第3章

Ofcourse，hewastoogreatamantobequestionedastohismotives，evenbyhisintimates。Theoutsideworldwasatlibertytowonderrespectfullyatthehiddenmeaningofhisactions。Hewassogreatamanthathislavishpatronageofthe`purerformsofChristianity\'(whichinitsnaiveformofchurch-buildingamusedMrsGould)waslookeduponbyhisfellow-citizensasthemanifestationofapiousandhumblespirit。ButinhisowncirclesofthefinancialworldthetakingupofsuchathingastheSanTomeminewasregardedwithrespect，indeed，butratherasasubjectfordiscreetjocularity。Itwasagreatman\'scaprice。InthegreatHolroydbuilding(anenormouspileofiron，glass，andblocksofstoneatthecorneroftwostreets，cobwebbedaloftbytheradiationoftelegraphwires)theheadsofprincipaldepartmentsexchangedhumorousglances，whichmeantthattheywerenotletintothesecretsoftheSanTomebusiness。TheCostaguanamail(itwasneverlarge——onefairlyheavyenvelope)wastakenunopenedstraightintothegreatman\'sroom，andnoinstructionsdealingwithithadeverbeenissuedthence。Theofficewhisperedthatheansweredpersonally——andnotbydictationeither，butactuallywritinginhisownhand，withpenandink，and，itwastobesupposed，takingacopyinhisownprivatepresscopybook，inaccessibletoprofaneeyes。Somescornfulyoungmen，insignificantpiecesofminormachineryinthateleven-storey-highworkshopofgreataffairs，expressedfranklytheirprivateopinionthatthegreatchiefhaddoneatlastsomethingsilly，andwasashamedofhisfolly；others，elderlyandinsignificant，butfullofromanticreverenceforthebusinessthathaddevouredtheirbestyears，usedtomutterdarklyandknowinglythatthiswasaportentoussign；thattheHolroydconnexionmeantby-and-bytogetholdofthewholeRepublicofCostaguana，lock，stock，andbarrel。

But，infact，thehobbytheorywastherightone。ItinterestedthegreatmantoattendpersonallytotheSanTomemine；itinterestedhimsomuchthatheallowedthishobbytogiveadirectiontothefirstcompleteholidayhehadtakenforquiteastartlingnumberofyears。Hewasnotrunningagreatenterprisethere；nomererailwayboardorindustrialcorporation。

Hewasrunningaman！Asuccesswouldhavepleasedhimverymuchonrefreshinglynovelgrounds；but，ontheothersideofthesamefeeling，itwasincumbentuponhimtocastitoffutterlyatthefirstsignoffailure。Amanmaybethrownoff。ThepapershadunfortunatelytrumpetedalloverthelandhisjourneytoCostaguana。IfhewaspleasedatthewayCharlesGouldwasgoingon，heinfusedanaddedgrimnessintohisassurancesofsupport。

Evenattheverylastinterview，halfanhourorsobeforeherolledoutofthepatio，hatinhand，behindMrsGould\'swhitemules，hehadsaidinCharles\'sroom:

`Yougoaheadinyourownway，andIshallknowhowtohelpyouaslongasyouholdyourown。Butyoumayrestassuredthatinagivencaseweshallknowhowtodropyouintime。\'

TothisCharlesGould\'sonlyanswerhadbeen:`Youmaybeginsendingoutthemachineryassoonasyoulike。\'

Andthegreatmanhadlikedthisimperturbableassurance。ThesecretofitwasthattoCharlesGould\'smindtheseuncompromisingtermswereagreeable。Likethistheminepreserveditsidentity，withwhichhehadendoweditasaboy；anditremaineddependentonhimselfalone。Itwasaseriousaffair，andhe，too，tookitgrimly。

`Ofcourse，\'hesaidtohiswife，alludingtothislastconversationwiththedepartedguest，whiletheywalkedslowlyupanddownthecorridor，followedbytheirritatedeyeoftheparrot——`ofcourse，amanofthatsortcantakeupathingordropitwhenhelikes。Hewillsufferfromnosenseofdefeat。Hemayhavetogivein，orhemayhavetodietomorrow，butthegreatsilverandironinterestsshallsurvive，andsomedayshallgetholdofCostaguanaalongwiththerestoftheworld。\'

Theyhadstoppednearthecage。Theparrot，catchingthesoundofawordbelongingtohisvocabulary，wasmovedtointerfere。Parrotsareveryhuman。

`VivaCostaguana！\'heshrieked，withintenseself-assertion，and，instantlyrufflinguphisfeathers，assumedanairofpuffed-upsomnolencebehindtheglitteringwires。

`Anddoyoubelievethat，Charley?\'MrsGouldasked。`Thisseemstomemostawfulmaterialism，and——\'

`Mydear，it\'snothingtome，\'interruptedherhusband，inareasonabletone。`ImakeuseofwhatIsee。What\'sittomewhetherhistalkisthevoiceofdestinyorsimplyabitofclaptrapeloquence?There\'sagooddealofeloquenceofonesortoranotherproducedinbothAmericas。TheairoftheNewWorldseemsfavourabletotheartofdeclamation。HaveyouforgottenhowdearAvellanoscanholdforthforhourshere——?\'

`Oh，butthat\'sdifferent，\'protestedMrsGould，almostshocked。Theallusionwasnottothepoint。DonJosewasadeargoodman，whotalkedverywell，andwasenthusiasticaboutthegreatnessoftheSanTomemine。

`Howcanyoucomparethem，Charles?\'sheexclaimed，reproachfully。`Hehassuffered——andyethehopes。\'

Theworkingcompetenceofmen——whichsheneverquestioned——wasverysurprisingtoMrsGould，becauseuponsomanyobviousissuestheyshowedthemselvesstrangelymuddleheaded。

CharlesGould，withacareworncalmnesswhichsecuredforhimatoncehiswife\'sanxioussympathy，assuredherthathewasnotcomparing。HewasanAmericanhimself，afterall，andperhapshecouldunderstandbothkindsofeloquence——`ifitwereworthwhiletotry，\'headded，grimly。

ButhehadbreathedtheairofEnglandlongerthananyofhispeoplehaddoneforthreegenerations，andreallyhebeggedtobeexcused。Hispoorfathercouldbeeloquent，too。Andheaskedhiswifewhethersherememberedapassageinoneofhisfather\'slastletterswhereMrGouldhadexpressedtheconvictionthat`Godlookedwrathfullyatthesecountries，orelseHewouldletsomerayofhopefallthroughariftintheappallingdarknessofintrigue，bloodshed，andcrimethathungovertheQueenofContinents\'。

MrsGouldhadnotforgotten。`Youreadittome，Charley，\'shemurmured。

`Itwasastrikingpronouncement。Howdeeplyyourfathermusthavefeltitsterriblesadness！\'

`Hedidnotliketoberobbed。Itexasperatedhim，\'saidCharlesGould。

`Buttheimagewillservewellenough。Whatiswantedhereislaw，goodfaith，order，security。Anyonecandeclaimaboutthesethings，butIpinmyfaithtomaterialinterests。Onlyletthematerialinterestsoncegetafirmfooting，andtheyareboundtoimposetheconditionsonwhichalonetheycancontinuetoexist。That\'showyourmoney-makingisjustifiedhereinthefaceoflawlessnessanddisorder。Itisjustifiedbecausethesecuritywhichitdemandsmustbesharedwithanoppressedpeople。Abetterjusticewillcomeafterwards。That\'syourrayofhope。\'Hisarmpressedherslightformclosertohissideforamoment。`AndwhoknowswhetherinthatsenseeventheSanTomeminemaynotbecomethatlittleriftinthedarknesswhichpoorFatherdespairedofeverseeing?\'

Sheglancedupathimwithadmiration。Hewascompetent；hehadgivenavastshapetothevaguenessofherunselfishambitions。

`Charley，\'shesaid，`youaresplendidlydisobedient。\'

Helefthersuddenlyinthecorredortogoandgethishat，asoft，greysombrero，anarticleofnationalcostumewhichcombinedunexpectedlywellwithhisEnglishget-up。Hecameback，ariding-whipunderhisarm，buttoningupadogskinglove；hisfacereflectedtheresolutenatureofhisthoughts。Hiswifehadwaitedforhimattheheadofthestairs，andbeforehegaveherthepartingkisshefinishedtheconversation:

`Whatshouldbeperfectlycleartous，\'hesaid，`isthefactthatthereisnogoingback。Wherecouldwebeginlifeafresh?Weareinnowforallthatthereisinus。\'

Hebentoverherupturnedfaceverytenderlyandalittleremorsefully。

CharlesGouldwascompetentbecausehehadnoillusions。TheGouldConcessionhadtofightforlifewithsuchweaponsascouldbefoundatonceinthemireofcorruptionthatwassouniversalastoalmostloseitssignificance。

Hewaspreparedtostoopforhisweapons。Foramomenthefeltasifthesilvermine，whichhadkilledhisfather，haddecoyedhimfurtherthanhemeanttogo；andwiththeroundaboutlogicofemotions，hefeltthattheworthinessofhislifewasboundupwithsuccess。Therewasnogoingback。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter77MrsGouldwastoointelligentlysympatheticnottosharethatfeeling。

Itmadelifeexciting，andshewastoomuchofawomannottolikeexcitement。

Butitfrightenedher，too，alittle；andwhenDonJoseAvellanos，rockingintheAmericanchair，wouldgosofarastosay，`Even，mydearCarlos，ifyouhadfailed；evenifsomeuntowardeventwereyettodestroyyourwork——whichGodforbid！——youwouldhavedeservedwellofyourcountry，\'

MrsGouldwouldlookupfromthetea-tableprofoundlyatherunmovedhusbandstirringthespooninthecupasthoughhehadnotheardaword。

NotthatDonJoseanticipatedanythingofthesort。HecouldnotpraiseenoughdearCarlos\'stactandcourage。HisEnglish，rock-likequalityofcharacterwashisbestsafeguard，DonJoseaffirmed；and，turningtoMrsGould，`Astoyou，Emilia，mysoul\'——hewouldaddressherwiththefamiliarityofhisageandoldfriendship——`youareastrueapatriotasthoughyouhadbeenborninourmidst。\'

Thismighthavebeenlessormorethanthetruth。MrsGould，accompanyingherhusbandallovertheprovinceinthesearchforlabour，hadseenthelandwithadeeperglancethanatrue-bornCostaguaneracouldhavedone。

