Ностромо
Chapter 4
Ithadbeenotherwiseinhistimewhenmenfoughtagainsttyranny,intheforestsofBrazil,orontheplainsofUruguay,starvingonhalf-rawbeefwithoutsalt,halfnaked,withoftenonlyaknifetiedtoastickforaweapon.“Andyetweusedtoprevailagainsttheoppressor,”heconcluded,proudly.
Hisanimationfell;theslightgestureofhishandexpresseddiscouragement;butheaddedthathehadaskedoneofthesergeantstoshowhimthenewrifle.Therewasnosuchweaponinhisfightingdays;andifBarrioscouldnot—
“Yes,yes,”brokeinDonJose,almosttremblingwitheagerness.“Wearesafe.ThegoodSenorViolaisamanofexperience.Extremelydeadly—isitnotso?Youhaveaccomplishedyourmissionadmirably,mydearMartin.”
Decoud,lollingbackmoodily,contemplatedoldViola.
“Ah!Yes.Amanofexperience.Butwhoareyoufor,really,inyourheart?”
Mrs.Gouldleanedovertothechildren.Lindahadbroughtoutaglassofwateronatray,withextremecare;Gisellepresentedherwithabunchofflowersgatheredhastily.
“Forthepeople,”declaredoldViola,sternly.
“Weareallforthepeople—intheend.”
“Yes,”mutteredoldViola,savagely.“Andmeantimetheyfightforyou.Blind.Esclavos!”
AtthatmomentyoungScarfeoftherailwaystaffemergedfromthedoorofthepartreservedfortheSignoriInglesi.
