CHAPTER 2

Theyhadcomethroughtheheavytimbertothecup-shapedupperendofthelittlevalleyandhesawwherethecampmustbeundertherim-rockthatroseaheadofthemthroughthetrees.

Thatwasthecampallrightanditwasagoodcamp.YoudidnotseeitatalluntilyouwereuptoitandRobertJordanknewitcouldnotbespottedfromtheair.Nothingwouldshowfromabove.Itwasaswellhiddenasabear’sden.Butitseemedtobelittlebetterguarded.Helookedatitcarefullyastheycameup.

Therewasalargecaveintherim-rockformationandbesidetheopeningamansatwithhisbackagainsttherock,hislegsstretchedoutonthegroundandhiscarbineleaningagainsttherock.Hewascuttingawayonastickwithaknifeandhestaredatthemastheycameup,thenwentonwhittling.

“Hola,”saidtheseatedman.“Whatisthisthatcomes?”

“Theoldmanandadynamiter,”Pablotoldhimandloweredthepackinsidetheentrancetothecave.Anselmoloweredhispack,too,andRobertJordanunslungtherifleandleaneditagainsttherock.

“Don’tleaveitsoclosetothecave,”thewhittlingman,whohadblueeyesinadark,good-lookinglazygypsyface,thecolorofsmokedleather,said.“There’safireinthere.”

“Getupandputitawaythyself,”Pablosaid.“Putitbythattree.”

Thegypsydidnotmovebutsaidsomethingunprintable,then,“Leaveitthere.Blowthyselfup,”hesaidlazily.“Twillcurethydiseases.”

“Whatdoyoumake?”RobertJordansatdownbythegypsy.Thegypsyshowedhim.Itwasafigurefourtrapandhewaswhittlingthecrossbarforit.

“Forfoxes,”hesaid.“Withalogforadead-fall.Itbreakstheirbacks.”HegrinnedatJordan.“Likethis,see?”Hemadeamotionoftheframeworkofthetrapcollapsing,thelogfalling,thenshookhishead,drewinhishand,andspreadhisarmstoshowthefoxwithabrokenback.“Verypractical,”heexplained.

“Hecatchesrabbits,”Anselmosaid.“Heisagypsy.Soifhecatchesrabbitshesaysitisfoxes.Ifhecatchesafoxhewouldsayitwasanelephant.”

“AndifIcatchanelephant?”thegypsyaskedandshowedhiswhiteteethagainandwinkedatRobertJordan.

“You’dsayitwasatank,”Anselmotoldhim.

“I’llgetatank,”thegypsytoldhim.“Iwillgetatank.Andyoucansayitiswhatyouplease.”

“Gypsiestalkmuchandkilllittle,”Anselmotoldhim.

ThegypsywinkedatRobertJordanandwentonwhittling.

Pablohadgoneinoutofsightinthecave.RobertJordanhopedhehadgoneforfood.Hesatonthegroundbythegypsyandtheafternoonsunlightcamedownthroughthetreetopsandwaswarmonhisoutstretchedlegs.Hecouldsmellfoodnowinthecave,thesmellofoilandofonionsandofmeatfryingandhisstomachmovedwithhungerinsideofhim.

“Wecangetatank,”hesaidtothegypsy.“Itisnottoodifficult.”

“Withthis?”thegypsypointedtowardthetwosacks.

“Yes,”RobertJordantoldhim.“Iwillteachyou.Youmakeatrap.Itisnottoodifficult.”

“Youandme?”

“Sure,”saidRobertJordan.“Whynot?”

“Hey,”thegypsysaidtoAnselmo.“Movethosetwosackstowheretheywillbesafe,willyou?They’revaluable.”

Anselmogrunted.“Iamgoingforwine,”hetoldRobertJordan.RobertJordangotupandliftedthesacksawayfromthecaveentranceandleanedthem,oneoneachsideofatreetrunk.Heknewwhatwasinthemandheneverlikedtoseethemclosetogether.

“Bringacupforme,”thegypsytoldhim.

“Istherewine?”RobertJordanasked,sittingdownagainbythegypsy.

“Wine?Whynot?Awholeskinful.Halfaskinful,anyway.”

“Andwhattoeat?”

“Everything,man,”thegypsysaid.“Weeatlikegenerals.”

“Andwhatdogypsiesdointhewar?”RobertJordanaskedhim.

“Theykeeponbeinggypsies.”

“That’sagoodjob.”

“Thebest,”thegypsysaid.“Howdotheycallthee?”

“Roberto.Andthee?”

“Rafael.Andthisofthetankisserious?”

“Surely.Whynot?”

