第4章

Helititandletthematchdropfromhispassivefingers。GiorgioViolalookedup，andsaidabruptly:

`Mysonwouldhavebeenjustsuchafineyoungmanasyou，Gian\'Battista，ifhehadlived。\'

`What?Yourson?Butyouareright，padrone。Ifhehadbeenlikemehewouldhavebeenaman。\'

Heturnedhishorseslowly，andpacedonbetweenthebooths，checkingthemarealmosttoastandstillnowandthenforchildren，forthegroupsofpeoplefromthedistantCampo，whostaredafterhimwithadmiration。

TheCompany\'slightermensalutedhimfromafar；andthegreatlyenviedCapatazdeCargadoresadvanced，amongstmurmursofrecognitionandobsequiousgreetings，towardsthehugecircus-likeerection。Thethrongthickened；

theguitarstinkledlouder；otherhorsemensatmotionless，smokingcalmlyabovetheheadsofthecrowd；iteddiedandpushedbeforethedoorsofthehigh-roofedbuilding，whenceissuedashuffleandthumpingoffeetintimetothedancemusicvibratingandshriekingwitharackingrhythm，overhungbythetremendous，sustained，hollowroarofthegombo。Theharbarousandimposingnoiseofthebigdrum，thatcanmaddenacrowd，andthatevenEuropeanscannothearwithoutastrangeemotion，seemedtodrawNostromoontoitssource，whileaman，wrappedupinafaded，tornponcho，walkedbyhisstirrup，and，buffetedrightandleft，begged`hisworship\'insistentlyforemploymentonthewharf。Hewhined，offeringtheSenorCapatazhalfhisdailypayfortheprivilegeofbeingadmittedtotheswaggeringfraternityofcargadores；theotherhalfwouldbeenoughforhim，heprotested。

ButCaptainMitchell\'sright-handman——`invaluableforourwork——aperfectlyincorruptiblefellow\'——afterlookingdowncriticallyattheraggedmozo，shookhisheadwithoutawordintheuproargoingonaround。

Themanfellback；andalittlefartheronNostromohadtopullup。

Fromthedoorsofthedance-hallmenandwomenemergedtottering，streamingwithsweat，tremblingineverylimb，tolean，panting，withstaringeyesandpartedlips，againstthewallofthestructure，wheretheharpsandguitarsplayedonwithmadspeedinanincessantrollofthunder。Hundredsofhandsclappedinthere；voicesshrieked，andthenallatoncewouldsinklow，chantinginunisontherefrainofalovesong，withadyingfall。

Aredflower，flungwithagoodaimfromsomewhereinthecrowd，strucktheresplendentCapatazonthecheek。

Hecaughtitasitfell，neatly，butforsometimedidnotturnhishead。Whenatlasthecondescendedtolookround，thethrongnearhimhadpartedtomakewayforaprettyMorenita，herhairheldupbyasmallgoldencomb，whowaswalkingtowardshimintheopenspace。

Herarmsandneckemergedplumpandbarefromasnowychemisette；thebluewoollenskirt，withallthefullnessgatheredinfront，scantyonthehipsandtightacrosstheback，disclosedtheprovokingactionofherwalk。Shecamestraightonandlaidherhandonthemare\'sneckwithatimid，coquettishlookupwardsoutofthecornerofhereyes。

`Querido，\'shemurmured，caressingly，`whydoyoupretendnottoseemewhenIpass?\'

`BecauseIdon\'tlovetheeanymore，\'saidNostromo，deliberately，afteramomentofreflectivesilence。

Thehandonthemare\'snecktrembledsuddenly。Shedroppedherheadbeforealltheeyesinthewidecircleformedroundthegenerous，theterrible，theinconstantCapatazdeCargadores，andhisMorenita。

Nostromo，lookingdown，sawtearsbeginningtofalldownherface。

`Hasitcome，then，everbelovedofmyheart?\'shewhispered。`Isittrue?\'

`No，\'saidNostromo，lookingawaycarelessly。`Itwasalie。Ilovetheeasmuchasever。\'

`Isthattrue?\'shecooed，joyously，hercheeksstillwetwithtears。

`Itistrue。\'

`Trueonthelife?\'

`Astrueasthat；butthoumustnotaskmetoswearitontheMadonnathatstandsinthyroom。\'AndtheCapatazlaughedalittleinresponsetothegrinsofthecrowd。

Shepouted——verypretty——alittleuneasy。

`No，Iwillnotaskforthat。Icanseeloveinyoureyes。\'Shelaidherhandonhisknee。`Whyareyoutremblinglikethis?Fromlove?\'shecontinued，whilethecavernousthunderingofthegombowentonwithoutapause。`Butifyouloveherasmuchasthat，youmustgiveyourPaquitaagold-mountedrosaryofbeadsfortheneckofherMadonna。\'

`No，\'saidNostromo，lookingintoheruplifted，beggingeyes，whichsuddenlyturnedstonywithsurprise。

`No?Thenwhatelsewillyourworshipgivemeonthedayofthefiesta?\'

sheasked，angrily；`soasnottoshamemebeforeallthesepeople。\'

`Thereisnoshamefortheeingettingnothingfromthyloverforonce。\'

`True！Theshameisyourworship\'s——mypoorlover\'s，\'sheflaredup，sarcastically。

Laughswereheardatheranger，atherretort。Whatanaudaciousspitfireshewas！Thepeopleawareofthisscenewerecallingouturgentlytoothersinthecrowd。Thecircleroundthesilver-greymarenarrowedslowly。

Thegirlwentoffapaceortwo，confrontingthemockingcuriosityoftheeyes，thenflungbacktothestirrup，tiptoeing，herenragedfaceturneduptoNostromowithapairofblazingeyes。Hebentlowtoherinthesaddle。

`Juan，\'shehissed，`Icouldstabtheetotheheart！\'

ThedreadedCapatazdeCargadores，magnificentandcarelesslypublicinhisamours，flunghisarmroundherneckandkissedhersplutteringlips。Amurmurwentround。

`Aknife！\'hedemandedatlarge，holdingherfirmlybytheshoulder。

Twentybladesflashedouttogetherinthecircle。Ayoungmaninholidayattire，boundingin，thrustoneinNostromo\'shandandboundedbackintotheranks，veryproudofhimself。Nostromohadnotevenlookedathim。

`Standonmyfoot，\'hecommandedthegirl，who，suddenlysubdued，roselightly，andwhenhehadherup，encirclingherwaist，herfaceneartohis，hepressedtheknifeintoherlittlehand。

`No，Morenita！Youshallnotputmetoshame，\'hesaid。`Youshallhaveyourpresent；andsothateveryoneshouldknowwhoisyourlovertoday，youmaycutallthesilverbuttonsoffmycoat。\'

Therewereshoutsoflaughterandapplauseatthiswittyfreak，whilethegirlpassedthekeenblade，andtheimpassiveriderjingledinhispalmtheincreasinghoardofsilverbuttons。Heeasedhertothegroundwithbothherhandsfull。Afterwhisperingforawhilewithaverystrenuousface，shewalkedaway，staringhaughtily，andvanishedintothecrowd。

Thecirclehadbrokenup，andthelordlyCapatazdeCargadores，theindispensableman，thetriedandtrustyNostromo，theMediterraneansailorcomeashorecasuallytotryhisluckinCostaguana，rodeslowlytowardstheharbour。TheJunowasjustthenswinginground；andevenasNostromoreinedupagaintolookon，aflagranupontheimprovisedflagstafferectedinanancientanddismantledlittlefortattheharbourentrance。

HalfabatteryoffieldgunshadbeenhurriedovertherefromtheSulacobarracksforthepurposeoffiringtheregulationsalutesforthePresident-DictatorandtheWarMinister。Asthemail-boatheadedthroughthepass，thebadlytimedreportsannouncedtheendofDonVincenteRibiera\'sfirstofficialvisittoSulaco，andforCaptainMitchelltheendofanother`historicoccasion\'。Nexttimewhenthe`Hopeofhonestmen\'wastocomethatway，ayearandahalflater，itwasunofficially，overthemountaintracks，fleeingafteradefeatonalamemule，tobeonlyjustsavedbyNostromofromanignominiousdeathatthehandsofamob。Itwasaverydifferentevent，ofwhichCaptainMitchellusedtosay:

`Itwashistory——history，sir！Andthatfellowofmine，Nostromo，youknow，wasrightinit。Absolutelymakinghistory，sir。\'

Butthisevent，creditabletoNostromo，wastoleadimmediatelytoanother，whichcouldnotbeclassedeitheras`history\'oras`a\'mistake\'inCaptainMitchell\'sphraseology。Hehadanotherwordforit。

