Robert Jordan, assigned by General Golz to blow up a bridge in the mountains exactly as the Republican army attacks Nationalist forces, is guided by Anselmo, an old Spanish guerrilla fighter. Anselmo introduces him to Pablo, one of the local guerrilla leaders, whom Robert quickly distrusts.

Pablo takes Robert and Anselmo to the cave where his fighters live. Pablo earns Robert’s distrust through his war-weary expression and adamant objections to Robert’s orders to blow up the bridge. Robert is introduced to Maria, a woman who was rescued by the rebels during an attack on a train, on which she was a prisoner. He notes her shorn hair, which has grown only a couple of inches since her imprisonment.

Robert feels an immediate attraction to Maria but tries to hide it. Pablo’s mujer, or woman, who forced the group to save Maria, leaves the cave to meet Robert after seeing how affected Maria is. She earns Robert’s respect and reveals that she herself does not trust Pablo anymore, and she asks Robert to take Maria away to safety after the bombing of the bridge.

Pablo’s mujer sees something troubling while reading Robert’s palm,

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