第9章

`Isthatyou，Mitchell?\'hemadeanswer，surlily。`Istruckmyforeheadagainstthisconfoundedwallwithenoughforcetofellanox。Whereareyou?\'

CaptainMitchell，accustomedtothedarkness，couldmakeoutthedoctorstretchingouthishandsblindly。

`Iamsittinghereonthefloor。Don\'tfallovermylegs，\'CaptainMitchell\'svoiceannouncedwithgreatdignityoftone。Thedoctor，entreatednottowalkaboutinthedark，sankdowntotheground，too。ThetwoprisonersofSotillo，withtheirheadsnearlytouching，begantoexchangeconfidences。

`Yes，\'thedoctorrelatedinalowtonetoCaptainMitchell\'svehementcuriosity，`wehavebeennabbedinoldViola\'splace。Itseemsthatoneoftheirpickets，commandedbyanofficer，pushedasfarasthetowngate。

Theyhadordersnottoenter，buttobringalongeverysoultheycouldfindontheplain。Wehadbeentalkingintherewiththedooropen，andnodoubttheysawtheglimmerofourlight。Theymusthavebeenmakingtheirapproachesforsometime。Theengineerlaidhimselfonabenchinarecessbythefireplace，andIwentupstairstohavealook。Ihadn\'theardanysoundfromthereforalongtime。OldViola，assoonashesawmecomeup，liftedhisarmforsilence。Istoleinontiptoe。ByJove，hiswifewaslyingdownandhadgonetosleep。Thewomanhadactuallydroppedofftosleep！“SenorDoctor，“Violawhisperstome，“itlooksasifheroppressionwasgoingtogetbetter。”“Yes，“Isaid，verymuchsurprised；

“yourwifeisawonderfulwoman，Giorgio。”Justthenashotwasfiredinthekitchen，whichmadeusjumpandcowerasifatathunder-clap。Itseemsthatthepartyofsoldiershadstolenquitecloseup，andoneofthemhadcreptuptothedoor。Helookedin，thoughttherewasnoonethere，and，holdinghisrifleready，enteredquietly。Thechieftoldmethathehadjustclosedhiseyesforamoment。Whenheopenedthem，hesawthemanalreadyinthemiddleoftheroompeeringintothedarkcorners。Thechiefwassostartledthat，withoutthinking，hemadeoneleapfromtherecessrightoutinfrontofthefireplace。Thesoldier，nolessstartled，upwithhisrifleandpullsthetrigger，deafeningandsingeingtheengineer，butinhisflurrymissinghimcompletely。But，lookwhathappens！Atthenoiseofthereportthesleepingwomansatup，asifmovedbyaspring，withashriek，“Thechildren，Gian\'Batista！Savethechildren！“Ihaveitinmyearsnow。ItwasthetruestcryofdistressIeverheard。Istoodasifparalysed，buttheoldhusbandranacrosstothebedside，stretchingouthishands。Sheclungtothem！Icouldseehereyesgoglazed；theoldfellowloweredherdownonthepillowsandthenlookedroundatme。Shewasdead！Allthistooklessthanfiveminutes，andthenIrandowntoseewhatwasthematter。Itwasnousethinkingofanyresistance。Nothingwetwocouldsayavailedwiththeofficer，soIvolunteeredtogoupwithacoupleofsoldiersandfetchdownoldViola。Hewassittingatthefootofthebed，lookingathiswife\'sface，anddidnotseemtohearwhatI

said；butafterIhadpulledthesheetoverherhead，hegotupandfollowedusdownstairsquietly，inasortofthoughtfulway。Theymarchedusoffalongtheroad，leavingthedooropenandthecandleburning。Thechiefengineerstrodeonwithoutaword，butIlookedbackonceortwiceatthefeeblegleam。Afterwehadgonesomeconsiderabledistance，theGaribaldino，whowaswalkingbymyside，suddenlysaid，“Ihaveburiedmanymenonbattlefieldsonthiscontinent。Theprieststalkofconsecratedground！Bah！AlltheearthmadebyGodisholy；butthesea，whichknowsnothingofkingsandpriestsandtyrants，istheholiestofall。Doctor！Ishouldliketoburyherinthesea。Nomummeries，candles，incense，noholywatermumbledoverbypriests。Thespiritoflibertyisuponthewaters。”……Amazingoldman。Hewassayingallthisinanundertoneasiftalkingtohimself。\'

`Yes，yes，\'interruptedCaptainMitchell，impatiently。`Pooroldchap！

ButhaveyouanyideahowthatruffianSotilloobtainedhisinformation?

Hedidnotgetholdofanyofourcargadoreswhohelpedwiththetruck，didhe?Butno，itisimpossible！Thesewerepickedmenwe\'vehadinourboatsforthesefiveyears，andIpaidthemmyselfspeciallyforthejob，withinstructionstokeepoutofthewayfortwenty-fourhoursatleast。IsawthemwithmyowneyesmarchonwiththeItalianstotherailwayyards。Thechiefpromisedtogivethemrationsaslongastheywantedtoremainthere。\'

`Well，\'saidthedoctor，slowly，`Icantellyouthatyoumaysaygood-byeforevertoyourbestlighter，andtotheCapatazofCargadores。\'

Atthis，CaptainMitchellscrambleduptohisfeetintheexcessofhisexcitement。Thedoctor，withoutgivinghimtimetoexclaim，statedbrieflythepartplayedbyHirschduringthenight。

CaptainMitchellwasovercome。`Drowned！\'hemuttered，inabewilderedandappalledwhisper。`Drowned！\'Afterwardshekeptstill，apparentlylistening，buttooabsorbedinthenewsofthecatastrophetofollowthedoctor\'snarrativewithattention。

Thedoctorhadtakenupanattitudeofperfectignorance，tillatlastSotillowasinducedtohaveHirschbroughtintorepeatthewholestory，whichwasgotoutofhimagainwiththegreatestdifficulty，becauseeverymomenthewouldbreakoutintolamentations。Atlast，Hirschwasledaway，lookingmoredeadthanalive，andshutupinoneoftheupstairsroomstobecloseathand。Thenthedoctor，keepinguphischaracterofamannotadmittedtotheinnercouncilsoftheSanTomeAdministration，remarkedthatthestorysoundedincredible。Ofcourse，hesaid，hecouldn\'ttellwhathadbeentheactionoftheEuropeans，ashehadbeenexclusivelyoccupiedwithhisownworkinlookingafterthewounded，andalsoinattendingDonJoseAvellanos。HehadsucceededinassumingsowellatoneofimpartialindifferencethatSotilloseemedtobecompletelydeceived。Tillthenashowofregularinquiryhadbeenkeptup；oneoftheofficerssittingatthetablewrotedownthequestionsandtheanswers，theothers，loungingabouttheroom，listenedattentively，puffingattheirlongcigarsandkeepingtheireyesonthedoctor。ButatthatpointSotilloorderedeverybodyout。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter33Directlytheywerealone，thecolonel\'ssevereofficialmannerchanged。

Heroseandapproachedthedoctor。Hiseyesshonewithrapacityandhope；

hebecameconfidential。`Thesilvermighthavebeenindeedputonboardthelighter，butitwasnotconceivablethatitshouldhavebeentakenouttosea。\'Thedoctor，watchingeveryword，noddedslightly，smokingwithapparentrelishthecigarwhichSotillohadofferedhimasasignofhisfriendlyintentions。Thedoctor\'smannerofcolddetachmentfromtherestoftheEuropeansledSotilloon，till，fromconjecturetoconjecture，hearrivedathintingthatinhisopinionthiswasaput-upjobonthepartofCharlesGould，inordertogetholdofthatimmensetreasurealltohimself。Thedoctor，observantandself-possessed，muttered，`Heisverycapableofthat。\'

HereCaptainMitchellexclaimedwithamazement，amusement，andindignation，`YousaidthatofCharlesGould！\'Disgust，andevensomesuspicion，creptintohistone，fortohim，too，astootherEuropeans，thereappearedtobesomethingdubiousaboutthedoctor\'spersonality。

`Whatonearthmadeyousaythattothiswatch-stealingscoundrel?\'

heasked。`What\'stheobjectofaninfernallieofthatsort?Thatconfoundedpickpocketwasquitecapableofbelievingyou。\'

Hesnorted。Foratimethedoctorremainedsilentinthedark。

`Yes，thatisexactlywhatIdidsay，\'heutteredatlast，inatonewhichwouldhavemadeitclearenoughtoathirdpartythatthepausewasnotofareluctantbutofareflectivecharacter。CaptainMitchellthoughtthathehadneverheardanythingsobrazenlyimpudentinhislife。

`Well，well！\'hemutteredtohimself，buthehadnotthehearttovoicehisthoughts。Theyweresweptawaybyothersfullofastonishmentandregret。

Aheavysenseofdiscomfiturecrushedhim:thelossofthesilver，thedeathofNostromo，whichwasreallyquiteablowtohissensibilities，becausehehadbecomeattachedtohisCapatazaspeoplegetattachedtotheirinferiorsfromloveofeaseandalmostunconsciousgratitude。AndwhenhethoughtofDecoudbeingdrowned，too，hissensibilitywasalmostovercomebythismiserableend。Whataheavyblowforthatpooryoungwoman！

