Almost nine years had passed since the presidential candidate came to Santa Cruz, General Cardenas was no longer in the Government. During those years, on two or three occasions, Jacinto had accompanied the "baatab" on his trips to Santa Cruz to deal with matters relating to the exploitation of lumber and chicle.

The things got more and more complicated because of the greed of the bureaucrats who wanted to take advantage of the illiteracy of the Cruzo'ob in the payments and accounts. The invasions into the indian land were frequent, so they had to keep watch continuously from the beginning of the rainy season, when the sap of the chicle tree began to rise.

Rumors came that the country was at war with Germany, and soon they would begin to recruit young men to defend the country. Jacinto didn't understand why, he thought as did the others; that these were only rumors or pretext of the Government to take them into the army. The old men remembered what had happened during the Caste Wars and how they had forced the young man to go to war.

Also, after the revolution, the governor had formed battalions of Cupulo'ob from Kanxoc, Xocen, Chichimila and other towns around Zaci, as government troops.

One day, a sergeant came to the town with two soldiers to take a census of the young men over eighteen years old, single or married. They informed them that there would be a lottery to choose two or three of them to be incorporated into the army.

The town rejected the idea and said that not one of their boys would go to war. There were no explanations that could satisfy them.

The military men never came back. Probably because of the distance and the difficult access to the town.

From then on, only a few rumors from neighboring towns over something that had never happened before: the flight of airplanes.

Every time they heard the sound of the motors, the people ran outside to see the airplane flying high in the sky.

The roar of the motors of an airplane, passing over at about the height of the trees, shook the houses of the town violently.

The morning had been quiet until some of the town people, mostly women and children who were at the edge of the cenote heard the deafening roar above their heads.

Astounded, without reacting, they saw the plane that, in a fraction of second disappeared behind the branches of the trees that circled the village.

They heard how the noise was diminishing until in the distance, where the plane disappeared, they heard the explosion.

"The plane fell down" -shouted one of the girls in the group.

Although for some years now they had been able to view airplanes high up as they flew over the town from the east, they had never had a chance to see one close. This one that almost scraped the house of the little town, caused amazement all around. Some of them said they could swear that they had seen somebody make hand signs.

In less than an hour numerous men and women had gathered in Jacinto’s house commenting on the incident and speculating on the certain crash of the plane.

Jacinto, at the age of thirty-five was now the highest authority. The council had named him when his father in-law, the former "baatab" died.

"We have to locate the remains," He ordered. "There is no doubt that the thing crashed and not very far from here, to the east, by the noise. We have to mobilize ourselves right now, I don't think it could be more that half a league from here. Everybody will go, two by two. If we find it, it should be today, before nightfall, otherwise, we will continue tomorrow until we find it. I don't think there could be any survivors judging by the explosion we heard"

The groups left before mid-day. The intense heat didn't discourage them. With hatchets and machetes, almost all of the men participated. The dog packs were also taken with, as was the custom when they went into the forest.

From mid-day almost to nightfall the search went on, but they couldn't find any trace of the plane. The groups were turning back, to avoid to be caught by the night.

Arriving at the square, they gathered at the cenote, they were worn out by the effort, and they were cooling themselves off that they drank and rinsed their faces and necks.

Jacinto approached the group; he was one of the last ones to abandon the search.

"Tomorrow early, we will start out again, we will go father east. I think that they may have tried to reach the savannas beyond the cornfields.

The maasewaalo'ob retired to their homes to wash and rest. Tomorrow it would be another day.

In the first hours of the next morning until mid-day the search continued without success. They were becoming discouraged and were losing all hope of finding survivors.

Some groups went to the savanna; they thought as Jacinto had supposed that the plane had been able to reach it.

Once they were in the clearing, they scrutinized the horizon from the top of a tall tree. They couldn't see anything.

They decided to go over the field when the rest of the group got there, meanwhile, they sat down to wait in the shade of the big trees.

When everybody arrived, Jacinto gave the instructions.

"We will advance to the end of the clearing, we go in a line at a distance of two mecates each, that way we will cover the width. There we will come together and see what we will do"

When they reunited almost an hour later at the far edge of the savanna Jacinto had decided that only a part of the group would go on with the search. Some had other things that they had to do.

"Who's missing?" asked Jacinto"

"David and the ‘Chueco’- answered one of them.

"The Uicabs and the Tuns aren't here either"-said somebody else.

A little later, while the group waited, David and ‘Chueco’ appeared.

