From this court one passes to the pit, a circle with seats terraced tothe roof, filled during the combats with a mass of men and children;scarcely ever does a woman risk herself so far. Here it is thatdestiny distributes smiles and tears, hunger and joyous feasts.
Entering, we recognize at once the gobernadorcillo, Captain Basilio,and Jose, the man with the scar, so cast down by the death of hisbrother. And here comes Captain Tiago, dressed like the sporting man,in a canton flannel shirt, woollen trousers, and a jipijapa hat. Heis followed by two servants with his cocks. A combat is soon arrangedbetween one of these and a famous cock of Captain Basilio's. Thenews spreads, and a crowd gathers round, examining, considering,forecasting, betting.
While men were searching their pockets for their last cuarto, or inlieu of it were engaging their word, promising to sell the carabao,the next crop, and so forth, two young fellows, brothers apparently,looked on with envious eyes. Jose watched them by stealth, smilingevilly. Then making the pesos sound in his pocket, he passed thebrothers, looking the other way and crying:
"I pay fifty; fifty against twenty for the lasak!"
The brothers looked at each other discontentedly.
"I told you not to risk all the money," said the elder. "If you hadlistened to me----"
The younger approached Jose and timidly touched his arm.
"What! It's you?" he cried, turning and feigning surprise. "Does yourbrother accept my proposition?"
"He won't do it. But if you would lend us something, as you say youknow us----"
Jose shook his head, shifted his position, and replied:
"Yes, I know you; you are Tarsilo and Bruno; and I know that yourvaliant father died from the club strokes of these soldiers. I knowyou don't think of vengeance----"
"Don't concern yourself with our history," said the elder brother,joining them; "that brings misfortune. If we hadn't a sister, weshould have been hanged long ago!"
"Hanged! Only cowards are hanged. Besides, the mountain isn't so far."
"A hundred against fifty for the bulik!" cried some one passing.
"Loan us four pesos--three--two," begged Bruno. Jose again shookhis head.
"Sh! the money isn't mine. Don Crisostomo gave it to me for those whoare willing to serve him. But I see you are not like your father;he was courageous. The man who is not must not expect to diverthimself." And he moved away.
"See!" said Bruno, "he's talking with Pedro; he's giving him a lotof money!" And in truth Jose was counting silver pieces into the palmof Sisa's husband.
Tarsilo was moody and thoughtful; with his shirt sleeve he wiped thesweat from his forehead.
"Brother," said Bruno, "I'm going, if you don't; our father mustbe avenged!"
"Wait," said Tarsilo, gazing into his eyes--they were both pale--"I'mgoing with you. You are right: our father must be avenged!" But hedid not move, and again wiped his brow.
"What are you waiting for?" demanded Bruno impatiently.
"Don't you think--our poor sister----"
"Bah! Isn't Don Crisostomo the chief, and haven't we seen him withthe governor-general? What risk do we run?"
"And if we die?"
"Did not our poor father die under their clubs?"
"You are right!"
The brothers set out to find Jose, but hesitation again possessedTarsilo.
"No; come away! we're going to ruin ourselves!" he cried.
"Go on if you want to. I shall accept!"
"Bruno!"
Unhappily a man came up and asked:
"Are you betting? I'm for the lasak."
"How much?" demanded Bruno.
The man counted his pieces.
"I have two hundred; fifty against forty!"
"No!" said Bruno resolutely.
"Good! Fifty against thirty!"
"Double it if you will."
"A hundred against sixty, then!"
"Agreed! Wait while I go for the money," and turning to his brotherhe said:
"Go away if you want to; I shall stay!"
Tarsilo reflected. He loved Bruno, and he loved sport.
"I am with you," he said. They found Jose.
"Uncle," said Tarsilo, "how much will you give?" "I've told youalready; if you will promise to find others to help surprisethe quarters, I'll give you thirty pesos each, and ten to eachcompanion. If all goes well, they will each receive a hundred, andyou double. Don Crisostomo is rich!"
"Agreed!" cried Bruno; "give us the money!"
"I knew you were like your father! Come this way, so that those whokilled him cannot hear us," said Jose. And drawing them into a corner,he added as he counted out the money:
"Don Crisostomo has come and brought the arms. To-morrow night ateight o'clock meet me in the cemetery. I will give you the finalword. Go find your companions." And he left them.
The brothers appeared to have exchanged roles. Tarsilo now seemedundisturbed; Bruno was pale. They went back to the crowd, which wasleaving the circle for the raised seats. Little by little the placebecame silent. Only the soltadores were left in the ring holding twococks, with exaggerated care, looking out for wounds. The silencebecame solemn; the spectators became mere caricatures of men; thefight was about to begin.
XLV.
A CALL.
Two days later Brother Salvi presented himself at the house ofCaptain Tiago. The Franciscan was more gaunt and pale than usual;but as he went up the steps a strange light shone in his eyes, andhis lips parted in a strange smile. Captain Tiago kissed his hand,and took his hat and cane, smiling beatifically.