Anselmocameoutofthemouthofthecavewithadeepstonebasinfullofredwineandwithhisfingersthroughthehandlesofthreecups.“Look,”hesaid.“Theyhavecupsandall.”Pablocameoutbehindthem.

“Thereisfoodsoon,”hesaid.“Doyouhavetobacco?”

RobertJordanwentovertothepacksandopeningone,feltinsideaninnerpocketandbroughtoutoneoftheflatboxesofRussiancigaretteshehadgottenatGolz’sheadquarters.Heranhisthumbnailaroundtheedgeoftheboxand,openingthelid,handedthemtoPablowhotookhalfadozen.Pablo,holdingtheminoneofhishugehands,pickedoneupandlookedatitagainstthelight.Theywerelongnarrowcigaretteswithpasteboardcylindersformouthpieces.

“Muchairandlittletobacco,”hesaid.“Iknowthese.Theotherwiththerarenamehadthem.”

“Kashkin,”RobertJordansaidandofferedthecigarettestothegypsyandAnselmo,whoeachtookone.

“Takemore,”hesaidandtheyeachtookanother.Hegavethemeachfourmore,theymakingadoublenodwiththehandholdingthecigarettessothatthecigarettedippeditsendasamansaluteswithasword,tothankhim.

“Yes,”Pablosaid.“Itwasararename.”

“Hereisthewine.”AnselmodippedacupoutofthebowlandhandedittoRobertJordan,thendippedforhimselfandthegypsy.

“Istherenowineforme?”Pabloasked.Theywereallsittingtogetherbythecaveentrance.

Anselmohandedhimhiscupandwentintothecaveforanother.Comingoutheleanedoverthebowlanddippedthecupfullandtheyalltouchedcupedges.

Thewinewasgood,tastingfaintlyresinousfromthewineskin,butexcellent,lightandcleanonhistongue.RobertJordandrankitslowly,feelingitspreadwarmlythroughhistiredness.

“Thefoodcomesshortly,”Pablosaid.“Andthisforeignerwiththerarename,howdidhedie?”

“Hewascapturedandhekilledhimself.”

“Howdidthathappen?”

“Hewaswoundedandhedidnotwishtobeaprisoner.”

“Whatwerethedetails?”

“Idon’tknow,”helied.Heknewthedetailsverywellandheknewtheywouldnotmakegoodtalkingnow.

“Hemadeuspromisetoshoothimincasehewerewoundedatthebusinessofthetrainandshouldbeunabletogetaway,”Pablosaid.“Hespokeinaveryraremanner.”

Hemusthavebeenjumpyeventhen,RobertJordanthought.PooroldKashkin.

“Hehadaprejudiceagainstkillinghimself,”Pablosaid.“Hetoldmethat.Alsohehadagreatfearofbeingtortured.”

“Didhetellyouthat,too?”RobertJordanaskedhim.

“Yes,”thegypsysaid.“Hespokelikethattoallofus.”

“Wereyouatthetrain,too?”

“Yes.Allofuswereatthetrain.”

“Hespokeinaveryraremanner,”Pablosaid.“Buthewasverybrave.”

PooroldKashkin,RobertJordanthought.Hemusthavebeendoingmoreharmthangoodaroundhere.IwishIwouldhaveknownhewasthatjumpyasfarbackasthen.TheyshouldhavePulledhimout.Youcan’thavepeoplearounddoingthissortofworkandtalkinglikethat.Thatisnowaytotalk.Eveniftheyaccomplishtheirmissiontheyaredoingmoreharmthangood,talkingthatsortofstuff.

“Hewasalittlestrange,”RobertJordansaid.“Ithinkhewasalittlecrazy.”

“Butverydexterousatproducingexplosions,”thegypsysaid.“Andverybrave.”

“Butcrazy,”RobertJordansaid.“Inthisyouhavetohaveverymuchheadandbeverycoldinthehead.Thatwasnowaytotalk.”

“Andyou,”Pablosaid.“Ifyouarewoundedinsuchathingasthisbridge,youwouldbewillingtobeleftbehind?”

“Listen,”RobertJordansaidand,leaningforward,hedippedhimselfanothercupofthewine.“Listentomeclearly.IfeverIshouldhaveanylittlefavorstoaskofanyman,Iwillaskhimatthetime.”

“Good,”saidthegypsyapprovingly.“Inthiswayspeakthegoodones.Ah!Hereitcomes.”

“Youhaveeaten,”saidPablo.

“AndIcaneattwicemore,”thegypsytoldhim.“Looknowwhobringsit.”

