CHAPTER 42

DuringthetimethatPablohadriddenbackfromthehillstothecaveandthetimethebandhaddroppeddowntowheretheyhadleftthehorsesAndréshadmaderapidprogresstowardGolz』sheadquarters.WheretheycameontothemainhighroadtoNavacerradaonwhichthetruckswererollingbackfromthemountaintherewasacontrol.ButwhenGomezshowedthesentryatthecontrolhissafe-conductfromtheLieutenant-ColonelMirandathesentryputthelightfromaflashlightonit,showedittotheothersentrywithhim,thenhandeditbackandsaluted.

「Siga,」hesaid.「Continue.Butwithoutlights.」

ThemotorcycleroaredagainandAndréswasholdingtightontotheforwardseatandtheyweremovingalongthehighway,Gomezridingcarefullyinthetraffic.Noneofthetruckshadlightsandtheyweremovingdowntheroadinalongconvoy.Therewereloadedtrucksmovinguptheroadtoo,andallofthemraisedadustthatAndréscouldnotseeinthatdarkbutcouldonlyfeelasacloudthatblewinhisfaceandthathecouldbitebetweenhisteeth.

Theywereclosebehindthetailboardofatrucknow,themotorcyclechugging,thenGomezspeededupandpasseditandanother,andanother,andanotherwiththeothertrucksroaringandrollingdownpastthemontheleft.Therewasamotorcarbehindthemnowanditblastedintothetrucknoiseandthedustwithitsklaxonagainandagain;thenflashedonlightsthatshowedthedustlikeasolidyellowcloudandsurgedpasttheminawhiningriseofgearsandademanding,threatening,bludgeoningofklaxoning.

Thenaheadallthetruckswerestoppedandridingon,workinghiswayaheadpastambulances,staffcars,anarmoredcar,another,andathird,allhalted,likeheavy,metal,gun-juttingturtlesinthehotyetsettleddust,theyfoundanothercontrolwheretherehadbeenasmash-up.Atruck,halting,hadnotbeenseenbythetruckwhichfolloweditandthefollowingtruckhadrunintoitsmashingtherearofthefirsttruckinandscatteringcasesofsmall-armsammunitionovertheroad.OnecasehadburstopenonlandingandasGomezandAndréstoppedandwheeledthemotorcycleforwardthroughthestalledvehiclestoshowtheirsafe-conductatthecontrolAndréswalkedoverthebrasshullsofthethousandofcartridgesscatteredacrosstheroadinthedust.Thesecondtruckhaditsradiatorcompletelysmashedin.Thetruckbehinditwastouchingitstailgate.Ahundredmorewerepilingupbehindandanoverbootedofficerwasrunningbackalongtheroadshoutingtothedriverstobacksothatthesmashedtruckcouldbegottenofftheroad.

ThereweretoomanytrucksforthemtobeabletobackunlesstheofficerreachedtheendoftheevermountinglineandstoppeditfromincreasingandAndréssawhimrunning,stumbling,withhisflashlight,shoutingandcursingand,inthedark,thetruckskeptcomingup.

Themanatthecontrolwouldnotgivethesafe-conductback.Thereweretwoofthem,withriflesslungontheirbacksandflashlightsintheirhandsandtheywereshoutingtoo.Theonecarryingthesafe-conductinhishandcrossedtheroadtoatruckgoinginthedownhilldirectiontotellittoproceedtothenextcontrolandtellthemtheretoholdalltrucksuntilhisjamwasstraightenedout.Thetruckdriverlistenedandwenton.Then,stillholdingthesafeconduct,thecontrolpatrolcameover,shouting,tothetruckdriverwhoseloadwasspilled.

「LeaveitandgetaheadfortheloveofGodsowecanclearthis!」heshoutedatthedriver.

「Mytransmissionissmashed,」thedriver,whowasbentoverbytherearofhistruck,said.

「Obsceneyourtransmission.Goahead,Isay.」

「Theydonotgoaheadwhenthedifferentialissmashed,」thedrivertoldhimandbentdownagain.

「Getthyselfpulledthen,getaheadsothatwecangetthisotherobscenityofftheroad.」

Thedriverlookedathimsullenlyasthecontrolmanshonetheelectrictorchonthesmashedrearofthetruck.

「Getahead.Getahead,」themanshouted,stillholdingthesafeconductpassinhishand.

「Andmypaper,」Gomezspoketohim.「Mysafe-conduct.Weareinahurry.」

「Takethysafe-conducttohell,」themansaidandhandingittohimranacrosstheroadtohaltadown-comingtruck.

「Turnthyselfatthecrossroadsandputthyselfinpositiontopullthiswreckforward,」hesaidtothedriver.

「Myordersare—」

「Obscenitythyorders.DoasIsay.」

Thedriverlethistruckintogearandrolledstraightaheaddowntheroadandwasgoneinthedust.

AsGomezstartedthemotorcycleaheadontothenowclearright-handsideoftheroadpastthewreckedtruck,Andrés,holdingtightagain,sawthecontrolguardhaltinganothertruckandthedriverleaningfromthecabandlisteningtohim.

Nowtheywentfast,swoopingalongtheroadthatmountedsteadilytowardthemountain.Allforwardtraffichadbeenstalledatthecontrolandtherewereonlythedescendingtruckspassing,passingandpassingontheirleftasthemotorcycleclimbedfastandsteadilynowuntilitbegantoovertakethemountingtrafficwhichhadgoneonaheadbeforethedisasteratthecontrol.