"We found it, it's about ten mecates from the edge, to the north, it's in pieces and some of the parts are burned. We didn't see anybody inside.

"Let's go and see," -ordered Jacinto-. In a matter of minutes, the entire group was at the crash-site.

They stood amazed looking at the wreckage

"There must be more pieces around; let's look."

A little later, excitedly, one of the maasewaalo'ob began to blow on the barrel of his shotgun like a trumpet. It was the signal that they had found someone.

Guided by the sound, they soon found the site.

A bloody dead body, disfigured by the crash had been found in the bushes.

"Keep looking,"-ordered Jacinto, "there might be another one around here.

Distant voices were calling. They hurried toward the sound.

There, they saw "Pil" sitting next to a Tsuul lying unmoving on the ground. "He is alive, Jacinto, he's still breathing."

Jacinto looked at his chest to see. He bent over, and carefully opened the tsuul's eye lids. There was no sign. He put his ear on his chest to listen for his heart.

"He's alive, prepare a stretcher to carry him and you guys" -he said pointing to a group, "wrap up the dead body and take him"

Minutes later the "máasewáalob" were taking both bodies to town.

The airplane crash caused a great commotion in Tok’tuunich.

Most of the people gathered at Jacinto’s house. It was a relevant event. The people silently watched the wounded man, who was being carried, unconscious, in a stretcher.The dead body was wrapped and carried hanging from a pole.

On his way to town, Jacinto thought about the steps to follow: Was he going to bury the body or will he take it to town? What about the wounded man? He was obviously in bad shape, probably he wouldn't live. The cadaver wouldn't make the three days at least they would need to deliver it, it would certainly begin to decompose. With these thoughts, he arrived in the village.

"We will have to bury him." Said one of the maasewaalo'ob. It is already beginning to smell bad"

"Where should we put the injured one? He isn't doing too well, he's hardly breathing" commented the other

"We must go for help. Their clothes look military," said a third.

Jacinto ordered "Prepare a grave to bury him at once. Take his clothes, and whatever else he has on him, so that they can identify him."

"You,"-he went on, "prepare to leave tomorrow morning, the trip will be hard. We will need at 15 or 20 to carry the injured man on the stretcher, that is, if he lives, we cannot even give him anything to eat nor water until he recovers. Before nightfall they were ready.

Carmen and her children did everything they could for the injured man. They cleaned him. They took off his clothes and boots, and they were alert to any reaction.

It was late when he opened his eyes, and babbled a few incoherent phrases.

Carmen, Jacinto's daughter, woke him up immediately.

"He is talking, papa, but I can't understand what he's saying."

Jacinto reacted and went to the injured man who was looking at him expressionless.

"Give him a little orange leaf tea, little by little, but try to give him as much as possible, but don't force him"

His wife and daughters boiled the tea and when it had cooled off, they gave it to him, carefully moistening his lips and mouth. A few swallows gave Jacinto hope, which they would at least be able to find out who he was.

During the night, at intervals, he was given more tea, in his sleep, the injured man moaned from the pain of his wounds and injuries.

Long before the sun came up, the maasewaalo'ob were ready for the difficult trip to Santa Cruz.

Jacinto was trying to communicate with the injured man.

"We have to take you to Santa Cruz or Chetumal so the doctors there can help you. Don't give up. What's your name? Where is your companion?"- Jacinto didn't tell him that his companion was dead.

"I'm Lieutenant Pulido, My companion's name is Jose Sanchez. Is he hurt bad? We crashed because the engine was failing. We were going to Cozumel, to assemble. Please, advise the authorities."

Jacinto didn't answer. He took note of the information and briefly commented .

"Don't worry, we are on our way to the doctor now."

The wounded man closed his eyes with a painful grimace.

Jacinto left the house.

"Are we ready, let's go, the sooner the better. We will only stop for a short rest. Tomorrow we will be in Santa Cruz."

"That's impossible!" -somebody said.

"No, it isn't, we'll walk until late at night. Bring your lamps!"

The group left town, duly supplied for the difficult journey.

There were two long days, with a rest of no more than three hours.

Long before dawn the group went on with the intention of getting to Santa Cruz as quickly as possible. They were almost exhausted when Jacinto gave them another short rest.

"Tuyub" he said to a strong young man, "go ahead as fast as you can, take only water so you can move fast.

When you get to Santa Cruz tell them that we need help with an injured man."

The young man left, carrying only a gourd of water.

