Idon'tmeantosaythatIbecamethenconsciousofanyimpendingchangeinmymentalityandinmyattitudetowardsthetasksofmywritinglife。

Andperhapstherewasneveranychange，exceptinthatmysterious，extraneousthingwhichhasnothingtodowiththetheoriesofart；asubtlechangeinthenatureoftheinspiration；aphenomenonforwhichIcannotinanywaybeheldresponsible。What，however，didcausemesomeconcernwasthatafterfinishingthelaststoryoftheTyphoonvolumeitseemedsomehowthattherewasnothingmoreintheworldtowriteabout。

Thissostrangelynegativebutdisturbingmoodlastedsomelittletime；

andthen，aswithmanyofmylongerstories，thefirsthintforNostromocametomeintheshapeofavagrantanecdotecompletelydestituteofvaluabledetails。

Asamatteroffactin1875or`76，whenveryyoung，intheWestIndiesorratherintheGulfofMexico，formycontactswithlandwereshort，few，andfleeting，Iheardthestoryofsomemanwhowassupposedtohavestolensingle-handedawholelighterfulofsilver，somewhereontheTierraFirmeseaboardduringthetroublesofarevolution。

Onthefaceofitthiswassomethingofafeat。ButIheardnodetails，andhavingnoparticularinterestincrimequacrimeIwasnotlikelytokeepthatoneinmymind。AndIforgotittilltwenty-sixor-sevenyearsafterwardsIcameupontheverythinginashabbyvolumepickedupoutsideasecond-handbookshop。ItwasthelifestoryofanAmericanseamanwrittenbyhimselfwiththeassistanceofajournalist。InthecourseofhiswanderingsthatAmericansailorworkedforsomemonthsonboardaschooner，themasterandownerofwhichwasthethiefofwhomIhadheardinmyveryyoungdays。IhavenodoubtofthatbecausetherecouldhardlyhavebeentwoexploitsofthatpeculiarkindinthesamepartoftheworldandbothconnectedwithaSouthAmericanrevolution。

Thefellowhadactuallymanagedtostealalighterwithsilver，andthis，itseems，onlybecausehewasimplicitlytrustedbyhisemployers，whomusthavebeensingularlypoorjudgesofcharacter。Inthesailor'sstoryheisrepresentedasanunmitigatedrascal，asmallcheat，stupidlyferocious，morose，ofmeanappearance，andaltogetherunworthyofthegreatnessthisopportunityhadthrustuponhim。Whatwasinterestingwasthathewouldboastofitopenly。

Heusedtosay:`PeoplethinkImakealotofmoneyinthisschoonerofmine。Butthatisnothing。Idon'tcareforthat。NowandthenIgoawayquietlyandliftabarofsilver。Imustgetrichslowly——youunderstand。'

Therewasalsoanothercuriouspointabouttheman。Onceinthecourseofsomequarrelthesailorthreatenedhim:`What'stopreventmereportingashorewhatyouhavetoldmeaboutthatsilver?'

Thecynicalruffianwasnotalarmedintheleast。Heactuallylaughed。

`Youfool，ifyoudaretalklikethatonshoreaboutmeyouwillgetaknifestuckinyourback。Everyman，woman，andchildinthatportismyfriend。Andwho'stoprovethelighterwasn'tsunk?Ididn'tshowyouwherethesilverishidden。DidI?Soyouknownothing。AndsupposeIlied?Eh?'

Ultimatelythesailor，disgustedwiththesordidmeannessofthatimpenitentthief，desertedfromtheschooner。Thewholeepisodetakesaboutthreepagesofhisautobiography。Nothingtospeakof；butasIlookedthemover，thecuriousconfirmationofthefewcasualwordsheardinmyearlyyouthevokedthememoriesofthatdistanttimewheneverythingwassofresh，sosurprising，soventuresome，sointeresting；bitsofstrangecoastsunderthestars，shadowsofhillsinthesunshine，men'spassionsinthedusk，gossiphalf-forgotten，facesgrowndim……Perhaps，perhaps，therestillwasintheworldsomethingtowriteabout。YetIdidnotseeanythingatfirstinthemerestory。Arascalstealsalargeparcelofavaluablecommodity——sopeoplesay。It'seithertrueoruntrue；andinanycaseithasnovalueinitself。Toinventacircumstantialaccountoftherobberydidnotappealtome，becausemytalentsnotrunningthatwayIdidnotthinkthatthegamewasworththecandle。Itwasonlywhenitdawneduponmethatthepurloinerofthetreasureneednotnecessarilybeaconfirmedrogue，thathecouldbeevenamanofcharacter，anactor，andpossiblyavictiminthechangingscenesofarevolution，itwasonlythenthatIhadthefirstvisionofatwilightcountrywhichwastobecometheprovinceofSulaco，withitshighshadowySierraanditsmistyCampoformutewitnessesofeventsflowingfromthepassionsofmenshort-sightedingoodandevil。

SuchareinverytruththeobscureoriginsofNostromo——thebook。Fromthatmoment，Isuppose，ithadtobe。YeteventhenIhesitated，asifwarnedbytheinstinctofself-preservationfromventuringonadistantandtoilsomejourneyintoalandfullofintriguesandrevolutions。Butithadtobedone。

Ittookthebestpartoftheyears1903-4todo；withmanyintervalsofrenewedhesitation，lestIshouldlosemyselfintheever-enlargingvistasopeningbeforemeasIprogresseddeeperinmyknowledgeofthecountry。Often，also，whenIhadthoughtmyselftoastandstilloverthetangled-upaffairsoftheRepublic，Iwould，figurativelyspeaking，packmybag，rushawayfromSulacoforachangeofair，andwriteafewpagesofTheMirroroftheSea。Butgenerally，asI'vesaidbefore，mysojournonthecontinentofLatinAmerica，famedforitshospitality，lastedforabouttwoyears。OnmyreturnIfound(speakingsomewhatinthestyleofCaptainGulliver)myfamilyallwell，mywifeheartilygladtolearnthatthefusswasallover，andoursmallboyconsiderablygrownduringmyabsence。

MyprincipalauthorityforthehistoryofCostaguanais，ofcourse，myveneratedfriend，thelateDonJoseAvellanos，MinistertotheCourtsofEnglandandSpain，etc。，etc。，inhisimpartialandeloquentHistoryofFiftyYearsofMisrule。Thatworkwasneverpublished——thereaderwilldiscoverwhy——andIaminfacttheonlypersonintheworldpossessedofitscontents。Ihavemasteredtheminnotafewhoursofearnestmeditation，Ihopethatmyaccuracywillbetrusted。Injusticetomyself，andtoallaythefearsofprospectivereaders，Ibegtopointoutthatthefewhistoricalallusionsareneverdraggedinforthesakeofparadingmyuniqueerudition，butthateachofthemiscloselyrelatedtoactuality；eitherthrowingalightonthenatureofcurrenteventsoraffectingdirectlythefortunesofthepeopleofwhomIspeak。

AstotheirownhistoriesIhavetriedtosetthemdown，AristocracyandPeople，menandwomen，LatinandAnglo-Saxon，banditandpolitician，withascoolahandaswaspossibleintheheatandclashofmyownconflictingemotions。Andafterallthisisalsothestoryoftheirconflicts。Itisforthereadertosayhowfartheyaredeservingofinterestintheiractionsandinthesecretpurposesoftheirheartsrevealedinthebitternecessitiesofthetime。Iconfessthat，forme，thattimeisthetimeoffirmfriendshipsandunforgottenhospitalities。AndinmygratitudeImustmentionhereMrsGould，`thefirstladyofSulaco'，whomwemaysafelyleavetothesecretdevotionofDrMonygham，andCharlesGould，theIdealist-creatorofMaterialInterestswhomwemustleavetohisMine——fromwhichthereisnoescapeinthisworld。

AboutNostromo，thesecondofthetworaciallyandsociallycontrastedmen，bothcapturedbythesilveroftheSanTomeMine，Ifeelboundtosaysomethingmore。

IdidnothesitatetomakethatcentralfigureanItalian。Firstofallthethingisperfectlycredible:ItalianswereswarmingintotheOccidentalProvinceatthetime，asanybodywhowillreadfurthercansee；andsecondly，therewasnoonewhocouldstandsowellbythesideofGiorgioViola，theGaribaldino，theIdealistoftheold，humanitarianrevolutions。FormyselfIneededthereamanofthePeopleasfreeaspossiblefromhisclass-conventionsandallsettledmodesofthinking。Thisisnotaside-snarlatconventions。Myreasonswerenotmoralbutartistic。HadhebeenanAnglo-Saxonhewouldhavetriedtogetintolocalpolitics。ButNostromodoesnotaspiretobealeaderinapersonalgame。Hedoesnotwanttoraisehimselfabovethemass。Heiscontenttofeelhimselfapower——withinthePeople。

ButmainlyNostromoiswhatheisbecauseIreceivedtheinspirationforhiminmyearlydaysfromaMediterraneansailor。ThosewhohavereadcertainpagesofminewillseeatoncewhatImeanwhenIsaythatDominic，thepadroneoftheTremolino，mightundergivencircumstanceshavebeenaNostromo。AtanyrateDominicwouldhaveunderstoodtheyoungermanperfectly——ifscornfully。HeandIwereengagedtogetherinaratherabsurdadventure，buttheabsurditydoesnotmatter。Itisarealsatisfactiontothinkthatinmyveryyoungdaystheremust，afterall，havebeensomethinginmeworthytocommandthatman'shalf-bitterfidelity，hishalf-ironicdevotion。ManyofNostromo'sspeechesIhaveheardfirstinDominic'svoice。