ThegirlstoopedasshecameoutofthecavemouthcarryingthebigironcookingplatterandRobertJordansawherfaceturnedatanangleandatthesametimesawthestrangethingabouther.Shesmiledandsaid,“Hola,Comrade,”andRobertJordansaid,“Salud,”andwascarefulnottostareandnottolookaway.Shesetdowntheflatironplatterinfrontofhimandhenoticedherhandsomebrownhands.Nowshelookedhimfullinthefaceandsmiled.Herteethwerewhiteinherbrownfaceandherskinandhereyeswerethesamegoldentawnybrown.Shehadhighcheekbones,merryeyesandastraightmouthwithfulllips.Herhairwasthegoldenbrownofagrainfieldthathasbeenburneddarkinthesunbutitwascutshortalloverherheadsothatitwasbutlittlelongerthanthefuronabeaverpelt.ShesmiledinRobertJordan’sfaceandputherbrownhandupandranitoverherhead,flatteningthehairwhichroseagainasherhandpassed.Shehasabeautifulface,RobertJordanthought.She’dbebeautifuliftheyhadn’tcroppedherhair.

“ThatisthewayIcombit,”shesaidtoRobertJordanandlaughed.“Goaheadandeat.Don’tstareatme.TheygavemethishaircutinValladolid.It’salmostgrownoutnow.”

Shesatdownoppositehimandlookedathim.Helookedbackatherandshesmiledandfoldedherhandstogetheroverherknees.Herlegsslantedlongandcleanfromtheopencuffsofthetrousersasshesatwithherhandsacrossherkneesandhecouldseetheshapeofhersmall,up-tiltedbreastsunderthegrayshirt.EverytimeRobertJordanlookedatherhecouldfeelathicknessinhisthroat.

“Therearenoplates,”Anselmosaid.“Useyourownknife.”Thegirlhadleanedfourforks,tinesdown,againstthesidesoftheirondish.

Theywerealleatingoutoftheplatter,notspeaking,asistheSpanishcustom.Itwasrabbitcookedwithonionsandgreenpeppersandtherewerechickpeasintheredwinesauce.Itwaswellcooked,therabbitmeatflakedoffthebones,andthesaucewasdelicious.RobertJordandrankanothercupofwinewhileheate.Thegirlwatchedhimallthroughthemeal.Everyoneelsewaswatchinghisfoodandeating.RobertJordanwipedupthelastofthesauceinfrontofhimwithapieceofbread,piledtherabbitbonestooneside,wipedthespotwheretheyhadbeenforsauce,thenwipedhisforkcleanwiththebread,wipedhisknifeandputitawayandatethebread.Heleanedoveranddippedhiscupfullofwineandthegirlstillwatchedhim.

RobertJordandrankhalfthecupofwinebutthethicknessstillcameinhisthroatwhenhespoketothegirl.

“Howartthoucalled?”heasked.Pablolookedathimquicklywhenheheardthetoneofhisvoice.Thenhegotupandwalkedaway.

“Maria.Andthee?”

“Roberto.Haveyoubeenlonginthemountains?”

“Threemonths.”

“Threemonths?”Helookedatherhair,thatwasasthickandshortandripplingwhenshepassedherhandoverit,nowinembarrassment,asagrainfieldinthewindonahillside.“Itwasshaved,”shesaid.“TheyshaveditregularlyintheprisonatValladolid.Ithastakenthreemonthstogrowtothis.Iwasonthetrain.Theyweretakingmetothesouth.ManyoftheprisonerswerecaughtafterthetrainwasblownupbutIwasnot.Icamewiththese.”

“Ifoundherhiddenintherocks,”thegypsysaid.“Itwaswhenwewereleaving.Man,butthisonewasugly.WetookheralongbutmanytimesIthoughtwewouldhavetoleaveher.”

“Andtheotheronewhowaswiththematthetrain?”askedMaria.“Theotherblondone.Theforeigner.Whereishe?”

“Dead,”RobertJordansaid.“InApril.”

“InApril?ThetrainwasinApril.”

“Yes,”RobertJordansaid.“Hediedtendaysafterthetrain.”

“Poorman,”shesaid.“Hewasverybrave.Andyoudothatsamebusiness?”

“Yes.”

“Youhavedonetrains,too?”

“Yes.Threetrains.”

“Here?”

“InEstremadura,”hesaid.“IwasinEstremadurabeforeIcamehere.WedoverymuchinEstremadura.TherearemanyofusworkinginEstremadura.”

“Andwhydoyoucometothesemountainsnow?”

“Itaketheplaceoftheotherblondone.AlsoIknowthiscountryfrombeforethemovement.”

“Youknowitwell?”

“No,notreallywell.ButIlearnfast.IhaveagoodmapandIhaveagoodguide.”

“Theoldman,”shenodded.“Theoldmanisverygood.”

