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The operation begins in the dark of early morning. The band has
arrived at the bridge and is about to break up into various details.
As they shake hands in parting, Pablo\'s hand feels strangely good to
Jordan, as though he were a real comrade.
With Pilar, Jordan trades some genial insults.
With Maria, the good-bye is awkward. As Jordan bends to give her a
final kiss, his pack filled with war materials bumps the back of his
head and makes his forehead bump hers. Other than that, their farewell
is pared to the bone: \"Good-bye, rabbit.\" \"Good-bye, my Roberto.\"
Pablo and his five men have assumed the job El Sordo\'s band would
have done. They leave to take care of the post on the other side of
the bridge. As Jordan, Agustin and Anselmo start down the hill, they
review their plans. Anselmo will go to the other side of the bridge to
set the detonation assembly there. Jordan will shoot the sentry at
this end of the bridge. Anselmo is then to do the same at his end.
Agustin is to cover them both. Jordan again gives Anselmo instructions
at what part of the man\'s body to aim, depending upon the man\'s
position.
To remove some of Anselmo\'s guilt about killing, Jordan makes it
clear that he is ordering it. Thus Anselmo can say to himself that
he was only following orders. The orders came from a leader of the
cause; the cause is right and good. Therefore, Anselmo did not do a
bad thing; at least he cannot be held responsible. Jordan\'s
sensitivity to the old man\'s plight is a further indication that his
understanding of those around him has increased considerably in the
course of the novel.
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