CHAPTER 43

RobertJordanlaybehindthetrunkofapinetreeontheslopeofthehillabovetheroadandthebridgeandwatcheditbecomedaylight.Helovedthishourofthedayalwaysandnowhewatchedit;feelingitgraywithinhim,asthoughhewereapartoftheslowlighteningthatcomesbeforetherisingofthesun;whensolidthingsdarkenandspacelightensandthelightsthathaveshoneinthenightgoyellowandthenfadeasthedaycomes.Thepinetrunksbelowhimwerehardandclearnow,theirtrunkssolidandbrownandtheroadwasshinywithawispofmistoverit.Thedewhadwethimandtheforestfloorwassoftandhefeltthegiveofthebrown,droppedpineneedlesunderhiselbows.Belowhesaw,throughthelightmistthatrosefromthestreambed,thesteelofthebridge,straightandrigidacrossthegap,withthewoodensentryboxesateachend.Butashelookedthestructureofthebridgewasstillspideryandfineinthemistthathungoverthestream.

Hesawthesentrynowinhisboxashestood,hisbackwiththehangingblanketcoattoppedbythesteelcasqueonhisheadshowingasheleanedforwardoverthehole-punchedpetroltinofthebrazier,warminghishands.RobertJordanheardthestream,fardownintherocks,andhesawafaint,thinsmokethatrosefromthesentrybox.

Helookedathiswatchandthought,IwonderifAndrésgotthroughtoGolz?IfwearegoingtoblowitIwouldliketobreatheveryslowlyandslowupthetimeagainandfeelit.Doyouthinkhemadeit?Andrés?Andifhedidwouldtheycallitoff?Iftheyhadtimetocallitoff?Quéva.Donotworry.Theywillortheywon』t.Therearenomoredecisionsandinalittlewhileyouwillknow.Supposetheattackissuccessful.Golzsaiditcouldbe.Thattherewasapossibility.Withourtankscomingdownthatroad,thepeoplecomingthroughfromtherightanddownandpastLaGranjaandthewholeleftofthemountainsturned.Whydon』tyoueverthinkofhowitistowin?You』vebeenonthedefensiveforsolongthatyoucan』tthinkofthat.Sure.Butthatwasbeforeallthatstuffwentupthisroad.Thatwasbeforealltheplanescame.Don』tbesonaive.Butrememberthisthataslongaswecanholdthemherewekeepthefasciststiedup.Theycan』tattackanyothercountryuntiltheyfinishwithusandtheycanneverfinishwithus.IftheFrenchhelpatall,ifonlytheyleavethefrontieropenandifwegetplanesfromAmericatheycanneverfinishwithus.Never,ifwegetanythingatall.Thesepeoplewillfightforeverifthey』rewellarmed.

Noyoumustnotexpectvictoryhere,notforseveralyearsmaybe.Thisisjustaholdingattack.Youmustnotgetillusionsaboutitnow.Supposewegotabreak-throughtoday?Thisisourfirstbigattack.Keepyoursenseofproportion.Butwhatifweshouldhaveit?Don』tgetexcited,hetoldhimself.Rememberwhatwentuptheroad.You』vedonewhatyoucouldaboutthat.Weshouldhaveportableshort-wavesets,though.Wewill,intime.Butwehaven』tyet.Youjustwatchnowanddowhatyoushould.

Todayisonlyonedayinallthedaysthatwilleverbe.Butwhatwillhappeninalltheotherdaysthatevercomecandependonwhatyoudotoday.It』sbeenthatwayallthisyear.It』sbeenthatwaysomanytimes.Allofthiswaristhatway.Youaregettingverypompousintheearlymorning,hetoldhimself.Looktherewhat』scomingnow.

Hesawthetwomeninblanketcapesandsteelhelmetscomearoundthecorneroftheroadwalkingtowardthebridge,theirriflesslungovertheirshoulders.Onestoppedatthefarendofthebridgeandwasoutofsightinthesentrybox.Theothercameonacrossthebridge,walkingslowlyandheavily.Hestoppedonthebridgeandspatintothegorge,thencameonslowlytothenearendofthebridgewheretheothersentryspoketohimandthenstartedoffbackoverthebridge.Thesentrywhowasrelievedwalkedfasterthantheotherhaddone(becausehe』sgoingtocoffee,RobertJordanthought)buthetoospatdownintothegorge.

Iwonderifthatissuperstition?RobertJordanthought.I』llhavetotakemeaspitinthatgorgetoo.IfIcanspitbythen.No.Itcan』tbeverypowerfulmedicine.Itcan』twork.I』llhavetoproveitdoesn』tworkbeforeIamoutthere.

Thenewsentryhadgoneinsidetheboxandsatdown.Hisriflewiththebayonetfixedwasleaningagainstthewall.RobertJordantookhisglassesfromhisshirtpocketandturnedtheeyepiecesuntiltheendofthebridgeshowedsharpandgray-paintedmetalclear.Thenhemovedthemontothesentrybox.

Thesentrysatleaningagainstthewall.Hishelmethungonapegandhisfaceshowedclearly.RobertJordansawhewasthesamemanwhohadbeenthereonguardtwodaysbeforeintheafternoonwatch.Hewaswearingthesameknittedstockingcap.Andhehadnotshaved.Hischeeksweresunkenandhischeekbonesprominent.Hehadbushyeyebrowsthatgrewtogetherinthecenter.HelookedsleepyandasRobertJordanwatchedhimheyawned.Thenhetookoutatobaccopouchandapacketofpapersandrolledhimselfacigarette.Hetriedtomakealighterworkandfinallyputitinhispocketandwentovertothebrazier,leanedover,reachedinside,broughtupapieceofcharcoal,juggleditinonehandwhileheblewonit,thenlitthecigaretteandtossedthelumpofcharcoalbackintothebrazier.

RobertJordan,lookingthroughtheZeiss8-powerglasses,watchedhisfaceasheleanedagainstthewallofthesentryboxdrawingonthecigarette.Thenhetooktheglassesdown,foldedthemtogetherandputtheminhispocket.

Iwon』tlookathimagain,hetoldhimself.

Helaythereandwatchedtheroadandtriednottothinkatall.AsquirrelchitteredfromapinetreebelowhimandRobertJordanwatchedthesquirrelcomedownthetreetrunk,stoppingonhiswaydowntoturnhisheadandlooktowardwherethemanwaswatching.Hesawthesquirrel』seyes,smallandbright,andwatchedhistailjerkinexcitement.Thenthesquirrelcrossedtoanothertree,movingonthegroundinlong,small-pawed,tail-exaggeratedbounds.OnthetreetrunkhelookedbackatRobertJordan,thenpulledhimselfaroundthetrunkandoutofsight.ThenRobertJordanheardthesquirrelchitterfromahighbranchofthepinetreeandhewatchedhimthere,spreadflatalongthebranch,histailjerking.

RobertJordanlookeddownthroughthepinestothesentryboxagain.Hewouldliketohavehadthesquirrelwithhiminhispocket.Hewouldliketohavehadanythingthathecouldtouch.Herubbedhiselbowsagainstthepineneedlesbutitwasnotthesame.Nobodyknowshowlonelyyoucanbewhenyoudothis.Me,though,Iknow.IhopethatRabbitwillgetoutofthisallright.Stopthatnow.Yes,sure.ButIcanhopethatandIdo.ThatIblowitwellandthatshegetsoutallright.Good.Sure.Justthat.ThatisallIwantnow.

Helaytherenowandlookedawayfromtheroadandthesentryboxandacrosstothefarmountain.Justdonotthinkatall,hetoldhimself.Helaytherequietlyandwatchedthemorningcome.ItwasafineearlysummermorninganditcameveryfastnowintheendofMay.Onceamotorcyclistinaleathercoatandall-leatherhelmetwithanautomaticrifleinaholsterbyhisleftlegcameacrossthebridgeandwentonuptheroad.Onceanambulancecrossedthebridge,passedbelowhim,andwentuptheroad.Butthatwasall.Hesmelledthepinesandheheardthestreamandthebridgeshowedclearnowandbeautifulinthemorninglight.Helaytherebehindthepinetree,withthesubmachinegunacrosshisleftforearm,andheneverlookedatthesentryboxagainuntil,longafteritseemedthatitwasnevercoming,thatnothingcouldhappenonsuchalovelylateMaymorning,heheardthesudden,clustered,thuddingofthebombs.

Asheheardthebombs,thefirstthumpingnoiseofthem,beforetheechoofthemcamebackinthunderfromthemountain,RobertJordandrewinalongbreathandliftedthesubmachinegunfromwhereitlay.Hisarmfeltstifffromitsweightandhisfingerswereheavywithreluctance.

Themaninthesentryboxstoodupwhenheheardthebombs.RobertJordansawhimreachforhisrifleandstepforwardoutoftheboxlistening.Hestoodintheroadwiththesunshiningonhim.Theknittedcapwasonthesideofhisheadandthesunwasonhisunshavedfaceashelookedupintotheskytowardwheretheplaneswerebombing.

TherewasnomistontheroadnowandRobertJordansawtheman,clearlyandsharply,standingthereontheroadlookingupatthesky.Thesunshonebrightonhimthroughthetrees.

RobertJordanfelthisownbreathtightnowasthoughastrandofwireboundhischestand,steadyinghiselbows,feelingthecorrugationsoftheforwardgripagainsthisfingers,heputtheoblongoftheforesight,settlednowinthenotchoftherear,ontothecenteroftheman』schestandsqueezedthetriggergently.

Hefeltthequick,liquid,spasticlurchingofthegunagainsthisshoulderandontheroadtheman,lookingsurprisedandhurt,slidforwardonhiskneesandhisforeheaddoubledtotheroad.Hisriflefellbyhimandlaytherewithoneoftheman』sfingerstwistedthroughthetriggerguard,hiswristbentforward.Theriflelay,bayonetforwardontheroad.RobertJordanlookedawayfromthemanlyingwithhisheaddoubledunderontheroadtothebridge,andthesentryboxattheotherend.HecouldnotseetheothersentryandhelookeddowntheslopetotherightwhereheknewAgustínwashidden.ThenheheardAnselmoshoot,theshotsmashinganechobackfromthegorge.Thenheheardhimshootagain.

Withthatsecondshotcamethecrackingboomofgrenadesfromaroundthecornerbelowthebridge.Thentherewasthenoiseofgrenadesfromwelluptheroadtotheleft.Thenheheardrifle-firinguptheroadandfrombelowcamethenoiseofPablo』scavalryautomaticriflespat-spat-spat-spattingintothenoiseofgrenades.HesawAnselmoscramblingdownthesteepcuttothefarendofthebridgeandheslungthesubmachinegunoverhisshoulderandpickedupthetwoheavypacksfrombehindthepinetrunksandwithoneineachhand,thepackspullinghisarmssothathefeltthetendonswouldpulloutofhisshoulders,heranlurchingdownthesteepslopetotheroad.

AsheranheheardAgustínshouting,「Buenacaza,Inglés.Buenacaza!」andhethought,「Nicehunting,likehell,nicehunting,」andjustthenheheardAnselmoshootatthefarendofthebridge,thenoiseoftheshotclanginginthesteelgirders.Hepassedthesentrywherehelayandranontothebridge,thepacksswinging.

Theoldmancamerunningtowardhim,holdinghiscarbineinonehand.「Sinnovedad,」heshouted.「There』snothingwrong.Tuvequerematarlo.Ihadtofinishhim.」

RobertJordan,kneeling,openingthepacksinthecenterofthebridgetakingouthismaterial,sawthattearswererunningdownAnselmo』scheeksthroughthegraybeardstubble.

「Yamatéunotambien,」hesaidtoAnselmo.「Ikilledonetoo,」andjerkedhisheadtowardwherethesentrylayhunchedoverintheroadattheendofthebridge.

「Yes,man,yes,」Anselmosaid.「Wehavetokillthemandwekillthem.」

RobertJordanwasclimbingdownintotheframeworkofthebridge.Thegirderswerecoldandwetwithdewunderhishandsandheclimbedcarefully,feelingthesunonhisback,bracinghimselfinabridgetruss,hearingthenoiseofthetumblingwaterbelowhim,hearingfiring,toomuchfiring,uptheroadattheupperpost.Hewassweatingheavilynowanditwascoolunderthebridge.Hehadacoilofwirearoundonearmandapairofpliershungbyathongfromhiswrist.

