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           HehadpromisedCharlesGouldthatattheapproachofanarmedforcehewoulddefendthegorgejustlongenoughtogivehimselftimetodestroyscientificallythewholeplant,buildings,andworkshopsoftheminewithheavychargesofdynamite;blockwithruinsthemaintunnel,breakdownthepathways,blowupthedamofthewater-power,shatterthefamousGouldConcessionintofragments,flyingskyhighoutofahorrifiedworld.TheminehadgotholdofCharlesGouldwithagripasdeadlyaseverithadlaiduponhisfather.ButthisextremeresolutionhadseemedtoDonPepethemostnaturalthingintheworld.Hismeasureshadbeentakenwithjudgment.Everythingwaspreparedwithacarefulcompleteness.AndDonPepefoldedhishandspacificallyonhisswordhilt,andnoddedatthepriest.Inhisexcitement,FatherRomanhadflungsnuffinhandfulsathisface,and,allbesmearedwithtobacco,round-eyed,andbesidehimself,hadgotoutofthehammocktowalkabout,utteringexclamations.

           DonPepestrokedhisgreyandpendantmoustache,whosefineendshungfarbelowtheclean-cutlineofhisjaw,andspokewithaconsciousprideinhisreputation.

           “So,Padre,Idon’tknowwhatwillhappen.ButIknowthataslongasIamhereDonCarloscanspeaktothatmacaque,PedritoMontero,andthreatenthedestructionoftheminewithperfectassurancethathewillbetakenseriously.Forpeopleknowme