Ностромо

           Hejudgedthattheywouldpassclose;butbelievedthatlyingstilllikethis,withthesaillowered,thelightercouldnotbeseen.“No,noteveniftheyrubbedsideswithus,”hemuttered.

           Therainbegantofallagain;firstlikeawetmist,thenwithaheaviertouch,thickeningintoasmart,perpendiculardownpour;andthehissandthumpoftheapproachingsteamerwascomingextremelynear.Decoud,withhiseyesfullofwater,andloweredhead,askedhimselfhowlongitwouldbebeforeshedrewpast,whenunexpectedlyhefeltalurch.Aninrushoffoambrokeswishingoverthestern,simultaneouslywithacrackoftimbersandastaggeringshock.Hehadtheimpressionofanangryhandlayingholdofthelighteranddraggingitalongtodestruction.Theshock,ofcourse,hadknockedhimdown,andhefoundhimselfrollinginalotofwateratthebottomofthelighter.Aviolentchurningwentonalongside;astrangeandamazedvoicecriedoutsomethingabovehiminthenight.HeheardapiercingshriekforhelpfromSenorHirsch.Hekepthisteethhardsetallthetime.Itwasacollision!

           Thesteamerhadstruckthelighterobliquely,heelingherovertillshewashalfswamped,startingsomeofhertimbers,andswingingherheadparalleltoherowncoursewiththeforceoftheblow.Theshockofitonboardofherwashardlyperceptible.Alltheviolenceofthatcollisionwas,asusual,feltonlyonboardthesmallercraft.EvenNostromohimselfthoughtthatthiswasperhapstheendofhisdesperateadventure.