CaptainMitchelldidnotbelongtothespeciesofcrabbedoldbachelors；

onthecontrary，helikedtoseeyoungmenpayingattentionstoyoungwomen。

Itseemedtohimanaturalandproperthing。Properespecially。Astosailors，itwasdifferent；itwasnottheirplacetomarry，hemaintained，butitwasonmoralgroundsasamatterofself-denial，for，heexplained，lifeonboardshipisnotfitforawomanevenatbest，andifyouleaveheronshore，firstofallitisnotfair，andnextsheeithersuffersfromitordoesn\'tcareabit，which，inbothcases，isbad。Hecouldn\'thavetoldwhatupsethimmost——CharlesGould\'simmensematerialloss，thedeathofNostromo，whichwasaheavylosstohimself，ortheideaofthatbeautifulandaccomplishedyoungwomanbeingplungedintomourning。

`Yes，\'thedoctor，whohadbeenapparentlyreflectingsomemore，beganagain，`hebelievedmerightenough。Ithoughthewouldhavehuggedme，“Si，si，“hesaid，“hewillwritetothatpartnerofhis，therichamericanoinSanFrancisco，thatitisalllost。Whynot?Thereisenoughtosharewithmanypeople。”\'

`Butthisisperfectlyimbecile！\'criedCaptainMitchell。

ThedoctorremarkedthatSotillowasimbecile，andthathisimbecilitywasingeniousenoughtoleadhimcompletelyastray。Hehadhelpedhimonlybutalittleway。

`Imentioned，\'thedoctorsaid，`inasortofcasualway，thattreasureisgenerallyburiedintheearthratherthanbeingsetafloatuponthesea。AtthismySotilloslappedhisforehead。“PorDios，yes，“hesaid；“theymusthaveburieditontheshoresofthisharboursomewherebeforetheysailedout。”\'

`Heavensandearth！\'mutteredCaptainMitchell，`Ishouldnothavebelievedthatanybodycouldbeassenough——\'Hepaused，thenwentonmournfully:

`Butwhat\'sthegoodofallthis?Itwouldhavebeenacleverenoughlieifthelighterhadbeenstillafloat。Itwouldhavekeptthatinconceivableidiotperhapsfromsendingoutthesteamertocruiseinthegulf。Thatwasthedangerthatworriedmenoend。\'CaptainMitchellsighedprofoundly。

`Ihadanobject，\'thedoctorpronounced，slowly。

`Hadyou?\'mutteredCaptainMitchell。`Well，that\'slucky，orelseI

wouldhavethoughtthatyouwentonfoolinghimforthefunofthething。

Andperhapsthatwasyourobject。Well，ImustsayIpersonallywouldn\'tcondescendtothatsortofthing。Itisnottomytaste。No，no。Blackeningafriend\'scharacterisnotmyideaoffun，ifitweretofoolthegreatestblackguardonearth。\'

HaditnotbeenforCaptainMitchell\'sdepression，causedbythefatalnews，hisdisgustofDrMonyghamwouldhavetakenamoreoutspokenshape；

buthethoughttohimselfthatnowitreallydidnotmatterwhatthatman，whomhehadneverliked，wouldsayanddo。

`Iwonder，\'hegrumbled，`whytheyhaveshutusuptogether，orwhySotilloshouldhaveshutyouupatall，sinceitseemstomeyouhavebeenfairlychummyupthere?\'

`Yes，Iwonder?\'saidthedoctor，grimly。

CaptainMitchell\'sheartwassoheavythathewouldhavepreferredforthetimebeingacompletesolitudetothebestofcompany。Butanycompanywouldhavebeenpreferabletothedoctor\'s，atwhomhehadalwayslookedaskanceasasortofbeachcomberofsuperiorintelligencepartlyreclaimedfromhisabasedstate。Thatfeelingledhimtoask:

`Whathasthatruffiandonewiththeothertwo?\'

`Thechiefengineerhewouldhaveletgoinanycase，\'saidthedoctor。

`Hewouldn\'tliketohaveaquarrelwiththerailwayuponhishands。Notjustyet，atanyrate。Idon\'tthink，CaptainMitchell，thatyouunderstandexactlywhatSotillo\'spositionis——\'

`Idon\'tseewhyIshouldbothermyheadaboutit，\'snarledCaptainMitchell。

`No，\'assentedthedoctor，withthesamegrimcomposure。`Idon\'tseewhyyoushould。Itwouldn\'thelpasinglehumanbeingintheworldifyouthoughteversoharduponanysubjectwhatever。\'

`No，\'saidCaptainMitchell，simply，andwithevidentdepression。`A

manlockedupinaconfoundeddarkholeisnotmuchusetoanybody。\'

`AstooldViola，\'thedoctorcontinued，asthoughhehadnotheard，`Sotilloreleasedhimforthesamereasonheispresentlygoingtoreleaseyou。\'

`Eh?What?\'exclaimedCaptainMitchell，staringlikeanowlinthedarkness。

`WhatisthereincommonbetweenmeandoldViola?Morelikelybecausetheoldchaphasnowatchandchainforthepickpockettosteal。AndI

tellyouwhat，DrMonygham，\'hewentonwithrisingcholer，`hewillfinditmoredifficultthanhethinkstogetridofme。Hewillburnhisfingersoverthatjobyet，Icantellyou。Tobeginwith，Iwon\'tgowithoutmywatch，andastotherest——weshallsee。Idaresayitisnogreatmatterforyoutobelockedup。ButJoeMitchellisadifferentkindofman，sir。

Idon\'tmeantosubmittamelytoinsultandrobbery。Iamapubliccharacter，sir。\'

AndthenCaptainMitchellbecameawarethatthebarsoftheopeninghadbecomevisible，ablackgratinguponasquareofgrey。ThecomingofthedaysilencedCaptainMitchellasifbythereflectionthatnowinallthefuturedayshewouldbedeprivedoftheinvaluableservicesofhisCapataz。Heleanedagainstthewallwithhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast，andthedoctorwalkedupanddownthewholelengthoftheplacewithhispeculiarhobblinggait，asifslinkingaboutondamagedfeet。Attheendfarthestfromthegratinghewouldbelostaltogetherinthedarkness。

Onlytheslightlimpingshufflecouldbeheard。Therewasanairofmoodydetachmentinthatpainfulprowlkeptupwithoutapause。Whenthedooroftheprisonwassuddenlyflungopenandhisnameshoutedoutheshowednosurprise。Heswervedsharplyinhiswalk，andpassedoutatonce，asthoughmuchdependeduponhisspeed；butCaptainMitchellremainedforsometimewithhisshouldersagainstthewall，quiteundecidedinthebitternessofhisspiritwhetheritwouldn\'tbebettertorefusetostiralimbinthewayofprotest。Hehadhalfamindtogethimselfcarriedout，butaftertheofficeratthedoorhadshoutedthreeorfourtimesintonesofremonstranceandsurprisehecondescendedtowalkout。

Sotillo\'smannerhadchanged。Thecolonel\'soffhandcivilitywasslightlyirresolute，asthoughhewereindoubtifcivilitywerethepropercourseinthiscase。HeobservedCaptainMitchellattentivelybeforehespokefromthebigarmchairbehindthetableinacondescendingvoice:

`Ihaveconcludednottodetainyou，SenorMitchell。Iamofaforgivingdisposition。Imakeallowances。Letthisbealessontoyou，however。\'

ThepeculiardawnofSulaco，whichseemstobreakfarawaytothewestwardandcreepbackintotheshadeofthemountains，mingledwiththereddishlightofthecandles。CaptainMitchell，insignofcontemptandindifference，lethiseyesroamallovertheroom，andhegaveahardstaretothedoctor，perchedalreadyonthecasementofoneofthewindows，withhiseyelidslowered，carelessandthoughtful——orperhapsashamed。

Sotilla，ensconcedinthevastarmchair，remarked，`Ishouldhavethoughtthatthefeelingsofacaballerowouldhavedictatedtoyouanappropriatereply。\'

Hewaitedforit，butCaptainMitchellremainingmute，morefromextremeresentmentthanfromreasonedintention，Sotillohesitated，glancedtowardsthedoctor，wholookedupandnodded，thenwentonwithaslighteffort:

`Here，SenorMitchell，isyourwatch。Learnhowhastyandunjusthasbeenyourjudgementofmypatrioticsoldiers。\'

Lyingbackinhisseat，heextendedhisarmoverthetableandpushedthewatchawayslightly。CaptainMitchellwalkedupwithundisguisedeagerness，putittohisear，thenslippeditintohispocketcoolly。

Sotilloseemedtoovercomeanimmensereluctance。Againhelookedasideatthedoctor，whostaredathimunwinkingly。

ButasCaptainMitchellwasturningaway，withoutasmuchasanodoraglance，hehastenedtosay:

`YoumaygoandwaitdownstairsfortheSenorDoctor，whomIamgoingtoliberate，too。Youforeignersareinsignificant，tomymind。\'

Heforcedaslight，discordantlaughoutofhimself，whileCaptainMitchell，forthefirsttime，lookedathimwithsomeinterest。

`Thelawshalltakenotelateronofyourtransgressions，\'Sotillohurriedon。`Butasforme，youcanlivefree，unguarded，unobserved。Doyouhear，SenorMitchell?Youmaydeparttoyouraffairs。Youarebeneathmynotice。

Myattentionisclaimedbymattersoftheveryhighestimportance。\'