Stillwithoutlightstheypassedfourmorearmoredcars,thenalonglineoftrucksloadedwithtroops.ThetroopsweresilentinthedarkandatfirstAndrésonlyfelttheirpresencerisingabovehim,bulkingabovethetruckbodiesthroughthedustastheypassed.Thenanotherstaffcamebehindthemblastingwithitsklaxonandflickingitslightsoffandon,andeachtimethelightsshoneAndréssawthetroops,steelhelmeted,theirriflesvertical,theirmachinegunspointedupagainstthedarksky,etchedsharpagainstthenightthattheydroppedintowhenthelightflickedoff.Onceashepassedclosetoatrooptruckandthelightsflashedhesawtheirfacesfixedandsadinthesuddenlight.Intheirsteelhelmets,ridinginthetrucksinthedarktowardsomethingthattheyonlyknewwasanattack,theirfacesweredrawnwitheachman』sownprobleminthedarkandthelightrevealedthemastheywouldnothavelookedinday,fromshametoshowittoeachother,untilthebombardmentandtheattackwouldcommence,andnomanwouldthinkabouthisface.

Andrésnowpassingthemtruckaftertruck,Gomezstillkeepingsuccessfullyaheadofthefollowingstaffcar,didnotthinkanyofthisabouttheirfaces.Heonlythought,「Whatanarmy.Whatequipment.Whatamechanization.Vayagente!Lookatsuchpeople.HerewehavethearmyoftheRepublic.Lookatthem.Camionaftercamion.Alluniformedalike.Allwithcasquesofsteelontheirheads.Lookatthemáquinasrisingfromthetrucksagainstthecomingofplanes.Lookatthearmythathasbeenbuilded!」

Andasthemotorcyclepassedthehighgraytrucksfulloftroops,graytruckswithhighsquarecabsandsquareuglyradiators,steadilymountingtheroadinthedustandtheflickinglightsofthepursuingstaffcar,theredstarofthearmyshowinginthelightwhenitpassedoverthetailgates,showingwhenthelightcameontothesidesofthedustytruckbodies,astheypassed,climbingsteadilynow,theaircolderandtheroadstartingtoturninbendsandswitchbacksnow,thetruckslaboringandgrinding,somesteaminginthelightflashes,themotorcyclelaboringnowtoo,andAndrésclingingtighttothefrontseatastheyclimbed,Andrésthoughtthisrideonamotorcyclewasmucho,mucho.Hehadneverbeenonamotorcyclebeforeandnowtheywereclimbingamountaininthemidstofallthemovementthatwasgoingtoanattackand,astheyclimbed,heknewnowtherewasnoproblemofeverbeingbackintimefortheassaultontheposts.Inthismovementandconfusionhewouldbeluckytogetbackbythenextnight.HehadneverseenanoffensiveoranyofthepreparationsforonebeforeandastheyrodeuptheroadhemarvelledatthesizeandpowerofthisarmythattheRepublichadbuilt.

Nowtheyrodeonalongslanting,risingstretchofroadthatranacrossthefaceofthemountainandthegradewassosteepastheynearedthetopthatGomeztoldhimtogetdownandtogethertheypushedthemotorcycleupthelaststeepgradeofthepass.Attheleft,justpastthetop,therewasaloopofroadwherecarscouldturnandtherewerelightswinkinginfrontofabigstonebuildingthatbulkedlonganddarkagainstthenightsky.

「Letusgotoasktherewheretheheadquartersis,」GomezsaidtoAndrésandtheywheeledthemotorcycleovertowheretwosentriesstoodinfrontofthecloseddoorofthegreatstonebuilding.Gomezleanedthemotorcycleagainstthewallasamotorcyclistinaleathersuit,showingagainstthelightfrominsidethebuildingasthedooropened,cameoutofthedoorwithadispatchcasehungoverhisshoulder,awooden-holsteredMauserpistolswungagainsthiship.Asthelightwentoff,hefoundhismotorcycleinthedarkbythedoor,pushedituntilitsputteredandcaught,thenroaredoffuptheroad.

AtthedoorGomezspoketooneofthesentries.「CaptainGomezoftheSixty-FifthBrigade,」hesaid.「CanyoutellmewheretofindtheheadquartersofGeneralGolzcommandingtheThirtyFifthDivision?」

「Itisn』there,」thesentrysaid.

「Whatishere?」

「TheComandancia.」

「Whatcomandancia?」

「Well,theComandancia.」

「Thecomandanciaofwhat?」

「Whoartthoutoasksomanyquestions?」thesentrysaidtoGomezinthedark.HereonthetopofthepasstheskywasveryclearwiththestarsoutandAndrés,outofthedustnow,couldseequiteclearlyinthedark.Belowthem,wheretheroadturnedtotheright,hecouldseeclearlytheoutlineofthetrucksandcarsthatpassedagainsttheskyline.

「IamCaptainRogelioGomezofthefirstbattalionoftheSixty-FifthBrigadeandIaskwhereistheheadquartersofGeneralGolz,」Gomezsaid.

Thesentryopenedthedooralittleway.「Callthecorporaloftheguard,」heshoutedinside.

JustthenabigstaffcarcameupovertheturnoftheroadandcircledtowardthebigstonebuildingwhereAndrésandGomezwerestandingwaitingforthecorporaloftheguard.Itcametowardthemandstoppedoutsidethedoor.

