneitheracowardnoranemptytalker。Youwilladmitthat?\'Hewaited。`Well?\'

`CouldIseeDonCarlos?\'

`Greatheavens！No！Why?Whatfor?\'exclaimedthedoctorinagitation。

`Itellyouitismadness。Iwillnotletyougointothetownforanything。\'

`Imust。\'

`Youmustnot！\'hissedthedoctor，fiercely，almostbesidehimselfwiththefearofthemandoingawaywithhisusefulnessforanimbecilewhimofsomesort。`Itellyouyoushallnot。Iwouldrather——\'

Hestoppedatalossforwords，feelingfaggedout，powerless，holdingontoNostromo\'ssleeve，absolutelyforsupportafterhisrun。

`Iambetrayed！\'mutteredtheCapataztohimself；andthedoctor，whooverheardthelastword，madeanefforttospeakcalmly。

`Thatisexactlywhatwouldhappentoyou。Youwouldbebetrayed。\'

Hethoughtwithasickeningdreadthatthemanwassowellknownthathecouldnotescaperecognition。ThehouseoftheSenorAdministradorwasbesetbyspies，nodoubt。Andeventheveryservantsofthecasawerenottobetrusted。`Reflect，Capataz，\'hesaid，impressively……`Whatareyoulaughingat?\'

`Iamlaughingtothinkthatifsomebodythatdidnotapproveofmypresenceintown，forinstance——youunderstand，senordoctor——

ifsomebodyweretogivemeuptoPedrito，itwouldnotbebeyondmypowertomakefriendsevenwithhim。Itistrue。Whatdoyouthinkofthat?\'

`Youareamanofinfiniteresource，Capataz，\'saidDrMonygham，dismally。

`Irecognizethat。Butthetownisfulloftalkaboutyou；andthosefewcargadoresthatarenotinhidingwiththerailwaypeoplehavebeenshouting“VivaMontero！“onthePlazaallday。\'

`Mypoorcargadores！\'mutteredNostromo。`Betrayed！Betrayed！\'

`Iunderstandthatonthewharfyouwereprettyfreeinlayingaboutyouwithastickamongstyourpoorcargadores，\'thedoctorsaidinagrimtone，whichshowedthathewasrecoveringfromhisexertions。

`Makenomistake。PedritoisfuriousatSenorRibiera\'srescue，andathavinglostthepleasureofshootingDecoud。Alreadytherearerumoursinthetownofthetreasurehavingbeenspiritedaway。TohavemissedthatdoesnotpleasePedritoeither；butletmetellyouthatifyouhadallthesilverinyourhandforyourransomitwouldnotsaveyou。\'

Turningswiftly，andcatchingthedoctorbytheshoulders，Nostromothrusthisfaceclosetohis。

`Maladetta！Youfollowmespeakingofthetreasure。Youhaveswornmyruin。YouwerethelastmanwholookeduponmebeforeIwentoutwithit。AndSidonitheengine-driversaysyouhaveanevileye。\'

`Heoughttoknow。Isavedhisbrokenlegforhimlastyear，\'thedoctorsaid，stoically。Hefeltonhisshoulderstheweightofthesehandsfamedamongstthepopulaceforsnappingthickropesandbendinghorseshoes。`AndtoyouIofferthebestmeansofsavingyourself——letmego——andofretrievingyourgreatreputation。YouboastedofmakingtheCapatazdeCargadoresfamousfromoneendofAmericatotheotheraboutthiswretchedsilver。ButIbringyouabetteropportunity——letmego，hombre！\'

Nostromoreleasedhimabruptly，andthedoctorfearedthattheindispensablemanwouldrunoffagain。Buthedidnot。Hewalkedonslowly。Thedoctorhobbledbyhissidetill，withinastone\'sthrowfromtheCasaViola，Nostromostoppedagain。

Silentininhospitabledarkness，theCasaViolaseemedtohavechangeditsnature；hishomeappearedtorepelhimwithanairofhopelessandinimicalmystery。Thedoctorsaid:

`Youwillbesafethere。Goin，Capataz。\'

`HowcanIgoin?\'Nostromoseemedtoaskhimselfinalow，inwardtone。

`Shecannotunsaywhatshesaid，andIcannotundowhatIhavedone。\'

`Itellyouitisallright。Violaisallaloneinthere。IlookedinasIcameoutofthetown。YouwillbeperfectlysafeinthathousetillyouleaveittomakeyournamefamousontheCampo。Iamgoingnowtoarrangeforyourdeparturewiththeengineer-in-chief，andIshallbringyounewsherelongbeforedaybreak。\'

DrMonygham，disregarding，orperhapsfearingtopenetratethemeaningofNostromo\'ssilence，clappedhimlightlyontheshoulder，andstartingoffwithhissmart，lamewalk，vanishedutterlyatthethirdorfourthhopinthedirectionoftherailwaytrack。Arrestedbetweenthetwowoodenpostsforpeopletofastentheirhorsesto，Nostromodidnotmove，asifhe，too，hadbeenplantedsolidlyintheground。Attheendofhalfanhourheliftedhisheadtothedeepbayingofthedogsattherailwayyards，whichhadburstoutsuddenly，tumultuousanddeadenedasifcomingoutfromundertheplain。Thatlamedoctorwiththeevileyehadgotthereprettyfast。

StepbystepNostromoapproachedtheAlbergod\'ItaliaUna，whichhehadneverknownsolightless，sosilent，before。Thedoor，allblackinthepalewall，stoodopenashehadleftittwenty-fourhoursbefore，whenhehadnothingtohidefromtheworld。Heremainedbeforeit，irresolute，likeafugitive，likeamanbetrayed。Poverty，misery，starvation！Wherehadheheardthesewords?Theangerofadyingwomanhadprophesiedthatfateforhisfolly。Itlookedasifitwouldcometrueveryquickly，Andtheleperoswouldlaugh——shehadsaid。Yes，theywouldlaughiftheyknewthattheCapatazdeCargadoreswasatthemercyofthemaddoctorwhomtheycouldremember，onlyafewyearsago，buyingcookedfoodfromastallonthePlazaforacoppercoin——likeoneofthemselves。

AtthatmomentthenotionofseekingCaptainMitchellpassedthroughhismind。HeglancedinthedirectionofthejettyandsawasmallgleamoflightintheO。S。N。Company\'sbuilding。Thethoughtoflightedwindowswasnotattractive。TwolightedwindowshaddecoyedhimintotheemptyCustomHouse，onlytofallintotheclutchesofthatdoctor。No！Hewouldnotgonearlightedwindowsagainonthatnight。CaptainMitchellwasthere。

Andwhatcouldhebetold?Thatdoctorwouldwormitalloutofhimasifhewereachild。

Onthethresholdhecalledout`Giorgio！\'inanundertone。Nobodyanswered。

Hesteppedin。`Ola！viejo！Areyouthere?……\'IntheimpenetrabledarknesshisheadswamwiththeillusionthattheobscurityofthekitchenwasasvastasthePlacidGulf，andthatthefloordippedforwardlikeasinkinglighter。`Ola！viejo！\'herepeated，falteringly，swayingwherehestood。Hishand，extendedtosteadyhimself，felluponthetable。

Movingastepforward，heshiftedit，andfeltaboxofmatchesunderhisfingers。Hefanciedhehadheardaquietsigh。Helistenedforamoment，holdinghisbreath；then，withtremblinghands，triedtostrikealight。

Thetinypieceofwoodflamedupquiteblindinglyattheendofhisfingers，raisedabovehisblinkingeyes。AconcentratedglarefellupontheleoninewhiteheadofoldGiorgioagainsttheblackfireplace——showedhimleaningforwardinachairinstaringimmobility，surrounded，overhung，bygreatmassesofshadow，hislegscrossed，hischeekinhishand，anemptypipeinthecornerofhismouth。Itseemedhoursbeforeheattemptedtoturnhisface；attheverymomentthematchwentout，andhedisappeared，overwhelmedbytheshadows，asifthewallsandroofofthedesolatehousehadcollapseduponhiswhiteheadinghostlysilence。

Nostromoheardhimstir，andutterdispassionatelythewords:

`Itmayhavebeenavision。\'

`No，\'hesaid，softly。`Itisnovision，oldman。\'

Astrongchestvoiceaskedinthedark:

`IsthatyouIhear，Giovann\'Battista?\'

`Si，viejo。Steady。Notsoloud。\'

AfterhisreleasebySotillo，GiorgioViola，attendedtotheverydoorbythegood-naturedengineer-in-chief，hadre-enteredhishouse，whichhehadbeenmadetoleavealmostattheverymomentofhiswife\'sdeath。

Allwasstill。Thelampabovewasburning。Henearlycalledouttoherbyname；andthethoughtthatnocallfromhimwouldeveragainevoketheanswerofhervoice，madehimdropheavilyintothechairwithaloudgroan，wrungoutbythepainasofakeenbladepiercinghisbreast。

Therestofthenighthemadenosound。Thedarknessturnedtogrey，andonthecolourless，clear，glassydawnthejaggedsierrastoodoutflatandopaque，asifcutoutofpaper。

TheenthusiasticandseveresoulofGiorgioViola，sailor，championofoppressedhumanity，enemyofkings，and，bythegraceofMrsGould，hotel-keeperoftheSulacoharbour，haddescendedintotheopenabyssofdesolationamongsttheshatteredvestigesofhispast。Herememberedhiswooingbetweentwocampaignsasingleshortweekintheseasonofgatheringolives。Nothingapproachedthegravepassionofthattimebutthedeep，passionatesenseofhisbereavement。Hisdiscoveredalltheextentofhisdependenceuponthesilencedvoiceofthatwoman。Itwashervoicethathemissed。Abstracted，busy，lostininwardcontemplation，heseldomlookedathiswifeinthoselateryears。Thethoughtofhisgirlswasamatterofconcern，notofconsolation。Itwashervoicethathewouldmiss。Andherememberedtheotherchild——thelittleboywhodiedatsea。Ah！amanwouldhavebeensomethingtoleanupon。And，alas！evenGian\'Battista——heofwhom，andofLinda，hiswifehadspokentohimsoanxiouslybeforeshedroppedoffintoherlastsleeponearth，heonwhomshehadcalledaloudtosavethechildren，justbeforeshedied——evenhewasdead！

Andtheoldman，bentforward，hisheadinhishand，satthroughthedayinimmobilityandsolitude。Heneverheardthebrazenroarofthebellsintown。Whenitceasedtheearthenwarefilterinthecornerofthekitchenkeptonitsswiftmusicaldrip，dripintothegreatporousjarbelow。

Towardssunsethegotup，andwithslowmovementsdisappearedupthenarrowstaircase。Hisbulkfilledit；andtherubbingofhisshouldersmadeasmallnoiseasofamouserunningbehindtheplasterofawall。

Whileheremaineduptherethehousewasasdumbasagrave。Then，withthesamefaintrubbingnoise，hedescended。Hehadtocatchatthechairsandtablestoregainhisseat。Heseizedhispipeoffthehighmantelofthefireplace——butmadenoattempttoreachthetobacco——thrustitemptyintothecornerofhismouth，andsatdownagaininthesamestaringpose。ThesunofPedrito\'sentryintoSulaco，thelastsunofSenorHirsch\'slife，thefirstofDecoud\'ssolitudeontheGreatIsabel，passedovertheAlbergod\'ItaliaUnaonitswaytothewest。Thetinklingdrip，dripofthefilterhadceased，thelampupstairshadburntitselfout，andthenightbesetGiorgioViolaandhisdeadwifewithitsobscurityandsilencethatseemedinvincibletilltheCapatazdeCargadores，returningfromthedead，putthemtoflightwiththesplutterandflareofamatch。

`Si，viejo。Itisme。Wait。\'

Nostromo，afterbarricadingthedoorandclosingtheshutterscarefully，gropeduponashelfforacandle，andlitit。

OldViolahadrisen。HefollowedwithhiseyesinthedarkthesoundsmadebyNostromo。Thelightdisclosedhimstandingwithoutsupport，asifthemerepresenceofthatmanwhowasloyal，brave，incorruptible，whowasallhissonwouldhavebeen，wereenoughforthesupportofhisdecayingstrength。

Heextendedhishandgraspingthebriar-woodpipe，whosebowlwascharredontheedge，andknittedhisbushyeyebrowsheavilyatthelight。