「Handmethatdownapackageatatime,viejo,」hecalleduptoAnselmo.TheoldmanleanedfarovertheedgehandingdowntheoblongblocksofexplosiveandRobertJordanreachedupforthem,shovedtheminwherehewantedthem,packedthemclose,bracedthem,「Wedges,viejo!Givemewedges!」smellingthefreshshinglesmellofthenewwhittledwedgesashetappedthemintighttoholdthechargebetweenthegirders.

Nowasheworked,placing,bracing,wedging,lashingtightwithwire,thinkingonlyofdemolition,workingfastandskillfullyasasurgeonworks,heheardarattleoffiringfrombelowontheroad.Thentherewasthenoiseofagrenade.Thenanother,boomingthroughtherushingnoisethewatermade.Thenitwasquietfromthatdirection.

「Damn,」hethought.「Iwonderwhathitthemthen?」

Therewasstillfiringuptheroadattheupperpost.Toodamnedmuchfiring,andhewaslashingtwogrenadessidebysideontopofthebracedblocksofexplosive,windingwireovertheircorrugationssotheywouldholdtightandfirmandlashingittight;twistingitwiththepliers.Hefeltofthewholethingandthen,tomakeitmoresolid,tappedinawedgeabovethegrenadesthatblockedthewholechargefirmlyinagainstthesteel.

「Theothersidenow,viejo,」heshouteduptoAnselmoandclimbedacrossthroughthetrestling,likeabloodyTarzaninarolledsteelforest,hethought,andthencomingoutfromunderthedark,thestreamtumblingbelowhim,helookedupandsawAnselmo』sfaceashereachedthepackagesofexplosivedowntohim.Goddamngoodface,hethought.Notcryingnow.That』salltothegood.Andonesidedone.Thissidenowandwe』redone.Thiswilldropitlikewhatall.Comeon.Don』tgetexcited.Doit.Cleanandfastasthelastone.Don』tfumblewithit.Takeyourtime.Don』ttrytodoitfasterthanyoucan.Youcan』tlosenow.Nobodycankeepyoufromblowingonesidenow.You』redoingitjustthewayyoushould.Thisisacoolplace.Christ,itfeelscoolasawinecellarandthere』snocrap.Usuallyworkingunderastonebridgeit』sfullofcrap.Thisisadreambridge.Abloodydreambridge.It』stheoldmanontopwho』sinabadspot.Don』ttrytodoitfasterthanyoucan.Iwishthatshootingwouldbeoverupabove.「Givemesomewedges,viejo.」Idon』tlikethatshootingstill.Pilarhasgotintroublethere.Someofthepostmusthavebeenout.Outback;orbehindthemill.They』restillshooting.Thatmeansthere』ssomebodystillatthemill.Andallthatdamnedsawdust.Thosebigpilesofsawdust.Sawdust,whenit』soldandpacked,isgoodstufftofightbehind.Theremustbeseveralofthemstill.It』squietbelowwithPablo.Iwonderwhatthatsecondflare-upwas.Itmusthavebeenacaroramotorcyclist.IhopetoGodtheydon』thaveanyarmoredcarscomeuporanytanks.Goon.Putitinjustasfastasyoucanandwedgeittightandlashitfast.You』reshaking,likeaGoddamnwoman.Whatthehellisthematterwithyou?You』retryingtodoittoofast.I』llbetthatGoddamnwomanupaboveisn』tshaking.ThatPilar.Maybesheistoo.Shesoundsasthoughshewereinplentytrouble.She』llshakeifshegetsinenough.Likeeverybodybloodyelse.

HeleanedoutandupintothesunlightandashereachedhishanduptotakewhatAnselmohandedhim,hisheadnowabovethenoiseofthefallingwater,thefiringincreasedsharplyuptheroadandthenthenoiseofgrenadesagain.Thenmoregrenades.

「Theyrushedthesawmillthen.」

It』sluckyI』vegotthisstuffinblocks,hethought.Insteadofsticks.Whatthehell.It』sjustneater.Althoughalousycanvassackfullofjellywouldbequicker.Twosacks.No.Oneofthatwoulddo.Andifwejusthaddetonatorsandtheoldexploder.Thatsonofabitchthrewmyexploderintheriver.Thatoldboxandtheplacesthatit』sbeen.Inthisriverhethrewit.ThatbastardPablo.Hegavethemhelltherebelowjustnow.「Givemesomemoreofthat,viejo.」

Theoldman』sdoingverywell.He』sinquiteaplaceupthere.Hehatedtoshootthatsentry.SodidIbutIdidn』tthinkaboutit.NordoIthinkaboutitnow.Youhavetodothat.ButthenAnselmogotacripple.Iknowaboutcripples.Ithinkthatkillingamanwithanautomaticweaponmakesiteasier.Imeanontheonedoingit.Itisdifferent.Afterthefirsttouchitisitthatdoesit.Notyou.Savethattogointosomeothertime.Youandyourhead.YouhaveanicethinkingheadoldJordan.RollJordan,Roll!Theyusedtoyellthatatfootballwhenyouluggedtheball.DoyouknowthedamnedJordanisreallynotmuchbiggerthanthatcreekdowntherebelow.Atthesource,youmean.Soisanythingelseatthesource.Thisisaplacehereunderthisbridge.Ahomeawayfromhome.ComeonJordan,pullyourselftogether.ThisisseriousJordan.Don』tyouunderstand?Serious.It』slesssoallthetime.Lookatthatotherside.Paraqué?I』mallrightnowhowevershegoes.AsMainegoes,sogoesthenation.AsJordangoessogothebloodyIsraelites.Thebridge,Imean.AsJordangoes,sogoesthebloodybridge,otherwayaround,really.

「Givemesomemoreofthat,Anselmooldboy,」hesaid.Theoldmannodded.「Almostthrough,」RobertJordansaid.Theoldmannoddedagain.

Finishingwiringthegrenadesdown,henolongerheardthefiringfromuptheroad.Suddenlyhewasworkingonlywiththenoiseofthestream.Helookeddownandsawitboilingupwhitebelowhimthroughthebouldersandthendroppingdowntoaclearpebbledpoolwhereoneofthewedgeshehaddroppedswungaroundinthecurrent.Ashelookedatroutroseforsomeinsectandmadeacircleonthesurfaceclosetowherethechipwasturning.Ashetwistedthewiretightwiththepliersthatheldthesetwogrenadesinplace,hesaw,throughthemetalofthebridge,thesunlightonthegreenslopeofthemountain.Itwasbrownthreedaysago,hethought.

OutfromthecooldarkunderthebridgeheleanedintothebrightsunandshoutedtoAnselmo』sbendingface,「Givemethebigcoilofwire.」

Theoldmanhandeditdown.

ForGod』ssakedon』tloosenthemanyyet.Thiswillpullthem.Iwishyoucouldstringthemthrough.Butwiththelengthofwireyouareusingit』sO.K.,RobertJordanthoughtashefeltthecotterpinsthatheldtheringsthatwouldreleasetheleversonthehandgrenades.Hecheckedthatthegrenades,lashedontheirsides,hadroomfortheleverstospringwhenthepinswerepulled(thewirethatlashedthemranthroughunderthelevers),thenheattachedalengthofwiretoonering,wireditontothemainwirethatrantotheringoftheoutsidegrenade,paidoffsomeslackfromthecoilandpasseditaroundasteelbraceandthenhandedthecoiluptoAnselmo.「Holditcarefully,」hesaid.

Heclimbedupontothebridge,tookthecoilfromtheoldmanandwalkedbackasfastashecouldpayoutwiretowardwherethesentrywasslumpedintheroad,leaningoverthesideofthebridgeandpayingoutwirefromthecoilashewalked.

「Bringthesacks,」heshoutedtoAnselmoashewalkedbackwards.Ashepassedhestoopeddownandpickedupthesubmachinegunandslungitoverhisshoulderagain.

Itwasthen,lookingupfrompayingoutwire,thathesaw,welluptheroad,thosewhowerecomingbackfromtheupperpost.

Therewerefourofthem,hesaw,andthenhehadtowatchhiswiresoitwouldbeclearandnotfoulagainstanyoftheouterworkofthebridge.Eladiowasnotwiththem.

RobertJordancarriedthewireclearpasttheendofthebridge,tookaiooparoundthelaststanchionandthenranalongtheroaduntilhestoppedbesideastonemarker.HecutthewireandhandedittoAnselmo.

「Holdthis,viejo,」hesaid.「Nowwalkbackwithmetothebridge.Takeuponitasyouwalk.No.Iwill.」

Atthebridgehepulledthewirebackoutthroughthehitchsoitnowranclearandunfouledtothegrenaderingsandhandedit,stretchingalongsidethebridgebutrunningquiteclear,toAnselmo.

「Takethisbacktothathighstone,」hesaid.「Holditeasilybutfirmly.Donotputanyforceonit.Whenthoupullesthard,hard,thebridgewillblow.Comprendes?」

「Yes.」

「Treatitsoftlybutdonotletitsagsoitwillfoul.Keepitlightlyfirmbutnotpullinguntilthoupullest.Comprendes?」

「Yes.」

「Whenthoupullestreallypull.Donotjerk.」

RobertJordanwhilehespokewaslookinguptheroadattheremainderofPilar』sband.TheywereclosenowandhesawPrimitivoandRafaelweresupportingFernando.Helookedtobeshotthroughthegroinforhewasholdinghimselftherewithbothhandswhilethemanandtheboyheldhimoneitherside.Hisrightlegwasdragging,thesideoftheshoescrapingontheroadastheywalkedhim.Pilarwasclimbingthebankintothetimbercarryingthreerifles.RobertJordancouldnotseeherfacebutherheadwasupandshewasclimbingasfastasshecould.

「Howdoesitgo?」Primitivocalled.

「Good.We』realmostfinished,」RobertJordanshoutedback.

Therewasnoneedtoaskhowitwentwiththem.AshelookedawaythethreewereontheedgeoftheroadandFernandowasshakinghisheadastheytriedtogethimupthebank.

「Givemeariflehere,」RobertJordanheardhimsayinachokyvoice.

「No,hombre.Wewillgettheetothehorses.」

「WhatwouldIdowithahorse?」Fernandosaid.「Iamverywellhere.」

RobertJordandidnotheartherestforhewasspeakingtoAnselmo.

「Blowitiftankscome,」hesaid.「Butonlyiftheycomeontoit.Blowitifarmoredcarscome.Iftheycomeontoit.AnythingelsePablowillstop.」

「Iwillnotblowitwiththeebeneathit.」

「Takenoaccountofme.Blowitifthouneedestto.Ifixtheotherwireandcomeback.Thenwewillblowittogether.」

Hestartedrunningforthecenterofthebridge.

AnselmosawRobertJordanrunupthebridge,coilofwireoverhisarm,pliershangingfromonewristandthesubmachinegunslungoverhisback.Hesawhimclimbdownundertherailofthebridgeandoutofsight.Anselmoheldthewireinhishand,hisrighthand,andhecrouchedbehindthestonemarkerandlookeddowntheroadandacrossthebridge.Halfwaybetweenhimandthebridgewasthesentry,whohadsettlednowclosertotheroad,sinkingcloserontothesmoothroadsurfaceasthesunweighedonhisback.Hisrifle,lyingontheroad,thebayonetfixed,pointedstraighttowardAnselmo.Theoldmanlookedpasthimalongthesurfaceofthebridgecrossedbytheshadowsofthebridgerailtowheretheroadswungtotheleftalongthegorgeandthenturnedoutofsightbehindtherockywall.Helookedatthefarsentryboxwiththesunshiningonitandthen,consciousofthewireinhishand,heturnedhisheadtowhereFernandowasspeakingtoPrimitivoandthegypsy.

