Chapter 8

           FORamoment,beforethisextraordinaryfind,theyforgottheirownconcernsandsensations.SenorHirsch’ssensationsashelaytheremusthavebeenthoseofextremeterror.Foralongtimeherefusedtogiveasignoflife,tillatlastDecoud’sobjurgations,and,perhapsmore,Nostromo’simpatientsuggestionthatheshouldbethrownoverboard,asheseemedtobedead,inducedhimtoraiseoneeyelidfirst,andthentheother.

           ItappearedthathehadneverfoundasafeopportunitytoleaveSulaco.HelodgedwithAnzani,theuniversalstorekeeper,onthePlazaMayor.Butwhentheriotbrokeouthehadmadehisescapefromhishost’shousebeforedaylight,andinsuchahurrythathehadforgottentoputonhisshoes.Hehadrunoutimpulsivelyinhissocks,andwithhishatinhishand,intothegardenofAnzani’shouse.Feargavehimthenecessaryagilitytoclimboverseverallowwalls,andafterwardsheblunderedintotheovergrowncloistersoftheruinedFranciscanconventinoneoftheby-streets.Heforcedhimselfintothemidstofmattedbusheswiththerecklessnessofdesperation,andthisaccountedforhisscratchedbodyandhistornclothing.Helayhiddenthereallday,histonguecleavingtotheroofofhismouthwithalltheintensityofthirstengenderedbyheatandfear.Threetimesdifferentbandsofmeninvadedtheplacewithshoutsandimprecations,lookingforFatherCorbelan;buttowardstheevening,stilllyingonhisfaceinthebushes,hethoughthewoulddiefromthefearofsilence.