Nostromo - A Tale of the Seaboard.pdf - Planet eBook

to drive away the stray dogs from their cooking-pots. Caramba!I could tell by her voice that death had forgotten her.But, old or young, they like money, and will speak well ofthe man who gives it to them.’ He laughed a little. ‘Senor,you should have felt the clutch of her paw as I put the piecein her palm.’ He paused. ‘My last, too,’ he added.‘I made no comment. He’s known for his liberality andhis bad luck at the game of monte, which keeps him as pooras when he first came here.‘I suppose, Don Martin,’ he began, in a thoughtful, speculativetone, ‘that the Senor Administrador of San Tomewill reward me some day if I save his silver?’‘I said that it could not be otherwise, surely. He walkedon, muttering to himself. ‘Si, si, without doubt, withoutdoubt; and, look you, Senor Martin, what it is to be wellspoken of! There is not another man that could have beeneven thought of for such a thing. I shall get something greatfor it some day. And let it come soon,’ he mumbled. ‘Timepasses in this country as quick as anywhere else.’‘This, soeur cherie, is my companion in the great escapefor the sake of the great cause. He is more naive than shrewd,more masterful than crafty, more generous with his personalitythan the people who make use of him are with theirmoney. At least, that is what he thinks himself with morepride than sentiment. I am glad I have made friends withhim. As a companion he acquires more importance than heever had as a sort of minor genius in his way—as an originalItalian sailor whom I allowed to come in in the smallhours and talk familiarly to the editor of the Porvenir while