Chapter 2

           CAPTAINMITCHELL,pacingthewharf,wasaskinghimselfthesamequestion.TherewasalwaysthedoubtwhetherthewarningoftheEsmeraldatelegraphist—afragmentaryandinterruptedmessage—hadbeenproperlyunderstood.However,thegoodmanhadmadeuphismindnottogotobedtilldaylight,ifeventhen.HeimaginedhimselftohaverenderedanenormousservicetoCharlesGould.Whenhethoughtofthesavedsilverherubbedhishandstogetherwithsatisfaction.Inhissimplewayhewasproudatbeingapartytothisextremelycleverexpedient.Itwashewhohadgivenitapracticalshapebysuggestingthepossibilityofinterceptingatseathenorth-boundsteamer.AnditwasadvantageoustohisCompany,too,whichwouldhavelostavaluablefreightifthetreasurehadbeenleftashoretobeconfiscated.ThepleasureofdisappointingtheMonteristswasalsoverygreat.Authoritativebytemperamentandthelonghabitofcommand,CaptainMitchellwasnodemocrat.Heevenwentsofarastoprofessacontemptforparliamentarismitself.“HisExcellencyDonVincenteRibiera,”heusedtosay,“whomIandthatfellowofmine,Nostromo,hadthehonour,sir,andthepleasureofsavingfromacrueldeath,deferredtoomuchtohisCongress.Itwasamistake—adistinctmistake,sir.”

           TheguilelessoldseamansuperintendingtheO.S.N.serviceimaginedthatthelastthreedayshadexhaustedeverystartlingsurprisethepoliticallifeofCostaguanacouldoffer.Heusedtoconfessafterwardsthattheeventswhichfollowedsurpassedhisimagination.