In the 1950s, Old Century, an older American white man, is stranded in the forests of Mexico with an injured leg and very few resources. He had let two young men, Tolling and McDaniels, convince him to fly them to Mexico to search for gold. Old Century is no stranger to Mexico and has been on various expeditions with his old company, dating back to the turn of the century, hence his nickname. He knows the names of the rivers and how to get around the area; he even once had a native love named Concha, who was kidnapped by bandits years back. Now, Old Century can only do so much with the resources he has, since he has an injured leg and must move on a makeshift crutch. It has been weeks since the plane crash, when the engine gave out mid-flight. Old Century is sure Tolling and McDaniels are dead; they left him behind to search for civilization after Old Century refused to let them carry him. He is sure he would have seen traces of the two by now; they must not have survived the swampland. He thinks about how only a gringo would have held onto survival for this long, while an Indian would have died long ago with dignity. Old Century sees Tolling's suitcase and knows there is alcohol in it. He also knows that once he begins drinking, that will be the end of him. The old man drinks one bottle slowly, enjoying himself and even starting to regain his appetite, then starts on the other. He then writes a note in a mixture of Spanish and English that Old Century has died happy, knowing the Indians will find the note and bring it into town. Then, Old Century lowers himself into the Chacaljá River and lets himself float away.