CHAPTER 11

Astheycameup,stilldeepintheshadowofthepines,afterdroppingdownfromthehighmeadowintothewoodenvalleyandclimbingupitonatrailthatparalleledthestreamandthenleftittogain,steeply,thetopofarim-rockformation,amanwithacarbinesteppedoutfrombehindatree.

“Halt,”hesaid.Then,“Hola,Pilar.Whoisthiswiththee?”

“AnInglé,”Pilarsaid.“ButwithaChristianname——Roberto.Andwhatanobscenityofsteepnessitistoarrivehere.”

“Salud,Camarada,”theguardsaidtoRobertJordanandputouthishand.“Areyouwell?”

“Yes,”saidRobertJordan.“Andthee?”

“Equally,”theguardsaid.Hewasveryyoung,withalightbuild,thin,ratherhawknosedface,highcheekbonesandgrayeyes.Heworenohat,hishairwasblackandshaggyandhishandclaspwasstrongandfriendly.Hiseyeswerefriendlytoo.

“Hello,Maria,”hesaidtothegirl.“Youdidnottireyourself?”

“Quéva,Joaquín,”thegirlsaid.“Wehavesatandtalkedmorethanwehavewalked.”

“Areyouthedynamiter?”Joaquínasked.“Wehaveheardyouwerehere.”

“WepassedthenightatPablo’s,”RobertJordansaid.“Yes,Iamthedynamiter.”

“Wearegladtoseeyou,”Joaquínsaid.“Isitforatrain?”

“Wereyouatthelasttrain?”RobertJordanaskedandsmiled.

“WasInot,”Joaquínsaid.“That’swherewegotthis,”hegrinnedatMaria.“Youareprettynow,”hesaidtoMaria.“Havetheytoldtheehowpretty?”

“Shutup,Joaquín,andthankyouverymuch,”Mariasaid.“You’dbeprettywithahaircut.”

“Icarriedthee,”Joaquíntoldthegirl.“Icarriedtheeovermyshoulder.”

“Asdidmanyothers,”Pilarsaidinthedeepvoice.“Whodidn’tcarryher?Whereistheoldman?”

“Atthecamp.”

“Wherewashelastnight?”

“InSegovia.”

“Didhebringnews?”

“Yes,”Joaquínsaid,“thereisnews.”

“Goodorbad?”

“Ibelievebad.”

“Didyouseetheplanes?”

“Ay,”saidJoaquínandshookhishead.“Don’ttalktomeofthat.ComradeDynamiter,whatplaneswerethose?”

“Heinkeloneelevenbombers.HeinkelandFiatpursuit,”RobertJordantoldhim.

“Whatwerethebigoneswiththelowwings?”

“Heinkeloneelevens.”

“Byanynamestheyareasbad,”Joaquínsaid.“ButIamdelayingyou.Iwilltakeyoutothecommander.”

“Thecommander?”Pilarasked.

Joaquínnoddedseriously.“Ilikeitbetterthan‘chief,”hesaid.“Itismoremilitary.”

“Youaremilitarizingheavily,”Pilarsaidandlaughedathim.

“No,”Joaquínsaid.“ButIlikemilitarytermsbecauseitmakesordersclearerandforbetterdiscipline.”

“Hereisoneaccordingtothytaste,Inglé,”Pilarsaid.“Averyseriousboy.”

“ShouldIcarrythee?”Joaquínaskedthegirlandputhisarmonhershoulderandsmiledinherface.

“Oncewasenough,”Mariatoldhim.“Thankyoujustthesame.”

“Canyourememberit?”Joaquínaskedher.í

“Icanrememberbeingcarried,”Mariasaid.“Byyou,no.Irememberthegypsybecausehedroppedmesomanytimes.ButIthankthee,Joaquín,andI’llcarrytheesometime.”

“Icanrememberitwellenough,”Joaquínsaid.“Icanrememberholdingthytwolegsandthybellywasonmyshoulderandthyheadovermybackandthyarmshangingdownagainstmyback.”

“Thouhastmuchmemory,”Mariasaidandsmiledathim.“Iremembernothingofthat.Neitherthyarmsnorthyshouldersnorthyback.”

“Doyouwanttoknowsomething?”Joaquínaskedher.

“Whatisit?”

“Iwasgladthouwerthangingovermybackwhentheshotswerecomingfrombehindus.”

“Whataswine,”Mariasaid.“Andwasitforthisthegypsytoocarriedmesomuch?”

“Forthatandtoholdontothylegs.”

“Myheroes,”Mariasaid.“Mysaviors.”

“Listen,guapa,”Pilartoldher.“Thisboycarriedtheemuch,andinthatmomentthylegssaidnothingtoanyone.Inthatmomentonlythebulletstalkedclearly.Andifhewouldhavedroppedtheehecouldsoonhavebeenoutofrangeofthebullets.”

“Ihavethankedhim,”Mariasaid.“AndIwillcarryhimsometime.Allowustojoke.Idonothavetocry,doI,becausehecarriedme?”

“I’dhavedroppedthee,”Joaquínwentonteasingher.“ButIwasafraidPilarwouldshootme.”

“Ishootnoone,”Pilarsaid.

“Nohacefalta,”Joaquíntoldher.“Youdon’tneedto.Youscarethemtodeathwithyourmouth.”

“Whatawaytospeak,”Pilartoldhim.“Andyouusedtobesuchapolitelittleboy.Whatdidyoudobeforethemovement,littleboy?”

“Verylittle,”Joaquínsaid.“Iwassixteen.”

“Butwhat,exactly?”

“Afewpairsofshoesfromtimetotime.”

“Makethem?”

“No.Shinethem.”

“Quéva,”saidPilar.“Thereismoretoitthaníthat.”Shelookedathisbrownface,hislithebuild,hisshockofhair,andthequickheel-and-toewaythathewalked.“Whydidyoufailatit?”

“Failatwhat?”

“What?Youknowwhat.You’regrowingthepigtailnow.”