Inhertravel-wornridinghabit，herfacepowderedwhitelikeaplastercast，withafurtherprotectionofasmallsilkmaskduringtheheatoftheday，sherodeonawell-shaped，light-footedponyinthecentreofalittlecavalcade。Twomozosdecampo，picturesqueingreathats，withspurredbareheels，inwhiteembroideredcalzoneras，leatherjackets，andstripedponchos，rodeaheadwithcarbinesacrosstheirshoulders，swayinginunisontothepaceofthehorses。Atropillaofpackmulesbroughtuptherearinchargeofathinbrownmuleteer，sittinghislong-earedbeastverynearthetail，legsthrustfarforward，thewidebrimofhishatsetfarback，makingasortofhaloforhishead。AnoldCostaguanaofficer，aretiredseniormajorofhumbleorigin，butpatronizedbythefirstfamiliesonaccountofhisBlancoopinions，hadbeenrecommendedbyDonJoseforcommissaryandorganizerofthatexpedition。Thepointsofhisgreymoustachehungfarbelowhischin，and，ridingonMrsGould\'slefthand，helookedaboutwithkindlyeyes，pointingoutthefeaturesofthecountry，tellingthenamesofthelittlepueblosandoftheestates，ofthesmooth-walledhaciendaslikelongfortressescrowningtheknollsabovetheleveloftheSulacoValley。Itunrolleditself，withgreenyoungcrops，plains，woodland，andgleamsofwater，park-like，fromthebluevapourofthedistantsierratoanimmensequiveringhorizonofgrassandsky，wherebigwhitecloudsseemedtofallslowlyintothedarknessoftheirownshadows。

Menploughedwithwoodenploughsandyokedoxen，smallonaboundlessexpanse，asifattackingimmensityitself。Themountedfiguresofvaguerosgallopedinthedistance，andthegreatherdsfedwithalltheirhornedheadsoneway，inonesinglewaveringlineasfaraseyecouldreachacrossthebroadpotreros。Aspreadingcotton-wooltreeshadedathatchedranchebytheroad；thetrudgingfilesofburdenedIndians，takingofftheirhats，wouldliftsad，muteeyestothecavalcaderaisingthedustofthecrumblingcominorealmadebythehandsoftheirenslavedforefathers。AndMrsGould，witheachday\'sjourney，seemedtocomenearertothesoulofthelandinthetremendousdisclosureofthisinteriorunaffectedbytheslightEuropeanveneerofthecoasttowns，agreatlandofplainandmountainandpeople，sufferingandmute，waitingforthefutureinapatheticimmobilityofpatience。

Sheknewitssightsanditshospitality，dispensedwithasortofslumbrousdignityinthosegreathousespresentinglong，blindwallsandheavyportalstothewindsweptpastures。Shewasgiventheheadofthetables，wheremastersanddependantssatinasimpleandpatriarchalstate。Theladiesofthehousewouldtalksoftlyinthemoonlightundertheorangetreesofthecourtyards，impressinguponherthesweetnessoftheirvoicesandthesomethingmysteriousinthequietudeoftheirlives。Inthemorningthegentlemen，wellmountedinbraidedsombrerosandembroideredriding-suits，withmuchsilveronthetrappingsoftheirhorses，wouldrideforthtoescortthedepartingguestsbeforecommittingthem，withgravegood-byes，tothecareofGodattheboundarypillarsoftheirestates。Inallthesehouseholdsshecouldhearstoriesofpoliticaloutrage；friends，relatives，ruined，imprisoned，killedinthebattlesofsenselesscivilwars，barbarouslyexecutedinferociousproscriptions，asthoughthegovernmentofthecountryhadbeenastruggleoflustbetweenbandsofabsurddevilsletlooseuponthelandwithsabresanduniformsandgrandiloquentphrases。Andonallthelipsshefoundawearydesireforpeace，thedreadofofficialdomwithitsnightmarishparodyofadministrationwithoutlaw，withoutsecurity，andwithoutjustice。

Sheboreawholetwomonthsofwanderingverywell；shehadthatpowerofresistanceoffatiguewhichonediscovershereandthereinsomequitefrail-lookingwomenwithsurprise——likeastateofpossessionbyaremarkablystubbornspirit。DonPepe——theoldCostaguanamajor——aftermuchdisplayofsolicitudeforthedelicatelady，hadendedbyconferringuponherthenameofthe`Never-tiredSenora\'。MrsGouldwasindeedbecomingaCostaguanera。

HavingacquiredinsouthernEuropeaknowledgeoftruepeasantry，shewasabletoappreciatethegreatworthofthepeople。Shesawthemanunderthesilent，sad-eyedbeastofburden。Shesawthemontheroadcarryingloads，lonelyfiguresupontheplain，toilingundergreatstrawhats，withtheirwhiteclothingflappingabouttheirlimbsinthewind；sherememberedthevillagesbysomegroupofIndianwomenatthefountainimpresseduponhermemory，bythefaceofsomeyoungIndiangirlwithamelancholyandsensualprofile，raisinganearthenwarevesselofcoolwateratthedoorofadarkhutwithawoodenporchcumberedwithgreatbrownjars。Thesolidwoodenwheelsofanox-cart，haltedwithitsshaftsinthedust，showedthestrokesoftheaxe；andapartyofcharcoalcarriers，witheachman\'sloadrestingabovehisheadonthetopofthelowmudwall，sleptstretchedinarowwithinthestripofshade。

Theheavystoneworkofbridgesandchurchesleftbytheconquerorsproclaimedthedisregardofhumanlabour，thetribute-labourofvanishednations。

Thepowerofkingandchurchwasgone，butatthesightofsomeheavyruinouspileovertoppingfromaknollthelowmudwallsofavillage，DonPepewouldinterruptthetaleofhiscampaignstoexclaim:

`PoorCostaguana！Before，itwaseverythingforthepadres，nothingforthepeople；andnowitiseverythingforthesegreatpoliticosinStaMarta，forNegroesandthieves。\'

Charlestalkedwiththealcaldes，withthefiscales，withtheprincipalpeopleintowns，andwiththecaballerosontheestates。

Thecomandantesofthedistrictsofferedhimescorts——forhecouldshowanauthorizationfromtheSulacopoliticalchiefoftheday。Howmuchthedocumenthadcosthimingoldtwenty-dollarpieceswasasecretbetweenhimself，agreatmanintheUnitedStates(whocondescendedtoanswertheSulacomailwithhisownhand)，andagreatmanofanothersort，withadarkolivecomplexionandshiftyeyes，inhabitingthenthePalaceoftheIntendenciainSulaco，andwhopiquedhimselfonhiscultureandEuropeanismgenerallyinaratherFrenchstylebecausehehadlivedinEuropeforsomeyears——inexile，hesaid。However，itwasprettywellknownthatjustbeforethisexilehehadincautiouslygambledawayallthecashintheCustomHouseofasmallportwhereafriendinpowerhadprocuredforhimthepostofsub-collector。Thatyouthfulindiscretionhad，amongstotherinconveniences，obligedhimtoearnhislivingforatimeasacafewaiterinMadrid；buthistalentsmusthavebeengreat，afterall，sincetheyhadenabledhimtoretrievehispoliticalfortunessosplendidly。CharlesGould，exposinghisbusinesswithanimperturbablesteadiness，calledhimExcellency。

TheprovincialExcellencyassumedawearysuperiority，tiltinghischairfarbacknearanopenwindowinthetrueCostaguanamanner。Themilitarybandhappenedtobebrayingoperaticselectionsontheplazajustthen，andtwiceheraisedhishandimperativelyforsilenceinordertolistentoafavouritepassage。

`Exquisite，delicious！\'hemurmured；whileCharlesGouldwaited，standingbywithinscrutablepatience。`Lucia，LuciadiLammermoor！Iampassionateformusic。Ittransportsme。Ha！thedivine——ha！——Mozart，Si！divine……Whatisityouweresaying?\'

Ofcourse，rumourshadreachedhimalreadyofthenew-comer\'sintentions。

Besides，hehadreceivedanofficialwarningfromStaMarta。Hismannerwasintendedsimplytoconcealhiscuriosityandimpresshisvisitor。Butafterhehadlockedupsomethingvaluableinthedrawerofalargewriting-deskinadistantpartoftheroom，hebecameveryaffable，andwalkedbacktohischairsmartly。

`Ifyouintendtobuildvillagesandassembleapopulationnearthemine，youshallrequireadecreeoftheMinisteroftheInteriorforthat，\'

hesuggestedinabusinesslikemanner。

`Ihavealreadysentamemorial，\'saidCharlesGould，steadily，`andIreckonnowconfidentlyuponyourExcellency\'sfavourableconclusions。\'

TheExcellencywasamanofmanymoods。Withthereceiptofthemoneyagreatmellownesshaddescendeduponhissimplesoul。Unexpectedlyhefetchedadeepsigh。

`Ah，DonCarlos！Whatwewantisadvancedmenlikeyouintheprovince。

Thelethargy——thelethargyofthesearistocrats！Thewantofpublicspirit！

Theabsenceofallenterprise！I，withmyprofoundstudiesinEurope，youunderstand——\'

Withonehandthrustintohisswellingbosom，heroseandfellonhistoes，andfortenminutes，almostwithoutdrawingbreath，wentonhurlinghimselfintellectuallytotheassaultofCharlesGould\'spolitesilence；

andwhen，stoppingabruptly，hefellbackintohischair，itwasasthoughhehadbeenbeatenofffromafortress。Tosavehisdignityhehastenedtodismissthissilentmanwithasolemninclinationoftheheadandthewords，pronouncedwithmoody，fatiguedcondescension:

`Youmaydependuponmyenlightenedgoodwillaslongasyourconductasagoodcitizendeservesit。\'

Hetookupapaperfanandbegantocoolhimselfwithaconsequentialair，whileCharlesGouldbowedandwithdrew。Thenhedroppedthefanatonce，andstaredwithanappearanceofwonderandperplexityatthecloseddoorforquitealongtime。Atlastheshruggedhisshouldersasiftoassurehimselfofhisdisdain。Cold，dull。Nointellectuality。Redhair。

AtrueEnglishman。Hedespisedhim。

Hisfacedarkened。Whatmeantthisunimpressedandfrigidbehaviour?

