ues. A military battle itself is mystically affected by the "scent of roses given off by [Gertrudis'] body." The hero of the battle---inspired one moment by revolutionary ideas to the point that he was killing other men and putting his own life courageously on the line---suddenly stops in the middle of his killing a government soldier:
A pink cloud floated toward him, wrapped itself around him, and made him set out at a gallop toward Mama Elena's ranch. . . . A higher power was controlling his actions. . . . The aroma from Gertrudis' body guided him. . . . This woman desperately needed a man to quench the red-hot fire that was raging inside her (51).
In other words, satisfying Gertrudis sexually was more important to this brave rebe
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