That is right, she said with a grimace of distaste. But they were communists, both of them. Anyway, Miguel stayed with us after that. He said that all he wanted was food to eat and a bed to sleep in, and he would help my uncle come back to Cordillera. And here we are.
Yes, thought OHara; marooned up a bloody mountain with God knows what waiting at the bottom.
Presently Armstrong went out to relieve Rohde. Miss Ponsky came across to talk to OHara. Im sorry I behaved so stupidly in the airplane, she said crossly. I dont know what came over me.
OHara thought there was no need to apologize for being half frightened to death; he had been bloody scared himself. But he couldnt say that he couldnt even mention the word fear to her. That would be unforgivable; no one likes to be reminded of a lapse of that nature not even a maiden lady getting on in years. He smiled and said diplomatically, Not everyone would have come through an experience like that as well as you have, Miss Ponsky.
She was mollified and he knew that she had been in fear of a rebuff. She was the kind of person who would bite on a sore tooth, not letting it alone. She smiled and said, Well now, Captain OHara what do you think of all this talk about communists?
I think theyre capable of anything, said OHara grimly.
Im going to put in a report to the State Department when I get back, she said. You ought to hear what Señor Aguillar has been telling me about General Lopez. I think the State Department should help Señor Aguillar against General Lopez and the communists.
Im inclined to agree with you, said OHara. But perhaps your State Department doesnt believe in interfering in Cordilleran affairs.
Stuff and nonsense, said Miss Ponsky with acerbity. Were supposed to be fighting the communists, arent we? Besides, Señor Aguillar assures me that hell hold elections as soon as General Lopez is kicked out. Hes a real democrat just like you and me.
OHara wondered what would happen if another South American state did go communist. Cuban agents were filtering all through Latin America like woodworms in a piece of furniture. He tried to think of the strategic importance of Cordillera it was on the Pacific coast and it straddled the Andes, a gun pointing to the heart of the continent. He thought the Americans would be very upset if Cordillera went communist.
Rohde came back and talked for a few minutes with Aguillar, then he crossed to OHara and said in a low voice, Señor Aguillar would like to speak to you. He gestured to Forester and the three of them went to where Aguillar was resting in a bunk.
He had brightened considerably and was looking quite spry. His eyes were lively and no longer filmed with weariness, and there was a strength and authority in his voice that OHara had not heard before. He realized that this was a strong man; maybe not too strong in the body because he was becoming old and his body was wearing out, but he had a strong mind. OHara suspected that if the old man had not had a strong will, the body would have crumpled under the strain it had undergone.
Aguillar said, First I must thank you gentlemen for all you have done, and I am truly sorry that I have brought this calamity upon you. He shook his head sadly. It is the innocent bystander who always suffers in the clash of our Latin politics. I am sorry that this should have happened and that you should see my country in this sad light.
What else could we do? asked Forester. Were all in the same boat.
Im glad you see it that way, said Aguillar. Because of what may come next. What happens if we meet up with the communists who should be here and are not?
Before we come to that theres something Id like to query, said OHara. Aguillar raised his eyebrows and motioned him to continue, so OHara said deliberately, How do we know they are communists? Señorita Aguillar tells me that Lopez has tried to liquidate you several times. How do you know he hasnt got wind of your return and is having another crack at you?
Aguillar shook his head. Lopez has in your English idiom shot his bolt. I know. Do not forget that I am a practical politician and give me credit for knowing my own work. Lopez forgot about me several years ago and is only interested in how he can safely relinquish the reins of power and retire. As for the communists for years I have watched them work in my country, undermining the government and wooing the people. They have not got far with the people, or they would have disposed of Lopez by now. I am their only danger and I am sure that our situation is their work.
Forester said casually, Grivas was trying to make a clenched fist salute when he died.
All right, said OHara. But why all this rigmarole of Grivas in the first place? Why not just put a time bomb in the Dakota that would have done the job very easily.