HewasthefirstofthesuccessivepoliticianssentoutfromthecapitaltoruletheOccidentalProvincewhomthemannerofCharlesGouldinofficialintercoursewastostrikeasoffensivelyindependent。

CharlesGouldassumedthatiftheappearanceoflisteningtodeplorablebalderdashmustformpartofthepricehehadtopayforbeingleftunmolested，theobligationofutteringbalderdashpersonallywasbynomeansincludedinthebargain。Hedrewthelinethere。Totheseprovincialautocrats，beforewhomthepeaceablepopulationofallclasseshadbeenaccustomedtotremble，thereserveofthatEnglish-lookingengineercausedanuneasinesswhichswungtoandfrobetweencringingandtruculence。Graduallyallofthemdiscoveredthat，nomatterwhatpartywasinpower，thatmanremainedinmosteffectivetouchwiththehigherauthoritiesinStaMarta。

Thiswasafact，anditaccountedperfectlyfortheGouldsbeingbynomeanssowealthyastheengineer-in-chiefonthenewrailwaycouldlegitimatelysuppose。FollowingtheadviceofDonJoseAvellanos，whowasamanofgoodcounsel(thoughrenderedtimidbyhishorribleexperiencesofGuzmanBento\'stime)，CharlesGouldhadkeptclearofthecapital；butinthecurrentgossipoftheforeignresidentstherehewasknown(withagooddealofseriousnessunderlyingtheirony)bythenicknameof`KingofSulaco\'。

AnadvocateoftheCostaguanaBar，amanofreputedabilityandgoodcharacter，memberofthedistinguishedMoragafamilypossessingextensiveestatesintheSulacoValley，waspointedouttostrangers，withashadeofmysteryandrespect，astheagentoftheSanTomemine——`political，youknow\'。

Hewastall，black-whiskered，anddiscreet。Itwasknownthathehadeasyaccesstoministers，andthatthenumerousCostaguanageneralswerealwaysanxioustodineathishouse。Presidentsgrantedhimaudiencewithfacility。

Hecorrespondedactivelywithhismaternaluncle，DonJoseAvellanos；buthisletters——unlessthoseexpressingformallyhisdutifulaffection——wereseldomentrustedtotheCostaguanapostoffice。Theretheenvelopesareopened，indiscriminately，withthefranknessofabrazenandchildishimpudencecharacteristicofsomeSpanish-AmericanGovernments。ButitmustbenotedthatataboutthetimeofthereopeningoftheSanTomeminethemuleteerwhohadbeenemployedbyCharlesGouldinhispreliminarytravelsontheCampoaddedhissmalltrainofanimalstothethinstreamoftrafficcarriedoverthemountainpassesbetweentheStaMartauplandandtheValleyofSulaco。Therearenotravellersbythatarduousandunsaferouteunlessunderveryexceptionalcircumstances，andthestateofinlandtradedidnotvisiblyrequireadditionaltransportfacilities；butthemanseemedtofindhisaccountinit。Afewpackageswerealwaysfoundforhimwheneverhetooktheroad。Verybrownandwooden，ingoatskinbreecheswiththehairoutside，hesatnearthetailofhisownsmartmule，hisgreathatturnedagainstthesun，anexpressionofblissfulvacancyonhislongface，hummingdayafterdayalove-songinaplaintivekey，or，withoutachangeofexpression，lettingoutayellathissmalltropillainfront。

Aroundlittleguitarhunghighuponhisback；andtherewasaplacescoopedoutartisticallyinthewoodofoneofhispacksaddleswhereatightlyrolledpieceofpapercouldbeslippedin，thewoodenplugreplaced，andthecoarsecanvasnailedonagain。WheninSulacoitwashispracticetosmokeanddozealldaylong(asthoughhehadnocareintheworld)onastonebenchoutsidethedoorwayoftheCasaGouldandfacingthewindowsoftheAvellanoshouse。Yearsandyearsagohismotherhadbeenchieflaundry-womaninthatfamily——veryaccomplishedinthematterofclear-starching。Hehimselfhadbeenbornononeoftheirhaciendas。HisnamewasBonifacio，andDonJose，crossingthestreetaboutfiveo\'clocktocallonDonaEmilia，alwaysacknowledgedhishumblesalutebysomemovementofhandorhead。

Theportersofbothhousesconversedlazilywithhimintonesofgraveintimacy。Hiseveningshedevotedtogamblingandtocallsinaspiritofgenerousfestivityuponthepeyned\'orogirlsinthemoreremoteside-streetsofthetown。Buthe，too，wasadiscreetman。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter88ThoseofuswhombusinessorcuriositytooktoSulacointheseyearsbeforethefirstadventoftherailwaycanrememberthesteadyingeffectoftheSanTomemineuponthelifeofthatremoteprovince。Theoutwardappearanceshadnotchangedthenastheyhavechangedsince，asIamtold，withcablecarsrunningalongthestreetsoftheConstitution，andcarriageroadsfarintothecountry，toRinconandothervillages，wheretheforeignmerchantsandthericosgenerallyhavetheirmodernvillas，andavastrailwaygoods-yardbytheharbour，whichhasaquayside，alongrangeofwarehouses，andquiteserious，organizedlabourtroublesofitsown。

Nobodyhadeverheardoflabourtroublesthen。TheCargadoresoftheportformed，indeed，anunrulybrotherhoodofallsortsofscum，withapatronsaintoftheirown。Theywentonstrikeregularly(everybullfightday)，aformoftroublethatevenNostromoattheheightofhisprestigecouldnevercopewithefficiently；butthemorningaftereachfiesta，beforetheIndianmarket-womenhadopenedtheirmatparasolsontheplaza，whenthesnowsofHiguerotagleamedpaleoverthetownonayetblacksky，theappearanceofaphantom-likehorsemanmountedonasilver-greymaresolvedtheproblemoflabourwithoutfail。Hissteedpacedthelanesoftheslumsandtheweed-grownenclosureswithintheoldramparts，betweentheblack，lightlessclusterofhuts，likecow-byres，likedog-kennels。

Thehorsemanhammeredwiththebuttofaheavyrevolveratthedoorsoflowpulperias，ofobscenelean-toshedsslopingagainstthetumble-downpieceofanoblewall，atthewoodensidesofdwellingssoflimsythatthesoundofsnoresandsleepymutterswithincouldbeheardinthepausesofthethunderingclatterofhisblows。Hecalledoutmen\'snamesmenacinglyfromthesaddle，once，twice。Thedrowsyanswers——grumpy，conciliating，savage，jocular，ordeprecating——cameoutintothesilentdarknessinwhichthehorsemansatstill，andpresentlyadarkfigurewouldflitoutcoughinginthestillair。Sometimesalow-tonedwomancriedthroughthewindow-holesoftly，`He\'scomingdirectly，senor，\'andthehorsemanwaitedsilentonamotionlesshorse。Butifperchancehehadtodismount，then，afterawhile，fromthedoorofthathovelorofthatpulperia，withaferociousscuffleandstifledimprecations，acargadorwouldflyoutheadfirstandhandsabroad，tosprawlundertheforelegsofthesilver-greymare，whoonlyprickedforwardhersharplittleears。Shewasusedtothatwork；andtheman，pickinghimselfup，wouldwalkawayhastilyfromNostromo\'srevolver，reelingalittlealongthestreetandsnarlinglowcurses。AtsunriseCaptainMitchell，comingoutanxiouslyinhisnightattireontothewoodenbalconyrunningthewholelengthoftheO。S。N。Company\'slonelybuildingbytheshore，wouldseethelightersalreadyunderway，figuresmovingbusilyaboutthecargocranes，perhapsheartheinvaluableNostromo，nowdismountedandinthecheckedshirtandredsashofaMediterraneansailor，bawlingordersfromtheendofthejettyinastentorianvoice。

Afellowinathousand！

Thematerialapparatusofperfectedcivilizationwhichobliteratestheindividualityofoldtownsunderthestereotypedconveniencesofmodernlifehadnotintrudedasyet；butovertheworn-outantiquityofSulaco，socharacteristicwithitsstuccoedhousesandbarredwindows，withthegreatyellowy-whitewallsofabandonedconventsbehindtherowsofsombregreencypresses，thatfact——verymoderninitsspirit——theSanTomeminehadalreadythrownitssubtleinfluence。Ithadaltered，too，theoutwardcharacterofthecrowdsonfeastdaysontheplazabeforetheopenportalofthecathedral，bythenumberofwhiteponchoswithagreenstripeaffectedasholidaywearbytheSanTomeminers。Theyhadalsoadoptedwhitehatswithgreencordandbraid——articlesofgoodquality，whichcouldbeobtainedinthestorehouseoftheadministrationforverylittlemoney。Apeaceablecholowearingthesecolours(unusualinCostaguana)

wassomehowveryseldombeatentowithinaninchofhislifeonachargeofdisrespecttothetownpolice；neitherranhemuchriskofbeingsuddenlylassoedontheroadbyarecruitingpartyoflanceros——amethodofvoluntaryenlistmentlookeduponasalmostlegalintheRepublic。Wholevillageswereknowntohavevolunteeredforthearmyinthatway；but，asDonPepewouldsaywithahopelessshrugtoMrsGould，`Whatwouldyou！

Poorpeople！Pobrecitos！Pobrecitos！ButtheStatemusthaveitssoldiers。\'

ThusprofessionallyspokeDonPepe，thefighter，withpendentmoustaches，anut-brown，leanface，andacleanrunofacast-ironjaw，suggestingthetypeofacattle-herdhorsemanfromthegreatLlanosoftheSouth。

`IfyouwilllistentoanoldofficerofPaez，senores，\'wastheexordiumofallhisspeechesintheAristocraticClubofSulaco，wherehewasadmittedonaccountofhispastservicestotheextinctcauseofFederation。Theclub，datingfromthedaysoftheproclamationofCostaguana\'sindependence，boastedmanynamesofliberatorsamongstitsfirstfounders。

SuppressedarbitrarilyinnumerabletimesbyvariousGovernments，withmemoriesofproscriptionsandofatleastonewholesalemassacreofitsmembers，sadlyassembledforabanquetbytheorderofazealousmilitarycomandante(theirbodieswereafterwardsstrippednakedandflungintotheplazaoutofthewindowsbythelowestscumofthepopulace)，itwasagainflourishing，atthatperiod，peacefully。Itextendedtostrangersthelargehospitalityofthecool，bigroomsofitshistoricquartersinthefrontpartofahouse，oncetheresidenceofahighofficialoftheHolyOffice。Thetwowings，shutup，crumbledbehindthenaileddoors，andwhatmaybedescribedasagroveofyoungorangetreesgrownintheunpavedpatioconcealedtheutterruinofthebackpartfacingthegate。Youturnedinfromthestreet，asifenteringasecludedorchard，whereyoucameuponthefootofadisjointedstaircase，guardedbyamoss-stainedeffigyofsomesaintlybishop，mitredandstaffed，andbearingtheindignityofabrokennosemeekly，withhisfinestonehandscrossedonhisbreast。Thechocolate-colouredfacesofservantswithmopsofblackhairpeepedatyoufromabove；theclickofbilliardballscametoyourears，andascendingthesteps，youwouldperhapsseeinthefirstsala，verystiffuponastraight-backedchair，inagoodlight，DonPepemovinghislongmoustachesashespelthisway，atarm\'slength，throughanoldStaMartanewspaper。Hishorse——astony-heartedbutperseveringblackbrutewithahammerhead——youwouldhaveseeninthestreetdozingmotionlessunderanimmensesaddle，withitsnosealmosttouchingthekerbstoneofthesidewalk。

