Ностромо
Chapter 4
Anditwasnotmereboastfulnessthatpromptedthegeneral’sreminiscences,butagenuineloveofthatwildlifewhichhehadledinhisyoungdaysbeforeheturnedhisbackforeveronthethatchedroofoftheparentaltolderiainthewoods.WanderingawayasfarasMexicohehadfoughtagainsttheFrenchbytheside(ashesaid)ofJuarez,andwastheonlymilitarymanofCostaguanawhohadeverencounteredEuropeantroopsinthefield.ThatfactshedagreatlustreuponhisnametillitbecameeclipsedbytherisingstarofMontero.Allhislifehehadbeenaninveterategambler.Healludedhimselfquiteopenlytothecurrentstoryhowonce,duringsomecampaign(whenincommandofabrigade),hehadgambledawayhishorses,pistols,andaccoutrements,totheveryepaulettes,playingmontewithhiscolonelsthenightbeforethebattle.Finally,hehadsentunderescorthissword(apresentationsword,withagoldhilt)tothetownintherearofhispositiontobeimmediatelypledgedforfivehundredpesetaswithasleepyandfrightenedshop-keeper.Bydaybreakhehadlostthelastofthatmoney,too,whenhisonlyremark,asherosecalmly,was,“Nowletusgoandfighttothedeath.”Fromthattimehehadbecomeawarethatageneralcouldleadhistroopsintobattleverywellwithasimplestickinhishand.“Ithasbeenmycustomeversince,”hewouldsay.