CaptainMitchellwasverynearlyprovokedtoananswer。Itdispleasedhimtobeliberatedinsultingly；butwantofsleep，prolongedanxieties，aprofounddisappointmentwiththefatalendingofthesilver-savingbusinessweigheduponhisspirits。Itwasasmuchashecoulddotoconcealhisuneasiness，notabouthimselfperhaps，butaboutthingsingeneral。Itoccurredtohimdistinctlythatsomethingunderhandwasgoingon。Ashewentoutheignoredthedoctorpointedly。

`Abrute！\'saidSotillo，asthedoorshut。

DrMonyghamslippedoffthewindow-sill，and，thrustinghishandsintothepocketsofthelong，greydustcoathewaswearing，madeafewstepsintotheroom。

Sotillogotup，too，and，puttinghimselfintheway，examinedhimfromheadtofoot。

`Soyourcountrymendonotconfideinyouverymuch，SenorDoctor。Theydonotloveyou，eh?Whyisthat，Iwonder?\'

Thedoctor，liftinghishead，answeredbyalong，lifelessstareandthewords，`PerhapsbecauseIhavelivedtoolonginCostaguana。\'

Sotillohadagleamofwhiteteethundertheblackmoustache。

`Aha！Butyouloveyourself，\'hesaid，encouragingly。

`Ifyouleavethemalone，\'thedoctorsaid，lookingwiththesamelifelessstareatSotillo\'shandsomeface，`theywillbetraythemselvesverysoon。

Meantime，ImaytrytomakeDonCarlosspeak?\'

`Ah，SenorDoctor，\'saidSotillo，wagginghishead，`youareamanofquickintelligence。Weweremadetounderstandeachother。\'Heturnedaway。

Hecouldbearnolongerthatexpressionlessandmotionlessstare，whichseemedtohaveasortofimpenetrableemptinessliketheblackdepthofanabyss。

Eveninamanutterlydevoidofmoralsensethereremainsanappreciationofrascalitywhich，beingconventional，isperfectlyclear。SotillothoughtthatDrMonygham，sodifferentfromallEuropeans，wasreadytosellhiscountrymenandCharlesGould，hisemployer，forsomeshareoftheSanTomesilver。Sotillodidnotdespisehimforthat。Thecolonel\'swantofmoralsensewasofaprofoundandinnocentcharacter。Itbordereduponstupidity，moralstupidity。Nothingthatservedhisendscouldappeartohimreallyreprehensible。Nevertheless，hedespisedDrMonygham。Hehadforhimanimmenseandsatisfactorycontempt。Hedespisedhimwithallhisheartbecausehedidnotmeantoletthedoctorhaveanyrewardatall。Hedespisedhim，notasamanwithoutfaithandhonour，butasafool。DrMonygham\'sinsightintohischaracterhaddeceivedSotillocompletely。Thereforehethoughtthedoctorafool。

SincehisarrivalinSulacothecolonel\'sideashadundergonesomemodification。

HenolongerwishedforapoliticalcareerinMontero\'sadministration。

Hehadalwaysdoubtedthesafetyofthatcourse。SincehehadlearnedfromthechiefengineerthatatdaylightmostlikelyhewouldbeconfrontedbyPedroMonterohismisgivingsonthatpointhadconsiderablyincreased。

Theguerrillerobrotherofthegeneral——thePedritoofpopularspeech——hadareputationofhisown。Hewasn\'tsafetodealwith。Sotillohadvaguelyplannedseizingnotonlythetreasurebutthetownitself，andthennegotiatingatleisure。Butinthefaceoffactslearnedfromthechiefengineer(whohadfranklydisclosedtohimthewholesituation)

hisaudacity，neverofaverydashingkind，hadbeenreplacedbyamostcautioushesitation。

`Anarmy——anarmycrossedthemountainsunderPedritoalready，\'hehadrepeated，unabletohidehisconsternation。`IfithadnotbeenthatIamgiventhenewsbyamanofyourpositionIwouldneverhavebelievedit。Astonishing！\'

`Anarmedforce，\'correctedtheengineer，suavely。

Hisaimwasattained。ItwastokeepSulacoclearofanyarmedoccupationforafewhourslonger，toletthosewhomfearimpelledleavethetown。

InthegeneraldismaytherewerefamilieshopefulenoughtoflyupontheroadtowardsLosHatos，whichwasleftopenbythewithdrawalofthearmedrabbleunderSenoresFuentesandGamacho，toRincon，withtheirenthusiasticwelcomeforPedroMontero。Itwasahastyandriskyexodus，anditwassaidthatHernandez，occupyingwithhisbandthewoodsaboutLosHatos，wasreceivingthefugitives。Thatagoodmanypeopleheknewwerecontemplatingsuchaflighthadbeenwellknowntothechiefengineer。

FatherCorbelan\'seffortsinthecauseofthatmostpiousrobberhadnotbeenaltogetherfruitless。ThepoliticalchiefofSulacohadyieldedatthelastmomenttotheurgententreatiesofthepriest，hadsignedaprovisionalnominationappointingHernandezageneral，andcallinguponhimofficiallyinthisnewcapacitytopreserveorderinthetown。Thefactisthatthepoliticalchief，seeingthesituationdesperate，didnotcarewhathesigned。ItwasthelastofficialdocumenthesignedbeforeheleftthepalaceoftheIntendenciafortherefugeoftheO。S。N。Company\'soffice。Butevenhadhemeanthisacttobeeffectiveitwasalreadytoolate。TheriotwhichhefearedandexpectedbrokeoutinlessthananhourafterFatherCorbelanhadlefthim。Indeed，FatherCorbelan，whohadappointedameetingwithNostromointheDominicanConvent，wherehehadhisresidenceinoneofthecells，nevermanagedtoreachtheplace。FromtheIntendenciahehadgonestraightontotheAvellanos\'shousetotellhisbrother-in-law，andthoughhestayedtherenomorethanhalfanhourhehadfoundhimselfcutofffromhisasceticabode。Nostromo，afterwaitingthereforsometime，watchinguneasilytheincreasinguproarinthestreet，hadmadehiswaytotheofficesofthePorvenir，andstayedtheretilldaylight，asDecoudhadmentionedinthelettertohissister。ThustheCapataz，insteadofridingtowardstheLosHatoswoodsasbearerofHernandez\'snomination，hadremainedintowntosavethelifeofthePresident-Dictator，toassistinrepressingtheoutbreakofthemob，andatlasttosailoutwiththesilverofthemine。

ButFatherCorbelan，escapingtoHernandez，hadthedocumentinhispocket，apieceofofficialwritingturningabanditintoageneralinamemorablelastofficialactoftheRibieristparty，whosewatchwordswerehonestly，peace，andprogress。Probablyneitherthepriestnorthebanditsawtheironyofit。FatherCorbelanmusthavefoundmessengerstosendintothetown，forearlyontheseconddayofthedisturbancestherewererumoursofHernandezbeingontheroadtoLosHatosreadytoreceivethosewhowouldputthemselvesunderhisprotection。Astrange-lookinghorseman，elderlyandaudacious，hadappearedinthetown，ridingslowlywhilehiseyesexaminedthefrontsofthehouses，asthoughhehadneverseensuchhighbuildingsbefore。Beforethecathedralhehaddismounted，and，kneelinginthemiddleofthePlaza，hisbridleoverhisarmandhishatlyinginfrontofhimontheground，hadbowedhishead，crossinghimselfandbeatinghisbreastforsomelittletime。Remountinghishorse，withafearlessbutnotunfriendlylookroundthelittlegatheringformedabouthispublicdevotions，hehadaskedfortheCasaAvellanos。Ascoreofhandswereextendedinanswer，withfingerspointinguptheCalledelaConstitucion。

ThehorsemanhadgoneonwithonlyaglanceofcasualcuriosityupwardstothewindowsoftheAmarillaClubatthecorner。Hisstentorianvoiceshoutedperiodicallyintheemptystreet，`WhichistheCasaAvellanos?\'

tillananswercamefromthescaredporter，andhedisappearedunderthegate。Theletterhewasbringing，writtenbyFatherCorbelanwithapencilbythecamp-fireofHernandez，wasaddressedtoDonJose，ofwhosecriticalstatethepriestwasnotaware。Antoniareadit，and，afterconsultingCharlesGould，sentitonfortheinformationofthegentlemengarrisoningtheAmarillaClub。Forherself，hermindwasmadeup；shewouldrejoinheruncle；shewouldentrustthelastday——thelasthoursperhaps——

ofherfather\'slifetothekeepingofthebandit，whoseexistencewasaprotestagainsttheirresponsibletyrannyofallpartiesalike，againstthemoraldarknessoftheland。ThegloomofLosHatoswoodswaspreferable；

alifeofhardshipsinthetrainofarobberbandlessdebasing。Antoniaembracedwithallhersoulheruncle\'sobstinatedefianceofmisfortune。

Itwasgroundedinthebeliefinthemanwhomsheloved。

InhismessagetheVicar-GeneralanswereduponhisheadforHernandez\'sfidelity。Astohispower，hepointedoutthathehadremainedunsubduedforsomanyyears。InthatletterDecoud\'sideaofthenewOccidentalState(whoseflourishingandstableconditionisamatterofcommonknowledgenow)wasforthefirsttimemadepublicandusedasanargument。Hernandez，ex-banditandthelastgeneralofRibieristcreation，wasconfidentofbeingabletoholdthetractofcountrybetweenthewoodsofLosHatosandthecoastrangetillthatdevotedpatriot，DonMartinDecoud，couldbringGeneralBarriosbacktoSulacoforthereconquestofthetown。

