CHAPTER 23

“Gettheedown,”RobertJordanwhisperedtoAgustín,andheturnedhisheadandflickedhishandDown,Down,toAnselmowhowascomingthroughthegapwithapinetree,carryingitoverhisshoulderlikeaChristmastree.HesawtheoldmandrophispinetreebehindarockandthenhewasoutofsightintherocksandRobertJordanwaslookingaheadacrosstheopenspacetowardthetimber.Hesawnothingandheardnothingbuthecouldfeelhisheartpoundingandthenheheardtheclackofstoneonstoneandtheleaping,droppingclicksofasmallrockfalling.HeturnedhisheadtotherightandlookingupsawPrimitivo’srifleraisedandloweredfourtimeshorizontally.Thentherewasnothingmoretoseebutthewhitestretchinfrontofhimwiththecircleofhorsetracksandthetimberbeyond.

“Cavalry,”hesaidsoftlytoAgustín.

Agustínlookedathimandhisdark,sunkencheekswidenedattheirbaseashegrinned.RobertJordannoticedhewassweating.Hereachedoverandputhishandonhisshoulder.HishandwasstillthereastheysawthefourhorsemenrideoutofthetimberandhefeltthemusclesinAgustín‘sbacktwitchunderhishand.

Onehorsemanwasaheadandthreerodebehind.Theoneaheadwasfollowingthehorsetracks.Helookeddownasherode.Theotherthreecamebehindhim,fannedoutthroughthetimber.Theywereallwatchingcarefully.RobertJordanfelthisheartbeatingagainstthesnowygroundashelay,hiselbowsspreadwideandwatchedthemoverthesightsoftheautomaticrifle.

ThemanwhowasleadingrodealongthetrailtowherePablohadcircledandstopped.Theothersrodeuptohimandtheyallstopped.

RobertJordansawthemclearlyoverthebluedsteelbarreloftheautomaticrifle.Hesawthefacesofthemen,thesabershanging,thesweat-darkenedflanksofthehorses,andthecone-likeslopeofthekhakicapes,andtheNavarreseslantofthekhakiberets.TheleaderturnedhishorsedirectlytowardtheopeningintherockswherethegunwasplacedandRobertJordansawhisyoung,sunandwind-darkenedface,hisclose-seteyes,hawknoseandtheoverlongwedge-shapedchin.

Sittinghishorsethere,thehorse’schesttowardRobertJordan,thehorse’sheadhigh,thebuttofthelightautomaticrifleprojectingforwardfromthescabbardattherightofthesaddle,theleaderpointedtowardtheopeningwherethegunwas.

RobertJordansunkhiselbowsintothegroundandlookedalongthebarrelatthefourridersstoppedthereinthesnow.Threeofthemhadtheirautomaticriflesout.Twocarriedthemacrossthepommelsoftheirsaddles.Theothersathishorsewiththerifleswungouttotheright,thebuttrestingagainsthiship.

Youhardlyeverseethematsuchrange,hethought.Notalongthebarrelofoneofthesedoyouseethemlikethis.Usuallytherearsightisraisedandtheyseemminiaturesofmenandyouhavehelltomakeitcarryupthere;ortheycomerunning,flopping,running,andyoubeataslopewithfireorbaracertainstreet,orkeepitonthewindows;orfarawayyouseethemmarchingonaroad.Onlyatthetrainsdoyouseethemlikethis.Onlythenaretheylikenow,andwithfouroftheseyoucanmakethemscatter.Overthegunsights,atthisrange,itmakesthemtwicethesizeofmen.

Thou,hethought,lookingatthewedgeofthefrontsightplacednowfirmintheslotoftherearsight,thetopofthewedgeagainstthecenteroftheleader’schest,alittletotherightofthescarletdevicethatshowedbrightinthemorningsunagainstthekhakicape.Though,hethought,thinkinginSpanishnowandpressinghisfingersforwardagainstthetriggerguardtokeepitawayfromwhereitwouldbringthequick,shocking,hurtlingrushfromtheautomaticrifle.Thou,hethoughtagain,thouartdeadnowinthyyouth.Andthou,hethought,andthou,andthou.Butletitnothappen.Donotletithappen.

