The Lighthouse
Chapter 1
DirectlythecargoboathadslippedawayfromthewharfandgotlostinthedarknessoftheharbourtheEuropeansofSulacoseparated,toprepareforthecomingoftheMonteristregime,whichwasapproachingSulacofromthemountains,aswellasfromthesea.
Thisbitofmanualworkinloadingthesilverwastheirlastconcertedaction.Itendedthethreedaysofdanger,duringwhich,accordingtothenewspaperpressofEurope,theirenergyhadpreservedthetownfromthecalamitiesofpopulardisorder.Attheshoreendofthejetty,CaptainMitchellsaidgood-nightandturnedback.HisintentionwastowalktheplanksofthewharftillthesteamerfromEsmeraldaturnedup.Theengineersoftherailwaystaff,collectingtheirBasqueandItalianworkmen,marchedthemawaytotherailwayyards,leavingtheCustomHouse,sowelldefendedonthefirstdayoftheriot,standingopentothefourwindsofheaven.Theirmenhadconductedthemselvesbravelyandfaithfullyduringthefamous“threedays”ofSulaco.Inagreatpartthisfaithfulnessandthatcouragehadbeenexercisedinself-defenceratherthaninthecauseofthosematerialintereststowhichCharlesGouldhadpinnedhisfaith.Amongstthecriesofthemobnottheleastloudhadbeenthecryofdeathtoforeigners.Itwas,indeed,aluckycircumstanceforSulacothattherelationsofthoseimportedworkmenwiththepeopleofthecountryhadbeenuniformlybadfromthefirst.