「Leavemehere,」Fernandosaid.「Ithurtsmuchandthereismuchhemorrhageinside.IfeelitintheinsidewhenImove.」

「Letusgettheeuptheslope,」Primitivosaid.「Putthyarmsaroundourshouldersandwewilltakethylegs.」

「Itisinutile,」Fernandosaid.「Putmeherebehindastone.Iamasusefulhereasabove.」

「Butwhenwego,」Primitivosaid.

「Leavemehere,」Fernandosaid.「Thereisnoquestionofmytravellingwiththis.Thusitgivesonehorsemore.Iamverywellhere.Certainlytheywillcomesoon.」

「Wecantaketheeupthehill,」thegypsysaid.「Easily.」

Hewas,naturally,inadeadlyhurrytobegone,aswasPrimitivo.Buttheyhadbroughthimthisfar.

「Nay,」Fernandosaid.「Iamverywellhere.WhatpasseswithEladio?」

Thegypsyputhisfingeronhisheadtoshowwherethewoundhadbeen.

「Here,」hesaid.「Afterthee.Whenwemadetherush.」

「Leaveme,」Fernandosaid.Anselmocouldseehewassufferingmuch.Heheldbothhandsagainsthisgroinnowandputhisheadbackagainstthebank,hislegsstraightoutbeforehim.Hisfacewasgrayandsweating.

「Leavemenowplease,forafavor,」hesaid.Hiseyeswereshutwithpain,theedgesofthelipstwitching.「Ifindmyselfverywellhere.」

「Hereisarifleandcartridges,」Primitivosaid.

「Isitmine?」Fernandoasked,hiseyesshut.

「Nay,thePilarhasthine,」Primitivosaid.「Thisismine.」

「Iwouldprefermyown,」Fernandosaid.「Iammoreaccustomedtoit.」

「Iwillbringittothee,」thegypsyliedtohim.「Keepthisuntilitcomes.」

「Iaminaverygoodpositionhere,」Fernandosaid.「Bothforuptheroadandforthebridge.」Heopenedhiseyes,turnedhisheadandlookedacrossthebridge,thenshutthemasthepaincame.

ThegypsytappedhisheadandmotionedwithhisthumbtoPrimitivoforthemtobeoff.

「Thenwewillbedownforthee,」Primitivosaidandstarteduptheslopeafterthegypsy,whowasclimbingfast.

Fernandolaybackagainstthebank.Infrontofhimwasoneofthewhitewashedstonesthatmarkedtheedgeoftheroad.Hisheadwasintheshadowbutthesunshoneonhispluggedandbandagedwoundandonhishandsthatwerecuppedoverit.Hislegsandhisfeetalsowereinthesun.Theriflelaybesidehimandtherewerethreeclipsofcartridgesshininginthesunbesidetherifle.Aflycrawledonhishandsbutthesmallticklingdidnotcomethroughthepain.

「Fernando!」Anselmocalledtohimfromwherehecrouched,holdingthewire.Hehadmadealoopintheendofthewireandtwisteditclosesohecouldholditinhisfist.

「Fernando!」hecalledagain.

Fernandoopenedhiseyesandlookedathim.

「Howdoesitgo?」Fernandoasked.

「Verygood,」Anselmosaid.「Nowinaminutewewillbeblowingit.」

「Iampleased.Anythingyouneedmeforadviseme,」Fernandosaidandshuthiseyesagainandthepainlurchedinhim.

Anselmolookedawayfromhimandoutontothebridge.

HewaswatchingforthefirstsightofthecoilofwirebeinghandedupontothebridgeandfortheInglé』ssunburntheadandfacetofollowitashewouldpullhimselfuptheside.Atthesametimehewaswatchingbeyondthebridgeforanythingtocomearoundthefarcorneroftheroad.Hedidnotfeelafraidnowatallandhehadnotbeenafraidalltheday.Itgoessofastanditissonormal,hethought.Ihatedtheshootingoftheguardanditmademeanemotionbutthatispassednow.HowcouldtheIngléssaythattheshootingofamanisliketheshootingofananimal?InallhuntingIhavehadanelationandnofeelingofwrong.Buttoshootamangivesafeelingasthoughonehadstruckone』sownbrotherwhenyouaregrownmen.Andtoshoothimvarioustimestokillhim.Nay,donotthinkofthat.Thatgavetheetoomuchemotionandtheeranblubberingdownthebridgelikeawoman.

Thatisover,hetoldhimself,andthoucansttrytoatoneforitasfortheothers.Butnowthouhaswhatthouaskedforlastnightcominghomeacrossthehills.Thouartinbattleandthouhastnoproblem.IfIdieonthismorningnowitisallright.

ThenhelookedatFernandolyingthereagainstthebankwithhishandscuppedoverthegrooveofhiship,hislipsblue,hiseyestightshut,breathingheavilyandslowly,andhethought,IfIdiemayitbequickly.NayIsaidIwouldasknothingmoreifIweregrantedwhatIneededfortoday.SoIwillnotask.Understand?Iasknothing.Nothinginanyway.GivemewhatIaskedforandIleavealltherestaccordingtodiscretion.

Helistenedtothenoisethatcame,faraway,ofthebattleatthepassandhesaidtohimself,Trulythisisagreatday.Ishouldrealizeandknowwhatadaythisis.

Buttherewasnoliftoranyexcitementinhisheart.Thatwasallgoneandtherewasnothingbutacalmness.Andnow,ashecrouchedbehindthemarkerstonewiththeloopedwireinhishandandanotherloopofitaroundhiswristandthegravelbesidetheroadunderhiskneeshewasnotlonelynordidhefeelinanywayalone.Hewasonewiththewireinhishandandonewiththebridge,andonewiththechargestheIngléshadplaced.HewasonewiththeInglésstillworkingunderthebridgeandhewasonewithallofthebattleandwiththeRepublic.

Buttherewasnoexcitement.Itwasallcalmnowandthesunbeatdownonhisneckandonhisshouldersashecrouchedandashelookeduphesawthehigh,cloudlessskyandtheslopeofthemountainrisingbeyondtheriverandhewasnothappybuthewasneitherlonelynorafraid.

UpthehillslopePilarlaybehindatreewatchingtheroadthatcamedownfromthepass.ShehadthreeloadedriflesbyherandshehandedonetoPrimitivoashedroppeddownbesideher.

「Getdownthere,」shesaid.「Behindthattree.Thou,gypsy,overthere,」shepointedtoanothertreebelow.「Ishedead?」

「Nay.Notyet,」Primitivosaid.

「Itwasbadluck,」Pilarsaid.「Ifwehadhadtwomoreitneednothavehappened.Heshouldhavecrawledaroundthesawdustpile.Isheallrighttherewhereheis?」

Primitivoshookhishead.

「WhentheInglésblowsthebridgewillfragmentscomethisfar?」thegypsyaskedfrombehindhistree.

「Idon』tknow,」Pilarsaid.「ButAgustínwiththemáquinaiscloserthanthee.TheIngléswouldnothaveplacedhimthereifitweretooclose.」

「ButIrememberwiththeblowingofthetrainthelampoftheengineblewbyovermyheadandpiecesofsteelflewbylikeswallows.」

「Thouhastpoeticmemories,」Pilarsaid.「Likeswallows.Joder!Theywerelikewashboilers.Listen,gypsy,thouhastcomportedthyselfwelltoday.Nowdonotletthyfearcatchupwiththee.」

「Well,IonlyaskedifitwouldblowthisfarsoImightkeepwellbehindthetreetrunk,」thegypsysaid.

「Keepitthus,」Pilartoldhim.「Howmanyhavewekilled?」

「Puesfiveforus.Twohere.Canstthounotseetheotheratthefarend?Looktheretowardthebridge.Seethebox?Look!Dostsee?」Hepointed.「ThentherewereeightbelowforPablo.IwatchedthatpostfortheInglés.」

Pilargrunted.Thenshesaidviolentlyandraging,「WhatpasseswiththatInglés?Whatisheobscenityingoffunderthatbridge.Vayamandanga!Ishebuildingabridgeorblowingone?」

SheraisedherheadandlookeddownatAnselmocrouchedbehindthestonemarker.

「Hey,viejo!」sheshouted.「WhatpasseswiththyobscenityofanInglés?」

「Patience,woman,」Anselmocalledup,holdingthewirelightlybutfirmly.「Heisterminatinghiswork.」

「Butwhatinthenameofthegreatwhoredoeshetakesomuchtimeabout?」

「Esmuyconcienzudo!」Anselmoshouted.「Itisascientificlabor.」

「Iobscenityinthemilkofscience,」Pilarragedtothegypsy.「Letthefilth-facedobscenityblowitandbedone.Maria!」sheshoutedinherdeepvoiceupthehill.「ThyInglés——」andsheshoutedafloodofobscenityaboutJordan』simaginaryactionsunderthebridge.

「Calmyourself,woman,」Anselmocalledfromtheroad.「Heisdoinganenormouswork.Heisfinishingitnow.」

「Thehellwithit,」Pilarraged.「Itisspeedthatcounts.」

JustthentheyallheardfiringstartdowntheroadwherePablowasholdingtheposthehadtaken.Pilarstoppedcursingandlistened.「Ay,」shesaid.「Ayee.Ayee.That』sit.」

RobertJordanhearditasheswungthecoilofwireupontothebridgewithonehandandthenpulledhimselfupafterit.Ashiskneesrestedontheedgeoftheironofthebridgeandhishandswereonthesurfaceheheardthemachinegunfiringaroundthebendbelow.ItwasadifferentsoundfromPablo』sautomaticrifle.Hegottohisfeet,leanedover,passedhiscoilofwireclearandcommencedtopayoutwireashewalkedbackwardsandsidewaysalongthebridge.

Heheardthefiringandashewalkedhefeltitinthepitofhisstomachasthoughitechoedonhisowndiaphragm.Itwasclosernowashewalkedandhelookedbackatthebendoftheroad.Butitwasstillclearofanycar,ortankormen.Itwasstillclearwhenhewashalfwaytotheendofthebridge.Itwasstillclearwhenhewasthreequartersoftheway,hiswirerunningclearandunfouled,anditwasstillclearasheclimbedaroundbehindthesentrybox,holdinghiswireouttokeepitfromcatchingontheironwork.Thenhewasontheroadanditwasstillclearbelowontheroadandthenhewasmovingfastbackwardsupthelittlewashed-outgullybythelowersideoftheroadasanoutfieldergoesbackwardsforalongflyball,keepingthewiretaut,andnowhewasalmostoppositeAnselmo』sstoneanditwasstillclearbelowthebridge.

ThenheheardthetruckcomingdowntheroadandhesawitoverhisshoulderjustcomingontothelongslopeandheswunghiswristoncearoundthewireandyelledtoAnselmo,「Blowher!」andhedughisheelsinandleanedbackhardontothetensionofthewirewithaturnofitaroundhiswristandthenoiseofthetruckwascomingbehindandaheadtherewastheroadwiththedeadsentryandthelongbridgeandthestretchofroadbelow,stillclearandthentherewasacrackingroarandthemiddleofthebridgeroseupintheairlikeawavebreakingandhefelttheblastfromtheexplosionrollbackagainsthimashedoveonhisfaceinthepebblygullywithhishandsholdingtightoverhishead.Hisfacewasdownagainstthepebblesasthebridgesettledwhereithadrisenandthefamiliaryellowsmellofitrolledoverhiminacridsmokeandthenitcommencedtorainpiecesofsteel.

Afterthesteelstoppedfallinghewasstillaliveandheraisedhisheadandlookedacrossthebridge.Thecentersectionofitwasgone.Therewerejaggedpiecesofsteelonthebridgewiththeirbright,newtornedgesandendsandthesewereallovertheroad.Thetruckhadstoppeduptheroadaboutahundredyards.Thedriverandthetwomenwhohadbeenwithhimwererunningtowardaculvert.

Fernandowasstilllyingagainstthebankandhewasstillbreathing.Hisarmsstraightbyhissides,hishandsrelaxed.