Aguillar smiled. Señor OHara, in my life as a politician I have had four bombs thrown at me and every one was defective. Our politics out here are emotional and emotion does not make for careful workmanship, even of bombs. And I am sure that even communism cannot make any difference to the native characteristics of my people. They wanted to make very sure of me and so they chose the unfortunate Grivas as their instrument. Would you have called Grivas an emotional man?
I should think he was, said OHara, thinking of Grivass exultation even in death. And he was pretty slipshod too.
Aguillar spread his hands, certain he had made his point. But he drove it home. Grivas would be happy to be given such work; it would appeal to his sense of drama and my people have a great sense of drama. As for being er slipshod, Grivas bungled the first part of the operation by stupidly killing himself, and the others have bungled the rest of it by not being here to meet us.
OHara rubbed his chin. As Aguillar drew the picture it made a weird kind of sense.
Aguillar said, Now, my friends, we come to the next point. Supposing, on the way down this mountain, we meet these men these communists? What happens then? He regarded OHara and Forester with bright eyes. It is not your fight you are not Cordillerans and I am interested to know what you would do. Would you give this dago politician into the hands of his enemies or
Would we fight? finished Forester.
It is my fight, said OHara bluntly. Im not a Cordilleran, but Grivas pulled a gun on me and made me crash my plane. I didnt like that, and I didnt like the sight of the Coughlins. Anyway, I dont like the sight of communists, and I think that, all in all, this is my fight.
I concur, said Forester.
Aguillar raised his hand. But it is not as easy as that, is it? There are others to take into account. Would it be fair on Miss er Ponsky, for instance? Now what I propose is this. Miguel, my niece and I will withdraw into another cabin while you talk it over and I will abide by your joint decision.
Forester looked speculatively at Peabody, who was just leaving the hut. He glanced at OHara, then said, I think we should leave the question of fighting until theres something to fight. Its possible that we might just walk out of here.
Aguillar had seen Foresters look at Peabody. He smiled sardonically. I see that you are a politician yourself, Señor Forester. He made a gesture of resignation. Very well, we will leave the problem for the moment but I think we will have to return to it.
Aguillar had seen Foresters look at Peabody. He smiled sardonically. I see that you are a politician yourself, Señor Forester. He made a gesture of resignation. Very well, we will leave the problem for the moment but I think we will have to return to it.
Its a pity we had to come down the mountain, said Forester. Theres sure to be an air search, and it might have been better to stay by the Dakota.
We could not have lived up there, said Rohde.
I know, but its a pity all the same.
I dont think it makes much difference, said OHara. The wreck will be difficult to spot from the air its right at the foot of a cliff. He hesitated. And I dont know about an air search not yet, anyway.
Forester jerked his head. What the hell do you mean by that?
Andes Airlift isnt noted for its efficiency and Filson, my boss, isnt good at paperwork. This flight didnt even have a number I remember wondering about it just before we took off. Its on the cards that San Croce control havent bothered to notify Santillana to expect us. As he saw Foresters expression he added, The whole set-up is shoestring and sealing-wax its only a small field.
But surely your boss will get worried when he doesnt hear from you?
Hell worry, agreed OHara. He told me to phone him from Santillana but he wont worry too much at first. There have been times when I havent phoned through on his say-so and had a rocket for losing cargo. But I dont think hell worry about losing the plane for a couple of days at least.
Forester blew out his cheeks. Wow what a Rube Goldberg organization. Now I really feel lost.
Rohde said, We must depend on our own efforts. I think we can be sure of that.
We flew off course too, said OHara. Theyll start the search north of here when they start.
Rohde looked at Aguillar whose eyes were closed. There is nothing we can do now, he said. But we must sleep. It will be a hard day tomorrow.
III
Again OHara did not sleep very well, but at least he was resting on a mattress instead of a hard floor, with a full belly. Peabody was on watch and OHara was due to relieve him at two oclock; he was glad when the time came.