"I bring good news," said the curate as he entered the drawing-room;"good news for everybody. I have letters from Manila confirmingthe one Senor Ibarra brought me, so that I believe, Don Santiago,the obstacle is quite removed."
Maria Clara, seated at the piano, made a movement to rise, but herstrength failed her and she had to sit down again. Linares grew pale;Captain Tiago lowered his eyes.
"The young man seems to me very sympathetic," said the curate. "Atfirst I misjudged him. He is impulsive, but when he commits a fault,he knows so well how to atone for it that one is forced to forgivehim. If it were not for Father Damaso----" And the curate flashed aglance at Maria Clara. She was listening with all her being, but didnot take her eyes off her music, in spite of the pinches that wereexpressing Sinang's joy. Had they been alone they would have danced.
"But Father Damaso has said," continued the curate, without losingsight of Maria Clara, "that as godfather he could not permit; but,indeed, I believe if Senor Ibarra will ask his pardon everything willarrange itself."
Maria rose, made an excuse, and with Victorina left the room.
"And if Father Damaso does not pardon him?" asked Don Santiago in alow voice.
"Then Maria Clara must decide. But I believe the matter can bearranged."
The sound of an arrival was heard, and Ibarra entered. His coming madea strange impression. Captain Tiago did not know whether to smile orweep. Father Salvi rose and offered his hand so affectionately thatCrisostomo could scarcely repress a look of surprise.
"Where have you been all day?" demanded wicked Sinang. "We askedeach other: 'What can have taken that soul newly rescued fromperdition?' and each of us had her opinion."
"And am I to know what each opinion was?"
"No, not yet! Tell me where you went, so I can see who made thebest guess."
"That's a secret too; but I can tell you by yourself if these gentlemenwill permit."
"Certainly, certainly?" said Father Salvi. Sinang drew Crisostomo tothe other end of the great room.
"Tell me, little friend," said he, "is Maria angry with me?"
"I don't know. She says you had best forget her, and then shecries. This morning when we were wondering where you were I said totease her: 'Perhaps he has gone a-courting.' But she was quite grave,and said: 'It is God's will!'"
"Tell Maria I must see her alone," said Ibarra, troubled.
"It will be difficult, but I'll try to manage it."
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"And when shall I know?"
"To-morrow. But you are going without telling me the secret!"
"So I am. Well, I went to the pueblo of Los Banos to see about somecocoanut trees!"
"What a secret!" cried Sinang aloud in a tone of a usurer despoiled.
"Take care, I really don't want you to speak of it."
"I've no desire to," said Sinang scornfully. "If it had been reallyof importance I should have told my friends; but cocoanuts, cocoanuts,who cares about cocoanuts!" and she ran off to find Maria.
Conversation languished, and Ibarra soon took his leave. Captain Tiagowas torn between the bitter and the sweet. Linares said nothing. Onlythe curate affected gayety and recounted tales.
XLVI.
A CONSPIRACY.
The bell was announcing the time of prayer the evening after. At itssound every one stopped his work and uncovered. The laborer coming fromthe fields checked his song; the woman in the streets crossed herself;the man caressed his cock and said the Angelus, that chance might favorhim. And yet the curate, to the great scandal of pious old ladies,was running through the street toward the house of the alferez. Hedashed up the steps and knocked impatiently. The alferez opened.
"Ah, father, I was just going to see you; your young buck----"
"I've something very important----" began the breathless curate.
"I can't allow the fences to be broken; if he comes back, I shallfire on him."
"Who knows whether to-morrow you will be alive," said the curate,going on toward the reception-room.
"What? You think that youngster is going to kill me?"
"Senor alferez, the lives of all of us are in danger!"
"What?"
The curate pointed to the door, which the alferez closed in hiscustomary fashion.
"Now, go ahead," he said calmly.
"Did you see how I ran? When I thus forget myself, there is somegrave reason."
"And this time it is----"
The curate approached him and spoke low.
"Do you--know--of nothing--new?"
The alferez shrugged his shoulders.
"Are you speaking of Elias?"
"No, no! I'm speaking of a great peril!"
"Well, finish then!" cried the exasperated alferez.
The curate lowered his voice mysteriously:
"I have discovered a conspiracy!"
The alferez gave a spring and looked at the curate in stupefaction.
"A terrible conspiracy, well organized, that is to break out to-night!"
The alferez rushed across the room, took down his sabre from the wall,and grasped his revolver.
"Whom shall I arrest?" he cried.
"Be calm! There is plenty of time, thanks to the haste with which Icame. At eight o'clock----"
"They shall be shot, all of them!"
"Listen! It is a secret of the confessional, discovered to me by awoman. At eight o'clock they are to surprise the barracks, sack theconvent, and assassinate all the Spaniards."
The alferez stood dumbfounded.
"Be ready for them; ambush your soldiers; send me four guards forthe convent! You will earn your promotion to-night! I only ask youto make it known that it was I who warned you."
"It shall be known, father; it shall be known, and, perhaps, it willbring down a mitre!" replied the alferez, his eyes on the sleeves ofhis uniform.
