The Bounty Hunters

They would not let him approach the door and earlier they had threatened him with the butts of their rifles when he wanted to open it. The house was becoming an oven and it was not good to remain in it with the door closed. Thankfully, he had the window-not all houses had a window-but he was used to having the door open. Perhaps it is better that it does remain closed, he thought. Else they might be tempted to enter and take something. Something of Nita's. Before, one of them had asked him where Nita was, then laughed and said something obscene. "God, why do you make such as these?" And then he thought: But if there were no evil men, then how could you tell the good? He pictured his wife then, for a reason he did not know, and he was glad that she was not here to witness his being degraded. Though she would understand. Maybe she sees anyway; but she is probably talking to the saints. He thought then of Francis of Assisi because he had been a very humble man, and he wondered what St. Francis would have done had he lived in Soyopa.

St. Francis would have pleaded for the life of the Apache boy. I know that, Hilario Esteban thought. But what can be done with a man like Lamas Duro, who is in such agony with his fate that he directs his anger to those beneath him?

In the begi

Across the narrow street, on the wall that joined Anastacio's house, a faded poster advertised a bullfight in Hermosillo. Anastacio loved the Corrida, and had posted the sheet there more than a month ago. On their way to Willcox for a reunion, he had pla

From the window, Hilario read the poster again. How many times have I read that? he thought. I can see it in my mind clearly. Even that which I ca

He wondered then if Anastacio had taken enough money. How much…three pesos times eighteen…so that the family could reach the Corrida from the shade. He went into the rear room then to lie down. There was nothing more to see on the street.

One of the rurales awakened at the sound of the horses, but the other remained asleep, propped against the door. He opened his eyes to see the two Americans astride the horses, looking down at him and he nudged his companion awake as he heard one of the Americans ask, "This is the house of the alcalde, isn't it?"

The rurale nodded, but did not rise.

Fly

The rurale gri

"Where is the alcalde?"

"Within."

"Would you move, so I can knock on the door?"

"No one enters," the rurale said, rising. He held his rifle diagonally across his chest. His companion rose then. "Nor does the alcalde leave."

Fly

"Because the teniente orders it!" the rurale said angrily.

"What did the alcalde do?"

The rurale smiled lazily at Fly

Fly

"I'm going to ask you one more question," Fly

For a moment the rurale only stared. Then his elbow touched his companion's arm. "Perhaps this is something for the teniente. Bring him!" He glanced after his companion as he moved off hurriedly, then back to Fly

Hilario Esteban saw the rurale pass the window, begi

"Senor Flin!"

The rurale was startled. He brought the rifle around abruptly. Fly

Close to his ear, Fly

Hilario disappeared from the window, but the door opened almost immediately and he was standing before them. "David!" His face beaming. "What a day this is! When did you arrive?" He saw the pistol then and the smile left his face.

"It's all right, Hilario," Fly

Bowers said something in a low voice and he looked at Hilario embarrassedly.

Fly

He heard Bowers say quietly, "Why don't you two go inside and talk things over."

Fly

Hilario stepped back to let Fly

Once, Fly

Another time he listened to an officer tell a woman that her husband did not return with the patrol. He listened to the man hesitate and falter and say "I'm sorry…" more than a dozen times. But none of the I'm-sorrys did any good. The woman went on crying with her shoulders quivering and her mouth twisted pathetically. The two children in the next room cried because they had never heard their mother do this before.

Another time. Another soldier's wife. She waited until they left before breaking down. While he and the major were there, she cried only within, but only a little, because she was still telling herself that it could not be true.

Fly