CHAPTER XVI
THE HOISTING CRANE.
While two of the actors were singing the Incarnatus est in thechurch at the celebration of mass on the last day of the fiesta,and all were kneeling and the priests were bowing their heads, a manwhispered in Ibarra's ear: "During the ceremony of the blessing ofthe corner stone, do not go near the priest, do not go in the ditch,do not approach the corner stone. Your life will depend on it."
Ibarra looked and saw that it was Elias, the pilot, but, as soon ashe had spoken, he lost himself in the crowd.
The yellow-skinned man kept his word. It was not a simple liftingcrane which he had built over the ditch for the purpose of loweringthe enormous block of granite. It was not the mere tripod which NorJuan had wanted for holding a tackle-block. It was something more. Itwas at the same time a machine and an ornament, grand and imposing.
The confusing and complicated scaffolding had been raised to a heightof more than eight meters. Four heavy timbers buried in the groundand supporting each other with colossal, diagonal braces, servedas the base. The braces were joined to each other by immense nails,about half driven into the wood, perhaps because the apparatus wasonly of a provisional nature, and it could then be more easily takendown. Enormous cables were hanging from all sides, giving the entireapparatus an aspect of solidity and grandeur. The top was gay withflags and banners of various colors, floating pennants, and massivegarlands of flowers and leaves, all artistically interwoven.
On high, in the shade of the projecting timbers, banners and wreaths,a large three-wheeled tackle-block was suspended by ropes and ironhooks. Over the shining rims of these pulleys great cables passed,holding suspended in the air a massive stone. The center of this stonehad been chiseled out so that when lowered upon the hollowed stone,which had already been placed in the ditch, a small enclosure would beformed between the two. This space was to contain an account of theceremonies, newspapers, manuscripts and coins, to be transmitted,perhaps, to other generations, in the far distant future. Fromthis tackle-block at the top of the structure, the cable passeddown to another smaller pulley which was fastened at the base of theapparatus. Through this pulley, the cable passed to the cylinder of awindlass which was held to the ground by massive beams. This windlasswhich can be operated by only two hands, multiplies man's strength bymeans of a series of cog-wheels. Although there is a gain in force,there is of course a loss in velocity.
"Look!" said the yellow-skinned man, as he gave the crank aturn. "Look, Nor Juan, with my strength alone, I can raise and lowerthat massive block of stone. This is so nicely arranged that I cancontrol the ascent or descent of the stone by inches. Thus one manbelow can arrange the two stones in place, while I manipulate theapparatus from here."
Nor Juan could but admire the man as he smiled in such a peculiarmanner. The curious people standing about made comments and praisedthe yellow-skinned man for his work.
"Who taught you the mechanism?" asked Nor Juan.
"My father, my father who is now dead," he replied, with that samepeculiar smile.
"And who taught your father?"
"Don Saturnino, the grandfather of Don Crisostomo."
"I did not know that Don Saturnino----"
"Oh, he knew a good many things. Not only did he know how to whip welland how to expose his workmen to the rays of the sun, but he knew alsohow to awaken the sleeping and how to make those awake sleep. In time,you will see what my father has taught me, you will see!"
And the yellow fellow smiled in a strange manner.
At two eating stands, there was now being prepared a sumptuous andabundant breakfast. However, on the table designated for the littleones of the school, there was no wine, but instead a larger amountof fruit. In a covered passage which joined the two stands, therewere seats for the musicians and a table covered with sweetmeats,candies and flasks of water, ornamented with leaves and flowers,for the thirsty public.
The crowd, resplendent in gay-colored clothes, was already fleeing fromthe hot rays of the sun and gathering under the shade of the treesor of the covering. The small boys climbed the trees near the place,in order to get a better view of the ceremony, and looked with envyupon the school children, who, clean and well dressed, were occupyinga place designated for them. The fathers of the school children wereenthusiastic. They, poor countrymen that they were, would have thepleasure of seeing their children eat on a white table cloth, justlike the curate and the Alcalde. Merely to think of it was enough todrive away their hunger.
Soon strains of music were heard in the distance. A promiscuouscrowd of persons of all ages and dress was preceding the band. Theyellow-looking man was uneasy and was examining the whole apparatus. Acurious countryman was also following his glances and was observingevery movement he made. This countryman was Elias, who had also come toattend the ceremony. His hat and his style of dress almost concealedhis identity. He had secured the best possible place for himself,right up close to the crane, on the edge of the excavation.