`Sir，\'heusedtosayafterwards，`thatwasnomistake。Itwasafatality。

Amisfortune，pureandsimple，sir。Andthatpoorfellowofminewasrightinit——rightinthemiddleofit！Afatality，ifevertherewasone——andtomymindhehasneverbeenthesamemansince。\'

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter1PARTTWO

THEISABELSIThroughgoodandevilreportinthevaryingfortuneofthatstrugglewhichDonJosehadcharacterizedinthephrase，`thefateofnationalhonestytremblesinthebalance\'，theGouldConcession，`ImperiuminImperio\'，hadgoneonworking；thesquaremountainhadgoneonpouringitstreasuredownthewoodenshootstotheunrestingbatteriesofstamps；thelightsofSanTomehadtwinklednightafternightuponthegreat，limitlessshadowoftheCampo；everythreemonthsthesilverescorthadgonedowntotheseaasifneitherthewarnoritsconsequencescouldeveraffecttheancientOccidentalStatesecludedbeyonditshighbarrieroftheCordillera。AllthefightingtookplaceontheothersideofthatmightywallofserratedpeakslordedoverbythewhitedomeofHiguerotaandasyetunbreachedbytherailway，ofwhichonlythefirstpart，theeasyCampopartfromSulacototheIvieValleyatthefootofthepass，hadbeenlaid。Neitherdidthetelegraphlinecrossthemountainsyet；itspoles，likeslenderbeaconsontheplain，penetratedintotheforestfringeofthefoothillscutbythedeepavenueofthetrack；anditswireendedabruptlyintheconstructioncampatawhitedealtablesupportingaMorseapparatus，inalonghutofplankswithacorrugated-ironroofovershadowedbygiganticcedartrees——thequartersoftheengineerinchargeoftheadvancesection。

Theharbourwasbusy，too，withthetrafficinrailwaymaterial，andwiththemovementsoftroopsalongthecoast。TheO。S。N。Companyfoundmuchoccupationforitsfleet。Costaguanahadnonavy，and，apartfromafewcoastguardcutters，therewerenonationalshipsexceptacoupleofoldmerchantsteamersusedastransports。

CaptainMitchell，feelingmoreandmoreinthethickofhistory，foundtimeforanhourorsoduringanafternooninthedrawing-roomoftheCasaGould，where，withastrangeignoranceoftherealforcesatworkaroundhim，heprofessedhimselfdelightedtogetawayfromthestrainofaffairs。

HedidnotknowwhathewouldhavedonewithouthisinvaluableNostromo，hedeclared。ThoseconfoundedCostaguanapoliticsgavehimmorework——heconfidedtoMrsGould——thanhehadbargainedfor。

DonJoseAvellanoshaddisplayedintheserviceoftheendangeredRibieraGovernmentanorganizingactivityandaneloquenceofwhichtheechoesreachedevenEurope。For，afterthenewloantotheRibieraGovernment，EuropehadbecomeinterestedinCostaguana。TheSalaoftheProvincialAssembly(intheMunicipalBuildingsofSulaco)，withitsportraitsoftheLiberatorsonthewallsandanoldflagofCortespreservedinaglasscaseabovethePresident\'schair，hadheardallthesespeeches——theearlyonecontainingtheimpassioneddeclaration`Militarismistheenemy\'，thefamousoneofthe`tremblingbalance\'deliveredontheoccasionofthevotefortheraisingofasecondSulacoregimentinthedefenceofthereformingGovernment；andwhentheprovincesagaindisplayedtheiroldflags(proscribedinGuzmanBento\'stime)therewasanotherofthosegreatorations，whenDonJosegreetedtheseoldemblemsofthewarofIndependence，broughtoutagaininthenameofnewIdeals。TheoldideaofFederalismhaddisappeared。Forhisparthedidnotwishtoreviveoldpoliticaldoctrines。

Theywereperishable。Theydied。Butthedoctrineofpoliticalrectitudewasimmortal。ThesecondSulacoregiment，towhomhewaspresentingthisflag，wasgoingtoshowitsvalourinacontestfororder，peace，progress；

fortheestablishmentofnationalself-respectwithoutwhich——hedeclaredwithenergy——`weareareproachandabywordamongstthepowersoftheworld\'。

DonJoseAvellanoslovedhiscountry。Hehadserveditlavishlywithhisfortuneduringhisdiplomaticcareer，andthelaterstoryofhiscaptivityandbarbarousill-usageunderGuzmanBentowaswellknowntohislisteners。

Itwasawonderthathehadnotbeenavictimoftheferociousandsummaryexecutionswhichmarkedthecourseofthattyranny；forGuzmanhadruledthecountrywiththesombreimbecilityofpoliticalfanaticism。ThepowerofSupremeGovernmenthadbecomeinhisdullmindanobjectofstrangeworship，asifitweresomesortofcrueldeity。Itwasincarnatedinhimself，andhisadversaries，theFederalists，werethesupremesinners，objectsofhate，abhorrence，andfear，ashereticswouldbetoaconvincedInquisitor。

ForyearshehadcarriedaboutatthetailoftheArmyofPacification，alloverthecountry，acaptivebandofsuchatrociouscriminals，whoconsideredthemselvesmostunfortunateatnothavingbeensummarilyexecuted。Itwasadiminishingcompanyofnearlynakedskeletons，loadedwithirons，coveredwithdirt，withvermin，withrawwounds，allmenofposition，ofeducation，ofwealth，whohadlearnedtofightamongstthemselvesforscrapsofrottenbeefthrowntothembysoldiers，ortobegaNegrocookforadrinkofmuddywaterinpitifulaccents。DonJoseAvellanos，clankinghischainsamongsttheothers，seemedonlytoexistinordertoprovehowmuchhunger，pain，degradation，andcrueltortureahumanbodycanstandwithoutpartingwiththelastsparkoflife。Sometimesinterrogatories，backedbysomeprimitivemethodoftorture，wereadministeredtothembyacommissionofofficershastilyassembledinahutofsticksandbranches，andmadepitilessbythefearfortheirownlives。Aluckyoneortwoofthatspectralcompanyofprisonerswouldperhapsbeledtotteringbehindabushtobeshotbyafileofsoldiers。Alwaysanarmychaplain——someunshaven，dirtyman，girtwithaswordandwithatinycrossembroideredinwhitecottonontheleftbreastofalieutenant\'suniform——wouldfollow，cigaretteinthecornerofthemouth，woodenstoolinhand，toheartheconfessionandgiveabsolution；fortheCitizenSaviouroftheCountry(GuzmanBentowascalledthusofficiallyinpetitions)wasnotaversefromtheexerciseofrationalclemency。Theirregularreportofthefiringsquadwouldbeheard，followedsometimesbyasinglefinishingshot；alittlebluishcloudofsmokewouldfloatupabovethegreenbushes，andtheArmyofPacificationwouldmoveonoverthesavannas，throughtheforests，crossingrivers，invadingruralpueblos，devastatingthehaciendasofthehorridaristocrats，occupyingtheinlandtownsinthefulfilmentofitspatrioticmission，andleavingbehindaunitedlandwhereintheeviltaintofFederalismcouldnolongerbedetectedinthesmokeofburninghousesandthesmellofspiltblood。

DonJoseAvellanoshadsurvivedthattime。

Perhaps，whencontemptuouslysignifyingtohimhisrelease，theCitizenSaviouroftheCountrymighthavethoughtthisbenightedaristocrattoobrokeninhealthandspiritandfortunetobeanylongerdangerous。Or，perhaps，itmayhavebeenasimplecaprice。GuzmanBento，usuallyfulloffancifulfearsandbroodingsuspicions，hadsuddenaccessesofunreasonableself-confidencewhenheperceivedhimselfelevatedonapinnacleofpowerandsafetybeyondthereachofmeremortalplotters。AtsuchtimeshewouldimpulsivelycommandthecelebrationofasolemnMassofthanksgivingwhichwouldbesungingreatpompinthecathedralofStaMartabythetrembling，subservientArchbishopofhiscreation。Hehearditsittinginagiltarmchairplacedbeforethehighaltar，surroundedbythecivilandmilitaryheadsofhisGovernment。TheunofficialworldofStaMartawouldcrowdintothecathedral，foritwasnotquitesafeforanybodyofmarktostayawayfromthesemanifestationsofpresidentialpiety。Havingthusacknowledgedtheonlypowerhewasatalldisposedtorecognizeasabovehimself，hewouldscatteractsofpoliticalgraceinasardonicwantonnessofclemency。Therewasnootherwayleftnowtoenjoyhispowerbutbyseeinghiscrushedadversariescrawlimpotentlyintothelightofdayoutofthedark，noisomecellsoftheCollegio。Theirharmlessnessfedhisinsatiablevanity，andtheycouldalwaysbegotholdofagain。Itwastheruleforallthewomenoftheirfamiliestopresentthanksafterwardsinaspecialaudience。Theincarnationofthatstrangegod:ElGobiernoSupremo，receivedthemstanding，cockedhatonhead，andexhortedtheminamenacingmuttertoshowtheirgratitudebybringinguptheirchildreninfidelitytothedemocraticformofgovernment，`whichIhaveestablishedforthehappinessofourcountry\'。

