Summary: Chapter Three
Robert Jordan and Anselmo scout out the bridge. Robert
Jordan watches a sentry on the bridge through binoculars and notes
that he has a “peasant face.” Fascist planes fly overhead, but Robert
Jordan lets Anselmo think that they are Republican planes. The two
men discuss war and religion. Anselmo likes to hunt but hates killing people,
whereas Robert Jordan hates killing animals but is willing to kill
people when required. They recall that gypsies and Native Americans
both view bears as man’s brothers. Anselmo says that he misses believing
in God. Robert Jordan silently resents his mission and thinks about
Maria.
On the way back, Robert Jordan and Anselmo meet Agustín, another
of Pablo’s band, who stands guard but has forgotten his half of
the password. Agustín cautions Robert Jordan to watch his explosives.
When they are alone again, Anselmo says that Agustín is trustworthy,
but Pablo is “bad.”
Summary: Chapter Four
Back at camp, Robert Jordan brings his backpacks into
the cave, where the atmosphere is tense. Pablo says that there is
little wine left, so Robert Jordan drinks from his own flask of
absinthe. Robert Jordan meets three more band members, Primitivo
and the brothers Andrés and Eladio.
Pablo announces that he refuses to blow up the bridge.
Robert Jordan replies that he and Anselmo will do it alone. Pilar
announces that she supports the bridge operation because she supports
the Republic. The men back Pilar, and she says that she is the real
leader of the group. Pablo gives in sullenly. Robert Jordan shows
the others his plans for the bridge. Looking at Pablo, Pilar is
momentarily filled with sorrow and foreboding.
Summary: Chapter Five
After dinner, Robert Jordan steps outside the cave into
the night air. Inside, Rafael sings a song making fun of Catalans
(members of a Spanish ethnic subgroup) but Pablo interrupts him.
Rafael joins Robert Jordan outside and says that Robert Jordan should
have killed Pablo during the confrontation earlier. Robert Jordan
says that he considered it but did not want to risk alienating the
other band members.
Meanwhile, Pablo fondly confides in one of his horses.
The narrator notes that the horse does not understand what Pablo
says.
