A Vendetta

The widow of Paolo Saverini lived alone with her son in a poor little house on the outskirts of Bonifacio. The town, built on an outjutting part of the mountain, in places even overhanging the sea, looks across the straits, full of sandbanks, towards the southernmost coast of Sardinia. Beneath it, on the other side and almost surrounding it, is a cleft in the cliff like an immense corridor which serves as a harbor, and along it the little Italian and Sardinian fishing boats come by a circuitous route between precipitous cliffs as far as the first houses, and every two weeks the old, wheezy steamer which makes the trip to Ajaccio.

Janda Paolo Saverini tinggal sendirian bersama putranya di sebuah rumah kecil yang miskin di pinggiran Bonifacio. Kota itu, dibangun di atas bagian gunung yang menjorok keluar, di beberapa tempat bahkan menggantung di atas laut, memandang ke arah selat, penuh dengan gumuk pasir, menuju pantai paling selatan Sardinia. Di bawahnya, di sisi lain dan hampir mengelilinginya, terdapat sebuah celah di tebing seperti koridor raksasa yang berfungsi sebagai pelabuhan, dan di sepanjangnya perahu-perahu nelayan kecil Italia dan Sardinia datang melalui jalur berliku di antara tebing-tebing curam hingga ke rumah-rumah pertama, dan setiap dua minggu kapal uap tua yang terengah-engah yang melakukan perjalanan ke Ajaccio.

On the white mountain the houses, massed together, makes an even whiter spot. They look like the nests of wild birds, clinging to this peak, overlooking this terrible passage, where vessels rarely venture. The wind, which blows uninterruptedly, has swept bare the forbidding coast; it drives through the narrow straits and lays waste both sides. The pale streaks of foam, clinging to the black rocks, whose countless peaks rise up out of the water, look like bits of rag floating and drifting on the surface of the sea.

Di gunung yang putih itu, rumah-rumah yang berkumpul rapat membentuk bercak yang bahkan lebih putih lagi. Mereka terlihat seperti sarang burung liar, menempel pada puncak ini, mengawasi jalur mengerikan ini, tempat kapal-kapal jarang berani lewat. Angin, yang bertiup tanpa henti, telah menyapu bersih pantai yang muram itu; ia menerpa melalui selat yang sempit dan merusak kedua sisinya. Garis-garis buih pucat, yang melekat pada batu-batu hitam, yang puncaknya yang tak terhitung jumlahnya menjulang keluar dari air, terlihat seperti serpihan kain yang mengapung dan hanyut di permukaan laut.

The house of widow Saverini, clinging to the very edge of the precipice, looks out, through its three windows, over this wild and desolate picture.

Rumah janda Saverini, yang menempel di tepi jurang itu sendiri, memandang keluar, melalui ketiga jendelanya, ke arah pemandangan liar dan sunyi ini.

She lived there alone, with her son Antoine and their dog “Semillante,” a big, thin beast, with a long rough coat, of the sheep-dog breed. The young man took her with him when out hunting.

Ia tinggal di sana sendirian, bersama putranya Antoine dan anjing mereka “Semillante,” seekor binatang besar dan kurus, dengan bulu kasar yang panjang, dari jenis anjing gembala. Pemuda itu membawanya ketika pergi berburu.

One night, after some kind of a quarrel, Antoine Saverini was treacherously stabbed by Nicolas Ravolati, who escaped the same evening to Sardinia.

Suatu malam, setelah semacam pertengkaran, Antoine Saverini ditikam secara pengkhianatan oleh Nicolas Ravolati, yang melarikan diri malam itu juga ke Sardinia.

When the old mother received the body of her child, which the neighbors had brought back to her, she did not cry, but she stayed there for a long time motionless, watching him. Then, stretching her wrinkled hand over the body, she promised him a vendetta. She did not wish anybody near her, and she shut herself up beside the body with the dog, which howled continuously, standing at the foot of the bed, her head stretched towards her master and her tail between her legs. She did not move any more than did the mother, who, now leaning over the body with a blank stare, was weeping silently and watching it.