Hisfrontteethhavingbeenknockedoutinsomeaccidentofhisformerherdsman\'slife，hisutterancewassplutteringandindistinct。HehadbeenworkingforCostaguanaaloneinthemidstoftreacheryandopposition。

Letitceasenowlestheshouldbecomewearyofforgiving！

DonJoseAvellanoshadknownthisforgiveness。

Hewasbrokeninhealthandfortunedeplorablyenoughtopresentatrulygratifyingspectacletothesupremechiefofdemocraticinstitutions。HeretiredtoSulaco。Hiswifehadanestateinthatprovince，andshenursedhimbacktolifeoutofthehouseofdeathandcaptivity。Whenshedied，theirdaughter，anonlychild，wasoldenoughtodevoteherselfto`poorpapa\'。

MissAvellanos，borninEuropeandeducatedpartlyinEngland，wasatall，gravegirl，withaself-possessedmanner，awide，whiteforehead，awealthofrichbrownhair，andblueeyes。

TheotheryoungladiesofSulacostoodinaweofhercharacterandaccomplishments。

Shewasreputedtobeterriblylearnedandserious。Astopride，itwaswellknownthatalltheCorbelanswereproud，andhermotherwasaCorbelan。

DonJoseAvellanosdependedverymuchuponthedevotionofhisbelovedAntonia。Heaccepteditinthebenightedwayofmen，who，thoughmadeinGod\'simage，arelikestoneidolswithoutsensebeforethesmokeofcertainburntofferings。Hewasruinedineveryway，butamanpossessedofpassionisnotabankruptinlife。DonJoseAvellanosdesiredpassionatelyforhiscountry:peace，prosperity，and(astheendoftheprefacetoFiftyYearsofMisrulehasit)`anhonourableplaceinthecomityofcivilizednations\'。InthislastphrasetheMinisterPlenipotentiary，cruellyhumiliatedbythebadfaithofhisGovernmenttowardstheforeignbondholders，standsdisclosedinthepatriot。

ThefatuousturmoilofgreedyfactionssucceedingthetyrannyofGuzmanBentoseemedtobringhisdesiretotheverydoorofopportunity。HewastoooldtodescendpersonallyintothecentreofthearenaatStaMarta。

Butthemenwhoactedtheresoughthisadviceateverystep。Hehimselfthoughtthathecouldbemostusefulatadistance，inSulaco。Hisname，hisconnexions，hisformerposition，hisexperiencecommandedtherespectofhisclass。Thediscoverythatthisman，livingindignifiedpovertyintheCorbelantownresidence(oppositetheCasaGould)，coulddisposeofmaterialmeanstowardsthesupportofthecauseincreasedhisinfluence。

ItwashisopenletterofappealthatdecidedthecandidatureofDonVincenteRibieraforthePresidency。AnotheroftheseinformalStatepapersdrawnupbyDonJose(thistimeintheshapeofanaddressfromtheProvince)

inducedthatscrupulousconstitutionalisttoaccepttheextraordinarypowersconferreduponhimforfiveyearsbyanoverwhelmingvoteofcongressinStaMarta。Itwasaspecificmandatetoestablishtheprosperityofthepeopleonthebasisoffirmpeaceathome，andtoredeemthenationalcreditbythesatisfactionofalljustclaimsabroad。

IntheafternoonthenewsofthatvotehadreachedSulacobytheusualroundaboutpostalwaythroughCayta，andupthecoastbysteamer。DonJose，whohadbeenwaitingforthemailintheGoulds\'drawing-room，gotoutoftherocking-chair，lettinghishatfalloffhisknees。Herubbedhissilvery，shorthairwithbothhands，speechlesswiththeexcessofjoy。

`Emilia，mysoul，\'hehadburstout，`letmeembraceyou！Letme——\'

CaptainMitchell，hadhebeenthere，wouldnodoubthavemadeanaptremarkaboutthedawnofanewera；butifDonJosethoughtsomethingofthekind，hiseloquencefailedhimonthisoccasion。TheinspirerofthatrevivaloftheBlancopartytotteredwherehestood。MrsGouldmovedforwardquicklyand，assheofferedhercheekwithasmiletoheroldfriend，managedverycleverlytogivehimthesupportofherarmhereallyneeded。

DonJosehadrecoveredhimselfatonce，butforatimehecoulddonomorethanmurmur，`Oh，youtwopatriots！Oh，youtwopatriots！\'——lookingfromonetotheother。Vagueplansofanotherhistoricalwork，whereinallthedevotionstotheregenerationofthecountryhelovedwouldbeenshrinedforthereverentworshipofposterity，flittedthroughhismind。

ThehistorianwhohadenoughelevationofsoultowriteofGuzmanBento:

`Yetthismonster，imbruedinthebloodofhiscountrymen，mustnotbeheldunreservedlytotheexecrationoffutureyears。Itappearstobetruethathe，too，lovedhiscountry。Hehadgivenittwelveyearsofpeace；

and，absolutemasteroflivesandfortunesashewas，hediedpoor。Hisworstfault，perhaps，wasnothisferocity，buthisignorance\'；themanwhocouldwritethusofacruelpersecutor(thepassageoccursinhisHistoryofMisrule)feltattheforeshadowingofsuccessanalmostboundlessaffectionforhistwohelpers，forthesetwoyoungpeoplefromoverthesea。

Justasyearsago，calmly，fromtheconvictionofpracticalnecessity，strongerthananyabstractpoliticaldoctrine，HenryGouldhaddrawnthesword，sonow，thetimesbeingchanged，CharlesGouldhadflungthesilveroftheSanTomeintothefray。TheInglesofSulaco，the`CostaguanaEnglishman\'

ofthethirdgeneration，wasasfarfrombeingapoliticalintriguerashisunclefromarevolutionaryswashbuckler。Springingfromtheinstinctiveuprightnessoftheirnaturestheiractionwasreasoned。Theysawanopportunityandusedtheweapontohand。

CharlesGould\'sposition——acommandingpositioninthebackgroundofthatattempttoretrievethepeaceandthecreditoftheRepublic——

wasveryclear。Atthebeginninghehadhadtoaccommodatehimselftoexistingcircumstancesofcorruptionsonaivelybrazenastodisarmthehatredofamancourageousenoughnottobeafraidofitsirresponsiblepotencytoruineverythingittouched。Itseemedtohimtoocontemptibleforhotangereven。Hemadeuseofitwithacold，fearlessscorn，manifestedratherthanconcealedbytheformsofstonycourtesywhichdidawaywithmuchoftheignominyofthesituation。Atbottom，perhaps，hesufferedfromit，forhewasnotamanofcowardlyillusions，butherefusedtodiscusstheethicalviewwithhiswife。Hetrustedthat，thoughalittledisenchanted，shewouldbeintelligentenoughtounderstandthathischaractersafeguardedtheenterpriseoftheirlivesasmuchormorethanhispolicy。Theextraordinarydevelopmentoftheminehadputagreatpowerintohishands。Tofeelthatprosperityalwaysatthemercyofunintelligentgreedhadgrownirksometohim。ToMrsGoulditwashumiliating。Atanyrate，itwasdangerous。

IntheconfidentialcommunicationspassingbetweenCharlesGould，theKingofSulaco，andtheheadofthesilverandsteelinterestsfarawayinCalifornia，theconvictionwasgrowingthatanyattemptmadebymenofeducationandintegrityoughttobediscreetlysupported。`YoumaytellyourfriendAvellanosthatIthinkso，\'MrHolroydhadwrittenatthepropermomentfromhisinviolablesanctuarywithintheeleven-storey-highfactoryofgreataffairs。

Andshortlyafterwards，withacreditopenedbytheThirdSouthernBank(locatednextdoorbutonetotheHolroydBuilding)，theRibieristpartyinCostaguanatookapracticalshapeundertheeyeoftheadministratoroftheSanTomemine。AndDonJose，thehereditaryfriendoftheGouldfamily，couldsay:`Perhaps，mydearCarlos，Ishallnothavebelievedinvain。\'

