The next dawn was like any other dawn for all, except for Fierro and Sombra. They saddled their horses and continued north, through the Argentine Mesopotamia, crossed the River Uruguay and headed away from Montevideo, under siege by Oribe, a local ally of Argentine Rosas. Oribe was fighting against liberals and foreigners; traitors, according to Fierro.

As they made their way to the River Uruguay, before leaving Argentina, Sombra put Fierro on the spot

“What do you know about Perón, Fierro?”

“That he was a friend of the people. He was on Rosas side, wasn't he, Sombra?”

“It's disputed, Fierro, but you are right; in many ways he was a modern Rosas. He governed with an iron fist and was supported by the people. Does that make him a hero, Fierro?”

“To most, including me, that does make him a hero, for sure, Sombra. Not to you?”

“I think you may be right, Fierro. In many ways he was like you: proud and defying.”

“Nonsense, Sombra. He was much more than I could hope to be. To me, he was educated enough, he had a wife who was admired and loved by all.”

“Indeed, Fierro, he did. And no children. Argentines could see themselves as his children, and he was protective of them. Those whom the Perón couple favored fought for them earnestly.”

“Does it surprise you, Sombra? Perón sounds like the leader of a montonera. Wasn't he?”

“In many ways he was, Fierro, but he had a vision, too.”

“What vision, Sombra?”

“He drew the people out of the saladeros and gave them dignity, making them citizens of a brighter Argentina. He made them feel good and they supported him. He realized it was not enough to just pay them higher salaries; he wanted to add value to their work, so the fruits of their labor would be better paid in larger markets. He promoted industry.”

“A hero to me, Sombra. The owners of the saladeros can't have liked him much.”