Ностромо

           Afortnightormorelater,whenBarrios,declaredGeneralissimo,wasgoneinpursuitofPedritoawaysouth,whentheProvisionalJunta,withDonJusteLopezatitshead,hadpromulgatedthenewConstitution,andourDonCarlosGouldwaspackinguphistrunksboundonamissiontoSanFranciscoandWashington(theUnitedStates,sir,werethefirstgreatpowertorecognizetheOccidentalRepublic)—afortnightlater,Isay,whenwewerebeginningtofeelthatourheadsweresafeonourshoulders,ifImayexpressmyselfso,aprominentman,alargeshipperbyourline,cametoseemeonbusiness,and,sayshe,thefirstthing:‘Isay,CaptainMitchell,isthatfellow’(meaningNostromo)‘stilltheCapatazofyourCargadoresornot?’‘What’sthematter?’saysI.‘Because,ifheis,thenIdon’tmind;Isendandreceiveagoodlotofcargobyyourships;butIhaveobservedhimseveraldaysloafingaboutthewharf,andjustnowhestoppedmeascoolasyouplease,witharequestforacigar.Now,youknow,mycigarsareratherspecial,andIcan’tgetthemsoeasilyasallthat.’‘Ihopeyoustretchedapoint,’Isaid,verygently.‘Why,yes.Butit’saconfoundednuisance.Thefellow’severlastinglycadgingforsmokes.’Sir,Iturnedmyeyesaway,andthenasked,‘Weren’tyouoneoftheprisonersintheCabildo?’‘YouknowverywellIwas,andinchains,too,’sayshe.