`Heavenitselfwillsit。Providenceisonourside，\'wroteFatherCorbelan；

therewasnotimetoreflectuponortocontroverthisstatement；andifthediscussionstarteduponthereadingofthatletterintheAmarillaClubwasviolent，itwasalsoshortlived。Inthegeneralbewildermentofthecollapsesomejumpedattheideawithjoyfulastonishmentasupontheamazingdiscoveryofanewhope。Othersbecamefascinatedbytheprospectofimmediatepersonalsafetyfortheirwomenandchildren。Themajoritycaughtatitasadrowningmancatchesatastraw。FatherCorbelanwasunexpectedlyofferingthemarefugefromPedritoMonterowithhisIlanerosalliedtoSenoresFuentesandGamachowiththeirarmedrabble。

AllthelatterpartoftheafternoonananimateddiscussionwentoninthebigroomsoftheAmarillaClub。Eventhosememberspostedatthewindowswithriflesandcarbinestoguardtheendofthestreetincaseofanoffensivereturnofthepopulaceshoutedtheiropinionsandargumentsovertheirshoulders。AsduskfellDonJusteLopez，invitingthosecaballeroswhowereofhiswayofthinkingtofollowhim，withdrewintothecorridor，whereatalittletableinthelightoftwocandleshebusiedhimselfincomposinganaddress，orratherasolemndeclarationtobepresentedtoPedritoMonterobyadeputationofsuchmembersofAssemblyashadelectedtoremainintown。Hisideawastopropitiatehiminordertosavetheformatleastofparliamentaryinstitutions。Seatedbeforeablanksheetofpaper，agoose-quillinhishand，andsurgeduponfromallsides，heturnedtotherightandtotheleft，repeatingwithsolemninsistence:

`Caballeros，amomentofsilence！Amomentofsilence！Weoughttomakeitclearthatwebowinallgoodfaithtotheaccomplishedfacts。\'

Theutteranceofthatphraseseemedtogivehimamelancholysatisfaction。

Thehubbubofvoicesroundhimwasgrowingstrainedandhoarse。Inthesuddenpausestheexcitedgrimacingofthefaceswouldsinkallatonceintothestillnessofprofounddejection。

Meantime，theexodushadbegun。CarretasfullofladiesandchildrenrolledswayingacrossthePlaza，withmenwalkingorridingbytheirside；

mountedpartiesfollowedonmulesandhorses；thepoorestweresettingoutonfoot，menandwomencarryingbundles，claspingbabiesintheirarms，leadingoldpeople，draggingalongthebiggerchildren。WhenCharlesGould，afterleavingthedoctorandtheengineerattheCasaViola，enteredthetownbytheharbourgate，allthosethathadmeanttogoweregone，andtheothershadbarricadedthemselvesintheirhouses。Inthewholedarkstreettherewasonlyonespotofflickeringlightsandmovingfigures，wheretheSenorAdministradorrecognizedhiswife\'scarriagewaitingatthedooroftheAvellanos\'shouse。Herodeup，almostunnoticed，andlookedonwithoutawordwhilesomeofhisownservantscameoutofthegatecarryingDonJoseAvellanos，who，withclosedeyesandmotionlessfeatures，appearedperfectlylifeless。HiswifeandAntoniawalkedoneachsideoftheimprovisedstretcher，whichwasputatonceintothecarriage。Thetwowomenembraced；

whilefromtheothersideofthelandauFatherCorbelan\'semissary，withhisraggedbeardallstreakedwithgrey，andhigh，bronzedcheek-bones，stared，sittinguprightinthesaddle。ThenAntonia，dry-eyed，gotinbythesideofthestretcher，and，aftermakingthesignofthecrossrapidly，loweredathickveiluponherface。Theservantsandthethreeorfourneighbourswhohadcometoassist，stoodback，uncoveringtheirheads。

Onthebox，Ignacio，resignednowtodrivingallnight(andtohavingperhapshisthroatcutbeforedaylight)lookedbacksurlilyoverhisshoulder。

`Drivecarefully，\'criedMrsGouldinatremulousvoice。

`Si，carefully，sinina，\'hemumbled，chewinghislips，hisroundleatherycheeksquivering。Andthelandaurolledslowlyoutofthelight。

`Iwillseethemasfarastheford，\'saidCharlesGouldtohiswife。

Shestoodontheedgeofthesidewalkwithherhandsclaspedlightly，andnoddedtohimashefollowedafterthecarriage。AndnowthewindowsoftheAmarillaClubweredark。Thelastsparkofresistancehaddiedout。

Turninghisheadatthecorner，CharlesGouldsawhiswifecrossingovertotheirowngateinthelightedpatchofthestreet。Oneoftheirneighbours，awell-knownmerchantandlandowneroftheprovince，followedatherelbow，talkingwithgreatgestures。Asshepassedinallthelightswentoutinthestreet，whichremaineddarkandemptyfromendtoend。

ThehousesofthevastPlazawerelostinthenight。Highup，likeastar，therewasasmallgleaminoneofthetowersofthecathedral；andtheequestrianstatuegleamedpaleagainsttheblacktreesoftheAlameda，likeaghostofroyaltyhauntingthescenesofrevolution。Therareprowlerstheymetrangedthemselvesagainstthewall。Beyondthelasthousesthecarriagerollednoiselesslyonthesoftcushionofdust，andwithagreaterobscurityafeelingoffreshnessseemedtofallfromthefoliageofthetreesborderingthecountryroad。TheemissaryfromHernandez\'scamppushedhishorseclosetoCharlesGould。

`Caballero，\'hesaidinaninterestedvoice，`youarehewhomtheycalltheKingofSulaco，themasterofthemine?Isitnotso?\'

`Yes，Iamthemasterofthemine，\'answeredCharlesGould。

Themancanteredforatimeinsilence，thensaid，`Ihaveabrother，aserenoinyourserviceintheSanTomevalley。Youhaveprovedyourselfajustman。Therehadbeennowrongdonetoanyonesinceyoucalleduponthepeopletoworkinthemountains。MybrothersaysthatnoofficialoftheGovernment，nooppressoroftheCampo，hadbeenseenonyoursideofthestream。Yourownofficialsdonotoppressthepeopleinthegorge。

Doubtlesstheyareafraidofyourseverity。Youareajustmanandapowerfulone，\'headded。

Hespokeinanabrupt，independenttone，butevidentlyhewascommunicativewithapurpose。HetoldCharlesGouldthathehadbeenarancheroinoneofthelowervalleys，farsouth，aneighbourofHernandezintheolddays，andgodfathertohiseldestboy；oneofthosewhojoinedhiminhisresistancetotherecruitingraidwhichwasthebeginningofalltheirmisfortunes。Itwashethat，whenhiscompadrehadbeencarriedoff，hadburiedhiswifeandchildren，murderedbythesoldiers。

`Si，senor，\'hemuttered，hoarsely，`Iandtwoorthreeothers，theluckyonesleftatliberty，buriedthemallinonegraveneartheashesoftheirranch，underthetreethathadshadeditsroof。\'

Itwastohim，too，thatHernandezcameafterhehaddeserted，threeyearsafterwards。Hehadstillhisuniformonwiththesergeant\'sstripesonthesleeve，andthebloodofhiscoloneluponhishandsandbreast。

Threetroopersfollowedhim，ofthosewhohadstartedinpursuitbuthadriddenonforliberty。AndhetoldCharlesGouldhowheandafewfriends，seeingthosesoldiers，layinambushbehindsomerocksreadytopullthetriggeronthem，whenherecognizedhiscompadreandjumpedupfromcover，shoutinghisname，becauseheknewthatHernandezcouldnothavebeencomingbackonanerrandofinjusticeandoppression。Thosethreesoldiers，togetherwiththepartywholaybehindtherocks，hadformedthenucleusofthefamousbandandhe，thenarrator，hadbeenthefavouritelieutenantofHernandezformany，manyyears。Hementionedproudlythattheofficialshadputapriceuponhishead，too；butitdidnotpreventitgettingsprinkledwithgreyuponhisshoulders。Andnowhehadlivedlongenoughtoseehiscompadremadeageneral。

Hehadaburstofmuffledlaughter。`Andnowfromrobberswehavebecomesoldiers。Butlook，caballero，allthosewhomadeussoldiersandhimageneral！Lookatthesepeople！\'

Ignacioshouted。Thelightofthecarriagelamps，runningalongthenopalhedgesthatcrownedthebankoneachside，flasheduponthescaredfacesofpeoplestandingasideintheroad，sunkdeep，likeanEnglishcountrylane，intothesoftsoiloftheCampo。Theycowered；theireyesglistenedverybigforasecond；andthenthelight，runningon，felluponthehalfdenudedrootsofabigtree，onanotherstretchofnopalhedge，caughtupanotherbunchoffacesglaringbackapprehensively。Threewomen——ofwhomonewascarryingachild——andacoupleofmeninciviliandress——onearmedwithasabreandanotherwithagun——weregroupedaboutadonkeycarryingtwobundlestiedupinblankets。FartheronIgnacioshoutedagaintopassacarreta，alongwoodenboxontwohighwheels，withthedooratthebackswingingopen。Someladiesinitmusthaverecognizedthewhitemules，becausetheyscreamedout，`Isityou，DonaEmilia?\'

