Part I, V - X Summary

V: Quail hears a gunshot and wakes up Anastasio. They investigate and find Pancracio (who had been on guard) dragging a man toward them. He had shot the man in the foot. This man is called Luis Cervantes, and he wishes to speak with Demetrio. Luis says he was a private in the army but deserted. The mention of the army incenses the men, who call Luis a "Federal" and seem about to kill him, but Demetrio hears the ruckus and orders Luis to be brought to him. Luis tells Demetrio he is a medical student and journalist who was persecuted because he wrote a pro-revolution essay; he emphasizes that Demetrio and he share the same values and beliefs, and Demetrio sardonically wonders what those are. His men urge Demetrio to kill Luis, but Demetrio...