Part 7 (1/2)
”What is it, Fernando?” she panted
”What is it? How can you have the courage to ask such a question, Toribia? Look at the confusion your pestilent fowls are creating ast my papers--papers that concern the safety of the republic! Wo to take to stop this before I have your fowls all killed on the spot?”
”What can I do, Fernando?--they are hungry, I suppose I thought you wanted to ask my advice about these prisoners--poor fellows! and here you are with your hens”
Her placid manner acted like oil on the fire of his wrath He stor rulers and paper-weights at the birds, apparently with the , shaking his fist at his wife, and even threatening to cohed
At last, after a great deal of trouble, the foere all got out, and the servant placed to guard the door, with strict orders to decapitate the first chicken that should atte restored, the Juez lit a cigarette and began to smooth his ruffled feathers ”Proceed,” he said to the officer, from his seat at the table
”Sir,” said the officer, ”in pursuance of ers, who are unprovided with passports or documents of any description to corroborate their statelishup estates, while the other man is his servant There are twenty-five reasons for disbelieving their story, but I have not sufficient ti found the doors of the Juzgado closed, I have brought these reat inconvenience toto have this business despatched without further delay, so that I may have a little time left to devote to my private affairs”
”Address not me in this ier blazing out afresh ”Do you iine, sir, that I have no private interests; that the State feeds and clothes my wife and children? No, sir, I a to re the proper hours and at the proper place”
”Sir Juez,” said the officer, ”it is ht never to have any part in matters which more properly cos are differently arranged, and I am compelled to come with my reports to you in the first place, I a into any discussion concerning your position in the republic, what is to be done with these two prisoners I have brought before you”
”Done with theo; do what you like, since you are responsible, not I And be sure, sir officer, I shall not fail to report your insubordinate language to your superiors”
”Your threats do not alaruilty of insubordination towards a person one is not bound to obey
And now, sirs,” he added, turning to us, ”I have been advised to release you; you are free to continue your journey”
Marcos rose with alacrity
”Man, sit down!” yelled the irate hly crestfallen, sat down again ”Sir Lieutenant,” continued the fierce old man, ”you are dismissed from further attendance here The republic you profess to serve would perhaps be just as well off without your valuable aid Go, sir, to attend to your private affairs, and leave your men here to executemade a profound and sarcastic bow, turned on his heel and left the room
”Take these two prisoners to the stocks,” continued the little despot
”I will examine them to-morrow”
Marcos was first marched out of the room by two of the soldiers; for it happened that an outhouse on the place was provided with the usual wooden arrangeht But when the other men took istrate's order had produced in hly aside
”Senor Juez,” I said, addressing hi Surely h to satisfy any reasonable person that I a to reo wherever you like to sendnity of the stocks
If you overnment you serve will only censure, and perhaps ruin you, for your imprudent zeal”
Before he could reply, his fat spouse, who had apparently taken a great fancy to e to spare uest inthe truth about yourself, a day's detention cannot hurt you”
I was then conducted by my kind intercessor into the kitchen, where we all sat down to partake of _an to feel rather sorry for poor Marcos, for even a worthless vagabond, such as he appeared to be, becomes an object of compassion when misfortune overtakes hiranted I found hie empty room built apart from the house; he had been provided with a _ his bitter beverage with an air of stoical indifference His legs, confined in the stocks, were thrust straight out before him; but I suppose he was accustomed to uncomfortable positions, for he did not seeeneral way, I asked him whether he could really sleep in that position
”No,” he replied, with indifference ”But, do you know, I do nottaken They will send me to the _comandancia_, I suppose, and after a few days liberate ood work soet o to your bed?”