While this conversation was in progress, Elias was running toward thehouse of Ibarra. He entered and was shown to the laboratory, whereCrisostomo was passing the time until the hour of his appointmentwith Maria Clara.
"Ah! It is you, Elias?" he said, without noticing the tremor of thehelmsman. "See here! I've just made a discovery: this piece of bamboois non-combustible."
"Senor, there is no time to talk of that; take your papers and flee!"
Ibarra looked up amazed, and, seeing the gravity of the helmsman'sface, let fall the piece of bamboo.
"Leave nothing behind that could compromise you, and may an hour fromthis time find you in a safer place than this!"
"What does all this mean?"
"That there is a conspiracy on foot which will be attributed to you. Ihave this moment been talking with a man hired to take part in it."
"Did he tell you who paid him?"
"He said it was you."
Ibarra stared in stupid amazement.
"Senor, you haven't a moment to lose. The plot is to be carriedout to-night."
Crisostomo still gazed at Elias, as if he did not understand.
"I learned of it too late; I don't know the leaders; I can donothing. Save yourself, senor!"
"Where can I go? I am due now at Captain Tiago's," said Ibarra,beginning to come out of his trance.
"To another pueblo, to Manila, anywhere! Destroy your papers! Fly,and await events!"
"And Maria Clara? No! Better die!"
Elias wrung his hands.
"Prepare for the accusation, at all events. Destroy your papers!"
"Aid me then," said Crisostomo, in almost helpless bewilderment. "Theyare in these cabinets. My father's letters might compromise me. Youwill know them by the addresses." And he tore open one drawer afteranother. Elias worked to better purpose, choosing here, rejectingthere. Suddenly he stopped, his pupils dilated; he turned a paperover and over in his hand, then in a trembling voice he asked:
"Your family knew Don Pedro Eibarramendia?"
"He was my great-grandfather."
"Your great-grandfather?" repeated Elias, livid.
"Yes," said Ibarra mechanically, and totally unobservant of Elias. "Thename was too long; we cut it."
"Was he a Basque?" asked Elias slowly.
"Yes; but what ails you?" said Crisostomo, looking round and recoilingbefore the hard face and clenched fists of Elias.
"Do you know who Don Pedro Eibarramendia was? Don Pedro Eibarramendiawas the wretch who caused all our misfortune! I have long beensearching for his descendants; God has delivered you into myhands! Look at me! Do you think I have suffered? And you live, andyou love, and have a fortune and a home; you live, you live!" and,beside himself, he ran toward a collection of arms on the wall. Butno sooner had he reached down two poniards than he dropped them,looking blindly at Ibarra, who stood rigid.
"What was I going to do?" he said under his breath, and he fled likea madman.
XLVII.
THE CATASTROPHE.
Captain Tiago, Aunt Isabel, and Linares were dining. Maria Clarahad said she was not hungry, and was at the piano with Sinang. Thetwo girls had arranged this moment for meeting Ibarra away from toowatchful eyes. The clock struck eight.
"He's coming! Listen!" cried the laughing Sinang.
He entered, white and sad. Maria Clara, in alarm, started toward him,but before any one could speak a fusilade sounded in the street; thenrandom pistol shots, and cries and clamor. Crisostomo seemed gluedto the floor. The diners came running in crying: "The tulisanes! Thetulisanes!" Aunt Isabel fell on her knees half dead from fright,Captain Tiago was weeping. Some one rushed about fastening thewindows. The tumult continued outside; then little by little therefell a dreadful silence. Presently the alferez was heard crying outas he ran through the street:
"Father Salvi! Father Salvi!"
"Mercy!" exclaimed Aunt Isabel. "The alferez is asking for confession!"
"The alferez is wounded!" murmured Linares, with an expression ofthe utmost relief.
"The tulisanes have killed the alferez! Maria, Sinang, into yourchamber! Barricade the door!"
In spite of the protests of Aunt Isabel, Ibarra went out into thestreet. Everything seemed turning round and round him; his ears rang;he could scarcely move his limbs. Spots of blood, flashes of light anddarkness alternated before his eyes. The streets were deserted, but thebarracks were in confusion, and voices came from the tribunal, that ofthe alferez dominating all the others. Ibarra passed unchallenged, andreached his home, where his servants were anxiously watching for him.
"Saddle me the best h
orse and go to bed," he said to them.
He entered his cabinet and began to pack a valise. He had put in hismoney and jewels and Maria's picture and was gathering up his paperswhen there came three resounding knocks at the house door.
"Open in the name of the King! Open or we force the door!" said animperious voice. Ibarra armed himself and looked toward the window;then changed his mind, threw down his revolver, and went to thedoor. Three guards immediately seized him.
"I make you prisoner in the name of the King!" said the sergeant.
"Why?"
"You will learn at the tribunal; I am forbidden to talk with you."
"I am at your disposition. It will not be for, I suppose, long."
"If you promise not to try to escape us, we may leave your hands free;the alferez grants you that favor."