“Iguessitwasfear,”theboysaid.

“You’veanicefigure,”Pilartoldhim.“Butthefaceisn’tmuch.Soitwasfear,wasit?Youwereallrightatthetrain.”

“Ihavenofearofthemnow,”theboysaid.“None.Andwehaveseenmuchworsethingsandmoredangerousthanthebulls.Itisclearnobullisasdangerousasamachinegun.ButifIwereintheringwithonenowIdonotknowifIcoulddominatemylegs.”

“Hewantedtobeabullfighter,”PilarexplainedtoRobertJordan.“Buthewasafraid.”

“Doyoulikethebulls,ComradeDynamiter?”Joaquíngrinned,showingwhiteteeth.

“Verymuch,”RobertJordansaid.“Very,verymuch.”

“HaveyouseentheminValladolid?”askedJoaquín.

“Yes.InSeptemberattheferia.”

“That’smytown,”Joaquínsaid.“Whatafinetownbuthowthebuenagente,thegoodpeopleofthattown,havesufferedinthiswar.”Then,hisfacegrave,“Theretheyshotmyfather.Mymother.Mybrother-in-lawandnowmysister.”

“Whatbarbarians,”RobertJordansaid.

Howmanytimeshadheheardthis?Howmanytimeshadhewatchedpeoplesayitwithdifficulty?Howmanytimeshadheseentheireyesfillandtheirthroatshardenwiththedifficultyofsayingmyfather,ormybrother,ormymother,ormysister?Hecouldnotrememberhowmanytimeshehadheardthemmentiontheirdeadinthisway.Nearlyalwaystheyspokeasthisboydidnow;suddenlyandaproposofthementionofthetownandalwaysyousaid,“Whatbarbarians.”

Youonlyheardthestatementoftheloss.YoudidnotseethefatherfallasPilarmadehimseethefascistsdieinthatstoryshehadtoldbythestream.Youknewthefatherdiedinsomecourtyard,oragainstsomewall,orinsomefieldororchard,oratnight,inthelightsofatruck,besidesomeroad.Youhadseenthelightsofthecarfromthehillsandheardtheshootingandafterwardsyouhadcomedowntotheroadandfoundthebodies.Youdidnotseethemothershot,northesister,northebrother.Youheardaboutit;youheardtheshots;andyousawthebodies.

Pilarhadmadehimseeitinthattown.

Ifthatwomancouldonlywrite.Hewouldtrytowriteitandifhehadluckandcouldrememberitperhapshecouldgetitdownasshetoldit.God,howshecouldtellastory.She’sbetterthanQuevedo,hethought.HeneverwrotethedeathofanyDonFaustinoaswellasshetoldit.IwishIcouldwritewellenoughtowritethatstory,hethought.Whatwedid.Notwhattheothersdidtous.Heknewenoughaboutthat.Heknewplentyaboutthatbehindthelines.Butyouhadtohaveknownthepeoplebefore.Youhadtoknowwhattheyhadbeeninthevillage.

Becauseofourmobilityandbecausewedidnothavetostayafterwardstotakethepunishmentweneverknewhowanythingreallyended,hethought.Youstayedwithapeasantandhisfamily.Youcameatnightandatewiththem.Inthedayyouwerehiddenandthenextnightyouweregone.Youdidyourjobandclearedout.Thenexttimeyoucamethatwayyouheardthattheyhadbeenshot.Itwasassimpleasthat.

Butyouwerealwaysgonewhenithappened.Thepartizansdidtheirdamageandpulledout.Thepeasantsstayedandtookthepunishment.I’vealwaysknownabouttheother,hethought.WhatwedidtothematthestartI’vealwaysknownitandhateditandIhavehearditmentionedshamelesslyandshamefully,braggedof,boastedof,defended,explainedanddenied.ButthatdamnedwomanmademeseeitasthoughIhadbeenthere.

Well,hethought,itispartofone’seducation.Itwillbequiteaneducationwhenit’sfinished.Youlearninthiswarifyoulisten.Youmostcertainlydid.HewasluckythathehadlivedpartsoftenyearsiflSpainbeforethewar.Theytrustedyouonthelanguage,principally.Theytrustedyouonunderstandingthelanguagecompletelyandspeakingitidiomaticallyandhavingaknowledgeofthedifferentplaces.ASpaniardwasonlyreallyloyaltohisvillageintheend.FirstSpainofcourse,thenhisowntribe,thenhisprovince,thenhisvillage,hisfamilyandfinallyhistrade.IfyouknewSpanishhewasprejudicedinyourfavor,ifyouknewhisprovinceitwasthatmuchbetter,butifyouknewhisvillageandhistradeyouwereinasfarasanyforeignerevercouldbe.HeneverfeltlikeaforeignerinSpanishandtheydidnotreallytreathimlikeaforeignermostofthetime;onlywhentheyturnedonyou.

Ofcoursetheyturnedonyou.Theyturnedonyouoftenbuttheyalwaysturnedoneveryone.Theyturnedonthemselves,too.Ifyouhadthreetogether,twowoulduniteagainstone,andthenthetwowouldstarttobetrayeachother.Notalways,butoftenenoughforyoutotakeenoughcasesandstarttodrawitasaconclusion.

Thiswasnowaytothink;butwhocensoredhisthinking?Nobodybuthimself.Hewouldnotthinkhimselfintoanydefeatism.Thefirstthingwastowinthewar.Ifwedidnotwinthewareverythingwaslost.Buthenoticed,andlistenedto,andrememberedeverything.Hewasservinginawarandhegaveabsoluteloyaltyandascompleteaperformanceashecouldgivewhilehewasserving.Butnobodyownedhismind,norhisfacultiesforseeingandhearing,andifheweregoingtoformjudgmentshewouldformthemafterwards.Andtherewouldbeplentyofmaterialtodrawthemfrom.Therewasplentyalready.Therewasalittletoomuchsometimes.