`Youhavereturned，\'hesaid，withshakydignity。`Ah?Verywell！I——\'

Hebrokeoff。Nostromo，leaningbackagainstthetable，hisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，noddedathimslightly。

`YouthoughtIwasdrowned！No！Thebestdogoftherich，ofthearistocrats，ofthesefinemenwhocanonlytalkandbetraythepeople，isnotdeadyet。\'

TheGaribaldino，motionless，seemedtodrinkinthesoundofthewell-knownvoice。Hisheadmovedslightlyonceasifinsignofapproval；butNostromosawclearlythattheoldmanunderstoodnothingofthewords。Therewasnoonetounderstand；noonehecouldtakeintotheconfidenceofDecoud\'sfate，ofhisown，intothesecretofthesilver。Thatdoctorwasanenemyofthepeople——atempter……

OldGiorgio\'sheavyframeshookfromheadtofootwiththeefforttoovercomehisemotionatthesightofthatman，whohadsharedtheintimaciesofhisdomesticlifeasthoughhehadbeenagrown-upson。

`Shebelievedyouwouldreturn，\'hesaid，solemnly。

Nostromoraisedhishead。

`Shewasawisewoman。HowcouldIfailtocomeback——?\'

Hefinishedthethoughtmentally:`Sinceshehasprophesiedformeanendofpoverty，misery，andstarvation。\'ThesewordsofTeresa\'sanger，fromthecircumstancesinwhichtheyhadbeenuttered，likethecryofasoulpreventedfrommakingitspeacewithGod，stirredtheobscuresuperstitionofpersonalfortunefromwhicheventhegreatestgeniusamongstmenofadventureandactionisseldomfree。TheyreignedoverNostromo\'smindwiththeforceofapotentmalediction。Andwhatacurseitwasthatwhichherwordshadlaiduponhim！Hehadbeenorphanedsoyoungthathecouldremembernootherwomanwhomhecalledmother。Henceforththerewouldbenoenterpriseinwhichhewouldnotfail。Thespellwasworkingalready。

Deathitselfwouldeludehimnow……Hesaidviolently:

`Come，viejo！Getmesomethingtoeat。Iamhungry！SangredeDios！Theemptinessofmybellymakesmelightheaded。\'

Withhischindroppedagainuponhisbarebreastabovehisfoldedarms，barefooted，watchingfromunderagloomybrowthemovementsofoldViolaforagingamongstthecupboards，heseemedasifindeedfallenunderacurse——aruinedandsinisterCapataz。

OldViolawalkedoutofadarkcorner，and，withoutaword，emptieduponthetableoutofhishollowedpalmsafewdrycrustsofbreadandhalfarawonion。

WhiletheCapatazbegantodevourhisbeggar\'sfare，takingupwithstony-eyedvoracitypieceafterpiecelyingbyhisside，theGaribaldinowentoff，andsquattingdowninanothercornerfilledanearthenwaremugwithredwineoutofawicker-covereddemijohn。Withafamiliargesture，aswhenservingcustomersinthecafe，hehadthrusthispipebetweenhisteethtohavehishandsfree。

TheCapatazdrankgreedily。Aslightflushdeepenedthebronzeofhischeek。Beforehim，Viola，withaturnofhiswhiteandmassiveheadtowardsthestaircase，tookhisemptypipeoutofhismouth，andpronouncedslowly:

`Aftertheshotwasfireddownhere，whichkilledherassurelyasifthebullethadstruckheroppressedheart，shecalleduponyoutosavethechildren。Uponyou，Gian\'Battista。\'

TheCapatazlookedup。

`Didshedothat，Padrone?Tosavethechildren！TheyarewiththeEnglishsenora，theirrichbenefactress。Hey！oldmanofthepeople。Thybenefactress……\'

`Iamold，\'mutteredGiorgioViola。`AnEnglishwomanwasallowedtogiveabedtoGaribaldilyingwoundedinprison。Thegreatestmanthateverlived。Amanofthepeople，too——asailor。Imayletanotherkeeparoofovermyhead。Si……Iamold。Imaylether。Lifelaststoolongsometimes。\'

`Andsheherselfmaynothavearoofoverherheadbeforemanydaysareout，unlessI……Whatdoyousay?AmItokeeparoofoverherhead?

AmItotry——andsavealltheBlancostogetherwithher?\'

`Youshalldoit，\'saidoldViolainastrongvoice。`Youshalldoitasmysonwouldhave……\'

`Thyson，viejo！……Thereneverhasbeenamanlikethyson。

Ha，Imusttry……Butwhatifitwereonlyapartofthecursetoluremeon?……Andsoshecalleduponmetosave——andthen——?\'

`Shespokenomore。\'TheheroicfollowerofGaribaldi，atthethoughtoftheeternalstillnessandsilencefallenupontheshroudedformstretchedoutonthebedupstairs，avertedhisfaceandraisedhishandtohisfurrowedbrow。`ShewasdeadbeforeIcouldseizeherhands，\'hestammeredout，pitifully。

BeforethewideeyesoftheCapataz，staringatthedoorwayofthedarkstaircase，floatedtheshapeoftheGreatIsabel，likeastrangeshipindistress，freightedwithenormouswealthandthesolitarylifeofaman。

Itwasimpossibleforhimtodoanything。Hecouldonlyholdhistongue，sincetherewasnoonetotrust。Thetreasurewouldbelost，probably——

unlessDecoud……Andhisthoughtcameabruptlytoanend。HeperceivedthathecouldnotimagineintheleastwhatDecoudwaslikelytodo。

OldViolahadnotstirred。AndthemotionlessCapatazdroppedhislong，softeyelashes，whichgavetotheupperpartofhisfierce，black-whiskeredfaceatouchoffeminineingenuousness。Thesilencehadlastedforalongtime。

`Godresthersoul！\'hemurmured，gloomily。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter1010Thenextdaywasquietinthemorning，exceptforthefaintsoundoffiringtothenorthward，inthedirectionofLosHatos。CaptainMitchellhadlistenedtoitfromhisbalconyanxiously。Thephrase，`Inmydelicatepositionastheonlyconsularagentthenintheport，everything，sir，everythingwasajustcauseforanxiety，\'haditsplaceinthemoreorlessstereotypedrelationofthe`historicalevents\'whichforthenextfewyearswasattheserviceofdistinguishedstrangersvisitingSulaco。Thementionofthedignityandneutralityoftheflag，sodifficulttopreserveinhisposition，`rightinthethickoftheseeventsbetweenthelawlessnessofthatpiraticalvillainSotilloandthemoreregularlyestablishedbutscarcelylessatrocioustyrannyofhisExcellencyDonPedroMontero\'，camenextinorder。CaptainMitchellwasnotthemantoenlargeuponmeredangersmuch。Butheinsistedthatitwasamemorableday。Onthatday，towardsdusk，hehadseen`thatpoorfellowofmine——Nostromo。ThesailorwhomIdiscovered，and，Imaysay，made，sir。ThemanofthefamousridetoCayta，sir。Anhistoricalevent，sir！\'

RegardedbytheO。S。N。Companyasanoldandfaithfulservant，CaptainMitchellwasallowedtoattainthetermofhisusefulnessineaseanddignityattheheadoftheenormouslyextendedservice。Theaugmentationoftheestablishment，withitscrowdsofclerks，anofficeintown，theoldofficeintheharbour，thedivisionintodepartments——passenger，cargo，lighterage，andsoon——securedagreaterleisureforhislastyearsintheregeneratedSulaco，thecapitaloftheOccidentalRepublic。Likedbythenativesforhisgoodnatureandtheformalityofhismanner，self-importantandsimple，knownforyearsasa`friendofourcountry\'，hefelthimselfapersonalityofmarkinthetown。Gettingupearlyforaturninthemarket-placewhilethegiganticshadowofHiguerotawasstilllyinguponthefruitandflowerstallspiledupwithmassesofgorgeouscolouring，attendingeasilytocurrentaffairs，welcomedinhouses，greetedbyladiesontheAlameda，withhisentryintoalltheclubsandafootingintheCasaGould，heledhisprivilegedoldbachelor，man-about-townexistencewithgreatcomfortandsolemnity。Butonmail-boatdayshewasdownattheHarbourOfficeatanearlyhour，withhisowngig，mannedbyasmartcrewinwhiteandblue，readytodashoffandboardtheshipdirectlysheshowedherbowsbetweentheharbourheads。

ItwouldbeintotheHarbourOfficethathewouldleadsomeprivilegedpassengerhehadbroughtoffinhisownboat，andinvitehimtotakeaseatforamomentwhilehesignedafewpapers。AndCaptainMitchell，seatinghimselfathisdesk，wouldkeepontalkinghospitably:

`Thereisn\'tmuchtimeifyouaretoseeeverythinginaday。Weshallbeoffinamoment。We\'llhavelunchattheAmarillaClub——thoughIbelongalsototheAnglo-American——miningengineersandbusinessmen，don\'tyouknow——andtotheMirlifloresaswell，anewclub——English，French，Italians，allsorts——livelyyoungfellowsmostly，whowantedtopayacomplimenttoanoldresident，sir。Butwe\'lllunchattheAmarilla。Interestyou，Ifancy。Realthingofthecountry。Menofthefirstfamilies。ThePresidentoftheOccidentalRepublichimselfbelongstoit，sir。Fineoldbishopwithabrokennoseinthepatio。Remarkablepieceofstatuary，I

believe。CavaliereParrochetti——youknowParrochetti，thefamousItaliansculptor——wasworkingherefortwoyears——thoughtveryhighlyofouroldbishop……There！Iamverymuchatyourservicenow。\'

Proudofhisexperience，penetratedbythesenseofhistoricalimportanceofmen，events，andbuildings，hetalkedpompouslyinjerkyperiods，withslightsweepsofhisshort，thickarm，lettingnothing`escapetheattention\'

ofhisprivilegedcaptive。

`Lotofbuildinggoingon，asyouobserve。BeforetheSeparationitwasaplainofburntgrasssmotheredincloudsofdust，withanox-carttracktoourJetty。Nothingmore。ThisistheHarbourGate。Picturesque，isitnot?Formerlythetownstoppedshortthere。WeenternowtheCalledelaConstitucion。ObservetheoldSpanishhouses。Greatdignity。Eh?

Isupposeit\'sjustasitwasinthetimeoftheViceroys，exceptforthepavement。Woodblocksnow。SulacoNationalBankthere，withthesentryboxeseachsideofthegate。CasaAvellanosthisside，withalltheground-floorwindowsshuttered。Awonderfulwomanlivesthere——MissAvellanos——thebeautifulAntonia。Acharacter，sir！Ahistoricalwoman！Opposite——CasaGould。Noblegateway。Yes，theGouldsoftheoriginalGouldConcession，thatalltheworldknowsofnow。Iholdseventeenofthethousand-dollarsharesintheConsolidatedSanTomemines。Allthepoorsavingsofmylifetime，sir，anditwillbeenoughtokeepmeincomforttotheendofmydaysathomewhenIretire。Igotinonthegroundfloor，yousee。DonCarlos，greatfriendofmine。Seventeenshares——quitealittlefortunetoleavebehindone，too。Ihaveaniece——marriedaparson——mostworthyman，incumbentofasmallparishinSussex；noendofchildren。Iwasnevermarriedmyself。Asailorshouldexerciseself-denial。Standingunderthatverygateway，sir，withsomeyoungengineer-fellows，readytodefendthathousewherewehadreceivedsomuchkindnessandhospitality，IsawthefirstandlastchargeofPedrito\'shorsemenuponBarrios\'stroops，whohadjusttakentheHarbourGate。TheycouldnotstandthenewriflesbroughtoutbythatpoorDecoud。Itwasamurderousfire。Inamomentthestreetbecameblockedwithamassofdeadmenandhorses。Theynevercameonagain。\'

AndalldayCaptainMitchellwouldtalklikethistohismoreorlesswillingvictim:

`ThePlaza。Icallitmagnificent。TwicetheareaofTrafalgarSquare。\'

Fromtheverycentre，intheblazingsunshine，hepointedoutthebuildings:

