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

oom for fear in this lighter,’ he added through his teeth.Decoud had no answer to make. It was not a position forargument, for a display of scruples or feelings. There were athousand ways in which a panic-stricken man could makehimself dangerous. It was evident that Hirsch could not bespoken to, reasoned with, or persuaded into a rational lineof conduct. The story of his own escape demonstrated thatclearly enough. Decoud thought that it was a thousand pitiesthe wretch had not died of fright. Nature, who had madehim what he was, seemed to have calculated cruelly howmuch he could bear in the way of atrocious anguish withoutactually expiring. Some compassion was due to so muchterror. Decoud, though imaginative enough for sympathy,resolved not to interfere with any action that Nostromowould take. But Nostromo did nothing. And the fate of SenorHirsch remained suspended in the darkness of the gulfat the mercy of events which could not be foreseen.The Capataz, extending his hand, put out the candle suddenly.It was to Decoud as if his companion had destroyed,by a single touch, the world of affairs, of loves, of revolution,where his complacent superiority analyzed fearlesslyall motives and all passions, including his own.He gasped a little. Decoud was affected by the novelty ofhis position. Intellectually self-confident, he suffered frombeing deprived of the only weapon he could use with effect.No intelligence could penetrate the darkness of the PlacidGulf. There remained only one thing he was certain of, andthat was the overweening vanity of his companion. It wasdirect, uncomplicated, naive, and effectual. Decoud, who