Ностромо
Chapter 8
Butcautionwasnecessary.HebeganbyassumingadarkandmysteriousattitudetowardsthefaithfulRibieristmunicipalityofEsmeralda.Lateron,theinformationthatthecommandantwasholdingassembliesofofficersinthedeadofnight(whichhadleakedoutsomehow)causedthosegentlementoneglecttheircivildutiesaltogether,andremainshutupintheirhouses.SuddenlyonedayallthelettersfromSulacobytheoverlandcourierwerecarriedoffbyafileofsoldiersfromthepostofficetotheCommandancia,withoutdisguise,concealment,orapology.SotillohadheardthroughCaytaofthefinaldefeatofRibiera.
Thiswasthefirstopensignofthechangeinhisconvictions.Presentlynotoriousdemocrats,whohadbeenlivingtilltheninconstantfearofarrest,legirons,andevenfloggings,couldbeobservedgoinginandoutatthegreatdooroftheCommandancia,wherethehorsesoftheorderliesdozeundertheirheavysaddles,whilethemen,inraggeduniformsandpointedstrawhats,loungeonabench,withtheirnakedfeetstuckoutbeyondthestripofshade;andasentry,inaredbaizecoatwithholesattheelbows,standsatthetopofthestepsglaringhaughtilyatthecommonpeople,whouncovertheirheadstohimastheypass.
Sotillo’sideasdidnotsoarabovethecareforhispersonalsafetyandthechanceofplunderingthetowninhischarge,buthefearedthatsuchalateadhesionwouldearnbutscantgratitudefromthevictors.HehadbelievedjustalittletoolonginthepoweroftheSanTomemine.
