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Chapter 4
Andnow,withallthedemocratsintheprovinceup,andeveryCampotownshipinastateofdisturbance,wherecouldhefindamanwhowouldmakehiswaysuccessfullyoverlandtoCaytawithamessage,atendays’rideatleast;amanofcourageandresolution,whowouldavoidarrestormurder,andifarrestedwouldfaithfullyeatthepaper?TheCapatazdeCargadoreswouldhavebeenjustsuchaman.ButtheCapatazoftheCargadoreswasnomore.
AndCharlesGould,withdrawinghiseyesfromthewall,saidgently,“ThatHirsch!Whatanextraordinarything!Savedhimselfbyclingingtotheanchor,didhe?IhadnoideathathewasstillinSulaco.IthoughthehadgonebackoverlandtoEsmeraldamorethanaweekago.Hecamehereoncetotalktomeabouthishidebusinessandsomeotherthings.Imadeitcleartohimthatnothingcouldbedone.”
“HewasafraidtostartbackonaccountofHernandezbeingabout,”remarkedthedoctor.
“Andbutforhimwemightnothaveknownanythingofwhathashappened,”marvelledCharlesGould.
Mrs.Gouldcriedout—
“Antoniamustnotknow!Shemustnotbetold.Notnow.”
“Nobody’slikelytocarrythenews,”remarkedthedoctor.“It’snoone’sinterest.Moreover,thepeoplehereareafraidofHernandezasifhewerethedevil.”HeturnedtoCharlesGould.“It’sevenawkward,becauseifyouwantedtocommunicatewiththerefugeesyoucouldfindnomessenger.
