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.