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This chapter offers several surprises. We see Jordan in an unusual
mood, and the expedition to blow up the bridge gets a strange boost
from- of all people Pablo.
It\'s 2:50 A.M. on his fourth day when Robert Jordan enters the cave.
Pilar is attending to breakfast, and the men are generally
irritable. Jordan is too, now that the time has come. Looking over his
resources, he doesn\'t think the operation can work. There aren\'t
enough men to take both the posts at the bridge. He\'s angry with
many things, including himself for having spent the night with Maria
instead of scouring the countryside for additional volunteers.
Pilar tries to reassure him that all will go well, and adds, \"It
is for this that we are born.\" Joaquin, you will remember, was
saying similar things up until his last moments.
Then Pablo enters the cave. His explanation for leaving? He had
had a moment of weakness but couldn\'t stand the loneliness of being
a deserter. With him he\'s brought five volunteers and their horses.
Unfortunately, he hasn\'t brought the exploder and the detonators. He
threw them into the river during his moment of weakness.
Pilar alternately welcomes him and compares him to Judas. As for
Pablo, he doesn\'t grovel; he doesn\'t even ask for forgiveness. He
does, of course, ask for a drink.
They\'re ready to begin the operation.
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