DonPepe，when`downfromthemountain\'，asthephrase，oftenheardinSulaco，went，couldalsobeseeninthedrawing-roomoftheCasaGould。

Hesatwithmodestassuranceatsomedistancefromthetea-table。Withhiskneesclosetogether，andakindlytwinkleofdrolleryinhisdeep-seteyes，hewouldthrowhissmallandironicpleasantriesintothecurrentofconversation。Therewasinthatmanasortofsane，humorousshrewdness，andaveinofgenuinehumanitysooftenfoundinsimpleoldsoldiersofprovedcouragewhohaveseenmuchdesperateservice。Ofcourseheknewnothingwhateverofmining，buthisemploymentwasofaspecialkind。Hewasinchargeofthewholepopulationintheterritoryofthemine，whichextendedfromtheheadofthegorgetowherethecarttrackfromthefootofthemountainenterstheplain，crossingastreamoveralittlewoodenbridgepaintedgreen——green，thecolourofhope，beingalsothecolourofthemine。

ItwasreportedinSulacothatupthere`atthemountain\'DonPepewalkedaboutprecipitouspaths，girtwithagreatswordandinashabbyuniformwithtarnishedbullionepaulettesofaseniormajor。MostminersbeingIndians，withbigwildeyes，addressedhimas`Taita\'(father)，asthesebarefootedpeopleofCostaguanawilladdressanybodywhowearsshoes；butitwasBasilio，MrGould\'sownmozoandtheheadservantoftheCasa，who，inallgoodfaithandfromasenseofpropriety，announcedhimonceinthesolemnwords，`ElSenorGobernadorhasarrived。\'

DonJoseAvellanos，theninthedrawing-room，wasdelightedbeyondmeasureattheaptnessofthetitle，withwhichhegreetedtheoldmajorbanteringlyassoonasthelatter\'ssoldierlyfigureappearedinthedoorway。DonPepeonlysmiledinhislongmoustaches，asmuchastosay，`Youmighthavefoundaworsenameforanoldsoldier。\'

And`ElSenorGobernador\'hehadremained，withhissmalljokesuponhisfunctionanduponhisdomain，whereheaffirmedwithhumorousexaggerationtoMrsGould:

`NotwostonescouldcometogetheranywherewithouttheGobernadorhearingtheclick，senora。\'

Andhewouldtaphisearwiththetipofhisforefingerknowingly。Evenwhenthenumberoftheminersalonerosetooversixhundredheseemedtoknoweachofthemindividually，alltheinnumerableJoses，Manuels，Ignacios，fromthevillagesprimero——segundo——ortercero(therewerethreeminingvillages)underhisgovernment。Hecoulddistinguishthemnotonlybytheirflat，joylessfaces，whichtoMrsGouldlookedallalike，asifrunintothesameancestralmouldofsufferingandpatience，butapparentlyalsobytheinfinitelygraduatedshadesofreddish-brown，ofblackish-brown，ofcoppery-brownbacks，asthetwoshifts，strippedtolinendrawersandleatherskullcaps，mingledtogetherwithaconfusionofnakedlimbs，ofshoulderedpicks，swinginglamps，inagreatshuffleofsandalledfeetontheopenplateaubeforetheentranceofthemaintunnel。

Itwasatimeofpause。TheIndianboysleanedidlyagainstthelonglineoflittlecradlewagonsstandingempty；thescreenersandore-breakerssquattedontheirheelssmokinglongcigars；thegreatwoodenshootsslantingovertheedgeofthetunnelplateauweresilent；andonlytheceaseless，violentrushofwaterintheopenflumescouldbeheard，murmuringfiercely，withthesplashandrumbleofrevolvingturbine-wheels，andthethuddingmarchofthestampspoundingtopowderthetreasurerockontheplateaubelow。Theheadsofgangs，distinguishedbybrassmedalshangingontheirbarebreasts，marshalledtheirsquads；andatlastthemountainwouldswallowonehalfofthesilentcrowd，whiletheotherhalfwouldmoveoffinlongfilesdownthezigzagpathsleadingtothebottomofthegorge。Itwasdeep；and，farbelow，athreadofvegetationwindingbetweentheblazingrockfacesresembledaslendergreencord，inwhichthreelumpyknotsofbananapatches，palm-leafroots，andshadytreesmarkedtheVillageOne，VillageTwo，VillageThree，housingtheminersoftheGouldConcession。

WholefamilieshadbeenmovingfromthefirsttowardsthespotintheHiguerotarange，whencetherumourofworkandsafetyhadspreadoverthepastoralCampo，forcingitswayalso，evenasthewatersofahighflood，intothenooksandcranniesofthedistantbluewallsoftheSierras。Fatherfirst，inapointedstrawhat，thenthemotherwiththebiggerchildren，generallyalsoadiminutivedonkey，allunderburdens，excepttheleaderhimself，orperhapssomegrowngirl，theprideofthefamily，steppingbarefootedandstraightasanarrow，withbraidsofravenhair，athick，haughtyprofile，andnoloadtocarrybutthesmallguitarofthecountryandapairofsoftleathersandalstiedtogetheronherback。Atthesightofsuchpartiesstrungoutonthecrosstrailsbetweenthepastures，orcampedbythesideoftheroyalroad，travellersonhorsebackwouldremarktoeachother:

`MorepeoplegoingtotheSanTomemine。Weshallseeotherstomorrow。\'

Andspurringoninthedusktheywoulddiscussthegreatnewsoftheprovince，thenewsoftheSanTomemine。ArichEnglishmanwasgoingtoworkit——andperhapsnotanEnglishman，Quiensabe！Aforeignerwithmuchmoney。Oh，yes，ithadbegun。ApartyofmenwhohadbeentoSulacowithaherdofblackbullsforthenextcorridahadreportedthatfromtheporchoftheposadainRincon，onlyashortleaguefromthetown，thelightsonthemountainwerevisible，twinklingabovethetrees。Andtherewasawomanseenridingahorsesideways，notinthechairseat，butuponasortofsaddle，andaman\'shatonherhead。Shewalkedabout，too，onfootupthemountainpaths。Awomanengineer，itseemedshewas。

`Whatanabsurdity！Impossible，senor！\'

`Si！Si！UnaamericanadelNorte。\'

`Ah，well！ifyourworshipisinformed。UnaAmericana；itneedbesomethingofthatsort。\'

Andtheywouldlaughalittlewithastonishmentandscorn，keepingawaryeyeontheshadowsoftheroad，foroneisliabletomeetbadmenwhentravellinglateontheCampo。

AnditwasnotonlythementhatDonPepeknewsowell，butheseemedable，withoneattentive，thoughtfulglance，toclassifyeachwoman，girl，orgrowingyouthofhisdomain。Itwasonlythesmallfrythatpuzzledhimsometimes。Heandthepadrecouldbeseenfrequentlysidebyside，meditativeandgazingacrossthestreetofavillageatalotofsedatebrownchildren，tryingtosortthemout，asitwere，inlow，consultingtones，orelsetheywouldtogetherputsearchingquestionsastotheparentageofsomesmall，staidurchinmetwandering，nakedandgrave，alongtheroadwithacigarinhisbabymouth，andperhapshismother\'srosary，purloinedforpurposesofornamentation，hanginginaloopofbeadslowdownonhisrotundlittlestomach。Thespiritualandtemporalpastorsofthemineflockwereverygoodfriends。WithDrMonygham，themedicalpastor，whohadacceptedthechargefromMrsGould，andlivedinthehospitalbuilding，theywereonnotsointimateterms。ButnoonecouldbeonintimatetermswithElSenorDoctor，who，withhistwistedshoulders，droopinghead，sardonicmouth，andside-longbitterglance，wasmysteriousanduncanny。Theothertwoauthoritiesworkedinharmony。FatherRoman，dried-up，small，alert，wrinkled，withbigroundeyes，asharpchin，andagreatsnuff-taker，wasanoldcampaigner，too；hehadshrivenmanysimplesoulsonthebattle-fieldsoftheRepublic，kneelingbythedyingonhillsides，inthelonggrass，inthegloomoftheforests，tohearthelastconfessionwiththesmellofgunpowdersmokeinhisnostrils，therattleofmuskets，thehumandspatterofbulletsinhisears。Andwherewastheharmif，atthepresbytery，theyhadagamewithapackofgreasycardsintheearlyevening，beforeDonPepewenthislastroundstoseethatallthewatchmenofthemine——abodyorganizedbyhimself——wereattheirposts?ForthatlastdutybeforehesleptDonPepedidactuallygirdhisoldswordontheverandaofanunmistakableAmericanwhiteframe-house，whichFatherRomancalledthepresbytery。Nearby，along，low，darkbuilding，steeple-roofed，likeavastbarnwithawoodencrossoverthegable，wastheminers\'chapel。

ThereFatherRomansaidMasseverydaybeforeasombrealtarpiecerepresentingtheResurrection，thegreyslabofthetombstonebalancedononecorner，afiguresoaringupwards，long-limbedandlivid，inanovalofpallidlight，andahelmetedbrownlegionarysmittendown，rightacrossthebituminousforeground。`Thispicture，mychildren，muylindaemaravillosa，\'

FatherRomanwouldsaytosomeofhisflock，`whichyoubeholdherethroughthemunificenceofthewifeofourSenorAdministrador，hasbeenpaintedinEurope，acountryofsaintsandmiracles，andmuchgreaterthanourCostaguana。\'Andhewouldtakeapinchofsnuffwithunction。ButwhenonceaninquisitivespiritdesiredtoknowinwhatdirectionthisEuropewassituated，whetherupordownthecoast，FatherRoman，toconcealhisperplexity，becameveryreservedandsevere。`Nodoubtitisextremelyfaraway。ButignorantsinnerslikeyouoftheSanTomemineshouldthinkearnestlyofeverlastingpunishmentinsteadofinquiringintothemagnitudeoftheearth，withitscountriesandpopulationsaltogetherbeyondyourunderstanding。\'

