Ностромо
Chapter 2
Meantime,thetroopswerebeinglandedandformedintoacolumn,whoseheadcreptupgraduallysoclosetohimthathemadeitout,barringnearlythewholewidthofthewharf,onlyaveryfewyardsfromhim.Thenthelow,shuffling,murmuring,clinkingsoundsceased,andthewholemassremainedforaboutanhourmotionlessandsilent,awaitingthereturnofthescouts.Onlandnothingwastobeheardexceptthedeepbayingofthemastiffsattherailwayyards,answeredbythefaintbarkingofthecursinfestingtheouterlimitsofthetown.Adetachedknotofdarkshapesstoodinfrontoftheheadofthecolumn.
Presentlythepicketattheendofthewharfbegantochallengeinundertonessinglefiguresapproachingfromtheplain.Thosemessengerssentbackfromthescoutingpartiesflungtotheircomradesbriefsentencesandpassedonrapidly,becominglostinthegreatmotionlessmass,tomaketheirreporttotheStaff.ItoccurredtoCaptainMitchellthathispositioncouldbecomedisagreeableandperhapsdangerous,whensuddenly,attheheadofthejetty,therewasashoutofcommand,abuglecall,followedbyastirandarattlingofarms,andamurmuringnoisethatranrightupthecolumn.
