Ностромо
Chapter 2
“Don’ttalktomeofyourSmith.”
Then,calmingdownsuddenly,hewoulddismissthesubjectwithstudiednegligence.
“Smithknowsnomoreofthiscontinentthanababy.”
“OurexcellentSenorMitchell”forthebusinessandofficialworldofSulaco;“FussyJoe”forthecommandersoftheCompany’sships,CaptainJosephMitchellpridedhimselfonhisprofoundknowledgeofmenandthingsinthecountry—cosasdeCostaguana.AmongsttheselastheaccountedasmostunfavourabletotheorderlyworkingofhisCompanythefrequentchangesofgovernmentbroughtaboutbyrevolutionsofthemilitarytype.
ThepoliticalatmosphereoftheRepublicwasgenerallystormyinthesedays.Thefugitivepatriotsofthedefeatedpartyhadtheknackofturningupagainonthecoastwithhalfasteamer’sloadofsmallarmsandammunition.SuchresourcefulnessCaptainMitchellconsideredasperfectlywonderfulinviewoftheirutterdestitutionatthetimeofflight.Hehadobservedthat“theyneverseemedtohaveenoughchangeaboutthemtopayfortheirpassageticketoutofthecountry.”Andhecouldspeakwithknowledge;foronamemorableoccasionhehadbeencalledupontosavethelifeofadictator,togetherwiththelivesofafewSulacoofficials—thepoliticalchief,thedirectorofthecustoms,andtheheadofpolice—belongingtoanoverturnedgovernment.