Witha`Goodnight，Padre\'；`Goodnight，DonPepe，\'theGobernadorwouldgooff，holdinguphissabreagainsthisside，hisbodybentforward，withalong，ploddingstrideinthedark。Thejocularitypropertoaninnocentcardgameforafewcigarsorabundleofyerbawasreplacedatoncebythesterndutymoodofanofficersettingouttovisittheoutpostsofanencampedarmy。Oneloudblastofthewhistlethathungfromhisneckprovokedinstantlyagreatshrillingofrespondingwhistles，mingledwiththebarkingofdogs，thatwouldcalmdownslowlyatlast，awayupattheheadofthegorge；andinthestillnesstwoserenos，onguardbythebridge，wouldappearwalkingnoiselesslytowardshim。Ononesideoftheroadalongframe-building——thestore——wouldbeclosedandbarricadedfromendtoend；facingitanotherwhiteframe-house，stilllonger，andwithaveranda——thehospital——wouldhavelightsinthetwowindowsofDrMonygham\'squarters。Eventhedelicatefoliageofaclumpofpeppertreesdidnotstir，sobreathlesswouldbethedarknesswarmedbytheradiationoftheover-heatedrocks。DonPepewouldstandstillforamomentwiththetwomotionlessserenosbeforehim，and，abruptly，highuponthesheerfaceofthemountain，dottedwithsingletorches，likedropsoffirefallenfromthetwogreatblazingclustersoflightsabove，theoreshootswouldbegintorattle。Thegreatclattering，shufflingnoise，gatheringspeedandweight，wouldbecaughtupbythewallsofthegorge，andsentupontheplaininagrowlofthunder。ThepasaderoinRinconsworethatoncalmnights，bylisteningintently，hecouldcatchthesoundinhisdoorwayasofastorminthemountains。

ToCharlesGould\'sfancyitseemedthatthesoundmustreachtheuttermostlimitsoftheprovince。Ridingatnighttowardsthemine，itwouldmeethimattheedgeofalittlewoodjustbeyondRincon。Therewasnomistakingthegrowlingmutterofthemountainpouringitsstreamoftreasureunderthestamps；anditcametohisheartwiththepeculiarforceofaproclamationthunderedforthoverthelandandthemarvellousnessofanaccomplishedfactfulfillinganaudaciousdesire。Hehadheardthisdesire。Hehadheardthisverysoundinhisimaginationonthatfar-offeveningwhenhiswifeandhimself，afteratortuousridethroughastripofforest，hadreinedintheirhorsesnearthestream，andhadgazedforthefirsttimeuponthejungle-grownsolitudeofthegorge。Theheadofapalmrosehereandthere。InahighravineroundthecorneroftheSanTomemountain(whichissquarelikeablockhouse)thethreadofaslenderwaterfallflashedbrightandglassythroughthedarkgreenoftheheavyfrondsoftree-ferns。

DonPepe，inattendance，rodeup，and，stretchinghisarmupthegorge，haddeclaredwithmocksolemnity，`Beholdtheveryparadiseofsnakes，senora。\'

AndthentheyhadwheeledtheirhorsesandriddenbacktosleepthatnightatRincon。Thealcalde——anold，skinnyMoreno，asergeantofGuzmanBento\'stime——hadclearedrespectfullyoutofhishousewithhisthreeprettydaughters，tomakeroomfortheforeignsenoraandtheirworshipsthecaballeros。AllheaskedCharlesGould(whomhetookforamysteriousandofficialperson)todoforhimwastoremindthesupremeGovernment——elGobiernosupremo——ofapension(amountingtoaboutadollaramonth)towhichhebelievedhimselfentitled。Ithadbeenpromisedtohim，heaffirmed，straighteninghisbentbackmartially，`manyyearsago，formyvalourinthewarswiththewildindioswhenayoungman，senor\'。

Thewaterfallexistednolonger。Thetree-fernsthathadluxuriatedinitssprayhaddriedaroundthedried-uppool，andthehighravinewasonlyabigtrenchhalffilledupwiththerefuseofexcavationsandtailings。

Thetorrent，dammedupabove，sentitswaterrushingalongtheopenflumesofscoopedtreetrunksstridingontrestle-legstotheturbinesworkingthestampsonthelowerplateau——themesagrandeoftheSanTomemountain。Onlythememoryofthewaterfall，withitsamazingfernery，likeahanginggardenabovetherocksofthegorge，waspreservedinMrsGould\'swater-coloursketch；shehadmadeithastilyonedayfromaclearedpatchinthebushes，sittingintheshadeofaroofofstrawerectedforheronthreeroughpolesunderDonPepe\'sdirection。

MrsGouldhadseenitallfromthebeginning:theclearingofthewilderness，themakingoftheroad，thecuttingofnewpathsuptheclifffaceofSanTome。Forweekstogethershehadlivedonthespotwithherhusband；andshewassolittleinSulacoduringthatyearthattheappearanceoftheGouldcarriageontheAlamedawouldcauseasocialexcitement。Fromtheheavyfamilycoachesfullofstatelysenorasandblack-eyedsenoritasrollingsolemnlyintheshadedalleywhitehandswerewavedtowardsherwithanimationinaflutterofgreetings。DonaEmiliawas`downfromthemountain\'。

Butnotforlong。DonaEmiliawouldbegone`uptothemountain\'inadayortwo，andhersleekcarriagemuleswouldhaveaneasytimeofitforanotherlongspell。Shehadwatchedtheerectionofthefirstframe-houseputupthelowermesaforanofficeandDonPepe\'squarters；sheheardwithathrillofthankfulemotionthefirstwagon-loadoforerattledownthethenonlyshoot；shehadstoodbyherhusband\'ssideperfectlysilent，andgonecoldalloverwithexcitementattheinstantwhenthefirstbatteryofonlyfifteenstampswasputinmotionforthefirsttime。

Ontheoccasionwhenthefiresunderthefirstsetofretortsintheirshedhadglowedfarintothenightshedidnotretiretorestontheroughcadresetupforherintheasyetbareframe-housetillshehadseenthefirstspongylumpofsilveryieldedtothehazardsoftheworldbythedarkdepthsoftheGouldConcession；shehadlaidherunmercenaryhands，withaneagernessthatmadethemtremble，uponthefirstsilveringotturnedoutstillwarmfromthemould；andbyherimaginativeestimateofitspowersheendowedthatlumpofmetalwithajustificativeconception，asthoughitwerenotamerefact，butsomethingfar-reachingandimpalpable，likethetrueexpressionofanemotionortheemergenceofaprinciple。

DonPepe，extremelyinterested，too，lookedoverhershoulderwithasmilethat，makinglongitudinalfoldsonhisface，causedittoresemblealeathernmaskwithabenignantlydiabolicexpression。

`WouldnotthemuchachosofHernandezliketogetholdofthisinsignificantobject，thatlooks，porDios，verymuchlikeapieceoftin?\'heremarked，jocularly。

Hernandez，therobber，hadbeenaninoffensive，smallranchero，kidnappedwithcircumstancesofpeculiaratrocityfromhishomeduringoneofthecivilwars，andforcedtoserveinthearmy。Therehisconductassoldierwasexemplary，till，watchinghischance，hekilledhiscolonel，andmanagedtogetclearaway。Withabandofdeserters，whochosehimfortheirchief，hehadtakenrefugebeyondthewildandwaterlessBolsondeTonoro。Thehaciendaspaidhimblackmailincattleandhorses；

extraordinarystoriesweretoldofhispowersandofhiswonderfulescapesfromcapture。Heusedtoride，single-handed，intothevillagesandthelittletownsontheCampo，drivingapackmulebeforehim，withtworevolversinhisbelt，gostraighttotheshoporstore，selectwhathewanted，andrideawayunopposedbecauseoftheterrorhisexploitsandhisaudacityinspired。Poorcountrypeopleheusuallyleftalone；theupperclasswereoftenstoppedontheroadsandrobbed；butanyunluckyofficialthatfellintohishandswassuretogetasevereflogging。Thearmyofficersdidnotlikehisnametobementionedintheirpresence。Hisfollowers，mountedonstolenhorses，laughedatthepursuitoftheregularcavalrysenttohuntthemdown，andwhomtheytookpleasuretoambushmostscientificallyinthebrokengroundoftheirownfastness。Expeditionshadbeenfittedout；apricehadbeenputuponhishead；evenattemptshadbeenmade，treacherouslyofcourse，toopennegotiationswithhim，withoutintheslightestwayaffectingtheeventenorofhiscareer。Atlast，intrueCostaguanafashion，theFiscalofTonoro，whowasambitiousofthegloryofhavingreducedthefamousHernandez，offeredhimasumofmoneyandasafeconductoutofthecountryforthebetrayalofhisband。ButHernandezevidentlywasnotofthestuffofwhichthedistinguishedmilitarypoliticiansandconspiratorsofCostaguanaaremade。Thiscleverbutcommondevice(whichfrequentlyworkslikeacharminputtingdownrevolutions)failedwiththechiefofvulgarSalteadores。ItpromisedwellfortheFiscalatfirst，butendedverybadlyforthesquadronoflancerosposted(bytheFiscal\'sdirections)inafoldofthegroundintowhichHernandezhadpromisedtoleadhisunsuspectingfollowers。Theycame，indeed，attheappointedtime，butcreepingontheirhandsandkneesthroughthebush，andonlylettheirpresencebeknownbyageneraldischargeoffirearms，whichemptiedmanysaddles。ThetrooperswhoescapedcameridingveryhardintoTonoro。Itissaidthattheircommandingofficer(who，beingbettermounted，rodefaraheadoftherest)afterwardsgotintoastateofdespairingintoxicationandbeattheambitiousFiscalseverelywiththeflatofhissabreinthepresenceofhiswifeanddaughters，forbringingthisdisgraceupontheNationalArmy。ThehighestcivilofficialofTonoro，fallingtothegroundinaswoon，wasfurtherkickedalloverthebodyandrowelledwithsharpspursabouttheneckandfacebecauseofthegreatsensitivenessofhismilitarycolleague。ThegossipoftheinlandCampo，socharacteristicoftherulersofthecountrywithitsstoryofoppression，inefficiency，fatuousmethods，treachery，andsavagebrutality，wasperfectlyknowntoMrsGould。

