New ragged cracks appeared in the east wall of the mill, Manuel noted. Men sat by the pool, Farias among them. He and Manuel greeted each other heartily, slapping each other on the back.
"Tell me what happened."
"Pedro tried to keep me, a deliberate mix-up with some del Valle men, to cause trouble. It's just as Luis told you. They'd have kept us both if they could."
"You got away today?"
"I got away yesterday, but it took time to reach Petaca."
"The fools—to keep you. Raul is wounded and at Palma Sola. Pedro tried to get him when we were riding in the campo."
Several workers stood up. One of them stopped whittling.
"What's that?" demanded Farias, instantly blaming Don Fernando. "Tell us again."
"They tried to get Raul, out in the campo. A rifle shot. It's a nasty wound ... deep in the shoulder."
"Did you see Pedro's men?" someone asked.