`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，guidedbyashriekortwofortherecouldbenomorethanthat，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，theinformationthatthecommandantwasholdingassembliesofofficersinthedeadofnightwhichhadleakedoutsomehowcausedthosegentlementoneglecttheircivildutiesaltogether，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。