Alargeman,oldandheavy,inanoversizedkhakiberet,suchaschasseursapiedwearintheFrenchArmy,wearinganovercoat,carryingamapcaseandwearingapistolstrappedaroundhisgreatcoat,gotoutofthebackofthecarwithtwoothermenintheuniformoftheInternationalBrigades.

HespokeinFrench,whichAndrésdidnotunderstandandofwhichGomez,whohadbeenabarber,knewonlyafewwords,tohischauffeurtellinghimtogetthecarawayfromthedoorandintoshelter.

Ashecameintothedoorwiththeothertwoofficers,Gomezsawhisfaceclearlyinthelightandrecognizedhim.HehadseenhimatpoliticalmeetingsandhehadoftenreadarticlesbyhiminMundoObrerotranslatedfromtheFrench.Herecognizedhisbushyeyebrows,hiswaterygrayeyes,hischinandthedoublechinunderit,andheknewhimforoneofFrance』sgreatmodernrevolutionaryfigureswhohadledthemutinyoftheFrenchNavyintheBlackSea.Gomezknewthisman』shighpoliticalplaceintheInternationalBrigadesandheknewthismanwouldknowwhereGolz』sheadquarterswereandbeabletodirecthimthere.Hedidnotknowwhatthismanhadbecomewithtime,disappointment,bitternessbothdomesticandpolitical,andthwartedambitionandthattoquestionhimwasoneofthemostdangerousthingsthatanymancoulddo.Knowingnothingofthishesteppedforwardintothepathofthisman,salutedwithhisclenchedfistandsaid,「ComradeMarssart,wearethebearersofadispatchforGeneralGolz.Canyoudirectustohisheadquarters?Itisurgent.」

Thetall,heavyoldmanlookedatGomezwithhisoutthrustheadandconsideredhimcarefullywithhiswateryeyes.Evenhereatthefrontinthelightofabareelectricbulb,hehavingjustcomeinfromdrivinginanopencaronabrisknight,hisgrayfacehadalookofdecay.Hisfacelookedasthoughitweremodelledfromthewastematerialyoufindundertheclawsofaveryoldlion.

「Youhavewhat,Comrade?」heaskedGomez,speakingSpanishwithastrongCatalanaccent.HiseyesglancedsidewaysatAndrés,slidoverhim,andwentbacktoGomez.

「AdispatchforGeneralGolztobedeliveredathisheadquarters,ComradeMarssart.」

「Whereisitfrom,Comrade?」

「Frombehindthefascistlines,」Gomezsaid.

AndréMassartextendedhishandforthedispatchandtheotherpapers.Heglancedatthemandputtheminhispocket.

「Arrestthemboth,」hesaidtothecorporaloftheguard.「HavethemsearchedandbringthemtomewhenIsendforthem.」

Withthedispatchinhispockethestrodeonintotheinteriorofthebigstonehouse.

OutsideintheguardroomGomezandAndréswerebeingsearchedbytheguard.

「Whatpasseswiththatman?」Gomezsaidtooneoftheguards.

「Estáloco,」theguardsaid.「Heiscrazy.」

「No.Heisapoliticalfigureofgreatimportance,」Gomezsaid.「HeisthechiefcommissaroftheInternationalBrigades.」

「Apesardeeso,Estáloco,」thecorporaloftheguardsaid.「Allthesamehe』scrazy.Whatdoyoubehindthefascistlines?」

「Thiscomradeisaguerillafromthere,」Gomeztoldhimwhilethemansearchedhim.「HebringsadispatchtoGeneralGolz.Guardwellmypapers.Becarefulwiththatmoneyandthatbulletonthestring.ItisfrommyfirstwoundatGuadarama.」

「Don』tworry,」thecorporalsaid.「Everythingwillbeinthisdrawer.Whydidn』tyouaskmewhereGolzwas?」

「Wetriedto.Iaskedthesentryandhecalledyou.」

「Butthencamethecrazyandyouaskedhim.Nooneshouldaskhimanything.Heiscrazy.ThyGolzisuptheroadthreekilometersfromhereandtotherightintherocksoftheforest.」

「Canyounotletusgotohimnow?」

「Nay.Itwouldbemyhead.Imusttaketheetothecrazy.Besides,hehasthydispatch.」

「Canyounottellsomeone?」

「Yes,」thecorporalsaid.「IwilltellthefirstresponsibleoneIsee.Allknowthatheiscrazy.」

「Ihadalwaystakenhimforagreatfigure,」Gomezsaid.「ForoneofthegloriesofFrance.」

「Hemaybeagloryandall,」thecorporalsaidandputhishandonAndrés』sshoulder.「Butheiscrazyasabedbug.Hehasamaniaforshootingpeople.」

「Trulyshootingthem?」

「Comolooyes,」thecorporalsaid.「Thatoldonekillsmorethanthebubonicplague.Matamásquelapestebubonica.Buthedoesn』tkillfascistslikewedo.Quéva.Notinjoke.Matabichosraros.Hekillsrarethings.Trotzkyites.Divagationers.Anytypeofrarebeasts.」

Andrésdidnotunderstandanyofthis.

