One Hundred Years of Solitude

own yard and had gone
straight ahead into
neighboring lands, knocking
down fences and buildings
with his oxen until he took
forcible possession of the best
plots of land around. On the
peasants whom he had not
despoiled because he was not
interested in their lands, he
levied a contribution which
he collected every Saturday
with his hunting dogs and his
double-barreled shotgun. He