“Thankyou,”AnselmosaidtoherandRobertJordanrealizedsuddenlythatheandthegirlwerenotaloneandherealizedtoothatitwashardforhimtolookatherbecauseitmadehisvoicechangeso.HewasviolatingthesecondruleofthetworulesforgettingonwellwithpeoplethatspeakSpanish;givethementobaccoandleavethewomenalone;andherealized,verysuddenly,thathedidnotcare.Thereweresomanythingsthathehadnottocareabout,whyshouldhecareaboutthat?

“Youhaveaverybeautifulface,”hesaidtoMaria.“IwishIwouldhavehadthelucktoseeyoubeforeyourhairwascut.”

“Itwillgrowout,”shesaid.“Insixmonthsitwillbelongenough.”

“Youshouldhaveseenherwhenwebroughtherfromthetrain.Shewassouglyitwouldmakeyousick.”

“Whosewomanareyou?”RobertJordanasked,tryingnottopulloutofit.“AreyouPablo’s?”

Shelookedathimandlaughed,thenslappedhimontheknee.

“OfPablo?YouhaveseenPablo?”

“Well,then,ofRafael.IhaveseenRafael.”

“OfRafaelneither.”

“Ofnoone,”thegypsysaid.“Thisisaverystrangewoman.Isofnoone.Butshecookswell.”

“Reallyofnoone?”RobertJordanaskedher.

“Ofnoone.Noone.Neitherinjokenorinseriousness.Noroftheeeither.”

“No?”RobertJordansaidandhecouldfeelthethicknesscominginhisthroatagain.“Good.Ihavenotimeforanywoman.Thatistrue.”

“Notfifteenminutes?”thegypsyaskedteasingly.“Notaquarterofanhour?”RobertJordandidnotanswer.Helookedatthegirl,Maria,andhisthroatfelttoothickforhimtotrusthimselftospeak.

Marialookedathimandlaughed,thenblushedsuddenlybutkeptonlookingathim.

“Youareblushing,”RobertJordansaidtoher.“Doyoublushmuch?”

“Never.”

“Youareblushingnow.”

“ThenIwillgointothecave.”

“Stayhere,Maria.”

“No,”shesaidanddidnotsmileathim.“Iwillgointothecavenow.”Shepickeduptheironplatetheyhadeatenfromandthefourforks.Shemovedawkwardlyasacoltmoves,butwiththatsamegraceasofayounganimal.

“Doyouwantthecups?”sheasked.

RobertJordanwasstilllookingatherandsheblushedagain.

“Don’tmakemedothat,”shesaid.“Idonotliketodothat.”

“Leavethem,”theygypsysaidtoher.“Here,”hedippedintothestonebowlandhandedthefullcuptoRobertJordanwhoatchedthegirlduckherheadandgointothecavecarryingtheheavyirondish.

“Thankyou,”RobertJordansaid.Hisvoicewasallrightagain,nowthatshewasgone.“Thisisthelastone.We’vehadenoughofthis.”

“Wewillfinishthebowl,”thegypsysaid.“Thereisoverhalfaskin.Wepackeditinononeofthehorses.”

“ThatwasthelastraidofPablo,”Anselmosaid.“Sincethenhehasdonenothing.”

“Howmanyareyou?”RobertJordanasked.

“Wearesevenandtherearetwowomen.”

“Two?”

“Yes.ThemujerofPablo.”

“Andshe?”

“Inthecave.Thegirlcancookalittle.Isaidshecookswelltopleaseher.ButmostlyshehelpsthemujerofPablo.”

“Andhowisshe,themujerofPablo?”

“Somethingbarbarous,”thegypsygrinned.“Somethingverybarbarous.IfyouthinkPabloisuglyyoushouldseehiswoman.Butbrave.AhundredtimesbraverthanPablo.Butsomethingbarbarous.”

“Pablowasbraveinthebeginning,”Anselmosaid.“Pablowassomethingseriousinthebeginning.”

“Hekilledmorepeoplethanthecholera,”thegypsysaid.“Atthestartofthemovement,Pablokilledmorepeoplethanthetyphoidfever.”

“Butsincealongtimeheismuyflojo,”Anselmosaid.“Heisveryflaccid.Heisverymuchafraidtodie.”

“Itispossiblethatitisbecausehehaskilledsomanyatthebeginning,”thegypsysaidphilosophically.“Pablokilledmorethanthebubonicplague.”

“Thatandtheriches,”Anselmosaid.“Alsohedrinksverymuch.Nowhewouldliketoretirelikeamatadordetoros.Likeabullfighter.Buthecannotretire.”

“Ifhecrossestotheothersideofthelinestheywilltakehishorsesandmakehimgointhearmy,”thegypsysaid.“Inmethereisnoloveforbeinginthearmyeither.”

