Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART SECOND: THE ISABELS 8. CHAPTER EIGHT (continued)

There was certainly something almost miraculous in the way the
Capataz made the cove with nothing but the shadowy hint of the
island's shape and the vague gleam of a small sandy strip for a
guide. Where the ravine opens between the cliffs, and a slender,
shallow rivulet meanders out of the bushes to lose itself in the
sea, the lighter was run ashore; and the two men, with a
taciturn, undaunted energy, began to discharge her precious
freight, carrying each ox-hide box up the bed of the rivulet
beyond the bushes to a hollow place which the caving in of the
soil had made below the roots of a large tree. Its big smooth
trunk leaned like a falling column far over the trickle of water
running amongst the loose stones.

A couple of years before Nostromo had spent a whole Sunday, all
alone, exploring the island. He explained this to Decoud after
their task was done, and they sat, weary in every limb, with
their legs hanging down the low bank, and their backs against the
tree, like a pair of blind men aware of each other and their
surroundings by some indefinable sixth sense.

"Yes," Nostromo repeated, "I never forget a place I have
carefully looked at once." He spoke slowly, almost lazily, as if
there had been a whole leisurely life before him, instead of the
scanty two hours before daylight. The existence of the treasure,
barely concealed in this improbable spot, laid a burden of
secrecy upon every contemplated step, upon every intention and
plan of future conduct. He felt the partial failure of this
desperate affair entrusted to the great reputation he had known
how to make for himself. However, it was also a partial success.
His vanity was half appeased. His nervous irritation had
subsided.

"You never know what may be of use," he pursued with his usual
quietness of tone and manner. "I spent a whole miserable Sunday
in exploring this crumb of land."

"A misanthropic sort of occupation," muttered Decoud, viciously.
"You had no money, I suppose, to gamble with, and to fling about
amongst the girls in your usual haunts, Capataz."