「WhenwewereatEscorialweshotIdon』tknowhowmanyforhim,」thecorporalsaid.「Wealwaysfurnishthefiringparty.ThemenoftheBrigadeswouldnotshoottheirownmen.EspeciallytheFrench.Toavoiddifficultiesitisalwaysuswhodoit.WeshotFrench.WehaveshotBelgians.Wehaveshotothersofdiversnationality.Ofalltypes.Tienemaniadefusilargente.Alwaysforpoliticalthings.He』scrazy.PurificamásqueelSalvarsán.HepurifiesmorethanSalvarsan.」

「Butyouwilltellsomeoneofthisdispatch?」

「Yes,man.Surely.IknoweveryoneofthesetwoBrigades.Everyonecomesthroughhere.IknowevenuptoandthroughtheRussians,althoughonlyafewspeakSpanish.WewillkeepthiscrazyfromshootingSpaniards.」

「Butthedispatch.」

「Thedispatch,too.Donotworry,Comrade.Weknowhowtodealwiththiscrazy.Heisonlydangerouswithhisownpeople.Weunderstandhimnow.」

「Bringinthetwoprisoners,」camethevoiceofAndréMassart.

「Quereisecharuntrago?」thecorporalasked.「Doyouwantadrink?」

「Whynot?」

ThecorporaltookabottleofanisfromacupboardandbothGomezandAndrésdrank.Sodidthecorporal.Hewipedhismouthonhishand.

「Vamonos,」hesaid.

Theywentoutoftheguardroomwiththeswallowedburnoftheaniswarmingtheirmouths,theirbelliesandtheirheartsandwalkeddownthehallandenteredtheroomwhereMassartsatbehindalongtable,hismapspreadinfrontofhim,hisred-and-bluepencil,withwhichheplayedatbeingageneralofficer,inhishand.ToAndrésitwasonlyonemorething.Therehadbeenmanytonight.Therewerealwaysmany.Ifyourpaperswereinorderandyourheartwasgoodyouwereinnodanger.Eventuallytheyturnedyoulooseandyouwereonyourway.ButtheIngléshadsaidtohurry.Heknewnowhecouldnevergetbackforthebridgebuttheyhadadispatchtodeliverandthisoldmanthereatthetablehadputitinhispocket.

「Standthere,」Massartsaidwithoutlookingup.

「Listen,ComradeMassart,」Gomezbrokeout,theanisfortifyinghisanger.「Oncetonightwehavebeenimpededbytheignoranceoftheanarchists.Thenbytheslothofabureaucraticfascist.NowbytheoversuspicionofaCommunist.」

「Closeyourmouth,」Massartsaidwithoutlookingup.「Thisisnotameeting.」

「ComradeMassart,thisisamatterofutmosturgence,」Gomezsaid.「Ofthegreatestimportance.」

Thecorporalandthesoldierwiththemweretakingalivelyinterestinthisasthoughtheywereataplaytheyhadseenmanytimesbutwhoseexcellentmomentstheycouldalwayssavor.

「Everythingisofurgence,」Massartsaid.「Allthingsareofimportance.」Nowhelookedupatthem,holdingthepencil.「HowdidyouknowGolzwashere?Doyouunderstandhowseriousitistocomeaskingforanindividualgeneralbeforeanattack?Howcouldyouknowsuchageneralwouldbehere?」

「Tellhim,tu,」GomezsaidtoAndrés.

「ComradeGeneral,」Andrésstarted—AndreMassartdidnotcorrecthiminthemistakeinrank——」Iwasgiventhatpacketontheothersideofthelines——」

「Ontheothersideofthelines?」Marssartsaid.「Yes,Iheardhimsayyoucamefromthefascistlines.」

「Itwasgiventome,ComradeGeneral,byanInglésnamedRobertowhohadcometousasadynamiterforthisofthebridge.Understandeth?」

「Continuethystory,」MassartsaidtoAndrés;usingthetermstoryasyouwouldsaylie,falsehood,orfabrication.

「Well,ComradeGeneral,theIngléstoldmetobringittotheGeneralGolzwithallspeed.HemakesanattackinthesehillsnowonthisdayandallweaskistotakeittohimnowpromptlyifitpleasestheComradeGeneral.」

Massartshookhisheadagain.HewaslookingatAndrésbuthewasnotseeinghim.

Golz,hethoughtinamixtureofhorrorandexultationasamanmightfeelhearingthatabusinessenemyhadbeenkilledinaparticularlynastymotoraccidentorthatsomeoneyouhatedbutwhoseprobityyouhadneverdoubtedhadbeenguiltyofdefalcation.ThatGolzshouldbeoneofthem,too.ThatGolzshouldbeinsuchobviouscommunicationwiththefascists.Golzthathehadknownfornearlytwentyyears.GolzwhohadcapturedthegoldtrainthatwinterwithLucaczinSiberia.GolzwhohadfoughtagainstKolchak,andinPoland.IntheCaucasus.InChina,andheresincethefirstOctober.ButhehadbeenclosetoTukachevsky.ToVoroshilov,yes,too.ButtoTukachevsky.Andtowhoelse?HeretoKarkov,ofcourse.AndtoLucacz.ButalltheHungarianshadbeenintriguers.HehatedGall.GolzhatedGall.Rememberthat.Makeanoteofthat.GolzhasalwayshatedGall.ButhefavorsPutz.Rememberthat.AndDuvalishischiefofstaff.Seewhatstemsfromthat.You』veheardhimsayCopic』safool.Thatisdefinitive.Thatexists.Andnowthisdispatchfromthefascistlines.Onlybypruningoutoftheserottenbranchescanthetreeremainhealthyandgrow.Therotmustbecomeapparentforitistobedestroyed.ButGolzofallmen.ThatGolzshouldbeoneofthetraitors.Heknewthatyoucouldtrustnoone.Noone.Ever.Notyourwife.Notyourbrother.Notyouroldestcomrade.Noone.Ever.

