Ностромо
Chapter 2
Tobeginwith,Sulaco(becauseoftheseizureofthecablesandthedisorganizationofthesteamservice)remainedforawholefortnightcutofffromtherestoftheworldlikeabesiegedcity.
“Onewouldnothavebelieveditpossible;butsoitwas,sir.Afullfortnight.”
Theaccountoftheextraordinarythingsthathappenedduringthattime,andthepowerfulemotionsheexperienced,acquiredacomicimpressivenessfromthepompousmannerofhispersonalnarrative.Heopeneditalwaysbyassuringhishearerthathewas“inthethickofthingsfromfirsttolast.”Thenhewouldbeginbydescribingthegettingawayofthesilver,andhisnaturalanxietylest“hisfellow”inchargeofthelightershouldmakesomemistake.Apartfromthelossofsomuchpreciousmetal,thelifeofSenorMartinDecoud,anagreeable,wealthy,andwell-informedyounggentleman,wouldhavebeenjeopardizedthroughhisfallingintothehandsofhispoliticalenemies.CaptainMitchellalsoadmittedthatinhissolitaryvigilonthewharfhehadfeltacertainmeasureofconcernforthefutureofthewholecountry.
