Ностромо
Chapter 6
DonPepesatdowninthechairandlightedacigar;thepriestdrewinanimmensequantityofsnuffoutofthehollowofhispalm.Onhisreddish-brownface,worn,hollowedasifcrumbled,theeyes,freshandcandid,sparkledliketwoblackdiamonds.
DonPepe,inamildandhumorousvoice,informedFatherRomanthatPedritoMontero,bythehandofSenorFuentes,hadaskedhimonwhattermshewouldsurrenderthemineinproperworkingordertoalegallyconstitutedcommissionofpatrioticcitizens,escortedbyasmallmilitaryforce.Thepriestcasthiseyesuptoheaven.However,DonPepecontinued,themozowhobroughtthelettersaidthatDonCarlosGouldwasalive,andsofarunmolested.
FatherRomanexpressedinafewwordshisthankfulnessathearingoftheSenorAdministrador’ssafety.
Thehouroforationhadgonebyinthesilveryringingofabellinthelittlebelfry.Thebeltofforestclosingtheentranceofthevalleystoodlikeascreenbetweenthelowsunandthestreetofthevillage.Attheotherendoftherockygorge,betweenthewallsofbasaltandgranite,aforest-cladmountain,hidingalltherangefromtheSanTomedwellers,rosesteeply,lightedupandleafytotheverytop.Threesmallrosycloudshungmotionlessoverheadinthegreatdepthofblue.Knotsofpeoplesatinthestreetbetweenthewattledhuts.