HefeltAgustínbesidehimstarttocough,felthimholdit,chokeandswallow.Thenashelookedalongtheoiledblueofthebarreloutthroughtheopeningbetweenthebranches,hisfingerstillpressedforwardagainstthetriggerguard,hesawtheleaderturnhishorseandpointintothetimberwherePablo’strailled.ThefourofthemtrottedintothetimberandAgustínsaidsoftly,“Cabrones!”

RobertJordanlookedbehindhimattherockswhereAnselmohaddroppedthetree.

Thegypsy,Rafael,wascomingtowardthemthroughtherocks,carryingapairofclothsaddlebags,hisrifleslungonhisback.RobertJordanwavedhimdownandthegypsyduckedoutofsight.

“Wecouldhavekilledallfour,”Agustínsaidquietly.Hewasstillwetwithsweat.

“Yes,”RobertJordanwhispered.“Butwiththefiringwhoknowswhatmighthavecome?”

Justthenheheardthenoiseofanotherrockfallingandhelookedaroundquickly.ButboththegypsyandAnselmowereoutofsight.HelookedathiswristwatchandthenuptowherePrimitivowasraisingandloweringhisrifleinwhatseemedaninfinityofshortjerks.Pablohasforty-fiveminutes’start,RobertJordanthought,andthenheheardthenoiseofabodyofcavalrycoming.

“Noteapures,”hewhisperedtoAgustín.“Donotworry.Theywillpassastheothers.”

Theycameintosighttrottingalongtheedgeofthetimberincolumnoftwos,twentymountedmen,armedanduniformedastheothershadbeen,theirsabersswinging,theircarbinesintheirholsters;andthentheywentdownintothetimberastheothershad.

“Tuves?”RobertJordansaidtoAgustín.“Thouseest?”

“Thereweremany,”Agustínsaid.

“Thesewouldwehavehadtodealwithifwehaddestroyedtheothers,”RobertJordansaidverysoftly.Hishearthadquietednowandhisshirtfeltwetonhischestfromthemeltingsnow.Therewasahollowfeelinginhischest.

Thesunwasbrightonthesnowanditwasmeltingfast.Hecouldseeithollowingawayfromthetreetrunksandjustaheadofthegun,beforehiseyes,thesnowsurfacewasdampandlacilyfragileastheheatofthesunmeltedthetopandthewarmthoftheearthbreathedwarmlyupatthesnowthatlayuponit.

RobertJordanlookedupatPrimitivo’spostandsawhimsignal,“Nothing,”crossinghistwohands,palmsdown.

Anselmo’sheadshowedabovearockandRobertJordanmotionedhimup.Theoldmanslippedfromrocktorockuntilhecreptupandlaydownflatbesidethegun.

“Many,”hesaid.“Many!”

“Idonotneedthetrees,”RobertJordansaidtohim.“Thereisnoneedforfurtherforestalimprovement.”

BothAnselmoandAgustíngrinned.

“Thishasstoodscrutinywellanditwouldbedangeroustoplanttreesnowbecausethosepeoplewillreturnandperhapstheyarenotstupid.”

Hefelttheneedtotalkthat,withhim,wasthesignthattherehadjustbeenmuchdanger.Hecouldalwaystellhowbadithadbeenbythestrengthofthedesiretotalkthatcameafter.

“Itwasagoodblind,eh?”hesaid.

“Good,”saidAgustín.“Toobscenitywithallfascismgood.Wecouldhavekilledthefourofthem.Didstthousee?”hesaidtoAnselmo.

“Isaw.”

“Thou,”RobertJordansaidtoAnselmo.“Thoumustgotothepostofyesterdayoranothergoodpostofthyselectiontowatchtheroadandreportonallmovementasofyesterday.Alreadywearelateinthat.Stayuntildark.Thencomeinandwewillsendanother.”

“ButthetracksthatIwillmake?”

“Gofrombelowassoonasthesnowisgone.Theroadwillbemuddiedbythesnow.Noteiftherehasbeenmuchtrafficoftrucksoriftherearetanktracksinthesoftnessontheroad.Thatisallwecantelluntilyouaretheretoobserve.”

“Withyourpermission?”theoldmanasked.

“Surely.”