Attheturnoftheroadtheglareofabigfirefilledtheshortstretchvaultedoverbythebranchesmeetingoverhead。Nearthefordofashallowstreamaroadsideranchoofwovenrushesandaroofofgrasshadbeensetonfirebyaccident，andtheflames，roaringviciously，litupanopenspaceblockedwithhorses，mules，andadistracted，shoutingcrowdofpeople。WhenIgnaciopulledup，severalladiesonfootassailedthecarriage，beggingAntoniaforaseat。Totheirclamoursheansweredbypointingsilentlytoherfather。

`Imustleaveyouhere，\'saidCharlesGould，intheuproar。Theflamesleapedupsky-high，andintherecoilfromthescorchingheatacrosstheroadthestreamoffugitivespressedagainstthecarriage。Amiddle-agedladydressedinblacksilk，butwithacoarsemantaoverherheadandaroughbranchforastickinherhand，staggeredagainstthefrontwheel。

Twoyounggirls，frightenedandsilent，wereclingingtoherarms。CharlesGouldknewherverywell。

`Misericordia！Wearegettingterriblybruisedinthiscrowd！\'

sheexclaimed，smilingupcourageouslytohim。`Wehavestartedonfoot。

Allourservantsranawayyesterdaytojointhedemocrats。WearegoingtoputourselvesundertheprotectionofFatherCorbelan，ofyoursainteduncle，Antonia。Hehaswroughtamiracleintheheartofamostmercilessrobber。Amiracle！\'

Sheraisedhervoicegraduallyuptoascreamasshewasbornealongbythepressureofpeoplegettingoutofthewayofsomecartscomingupoutofthefordatagallop，withloudyellsandcrackingofwhips。Greatmassesofsparksmingledwithblacksmokeflewovertheroad；thebamboosofthewallsdetonatedinthefirewiththesoundofanirregularfusillade。

Andthenthebrightblazesanksuddenly，leavingonlyaredduskcrowdedwithaimlessdarkshadowsdriftingincontrarydirections；thenoiseofvoicesseemedtodieawaywiththeflame；andthetumultofheads，arms，quarrelling，andimprecationspassedonfleeingintothedarkness。

`Imustleaveyounow，\'repeatedCharlesGouldtoAntonia。Sheturnedherheadslowlyanduncoveredherface。TheemissaryandcompadreofHernandezspurredhishorsecloseup。

`HasnotthemasterofthemineanymessagetosendtoHernandez，themasteroftheCampo?\'

ThetruthofthecomparisonstruckCharlesGouldheavily。Inhisdeterminedpurposeheheldthemine，andtheindomitablebanditheldtheCampobythesameprecarioustenure。Theywereequalsbeforethelawlessnessoftheland。Itwasimpossibletodisentangleone\'sactivityfromitsdebasingcontacts。Aclose-meshednetofcrimeandcorruptionlayuponthewholecountry。Animmenseandwearydiscouragementsealedhislipsforatime。

`Youareajustman，\'urgedtheemissaryofHernandez。`Lookatthosepeoplewhomademycompadreageneralandhaveturnedusallintosoldiers。Lookatthoseoligarchsfleeingforlife，withonlytheclothesontheirbacks。Mycompadredoesnotthinkofthat，butourfollowersmaybewonderinggreatly，andIwouldspeakforthemtoyou。Listen，senor！

FormanymonthsnowtheCampohasbeenourown。Weneedasknomanforanything；butsoldiersmusthavetheirpaytolivehonestlywhenthewarsareover。Itisbelievedthatyoursoulissojustthataprayerfromyouwouldcurethesicknessofeverybeast，liketheorisonoftheuprightjudge。Letmehavesomewordsfromyourlipsthatwouldactlikeacharmuponthedoubtsofourpartida，whereallaremen。\'

`Doyouhearwhathesays?\'CharlesGouldsaidinEnglishtoAntonia。

`Forgiveusourmisery！\'sheexclaimed，hurriedly。`Itisyourcharacterthatistheinexhaustibletreasurewhichmaysaveusallyet；yourcharacter，Carlos，notyourwealth。Ientreatyoutogivethismanyourwordthatyouwillacceptanyarrangementmyunclemaymakewiththeirchief。Oneword。Hewillwantnomore。\'

Onthesiteoftheroadsidehutthereremainednothingbutanenormousheapofembers，throwingafaradarkeningredglow，inwhichAntonia\'sfaceappeareddeeplyflushedwithexcitement。CharlesGould，withonlyashorthesitation，pronouncedtherequiredpledge。Hewaslikeamanwhohadventuredonaprecipitouspathwithnoroomtoturn，wheretheonlychanceofsafetyistopressforward。AtthatmomentheunderstooditthoroughlyashelookeddownatDonJosestretchedout，hardlybreathing，bythesideoftheerectAntonia，vanquishedinalifelongstrugglewiththepowersofmoraldarkness，whosestagnantdepthsbreedmonstrouscrimesandmonstrousillusions。InafewwordstheemissaryfromHernandezexpressedhiscompletesatisfaction。StoicallyAntonialoweredherveil，resistingthelongingtoinquireaboutDecoud\'sescape。ButIgnacioleeredmoroselyoverhisshoulder。

`Takeagoodlookatthemules，miamo，\'hegrumbled。`Youshallneverseethemagain！\'

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part3Chapter44CharlesGouldturnedtowardsthetown。BeforehimjaggedpeaksoftheSierracameoutallblackinthecleardawn。Hereandthereamuffledleperowhiskedroundthecornerofagrass-grownstreetbeforetheringinghoofsofhishorse。Dogsbarkedbehindthewallsofthegardens；andwiththecolourlesslightthechillofthesnowsseemedtofallfromthemountainsuponthedisjointedpavementsandtheshutteredhouseswithbrokencornicesandtheplasterpeelinginpatchesbetweentheflatpilastersofthefronts。

ThedaybreakstruggledwiththegloomunderthearcadesonthePlaza，withnosignsofcountrypeopledisposingtheirgoodsfortheday\'smarket，pilesoffruit，bundlesofvegetablesornamentedwithflowers，onlowbenchesunderenormousmatumbrellas；withnocheeryearly-morningbustleofvillagers，women，children，andloadeddonkeys。Onlyafewscatteredknotsofrevolutionistsstoodinthevastspace，lookingallonewayfromundertheirslouchedhatsforsomesignofnewsfromRincon。ThelargestofthosegroupsturnedaboutlikeonemanasCharlesGouldpassed，andshouted，`Vivalalibertad！\'

afterhiminamenacingtone。

CharlesGouldrodeon，andturnedintothearchwayofhishouse。Inthepatiolitteredwithstraw，apracticante，oneofDrMonygham\'snativeassistants，satonthegroundwithhisbackagainsttherimofthefountain，fingeringaguitardiscreetly，whiletwogirlsofthelowerclass，standingupbeforehim，shuffledtheirfeetalittleandwavedtheirarms，hummingapopulardancetune。Mostofthewoundedduringthetwodaysofriotinghadbeentakenawayalreadybytheirfriendsandrelations，butseveralfigurescouldbeseensittingupbalancingtheirbandagedheadsintimetothemusic。CharlesGoulddismounted。Asleepymozocomingoutofthebakerydoortookholdofthehorse\'sbridle；thepracticanteendeavouredtoconcealhisguitarhastily；thegirls，unabashed，steppedbacksmiling；andCharlesGould，onhiswaytothestaircase，glancedintoadarkcornerofthepatioatanothergroup，amortallywoundedcargadorwithawomankneelingbyhisside；shemumbledprayersrapidly，tryingatthesametimetoforceapieceoforangebetweenthestiffeninglipsofthedyingman。

Thecruelfutilityofthingsstoodunveiledinthelevityandsufferingsofthatincorrigiblepeople；thecruelfutilityoflivesandofdeathsthrownawayinthevainendeavourtoattainanenduringsolutionoftheproblem。UnlikeDecoud，CharlesGouldcouldnotplaylightlyapartinatragicfarce。Itwastragicenoughforhiminallconscience，buthecouldseenofarcicalelement。Hesufferedtoomuchunderaconvictionofirremediablefolly。Hewastooseverelypracticalandtooidealistictolookuponitsterriblehumourswithamusement，asMartinDecoud，theimaginativematerialist，wasabletodointhedrylightofhisscepticism。

Tohim，astoallofus，thecompromiseswithhisconscienceappeareduglierthaneverinthelightoffailure。Histaciturnity，assumedwithapurpose，hadpreventedhimfromtamperingopenlywithhisthoughts；buttheGouldConcessionhadinsidiouslycorruptedhisjudgement。Hemighthaveknown，hesaidtohimself，leaningoverthebalustradeofthecorridor，thatRibierismcouldnevercometoanything。Theminehadcorruptedhisjudgementbymakinghimsickofbribingandintriguingmerelytohavehisworkleftalonefromdaytoday。Likehisfather，hedidnotliketoberobbed。Itexasperatedhim。Hehadpersuadedhimselfthat，apartfromhigherconsiderations，thebackingupofDonJose\'shopesofreformwasgoodbusiness。Hehadgoneforthintothesenselessfrayashispooruncle，whoseswordhungonthewallofhisstudy，hadgoneforth——inthedefenceofthecommonestdecenciesoforganizedsociety。Onlyhisweaponwasthewealthofthemine，morefar-reachingandsubtlethananhonestbladeofsteelfittedintoasimplebrassguard。