A little while later, the group renewed the forced march.

When the group came into the square of the town, they were already expected in the Government office. There were great expectations for their arrival.

The ones who were carrying the stretcher stopped in the waiting room. The injured man had lost consciousness again.

"Take him to the doctor. He is waiting for you," said a government clerk."

" The plane is ready"-said a young man," we are only waiting to see what the doctor says"

While the injured man was being examined in the doctor office, Jacinto informed the authorities about what happened. He gave them the piece of paper when he had written the information given to him by the sole survivor.

"And the dead body," he asked when he finished.

"I think we'll have to wait for the authorities to decide. They will tell us what to do. Probably, they will want to exhume it and take it to Chetumal," said the clerk.

Half an hour later they were ready to take the injured man in the plane. Because of the gravity of his injuries the doctor recommended that he be taken to Merida immediately. The doctor would go along.

"Don Jacinto, will you go to Merida? I believe the authorities will be very interested in what you can tell them personally.

Jacinto meditated his answer.

"Is it really necessary? "

"Yes, Don Jacinto, all the details will help them know what happened to the airplane"

"How will I come back"

"In the same airplane, or in another that carries merchandise and chicle."

After another, longer pause, Jacinto answered. "I would like to come back by way of Valladolid. But, I have to ask you to pay my expenses, because I didn't come prepared.

I didn't bring either clothes or money."

"Don't worry about that Jacinto, you will have what ever you need."

The small plane took off from the run-away of Carrillo Puerto for Merida.

The injured man and the doctor went in the back of the pilot in the cargo area that had been conditioned for them. Jacinto sat next to the pilot, in front of the instrument panel. In spite of his courage a sensation of fear of the unknown made his hands sweat.

Holding his breath he saw the tree at the end of the run-way coming toward him. When the plane lifted, he felt a void in his stomach and a slight vertigo minutes later the plane flew at a low altitude over the dense jungle around the town.

Jacinto contemplated flabbergasted the immensity of the green jungle that disappeared in the horizon

An hour later, the airplane slid on to the landing strip of the Merida airport.

An ambulance was waiting to transport the injured man. Jacinto was taken to some people who took his statement while the secretary typed it.

The report was completed with a great number of questions, which Jacinto answered satisfactorily.

Jacinto, with his characteristic manner of dress, stood out among the clerks.

Once the formality was finished, one of them, who seemed to be in charge said:

"Do you want to go to Carrillo Puerto? The train will be leaving in a hour."

"No sir, I am going to Valladolid, but I don't know how. It's my first time in Merida. If you can explain it to me, I will be much obliged."

The officer liked the simplicity of Jacinto. He gave an order to one of his subordinates.

"Take Don Jacinto to the railway station, but first- do you need anything else?"

"No, thank you."

He admired the streets, the traffic, and the business of the city. He would never have imagined it. It wasn't anything like Valladolid. He jumped when three airplanes passed over his head; military, according to what the driver said. A few minutes later, they arrived at the station.

Marcelo went up the stairs that lead to the hall of the main house of the Hacienda that belonged to his ancestors. Sweating from the intense noonday heat, he untied the big red bandana that protected his neck and shoulders.

He took off his wide brim straw hat and took off his leather boots to rest and cool off his tired feet.

As he sat in the ample deer skin chair, his mother crossed the room to him.

"How's the milpa, Marcelo?"

"It's ok, but not as I would like, If God sends us rain on time, it will be enough corn."

"And the cattle, I have worried about the bull"

"That stud animal that cost so much, is not functioning, we need time and care for it to get used to here, anyway that's what I think.

"It will all work out, with God's help. Marcelo sends you greetings in his letter." Said his mother.

He was thoughtful.

"I'm worried about him being so far away, there in Merida, but you know Cristina isn't comfortable with him around." Said Marcelo.

"Of course, he's not her son" she answered in a hard tone.

"It's natural, mother, you must understand, besides in Merida, there are better schools. When he finishes high school, he can go to the university. He wants to be a doctor. I hope he does."

"Don't you want to drink some cold pozole with ice?"

"No, mother, I will rest a while before I eat, what did you make?"

"Beans with salted pork, rice and beans and tomatoe sauce, and...

"Stop! You're making me hungry."

That same afternoon when he hadn't even finished his customary siesta, his mother woke him up.

"Marcelo, there somebody here to see your you'll never guess who."

"Don't tell me that it is Cristina.."

