I walked thoughtfully back, because, after rendering1 that unimportant service to Marcos, I began to experience sundry2 qualms3 of conscience and inward questionings concerning the strict morality of the whole proceeding4. Allowing that I had done something very kind, charitable, and altogether praiseworthy in getting the poor fellow's unfortunate feet out of the stocks, did all that justify5 the cajolery I had practised to attain6 my object? Or, to put it briefly7 in the old familiar way: Does the end sanctify the means? Assuredly it does in some cases, very easy to be imagined. Let us suppose that I have a beloved friend, an ailing8 person of a nervous, delicate organisation9, who has taken it into his poor cracked brains that he is going to expire at the stroke of twelve on a given night. Without consulting the authorities on ethical10 questions, I should, in such a case, flit about his room secretly manipulating his timepieces, till I had advanced them a whole hour, and then, just before the stroke of midnight, triumphantly11 produce my watch and inform him that death had failed to keep the appointment. Such an acted lie as that would weigh nothing on the conscience of any man. The fact of the matter is, the circumstances must always be considered and every case judged on its own particular merits. Now, this affair of getting the key was not one for me to judge, since Ihad been a chief actor in it, but rather for some acute and learned casuist. I therefore made a mental note of it, with the intention of putting it impartially12 before the first person of that description I should meet. Having thus disposed of a troublesome matter, I felt greatly relieved in mind, and turned into the kitchen once more. I had scarcely sat down, however, before I round that one disagreeable consequence of my performance—the fat señora's claim on my undying devotion and gratitude—had yet to be faced. She greeted my entrance with an effusive13 smile; and the sweetest smiles of some people one meets are less endurable than their black looks. In self-defence I assumed as drowsy14 and vacant an expression as I could summon on the instant to a countenance15 by nature almost too ingenuous16. I pretended not to hear, or to misunderstand, everything that was said to me; finally I grew so sleepy that I was several times on the point of falling off my chair, then, after each extravagant17 nod, I would start up and stare vacantly around me. My grim little host could scarcely conceal18 a quiet smile, for never had he seen a person so outrageously19 sleepy before. At length he mercifully remarked that I seemed fatigued20, and advised me to retire. Very gladly I made my exit, followed in my retreat from the kitchen by a pair of sad, reproachful eyes.
I slept soundly enough in the comfortable bed, which my obese21 Gulnare had provided for me, until the numerous cocks of the establishment woke me shortly after daybreak with their crowing. Remembering that I had to secure Marcos in the stocks before the irascible little magistrate22 should appear on the scene, I rose and hastily dressed myself. I found the greasy23 man of the brass24 buttons already in the kitchen sipping25 his matutinal maté-amargo, and asked him to lend me the key of the prisoner's room; for this was what I had been instructed to do by the señora. He got up and went with me to open the door himself, not caring, I suppose, to trust me with the key. When he threw the door open we stood silently gazing for some time into the empty apartment. The prisoner had vanished and a large hole cut in the thatch26 of the roof showed how and where he had made his exit. I felt very much exasperated27 at the shabby trick the fellow had played on us, on me especially, for I was in a measure responsible for him. Fortunately the man who opened the door never suspected me of being an accomplice28, but merely remarked that the stocks had evidently been left unlocked by the soldiers the evening before, so that it was not strange the prisoner had made his escape.
When the other members of the household got up, the matter was discussed with little excitement or even interest, and I soon concluded that the secret of the escape would remain between the lady of the house and myself. She watched for an opportunity to speak to me alone, then, shaking her fat forefinger29 at me in playful anger, whispered, “Ah, deceiver, you planned it all with him last evening and only made me your instrument!”
“Señora,” I protested, with dignity, “I assure you on the word of honour of an Englishman, I never suspected the man had any intention of escaping. I am very angry it has happened.”
“What do you suppose I care about his escaping?” she replied laughingly. “For your sake, sweet friend, I would gladly open the doors of every prison in the Banda if I had the power.”
“Ah, how you flatter! But I must now go to your husband to learn from him what he intends doing with the prisoner who has not attempted to escape.”
With this excuse I got away from her.
