Страна слепых

           TheymockedNunezwhenPedrodidnotarrive,andafterwards,whenheaskedPedroquestionstoclearhischaracter,Pedrodeniedandoutfacedhim,andwasafterwardshostiletohim. 

           Thenheinducedthemtolethimgoalongwayuptheslopingmeadowstowardsthewallwithonecomplacentindividual,andtohimhepromisedtodescribeallthathappenedamongthehouses. Henotedcertaingoingsandcomings,butthethingsthatreallyseemedtosignifytothesepeoplehappenedinsideoforbehindthewindowlesshouses—theonlythingstheytooknoteoftotesthimby—andofthesehecouldseeortellnothing; anditwasafterthefailureofthisattempt,andtheridiculetheycouldnotrepress,thatheresortedtoforce. Hethoughtofseizingaspadeandsuddenlysmitingoneortwoofthemtoearth,andsoinfaircombatshowingtheadvantageofeyes. Hewentsofarwiththatresolutionastoseizehisspade,andthenhediscoveredanewthingabouthimself,andthatwasthatitwasimpossibleforhimtohitablindmanincoldblood. 

           Hehesitated,andfoundthemallawarethathehadsnatchedupthespade. Theystoodalert,withtheirheadsononeside,andbentearstowardshimforwhathewoulddonext. 

           "Putthatspadedown,"saidone, andhefeltasortofhelplesshorror. Hecamenearobedience. 

           Thenhethrustonebackwardsagainstahousewall,andfledpasthimandoutofthevillage. 

           Hewentathwartoneoftheirmeadows,leavingatrackoftrampledgrassbehindhisfeet,andpresentlysatdownbythesideofoneoftheirways.