Ketika ibu tua itu menerima jasad putranya, yang dibawa kembali kepadanya oleh para tetangga, ia tidak menangis, tetapi ia berdiam di sana untuk waktu yang lama tanpa bergerak, memandanginya. Kemudian, mengulurkan tangannya yang keriput di atas jasad itu, ia berjanji kepadanya akan membalas dendam. Ia tidak ingin ada seorang pun di dekatnya, dan ia mengurung diri bersama jasad itu dengan anjingnya, yang melolong tanpa henti, berdiri di kaki ranjang, kepalanya menjulur ke arah tuannya dan ekornya terselip di antara kedua kakinya. Ia tidak bergerak lebih banyak daripada sang ibu, yang, kini membungkuk di atas jasad itu dengan tatapan kosong, menangis dalam diam sambil memandanginya.

The young man, lying on his back, dressed in his jacket of coarse cloth, torn at the chest, seemed to be asleep. But he had blood all over him; on his shirt, which had been torn off in order to administer the first aid; on his vest, on his trousers, on his face, on his hands. Clots of blood had hardened in his beard and in his hair.

Pemuda itu, terbaring telentang, mengenakan jaket kain kasarnya, robek di dadanya, tampak seolah sedang tertidur. Tetapi tubuhnya penuh darah; di kemejanya, yang telah dirobek untuk memberikan pertolongan pertama; di rompinya, di celananya, di wajahnya, di tangannya. Gumpalan-gumpalan darah telah mengeras di janggutnya dan di rambutnya.

His old mother began to talk to him. At the sound of this voice the dog quieted down.

Ibunya yang tua mulai berbicara kepadanya. Mendengar suara ini, anjing itu menjadi tenang.

“Never fear, my boy, my little baby, you shall be avenged. Sleep, sleep; you shall be avenged. Do you hear? It's your mother's promise! And she always keeps her word, your mother does, you know she does.”

“Jangan takut, anakku, bayi kecilku, kau akan dibalaskan. Tidurlah, tidurlah; kau akan dibalaskan. Kau dengar itu? Ini janji ibumu! Dan ia selalu menepati janjinya, ibumu ini, kau tahu itu.”

Slowly she leaned over him, pressing her cold lips to his dead ones.

Perlahan ia membungkuk di atasnya, menekankan bibirnya yang dingin ke bibirnya yang telah tiada.

Then Semillante began to howl again with a long, monotonous, penetrating, horrible howl.

Kemudian Semillante mulai melolong lagi dengan lolongan yang panjang, monoton, menusuk, dan mengerikan.

The two of them, the woman and the dog, remained there until morning.

Keduanya, sang perempuan dan sang anjing, tetap berada di sana hingga pagi.

Antoine Saverini was buried the next day and soon his name ceased to be mentioned in Bonifacio.

Antoine Saverini dimakamkan keesokan harinya dan tak lama kemudian namanya berhenti disebut-sebut di Bonifacio.

He had neither brothers nor cousins. No man was there to carry on the vendetta. His mother, the old woman, alone pondered over it.

Ia tidak memiliki saudara laki-laki maupun sepupu. Tak ada pria yang bisa melanjutkan dendam itu. Ibunya, perempuan tua itu, sendirian merenungkannya.

On the other side of the straits she saw, from morning until night, a little white speck on the coast. It was the little Sardinian village Longosardo, where Corsican criminals take refuge when they are too closely pursued. They compose almost the entire population of this hamlet, opposite their native island, awaiting the time to return, to go back to the “maquis.” She knew that Nicolas Ravolati had sought refuge in this village.