`TheIntendencia，nowPresident\'sPalace——Cabildo，wheretheLowerChamberofParliamentsits。YounoticethenewhousesonthatsideofthePlaza?CompaniaAnzani，agreatgeneralstore，likethosecooperativethingsathome。OldAnzaniwasmurderedbytheNationalGuardsinfrontofhissafe。ItwasevenforthatspecificcrimethatthedeputyGamacho，commandingtheNationals，abloodthirstyandsavagebrute，wasexecutedpubliclybygarrotteuponthesentenceofacourt-martialorderedbyBarrios。Anzani\'snephewsconvertedthebusinessintoacompany。AllthatsideofthePlazahadbeenburnt；usedtobecolonnadedbefore。Aterriblefire，bythelightofwhichIsawthelastofthefighting，theIlanerosflying，theNationalsthrowingtheirarmsdown，andtheminersofSanTome，allIndiansfromtheSierra，rollingbylikeatorrenttothesoundofpipesandcymbals，greenflagsflying，awildmassofmeninwhiteponchosandgreenhats，onfoot，onmules，ondonkeys。Suchasight，sir，willneverbeseenagain。

Theminers，sir，hadmarcheduponthetown，DonPepeleadingonhisblackhorse，andtheirverywivesintherearonburros，screamingencouragement，sir，andbeatingtambourines。Irememberoneofthesewomenhadagreenparrotseatedonhershoulder，ascalmasabirdofstone。TheyhadjustsavedtheirSenorAdministrador；forBarrios，thoughheorderedtheassaultatonce，atnight，too，wouldhavebeentoolate。PedritoMonterohadDonCarlosledouttobeshot——likehisunclemanyyearsago——andthen，asBarriossaidafterwards，“Sulacowouldnothavebeenworthfightingfor。”SulacowithouttheConcessionwasnothing；andthereweretonsandtonsofdynamitedistributedalloverthemountainwithdetonatorsarranged，andanoldpriest，FatherRoman，standingbytoannihilatetheSanTomemineatthefirstnewsoffailure。DonCarloshadmadeuphismindnottoleaveitbehind，andhehadtherightmentoseetoit，too。\'

ThusCaptainMitchellwouldtalkinthemiddleofthePlaza，holdingoverhisheadawhiteumbrellawithagreenlining；butinsidethecathedral，inthedimlight，withafaintscentofincensefloatinginthecoolatmosphere，andhereandthereakneelingfemalefigure，blackorallwhite，withaveiledhead，hisloweredvoicebecamesolemnandimpressive。

`Here，\'hewouldsay，pointingtoanicheinthewalloftheduskyaisle，`youseethebustofDonJoseAvellanos，“PatriotandStatesman“，astheinscriptionsays，“MinistertoCourtsofEnglandandSpain，etc。，etc。，diedinthewoodsofLosHatoswornoutwithhislife-longstruggleforRightandJusticeatthedawnoftheNewEra。”Afairlikeness。Parrochetti\'sworkfromsomeoldphotographsandapencilsketchbyMrsGould。IwaswellacquaintedwiththatdistinguishedSpanish-Americanoftheoldschool，atruehidalgo，belovedbyeverybodywhoknewhim。Themarblemedallioninthewall，intheantiquestyle，representingaveiledwomanseatedwithherhandsclaspedlooselyoverherknees，commemoratesthatunfortunateyounggentlemanwhosailedoutwithNostromoonthatfatalnight，sir。

See，“TothememoryofMartinDecoud，hisbetrothedAntoniaAvellanos。”

Frank，simple，noble。Thereyouhavethatlady，sir，assheis。Anexceptionalwoman。Thosewhothoughtshewouldgivewaytodespairweremistaken，sir。

Shehasbeenblamedinmanyquartersfornothavingtakentheveil。Itwasexpectedofher。ButDonaAntoniaisnotthestufftheymakenunsof。

BishopCorbelan，heruncle，liveswithherintheCorbelantownhouse。

Heisafiercesortofpriest，everlastinglyworryingtheGovernmentabouttheoldChurchlandsandconvents。IbelievetheythinkalotofhiminRome。NowletusgototheAmarillaClub，justacrossthePlaza，togetsomelunch。\'

Directlyoutsidethecathedralontheverytopofthenobleflightofsteps，hisvoicerosepompously，hisarmfoundagainitssweepinggesture。

`Porvenir，overthereonthatfirstfloor，abovethoseFrenchplate-glassshop-fronts；ourbiggestdaily。Conservative，or，rather，I

shouldsay，Parliamentary。WehavetheParliamentarypartyhereofwhichtheactualChiefoftheState，DonJusteLopez，isthehead；averysagaciousman，Ithink。Afirst-rateintellect，sir。TheDemocraticpartyinoppositionrestsmostly，Iamsorrytosay，onthesesocialisticItalians，sir，withtheirsecretsocieties，camorras，andsuch-like。TherearelotsofItalianssettledhereontherailwaylands，dismissednavvies，mechanics，andsoon，allalongthetrunkline。TherearewholevillagesofItaliansontheCampo。Andthenatives，too，arebeingdrawnintotheseways……Americanbar?Yes。Andoverthereyoucanseeanother。NewYorkersmostlyfrequentthatone——HereweareattheAmarilla。Observethebishopatthefootofthestairstotherightaswegoin。\'

Andthelunchwouldbeginandterminateitslavishandleisurelycourseatalittletableinthegallery，CaptainMitchellnodding，bowing，gettinguptospeakforamomenttodifferentofficialsinblackclothes，merchantsinjackets，officersinuniform，middle-agedcaballerosfromtheCampo——sallow，little，nervousmen，andfat，placid，swarthymen，andEuropeansorNorthAmericansofsuperiorstanding，whosefaceslookedverywhiteamongstthemajorityofdarkcomplexionsandblack，glisteningeyes。

CaptainMitchellwouldliebackinthechair，castingaroundlooksofsatisfaction，andtenderoverthetableacasefullofthickcigars。

`Tryaweedwithyourcoffee。Localtobacco。TheblackcoffeeyougetattheAmarilla，sir，youdon\'tmeetanywhereintheworld。Wegetthebeanfromafamouscafeteriainthefoothills，whoseownersendsthreesackseveryyearasapresenttohisfellowmembersinremembranceofthefightagainstGamacho\'sNationals，carriedonfromtheseverywindowsbythecaballeros。Hewasintownatthetime，andtookpart，sir，tothebitterend。Itarrivesonthreemules——notinthecommonway，byrail；nofear！——rightintothepatio，escortedbymountedpeons，inchargeoftheMayoralofhisestate，whowalksupstairs，bootedandspurred，anddeliversittoourcommitteeformallywiththewords，“ForthesakeofthosefallenthethirdofMay。”Wecallit“TresdeMayo“coffee。Tasteit。\'

CaptainMitchell，withanexpressionasthoughmakingreadytohearasermoninachurch，wouldliftthetinycuptohislips。Andthenectarwouldbesippedtothebottomduringarestfulsilenceinacloudofcigarsmoke。

`Lookatthismaninblackjustgoingout，\'hewouldbegin，leaningforwardhastily。`ThisisthefamousHernandez，MinisterofWar。TheTimes\'sspecialcorrespondent，whowrotethatstrikingseriesofletterscallingtheOccidentalRepublicthe“TreasureHouseoftheWorld“，gaveawholearticletohimandtheforcehehasorganized——therenownedCarabineersoftheCampo。\'

CaptainMitchell\'sguest，staringcuriously，wouldseeafigureinalong-tailedblackcoatwalkinggravely，withdowncasteyelidsinalong，composedface，abrowfurrowedhorizontally，apointedhead，whosegreyhair，thinatthetop，combeddowncarefullyonallsidesandrolledattheends，felllowontheneckandshoulders。This，then，wasthefamousbanditofwhomEuropehadheardwithinterest。Heputonahigh-crownedsombrerowithawideflatbrim；arosaryofwoodenbeadswastwistedabouthisrightwrist。AndCaptainMitchellwouldproceed:

`TheprotectoroftheSulacorefugeesfromtherageofPedrito。AsgeneralofcavalrywithBarrioshedistinguishedhimselfatthestormingofTonoro，whereSenorFuenteswaskilledwiththelastremnantoftheMonterists。

HeisthefriendandhumbleservantofBishopCorbelan。HearsthreeMasseseveryday。Ibetyouhewillstepintothecathedraltosayaprayerortwoonhiswayhometohissiesta。\'

Hetookseveralpuffsathiscigarinsilence；then，inhisbestimportantmanner，pronounced:

`TheSpanishrace，sir，isprolificofremarkablecharactersineveryrankoflife……Iproposewegonowintothebilliard-room，whichiscool，foraquietchat。There\'sneveranybodytheretillafterfive。I

couldtellyouepisodesoftheSeparationistrevolutionthatwouldastonishyou。Whenthegreatheat\'sover，we\'lltakeaturnontheAlameda。\'

Theprogrammewentonrelentless，likealawofNature。TheturnontheAlamedawastakenwithslowstepsandstatelyremarks。

`AllthegreatworldofSulacohere，sir。\'CaptainMitchellbowedrightandleftwithnoendofformality；thenwithanimation，`DonaEmilia，MrsGould\'scarriage。Look。Alwayswhitemules。Thekindest，mostgraciouswomanthesunevershoneupon。Agreatposition，sir。Agreatposition。

FirstladyinSulaco——farbeforethePresident\'swife。Andworthyofit。\'Hetookoffhishat；then，withastudiedchangeoftone，added，negligently，thatthemaninblackbyherside，withahighwhitecollarandascarred，snarlyface，wasDrMonygham，InspectorofStateHospitals，chiefmedicalofficeroftheConsolidatedSanTomemines。`Afamiliarofthehouse。Everlastinglythere。Nowonder。TheGouldsmadehim。Veryclevermanandallthat，butIneverlikedhim。Nobodydoes。Icanrecollecthimlimpingaboutthestreetsinacheckshirtandnativesandalswithawater-melonunderhisarm——

allhewouldgettoeatfortheday。Abig-wignow，sir，andasnastyasever。However……There\'snodoubtheplayedhispartfairlywellatthetime。HesavedusallfromthedeadlyincubusofSotillo，whereamoreparticularmanmighthavefailed——\'

Hisarmwentup。

`Theequestrianstatutethatusedtostandonthepedestalovertherehasbeenremoved。Itwasananachronism，\'CaptainMitchellcommented，obscurely。

`ThereissometalkofreplacingitbyamarbleshaftcommemorativeofSeparation，withangelsofpeaceatthefourcorners，andbronzeJusticeholdinganevenbalance，allgilt，onthetop。CavaliereParrochettiwasaskedtomakeadesign，whichyoucanseeframedunderglassintheMunicipalSala。Namesaretobeengravedallroundthebase。Well！TheycoulddonobetterthanbeginwiththenameofNostromo。HehasdoneforSeparationasmuchasanybodyelse，and，\'addedCaptainMitchell，`hasgotlessthanmanyothersbyit——whenitcomestothat。\'Hedroppedontoastoneseatunderatree，andtappedinvitinglyattheplacebyhisside。`HecarriedtoBarriosthelettersfromSulacowhichdecidedtheGeneraltoabandonCaytaforatime，andcomebacktoourhelpherebysea。Thetransportswerestillinharbourfortunately。Sir，IdidnotevenknowthatmyCapatazdeCargadoreswasalive。Ihadnoidea。ItwasDrMonyghamwhocameuponhim，bychance，intheCustomHouse，evacuatedanhourortwobeforebythewretchedSotillo。Iwasnevertold；nevergivenahint，nothing——

