Ностромо
Chapter 3
Nearthefordofashallowstreamaroadsideranchoofwovenrushesandaroofofgrasshadbeensetonfirebyaccident,andtheflames,roaringviciously,litupanopenspaceblockedwithhorses,mules,andadistracted,shoutingcrowdofpeople.WhenIgnaciopulledup,severalladiesonfootassailedthecarriage,beggingAntoniaforaseat.Totheirclamoursheansweredbypointingsilentlytoherfather.
“Imustleaveyouhere,”saidCharlesGould,intheuproar.Theflamesleapedupsky-high,andintherecoilfromthescorchingheatacrosstheroadthestreamoffugitivespressedagainstthecarriage.Amiddle-agedladydressedinblacksilk,butwithacoarsemantaoverherheadandaroughbranchforastickinherhand,staggeredagainstthefrontwheel.Twoyounggirls,frightenedandsilent,wereclingingtoherarms.CharlesGouldknewherverywell.
“Misericordia!Wearegettingterriblybruisedinthiscrowd!”sheexclaimed,smilingupcourageouslytohim.“Wehavestartedonfoot.Allourservantsranawayyesterdaytojointhedemocrats.WearegoingtoputourselvesundertheprotectionofFatherCorbelan,ofyoursainteduncle,Antonia.Hehaswroughtamiracleintheheartofamostmercilessrobber.Amiracle!”
Sheraisedhervoicegraduallyuptoascreamasshewasbornealongbythepressureofpeoplegettingoutofthewayofsomecartscomingupoutofthefordatagallop,withloudyellsandcrackingofwhips.
