Ностромо
Chapter 10
PedritoMonterohadDonCarlosledouttobeshot—likehisunclemanyyearsago—andthen,asBarriossaidafterwards,‘Sulacowouldnothavebeenworthfightingfor.’SulacowithouttheConcessionwasnothing;andthereweretonsandtonsofdynamitedistributedalloverthemountainwithdetonatorsarranged,andanoldpriest,FatherRoman,standingbytoannihilatetheSanTomemineatthefirstnewsoffailure.DonCarloshadmadeuphismindnottoleaveitbehind,andhehadtherightmentoseetoit,too.”
ThusCaptainMitchellwouldtalkinthemiddleofthePlaza,holdingoverhisheadawhiteumbrellawithagreenlining;butinsidethecathedral,inthedimlight,withafaintscentofincensefloatinginthecoolatmosphere,andhereandthereakneelingfemalefigure,blackorallwhite,withaveiledhead,hisloweredvoicebecamesolemnandimpressive.
“Here,”hewouldsay,pointingtoanicheinthewalloftheduskyaisle,“youseethebustofDonJoseAvellanos,‘PatriotandStatesman,’astheinscriptionsays,‘MinistertoCourtsofEnglandandSpain,etc.,etc.,diedinthewoodsofLosHatoswornoutwithhislifelongstruggleforRightandJusticeatthedawnoftheNewEra.’Afairlikeness.Parrochetti’sworkfromsomeoldphotographsandapencilsketchbyMrs.Gould.IwaswellacquaintedwiththatdistinguishedSpanish-Americanoftheoldschool,atrueHidalgo,belovedbyeverybodywhoknewhim.