Ностромо

           PedritoMonterolookedwithdisgustattheabsolutelybarefloor,andatthebeltofheavygiltpicture-framesrunningroundtheroom,outofwhichtheremnantsoftornandslashedcanvasesflutteredlikedingyrags.

           “Wearenotbarbarians,”hesaid.

           ThiswaswhatsaidhisExcellency,thepopularPedrito,theguerrilleroskilledintheartoflayingambushes,chargedbyhisbrotherathisowndemandwiththeorganizationofSulacoondemocraticprinciples.Thenightbefore,duringtheconsultationwithhispartisans,whohadcomeouttomeethiminRincon,hehadopenedhisintentionstoSenorFuentes—

           “Weshallorganizeapopularvote,byyesorno,confidingthedestiniesofourbelovedcountrytothewisdomandvalianceofmyheroicbrother,theinvinciblegeneral.Aplebiscite.Doyouunderstand?”

           AndSenorFuentes,puffingouthisleatherycheeks,hadinclinedhisheadslightlytotheleft,lettingathin,bluishjetofsmokeescapethroughhispursedlips.Hehadunderstood.

           HisExcellencywasexasperatedatthedevastation.Notasinglechair,table,sofa,etagereorconsolehadbeenleftinthestateroomsoftheIntendencia.HisExcellency,thoughtwitchingalloverwithrage,wasrestrainedfromburstingintoviolencebyasenseofhisremotenessandisolation.Hisheroicbrotherwasveryfaraway.