eyes disappeared.

"The revolution benefits the poor, the ignorant, all those who have
been slaves all their lives, all the unhappy people who do not even
suspect they are poor because the rich who stand above them, the rich
who rule them, change their sweat and blood and tears into gold..."

"Well, what the hell is the gist of all this palaver? I'll be damned if
I can stomach a sermon," Pancracio broke in.

"I wanted to fight for the sacred cause of the oppressed, but you don't
understand ... you cast me aside.... Very well, then, you can do as you
please with me!"

"All I'm going to do now is to put this rope around your neck. Look
what a pretty white neck you've got."

"Yes, I know what brought you here," Demetrio interrupted dryly,
scratching his head. "I'm going to have you shot!"

Then, looking at Anastasio he said:

"Take him away. And ... if he wants to confess, bring the priest to
him."

Impassive as ever, Anastasio took the prisoner gently by the arm.

"Come along this way, Tenderfoot."

They all laughed uproariously, when a few minutes later, Quail appeared
in priestly robes.

"By God, this tenderfoot certainly talks his head off," Quail said.
"You know, I've a notion he was having a bit of a laugh on me when I
started asking him questions."

"But didn't he have anything to say?"

"Nothing, save what he said last night."

"I've a hunch he didn't come here to shoot you at all, Compadre," said
Anastasio.

"Give him something to eat and guard him."

VIII

On the morrow, Luis Cervantes was barely able to get up. His injured
leg trailing behind him, he shuffled from hut to hut in search of a
little alcohol, a kettle of boiled water and some rags. With unfailing
kindness, Camilla provided him with all that he wanted.

As he began washing his foot, she sat beside him, and, with typical
mountaineer's curiosity, inquired:

"Tell me, who learned you how to cure people? Why did you boil that
water? Why did you boil the rags? Look, look, how careful you are about
everything! And what did you put on your hands? Really.... And why did
you pour on alcohol? I just knew alcohol was good to rub on when you
had a bellyache, but ... Oh, I see! So you was going to be a doctor,
huh? Ha, ha, that's a good one! Why don't you mix it with cold water?
Well, there's a funny sort of a trick. Oh, stop fooling me ... the
idea: little animals alive in the water unless you boil it! Ugh! Well,
I can't see nothi