Nostromo - A Tale of the Seaboard.pdf - Planet eBook

the country,’ ‘The entire world, el mundo entiero’—reachedeven the packed steps of the cathedral with a feeble clearring, thin as the buzzing of a mosquito. But the oratorstruck his breast; he seemed to prance between his two supporters.It was the supreme effort of his peroration. Thenthe two smaller figures disappeared from the public gazeand the enormous Gamacho, left alone, advanced, raisinghis hat high above his head. Then he covered himselfproudly and yelled out, ‘Ciudadanos!’ A dull roar greetedSenor Gamacho, ex-pedlar of the Campo, Commandanteof the National Guards.Upstairs Pedrito Montero walked about rapidly fromone wrecked room of the Intendencia to another, snarlingincessantly—‘What stupidity! What destruction!’Senor Fuentes, following, would relax his taciturndisposition to murmur—‘It is all the work of Gamacho and his Nationals;’ andthen, inclining his head on his left shoulder, would presstogether his lips so firmly that a little hollow would appearat each corner. He had his nomination for Political Chiefof the town in his pocket, and was all impatience to enterupon his functions.In the long audience room, with its tall mirrors all starredby stones, the hangings torn down and the canopy over theplatform at the upper end pulled to pieces, the vast, deepmuttering of the crowd and the howling voice of Gamachospeaking just below reached them through the shutters asthey stood idly in dimness and desolation.