Anselmolayfacedownbehindthewhitemarkingstone.Hisleftarmwasdoubledunderhisheadandhisrightarmwasstretchedstraightout.Theloopofwirewasstillaroundhisrightfist.RobertJordangottohisfeet,crossedtheroad,kneltbyhimandmadesurethathewasdead.Hedidnotturnhimovertoseewhatthepieceofsteelhaddone.Hewasdeadandthatwasall.

Helookedverysmall,dead,RobertJordanthought.HelookedsmallandgrayheadedandRobertJordanthought,Iwonderhowheevercarriedsuchbigloadsifthatisthesizehereallywas.Thenhesawtheshapeofthecalvesandthethighsinthetight,grayherdsman』sbreechesandthewornsolesoftherope-soledshoesandhepickedupAnselmo』scarbineandthetwosacks,practicallyemptynowandwentoverandpickeduptheriflethatlaybesideFernando.Hekickedajaggedpieceofsteeloffthesurfaceoftheroad.Thenheswungthetworiflesoverhisshoulder,holdingthembythemuzzles,andstarteduptheslopeintothetimber.Hedidnotlookbacknordidheevenlookacrossthebridgeattheroad.Theywerestillfiringaroundthebendbelowbuthecarednothingaboutthatnow.

HewascoughingfromtheTNTfumesandhefeltnumballthroughhimself.

HeputoneoftheriflesdownbyPilarwhereshelaybehindthetree.Shelookedandsawthatmadethreeriflesthatshehadagain.

「Youaretoohighuphere,」hesaid.「There』satruckuptheroadwhereyoucan』tseeit.Theythoughtitwasplanes.Youbettergetfartherdown.I』mgoingdownwithAgustíntocoverPablo.」

「Theoldone?」sheaskedhim,lookingathisface.

「Dead.」

Hecoughedagain,wrackingly,andspatontheground.

「Thybridgeisblown,Inglés,」Pilarlookedathim.「Don』tforgetthat.」

「Idon』tforgetanything,」hesaid.「Youhaveabigvoice,」hesaidtoPilar.「Ihaveheardtheebellow.ShoutuptotheMariaandtellherthatIamallright.」

「Welosttwoatthesawmill,」Pilarsaid,tryingtomakehimunderstand.

「SoIsaw,」RobertJordansaid.「Didyoudosomethingstupid?」

「Goandobscenitythyself,Inglés,」Pilarsaid.「FernandoandEladioweremen,too.」

「Whydon』tyougoupwiththehorses?」RobertJordansaid.「Icancoverherebetterthanthee.」

「ThouarttocoverPablo.」

「ThehellwithPablo.Lethimcoverhimselfwithmierda.」

「Nay,Inglés.Hecameback.Hehasfoughtmuchbelowthere.Thouhastnotlistened?Heisfightingnow.Againstsomethingbad.Doyounothear?」

「I』llcoverhim.Butobscenityallofyou.ThouandPabloboth.」

「Inglés,」Pilarsaid.「Calmthyself.Ihavebeenwiththeeinthisasnoonecouldbe.Pablodidtheeawrongbuthereturned.」

「IfIhadhadtheexplodertheoldmanwouldnothavebeenkilled.Icouldhaveblownitfromhere.」

「If,if,if—」Pilarsaid.

Theangerandtheemptinessandthehatethathadcomewiththelet-downafterthebridge,whenhehadlookedupfromwherehehadlainandcrouching,seenAnselmodead,werestillallthroughhim.Inhim,too,wasdespairfromthesorrowthatsoldiersturntohatredinorderthattheymaycontinuetobesoldiers.Nowitwasoverhewaslonely,detachedandunelatedandhehatedeveryonehesaw.

「Iftherehadbeennosnow—」Pilarsaid.Andthen,notsuddenly,asaphysicalreleasecouldhavebeen(ifthewomanwouldhaveputherarmaroundhim,say)butslowlyandfromhisheadhebegantoacceptitandletthehategoout.Sure,thesnow.Thathaddoneit.Thesnow.Doneittoothers.Onceyousawitagainasitwastoothers,onceyougotridofyourownself,thealwaysriddingofselfthatyouhadtodoinwar.Wheretherecouldbenoself.Whereyourselfisonlytobelost.Then,fromhislosingofit,heheardPilarsay,「Sordo—」

「What?」hesaid.

「Sordo—」

「Yes,」RobertJordansaid.Hegrinnedather,acracked,stiff,too-tightened-facialtendonedgrin.「Forgetit.Iwaswrong.Iamsorry,woman.Letusdothiswellandalltogether.Andthebridgeisblown,asthousayest.」

「Yes.Thoumustthinkofthingsintheirplace.」

「ThenIgonowtoAgustín.Putthygypsymuchfartherdownsothathecanseewelluptheroad.GivethosegunstoPrimitivoandtakethismáquina.Letmeshowthee.」

「Keepthemáquina.,」Pilarsaid.「Wewillnotbehereanytime.Pabloshouldcomenowandwewillbegoing.」

「Rafael,」RobertJordansaid,「comedownherewithme.Here.Good.Seethosecomingoutoftheculvert.There,abovethetruck?Comingtowardthetruck?Hitmeoneofthose.Sit.Takeiteasy.」

ThegypsyaimedcarefullyandfiredandashejerkedtheboltbackandejectedtheshellRobertJordansaid,「Over.Youthrewagainsttherockabove.Seetherockdust?Lower,bytwofeet.Now,careful.They』rerunning.Good.Siguetirando.」

「Igotone,」thegypsysaid.Themanwasdownintheroadhalfwaybetweentheculvertandthetruck.Theothertwodidnotstoptodraghim.Theyranfortheculvertandduckedin.

「Don』tshootathim,」RobertJordansaid.「Shootforthetoppartofafronttireonthetruck.Soifyoumissyou』llhittheengine.Good.」Hewatchedwiththeglasses.「Alittlelower.Good.Youshootlikehell.Mucho!Mucho!Shootmethetopoftheradiator.Anywhereontheradiator.Thouartachampion.Look.Don』tletanythingcomepastthatpointthere.See?」

「Watchmebreakthewindshieldinthetruck,」thegypsysaidhappily.

「Nay.Thetruckisalreadysick,」RobertJordansaid.「Holdthyfireuntilanythingcomesdowntheroad.Startfiringwhenitisoppositetheculvert.Trytohitthedriver.Thatyouallshouldfire,then,」hespoketoPilarwhohadcomefartherdowntheslopewithPrimitivo.「Youarewonderfullyplacedhere.Seehowthatsteepnessguardsthyflank?」

「ThatyoushouldgetaboutthybusinesswithAgustín,」Pilarsaid.「Desistfromthylecture.Ihaveseenterraininmytime.」

「PutPrimitivofartherupthere,」RobertJordansaid.「There.See,man?Thissideofwherethebanksteepens.」

「Leaveme,」saidPilar.「Getalong,Inglés.Thouandthyperfection.Herethereisnoproblem.」

Justthentheyheardtheplanes.

Mariahadbeenwiththehorsesforalongtime,buttheywerenocomforttoher.Norwassheanytothem.Fromwhereshewasintheforestshecouldnotseetheroadnorcouldsheseethebridgeandwhenthefiringstartedsheputherarmaroundtheneckofthebigwhite-facedbaystallionthatshehadgentledandbroughtgiftstomanytimeswhenthehorseshadbeeninthecorralinthetreesbelowthecamp.Buthernervousnessmadethebigstallionnervous,too,andhejerkedhishead,hisnostrilswideningatthefiringandthenoiseofthebombs.Mariacouldnotkeepstillandshewalkedaroundpattingandgentlingthehorsesandmakingthemallmorenervousandagitated.

Shetriedtothinkofthefiringnotasjustaterriblethingthatwashappening,buttorealizethatitwasPablobelowwiththenewmen,andPilarwiththeothersabove,andthatshemustnotworrynorgetintoapanicbutmusthaveconfidenceinRoberto.Butshecouldnotdothisandallthefiringaboveandbelowthebridgeandthedistantsoundofthebattlethatrolleddownfromthepasslikethenoiseofafar-offstormwithadried,rollingrattleinitandtheirregularbeatofthebombswassimplyahorriblethingthatalmostkeptherfrombreathing.

ThenlatersheheardPilar』sbigvoicefromawaybelowonthehillsideshoutingupsomeobscenitytoherthatshecouldnotunderstandandshethought,Oh,Godno,no.Don』ttalklikethatwithhiminperil.Don』toffendanyoneandmakeuselessrisks.Don』tgiveanyprovocation.

ThenshecommencedtoprayforRobertoquicklyandautomaticallyasshehaddoneatschool,sayingtheprayersasfastasshecouldandcountingthemonthefingersofherlefthand,prayingbytensofeachofthetwoprayersshewasrepeating.Thenthebridgeblewandonehorsesnappedhishalterwhenheroseandjerkedhisheadatthecrackingroarandhewentoffthroughthetrees.Mariacaughthimfinallyandbroughthimback,shivering,trembling,hischestdarkwithsweat,thesaddledown,andcomingbackthroughthetreessheheardshootingbelowandshethoughtIcannotstandthislonger.Icannotlivenotknowinganylonger.Icannotbreatheandmymouthissodry.AndIamafraidandIamnogoodandIfrightenthehorsesandonlycaughtthishorsebyhazardbecauseheknockedthesaddledownagainstatreeandcaughthimselfkickingintothestirrupsandnowasIgetthesaddleup,Oh,God,Idonotknow.Icannotbearit.Ohpleasehavehimbeallrightforallmyheartandallofmeisatthebridge.TheRepublicisonethingandwemustwinisanotherthing.But,Oh,SweetBlessedVirgin,bringhimbacktomefromthebridgeandIwilldoanythingthousayestever.BecauseIamnothere.Thereisn』tanyme.Iamonlywithhim.TakecareofhimformeandthatwillbemeandthenIwilldothethingsfortheeandhewillnotmind.NorwillitbeagainsttheRepublic.Oh,pleaseforgivemeforIamveryconfused.Iamtooconfusednow.ButifthoutakestcareofhimIwilldowhateverisright.Iwilldowhathesaysandwhatyousay.WiththetwoofmeIwilldoit.ButthisnownotknowingIcannotendure.

Then,thehorsetiedagain,shewiththesaddleupnow,theblanketsmoothed,haulingtightonthecinchsheheardthebig,deepvoicefromthetimberbelow,「Maria!Maria!ThyInglésisallright.Hearme?Allright.SinNovedad!」

Mariaheldthesaddlewithbothhandsandpressedhercroppedheadhardagainstitandcried.Sheheardthedeepvoiceshoutingagainandsheturnedfromthesaddleandshouted,choking,「Yes!Thankyou!」Then,chokingagain,「Thankyou!Thankyouverymuch!」

WhentheyheardtheplanestheyalllookedupandtheplaneswerecomingfromSegoviaveryhighinthesky,silveryinthehighsky,theirdrummingrisingoveralltheothersounds.

「Those!」Pilarsaid.「Therehasonlylackedthose!」

RobertJordanputhisarmonhershouldersashewatchedthem.「Nay,woman,」hesaid.「Thosedonotcomeforus.Thosehavenotimeforus.Calmthyself.」

「Ihatethem.」

「Metoo.ButnowImustgotoAgustín.」

Hecircledthehillsidethroughthepinesandallthetimetherewasthethrobbing,drummingoftheplanesandacrosstheshatteredbridgeontheroadbelow,aroundthebendoftheroadtherewastheintermittenthammeringfireofaheavymachinegun.

RobertJordandroppeddowntowhereAgustínlayintheclumpofscrubpinesbehindtheautomaticrifleandmoreplaneswerecomingallthetime.

「Whatpassesbelow?」Agustínsaid.「WhatisPablodoing?Doesn』theknowthebridgeisgone?」

「Maybehecan』tleave.」

「Thenletusleave.Thehellwithhim.」

「Hewillcomenowifheisable,」RobertJordansaid.「Weshouldseehimnow.」

「Ihavenotheardhim,」Agustínsaid.「Notforfiveminutes.No.There!Listen!Thereheis.That』shim.」

Therewasaburstofthespot-spot-spottingfireofthecavalrysubmachinegun,thenanother,thenanother.

「That』sthebastard,」RobertJordansaid.

