Gallowsisbeingraisedinaprisonyard.AmomentbeforetheexecutiontheGirlbringsadocumentoftheyoungcommunist'stemporarypardon.Thechiefoftheprison,theMajor,hasamandolincollection.Heoffersafistfighttotheyoungcommunist.Theyoungmanhitshim.TheMajorandtheyoungcommuniststartplayingthemandolinstogether.Girlisallowedtomeettheyoungcommunist.Theboybeginstoplay.ThemelodybringstotheMajorpleasantmemories.HefoughtintheSpanishcivilwar,butafterthedefeat,heturnedbackonhisbeliefs.TheMajorreceivesatelegramthatheneedstosendtheyoungcommunisttoanotherprison.Deathawaitshimthere.InisragetheMajorbreaksthemandolins.Heorderstheyoungcommunisttobetakenouttowork.Theyoungmanrunsoff.TheMajorshootshimhimself.