Thatitshouldbeacceptedwithnoindignantcommentbypeopleofintelligence，refinement，andcharacterassomethinginherentinthenatureofthingswasoneofthesymptomsofdegradationthathadthepowertoexasperateheralmosttothevergeofdespair。Stilllookingattheingotofsilver，sheshookherheadatDonPepe\'sremark:

`IfithadnotbeenforthelawlesstyrannyofyourGovernment，DonPepe，manyanoutlawnowwithHernandezwouldbelivingpeaceablyandhappybythehonestworkofhishands。\'

`Senora，\'criedDonPepe，withenthusiasm，`itistrue！ItisasifGodhadgivenyouthepowertolookintotheverybreastsofpeople。

Youhaveseenthemworkingroundyou，DonaEmilia——meekaslambs，patientliketheirownburros，bravelikelions。Ihaveledthemtotheverymuzzlesofguns——I，whostandherebeforeyou，senora——

inthetimeofPaez，whowasfullofgenerosity，andincourageonlyapproachedbytheuncleofDonCarloshere，asfarasIknow。NowondertherearebanditsintheCampowhentherearenonebutthieves，swindlers，andsanguinarymacaquestoruleusinStaMarta。However，allthesame，abanditisabandit，andweshallhaveadozengoodstraightWinchesterstoridewiththesilverdowntoSulaco。\'

MrsGould\'sridewiththefirstsilverescorttoSulacowastheclosingepisodeofwhatshecalled`mycamplife\'beforeshehadsettledinhertown-housepermanently，aswasproperandevennecessaryforthewifeoftheadministratorofsuchanimportantinstitutionastheSanTomemine。

FortheSanTomeminewastobecomeaninstitution，arallying-pointforeverythingintheprovincethatneededorderandstabilitytolive。Securityseemedtoflowuponthislandfromthemountaingorge。TheauthoritiesofSulacohadlearnedthattheSanTomeminecouldmakeitworththeirwhiletoleavethingsandpeoplealone。ThiswasthenearestapproachtotheruleofcommonsenseandjusticeCharlesGouldfeltitpossibletosecureatfirst。Infact，themine，withitsorganization，itspopulationgrowingfiercelyattachedtotheirpositionofprivilegedsafety，withitsarmoury，withitsDonPepe，withitsarmedbodyofserenos(where，itwassaid，manyanoutlawanddeserter——andevensomemembersofHernandez\'sband——hadfoundaplace)，theminewasapowerintheland。AsacertainprominentmaninStaMartahadexclaimedwithahollowlaugh，once，whendiscussingthelineofactiontakenbytheSulacoauthoritiesatatimeofpoliticalcrisis:

`YoucallthesemenGovernmentofficials?They?Never！Theyareofficialsofthemine——officialsoftheConcession——Itellyou。\'

Theprominentman(whowasthenapersoninpower，withalemon-colouredfaceandaveryshortandcurly，nottosaywoolly，headofhair)wentsofarinhistemporarydiscontentastoshakehisyellowfistunderthenoseofhisinterlocutor，andshriek:

`Yes！All！Silence！All！Itellyou！Thepoliticaljefe，thechiefofthepolice，thechiefofthecustoms，thegeneral，all，allaretheofficialsofthatGould。\'

Thereuponanintrepidbutlowandargumentativemurmurwouldflowonforaspaceintheministerialcabinet，andtheprominentman\'spassionwouldendinacynicalshrugoftheshoulders。Afterall，heseemedtosay，whatdiditmatteraslongastheministerhimselfwasnotforgottenduringhisbriefdayofauthority?Butallthesame，theunofficialagentoftheSanTomemine，workingforagoodcause，hadhismomentsofanxiety，whichwerereflectedinhisletterstoDonJoseAvellanos，hismaternaluncle。

`NosanguinarymacaquefromStaMartashallsetfootonthatpartofCostaguanawhichliesbeyondtheSanTomebridge，\'DonPepeusedtoassureMrsGould。`Except，ofcourse，asanhonouredguest——forourSenorAdministradorisadeeppolitico。\'ButtoCharlesGould，inhisownroom，theoldMajorwouldremarkwithagrimandsoldierlycheeriness，`Weareallplayingourheadsatthisgame。\'

DonJoseAvellanoswouldmutter`Imperiuminimperio，Emilia，mysoul，\'withanairofprofoundself-satisfactionwhich，somehow，inacuriousway，seemedtocontainaqueeradmixtureofbodilydiscomfort。

Butthat，perhaps，couldonlybevisibletotheinitiated。

Andfortheinitiateditwasawonderfulplace，thisdrawing-roomoftheCasaGould，withitsmomentaryglimpsesofthemaster——ElSenorAdministrador——older，harder，mysteriouslysilent，withthelinesdeepenedonhisEnglish，ruddy，out-of-doorscomplexion；flittingonhisthincavalryman\'slegsacrossthedoorways，eitherjust`backfromthemountain\'orwithjinglingspursandriding-whipunderhisarm，onthepointofstarting`forthemountain\'。ThenDonPepe，modestlymartialinhischair，theIlanerowhoseemedsomehowtohavefoundhismartialjocularity，hisknowledgeoftheworld，andhismannerperfectforhisstation，inthemidstofsavagearmedcontestswithhiskind；Avellanos，polishedandfamiliar，thediplomatistwithhisloquacitycoveringmuchcautionandwisdomindelicateadvice，withhismanuscriptofahistoricalworkonCostaguana，entitledFiftyYearsofMisrule，which，atpresent，hethoughtitwasnotprudent(evenifitwerepossible)`togivetotheworld\'；thesethree，andalsoDonaEmiliaamongstthem，gracious，small，andfairy-like，beforetheglitteringtea-set，withonecommonmaster-thoughtintheirheads，withonecommonfeelingofatensesituation，withoneever-presentaimtopreservetheinviolablecharacterofthemineateverycost。AndtherewasalsotobeseenCaptainMitchell，alittleapart，nearoneofthelongwindows，withanairofold-fashionedneatoldbachelorhoodabouthim，slightlypompous，inawhitewaistcoat，alittledisregardedandunconsciousofit；utterlyinthedark，andimagininghimselftobeinthethickofthings。Thegoodman，havingspentaclearthirtyyearsofhislifeonthehighseasbeforegettingwhathecalleda`shorebillet\'，wasastonishedattheimportanceoftransactions(otherthanrelatingtoshipping)whichtakeplaceondryland。Almosteveryeventoutoftheusualdailycourse`markedanepoch\'

forhimorelsewas`history\'；unlesswithhispompositystrugglingwithadiscomfiteddroopofhisrubicund，ratherhandsomeface，setoffbysnow-whiteclosehairandshortwhiskers，hewouldmutter:

`Ah，that！That，sir，wasamistake。\'

ThereceptionofthefirstconsignmentofSanTomesilverforshipmenttoSanFranciscoinoneofO。S。N。Company\'smailboatshad，ofcourse，`markedanepoch\'forCaptainMitchell。Theingotspackedinboxesofstiffox-hidewithplaitedhandles，smallenoughtobecarriedeasilybytwomen，werebroughtdownbytheserenosoftheminewalkingincarefulcouplesdownthehalfmileorsoofsteep，zigzagpathstothefootofthemountain。

Theretheywouldbeloadedintoastringoftwo-wheeledcarts，resemblingroomycofferswithadoorattheback，andharnessedtandemwithtwomuleseach，waitingundertheguardofarmedandmountedserenos。DonPepepadlockedeachdoorinsuccession，andatthesignalofhiswhistlethestringofcartswouldmoveoff，closelysurroundedbytheclankofspurandcarabine，withjoltsandcrackingofwhips，withasuddendeeprumbleovertheboundarybridge(`intothelandofthievesandsanguinarymacaques\'，DonPepedefinedthatcrossing)；hatsbobbinginthefirstlightofthedawn，ontheheadsofcloakedfigures；Winchestersonhip；bridlehandsprotrudingleanandbrownfromunderthefallingfoldsoftheponchos。Theconvoyskirtingalittlewood，alongtheminetrail，betweenthemudhutsandlowwallsofRincon，increaseditspaceonthecaminoreal，mulesurgedtospeed，escortgalloping，DonCarlosridingaloneaheadofaduststormaffordingavaguevisionoflongearsofmules，offlutteringlittlegreenandwhiteflagsstuckuponeachcart；

ofraisedarmsinamobofsombreroswiththewhitegleamofrangingeyes；

andDonPepe，hardlyvisibleintherearofthatrattlingdusttrail，withastiffseatandimpassiveface，risingandfallingrhythmicallyonaewe-neckedsilver-bittedblackbrutewithahammerhead。

Thesleepypeopleinthelittleclustersofhuts，inthesmallranchosneartheroad，recognizedbytheheadlongsoundthechargeoftheSanTomesilverescorttowardsthecrumblingwallofthecityontheCamposide。

Theycametothedoorstoseeitdashbyoverrutsandstones，withaclatterandclankandcrackingofwhips，withtherecklessrushandprecisedrivingofafieldbatteryhurryingintoaction，andthesolitaryEnglishfigureoftheSenorAdministradorridingfaraheadinthelead。

Inthefencedroadsidepaddocksloosehorsesgallopedwildlyforawhile；

theheavycattlestoodupbreastdeepinthegrass，lowingmutteringlyattheflyingnoise；ameekIndianvillagerwouldglancebackonceandhastentoshovehisloadedlittledonkeybodilyagainstawall，outofthewayoftheSanTomesilverescortgoingtothesea；asmallknotofchillyleperosundertheStoneHorseoftheAlamedawouldmutter:

`Caramba！\'onseeingittakeawidecurveatagallopanddartintotheemptystreetoftheConstitution；foritwasconsideredthecorrectthing，theonlyproperstylebythemule-driversoftheSanTomeminetogothroughthewakingtownfromendtoendwithoutacheckinthespeedasifchasedbyadevil。

Theearlysunshineglowedonthedelicateprimrose，palepink，palebluefrontsofthebighouseswithalltheirgatesshutyet，andnofacebehindtheironbarsofthewindows。Inthewholesunlitrangeofemptybalconiesalongthestreetonlyonewhitefigurewouldbevisiblehighupabovetheclearpavement——thewifeoftheSenorAdministrador——leaningovertoseetheescortgobytotheharbour，amassofheavy，fairhairtwistedupnegligentlyonherlittlehead，andalotoflaceabouttheneckofhermuslinwrapper。Withasmiletoherhusband\'ssingle，quick，upwardglance，shewouldwatchthewholethingstreampastbelowherfeetwithanorderlyuproar，tillsheansweredbyafriendlysignthesaluteofthegallopingDonPepe，thestiff，deferentialinclinationwithasweepofthehatbelowtheknee。

