Короли и капуста
Preface
Farbeyondthecommonwomanwassheendowedwithintrepidrashness,withaloveforthepursuitofadventuretothebrinkofdanger,andwithdesireforthepleasuresoflife.Herspiritwasonetochafeunderanycurb;shewasEveafterthefall,butbeforethebitternessofitwasfelt.Sheworelifeasaroseinherbosom.
Ofthelegionofmenwhohadbeenatherfeetitwassaidthatbutonewassofortunateastoengageherfancy.ToPresidentMiraflores,thebrilliantbutunstablerulerofAnchuria,sheyieldedthekeytoherresoluteheart.How,then,dowefindher(astheCoralianswouldhavetoldyou)thewifeofFrankGoodwin,andhappilylivingalifeofdullanddreamyinaction?
Theunderlyingthreadsreachfar,stretchingacrossthesea.Followingthemoutitwillbemadeplainwhy"Shorty"O’Day,oftheColumbiaDetectiveAgency,resignedhisposition.And,foralighterpastime,itshallbeadutyandapleasingsporttowanderwithMomusbeneaththetropicstarswhereMelpomeneoncestalkedaustere.Nowtocauselaughtertoechofromthoselavishjunglesandfrowningcragswhereformerlyrangthecriesofpirates’victims;tolayasidepikeandcutlassandattackwithquipandjollity;todrawonesavingtitterofmirthfromtherustycasqueofRomance—thiswerepleasanttodointheshadeofthelemon-treesonthatcoastthatiscurvedlikelipssetforsmiling.
ForthereareyettalesoftheSpanishMain.ThatsegmentofcontinentwashedbythetempestuousCaribbean,andpresentingtotheseaaformidableborderoftropicaljungletoppedbytheoverweeningCordilleras,isstillbegirtbymysteryandromance.Inpasttimesbuccaneersandrevolutionistsrousedtheechoesofitscliffs,andthecondorwheeledperpetuallyabovewhere,inthegreengroves,theymadefoodforhimwiththeirmatchlocksandtoledos.
