PARTISAN REVIEW
85
The reserve the villagers had offered Django at first was gone,
and the celebrants adopted him. He thought of the ranks of the
opposition climbing around Paricutin, waiting, uncomfortable in the
hot sun, perhaps with parasols for shade, sweating out the day on
Orange Crush and beer, watching and waiting for something, and
altogether too late.
Three masked riders with silk ribbons and mirrors waving wood–
en swords came swooping into the plaza from a side lane, on
decorated horses,
in
ceremonies of horsemen the magic riders evoked
the glad terror of catharsis for their people.
As
the fireworks pelted
the clear sky with explosions of color and light, Juanito ruled the
day and the bells rang, and Django understood why the people who
survived had taken the bells from the old church and brought them
to
the church of the living.
In departing, Django and the Kid left John David with Christie
and Timberlake. He wore plantation whites and a panama. and
stood on the steps of the big house.
"Hasta lumbego!" he cried to his liberators.
"Estados Unidas!" they replied.
"Unitas, you call us!" said Billy.
"Well Pancho?" asked Django.
"Si, Cisco...."
"See you soon! Ha !" And they were off.