“Noristhereinanyothergypsy,”Anselmosaid.

“Whyshouldtherebe?”thegypsyasked.“Whowantstobeinanarmy?Dowemaketherevolutiontobeinanarmy?Iamwillingtofightbutnottobeinanarmy.”

“Wherearetheothers?”askedRobertJordan.HefeltcomfortableandsleepynowfromthewineandlyingbackontheflooroftheforesthesawthroughthetreetopsthesmallafternooncloudsofthemountainsmovingslowlyinthehighSpanishsky.

“Therearetwoasleepinthecave,”thegypsysaid.“Twoareonguardabovewherewehavethegun.Oneisonguardbelow.Theyareprobablyallasleep.”

RobertJordanrolledoveronhisside.

“Whatkindofagunisit?”

“Averyrarename,”thegypsysaid.“Ithasgoneawayfrommeforthemoment.Itisamachinegun.”

Itmustbeanautomaticrifle,RobertJordanthought.

“Howmuchdoesitweigh?”heasked.

“Onemancancarryitbutitisheavy.Ithasthreelegsthatfold.Wegotitinthelastseriousraid.Theonebeforethewine.”

“Howmanyroundshaveyouforit?”

“Aninfinity,”thegypsysaid.“Onewholecaseofanunbelievableheaviness.”

Soundslikeaboutfivehundredrounds,RobertJordanthought.

“Doesitfeedfromapanorabelt?”

“Fromroundironcansonthetopofthegun.”

Hell,it’saLewisgun,RobertJordanthought.

“Doyouknowanythingaboutamachinegun?”heaskedtheoldman.

“Nada,”saidAnselmo.“Nothing.”

“Andthou?”tothegypsy.

“Thattheyfirewithmuchrapidityandbecomesohotthebarrelburnsthehandthattouchesit,”thegypsysaidproudly.

“Everyoneknowsthat,”Anselmosaidwithcontempt.

“Perhaps,”thegypsysaid.“ButheaskedmetotellwhatIknowaboutamáquinaandItoldhim.”Thenheadded,“Also,unlikeanordinaryrifle,theycontinuetofireaslongasyouexertpressureonthetrigger.”

“Unlesstheyjam,runoutofammunitionorgetsohottheymelt,”RobertJordansaidinEnglish.

“Whatdoyousay?”Anselmoaskedhim.

“Nothing,”RobertJordansaid.“IwasonlylookingintothefutureinEnglish.”

“Thatissomethingtrulyrare,”thegypsysaid.“LookingintothefutureinIngles.Canyoureadinthepalmofthehand?”

“No,”RobertJordansaidandhedippedanothercupofwine.“ButifthoucanstIwishtheewouldreadinthepalmofmyhandandtellmewhatisgoingtopassinthenextthreedays.”

“ThemujerofPabloreadsinthehands,”thegypsysaid.“ButsheissoirritableandofsuchabarbarousnessthatIdonotknowifshewilldoit.”

RobertJordansatupnowandtookaswallowofthewine.

“LetusseethemujerofPablonow,”hesaid.“Ifitisthatbadletusgetitoverwith.”

“Iwouldnotdisturbher,”Rafaelsaid.“Shehasastronghatredforme.”

“Why?”

“Shetreatsmeasatimewaster.”

“Whatinjustice,”Anselmotaunted.

“Sheisagainstgipsies.”

“Whatanerror,”Anselmosaid.

“Shehasgypsyblood,”Rafaelsaid.“Sheknowsofwhatshespeaks.”Hegrinned.“Butshehasatonguethatscaldsandthatbiteslikeabullwhip.Withthistongueshetakesthehidefromanyone.Instrips.Sheisofanunbelievablebarbarousness.”

“Howdoesshegetalongwiththegirl,Maria?”RobertJordanasked.

“Good.Shelikesthegirl.Butletanyonecomenearherseriously——”Heshookhisheadandcluckedwithhistongue.

“Sheisverygoodwiththegirl,”Anselmosaid.“Shetakesgoodcareofher.”

