Page 339 - nostromo-a-tale-of-the-seaboard

its value for ever…. An incorruptible metal,’ he repeated, as
if the idea had given him a profound pleasure.
‘As some men are said to be,’ Decoud pronounced, in-
scrutably, while the Capataz, who busied himself in baling
out the lighter with a wooden bucket, went on throwing the
water over the side with a regular splash. Decoud, incor-
rigible in his scepticism, reflected, not cynically, but with
general satisfaction, that this man was made incorruptible
by his enormous vanity, that finest form of egoism which
can take on the aspect of every virtue.
Nostromo ceased baling, and, as if struck with a sudden
thought, dropped the bucket with a clatter into the lighter.
‘Have you any message?’ he asked in a lowered voice. ‘Re-
member, I shall be asked questions.’
‘You must find the hopeful words that ought to be spoken
to the people in town. I trust for that your intelligence and
your experience, Capataz. You understand?’
‘Si, senor…. For the ladies.’
‘Yes, yes,’ said Decoud, hastily. ‘Your wonderful repu-
tation will make them attach great value to your words;
therefore be careful what you say. I am looking forward,’
he continued, feeling the fatal touch of contempt for him-
self to which his complex nature was subject, ‘I am looking
forward to a glorious and successful ending to my mission.
Do you hear, Capataz? Use the words glorious and success-
ful when you speak to the senorita. Your own mission is
accomplished gloriously and successfully. You have indu-
bitably saved the silver of the mine. Not only this silver, but
probably all the silver that shall ever come out of it.’

Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard