Strong wind by Asturias Miguel Angel

Author:Asturias, Miguel Angel
Language: spa
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Banana trade
Publisher: New York, Delacorte Press
Published: 1968-08-05T16:00:00+00:00

STRONG WIND

121

Later on, the Lebanese’s contraband, merchandise that had crossed the border without paying duty, was on its way down to the coast under the protection of the figure of Lester Mead, whom the authorities would never dare ask for papers. When the documents were signed and everything was in order, Mead, who did not know that it was contraband, got back into the driver’s seat, released the brake, started the motor, and back home.

For the nearby markets, which the Fuetes only half-covered, because they missed a lot of trips, Mead and his people substituted the market in the capital twice a week.

But one day when they got to the market and stationed themselves in the spot where they were well known to a great number of dealers, no one came over. A shudder ran through Lester’s body. It was impossible that the market in the capital, with the little they brought twice a week, should be so dead.

A vegetable woman, the color of raw potatoes, came over to look at the cargo that was still covered with yellow banana leaves; the bunches had not been moved because no buyer had appeared.

The woman looked, sniffed, poked . . .

“You’re not going to sell anything, not today, Mister . . .” she told him; “how were you going to sell anything because yesterday and the day before they were giving fruit away free at the railroad station . . .”

Mead started up the truck in the midst of skinny dogs, the smell of spicy food, Indians smelling of cane liquor, and here and there an early-rising vending woman with new shoes. The streets, the traffic, the city. Into a gate that was open so that trucks with construction material, ambulances, and other vehicles could enter; he kept going along until he saw a Sister of Charity in the corridor taking notes in a book. He greeted her and told her that this fruit was sent as a donation from the firm of Mead-Lucero-Cojubul-Ayuc-Gaitán and Company.

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