Hishandonthetillerandhisfearlesseyesroamingthehorizonfromwithinthemonkishhoodshadowinghisface，hewoulduttertheusualexordiumofhisremorselesswisdom:`Vousautresgentilhommes！'inacaustictonethathangsonmyearyet。LikeNostromo！`Youhombresfinos！'

VerymuchlikeNostromo。ButDominictheCorsicannursedacertainprideofancestryfromwhichmyNostromoisfree；forNostromo'slineagehadtobemoreancientstill。Heisamanwiththeweightofcountlessgenerationsbehindhimandnoparentagetoboastof……LikethePeople。

Inhisfirmgripontheearthheinherits，inhisimprovidenceandgenerosity，inhislavishnesswithhisgifts，inhismanlyvanity，intheobscuresenseofhisgreatness，andinhisfaithfuldevotionwithsomethingdespairingaswellasdesperateinitsimpulses，heisaManofthePeople，theirveryownunenviousforce，disdainingtoleadbutrulingfromwithin。Yearsafterwards，grownolderasthefamousCaptainFidanza，withastakeinthecountry，goingabouthismanyaffairsfollowedbyrespectfulglancesinthemodernizedstreetsofSulaco，callingonthewidowofthecargador，attendingtheLodge，listeninginunmovedsilencetoanarchistspeechesatthemeeting，theenigmaticalpatronofthenewrevolutionaryagitation，thetrusted，thewealthycomradeFidanzawiththeknowledgeofhismoralruinlockedupinhisbreast，heremainsessentiallyamanofthePeople。

Inhismingled，loveandscornoflifeandinthebewilderedconvictionofhavingbeenbetrayed，ofdyingbetrayedhehardlyknowsbywhatorbywhom，heisstillofthePeople，theirundoubtedGreatMan——withaprivatehistoryofhisown。

OnemorefigureofthosestirringtimesIwouldliketomention:andthatisAntoniaAvellanos——the`beautifulAntonia'。WhethersheisapossiblevariationofLatin-AmericangirlhoodIwouldn'tdaretoaffirm。But，forme，sheis。Alwaysalittleinthebackgroundbythesideofherfather(myveneratedfriend)IhopeshehasyetreliefenoughtomakeintelligiblewhatIamgoingtosay。OfallthepeoplewhohadseenwithmethebirthoftheOccidentalRepublic，sheistheonlyonewhohaskeptinmymemorytheaspectofcontinuedlife。AntoniatheAristocratandNostromotheManofthePeoplearetheartisansoftheNewEra，thetruecreatorsoftheNewState；hebyhislegendaryanddaringfeat，she，likeawoman，simplybytheforceofwhatsheis:theonlybeingcapableofinspiringasincerepassionintheheartofatrifler。

IfanythingcouldinducemetorevisitSulaco(Ishouldhatetoseeallthesechanges)itwouldbeAntonia。Andthetruereasonforthat——whynotbefrankaboutit?——thetruereasonisthatIhavemodelledheronmyfirstlove。Howwe，abandoftallishschoolboys，thechumsofhertwobrothers，howweusedtolookuptothatgirljustoutoftheschoolroomherself，asthestandard-bearerofafaithtowhichweallwerebornbutwhichshealoneknewhowtoholdaloftwithanunflinchinghope！ShehadperhapsmoreglowandlessserenityinhersoulthanAntonia，butshewasanuncompromisingPuritanofpatriotismwithnotaintoftheslightestworldlinessinherthoughts。Iwasnottheonlyoneinlovewithher；butitwasIwhohadtohearoftenestherscathingcriticismofmylevities——verymuchlikepoorDecoud——orstandthebruntofheraustere，unanswerableinvective。Shedidnotquiteunderstand——butnevermind。ThatafternoonwhenIcamein，ashrinkingyetdefiantsinner，tosaythefinalgood-byeIreceivedahand-squeezethatmademyheartleapandsawatearthattookmybreathaway。Shewassoftenedatthelastasthoughshehadsuddenlyperceived(weweresuchchildrenstill！)thatIwasreallygoingawayforgood，goingveryfaraway——evenasfarasSulaco，lyingunknown，hiddenfromoureyesinthedarknessofthePlacidGulf。

That'swhyIlongsometimesforanotherglimpseofthe`beautifulAntonia'

(orcanitbetheOther?)movinginthedimnessofthegreatcathedral，sayingashortprayeratthetombofthefirstandlastCardinal-ArchbishopofSulaco，standingabsorbedinfilialdevotionbeforethemonumentofDonJoseAvellanos，and，withalingering，tender，faithfulglanceatthemedallion-memorialtoMartinDecoud，goingoutserenelyintothesunshineofthePlazawithheruprightcarriageandherwhitehead；arelicofthepastdisregardedbymenawaitingimpatientlytheDawnsofotherNewEras，thecomingofmoreRevolutions。

Butthisistheidlestofdreams；forIdidunderstandperfectlywellatthetimethatthemomentthebreathleftthebodyoftheMagnificentCapataz，theManofthePeople，freedatlastfromthetoilsofloveandwealth，therewasnothingmoreformetodoinSulaco。

October1917

J。C。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter1PARTONE

THESILVEROFTHEMINE1InthetimeofSpanishrule，andformanyyearsafterwards，thetownofSulaco——theluxuriantbeautyoftheorangegardensbearswitnesstoitsantiquity——hadneverbeencommerciallyanythingmoreimportantthanacoastingportwithafairlylargelocaltradeinox-hidesandindigo。Theclumsydeep-seagalleonsoftheconquerorsthat，needingabriskgaletomoveatall，wouldliebecalmed，whereyourmodernshipbuiltonclipperlinesforgesaheadbythemereflappingofhersails，hadbeenbarredoutofSulacobytheprevailingcalmsofitsvastgulf。Someharboursoftheeartharemadedifficultofaccessbythetreacheryofsunkenrocksandthetempestsoftheirshores。SulacohadfoundaninviolablesanctuaryfromthetemptationsofatradingworldinthesolemnhushofthedeepGolfoPlacidoasifwithinanenormoussemi-circularandunroofedtempleopentotheocean，withitswallsofloftymountainshungwiththemourningdraperiesofcloud。

OnonesideofthisbroadcurveinthestraightseaboardoftheRepublicofCostaguana，thelastspurofthecoastrangeformsaninsignificantcapewhosenameisPuntaMala。Fromthemiddleofthegulfthepointofthelanditselfisnotvisibleatall；buttheshoulderofasteephillatthebackcanbemadeoutfaintlylikeashadowonthesky。

Ontheotherside，whatseemstobeanisolatedpatchofbluemistfloatslightlyontheglareofthehorizon。ThisisthepeninsulaofAzuera，awildchaosofsharprocksandstonylevelscutaboutbyverticalravines。

Itliesfarouttosealikearoughheadofstonestretchedfromagreen-cladcoastattheendofaslenderneckofsandcoveredwiththicketsofthornyscrub。Utterlywaterless，fortherainfallrunsoffatonceonallsidesintothesea，ithasnotsoilenough——itissaid——togrowasinglebladeofgrass，asifitwereblightedbyacurse。Thepoor，associatingbyanobscureinstinctofconsolationtheideasofevilandwealth，willtellyouthatitisdeadlybecauseofitsforbiddentreasures。Thecommonfolkoftheneighbourhood，peonsoftheestancias，vaquerosoftheseaboardplains，tameIndianscomingmilestomarketwithabundleofsugar-caneorabasketofmaizeworthaboutthreepence，arewellawarethatheapsofshininggoldlieinthegloomofthedeepprecipicescleavingthestonylevelsofAzuera。Traditionhasitthatmanyadventurersofoldentimehadperishedinthesearch。Thestorygoesalsothatwithinmen'smemorytwowanderingsailors——Americanos，perhaps，butgringosofsomesortforcertain——talkedoveragambling，good-for-nothingmozo，andthethreestoleadonkeytocarryforthemabundleofdrysticks，awater-skin，andprovisionsenoughtolastafewdays。Thusaccompanied，andwithrevolversattheirbelts，theyhadstartedtochoptheirwaywithmachetesthroughthethornyscrubontheneckofthepeninsula。

Onthesecondeveninganuprightspiralofsmoke(itcouldonlyhavebeenfromtheircamp-fire)wasseenforthefirsttimewithinmemoryofmanstandingupfaintlyupontheskyabovearazor-backedridgeonthestonyhead。Thecrewofacoastingschooner，lyingbecalmedthreemilesofftheshore，staredatitwithamazementtilldark。ANegrofisherman，livinginalonelyhutinalittlebaynearby，hadseenthestartandwasonthelookoutforsomesign。Hecalledtohiswifejustasthesunwasabouttoset。Theyhadwatchedthestrangeportentwithenvy，incredulity，andawe。

Theimpiousadventurersgavenoothersign。Thesailors，theIndian，andthestolenburrowereneverseenagain。Astothemozo，aSulacoman——hiswifepaidforsomeMasses，andthepoorfour-footedbeast，beingwithoutsin，hadbeenprobablypermittedtodie；butthetwogringos，spectralandalive，arebelievedtobedwellingtothisdayamongsttherocks，underthefatalspelloftheirsuccess。Theirsoulscannottearthemselvesawayfromtheirbodiesmountingguardoverthediscoveredtreasure。Theyarenowrichandhungryandthirsty——astrangetheoryoftenaciousgringoghostssufferingintheirstarvedandparchedfleshofdefiantheretics，whereaChristianwouldhaverenouncedandbeenreleased。

