In this Dr Monygham was sincere. He esteemed highly the intrepidity of that man, whom he valued but little, being disillusioned as to mankind in general, because of the particular instance in which his own manhood had failed. Having had to encounter single-handed during his period of eclipse many physical dangers, he was well aware of the most dangerous element common to them all: of the crushing, paralysing sense of human littleness, which is what really defeats a man struggling with natural forces, alone, far from the eyes of his fellows. He was eminently fit to appreciate the mental image he made for himself of the Capataz, after hours of tension and anxiety, precipitated suddenly into an abyss of waters and darkness, without earth or sky, and confronting it not only with an undismayed mind, but with sensible success. Of course, the man was an incomparable swimmer, that was known, but the doctor judged that this instance testified to a still greater intrepidity of spirit. It was pleasing to him; he augured well from it for the success of the arduous mission with which he meant to entrust the Capataz so marvellously restored to usefulness. And in a tone vaguely gratified, he observed:
`It must have been terribly dark!'
`It was the worst darkness of the Golfo,' the Capataz assented, briefly.
He was mollified by what seemed a sign of some faint interest in such things as had befallen him, and dropped a few descriptive phrases with an affected and curt nonchalance. At that moment he felt communicative. He expected the continuance of that interest which, whether accepted or rejected, would have restored to him his personality -- the only thing lost in that desperate affair. But the doctor, engrossed by a desperate adventure of his own, was terrible in the pursuit of his idea. He let an exclamation of regret escape him.
`I could almost wish you had shouted and shown a light.'
This unexpected utterance astounded the Capataz by its character of cold-blooded atrocity. It was as much as to say, `I wish you had shown yourself a coward; I wish you had your throat cut for your pains.' Naturally he referred it to himself, whereas it related only to the silver, being uttered simply and with many mental reservations. Surprise and rage rendered him speechless, and the doctor pursued, practically unheard by Nostromo, whose stirred blood was beating violently in his ears.
`For I am convinced Sotillo in possession of the silver would have turned short round and made for some small port abroad. Economically it would have been wasteful, but still less wasteful than having it sunk. It was the next best thing to having it at hand in some safe place, and using part of it to buy up Sotillo. But I doubt whether Don Carlos would have ever made up his mind to it. He is not fit for Costaguana, and that is a fact, Capataz.'
The Capataz had mastered the fury that was like a tempest in his ears in time to hear the name of Don Carlos. He seemed to have come out of it a changed man -- a man who spoke thoughtfully in a soft and even voice.
`And would Don Carlos have been content if I had surrendered this treasure?'
`I should not wonder if they were all of that way of thinking now,'
the doctor said, grimly. `I was never consulted. Decoud had it his own way. Their eyes are opened by this time, I should think. I for one know that if that silver turned up this moment miraculously ashore I would give it to Sotillo. And, as things stand, I would be approved.'
`Turned up miraculously,' repeated the Capataz very low; then raised his voice. `That, senor , would be a greater miracle than any saint could perform.'
`I believe you, Capataz,' said the doctor, drily.
He went on to develop his view of Sotillo's dangerous influence upon the situation. And the Capataz, listening as if in a dream, felt himself of as little account as the indistinct, motionless shape of the dead man whom he saw upright under the beam, with his air of listening also, disregarded, forgotten, like a terrible example of neglect.
`Is it for an unconsidered and foolish whim that they came to me, then?'
he interrupted, suddenly. `Had I not done enough for them to be of some account, por Dios ? Is it that the hombres finos -- the gentlemen -- need not think as long as there is a man of the people ready to risk his body and soul? Or; perhaps, we have no souls -- like dogs?'
`There was Decoud, too, with his plan,' the doctor reminded him again.
` Si ! And the rich man in San Francisco who had something to do with that treasure, too -- what do I know? No! I have heard too many things.
It seems to me that everything is permitted to the rich.'
`I understand, Capataz,' the doctor began.
`What Capataz?' broke in Nostromo, in a forcible but even voice, `The Capataz is undone, destroyed. There is no Capataz. Oh, no! You will find the Capataz no more.'
`Come, this is childish!' remonstrated the doctor; and the other calmed down suddenly.
`I have been indeed like a little child,' he muttered.
And as his eyes met again the shape of the murdered man suspended in his awful immobility, which seemed the uncomplaining immobility of attention, he asked, wondering gently:
`Why did Sotillo give the estrapade to this pitiful wretch? Do you know?
No torture could have been worse than his fear. Killing I can understand.
His anguish was intolerable to behold. But why should he torment him like this? He could tell no more.'
`No; he could tell nothing more. Any sane man would have seen that.