Ностромо
Chapter 8
Aknotofraggednegroesattheendofthewharfkeptonloadingandfiringasmallironcannontimeaftertime.Agreyishhazeofdusthungthinandmotionlessagainstthesun.
DonVincenteRibieramadeafewstepsunderthedeck-awning,leaningonthearmofSenorAvellanos;awidecirclewasformedroundhim,wherethemirthlesssmileofhisdarklipsandthesightlessglitterofhisspectaclescouldbeseenturningamiablyfromsidetoside.TheinformalfunctionarrangedonpurposeonboardtheJunotogivethePresident-DictatoranopportunitytomeetintimatelysomeofhismostnotableadherentsinSulacowasdrawingtoanend.Ononeside,GeneralMontero,hisbaldheadcoverednowbyaplumedcockedhat,remainedmotionlessonaskylightseat,apairofbiggauntletedhandsfoldedonthehiltofthesabrestandinguprightbetweenhislegs.Thewhiteplume,thecopperytintofhisbroadface,theblue-blackofthemoustachesunderthecurvedbeak,themassofgoldonsleevesandbreast,thehighshiningbootswithenormousspurs,theworkingnostrils,theimbecileanddomineeringstareofthegloriousvictorofRioSecohadinthemsomethingominousandincredible;theexaggerationofacruelcaricature,thefatuityofsolemnmasquerading,theatrociousgrotesquenessofsomemilitaryidolofAztecconceptionandEuropeanbedecking,awaitingthehomageofworshippers.DonJoseapproacheddiplomaticallythisweirdandinscrutableportent,andMrs.Gouldturnedherfascinatedeyesawayatlast.