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter22Afteranotherarmedstruggle，decidedbyMontero\'svictoryofRioSeco，hadbeenaddedtothetaleofcivilwars，the`honestmen\'，asDonJosecalledthem，couldbreathefreelyforthefirsttimeinhalfacentury。

TheFive-Year-Mandatelawbecamethebasisofthatregeneration，thepassionatedesireandhopeforwhichhadbeenliketheelixirofeverlastingyouthforDonJoseAvellanos。

Andwhenitwassuddenly——andnotquiteunexpectedly——endangeredbythat`bruteMontero\'，itwasapassionateindignationthatgavehimanewleaseoflife，asitwere。Already，atthetimeofthePresident-Dictator\'svisittoSulaco，MoragahadsoundedanoteofwarningfromStaMartaabouttheWarMinister。MonteroandhisbrothermadethesubjectofanearnesttalkbetweentheDictator-PresidentandtheNestor-inspireroftheparty。

ButDonVincente，adoctorofphilosophyfromtheCordovaUniversity，seemedtohaveanexaggeratedrespectformilitaryability，whosemysteriousness——sinceitappearedtobealtogetherindependentofintellect——imposeduponhisimagination。TheVictorofRioSecowasapopularhero。HisservicesweresorecentthatthePresident-Dictatorquailedbeforetheobviouschargeofpoliticalingratitude。Greatregeneratingtransactionswerebeinginitiated——thefreshloan，anewrailwayline，avastcolonizationscheme。Anythingthatcouldunsettlethepublicopinioninthecapitalwastobeavoided。

DonJosebowedtotheseargumentsandtriedtodismissfromhismindthegold-lacedportentinboots，andwithasabre，mademeaninglessnowatlast，hehoped，intheneworderofthings。

LessthansixmonthsafterthePresident-Dictator\'svisit，Sulacolearnedwithstupefactionofthemilitaryrevoltinthenameofnationalhonour。

TheMinisterofWar，inabarrack-squareallocutiontotheofficersoftheartilleryregimenthehadbeeninspecting，haddeclaredthenationalhonoursoldtoforeigners。TheDictator，byhisweakcompliancewiththedemandsoftheEuropeanpowers——forthesettlementoflongoutstandingmoneyclaims——hadshowedhimselfunfittorule。AletterfromMoragaexplainedafterwardsthattheinitiative，andeventheverytext，oftheincendiaryallocutioncame，inreality，fromtheotherMontero，theex-guerrillero，theCommandantedePlaza。TheenergetictreatmentofDrMonygham，sentforinhaste`tothemountain\'，whocamegallopingthreeleaguesinthedark，savedDonJosefromadangerousattackofjaundice。

Aftergettingovertheshock，DonJoserefusedtolethimselfbeprostrated。

Indeed，betternewssucceededatfirst。Therevoltinthecapitalhadbeensuppressedafteranightoffightinginthestreets。Unfortunately，boththeMonteroshadbeenabletomaketheirescapesouth，totheirnativeprovinceofEntre-Montes。Theherooftheforestmarch，thevictorofRioSeco，hadbeenreceivedwithfrenziedacclamationsinNicoya，theprovincialcapital。Thetroopsingarrisontherehadgonetohiminabody。Thebrotherswereorganizinganarmy，gatheringmalcontents，sendingemissariesprimedwithpatrioticliestothepeople，andwithpromisesofplundertothewildllaneros。EvenaMonteristpresshadcomeintoexistence，speakingoracularlyofthesecretpromisesofsupportgivenby`ourgreatsisterRepublicoftheNorth\'againstthesinisterland-grabbingdesignsofEuropeanpowers，cursingineveryissuethe`miserableRibiera\'，whohadplottedtodeliverhiscountry，boundhandandfoot，forapreytoforeignspeculators。

Sulaco，pastoralandsleepy，withitsopulentCampoandtherichsilvermine，heardthedinofarmsfitfullyinitsfortunateisolation。Itwasneverthelessintheveryforefrontofthedefencewithmenandmoney；buttheveryrumoursreacheditcircuitously——fromabroadeven，somuchwasitcutofffromtherestoftheRepublic，notonlybynaturalobstacles，butalsobythevicissitudesofthewar。TheMonteristoswerebesiegingCayta，animportantpostallink。Theoverlandcouriersceasedtocomeacrossthemountains，andnomuleteerwouldconsenttoriskthejourneyatlast；

evenBonifacioononeoccasionfailedtoreturnfromStaMarta，eithernotdaringtostart，orperhapscapturedbythepartiesoftheenemyraidingthecountrybetweentheCordilleraandthecapital。Monteristpublications，however，foundtheirwayintotheprovince，mysteriouslyenough；andalsoMonteristemissariespreachingdeathtoaristocratsinthevillagesandtownsoftheCampo。Veryearly，atthebeginningofthetrouble，Hernandez，thebandit，hadproposed(throughtheagencyofanoldpriestofavillageinthewilds)todelivertwoofthemtotheRibieristauthoritiesinTonoro。

TheyhadcometoofferhimafreepardonandtherankofcolonelfromGeneralMonteroinconsiderationofjoiningtherebelarmywithhismountedband。

Nonoticewastakenatthetimeoftheproposal。Itwasjoined，asanevidenceofgoodfaith，toapetitionprayingtheSulacoAssemblyforpermissiontoenlist，withallhisfollowers，intheforcesbeingthenraisedinSulacoforthedefenceoftheFive-YearMandateofregeneration。Thepetition，likeeverythingelse，hadfounditswayintoDonJose\'shands。HehadshowedtoMrsGouldthesepagesofdirty-greyishroughpaper(perhapslootedinsomevillagestore)，coveredwiththecrabbed，illiteratehandwritingoftheoldpadre，carriedofffromhishutbythesideofamud-walledchurchtobethesecretaryofthedreadedSalteador。TheyhadbothbentinthelamplightoftheGoulddrawing-roomoverthedocumentcontainingthefierceandyethumbleappealofthemanagainsttheblindandstupidbarbarityturninganhonestrancherointoabandit。Apostscriptoftheprieststatedthat，butforbeingdeprivedofhislibertyfortendays，hehadbeentreatedwithhumanityandtherespectduetohissacredcalling。Hehadbeen，itappears，confessingandabsolvingthechiefandmostoftheband，andheguaranteedthesincerityoftheirgooddisposition。Hehaddistributedheavypenances，nodoubtinthewayoflitaniesandfasts；

buthearguedshrewdlythatitwouldbedifficultforthemtomaketheirpeacewithGoddurablytilltheyhadmadepeacewithmen。

Neverbefore，perhaps，hadHernandez\'sheadbeeninlessjeopardythanwhenhepetitionedhumblyforpermissiontobuyapardonforhimselfandhisgangofdesertersbyarmedservice。Hecouldrangeafarfromthewastelandsprotectinghisfastness，unchecked，becausetherewerenotroopsleftinthewholeprovince。TheusualgarrisonofSulacohadgonesouthtothewar，withitsbrassbandplayingthe`BolivarMarch\'onthebridgeofoneoftheO。S。N。Company\'ssteamers。Thegreatfamilycoachesdrawnupalongtheshoreoftheharbourweremadetorockonthehighleathernspringsbytheenthusiasmofthesenorasandthesenoritasstandinguptowavetheirlacehandkerchiefs，aslighterafterlighterpackedfulloftroopslefttheendofthejetty。

Nostromodirectedtheembarkation，underthesuperintendenceofCaptainMitchell，red-facedinthesun，conspicuousinawhitewaistcoat，representingthealliedandanxiousgoodwillofallthematerialinterestsofcivilization。

GeneralBarrios，whocommandedthetroops，assuredDonJoseonpartingthatinthreeweekshewouldhaveMonteroinawoodencagedrawnbythreepairofoxenreadyforatourthroughallthetownsoftheRepublic。

`Andthen，senora，\'hecontinued，baringhiscurlyiron-greyheadtoMrsGouldinherlandau——`andthen，senora，weshallconvertourswordsintoploughsharesandgrowrich。EvenI，myself，assoonasthislittlebusinessissettled，shallopenafundaciononsomelandIhaveonthellanosandtrytomakealittlemoneyinpeaceandquietness。Senora，youknow，allCostaguanaknows——whatdoIsay?——thiswholeSouthAmericancontinentknows，thatPabloBarrioshashadhisfillofmilitaryglory。\'

CharlesGouldwasnotpresentattheanxiousandpatrioticsend-off。

Itwasnothisparttoseethesoldiersembark。Itwasneitherhispart，norhisinclination，norhispolicy。Hispart，hisinclination，andhispolicywasunitedinoneendeavourtokeepuncheckedtheflowoftreasurehehadstartedsingle-handedfromthere-openedscarintheflankofthemountain。Astheminedevelopedhehadtrainedforhimselfsomenativehelp。Therewereforemen，artificers，andclerks，withDonPepeforthegobernadoroftheminingpopulation。Fortheresthisshouldersalonesustainedthewholeweightofthe`ImperiuminImperio\'，thegreatGouldConcessionwhosemereshadowhadbeenenoughtocrushthelifeoutofhisfather。

