Ностромо
Chapter 7
”
Heturnedagaintohispocket-book,glancedbackthroughthepages,andagainstartedhispencil.
“Thatwasthepositionyesterday,aftertheMinervawiththefugitivePresidenthadgoneoutofharbour,andtheriotershadbeendrivenbackintothesidelanesofthetown.IsatonthestepsofthecathedralwithNostromo,aftersendingoutthecablemessagefortheinformationofamoreorlessattentiveworld.Strangelyenough,thoughtheofficesoftheCableCompanyareinthesamebuildingasthePorvenir,themob,whichhasthrownmypressesoutofthewindowandscatteredthetypealloverthePlaza,hasbeenkeptfrominterferingwiththeinstrumentsontheothersideofthecourtyard.AsIsattalkingwithNostromo,Bernhardt,thetelegraphist,cameoutfromundertheArcadeswithapieceofpaperinhishand.Thelittlemanhadtiedhimselfuptoanenormousswordandwashungalloverwithrevolvers.Heisridiculous,butthebravestGermanofhissizethatevertappedthekeyofaMorsetransmitter.HehadreceivedthemessagefromCaytareportingthetransportswithBarrios’sarmyjustenteringtheport,andendingwiththewords,‘Thegreatestenthusiasmprevails.’Iwalkedofftodrinksomewateratthefountain,andIwasshotatfromtheAlamedabysomebodyhidingbehindatree.ButIdrank,anddidn’tcare;withBarriosinCaytaandthegreatCordillerabetweenusandMontero’svictoriousarmyIseemed,notwithstandingMessrs.GamachoandFuentes,toholdmynewStateinthehollowofmyhand.
