Ностромо

           Inaveryfewstrokesheuncoveredtheedgesandcornersofseveral;then,clearingawaymoreearth,becameawarethatoneofthemhadbeenslashedwithaknife.

           Heexclaimedatthatdiscoveryinastifledvoice,anddroppedonhiskneeswithalookofirrationalapprehensionoveroneshoulder,thenovertheother.Thestiffhidehadclosed,andhehesitatedbeforehepushedhishandthroughthelongslitandfelttheingotsinside.Theretheywere.One,two,three.Yes,fourgone.Takenaway.Fouringots.Butwho?Decoud?Nobodyelse.Andwhy?Forwhatpurpose?Forwhatcursedfancy?Lethimexplain.Fouringotscarriedoffinaboat,and—blood!

           Inthefaceoftheopengulf,thesun,clear,unclouded,unaltered,plungedintothewatersinagraveanduntroubledmysteryofself-immolationconsummatedfarfromallmortaleyes,withaninfinitemajestyofsilenceandpeace.Fouringotsshort!—andblood!

           TheCapatazgotupslowly.

           “Hemightsimplyhavecuthishand,”hemuttered.“But,then——”

           Hesatdownonthesoftearth,unresisting,asifhehadbeenchainedtothetreasure,hisdrawn-uplegsclaspedinhishandswithanairofhopelesssubmission,likeaslavesetonguard.Onceonlyheliftedhisheadsmartly:therattleofhotmusketryfirehadreachedhisears,likepouringfromonhighastreamofdrypeasuponadrum.Afterlisteningforawhile,hesaid,halfaloud—

           “Hewillnevercomebacktoexplain.