「Takethemaway,」hesaidtotheguards.「Guardthemcarefully.」Thecorporallookedatthesoldier.ThishadbeenveryquietforoneofMassart』sperformances.

「ComradeMassart,」Gomezsaid.「Donotbeinsane.Listentome,aloyalofficerandcomrade.Thatisadispatchthatmustbedelivered.ThiscomradehasbroughtitthroughthefascistlinestogivetoComradeGeneralGolz.」

「Takethemaway,」Massartsaid,nowkindly,totheguard.Hewassorryforthemashumanbeingsifitshouldbenecessarytoliquidatethem.ButitwasthetragedyofGolzthatoppressedhim.ThatitshouldbeGolz,hethought.HewouldtakethefascistcommunicationatoncetoVarloff.No,betterhewouldtakeittoGolzhimselfandwatchhimashereceivedit.Thatwaswhathewoulddo.HowcouldhebesureofVarloffifGolzwasoneofthem?No.Thiswasathingtobeverycarefulabout.

AndrésturnedtoGomez,「Youmeanheisnotgoingtosendthedispatch?」heasked,unbelieving.

「Don』tyousee?」Gomezsaid.

「Mecagoensuputamadre!」Andréssaid.「Estáloco.」

「Yes,」Gomezsaid.「Heiscrazy.Youarecrazy!Hear!Crazy!」heshoutedatMassartwhowasbacknowbendingoverthemapwithhisred-and-bluepencil.「Hearme,youcrazymurderer?」

「Takethemaway,」Massartsaidtotheguard.「Theirmindsareunhingedbytheirgreatguilt.」

Therewasaphrasethecorporalrecognized.Hehadheardthatbefore.

「Youcrazymurderer!」Gomezshouted.

「Hijodelagranputa,」Andréssaidtohim.「Loco.」

Thestupidityofthismanangeredhim.Ifhewasacrazylethimberemovedasacrazy.Letthedispatchbetakenfromhispocket.Goddamnthiscrazytohell.HisheavySpanishangerwasrisingoutofhisusualcalmandgoodtemper.Inalittlewhileitwouldblindhim.

Massart,lookingathismap,shookhisheadsadlyastheguardstookGomezandAndrésout.Theguardshadenjoyedhearinghimcursedbutonthewholetheyhadbeendisappointedintheperformance.Theyhadseenmuchbetterones.AndréMassartdidnotmindthemencursinghim.Somanymenhadcursedhimattheend.Hewasalwaysgenuinelysorryforthemashumanbeings.Healwaystoldhimselfthatanditwasoneofthelasttrueideasthatwaslefttohimthathadeverbeenhisown.

Hesatthere,hismoustacheandhiseyesfocusedonthemap,onthemapthathenevertrulyunderstood,onthebrowntracingofthecontoursthatweretracedfineandconcentricasaspider』sweb.Hecouldseetheheightsandthevalleysfromthecontoursbutheneverreallyunderstoodwhyitshouldbethisheightandwhythisvalleywastheone.ButattheGeneralStaffwhere,becauseofthesystemofPoliticalCommissars,hecouldinterveneasthepoliticalheadoftheBrigades,hewouldputhisfingeronsuchandsuchanumbered,brown-thin-linedencircledspotamongthegreensofwoodscutbythelinesofroadsthatparallelthenevercasualwindingofariverandsay,「There.Thatisthepointofweakness.」

GallandCopic,whoweremenofpoliticsandofambition,wouldagreeandlater,menwhoneversawthemap,butheardthenumberofthehillbeforetheylefttheirstartingplaceandhadtheearthofdiggingsonitpointedout,wouldclimbitssidetofindtheirdeathalongitsslopeor,beinghaltedbymachinegunsplacedinolivegroveswouldnevergetupitatall.Oronotherfrontstheymightscaleiteasilyandbenobetteroffthantheyhadbeenbefore.ButwhenMassartputhisfingeronthemapinGolz』sstaffthescarheaded,white-facedGeneral』sjawmuscleswouldtightenandhewouldthink,「Ishouldshootyou,AndréMassart,beforeIletyouputthatgrayrottenfingeronacontourmapofmine.Damnyoutohellforallthemenyou』vekilledbyinterferinginmattersyouknownothingof.Damnthedaytheynamedtractorfactoriesandvillagesandco-operativesforyousothatyouareasymbolthatIcannottouch.Goandsuspectandexhortandinterveneanddenounceandbutchersomeotherplaceandleavemystaffalone.」

ButinsteadofsayingthatGolzwouldonlyleanbackawayfromtheleaningbulk,thepushingfinger,thewaterygrayeyes,thegraywhitemoustacheandthebadbreathandsay,「Yes,ComradeMassart.Iseeyourpoint.Itisnotwelltaken,however,andIdonotagree.Youcantrytogoovermyheadifyoulike.Yes.YoucanmakeitaPartymatterasyousay.ButIdonotagree.」

SonowAndréMassartsatworkingoverhismapatthebaretablewiththerawlightontheunshadedelectriclightbulboverhishead,theoverwideberetpulledforwardtoshadehiseyes,referringtothemimeographedcopyoftheordersfortheattackandslowlyandlaboriouslyworkingthemoutonthemapasayoungofficermightworkaproblematastaffcollege.Hewasengagedinwar.Inhismindhewascommandingtroops;hehadtherighttointerfereandthishebelievedtoconstitutecommand.SohesattherewithRobertJordan』sdispatchtoGolzinhispocketandGomezandAndréswaitedintheguardroomandRobertJordanlayinthewoodsabovethebridge.

