Ностромо
Chapter 1
Costaguanahadnonavy,and,apartfromafewcoastguardcutters,therewerenonationalshipsexceptacoupleofoldmerchantsteamersusedastransports.
CaptainMitchell,feelingmoreandmoreinthethickofhistory,foundtimeforanhourorsoduringanafternooninthedrawing-roomoftheCasaGould,where,withastrangeignoranceoftherealforcesatworkaroundhim,heprofessedhimselfdelightedtogetawayfromthestrainofaffairs.HedidnotknowwhathewouldhavedonewithouthisinvaluableNostromo,hedeclared.ThoseconfoundedCostaguanapoliticsgavehimmorework—heconfidedtoMrs.Gould—thanhehadbargainedfor.
DonJoseAvellanoshaddisplayedintheserviceoftheendangeredRibieraGovernmentanorganizingactivityandaneloquenceofwhichtheechoesreachedevenEurope.For,afterthenewloantotheRibieraGovernment,EuropehadbecomeinterestedinCostaguana.