“Whenwepickedthegirlupatthetimeofthetrainshewasverystrange,”Rafaelsaid.“Shewouldnotspeakandshecriedallthetimeandifanyonetouchedhershewouldshiverlikeawetdog.Onlylatelyhasshebeenbetter.Latelyshehasbeenmuchbetter.Todayshewasfine.Justnow,talkingtoyou,shewasverygood.Wewouldhaveleftherafterthetrain.Certainlyitwasnotworthbeingdelayedbysomethingsosadanduglyandapparentlyworthless.Buttheoldwomantiedaropetoherandwhenthegirlthoughtshecouldnotgofurther,theoldwomanbeatherwiththeendoftheropetomakehergo.Thenwhenshecouldnotreallygofurther,theoldwomancarriedheroverhershoulder.Whentheoldwomancouldnotcarryher,Icarriedher.Weweregoingupthathillbreasthighinthegorseandheather.AndwhenIcouldnolongercarryher,Pablocarriedher.Butwhattheoldwomanhadtosaytoustomakeusdoit!”Heshookhisheadatthememory.“Itistruethatthegirlislonginthelegsbutisnotheavy.Thebonesarelightandsheweighslittle.ButsheweighsenoughwhenwehadtocarryherandstoptofireandthencarryheragainwiththeoldwomanlashingatPablowiththeropeandcarryinghisrifle,puttingitinhishandwhenhewoulddropthegirl,makinghimpickherupagainandloadingthegunforhimwhileshecursedhim;takingtheshellsfromhispouchesandshovingthemdownintothemagazineandcursinghim.Theduskwascomingwellonthenandwhenthenightcameitwasallright.Butitwasluckythattheyhadnocavalry.”

“Itmusthavebeenveryhardatthetrain,”Anselmosaid.“Iwasnotthere,”heexplainedtoRobertJordan.“TherewasthebandofPablo,ofElSordo,whomwewillseetonight,andtwootherbandsofthesemountains.Ihadgonetotheothersideofthelines.”

“Inadditiontotheblondonewiththerarename——”thegypsysaid.

“Kashkin.”

“Yes.ItisanameIcanneverdominate.Wehadtwowithamachinegun.Theyweresentalsobythearmy.Theycouldnotgetthegunawayandlostit.Certainlyitweighednomorethanthatgirlandiftheoldwomanhadbeenoverthemtheywouldhavegottenitaway.”Heshookhisheadremembering,thenwenton.“NeverinmylifehaveIseensuchathingaswhentheexplosionwasproduced.Thetrainwascomingsteadily.Wesawitfaraway.AndIhadanexcitementsogreatthatIcannottellit.Wesawsteamfromitandthenlatercamethenoiseofthewhistle.Thenitcamechu-chu-chu-chu-chu-chusteadilylargerandlargerandthen,atthemomentoftheexplosion,thefrontwheelsoftheengineroseupandalloftheearthseemedtoriseinagreatcloudofblacknessandaroarandtheenginerosehighinthecloudofdirtandoftheWoodentiesrisingintheairasinadreamandthenitfellontoitssidelikeagreatwoundedanimalandtherewasanexplosionofwhitesteambeforetheclodsoftheotherexplosionhadceasedtofallonusandthemáquinacommencedtospeakta-tat-tat-ta!”wentthegypsyshakinghistwoclenchedfistsupanddowninfrontofhim,thumbsup,onanimaginarymachinegun.“Ta!Ta!Tat!Tat!Tat!Ta!”heexulted.“NeverinmylifehaveIseensuchathing,withthetroopsrunningfromthetrainandthemáquinaspeakingintothemandthemenfalling.ItwasthenthatIputmyhandonthemáquinainmyexcitementanddiscoveredthatthebarrelburnedandatthatmomenttheoldwomanslappedmeonthesideofthefaceandsaid,‘Shoot,youfool!ShootorIwillkickyourbrainsin!’ThenIcommencedtoshootbutitwasveryhardtoholdmygunsteadyandthetroopswererunningupthefarhill.Later,afterwehadbeendownatthetraintoseewhattherewastotake,anofficerforcedsometroopsbacktowardusatthepointofapistol.Hekeptwavingthepistolandshoutingatthemandwewereallshootingathimbutnoonehithim.Thensometroopslaydownandcommencedfiringandtheofficerwalkedupanddownbehindthemwithhispistolandstillwecouldnothithimandthemáquinacouldnotfireonhimbecauseofthepositionofthetrain.Thisofficershottwomenastheylayandstilltheywouldnotgetupandhewascursingthemandfinallytheygotup,onetwoandthreeatatimeandcamerunningtowardusandthetrain.Thentheylayflatagainandfired.Thenweleft,withthemáquinastillspeakingoverusasweleft.ItwasthenIfoundthegirlwhereshehadrunfromthetraintotherocksandsheranwithus.Itwasthosetroopswhohuntedusuntilthatnight.”

“Itmusthavebeensomethingveryhard,”Anselmosaid.“Ofmuchemotion.”

“Itwastheonlygoodthingwehavedone,”saidadeepvoice.“Whatareyoudoingnow,youlazydrunkenobsceneunsayablesonofanunnameableunmarriedgypsyobscenity?Whatareyoudoing?”

