The day dawned with the crowing of rosters all over the small village. After everyone had breakfast, Pildo said, “Let’s see if we can get your van going. I’ll drive you to the mechanic in Mapimí that you used before. I think I know the guy. He has fixed my vehicles off and on. He can probably find a belt that will be good enough to get you to Mapimí. Then, when you get back to Mapimí, he can readjust it again. Hopefully, after this you’ll be able to make it to Torréon and get the air conditioner fixed properly.”
Arturo said, “I’ll go with Pildo. Frank, you, Gary, and Felipe might as well stay here and rest easy. It shouldn’t take us too long. I imagine we’ll be back in an hour. I have enough money left to buy a new belt. Maybe you guys can straighten up the van. Make sure all of the samples are in the burlap bags.”
Miller said with a feeling of relief, “Yeah, it’s better that you go. My Spanish might not be good enough to do the job.”
Gary, breaking into a smile, said, “Watch out for those mineral peddlers. If you’re late, we’ll know what you’ve been up to.”
Miller said, “We need to give Pildo some money for taking time to help us out. Arturo, it might also be good to offer to fill up his fuel tank once you get through in Mapimí. We’ll give him some cash later.”
Arturo and Pildo returned from Mapimí with a new belt in hand after an hour and a half. It took about forty minutes to install it. Pildo didn’t really have the right tools to get the belt fully tightened and seated, but they felt that the job he did would be good enough to get the van to Mapimí.
After saying good-bye to Pildo’s family, including the frisky dogs, the geologists headed the van towards Mapimí. Pildo said that he’d better follow the van to make sure it got at least as far as the mechanic’s shop. Miller drove very carefully, trying to keep a constant speed. The terrain was relatively flat, with only a few arroyos crossing the road and one major mountain pass. Everyone sighed in relief when they reached the mechanic’s shop. It was no fun being stranded along the road in brain-baking heat. The mechanic seated the belt as best he could on the faulty pulley. Arturo gave Pildo one hundred dollars in US currency, and with a few good-byes to everyone, the geologists took off for Torréon. Of course, the AC didn’t work, and it was not too comfortable even with the windows open—in 110-degree temperatures. In another two hours, the four geologists checked into a motel in Torréon.
Miller said, “Gary and Felipe, why don’t you take it easy at the motel. Arturo and I will try to find someone to fix the AC. The motel owner might know of someplace nearby.”
The AC repair shop that the motel owner suggested was only a few blocks away. By now, it was about two in the afternoon. Miller hoped that the repair shop could get the job done today, but this depended on whether the shop had the right part. The parts for US vehicles such as Dodge vans were often different from those manufactured in Mexico. Miller knew from past experience that it was even difficult to obtain a part for a Mexican vehicle that was over a year old.
In about two hours, the AC repair shop had repaired the AC with the proper pulley. Miller breathed a sigh of relief as they returned to the motel. At least the AC problem was behind them. Now he could relax and take the first shower that he had had in several days. Sponge baths camping out just didn’t quite cut it when it you worked in the hot sun all day. The motel had a fairly good restaurant built in, so the geologists kicked back and had a few beers and a good dinner. Tomorrow, they hoped to get at least as far as San Antonio, Texas.