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Chapter 8
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TheCapatazoftheSulacoCargadoreshadlivedinsplendourandpublicityuptotheverymoment,asitwere,whenhetookchargeofthelightercontainingthetreasureofsilveringots.
ThelastacthehadperformedinSulacowasincompleteharmonywithhisvanity,andassuchperfectlygenuine.Hehadgivenhislastdollartoanoldwomanmoaningwiththegriefandfatigueofadismalsearchunderthearchoftheancientgate.Performedinobscurityandwithoutwitnesses,ithadstillthecharacteristicsofsplendourandpublicity,andwasinstrictkeepingwithhisreputation.Butthisawakeninginsolitude,exceptforthewatchfulvulture,amongsttheruinsofthefort,hadnosuchcharacteristics.Hisfirstconfusedfeelingwasexactlythis—thatitwasnotinkeeping.Itwasmoreliketheendofthings.Thenecessityoflivingconcealedsomehow,forGodknowshowlong,whichassailedhimonhisreturntoconsciousness,madeeverythingthathadgonebeforeforyearsappearvainandfoolish,likeaflatteringdreamcomesuddenlytoanend.
Heclimbedthecrumblingslopeoftherampart,and,puttingasidethebushes,lookedupontheharbour.Hesawacoupleofshipsatanchoruponthesheetofwaterreflectingthelastgleamsoflight,andSotillo’ssteamermooredtothejetty.
