THE BANIAN'S HOUSE.
Valparaíso, like nearly all the commercial centres of South America,
is a collection of shapeless huts and magnificent palaces, standing
side by side and hanging in long clusters from the sided of the three
mountains which command the town. The streets are narrow, dirty, and
almost deprived of air, for the houses, as in all American towns,
have a tendency to approach each other, and at a certain height form
a projection of four, or even six feet over the street. Paving is
perfectly unknown; and the consequence is, that in winter, when the
deluging rains, which fall for three months almost without leaving off,
have saturated the ground, these streets become veritable sewers, in
which pedestrians sink up to the knee. This renders the use of a horse
indispensable.
Putrid and pestilential miasmas exhale from these gutters, which are
filled with rubbish of every description, resulting from the daily
sweepings of the houses. On the other hand, the squares are large,
square, perfectly airy, and lined with wide verandahs, which at midday
offer a healthy protection from the sun. These verandahs contain
handsome shops, in which the dealers have collected, at great cost,
all that can tempt purchasers. It is a medley of the most discordant
shops and booths, grouped side by side. A magnificent jeweller displays
behind his window diamond necklaces, silver spurs, weighing from
fifteen to twenty marcs, rings, bracelets, &c.; between a modest grocer
quarrelling with his customers about the weight, and the seller of
massamorra broth, who, with sleeves tucked up to the elbow, is selling
his stuff by spoonfuls to every scamp who has an ochavo to regale
himself with.
The smuggler captain passed gloomily and thoughtfully through the
joyous population, whose bursts of laughter echoed far and wide, and
whose merry songs escaped in gay zambacuecas from all the spirit shops
which are so frequent at Valparaíso. In this way he reached Señor
Crevel's inn, who uttered a cry of joy on perceiving the captain, and
ran out to hold his horse.
"Are my men here?" Leon asked civilly, as he dismounted.
"They arrived nearly two hours back," Crevel answered, respectfully.
"It is well. Is the green chamber empty?"
Every landlord, in whatever country he may hang out his sign, possesses
a separate room adorned with the names of blue, red, or green, and
which he lets at a fabulous price, under the excuse that it is far
superior to all the others in the house. Señor Crevel knew his trade
too well not to have adopted this habit common to all his brethren;
but he had given the name of the green room to a charming little quiet
nook, which only his regular customers entered. Now, as we have said,
the smugglers were very old friends of Crevel.
The door of the green room, perfectly concealed in the wall, did not
allow its existence to be suspected; and it was in this room that the
bold plans of the landlord's mysterious trade, whose profits were far
greater than those which he drew from his avowed trade, were elaborated.
On hearing Leon's question, the Banian's face assumed an expression
even more joyous than that with which he had greeted the young man's
arrival, for he scented, in the simple question asked him, a meeting
of smugglers and the settlement of some affairs in which he would have
his share as usual. Hence he replied by an intelligent nod, and added
aloud, "Yes, señor; it is ready for your reception."
After handing the traveller's horse to a greasy waiter, whom he ordered
to take the greatest care of it, he led Leon into the interior of the
inn. We are bound to confess that if the architect who undertook to
build this house had been more than saving in the distribution of
ornamentation, it was admirably adapted for its owner's trade. It was
a cottage built of pebbles and beams, which it had in common with the
greater portion of the houses in Valparaíso. Its front looked, as we
know, upon the Calle San Agostino, while the opposite side faced the
sea, over which it jutted out on piles for some distance. An enormous
advantage for the worthy landlord, who frequently profited by dark or
stormy nights to avoid payment of customs dues, by receiving through
the windows the goods which the smugglers sold him; and it also
favoured the expeditions of the latter, by serving as a depôt for the
bales which they undertook to bring in on account of people who dealt
with them.
This vicinity of the sea also enabled the Frenchman, whose customers
were a strange medley of all sorts of men, not to trouble himself about
the result of the frequent quarrels which took place at his house,
and which might have caused an unpleasantness with the police, who at
Valparaíso, as in other places where this estimable institution is in
vogue, sometimes found it necessary to make an example. Hence, so soon
as the squadron of lanceros was signalled in the distance, Señor Crevel
at once warned his guests; so that when the soldiers arrived, and
fancied they were about to make a good haul, they found that the birds
had flown. We need scarce say that they had simply escaped through the
back window into a boat always kept fastened in case of need to a ring
in the wooden platform, which served as a landing stage to the house.
The lanceros did not understand this sudden disappearance, and went off
with a hangdog air.
Differing from European houses, which fall back in proportion to
their elevation from the ground, Señor Crevel's establishment bulged
outwards, so that the top was spacious and well lighted, while the
ground floor rooms were narrow and dark. The landlord had always taken
advantage of this architectural arrangement by having a room made on
the second floor, which was reached by a turning staircase, and a
perfect ear of Dionysius, as all external sounds reached the inmates,
while the noise they made either in fighting or talking was deadened.
The result of this was that a man might be most easily killed in the
green room without a soul suspecting it.
It was into this room, then, witness of so many secret councils, that
the landlord introduced, with the greatest ceremony, the captain of
the smugglers, who walked behind him. On regarding the interior of the
room, nothing indicated the origin of its name; for it was entirely
hung with red damask. Had this succeeded a green hanging? This seems to
be a more probable explanation.
It received light from above, by means of a large skylight. The walls
were hung with pictures in equivocal taste, representing subjects
passably erotic and even slightly obscene. A large four-post bed,
adorned with its tester, occupied all one side of the room, and a
mahogany chest of drawers stood facing it: in a corner was a small
table covered with the indispensable toilette articles--combs, brushes,
&c. A small looking glass over the table, chairs surrounding a large
round table, and, lastly, an alabaster clock, which for the last ten
years had invariably marked the same hour between its two flower vases,
completed the furniture of this famous green room. We must also mention
a bell, whose string hung behind the landlord's bar, and was useful to
give an alarm under the circumstances to which we have referred. Leon
paid no attention to these objects, which had long been familiar to
him.
"Now, then," he said, as he took off his hat and poncho, and threw
himself into an easy chair, "bring me some dinner at once."
"What would you like, captain?"
"The first thing ready: some puchero, some pepperpot--in short,
whatever you please, provided it be at once, as I am in a hurry."
"What will you drink?"
"Wine, confound it! and try to find some that is good."
"All right."
"Decamp then, and make haste to bring me all I require."
"Directly, captain."
And Señor Crevel withdrew to attend to the preparation of the young
man's dinner. During this time Leon walked up and down the room, and
seemed to be arranging in his head the details of some plan he was
meditating.
Crevel soon returned to lay the table, which he performed without
opening his lips for fear of attracting some disagreeable remark from
the captain, who, for his part, did not appear at all disposed for
conversation. In an instant all was arranged with that coquettish
symmetry which belongs to the French alone.
"Dinner is ready, captain," said Crevel, when he re-entered the room.
"Very well. Leave me; when I want you I will call you."
The landlord went out. Leon sat down to the table, and drawing the
knife which he wore in his boot, vigorously attacked the appetizing
dishes placed before him.
It is a fact worthy of remark, that with great and energetic natures,
moral sufferings have scarce any influence over physical wants.
It might be said that they understand the necessity of renewing or
redoubling their strength, in order to resist more easily and more
victoriously the griefs which oppress them, and they require all their
vigour to contend worthily against them.
Chilian meals in no way resemble ours. Among us people drink while
eating, in order to facilitate the absorption and digestion of the
food; but in America it is quite different--there people eat without
drinking. It is only when the pastry and sweets have been eaten that
they drink a large glass of water for digestion; then comes the
wines and liqueurs, always in small quantities, for the inhabitants
of hot countries are generally very sober, and not addicted to the
interminable sittings round a table covered with bottles, in an
atmosphere impregnated with the steam of dishes.
When the meal was ended, Leon took his tobacco pouch from his pocket
and rolled a cigarette, after wiping his fingers on the cloth. As
this action may appear improper to the reader, it is as well that he
should know that all Americans do so without scruple, as the use of the
napkin is entirely unknown. Another custom worth mentioning is that
of employing the fingers in lieu of a fork. This is the process among
the Americans. They cut a piece of bread crumb, which they hold in
their hand, and pick up with it the articles on their plate with great
rapidity and cleanliness.
Nor must it be thought that they act in this way through ignorance of
the fork; they are perfectly well acquainted with that utensil, and can
manage it as well as we do when required; but though it is present on
every table, both rich and poor regard it as an object of luxury, and
say that it is far more convenient to do without it, and remark that
the food has considerably more flavour when eaten in this fashion.
Leon lit his cigarette, and fell again into his reflections. All at
once he rose and rang the bell, and Crevel at once appeared.
"Take all this away," said Leon, pointing to the table.
The landlord removed all traces of the meal.
"And now bring me the articles to make a glass of punch."
Crevel gazed for a moment in amazement at the man who had given this
order. The sobriety of the smuggler was proverbial at Valparaíso; he
had never been seen to drink more than one or two glasses of Pisco, and
then it was only on great occasions, or to please his friend Diego,
whom he knew to be very fond of strong liquors, like all the Indians.