LookatthePilarwoman,hethought.Nomatterwhatcomes,ifthereistime,Imustmakehertellmetherestofthatstory.Lookatherwalkingalongwiththosetwokids.Youcouldnotgetthreebetter-lookingproductsofSpainthanthose.Sheislikeamountainandtheboyandthegirlarelikeyoungtrees.Theoldtreesareallcutdownandtheyoungtreesaregrowingcleanlikethat.Inspiteofwhathashappenedtothetwoofthemtheylookasfreshandcleanandnewanduntouchedasthoughtheyhadneverheardofmisfortune.ButaccordingtoPilar,Mariahasjustgottensoundagain.Shemusthavebeeninanawfulshape.

HerememberedaBelgianboyintheEleventhBrigadewhohadenlistedwithfiveotherboysfromhisvillage.Itwasavillageofabouttwohundredpeopleandtheboyhadneverbeenawayfromthevillagebefore.Whenhefirstsawtheboy,outatHans’BrigadeStaff,theotherfivefromthevillagehadallbeenkilledandtheboywasinverybadshapeandtheywereusinghimasanorderlytowaitontableatthestaff.Hehadabig,blond,ruddyFlemishfaceandhugeawkwardpeasanthandsandhemoved,withthedishes,aspowerfullyandawkwardlyasadrafthorse.Buthecriedallthetime.Allduringthemealhecriedwithnonoiseatall.

Youlookedupandtherehewas,crying.Ifyouaskedforthewine,hecriedandifyoupassedyourplateforstew,hecried;turningawayhishead.Thenhewouldstop;butifyoulookedupathim,tearswouldstartcomingagain.Betweencourseshecriedinthekitchen.Everyonewasverygentlewithhim.Butitdidnogood.Hewouldhavetofindoutwhatbecameofhimandwhetherheeverclearedupandwasfitforsoldieringagain.

Mariawassoundenoughnow.Sheseemedsoanyway.Buthewasnopsychiatrist.Pilarwasthepsychiatrist.Itprobablyhadbeengoodforthemtohavebeentogetherlastnight.Yes,unlessitstopped.Itcertainlyhadbeengoodforhim.Hefeltfinetoday;soundandgoodandunworriedandhappy.Theshowlookedbadenoughbuthewasawfullylucky,too.Hehadbeeninothersthatannouncedthemselvesbadly.Announcedthemselves;thatwasthinkinginSpanish.Mariawaslovely.

Lookather,hesaidtohimself.Lookather.

Helookedatherstridinghappilyinthesun;herkhakishirtopenattheneck.Shewalkslikeacoltmoves,hethought.Youdonotrunontosomethinglikethat.Suchthingsdon’thappen.Maybeitneverdidhappen,hethought.Maybeyoudreameditormadeitupanditneverdidhappen.Maybeitislikethedreamsyouhavewhensomeoneyouhaveseeninthecinemacomestoyourbedatnightandissokindandlovely.He’dsleptwiththemallthatwayWhenhewasasleepinbed.HecouldrememberGarbostill,andHarlow.Yes,Harlowmanytimes.Maybeitwaslikethosedreams.

ButhecouldstillrememberthetimeGarbocametohisbedtheflightbeforetheattackatPozoblancoandshewaswearingasoftsilkywoolsweaterwhenheputhisarmaroundherandwhensheleanedforwardherhairsweptforwardandoverhisfaceandshesaidwhyhadhenevertoldherthathelovedherwhenshehadlovedhimallthistime?Shewasnotshy,norcold,nordistant.ShewasjustlovelytoholdandkindandlovelyandliketheolddayswithJackGilbertanditwasastrueasthoughithappenedandhelovedhermuchmorethanHarlowthoughGarbowasonlythereoncewhileHarlow——maybethiswaslikethosedreams.

Maybeitisn’ttoo,hesaidtohimself.MaybeIcouldreachoverandtouchthatMarianow,hesaidtohimself.Maybeyouareafraidtohesaidtohimself.Maybeyouwouldfindoutthatitneverhappenedanditwasnottrueanditwassomethingyoumadeuplikethosedreamsaboutthepeopleofthecinemaorhowallyouroldgirlscomebackandsleepinthatrobeatnightonallthebarefloors,inthestrawofthehaybarns,thestables,thecorralesandthecortijos,thewoods,thegarages,thetrucksandallthehillsofSpain.Theyallcametothatrobewhenhewasasleepandtheywereallmuchnicerthantheyeverhadbeeninlife.Maybeitwaslikethat.Maybeyouwouldbeafraidtotouchhertoseeifitwastrue.Maybeyouwould,andprobablyitissomethingthatyoumadeuporthatyoudreamed.

Hetookastepacrossthetrailandputhishandonthegirl’sarm.Underhisfingershefeltthesmoothnessofherarminthewornkhaki.Shelookedathimandsmiled.

“Hello,Maria,”hesaid.

“Hello,Inglé,”sheansweredandhesawhertawnybrownfaceandtheyellow-grayeyesandthefulllipssmilingandthecroppedsun-burnedhairandsheliftedherfaceathimandsmiledinhiseyes.Itwastrueallright.

NowtheywereinsightofElSordo’scampinthelastofthepines,wheretherewasaroundedgulch-headshapedlikeanupturnedbasin.Alltheselimestoneupperbasinsmustbefullofcaves,hethought.Therearetwocavesthereahead.Thescrubpinesgrowingintherockhidethemwell.ThisisasgoodorabetterplacethanPablo’s.

“Howwasthisshootingofthyfamily?”PilarwassayingtoJoaquín.

