Nostromo and Decoud

Nostromo is a deeply flawed hero who accuses himself of betraying two people: Senorita Viola and Martin Decoud.

As to the latter, he leaves him on the Isabel with the silver and heads back to Sulaco. When he does so, he appears intent on returning or in somehow assisting Decoud. Decoud must stay on the isle given the enmity between himself and the Monterist forces (259). At the point he leaves Decoud, Nostromo is not aware that the public believes the lighter with the silver was sunk. He believes he will have to account for it. When he discovers from Monygham that the public believes the silver sunk, this knowledge changes the equation and Nostromo then seems to abandon Decoud, maybe with the idea of making the silver his own? At a minimum, once Monygham charges him with the noble, saving task of travelling to enlist Barrios and his troops, the prospect of another grand, public gesture and the acclaim it will add to his prestige and legend quickly makes him "forget" about Decoud stranded on the Isabels.