He donned his leather jacket and took the vicuna coat that Forester had given him. He suspected that he would be glad of it during the next two hours. Forester was awake and waved lazily as he went out, although he did not speak.
The night air was thin and cold and OHara shivered as he set off down the road. As Rohde had said, the conditions for survival were better here than up by the airstrip, but it was still pretty dicey. He was aware that his heart was thumping and that his respiration rate was up. It would be much better when they got down to the quebrada, as Rohde called the lateral valley to which they were heading.
He reached the corner where he had to leave the road and headed towards the looming outcrop of rock which Rohde had picked as a vantage point. Peabody should have been perched on top of the rock and should have heard him coming, but there was no sign of his presence.
OHara called softly, Peabody!
There was silence.
Cautiously he circled the outcrop to get it silhouetted against the night sky. There was a lump on top of the rock which he could not quite make out. He began to climb the rock and as he reached the top he heard a muffled snore. He shook Peabody and his foot clinked on a bottle Peabody was drunk.
You bloody fool, he said and started to slap Peabodys face, but without appreciable result. Peabody muttered in his drunken stupor but did not recover consciousness. I ought to let you die of exposure, whispered OHara viciously, but he knew he could not do that. He also knew that he could not hope to carry Peabody back to the camp by himself. He would have to get help.
He stared down the mountainside but all was quiet, so he climbed down the rock and headed back up the road. Forester was still awake and looked up inquiringly as OHara entered the hut. Whats the matter? he asked, suddenly alert.
Peabodys passed out, said OHara. Ill need help to bring him up.
Damn this altitude, said Forester, putting on his shoes.
It wasnt the altitude, OHara said coldly. The bastards dead drunk.
Forester muffled an imprecation. Where did he get the stuff?
I suppose he found it in one of the huts, said OHara. Ive still got my flask I was saving it for Aguillar.
All right, said Forester. Lets lug the damn fool up here.
It wasnt an easy thing to do. Peabody was a big, flabby man and his body lolled uncooperatively, but they managed it at last and dumped him unceremoniously in a bunk. Forester gasped and said, This idiot will be the death of us all if we dont watch him. He paused. Ill come down with you it might be better to have two pairs of eyes down there right now.
They went back and climbed up on to the rock, lying side by side and scanning the dark mountainside. For fifteen minutes they were silent, but saw and heard nothing. I think its okay, said Forester at last. He shifted his position to ease his bones. What do you think of the old man?
He seems all right to me, said OHara.
Hes a good joe a good liberal politician. If he lasts long enough he might end up by being a good liberal statesman but liberals dont last long in this part of the world, and I think hes a shade too soft. Forester chuckled. Even when its a matter of life and death his life and death, not to mention his nieces he still sticks to democratic procedure. He wants us to vote on whether we shall hand him over to the commies. Imagine that!
I wouldnt hand anyone over to the communists, said OHara. He glanced sideways at the dark bulk of Forester. You said you could fly a plane I suppose you do it as a matter of business; company plane and all that.
Hell, no, said Forester. My outfits not big enough or advanced enough for that. I was in the Air Force I flew in Korea.
So did I, said OHara. I was in the R.A.F.
Well, what do you know. Forester was delighted. Where were you based?
OHara told him and he said, Then you were flying Sabres like I was. We went on joint operations hell, we must have flown together.
Probably.
They lay in companionable silence for a while, then Forester said, Did you knock down any of those Migs? I got four, then they pulled me out. I was mad about that I wanted to be a war hero; an ace, you know.
Youve got to get five in the American Air Force, havent you?
Thats right, said Forester. Did you get any?
A couple, said OHara. He had shot down eight Migs but it was a part of his life he preferred to forget, so he didnt elaborate. Forester sensed his reserve and was quiet. After a few minutes he said, I think Ill go back and get some sleep if I can. Well be on our way early.
When he had gone OHara stared into the darkness and thought about Korea. That had been the turning point of his life: before Korea he had been on his way up; after Korea there was just the endless slide, down to Filson and now beyond. He wondered where he would end up.