“Nothing,woman,”Joaquínsaid.“TheywereoftheleftasmanyothersinValladolid.Whenthefascistspurifiedthetowntheyshotfirstthefather.HehadvotedSocialist.Thentheyshotthemother.Shehadvotedthesame.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadevervoted.Afterthattheyshotthehusbandofoneofthesisters.Hewasamemberofthesyndicateoftramwaydrivers.Clearlyhecouldnotdriveatramwithoutbelongingtothesyndicate.Buthewaswithoutpolitics.Iknewhimwell.Hewasevenalittlehitshameless.Idonotthinkhewasevenagoodcomrade.Thenthehusbandoftheothergirl,theothersister,whowasalsointhetrams,hadgonetothehillsasIhad.Theythoughtsheknewwherehewas.Butshedidnot.Sotheyshotherbecauseshewouldnottellthemwherehewas.”

“Whatbarbarians,”saidPilar.“WhereisElSordo?Idonotseehim.”

“Heishere.Heisprobablyinside,”answeredJoaquínandstoppingnow,andrestingtheriflebuttontheground,said,“Pilar,listentome.Andthou,Maria.ForgivemeifIhavemolestedyouspeakingofthingsofthefamily.Iknowthatallhavethesametroublesanditismorevaluablenottospeakofthem.”

“Thatyoushouldspeak,”Pilarsaid.“Forwhatarewebornifnottoaidoneanother?Andtolistenandsaynothingisacoldenoughaid.”

“ButitcanmolesttheMaria.Shehastoomanythingsofherown.”

“Quéva,”Mariasaid.“Minearesuchabigbucketthatyoursfallinginwillneverfillit.Iamsorry,Joaquín,andIhopethysisteriswell.”

“Sofarshe’sallright,”Joaquínsaid.“Theyhaveherinprisonanditseemstheydonotmistreathermuch.”

“Arethereothersinthefamily?”RobertJordanasked.

“No,”theboysaid.“Me.Nothingmore.Exceptthebrother-inlawwhowenttothehillsandIthinkheisdead.”

“Maybeheisallright,”Mariasaid.“Maybeheiswithabandinothermountains.”

“Formeheisdead,”Joaquínsaid.“Hewasnevertoogoodatgettingaboutandhewasconductorofatramandthatisnotthebestpreparationforthehills.Idoubtifhecouldlastayear.HewasSomewhatweakinthechesttoo.”

“Buthemaybeallright,”Mariaputherarmonhisshoulder.

“Certainly,girl.Whynot?”saidJoaquín.

Astheboystoodthere,Mariareachedup,putherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhim.Joaquínturnedhisheadawaybecausehewascrying.

“Thatisasabrother,”Mariasaidtohim.“Ikisstheeasabrother.”

Theboyshookhishead,cryingwithoutmakinganynoise.

“Iamthysister,”Mariasaid.“AndIlovetheeandthouhastafamily.Weareallthyfamily.”

“IncludingtheInglé,”boomedPilar.“Isn’tittrue,Inglé”

“Yes,”RobertJordansaidtotheboy,“weareallthyfamily,Joaquín.”

“He’syourbrother,”Pilarsaid.“HeyInglé”

RobertJordanputhisarmaroundtheboy’sshoulder.“Weareallbrothers,”hesaid.Theboyshookhishead.

“Iamashamedtohavespoken,”hesaid.“Tospeakofsuchthingsmakesitmoredifficultforall.Iamashamedofmolestingyou.”

“Iobscenityinthemilkofmyshame,”Pilarsaidinherdeeplovelyvoice.“AndiftheMariakissestheeagainIwillcommencekissingtheemyself.It’syearssinceI’vekissedabullfighter,evenanunsuccessfulonelikethee,IwouldliketokissanunsuccessfulbullfighterturnedCommunist.Holdhim,Inglé,tillIgetagoodkissathim.”

“Deja,”theboysaidandturnedawaysharply.“Leavemealone.IamallrightandIamashamed.”

Hestoodthere,gettinghisfaceundercontrol.MariaputherhandinRobertJordan’s.Pilarstoodwithherhandsonherhipslookingattheboymockinglynow.

“WhenIkissthee,”shesaidtohim,“itwillnotbeasanysister.Thistrickofkissingasasister.”

“Itisnotnecessarytojoke,”theboysaid.“ItoldyouIamallright,IamsorrythatIspoke.”

“Wellthenletusgoandseetheoldman,”Pilarsaid.“Itiremyselfwithsuchemotion.”

Theboylookedather.Fromhiseyesyoucouldseehewassuddenlyveryhurt.

“Notthyemotion,”Pilarsaidtohim.“Mine.Whatatenderthingthouartforabullfighter.”

“Iwasafailure,”Joaquínsaid.“Youdon’thavetokeepinsistingonit.”

“Butyouaregrowingthepigtailanothertime.”

“Yes,andwhynot?Fightingstockservesbestforthatpurposeeconomically.ItgivesemploymenttomanyandtheStatewillcontrolit.AndperhapsnowIwouldnotbeafraid.”

“Perhapsnot,”Pilarsaid.“Perhapsnot.”

“Whydoyouspeakinsuchabrutalmanner,Pilar?”Mariasaidtoher.“Ilovetheeverymuchbutthouartactingverybarbarous.”

“ItispossiblethatIambarbarous,”Pilarsaid.“Listen,Inglé.DoyouknowwhatyouaregoingtosaytoElSordo?”

“Yes.”

“Becauseheisamanoffewwordsunlikemeandtheeandthissentimentalmenagerie.”

“Whydoyoutalkthus?”Mariaaskedagain,angrily.

“Idon’tknow,”saidPilarasshestrodealong.“Whydoyouthink?”

“Idonotknow.”

“Attimesmanythingstireme,”Pilarsaidangrily.“Youunderstand?Andoneofthemistohaveforty-eightyears.Youhearme?Forty-eightyearsandanuglyface.AndanotheristoseepanicinthefaceofafailedbullfighterofCommunisttendencieswhenIsay,asajoke,Imightkisshim.”

“It’snottrue,Pilar,”theboysaid.“Youdidnotseethat.”

“Quéva,it’snottrue.AndIobscenityinthemilkofallofyou.Ah,thereheis.Hola,Santiago!Quétal?”

