Ностромо

           WhathadbecomeofDecoud?TheCapatazmadeaminuteexamination.Helookedforsomescratch,forsomemark,forsomesign.Allhediscoveredwasabrownstainonthegunwaleabreastofthethwart.Hebenthisfaceoveritandrubbedhardwithhisfinger.Thenhesatdowninthesternsheets,passive,withhiskneesclosetogetherandlegsaslant.

           Streamingfromheadtofoot,withhishairandwhiskershanginglankanddrippingandalustrelessstarefixeduponthebottomboards,theCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoresresembledadrownedcorpsecomeupfromthebottomtoidleawaythesunsethourinasmallboat.Theexcitementofhisadventurousride,theexcitementofthereturnintime,ofachievement,ofsuccess,allthisexcitementcentredroundtheassociatedideasofthegreattreasureandoftheonlyothermanwhoknewofitsexistence,haddepartedfromhim.TotheverylastmomenthehadbeencudgellinghisbrainsastohowhecouldmanagetovisittheGreatIsabelwithoutlossoftimeandundetected.FortheideaofsecrecyhadcometobeconnectedwiththetreasuresocloselythateventoBarrioshimselfhehadrefrainedfrommentioningtheexistenceofDecoudandofthesilverontheisland.ThelettershecarriedtotheGeneral,however,madebriefmentionofthelossofthelighter,ashavingitsbearinguponthesituationinSulaco.Inthecircumstances,theone-eyedtiger-slayer,scentingbattlefromafar,hadnotwastedhistimeinmakinginquiriesfromthemessenger.