Di seberang selat itu ia melihat, dari pagi hingga malam, sebuah bercak putih kecil di pantai. Itu adalah desa kecil Sardinia, Longosardo, tempat para penjahat Korsika mencari perlindungan ketika mereka terlalu gencar dikejar. Mereka merupakan hampir seluruh penduduk dusun ini, berhadapan dengan pulau asal mereka, menunggu waktu untuk kembali, untuk kembali ke “maquis.” Ia tahu bahwa Nicolas Ravolati telah mencari perlindungan di desa itu.

All alone, all day long, seated at her window, she was looking over there and thinking of revenge. How could she do anything without help—she, an invalid and so near death? But she had promised, she had sworn on the body. She could not forget, she could not wait. What could she do? She no longer slept at night; she had neither rest nor peace of mind; she thought persistently. The dog, dozing at her feet, would sometimes lift her head and howl. Since her master's death she often howled thus, as though she were calling him, as though her beast's soul, inconsolable too, had also retained a recollection that nothing could wipe out.

Seorang diri, sepanjang hari, duduk di jendelanya, ia menatap ke sana dan memikirkan pembalasan dendam. Bagaimana ia bisa melakukan apa pun tanpa bantuan—dirinya, seorang yang lemah dan begitu dekat dengan kematian? Tetapi ia telah berjanji, ia telah bersumpah di atas jasad itu. Ia tidak bisa melupakannya, ia tidak bisa menunggu. Apa yang bisa ia lakukan? Ia tak lagi bisa tidur di malam hari; ia tak punya istirahat atau ketenangan pikiran; ia terus-menerus berpikir. Anjing itu, yang mengantuk di kakinya, kadang mengangkat kepalanya dan melolong. Sejak kematian tuannya ia sering melolong seperti ini, seolah-olah ia memanggilnya, seolah-olah jiwa binatang itu, yang juga tak terhiburkan, masih menyimpan kenangan yang tak bisa dihapuskan apa pun.

One night, as Semillante began to howl, the mother suddenly got hold of an idea, a savage, vindictive, fierce idea. She thought it over until morning. Then, having arisen at daybreak she went to church. She prayed, prostrate on the floor, begging the Lord to help her, to support her, to give to her poor, broken-down body the strength which she needed in order to avenge her son.

Suatu malam, ketika Semillante mulai melolong, sang ibu tiba-tiba mendapatkan sebuah gagasan, gagasan yang liar, penuh dendam, dan ganas. Ia memikirkannya hingga pagi. Kemudian, setelah bangun saat fajar, ia pergi ke gereja. Ia berdoa, bersujud di lantai, memohon kepada Tuhan untuk menolongnya, untuk menopangnya, untuk memberikan kepada tubuhnya yang lemah dan renta kekuatan yang ia butuhkan untuk membalaskan dendam putranya.

She returned home. In her yard she had an old barrel, which acted as a cistern. She turned it over, emptied it, made it fast to the ground with sticks and stones. Then she chained Semillante to this improvised kennel and went into the house.

Ia pulang ke rumah. Di halamannya ia memiliki sebuah tong tua, yang berfungsi sebagai penampung air. Ia membalikkannya, mengosongkannya, dan mengikatnya erat ke tanah dengan tongkat dan batu. Kemudian ia merantai Semillante ke kandang buatan ini dan masuk ke dalam rumah.

She walked ceaselessly now, her eyes always fixed on the distant coast of Sardinia. He was over there, the murderer.

Kini ia berjalan tanpa henti, matanya selalu tertuju pada pantai Sardinia yang jauh di sana. Di sanalah ia berada, sang pembunuh.

All day and all night the dog howled. In the morning the old woman brought her some water in a bowl, but nothing more; no soup, no bread.

Sepanjang hari dan sepanjang malam anjing itu melolong. Di pagi hari perempuan tua itu membawakannya sedikit air dalam sebuah mangkuk, tetapi tak lebih dari itu; tak ada sup, tak ada roti.

Another day went by. Semillante, exhausted, was sleeping. The following day her eyes were shining, her hair on end and she was pulling wildly at her chain.