The wretched little Juez, when I spoke31 to him, put me off with a number of vague, meaningless phrases about his responsible position, the peculiar32 nature of his functions, and the unsettled state of the republic—as if it had ever known or was ever likely to know any other state! He then mounted his horse and rode away to Las Cuevas, leaving me with that dreadful woman; and I verily believe that in doing so he was only carrying out her private instructions. The only comfort he gave me was the promise he made before going that a communication respecting me would be forwarded to the Commandante of the district in the course of the day, which would probably result in my being passed on to that functionary33. In the meanwhile he begged me to make free use of his house and everything in it. Of course, the misguided little wretch30 had no intention of throwing his fat wife at my head; still, I had no doubt that it was she who inspired these complimentary34 phrases, telling him, perhaps, that he would lose nothing by a courteous35 treatment of the “English millionaire.”
When he rode away he left me sitting on the gate, feeling very much disgusted, and almost wishing that, like Marcos Marcó, I had run away during the night. Never had I taken so sudden and violent a dislike to anything as I then and there did to that estancia, where I was an honoured, albeit36 a compulsory37 guest. The hot, brilliant morning sunshone down on the discoloured thatch and mud-plastered walls of the sordid-looking building, while all about wherever I cast my eyes they rested on weeds, old bones, broken bottles, and other rubbish—eloquent witnesses of the dirty, idle, thriftless character of the inmates38. Meanwhile my sweet, angelic child-wife, with her violet eyes dim with tears, was waiting for me far away in Montevideo, wondering at my long absence, and even now perhaps shading her face with her lily hand and looking out on the white dusty road watching for my arrival! And here I was compelled to sit, idly swinging my legs on the gate, because that abominable39 fat woman had taken a fancy to keep me by her! Feeling mad with indignation, I suddenly jumped down from the gate with an exclamation40 not intended for ears polite, causing my hostess to jump also and utter a scream; for there she was (confound her!) standing41 just behind me.
“The Saints defend me!” she exclaimed, recovering herself and laughing; “what made you startle me so?”
I apologised for the strong expression I had used; then added, “Señora, I am a young man full of energy and accustomed to take a great deal of exercise every day, and I am getting very impatient sitting here basking43 in the sunshine, like a turtle on a bank of mud.”
“Why, then, do you not take a walk?” she said, with kind concern.
I said I would gladly do so, and thanked her for the permission; then she immediately offered to accompany me. I protested very ungallantly that I was a fast walker, and reminded her that the sun was excessively hot, and I should also have liked to add that she was excessively fat. She replied that it did not matter; so polite a person as myself would know how to accommodate his pace to that of his companion. Unable to shake her off, I started for my walk in a somewhat unamiable mood, the stout lady resolutely44 trudging45 on at my side, perspiring46 abundantly. Our path led us down to a little cañada, or valley, where the ground was moist and abounding47 with numerous pretty flowers and feathery grasses, very refreshing48 to look at after leaving the parched49 yellow ground about the estancia house.
“You seem to be very fond of flowers,” observed my companion. “Let me help you gather them. To whom will you give your nosegay when it is made?”
“Señora,” I replied, vexed50 at her trivial chatter51, “I will give it to the—” I had almost said to the devil, when a piercing scream she uttered suddenly arrested the rude speech on my lips.
Her fright had been caused by a pretty little snake, about eighteen inches long, which she had seen gliding52 away at her feet. And no wonder it glided53 away from her with all the speed it was capable of, for how gigantic and deformed54 a monster that fat woman must have seemed to it! The terror of a timid little child at the sight of a hippopotamus55, robed in flowing bed-curtains and walking erect56 on its hind42 legs, would perhaps be comparable to the panic possessing the shallow brain of the poor speckled thing when that huge woman came striding over it.
First I laughed, and then, seeing that she was about to throw herself for protection like a mountain of flesh upon me, I turned and ran after the snake—for I had observed that it belonged to a harmless species, one of the innocuous Coronella genus—and I was anxious to annoy the woman. I captured it in a moment; then, with the poor frightened creature struggling in my hand and winding57 itself about my wrist, I walked back to her.
“Did you ever see such lovely colours?” I cried. “Look at the delicate primrose58 yellow on its neck, deepening into vivid crimson59 on the belly60. Talk of flowers and butterflies! And its eyes are bright as two small diamonds—look closely at them, señora, for they are well worth your admiration61.”
