It reminded him of some Arab merchants that he had once known, ordinarily mild and pacific, who quarrelled and killed like wild beasts when Bedouin thieves seized their wares.

This was not the moment for discussion, and each must map out his own course.

So the influential senator finally yielded to the desire of his friend.

If such was his pleasure, let him carry it through! So he arranged that his mad petitioner should depart that very night on a military train that was going to meet the army.
That journey put Don Marcelo in touch with the extraordinary movement which the war had developed on the railroads.

His train took fourteen hours to cover the distance normally made in two.