"Pedro's not here. Wait a day or two."
"Is the hole in my shoulder so bad?"
"Bad enough."
"Then I'll see Jesús in Colima ... let me sit on the edge of the table, Manuel."
"Better?"
"Better."
"Colima got it bad, so Esteban says. Many buildings wrecked."
"So bad as that?"
"Stores have been knocked apart. The Sangre de Cristo church lost its roof. The hospital had the upper floor damaged. Houses have gone to pieces. People are camping in the Plaza; there's almost no water...."
"Take it easy with that bandage. We'll have to send men to help in the town; I'll talk to Pepe, Flores and Tonal; they can help. Maybe we can go to town together. If the rurales can't see me I can leave my request in writing.... We'll see an end to Pedro...."