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

ecome the prey in person and fortune of the native soldiery,which, as is well known, behave with regrettable barbarityto the inhabitants during their civil commotions. And then,sir, there were the Goulds, for both of whom, man and wife,I could not but entertain the warmest feelings deserved bytheir hospitality and kindness. I felt, too, the dangers of thegentlemen of the Amarilla Club, who had made me honorarymember, and had treated me with uniform regard andcivility, both in my capacity of Consular Agent and as Superintendentof an important Steam Service. Miss AntoniaAvellanos, the most beautiful and accomplished young ladywhom it had ever been my privilege to speak to, was not alittle in my mind, I confess. How the interests of my Companywould be affected by the impending change of officialsclaimed a large share of my attention, too. In short, sir, Iwas extremely anxious and very tired, as you may suppose,by the exciting and memorable events in which I had takenmy little part. The Company’s building containing my residencewas within five minutes’ walk, with the attraction ofsome supper and of my hammock (I always take my nightlyrest in a hammock, as the most suitable to the climate); butsomehow, sir, though evidently I could do nothing for anyone by remaining about, I could not tear myself away fromthat wharf, where the fatigue made me stumble painfullyat times. The night was excessively dark—the darkest I rememberin my life; so that I began to think that the arrivalof the transport from Esmeralda could not possibly takeplace before daylight, owing to the difficulty of navigatingthe gulf. The mosquitoes bit like fury. We have been infest-