Chapter 5 Summary

General Tomas Arroyo introduces himself. Because he has given himself that military title, the old gringo knows the general will test him and push him to see how far he will go. As the others realize that the general is not angry about the coin, they give the gringo a sombrero and force food and mescal on him. They assume he has been a military man in the United States and call him "general." He clarifies that he was a topographical engineer for the Indiana Volunteers in the American Civil War.

The group amazed that the old gringo is talking about a war from fifty years before. They introduce themselves as they visit over the meal. The old gringo earns their respect by eating spicy tacos and hot chilies without reacting, and he drinks the mescal without being bothered by the worm in...