All of a sudden a shot was heard, and the dog let out a muffled moan and stopped barking altogether.

A few men on horseback appeared, shouting and cursing. Two dismounted while another stayed with the animals.

“Women, come on out here. Bring us somethin’ for dinner! Eggs, milk, frijoles, whatever you have, we’re starvin’.”

“Damned Sierra! The devil’s the only one who wouldn’t get lost out there!”

“He would get lost, Sergeant, if he was as drunk as you.”

One of the men wore galloons on his shoulders, the other red stripes on his sleeves.

“Where are we, little lady? Well, in here all by herself! Is there anyone else in this here house?”

“So what about that light? And that little kid? Little lady, we want to eat, real quicklike! Are ya comin’ out or do we make ya come out?”

“You vile men, you’ve killed my dog! What harm in the world did my poor little Palomo do to you?”

The woman came back dragging her very white, heavy dog behind her, its eyes already glossed over, its body limp.

“Oh my, look at those plump, rosy cheeks, Sergeant! My dear, don’t be angry, I swear I’ll turn your house into a dovecote as a namesake to your dog.3But for God’s sake:


Don’t look at me all irate . . .
Don’t be angry no more . . .
Look at me sweetly,
Oh, light of my eyes . . .

the officer finished singing in a harsh voice.

“What is this ranchito called, señora?” the sergeant asked.

“Limón,” the woman answered hoarsely, without any fear in her voice, and turned to fan the coals of the fire and to reach for more wood.

“So this is Limón? Land of the famous Demetrio Macías! Didya hear that, Lieutenant? We’re in Limón.”

“In Limón, huh? Oh well, what do I care! You know, Sergeant, if I’m headin’ to hell, may as well go now, since I got me a good horse anyway. But wouldya look at those little rosy cheeks on that brunette! Tha’s the most perfect pair of ripe red apples to bite right into I’ve ever seen . . .”

“You must know that bandit Macías, señora. I was in the penitentiary with ’im in Escobedo.”4

“Sergeant, bring me a bottle of tequila. I’ve decided to spend the night in the kind company of this little brunette here. The colonel? What, why in the world are you speakin’ to me about the colonel at these hours? He can go straight to hell as far as I’m concerned! And if he gets upset, as far as I care . . . pop! Go on, Sergeant, tell the corporal to unsaddle the horses and prepare dinner. I’m stayin’ right here. Listen, little darlin’, you let my sergeant fry up the eggs and warm up the tortillas, and you come ’ere with me. Look, this little wallet of mine is stuffed with bills just for you. It’ll be my pleasure. Just imagine! I’m just a little bit drunk tha’s why, and tha’s why my voice is a little bit hoarse, too. I left half my gullet in Guadalajara, and I’ve been spittin’ the other half all the way up here! So what can you do? It’ll be my pleasure. Sergeant, my bottle, my bottle of tequila. But darlin’, you’re too far away. Come over ’ere, have a drink. What d’ya mean no? Are you afraid of . . .