These，then，arethelegendaryinhabitantsofAzueraguardingitsforbiddenwealth；andtheshadowontheskyononeside，withtheroundpatchofbluehazeblurringthebrightskirtofthehorizonontheother，markthetwooutermostpointsofthebendwhichbearsthenameofGolfoPlacido，becauseneverastrongwindhadbeenknowntoblowuponitswaters。

OncrossingtheimaginarylinedrawnfromPuntaMalatoAzueratheshipsfromEuropeboundtoSulacoloseatoncethestrongbreezesoftheocean。

Theybecomethepreyofcapriciousairsthatplaywiththemforthirtyhoursatastretchsometimes。Beforethemtheheadofthecalmgulfisfilledonmostdaysoftheyearbyagreatbodyofmotionlessandopaqueclouds。Ontherareclearmorningsanothershadowiscastuponthesweepofthegulf。ThedawnbreakshighbehindthetoweringandserratedwalloftheCordillera，aclear-cutvisionofdarkpeaksrearingtheirsteepslopesonaloftypedestalofforestrisingfromtheveryedgeoftheshore。

AmongstthemthewhiteheadofHiguerotarisesmajesticallyupontheblue。

Bareclustersofenormousrockssprinklewithtinyblackdotsthesmoothdomeofsnow。

Then，asthemiddaysunwithdrawsfromthegulftheshadowofthemountains，thecloudsbegintorolloutofthelowervalleys。Theyswatheinsombretattersthenakedcragsofprecipicesabovethewoodedslopes，hidethepeaks，smokeinstormytrailsacrossthesnowsofHiguerota。TheCordilleraisgonefromyouasifithaddissolveditselfintogreatpilesofgreyandblackvapoursthattraveloutslowlytoseawardandvanishintothinairallalongthefrontbeforetheblazingheatoftheday。Thewastingedgeofthecloud-bankalwaysstrivesfor，butseldomwins，themiddleofthegulf。Thesun——asthesailorssay——iseatingitup。UnlessperchanceasombrethunderheadbreaksawayfromthemainbodytocareeralloverthegulftillitescapesintotheoffingbeyondAzuera，whereitburstssuddenlyintoflameandcrasheslikeasinisterpirate-shipoftheair，hove-toabovethehorizon，engagingthesea。

Atnightthebodyofcloudsadvancinghigheruptheskysmothersthewholequietgulfbelowwithanimpenetrabledarkness，inwhichthesoundofthefallingshowerscanbeheardbeginningandceasingabruptly——nowhere，nowthere。Indeed，thesecloudynightsareproverbialwiththeseamenalongthewholewestcoastofagreatcontinent。Sky，land，andseadisappeartogetheroutoftheworldwhenthePlacido——asthesayingis——goestosleepunderitsblackponcho。Thefewstarsleftbelowtheseawardfrownofthevaultshinefeeblyasintothemouthofablackcavern。Initsvastnessyourshipfloatsunseenunderyourfeet，hersailsflutterinvisibleaboveyourhead。TheeyeofGodHimself——theyaddwithgrimprofanity——couldnotfindoutwhatworkaman'shandisdoinginthere；andyouwouldbefreetocallthedeviltoyouraidwithimpunityifevenhismalicewerenotdefeatedbysuchablinddarkness。

Theshoresonthegulfaresteep-toallround；threeuninhabitedisletsbaskinginthesunshinejustoutsidethecloudveil，andoppositetheentrancetotheharbourofSulaco，bearthenameof`TheIsabels'。

ThereistheGreatIsabel；theLittleIsabel，whichisround；andHermosa，whichisthesmallest。

Thatlastisnomorethanafoothigh，andaboutsevenpacesacross，amereflattopofagreyrockwhichsmokeslikeahotcinderafterashower，andwherenomanwouldcaretoventureanakedsolebeforesunset。OntheLittleIsabelanoldraggedpalmwithathickbulgingtrunkroughwithspines，averywitchamongstpalmtrees，rustlesadismalbunchofdeadleavesabovethecoarsesand。TheGreatIsabelhasaspringoffreshwaterissuingfromtheovergrownsideofaravine。Resemblinganemeraldgreenwedgeoflandamilelong，andlaidflatuponthesea，itbearstwoforesttreesstandingclosetogether，withawidespreadofshadeatthefootoftheirsmoothtrunks。Aravineextendingthewholelengthoftheislandisfullofbushes；andpresentingadeeptangledcleftonthehighsidespreadsitselfoutontheotherintoashallowdepressionabuttingonasmallstripofsandyshore。

FromthatlowendoftheGreatIsabeltheeyeplungesthroughanopeningtwomilesaway，asabruptasifchoppedwithanaxeoutoftheregularsweepofthecoast，rightintotheharbourofSulaco。Itisanoblong，lake-likepieceofwater。OnonesidetheshortwoodedspursandvalleysoftheCordilleracomedownatrightanglestotheverystrand；ontheothertheopenviewofthegreatSulacoplainpassesintotheopalmysteryofgreatdistancesoverhungbydryhaze。ThetownofSulacoitself——topsofwalls，agreatcupola，gleamsofwhitemiradorsinavastgroveoforangetrees——liesbetweenthemountainsandtheplain，atsomelittledistancefromitsharbourandoutofthedirectlineofsightfromthesea。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter22Theonlysignofcommercialactivitywithintheharbour，visiblefromthebeachoftheGreatIsabel，isthesquarebluntendofthewoodenjettywhichtheOceanicSteamNavigationCompany(theO。S。N。offamiliarspeech)

hadthrownovertheshallowpartofthebaysoonaftertheyhadresolvedtomakeofSulacooneoftheirportsofcallfortheRepublicofCostaguana。

TheStatepossessesseveralharboursonitslongseaboard，butexceptCayta，animportantplace，allareeithersmallandinconvenientinletsinaniron-boundcoast——likeEsmeralda，forinstance，sixtymilestothesouth——orelsemereopenroadsteadsexposedtothewindsandfrettedbythesurf。

PerhapstheveryatmosphericconditionswhichhadkeptawaythemerchantfleetsofbygoneagesinducedtheO。S。N。CompanytoviolatethesanctuaryofpeaceshelteringthecalmexistenceofSulaco。ThevariableairssportinglightlywiththevastsemicircleofwaterswithintheheadofAzueracouldnotbafflethesteampoweroftheirexcellentfleet。Yearafteryeartheblackhullsoftheirshipshadgoneupanddownthecoast，inandout，pastAzuera，pasttheIsabels，pastPuntaMala——disregardingeverythingbutthetyrannyoftime。Theirnames，thenamesofallmythology，becamethehouseholdwordsofacoastthathadneverbeenruledbythegodsofOlympus。TheJunowasknownonlyforhercomfortablecabinsamidships，theSaturnforthegenialityofhercaptainandthepaintedandgiltluxuriousnessofhersaloon，whereastheGanymedewasfittedoutmainlyforcattletransport，andtobeavoidedbycoastwisepassengers。

ThehumblestIndianintheobscuristvillageonthecoastwasfamiliarwiththeCerberus，alittleblackpufferwithoutcharmorlivingaccommodationtospeakof，whosemissionwastocreepinshorealongthewoodedbeachesclosetomightyuglyrocks，stoppingobliginglybeforeeveryclusterofhutstocollectproduce，downtothree-poundparcelsofindiarubberboundinawrapperofdrygrass。

Andastheyseldomfailedtoaccountforthesmallestpackage，rarelylostabullock，andhadneverdrownedasinglepassenger，thenameoftheO。S。N。stoodveryhighfortrustworthiness。PeopledeclaredthatundertheCompany'scaretheirlivesandpropertyweresaferonthewaterthanintheirownhousesonshore。

TheO。S。N。'ssuperintendentinSulacoforthewholeCostaguanasectionoftheservicewasveryproudofhisCompany'sstanding。Heresumeditinasayingwhichwasveryoftenonhislips，`Wenevermakemistakes。'

TotheCompany'sofficersittooktheformofasevereinjunction，`Wemustmakenomistakes。I'llhavenomistakeshere，nomatterwhatSmithmaydoathisend。'

Smith，onwhomhehadneverseteyesinhislife，wastheothersuperintendentoftheservice，quarteredsomefifteenhundredmilesawayfromSulaco。

`Don'ttalktomeofyourSmith。'

Then，calmingdownsuddenly，hewoulddismissthesubjectwithstudiednegligence。

`Smithknowsnomoreofthiscontinentthanababy。'

`OurexcellentSenorMitchell'forthebusinessandofficialworldofSulaco；`FussyJoe'forthecommandersoftheCompany'sships，CaptainJosephMitchellpridedhimselfonhisprofoundknowledgeofmenandthingsinthecountry——cosasdeCostaguana。AmongsttheselastheaccountedasmostunfavourabletotheorderlyworkingofhisCompanythefrequentchangesofgovernmentbroughtaboutbyrevolutionsofthemilitarytype。

ThepoliticalatmosphereoftheRepublicwasgenerallystormyinthesedays。Thefugitivepatriotsofthedefeatedpartyhadtheknackofturningupagainonthecoastwithhalfasteamer'sloadofsmallarmsandammunition。