ItisdoubtfuliftheoutcomeofAndrés『smissionwouldhavebeenanydifferentifheandGomezhadbeenallowedtoproceedwithoutAndréMassart』shindrance.Therewasnooneatthefrontwithsufficientauthoritytocanceltheattack.Themachineryhadbeeninmotionmuchtoolongforittobestoppedsuddenlynow.Thereisagreatinertiaaboutallmilitaryoperationsofanysize.Butoncethisinertiahasbeenovercomeandmovementisunderwaytheyarealmostashardtoarrestastoinitiate.

Butonthisnighttheoldman,hisberetpulledforward,wasstillsittingatthetablewithhismapwhenthedooropenedandKarkovtheRussianjournalistcameinwithtwootherRussiansincivilianclothes,leathercoatsandcaps.Thecorporaloftheguardclosedthedoorreluctantlybehindthem.Karkovhadbeenthefirstresponsiblemanhehadbeenabletocommunicatewith.

「TovarichMassart,」saidKarkovinhispolitelydisdainfullispingvoiceandsmiled,showinghisbadteeth.

Massartstoodup.HedidnotlikeKarkov,butKarkov,comingfromPravdaandindirectcommunicationwithStalin,wasatthismomentoneofthethreemostimportantmeninSpain.

「TovarichKarkov,」hesaid.

「Youarepreparingtheattack?」Karkovsaidinsolently,noddingtowardthemap.

「Iamstudyingit,」Massartanswered.

「Areyouattacking?OrisitGolz?」Karkovaskedsmoothly.

「Iamonlyacommissar,asyouknow,」Massarttoldhim.

「No,」Karkovsaid.「Youaremodest.Youarereallyageneral.Youhaveyourmapandyourfieldglasses.Butwereyounotanadmiralonce,ComradeMassart?」

「Iwasagunner』smate,」saidMassart.Itwasalie.Hehadreallybeenachiefyeomanatthetimeofthemutiny.Buthethoughtnow,always,thathehadbeenagunner』smate.

「Ah.Ithoughtyouwereafirst-classyeoman,」Karkovsaid.「Ialwaysgetmyfactswrong.Itisthemarkofthejournalist.」

TheotherRussianshadtakennopartintheconversation.TheywerebothlookingoverMassart』sshoulderatthemapandoccasionallymakingaremarktoeachotherintheirownlanguage.MassartandKarkovspokeFrenchafterthefirstgreeting.

「ItisbetternottogetfactswronginPravda,」Massartsaid.Hesaiditbrusquelytobuildhimselfupagain.Karkovalwayspuncturedhim.TheFrenchwordisdégonflerandMassartwasworriedandmadewarybyhim.Itwashard,whenKarkovspoke,torememberwithwhatimportancehe,AndréMassart,camefromtheCentralCommitteeoftheFrenchCommunistParty.Itwashardtoremember,too,thathewasuntouchable.Karkovseemedalwaystotouchhimsolightlyandwheneverhewished.NowKarkovsaid,「IusuallycorrectthembeforeIsendthemtoPravda,IamquiteaccurateinPravda.Tellme,ComradeMassart,haveyouheardanythingofanymessagecomingthroughforGolzfromoneofourpartizangroupsoperatingtowardSegovia?ThereisanAmericancomradetherenamedJordanthatweshouldhaveheardfrom.Therehavebeenreportsoffightingtherebehindthefascistlines.HewouldhavesentamessagethroughtoGolz.」

「AnAmerican?」Massartasked.AndréshadsaidanInglés.Sothatiswhatitwas.Sohehadbeenmistaken.Whyhadthosefoolsspokentohimanyway?」

「Yes,」Karkovlookedathimcontemptuously,「ayoungAmericanofslightpoliticaldevelopmentbutagreatwaywiththeSpaniardsandafinepartizanrecord.Justgivemethedispatch,ComradeMassart.Ithasbeendelayedenough.」

「Whatdispatch?」Massartasked.Itwasaverystupidthingtosayandheknewit.Buthewasnotabletoadmithewaswrongthatquicklyandhesaiditanywaytodelaythemomentofhumiliation,notacceptinganyhumiliation.「Andthesafe-conductpass,」Karkovsaidthroughhisbadteeth.

AndréMassartputhishandinhispocketandlaidthedispatchonthetable.HelookedKarkovsquarelyintheeye.Allright.Hewaswrongandtherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutitnowbuthewasnotacceptinganyhumiliation.「Andthesafe-conductpass,」Karkovsaidsoftly.

Massartlaiditbesidethedispatch.

「ComradeCorporal,」KarkovcalledinSpanish.

Thecorporalopenedthedoorandcamein.HelookedquicklyatAndréMassart,whostaredbackathimlikeanoldboarwhichhasbeenbroughttobaybyhounds.TherewasnofearonMassart『sfaceandnohumiliation.Hewasonlyangry,andhewasonlytemporarilyatbay.Heknewthesedogscouldneverholdhim.

「TakethesetothetwocomradesintheguardroomanddirectthemtoGeneralGolz』sheadquarters,」Karkovsaid.「Therehasbeentoomuchdelay.」

ThecorporalwentoutandMassartlookedafterhim,thenlookedatKarkov.