asifIwereunworthyofconfidence。Monyghamarrangeditall。Hewenttotherailwayyards，andgotadmissiontotheengineer-in-chief，who，forthesakeoftheGouldsasmuchasforanythingelse，consentedtoletanenginemakeadashdowntheline，onehundredandeightymiles，withNostromoaboard。Itwastheonlywaytogethimoff。IntheConstructionCampattherail-head，heobtainedahorse，arms，someclothing，andstartedaloneonthatmarvellousride——fourhundredmilesinsixdays，throughadisturbedcountry，endingbythefeatofpassingthroughtheMonteristlinesoutsideCayta。Thehistoryofthatride，sir，wouldmakeamostexcitingbook。Hecarriedallourlivesinhispocket。Devotion，courage，fidelity，intelligencewerenotenough。Ofcourse，hewasperfectlyfearlessandincorruptible。Butamanwaswantedthatwouldknowhowtosucceed。Hewasthatman，sir。OnthefifthofMay，beingpracticallyaprisonerintheHarbourOfficeofmyCompany，Isuddenlyheardthewhistleofanengineintherailwayyards，aquarterofamileaway。Icouldnotbelievemyears。Imadeonejumpontothebalcony，andbeheldalocomotiveunderagreatheadofsteamrunoutoftheyardgates，screechinglikemad，envelopedinawhitecloud，andthen，justabreastofoldViola\'sinn，checkalmosttoastandstill。Imadeout，sir，aman——Icouldn\'ttellwho——dashoutoftheAlbergod\'ItaliaUna，climbintothecab，andthen，sir，thatengineseemedpositivelytoleapclearofthehouse，andwasgoneinthetwinklingofaneye。Asyoublowacandleout，sir！Therewasafirst-ratedriveronthefoot-plate，sir，Icantellyou。TheywerefiredheavilyuponbytheNationalGuardsinRinconandoneotherplace。Fortunatelythelinehadnotbeentornup。InfourhourstheyreachedtheConstructionCamp。Nostromohadhisstart……Therestyouknow。You\'vegotonlytolookroundyou。TherearepeopleonthisAlamedathatrideintheircarriages，orevenarealiveatalltoday，becauseyearsagoIengagedarunawayItaliansailorforaforemanofourwharfsimplyonthestrengthofhislooks。Andthat\'safact。Youcan\'tgetoverit，sir。OntheseventeenthofMay，justtwelvedaysafterIsawthemanfromtheCasaViolagetontheengine，andwonderedwhatitmeant，Barrios\'stransportswereenteringthisharbour，andthe“TreasureHouseoftheWorld“，asTheTimesmancallsSulacoinhisbook，wassavedintactforcivilization——foragreatfuture，sir。Pedrito，withHernandezonthewest，andtheSanTomeminerspressingonthelandgate，wasnotabletoopposethelanding。HehadbeensendingmessagestoSotilloforaweektojoinhim。HadSotillodonesotherewouldhavebeenmassacresandproscriptionthatwouldhaveleftnomanorwomanofpositionalive。Butthat\'swhereDrMonyghamcomesin。Sotillo，blindanddeaftoeverything，stuckonboardhissteamerwatchingthedraggingforsilver，whichhebelievedtobesunkatthebottomoftheharbour。Theysaythatforthelastthreedayshewasoutofhismindravingandfoamingwithdisappointmentatgettingnothing，flyingaboutthedeck，andyellingcursesattheboatswiththedrags，orderingthemin，andthensuddenlystampinghisfootandcryingout，“Andyetitisthere！Iseeit！Ifeelit！“

`HewaspreparingtohangDrMonygham(whomhehadonboard)attheendoftheafter-derrick，whenthefirstofBarrios\'stransports，oneofourownshipsatthat，steamedrightin，andrangingclosealongsideopenedasmall-armfirewithoutasmuchpreliminariesasahail。Itwasthecompletestsurpriseintheworld，sir。Theyweretooastoundedatfirsttoboltbelow。

Menwerefallingrightandleftlikeninepins。It\'samiraclethatMonygham，standingontheafter-hatchwiththeropealreadyroundhisneck，escapedbeingriddledthroughandthroughlikeasieve。Hetoldmesincethathehadgivenhimselfupforlost，andkeptonyellingwithallthestrengthofhislungs:“Hoistawhiteflag！Hoistawhiteflag！“SuddenlyanoldmajoroftheEsmeraldaregiment，standingby，unsheathedhisswordwithashriek:“Die，perjuredtraitor！“andranSotillocleanthroughthebody，justbeforehefellhimselfshotthroughthehead。\'

CaptainMitchellstoppedforawhile。

`Begad，sir！Icouldspinyouayarnforhours。Butit\'stimewestartedofftoRincon。ItwouldnotdoforyoutopassthroughSulacoandnotseethelightsoftheSanTomemine，awholemountainablazelikealightedpalaceabovethedarkCampo。It\'safashionabledrive……Butletmetellyouonelittleanecdote，sir；justtoshowyou。Afortnightormorelater，whenBarrios，declaredGeneralissimo，wasgoneinpursuitofPedritoawaysouth，whentheProvisionalJunta，withDonJusteLopezatitshead，hadpromulgatedthenewConstitution，andourDonCarlosGouldwaspackinguphistrunksboundonamissiontoSanFranciscoandWashington(theUnitedStates，sir，werethefirstgreatpowertorecognizetheOccidentalRepublic)——

afortnightlater，Isay，whenwewerebeginningtofeelthatourheadsweresafeonourshoulders，ifImayexpressmyselfso，aprominentman，alargeshipperbyourline，cametoseemeonbusiness，and，sayshe，thefirstthing:“Isay，CaptainMitchell，isthatfellow“(meaningNostromo)

“stilltheCapatazofyourcargadoresornot?““What\'sthematter?“

saysI。“Because，ifheis，thenIdon\'tmind；Isendandreceiveagoodlotofcargobyyourships；butIhaveobservedhimseveraldaysloafingaboutthewharf，andjustnowhestoppedmeascoolasyouplease，witharequestforacigar。Now，youknow，mycigarsareratherspecial，andIcan\'tgetthemsoeasilyasallthat。”“Ihopeyoustretchedapoint，“

Isaid，verygently。“Why，yes。Butit\'saconfoundednuisance。Thefellow\'severlastinglycadgingforsmokes。”Sir，Iturnedmyeyesaway，andthenasked，“Weren\'tyouoneoftheprisonersinthecabildo?““YouknowverywellIwas，andinchains，too，“sayshe。“Andunderafineoffifteenthousanddollars?“Hecoloured，sir，becauseitgotaboutthathefaintedfromfrightwhentheycametoarresthim，andthenbehavedbeforeFuentesinamannertomaketheverypolicianos，whohaddraggedhimtherebythehairofhishead，smileathiscringing。“Yes，“hesays，inasortofshyway。“Why?““Oh，nothing。Youstoodtoloseatidybit，“saysI，“evenifyousavedyourlife……ButwhatcanIdoforyou?“Heneverevensawthepoint。Nothe。Andthat\'showtheworldwags，sir。\'

Herosealittlestiffly，andthedrivetoRinconwouldbetakenwithonlyonephilosophicalremark，utteredbythemercilesscicerone，withhiseyesfixeduponthelightsofSanTome，thatseemedsuspendedinthedarknightbetweenearthandheaven。

`Agreatpower，this，forgoodandevil，sir。Agreatpower。\'

AndthedinneroftheMirlifloreswouldbeeaten，excellentastocooking，andleavinguponthetraveller\'smindanimpressionthattherewereinSulacomanypleasant，ableyoungmenwithsalariesapparentlytoolargefortheirdiscretion，andamongstthemafew，mostlyAnglo-Saxon，skilledintheartof，asthesayingis，`takingarise\'outofhiskindhost。

Witharapid，jinglingdrivetotheharbourinatwo-wheeledmachine(whichCaptainMitchellcalledacurricle)behindafleetandscraggymulebeatenallthetimebyanobviouslyNeapolitandriver，thecyclewouldbenearlyclosedbeforethelighted-upofficesoftheO。S。N。Company，remainingopensolatebecauseofthesteamer。Nearly——butnotquite。

`Teno\'clock。Yourshipwon\'tbereadytoleavetillhalfpasttwelve，ifbythen。Comeinforabrandy-and-sodaandonemorecigar。\'

Andinthesuperintendent\'sprivateroomtheprivilegedpassengerbytheCeres，orJuno，orPallas，stunnedandasitwereannihilatedmentallybyasuddensurfeitofsights，sounds，names，facts，andcomplicatedinformationimperfectlyapprehended，wouldlistenlikeatiredchildtoafairytale；wouldhearavoice，familiarandsurprisinginitspompousness，tellhim，asiffromanotherworld，howtherewas`inthisveryharbour\'aninternationalnavaldemonstration，whichputanendtotheCostaguana-SulacoWar。HowtheUnitedStatescruiser，Powhattan，wasthefirsttosalutetheOccidentalflag——white，withawreathofgreenlaurelinthemiddleencirclingayellowamarillaflower。WouldhearhowGeneralMontero，inlessthanamonthafterproclaiminghimselfEmperorofCostaguana，wasshotdead(duringasolemnandpublicdistributionofordersandcrosses)byayoungartilleryofficer，thebrotherofhisthenmistress。

`TheabominablePedrito，sir，fledthecountry，\'thevoicewouldsay。

Anditwouldcontinue:`AcaptainofoneofourshipstoldmelatelythatherecognizedPedritotheGuerrillero，arrayedinpurpleslippersandavelvetsmoking-capwithagoldtassel，keepingadisorderlyhouseinoneofthesouthernports。\'

`AbominablePedrito！Whothedevilwashe?\'wouldwonderthedistinguishedbirdofpassagehoveringontheconfinesofwakingandsleepwithresolutelyopeneyesandafaintbutamiablecurluponhislips，frombetweenwhichstuckouttheeighteenthortwentiethcigarofthatmemorableday。

`Heappearedtomeinthisveryroomlikeahauntingghost，sir\'——

CaptainMitchellwastalkingofhisNostromowithtruewarmthoffeelingandatouchofwistfulpride。`Youmayimagine，sir，whataneffectitproducedonme。HehadcomeroundbyseawithBarrios，ofcourse。AndthefirstthinghetoldmeafterIbecamefittohearhimwasthathehadpickedupthelighter\'sboatfloatinginthegulf！Heseemedquiteovercomebythecircumstance。Andaremarkableenoughcircumstanceitwas，whenyourememberthatitwasthensixteendayssincethesinkingofthesilver。

AtonceIcouldseehewasanotherman。Hestaredatthewall，sir，asiftherehadbeenaspiderorsomethingrunningaboutthere。Thelossofthesilverpreyedonhismind。ThefirstthingheaskedmeaboutwaswhetherDonaAntoniahadheardyetofDecoud\'sdeath。Hisvoicetrembled。IhadtotellhimthatDonaAntonia，asamatteroffact，wasnotthenbackintownyet。Poorgirl！AndjustasIwasmakingreadytoaskhimathousandquestions，withasudden，“Pardonme，senor，“heclearedoutoftheofficealtogether。Ididnotseehimagainforthreedays。Iwasterriblybusy，youknow。Itseemsthathewanderedaboutinandoutofthetown，andontwonightsturneduptosleepinthebaracoonsoftherailwaypeople。

Heseemedabsolutelyindifferenttowhatwenton。Iaskedhimonthewharf，“Whenareyougoingtotakeholdagain，Nostromo?Therewillbeplentyofworkforthecargadorespresently。”

`“Senor，“sayshe，lookingatmeinaslow，inquisitivemanner，“woulditsurpriseyoutohearthatIamtootiredtoworkjustyet?AndwhatworkcouldIdonow?HowcanIlookmycargadoresinthefaceafterlosingalighter?“

`Ibeggedhimnottothinkanymoreaboutthesilver，andhesmiled。

Asmilethatwenttomyheart，sir。“Itwasnomistake，“Itoldhim。“Itwasafatality。Athingthatcouldnotbehelped。”“Si，si！“hesaid，andturnedaway。Ithoughtitbesttoleavehimaloneforabittogetoverit。Sir，ittookhimyearsreally，togetoverit。IwaspresentathisinterviewwithDonCarlos。ImustsaythatGouldisratheracoldman。Hehadtokeepatighthandonhisfeelings，dealingwiththievesandrascals，inconstantdangerofruinforhimselfandwifeforsomanyyears，thatithadbecomeasecondnature。Theylookedateachotherforalongtime。DonCarlosaskedwhathecoulddoforhim，inhisquiet，reservedway。

`“MynameisknownfromoneendofSulacototheother，“hesaid，asquietastheother。“Whatmorecanyoudoforme?“Thatwasallthatpassedonthatoccasion。Later，however，therewasaveryfinecoastingschoonerforsale，andMrsGouldandIputourheadstogethertogetherboughtandpresentedtohim。Itwasdone，buthepaidallthepricebackwithinthenextthreeyears。Businesswasboomingallalongthisseaboard，sir。