MrsGouldhadnosilverminetolookafter。InthegenerallifeoftheGouldConcessionshewasrepresentedbyhertwolieutenants，thedoctorandthepriest，butshefedherwoman\'sloveforexcitementoneventswhosesignificancewaspurifiedtoherbythefireofherimaginativepurpose。

OnthatdayshehadbroughttheAvellanos，fatheranddaughter，downtotheharbourwithher。

Amongsthisotheractivitiesofthatstirringtime，DonJosehadbecomethechairmanofaPatrioticCommitteewhichhadarmedagreatproportionoftroopsintheSulacocommandwithanimprovedmodelofamilitaryrifle。

IthadbeenjustdiscardedforsomethingstillmoredeadlybyoneofthegreatEuropeanpowers。Howmuchofthemarket-priceforsecondhandweaponswascoveredbythevoluntarycontributionsoftheprincipalfamilies，andhowmuchcamefromthosefundsDonJosewasunderstoodtocommandabroad，remainedasecretwhichhealonecouldhavedisclosed；butthericos，asthepopulacecalledthem，hadcontributedunderthepressureoftheirNestor\'seloquence。Someofthemoreenthusiasticladieshadbeenmovedtobringofferingsofjewelsintothehandsofthemanwhowasthelifeandsouloftheparty。

Thereweremomentswhenbothhislifeandhissoulseemedovertaxedbysomanyyearsofundiscouragedbeliefinregeneration。Heappearedalmostinanimate，sittingrigidlybythesideofMrsGouldinthelandau，withhisfine，old，clean-shavenfaceofauniformtintasifmodelledinyellowwax，shadedbyasoftfelthat，thedarkeyeslookingoutfixedly。Antonia，thebeautifulAntonia，asMissAvellanoswascalledinSulaco，leanedback，facingthem；andherfullfigure，thegraveovalofherfacewithfullredlips，madeherlookmorematurethanMrsGould，withhermobileexpressionandsmall，erectpersonunderaslightlyswayingsunshade。

WheneverpossibleAntoniaattendedherfather；herrecognizeddevotionweakenedtheshockingeffectofherscornfortherigidconventionsregulatingthelifeofSpanish-Americangirlhood。And，intruth，shewasnolongergirlish。ItwassaidthatsheoftenwroteStatepapersfromherfather\'sdictation，andwasallowedtoreadallthebooksinhislibrary。Atthereceptions——wherethesituationwassavedbythepresenceofaverydecrepitoldlady(arelationoftheCorbelans)，quitedeafandmotionlessinanarmchair——Antoniacouldholdherowninadiscussionwithtwoorthreemenatatime。Obviouslyshewasnotthegirltobecontentwithpeepingthroughabarredwindowatacloakedfigureofaloverensconcedinadoorwayopposite——whichisthecorrectformofCostaguanacourtship。ItwasgenerallybelievedthatwithherforeignupbringingandforeignideasthelearnedandproudAntoniawouldnevermarry——unless，indeed，shemarriedaforeignerfromEuropeorNorthAmerica，nowthatSulacoseemedonthepointofbeinginvadedbyalltheworld。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter33WhenGeneralBarriosstoppedtoaddressMrsGould，Antoniaraisednegligentlyherhandholdinganopenfan，asiftoshadefromthesunherhead，wrappedinalightlaceshawl。Thecleargleamofherblueeyesglidingbehindtheblackfringeofeyelashespausedforamomentuponherfather，thentravelledfarthertothefigureofayoungmanofthirtyatmost，ofmediumheight，ratherthick-set，wearingalightovercoat。Bearingdownwiththeopenpalmofhishandupontheknobofaflexiblecane，hehadbeenlookingonfromadistance；butdirectlyhesawhimselfnoticed，heapproachedquietlyandputhiselbowoverthedoorofthelandau。

Theshirtcollar，cutlowintheneck，thebigbowofhiscravat，thestyleofhisclothing，fromtheroundhattothevarnishedshoes，suggestedanideaofFrenchelegance；butotherwisehewastheverytypeofafairSpanishcreole。Thefluffymoustacheandtheshort，curly，goldenbearddidnotconcealhislips，rosy，fresh，almostpoutinginexpression。Hisfull，roundfacewasofthatwarm，healthycreolewhitewhichisnevertannedbyitsnativesunshine。MartinDecoudwasseldomexposedtotheCostaguanasununderwhichhewasborn。HispeoplehadbeenlongsettledinParis，wherehehadstudiedlaw，haddabbledinliterature，hadhopednowandtheninmomentsofexaltationtobecomeapoetlikethatotherforeignerofSpanishblood，JoseMariaHeredia。Inothermomentshehad，topassthetime，condescendedtowritearticlesonEuropeanaffairsfortheSemenario，theprincipalnewspaperinStaMarta，whichprintedthemundertheheading`Fromourspecialcorrespondent\'，thoughtheauthorshipwasanopensecret。EverybodyinCostaguana，wherethetaleofcompatriotsinEuropeisjealouslykept，knewthatitwas`thesonDecoud\'，atalentedyoungman，supposedtobemovinginthehigherspheresofSociety。Asamatteroffact，hewasanidleboulevardier，intouchwithsomesmartjournalists，madefreeofafewnewspaperoffices，andwelcomedinthepleasure-hauntsofpressmen。Thislife，whosedrearysuperficialityiscoveredbytheglitterofuniversalblague，likethestupidclowningofaharlequinbythespanglesofamotleycostume，inducedinhimaFrenchified——butmostun-French——cosmopolitanism，inrealityamerebarrenindifferentismposingasintellectualsuperiority。OfhisowncountryheusedtosaytohisFrenchassociates:`Imagineanatmosphereofoperabouffeinwhichallthecomicbusinessofstagestatesmen，brigands，etc。，etc。，alltheirfarcicalstealing，intriguing，andstabbingisdoneindeadearnest。Itisscreaminglyfunny，thebloodflowsallthetime，andtheactorsbelievethemselvestobeinfluencingthefateoftheuniverse。Ofcourse，governmentingeneral，anygovernmentanywhere，isathingofexquisitecomicalitytoadiscerningmind；butreallyweSpanish-Americansdooverstepthebounds。

Nomanofordinaryintelligencecantakepartintheintriguesofunefarcemacabre。However，theseRibierists，ofwhomwehearsomuchjustnow，arereallytryingintheirowncomicalwaytomakethecountryhabitable，andeventopaysomeofitsdebts。Myfriends，youhadbetterwriteupSenorRibieraallyoucaninkindnesstoyourownbondholders。Really，ifwhatIamtoldinmylettersistrue，thereissomechanceforthematlast。\'

AndhewouldexplainwithrailingvervewhatDonVincenteRibierastoodfor——amournfullittlemanoppressedbyhisowngoodintentions，thesignificanceofbattleswon，whoMonterowas(ungrotesquevaniteuxetferoce)，andthemannerofthenewloanconnectedwithrailwaydevelopment，andthecolonizationofvasttractsoflandinonegreatfinancialscheme。

AndhisFrenchfriendswouldremarkthatevidentlythislittlefellowDecoudconnaissaitlaquestionafond。AnimportantParisianreviewaskedhimforanarticleonthesituation。Itwascomposedinaserioustoneandinaspiritoflevity。Afterwardsheaskedoneofhisintimates:

`HaveyoureadmythingabouttheregenerationofCostaguana——unebonneblague，hein?\'

HeimaginedhimselfParisiantothetipsofhisfingers。Butfarfrombeingthathewasindangerofremainingasortofnondescriptdilettanteallhislife。Hehadpushedthehabitofuniversalraillerytoapointwhereitblindedhimtothegenuineimpulsesofhisownnature。Tobesuddenlyselectedfortheexecutivememberofthepatrioticsmall-armscommitteeofSulacoseemedtohimtheheightoftheunexpected，oneofthosefantasticmovesofwhichonlyhis`dearcountrymen\'werecapable。

`It\'slikeatilefallingonmyhead。I——I——executivemember！It\'sthefirstIhearofit！WhatdoIknowofmilitaryrifles?C\'estfunambulesque！\'

hehadexclaimedtohisfavouritesister；fortheDecoudfamily——excepttheoldfatherandmother——usedtheFrenchlanguageamongstthemselves。