ThemantowhomPilarspokewasshortandheavy,brown-faced,withbroadcheekbones;grayhaired,withwide-setyellow-browneyes,athin-bridged,hookednoselikeanIndian’s,alongUpperlipandawide,thinmouth.Hewascleanshavenandhewalkedtowardthemfromthemouthofthecave,movingwiththebow-leggedwalkthatwentwithhiscattleherdsman’sbreechesandboots.Thedaywaswarmbuthehadonasheep’s-wool-linedshortleatherjacketbuttoneduptotheneck.HeputoutabigbrownhandtoPilar.“Hola,woman,”hesaid.“Hola,”hesaidtoRobertJordanandshookhishandandlookedhimkeenlyintheface.RobertJordansawhiseyeswereyellowasacat’sandflatasreptile’seyesare.“Guapa,”hesaidtoMariaandpattedhershoulder.

“Eaten?”heaskedPilar.Sheshookherhead.

“Eat,”hesaidandlookedatRobertJordan.“Drink?”heasked,makingamotionwithhishanddecantinghisthumbdownward.

“Yes,thanks.”

“Good,”ElSordosaid.“Whiskey?”

“Youhavewhiskey?”

ElSordonodded.“Inglé?”heasked.“NotRuso?”

“Americano.”

“FewAmericanshere,”hesaid.

“Nowmore.”

“Lessbad.NorthorSouth?”

“North.”

“SameasInglé.Whenblowbridge?”

“Youknowaboutthebridge?”

ElSordonodded.

“Dayaftertomorrowmorning.”

“Good,”saidElSordo.

“Pablo?”heaskedPilar.

Sheshookherhead.ElSordogrinned.

“Goaway,”hesaidtoMariaandgrinnedagain.“Comeback,”helookedatalargewatchhepulledoutonaleatherthongfrominsidehiscoat.“Halfanhour.”

HemotionedtothemtositdownonaflattenedlogthatservedasabenchandlookingatJoaquín,jerkedhisthumbdownthetrailinthedirectiontheyhadcomefrom.

“I’llwalkdownwithJoaquínandcomeback,”Mariasaid.

ElSordowentintothecaveandcameoutwithapinchbottleofScotchwhiskeyandthreeglasses.Thebottlewasunderonearm,andthreeglasseswereinthehandofthatarm,afingerineachglass,andhisotherhandwasaroundtheneckofanearthenwarejarofwater.Heputtheglassesandthebottledownonthelogandsetthejugontheground.

“Noice,”hesaidtoRobertJordanandhandedhimthebottle.

“Idon’twantany,”Pilarsaidandcoveredherglasswithherhand.

“Icelastnightonground,”ElSordosaidandgrinned.“Allmelt.Iceupthere,”ElSordosaidandpointedtothesnowthatshowedonthebarecrestofthemountains.“Toofar.”

RobertJordanstartedtopourintoElSordo’sglassbutthedeafmanshookhisheadandmadeamotionfortheothertopourforhimself.

RobertJordanpouredabigdrinkofScotchintotheglassandElSordowatchedhimeagerlyandwhenhehadfinished,handedhimthewaterjugandRobertJordanfilledtheglasswiththecoldwaterthatraninastreamfromtheearthenwarespoutashetippedupthejug.

ElSordopouredhimselfhalfaglassfulofwhiskeyandfilledtheglasswithwater.

“Wine?”heaskedPilar.

“No.Water.”

“Takeit,”hesaid.“Nogood,”hesaidtoRobertJordanandgrinned.“KnewmanyEnglish.Alwaysmuchwhiskey.”

“Where?”

“Ranch,”ElSordosaid.“Friendsofboss.”

“Wheredoyougetthewhiskey?”

“What?”hecouldnothear.

“Youhavetoshout,”Pilarsaid.“Intotheotherear.”

ElSordopointedtohisbetterearandgrinned.

“Wheredoyougetthewhiskey?”RobertJordanshouted.

“Makeit,”ElSordosaidandwatchedRobertJordan’shandcheckonitswaytohismouthwiththeglass.

“No,”ElSordosaidandpattedhisshoulder.“Joke.ComesfromLaGranja.HeardlastnightcomesEnglishdynamiter.Good.Veryhappy.Getwhiskey.Foryou.Youlike?”

“Verymuch,”saidRobertJordan.“It’sverygoodwhiskey.”

“Amcontented,”Sordogrinned.“Wasbringingtonightwithinformation”

“Whatinformation?”

Muchtroopmovement.”

Where?

“Segovia.Planesyousaw.”

“Yes.”

“Bad,eh?”

“Bad.”

“Troopmovement?”

“MuchbetweenVillacastínandSegovia.OnValladolidroad.MuchbetweenVillacastínandSanRafael.Much.Much.”

“Whatdoyouthink?”

“Wepreparesomething?”

“Possibly.”

“Theyknow.Preparetoo.”

“Itispossible.”

“Whynotblowbridgetonight?”

“Orders.”

“Whoseorders?”

“GeneralStaff.”

“So.”

“Isthetimeoftheblowingimportant?”Pilarasked.

“Ofallimportance.”

“Butiftheyaremovinguptroops?”

“IwillsendAnselmowithareportofallmovementandconcentrations.Heischeckingtheroad.”

“Youhavesomeoneatroad?”Sordoasked.

RobertJordandidnotknowhowmuchhehadheard.Youneverknowwithadeafman.

“Yes,”hesaid.

“Me,too.Whynotblowbridgenow?”

“Ihavemyorders.”

“Idon’tlikeit,”ElSordosaid.“ThisIdonotlike.”

“NorI,”saidRobertJordan.

ElSordoshookhisheadandtookasipofthewhiskey.“Youwantofme?”

“Howmanymenhaveyou?”

“Eight.”

“Tocutthetelephone,attackthepostatthehouseoftheroadmenders,takeit,andfallbackonthebridge.”

“Itiseasy.”

“Itwillallbewrittenout.”