Thestringofpadlockedcartslengthened，thesizeoftheescortgrewbiggerastheyearswenton。EverythreemonthsanincreasingsteamoftreasuresweptthroughthestreetsofSulacoonitswaytothestrongroomintheO。S。N。Company\'sbuildingbytheharbour，theretoawaitshipmentforthenorth。Increasinginvolume，andofimmensevaluealso；for，asCharlesGouldtoldhiswifeoncewithsomeexultation，therehadneverbeenseenanythingintheworldtoapproachtheveinoftheGouldConcession。

Forthemboth，eachpassingoftheescortunderthebalconiesoftheCasaGouldwaslikeanothervictorygainedintheconquestofpeaceforSulaco。

NodoubttheinitialactionofCharlesGouldhadbeenhelpedatthebeginningbyaperiodofcomparativepeacewhichoccurredjustaboutthattime；andalsobythegeneralsofteningofmannersascomparedwiththeepochofcivilwarswhencehademergedtheirontyrannyofGuzmanBentooffearfulmemory。Intheconteststhatbrokeoutattheendofhisrule(whichhadkeptpeaceinthecountryforawholefifteenyears)therewasmorefatuousimbecility，plentyofcrueltyandsufferingstill，butmuchlessoftheold-timefierceandblindlyferociouspoliticalfanaticism。

Itwasallmorevile，morebase，morecontemptible，andinfinitelymoremanageableintheveryoutspokencynicismofmotives。Itwasmoreclearlyabrazen-facedscrambleforaconstantlydiminishingquantityofbooty；

sinceallenterprisehadbeenstupidlykilledintheland。ThusitcametopassthattheprovinceofSulaco，oncethefieldofcruelpartyvengeances，hadbecomeinawayoneoftheconsiderableprizesofpoliticalcareer。

Thegreatoftheearth(inStaMarta)reservedthepostsintheoldOccidentalStatetothosenearestanddearesttothem:nephews，brothers，husbandsoffavouritesisters，bosomfriends，trustysupporters——orprominentsupportersofwhomperhapstheywereafraid。Itwastheblessedprovinceofgreatopportunitiesandoflargestsalaries；fortheSanTomeminehaditsownunofficialpaylist，whoseitemsandamounts，fixedinconsultationbyCharlesGouldandSenorAvellanos，wereknowntoaprominentbusinessmanintheUnitedStates，whofortwentyminutesorsoineverymonthgavehisundividedattentiontoSulacoaffairs。Atthesametimethematerialinterestsofallsorts，backedupbytheinfluenceoftheSanTomemine，werequietlygatheringsubstanceinthatpartoftheRepublic。If，forinstance，theSulacoCollectorshipwasgenerallyunderstood，inthepoliticalworldofthecapital，toopenthewaytotheMinistryofFinance，andsoonforeveryofficialpost，then，ontheotherhand，thedespondentbusinesscirclesoftheRepublichadcometoconsidertheOccidentalProvinceasthepromisedlandofsafety，especiallyifamanmanagedtogetongoodtermswiththeadministrationofthemine。`CharlesGould；excellentfellow！

Absolutelynecessarytomakesureofhimbeforetakingasinglestep。GetanintroductiontohimfromMoragaifyoucan——theagentoftheKingofSulaco，don\'tyouknow。\'

Nowonder，then，thatSirJohn，comingfromEuropetosmooththepathforhisrailway，hadbeenmeetingthename(andeventhenickname)ofCharlesGouldateveryturninCostaguana。TheagentoftheSanTomeAdministrationinStaMarta(apolished，well-informedgentleman，SirJohnthoughthim)

hadcertainlyhelpedsogreatlyinbringingaboutthepresidentialtourthathebegantothinkthattherewassomethinginthefaintwhispershintingattheimmenseoccultinfluenceoftheGouldConcession。Whatwascurrentlywhisperedwasthis——thattheSanTomeAdministrationhad，inpart，atleast，financedthelastrevolution，whichhadbroughtintoafive-yeardictatorshipDonVincenteRibiera，amanofcultureandofunblemishedcharacter，investedwithamandateofreformbythebestelementsoftheState。Serious，well-informedmenseemedtobelievethefact，tohopeforbetterthings，fortheestablishmentoflegality，ofgoodfaithandorderinpubliclife。Somuchthebetter，then，thoughtSirJohn。Heworkedalwaysonagreatscale；therewasaloantotheState，andaprojectforsystematiccolonizationoftheOccidentalProvince，involvedinonevastschemewiththeconstructionoftheNationalCentralRailway。Goodfaith，order，honesty，peace，werebadlywantedforthisgreatdevelopmentofmaterialinterests。

Anybodyonthesideofthesethings，andespeciallyifabletohelp，hadanimportanceinSirJohn\'seyes。Hehadnotbeendisappointedinthe`KingofSulaco\'。Thelocaldifficultieshadfallenaway，astheengineer-in-chiefhadforetoldtheywould，beforeCharlesGould\'smediation。SirJohnhadbeenextremelyfetedinSulaco，nexttothePresident-Dictator，afactwhichmighthaveaccountedfortheevidentill-humourGeneralMonterodisplayedatlunchgivenonboardtheJunojustbeforeshewastosail，takingawayfromSulacothePresident-Dictatorandthedistinguishedforeignguestsinhistrain。

TheExcellentissimo(`thehopeofhonestmen\'，asDonJosehadaddressedhiminapublicspeechdeliveredinthenameoftheProvincialAssemblyofSulaco)satattheheadofthelongtable；CaptainMitchell，positivelystony-eyedandpurpleinthefacewiththesolemnityofthis`historicalevent\'，occupiedthefootastherepresentativeoftheO。S。N。CompanyinSulaco，thehostsofthatinformalfunction，withthecaptainoftheshipandsomeminorofficialsfromtheshorearoundhim。Thosecheery，swarthylittlegentlemencastjovialside-glancesatthebottlesofchampagnebeginningtopopbehindtheguests\'backsinthehandsoftheship\'sstewards。Theamberwinecreameduptotherimsoftheglasses。Junojustbeforeshewastosail，takingawayfromSulacothePresident-Dictatorandthedistinguishedforeignguestsinhistrain。

CharlesGouldhadhisplacenexttoaforeignenvoy，who，inalistlessundertone，hadbeentalkingtohimfitfullyofhuntingandshooting。Thewell-nourished，paleface，withaneyeglassanddroopingyellowmoustache，madetheSenorAdministradorappearbycontrasttwiceassunbaked，moreflamingred，ahundredtimesmoreintenselyandsilentlyalive。DonJoseAvellanostouchedelbowswiththeotherforeigndiplomat，adarkmanwithaquiet，watchful，self-confidentdemeanour，andatouchofreserve。Alletiquettebeinglaidasideontheoccasion，GeneralMonterowastheonlyonethereinfulluniform，sostiffwithembroideriesinfrontthathisbroadchestseemedprotectedbyacuirassofgold。SirJohnatthebeginninghadgotawayfromhighplacesforthesakeofsittingnearMrsGould。

Thegreatfinancierwastryingtoexpresstoherhisgratefulsenseofherhospitalityandofhisobligationtoherhusband\'s`enormousinfluenceinthispartofthecountry\'，whensheinterruptedhimbyalow`Hush！\'

ThePresidentwasgoingtomakeaninformalpronouncement。

TheExcellentissimowasonhislegs。Hesaidonlyafewwords，evidentlydeeplyfelt，andmeantperhapsmostlyforAvellanos——hisoldfriend——

astothenecessityofunremittingefforttosecurethelastingwelfareofthecountryemergingafterthislaststruggle，hehoped，intoaperiodofpeaceandmaterialprosperity。

MrsGould，listeningtothemellow，slightlymournfulvoice，lookingatthisrotund，dark，spectacledface，attheshortbody，obesetothepointofinfirmity，thoughtthatthismanofdelicateandmelancholymind，physicallyalmostacripple，comingoutofhisretirementintoadangerousstrifeatthecallofhisfellows，hadtherighttospeakwiththeauthorityofhisself-sacrifice。Andyetshewasmadeuneasy。Hewasmorepatheticthanpromising，thisfirstcivilianChiefoftheStateCostaguanahadeverknown，pronouncing，glassinhand，hissimplewatch-wordsofhonesty，peace，respectforlaw，politicalgoodfaithabroadandathome——thesafeguardsofnationalhonour。

Hesatdown。Duringtherespectful，appreciativebuzzofvoicesthatfollowedthespeech，GeneralMonteroraisedapairofheavy，droopingeyelidsandrolledhiseyeswithasortofuneasydullnessfromfacetoface。Themilitarybackwoodsherooftheparty，thoughsecretlyimpressedbythesuddennoveltiesandsplendoursofhisposition(hehadneverbeenonboardashipbefore，andhadhardlyeverseentheseaexceptfromadistance)，understoodbyasortofinstincttheadvantagehissurly，unpolishedattitudeofasavagefightergavehimamongstalltheserefinedBlancoaristocrats。

Butwhywasitthatnobodywaslookingathim?hewonderedtohimselfangrily。

Hewasabletospellouttheprintofnewspapers，andknewthathehadperformedthe`greatestmilitaryexploitofmoderntimes\'。

`Myhusbandwantedtherailway，\'MrsGouldsaidtoSirJohninthegeneralmurmurofresumedconversations。`Allthisbringsnearerthesortoffuturewedesireforthecountry，whichhaswaitedforitinsorrowlongenough，Godknows。ButIwillconfessthattheotherday，duringmyafternoondrivewhenIsuddenlysawanIndianboyrideoutofawoodwiththeredflagofasurveyingpartyinhishand，Ifeltsomethingofashock。Thefuturemeanschange——anutterchange。Andyetevenheretherearesimpleandpicturesquethingsthatonewouldliketopreserve。\'

SirJohnlistened，smiling。ButitwashisturnnowtohushMrsGould。

`GeneralMonteroisgoingtospeak，\'hewhispered，andalmostimmediatelyadded，incomicalarm，`Heavens！he\'sgoingtoproposemyownhealth，I

believe。\'

GeneralMonterohadrisenwithajingleofsteelscabbardandarippleofglitteronhisgold-embroideredbreast；aheavysword-hiltappearedathissideabovetheedgeofthetable。Inthisgorgeousuniform，withhisbullneck，hishookednoseflattenedonthetipuponablue-black，dyedmoustache，helookedlikeadisguisedandsinistervaquero。

