Chapter VIII

Later, the scalp hunters stop at a cantina in Janos for drinks. In a dark corner, men are playing a confidence game with cards, called Monte. Out of the gloom, an old man shuffles toward Toadvine, Bathcat, and the kid. After some linguistic misunderstanding, the old man makes it clear that he welcomes the scalp hunters for fighting the Apaches; he also grieves for how much blood Mexico has shed, and suggests that war is like a dream you can’t wake up from forever. As the old man speaks, another man groans at the table of card players.