"Eight days! When is the time up?" Rosa inquired.
"Bless you, this is already two weeks old!" her brother told her.
"Why, then, it means that we'll be shot if we're caught."
"Exactly! But we sha'n't be caught, eh? Let the timid ones take
fright at the squeaks of this old black-bird. Let them go into the
cities: we shall have the more to eat!" Esteban crumpled the paper
in his hand and dropped it. "Meanwhile I shall proceed toward my
settlement with Pancho Cueto." His very careless confidence gave
Rosa courage.
XII
WHEN THE WORLD RAN BACKWARD
Esteban went about his plan of destroying Pancho Cueto with
youthful energy and zest. First he secured, at some pains, a half-
stick of dynamite, a cap and fuse, and a gallon or more of
kerosene; then he assembled his followers and led them once again
into the San Juan.
This time the ride to La Joya was longer than before, and since
every member of the little band was proscribed, Esteban insisted
upon the greatest caution. But there was little need of especial
care, for the country was already depopulated, as a result of
Weyler's proclamation. Fields were empty, houses silent; no living
creatures stirred, except in the tree-tops, and the very birds
seemed frightened, subdued. It struck young Varona queerly. It was
as if the whole land was in mourning; he saw nothing but
blackbirds, somber-hued vultures, dismal Judea-birds with their
ebony plumage and yellow beaks.
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