The Underdogs

by Mariano Azuelo

(adapted excerpt)

Some men on horseback rode up, shouting and sweating; two of them dismounted, while the other hung back to watch the horses.

"We want food! Give us eggs, milk, beans, anything you've got! We're starving!"

The speaker wore chevrons¹ on his arm, his companion red stripes on his shoulders.

"Whose place is this, old woman? Of course it's not empty. How about the light and that child there? Look here, confound it, we want to eat, and quick too. We’re coming in."

"Tell me what they call this ranch, woman?" the sergeant asked.

"Limon," the woman replied curtly, carrying wood to the fire and fanning the coals.

"So we're in Limon, eh, the famous Demetrio Macias' country, eh? Do you hear that, Lieutenant? We're in Limon. I'll wager you know Macias the bandit, old woman? I was in the pen with him at Escobedo, once."

"Come on, Sergeant, tell the corporal outside to unsaddle the horses and feed them. We’re staying here tonight.”

Suddenly a white shadow loomed on the threshold.

"Demetrio Macias!" the sergeant cried as he stepped back in terror.

The lieutenant stood up, silent, cold and motionless as a statue.

"Make them leave!" the woman croaked.

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¹ v-shaped patches, often worn to symbolize military rank