Chapter 10

           THEnextdaywasquietinthemorning,exceptforthefaintsoundoffiringtothenorthward,inthedirectionofLosHatos.CaptainMitchellhadlistenedtoitfromhisbalconyanxiously.Thephrase,“Inmydelicatepositionastheonlyconsularagentthenintheport,everything,sir,everythingwasajustcauseforanxiety,”haditsplaceinthemoreorlessstereotypedrelationofthe“historicalevents”whichforthenextfewyearswasattheserviceofdistinguishedstrangersvisitingSulaco.Thementionofthedignityandneutralityoftheflag,sodifficulttopreserveinhisposition,“rightinthethickoftheseeventsbetweenthelawlessnessofthatpiraticalvillainSotilloandthemoreregularlyestablishedbutscarcelylessatrocioustyrannyofhisExcellencyDonPedroMontero,”camenextinorder.CaptainMitchellwasnotthemantoenlargeuponmeredangersmuch.Butheinsistedthatitwasamemorableday.Onthatday,towardsdusk,hehadseen“thatpoorfellowofmine—Nostromo.ThesailorwhomIdiscovered,and,Imaysay,made,sir.ThemanofthefamousridetoCayta,sir.Anhistoricalevent,sir!”

           RegardedbytheO.S.N.Companyasanoldandfaithfulservant,CaptainMitchellwasallowedtoattainthetermofhisusefulnessineaseanddignityattheheadoftheenormouslyextendedservice.