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Chapter 9
“Whatareyoulaughingat?”
“Iamlaughingtothinkthatifsomebodythatdidnotapproveofmypresenceintown,forinstance—youunderstand,senordoctor—ifsomebodyweretogivemeuptoPedrito,itwouldnotbebeyondmypowertomakefriendsevenwithhim.Itistrue.Whatdoyouthinkofthat?”
“Youareamanofinfiniteresource,Capataz,”saidDr.Monygham,dismally.“Irecognizethat.Butthetownisfulloftalkaboutyou;andthosefewCargadoresthatarenotinhidingwiththerailwaypeoplehavebeenshouting‘VivaMontero’onthePlazaallday.”
“MypoorCargadores!”mutteredNostromo.“Betrayed!Betrayed!”
“IunderstandthatonthewharfyouwereprettyfreeinlayingaboutyouwithastickamongstyourpoorCargadores,”thedoctorsaidinagrimtone,whichshowedthathewasrecoveringfromhisexertions.“Makenomistake.PedritoisfuriousatSenorRibiera’srescue,andathavinglostthepleasureofshootingDecoud.Alreadytherearerumoursinthetownofthetreasurehavingbeenspiritedaway.TohavemissedthatdoesnotpleasePedritoeither;butletmetellyouthatifyouhadallthatsilverinyourhandforransomitwouldnotsaveyou.”
Turningswiftly,andcatchingthedoctorbytheshoulders,Nostromothrusthisfaceclosetohis.
“Maladetta!Youfollowmespeakingofthetreasure.Youhaveswornmyruin.YouwerethelastmanwholookeduponmebeforeIwentoutwithit.
