Ностромо

           Then,afterafewdays,anotherformappearedstridingawayfromthesettingsuntositmotionlessandawakeinthenarrowblackgullyallthroughthenight,innearlythesamepose,inthesameplaceinwhichhadsatthatothersleeplessmanwhohadgoneawayforeversoquietlyinasmallboat,aboutthetimeofsunset.AndthespiritsofgoodandevilthathoveraboutaforbiddentreasureunderstoodwellthatthesilverofSanTomewasprovidednowwithafaithfulandlifelongslave.

           ThemagnificentCapatazdeCargadores,victimofthedisenchantedvanitywhichistherewardofaudaciousaction,satinthewearyposeofahuntedoutcastthroughanightofsleeplessnessastormentingasanyknowntoDecoud,hiscompanioninthemostdesperateaffairofhislife.AndhewonderedhowDecoudhaddied.Butheknewtheparthehadplayedhimself.Firstawoman,thenaman,abandonedbothintheirlastextremity,forthesakeofthisaccursedtreasure.Itwaspaidforbyasoullostandbyavanishedlife.Theblankstillnessofawewassucceededbyagustofimmensepride.TherewasnooneintheworldbutGian’BattistaFidanza,CapatazdeCargadores,theincorruptibleandfaithfulNostromo,topaysuchaprice.

           Hehadmadeuphismindthatnothingshouldbeallowednowtorobhimofhisbargain.Nothing.Decoudhaddied.Buthow?Thathewasdeadhehadnotashadowofadoubt.Butfouringots?...Whatfor?Didhemeantocomeformore—someothertime?

           Thetreasurewasputtingforthitslatentpower