SuchresourcefulnessCaptainMitchellconsideredasperfectlywonderfulinviewoftheirutterdestitutionatthetimeofflight。Hehadobservedthat`theyneverseemedtohaveenoughchangeaboutthemtopayfortheirpassageticketoutofthecountry'。Andhecouldspeakwithknowledge；

foronamemorableoccasionhehadbeencalledupontosavethelifeofadictator，togetherwiththelivesofafewSulacoofficials——thepoliticalchief，thedirectorofthecustoms，andtheheadofpolice——belongingtoanoverturnedgovernment。PoorSenorRibiera(suchwasthedictator'sname)hadcomepeltingeightymilesovermountaintracksafterthelostbattleofSocorro，inthehopeofoutdistancingthefatalnews——which，ofcourse，hecouldnotmanagetodoonalamemule。Theanimal，moreover，expiredunderhimattheendoftheAlameda，wherethemilitarybandplayssometimesintheeveningsbetweentherevolutions。`Sir，'CaptainMitchellwouldpursuewithportentousgravity，`theilltimedendofthatmuleattractedattentiontotheunfortunaterider。HisfeatureswererecognizedbyseveraldesertersfromtheDictatorialarmyamongsttherascallymobalreadyengagedinsmashingthewindowsoftheIntendencia。'

EarlyonthemorningofthatdaythelocalauthoritiesofSulacohadfledforrefugetotheO。S。N。Company'soffices，astrongbuildingneartheshoreendofthejetty，leavingthetowntothemerciesofarevolutionaryrabble；andastheDictatorwasexecratedbythepopulaceonaccountofthesevererecruitmentlawhisnecessitieshadcompelledhimtoenforceduringthestruggle，hestoodagoodchanceofbeingtorntopieces。Providentially，Nostromo——invaluablefellow——withsomeItalianworkmen，importedtoworkupontheNationalCentralRailway，wasathand，andmanagedtosnatchhimaway——forthetimeatleast。Ultimately，CaptainMitchellsucceededintakingeverybodyoffinhisowngigtooneoftheCompany'ssteamers——itwastheMinerva——justthen，asluckwouldhaveit，enteringtheharbour。

Hehadtolowerthesegentlemenattheendofaropeoutofaholeinthewallattheback，whilethemobwhich，pouringoutofthetown，hadspreaditselfallalongtheshore，howledandfoamedatthefootofthebuildinginfront。Hehadtohurrythemthenthewholelengthofthejetty；

ithadbeenadesperatedash，neckornothing——andagainitwasNostromo，afellowinathousand，who，atthehead，thistime，oftheCompany'sbodyoflightermen，heldthejettyagainsttherushesoftherabble，thusgivingthefugitivestimetoreachthegiglyingreadyforthemattheotherendwiththeCompany'sflagatthestern。Sticks，stones，shotsflew；knives，too，werethrown。CaptainMitchellexhibitedwillinglythelongcicatriceofacutoverhisleftearandtemple，madebyarazor-bladefastenedtoastick——aweapon，heexplained，verymuchinfavourwiththe`worstkindofniggerouthere'。

CaptainMitchellwasathick，elderlyman，wearinghigh，pointedcollarsandshortside-whiskers，partialtowhitewaistcoats，andreallyverycommunicativeunderhisairofpompousreserve。

`Thesegentlemen，'hewouldsay，staringwithgreatsolemnity，`hadtorunlikerabbits，sir。Iranlikearabbitmyself。Certainformsofdeathare——er——distastefultoa——a——er——respectableman。Theywouldhavepoundedmetodeath，too。Acrazymob，sir，doesnotdiscriminate。

UnderprovidenceweowedourpreservationtomyCapatazdeCargadores，astheycalledhiminthetown，amanwho，whenIdiscoveredhisvalue，sir，wasjustthebos'nofanItalianship，abigGenoeseship，oneofthefewEuropeanshipsthatevercametoSulacowithageneralcargobeforethebuildingoftheNationalCentral。Heleftheronaccountofsomeveryrespectablefriendshemadehere，hisowncountrymen，butalso，Isuppose，tobetterhimself。Sir，Iamaprettygoodjudgeofcharacter。Iengagedhimtobetheforemanofourlightermen，andcaretakerofourjetty。That'sallthathewas。ButwithouthimSenorRibierawouldhavebeenadeadman。

ThisNostromo，sir，amanabsolutelyabovereproach，becametheterrorofallthethievesinthetown。Wewereinfested，infested，overrun，sir，hereatthattimebyladronesandmatreros，thievesandmurderersfromthewholeprovince。OnthisoccasiontheyhadbeenflockingintoSulacoforaweekpast。Theyhadscentedtheend，sir。FiftypercentofthatmurderingmobwereprofessionalbanditsfromtheCampo，sir，buttherewasn'tonethathadn'theardofNostromo。Astothetownleperos，sir，thesightofhisblackwhiskersandwhiteteethwasenoughforthem。

Theyquailedbeforehim，sir。That'swhattheforceofcharacterwilldoforyou。'

ItcouldverywellbesaidthatitwasNostromoalonewhosavedthelivesofthesegentlemen。CaptainMitchell，onhispart，neverleftthemtillhehadseenthemcollapse，panting，terrified，andexasperated，butsafe，ontheluxuriantvelvetsofasinthefirst-classsaloonoftheMinerva。

Totheverylasthehadbeencarefultoaddresstheex-Dictatoras`YourExcellency'。

`Sir，Icoulddonoother。Themanwasdown——ghastly，livid，onemassofscratches。'

TheMinervaneverletgoheranchorthatcall。Thesuperintendentorderedheroutoftheharbouratonce。Nocargocouldbelanded，ofcourse，andthepassengersforSulaconaturallyrefusedtogoashore。Theycouldhearthefiringandseeplainlythefightgoingonattheedgeofthewater。

TherepulsedmobdevoteditsenergiestoanattackupontheCustomHouse，adreary，unfinished-lookingstructurewithmanywindowstwohundredyardsawayfromtheO。S。N。Offices，andtheonlyotherbuildingneartheharbour。

CaptainMitchell，afterdirectingthecommanderoftheMinervatoland`thesegentlemen'inthefirstportofcalloutsideCostaguana，wentbackinhisgigtoseewhatcouldbedonefortheprotectionoftheCompany'sproperty。ThatandthepropertyoftherailwaywerepreservedbytheEuropeanresidents；thatis，byCaptainMitchellhimselfandthestaffofengineersbuildingtheroad，aidedbytheItalianandBasqueworkmenwhoralliedfaithfullyroundtheirEnglishchiefs。TheCompany'slightermen，too，nativesoftheRepublic，behavedverywellundertheirCapataz。Anoutcastlotofverymixedblood，mainlyNegroes，everlastinglyatfeudwiththeothercustomersoflowgrogshopsinthetown，theyembracedwithdelightthisopportunitytosettletheirpersonalscoresundersuchfavourableauspices。

Therewasnotoneofthemthathadnot，atsometimeorother，lookedwithterroratNostromo'srevolverpokedverycloseathisface，orbeenotherwisedauntedbyNostromo'sresolution。Hewas`muchofaman'，theirCapatazwas，theysaid，tooscornfulinhistemperevertoutterabuse，atirelesstaskmaster，andthemoretobefearedbecauseofhisaloofness。Andbehold！

therehewasthatday，attheirhead，condescendingtomakejocularremarkstothismanortheother。

Suchleadershipwasinspiriting，andintruthalltheharmthemobmanagedtoachievewastosetfiretoone——onlyone——stackofrailway-sleepers，which，beingcreosoted，burnedwell。Themainattackontherailwayyards，ontheO。S。N。Offices，andespeciallyontheCustomHouse，whosestrong-room，itwaswellknown，containedalargetreasureinsilveringots，failedcompletely。EventhelittlehotelkeptbyoldGiorgio，standingalonehalf-waybetweentheharbourandthetown，escapedlootinganddestruction，notbyamiracle，butbecausewiththesafesinviewtheyhadneglecteditatfirst，andafterwardsfoundnoleisuretostop。Nostromo，withhiscargadores，waspressingthemtoohardthen。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter33Itmighthavebeensaidthattherehewasonlyprotectinghisown。Fromthefirsthehadbeenadmittedtoliveintheintimacyofthefamilyofthehotel-keeperwhowasacountrymanofhis。OldGiorgioViola，aGenoesewithashaggywhiteleoninehead——oftencalledsimply`theGaribaldino'

(asMohammedansarecalledaftertheirprophet)——was，touseCaptainMitchell'sownwords，the`respectablemarriedfriend'bywhoseadviceNostromohadlefthisshiptotryforarunofshoreluckinCostaguana。

Theoldman，fullofscornforthepopulace，asyouraustererepublicansooftenis，haddisregardedthepreliminarysoundsoftrouble。Hewentonthatdayasusualpotteringaboutthecasainhisslippers，mutteringangrilytohimselfhiscontemptofthenon-politicalnatureoftheriot，andshrugginghisshoulders。Intheendhewastakenunawaresbytheout-rushoftherabble。Itwastoolatethentoremovehisfamily，and，indeed，wherecouldhehaveruntowiththeportlySignoraTeresaandtwolittlegirlsonthatgreatplain?So，barricadingeveryopening，theoldmansatdownsternlyinthemiddleofthedarkenedcafewithanoldshot-gunonhisknees。Hiswifesatonanotherchairbyhisside，mutteringpiousinvocationstoallthesaintsofthecalendar。

Theoldrepublicandidnotbelieveinsaints，orinprayers，orinwhathecalled`priest'sreligion'。LibertyandGaribaldiwerehisdivinities；

buthetolerated`superstition'inwomen，preservinginthesemattersaloftyandsilentattitude。

Histwogirls，theeldestfourteen，andtheothertwoyearsyounger，crouchedonthesandedfloor，oneachsideoftheSignoraTeresa，withtheirheadsontheirmother'slap，bothscared，buteachinherownway，thedark-hairedLindaindignantandangry，thefairGiselle，theyounger，bewilderedandresigned。ThePatronaremovedherarms，whichembracedherdaughters，foramomenttocrossherselfandwringherhandshurriedly。

Shemoanedalittlelouder。

`Oh！Gian'Battista，whyartthounothere?Oh！whyartthounothere?'

