Ностромо
Chapter 8
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Inthesteamertheywerekeepingaperfectsilence,andthestillnesswassoprofoundthatDecoudfeltasiftheslightestsoundconceivablemusttraveluncheckedandaudibletotheendoftheworld.WhatifHirschcoughedorsneezed?Tofeelhimselfatthemercyofsuchanidioticcontingencywastooexasperatingtobelookeduponwithirony.Nostromo,too,seemedtobegettingrestless.Wasitpossible,heaskedhimself,thatthesteamer,findingthenighttoodarkaltogether,intendedtoremainstoppedwhereshewastilldaylight?Hebegantothinkthatthis,afterall,wastherealdanger.Hewasafraidthatthedarkness,whichwashisprotection,would,intheend,causehisundoing.
Sotillo,asNostromohadsurmised,wasincommandonboardthetransport.Theeventsofthelastforty-eighthoursinSulacowerenotknowntohim;neitherwasheawarethatthetelegraphistinEsmeraldahadmanagedtowarnhiscolleagueinSulaco.Likeagoodmanyofficersofthetroopsgarrisoningtheprovince,SotillohadbeeninfluencedinhisadoptionoftheRibieristcausebythebeliefthatithadtheenormouswealthoftheGouldConcessiononitsside.HehadbeenoneofthefrequentersoftheCasaGould,wherehehadairedhisBlancoconvictionsandhisardourforreformbeforeDonJoseAvellanos,castingfrank,honestglancestowardsMrs.GouldandAntoniathewhile.HewasknowntobelongtoagoodfamilypersecutedandimpoverishedduringthetyrannyofGuzmanBento.
