Королі та капуста

           Hewasdrawinghispistolashesprang,andthenextinstantheshottheadmiraldown.

           DonSabasstoopedoverhim,androseagain.

           "Intheheart,"hesaidbriefly."Señores,thenavyisabolished."

           ColonelRafaelsprangtothehelm,andtheotherofficerhastenedtoloosethemainsailsheets.Theboomswunground;ElNacionalveeredandbegantotackindustriouslyfortheSalvador.

           "Strikethatflag,señor,"calledColonelRafael."Ourfriendsonthesteamerwillwonderwhywearesailingunderit."

           "Wellsaid,"criedDonSabas.Advancingtothemastheloweredtheflagtothedeck,wherelayitstooloyalsupporter.ThusendedtheMinisterofWar’slittlepieceofafter-dinnerdrollery,andbythesamehandthatbeganit.

           SuddenlyDonSabasgaveagreatcryofjoy,andrandowntheslantingdecktothesideofColonelRafael.Acrosshisarmhecarriedtheflagoftheextinguishednavy.

           "Mire!mire!señor.Ah,Dios!AlreadycanIhearthatgreatbearofanOestreichershout,’Duhastmeinherzgebrochen!’Mire!Ofmyfriend,HerrGrunitz,ofVienna,youhaveheardmerelate.ThatmanhastravelledtoCeylonforanorchid—toPatagoniaforaheaddress—toBenaresforaslipper—toMozambiqueforaspearheadtoaddtohisfamouscollections.Thouknowest,also,amigoRafael,thatIhavebeenagathererofcurios.Mycollectionofbattleflagsoftheworld’snavieswasthemostcompleteinexistenceuntillastyear.ThenHerrGrunitzsecuredtwo,O!suchrarespecimens.