Shewasnottheninvokingthesainthimself，butcallinguponNostromo，whosepatronhewas。AndGiorgio，motionlessonthechairbyherside，wouldbeprovokedbythesereproachfulanddistractedappeals。

`Peace，woman！Where'sthesenseofit?There'shisduty，'hemurmuredinthedark；andshewouldretort，panting:

`Eh！Ihavenopatience。Duty！Whatofthewomanwhohasbeenlikeamothertohim?Ibentmykneetohimthismorning；don'tyougoout，Gian'

Battista——stopinthehouse，Battistino——lookatthosetwolittleinnocentchildren！'

MrsViolawasanItalian，too，anativeofSpezzia，andthoughconsiderablyyoungerthanherhusband，alreadymiddle-aged。Shehadahandsomeface，whosecomplexionhadturnedyellowbecausetheclimateofSulacodidnotsuitheratall。Hervoicewasarichcontralto。When，withherarmsfoldedtightunderheramplebosom，shescoldedthesquat，thick-leggedChinagirlshandlinglinen，pluckingfowls，poundingcorninwoodenmortarsamongstthemudoutbuildingsatthebackofthehouse，shecouldbringoutsuchanimpassioned，vibrating，sepulchralnotethatthechainedwatch-dogboltedintohiskennelwithagreatrattle。Luis，acinnamon-colouredmulattowithasproutingmoustacheandthick，darklips，wouldstopsweepingthecafewithabroomofpalm-leavestoletagentleshudderrundownhisspine。

Hislanguishingalmondeyeswouldremainclosedforalongtime。

ThiswasthestaffoftheCasaViola，butallthesepeoplehadfledearlythatmorningatthefirstsoundsoftheriot，preferringtohideontheplainratherthantrustthemselvesinthehouse；apreferenceforwhichtheywereinnowaytoblame，since，whethertrueornot，itwasgenerallybelievedinthetownthattheGaribaldinohadsomemoneyburiedundertheclayfloorofthekitchen。Thedog，anirritable，shaggybrute，barkedviolentlyandwhinedplaintivelyinturnsattheback，runninginandoutofhiskennelasrageorfearpromptedhim。

Burstsofgreatshoutingroseanddiedaway，likewildgustsofwindontheplainroundthebarricadedhouse；thefitfulpoppingofshotsgrewlouderabovetheyelling。Sometimestherewereintervalsofunaccountablestillnessoutside，andnothingcouldhavebeenmoregailypeacefulthanthenarrowbrightlinesofsunlightfromthecracksintheshutters，ruledstraightacrossthecafeoverthedisarrangedchairsandtablestothewallopposite。OldGiorgiohadchosenthatbare，white-washedroomforaretreat。Ithadonlyonewindow，anditsonlydoorswungoutuponthetrackofthickdustfencedbyaloehedgesbetweentheharbourandthetown，whereclumsycartsusedtocreakalongbehindslowyokesofoxenguidedbyboysonhorseback。

InapauseofstillnessGiorgiocockedhisgun。Theominoussoundwrungalowmoanfromtherigidfigureofthewomansittingbyhisside。Asuddenoutbreakofdefiantyellingquitenearthehousesankallatoncetoaconfusedmurmurofgrowls。Somebodyranalong；theloudcatchingofhisbreathwasheardforaninstantpassingthedoor；therewerehoarsemuttersandfootstepsnearthewall；ashoulderrubbedagainsttheshutter，effacingthebrightlinesofsunshinepencilledacrossthewholebreadthoftheroom。SignoraTeresa'sarmsthrownaboutthekneelingformsofherdaughtersembracedthemcloserwithaconvulsivepressure。

Themob，drivenawayfromtheCustomHouse，hadbrokenupintoseveralbands，retreatingacrosstheplaininthedirectionofthetown。Thesubduedcrashofirregularvolleysfiredinthedistancewasansweredbyfaintyellsfaraway。Intheintervalsthesingleshotsrangfeebly，andthelow，long，whitebuildingblindedineverywindowseemedtobethecentreofaturmoilwideninginagreatcircleaboutitsclosed-upsilence。Butthecautiousmovementsandwhispersofaroutedpartyseekingamomentaryshelterbehindthewallmadethedarknessoftheroom，stripedbythreadsofquietsunlight，alightwithevil，stealthysounds。TheViolashadthemintheirearsasthoughinvisibleghostshoveringabouttheirchairshadconsultedinmuttersastotheadvisabilityofsettingfiretothisforeigner'scasa。

Itwastryingtothenerves。OldViolahadrisenslowly，guninhand，irresolute，forhedidnotseehowhecouldpreventthem。Alreadyvoicescouldbeheardtalkingattheback。SignoraTeresawasbesideherselfwithterror。

`Ah！thetraitor！thetraitor！'shemumbled，almostinaudibly。`Nowwearegoingtobeburnt；andIbentmykneetohim。No！hemustrunattheheelsofhisEnglish。'

SheseemedtothinkthatNostromo'smerepresenceinthehousewouldhavemadeitperfectlysafe。Sofar，she，too，wasunderthespellofthatreputationtheCapatazdeCargadoreshadmadeforhimselfbythewaterside，alongtherailwayline，withtheEnglish，andwiththepopulaceofSulaco。

Tohisface，andevenagainstherhusband，sheinvariablyaffectedtolaughittoscorn，sometimesgood-naturedly，moreoftenwithacuriousbitterness。

Butthenwomenareunreasonableintheiropinions，asGiorgiousedtoremarkcalmlyonfittingoccasions。Onthisoccasion，withhisgunheldatreadybeforehim，hestoopeddowntohiswife'shead，and，keepinghiseyesstead-fastlyonthebarricadeddoor，hebreathedoutintoherearthatNostromowouldhavebeenpowerlesstohelp。Whatcouldtwomenshutupinahousedoagainsttwentyormorebentuponsettingfiretotheroof?Gian'Battistawasthinkingofthecasaallthetime，hewassure。

`Hethinkofthecasa！He！'gaspedSignoraViola，crazily。Shestruckherbreastwithheropenhands。`Iknowhim。Hethinksofnobodybuthimself。'

Adischargeoffirearmsnearbymadeherthrowherheadbackandclosehereyes。OldGiorgiosethisteethhardunderhiswhitemoustache，andhiseyesbegantorollfiercely。Severalbulletsstrucktheendofthewalltogether；piecesofplastercouldbeheardfallingoutside；avoicescreamed`Heretheycome！'andafteramomentofuneasysilencetherewasarushofrunningfeetalongthefront。

ThenthetensionofoldGiorgio'sattituderelaxed，andasmileofcontemptuousreliefcameuponhislipsofanoldfighterwithaleonineface。Thesewerenotapeoplestrivingforjustice，butthieves。EventodefendhislifeagainstthemwasasortofdegradationforamanwhohadbeenoneofGaribaldi'simmortalthousandintheconquestofSicily。Hehadanimmensescornforthisoutbreakofscoundrelsandleperos，whodidnotknowthemeaningoftheword`liberty'。

Hegroundedhisoldgun，and，turninghishead，glancedatthecolouredlithographofGaribaldiinablackframeonthewhitewall；athreadofstrongsunshinecutitperpendicularly。Hiseyes，accustomedtotheluminoustwilight，madeoutthehighcolouringoftheface，theredoftheshirt，theoutlinesofthesquareshoulders，theblackpatchoftheBersaglierehatwithcock'sfeatherscurlingoverthecrown。Animmortalhero！Thiswasyourliberty；itgaveyounotonlylife，butimmortalityaswell！

Forthatonemanhisfanaticismhadsufferednodiminution。Inthemomentofrelieffromtheapprehensionofthegreatestdanger，perhaps，hisfamilyhadbeenexposedtoinalltheirwanderings，hehadturnedtothepictureofhisoldchief，firstandonly，thenlaidhishandonhiswife'sshoulder。

Thechildrenkneelingonthefloorhadnotmoved。SignoraTeresaopenedhereyesalittle，asthoughhehadawakenedherfromaverydeepanddreamlessslumber。Beforehehadtimeinhisdeliberatewaytosayareassuringwordshejumpedup，withthechildrenclingingtoher，oneoneachside，gaspedforbreath，andletoutahoarseshriek。

Itwassimultaneouswiththebangofaviolentblowstruckontheoutsideoftheshutter。Theycouldhearsuddenlythesnortingofahorse，therestivetrampingofhoofsonthenarrow，hardpathinfrontofthehouse；thetoeofabootstruckattheshutteragain；aspurjingledateveryblow，andanexcitedvoiceshouted，`Hola！hola，inthere！'

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter44AllthemorningNostromohadkepthiseyefromafarontheCasaViola，eveninthethickofthehottestscrimmageneartheCustomHouse。`IfI

seesmokerisingoverthere，'hethoughttohimself，`theyarelost。'DirectlythemobhadbrokenhepressedwithasmallbandofItalianworkmeninthatdirection，which，indeed，wastheshortestlinetowardsthetown。Thatpartoftherabblehewaspursuingseemedtothinkofmakingastandunderthehouse；avolleyfiredbyhisfollowersfrombehindanaloehedgemadetherascalsfly。Inagapchoppedoutfortherailsoftheharbourbranch-lineNostromoappeared，mountedonhissilver-greymare。Heshouted，sentafterthemoneshotfromhisrevolver，andgallopeduptothecafewindow。HehadanideathatoldGiorgiowouldchoosethatpartofthehouseforarefuge。

Hisvoicehadpenetratedtothem，soundingbreathlesslyhurried:`Hola！

vecchio！O，vecchio！Isitallwellwithyouinthere?'

