Chapter 15: Pikysyry Summary

Charles Washburn feels guilty as he prepares to leave Asuncion on a United States warship with his wife and child. He has not adequately prepared Masterman for the probable arrest that is to come. When arrested, Masterman is beaten and tortured. He eventually implicates Washburn in an Allied plot. He is put in a cell at San Fernando. Many other "traitors" are in the same prison, including Venancio Lopez and Benigno Lopez. Masterman is told that Saturnino has already been shot. The two sisters are also taken prisoner. They are whipped in public, with their dresses pulled over their heads. Inocencia is forced to watch as her husband Vincente is killed in front of her. She screams, "Bastardo! Bastardo!"

Ella sits with all of her children, including Pancho, telling them about Paris. Franco retreats northwards, fighting a slow battle of entrenchment...