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23. Joselito’s Confidences
- The Catholic University of America Press
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208 [ 23 ] JOSE LITO’ S C ONFIDENCES it is iMPerAtive now to come back to the doctor, who, as the reader probably suspects, continued in the hands of Joselito el Seco. Shortly after being waylaid, the doctor realized that Joselito was going in search of his daughter, with the intention of abducting her from Father Piñón’s house, where, from spies and friends that he had in Villabermeja, he had learned that she was hiding. Father Piñón and María had prepared for this surprise in time, allowing her to flee without anyone knowing where. The doctor suffered through a long, tedious questioning by Joselito, who, apprised of the fact that his daughter was in love with the doctor, found himself at a loss to explain that nocturnal journey of Don Faustino’s. Joselito did not suspect that his daughter, who had been informed that he was coming in search of her, had escaped and that the doctor was pursuing her, but even if that had been the case it was now too late to catch up with her. Don Faustino, nevertheless , concealed María’s flight and fished for reasons to explain his nocturnal journey, until he saw that Joselito, by a meandering route, was taking him back to Villabermeja with the obvious intention of a forced entry into Father Piñón’s house. So as to avoid this eventuality, the doctor, when they neared the town, revealed that María had in fact fled and that he had gone off in pursuit of her. Joselito demanded that the doctor give his word of honor that he was telling the truth. Then, convinced that the doctor wasn’t deceiving him, the outlaw leader took stock of the situation and JOSE LITO ’S CONF IDE NCES 209 decided, in a fit of anger, that it was impossible now to overtake or stop his daughter before she reached a certain point, where she was safe. As a result, Joselito desisted from entering Villabermeja, and he and his band and his prisoner wandered about for many days, away from the main roads, spending nights at country houses and farms where Joselito had partisans and accomplices. The doctor, completely disoriented now, did not know in what location, nor even in what province of Andalusia, he was. Trusting in the word of honor that the doctor had given and in the obligation that he had assumed, Joselito allowed him to ride his mare and keep his arms, and, to all appearances, altogether freely, although two of the outlaws watched him constantly. The doctor was not permitted to write to his mother no matter how much he asked. Apart from this, he was treated with all the luxury, consideration, and attention possible in that vagabond life. A number of times several members of the band separated from Joselito, and Don Faustino surmised that it was for some robbery or holdup of little importance because then they would return, and he noticed them talking to the leader and dividing and apportioning money. Meanwhile, the doctor was getting increasingly more desperate, beside himself as he brooded over the reason he was taken captive and failed to hit upon one. Joselito was a man of so few words that there was no way for the doctor to clear it up, no matter how much he asked him. Finally, one night when they lodged at a country house that must have belonged to some wealthy man, because there were quite comfortable and nicely furnished bedrooms, Joselito told the doctor that he wished to speak to him alone. Together they went up to the doctor’s room, which was the most elegant and luxurious one, and there had the following conversation: “Señor don Faustino,” said Joselito elSeco, “it was not my intention to kidnap you. I was going in search of my daughter; I came across you by chance; I recognized you, and give thanks to heaven for my good memory and for how much you resemble your father, because if I hadn’t recognized you, you would already be carrion for crows. As I was saying, I recognized you and kept you with me and my band. Today I want to and should tell you my intentions and a lot of things that are important to me and important to you.” “Talk away, Joselito,” interrupted the doctor. “I’ve been consumed by curiosity for days.” Both speakers then sat down on chairs, face to face, next...