Chapter 43 Summary

Robert Jordan lies behind a pine tree and watches the sentry in the box. He wonders if they would call it off after receiving his dispatch. He does not think about how it would be to win. Robert Jordan understands that by keeping the fascists tied up, they are preventing them from attacking other countries. The Spanish people will fight forever, as long as they have arms. He watches the guards spit in the gorge and thinks he will do it too, after he wires the bridge.

Robert Jordan hears the bombs and sees one of the sentries reaching for his gun. Robert Jordan shoots the man and Anselmo kills the other sentry. Anselmo approaches Robert Jordan with tears running down his cheeks. Robert Jordan climbs down the framework and begins wiring the bridge. As he works, he hears shooting from the upper...