Крестный отец

           OnhislongwalksthemoststrikingthinginMichael’seyeswasthemagnificentbeautyofthecountry;hewalkedthroughtheorangeorchardsthatformedshadydeepcavernsthroughthecountrysidewiththeirancientconduitssplashingwateroutofthefangedmouthsofgreatsnakestonescarvedbeforeChrist.HousesbuiltlikeancientRomanvillas,withhugemarbleportalsandgreatvaultedrooms,fallingintoruinsorinhabitedbystraysheep.Onthehorizonthebonyhillsshonelikepickedbleachedbonespiledhigh.Gardensandfields,sparklygreen,decoratedthedesertlandscapelikebrightemeraldnecklaces.AndsometimeshewalkedasfarasthetownofCorleone,itseighteenthousandpeoplestrungoutindwellingsthatpittedthesideofthenearestmountain,themeanhovelsbuiltoutofblackrockquarriedfromthatmountain.InthelastyeartherehadbeenoversixtymurdersinCorleoneanditseemedthatdeathshadowedthetown.Furtheron,thewoodofFicuzzabrokethesavagemonotonyofarableplain.

           HistwoshepherdbodyguardsalwayscarriedtheirluparaswiththemwhenaccompanyingMichaelonhiswalks.ThedeadlySicilianshotgunwasthefavoriteweaponoftheMafia.IndeedthepolicechiefsentbyMussolinitocleantheMafiaoutofSicilyhad,asoneofhisfirststeps,orderedallstonewallsinSicilytobeknockeddowntonotmorethanthreefeetinheightsothatmurdererswiththeirluparascouldnotusethewallsasambushpointsfortheirassassinations.