Chapter 7

           ThewarwasoverinMay.Twoweeksbeforethegovernmentmadetheofficialannouncementinahigh-soundingproclamation,whichpromisedmercilesspunishmentforthosewhohadstartedtherebellion,ColonelAurelianoBuendíafellprisonerjustashewasabouttoreachthewesternfrontierdisguisedasanIndianwitchdoctor.Ofthetwenty-onemenwhohadfollowedhimtowar,fourteenfellincombat,sixwerewounded,andonlyoneaccompaniedhimatthemomentoffinaldefeat:ColonelGerineldoMárquez.ThenewsofhiscapturewasannouncedinMacondowithaspecialproclamation."He’salive,"úrsulatoldherhusband."Let’spraytoGodforhisenemiestoshowhimclemency."Afterthreedaysofweeping,oneafternoonasshewasstirringsomesweetmilkcandyinthekitchensheheardherson’svoiceclearlyinherear."ItwasAureliano,"sheshouted,runningtowardthechestnuttreetotellherhusbandthenews."Idon’tknowhowthemiracletookplace,buthe’salivewe’regoingtoseehimverysoon."Shetookitforgranted.Shehadthefloorsofthehousescrubbedandchangedthepositionofthefurniture.Oneweeklaterarumorfromsomewherethatwasnotsupportedbyanyproclamationgavedramaticconfirmationtotheprediction.ColonelAurelianoBuendíahadbeencondemnedtodeathandthesentencewouldbecarriedoutinMacondoasalessontothepopulation.