Joseph Conrad: Nostromo

PART THIRD: THE LIGHTHOUSE 9. CHAPTER NINE (continued)

But as soon as the other had shut after him the door of the
landing, the colonel leaped out with a fling of both feet in an
avalanche of woollen coverings. His spurs having become entangled
in a perfect welter of ponchos he nearly pitched on his head, and
did not recover his balance till the middle of the room.
Concealed behind the half-closed jalousies he listened to what
went on below.

The envoy had already mounted, and turning to the morose officers
occupying the great doorway, took off his hat formally.

"Caballeros," he said, in a very loud tone, "allow me to
recommend you to take great care of your colonel. It has done me
much honour and gratification to have seen you all, a fine body
of men exercising the soldierly virtue of patience in this
exposed situation, where there is much sun, and no water to speak
of, while a town full of wine and feminine charms is ready to
embrace you for the brave men you are. Caballeros, I have the
honour to salute you. There will be much dancing to-night in
Sulaco. Good-bye!"

But he reined in his horse and inclined his head sideways on
seeing the old major step out, very tall and meagre, in a
straight narrow coat coming down to his ankles as it were the
casing of the regimental colours rolled round their staff.

The intelligent old warrior, after enunciating in a dogmatic tone
the general proposition that the "world was full of traitors,"
went on pronouncing deliberately a panegyric upon Sotillo. He
ascribed to him with leisurely emphasis every virtue under
heaven, summing it all up in an absurd colloquialism current
amongst the lower class of Occidentals (especially about
Esmeralda). "And," he concluded, with a sudden rise in the
voice, "a man of many teeth--'hombre de muchos dientes.' Si,
senor. As to us," he pursued, portentous and impressive, "your
worship is beholding the finest body of officers in the Republic,
men unequalled for valour and sagacity, 'y hombres de muchos
dientes.'"

"What? All of them?" inquired the disreputable envoy of Senor
Fuentes, with a faint, derisive smile.

"Todos. Si, senor," the major affirmed, gravely, with conviction.
"Men of many teeth."