“Don’ttrouble.AndPablo?”

“Willcutthetelephonebelow,attackthepostatthesawmill,takeitandfallbackonthebridge.”

“Andafterwardsfortheretreat?”Pilarasked.“Wearesevenmen,twowomenandfivehorses.Youare,”sheshoutedintoSordo’sear.

“Eightmenandfourhorses.Faltancaballos,”hesaid.“Lackshorses.”

“Seventeenpeopleandninehorses,”Pilarsaid.“Withoutaccountingfortransport.”

Sordosaidnothing.

“Thereisnowayofgettinghorses?”RobertJordansaidintoSordo’sbestear.

“Inwarayear,”Sordosaid.“Havefour.”Heshowedfourfingers.“Nowyouwanteightfortomorrow.”

“Yes,”saidRobertJordan.“Knowingyouareleaving.Havingnoneedtobecarefulasyouhavebeeninthisneighborhood.Nothavingtobecautiousherenow.Youcouldnotcutoutandstealeightheadofhorses?”

“Maybe,”Sordosaid.“Maybenone.Maybemore.”

“Youhaveanautomaticrifle?”RobertJordanasked.

Sordonodded.

“Where?”

“Upthehill.”

“Whatkind?”

“Don’tknowname.Withpans.”

“Howmanyrounds?”

“Fivepans.”

“Doesanyoneknowhowtouseit?”

“Me.Alittle.Notshoottoomuch.Notwantmakenoisehere.Notwantusecartridges.”

“Iwilllookatitafterwards,”RobertJordansaid.“Haveyouhandgrenades?”

Plenty.

“Howmanyroundsperrifle?”

“Plenty.”

“Howmany?”

“Onehundredfifty.Moremaybe.”

“Whataboutotherpeople?”

“Forwhat?”

“TohavesufficientforcetotakethepostsandcoverthebridgeWhileIamblowingit.Weshouldhavedoublewhatwehave.”

“Takepostsdon’tworry.Whattimeday?”

“Daylight.”

“Don’tworry.”

“Icouldusetwentymoremen,tobesure,”RobertJordansaid.

“Goodonesdonotexist.Youwantundependables?”

“No.Howmanygoodones?”

“Maybefour.”

“Whysofew?”

“Notrust.”

“Forhorseholders?”

“Musttrustmuchtobehorseholders.”

“I’dliketenmoregoodmenifIcouldgetthem.”

“Four.”

“Anselmotoldmetherewereoverahundredhereinthesehills.”

“Nogood.”

“Yousaidthirty,”RobertJordansaidtoPilar.“Thirtyofacertaindegreeofdependability.”

“WhataboutthepeopleofElias?”PilarshoutedtoSordo.Heshookhishead.

“Nogood.”

“Youcan’tgetten?”RobertJordanasked.Sordolookedathimwithhisflat,yelloweyesandshookhishead.

“Four,”hesaidandheldupfourfingers.

“Yoursaregood?”RobertJordanasked,regrettingitashesaidit.

Sordonodded.

“Dentrodelagravedad,”hesaidinSpanish.“Withinthelimitsofthedanger.”Hegrinned.“Willbebad,eh?”

“Possibly.”

“Isthesametome,”Sordosaidsimplyandnotboasting.“Betterfourgoodthanmuchbad.Inthiswaralwaysmuchbad,verylittlegood.Everydayfewergood.AndPablo?”helookedatPilar.

“Asyouknow,”Pilarsaid.“Worseeveryday.”

Sordoshruggedhisshoulders.

“Takedrink,”SordosaidtoRobertJordan.“Ibringmineandfourmore.Makestwelve.Tonightwediscussall.Ihavesixtysticksdynamite.Youwant?”

“Whatpercent?”

“Don’tknow.Commondynamite.Ibring.”

“We’llblowthesmallbridgeabovewiththat,”RobertJordansaid.“Thatisfine.You’llcomedowntonight?Bringthat,willyou?I’venoordersforthatbutitshouldbeblown.”

“Icometonight.Thenhunthorses.”

“Whatchanceforhorses?”

“Maybe.Noweat.”

Doeshetalkthatwaytoeveryone?RobertJordanthought.Oristhathisideaofhowtomakeforeignersunderstand?

“Andwherearewegoingtogowhenthisisdone?”PilarshoutedintoSordo’sear.

Heshruggedhisshoulders.

“Allthatmustbearranged,”thewomansaid.

“Ofcourse,”saidSordo.“Whynot?”

“Itisbadenough,”Pilarsaid.“Itmustbeplannedverywell.”

“Yes,woman,”Sordosaid.“Whathastheeworried?”

“Everything,”Pilarshouted.

Sordogrinnedather.

“You’vebeengoingaboutwithPablo,”hesaid.

SohedoesonlyspeakthatpidginSpanishforforeigners,RobertJordanthought.Good.I’mgladtohearhimtalkingstraight.

“Wheredoyouthinkweshouldgo?”Pilarasked.

“Where?”

“Yes,where?”

“Therearemanyplaces,”Sordosaid.“Manyplaces.YouknowGredos?”

“Therearemanypeoplethere.Alltheseplaceswillbecleanedupassoonastheyhavetime.”

“Yes.Butitisabigcountryandverywild.”

“Itwouldbeverydifficulttogetthere,”Pilarsaid.

“Everythingisdifficult,”ElSordosaid.“WecangettoGredosaswellastoanywhereelse.Travellingatnight.Hereitisverydangerousnow.Itisamiraclewehavebeenherethislong.Gredosissafercountrythanthis.”

“DoyouknowwhereIwanttogo?”Pilaraskedhim.

“Where?TheParamera?That’snogood.”

“No,”Pilarsaid.“NottheSierradeParamera.IwanttogototheRepublic.”

“Thatispossible.”

“Wouldyourpeoplego?”

“Yes.IfIsayto.”