HewatchedstillmoreplanescomingoverinthehighcloudlessblueskyandhewatchedAgustín『sfaceashelookedupatthem.Thenhelookeddownattheshatteredbridgeandacrosstothestretchofroadwhichstillwasclear.Hecoughedandspatandlistenedtotheheavymachinegunhammeragainbelowthebend.Itsoundedtobeinthesameplacethatitwasbefore.

「Andwhat』sthat?」Agustínasked.「Whattheunnameableisthat?」

「IthasbeengoingsincebeforeIblewthebridge,」RobertJordansaid.Helookeddownatthebridgenowandhecouldseethestreamthroughthetorngapwherethecenterhadfallen,hanginglikeabentsteelapron.Heheardthefirstoftheplanesthathadgoneovernowbombingupaboveatthepassandmorewerestillcoming.Thenoiseoftheirmotorsfilledallthehighskyandlookinguphesawtheirpursuit,minuteandtiny,circlingandwheelinghighabovethem.

「Idon』tthinktheyevercrossedthelinestheothermorning,」Primitivosaid.「Theymusthaveswungofftothewestandthencomeback.Theycouldnotbemakinganattackiftheyhadseenthese.」

「Mostofthesearenew,」RobertJordansaid.

Hehadthefeelingofsomethingthathadstartednormallyandhadthenbroughtgreat,outsized,giantrepercussions.Itwasasthoughyouhadthrownastoneandthestonemadearippleandtheripplereturnedroaringandtopplingasatidalwave.Orasthoughyoushoutedandtheechocamebackinrollsandpealsofthunder,andthethunderwasdeadly.Orasthoughyoustruckonemanandhefellandasfarasyoucouldseeothermenroseupallarmedandarmored.HewasgladhewasnotwithGolzupatthepass.

Lyingthere,byAgustín,watchingtheplanesgoingover,listeningforfiringbehindhim,watchingtheroadbelowwhereheknewhewouldseesomethingbutnotwhatitwouldbe,hestillfeltnumbwiththesurprisethathehadnotbeenkilledatthebridge.Hehadacceptedbeingkilledsocompletelythatallofthisnowseemedunreal.Shakeoutofthat,hesaidtohimself.Getridofthat.Thereismuch,much,muchtobedonetoday.Butitwouldnotleavehimandhefelt,consciously,allofthisbecominglikeadream.

「Youswallowedtoomuchofthatsmoke,」hetoldhimself.Butheknewitwasnotthat.Hecouldfeel,solidly,howunrealitallwasthroughtheabsoluterealityandhelookeddownatthebridgeandthenbacktothesentrylyingontheroad,towhereAnselmolay,toFernandoagainstthebankandbackupthesmooth,brownroadtothestalledtruckandstillitwasunreal.

「Youbetterselloutyourpartofyouquickly,」hetoldhimself.「You』relikeoneofthosecocksinthepitwherenobodyhasseenthewoundgivenanditdoesn』tshowandheisalreadygoingcoldwithit.」

「Nuts,」hesaidtohimself.「Youarealittlegroggyisall,andyouhavealet-downafterresponsibility,isall.Takeiteasy.」

ThenAgustíngrabbedhisarmandpointedandhelookedacrossthegorgeandsawPablo.

TheysawPablocomerunningaroundthecornerofthebendintheroad.Atthesheerrockwheretheroadwentoutofsighttheysawhimstopandleanagainsttherockandfirebackuptheroad.RobertJordansawPablo,short,heavyandstocky,hiscapgone,leaningagainsttherockwallandfiringtheshortcavalryautomaticrifleandhecouldseethebrightflickerofthecascadingbrasshullsasthesuncaughtthem.TheysawPablocrouchandfireanotherburst.Then,withoutlookingback,hecamerunning,short,bowlegged,fast,hisheadbentdownstraighttowardthebridge.

RobertJordanhadpushedAgustínoverandhehadthestockofthebigautomaticrifleagainsthisshoulderandwassightingonthebendoftheroad.Hisownsubmachinegunlaybyhislefthand.Itwasnotaccurateenoughforthatrange.

AsPablocametowardthemRobertJordansightedonthebendbutnothingcame.Pablohadreachedthebridge,lookedoverhisshoulderonce,glancedatthebridge,andthenturnedtohisleftandgonedownintothegorgeandoutofsight.RobertJordanwasstillwatchingthebendandnothinghadcomeinsight.Agustíngotupononeknee.HecouldseePabloclimbingdownintothegorgelikeagoat.TherehadbeennonoiseoffiringbelowsincetheyhadfirstseenPablo.

「Youseeanythingupabove?Ontherocksabove?」RobertJordanasked.

「Nothing.」

RobertJordanwatchedthebendoftheroad.Heknewthewalljustbelowthatwastoosteepforanyonetoclimbbutbelowiteasedandsomeonemighthavecircledupabove.

Ifthingshadbeenunrealbefore,theyweresuddenlyrealenoughnow.Itwasasthoughareflexlenscamerahadbeensuddenlybroughtintofocus.Itwasthenhesawthelow-bodied,angledsnoutandsquatgreen,grayandbrown-splashedturretwiththeprojectingmachineguncomearoundthebendintothebrightsun.Hefiredonitandhecouldhearthespangagainstthesteel.Thelittlewhippettankscuttledbackbehindtherockwall.Watchingthecorner,RobertJordansawthenosejustreappear,thentheedgeoftheturretshowedandtheturretswungsothatthegunwaspointingdowntheroad.

「Itseemslikeamousecomingoutofhishole,」Agustínsaid.「Look,Inglés.」

「Hehaslittleconfidence,」RobertJordansaid.

「ThisisthebiginsectPablohasbeenfighting,」Agustínsaid.「Hithimagain,Inglés.」

「Nay.Icannothurthim.Idon』twanthimtoseewhereweare.」

Thetankcommencedtofiredowntheroad.Thebulletshittheroadsurfaceandsungoffandnowtheywerepingingandclangingintheironofthebridge.Itwasthesamemachineguntheyhadheardbelow.

「Cabrón!」Agustínsaid.「Isthatthefamoustanks,Inglés?」

「That』sababyone.」

「Cabrón.IfIhadababybottlefullofgasolineIwouldclimbupthereandsetfiretohim.Whatwillhedo,Inglés?」

「Afterawhilehewillhaveanotherlook.」

「Andthesearewhatmenfear,」Agustínsaid.「Look,Inglés!He』srekillingthesentries.」

「Sincehehasnoothertarget,」RobertJordansaid.「Donotreproachhim.」

Buthewasthinking,Sure,makefunofhim.Butsupposeitwasyou,waybackhereinyourowncountryandtheyheldyouupwithfiringonthemainroad.Thenabridgewasblown.Wouldn』tyouthinkitwasminedaheadorthattherewasatrap?Sureyouwould.He』sdoneallright.He』swaitingforsomethingelsetocomeup.He』sengagingtheenemy.It』sonlyus.Buthecan』ttellthat.Lookatthelittlebastard.

Thelittletankhadnosedalittlefartheraroundthecorner.

JustthenAgustínsawPablocomingovertheedgeofthegorge,pullinghimselfoveronhandsandknees,hisbristlyfacerunningwithsweat.

「Herecomesthesonofabitch,」hesaid.

「Who?」

「Pablo.」

RobertJordanlooked,sawPablo,andthenhecommencedfiringatthepartofthecamouflagedturretofthetankwhereheknewtheslitabovethemachinegunwouldbe.Thelittletankwhirredbackwards,scuttlingoutofsightandRobertJordanpickeduptheautomaticrifle,clampedthetripodagainstthebarrelandswungthegunwithitsstillhotmuzzleoverhisshoulder.Themuzzlewassohotitburnedhisshoulderandheshoveditfarbehindhimturningthestockflatinhishand.

「Bringthesackofpansandmylittlemáquina,」heshouted,「andcomerunning.」

RobertJordanranupthehillthroughthepines.AgustínwasclosebehindhimandbehindhimPablowascoming.

「Pilar!」Jordanshoutedacrossthehill.「Comeon,woman!」

Thethreeofthemweregoingasfastastheycouldupthesteepslope.TheycouldnotrunanymorebecausethegradewastoosevereandPablo,whohadnoloadbutthelightcavalrysubmachinegun,hadclosedupwiththeothertwo.

「Andthypeople?」AgustínsaidtoPablooutofhisdrymouth.

「Alldead,」Pablosaid.Hewasalmostunabletobreathe.Agustínturnedhisheadandlookedathim.

「Wehaveplentyofhorsesnow,Inglés,」Pablopanted.

「Good,」RobertJordansaid.Themurderousbastard,hethought.「Whatdidyouencounter?」

「Everything,」Pablosaid.Hewasbreathinginlunges.「WhatpassedwithPilar?」

「ShelostFernandoandthebrother—」

「Eladio,」Agustínsaid.

「Andthou?」Pabloasked.

「IlostAnselmo.」

「Therearelotsofhorses,」Pablosaid.「Evenforthebaggage.」

Agustínbithislip,lookedatRobertJordanandshookhishead.Belowthem,outofsightthroughthetrees,theyheardthetankfiringontheroadandbridgeagain.

RobertJordanjerkedhishead.「Whatpassedwiththat?」hesaidtoPablo.HedidnotliketolookatPablo,nortosmellhim,buthewantedtohearhim.

「Icouldnotleavewiththatthere,」Pablosaid.「Wewerebarricadedatthelowerbendofthepost.FinallyitwentbacktolookforsomethingandIcame.」

「Whatwereyoushootingat,atthebend?」Agustínaskedbluntly.

Pablolookedathim,startedtogrin,thoughtbetterofit,andsaidnothing.

「Didyoushootthemall?」Agustínasked.RobertJordanwasthinking,keepyourmouthshut.Itisnoneofyourbusinessnow.Theyhavedoneallthatyoucouldexpectandmore.Thisisanintertribalmatter.Don』tmakemoraljudgments.Whatdoyouexpectfromamurderer?You』reworkingwithamurderer.Keepyourmouthshut.Youknewenoughabouthimbefore.Thisisnothingnew.Butyoudirtybastard,hethought.Youdirty,rottenbastard.

Hischestwasachingwithclimbingasthoughitwouldsplitaftertherunningandaheadnowthroughthetreeshesawthehorses.

「Goahead,」Agustínwassaying.「Whydoyounotsayyoushotthem?」

「Shutup,」Pablosaid.「Ihavefoughtmuchtodayandwell.AsktheInglés.」

「Andnowgetusthroughtoday,」RobertJordansaid.「Foritistheewhohastheplanforthis.」

「Ihaveagoodplan,」Pablosaid.「Withalittleluckwewillbeallright.」

Hewasbeginningtobreathebetter.

「You』renotgoingtokillanyofus,areyou?」Agustínsaid.「ForIwillkilltheenow.」

「Shutup,」Pablosaid.「Ihavetolookafterthyinterestandthatoftheband.Thisiswar.Onecannotdowhatonewouldwish.」

「Cabrón,」saidAgustín.「Youtakealltheprizes.」

「Tellmewhatthouencounteredbelow,」RobertJordansaidtoPablo.

「Everything,」Pablorepeated.Hewasstillbreathingasthoughitweretearinghischestbuthecouldtalksteadilynowandhisfaceandheadwererunningwithsweatandhisshouldersandchestweresoakedwithit.HelookedatRobertJordancautiouslytoseeifhewerereallyfriendlyandthenhegrinned.「Everything,」hesaidagain.「Firstwetookthepost.Thencameamotorcyclist.Thenanother.Thenanambulance.Thenacamion.Thenthetank.Justbeforethoudidstthebridge.」

「Then—」

「Thetankcouldnothurtusbutwecouldnotleaveforitcommandedtheroad.ThenitwentawayandIcame.」

「Andthypeople?」Agustínputin,stilllookingfortrouble.