Thedroneofhisvoicehadastrangelyrasping，soullessring。Hefloundered，lowering，throughafewvaguesentences；thensuddenlyraisinghisbigheadandhisvoicetogether，burstoutharshly:

`Thehonourofthecountryisinthehandsofthearmy。IassureyouIshallbefaithfultoit。\'HehesitatedtillhisroamingeyesmetSirJohn\'sface，uponwhichhefixedalurid，sleepyglance；andthefigureofthelatelynegotiatedloancameintohismind。Heliftedhisglass。

`Idrinktothehealthofthemanwhobringsusamillionandahalfofpounds。\'

Hetossedoffhischampagne，andsatdownheavilywithahalf-surprised，half-bullyinglookallroundthefacesintheprofound，asifappalled，silencewhichsucceededthefelicitoustoast。SirJohndidnotmove。

`Idon\'tthinkIamcalledupontorise，\'hemurmuredtoMrsGould。

`Thatsortofthingspeaksforitself。\'ButDonJoseAvellanoscametotherescuewithashortoration，inwhichhealludedpointedlytoEngland\'sgoodwilltowardsCostaguana——`agoodwill\'，hecontinued，significantly，`ofwhichI，havingbeeninmytimeaccreditedtotheCourtofStJames，amabletospeakwithsomeknowledge。\'

OnlythenSirJohnthoughtfittorespond，whichhedidgracefullyinbadFrench，punctuatedbyburstsofapplauseandthe`Hear！Hears！\'ofCaptainMitchell，whowasabletounderstandawordnowandthen。Directlyhehaddone，thefinancierofrailwaysturnedtoMrsGould:

`Youweregoodenoughtosaythatyouintendedtoaskmeforsomething，\'

heremindedher，gallantly。`Whatisit?Beassuredthatanyrequestfromyouwouldbeconsideredinthelightofafavourtomyself。\'

Shethankedhimbyagracioussmile。Everybodywasrisingfromthetable。

`Letusgoondeck，\'sheproposed，`whereI\'llbeabletopointouttoyoutheveryobjectofmyrequest。\'

AnenormousnationalflagofCostaguana，diagonalredandyellow，withtwogreenpalmtreesinthemiddle，floatedlazilyatthemainmastheadoftheJuno。Amultitudeoffireworksbeingletoffintheirthousandsatthewater\'sedgeinhonourofthePresidentkeptupamysteriouscrepitatingnoisehalfroundtheharbour。Nowandthenalotofrockets，swishingupwardsinvisibly，detonatedoverheadwithonlyapuffofsmokeinthebrightsky。

Crowdsofpeoplecouldbeseenbetweenthetowngateandtheharbour，underthebunchesofmulticolouredflagsflutteringontallpoles。Faintburstsofmilitarymusicwouldbeheardsuddenly，andtheremotesoundofshouting。

AknotofraggedNegroesattheendofthewharfkeptonloadingandfiringasmallironcannontimeaftertime。Agreyishhazeofdusthungthinandmotionlessagainstthesun。

DonVincenteRibieramadeafewstepsunderthedeckawning，leaningonthearmofSenorAvellanos；awidecirclewasformedroundhim，wherethemirthlesssmileofhisdarklipsandthesightlessglitterofhisspectaclescouldbeseenturningamiablyfromsidetoside。TheinformalfunctionarrangedonpurposeonboardtheJunotogivethePresident-DictatoranopportunitytomeetintimatelysomeofhismostnotableadherentsinSulacowasdrawingtoanend。Ononeside，GeneralMontero，hisbaldheadcoverednowbyaplumedcockedhat，remainedmotionlessonaskylightseat，apairofbiggauntletedhandsfoldedonthehiltofthesabrestandinguprightbetweenhislegs。Thewhiteplume，thecopperytintofhisbroadface，theblue-blackofthemoustachesunderthecurvedbeak，themassofgoldonsleevesandbreast，thehighshiningbootswithenormousspurs，theworkingnostrils，theimbecileanddomineeringstareofthegloriousvictorofRioSecohadinthemsomethingominousandincredible；theexaggerationofacruelcaricature，thefatuityofsolemnmasquerading，theatrociousgrotesquenessofsomemilitaryidolofAztecconceptionandEuropeanbedecking，awaitingthehomageofworshippers。DonJoseapproacheddiplomaticallythisweirdandinscrutableportent，andMrsGouldturnedherfascinatedeyesawayatlast。

Charles，cominguptotakeleaveofSirJohn，heardhimsay，ashebentoverhiswife\'shand，`Certainly。Ofcourse，mydearMrsGould，foraprotegeofyours！Nottheslightestdifficulty。Consideritdone。\'

GoingashoreinthesameboatwiththeGoulds，DonJoseAvellanoswasverysilent。EvenintheGouldcarriagehedidnotopenhislipsforalongtime。Themulestrottedslowlyawayfromthewharfbetweentheextendedhandsofthebeggars，whoforthatdayseemedtohaveabandonedinabodytheportalsofchurches。CharlesGouldsatonthebackseatandlookedawayupontheplain。Amultitudeofboothsmadeofgreenboughs，ofrushes，ofoddpiecesofplankekedoutwithbitsofcanvashadbeenerectedalloveritforthesaleofcana，ofdulces，offruit，ofcigars。OverlittleheapsofglowingcharcoalIndianwomen，squattingonmats，cookedfoodinblackearthenpots，andboiledthewaterforthemategourds，whichtheyofferedinsoft，caressingvoicestothecountrypeople。Aracecoursehadbeenstakedoutforthevaqueros；andawaytotheleft，fromwherethecrowdwasmassedthicklyaboutahugetemporaryerection，likeacircustentofwoodwithaconicalgrassroof，cametheresonanttwangingofharpstrings，thesharppingofguitars，withthegravedrummingthrobofanIndiangombopulsatingsteadilythroughtheshrillchorusesofthedancers。

CharlesGouldsaidpresently:

`AllthispieceoflandbelongsnowtotheRailwayCompany。Therewillbenomorepopularfeastsheldhere。\'

MrsGouldwasrathersorrytothinkso。ShetookthisopportunitytomentionhowshehadjustobtainedfromSirJohnthepromisethatthehouseoccupiedbyGiorgioViolashouldnotbeinterferedwith。Shedeclaredshecouldneverunderstandwhythesurveyengineersevertalkedofdemolishingthatoldbuilding。Itwasnotinthewayoftheprojectedharbourbranchofthelineintheleast。

ShestoppedthecarriagebeforethedoortoreassureatoncetheoldGenoese，whocameoutbare-headedandstoodbythecarriagestep。ShetalkedtohiminItalian，ofcourse，andhethankedherwithcalmdignity。AnoldGaribaldinowasgratefultoherfromthebottomofhisheartforkeepingtheroofovertheheadsofhiswifeandchildren。Hewastoooldtowanderanymore。

`Andisitforever，signora?\'heasked。

`Foraslongasyoulike。\'

`Bene。Thentheplacemustbenamed。Itwasnotworthwhilebefore。\'

Hesmiledruggedly，witharunningtogetherofwrinklesatthecornersofhiseyes。`Ishallsetaboutthepaintingofthenametomorrow。\'

`Andwhatisitgoingtobe，Giorgio?\'

`Albergod\'ItaliaUna，\'saidtheoldGaribaldino，lookingawayforamoment。`Moreinmemoryofthosewhohavedied，\'headded，`thanforthecountrystolenfromussoldiersoflibertybythecraftofthataccursedPiedmonteseraceofkingsandministers。\'

MrsGouldsmiledslightly，and，bendingoveralittle，begantoinquireabouthiswifeandchildren。Hehadsentthemintotownonthatday。Thepadronawasbetterinhealth；manythankstothesignoraforinquiring。

Peoplewerepassingintwosandthrees，inwholepartiesofmenandwomenattendedbytrottingchildren。Ahorsemanmountedonasilver-greymaredrewreinquietlyintheshadeofthehouseaftertakingoffhishattothepartyinthecarriage，whoreturnedsmilesandfamiliarnods。OldViola，evidentlyverypleasedwiththenewshehadjustheard，interruptedhimselfforamomenttotellhimrapidlythatthehousewassecured，bythekindnessoftheEnglishsignora，foraslongashelikedtokeepit。Theotherlistenedattentively，butmadenoresponse。

Whenthecarriagemovedonhetookoffhishatagain，agreysombrerowithasilvercordandtassels。ThebrightcoloursofaMexicanserapetwistedonthecantle，theenormoussilverbuttonsontheembroideredleatherjacket，therowoftinysilverbuttonsdowntheseamofthetrousers，thesnowylinen，asilksashwithembroideredends，thesilverplatesonheadstallandsaddle，proclaimedtheunapproachablestyleofthefamousCapatazdeCargadores——aMediterraneansailor——gotupwithmorefinishedsplendourthananywell-to-doyoungrancherooftheCampohadeverdisplayedonahighholiday。

`Itisagreatthingforme，\'murmuredoldGiorgio，stillthinkingofthehouse，fornowhehadgrownwearyofchange。`ThesignorajustsaidawordtotheEnglishman。\'

`TheoldEnglishmanwhohasenoughmoneytopayforarailway?Heisgoingoffinanhour，\'remarkedNostromo，carelessly。`Buonviaggio，then。I\'veguardedhisbonesallthewayfromtheEntradapassdowntotheplainandintoSulaco，asthoughhehadbeenmyownfather。\'

OldGiorgioonlymovedhisheadsidewaysabsently。NostromopointedaftertheGoulds\'carriage，nearingthegrass-growngateintheoldtownwallthatwaslikeawallofmattedjungle。

`AndIhavesataloneatnightwithmyrevolverintheCompany\'swarehousetimeandagainbythesideofthatotherEnglishman\'sheapofsilver，guardingitasthoughithadbeenmyown。\'

Violaseemedlostinthought。`Itisagreatthingforme，\'herepeatedagain，asiftohimself。

`Itis，\'agreedthemagnificentCapatazdeCargadores，calmly。`Listen，vecchio——goinandbringmeoutacigar，butdon\'tlookforitinmyroom。There\'snothingthere。\'

Violasteppedintothecafeandcameoutdirectly，stillabsorbedinhisidea，andtenderedhimacigar，mumblingthoughtfullyinhismoustache，`Childrengrowingup——andgirls，too！Girls！\'Hesighedandfellsilent。

`What，onlyone?\'remarkedNostromo，lookingdownwithasortofcomicinquisitivenessattheunconsciousoldman。`Nomatter，\'headded，withloftynegligence；`oneisenoughtillanotheriswanted。\'