RobertJordansawawomanofaboutfiftyalmostasbigasPablo,almostaswideasshewastall,inblackpeasantshirtandblouse,withheavywoolsocksonheavylegs,blackrope-soledshoesandabrownfacelikeamodelforagranitemonument.Shehadbigbutnice-lookinghandsandherthickcurlyblackhairwastwistedintoaknotonherneck.

“Answerme,”shesaidtothegypsy,ignoringtheothers.

“Iwastalkingtothesecomrades.Thisonecomesasadynamiter.”

“Iknowallthat,”themujerofPablosaid.“GetoutofherenowandrelieveAndréswhoisonguardatthetop.”

“Mevoy,”thegypsysaid.“Igo.”HeturnedtoRobertJordan.“Iwillseetheeatthehourofeating.”

“Noteveninajoke,”saidthewomantohim.“Threetimesyouhaveeatentodayaccordingtomycount.GonowandsendmeAndrés.

“Hola,”shesaidtoRobertJordanandputoutherhandandsmiled.“HowareyouandhowiseverythingintheRepublic?”

“Good,”hesaidandreturnedherstronghandgrip.“BothwithmeandwiththeRepublic.”

“Iamhappy,”shetoldhim.Shewaslookingintohisfaceandsmilingandhenoticedshehadfinegrayeyes.“Doyoucomeforustodoanothertrain?”

“No,”saidRobertJordan,trustingherinstantly.“Forabridge.”

“Noesnada,”shesaid.“Abridgeisnothing.Whendowedoanothertrainnowthatwehavehorses?”

“Later.Thisbridgeisofgreatimportance.”

“Thegirltoldmeyourcomradewhowaswithusatthetrainisdead.”

“Yes.”

“Whatapity.NeverhaveIseensuchanexplosion.Hewasamanoftalent.Hepleasedmeverymuch.Itisnotpossibletodoanothertrainnow?Therearemanymenherenowinthehills.Toomany.Itisalreadyhardtogetfood.Itwouldbebettertogetout.Andwehavehorses.”

“Wehavetodothisbridge.”

“Whereisit?”

“Quiteclose.”

“Allthebetter,”themujerofPablosaid.“Letusblowallthebridgestherearehereandgetout.Iamsickofthisplace.Hereistoomuchconcentrationofpeople.Nogoodcancomeofit.Hereisastagnationthatisrepugnant.”

ShesightedPablothroughthetrees.

“Borracho!”shecalledtohim.“Drunkard.Rottendrunkard!”SheturnedbacktoRobertJordancheerfully.“He’stakenaleatherwinebottletodrinkaloneinthewoods,”shesaid.“He’sdrinkingallthetime.Thislifeisruininghim.Youngman,Iamverycontentthatyouhavecome.”Sheclappedhimontheback.“Ah,”shesaid.“You’rebiggerthanyoulook,”andranherhandoverhisshoulder,feelingthemuscleundertheflannelshirt.“Good.Iamverycontentthatyouhavecome.”

“AndIequally.”

“Wewillunderstandeachother,”shesaid.“Haveacupofwine.”

“Wehavealreadyhadsome,”RobertJordansaid.“But,willyou?”

“Notuntildinner,”shesaid.“Itgivesmeheartburn.”ThenshesightedPabloagain.“Borracho!”sheshouted.“Drunkard!”SheturnedtoRobertJordanandshookherhead.“Hewasaverygoodman,”shetoldhim.“Butnowheisterminated.Andlistentomeaboutanotherthing.Beverygoodandcarefulaboutthegirl.TheMaria.Shehashadabadtime.Understandestthou?”

“Yes.Whydoyousaythis?”

“Isawhowshewasfromseeingtheewhenshecameintothecave.Isawherwatchingtheebeforeshecameout.”

“Ijokedwithheralittle.”

“Shewasinaverybadstate,”thewomanofPablosaid.“Nowsheisbetter,sheoughttogetoutofhere.”

“Clearly,shecanbesentthroughthelineswithAnselmo.”

“YouandtheAnselmocantakeherwhenthisterminates.”

RobertJordanfelttheacheinhisthroatandhisvoicethickening.“Thatmightbedone,”hesaid.

ThemujerofPablolookedathimandshookherhead.“Ayee.Ayee,”shesaid.“Areallmenlikethat?”

“Isaidnothing.Sheisbeautiful,youknowthat.”

“Nosheisnotbeautiful.Butshebeginstobebeautiful,youmean,”thewomanofPablosaid.“Men.Itisashametouswomenthatwemakethem.No.Inseriousness.AretherenothomestocareforsuchasherundertheRepublic?”

“Yes,”saidRobertJordan.“Goodplaces.OnthecoastnearValencia.Inotherplacestoo.Theretheywilltreatherwellandshecanworkwithchildren.Therearethechildrenfromevacuatedvillages.Theywillteachherthework.”

