Ностромо
Chapter 8
Atlast,intrueCostaguanafashion,theFiscalofTonoro,whowasambitiousofthegloryofhavingreducedthefamousHernandez,offeredhimasumofmoneyandasafeconductoutofthecountryforthebetrayalofhisband.ButHernandezevidentlywasnotofthestuffofwhichthedistinguishedmilitarypoliticiansandconspiratorsofCostaguanaaremade.Thiscleverbutcommondevice(whichfrequentlyworkslikeacharminputtingdownrevolutions)failedwiththechiefofvulgarSalteadores.ItpromisedwellfortheFiscalatfirst,butendedverybadlyforthesquadronoflancerosposted(bytheFiscal’sdirections)inafoldofthegroundintowhichHernandezhadpromisedtoleadhisunsuspectingfollowersTheycame,indeed,attheappointedtime,butcreepingontheirhandsandkneesthroughthebush,andonlylettheirpresencebeknownbyageneraldischargeoffirearms,whichemptiedmanysaddles.ThetrooperswhoescapedcameridingveryhardintoTonoro.Itissaidthattheircommandingofficer(who,beingbettermounted,rodefaraheadoftherest)afterwardsgotintoastateofdespairingintoxicationandbeattheambitiousFiscalseverelywiththeflatofhissabreinthepresenceofhiswifeanddaughters,forbringingthisdisgraceupontheNationalArmy.ThehighestcivilofficialofTonoro,fallingtothegroundinaswoon,wasfurtherkickedalloverthebodyandrowelledwithsharpspursabouttheneckandfacebecauseofthegreatsensitivenessofhismilitarycolleague.
