Read Online The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela - Free Book Online Page A

sadly.
    Luis Cervantes and the other men entered to ask when they would be leaving.
    â€œTomorrow. We’re headin’ out in the mornin’,” Demetrio said without any hesitation.
    Quail then proposed that they bring in music from the neighboring town so they could have a farewell dance. His idea was welcomed with much fervor and excitement.
    â€œWell, we may be leavin’,” Pancracio exclaimed, and let out a howl. “But at least I’m not leavin’ alone this time. I have my love and I’m bringin’ ’er with me.”
    Demetrio said that he too would very much like to take with him a young lady upon whom he had laid his eyes. But he added that he really did not want his men to leave behind any dark memories, as the Federales always did.
    â€œYou won’t have to wait long. Everything will be arranged when we come back,” Luis Cervantes whispered to him.
    â€œHow’s that?” Demetrio asked. “Didn’t I hear that you and Camila . . .”
    â€œThere is no truth in that, dear leader. She loves you, but she is afraid of you.”
    â€œReally, curro ?”
    â€œYes. But I think what you say is very much the case. We must not leave the wrong impression behind. When we return in triumph, everything will be different. Everyone will even be thanking you for this gesture then.”
    â€œOh, curro . You sure are a sharp one!” Demetrio replied, smiling and patting Luis Cervantes on the back.
    As nightfall neared, Camila walked down to the river to get water, as usual. Luis Cervantes was walking up the same path from the opposite direction.
    Camila felt her heart racing in her chest.
    But Luis Cervantes suddenly disappeared around a bend in the path, behind a large boulder, perhaps without even noticing that she was approaching.
    As on every other day at that time of the late afternoon, twilight spread its dusky hue over the calcined stones, the sunburned branches, and the dried-out moss. A warm, rustling wind blew softly and swayed the lanceolate leaves in the cornfield. Everything was the same as always. But Camila sensed something different, something strange in the stones, the dry branches, the fragrant air, and the fallen leaves: as if all those things were now suffused with an unusual sadness.
    She walked around a gigantic eroded boulder and ran suddenly into Luis Cervantes perched atop a large stone, where he was sitting with his hat off and his legs dangling down.
    â€œHey, curro . At least come on over an’ say good-bye to me.”
    Obligingly enough, Luis Cervantes got off the rock and joined her.
    â€œYa’re so arrogant! Was I so bad to ya that ya don’t even talk to me?”
    â€œWhy do you say that to me, Camila? You have been very good to me. Better than a friend, in fact. You have taken care of me like a sister. I leave you very grateful and will always remember what you have done for me.”
    â€œYa liar!” Camila said, now full of joy. “And if I hadn’t said anything to ya just now?”
    â€œI was planning on saying thank you this evening at the dance.”
    â€œWhat dance? If there’s a dance, I’m not goin’.”
    â€œWhy are you not going?”
    â€œâ€™Cause I can’t stand to look at that mean ol’ man . . . at that Demetrio.”
    â€œHow silly! Listen, he really loves you, Camila. Do not miss this opportunity, for it shall not come by in your lifetime again. Do not be a fool, Demetrio will be a general before long, he will be very, very rich. He will have many horses, many jewels, very fancy dresses, elegant houses, and plenty of money to spend on anything he wants. Imagine what it would be like to be by his side!”
    Camila looked up at the blue sky, trying to hide her eyes from him. Up above, a dry leaf broke from a treetop and drifted slowly down, falling at her feet like a small, dead butterfly. She bent over and grabbed it gently. Then, without