Moredangeroustothewielder，too，thisweaponofwealth，doubled-edgedwiththecupidityandmiseryofmankind，steepedinallthevoicesofself-indulgenceasinaconcoctionofpoisonousroots，taintingtheverycauseforwhichitisdrawn，alwaysreadytoturnawkwardlyinthehand。Therewasnothingforitnowbuttogoonusingit。Buthepromisedhimselftoseeitshatteredintosmallbitsbeforeheletitbewrenchedfromhisgrasp。

Afterall，withhisEnglishparentageandEnglishupbringing，heperceivedthathewasanadventurerinCostaguana，thedescendantofadventurersenlistedinaforeignlegion，ofmenwhohadsoughtfortuneinarevolutionarywar，whohadplannedrevolutions，whohadbelievedinrevolutions。Foralltheuprightnessofhischaracter，hehadsomethingofanadventurer\'seasymoralitywhichtakescountofpersonalriskintheethicalappraisingofhisaction。Hewasprepared，ifneedbe，toblowupthewholeSanTomemountainskyhighoutoftheterritoryoftheRepublic。Thisresolutionexpressedthetenacityofhischaracter，theremorseofthatsubtleconjugalinfidelitythroughwhichhiswifewasnolongerthesolemistressofhisthoughts，somethingofhisfather\'simaginativeweakness，andsomething，too，ofthespiritofabuccaneerthrowingalightedmatchintothemagazineratherthansurrenderhisship。

Downbelowinthepatiothewoundedcargadorhadbreathedhislast。Thewomancriedoutonce，andhercry，unexpectedandshrill，madeallthewoundedsitup。Thepracticantescrambleduptohisfeet，and，guitarinhand，gazedsteadilyinherdirectionwithelevatedeyebrows。

Thetwogirls——sittingnowoneoneachsideoftheirwoundedrelative，withtheirkneesdrawnupandlongcigarsbetweentheirlips——noddedateachothersignificantly。

CharlesGould，lookingdownoverthebalustrade，sawthreemendressedceremoniouslyinblackfrock-coatswithwhiteshirts，andwearingEuropeanroundhats，enterthepatiofromthestreet。Oneofthem，headandshoulderstallerthanthetwoothers，advancedwithmarkedgravity，leadingtheway。

ThiswasDonJusteLopez，accompaniedbytwoofhisfriends，membersofAssembly，comingtocallupontheAdministradoroftheSanTomemineatthisearlyhour。Theysawhim，too，wavedtheirhandstohimurgently，walkingupthestairsasifinprocession。

DonJuste，astonishinglychangedbyhavingshavedoffaltogetherhisdamagedbeard，hadlostwithitnine-tenthsofhisoutwarddignity。EvenatthattimeofseriouspreoccupationCharlesGouldcouldnothelpnotingtherevealedineptitudeintheaspectoftheman。Hiscompanionslookedcrestfallenandsleepy。Onekeptonpassingthetipofhistongueoverhisparchedlips；theother\'seyesstrayeddullyoverthetiledfloorofthecorridor，whileDonJuste，standingalittleinadvance，haranguedtheSenorAdministradoroftheSanTomemine。Itwashisfirmopinionthatformshadtobeobserved。AnewgovernorisalwaysvisitedbydeputationsfromtheCabildo，whichistheMunicipalCouncil，fromtheConsulado，theCommercialBoard，anditwasproperthattheProvincialAssemblyshouldsendadeputation，too，ifonlytoasserttheexistenceofparliamentaryinstitutions。DonJusteproposedthatDonCarlosGould，asthemostprominentcitizenoftheprovince，shouldjointheAssembly\'sdeputation。Hispositionwasexceptional，hispersonalityknownthroughthelengthandbreadthofthewholeRepublic。Officialcourtesiesmustnotbeneglected，iftheyaregonethroughwithableedingheart。Theacceptanceofaccomplishedfactsmaysaveyetthepreciousvestigesofparliamentaryinstitutions。

DonJuste\'seyesgloweddully；hebelievedinparliamentaryinstitutions——andtheconvinceddroneofhisvoicelostitselfinthestillnessofthehouselikethedeepbuzzingofsomeponderousinsect。

CharlesGouldhadturnedroundtolistenpatiently，leaninghiselbowonthebalustrade。Heshookhisheadalittle，refusing，almosttouchedbytheanxiousgazeofthePresidentoftheProvincialAssembly。ItwasnotCharlesGould\'spolicytomaketheSanTomemineapartytoanyformalproceedings。

`Myadvice，senores，isthatyoushouldwaitforyourfateinyourhouses。ThereisnonecessityforyoutogiveyourselvesupformallyintoMontero\'shands。Submissiontotheinevitable，asDonJustecallsit，isallverywell，butwhentheinevitableiscalledPedritoMonterothereisnoneedtoexhibitpointedlythewholeextentofyoursurrender。

Thefaultofthiscountryisthewantofmeasureinpoliticallife。Flatacquiescenceinillegality，followedbysanguinaryreaction——that，senores，isnotthewaytoastableandprosperousfuture。\'

CharlesGouldstoppedbeforethesadbewildermentofthefaces，thewondering，anxiousglancesoftheeyes。Thefeelingofpityforthosemen，puttingalltheirtrustintowordsofsomesort，whilemurderandrapinestalkedovertheland，hadbetrayedhimintowhatseemedemptyloquacity。

DonJustemurmured:

`Youareabandoningus，DonCarlos……Andyet，parliamentaryinstitutions——\'

Hecouldnotfinishfromgrief。Foramomentheputhishandoverhiseyes。CharlesGouldinhisfearofemptyloquacity，madenoanswertothecharge。Hereturnedinsilencetheirceremoniousbows。Histaciturnitywashisrefuge。HeunderstoodthatwhattheysoughtwastogettheinfluenceoftheSanTomemineontheirside。TheywantedtogoonaconciliatingerrandtothevictorunderthewingoftheGouldConcession。Otherpublicbodies——theCabildo，theConsulado——wouldbecoming，too，presently，seekingthesupportofthemoststable，themosteffectiveforcetheyhadeverknowntoexistintheirprovince。

Thedoctor，arrivingwithhissharp，jerkywalk，foundthatthemasterhadretiredintohisownroomwithordersnottobedisturbedonanyaccount。

ButDrMonyghamwasnotanxioustoseeCharlesGouldatonce。Hespentsometimeinarapidexaminationofhiswounded。Hegazeddownuponeachinturn，rubbinghischinbetweenhisthumbandforefinger；hissteadystaremetwithoutexpressiontheirsilentlyinquisitivelook。Allthesecasesweredoingwell；butwhenhecametothedeadcargadorhestoppedalittlelonger，surveyingnotthemanwhohadceasedtosuffer，butthewomankneelinginsilentcontemplationoftherigidface，withitspinchednostrilsandawhitegleamintheimperfectlyclosedeyes。

Sheliftedherheadslowly，andsaidinadullvoice:

`Itisnotlongsincehehadbecomeacargador——onlyafewweeks。HisworshiptheCapatazhadacceptedhimaftermanyentreaties。\'

`IamnotresponsibleforthegreatCapataz，\'mutteredthedoctor，movingoff。

DirectinghiscourseupstairstowardsthedoorofCharlesGould\'sroom，thedoctoratthelastmomenthesitated；then，turningawayfromthehandlewithashrugofhisunevenshoulders，slunkoffhastilyalongthecorridorinsearchofMrsGould\'scamerista。

Leonardatoldhimthatthesenorahadnotrisenyet。ThesenorahadgivenintoherchargethegirlsbelongingtothatItalianposadero。

She，Leonarda，hadputthemtobedinherownroom。Thefairgirlhadcriedherselftosleep，butthedarkone——thebigger——hadnotclosedhereyesyet。Shesatupinbedclutchingthesheetsrightupunderherchinandstaringbeforeherlikealittlewitch。LeonardadidnotapproveoftheViolachildrenbeingadmittedtothehouse。Shemadethisfeelingclearbytheindifferenttoneinwhichsheinquiredwhethertheirmotherwasdeadyet。Astothesenora，shemustbeasleep。EversinceshehadgoneintoherroomafterseeingthedepartureofDonaAntoniawithherdyingfather，therehadbeennosoundbehindherdoor。

Thedoctor，rousinghimselfoutofprofoundreflection，toldherabruptlytocallhermistressatonce。HehobbledofftowaitforMrsGouldinthesala。Hewasverytired，buttooexcitedtositdown。Inthisgreatdrawing-room，nowempty，inwhichhiswitheredsoulhadbeenrefreshedaftermanyaridyearsandhisoutcastspirithadacceptedsilentlythetolerationofmanyside-glances，hewanderedhaphazardamongstthechairsandtablestillMrsGould，envelopedinamorningwrapper，cameinrapidly。

