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

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

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world knows <strong>of</strong> now. I hold seventeen <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> thousand-dollarshares in <strong>the</strong> Consolidated San Tome mines. All <strong>the</strong> poorsavings <strong>of</strong> my lifetime, sir, and it will be enough to keepme in comfort to <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> my days at home when I retire.I got in on <strong>the</strong> ground-floor, you see. Don Carlos, greatfriend <strong>of</strong> mine. Seventeen shares—quite a little fortune toleave behind one, too. I have a niece—married a parson—most worthy man, incumbent <strong>of</strong> a small parish in Sussex;no end <strong>of</strong> children. I was never married myself. A sailorshould exercise self-denial. Standing under that very gateway,sir, with some young engineer-fellows, ready to defendthat house where we had received so much kindness andhospitality, I saw <strong>the</strong> first and last charge <strong>of</strong> Pedrito’s horsemenupon Barrios’s troops, who had just taken <strong>the</strong> HarbourGate. They could not stand <strong>the</strong> new rifles brought out bythat poor Decoud. It was a murderous fire. In a moment <strong>the</strong>street became blocked with a mass <strong>of</strong> dead men and horses.They never came on again.’And all day Captain Mitchell would talk like this to hismore or less willing victim—‘The Plaza. I call it magnificent. Twice <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> TrafalgarSquare.’From <strong>the</strong> very centre, in <strong>the</strong> blazing sunshine, he pointedout <strong>the</strong> buildings—‘The Intendencia, now President’s Palace—Cabildo,where <strong>the</strong> Lower Chamber <strong>of</strong> Parliament sits. You notice<strong>the</strong> new houses on that side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Plaza? Compania Anzani,a great general store, like those cooperative things at home.Old Anzani was murdered by <strong>the</strong> National Guards in front

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