「Shutup,」Pablolookedathimsquarely,andhisfacewasthefaceofamanwhohadfoughtwellbeforeanyotherthinghadhappened.「Theywerenotofourband.」

Nowtheycouldseethehorsestiedtothetrees,thesuncomingdownonthemthroughthepinebranchesandthemtossingtheirheadsandkickingagainstthebotfliesandRobertJordansawMariaandthenextthinghewasholdinghertight,tight,withtheautomaticrifleleaningagainsthisside,theflash-conepressingagainsthisribsandMariasaying,「Thou,Roberto.Oh,thou.」

「Yes,rabbit.Mygood,goodrabbit.Nowwego.」

「Artthouheretruly?」

「Yes.Yes.Truly.Oh,thou!」

Hehadneverthoughtthatyoucouldknowthattherewasawomaniftherewasbattle;northatanypartofyoucouldknowit,orrespondtoit;northatiftherewasawomanthatsheshouldhavebreastssmall,roundandtightagainstyouthroughashirt;northatthey,thebreasts,couldknowaboutthetwooftheminbattle.Butitwastrueandhethought,good.That』sgood.Iwouldnothavebelievedthatandheheldhertohimoncehard,hard,buthedidnotlookather,andthenheslappedherwhereheneverhadslappedherandsaid,「Mount.Mount.Getonthatsaddle,guapa.」

ThentheywereuntyingthehaltersandRobertJordanhadgiventheautomaticriflebacktoAgustínandslunghisownsubmachinegunoverhisback,andhewasputtingbombsoutofhispocketsintothesaddlebags,andhestuffedoneemptypackinsidetheotherandtiedthatonebehindhissaddle.ThenPilarcameup,sobreathlessfromtheclimbshecouldnottalk,butonlymotioned.

ThenPablostuffedthreehobbleshehadinhishandintoasaddlebag,stoodupandsaid,「Quétal,woman?」andsheonlynodded,andthentheywereallmounting.

RobertJordanwasonthebiggrayhehadfirstseeninthesnowofthemorningofthedaybeforeandhefeltthatitwasmuchhorsebetweenhislegsandunderhishands.Hewaswearingrope-soledshoesandthestirrupswerealittletooshort;hissubmachinegunwasslungoverhisshoulder,hispocketswerefullofclipsandhewassittingreloadingtheoneusedclip,thereinsunderonearm,tight,watchingPilarmountintoastrangesortofseatontopofthedufflelashedontothesaddleofthebuckskin.

「CutthatstufflooseforGod』ssake,」Primitivosaid.「Thouwiltfallandthehorsecannotcarryit.」

「Shutup,」saidPilar.「Wegotomakealifewiththis.」

「Canstridelikethat,woman?」Pabloaskedherfromtheguardiacivilsaddleonthegreatbayhorse.

「Likeanymilkpeddler,」Pilartoldhim.「Howdoyougo,oldone?」

「Straightdown.Acrosstheroad.Upthefarslopeandintothetimberwhereitnarrows.」

「Acrosstheroad?」Agustínwheeledbesidehim,kickinghissoft-heeled,canvasshoesagainstthestiff,unrespondingbellyofoneofthehorsesPablohadrecruitedinthenight.

「Yes,man.Itistheonlyway,」Pablosaid.Hehandedhimoneoftheleadropes.Primitivoandthegypsyhadtheothers.

「Thoucanstcomeattheendifthouwill,Inglés,」Pablosaid.「Wecrosshighenoughtobeoutofrangeofthatmáquina.Butwewillgoseparatelyandridingmuchandthenbetogetherwhereitnarrowsabove.」

「Good,」saidRobertJordan.

Theyrodedownthroughthetimbertowardtheedgeoftheroad.RobertJordanrodejustbehindMaria.Hecouldnotridebesideherforthetimber.Hecaressedthegrayoncewithhisthighmuscles,andthenheldhimsteadyastheydroppeddownfastandslidingthroughthepines,tellingthegraywithhisthighsastheydroppeddownwhatthespurswouldhavetoldhimiftheyhadbeenonlevelground.

「Thou,」hesaidtoMaria,「gosecondastheycrosstheroad.Firstisnotsobadthoughitseemsbad.Secondisgood.Itislaterthattheyarealwayswatchingfor.」

「Butthou—」

「Iwillgosuddenly.Therewillbenoproblem.Itistheplacesinlinethatarebad.」

Hewaswatchingtheround,bristlyheadofPablo,sunkinhisshouldersasherode,hisautomaticrifleslungoverhisshoulder.HewaswatchingPilar,herheadbare,hershouldersbroad,herkneeshigherthanherthighsasherheelshookedintothebundles.Shelookedbackathimonceandshookherhead.

「PassthePilarbeforeyoucrosstheroad,」RobertJordansaidtoMaria.

Thenhewaslookingthroughthethinningtreesandhesawtheoileddarkoftheroadbelowandbeyonditthegreenslopeofthehillside.Weareabovetheculvert,hesaw,andjustbelowtheheightwheretheroaddropsdownstraighttowardthebridgeinthatlongsweep.Wearearoundeighthundredyardsabovethebridge.ThatisnotoutofrangefortheFiatinthatlittletankiftheyhavecomeuptothebridge.

「Maria,」hesaid.「PassthePilarbeforewereachtheroadandridewideupthatslope.」

Shelookedbackathimbutdidnotsayanything.Hedidnotlookatherexcepttoseethatshehadunderstood.

「Comprendes?」heaskedher.

Shenodded.

「Moveup,」hesaid.

Sheshookherhead.

「Moveup!」

「Nay,」shetoldhim,turningaroundandshakingherhead.「IgointheorderthatIamtogo.」

JustthenPablodugbothhisspursintothebigbayandheplungeddownthelastpine-needledslopeandcrosstheroadinapounding,sparkingofshodhooves.TheotherscamebehindhimandRobertJordansawthemcrossingtheroadandslammingonupthegreenslopeandheardthemachinegunhammeratthebridge.Thenheheardanoisecomesweeeish-crack-boom!Theboomwasasharpcrackthatwidenedinthecrackingandonthehillsidehesawasmallfountainofearthrisewithaplumeofgraysmoke.Sweeish-crack-boom!Itcameagain,theswishinglikethenoiseofarocketandtherewasanotherup-pulsingofdirtandsmokefartherupthehillside.

Aheadofhimthegypsywasstoppedbesidetheroadintheshelterofthelasttrees.HelookedaheadattheslopeandthenhelookedbacktowardRobertJordan.

「Goahead,Rafael,」RobertJordansaid.「Gallop,man!」

Thegypsywasholdingtheleadropewiththepack-horsepullinghisheadtautbehindhim.

「Dropthepack-horseandgallop!」RobertJordansaid.

Hesawthegypsy』shandextendedbehindhim,risinghigherandhigher,seemingtotakeforeverashisheelskickedintothehorsehewasridingandtheropecametaut,thendropped,andhewasacrosstheroadandRobertJordanwaskneeingagainstafrightenedpackhorsethatbumpedbackintohimasthegypsycrossedthehard,darkroadandheheardhishorse』shoovesclumpingashegallopeduptheslope.

Wheeeeeeish-ca-rack!Theflattrajectoryoftheshellcameandhesawthegypsyjinklikearunningboarastheearthspoutedthelittleblackandgraygeyseraheadofhim.Hewatchedhimgalloping,slowandreachingnow,upthelonggreenslopeandthegunthrewbehindhimandaheadofhimandhewasunderthefoldofthehillwiththeothers.

Ican』ttakethedamnedpack-horse,RobertJordanthought.ThoughIwishIcouldkeepthesonofabitchonmyoffside.I』dliketohavehimbetweenmeandthat47mm.they』rethrowingwith.ByGod,I』lltrytogethimupthereanyway.

Herodeuptothepack-horse,caughtholdofthehackamore,andthen,holdingtherope,thehorsetrottingbehindhim,rodefiftyyardsupthroughthetrees.Attheedgeofthetreeshelookeddowntheroadpastthetrucktothebridge.Hecouldseemenoutonthebridgeandbehinditlookedlikeatrafficjamontheroad.RobertJordanlookedaround,sawwhathewantedfinallyandreachedupandbrokeadeadlimbfromapinetree.Hedroppedthehackamore,edgedthepack-horseuptotheslopethatslanteddowntotheroadandthenhithimhardacrosstherumpwiththetreebranch.「Goon,yousonofabitch,」hesaid,andthrewthedeadbranchafterhimasthepackhorsecrossedtheroadandstartedacrosstheslope.Thebranchhithimandthehorsebrokefromarunintoagallop.

RobertJordanrodethirtyyardsfartheruptheroad;beyondthatthebankwastoosteep.Thegunwasfiringnowwiththerocketwhishandthecracking,dirt-spoutingboom.「Comeon,youbiggrayfascistbastard,」RobertJordansaidtothehorseandputhimdowntheslopeinaslidingplunge.Thenhewasoutintheopen,overtheroadthatwassohardunderthehooveshefeltthepoundofitcomeupallthewaytohisshoulders,hisneckandhisteeth,ontothesmoothoftheslope,thehoovesfindingit,cuttingit,poundingit,reaching,throwing,going,andhelookeddownacrosstheslopetowherethebridgeshowednowatanewanglehehadneverseen.Itcrossedinprofilenowwithoutforeshorteningandinthecenterwasthebrokenplaceandbehinditontheroadwasthelittletankandbehindthelittletankwasabigtankwithagunthatflashednowyellow-brightasamirrorandthescreechastheairrippedapartseemedalmostoverthegrayneckthatstretchedaheadofhim,andheturnedhisheadasthedirtfountainedupthehillside.Thepack-horsewasaheadofhimswingingtoofartotherightandslowingdownandRobertJordan,galloping,hisheadturnedalittletowardthebridge,sawthelineoftruckshaltedbehindtheturnthatshowednowclearlyashewasgainingheight,andhesawthebrightyellowflashthatsignalledtheinstantwhishandboom,andtheshellfellshort,butheheardthemetalsailingfromwherethedirtrose.

Hesawthemallaheadintheedgeofthetimberwatchinghimandhesaid,「Arrecaballo!Goon,horse!」andfelthisbighorse』schestsurgingwiththesteepeningoftheslopeandsawthegrayneckstretchingandthegrayearsaheadandhereachedandpattedthewetgrayneck,andhelookedbackatthebridgeandsawthebrightflashfromtheheavy,squat,mud-coloredtankthereontheroadandthenhedidnothearanywhishbutonlyabangingacridsmellingclanglikeaboilerbeingrippedapartandhewasunderthegrayhorseandthegrayhorsewaskickingandhewastryingtopulloutfromundertheweight.

Hecouldmoveallright.Hecouldmovetowardtheright.Buthisleftlegstayedperfectlyflatunderthehorseashemovedtotheright.Itwasasthoughtherewasanewjointinit;notthehipjointbutanotheronethatwentsidewayslikeahinge.Thenheknewwhatitwasallrightandjustthenthegrayhorseknee-edhimselfupandRobertJordan』srightleg,thathadkickedthestirruploosejustasitshould,slippedclearoverthesaddleandcamedownbesidehimandhefeltwithhistwohandsofhisthighbonewheretheleftleglayflatagainstthegroundandhishandsbothfeltthesharpboneandwhereitpressedagainsttheskin.

Thegrayhorsewasstandingalmostoverhimandhecouldseehisribsheaving.Thegrasswasgreenwherehesatandthereweremeadowflowersinitandhelookeddowntheslopeacrosstotheroadandthebridgeandthegorgeandtheroadandsawthetankandwaitedforthenextflash.Itcamealmostatoncewithagainnowhishandintheburstofit,withthesmellofthehighexplosive,thedirtclodsscatteringandthesteelwhirringoff,hesawthebiggrayhorsesitquietlydownbesidehimasthoughitwereahorseinacircus.Andthen,lookingatthehorsesittingthere,heheardthesoundthehorsewasmaking.

ThenPrimitivoandAgustínhadhimunderthearmpitsandweredragginghimupthelastslopeandthenewjointinhislegletitswinganywaythegroundswungit.Onceashellwhishedcloseoverthemandtheydroppedhimandfellflat,butthedirtscatteredoverthemandandthemetalsungoffandtheypickedhimupagain.Andthentheyhadhimuptotheshelterofthelongdrawinthetimberwherethehorseswere,andMaria,PilarandPablowerestandingoverhim.