Satu hari lagi berlalu. Semillante, kelelahan, tertidur. Keesokan harinya matanya berbinar, bulunya berdiri tegak dan ia menarik-narik dengan liar rantainya.

All this day the old woman gave her nothing to eat. The beast, furious, was barking hoarsely. Another night went by.

Sepanjang hari ini perempuan tua itu tidak memberinya makan apa pun. Binatang itu, murka, menggonggong dengan suara parau. Satu malam lagi berlalu.

Then, at daybreak, Mother Saverini asked a neighbor for some straw. She took the old rags which had formerly been worn by her husband and stuffed them so as to make them look like a human body.

Kemudian, saat fajar, Ibu Saverini meminta sedikit jerami kepada seorang tetangga. Ia mengambil kain-kain lusuh yang dulu dikenakan oleh suaminya dan mengisinya sehingga tampak seperti tubuh manusia.

Having planted a stick in the ground, in front of Semillante's kennel, she tied to it this dummy, which seemed to be standing up. Then she made a head out of some old rags.

Setelah menancapkan sebuah tongkat ke tanah, di depan kandang Semillante, ia mengikat boneka ini kepadanya, yang tampak seolah sedang berdiri. Kemudian ia membuat sebuah kepala dari kain-kain lusuh lainnya.

The dog, surprised, was watching this straw man, and was quiet, although famished. Then the old woman went to the store and bought a piece of black sausage. When she got home she started a fire in the yard, near the kennel, and cooked the sausage. Semillante, frantic, was jumping about, frothing at the mouth, her eyes fixed on the food, the odor of which went right to her stomach.

Anjing itu, terkejut, mengamati manusia jerami ini, dan diam, meskipun kelaparan. Kemudian perempuan tua itu pergi ke toko dan membeli sepotong sosis hitam. Ketika ia sampai di rumah ia menyalakan api di halaman, dekat kandang itu, dan memasak sosis itu. Semillante, kalap, melompat-lompat ke sana kemari, berbusa di mulutnya, matanya tertuju pada makanan itu, yang aromanya langsung menusuk perutnya.

Then the mother made of the smoking sausage a necktie for the dummy. She tied it very tight around the neck with string, and when she had finished she untied the dog.

Kemudian sang ibu membuat sosis yang masih mengepul itu menjadi sebuah dasi untuk boneka itu. Ia mengikatkannya dengan sangat kencang di sekeliling leher dengan tali, dan ketika ia sudah selesai ia melepaskan anjing itu.

With one leap the beast jumped at the dummy's throat, and with her paws on its shoulders she began to tear at it. She would fall back with a piece of food in her mouth, then would jump again, sinking her fangs into the string, and snatching few pieces of meat she would fall back again and once more spring forward. She was tearing up the face with her teeth and the whole neck was in tatters.

Dengan satu lompatan binatang itu menerkam leher boneka itu, dan dengan cakarnya di bahu boneka itu ia mulai mencabik-cabiknya. Ia akan jatuh mundur dengan sepotong makanan di mulutnya, lalu melompat lagi, menancapkan taringnya ke dalam tali itu, dan merenggut beberapa potong daging ia akan jatuh mundur lagi lalu melompat maju sekali lagi. Ia mencabik-cabik wajah itu dengan giginya dan seluruh leher itu compang-camping.

The old woman, motionless and silent, was watching eagerly. Then she chained the beast up again, made her fast for two more days and began this strange performance again.

Perempuan tua itu, tak bergerak dan diam, mengamati dengan penuh semangat. Kemudian ia merantai binatang itu lagi, membiarkannya kelaparan selama dua hari lagi dan memulai pertunjukan aneh ini lagi.

For three months she accustomed her to this battle, to this meal conquered by a fight. She no longer chained her up, but just pointed to the dummy.

Selama tiga bulan ia membiasakannya dengan pertarungan ini, dengan santapan yang diperoleh lewat perkelahian ini. Ia tak lagi merantainya, tetapi hanya menunjuk ke arah boneka itu.