“Withyourpermission,woulditnotbebetterformetogointoLaGranjaandinquiretherewhatpassedlastnightandarrangeforonetoobservetodaythusinthemanneryouhavetaughtme?Suchaonecouldreporttonightor,better,IcouldgoagaintoLaGranjaforthereport.”

“Haveyounofearofencounteringcavalry?”

“Notwhenthesnowisgone.”

“IstheresomeoneinLaGranjacapableofthis?”

“Yes.Ofthis,yes.Itwouldbeawoman.TherearevariouswomenoftrustinLaGranja.”

“Ibelieveit,”Agustínsaid.“More,Iknowit,andseveralwhoserveforotherpurposes.Youdonotwishmetogo?”

“Lettheoldmango.Youunderstandthisgunandthedayisnotover.”

“Iwillgowhenthesnowmelts,”Anselmosaid.“Andthesnowismeltingfast.”

“WhatthinkyouoftheirchanceofcatchingPablo?”RobertJordanaskedAgustín.

“Pabloissmart,”Agustínsaid.“Domencatchawisestagwithouthounds?”

“Sometimes,”RobertJordansaid.

“NotPablo,”Agustínsaid.“Clearly,heisonlyagarbageofwhatheoncewas.Butitisnotfornothingthatheisaliveandcomfortableinthesehillsandabletodrinkhimselftodeathwhiletherearesomanyothersthathavediedagainstawall.”

“Isheassmartastheysay?”

“Heismuchsmarter.”

“Hehasnotseemedofgreatabilityhere.”

“Cómoquéno?Ifhewerenotofgreatabilityhewouldhavediedlastnight.Itseemstomeyoudonotunderstandpolitics,Inglés,norguerillawarfare.Inpoliticsandthisotherthefirstthingistocontinuetoexist.Lookhowhecontinuedtoexistlastnight.Andthequantityofdungheatebothfrommeandfromthee.”

NowthatPablowasbackinthemovementsoftheunit,RobertJordandidnotwishtotalkagainsthimandassoonashehaduttereditheregrettedsayingthethingabouthisability.HeknewhimselfhowsmartPablowas.ItwasPablowhohadseeninstantlyallthatwaswrongwiththeordersforthedestructionofthebridge.Hehadmadetheremarkonlyfromdislikeandheknewashemadeitthatitwaswrong.Itwaspartofthetalkingtoomuchafterastrain.SonowhedroppedthematterandsaidtoAnselmo,“AndtogointoLaGranjaindaylight?”

“Itisnotbad,”theoldmansaid.“Iwillnotgowithamilitaryband.”

“Norwithabellaroundhisneck,”Agustínsaid.“Norcarryingabanner.”

“Howwillyougo?”

“Aboveanddownthroughtheforest.”

“Butiftheypickyouup.”

“Ihavepapers.”

“Sohaveweallbutthoumusteatthewrongonesquickly.”

Anselmoshookhisheadandtappedthebreastpocketofhissmock.

“HowmanytimeshaveIcontemplatedthat,”hesaid.“AndneverdidIliketoswallowpaper.”

“Ihavethoughtweshouldcarryalittlemustardonthemall,”RobertJordansaid.“InmyleftbreastpocketIcarryourpapers.Inmyrightthefascistpapers.Thusonedoesnotmakeamistakeinanemergency.”

Itmusthavebeenbadenoughwhentheleaderofthefirstpatrolofcavalryhadpointedtowardtheentrybecausetheywerealltalkingverymuch.Toomuch,RobertJordanthought.

“Butlook,Roberto,”Agustínsaid.“Theysaythegovernmentmovesfurthertotherighteachday.ThatintheRepublictheynolongersayComradebutSe?orandSe?ora.Canstshiftthypockets?”

“WhenitmovesfarenoughtotherightIwillcarrytheminmyhippocket,”RobertJordansaid,“andsewitinthecenter.”

“Thattheyshouldstayinthyshirt,”Agustínsaid.“Arewetowinthiswarandlosetherevolution?”

“Nay,”RobertJordansaid.“ButifwedonotwinthiswartherewillbenorevolutionnoranyRepublicnoranythounoranymenoranythingbutthemostgrandcarajo.”

