Ностромо
Chapter 2
“Fromyou!Yes,fromyou!”
Forthespaceofasecondorsothecolonelstoodwithaperfectlystonyexpressionofface;then,asCaptainMitchellflungoutanarmtowardsthetableasiftosnatchuptherevolver,Sotillo,withayellofalarm,boundedtothedoorandwasgoneinaflash,slammingitafterhim.SurprisecalmedCaptainMitchell’sfury.BehindthecloseddoorSotilloshoutedonthelanding,andtherewasagreattumultoffeetonthewoodenstaircase.
“Disarmhim!Bindhim!”thecolonelcouldbeheardvociferating.
CaptainMitchellhadjustthetimetoglanceonceatthewindows,withthreeperpendicularbarsofironeachandsometwentyfeetfromtheground,ashewellknew,beforethedoorflewopenandtherushuponhimtookplace.Inanincrediblyshorttimehefoundhimselfboundwithmanyturnsofahideropetoahigh-backedchair,sothathisheadaloneremainedfree.NottillthendidSotillo,whohadbeenleaninginthedoorwaytremblingvisibly,ventureagainwithin.Thesoldiers,pickingupfromthefloortheriflestheyhaddroppedtograpplewiththeprisoner,filedoutoftheroom.Theofficersremainedleaningontheirswordsandlookingon.
“Thewatch!thewatch!”ravedthecolonel,pacingtoandfrolikeatigerinacage.“Givemethatman’swatch.