But she only turned and fled away screaming at my approach, and at last, finding that I would not obey her and drop the terrible reptile62, she left me in a towering rage and went back to the house by herself.
After that I continued my walk in peace amongst the flowers; but my little speckled captive had served me so well that I would not release it. It occurred to me that if I kept it on my person it might serve as a sort of talisman63 to protect me from the disagreeable attentions of the señora. Finding that it was a very sly little snakey, and, like Marcos Marcó in captivity64, full of subtle deceit, I put it into my hat, which, when firmly pressed on to my head, left no opening for the little arrowy head to insinuate65 itself through. After spending two or three hours botanising in the cañada, I returned to the house. I was in the kitchen refreshing myself with a bitter maté, when my hostess came in beaming with smiles, for she had, I suppose, forgiven me by this time. I politely rose and removed my hat. Unfortunately I had forgotten the snake, when out it dropped on the floor; then followed screams, confusion and scuttling66 out of the kitchen by madame, children, and servants. After that I was compelled to carry the snake out and give it back its liberty, which no doubt tasted very sweet to it after its close confinement67. On my return to the house, one of the servants informed me that the señora was too much offended to sit in the same room with me again, so that I was obliged to have my breakfast alone; and for the remainder of the time during which I was a prisoner I was avoided by everyone (except Brass Buttons,—who appeared indifferent to everything on earth), as if I had been a leper or a dangerous lunatic. They thought, perhaps, that I still had other reptiles68 concealed69 about my person.
Of course, one always expects to find a cruel, unreasoning prejudice against snakes amongst ignorant people, but I never knew before to what ridiculous lengths it will carry them. The prejudice makes me angry, but on this occasion it had a use, for it enabled me to pass the day unmolested.
In the evening the Juez returned, and I soon heard him loud in a stormy altercation70 with his wife. Perhaps she wanted him to have me decapitated. How it ended I cannot say; but when I saw him his manner towards me was freezing, and he retired71 without giving me an opportunity of speaking to him.
Next morning I got up resolved not to be put off any longer. Something would have to be done, or I would know the reason why. On stepping out I was very much surprised to see my horse standing saddled at the gate. I went into the kitchen and asked Brass Buttons, the only person up, what it meant.
“Who knows?” he returned, giving me a maté. “Perhaps the Juez desires you to leave the house before he is up.”
“What did he say?” I demanded.
“Say? Nothing—what should he say?”
“But you saddled the horse, I suppose?”
“Of course. Who else would do it?”
“Were you told to do so by the Juez?”
“Told? Why should he tell me?”
“How, then, am I to know that he wishes me to leave his beautiful house?” I asked, getting angry.
“The question!” he returned, shrugging his shoulders. “How do you know when it is going to rain?”
Finding there was nothing more to be got out of the fellow, I finishing taking maté, lit a cigar, and left the house. It was a lovely morning, without a cloud, and the heavy dew sparkled on the grass like drops of rain. What a pleasant thing it was to be able to ride forth72 again free to go where I liked!
And so ends my snake-story, which is perhaps not very interesting; but it is true, and therefore has one advantage over all other snake-stories told by travellers.
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1
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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qualms
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| n.不安；内疚 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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7
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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8
ailing
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| v.生病 | |
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organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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10
ethical
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| adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的 | |
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11
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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impartially
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| adv.公平地，无私地 | |
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effusive
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| adj.热情洋溢的；感情(过多)流露的 | |
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14
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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15
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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17
extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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18
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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19
outrageously
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| 凶残地； 肆无忌惮地； 令人不能容忍地； 不寻常地 | |
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20
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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obese
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| adj.过度肥胖的，肥大的 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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25
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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26
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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31
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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32
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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34
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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36
albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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compulsory
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| n.强制的，必修的；规定的，义务的 | |
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38
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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39
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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40
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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41
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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42
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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43
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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44
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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45
trudging
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
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46
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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47
abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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48
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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49
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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50
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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51
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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52
gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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53
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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54
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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55
hippopotamus
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| n.河马 | |
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56
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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58
primrose
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| n.樱草，最佳部分， | |
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59
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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60
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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61
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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62
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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64
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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insinuate
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| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
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scuttling
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| n.船底穿孔，打开通海阀（沉船用）v.使船沉没( scuttle的现在分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
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67
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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69
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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70
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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71
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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72
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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