“SosayI,”Anselmosaid.“Thatweshouldwinthewar.”

“AndafterwardsshoottheanarchistsandtheCommunistsandallthiscanallaexceptthegoodRepublicans,”Agustínsaid.

“Thatweshouldwinthiswarandshootnobody,”Anselmosaid.“Thatweshouldgovernjustlyandthatallshouldparticipateinthebenefitsaccordingastheyhavestrivenforthem.Andthatthosewhohavefoughtagainstusshouldbeeducatedtoseetheirerror.”

“Wewillhavetoshootmany,”Agustínsaid.“Many,many,many.”

Hethumpedhisclosedrightfistagainstthepalmofhislefthand.

“Thatweshouldshootnone.Noteventheleaders.Thattheyshouldbereformedbywork.”

“IknowtheworkI’dputthemat,”Agustínsaid,andhepickedupsomesnowandputitinhismouth.

“What,badone?”RobertJordanasked.

“Twotradesoftheutmostbrilliance.”

“Theyare?”

Agustínputsomemoresnowinhismouthandlookedacrosstheclearingwherethecavalryhadridden.Thenhespatthemeltedsnowout.“Vaya.Whatabreakfast,”hesaid.“Whereisthefilthygypsy?”

“Whattrades?”RobertJordanaskedhim.“Speak,badmouth.”

“Jumpingfromplaneswithoutparachutes,”Agustínsaid,andhiseyesshone.“Thatforthosethatwecarefor.Andbeingnailedtothetopsoffencepoststobepushedoverbackwardsfortheothers.”

“Thatwayofspeakingisignoble,”Anselmosaid.“ThuswewillneverhaveaRepublic.”

“Iwouldliketoswimtenleaguesinastrongsoupmadefromthecojonesofallofthem,”Agustínsaid.“AndwhenIsawthosefourthereandthoughtthatwemightkillthemIwaslikeamareinthecorralwaitingforthestallion.”

“Youknowwhywedidnotkillthem,though?”RobertJordansaidquietly.

“Yes,”Agustínsaid.“Yes.Butthenecessitywasonmeasitisonamareinheat.Youcannotknowwhatitisifyouhavenotfeltit.”

“Yousweatedenough,”RobertJordansaid.“Ithoughtitwasfear.”

“Fear,yes,”Agustínsaid.“Fearandtheother.Andinthislifethereisnostrongerthingthantheother.”

Yes,RobertJordanthought.Wedoitcoldlybuttheydonot,noreverhave.Itistheirextrasacrament.TheiroldonethattheyhadbeforethenewreligioncamefromthefarendoftheMediterranean,theonetheyhaveneverabandonedbutonlysuppressedandhiddentobringitoutagaininwarsandinquisitions.TheyarethepeopleoftheAutodeFe;theactoffaith.Killingissomethingonemustdo,butoursaredifferentfromtheirs.Andyou,hethought,youhaveneverbeencorruptedbyit?YouneverhaditintheSierra?NoratUsera?NorthroughallthetimeinEstremadura?Noratanytime?Quéva,hetoldhimself.Ateverytrain.

StopmakingdubiousliteratureabouttheBerbersandtheoldIberiansandadmitthatyouhavelikedtokillasallwhoaresoldiersbychoicehaveenjoyeditatsometimewhethertheylieaboutitornot.Anselmodoesnotliketobecauseheisahunter,notasoldier.Don’tidealizehim,either.Hunterskillanimalsandsoldierskillmen.Don’tlietoyourself,hethought.Normakeupliteratureaboutit.Youhavebeentaintedwithitforalongtimenow.AnddonotthinkagainstAnselmoeither.HeisaChristian.SomethingveryrareinCatholiccountries.

ButwithAgustínIhadthoughtitwasfear,hethought.Thatnaturalfearbeforeaction.Soitwastheother,too.Ofcourse,hemaybebraggingnow.Therewasplentyoffear.Ifeltthefearundermyhand.Well,itwastimetostoptalking.

“Seeifthegypsybroughtfood,”hesaidtoAnselmo.“Donotlethimcomeup.Heisafool.Bringityourself.Andhowevermuchhebrought,sendbackformore.Iamhungry.”