`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。