`Yousee——'murmuredoldViolatohiswife。

SignoraTeresawassilentnow。OutsideNostromolaughed。

`Icanhearthepadronaisnotdead。'

`Youhavedoneyourbesttokillmewithfear，'criedSignoraTeresa。

Shewantedtosaysomethingmore，buthervoicefailedher。

Lindaraisedhereyestoherfaceforamoment，butoldGiorgioshoutedapologetically:

`Sheisalittleupset。'

OutsideNostromoshoutedbackwithanotherlaugh:

`Shecannotupsetme。'

SignoraTeresafoundhervoice。

`ItiswhatIsay。Youhavenoheart——andyouhavenoconscience，Gian'Battista——'

Theyheardhimwheelhishorseawayfromtheshutters。ThepartyheledwerebabblingexcitedlyinItalianandSpanish，incitingeachothertothepursuit。Heputhimselfattheirhead，crying，`Avanti！'

`Hehasnotstoppedverylongwithus。Thereisnopraisefromstrangerstobegothere，'SignoraTeresasaid，tragically。`Avanti！Yes！

Thatisallhecaresfor。Tobefirstsomewhere——somehow——tobefirstwiththeseEnglish。Theywillbeshowinghimtoeverybody。“ThisisourNostromo！“'Shelaughedominously。`Whataname！Whatisthat?Nostromo?

Hewouldtakeanamethatisproperlynowordfromthem。'

MeantimeGiorgio，withtranquilmovements，hadbeenunfasteningthedoor；thefloodoflightfellonSignoraTeresa，withhertwogirlsgatheredtoherside，apicturesquewomaninaposeofmaternalexaltation。Behindherthewallwasdazzlinglywhite，andthecrudecoloursoftheGaribaldilithographpaledinthesunshine。

OldViola，atthedoor，movedhisarmupwardsasifreferringallhisquick，fleetingthoughtstothepictureofhisoldchiefonthewall。Evenwhenhewascookingforthe`signoriinglesi'——theengineers(hewasafamouscook，thoughthekitchenwasadarkplace)——hewas，asitwere，undertheeyeofthegreatmanwhohadledhiminagloriousstrugglewhere，underthewallsofGaeta，tyrannywouldhaveexpiredforeverhaditnotbeenforthataccursedPiedmonteseraceofkingsandministers。

Whensometimesafrying-pancaughtfireduringadelicateoperationwithsomeshreddedonions，andtheoldmanwasseenbackingoutofthedoorway，swearingandcoughingviolentlyinanacridcloudofsmoke，thenameofCavour——thearchintriguersoldtokingsandtyrants——couldbeheardinvolvedinimprecationsagainsttheChinagirls，cookingingeneral，andthebruteofacountrywherehewasreducedtolivefortheloveroflibertythattraitorhadstrangled。

ThenSignoraTeresa，allinblack，issuingfromanotherdoor，advanced，portlyandanxious，incliningherfine，black-browedhead，openingherarms，andcryinginaprofoundtone——

`Giorgio！thoupassionateman！Misericordiadivina！Inthesunlikethis！Hewillmakehimselfill。'

Atherfeetthehensmadeoffinalldirections，withimmensestrides；

iftherewereanyengineersfromupthelinestayinginSulaco，ayoungEnglishfaceortwowouldappearatthebilliard-roomoccupyingoneendofthehouse；butattheotherend，inthecafe，Luis，themulatto，tookgoodcarenottoshowhimself。TheIndiangirls，withhairlikeflowingblackmanes，anddressedonlyinashiftandshortpetticoat，stareddullyfromunderthesquare-cutfringesontheirforeheads；thenoisyfrizzlingoffathadstopped，thefumesfloatedupwardsinsunshine，astrongsmellofburntonionshunginthedrowsyheat，envelopingthehouse；andtheeyelostitselfinavastflatexpanseofgrasstothewest，asiftheplainbetweentheSierraovertoppingSulacoandthecoastrangeawaytheretowardsEsmeraldahadbeenasbigashalftheworld。

SignoraTeresa，afteranimpressivepause，remonstrated:

`Eh，Giorgio！LeaveCavouraloneandtakecareofyourselfnowwearelostinthiscountryallalonewiththetwochildren，becauseyoucannotliveunderaking。'

Andwhileshelookedathimshewouldsometimesputherhandhastilytohersidewithashorttwitchofherfinelipsandaknittingofherblack，straighteyebrowslikeaflickerofangrypainoranangrythoughtonherhandsome，regularfeatures。

Itwaspain；shesuppressedthetwinge。IthadcometoherfirstafewyearsaftertheyhadleftItalytoemigratetoAmericaandsettleatlastinSulacoafterwanderingfromtowntotown，tryingshopkeepinginasmallwayhereandthere；andonceanorganizedenterpriseoffishing——inMaldonado——forGiorgio，likethegreatGaribaldi，hadbeenasailorinhistime。

Sometimesshehadnopatiencewithpain。Foryearsitsgnawinghadbeenpartofthelandscapeembracingtheglitteroftheharbourunderthewoodedspursoftherange；andthesunshineitselfwasheavyanddull——heavywithpain——notlikethesunshineofhergirlhood，inwhichmiddle-agedGiorgiohadwooedhergravelyandpassionatelyontheshoresofthegulfofSpezzia。

`Yougoinatonce，Giorgio，'shedirected。`Onewouldthinkyoudonotwishtohaveanypityonme——withfourSignoriInglesistayinginthehouse。'

`Vabene，vabene，'Giorgiowouldmutter。

Heobeyed。TheSignoriInglesiwouldrequiretheirmiddaymealpresently。

Hehadbeenoneoftheimmortalandinvinciblebandofliberatorswhohadmadethemercenariesoftyrannyflylikechaffbeforeahurricane，`unuraganoterribile'。Butthatwasbeforehewasmarriedandhadchildren；

andbeforetyrannyhadreareditsheadagainamongstthetraitorswhohadimprisonedGaribaldi，hishero。

Therewerethreedoorsinthefrontofthehouse，andeachafternoontheGaribaldinocouldbeseenatoneoranotherofthemwithhisbigbushofwhitehair，hisarmsfolded，hislegscrossed，leaningbackhisleonineheadagainstthelintel，andlookingupthewoodedslopesofthefoothillsatthesnowydomeofHiguerota。Thefrontofhishousethrewoffablacklongrectangleofshade，broadeningslowlyoverthesoftox-carttrack。

Throughthegaps，choppedoutintheoleanderhedges，theharbourbranchrailway，laidouttemporarilyontheleveloftheplain，curvedawayitsshiningparallelribbonsonabeltofscorchedandwitheredgrasswithinsixtyyardsoftheendofthehouse。IntheeveningtheemptymaterialtrainsofflatcarscircledroundthedarkgreengroveofSulaco，andran，undulatingslightlywithwhitejetsofsteam，overtheplaintowardstheCasaViola，ontheirwaytotherailwayyardsbytheharbourTheItaliandriverssalutedhimfromthefootplatewithraisedhand，whiletheNegrobrakesmensatcarelesslyonthebrakes，lookingstraightforward，withtherimsoftheirbighatsflappinginthewind。InreturnGiorgiowouldgiveaslightsidewaysjerkofthehead，withoutunfoldinghisarms。

Onthismemorabledayoftheriothisarmswerenotfoldedonhischest。

Hishandgraspedthebarrelofthegungroundedonthethreshold；hedidnotlookuponceatthewhitedomeofHiguerota，whosecoolpurityseemedtoholditselfalooffromahotearth。Hiseyesexaminedtheplaincuriously。

Talltrailsofdustsubsidedhereandthere。Inaspecklessskythesunhungclearandblinding。Knotsofmenranheadlong；othersmadeastand；

andtheirregularrattleoffirearmscameripplingtohisearsinthefiery，stillair。Singlefiguresonfootraceddesperately。Horsemengallopedtowardseachother，wheeledroundtogether，separatedatspeed。Giorgiosawonefall，riderandhorsedisappearingasiftheyhadgallopedintoachasm，andthemovementsoftheanimatedscenewerelikethepassagesofaviolentgameplayedupontheplainbydwarfsmountedandonfoot，yellingwithtinythroats，underthemountainthatseemedacolossalembodimentofsilence。NeverbeforehadGiorgioseenthisbitofplainsofullofactivelife；hisgazecouldnottakeinallitsdetailsatonce；heshadedhiseyeswithhishand，tillsuddenlythethunderingofmanyhoofsnearbystartledhim。

AtroopofhorseshadbrokenoutofthefencedpaddockoftheRailwayCompany。Theycameonlikeawhirlwind，anddashedoverthelinesnorting，kicking，squealinginacompact，piebald，tossingmobofbay，brown，greybacks，eyesstaring，necksextended，nostrilsred，longtailsstreaming。

Assoonastheyhadleapedupontheroadthethickdustflewupwardsfromundertheirhoofs，andwithinsixyardsofGiorgioonlyabrowncloudwithvagueformsofnecksandcruppersrolledby，makingthesoiltrembleonitspassage。

Violacoughed，turninghisfaceawayfromthedust，andshakinghisheadslightly。

`Therewillbesomehorse-catchingtobedonebeforetonight，'hemuttered。

InthesquareofsunlightfallingthroughthedoorSignoraTeresa，kneelingbeforethechair，hadbowedherhead，heavywithatwistedmassofebonyhairstreakedwithsilver，intothepalmofherhands。Theblacklaceshawlsheusedtodrapeaboutherfacedroppedtothegroundbyherside。Thetwogirlshadgotup，hand-in-hand，inshortskirts，theirloosehairfallingindisorder。Theyoungerhadthrownherarmacrosshereyes，asifafraidtofacethelight。Linda，withherhandontheother'sshoulder，staredfearlessly。Violalookedathischildren。

Thesunbroughtoutthedeeplinesonhisface，and，energeticinexpression，ithadtheimmobilityofacarving。Itwasimpossibletodiscoverwhathethought。Bushygreyeyebrowsshadedhisdarkglance。

`Well！Anddoyounotpraylikeyourmother?'