“Ofmine,Idonotknow,”Pilarsaid.“Pablowouldnotwanttoalthough,truly,hemightfeelsaferthere.Heistoooldtohavetogoforasoldierunlesstheycallmoreclasses.Thegypsywillnotwishtogo.Idonotknowabouttheothers.”

“Becausenothingpassesherforsolongtheydonotrealizethedanger,”ElSordosaid.

“Sincetheplanestodaytheywillseeitmore,”RobertJordansaid.“ButIshouldthinkyoucouldoperateverywellfromtheGredos.”

“What?”ElSordosaidandlookedathimwithhiseyesveryflat.Therewasnofriendlinessinthewayheaskedthequestion.

“Youcouldraidmoreeffectivelyfromthere,”RobertJordansaid.

“So,”ElSordosaid.“YouknowGredos?”

“Yes.Youcouldoperateagainstthemainlineoftherailwayfromthere.YoucouldkeepcuttingitaswearedoingfarthersouthinEstremadura.TooperatefromtherewouldbebetterthanreturningtotheRepublic,”RobertJordansaid.“Youaremoreusefulthere.”

Theyhadbothgottensullenashetalked.

SordolookedatPilarandshelookedbackathim.

“YouknowGredos?”Sordoasked.“Truly?”

“Sure,”saidRobertJordan.

“Wherewouldyougo?”

“AboveBarcodeAvila.Betterplacesthanhere.RaidagainstthemainroadandtherailroadbetweenBéjarandPlasencia.”

“Verydifficult,”Sordosaid.

“WehaveworkedagainstthatsamerailroadinmuchmoredangerouscountryinEstremadura,”RobertJordansaid.

“Whoiswe?”

“TheguerrillerosgroupofEstremadura.”

“Youaremany?”

“Aboutforty.”

“Wastheonewiththebadnervesandthestrangenamefromthere?”askedPilar.

“Yes.”

“Whereishenow?”

“Dead,asItoldyou.”

“Youarefromthere,too?”

“Yes.”

“YouseewhatImean?”Pilarsaidtohim.

AndIhavemadeamistake,RobertJordanthoughttohimself.IhavetoldSpaniardswecandosomethingbetterthantheycanwhentheruleisnevertospeakofyourownexploitsorabilities.WhenIshouldhaveflatteredthemIhavetoldthemwhatIthinktheyshoulddoandnowtheyarefurious.Well,theywilleithergetoveritortheywillnot.TheyarecertainlymuchmoreusefulintheGredosthanhere.TheproofisthatheretheyhavedonenothingsincethetrainthatKashkinorganized.Itwasnotmuchofashow.Itcostthefascistsoneengineandkilledafewtroopsbuttheyalltalkasthoughitwerethehighpointofthewar.MaybetheywillshameintogoingtotheGredos.YesandmaybeIwillgetthrownoutofheretoo.Well,itisnotaveryrosylookingdishanywaythatyoulookintoit.

“ListenInglé,”Pilarsaidtohim.“Howareyournerves?”

“Allright,”saidRobertJordan.“O.K.”

“Becausethelastdynamitertheysenttoworkwithus,althoughaformidabletechnician,wasverynervous.”

“Wehavenervousones,”RobertJordansaid.

“Idonotsaythathewasacowardbecausehecomportedhimselfverywell,”Pilarwenton.“Buthespokeinaveryrareandwindyway.”Sheraisedhervoice.“Isn’tittrue,Santiago,thatthelastdynamiter,heofthetrain,wasalittlerare?”

“Algoraro,”thedeafmannoddedandhiseyeswentoverRobertJordan’sfaceinawaythatremindedhimoftheroundopeningattheendofthewandofavacuumcleaner.“Si,algoraro,perobueno.”

“Murió,”RobertJordansaidintothedeafman’sear.“Heisdead.”

“Howwasthat?”thedeafmanasked,droppinghiseyesdownfromRobertJordan’seyestohislips.

“Ishothim,”RobertJordansaid.“HewastoobadlywoundedtotravelandIshothim.”

“Hewasalwaystalkingofsuchanecessity,”Pilarsaid.“Itwashisobsession.”

“Yes,”saidRobertJordan.“Hewasalwaystalkingofsuchanecessityanditwashisobsession.”

“Comofué?”thedeafmanasked.“Wasitatrain?”

“Itwasreturningfromatrain,”RobertJordansaid.“Thetrainwassuccessful.Returninginthedarkweencounteredafascistpatrolandasweranhewasshothighinthebackbutwithouthittinganyboneexcepttheshoulderblade.Hetravelledquitealongway,butwiththewoundwasunabletotravelmore.HewasunwillingtobeleftbehindandIshothim.”

“Menosmal,”saidElSordo.“Lessbad.”

“Areyousureyournervesareallright?”PilarsaidtoRobertJordan.

“Yes,”hetoldher.“IamsurethatmynervesareallrightandIthinkthatwhenweterminatethisofthebridgeyouwoulddowelltogototheGredos.”

Ashesaidthat,thewomanstartedtocurseinafloodofobsceneinvectivethatrolledoverandaroundhimlikethehotwhitewatersplashingdownfromthesuddeneruptionofageyser.

ThedeafmanshookhisheadatRobertJordanandgrinnedindelight.HecontinuedtoshakehisheadhappilyasPilarwentonvilifyingandRobertJordanknewthatitwasallrightagainnow.Finallyshestoppedcursing,reachedforthewaterjug,tippeditupandtookadrinkandsaid,calmly,“Thenjustshutupaboutwhatwearetodoafterwards,willyou,Inglé?YougobacktotheRepublicandyoutakeyourpiecewithyouandleaveusothersaloneheretodecidewhatpartofthesehillswe’lldiein.”

“Livein,”ElSordosaid.“Calmthyself,Pilar.”

“Liveinanddiein,”Pilarsaid.“Icanseetheendofitwellenough.Ilikethee,Inglé,butkeepthymouthoffofwhatwemustdowhenthybusinessisfinished.”

