A man called Perez has them brought to him and he offers them protection, but no deal is made. The next day, Rawlins is attacked and cut with a knife. John Grady takes him to the gate, and the captors take Rawlins. John Grady goes to see Perez, who, it is rumored, is not a prisoner at all. How much power Perez has no one knows. John Grady arranges to buy a knife. He has another conversation with Perez, which involves a little speech from Perez about the mind of the Anglo. Perez says Americans are godless. There is a prison fight initiated against John Grady by a hired "cuchilero," or slasher (a fighter with a knife). John Grady is badly injured, but he survives because he kills the other man with his knife. John Grady is taken to Perez's room. As his wounds are healing, he thinks of his father and horses. Finally, he is taken to the commandante's office and handed an envelope of money and learns Rawlins is waiting outside for him.
John Grady and Rawlins are let out of the prison and catch a bus to the center of Saltillo. They go to a hotel for food and a room. In their conversations, John Grady makes it clear that he does not want to leave Mexico, because he wants to see Alejandra and he doesn't want to leave the horses. Rawlins is worried for John Grady and talks about Blevins. He still can't believe that Blevins was shot.
They figure that the money John Grady was given in the envelope and their release was procured by Alejandra's great-aunt. They buy new clothes and Rawlins catches a bus for Nuevo Larado. John Grady spends a week seeing surgeons, and, finally, the stitches are removed from his face and belly.
John Grady takes a bus heading north to Monclova.
