Ностромо

           Whatwastheuseofwastingtime?Butshe—shebelievesinthem.Thethingsticksinmythroat.Shemaybedeadalready,andherewearefloatinghelplesswithnowindatall.Curseonallsuperstition.ShediedthinkingIdeprivedherofParadise,Isuppose.Itshallbethemostdesperateaffairofmylife.”

           Decoudremainedlostinreflection.Hetriedtoanalyzethesensationsawakedbywhathehadbeentold.ThevoiceoftheCapatazwasheardagain:

           “Now,DonMartin,letustakeupthesweepsandtrytofindtheIsabels.Itiseitherthatorsinkingthelighterifthedayovertakesus.WemustnotforgetthatthesteamerfromEsmeraldawiththesoldiersmaybecomingalong.Wewillpullstraightonnow.Ihavediscoveredabitofacandlehere,andwemusttaketheriskofasmalllighttomakeacoursebytheboatcompass.Thereisnotenoughwindtoblowitout—maythecurseofHeavenfalluponthisblindgulf!”

           Asmallflameappearedburningquitestraight.Itshowedfragmentarilythestoutribsandplankinginthehollow,emptypartofthelighter.DecoudcouldseeNostromostandinguptopull.Hesawhimashighastheredsashonhiswaist,withagleamofawhite-handledrevolverandthewoodenhaftofalongknifeprotrudingonhisleftside.Decoudnervedhimselffortheeffortofrowing.Certainlytherewasnotenoughwindtoblowthecandleout,butitsflameswayedalittletotheslowmovementoftheheavyboat.