Moreover，thatmanalwayssucceededineverythingexceptinsavingthesilver。PoorDonaAntonia，freshfromherterribleexperienceinthewoodsofLosHatos，hadaninterviewwithhim，too。WantedtohearaboutDecoud:

whattheysaid，whattheydid，whattheythoughtuptothelastonthatfatalnight。MrsGouldtoldmehismannerwasperfectforquietnessandsympathy。MissAvellanosburstintotearsonlywhenhetoldherhowDecoudhadhappenedtosaythathisplanwouldbeaglorioussuccess……Andthere\'snodoubt，sir，thatitis。Itisasuccess。\'

Thecyclewasabouttocloseatlast。Andwhiletheprivilegedpassenger，shiveringwiththepleasantanticipationsofhisberth，forgottoaskhimselfwhatonearthDecoud\'splancouldbe，CaptainMitchellwassaying，`Sorrywemustpartsosoon。Yourintelligentinterestmadethisapleasantdaytome。Ishallseeyounowonboard。Youhadaglimpseofthe“TreasureHouseoftheWorld“。Averygoodnamethat。\'Andthecoxswain\'svoiceatthedoor，announcingthatthegigwasready，closedthecycle。

Nostromohad，indeed，foundthelighter\'sboat，whichhehadleftontheGreatIsabelwithDecoud，floatingemptyfaroutinthegulf。HewasthenonthebridgeofthefirstofBarrios\'stransports，andwithinanhour\'ssteamingfromSulaco。Barrios，alwaysdelightedwithafeatofdaringandagoodjudgeofcourage，hadtakenagreatlikingtotheCapataz。DuringthepassageroundthecoasttheGeneralkeptNostromonearhisperson，addressinghimfrequentlyinthatabruptandboisterousmannerwhichwasthesignofhishighfavour。

Nostromo\'seyeswerethefirsttocatch，broadonthebow，thetiny，elusivedarkspeck，which，alonewiththeformsoftheThreeIsabelsrightahead，appearedontheflat，shimmeringemptinessofthegulf。Therearetimeswhennofactshouldbeneglectedasinsignificant；asmallboatsofarfromthelandmighthavehadsomemeaningworthfindingout。AtanodofconsentfromBarriosthetransportsweptoutofhercourse，passingnearenoughtoascertainthatnoonemannedthelittlecockle-shell。Itwasmerelyacommonsmallboatgoneadriftwithheroarsinher。ButNostromo，towhosemindDecoudhadbeeninsistentlypresentfordays，hadlongbeforerecognizedwithexcitementthedinghyofthelighter。

Therecouldbenoquestionofstoppingtopickupthatthing。Everyminuteoftimewasmomentouswiththelivesandfuturesofawholetown。

Theheadoftheleadingship，withtheGeneralonboard，fellofftohercourse。Behindher，thefleetoftransports，scatteredhaphazardoveramileorsointheoffing，likethefinishofanoceanrace，pressedon，allblackandsmokingonthewesternsky。

`MiGeneral，\'Nostromo\'svoicerangoutloud，butquiet，frombehindagroupofofficers，`Ishouldliketosavethatlittleboat。PorDios，Iknowher。ShebelongstomyCompany。\'

`And，porDios，\'guffawedBarrios，inanoisy，good-humouredvoice，`youbelongtome。Iamgoingtomakeyouacaptainofcavalrydirectlywegetwithinsightofahorseagain。\'

`IcanswimfarbetterthanIcanride，miGeneral，\'criedNostromo，pushingthroughtotherailwithasetstareinhiseyes。`Letme——\'

`Letyou?Whataconceitedfellowthatis，\'banteredtheGeneral，jovially，withoutevenlookingathim。`Lethimgo！Ha！ha！ha！HewantsmetoadmitthatwecannottakeSulacowithouthim！Ha！ha！ha！Wouldyouliketoswimoffofher，myson?\'

Atremendousshoutfromoneendoftheshiptotheotherstoppedhisguffaw。Nostromohadleapedoverboard；andhisblackheadbobbedupfarawayalreadyfromtheship。TheGeneralmutteredanappalled`Cielo！

SinnerthatIam！\'inathunderstrucktone。OneanxiousglancewasenoughtoshowhimthatNostromowasswimmingwithperfectease；andthenhethunderedterribly，`No！no！Weshallnotstoptopickupthisimpertinentfellow。

Lethimdrown——thatmadCapataz。\'

NothingshortofmainforcewouldhavekeptNostromofromleapingoverboard。

Thatemptyboat，comingouttomeethimmysteriously，asifrowedbyaninvisiblespectre，exercisedthefascinationofsomesign，ofsomewarning，seemedtoanswerinastartlingandenigmaticwaythepersistentthoughtofatreasureandofaman\'sfate。Hewouldhaveleapediftherehadbeendeathinthathalfmileofwater。Itwasassmoothasapond，andforsomereasonsharksareunknowninthePlacidGulf，thoughontheothersideofthePuntaMalathecoastlineswarmswiththem。

TheCapatazseizedholdofthesternandblewwithforce。Aqueer，faintfeelinghadcomeoverhimwhileheswam。Hehadgotridofhisbootsandcoatinthewater。Hehungonforatime，regaininghisbreath。Inthedistancethetransports，moreinabunchnow，heldonstraightforSulaco，withtheirairoffriendlycontest，ofnauticalsport，ofaregatta；andtheunitedsmokeoftheirfunnelsdrovelikeathin，sulphurousfogbankrightoverhishead。Itwashisdaring，hiscourage，hisactthathadsettheseshipsinmotionuponthesea，hurryingontosavethelivesandfortunesoftheBlancos，thetaskmastersofthepeople；tosavetheSanTomemine；

tosavethechildren。

Withavigorousandskilfuleffortheclamberedoverthestern。Theveryboat！Nodoubtofit；nodoubtwhatever。ItwasthedinghyofthelighterNo。3——thedinghyleftwithMartinDecoudontheGreatIsabelsothatheshouldhavesomemeanstohelphimselfifnothingcouldbedoneforhimfromtheshore。Andhereshehadcomeouttomeethimemptyandinexplicable。WhathadbecomeofDecoud?TheCapatazmadeaminuteexamination。

Helookedforsomescratch，forsomemark，forsomesign。Allhediscoveredwasabrownstainonthegunwaleabreastofthethwart。Hebenthisfaceoveritandrubbedhardwithhisfinger。Thenhesatdowninthesternsheets，passive，withhiskneesclosetogetherandlegsaslant。

Streamingfromheadtofoot，withhishairandwhiskershanginglankanddrippingandalustrelessstarefixeduponthebottomboards，theCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoresresembledadrownedcorpsecomeupfromthebottomtoidleawaythesunsethourinasmallboat。Theexcitementofhisadventurousride，theexcitementofthereturnintime，ofachievement，ofsuccess，alltheseexcitementscentredroundtheassociatedideasofthegreattreasureandoftheonlyothermanwhoknewofitsexistence，haddepartedfromhim。TotheverylastmomenthehadbeencudgellinghisbrainsastohowhecouldmanagetovisittheGreatIsabelwithoutlossoftimeandundetected。

FortheideaofsecrecyhadcometobeconnectedwiththetreasuresocloselythateventoBarrioshimselfhehadrefrainedfrommentioningtheexistenceofDecoudandofthesilverontheisland。ThelettershecarriedtotheGeneral，however，madebriefmentionofthelossofthelighter，ashavingitsbearinguponthesituationinSulaco。Inthecircumstances，theone-eyedtiger-slayer，scentingbattlefromafar，hadnotwastedhistimeinmakinginquiriesfromthemessenger。Infact，Barrios，talkingwithNostromo，assumedthatbothDonMartinDecoudandtheingotsofSanTomewerelosttogether，andNostromo，notquestioneddirectly，hadkeptsilent，undertheinfluenceofsomeindefinableformofresentmentanddistrust。LetDonMartinspeakofeverythingwithhisownlips——waswhathetoldhimselfmentally。

Andnow，withthemeansofgainingtheGreatIsabelthrownthusinhiswayattheearliestpossiblemoment，hisexcitementhaddeparted，aswhenthesoultakesflightleavingthebodyinertuponanearthitknowsnomore。Nostromodidnotseemtoknowthegulf。Foralongtimeevenhiseyelidsdidnotflutteronceupontheglazedemptinessofhisstare。Thenslowly，withoutalimbhavingstirred，withoutatwitchofmuscleorquiverofaneyelash，anexpression，alivingexpressioncameuponthestillfeatures，deepthoughtcreptintotheemptystare——asifanoutcastsoul，aquite，broodingsoul，findingthatuntenantedbodyinitsway，hadcomeinstealthilytotakepossession。

TheCapatazfrowned:andintheimmensestillnessofsea，islands，andcoast，ofcloud-formsontheskyandtrailsoflightuponthewater，theknittingofthatbrowhadtheemphasisofapowerfulgesture。Nothingelsebudgedforalongtime；thentheCapatazshookhisheadandagainsurrenderedhimselftotheuniversalreposeofallvisiblethings。Suddenlyheseizedtheoars，andwithonemovementmadethedinghyspinround，head-ontotheGreatIsabel。Butbeforehebegantopullhebentoncemoreoverthebrownstainonthegunwale。

`Iknowthatthing，\'hemutteredtohimself，withasagaciousjerkofthehead。`That\'sblood。\'

Hisstrokewaslong，vigorous，andsteady。NowandthenhelookedoverhisshoulderattheGreatIsabel，presentingitslowclifftohisanxiousgazelikeanimpenetrableface。Atlastthestemtouchedthestrand。Heflungratherthandraggedtheboatupthelittlebeach。Atonce，turninghisbackuponthesunset，heplungedwithlongstridesintotheravine，makingthewaterofthestreamspurtandflyupwardsateverystep，asifspurningitsshallow，clear，murmuringspiritwithhisfeet。Hewantedtosaveeverymomentofdaylight。

Amassofearth，grass，andsmashedbusheshadfallendownverynaturallyfromaboveuponthecavityundertheleaningtree。Decoudhadattendedtotheconcealmentofthesilverasinstructed，usingthespadewithsomeintelligence。ButNostromo\'shalf-smileofapprovalchangedintoascornfulcurlofthelipbythesightofthespadeitselfflungthereinfullview，asifinuttercarelessnessorsuddenpanic，givingawaythewholething。

Ah！Theywereallalikeintheirfolly，thesehombresfinosthatpreventedlawsandgovernmentsandbarrentasksforthepeople。

TheCapatazpickedupthespade，andwiththefeelofthehandleinhispalmthedesiretohavealookatthehorse-hideboxesoftreasurecameuponhimsuddenly。Inaveryfewstrokesheuncoveredtheedgesandcornersofseveral；then，clearingawaymoreearth，becameawarethatoneofthemhadbeenslashedwithaknife。

Heexclaimedatthatdiscoveryinastifledvoice，anddroppedonhiskneeswithalookofirrationalapprehensionoveroneshoulder，thenovertheother。Thestiffhidehadclosed，andhehesitatedbeforehepushedhishandthroughthelongslitandfelttheingotsinside。Theretheywere。

One，two，three。Yes，fourgone。Takenaway。Fouringots。Butwho?Decoud?

