Brilliant analysis of both Call and McCrae, LEJ! You may be right that Gus did what was most appropriate for him, given his quixotic nature. Many Indian warriors would have done something similar, also being romantics and fatalists by nature. And yes, that was part of what attracted the ladies...

And you're right about Call's sense of duty driving him. His kind of psychology gives me the creeps. Military regimes of the worst sort have so often capitalized on that quality in people, finding willing heroes and loyal killers to murder and destroy for them. You can win iron crosses and congressional medals of honour with such dedication...often posthumously.

At any rate, I enjoyed reading your angle on the whole thing thoroughly. As always, it shows there are many valid ways to look at something.

- LH