“ThatiswhatIwant,”themujerofPablosaid.“Pablohasasicknessforheralready.Itisanotherthingwhichdestroyshim.Itliesonhimlikeasicknesswhenheseesher.Itisbestthatshegoesnow.”

“Wecantakeherafterthisisover.”

“AndyouwillbecarefulofhernowifItrustyou?IspeaktoyouasthoughIknewyouforalongtime.”

“Itislikethat,”RobertJordansaid,“whenpeopleunderstandoneanother.”

“Sitdown,”thewomanofPablosaid.“Idonotaskanypromisebecausewhatwillhappen,willhappen.Onlyifyouwillnottakeherout,thenIaskapromise.”

“WhyifIwouldnottakeher?”

“BecauseIdonotwanthercrazyhereafteryouwillgo.IhavehadhercrazybeforeandIhaveenoughwithoutthat.”

“Wewilltakeherafterthebridge,”RobertJordansaid.“Ifwearealiveafterthebridge,wewilltakeher.”

“Idonotliketohearyouspeakinthatmanner.Thatmannerofspeakingneverbringsluck.”

“Ispokeinthatmanneronlytomakeapromise,”RobertJordansaid.“Iamnotofthosewhospeakgloomily.”

“Letmeseethyhand,”thewomansaid.RobertJordanputhishandoutandthewomanopenedit,helditinherownbighand,rubbedherthumboveritandlookedatit,carefully,thendroppedit.Shestoodup.Hegotuptooandshelookedathimwithoutsmiling.

“Whatdidyouseeinit?”RobertJordanaskedher.“Idon’tbelieveinit.Youwon’tscareme.”

“Nothing,”shetoldhim.“Isawnothinginit.”

“Yesyoudid.Iamonlycurious.Idonotbelieveinsuchthings.”

“Inwhatdoyoubelieve?”

“Inmanythingsbutnotinthat.”

“Inwhat?”

“Inmywork.”

“Yes,Isawthat.”

“Tellmewhatelseyousaw.”

“Isawnothingelse,”shesaidbitterly.“Thebridgeisverydifficultyousaid?”

“No.Isaiditisveryimportant.”

“Butitcanbedifficult?”

“Yes.AndnowIgodowntolookatit.Howmanymenhaveyouhere?”

“Fivethatareanygood.Thegypsyisworthlessalthoughhisintentionsaregood.Hehasagoodheart.PabloInolongertrust.”

“HowmanymenhasElSordothataregood?”

“Perhapseight.Wewillseetonight.Heiscominghere.Heisaverypracticalman.Healsohassomedynamite.Notverymuch,though.Youwillspeakwithhim.”

“Haveyousentforhim?”

“Hecomeseverynight.Heisaneighbor.Alsoafriendaswellasacomrade.”

“Whatdoyouthinkofhim?”

“Heisaverygoodman.Alsoverypractical.Inthebusinessofthetrainhewasenormous.”

“Andintheotherbands?”

“Advisingthemintime,itshouldbepossibletounitefiftyriflesofacertaindependability.”

“Howdependable?”

“Dependablewithinthegravityofthesituation.”

“Andhowmanycartridgesperrifle?”

“Perhapstwenty.Dependinghowmanytheywouldbringforthisbusiness.Iftheywouldcomeforthisbusiness.Remembertheethatinthisofabridgethereisnomoneyandnolootandinthyreservationsoftalking,muchdanger,andthatafterwardstheremustbeamovingfromthesemountains.Manywillopposethisofthebridge.”

“Clearly.”

“Inthiswayitisbetternottospeakofitunnecessarily.”

“Iaminaccord.”

“ThenafterthouhaststudiedthybridgewewilltalktonightwithElSordo.”

“IgodownnowwithAnselmo.”

“Wakehimthen,”shesaid.“Doyouwantacarbine?”

“Thankyou,”hetoldher.“ItisgoodtohavebutIwillnotuseit.Igotolook,nottomakedisturbances.Thankyouforwhatyouhavetoldme.Ilikeverymuchyourwayofspeaking.”

“Itrytospeakfrankly.”

“Thentellmewhatyousawinthehand.”

“No,”shesaidandshookherhead.“Isawnothing.Gonowtothybridge.Iwilllookafterthyequipment.”

“Coveritandthatnooneshouldtouchit.Itisbettertherethaninthecave.”

“Itshallbecoveredandnooneshalltouchit,”thewomanofPablosaid.“Gonowtothybridge.”

“Anselmo,”RobertJordansaid,puttinghishandontheshoulderoftheoldmanwholaysleeping,hisheadonhisarms.

Theoldmanlookedup.“Yes,”hesaid.“Ofcourse.Letusgo.”