Mariawaskneelingbyhimandsaying,「Roberto,whathastthou?」

Hesaid,sweatingheavily,「Theleftlegisbroken,guapa.」

「Wewillbinditup,」Pilarsaid.「Thoucanstridethat.」Shepointedtooneofthehorsesthatwaspacked.「Cutofftheload.」

RobertJordansawPabloshakehisheadandhenoddedathim.

「Getalong,」hesaid.Thenhesaid,「Listen,Pablo.Comehere.」

Thesweat-streaked,bristlyfacebentdownbyhimandRobertJordansmeltthefullsmellofPablo.

「Letusspeak,」hesaidtoPilarandMaria.「IhavetospeaktoPablo.」

「Doesithurtmuch?」Pabloasked.HewasbendingcloseoverRobertJordan.

「No.Ithinkthenerveiscrushed.Listen.Getalong.Iammucked,see?Iwilltalktothegirlforamoment.WhenIsaytotakeher,takeher.Shewillwanttostay.Iwillonlyspeaktoherforamoment.」

「Clearly,thereisnotmuchtime,」Pablosaid.

「Clearly.」

「IthinkyouwoulddobetterintheRepublic,」RobertJordansaid.

「Nay.IamforGredos.」

「Usethyhead.」

「Talktohernow,」Pablosaid.「Thereislittletime.Iamsorrythouhastthis,Inglés.」

「SinceIhaveit——」RobertJordansaid.「Letusnotspeakofit.Butusethyhead.Thouhastmuchhead.Useit.」

「WhywouldInot?」saidPablo.「Talknowfast,Inglés.Thereisnotime.」

Pablowentovertothenearesttreeandwatcheddowntheslope,acrosstheslopeanduptheroadacrossthegorge.PablowaslookingatthegrayhorseontheslopewithtrueregretonhisfaceandPilarandMariawerewithRobertJordanwherehesatagainstthetreetrunk.

「Slitthetrouser,willthee?」hesaidtoPilar.Mariacrouchedbyhimanddidnotspeak.Thesunwasonherhairandherfacewastwistedasachild』scontortsbeforeitcries.Butshewasnotcrying.

Pilartookherknifeandslithistrouserlegdownbelowthelefthandpocket.RobertJordanspreadtheclothwithhishandsandlookedatthestretchofhisthigh.Teninchesbelowthehipjointtherewasapointed,purpleswellinglikeasharp-peakedlittletentandashetoucheditwithhisfingershecouldfeelthesnapped-offthighbonetightagainsttheskin.Hislegwaslyingatanoddangle.HelookedupatPilar.HerfacehadthesameexpressionasMaria』s.

「Anda,」hesaidtoher.「Go.」

ShewentawaywithherheaddownwithoutsayinganythingnorlookingbackandRobertJordancouldseehershouldersshaking.

「Guapa,」hesaidtoMariaandtookholdofhertwohands.「Listen.WewillnotbegoingtoMadrid——」

Thenshestartedtocry.

「No,guapa,don』t,」hesaid.「Listen.WewillnotgotoMadridnowbutIgoalwayswiththeewhereverthougoest.Understand?」

Shesaidnothingandpushedherheadagainsthischeekwithherarmsaroundhim.

「Listentothiswell,rabbit,」hesaid.Heknewtherewasagreathurryandhewassweatingverymuch,butthishadtobesaidandunderstood.「Thouwiltgonow,rabbit.ButIgowiththee.Aslongasthereisoneofusthereisbothofus.Doyouunderstand?」

「Nay,Istaywiththee.」

「Nay,rabbit.WhatIdonowIdoalone.Icouldnotdoitwellwiththee.IfthougoestthenIgo,too.Doyounotseehowitis?Whicheveronethereis,isboth.」

「Iwillstaywiththee.」

「Nay,rabbit.Listen.Thatpeoplecannotdotogether.Eachonemustdoitalone.ButifthougoestthenIgowiththee.ItisinthatwaythatIgotoo.Thouwiltgonow,Iknow.Forthouartgoodandkind.Thouwiltgonowforusboth.」

「ButitiseasierifIstaywiththee,」shesaid.「Itisbetterforme.」

「Yes.Thereforegoforafavor.Doitformesinceitiswhatthoucanstdo.」

「Butyoudon』tunderstand,Roberto.Whataboutme?Itisworseformetogo.」

「Surely,」hesaid.「Itisharderforthee.ButIamtheealsonow.」

Shesaidnothing.

Helookedatherandhewassweatingheavilyandhespokenow,tryinghardertodosomethingthanhehadevertriedinallhislife.

「Nowyouwillgoforusboth,」hesaid.「Youmustnotbeselfish,rabbit.Youmustdoyourdutynow.」

Sheshookherhead.

「Youaremenow,」hesaid.「Surelythoumustfeelit,rabbit.

「Rabbit,listen,」hesaid.「TrulythusIgotoo.Iswearittothee.」

Shesaidnothing.

「Nowyouseeit,」hesaid.「NowIseeitisclear.Nowthouwiltgo.Good.Nowyouaregoing.Nowyouhavesaidyouwillgo.」

Shehadsaidnothing.

「NowIthanktheeforit.Nowyouaregoingwellandfastandfarandwebothgointhee.Nowputthyhandhere.Nowputthyheaddown.Nay,putitdown.Thatisright.NowIputmyhandthere.Good.Thouartsogood.Nowdonotthinkmore.Nowartthoudoingwhatthoushould.Nowthouartobeying.Notmebutusboth.Themeinthee.Nowyougoforusboth.Truly.Webothgointheenow.ThisIhavepromisedthee.Thouartverygoodtogoandverykind.」

HejerkedhisheadatPablo,whowashalf-lookingathimfromthetreeandPablostartedover.HemotionedwithhisthumbtoPilar.

「WewillgotoMadridanothertime,rabbit,」hesaid.「Truly.Nowstandupandgoandwebothgo.Standup.See?」

「No,」shesaidandheldhimtightaroundtheneck.

Hespokenowstillcalmlyandreasonablybutwithgreatauthority.

「Standup,」hesaid.「Thouartmetoonow.Thouartalltherewillbeofme.Standup.」

Shestoodupslowly,crying,andwithherheaddown.Thenshedroppedquicklybesidehimandthenstoodupagain,slowlyandtiredly,ashesaid,「Standup,guapa.」

Pilarwasholdingherbythearmandshewasstandingthere.

「Vamonos,」Pilarsaid.「Dostlackanything,Inglés?」Shelookedathimandshookherhead.

「No,」hesaidandwentontalkingtoMaria.

「Thereisnogood-by,guapa,becausewearenotapart.ThatitshouldbegoodintheGredos.Gonow.Gogood.Nay,」hespokenowstillcalmlyandreasonablyasPilarwalkedthegirlalong.「Donotturnaround.Putthyfootin.Yes.Thyfootin.Helpherup,」hesaidtoPilar.「Getherinthesaddle.Swingupnow.」

Heturnedhishead,sweating,andlookeddowntheslope,thenbacktowardwherethegirlwasinthesaddlewithPilarbyherandPablojustbehind.「Nowgo,」hesaid.「Go.」

Shestartedtolookaround.「Don』tlookaround,」RobertJordansaid.「Go.」AndPablohitthehorseacrossthecrupperwithahobblingstrapanditlookedasthoughMariatriedtoslipfromthesaddlebutPilarandPablowereridingcloseupagainstherandPilarwasholdingherandthethreehorsesweregoingupthedraw.

「Roberto,」Mariaturnedandshouted.「Letmestay!Letmestay!」

「Iamwiththee,」RobertJordanshouted.「Iamwiththeenow.Weareboththere.Go!」Thentheywereoutofsightaroundthecornerofthedrawandhewassoakingwetwithsweatandlookingatnothing.

Agustínwasstandingbyhim.

「Doyouwantmetoshootthee,Inglés?」heasked,leaningdownclose.「Quieres?Itisnothing.」

「Nohacefalta,」RobertJordansaid.「Getalong.Iamverywellhere.」

「Mecagoenlalechequemehandado!」Agustínsaid.HewascryingsohecouldnotseeRobertJordanclearly.「Salud,Inglés.」

「Salud,oldone,」RobertJordansaid.Hewaslookingdowntheslopenow.「Lookwellafterthecroppedhead,wiltthou?」

「Thereisnoproblem,」Agustínsaid.「Thouhaswhatthouneedest?」

「Thereareveryfewshellsforthismáquina,soIwillkeepit,」RobertJordansaid.「Thoucanstnowgetmore.ForthatotherandtheoneofPablo,yes.」

「Icleanedoutthebarrel,」Agustínsaid.「Wherethoupluggeditinthedirtwiththefall.」

「Whatbecameofthepack-horse?」

「Thegypsycaughtit.」

Agustínwasonthehorsenowbuthedidnotwanttogo.HeleanedfarovertowardthetreewhereRobertJordanlay.

「Goon,viejo,」RobertJordansaidtohim.「Inwartherearemanythingslikethis.」

「QuéputaesIaguerra,」Agustínsaid.「Warisabitchery.」

「Yes,man,yes.Butgetonwiththee.」

「Salud,Inglés,」Agustínsaid,clenchinghisrightfist.

「Salud,」RobertJordansaid.「Butgetalong,man.」

Agustínwheeledhishorseandbroughthisrightfistdownasthoughhecursedagainwiththemotionofitandrodeupthedraw.Alltheothershadbeenoutofsightlongbefore.Helookedbackwherethedrawturnedinthetimberandwavedhisfist.RobertJordanwavedandthenAgustín,too,wasoutofsight..RobertJordanlookeddownthegreenslopeofthehillsidetotheroadandthebridge.I』maswellthiswayasany,hethought.Itwouldn』tbeworthriskinggettingoveronmybellyyet,notascloseasthatthingwastothesurface,andIcanseebetterthisway.

Hefeltemptyanddrainedandexhaustedfromallofitandfromthemgoingandhismouthtastedofbile.Now,finallyandatlast,therewasnoproblem.howeverallofithadbeenandhoweverallofitwouldeverbenow,forhim,nolongerwasthereanyproblem.

Theywereallgonenowandhewasalonewithhisbackagainstatree.Helookeddownacrossthegreenslope,seeingthegrayhorsewhereAgustínhadshothim,andondowntheslopetotheroadwiththetimber-coveredcountrybehindit.Thenhelookedatthebridgeandacrossthebridgeandwatchedtheactivityonthebridgeandtheroad.Hecouldseethetrucksnow,alldownthelowerroad.Thegrayofthetrucksshowedthroughthetrees.Thenhelookedbackuptheroadtowhereitcamedownoverthehill.Theywillbecomingsoonnow,hethought.

Pilarwilltakecareofheraswellasanyonecan.Youknowthat.Pablomusthaveasoundplanorhewouldnothavetriedit.YoudonothavetoworryaboutPablo.ItdoesnogoodtothinkaboutMaria.Trytobelievewhatyoutoldher.Thatisthebest.Andwhosaysitisnottrue?Notyou.Youdon』tsayit,anymorethanyouwouldsaythethingsdidnothappenthathappened.Staywithwhatyoubelievenow.Don』tgetcynical.Thetimeistooshortandyouhavejustsentheraway.Eachonedoeswhathecan.Youcandonothingforyourselfbutperhapsyoucandosomethingforanother.Well,wehadallourluckinfourdays.Notfourdays.ItwasafternoonwhenIfirstgotthereanditwillnotbenoontoday.Thatmakesnotquitethreedaysandthreenights.Keepitaccurate,hesaid.Quiteaccurate.

Ithinkyoubettergetdownnow,hethought.Youbettergetfixedaroundsomewaywhereyouwillbeusefulinsteadofleaningagainstthistreelikeatramp.Youhavehadmuchluck.Therearemanyworsethingsthanthis.Everyonehastodothis,onedayoranother.Youarenotafraidofitonceyouknowyouhavetodoit,areyou?No,hesaid,truly.Itwasluckythenervewascrushed,though.Icannotevenfeelthatthereisanythingbelowthebreak.Hetouchedthelowerpartofhisleganditwasasthoughitwerenotpartofhisbody.