`Andyoushouldseetheexplanatoryandconfidentialletter！Eightpagesofit——noless！\'

Thisletter，inAntonia\'shandwriting，wassignedbyDonJose，whoappealedtothe`youngandgiftedCostaguanero\'onpublicgrounds，andprivatelyopenedhishearttohistalentedgodson，amanofwealthandleisure，withwiderelations，andbyhisparentageandbringing-upworthyofallconfidence。

`Whichmeans，\'Martincommented，cynically，tohissister，`thatIamnotlikelytomisappropriatethefunds，orgoblabbingtoourCharged\'Affaireshere。\'

ThewholethingwasbeingcarriedoutbehindthebackoftheWarMinister，Montero，amistrustedmemberoftheRibieraGovernment，butdifficulttogetridofatonce。HewasnottoknowanythingofittillthetroopsunderBarrios\'scommandhadthenewrifleintheirhands。ThePresident-Dictator，whosepositionwasverydifficult，wasaloneinthesecret。

`Howfunny！\'commentedMartin\'ssisterandconfidant；towhichthebrother，withanairofbestParisianblague，hadretorted:

`It\'simmense！TheideaofthatChiefoftheStateengaged，withthehelpofprivatecitizens，indiggingamineunderhisownindispensableWarMinister。No！Weareunapproachable！\'Andhelaughedimmoderately。

Afterwardshissisterwassurprisedattheearnestnessandabilityhedisplayedincarryingouthismission，whichcircumstancesmadedelicate，andhiswantofspecialknowledgerendereddifficult。ShehadneverseenMartintakesomuchtroubleaboutanythinginhiswholelife。

`Itamusesme，\'hehadexplained，briefly。`Iambesetbyalotofswindlerstryingtosellallsortsofgaspipeweapons。Theyarecharming；theyinvitemetoexpensiveluncheons；Ikeepuptheirhopes；it\'sextremelyentertaining。

Meanwhile，therealaffairisbeingcarriedthroughinquiteanotherquarter。\'

WhenthebusinesswasconcludedhedeclaredsuddenlyhisintentionofseeingthepreciousconsignmentdeliveredsafelyinSulaco。Thewholeburlesquebusiness，hethought，wasworthfollowinguptotheend。Hemumbledhisexcuses，tuggingathisgoldenbeard，beforetheacuteyoungladywho(afterthefirstwidestareofastonishment)lookedathimwithnarrowedeyes，andpronouncedslowly:

`IbelieveyouwanttoseeAntonia。\'

`WhatAntonia?\'askedtheCostaguanaboulevardier，inavexedanddisdainfultone。Heshruggedhisshoulders，andspunroundonhisheel。Hissistercalledoutafterhimjoyously:

`TheAntoniayouusedtoknowwhensheworeherhairintwoplaitsdownherback。\'

Hehadknownhersomeeightyearssince，shortlybeforetheAvellanoshadleftEuropeforgood，asatallgirlofsixteen，youthfullyaustere，andofacharacteralreadysoformedthatsheventuredtotreatslightinglyhisposeofdisabusedwisdom。Ononeoccasion，asthoughshehadlostallpatience，sheflewoutathimabouttheaimlessnessofhislifeandthelevityofhisopinion。Hewastwentythen，anonlyson，spoiledbyhisadoringfamily。Thisattackdisconcertedhimsogreatlythathehadfalteredinhisaffectionofamusedsuperioritybeforethatinsignificantchitofaschool-girl。ButtheimpressionleftwassostrongthateversinceallthegirlfriendsofhissistersrecalledtohimAntoniaAvellanosbysomefaintresemblance，orbythegreatforceofcontrast。Itwas，hetoldhimself，likearidiculousfatality。And，ofcourse，inthenewstheDecoudsreceivedregularlyfromCostaguana，thenameoftheirfriends，theAvellanos，croppedupfrequently——thearrestandtheabominabletreatmentoftheex-Minister，thedangersandhardshipsenduredbythefamily，itswithdrawalinpovertytoSulaco，thedeathofthemother。

TheMonteristpronunciamientohadtakenplacebeforeMartinDecoudreachedCostaguana。Hecameoutinaround-aboutway，throughMagellan\'sStraitsbythemainlineandtheWestCoastServiceoftheO。S。N。Company。

Hispreciousconsignmentarrivedjustintimetoconvertthefirstfeelingsofconsternationintoamoodofhopeandresolution。Publiclyhewasmademuchofbythefamiliasprincipales。PrivatelyDonJose，stillshakenandweak，embracedhimwithtearsinhiseyes。

`Youhavecomeoutyourself！NolesscouldbeexpectedfromaDecoud。

Alas！ourworstfearshavebeenrealized，\'hemoaned，affectionately。Andagainhehuggedhisgodson。Thiswasindeedthetimeformenofintellectandconsciencetorallyroundtheendangeredcause。

ItwasthenthatMartinDecoud，theadoptedchildofWesternEurope，felttheabsolutechangeofatmosphere。Hesubmittedtobeingembracedandtalkedtowithoutaword。HewasmovedinspiteofhimselfbythatnoteofpassionandsorrowunknownonthemorerefinedstageofEuropeanpolitics。ButwhenthetallAntonia，advancingwithherlightstepinthedimnessofthebigbaresalaoftheAvellanoshouse，offeredhimherhand(inheremancipatedway)，andmurmured，`Iamgladtoseeyouhere，DonMartin，\'hefelthowimpossibleitwouldbetotellthesetwopeoplethathehadintendedtogoawaybythenextmonth\'spacket。DonJose，meantime，continuedhispraises。Everyaccessionaddedtopublicconfidence，and，besides，whatanexampletotheyoungmenathomefromthebrilliantdefenderofthecountry\'sregeneration，theworthyexpounderoftheparty\'spoliticalfaithbeforetheworld！EverybodyhadreadthemagnificentarticleinthefamousParisianReview。Theworldwasnowinformed:andtheauthor\'sappearanceatthismomentwaslikeapublicactoffaith。YoungDecoudfeltovercomebyafeelingofimpatientconfusion。

HisplanhadbeentoreturnbywayoftheUnitedStatesthroughCalifornia，visitYellowstonePark，seeChicago，Niagara，havealookatCanada，perhapsmakeashortstayinNewYork，alongeroneinNewport，usehislettersofintroduction。ThepressureofAntonia\'shandwassofrank，thetoneofhervoicewassounexpectedlyunchangedinitsapprovingwarmth，thatallhefoundtosayafterhislowbowwas:

`Iaminexpressiblygratefulforyourwelcome；butwhyneedamanbethankedforreturningtohisnativecountry?IamsureDonaAntoniadoesnotthinkso。\'

`Certainlynot，senor，\'shesaid，withthatperfectlycalmopennessofmannerwhichcharacterizedallherutterances。`Butwhenhereturns，asyoureturn，onemaybeglad——forthesakeofboth。\'

MartinDecoudsaidnothingofhisplans。Henotonlyneverbreathedawordofthemtoanyone，butonlyafortnightlateraskedthemistressoftheCasaGould(wherehehadofcourseobtainedadmissionatonce)，leaningforwardinhischairwithanairofwell-bredfamiliarity，whethershecouldnotdetectinhimthatdayamarkedchange——anair，heexplained，ofmoreexcellentgravity。AtthisMrsGouldturnedherfacefulltowardshimwiththesilentinquiryofslightlywidenedeyesandthemerestghostofasmile，ahabitualmovementwithher，whichwasveryfascinatingtomenbysomethingsubtlydevoted，finelyself-forgetfulinitslivelyreadinessofattention。Because，Decoudcontinuedimperturbably，hefeltnolongeranidlecumbereroftheearth。Shewas，heassuredher，actuallybeholdingatthatmomenttheJournalistofSulaco。AtonceMrsGouldglancedtowardsAntonia，poseduprightinthecornerofahigh，straight-backedSpanishsofa，alargeblackfanwavingslowlyagainstthecurvesofherfinefigure，thetipsofcrossedfeetpeepingfromunderthehemoftheblackskirt。

Decoud\'seyesalsoremainedfixedthere，whileinanundertoneheaddedthatMissAvellanoswasquiteawareofhisnewandunexpectedvocation，whichinCostaguanawasgenerallythespecialityofhalf-educatedNegroesandwhollypennilesslawyers。Then，confrontingwithasortofurbaneeffronteryMrsGould\'sgaze，nowturnedsympatheticallyuponhimself，hebreathedoutthewords，`Propatria！\'