Nobodyelse。Andwhy?Forwhatpurpose?Forwhatcursedfancy?Lethimexplain。Fouringotscarriedoffinaboat，and——blood！

Inthefaceoftheopengulf，thesun，clear，unclouded，unaltered，plungedintothewatersinagraveanduntroubledmysteryofself-immolationconsummatedfarfromallmortaleyes，withaninfinitemajestyofsilenceandpeace。Fouringotsshort！——andblood！

TheCapatazgotupslowly。

`Hemightsimplyhavecuthishand，\'hemuttered。`But，then——\'

Hesatdownonthesoftearth，unresisting，asifhehadbeenchainedtothetreasure，hisdrawn-uplegsclaspedinhishandswithanairofhopelesssubmission，likeaslavesetonguard。Onceonlyheliftedhisheadsmartly:therattleofhotmusketryfirehadreachedhisears，likepouringfromonhighastreamofdrypeasuponadrum。Afterlisteningforawhile，hesaid，halfaloud:

`Hewillnevercomebacktoexplain。\'

Andheloweredhisheadagain。

`Impossible！\'hemuttered，gloomily。

Thesoundsoffiringdiedout。TheloomofagreatconflagrationinSulacoflashedupredabovethecoast，playedonthecloudsattheheadofthegulf，seemedtotouchwitharuddyandsinisterreflectiontheformsoftheThreeIsabels。Heneversawit，thoughheraisedhishead。

`But，then，Icannotknow，\'hepronounced，distinctly，andremainedsilentandstaringforhours。

Hecouldnotknow。Nobodywastoknow。Asmighthavebeensupposed，theendofDonMartinDecoudneverbecameasubjectofspeculationforanyoneexceptNostromo。Hadthetruthofthefactsbeenknown，therewouldalwayshaveremainedthequestion，Why?Whereastheversionofhisdeathatthesinkingofthelighterhadnouncertaintyofmotive。TheyoungapostleofSeparationhaddiedstrivingforhisideabyanever-lamentedaccident。

Butthetruthwasthathediedfromsolitude，theenemyknownbuttofewonthisearth，andwhomonlythesimplestofusarefittowithstand。ThebrilliantCostaguanerooftheboulevardshaddiedfromsolitudeandwantoffaithinhimselfandothers。

Forsomegoodandvalidreasonsbeyondmerehumancomprehension，thesea-birdsofthegulfshuntheIsabels。TherockyheadofAzueraistheirhaunt，whosestonylevelsandchasmsresoundwiththeirwildandtumultuousclamourasiftheywereforeverquarrellingoverthelegendarytreasure。

AttheendofhisfirstdayontheGreatIsabel，Decoud，turninginhislairofcoarsegrass，undertheshadeofatree，saidtohimself:

`Ihavenotseenasmuchasonesinglebirdallday。\'

Andhehadnotheardasound，either，alldaybutthatonenowofhisownmutteringvoice。Ithadbeenadayofabsolutesilence——thefirsthehadknowninhislife。Andhehadnotsleptawink。Notforallthesewakefulnightsandthedaysoffighting，planning，talking；notforallthatlastnightofdangerandhardphysicaltoiluponthegulf，hadhebeenabletoclosehiseyesforamoment。Andyetfromsunrisetosunsethehadbeenlyingproneontheground，eitheronhisbackoronhisface。

Hestretchedhimself，andwithslowstepsdescendedintothegullytospendthenightbythesideofthesilver。IfNostromoreturned——ashemighthavedoneatanymoment——itwastherethathewouldlookfirst；

andnightwould，ofcourse，bethepropertimeforanattempttocommunicate。

Herememberedwithprofoundindifferencethathehadnoteatenanythingyetsincehehadbeenleftaloneontheisland。

Hespentthenightopen-eyed，andwhenthedaybrokeheatesomethingwiththesameindifference。Thebrilliant`SonDecoud\'，thespoileddarlingofthefamily，theloverofAntoniaandjournalistofSulaco，wasnotfittograpplewithhimselfsingle-handed。Solitudefrommereoutwardconditionofexistencebecomesveryswiftlyastateofsoulinwhichtheaffectationsofironyandscepticismhavenoplace。Ittakespossessionofthemind，anddrivesforththethoughtintotheexileofutterunbelief。Afterthreedaysofwaitingforthesightofsomehumanface，Decoudcaughthimselfentertainingadoubtofhisownindividuality。Ithadmergedintotheworldofcloudandwater，ofnaturalforcesandformsofnature。Inouractivityalonedowefindthesustainingillusionofanindependentexistenceasagainstthewholeschemeofthingsofwhichweformahelplesspart。Decoudlostallbeliefintherealityofhisactionpastandtocome。Onthefifthdayanimmensemelancholydescendeduponhimpalpably。HeresolvednottogivehimselfuptothesepeopleinSulaco，whohadbesethim，unrealandterrible，likejibberingandobscencespectres。Hesawhimselfstrugglingfeeblyintheirmidst，andAntonia，giganticandlovelylikeanallegoricalstatue，lookingonwithscornfuleyesathisweakness。

Notalivingbeing，notaspeckofdistantsail，appearedwithintherangeofhisvision；and，asiftoescapefromthissolitude，heabsorbedhimselfinhismelancholy。Thevagueconsciousnessofamisdirectedlifegivenuptoimpulseswhosememoryleftabittertasteinhismouthwasthefirstmoralsentimentofhismanhood。Butatthesametimehefeltnoremorse。Whatshouldheregret?Hehadrecognizednoothervirtuethanintelligence，andhaderectedpassionsintoduties。Bothhisintelligenceandhispassionwereswallowedupeasilyinthisgreatunbrokensolitudeofwaitingwithoutfaith。Sleeplessnesshadrobbedhiswillofallenergy，forhehadnotsleptsevenhoursinthesevendays。Hissadnesswasthesadnessofascepticalmind。Hebeheldtheuniverseasasuccessionofincomprehensibleimages。Nostromowasdead。Everythinghadfailedignominiously。

HenolongerdaredtothinkofAntonia。Shehadnotsurvived。Butifshesurvivedhecouldnotfaceher。Andallexertionseemedsenseless。

Onthetenthday，afteranightspentwithoutevendozingoffonce(ithadoccurredtohimthatAntoniacouldnotpossiblyhaveeverlovedabeingsoimpalpableashimself)，thesolitudeappearedlikeagreatvoid，andthesilenceofthegulflikeatense，thincordtowhichhehungsuspendedbybothhands，withoutfear，withoutsurprise，withoutanysortofemotionwhatever。Onlytowardstheevening，inthecomparativereliefofcoolness，hebegantowishthatthiscordwouldsnap。Heimagineditsnappingwithareportasofapistol——asharp，fullcrack。Andthatwouldbetheendofhim。Hecontemplatedthateventualitywithpleasure，becausehedreadedthesleeplessnightsinwhichthesilence，remainingunbrokenintheshapeofacordtowhichhehungwithbothhands，vibratedwithsenselessphrases，alwaysthesamebututterlyincomprehensible，aboutNostromo，Antonia，Barrios，andproclamationsmingledintoanironicalandsenselessbuzzing。

Inthedaytimehecouldlookatthesilencelikeastillcordstretchedtobreaking-point，withhislife，hisvainlife，suspendedtoitlikeaweight。

`IwonderwhetherIwouldhearitsnapbeforeIfell，\'heaskedhimself。

Thesunwastwohoursabovethehorizonwhenhegotup，gaunt，dirty，white-faced，andlookedatitwithhisred-rimmedeyes。Hislimbsobeyedhimslowly，asiffulloflead，yetwithouttremor；andtheeffectofthatphysicalconditiongavetohismovementsanunhesitating，deliberatedignity。

Heactedasifaccomplishingsomesortofrite。Hedescendedintothegully；

forthefascinationofallthatsilver，withitspotentialpower，survivedaloneoutsideofhimself。Hepickedupthebeltwiththerevolver，thatwaslyingthere，andbuckleditroundhiswaist。Thecordofsilencecouldneversnapontheisland。Itmustlethimfallandsinkintothesea，hethought。Andsink！Hewaslookingatthelooseearthcoveringthetreasure。

Inthesea！Hisaspectwasthatofsomnambulist。Heloweredhimselfdownonhiskneesslowlyandwentongrubbingwithhisfingerswithindustriouspatiencetillheuncoveredoneoftheboxes。Withoutapause，asifdoingsomeworkdonemanytimesbefore，heslititopenandtookfouringots，whichheputinhispockets。Hecovereduptheexposedboxagainandstepbystepcameoutofthegully。Thebushesclosedafterhimwithaswish。

Itwasonthethirddayofhissolitudethathehaddraggedthedinghynearthewaterwithanideaofrowingawaysomewhere，buthaddesistedpartlyatthewhisperoflingeringhopethatNostromowouldreturn，partlyfromconvictionofutteruselessnessofalleffort。Nowshewantedonlyaslightshovetobesetafloat。Hehadeatenalittleeverydayafterthefirst，andhadsomemuscularstrengthleftyet。Takinguptheoarsslowly，hepulledawayfromthecliffoftheGreatIsabel，thatstoodbehindhimwarmwithsunshine，asifwiththeheatoflife，bathedinarichlightfromheadtofootasifinaradianceofhopeandjoy。Hepulledstraighttowardsthesettingsun。Whenthegulfhadgrowndark，heceasedrowingandflungthescullsin。Thehollowclattertheymadeinfallingwastheloudestnoisehehadeverheardinhislife。Itwasarevelation。Itseemedtorecallhimfromfaraway。Actuallythethought，`PerhapsImaysleeptonight，\'passedthroughhismind。Buthedidnotbelieveit。Hebelievedinnothing；andheremainedsittingonthethwart。

Thedawnfrombehindthemountainsputagleamintohisunwinkingeyes。

Afteracleardaybreakthesunappearedsplendidlyabovethepeaksoftherange。Thegreatgulfburstintoaglitterallaroundtheboat；andinthisgloryofmercilesssolitudethesilenceappearedagainbeforehim，stretchedtautlikeadark，thinstring。

Hiseyeslookedatitwhile，withouthaste，heshiftedhisseatfromthethwarttothegunwale。Theylookedatitfixedly，whilehishand，feelingabouthiswaist，unbuttonedtheflapoftheleathercase，drewtherevolver，cockedit，broughtitforwardpointingathisbreast，pulledthetrigger，and，withconvulsiveforce，sentthestill-smokingweaponhurtlingthroughtheair。Hiseyeslookedatitwhilehefellforwardandhungwithhisbreastonthegunwaleandthefingersofhisrighthandhookedunderthethwart。Theylooked——

`Itisdone，\'hestammeredout，inasuddenflowofblood。Hislastthoughtwas:`IwonderhowthatCapatazdied。\'Thestiffnessofthefingersrelaxed，andtheloverofAntoniaAvellanosrolledoverboardwithouthavingheardthecordofsilencesnapinthesolitudeofthePlacidGulf，whoseglitteringsurfaceremaineduntroubledbythefallofhisbody。

Avictimofthedisillusionedwearinesswhichistheretributionmetedouttointellectualaudacity，thebrilliantDonMartinDecoud，weightedbythebarsofSanTomesilver，disappearedwithoutatrace，swallowedupintheimmenseindifferenceofthings。Hissleepless，crouchingfigurewasgonefromthesideoftheSanTomesilver；andforatimethespiritsofgoodandevilthathoverneareveryconcealedtreasureoftheearthmighthavethoughtthatthisonehadbeenforgottenbyallmankind。Then，afterafewdays，anotherformappearedstridingawayfromthesettingsuntositmotionlessandawakeinthenarrowblackgullyallthroughthenight，innearlythesamepose，inthesameplaceinwhichhadsatthatothersleeplessmanwhohadgoneawayforeversoquietlyinasmallboat，aboutthetimeofsunset。AndthespiritsofgoodandevilthathoveraboutaforbiddentreasureunderstoodwellthatthesilverofSanTomewasprovidednowwithafaithfulandlifelongslave。

ThemagnificentCapatazdeCargadores，victimofthedisenchantedvanitywhichistherewardofaudaciousaction，satinthewearyposeofahuntedoutcastthroughanightofsleeplessnessastormentingasanyknowntoDecoud，hiscompanioninthemostdesperateaffairofhislife。AndhewonderedhowDecoudhaddied。Butheknewtheparthehadplayedhimself。

Firstawoman，thenaman，abandonedeachintheirlastextremity，forthesakeofthisaccursedtreasure。Itwaspaidforbyasoullostandbyavanishedlife。Theblankstillnessofawewassucceededbyagustofimmensepride。TherewasnooneintheworldbutGian\'BattistaFidanza，CapatazdeCargadores，theincorruptibleandfaithfulNostromo，topaysuchaprice。

Hehadmadeuphismindthatnothingshouldbeallowednowtorobhimofhisbargain。Nothing。Decoudhaddied。Buthow?Thathewasdeadhehadnotashadowofadoubt。Butfouringots?……Whatfor?Didhemeantocomeformore——someothertime?