Helookeddownthehillslopeagainandhethought,Ihatetoleaveit,isall.IhatetoleaveitverymuchandIhopeIhavedonesomegoodinit.IhavetriedtowithwhattalentIhad.Have,youmean.Allright,have.

IhavefoughtforwhatIbelievedinforayearnow.Ifwewinherewewillwineverywhere.TheworldisafineplaceandworththefightingforandIhateverymuchtoleaveit.Andyouhadalotofluck,hetoldhimself,tohavehadsuchagoodlife.You』vehadjustasgoodalifeasgrandfather』sthoughnotaslong.You』vehadasgoodalifeasanyonebecauseoftheselastdays.Youdonotwanttocomplainwhenyouhavebeensolucky.IwishtherewassomewaytopassonwhatI』velearned,though.Christ,Iwaslearningfastthereattheend.I』dliketotalktoKarkov.ThatisinMadrid.Justoverthehillsthere,anddownacrosstheplain.Downoutofthegrayrocksandthepines,theheatherandthegorse,acrosstheyellowhighplateauyouseeitrisingwhiteandbeautiful.ThatpartisjustastrueasPilar』soldwomendrinkingtheblooddownattheslaughterhouse.There』snoonethingthat』strue.It』salltrue.Thewaytheplanesarebeautifulwhethertheyareoursortheirs.Thehelltheyare,hethought.

Youtakeiteasy,now,hesaid.Getturnedovernowwhileyoustillhavetime.Listen,onething.Doyouremember?Pilarandthehand?Doyoubelievethatcrap?No,hesaid.Notwitheverythingthat』shappened?No,Idon』tbelieveit.Shewasniceaboutitearlythismorningbeforetheshowstarted.ShewasafraidmaybeIbelievedit.Idon』t,though.Butshedoes.Theyseesomething.Ortheyfeelsomething.Likeabirddog.Whataboutextra-sensoryperception?Whataboutobscenity?hesaid.Shewouldn』tsaygood-by,hethought,becausesheknewifshedidMariawouldnevergo.ThatPilar.Getyourselfturnedover,Jordan.Buthewasreluctanttotryit.

Thenherememberedthathehadthesmallflaskinhishippocketandhethought,I』lltakeagoodspotofthegiantkillerandthenI』lltryit.Buttheflaskwasnottherewhenhefeltforit.Thenhefeltthatmuchmorealonebecauseheknewtherewasnotgoingtobeeventhat.IguessI』dcountedonthat,hesaid.

DoyousupposePablotookit?Don』tbesilly.Youmusthavelostitatthebridge.「Comeonnow,Jordan,」hesaid.「Overyougo.」

Thenhetookholdofhisleftlegwithbothhandsandpulledonithard,pullingtowardthefootwhilehelaydownbesidethetreehehadbeenrestinghisbackagainst.Thenlyingflatandpullinghardontheleg,sothebrokenendofthebonewouldnotcomeupandcutthroughthethigh,heturnedslowlyaroundonhisrumpuntilthebackofhisheadwasfacingdownhill.Thenwithhisbrokenleg,heldbybothhands,uphill,heputthesoleofhisrightfootagainsttheinstepofhisleftfootandpressedhardwhileherolled,sweating,overontohisfaceandchest.Hegotontohiselbows,stretchedtheleftlegwellbehindhimwithbothhandsandafar,sweating,pushwiththerightfootandtherehewas.Hefeltwithhisfingersontheleftthighanditwasallright.Theboneendhadnotpuncturedtheskinandthebrokenendwaswellintothemusclenow.

Thebignervemusthavebeentrulysmashedwhenthatdamnedhorserolledonit,hethought.Ittrulydoesn』thurtatall.Exceptnowincertainchangesofpositions.That』swhenthebonepinchessomethingelse.Yousee?hesaid.Youseewhatluckis?Youdidn』tneedthegiantkilleratall.

Hereachedoverforthesubmachinegun,tooktheclipoutthatwasinthemagazine,feltinhispocketforclips,openedtheactionandlookedthroughthebarrel,puttheclipbackintothegrooveofthemagazineuntilitclicked,andthenlookeddownthehillslope.Maybehalfanhour,hethought.Nowtakeiteasy.

Thenhelookedatthehillsideandhelookedatthepinesandhetriednottothinkatall.

Thenhelookedatthestreamandherememberedhowithadbeenunderthebridgeinthecooloftheshadow.Iwishtheywouldcome,hethought.Idonotwanttogetinanysortofmixed-upstatebeforetheycome.

Whodoyousupposehasiteasier?Oneswithreligionorjusttakingitstraight?Itcomfortsthemverymuchbutweknowthereisnothingtofear.Itisonlymissingitthat』sbad.Dyingisonlybadwhenittakesalongtimeandhurtssomuchthatithumiliatesyou.Thatiswhereyouhavealltheluck,see?Youdon』thaveanyofthat.

It』swonderfulthey』vegotaway.Idon』tmindthisatallnowtheyareaway.ItissortofthewayIsaid.Itisreallyverymuchthatway.Lookhowdifferentitwouldbeiftheywereallscatteredoutacrossthathillwherethatgrayhorseis.Orifwewereallcoopedupherewaitingforit.No.They』regone.They』reaway.Nowiftheattackwereonlyasuccess.Whatdoyouwant?Everything.IwanteverythingandIwilltakewhateverIget.Ifthisattackisnogoodanotheronewillbe.Inevernoticedwhentheplanescameback.God,thatwasluckyIcouldmakehergo.

I』dliketotellgrandfatheraboutthisone.I』llbetheneverhadtogooverandfindhispeopleanddoashowlikethis.Howdoyouknow?Hemayhavedonefifty.No,hesaid.Beaccurate.Nobodydidanyfiftylikethisone.Nobodydidfive.Nobodydidonemaybenotjustlikethis.Sure.Theymusthave.

Iwishtheywouldcomenow,hesaid.Iwishtheywouldcomerightnowbecausethelegisstartingtohurtnow.Itmustbetheswelling.

Weweregoingawfullygoodwhenthatthinghitus,hethought.Butitwasonlyluckitdidn』tcomewhileIwasunderthebridge.Whenathingiswrongsomething』sboundtohappen.YouwerebitchedwhentheygaveGolzthoseorders.ThatwaswhatyouknewanditwasprobablythatwhichPilarfelt.Butlateronwewillhavethesethingsmuchbetterorganized.Weoughttohaveportableshortwavetransmitters.Yes,there』salotofthingsweoughttohave.Ioughttocarryaspareleg,too.

Hegrinnedatthatsweatilybecausetheleg,wherethebignervehadbeenbruisedbythefall,washurtingbadlynow.Oh,letthemcome,hesaid.Idon』twanttodothatbusinessthatmyfatherdid.IwilldoitallrightbutI』dmuchprefernottohaveto.I』magainstthat.Don』tthinkaboutthat.Don』tthinkatall.Iwishthebastardswouldcome,hesaid.Iwishsoverymuchthey』dcome.

Hislegwashurtingverybadlynow.Thepainhadstartedsuddenlywiththeswellingafterhehadmovedandhesaid,MaybeI』lljustdoitnow.IguessI』mnotawfullygoodatpain.Listen,ifIdothatnowyouwouldn』tmisunderstand,wouldyou?Whoareyoutalkingto?Nobody,hesaid.Grandfather,Iguess.No.Nobody.Ohbloodyit,Iwishthattheywouldcome.

Listen,ImayhavetodothatbecauseifIpassoutoranythinglikethatIamnogoodatallandiftheybringmetotheywillaskmealotofquestionsanddothingsandallandthatisnogood.It』smuchbestnottohavethemdothosethings.Sowhywouldn』titbeallrighttojustdoitnowandthenthewholethingwouldbeoverwith?Becauseoh,listen,yes,listen,letthemcomenow.

You』renotgoodatthis,Jordan,hesaid.Notsogoodatthis.Andwhoissogoodatthis?Idon』tknowandIdon』treallycarerightnow.Butyouarenot.That』sright.You』renotatall.Ohnotatall,atall.Ithinkitwouldbeallrighttodoitnow?Don』tyou?

Thinkaboutthembeingaway,hesaid.Thinkaboutthemgoingthroughthetimber.Thinkaboutthemcrossingacreek.Thinkaboutthemridingthroughtheheather.Thinkaboutthemgoinguptheslope.ThinkaboutthemO.K.tonight.Thinkaboutthemtravelling,allnight.Thinkaboutthemhidinguptomorrow.Thinkaboutthem.Goddamnit,thinkaboutthem.That』sjustasfarasIcanthinkaboutthem,hesaid.

ThinkaboutMontana.Ican』t.ThinkaboutMadrid.Ican』t.Thinkaboutacooldrinkofwater.Allright.That』swhatitwillbelike.Likeacooldrinkofwater.You』realiar.Itwilljustbenothing.That』sallitwillbe.Justnothing.Thendoit.Doit.Doitnow.It』sallrighttodoitnow.Goonanddoitnow.No,youhavetowait.Whatfor?Youknowallright.Thenwait.

Ican』twaitanylongernow,hesaid.IfIwaitanylongerI』llpassout.IknowbecauseI』vefeltitstartingtogothreetimesnowandI』veheldit.Ihelditallright.ButIdon』tknowaboutanymore.WhatIthinkisyou』vegotaninternalhemorrhagetherefromwherethatthighbone』scutaroundinside.Especiallyonthatturningbusiness.Thatmakestheswellingandthat』swhatweakensyouandmakesyoustarttopass.Itwouldbeallrighttodoitnow.Really,I』mtellingyouthatitwouldbeallright.

Andifyouwaitandholdthemupevenalittlewhileorjustgettheofficerthatmaymakeallthedifference.Onethingwelldonecanmake—

Allright,hesaid.Andhelayveryquietlyandtriedtoholdontohimselfthathefeltslippingawayfromhimselfasyoufeelsnowstartingtoslipsometimesonamountainslope,andhesaid,nowquietly,thenletmelastuntiltheycome.

RobertJordan』sluckheldverygoodbecausehesaw,justthen,thecavalryrideoutofthetimberandcrosstheroad.Hewatchedthemcomingridinguptheslope.Hesawthetrooperwhostoppedbythegrayhorseandshoutedtotheofficerwhorodeovertohim.Hewatchedthembothlookingdownatthegrayhorse.Theyrecognizedhimofcourse.Heandhisriderhadbeenmissingsincetheearlymorningofthedaybefore.W

RobertJordansawthemthereontheslope,closetohimnow,andbelowhesawtheroadandthebridgeandthelonglinesofvehiclesbelowit.Hewascompletelyintegratednowandhetookagoodlonglookateverything.Thenhelookedupatthesky.Therewerebigwhitecloudsinit.Hetouchedthepalmofhishandagainstthepineneedleswherehelayandhetouchedthebarkofthepinetrunkthathelaybehind.

Thenherestedeasilyashecouldwithhistwoelbowsinthepineneedlesandthemuzzleofthesubmachinegunrestingagainstthetrunkofthepinetree.

AstheofficercametrottingnowonthetrailofthehorsesofthebandhewouldpasstwentyyardsbelowwhereRobertJordanlay.Atthatdistancetherewouldbenoproblem.TheofficerwasLieutenantBerrendo.HehadcomeupfromLaGranjawhentheyhadbeenorderedupafterthefirstreportoftheattackonthelowerpost.Theyhadriddenhardandhadthenhadtoswingback,becausethebridgehadbeenblown,tocrossthegorgehighaboveandcomearoundthroughthetimber.Theirhorseswerewetandblownandtheyhadtobeurgedintothetrot.

LieutenantBerrendo,watchingthetrail,cameridingup,histhinfaceseriousandgrave.Hissubmachinegunlayacrosshissaddleinthecrookofhisleftarm.RobertJordanlaybehindthetree,holdingontohimselfverycarefullyanddelicatelytokeephishandssteady.Hewaswaitinguntiltheofficerreachedthesunlitplacewherethefirsttreesofthepineforestjoinedthegreenslopeofthemeadow.Hecouldfeelhisheartbeatingagainstthepineneedleflooroftheforest.