As for Pablo Cabading, he was a fine strapping man, an Ilocano, who gave the impression of being taller than he was and looked every inch an agent of the law: full of brawn and guts and force, and smoldering with vitality. ... "You don't know my father-in-law," he groaned. ... When he returned to the house on Zapote the next day, his father-in-law greeted him with a sarcastic question: "Where were you? ...

• Word Count: 5098
• Approx Pages: 20
• Grade Level: High School

THEMES Betrayal Patrick Maloney's unexplained decision to leave his pregnant wife. This violation of the marriage-vow is obviously not the only betrayal in the story, however. Mary's killing of her husband is perhaps the ultimate betrayal. Her elaborately planned alibi and convincing lies to the de...

• Word Count: 2792
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School

Now, when all he can do is struggle to stay alive as long as possible, a deus ex machina (an improbable or unexpected device or character that suddenly appears to resolve a situation) appears, at the last possible moment, in the form of the naval officer who brings the boys back to the world of law, order, and society. ...

• Word Count: 11237
• Approx Pages: 45
• Grade Level: High School