Ностромо

           OntheseventeenthofMay,justtwelvedaysafterIsawthemanfromtheCasaViolagetontheengine,andwonderedwhatitmeant,Barrios’stransportswereenteringthisharbour,andthe‘TreasureHouseoftheWorld,’asTheTimesmancallsSulacoinhisbook,wassavedintactforcivilization—foragreatfuture,sir.Pedrito,withHernandezonthewest,andtheSanTomeminerspressingonthelandgate,wasnotabletoopposethelanding.HehadbeensendingmessagestoSotilloforaweektojoinhim.HadSotillodonesotherewouldhavebeenmassacresandproscriptionthatwouldhaveleftnomanorwomanofpositionalive.Butthat’swhereDr.Monyghamcomesin.Sotillo,blindanddeaftoeverything,stuckonboardhissteamerwatchingthedraggingforsilver,whichhebelievedtobesunkatthebottomoftheharbour.Theysaythatforthelastthreedayshewasoutofhismindravingandfoamingwithdisappointmentatgettingnothing,flyingaboutthedeck,andyellingcursesattheboatswiththedrags,orderingthemin,andthensuddenlystampinghisfootandcryingout,‘Andyetitisthere!Iseeit!Ifeelit!’

           “HewaspreparingtohangDr.Monygham(whomhehadonboard)attheendoftheafter-derrick,whenthefirstofBarrios’stransports,oneofourownshipsatthat,steamedrightin,andrangingclosealongsideopenedasmall-armfirewithoutasmuchpreliminariesasahail.Itwasthecompletestsurpriseintheworld,sir.Theyweretooastoundedatfirsttoboltbelow.Menwerefallingrightandleftlikeninepins.