Thetreasurewasputtingforthitslatentpower。Ittroubledtheclearmindofthemanwhohadpaidtheprice。HewassurethatDecoudwasdead。

Theislandseemedfullofthatwhisper。Dead?Gone！Andhecaughthimselflisteningfortheswishofbushesandthesplashofthefootfallsinthebedofthebrook。Dead！Thetalker，thenovioofDonaAntonia！

`Ha！\'hemurmured，withhisheadonhisknees，underthelividcloudeddawnbreakingovertheliberatedSulacoanduponthegulfasgreyasashes。

`Itistoherthathewillfly。Toherthathewillfly！\'

Andfouringots！Didhetaketheminrevenge，tocastaspell，liketheangrywomanwhohadprophesiedremorseandfailure，andyethadlaiduponhimthetaskofsavingthechildren?Well，hehadsavedthechildren。

Hehaddefeatedthespellofpovertyandstarvation。Hehaddoneitallalone——orperhapshelpedbythedevil。Whocared?Hehaddoneit，betrayedashewas，andsavingbythesamestroketheSanTomemine，whichappearedtohimhatefulandimmense，lordingitbyitsvastwealthoverthevalour，thetoil，thefidelityofthepoor，overwarandpeace，overthelaboursofthetown，thesea，andtheCampo。

ThesunlituptheskybehindthepeaksoftheCordillera。TheCapatazlookeddownforatimeuponthefalloflooseearth，stones，andsmashedbushes，concealingthehiding-placeofthesilver。

`Imustgrowrichveryslowly，\'hemeditated，aloud。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter1111SulacooutstrippedNostromo\'sprudence，growingrichswiftlyonthehiddentreasuresoftheearth，hoveredoverbytheanxiousspiritsofgoodandevil，tornoutbythelabouringhandsofthepeople。Itwaslikeasecondyouth，likeanewlife，fullofpromise，ofunrest，oftoil，scatteringlavishlyitswealthtothefourcornersofanexcitedworld。Materialchangessweptalonginthetrainofmaterialinterests。Andotherchangesmoresubtle，outwardlyunmarked，affectedthemindsandheartsoftheworkers。

CaptainMitchellhadgonehometoliveonhissavingsinvestedintheSanTomemine；andDrMonyghamhadgrownolder，withhisheadsteel-greyandtheunchangedexpressionofhisface，livingontheinexhaustibletreasureofhisdevotiondrawnuponinthesecretofhisheartlikeastoreofunlawfulwealth。

TheInspector-GeneralofStateHospitals(whosemaintenanceisachargeupontheGouldConcession)，OfficialAdviseronSanitationtotheMunicipality，ChiefMedicalOfficeroftheSanTomeConsolidatedMines(whoseterritory，containinggold，silver，copper，lead，cobalt，extendsformilesalongthefoothillsoftheCordillera)，hadfeltpoverty-stricken，miserable，andstarvedduringtheprolonged，secondvisittheGouldspaidtoEuropeandtheUnitedStatesofAmerica。Intimateofthecasa，provedfriend，abachelorwithouttiesandwithoutestablishment(exceptoftheprofessionalsort)，hehadbeenaskedtotakeuphisquartersintheGouldhouse。Intheelevenmonthsoftheirabsencethefamiliarrooms，recallingateveryglancethewomantowhomhehadgivenallhisloyalty，hadgrownintolerable。

AsthedayapproachedforthearrivalofthemailboatHermes(thelatestadditiontotheO。S。N。Company\'ssplendidfleet)，thedoctorhobbledaboutmorevivaciously，snappedmoresardonicallyatsimpleandgentleoutofsheernervousness。

Hepackeduphismodesttrunkwithspeed，withfury，withenthusiasm，andsawitcarriedoutpasttheoldporteratthegateoftheCasaGouldwithdelight，withintoxication；then，asthehourapproached，sittingaloneinthegreatlandaubehindthewhitemules，alittlesideways，hisdrawn-infacepositivelyvenomouswiththeeffortofself-control，andholdingapairofnewglovesinhislefthand，hedrovetotheharbour。

Hisheartdilatedwithinhimso，whenhesawtheGouldsonthedeckoftheHermes，thathisgreetingswerereducedtoacasualmutter。

Drivingbacktotown，allthreeweresilent。Andinthepatiothedoctor，inamorenaturalmanner，said:

`I\'llleaveyounowtoyourselves。I\'llcalltomorrowifImay?\'

`Cometolunch，dearDrMonygham，andcomeearly，\'saidMrsGould，inhertravellingdressandherveildown，turningtolookathimatthefootofthestairs；whileatthetopoftheflighttheMadonna，inbluerobesandtheChildonherarm，seemedtowelcomeherwithanaspectofpityingtenderness。

`Don\'texpecttofindmeathome，\'CharlesGouldwarnedhim。`I\'llbeoffearlytothemine。\'

Afterlunch，DonaEmiliaandtheSenorDoctorcameslowlythroughtheinnergatewayofthepatio。ThelargegardensoftheCasaGould，surroundedbyhighwalls，andthered-tileslopesofneighbouringroofs，layopenbeforethem，withmassesofshadeunderthetreesandlevelsurfacesofsunlightuponthelawns。Atriplerowofoldorangetreessurroundedthewhole。Barefooted，browngardeners，insnowywhiteshirtsandwidecalzoneras，dottedthegrounds，squattingoverflowerbeds，passingbetweenthetrees，draggingslenderindia-rubbertubesacrossthegravelofthepaths；andthefinejetsofwatercrossedeachotheringracefulcurves，sparklinginthesunshinewithaslightpatteringnoiseuponthebushes，andaneffectofshowereddiamondsuponthegrass。

DonaEmilia，holdingupthetrainofacleardress，walkedbythesideofDrMonygham，inalongishblackcoatandsevereblackbowonanimmaculateshirt-front。Underashadyclumpoftrees，wherestoodscatteredlittletablesandwickereasy-chairs，MrsGouldsatdowninalowandampleseat。

`Don\'tgoyet，\'shesaidtoDrMonygham，whowasunabletotearhimselfawayfromthespot。Hischinnestlingwithinthepointsofhiscollar，hedevouredherstealthilywithhiseyes，which，luckily，wereroundandhardlikecloudedmarbles，andincapableofdisclosinghissentiments。

Hispityingemotionatthemarksoftimeuponthefaceofthatwoman，theairoffrailtyandwearyfatiguethathadsettledupontheeyesandtemplesofthe`Never-tiredSenora\'(asDonPepeyearsagousedtocallherwithadmiration)，touchedhimalmosttotears。`Don\'tgoyet。Todayisallmyown，\'MrsGouldurged，gently。`Wearenotbackyetofficially。Noonewillcome。It\'sonlytomorrowthatthewindowsoftheCasaGouldaretobelitupforareception。\'

Thedoctordroppedintoachair。

`Givingatertulia?\'hesaid，withadetachedair。

`Asimplegreetingforallthekindfriendswhocaretocome。\'

`Andonlytomorrow?\'

`Yes。Charleswouldbetiredoutafteradayatthemine，andsoI——

ItwouldbegoodtohavehimtomyselfforoneeveningonourreturntothishouseIlove。Ithasseenallmylife。\'

`Ah，yes！\'snarledthedoctor，suddenly。`Womencounttimefromthemarriagefeast。Didn\'tyoulivealittlebefore?\'

`Yes；butwhatistheretoremember?Therewerenocares。\'

MrsGouldsighed。Andastwofriends，afteralongseparation，willreverttothemostagitatedperiodoftheirlives，theybegantotalkoftheSulacoRevolution。ItseemedstrangetoMrsGouldthatpeoplewhohadtakenpartinitseemedtoforgetitsmemoryanditslesson。

`Andyet，\'struckinthedoctor，`wewhoplayedourpartinithadourreward。DonPepe，thoughsuperannuated，stillcansitahorse。BarriosisdrinkinghimselftodeathinjovialcompanyawaysomewhereonhisfundacionbeyondtheBolsondeTonoro。AndtheheroicFatherRoman——IimaginetheoldpadreblowingupsystematicallytheSanTomemine，utteringapiousexclamationateverybang，andtakinghandfulsofsnuffbetweentheexplosions——theheroicPadreRomansaysthatheisnotafraidoftheharmHolroyd\'smissionariescandotohisflock，aslongasheisalive。\'

MrsGouldshudderedalittleattheallusiontothedestructionthathadcomesoneartotheSanTomemine。

`Ah，butyou，dearfriend?\'

`IdidtheworkIwasfitfor。\'

`Youfacedthemostcrueldangersofall。Somethingmorethandeath。\'

`No，MrsGould！Onlydeath——byhanging。AndIamrewardedbeyondmydeserts。\'

NoticingMrsGould\'sgazefixeduponhim，hedroppedhiseyes。

`I\'vemademycareer——asyousee，\'saidtheInspector-GeneralofStateHospitals，takinguplightlythelapelsofhissuperfineblackcoat。Thedoctor\'sself-respect，markedinwardlybythealmostcompletedisappearancefromhisdreamsofFatherBeron，appearedvisiblyinwhat，bycontrastwithformercarelessness，seemedanimmoderatecultofpersonalappearance。

Carriedoutwithinseverelimitsofformandcolour，andinperpetualfreshness，thischangeofapparelgavetoDrMonyghamanairatthesametimeprofessionalandfestive；whilehisgaitandtheunchangedcrabbedcharacterofhisfaceacquiredfromitastartlingforceofincongruity。

`Yes，\'hewenton。`Weallhadourrewards——theengineer-in-chief，CaptainMitchell——\'

`Wesawhim，\'interruptedMrsGould，inhercharmingvoice。`ThepoordearmancameupfromthecountryonpurposetocallonusinourhotelinLondon。Hecomportedhimselfwithgreatdignity，butIfancyheregretsSulaco。Herambledfeeblyabout“historicalevents“tillIfeltIcouldhaveacry。\'

`H\'m，\'gruntedthedoctor；`gettingold，Isuppose。EvenNostromoisgettingolder——thoughheisnotchanged。And，speakingofthatfellow，Iwantedtotellyousomething——\'。

Forsometimethehousehadbeenfullofmurmurs，ofagitation。Suddenlythetwogardeners，busywithrosetreesatthesideofthegardenarch，fellupontheirkneeswithbowedheadsonthepassageofantoniaAvellanos，whoappearedwalingbesideheruncle。

InvestedwiththeredhatafterashortvisittoRome，wherehehadbeeninvitedbythePropaganda，FatherCorbelan，missionarytothewildIndians，conspirator，friendandpatronofHernandeztherobber，advancedwithbig，slowstrides，gauntandleaningforward，withhispowerfulhandsclaspedbehindhisback。ThefirstCardinal-ArchbishopofSulacohadpreservedhisfanaticalandmoroseair；theaspectofachaplainofbandits。Itwasbelievedthathisunexpectedelevationtothepurplewasacounter-movetotheProtestantinvasionofSulacoorganizedbytheHolroydMissionaryFund。Antonia，thebeautyofherfaceasifalittleblurred，herfigureslightlyfuller，advancedwithherlightwalkandherhighserenity，smilingfromadistanceatMrsGould。ShehadbroughtheruncleovertoseedearEmilia，withoutceremony，justforamomentbeforethesiesta。

Whenallwereseatedagain，DrMonygham，whohadcometodislikeheartilyeverybodywhoapproachedMrsGouldwithanyintimacy，keptaside，pretendingtobelostinprofoundmediation。AlouderphraseofAntoniamadehimlifthishead。

`Howcanweabandon，groaningunderoppression，thosewhohavebeenourcountrymenonlyafewyearsago，whoareourcountrymennow?\'

MissAvellanoswassaying。`Howcanweremainblind，anddeafwithoutpitytothecruelwrongssufferedbyourbrothers?Thereisaremedy。\'

`AnnextherestofCostaguanatotheorderandprosperityofSulaco，\'

snappedthedoctor。`Thereisnootherremedy。\'

`Iamconvinced，SenorDoctor，\'Antoniasaid，withtheearnestcalmofinvincibleresolution，`thatthiswasfromthefirstpoorMartin\'sintention。\'

`Yes，butthematerialinterestswillnotletyoujeopardizetheirdevelopmentforamereideaofpityandjustice，\'thedoctormuttered，grumpily。`Anditisjustaswellperhaps。\'

TheCardinal-Archbishopstraighteneduphisgaunt，bonyframe。

`Wehaveworkedforthem；wehavemadethem，thesematerialinterestsoftheforeigners，\'thelastoftheCorbelansutteredinadeep，denunciatorytone。

`Andwithoutthemyouarenothing，\'criedthedoctorfromthedistance。

`Theywillnotletyou。\'

`Letthembeware，then，lestthepeople，preventedfromtheiraspirations，shouldriseandclaimtheirshareofthewealthandtheirshareofthepower，\'thepopularCardinal-ArchbishopofSulacodeclared，significantly，menacingly。

Asilenceensued，duringwhichhisEminencestared，frowningattheground，andAntonia，gracefulandrigidinherchair，breathedcalmlyinthestrengthofherconvictions。Thentheconversationtookasocialturn，touchingonthevisitoftheGouldstoEurope。TheCardinal-Archbishop，wheninRome，hadsufferedfromneuralgiaintheheadallthetime。Itwastheclimate——thebadair。

Whenuncleandniecehadgoneaway，withtheservantsagainfallingontheirknees，andtheoldporter，whohadknownHenryGould，almosttotallyblindandimpotentnow，creepinguptokisshisEminence\'sextendedhand，DrMonygham，lookingafterthem，pronouncedtheoneword:

`Incorrigible！\'

MrsGould，withalookupwards，droppedwearilyonherlapherwhitehandsflashingwiththegoldandstonesofmanyrings。

`Conspiring。Yes！\'saidthedoctor。`ThelastoftheAvellanosandthelastoftheCorbelansareconspiringwiththerefugeesfromStaMartathatflockhereaftereveryrevolution。TheCafeLambrosoatthecornerofthePlazaisfullofthem；youcanheartheirchatteracrossthestreetlikethenoiseofaparrothouse。TheyareconspiringfortheinvasionofCostaguana。

Anddoyouknowwheretheygoforstrength，forthenecessaryforce?Tothesecretsocietiesamongstimmigrantsandnatives，whereNostromo——

IshouldsayCaptainFidanza——isthegreatman。Whatgiveshimthatposition?