“Itisthybusiness,”RobertJordansaid.“Idonotputmyhandinit.”

“Butyoudid,”Pilarsaid.“Takethylittlecropped-headedwhoreandgobacktotheRepublicbutdonotshutthedooronotherswhoarenotforeignersandwholovedtheRepublicwhenthouwertwipingthymother’smilkoffthychin.”

MariahadcomeupthetrailwhiletheyweretalkingandsheheardthislastsentencewhichPilar,raisinghervoiceagain,shoutedatRobertJordan.MariashookherheadatRobertJordanviolentlyandshookherfingerwarningly.PilarsawRobertJordanlookingatthegirlandsawhimsmileandsheturnedandsaid,“Yes.IsaidwhoreandImeanit.AndIsupposethatyou’llgotoValenciatogetherandwecaneatgoatcrutinGredos.”

“I’mawhoreiftheewishes,Pilar,”Mariasaid.“IsupposeIaminallcaseifyousayso.Butcalmthyself.Whatpasseswiththee?”

“Nothing,”Pilarsaidandsatdownonthebench,hervoicecalmnowandallthemetallicragegoneoutofit.“Idonotcalltheethat.ButIhavesuchadesiretogototheRepublic.”

“Wecanallgo,”Mariasaid.

“Whynot?”RobertJordansaid.“SincethouseemestnottolovetheGredos.”

Sordogrinnedathim.

“We’llsee,”Pilarsaid,herragegonenow.“Givemeaglassofthatraredrink.Ihavewornmythroatoutwithanger.We’llsee.We’llseewhathappens.”

“Yousee,Comrade,”ElSordoexplained.“Itisthemorningthatisdifficult.”HewasnottalkingthepidginSpanishnowandhewaslookingintoRobertJordan’seyescalmlyandexplainingly;notsearchinglynorsuspiciously,norwiththeflatsuperiorityoftheoldcampaignerthathadbeeninthembefore.“IunderstandyourneedsandIknowthepostsmustbeexterminatedandthebridgecoveredwhileyoudoyourwork.ThisIunderstandperfectly.Thisiseasytodobeforedaylightoratdaylight.”

“Yes,”RobertJordansaid.“Runalongaminute,willyou?”hesaidtoMariawithoutlookingather.

Thegirlwalkedawayoutofhearingandsatdown,herhandsclaspedoverherankles.

“Yousee,”Sordosaid.“Inthatthereisnoproblem.Buttoleaveafterwardandgetoutofthiscountryindaylightpresentsagraveproblem”

“Clearly,”saidRobertJordan.“Ihavethoughtofit.Itisdaylightformealso.”

“Butyouareone,”ElSordosaid.“Wearevarious.”

“Thereisthepossibilityofreturningtothecampsandleavingfromthereatdark,”Pilarsaid,puttingtheglasstoherlipsandthenloweringit.

“Thatisverydangerous,too,”ElSordoexplained.“Thatisperhapsevenmoredangerous.”

“Icanseehowitwouldbe,”RobertJordansaid.

“Todothebridgeinthenightwouldbeeasy,”ElSordosaid.“Sinceyoumaketheconditionthatitmustbedoneatdaylight,itbringsgraveconsequences.”

“Iknowit.”

“Youcouldnotdoitatnight?”

“Iwouldbeshotforit.”

“Itisverypossiblewewillallbeshotforitifyoudoitinthedaytime.”

“Formemyselfthatislessimportantoncethebridgeisblown,”RobertJordansaid.“ButIseeyourviewpoint.Youcannotworkoutaretreatfordaylight?”

“Certainly,”ElSordosaid.“Wewillworkoutsucharetreat.ButIexplaintoyouwhyoneispreoccupiedandwhyoneisirritated.YouspeakofgoingtoGredosasthoughitwereamilitarymanceuvretobeaccomplished.ToarriveatGredoswouldbeamiracle.”

RobertJordansaidnothing.

“Listentome,”thedeafmansaid.“Iamspeakingmuch.Butitissowemayunderstandoneanother.Weexistherebyamiracle.Byamiracleoflazinessandstupidityofthefascistswhichtheywillremedyintime.Ofcourseweareverycarefulandwemakenodisturbanceinthesehills.”

“Iknow.”

“Butnow,withthis,wemustgo.Wemustthinkmuchaboutthemannerofourgoing.”

“Clearly.”

“Then,”saidElSordo.“Letuseatnow.Ihavetalkedmuch.”

“NeverhaveIheardtheetalksomuch,”Pilarsaid.“Isitthis?”shehelduptheglass.

“No,”ElSordoshookhishead.“Itisn’twhiskey.ItisthatneverhaveIhadsomuchtotalkof.”

“Iappreciateyouraidandyourloyalty,”RobertJordansaid.“Iappreciatethedifficultycausedbythetimingoftheblowingofthebridge.”

“Don’ttalkofthat,”ElSordosaid.“Weareheretodowhatwecando.Butthisiscomplicated.”

“Andonpaperverysimple,”RobertJordangrinned.“Onpaperthebridgeisblownatthemomenttheattackstartsinorderthatnothingshallcomeuptheroad.Itisverysimple.”

“Thattheyshouldletusdosomethingonpaper,”ElSordosaid.“Thatweshouldconceiveandexecutesomethingonpaper.”

“Paperbleedslittle,”RobertJordanquotedtheproverb.

“Butitisveryuseful,”Pilarsaid.“Esmuyutil.WhatIwouldliketodoisusethyordersforthatpurpose.”

“Metoo,”saidRobertJordan.“Butyoucouldneverwinawarlikethat.”

“No,”thebigwomansaid.“Isupposenot.ButdoyouknowwhatIwouldlike?”

“TogototheRepublic,”ElSordosaid.Hehadputhisgoodearclosetoherasshespoke.“Yair,mujer.LetuswinthisanditwillallbeRepublic.”

“Allright,”Pilarsaid.“Andnow,forGod’ssakeletuseat.”