`YouknowthatIneverapprovedofthesilverbeingsentaway，\'thedoctorbeganatonce，asapreliminarytothenarrativeofhisnight\'sadventuresinassociationwithCaptainMitchell，theengineer-in-chief，andoldViola，atSotillo\'shead-quarters。Tothedoctor，withhisspecialconceptionofthispoliticalcrisis，theremovalofthesilverhadseemedanirrationalandill-omenedmeasure。Itwasasifageneralweresendingthebestpartofhistroopsawayontheeveofbattleuponsomereconditepretext。ThewholelotofingotsmighthavebeenconcealedsomewherewheretheycouldhavebeengotatforthepurposeofstavingoffthedangerswhichweremenacingthesecurityoftheGouldConcession。TheAdministradorhadactedasiftheimmenseandpowerfulprosperityoftheminehadbeenfoundedonmethodsofprobity，onthesenseofusefulness。Anditwasnothingofthekind。Themethodfollowedhadbeentheonlyonepossible。TheGouldConcessionhadransomeditswaythroughallthoseyears。Itwasanauseousprocess。HequiteunderstoodthatCharlesGouldhadgotsickofitandhadlefttheoldpathtobackupthathopelessattemptatreform。ThedoctordidnotbelieveinthereformofCostaguana。Andnowtheminewasbackagaininitsoldpath，withthedisadvantagethathenceforthithadtodealnotonlywiththegreedprovokedbyitswealth，butwiththeresentmentawakenedbytheattempttofreeitselffromitsbondagetomoralcorruption。

Thatwasthepenaltyoffailure。WhatmadehimuneasywasthatCharlesGouldseemedtohimtohaveweakenedatthedecisivemomentwhenafrankreturntotheoldmethodswastheonlychance。ListeningtoDecoud\'swildschemehadbeenaweakness。

Thedoctorflunguphisarms，exclaiming，`Decoud！Decoud！\'Hehobbledabouttheroomwithslight，angrylaughs。ManyyearsagobothhisankleshadbeenseriouslydamagedinthecourseofacertaininvestigationconductedinthecastleofStaMartabyacommissioncomposedofmilitarymen。Theirnominationhadbeensignifiedtothemunexpectedlyatthedeadofnight，withscowlingbrow，flashingeyes，andinatempestuousvoice，byGuzmanBento。Theoldtyrant，maddenedbyoneofhissuddenaccessesofsuspicion，mingledsplutteringappealstotheirfidelitywithimprecationsandhorriblemenaces。Thecellsandcasementsofthecastleonthehillhadbeenalreadyfilledwithprisoners。ThecommissionwaschargednowwiththetaskofdiscoveringtheiniquitousconspiracyagainsttheCitizen-Saviourofhiscountry。

Thedreadoftheravingtyranttranslateditselfintoahastyferocityofprocedure。TheCitizen-Saviourwasnotaccustomedtowait。Aconspiracyhadtobediscovered。Thecourtyardsofthecastleresoundedwiththeclankingofleg-irons，soundsofblows，yellsofpain；andthecommissionofhighofficerslabouredfeverishly，concealingtheirdistressandapprehensionsfromeachother，andespeciallyfromtheirsecretary，FatherBeron，anarmychaplain，atthattimeverymuchintheconfidenceoftheCitizen-Saviour。

Thatpriestwasabiground-shoulderedman，withanunclean-looking，overgrowntonsureonthetopofhisflathead，ofadingy，yellowcomplexion，softlyfat，withgreasystainsalldownthefrontofhislieutenant\'suniform，andasmallcrossembroideredinwhitecottononhisleftbreast。Hehadaheavynoseandapendantlip。DrMonyghamrememberedhimstill。Herememberedhimagainstalltheforceofhiswillstrivingitsutmosttoforget。FatherBeronhadbeenadjoinedtothecommissionbyGuzmanBentoexpresslyforthepurposethathisenlightenedzealshouldassistthemintheirlabours。

DrMonyghamcouldbynomannerofmeansforgetthezealofFatherBeron，orhisface，orthepitiless，monotonousvoiceinwhichhepronouncedthewords，`Willyouconfessnow?\'

Thememorydidnotmakehimshudder，butithadmadeofhimwhathewasintheeyesofrespectablepeople，amancarelessofcommondecencies，somethingbetweenaclevervagabondandadisreputabledoctor。ButnotallrespectablepeoplewouldhavehadthenecessarydelicacyofsentimenttounderstandwithwhattroubleofmindandaccuracyofvisionDrMonygham，medicalofficeroftheSanTomemine，rememberedFatherBeron，armychaplain，andonceasecretaryofamilitarycommission。AfteralltheseyearsDrMonygham，inhisroomsattheendofthehospitalbuildingintheSanTomegorge，rememberedFatherBeronasdistinctlyasever。Herememberedthatpriestatnight，sometimes，inhissleep。Onsuchnightsthedoctorwaitedfordaylightwithacandlelighted，andwalkingthewholelengthofhisroomstoandfro，staringdownathisbarefeet，hisarmshugginghissidestightly。HewoulddreamofFatherBeronsittingattheendofalongblacktable，behindwhich，inarow，appearedtheheads，shoulders，andepaulettesofthemilitarymembers，nibblingthefeatherofaquillpen，andlisteningwithwearyandimpatientscorntotheprotestationsofsomeprisonercallingheaventowitnessofhisinnocence，tillheburstout，`What\'stheuseofwastingtimeoverthatmiserablenonsense！Letmetakehimoutsideforawhile。\'AndFatherBeronwouldgooutsideaftertheclankingprisoner，ledawaybetweentwosoldiers。Suchinterludeshappenedonmanydays，manytimes，withmanyprisoners。Whentheprisonerreturnedhewasreadytomakeafullconfession，FatherBeronwoulddeclare，leaningforwardwiththatdull，surfeitedlookwhichcanbeseenintheeyesofgluttonouspersonsafteraheavymeal。

Thepriest\'sinquisitorialinstinctssufferedbutlittlefromthewantofclassicalapparatusoftheInquisition。Atnotimeoftheworld\'shistoryhavemenbeenatalosshowtoinflictmentalandbodilyanguishupontheirfellow-creatures。Thisaptitudecametotheminthegrowingcomplexityoftheirpassionsandtheearlyrefinementoftheiringenuity。Butitmaysafelybesaidthatprimevalmandidnotgotothetroubleofinventingtortures。Hewasindolentandpureofheart。Hebrainedhisneighbourferociouslywithastoneaxefromnecessityandwithoutmalice。Thestupidestmindmayinventaranklingphraseorbrandtheinnocentwithacruelaspersion。

Apieceofstringandaramrod；afewmusketsincombinationwithalengthofhiderope；orevenasimplemalletofheavy，hardwoodappliedwithaswingtohumanfingersortothejointsofahumanbodyisenoughfortheinflictionofthemostexquisitetorture。Thedoctorhadbeenaverystubbornprisoner，and，asanaturalconsequenceofthat`baddisposition\'

(soFatherBeroncalledit)，hissubjugationhadbeenverycrushingandverycomplete。Thatiswhythelimpinhiswalk，thetwistofhisshoulders，thescarsonhischeeksweresopronounced。Hisconfessions，whentheycameatlast，wereverycomplete，too。Sometimesonthenightswhenhewalkedthefloor，hewondered，grindinghisteethwithshameandrage，atthefertilityofhisimaginationwhenstimulatedbyasortofpainwhichmakestruth，honour，self-respect，andlifeitselfmattersoflittlemoment。

AndhecouldnotforgetFatherBeronwithhismonotonousphrase，`Willyouconfessnow?\'reachinghiminanawfuliterationandlucidityofmeaningthroughthedeliriousincoherenceofunbearablepain。Hecouldnotforget。

Butthatwasnottheworst。HadhemetFatherBeroninthestreetafteralltheseyearsDrMonyghamwassurehewouldhavequailedbeforehim。

Thiscontingencywasnottobefearednow。FatherBeronwasdead；butthesickeningcertitudepreventedDrMonyghamfromlookinganybodyintheface。

DrMonyghamhadbecome，inamanner，theslaveofaghost。ItwasobviouslyimpossibletotakehisknowledgeofFatherBeronhometoEurope。WhenmakinghisextortedconfessionstotheMilitaryBoard，DrMonyghamwasnotseekingtoavoiddeath。Helongedforit。Sittinghalf-nakedforhoursonthewetearthofhisprison，andsomotionlessthatthespiders，hiscompanions，attachedtheirwebstohismattedhair，heconsoledthemiseryofhissoulwithacutereasoningsthathehadconfessedtocrimesenoughforasentenceofdeath——thattheyhadgonetoofarwithhimtolethimlivetotellthetale。

But，asifbyarefinementofcruelty，DrMonyghamwasleftformonthstodecayslowlyinthedarknessofhisgrave-likeprison。Itwasnodoubthopedthatitwouldfinishhimoffwithoutthetroubleofanexecution；

butDrMonyghamhadanironconstitution。ItwasGuzmanBentowhodied，notbytheknifethrustofaconspirator，butfromastrokeofapoplexy，andDrMonyghamwasliberatedhastily。Hisfetterswerestruckoffbythelightofacandle，which，aftermonthsofgloom，hurthiseyessomuchthathehadtocoverhisfacewithhishands。Hewasraisedup。Hisheartwasbeatingviolentlywiththefearofthisliberty。Whenhetriedtowalktheextraordinarylightnessofhisfeetmadehimgiddy，andhefelldown。

