Ностромо
Chapter 8
“Itwillbenecessarytotakehimintomyfullestconfidence,”hesaidtohimself,withacertainacutenessofinsightintothenaturehehadtodealwith.
OnNostromo’ssidethesilencehadbeenfullofblackirresolution,anger,andmistrust.Hewasthefirsttobreakit,however.
“Theswimmingwasnogreatmatter,”hesaid.“Itiswhatwentbefore—andwhatcomesafterthat—”
Hedidnotquitefinishwhathemeanttosay,breakingoffshort,asthoughhisthoughthadbuttedagainstasolidobstacle.Thedoctor’smindpursueditsownschemeswithMachiavelliansubtlety.Hesaidassympatheticallyashewasable—
“Itisunfortunate,Capataz.Butnoonewouldthinkofblamingyou.Veryunfortunate.Tobeginwith,thetreasureoughtnevertohaveleftthemountain.ButitwasDecoudwho—however,heisdead.Thereisnoneedtotalkofhim.”
“No,”assentedNostromo,asthedoctorpaused,“thereisnoneedtotalkofdeadmen.ButIamnotdeadyet.”
“Youareallright.Onlyamanofyourintrepiditycouldhavesavedhimself.”
InthisDr.Monyghamwassincere.Heesteemedhighlytheintrepidityofthatman,whomhevaluedbutlittle,beingdisillusionedastomankindingeneral,becauseoftheparticularinstanceinwhichhisownmanhoodhadfailed.