WhathadhappenedwasthathehadallatonceyieldedtoDonJose\'spressingentreatiestotakethedirectionofanewspaperthatwould`voicetheaspirationsoftheprovince\'。IthadbeenDonJose\'soldandcherishedidea。Thenecessaryplant(onamodestscale)andalargeconsignmentofpaperhadbeenreceivedfromAmericasometimebefore；therightmanalonewaswanted。EvenSenorMoragainStaMartahadnotbeenabletofindone，andthematterwasnowbecomingpressing；someorganwasabsolutelyneededtocounteracttheeffectoftheliesdisseminatedbytheMonteristpress:

theatrociouscalumnies，theappealsofthepeoplecallinguponthemtorisewiththeirknivesintheirhandsandputanendonceforalltotheBlancos，totheseGothicremnants，tothesesinistermummies，theseimpotentparaliticos，whoplottedwithforeignersforthesurrenderofthelandsandtheslaveryofthepeople。

Theclamourofthis`NegroLiberalism\'frightenedSenorAvellanos。A

newspaperwastheonlyremedy。AndnowthattherightmanhadbeenfoundinDecoud，greatblacklettersappearedpaintedbetweenthewindowsabovethearcadedgroundfloorofahouseonthePlaza。Itwasnextto`Anzani\'sgreatemporiumofboots，silks，ironware，muslins，woodentoys，tinysilverarms，legs，heads，hearts(forex-votoofferings)，rosaries，champagne，women\'shats，patentmedicines，evenafewdustybooksinpapercoversandmostlyintheFrenchlanguage。Thebigblacklettersformedthewords，`OfficesofthePorvenir\'。FromtheseofficesasinglefoldedsheetofMartin\'sjournalismissuedthreetimesaweek；andthesleekyellowAnzaniprowlinginasuitofampleblackandcarpetslippers，beforethemanydoorsofhisestablishment，greetedbyadeep，side-longinclinationofhisbodytheJournalistofSulacogoingtoandfroonthebusinessofhisaugustcalling。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part2Chapter44Perhapsitwasintheexerciseofhiscallingthathehadcometoseethetroopsdepart。ThePorvenirofthedayafternextwouldnodoubtrelatetheevent，butitseditor，leaninghissideagainstthelandau，seemedtolookatnothing。Thefrontrankofthecompanyofinfantrydrawnupthreedeepacrosstheshore-endofthejettywhenpressedtooclosewouldbringtheirbayonetstothechargeferociously，withanawfulrattle；

andthenthecrowdofspectatorsswayedbackbodily，evenunderthenosesofthebigwhitemules。Notwithstandingthegreatmultitudetherewasonlyalow，mutteringnoise；thedusthunginabrownhaze，inwhichthehorsemen，wedgedinthethronghereandthere，toweredfromthehipsupwards，gazingallonewayovertheheads。Almosteveryoneofthemhadmountedafriend，whosteadiedhimselfwithbothhandsgraspinghisshouldersfrombehind；

andtherimsoftheirhatstouching，madelikeonediscsustainingtheconesoftwopointedcrownswithadoublefaceunderneath。Ahoarsemozowouldbawloutsomethingtoanacquaintanceintheranks，orawomanwouldshrieksuddenlythewordAdios！followedbytheChristiannameofaman。

GeneralBarrios，inashabbybluetunicandwhitepeg-toptrousersfallinguponstrangeredboots，kepthisheaduncoveredandstoopedslightly，proppinghimselfupwithathickstick。No！Hehadearnedenoughmilitaryglorytosatiateanyman，heinsistedtoMrsGould，tryingatthesametimetoputanairofgallantryintohisattitude。Afewjettyhairshungsparselyfromhisupperlip，hehadasalientnose，athinlongjaw，andablacksilkpatchoveroneeye。Hisothereye，smallanddeep-set，twinklederraticallyinalldirections，aimlesslyaffable。ThefewEuropeanspectators，allmen，whohadnaturallydriftedintotheneighbourhoodoftheGouldcarriage，betrayedbythesolemnityoftheirfacestheirimpressionthatthegeneralmusthavehadtoomuchpunch(Swedishpunch，importedinbottlesbyAnzani)

attheAmarillaClubbeforehehadstartedwithhisStaffonafuriousridetotheharbour。ButMrsGouldbentforward，self-possessed，anddeclaredherconvictionthatstillmoregloryawaitedthegeneralinthenearfuture。

`Senora！\'heremonstrated，withgreatfeeling，`inthenameofGod，reflect！Howcantherebeanygloryforamanlikemeinovercomingthatbald-headedembusterowiththedyedmoustaches?\'

PabloIgnacioBarrios，sonofavillagealcalde，generalofdivision，commandinginchieftheOccidentalMilitarydistrict，didnotfrequentthehighersocietyofthetown。Hepreferredtheunceremoniousgatheringsofmenwherehecouldtelljaguar-huntstories，boastofhispowerswiththelasso，withwhichhecouldperformextremelydifficultfeatsofthesort`nomarriedmanshouldattempt\'，asthesayinggoesamongstthellaneros；

relatetalesofextraordinarynightrides，encounterswithwildbulls，struggleswithcrocodiles，adventuresinthegreatforests，crossingsofswollenrivers。Anditwasnotmereboastfulnessthatpromptedthegeneral\'sreminiscences，butagenuineloveofthatwildlifewhichhehadledinhisyoungdaysbeforeheturnedhisbackforeveronthethatchedroofoftheparentaltolderiainthewoods。WanderingawayasfarasMexicohehadfoughtagainsttheFrenchbytheside(ashesaid)ofJuarez，andwastheonlymilitarymanofCostaguanawhohadeverencounteredEuropeantroopsinthefield。ThatfactshedagreatlustreuponhisnametillitbecameeclipsedbytherisingstarofMontero。Allhislifehehadbeenaninveterategambler。Healludedhimselfquiteopenlytothecurrentstoryhowonce，duringsomecampaign(whenincommandofabrigade)，hehadgambledawayhishorses，pistols，andaccoutrements，totheveryepaulettes，playingmontewithhiscolonelsthenightbeforethebattle。Finally，hehadsentunderescorthissword(apresentationsword，withagoldhilt)

tothetownintherearofhispositiontobeimmediatelypledgedforfivehundredpesetaswithasleepyandfrightenedshopkeeper。Byday-breakhehadlostthelastofthatmoney，too，whenhisonlyremark，asherosecalmly，was，`Nowletusgoandfighttothedeath。\'Fromthattimehehadbecomeawarethatageneralcouldleadhistroopsintobattleverywellwithasimplestickinhishand。`Ithasbeenmycustomeversince，\'

hewouldsay。

Hewasalwaysoverwhelmedwithdebts；evenduringtheperiodsofsplendourinhisvariedfortunesofaCostaguanageneral，whenheheldhighmilitarycommands，hisgold-laceduniformswerealmostalwaysinpawnwithsometradesman。Andatlast，toavoidtheincessantdifficultiesofcostumecausedbytheanxiouslenders，hehadassumedadisdainofmilitarytrappings，aneccentricfashionofshabbyoldtunics，whichhadbecomelikeasecondnature。ButthefactionBarriosjoinedneededtofearnopoliticalbetrayal。

Hewastoomuchofarealsoldierfortheignobletrafficofbuyingandsellingvictories。AmemberoftheforeigndiplomaticbodyinStaMartahadoncepassedajudgementuponhim:`Barriosisamanofperfecthonestyandevenofsometalentforwar，maisilmanquedetenue。\'AfterthetriumphoftheRibieristshehadobtainedthereputedlylucrativeOccidentalcommand，mainlythroughtheexertionsofhiscreditors(theStaMartashopkeepers，allgreatpoliticians)，whomovedheavenandearthinhisinterestpublicly，andprivatelybesiegedSenorMoraga，theinfluentialagentoftheSanTomemine，withtheexaggeratedlamentationsthatifthegeneralwerepassedover，`weshallallberuined\'。AnincidentalbutfavourablementionofhisnameinMrGouldsenior\'slongcorrespondencewithhissonhadsomethingtodowithhisappointment，too；butmostofallundoubtedlyhisestablishedpoliticalhonesty。NoonequestionedthepersonalbraveryoftheTiger-killer，asthepopulacecalledhim。Hewas，however，saidtobeunluckyinthefield——butthiswastobethebeginningofaneraofpeace。Thesoldierslikedhimforhishumanetemper，whichwaslikeastrangeandpreciousflowerunexpectedlybloomingonthehotbedofcorruptrevolutions；andwhenherodeslowlythroughthestreetsduringsomemilitarydisplay，thecontemptuousgoodhumourofhissolitaryeyeroamingoverthecrowdsextortedtheacclamationsofthepopulace。Thewomenofthatclassespeciallyseemedpositivelyfascinatedbythelongdroppingnose，thepeakedchin，theheavylowerlip，theblacksilkeye-patchandbandslantingrakishlyovertheforehead。Hishighrankalwaysprocuredanaudienceofcaballerosforhissportingstories，whichhedetailedverywellwithasimple，graveenjoyment。Astothesocietyofladies，itwasirksomebytherestraintsitimposedwithoutanyequivalent，asfarashecouldsee。Hehadnot，perhaps，spokenthreetimesonthewholetoMrsGouldsincehehadtakenuphishighcommand；buthehadobservedherfrequentlyridingwiththeSenorAdministrador，andhadpronouncedthattherewasmoresenseinherlittlebridle-handthaninallthefemaleheadsinSulaco。Hisimpulsehadbeentobeverycivilonpartingtoawomanwhodidnotwobbleinthesaddle，andhappenedtobethewifeofapersonalityveryimportanttoamanalwaysshortofmoney。Heevenpushedhisattentionssofarastodesiretheaide-de-campathisside(athick-set，shortcaptainwithaTartarphysiognomy)tobringalongacorporalwithafileofmeninfrontofthecarriage，lestthecrowdinitsbackwardsurgeswould`incommodethemulesofthesenora\'。Then，turningtothesmallknotofsilentEuropeanslookingonwithinearshot，heraisedhisvoiceprotectingly:

`Senores，havenoapprehension。GoonquietlymakingyourFerroCarril——yourrailways，yourtelegraphs。Your——There\'senoughwealthinCostaguanatopayforeverything——orelseyouwouldnotbehere。Ha！ha！

Don\'tmindthislittlepicardiaofmyfriendMontero。Inalittlewhileyoushallbeholdhisdyedmoustachesthroughthebarsofastrongwoodencage。Si，senores！Fearnothing，developthecountry，work，work！\'

Thelittlegroupofengineersreceivedthisexhortationwithoutaword，andafterwavinghishandatthemloftily，headdressedhimselfagaintoMrsGould:

`ThatiswhatDonJosesayswemustdo。Beenterprising！Work！Growrich！ToputMonteroinacageismywork；andwhenthatinsignificantpieceofbusinessisdone，then，asDonJosewishesus，weshallgrowrich，oneandall，likesomanyEnglishmen，becauseitismoneythatsavesacountry，and——\'

Butayoungofficerinaverynewuniform，hurryingupfromthedirectionofthejetty，interruptedhisinterpretationofSenorAvellanos\'sideals。

Thegeneralmadeamovementofimpatience；theotherwentontalkingtohiminsistently，withanairofrespect。ThehorsesoftheStaffhadbeenembarked，thesteamer\'sgigwasawaitingthegeneralattheboatsteps；

andBarrios，afterafiercestareofhisoneeye，begantotakeleave。

DonJoserousedhimselfforanappropriatephrasepronouncedmechanically。

Theterriblestrainofhopeandfearwastellingonhim，andheseemedtohusbandthelastsparksofhisfireforthoseoratoricaleffortsofwhicheventhedistantEuropewastohear。Antonia，herredlipsfirmlyclosed，avertedherheadbehindtheraisedfan；andyoungDecoud，thoughhefeltthegirl\'seyesuponhim，gazedawaypersistently，hookedonhiselbow，withascornfulandcompletedetachment。MrsGouldheroicallyconcealedherdismayattheappearanceofmenandeventssoremotefromherracialconventions，dismaytoodeeptobeutteredinwordseventoherhusband。

Sheunderstoodhisvoicelessreservebetternow。Theirconfidentialintercoursefell，notinmomentsofprivacy，butpreciselyinpublic，whenthequickmeetingoftheirglanceswouldcommentuponsomefreshturnofevents。

Shehadgonetohisschoolofuncompromisingsilence，theonlyonepossible，sincesomuchthatseemedshocking，weird，andgrotesqueintheworkingoutoftheirpurposeshadtobeacceptedasnormalinthiscountry。Decidedly，thestatelyAntonialookedmorematureandinfinitelycalm；butshewouldneverhaveknownhowtoreconcilethesuddensinkingsofherheartwithanamiablemobilityofexpression。

MrsGouldsmiledagood-byeatBarrios，noddedroundtotheEuropeans(whoraisedtheirhatssimultaneously)withanengaginginvitation，`I

hopetoseeyouallpresently，athome\'；thensaidnervouslytoDecoud，`Getin，DonMartin，\'andheardhimmuttertohimselfinFrench，asheopenedthecarriagedoor，`Lesortenestjete。\'Sheheardhimwithasortofexasperation。Nobodyoughttohaveknownbetterthanhimselfthatthefirstcastofdicehadbeenalreadythrownlongagoinamostdesperategame。Distantacclamations，wordsofcommandyelledout，andarollofdrumsonthejettygreetedthedepartinggeneral。Somethinglikeaslightfaintnesscameoverher，andshelookedblanklyatAntonia\'sstillface，wonderingwhatwouldhappentoCharleyifthatabsurdmanfailed。

`Alacasa，Ignacio，\'shecriedatthemotionlessbroadbackofthecoachman，whogatheredthereinswithouthaste，mumblingtohimselfunderhisbreath，`Si，lacasa。Si，si，nina。\'

Thecarriagerollednoiselesslyonthesofttrack，theshadowsfelllongonthedustylittleplaininterspersedwithdarkbushes，moundsofturned-upearth，lowwoodenbuildingswithironroofsoftheRailwayCompany；

thesparserowoftelegraphpolesstrodeobliquelyclearofthetown，bearingasingle，almostinvisiblewirefarintothegreatcampo——likeaslender，vibratingfeelerofthatprogresswaitingoutsideforamomentofpeacetoenterandtwineitselfaboutthewearyheartoftheland。

ThecafewindowoftheAlbergod\'ItaliaUnawasfullofsunburnt，whiskeredfacesofrailwaymen。Butattheotherendofthehouse，theendoftheSignoriInglesi，oldGiorgio，atthedoorwithoneofhisgirlsoneachside，baredhisbushyhead，aswhiteasthesnowsofHiguerota。MrsGouldstoppedthecarriage。Sheseldomfailedtospeaktotheprotege；moreover，theexcitement，theheat，andthedusthadmadeherthirsty。Sheaskedforaglassofwater。Giorgiosentthechildrenindoorsforit，andapproachedwithpleasureexpressedinhiswholeruggedcountenance。Itwasnotoftenthathehadoccasiontoseehisbenefactress，whowasalsoanEnglishwoman——anothertitletohisregard。Heofferedsomeexcusesforhiswife。Itwasabaddaywithher；heroppressions——hetappedhisownbroadchest。Shecouldnotmovefromherchairthatday。

Decoud，ensconcedinthecornerofhisseat，observedgloomilyMrsGould\'soldrevolutionist，then，offhand:

`Well，andwhatdoyouthinkofitall，Garibaldino?\'

OldGiorgio，lookingathimwithsomecuriosity，saidcivillythatthetroopshadmarchedverywell。One-eyedBarriosandhisofficershaddonewonderswiththerecruitsinashorttime。Thoseindios，onlycaughttheotherday，hadgoneswingingpastindouble-quicktime，likebersaglieri；

theylookedwellfed，too，andhadwholeuniforms。`Uniforms！\'herepeatedwithahalf-smileofpity。Alookofgrimretrospectstoleoverhispiercing，steadyeyes。Ithadbeenotherwiseinhistimewhenmenfoughtagainsttyranny，intheforestsofBrazil，orontheplainsofUruguay，starvingonhalf-rawbeefwithoutsalt，halfnaked，withoftenonlyaknifetiedtoastickforaweapon。`Andyetweusedtoprevailagainsttheoppressor，\'

heconcluded，proudly。

Hisanimationfell；theslightgestureofhishandexpresseddiscouragement；

butheaddedthathehadaskedoneofthesergeantstoshowhimthenewrifle。Therewasnosuchweaponinhisfightingdays；andifBarrioscouldnot——

`Yes，yes，\'brokeinDonJose，almosttremblingwitheagerness。`Wearesafe。ThegoodSenorViolaisamanofexperience。Extremelydeadly——isitnotso?Youhaveaccomplishedyourmissionadmirably，mydearMartin。\'

Decoud，lollingbackmoodily，contemplatedoldViola。

`Ah！Yes。Amanofexperience。Butwhoareyoufor，really，inyourheart?\'

MrsGouldleanedovertothechildren。Lindahadbroughtoutaglassofwateronatray，withextremecare；Gisellepresentedherwithabunchofflowersgatheredhastily。

`Forthepeople，\'declaredoldViola，sternly。

`Weareallforthepeople——intheend。\'

`Yes，\'mutteredoldViola，savagely。`Andmeantimetheyfightforyou。

Blind。Esclavos！\'