Ностромо
Chapter 6
ThisstreamofsilvermustbekeptflowingnorthtoreturnintheformoffinancialbackingfromthegreathouseofHolroyd.Upatthemountaininthestrongroomoftheminethesilverbarswereworthlessforhispurposethansomuchlead,fromwhichatleastbulletsmayberun.Letitcomedowntotheharbour,readyforshipment.
Thenextnorth-goingsteamerwouldcarryitofffortheverysalvationoftheSanTomemine,whichhadproducedsomuchtreasure.And,moreover,therumourwasprobablyfalse,heremarked,withmuchconvictioninhishurriedtone.
“Besides,senora,”concludedDecoud,“wemaysuppressitformanydays.IhavebeentalkingwiththetelegraphistinthemiddleofthePlazaMayor;thusIamcertainthatwecouldnothavebeenoverheard.Therewasnotevenabirdintheairnearus.Andalsoletmetellyousomethingmore.IhavebeenmakingfriendswiththismancalledNostromo,theCapataz.Wehadaconversationthisveryevening,Iwalkingbythesideofhishorseasherodeslowlyoutofthetownjustnow.Hepromisedmethatifariottookplaceforanyreason—evenforthemostpoliticalofreasons,youunderstand—hisCargadores,animportantpartofthepopulace,youwilladmit,shouldbefoundonthesideoftheEuropeans.”
“Hehaspromisedyouthat?”Mrs.Gouldinquired,withinterest.“Whatmadehimmakethatpromisetoyou?”
“Uponmyword,Idon’tknow,”declaredDecoud,inaslightlysurprisedtone.
