Ностромо
Chapter 7
Iamnotexactlytiredofmylife,thoughIamsopoorthatIcancarryallIhavewithmyselfonmyhorse’sback.”
“Yougambletoomuch,andneversay‘no’toaprettyface,Capataz,”saidDr.Monygham,withslysimplicity.“That’snotthewaytomakeafortune.ButnobodythatIknoweversuspectedyouofbeingpoor.Ihopeyouhavemadeagoodbargainincaseyoucomebacksafefromthisadventure.”
“Whatbargainwouldyourworshiphavemade?”askedNostromo,blowingthesmokeoutofhislipsthroughthedoorway.
Dr.Monyghamlistenedupthestaircaseforamomentbeforeheanswered,withanotherofhisshort,abruptlaughs—
“IllustriousCapataz,fortakingthecurseofdeathuponmyback,asyoucallit,nothingelsebutthewholetreasurewoulddo.”
Nostromovanishedoutofthedoorwaywithagruntofdiscontentatthisjeeringanswer.Dr.Monyghamheardhimgallopaway.Nostromorodefuriouslyinthedark.TherewerelightsinthebuildingsoftheO.S.N.Companynearthewharf,butbeforehegottherehemettheGouldcarriage.Thehorsemanprecededitwiththetorch,whoselightshowedthewhitemulestrotting,theportlyIgnaciodriving,andBasiliowiththecarbineonthebox.FromthedarkbodyofthelandauMrs.Gould’svoicecried,“Theyarewaitingforyou,Capataz!”Shewasreturning,chillyandexcited,withDecoud’spocket-bookstillheldinherhand.Hehadconfidedittohertosendtohissister.