Lindapouted，advancingherredlips，whichwerealmosttoored；butshehadadmirableeyes，brown，withasparkleofgoldintheirises，fullofintelligenceandmeaning，andsoclearthattheyseemedtothrowaglowuponherthin，colourlessface。Therewerebronzeglintsinthesombreclustersofherhair，andtheeyelashes，longandcoalblack，madehercomplexionappearstillmorepale。

`Motherisgoingtoofferupalotofcandlesinthechurch。ShealwaysdoeswhenNostromohasbeenawayfighting。IshallhavesometocarryuptotheChapeloftheMadonnaintheCathedral。'

Shesaidallthisquickly，withgreatassurance，inananimated，penetratingvoice。Then，givinghersister'sshoulderaslightshake，sheadded:

`Andshewillbemadetocarryone，too！'

`Whymade?'inquiredGiorgio，gravely。`Doesshenotwantto?'

`Sheistimid，'saidLinda，withalittleburstoflaughter。`Peoplenoticeherfairhairasshegoesalongwithus。Theycalloutafterher，“Lookattherubia！Lookattherubiacita！“Theycalloutinthestreets。Sheistimid。'

`Andyou?Youarenottimid——eh?'thefatherpronounced，slowly。

Shetossedbackallherdarkhair。

`Nobodycallsoutafterme。'

OldGiorgiocontemplatedhischildrenthoughtfully。Therewastwoyearsdifferencebetweenthem。Theyhadbeenborntohimlate，yearsaftertheboyhaddied。HadhelivedhewouldhavebeennearlyasoldasGian'Battista——hewhomtheEnglishcalledNostromo；butastohisdaughters，theseverityofhistemper，hisadvancingage，hisabsorptioninhismemories，hadpreventedhistakingmuchnoticeofthem。Helovedhischildren，butgirlsbelongmoretothemother，andmuchofhisaffectionhadbeenexpendedintheworshipandserviceofliberty。

WhenquiteayouthhehaddesertedfromashiptradingtoLaPlata，toenlistinthenavyofMontevideo，thenunderthecommandofGaribaldi。

Afterwards，intheItalianlegionoftheRepublicstrugglingagainsttheencroachingtyrannyofRosas，hehadtakenpart，ongreatplains，onthebanksofimmenserivers，inthefiercestfightingperhapstheworldhadeverknown。Hehadlivedamongstmenwhohaddeclaimedaboutliberty，sufferedforliberty，diedforliberty，withadesperateexaltation，andwiththeireyesturnedtowardsanoppressedItaly。Hisownenthusiasmhadbeenfedonscenesofcarnage，ontheexamplesofloftydevotion，onthedinofarmedstruggle，ontheinflamedlanguageofproclamations。Hehadneverpartedfromthechiefofhischoice——thefieryapostleofindependence——keepingbyhissideinAmericaandinItalytillafterthefataldayofAspromonte，whenthetreacheryofkings，emperors，andministershadbeenrevealedtotheworldinthewoundingandimprisonmentofhishero——acatastrophethathadinstilledintohimagloomydoubtofeverbeingabletounderstandthewaysofdivinejustice。

Hedidnotdenyit，however。Itrequiredpatience，hewouldsay。Thoughhedislikedpriests，andwouldnotputhisfootinsideachurchforanything，hebelievedinGod。WerenottheproclamationsagainsttyrantsaddressedtothepeoplesinthenameofGodandliberty?`Godformen——religionsforwomen，'hemutteredsometimes。InSicily，anEnglishmanwhohadturnedupinPalermoafteritsevacuationbythearmyoftheking，hadgivenhimaBibleinItalian——thepublicationoftheBritishandForeignBibleSociety，boundinadarkleathercover。Inperiodsofpoliticaladversity，inthepausesofsilencewhentherevolutionistsissuednoproclamations，Giorgioearnedhislivingwiththefirstworkthatcametohand——assailor，asdocklaboureronthequaysofGenoa，onceasahandonafarminthehillsaboveSpezzia——andinhissparetimehestudiedthethickvolume。

Hecarrieditwithhimintobattles。Nowitwashisonlyreading，andinordernottobedeprivedofit(theprintwassmall)hehadconsentedtoacceptthepresentofapairofsilver-mountedspectaclesfromSenoraEmiliaGould，thewifeoftheEnglishmanwhomanagedthesilvermineinthemountainsthreeleaguesfromthetown。ShewastheonlyEnglishwomaninSulaco。

GiorgioViolahadagreatconsiderationfortheEnglish。Thisfeeling，bornonthebattlefieldsofUruguay，wasfortyyearsoldattheveryleast。

SeveralofthemhadpouredtheirbloodforthecauseoffreedominAmerica，andthefirsthehadeverknownherememberedbythenameofSamuel；hecommandedaNegrocompanyunderGaribaldi，duringthefamoussiegeofMontevideo，anddiedheroicallywithhisNegroesatthefordingoftheBoyana。He，Giorgio，hadreachedtherankofensign——alferez——andcookedforthegeneral。Later，inItaly，he，withtherankoflieutenant，rodewiththestaffandstillcookedforthegeneral。HehadcookedforhiminLombardythroughthewholecampaign；onthemarchtoRomehehadlassoedhisbeefintheCampagnaaftertheAmericanmanner；hehadbeenwoundedinthedefenceoftheRomanRepublic；hewasoneofthefourfugitiveswho，withthegeneral，carriedoutofthewoodstheinanimatebodyofthegeneral'swifeintothefarm-housewhereshedied，exhaustedbythehardshipsofthatterribleretreat。HehadsurvivedthatdisastroustimetoattendhisgeneralinPalermowhentheNeapolitanshellsfromthecastlecrasheduponthetown。HehadcookedforhimonthefieldofVolturnoafterfightingallday。AndeverywherehehadseenEnglishmeninthefrontrankofthearmyoffreedom。HerespectedtheirnationbecausetheylovedGaribaldi。

Theirverycountessesandprincesseshadkissedthegeneral'shandsinLondon，itwassaid。Hecouldwellbelieveit；forthenationwasnoble，andthemanwasasaint。Itwasenoughtolookonceathisfacetoseethedivineforceoffaithinhimandhisgreatpityforallthatwaspoor，suffering，andoppressedinthisworld。

Thespiritofself-forgetfulness，thesimpledevotiontoavasthumanitarianideawhichinspiredthethoughtandstressofthatrevolutionarytime，hadleftitsmarkuponGiorgioinasortofausterecontemptforallpersonaladvantage。Thisman，whomthelowestclassinSulacosuspectedofhavingaburiedhoardinhiskitchen，hadallhislifedespisedmoney。Theleadersofhisyouthhadlivedpoor，haddiedpoor。Ithadbeenahabitofhismindtodisregardtomorrow。Itwasengenderedpartlybyanexistenceofexcitement，adventure，andwildwarfare。Butmostlyitwasamatterofprinciple。Itdidnotresemblethecarelessnessofacondottiere，itwasapuritanismofconduct，bornofsternenthusiasmlikethepuritanismofreligion。

ThissterndevotiontoacausehadcastagloomuponGiorgio'soldage。

Itcastagloombecausethecauseseemedlost。ToomanykingsandemperorsflourishedyetintheworldwhichGodhadmeantforthepeople。Hewassadbecauseofhissimplicity。Thoughalwaysreadytohelphiscountrymen，andgreatlyrespectedbytheItalianemigrantswhereverhelived(inhisexilehecalledit)，hecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthattheycarednothingforthewrongsofdown-troddennations。Theylistenedtohistalesofwarreadily，butseemedtoaskthemselveswhathehadgotoutofitafterall。Therewasnothingthattheycouldsee。`Wewantednothing，wesufferedfortheloveofallhumanity！'hecriedoutfuriouslysometimes，andthepowerfulvoice，theblazingeyes，theshakingofthewhitemane，thebrown，sinewyhandpointingupwardsasiftocallheaventowitness，impressedhishearers。Aftertheoldmanhadbrokenoffabruptlywithajerkoftheheadandamovementofthearm，meaningclearly，`Butwhat'sthegoodoftalkingtoyou?'theynudgedeachother。TherewasinoldGiorgioanenergyoffeeling，apersonalqualityofconviction，somethingtheycalled`terribilita'——`anoldlion'，theyusedtosayofhim。

Someslightincident，achancewordwouldsethimofftalkingonthebeachtotheItalianfishermenofMaldonado，inthelittleshophekeptafterwards(inValparaiso)tohiscountrymencustomers；ofanevening，suddenly，inthecafeatoneendoftheCasaViola(theotherwasreservedfortheEnglishengineers)totheselectclienteleofengine-driversandforemenoftherailwayshops。

