Chapter 9

           DISTRACTEDbetweendoubtsandhopes,dismayedbythesoundofbellspealingoutthearrivalofPedritoMontero,Sotillohadspentthemorninginbattlingwithhisthoughts;acontesttowhichhewasunequal,fromthevacuityofhismindandtheviolenceofhispassions.Disappointment,greed,anger,andfearmadeatumult,inthecolonel’sbreastlouderthanthedinofbellsinthetown.Nothinghehadplannedhadcometopass.NeitherSulaconorthesilveroftheminehadfallenintohishands.Hehadperformednomilitaryexploittosecurehisposition,andhadobtainednoenormousbootytomakeoffwith.PedritoMontero,eitherasfriendorfoe,filledhimwithdread.Thesoundofbellsmaddenedhim.

           Imaginingatfirstthathemightbeattackedatonce,hehadmadehisbattalionstandtoarmsontheshore.Hewalkedtoandfroallthelengthoftheroom,stoppingsometimestognawthefinger-tipsofhisrighthandwithaluridsidewaysglarefixedonthefloor;then,withasullen,repellingglanceallround,hewouldresumehistrampinginsavagealoofness.Hishat,horsewhip,sword,andrevolverwerelyingonthetable.Hisofficers,crowdingthewindowgivingtheviewofthetowngate,disputedamongstthemselvestheuseofhisfield-glassboughtlastyearonlongcreditfromAnzani.Itpassedfromhandtohand,andthepossessorforthetimebeingwasbesiegedbyanxiousinquiries.

           “Thereisnothing;thereisnothingtosee!”hewouldrepeatimpatiently.

           Therewasnothing.