She had taught her to tear him up and to devour him without even leaving any traces in her throat.

Ia telah mengajarinya untuk mencabiknya dan melahapnya tanpa meninggalkan bekas apa pun di tenggorokannya.

Then, as a reward, she would give her a piece of sausage.

Kemudian, sebagai imbalan, ia akan memberinya sepotong sosis.

As soon as she saw the man, Semillante would begin to tremble. Then she would look up to her mistress, who, lifting her finger, would cry, “Go!” in a shrill tone.

Begitu ia melihat sosok pria itu, Semillante akan mulai gemetar. Kemudian ia akan menatap ke arah majikannya, yang, mengangkat jarinya, akan berseru, “Ayo!” dengan nada tajam.

When she thought that the proper time had come, the widow went to confession and, one Sunday morning she partook of communion with an ecstatic fervor. Then, putting on men's clothes and looking like an old tramp, she struck a bargain with a Sardinian fisherman who carried her and her dog to the other side of the straits.

Ketika ia merasa waktu yang tepat telah tiba, janda itu pergi ke pengakuan dosa dan, pada suatu pagi Minggu ia menerima komuni dengan kekhusyukan yang meluap-luap. Kemudian, mengenakan pakaian pria dan tampak seperti seorang gelandangan tua, ia membuat kesepakatan dengan seorang nelayan Sardinia yang membawanya dan anjingnya ke sisi lain selat itu.

In a bag she had a large piece of sausage. Semillante had had nothing to eat for two days. The old woman kept letting her smell the food and whetting her appetite.

Dalam sebuah kantong ia membawa sepotong besar sosis. Semillante belum makan apa pun selama dua hari. Perempuan tua itu terus membiarkannya mencium bau makanan itu dan membangkitkan seleranya.

They got to Longosardo. The Corsican woman walked with a limp. She went to a baker's shop and asked for Nicolas Ravolati. He had taken up his old trade, that of carpenter. He was working alone at the back of his store.

Mereka tiba di Longosardo. Perempuan Korsika itu berjalan dengan pincang. Ia pergi ke sebuah toko roti dan menanyakan Nicolas Ravolati. Pria itu telah kembali menekuni pekerjaan lamanya, sebagai tukang kayu. Ia sedang bekerja sendirian di belakang tokonya.

The old woman opened the door and called:

Perempuan tua itu membuka pintu dan berseru:

“Hallo, Nicolas!”

“Halo, Nicolas!”

He turned around. Then releasing her dog, she cried:

Ia berbalik. Kemudian, melepaskan anjingnya, ia berseru:

“Go, go! Eat him up! eat him up!”

“Ayo, ayo! Habisi dia! habisi dia!”

The maddened animal sprang for his throat. The man stretched out his arms, clasped the dog and rolled to the ground. For a few seconds he squirmed, beating the ground with his feet. Then he stopped moving, while Semillante dug her fangs into his throat and tore it to ribbons. Two neighbors, seated before their door, remembered perfectly having seen an old beggar come out with a thin, black dog which was eating something that its master was giving him.

Binatang yang telah kalap itu melompat ke arah lehernya. Pria itu merentangkan kedua lengannya, mendekap anjing itu dan berguling ke tanah. Selama beberapa detik ia menggeliat, memukul-mukulkan kakinya ke tanah. Kemudian ia berhenti bergerak, sementara Semillante menancapkan taringnya ke lehernya dan mencabiknya hingga compang-camping. Dua tetangga, yang duduk di depan pintu mereka, ingat betul pernah melihat seorang pengemis tua keluar bersama seekor anjing hitam yang kurus yang sedang memakan sesuatu yang diberikan oleh majikannya.

At nightfall the old woman was at home again. She slept well that night.

Menjelang malam perempuan tua itu telah kembali ke rumah. Ia tidur nyenyak malam itu.