Withtheirhandsome，bronzed，leanfaces，shinyblackringlets，glisteningeyes，broad-chested，bearded，sometimesatinygoldringinthelobeoftheear，thearistocracyoftherailwayworkslistenedtohim，turningawayfromtheircardsordominoes。Hereandthereafair-hairedBasquestudiedhishandmeantime，waitingwithoutprotest。NonativeofCostaguanaintrudedthere。ThiswastheItalianstronghold。EventheSulacopolicemenonanightpatrollettheirhorsespacesoftlyby，bendinglowinthesaddletoglancethroughthewindowattheheadsinafogofsmoke；andthedroneofoldGiorgio'sdeclamatorynarrativeseemedtosinkbehindthemintotheplain。Onlynowandthentheassistantofthechiefofpolice，somebroad-faced，brownlittlegentleman，withagreatdealofIndianinhim，wouldputinanappearance。Leavinghismanoutsidewiththehorsesheadvancedwithaconfident，slysmile，andwithoutaworduptothelongtrestletable。Hepointedtooneofthebottlesontheshelf；Giorgio，thrustinghispipeintohismouthabruptly，servedhiminperson。Nothingwouldbeheardbuttheslightjingleofthespurs。Hisglassemptied，hewouldtakealeisurely，scrutinizinglookallroundtheroom，goout，andrideawayslowly，circlingtowardsthetown。

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter55Inthiswayonlywasthepowerofthelocalauthoritiesvindicatedamongstthegreatbodyofstrong-limbedforeignerswhodugtheearth，blastedtherocks，drovetheenginesforthe`progressiveandpatrioticundertaking'。

IntheseverywordseighteenmonthsbeforetheExcellentissimoSenordonVincenteRibiera，theDictatorofCostaguana，haddescribedtheNationalCentralRailwayinhisgreatspeechattheturningofthefirstsod。

HehadcomeonpurposetoSulaco，andtherewasaone-o'clockdinner-party，aconviteofferedbytheO。S。N。CompanyonboardtheJunoafterthefunctiononshore。CaptainMitchellhadhimselfsteeredthecargolighter，alldrapedwithflags，which，intwooftheJuno'ssteamlaunch，tooktheExcellentissimofromthejettytotheship。EverybodyofnoteinSulacohadbeeninvited——theoneortwoforeignmerchants，alltherepresentativesoftheoldSpanishfamiliesthenintown，thegreatownersofestatesontheplain，grave，courteous，simplemen，caballerosofpuredescent，withsmallhandsandfeet，conservative，hospitable，andkind。TheOccidentalProvincewastheirstronghold；theirBlancopartyhadtriumphednow；itwastheirPresident-Dictator，aBlancooftheBlancos，whosatsmilingurbanelybetweentherepresentativesoftwofriendlyforeignpowers。TheyhadcomewithhimfromStaMartatocountenancebytheirpresencetheenterpriseinwhichthecapitaloftheircountrieswasengaged。

TheonlyladyofthatcompanywasMrsGould，thewifeofDonCarlos，theadministratoroftheSanTomesilvermine。TheladiesofSulacowerenotadvancedenoughtotakepartinthepubliclifetothatextent。TheyhadcomeoutstronglyatthegreatballattheIntendenciatheeveningbefore，butMrsGouldalonehadappeared，abrightspotinthegroupofblackcoatsbehindthePresident-Dictator，onthecrimsoncloth-coveredstageerectedunderashadytreeontheshoreoftheharbour，wheretheceremonyofturningthefirstsodhadtakenplace。Shehadcomeoffinthecargolighter，fullofnotabilities，sittingundertheflutterofgayflags，intheplaceofhonourbythesideofCaptainMitchell，whosteered，andhercleardressgavetheonlytrulyfestivenotetothesombregatheringinthelong，gorgeoussaloonoftheJuno。

Theheadofthechairmanoftherailwayboard(fromLondon)，handsomeandpaleinasilverymistofwhitehairandclippedbeard，hoverednearhershoulderattentive，smiling，andfatigued。ThejourneyfromLondontoStaMartainmailboatsandthespecialcarriagesoftheStaMartacoast-line(theonlyrailwaysofar)hadbeentolerable——evenpleasant——quitetolerable。

ButthetripoverthemountainstoSulacowasanothersortofexperience，inanolddiligenciaoverimpassableroadsskirtingawfulprecipices。

`Wehavebeenupsettwiceinonedayonthebrinkofverydeepravines，'

hewastellingMrsGouldinanundertone。`AndwhenwearrivedhereatlastIdon'tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithoutyourhospitality。Whatanout-of-the-wayplaceSulacois！——andforaharbour，too！Astonishing！'

`Ah，butweareveryproudofit。Itusedtobehistoricallyimportant。

Thehighestecclesiasticalcourt，fortwoviceroyalties，sathereintheoldentime，'sheinstructedhimwithanimation。

`Iamimpressed。Ididn'tmeantobedisparaging。Youseemverypatriotic。'

`Theplaceislovable，ifonlybyitssituation。Perhapsyoudon'tknowwhatanoldresidentIam。'

`Howold，Iwonder，'hemurmured，lookingatherwithaslightsmile。

MrsGould'sappearancewasmadeyouthfulbythemobileintelligenceofherface。`Wecan'tgiveyouyourecclesiasticalcourtbackagain；butyoushallhavemoresteamers，arailway，atelegraph-cable——afutureinthegreatworldwhichisworthinfinitelymorethananyamountofecclesiasticalpast。Youshallbebroughtintouchwithsomethinggreaterthantwoviceroyalties。

ButIhadnonotionthataplaceonasea-coastcouldremainsoisolatedfromtheworld。Ifithadbeenathousandmilesinlandnow——mostremarkable！

Hasanythingeverhappenedhereforahundredyearsbeforetoday?'

Whilehetalkedinaslow，humoroustone，shekeptherlittlesmile。

Agreeingironically，sheassuredhimthatcertainlynot——nothingeverhappenedinSulaco。Eventherevolutions，ofwhichtherehadbeentwoinhertime，hadrespectedthereposeoftheplace。TheircourseraninthemorepopuloussouthernpartsoftheRepublic，andinthegreatvalleyofStaMarta，whichwaslikeonegreatbattlefieldoftheparties，withthepossessionofthecapitalforaprizeandanoutlettoanotherocean。Theyweremoreadvancedoverthere。HereinSulacotheyheardonlytheechoesofthesegreatquestions，and，ofcourse，theirofficialworldchangedeachtime，comingtothemovertheirrampartofmountainswhichhehimselfhadtraversedinanolddiligencia，withsucharisktolifeandlimb。

Thechairmanoftherailwayhadbeenenjoyingherhospitalityforseveraldays，andhewasreallygratefulforit。ItwasonlysincehehadleftStaMartathathehadutterlylosttouchwiththefeelingofEuropeanlifeonthebackgroundofhisexoticsurroundings。InthecapitalhehadbeentheguestoftheLegation，andhadbeenkeptbusynegotiatingwiththemembersofDonVincente'sGovernment——culturedmen，mentowhomtheconditionsofcivilizedbusinesswerenotunknown。

Whatconcernedhimmostatthetimewastheacquisitionoflandfortherailway。IntheStaMartaValley，wheretherewasalreadyonelineinexistence，thepeopleweretractable，anditwasonlyamatterofprice。

Acommissionhadbeennominatedtofixthevalues，andthedifficultyresolveditselfintothejudiciousinfluencingoftheCommissioners。ButinSulaco——theOccidentalProvinceforwhoseverydevelopmenttherailwaywasintended——therehadbeentrouble。Ithadbeenlyingforagesensconcedbehinditsnaturalbarriers，repellingmodernenterprisebytheprecipicesofitsmountainrange，byitsshallowharbouropeningintotheeverlastingcalmsofagulffullofclouds，bythebenightedstateofmindoftheownersofitsfertileterritory——alltheseartistocraticoldSpanishfamilies，alltheseDonAmbrosiosthisandDonFernandosthat，whoseemedactuallytodislikeanddistrustthecomingoftherailwayovertheirlands。Ithadhappenedthatsomeofthesurveyingpartiesscatteredallovertheprovincehadbeenwarnedoffwiththreatsofviolence。Inothercasesoutrageouspretensionsastopricehadbeenraised。Butthemanofrailwayspridedhimselfonbeingequaltoeveryemergency。SincehewasmetbytheinimicalsentimentofblindconservatisminSulacohewouldmeetitbysentiment，too，beforetakinghisstandonhisrightalone。TheGovernmentwasboundtocarryoutitspartofthecontractwiththeboardofthenewrailwaycompany，evenifithadtouseforceforthepurpose。Buthedesirednothinglessthananarmeddisturbanceinthesmoothworkingofhisplans。Theyweremuchtoovastandfarreaching，andtoopromisingtoleaveastoneunturned；

andsoheimaginedtogetthePresident-Dictatoroverthereonatourofceremoniesandspeeches，culminatinginagreatfunctionattheturningofthefirstsodbytheharbourshore。Afterallhewastheirowncreature——thatDonVincente。HewastheembodiedtriumphofthebestelementsintheState。

Thesewerefacts，and，unlessfactsmeantnothing，SirJohnarguedtohimself，suchaman'sinfluencemustbereal，andhispersonalactionwouldproducetheconciliatoryeffectherequired。Hehadsucceededinarrangingthetripwiththehelpofaverycleveradvocate，whowasknowninStaMartaastheagentoftheGouldsilvermine，thebiggestthinginSulaco，andeveninthewholeRepublic。Itwasindeedafabulouslyrichmine。Itsso-calledagent，evidentlyamanofcultureandability，seemed，withoutofficialposition，topossessanextraordinaryinfluenceinthehighestGovernmentspheres。HewasabletoassureSirJohnthatthePresident-Dictatorwouldmakethejourney。Heregretted，however，inthecourseofthesameconversation，thatGeneralMonteroinsistedupongoing，too。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读