The Underdogs: A novel of the Mexican Revolution

A dog named Palomo is barking outside a house. Inside, Demetrio Macías is eating with his wife. He hides when several men on horseback arrive. They are soldiers. One of them tells Demetrio’s wife that he is going to spend the night with her. Demetrio comes out of hiding with his rifle. The man apologizes and says that he respects bravery. After they leave, Demetrio tells his wife to take their child and leave because he believes the soldiers will return with more men. Demetrio also leaves his home. He walks for hours, and when he looks back, his house is on fire.

Demetrio descends into a ravine. He worries that “the Federals, the federal government forces, “will hire a native tracker to follow him. When he reaches the other side of the ravine, he blows a horn three times. Three whistles respond in the distance. Twenty-five men who have been hiding in bushes come out to greet him. They are angry when he tells them about his burning house; Demetrio says, “God willing, tomorrow of this very night we will meet the Federals face to face” (8). They count their weapons and ammunition, then light a fire and cook meat.