Ностромо

           PoorSenorRibiera(suchwasthedictator’sname)hadcomepeltingeightymilesovermountaintracksafterthelostbattleofSocorro,inthehopeofout-distancingthefatalnews—which,ofcourse,hecouldnotmanagetodoonalamemule.Theanimal,moreover,expiredunderhimattheendoftheAlameda,wherethemilitarybandplayssometimesintheeveningsbetweentherevolutions.“Sir,”CaptainMitchellwouldpursuewithportentousgravity,“theill-timedendofthatmuleattractedattentiontotheunfortunaterider.HisfeatureswererecognizedbyseveraldesertersfromtheDictatorialarmyamongsttherascallymobalreadyengagedinsmashingthewindowsoftheIntendencia.”

           EarlyonthemorningofthatdaythelocalauthoritiesofSulacohadfledforrefugetotheO.S.N.Company’soffices,astrongbuildingneartheshoreendofthejetty,leavingthetowntothemerciesofarevolutionaryrabble;andastheDictatorwasexecratedbythepopulaceonaccountofthesevererecruitmentlawhisnecessitieshadcompelledhimtoenforceduringthestruggle,hestoodagoodchanceofbeingtorntopieces.Providentially,Nostromo—invaluablefellow—withsomeItalianworkmen,importedtoworkupontheNationalCentralRailway,wasathand,andmanagedtosnatchhimaway—forthetimeatleast.Ultimately,CaptainMitchellsucceededintakingeverybodyoffinhisowngigtooneoftheCompany’ssteamers—itwastheMinerva—justthen,asluckwouldhaveit,enteringtheharbour.