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

explained the Capataz. ‘The silver must be saved from theMonterists. I told Captain Mitchell three times that I preferredto go alone. I told Don Carlos Gould, too. It was inthe Casa Gould. They had sent for me. The ladies were there;and when I tried to explain why I did not wish to have youwith me, they promised me, both of them, great rewards foryour safety. A strange way to talk to a man you are sendingout to an almost certain death. Those gentlefolk do notseem to have sense enough to understand what they are givingone to do. I told them I could do nothing for you. Youwould have been safer with the bandit Hernandez. It wouldhave been possible to ride out of the town with no greaterrisk than a chance shot sent after you in the dark. But it wasas if they had been deaf. I had to promise I would wait foryou under the harbour gate. I did wait. And now becauseyou are a brave man you are as safe as the silver. Neithermore nor less.’At that moment, as if by way of comment upon Nostromo’swords, the invisible steamer went ahead at half speedonly, as could be judged by the leisurely beat of her propeller.The sound shifted its place markedly, but without comingnearer. It even grew a little more distant right abeam of thelighter, and then ceased again.‘They are trying for a sight of the Isabels,’ muttered Nostromo,‘in order to make for the harbour in a straight lineand seize the Custom House with the treasure in it. Haveyou ever seen the Commandant of Esmeralda, Sotillo? Ahandsome fellow, with a soft voice. When I first came hereI used to see him in the Calle talking to the senoritas at the