「TovarichMassart,」Karkovsaid,「Iamgoingtofindoutjusthowuntouchableyouare.」

Massartlookedstraightathimandsaidnothing.

「Don』tstarttohaveanyplansaboutthecorporal,either,」Karkovwenton.「Itwasnotthecorporal.Isawthetwomenintheguardroomandtheyspoketome」(thiswasalie).「Ihopeallmenalwayswillspeaktome」(thiswasthetruthalthoughitwasthecorpora!whohadspoken).ButKarkovhadthisbeliefinthegoodwhichcouldcomefromhisownaccessibilityandthehumanizingpossibilityofbenevolentintervention.Itwastheonethinghewasnevercynicalabout.

「YouknowwhenIamintheU.S.S.R.peoplewritetomeinPravdawhenthereisaninjusticeinatowninAzerbaijan.Didyouknowthat?Theysay『Karkovwillhelpus.」

AndréMassartlookedathimwithnoexpressiononhisfaceexceptangeranddislike.TherewasnothinginhismindnowbutthatKarkovhaddonesomethingagainsthim.Allright,Karkov,powerandall,couldwatchout.

「Thisissomethingelse,」Karkovwenton,「butitisthesameprinciple.IamgoingtofindOutjusthowuntouchableyouare,ComradeMassart.Iwouldliketoknowifitcouldnotbepossibletochangethenameofthattractorfactory.」

AndréMassartlookedawayfromhimandbacktothemap.

「WhatdidyoungJordansay?」Karkovaskedhim.

「Ididnotreadit,」AndréMassartsaid.「Etmaintenantfichemoilapaix,ComradeKarkov.」

「Good,」saidKarkov.「Ileaveyoutoyourmilitarylabors.」

Hesteppedoutoftheroomandwalkedtotheguardroom.AndrésandGomezwerealreadygoneandhestoodthereamomentlookinguptheroadandatthemountaintopsbeyondthatshowednowinthefirstgrayofdaylight.Wemustgetonupthere,hethought.Itwillbesoon,now.

AndrésandGomezwereonthemotorcycleontheroadagainanditwasgettinglight.NowAndrés,holdingagaintothebackoftheseataheadofhimasthemotorcycleclimbedturnafterswitchbackturninafaintgraymistthatlayoverthetopofthepass,feltthemotorcyclespeedunderhim,thenskidandstopandtheywerestandingbythemotorcycleonalong,down-slopeofroadandinthewoods,ontheirleft,weretankscoveredwithpinebranches.Thereweretroopshereallthroughthewoods.Andréssawmencarryingthelongpolesofstretchersovertheirshoulders.Threestaffcarswereofftheroadtotheright,inunderthetrees,withbrancheslaidagainsttheirsidesandotherpinebranchesovertheirtops.

Gomezwheeledthemotorcycleuptooneofthem.Heleaneditagainstapinetreeandspoketothechauffeurwhowassittingbythecar,hisbackagainstatree.

「I』lltakeyoutohim,」thechauffeursaid.「Putthymotooutofsightandcoveritwiththese.」Hepointedtoapileofcutbranches.

Withthesunjuststartingtocomethroughthehighbranchesofthepinetrees,GomezandAndrésfollowedthechauffeur,whosenamewasVicente,throughthepinesacrosstheroadanduptheslopetotheentranceofadugoutfromtheroofofwhichsignalwiresranonupoverthewoodedslope.TheystoodoutsidewhilethechauffeurwentinandAndréadmiredtheconstructionofthedugoutwhichshowedonlyasaholeinthehillside,withnodirtscatteredabout,butwhichhecouldsee,fromtheentrance,wasbothdeepandprofoundwithmenmovingaroundinitfreelywithnoneedtoducktheirheadsundertheheavytimberedroof.

Vicente,thechauffeur,cameout.

「Heisupabovewheretheyaredeployingfortheattack,」hesaid.「IgaveittohisChiefofStaff.Hesignedforit.Here.」

HehandedGomezthereceiptedenvelope.GomezgaveittoAndrés,wholookedatitandputitinsidehisshirt.

「Whatisthenameofhimwhosigned?」heasked.

「Duval,」Vicentesaid.

「Good,」saidAndrés.「HewasoneofthethreetowhomImightgiveit.」

「Shouldwewaitforananswer?」GomezaskedAndrés.

「Itmightbebest.ThoughwhereIwillfindtheInglésandtheothersafterthatofthebridgeneitherGodknows.」

「Comewaitwithme,」Vicentesaid,「untiltheGeneralreturns.AndIwillgettheecoffee.Thoumustbehungry.」

「Andthesetanks,」Gomezsaidtohim.

Theywerepassingthebranch-covered,mud-coloredtanks,eachwithtwodeepridgedtracksoverthepineneedlesshowingwheretheyhadswungandbackedfromtheroad.Their45-mm.gunsjuttedhorizontallyunderthebranchesandthedriversandgunnersintheirleathercoatsandridgedhelmetssatwiththeirbacksagainstthetreesorlaysleepingontheground.

「Thesearethereserve,」Vicentesaid.「Alsothesetroopsareinreserve.Thosewhocommencetheattackareabove.」

「Theyaremany,」Andréssaid.

