Ностромо

           Thatemptyboat,comingouttomeethimmysteriously,asifrowedbyaninvisiblespectre,exercisedthefascinationofsomesign,ofsomewarning,seemedtoanswerinastartlingandenigmaticwaythepersistentthoughtofatreasureandofaman’sfate.Hewouldhaveleapediftherehadbeendeathinthathalf-mileofwater.Itwasassmoothasapond,andforsomereasonsharksareunknowninthePlacidGulf,thoughontheothersideofthePuntaMalathecoastlineswarmswiththem.

           TheCapatazseizedholdofthesternandblewwithforce.Aqueer,faintfeelinghadcomeoverhimwhileheswam.Hehadgotridofhisbootsandcoatinthewater.Hehungonforatime,regaininghisbreath.Inthedistancethetransports,moreinabunchnow,heldonstraightforSulaco,withtheirairoffriendlycontest,ofnauticalsport,ofaregatta;andtheunitedsmokeoftheirfunnelsdrovelikeathin,sulphurousfogbankrightoverhishead.Itwashisdaring,hiscourage,hisactthathadsettheseshipsinmotionuponthesea,hurryingontosavethelivesandfortunesoftheBlancos,thetaskmastersofthepeople;tosavetheSanTomemine;tosavethechildren.

           Withavigorousandskilfuleffortheclamberedoverthestern.Theveryboat!Nodoubtofit;nodoubtwhatever.ItwasthedinghyofthelighterNo.3—thedinghyleftwithMartinDecoudontheGreatIsabelsothatheshouldhavesomemeanstohelphimselfifnothingcouldbedoneforhimfromtheshore.Andhereshehadcomeouttomeethimemptyandinexplicable.