Whocansay?Genius?Hehasgenius。Heisgreaterwiththepopulacethaneverhewasbefore。Itwasasifhehadsomesecretpower；somemysteriousmeanstokeepuphisinfluence。HeholdsconferenceswiththeArchbishop，asinthoseolddayswhichyouandIremember。Barriosisuseless。ButforamilitaryheadtheyhavethepiousHernandez。Andtheymayraisethecountrywiththenewcryofwealthforthepeople。\'

`Willtherebeneveranypeace?Willtherebenorest?\'MrsGouldwhispered。

`Ithoughtthatwe——\'

`No！\'interruptedthedoctor。`Thereisnopeaceandnorestinthedevelopmentofmaterialinterests。Theyhavetheirlaw，andtheirjustice。

Butitisfoundedonexpediency，andisinhuman；itiswithoutrectitude，withoutthecontinuityandtheforcethatcanbefoundonlyinamoralprinciple。MrsGould，thetimeapproacheswhenallthattheGouldConcessionstandsforshallweighasheavilyuponthepeopleasthebarbarism，cruelty，andmisruleofafewyearsback。\'

`Howcanyousaythat，DrMonygham?\'shecriedout，asifhurtinthemostsensitiveplaceofhersoul。

`Icansaywhatistrue，\'thedoctorinsisted，obstinately。`It\'llweighasheavily，andprovokeresentment，bloodshed，andvengeance，becausethemenhavegrowndifferent。DoyouthinkthatnowtheminewouldmarchuponthetowntosavetheirSenorAdministrador?Doyouthinkthat?\'

Shepressedthebacksofherentwinedhandsonhereyesandmurmuredhopelessly:

`Isitthiswehaveworkedfor，then?\'

Thedoctorloweredhishead。Hecouldfollowhersilentthought。Wasitforthisthatherlifehadbeenrobbedofalltheintimatefelicitiesofdailyaffectionwhichhertendernessneededasthehumanbodyneedsairtobreathe?Andthedoctor，indignantwithCharlesGould\'sblindness，hastenedtochangetheconversation。

`ItisaboutNostromothatIwantedtotalktoyou。Ah！thatfellowhassomecontinuityandforce。Nothingwillputanendtohim。Butnevermindthat。There\'ssomethinginexplicablegoingon——orperhapsonlytooeasytoexplain。Youknow，LindaispracticallythelighthousekeeperoftheGreatIsabellight。TheGaribaldinoistoooldnow。Hispartistocleanthelampsandtocookinthehouse；buthecan\'tgetupthestairsanylonger。Theblack-eyedLindasleepsalldayandwatchesthelightallnight。Notallday，though。Sheisuptowardsfiveintheafternoon，whenourNostromo，wheneverheisinharbourwithhisschooner，comesoutonhiscourtingvisit，pullinginasmallboat。\'

`Aren\'ttheymarriedyet?\'MrsGouldasked。`Themotherwishedit，asfarasIcanunderstand，whileLindawasyetquiteachild。WhenIhadthegirlswithmeforayearorsoduringtheWarofSeparation，thatextraordinaryLindausedtodeclarequitesimplythatshewasgoingtobeGian\'Battista\'swife。\'

`Theyarenotmarriedyet，\'saidthedoctor，curtly。`Ihavelookedafterthemalittle。\'

`Thankyou，dearDrMonygham，\'saidMrsGould；andundertheshadeofthebigtreesherlittle，eventeethgleamedinayouthfulsmileofgentlemalice。`Peopledon\'tknowhowreallygoodyouare。Youwillnotletthemknow，asifonpurposetoannoyme，whohaveputmyfaithinyourgoodheartlongago。\'

Thedoctor，withaliftingupofhisupperlip，asthoughhewerelongingtobite，bowedstifflyinhischair。Withtheutterabsorptionofamantowhomlovecomeslate，notasthemostsplendidofillusions，butlikeanenlighteningandpricelessmisfortune，thesightofthatwoman(ofwhomhehadbeendeprivedfornearlyayear)suggestedideasofadoration，ofkissingthehemofherrobe。Andthisexcessoffeelingtranslateditselfnaturallyintoanaugmentedgrimnessofspeech。

`Iamafraidofbeingoverwhelmedbytoomuchgratitude。However，thesepeopleinterestme。IwentoutseveraltimestotheGreatIsabellighttolookafteroldGiorgio。\'

HedidnottellMrsGouldthatitwasbecausehefoundthere，inherabsence，thereliefofanatmosphereofcongenialsentimentinoldGiorgio\'saustereadmirationforthe`Englishsignora——thebenefactress\'；inblack-eyedLinda\'svoluble，torrential，passionateaffectionfor`ourDonaEmilia——thatangel\'；inthewhite-throated，fairGiselle\'sadoringupwardturnoftheeyes，whichthenglidedtowardshimwithasidelong，half-arch，half-candidglance，whichmadethedoctorexclaimtohimselfmentally，`IfIweren\'twhatIam，oldandugly，Iwouldthinktheminxismakingeyesatme。Andperhapssheis。Idaresayshewouldmakeeyesatanybody。\'

DrMonyghamsaidnothingofthistoMrsGould，theprovidenceoftheViolafamily，butrevertedtowhathecalled`ourgreatNostromo\'。

`WhatIwantedtellyouisthis:OurgreatNostromodidnottakemuchnoticeoftheoldmanandthechildrenforsomeyears。It\'strue，too，thathewasawayonhiscoastingvoyagescertainlytenmonthsoutofthetwelve。Hewasmakinghisfortune，ashetoldCaptainMitchellonce。Heseemstohavedoneuncommonlywell。Itwasonlytobeexpected。Heisamanfullofresource，fullofconfidenceinhimself，readytotakechancesandrisksofeverysort。IrememberbeinginMitchell\'sofficeoneday，whenhecameinwiththatcalm，graveairhealwayscarrieseverywhere。

HehadbeenawaytradingintheGulfofCalifornia，hesaid，lookingstraightpastusatthewall，ashismanneris，andwasgladtoseeonhisreturnthatalighthousewasbeingbuiltonthecliffoftheGreatIsabel。Veryglad，herepeated。MitchellexplainedthatitwastheO。S。N。Companywhowerebuildingit，fortheconvenienceofthemailservice，onhisownadvice。

CaptainFidanzawasgoodenoughtosaythatitwasexcellentadvice。I

rememberhimtwistinguphismoustachesandlookingallroundthecorniceoftheroombeforeheproposedthatoldGiorgioshouldbemadethekeeperofthatlight。\'

`Iheardofthis。Iwasconsultedatthetime，\'MrsGouldsaid。`Idoubtedwhetheritwouldbegoodforthesegirlstobeshutuponthatislandasifinaprison。\'

`TheproposalfellinwiththeoldGaribaldino\'shumour。AstoLinda，anyplacewaslovelyanddelightfulenoughforheraslongasitwasNostromo\'ssuggestion。ShecouldwaitforherGian\'Battista\'sgoodpleasurethereaswellasanywhereelse。MyopinionisthatshewasalwaysinlovewiththatincorruptibleCapataz。Moreover，bothfatherandsisterwereanxioustogetGiselleawayfromtheattentionsofacertainRamirez。\'

`Ah！\'saidMrsGould，interested。`Ramirez?Whatsortofmanisthat?\'

`Justamozoofthetown。Hisfatherwasacargador。Asalankyboyheranaboutthewharfinrags，tillNostromotookhimupandmadeamanofhim。Whenhegotalittleolder，heputhimintoalighterandverysoongavehimchargeoftheNo。3boat——theboatwhichtookthesilveraway，MrsGould。NostromoselectedthatlighterfortheworkbecauseshewasthebestsailingandthestrongestboatofalltheCompany\'sfleet。YoungRamirezwasoneofthefivecargadoresentrustedwiththeremovalofthetreasurefromtheCustomHouseonthatfamousnight。

Astheboathehadchargeofwassunk，Nostromo，onleavingtheCompany\'sservice，recommendedhimtoCaptainMitchellforhissuccessor。Hehadtrainedhimintheroutineofworkperfectly，andthusMrRamirez，fromastarvingwaif，becomesamanandtheCapatazoftheSulacocargadores。\'

`ThankstoNostromo，\'saidMrsGould，withwarmapproval。

`ThankstoNostromo，\'repeatedDrMonygham。`Uponmyword，thefellow\'spowerfrightensmewhenIthinkofit。ThatourpooroldMitchellwasonlytoogladtoappointsomebodytrainedtothework，whosavedhimtrouble，isnotsurprising。WhatiswonderfulisthefactthattheSulacocargadoresacceptedRamirezfortheirchief，simplybecausesuchwasNostromo\'sgoodpleasure。Ofcourse，heisnotasecondNostromo，ashefondlyimaginedhewouldbe；butstill，thepositionwasbrilliantenough。ItemboldenedhimtomakeuptoGiselleViola，who，youknow，istherecognizedbeautyofthetown。TheoldGaribaldino，however，tookaviolentdisliketohim。

Idon\'tknowwhy。PerhapsbecausehewasnotamodelofperfectionlikehisGian\'Battista，theincarnationofthecourage，thefidelity，thehonourof“thepeople“。SignorVioladoesnotthinkmuchofSulaconatives。Bothofthem，theoldSpartanandthatwhite-facedLinda，withherredmouthandcoal-blackeyes，werelookingratherfiercelyafterthefairone。Ramirezwaswarnedoff。FatherViola，Iamtold，threatenedhimwithhisgunonce。\'

`ButwhatofGiselleherself?\'askedMrsGould。

`She\'sabitofaflirt，Ibelieve，\'saidthedoctor。`Idon\'tthinkshecaredmuchonewayoranother。Ofcourseshelikesmen\'sattentions。

Ramirezwasnottheonlyone，letmetellyou，MrsGould。Therewasoneengineer，atleast，ontherailwaystaffwhogotwarnedoffwithagun，too。OldVioladoesnotallowanytriflingwithhishonour。Hehasgrownuneasyandsuspicioussincehiswifedied。Hewasverypleasedtoremovehisyoungestgirlawayfromthetown。Butlookwhathappens，MrsGould。

Ramirez，thehonest，lovelornswain，isforbiddentheisland。Verywell。

Herespectstheprohibition，butnaturallyturnshiseyesfrequentlytowardstheGreatIsabel。Itseemsasthoughhehadbeeninthehabitofgazinglateatnightuponthelight。AndduringthesesentimentalvigilshediscoversthatNostromo，CaptainFidanzathatis，returnsverylatefromhisvisitstotheViolas。Aslateasmidnightattimes。\'

ThedoctorpausedandstaredmeaninglyatMrsGould。

`Yes。ButIdon\'tunderstand，\'shebegan，lookingpuzzled。

`Nowcomesthestrangepart，\'wentonDrMonygham。`Viola，whoiskingonhisisland，willallownovisitoronitafterdark。EvenCaptainFidanzahasgottoleaveaftersunset，whenLindahasgoneuptotendthelight。