Ностромо
Chapter 5
Towardstheplazaendofthestreettheglowingcoalsinthebrazerosofthemarketwomencookingtheireveningmealgleamedredalongtheedgeofthepavement.Amanappearedwithoutasoundinthelightofastreetlamp,showingthecolouredinvertedtriangleofhisborderedponcho,squareonhisshoulders,hangingtoapointbelowhisknees.FromtheharbourendoftheCalleahorsemanwalkedhissoft-steppingmount,gleamingsilver-greyabreasteachlampunderthedarkshapeoftherider.
“BeholdtheillustriousCapatazdeCargadores,”saidDecoud,gently,“cominginallhissplendourafterhisworkisdone.ThenextgreatmanofSulacoafterDonCarlosGould.Butheisgood-natured,andletmemakefriendswithhim.”
“Ah,indeed!”saidAntonia.“Howdidyoumakefriends?”
“Ajournalistoughttohavehisfingeronthepopularpulse,andthismanisoneoftheleadersofthepopulace.Ajournalistoughttoknowremarkablemen—andthismanisremarkableinhisway.”
“Ah,yes!”saidAntonia,thoughtfully.“ItisknownthatthisItalianhasagreatinfluence.”
Thehorsemanhadpassedbelowthem,withagleamofdimlightontheshiningbroadquartersofthegreymare,onabrightheavystirrup,onalongsilverspur;buttheshortflickofyellowishflameintheduskwaspowerlessagainstthemuffled-upmysteriousnessofthedarkfigurewithaninvisiblefaceconcealedbyagreatsombrero.
