RecabarrenFrame witness / bar owner
Paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak after a stroke, he lies on his cot observing events through his window, serving as the story's confined narrative anchor.
The Black ManAntagonist / avenger
A traveling singer defeated in a song contest who has waited seven years at the bar to avenge his brother's death at Fierro's hands; kills Fierro in the knife fight.
Martín FierroProtagonist / fated killer
The horseman who arrives after seven years; killed the black man's brother; delays the encounter to see his children first; is fatally wounded in the knife fight.
the strangerthe other man
The BoyMinor figure
A boy with Indian-like features, possibly Recabarren's son, who opens the door briefly and signals to Recabarren that no one of consequence is around.