Nostromo : A Tale of the Seaboard
be, and I made up my mind to see it out. Every minute was of importance. I had to wait for you first. Then, when we arrived at the Italia Una, old Giorgio shouted to me to go for the English doctor. Later on ihat poor dying woman wanted to see me, as you know, r, I was reluctant to go. I felt already this cursed Btver growing heavy upon my back, and I was afraid feat, knowing herself to be dying, she would ask me to ride off again for a priest. Father Corbelan, who is fearless, would have come at a word, but Father Corbelàn is far away safe, with the band of Hernandez, and me populace that would have liked to tear him to pieces are much incensed against the priests. Not a single fat padre would have consented to put his head out of his hiding-place to-night to save a Christian soul except, perhaps, under my protection. That was in her mind. I pretended I did not believe she was going to die. Señor, I refused to fetch a priest for a dying woman . . ."
Decoud was heard to stir.
"You did, capataz!" he exclaimed. His tone changed. "Well, you know it was rather fine."
"You do not believe in priests, Don Martin? Neither do I. What was the use of wasting time? But she—she believes in them. The thing sticks in my throat. She may be dead already, and here we are floating helpless with no wind at all. Curse on all superstition. Ht died thinking I deprived her of paradise, I suppose. It shall be the most desperate affair of my life."
Decoud remained lost in reflection. He tried to analyze the sensations awakened by what he had been told. The voice of the capataz was heard again.
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