"It's Jacinto, he just got here on foot"

"From Zaci?" he couldn't believe it "How long had it been?" more than ten years since he had heard from him. What was happening?"

He went out of his room, and crossed the big hall. There in the entrance hall, sitting in an armchair, was Jacinto smiling at him.

They went toward one another to hug each other warmly. Neither of them said anything. Each one was in their own thoughts.

"Well, Marcelo, I'm glad to see you."

"Come in Jacinto, you look tired."

"I am. These have been unusual days, I am coming from Merida."

"From Merida?," Marcelo was surprised.

"From Merida, it's a long story"

Is something wrong? Tell me, you have me worried, but first would you like something? Have you eaten?

"Don't worry, let's talk first."

Jacinto began to narrate the events of the last few days.

When he was finished, Marcelo asked, "what did you think of Merida?"

"What can I say, I only was there for a couple of hours and while I waited for the train to leave, I didn't go far away from the station, compared with Valladolid, it is enormous, and very pretty and there are so many locomotives and trains and people, there is a park nearby."

"The Mejorada" interrupted Marcelo.

"I slept a few hours before the train left. I could hardly see the towns on the way. Yucatan is so big, so pretty.

Marcelo smiled at Jacinto's expression.

"What about you Marcelo, How have you been?"

"I have been married for more than 10 years. I have a daughter. I am here most of the time in charge of the work. You can't imagine how much there is to do. The planting, the horses, the cattle, the orchard, the up keep of the house. It was abandoned after my father died. You can imagine."

"Yes, I can imagine." said Jacinto.

" My wife lives in Valladolid. I go there on Friday and I come back on Monday. Sometimes, I stay away all week.

My wife is very young. She doesn't like to come into the country, there isn't any electricity here, no ice, and no more than what I bring. I am thinking of buying a gas refrigerator. You know to live in the country, you have to like it.

She is a city girl, an authentic Tsuul.

Jacinto smiled a little.

"Let's go so you can eat, the dining room is over here" indicated Marcelo. "Let's go into the kitchen where your mother is," answered Jacinto.

In minutes, Jacinto was eating the beans with pork with a good appetite.

Marcelo didn't interrupt him with the disordered questions that jumped into his head.

"Your children... and Carmen... I want you to give them my love.

"Your god-son is almost a man my daughter Carmen is already married.

You know how kids grow; the youngest, Dol, is very active."

"How is the school"

"The teachers don't stay very long. It's unusual if one stays two or three months... they don't come back, or stay away for a long time.

However many people now speak Spanish, and they can read and write"

It’s something anyway."

"And the others?"

"Nothing special, we still have problems with the chicle and the lumber also, with the young people defying our authority; there is a lot of rebellion."

"Did they recruit people for the army for the war against Germany and Japan?

"Not one, they came to town two years ago, and then they never came back."

"You haven't asked me about, Marcelo, Leonor's son"...

"I thought he was in Zaci. I didn't have time to ask there in your house. The servants only told me that you were here in the hacienda; they told me how to get here... you know the people Zaci look at us like strange people."

"Marcelo studies in Merida, he is almost a young man, if you see him, you won't recognize him. He looks more like your sister. Since I got married, the things got difficult and my mother preferred to live on the hacienda. So I decided that she should come here, and your nephew should continue his studies in Merida. Now everything is fine, my wife is happy... Did you meet her?"...

"I didn't have an opportunity I only talked to the servants."

After Jacinto ate, both of them sat down in the wide hall. They talked about everything, they remembered old times, and in the evening, they retired to the big bedroom. After a refreshing bath, they had a coffee in the dining room.

The conversation went on until night when Marcelo's mother said goodnight. The two friends also went to their rooms. Between phrases and phrases, both of them fell asleep.

Jacinto spent two days in company of Marcelo and his mother. He saw the entire hacienda. He enjoyed a nice rest and prepared his return trip.

Back in Zaci, each one on his mount, the two friends planned future visits. Jacinto promised to come back to Zaci, and Marcelo promised to make a trip to Tuk'tuunich.

When they arrived in Zaci, Marcelo insisted.

"Let's go to my house to rest from the trip. Tomorrow you can continue."

"Thank you, Marcelo, I prefer to rest in Chichimila".

"Well, you have to take the horse, I won't take no for an answer, take it to my godson and tell him I am waiting to them here."

The two friends said good-bye and Jacinto took the road south, toward Tok'tuunich.

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El Cuyo Yucatán, a new meeting with the nature. . Travelers Guide

 

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