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

de muchos dientes.’ Si, senor. As to us,’ he pursued, portentousand impressive, ‘your worship is beholding the finestbody of officers in the Republic, men unequalled for valourand sagacity, ‘y hombres de muchos dientes.’’‘What? All of them?’ inquired the disreputable envoy ofSenor Fuentes, with a faint, derisive smile.‘Todos. Si, senor,’ the major affirmed, gravely, with conviction.‘Men of many teeth.’The other wheeled his horse to face the portal resemblingthe high gate of a dismal barn. He raised himself in hisstirrups, extended one arm. He was a facetious scoundrel,entertaining for these stupid Occidentals a feeling of greatscorn natural in a native from the central provinces. Thefolly of Esmeraldians especially aroused his amused contempt.He began an oration upon Pedro Montero, keepinga solemn countenance. He flourished his hand as if introducinghim to their notice. And when he saw every faceset, all the eyes fixed upon his lips, he began to shout a sortof catalogue of perfections: ‘Generous, valorous, affable,profound’—(he snatched off his hat enthusiastically)—‘astatesman, an invincible chief of partisans—‘ He droppedhis voice startlingly to a deep, hollow note—‘and a dentist.’He was off instantly at a smart walk; the rigid straddle ofhis legs, the turned-out feet, the stiff back, the rakish slantof the sombrero above the square, motionless set of theshoulders expressing an infinite, awe-inspiring impudence.Upstairs, behind the jalousies, Sotillo did not move fora long time. The audacity of the fellow appalled him. Whatwere his officers saying below? They were saying nothing.