Joseph Conrad

“ There was something cruel in the absolute dumbness of the night. The great cloud covering half the sky hung right against one, like an enormous curtain hiding menacing preparations of violence. As the feet of the two men touched the ground, a rumble came from behind it, preceded by a swift, mysterious gleam of light on the waters of the bay.
"Ha!" said Ricardo. "It begins."
"It may be nothing in the end," observed Heyst, stepping along steadily.
"No! Let it come!" Ricardo said viciously. ”

“ One can see," Ricardo said with hidden venom, "that you are a gentleman; but all that gentlemanly fancifulness is apt to turn sour on a plain man's stomach. However--you'll have to pardon me."
He put his fingers into his mouth and let out a whistle which seemed to drive a thin, sharp shaft of air solidly against one's nearest ear-drum. Though he greatly enjoyed Heyst's involuntary grimace, he sat perfectly stolid waiting for the effect of the call.
It brought Pedro in with an extraordinary, uncouth, primeval impetuosity. ”

“ Heyst made a gesture of vague protest.
"There's nothing to assure me that he will stay there. I have no doubt of his going, but it's an act without guarantee."
"There you are!" Ricardo shrugged his shoulders philosophically. "Can't be helped. Short of shooting our Pedro, nobody can make absolutely sure of his staying in the same place longer than he has a mind to; but I tell you, he lives in holy terror of my temper. That's why I put on my sudden-death air when I talk to him. And yet I wouldn't shoot him--not I, unless in such a fit of rage as would make a man shoot his favourite dog. ”