Ностромо
Chapter 9
Theintelligentoldwarrior,afterenunciatinginadogmatictonethegeneralpropositionthatthe“worldwasfulloftraitors,”wentonpronouncingdeliberatelyapanegyricuponSotillo.Heascribedtohimwithleisurelyemphasiseveryvirtueunderheaven,summingitallupinanabsurdcolloquialismcurrentamongstthelowerclassofOccidentals(especiallyaboutEsmeralda).“And,”heconcluded,withasuddenriseinthevoice,“amanofmanyteeth—‘hombredemuchosdientes.’Si,senor.Astous,”hepursued,portentousandimpressive,“yourworshipisbeholdingthefinestbodyofofficersintheRepublic,menunequalledforvalourandsagacity,‘yhombresdemuchosdientes.’”
“What?Allofthem?”inquiredthedisreputableenvoyofSenorFuentes,withafaint,derisivesmile.
“Todos.Si,senor,”themajoraffirmed,gravely,withconviction.“Menofmanyteeth.”
Theotherwheeledhishorsetofacetheportalresemblingthehighgateofadismalbarn.Heraisedhimselfinhisstirrups,extendedonearm.Hewasafacetiousscoundrel,entertainingforthesestupidOccidentalsafeelingofgreatscornnaturalinanativefromthecentralprovinces.ThefollyofEsmeraldiansespeciallyarousedhisamusedcontempt.HebegananorationuponPedroMontero,keepingasolemncountenance.Heflourishedhishandasifintroducinghimtotheirnotice.
