Chapter 2 Summary

The second major character of the book is the old gringo (old man). Colonel Frutos Garcia is supervising other soldiers who are digging the old gringo up from an unmarked grave in the desert. At the burial site, Pedro recalls when he met the old gringo, who had greatly impressed him with his marksman's skills.

The Colonel recalls that he knew all along that the old man had come to Chihuahua to die. He talks about gringos who wanted frontiers. Now, the only frontier left for adventurers was to the South. There is also an older woman, La Garduna, as well as Inocencio Mansalvo, who along with Pedro, would accompany the body and Harriet Winslow to the border.

These people recall the old gringo, including some of his strengths and weaknesses, and the fact that he was somewhat vain. They also muse on...