Page 497 - nostromo-a-tale-of-the-seaboard

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

Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard