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

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

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

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

`Yougoaheadinyourownway，andIshallknowhowtohelpyouaslongasyouholdyourown。Butyoumayrestassuredthatinagivencaseweshallknowhowtodropyouintime。'

TothisCharlesGould'sonlyanswerhadbeen:`Youmaybeginsendingoutthemachineryassoonasyoulike。'

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

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

Theyhadstoppednearthecage。Theparrot，catchingthesoundofawordbelongingtohisvocabulary，wasmovedtointerfere。Parrotsareveryhuman。

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

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

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

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

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

Theworkingcompetenceofmen——whichsheneverquestioned——wasverysurprisingtoMrsGould，becauseuponsomanyobviousissuestheyshowedthemselvesstrangelymuddleheaded。

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

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

MrsGouldhadnotforgotten。`Youreadittome，Charley，'shemurmured。

`Itwasastrikingpronouncement。Howdeeplyyourfathermusthavefeltitsterriblesadness！'

`Hedidnotliketoberobbed。Itexasperatedhim，'saidCharlesGould。

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

Sheglancedupathimwithadmiration。Hewascompetent；hehadgivenavastshapetothevaguenessofherunselfishambitions。

`Charley，'shesaid，`youaresplendidlydisobedient。'

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

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

Hebentoverherupturnedfaceverytenderlyandalittleremorsefully。

CharlesGouldwascompetentbecausehehadnoillusions。TheGouldConcessionhadtofightforlifewithsuchweaponsascouldbefoundatonceinthemireofcorruptionthatwassouniversalastoalmostloseitssignificance。

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

NostromoATaleoftheSeaboard:Part1Chapter77MrsGouldwastoointelligentlysympatheticnottosharethatfeeling。

Itmadelifeexciting，andshewastoomuchofawomannottolikeexcitement。

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

MrsGouldwouldlookupfromthetea-tableprofoundlyatherunmovedhusbandstirringthespooninthecupasthoughhehadnotheardaword。

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

Thismighthavebeenlessormorethanthetruth。MrsGould，accompanyingherhusbandallovertheprovinceinthesearchforlabour，hadseenthelandwithadeeperglancethanatrue-bornCostaguaneracouldhavedone。

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

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

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

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

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

Theheavystoneworkofbridgesandchurchesleftbytheconquerorsproclaimedthedisregardofhumanlabour，thetribute-labourofvanishednations。

Thepowerofkingandchurchwasgone，butatthesightofsomeheavyruinouspileovertoppingfromaknollthelowmudwallsofavillage，DonPepewouldinterruptthetaleofhiscampaignstoexclaim:

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

Charlestalkedwiththealcaldes，withthefiscales，withtheprincipalpeopleintowns，andwiththecaballerosontheestates。

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

TheprovincialExcellencyassumedawearysuperiority，tiltinghischairfarbacknearanopenwindowinthetrueCostaguanamanner。Themilitarybandhappenedtobebrayingoperaticselectionsontheplazajustthen，andtwiceheraisedhishandimperativelyforsilenceinordertolistentoafavouritepassage。

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

Ofcourse，rumourshadreachedhimalreadyofthenew-comer'sintentions。

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

`Ifyouintendtobuildvillagesandassembleapopulationnearthemine，youshallrequireadecreeoftheMinisteroftheInteriorforthat，'

hesuggestedinabusinesslikemanner。

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

TheExcellencywasamanofmanymoods。Withthereceiptofthemoneyagreatmellownesshaddescendeduponhissimplesoul。Unexpectedlyhefetchedadeepsigh。

`Ah，DonCarlos！Whatwewantisadvancedmenlikeyouintheprovince。

Thelethargy——thelethargyofthesearistocrats！Thewantofpublicspirit！

Theabsenceofallenterprise！I，withmyprofoundstudiesinEurope，youunderstand——'

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

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

`Youmaydependuponmyenlightenedgoodwillaslongasyourconductasagoodcitizendeservesit。'

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

AtrueEnglishman。Hedespisedhim。

Hisfacedarkened。Whatmeantthisunimpressedandfrigidbehaviour?

HewasthefirstofthesuccessivepoliticianssentoutfromthecapitaltoruletheOccidentalProvincewhomthemannerofCharlesGouldinofficialintercoursewastostrikeasoffensivelyindependent。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afellowinathousand！

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

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

Poorpeople！Pobrecitos！Pobrecitos！ButtheStatemusthaveitssoldiers。'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And`ElSenorGobernador'hehadremained，withhissmalljokesuponhisfunctionanduponhisdomain，whereheaffirmedwithhumorousexaggerationtoMrsGould:

`NotwostonescouldcometogetheranywherewithouttheGobernadorhearingtheclick，senora。'

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

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

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

`MorepeoplegoingtotheSanTomemine。Weshallseeotherstomorrow。'

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

`Whatanabsurdity！Impossible，senor！'

`Si！Si！UnaamericanadelNorte。'

