Короли и капуста
The Admiral
Thuswillweserveourcountry.Soon"—hisheavyeyesalmostlightedup—"itmaygladlycalluponusforhelp."
ThereafterElNacionalturnedoutwiththeothercoastcraftandbecameawage-earner.Sheworkedwiththelightersfreightingbananasandorangesouttothefruitsteamersthatcouldnotapproachnearerthanamilefromtheshore.Surelyaself-supportingnavydeservesredlettersinthebudgetofanynation.
AfterearningenoughatfreightingtokeephimselfandhiscrewinprovisionsforaweekFelipewouldanchorthenavyandhangaboutthelittletelegraphoffice,lookinglikeoneofthechorusofaninsolventcomicoperatroupebesiegingthemanager’sden.Ahopeforordersfromthecapitalwasalwaysinhisheart.Thathisservicesasadmiralhadneverbeencalledintorequirementhurthisprideandpatriotism.Ateverycallhewouldinquire,gravelyandexpectantly,fordespatches.Theoperatorwouldpretendtomakeasearch,andthenreply:
"Notyet,itseems,SeñorelAlmirante—pocotiempo!"
Outsideintheshadeofthelime-treesthecrewchewedsugarcaneorslumbered,wellcontenttoserveacountrythatwascontentedwithsolittleservice.
Onedayintheearlysummertherevolutionpredictedbythecollectorflamedoutsuddenly.Ithadlongbeensmouldering