Twostickswerethrustintohishands，andhewaspushedoutofthepassage。

Itwasdusk；candlesglimmeredalreadyinthewindowsoftheofficers\'

quartersroundthecourtyard；butthetwilightskydazedhimbyitsenormousandoverwhelmingbrilliance。Athinponchohungoverhisnaked，bonyshoulders；

theragsofhistrouserscamedownnolowerthanhisknees；aneighteenmonths\'growthofhairfellindirtygreylocksoneachsideofhissharpcheek-bones。Ashedraggedhimselfpasttheguard-roomdoor，oneofthesoldiers，lollingoutside，movedbysomeobscureimpulse，leapedforwardwithastrangelaughandrammedabrokenoldstrawhatonhishead。AndDrMonygham，afterhavingtottered，continuedonhisway。Headvancedonestick，thenonemaimedfoot，thentheotherstick；theotherfootfollowedonlyaveryshortdistancealongtheground，toilfully，asthoughitwerealmosttooheavytobemovedatall；andyethislegsunderthehanginganglesoftheponchoappearednothickerthanthetwosticksinhishands。

Aceaselesstremblingagitatedhisbentbody，allhiswastedlimbs，hisbonyhead，theconicalraggedcrownofthesombrero，whosesampleflatrimrestedonhisshoulders。

InsuchconditionsofmannerandattiredidDrMonyghamgoforthtotakepossessionofhisliberty。AndtheseconditionsseemedtobindhimindissolublytothelandofCostaguanalikeanawfulprocedureofnaturalization，involvinghimdeepinthenationallife，fardeeperthananyamountofsuccessandhonourcouldhavedone。TheydidawaywithhisEuropeanism；

forDrMonyghamhadmadehimselfanidealconceptionofhisdisgrace。Itwasaconceptioneminentlyfitandproperforanofficerandagentleman。

DrMonygham，beforehewentouttoCostaguana，hadbeensurgeoninoneofherMajesty\'sregimentsoffoot。Itwasaconceptionwhichtooknoaccountofphysiologicalfactsorreasonablearguments；butitwasnotstupidforallthat。Itwassimple。Aruleofconductrestingmainlyonsevererejectionsisnecessarilysimple。DrMonygham\'sviewofwhatitbehovedhimtodowassevere；itwasanidealview，insomuchthatitwastheimaginativeexaggerationofacorrectfeeling。Itwasalso，initsforce，influence，andpersistency，theviewofaneminentlyloyalnature。

TherewasagreatfundofloyaltyinDrMonygham\'snature。HehadsettleditallonMrsGould\'shead。Hebelievedherworthyofeverydevotion。AtthebottomofhishearthefeltanangryuneasinessbeforetheprosperityoftheSanTomemine，becauseitsgrowthwasrobbingherofallpeaceofmind。Costaguanawasnoplaceforawomanofthatkind。WhatcouldCharlesGouldhavebeenthinkingofwhenhebroughtheroutthere！Itwasoutrageous！

Andthedoctorhadwatchedthecourseofeventswithagrimanddistantreservewhich，heimagined，hislamentablehistoryimposeduponhim。

LoyaltytoMrsGouldcouldnot，however，leaveoutofaccountthesafetyofherhusband。ThedoctorhadcontrivedtobeintownatthecriticaltimebecausehemistrustedCharlesGould。Heconsideredhimhopelesslyinfectedwiththemadnessofrevolutions。Thatiswhyhehobbledindistressinthedrawing-roomoftheCasaGouldonthatmorning，exclaiming，`Decoud，Decoud！\'inatoneofmournfulirritation。

MrsGould，hercolourheightened，andwithglisteningeyes，lookedstraightbeforeheratthesuddenenormityofthatdisaster。Thefinger-tipsononehandrestedlightlyonalowlittletablebyherside，andthearmtrembledrightuptotheshoulder。Thesun，whichlookslateuponSulaco，issuinginallthefullnessofitspowerhighupontheskyfrombehindthedazzlingsnow-edgeofHiguerota，hadprecipitatedthedelicate，smooth，pearlygreynessoflight，inwhichthetownliessteepedduringtheearlyhours，intosharp-cutmassesofblackshadeandspacesofhot，blindingglare。Threelongrectanglesofsunshinefellthroughthewindowsofthesala；whilejustacrossthestreetthefrontoftheAvellanos\'shouseappearedverysombreinitsownshadowseenthroughthefloodoflight。

Avoicesaidatthedoor，`WhatofDecoud?\'

ItwasCharlesGould。Theyhadnotheardhimcomingalongthecorridor。

Hisglancejustglidedoverhiswifeandstruckfullatthedoctor。

`Youhavebroughtsomenews，doctor?\'

DrMonyghamblurteditallatonce，intherough。Forsometimeafterhehaddone，theAdministradoroftheSanTomemineremainedlookingathimwithoutaword。MrsGouldsankintoalowchairwithherhandslyingonherlap。Asilencereignedbetweenthosethreemotionlesspersons。ThenCharlesGouldspoke:

`Youmustwantsomebreakfast。\'

Hestoodasidetolethiswifepassfirst。Shecaughtupherhusband\'shandandpresseditasshewentout，raisingthehandkerchieftohereyes。

ThesightofherhusbandhadbroughtAntonia\'spositiontohermind，andshecouldnotcontainhertearsatthethoughtofthepoorgirl。Whensherejoinedthetwomeninthedining-roomafterhavingbathedherface，CharlesGouldwassayingtothedoctoracrossthetable:

`No，theredoesnotseemanyroomfordoubt。\'

Andthedoctorassented。

`No，Idon\'tseemyselfhowwecouldquestionthatwretchedHirsch\'stale。It\'sonlytootrue，Ifear。\'

Shesatdowndesolatelyattheheadofthetableandlookedfromonetotheother。Thetwomen，withoutabsolutelyturningtheirheadsaway，triedtoavoidherglance。Thedoctorevenmadeashowofbeinghungry；

heseizedhisknifeandfork，andbegantoeatwithemphasis，asifonthestage。CharlesGouldmadenopretenceofthesort；withhiselbowsraisedsquarely，hetwistedbothendsofhisflamingmoustaches——theyweresolongthathishandswerequiteawayfromhisface。

`Iamnotsurprised，\'hemuttered，abandoninghismoustachesandthrowingonearmoverthebackofhischair。Hisfacewascalmwiththatimmobilityofexpressionwhichbetraystheintensityofamentalstruggle。Hefeltthatthisaccidenthadbroughttoapointalltheconsequencesinvolvedinhislineofconduct，withitsconsciousandsubconsciousintentions。

Theremustbeanendnowofthissilentreserve，ofthatairofimpenetrabilitybehindwhichhehadbeensafeguardinghisdignity。Itwastheleastignobleformofdissemblingforceduponhimbythatparodyofcivilizedinstitutionswhichoffendedhisintelligence，hisuprightness，andhissenseofright。

Hewaslikehisfather。Hehadnoironiceye。Hewasnotamusedattheabsurditiesthatprevailinthisworld。Theyhurthiminhisinnategravity。

HefeltthatthemiserabledeathofthatpoorDecoudtookfromhimhisinaccessiblepositionofaforceinthebackground。Itcommittedhimopenlyunlesshewishedtothrowupthegame——andthatwasimpossible。Thematerialinterestsrequiredfromhimthesacrificeofhisaloofness——perhapshisownsafetytoo。AndhereflectedthatDecoud\'sseparationistplanhadnotgonetothebottomwiththelostsilver。

TheonlythingthatwasnotchangedwashispositiontowardsMrHolroyd。

TheheadofsilverandsteelinterestshadenteredintoCostaguanaaffairswithasortofpassion。Costaguanahadbecomenecessarytohisexistence；

intheSanTomeminehehadfoundtheimaginativesatisfactionwhichothermindswouldgetfromdrama，fromart，orfromariskyandfascinatingsport。

Itwasaspecialformofthegreatman\'sextravagance，sanctionedbyamoralintention，bigenoughtoflatterhisvanity。Eveninthisaberrationofhisgeniusheservedtheprogressoftheworld。CharlesGouldfeltsureofbeingunderstoodwithprecisionandjudgedwiththeindulgenceoftheircommonpassion。Nothingnowcouldsurpriseorstartlethisgreatman。AndCharlesGouldimaginedhimselfwritingalettertoSanFranciscoinsomesuchwords:`……Themenattheheadofthemovementaredeadorhavefled；thecivilorganizationoftheprovinceisatanendforthepresent；

theBlancopartyinSulacohascollapsedinexcusably，butinthecharacteristicmannerofthiscountry。ButBarrios，untouchedinCayta，remainsstillavailable。IamforcedtotakeupopenlytheplanofaprovincialrevolutionastheonlywayofplacingtheenormousmaterialinterestsinvolvedintheprosperityandpeaceofSulacoinapositionofpermanentsafety……\'Thatwasclear。Hesawthesewordsasifwritteninlettersoffireuponthewallatwhichhewasgazingabstractedly。

MrsGouldwatchedhisabstractionwithdread。Itwasadomesticandfrightfulphenomenonthatdarkenedandchilledthehouseforherlikeathunder-cloudpassingoverthesun。CharlesGould\'sfitsofabstractiondepictedtheenergeticconcentrationofawillhauntedbyafixedidea。

Amanhauntedbyafixedideaisinsane。Heisdangerousevenifthatideaisanideaofjustice；formayhenotbringtheheavendownpitilesslyuponalovedhead?TheeyesofMrsGould，watchingherhusband\'sprofile，filledwithtearsagain。AndagainsheseemedtoseethedespairoftheunfortunateAntonia。

`WhatwouldIhavedoneifCharleyhadbeendrownedwhilewewereengaged?\'

sheexclaimed，mentally，withhorror。Herheartturnedtoice，whilehercheeksflamedupasifscorchedbytheblazeofafuneralpyreconsumingallherearthlyaffections。Thetearsburstoutofhereyes。