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

Andtheywouldlaughalittlewithastonishmentandscorn，keepingawaryeyeontheshadowsoftheroad，foroneisliabletomeetbadmenwhentravellinglateontheCampo。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thewaterfallexistednolonger。Thetree-fernsthathadluxuriatedinitssprayhaddriedaroundthedried-uppool，andthehighravinewasonlyabigtrenchhalffilledupwiththerefuseofexcavationsandtailings。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

`IfithadnotbeenforthelawlesstyrannyofyourGovernment，DonPepe，manyanoutlawnowwithHernandezwouldbelivingpeaceablyandhappybythehonestworkofhishands。'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Butthat，perhaps，couldonlybevisibletotheinitiated。

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

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

`Ah，that！That，sir，wasamistake。'

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

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

ofraisedarmsinamobofsombreroswiththewhitegleamofrangingeyes；

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

Thesleepypeopleinthelittleclustersofhuts，inthesmallranchosneartheroad，recognizedbytheheadlongsoundthechargeoftheSanTomesilverescorttowardsthecrumblingwallofthecityontheCamposide。

Theycametothedoorstoseeitdashbyoverrutsandstones，withaclatterandclankandcrackingofwhips，withtherecklessrushandprecisedrivingofafieldbatteryhurryingintoaction，andthesolitaryEnglishfigureoftheSenorAdministradorridingfaraheadinthelead。

Inthefencedroadsidepaddocksloosehorsesgallopedwildlyforawhile；

theheavycattlestoodupbreastdeepinthegrass，lowingmutteringlyattheflyingnoise；ameekIndianvillagerwouldglancebackonceandhastentoshovehisloadedlittledonkeybodilyagainstawall，outofthewayoftheSanTomesilverescortgoingtothesea；asmallknotofchillyleperosundertheStoneHorseoftheAlamedawouldmutter:

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

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

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

Forthemboth，eachpassingoftheescortunderthebalconiesoftheCasaGouldwaslikeanothervictorygainedintheconquestofpeaceforSulaco。

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

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

sinceallenterprisehadbeenstupidlykilledintheland。ThusitcametopassthattheprovinceofSulaco，oncethefieldofcruelpartyvengeances，hadbecomeinawayoneoftheconsiderableprizesofpoliticalcareer。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ThePresidentwasgoingtomakeaninformalpronouncement。

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

astothenecessityofunremittingefforttosecurethelastingwelfareofthecountryemergingafterthislaststruggle，hehoped，intoaperiodofpeaceandmaterialprosperity。

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

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

Butwhywasitthatnobodywaslookingathim?hewonderedtohimselfangrily。

Hewasabletospellouttheprintofnewspapers，andknewthathehadperformedthe`greatestmilitaryexploitofmoderntimes'。

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

SirJohnlistened，smiling。ButitwashisturnnowtohushMrsGould。

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

believe。'

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

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

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

`Idrinktothehealthofthemanwhobringsusamillionandahalfofpounds。'

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

`Idon'tthinkIamcalledupontorise，'hemurmuredtoMrsGould。

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

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

`Youweregoodenoughtosaythatyouintendedtoaskmeforsomething，'

heremindedher，gallantly。`Whatisit?Beassuredthatanyrequestfromyouwouldbeconsideredinthelightofafavourtomyself。'

Shethankedhimbyagracioussmile。Everybodywasrisingfromthetable。

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

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

Crowdsofpeoplecouldbeseenbetweenthetowngateandtheharbour，underthebunchesofmulticolouredflagsflutteringontallpoles。Faintburstsofmilitarymusicwouldbeheardsuddenly，andtheremotesoundofshouting。

AknotofraggedNegroesattheendofthewharfkeptonloadingandfiringasmallironcannontimeaftertime。Agreyishhazeofdusthungthinandmotionlessagainstthesun。

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

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

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

CharlesGouldsaidpresently:

`AllthispieceoflandbelongsnowtotheRailwayCompany。Therewillbenomorepopularfeastsheldhere。'

MrsGouldwasrathersorrytothinkso。ShetookthisopportunitytomentionhowshehadjustobtainedfromSirJohnthepromisethatthehouseoccupiedbyGiorgioViolashouldnotbeinterferedwith。Shedeclaredshecouldneverunderstandwhythesurveyengineersevertalkedofdemolishingthatoldbuilding。Itwasnotinthewayoftheprojectedharbourbranchofthelineintheleast。

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

`Andisitforever，signora?'heasked。

`Foraslongasyoulike。'

`Bene。Thentheplacemustbenamed。Itwasnotworthwhilebefore。'

Hesmiledruggedly，witharunningtogetherofwrinklesatthecornersofhiseyes。`Ishallsetaboutthepaintingofthenametomorrow。'

`Andwhatisitgoingtobe，Giorgio?'

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

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

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

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

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

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

OldGiorgioonlymovedhisheadsidewaysabsently。NostromopointedaftertheGoulds'carriage，nearingthegrass-growngateintheoldtownwallthatwaslikeawallofmattedjungle。

`AndIhavesataloneatnightwithmyrevolverintheCompany'swarehousetimeandagainbythesideofthatotherEnglishman'sheapofsilver，guardingitasthoughithadbeenmyown。'

Violaseemedlostinthought。`Itisagreatthingforme，'herepeatedagain，asiftohimself。

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

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

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

【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