When a bottle of aguardiente was served to the two men, the Indian
finished it alone, for Leon scarce wet his lips. Hence the landlord was
almost knocked off his feet on receiving his guest's unusual order.
"Well, did you not hear me?" Leon resumed, impatiently.
"Yes, yes, sir," Crevel replied; "but--"
"But it surprises you, I suppose?"
"I confess it."
"It is true," Leon said, with a mocking smile, "that it is not my habit
to drink."
"That it is not," said Crevel.
"Well, I am going to take to it, that's all. And what do you find
surprising in that?"
"Nothing, of course."
"Then bring me what I asked for."
"Directly, directly, captain."
"On my soul, something extraordinary is taking place," Crevel said
to himself as he descended to his bar. "The captain never had a very
agreeable way with him, but, on the word of Crevel, I never saw him as
he is tonight; it would be dangerous to touch him with a pair of tongs.
What can have happened to him? Ah, stuff, it concerns him, after all:
and then, who knows; perhaps he is on the point of becoming a drunkard."
After this aside, the worthy landlord manufactured a splendid bowl of
punch, which he carried up to Leon so soon as it was ready.
"There," he said, as he placed the bowl on the table; "I think that
will please you, captain."
"Thanks! but what is this?" Leon said, as he looked at what Crevel had
brought--"there is only one glass."
"Why, you are alone."
"That is true; but I trust you will do me the pleasure of drinking with
me."
"I should be most unwilling, captain, to deprive myself of the honour
of drinking with you, but--"
Crevel, through his stupefaction, was unable to complete his sentence,
for the invitation which the captain gave him surprised him beyond all
expression. Let us add that it was the first time such an honour had
been done him.
"In that case bring a glass for yourself."
Crevel, without further hesitation, fetched the glass, and seated
himself facing the captain.
"Now, my dear Crevel," Leon said, as he dipped into the bowl and filled
the glasses to the brim, "here's to your health, and let us talk."
The landlord was all ears.
"Do you know the convent of the Purísima Concepción?"
At this question Crevel opened his eyes to their fullest extent.
"What the deuce can the captain have to do with the nuns of the
Purísima Concepción?" he asked himself, and then replied, "Certainly,
captain."
"Very good; and could you contrive to get in there under some pretext?"
The landlord appeared to reflect for a moment.
"I have it," he said; "I will get in whenever you like."
"In that case get ready, for I want to send you there this very moment."
"What to do?"
"A trifle. I want you to see the Señora Maria," Leon said to him, after
describing the accident of which he had been the involuntary cause,
"and deliver her a message from me."
"The deuce! that is more difficult," Crevel muttered.
"Did you not tell me that you could get into the convent?"
"Yes; but seeing a novice is very different."
"Still you must do so, unless you refuse to undertake the task. I
thought of you, because I believed you to be a clever and resolute
fellow; if I am mistaken, I will apply to someone else, and I feel
certain that I shall find more than one ingenious man who will not be
sorry to earn four ounces."
"Four ounces, did you say?" and the Parisian's eyes sparkled with a
flash of covetousness.
"Tell me if that suits you?"
"I accept."
"In that case, make haste. Have my horse saddled for I shall accompany
you."
"We will start within a quarter of an hour; but in order that I may
take my precautions, tell me what I have to do when I see the Señora?"
"You will hand her this scapulary, and say to her that the cavalier
who wore it is lying at your house in danger of death. Pay careful
attention to the expression which her face assumes, and manage to
describe it to me. That is all I want."
"I understand."
And the landlord went down to make his preparations.
"In that way, I shall know whether she loves me," Leon exclaimed, so
soon as he was alone.
Then, taking up his poncho and montera, he rolled a cigarette in his
fingers, and went to join Crevel in the ground floor room.
"Do not be impatient, captain; I shall be with you in a moment," the
banian said on perceiving him; "I only ask of you the time to run to my
cellar."
"Make haste, for time is slipping away."
"Do not be alarmed; I shall be at the convent within half an hour."
On returning from the cellar the landlord brought with him three
bottles covered with a thick coating of mould, bearing witness to the
long stay they had made in the shadow of the sun, and adorned with a
skullcap of pitch, whose colour time had changed.
"What is that?" Leon asked.
"The keys of the convent of the Purísima Concepción," Crevel replied,
with a crafty smile. "We can start now."
In a moment Leon, on horseback, was going down the Calle San Agostino a
few paces a head of Crevel, who was on foot.