「Yes,」Vicentesaid.「Itisafulldivision.」

InsidethedugoutDuval,holdingtheopeneddispatchfromRobertJordaninhislefthand,glancingathiswristwatchonthesamehand,readingthedispatchforthefourthtime,eachtimefeelingthesweatcomeoutfromunderhisarmpitandrundownhisflank,saidintothetelephone,「GetmepositionSegovia,then.He』sleft?GetmepositionAvila.」

Hekeptonwiththephone.Itwasn』tanygood.Hehadtalkedtobothbrigades.Golzhadbeenuptoinspectthedispositionsfortheattackandwasonhiswaytoanobservationpost.Hecalledtheobservationpostandhewasnotthere.

「Getmeplanesone,」Duvalsaid,suddenlytakingallresponsibility.Hewouldtakeresponsibilityforholdingitup.Itwasbettertoholditup.Youcouldnotsendthemtoasurpriseattackagainstanenemythatwaswaitingforit.Youcouldn』tdoit.Itwasjustmurder.Youcouldn』t.Youmustn』t.Nomatterwhat.Theycouldshoothimiftheywanted.Hewouldcalltheairfielddirectlyandgetthebombardmentcancelled.Butsupposeit』sjustaholdingattack?Supposeweweresupposedtodrawoffallthatmaterialandthoseforces?Supposethatiswhatitisfor?Theynevertellyouitisaholdingattackwhenyoumakeit.

「Cancelthecalltoplanesone,」hetoldthesignaller.「Getmethe69thBrigadeobservationpost.」

Hewasstillcallingtherewhenheheardthefirstsoundoftheplanes.

Itwasjustthenhegotthroughtotheobservationpost.

「Yes,」Golzsaidquietly.

Hewassittingleaningbackagainstthesandbag,hisfeetagainstarock,acigarettehungfromhislowerlipandhewaslookingupandoverhisshoulderwhilehewastalking.Hewasseeingtheexpandingwedgesofthrees,silverandthunderingintheskythatwerecomingoverthefarshoulderofthemountainwherethefirstsunwasstriking.Hewatchedthemcomeshiningandbeautifulinthesun.Hesawthetwincirclesoflightwherethesunshoneonthepropellersastheycame.

「Yes,」hesaidintothetelephone,speakinginFrenchbecauseitwasDuvalonthewire.「Noussommesfoutus.Oui.Commetoujours.Oui.C』estdommage.Oui.It』sashameitcametoolate.」

Hiseyes,watchingtheplanescoming,wereveryproud.Hesawtheredwingmarkingsnowandhewatchedtheirsteady,statelyroaringadvance.Thiswashowitcouldbe.Thesewereourplanes.Theyhadcome,cratedonships,fromtheBlackSeathroughtheStraitsofMarmora,throughtheDardanelles,throughtheMediterraneanandtohere,unloadedlovinglyatAlicante,assembledably,testedandfoundperfectandnowflowninlovelyhammeringprecision,theV』stightandpureastheycamenowhighandsilverinthemorningsuntoblastthoseridgesacrossthereandblowthemroaringhighsothatwecangothrough.

Golzknewthatoncetheyhadpassedoverheadandon,thebombswouldfall,lookinglikeporpoisesintheairastheytumbled.Andthentheridgetopswouldspoutandroarinjumpingcloudsanddisappearinonegreatblowingcloud.Thenthetankswouldgrindclankingupthosetwoslopesandafterthemwouldgohistwobrigades.Andifithadbeenasurprisetheycouldgoonanddownandoverandthrough,pausing,cleaningup,dealingwith,muchtodo,muchtobedoneintelligentlywiththetankshelping,withthetankswheelingandreturning,givingcoveringfireandothersbringingtheattackersupthenslippingonandoverandthroughandpushingdownbeyond.Thiswashowitwouldbeiftherewasnotreasonandifalldidwhattheyshould.

Therewerethetworidges,andtherewerethetanksaheadandtherewerehistwogoodbrigadesreadytoleavethewoodsandherecametheplanesnow.Everythinghehadtodohadbeendoneasitshouldbe.

Butashewatchedtheplanes,almostuptohimnow,hefeltsickathisstomachforheknewfromhavingheardJordan』sdispatchoverthephonethattherewouldbenooneonthosetworidges.They』dbewithdrawnalittlewaybelowinnarrowtrenchestoescapethefragments,orhidinginthetimberandwhenthebomberspassedthey』dgetbackuptherewiththeirmachinegunsandtheirautomaticweaponsandtheanti-tankgunsJordanhadsaidwentuptheroad,anditwouldbeonefamousballsupmore.Buttheplanes,nowcomingdeafeningly,werehowitcouldhavebeenandGolzwatchingthem,lookingup,saidintothetelephone,「No.Rienàfaire.Rien.Fautpaspenser.Fautaccepter.」

Golzwatchedtheplaneswithhishardproudeyesthatknewhowthingscouldbeandhowtheywouldbeinsteadandsaid,proudofhowtheycouldbe,believinginhowtheycouldbe,eveniftheyneverwere,「Bon.Nousferonsnotrepetitpossible,」andhungup.

ButDuvaldidnothearhim.Sittingatthetableholdingthereceiver,allheheardwastheroaroftheplanesandhethought,now,maybethistime,listentothemcome,maybethebomberswillblowthemalloff,maybewewillgetabreak-through,maybehewillgetthereservesheaskedfor,maybethisisit,maybethisisthetime.Goon.Comeon.Goon.Theroarwassuchthathecouldnothearwhathewasthinking.