Ностромо
Chapter 3
Greatmassesofsparksmingledwithblacksmokeflewovertheroad;thebamboosofthewallsdetonatedinthefirewiththesoundofanirregularfusillade.Andthenthebrightblazesanksuddenly,leavingonlyaredduskcrowdedwithaimlessdarkshadowsdriftingincontrarydirections;thenoiseofvoicesseemedtodieawaywiththeflame;andthetumultofheads,arms,quarrelling,andimprecationspassedonfleeingintothedarkness.
“Imustleaveyounow,”repeatedCharlesGouldtoAntonia.Sheturnedherheadslowlyanduncoveredherface.TheemissaryandcompadreofHernandezspurredhishorsecloseup.
“HasnotthemasterofthemineanymessagetosendtoHernandez,themasteroftheCampo?”
ThetruthofthecomparisonstruckCharlesGouldheavily.Inhisdeterminedpurposeheheldthemine,andtheindomitablebanditheldtheCampobythesameprecarioustenure.Theywereequalsbeforethelawlessnessoftheland.Itwasimpossibletodisentangleone’sactivityfromitsdebasingcontacts.Aclose-meshednetofcrimeandcorruptionlayuponthewholecountry.Animmenseandwearydiscouragementsealedhislipsforatime.
“Youareajustman,”urgedtheemissaryofHernandez.“Lookatthosepeoplewhomademycompadreageneralandhaveturnedusallintosoldiers.Lookatthoseoligarchsfleeingforlife,withonlytheclothesontheirbacks.Mycompadredoesnotthinkofthat,butourfollowersmaybewonderinggreatly,andIwouldspeakforthemtoyou.
