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.