With the band of music came the Alcalde, the officials of the town, thefriars, with the exception of Father Damaso, and the Spanish employeesof the Government. Ibarra was conversing with the Alcalde, for they hadbecome quite friendly from the time the young man paid him some highcompliments on his insignia, decorations and cordon. Pride in belongingto an aristocratic family was a weakness of His Excellency. CaptainTiago, the alferez and several wealthy persons, with their shiningsilk hats, walked along, surrounded by a group of youngsters. FatherSalvi followed, the same as ever, silent and pensive.
The young man could feel his heart beat as they approached thedesignated place. Instinctively, he glanced at the strange-lookingscaffolding which had been raised there. He saw, too, theyellow-looking man who saluted him with respect, and, for a moment,Ibarra fixed his eyes on him. To his surprise, Ibarra also discoveredElias on the edge of the excavation. He gave the young pilot asignificant look, letting him understand that he remembered what hehad said in the church.
The curate put on his sacerdotal vestments and began the ceremony. Theone-eyed sacristan mayor held the book and a choir boy was chargedwith the water-sprinkler and the vessel of blessed water. The otherswho stood around about, their heads uncovered, maintained a deepsilence. In spite of the fact that Father Salvi read in a low tone,it could be noticed that his voice trembled.
In the meantime the articles, such as manuscripts, newspapers,medals and coins, which were to be placed in the corner stone hadbeen enclosed in a little glass box, and hermetically sealed in aleaden cylinder.
"Senor Ibarra, do you wish to put the box in its place? The curateawaits it," said the Alcalde to Ibarra.
"I would do so with much pleasure," replied he, "but I would beusurping the honorable duty of the Senor Notary. The Notary ought toattest the act."
The Notary took it seriously, descended the carpeted stairs to thebottom of the excavation and, with fitting solemnity, deposited thebox in the hollow which had been made in the stone. The curate thentook up the sprinkler and sprinkled the stones with holy water.
The time had now come for each one to put his trowelful of mortar onthe surface of the stone, which lay in the ditch, so that the otherstone might fit upon it and be made to adhere to it.
Ibarra presented the Alcalde with a trowel, upon whose wide silverblade was engraved the date. But His Excellency first delivered anaddress in Spanish.
"Citizens of San Diego," he said in a solemn tone. "I have the honor topreside at a ceremony the importance of which you already understand. Aschool is being founded. The school is the base of society. The schoolis the book in which is written the future of the people. Show methe schools of a people and I will tell you what those people are.
"Citizens of San Diego! Thank God that he has given you virtuouspriests; and the Mother Country that she untiringly diffuses hercivilization over these fertile islands, protected by her gloriousflag. Thank God that she has had pity for you, bringing you thesehumble priests that they may enlighten you and teach
you the divineword. Thank the Government for the great sacrifices it has made,makes now and will make in the future for you and your sons.
"And now that the first stone of this great edifice has been blessed,I, Alcalde Mayor of this province, in the name of His Majesty,the King, whom God guard, King of the Spains, in the name of theillustrious Spanish Government, and under its spotless and evervictorious banner, I consecrate this act and begin the building ofthis school.
"Citizens of San Diego! Long live the King! Long live Spain! Long livethe Church! Long live the priests! Long live the Catholic religion!"
"Viva! Viva!" replied the others. "Long live the Alcalde!"
The Alcalde majestically descended to the accompaniment of the musicwhich had begun to play. He placed some trowels of mortar on thestone and with equal majesty ascended the stairs.
The Government employees applauded.
Ibarra offered another silver trowel to the curate, who, after fixinghis eyes on him for a moment, descended slowly to the bottom of theexcavation. When about half way down the stairs, he raised his eyesto look at the stone which hung suspended in the air by the powerfulcables, but he only looked at it for a second and then descended. Hedid the same as the Alcalde had done, but this time more applausewas heard, for the Government employees were assisted by the otherfriars and Captain Tiago.
Father Salvi seemed to be searching for some one to whom to hand thetrowel. He looked with hesitation toward Maria Clara, but, changinghis mind, he offered it to the Notary. The latter, for the sake ofgallantry, approached Maria Clara, who declined it with a smile. Thefriars, the Government employees and the alferez, one after anotherwent down and repeated the ceremony. Captain Tiago was not forgotten.
Ibarra had been omitted. He was about to order the yellow man to lowerthe other stone, when the curate remembered him. In a pleasant toneand, with an affectation of familiarity, he said to him. "Aren't yougoing to put on your trowelful, Senor Ibarra?"
"I would be like the fellow who made the stew and then ate it,"replied the young man in the same tone.
"O, go on!" said the Alcalde, giving him a gentle push. "If you don't,I will order them not to lower the stone and then we will have towait here till Judgment Day."
So terrible a threat forced Ibarra to obey. He exchanged the smallsilver trowel for a larger iron one, which made some of the peoplesmile. He advanced quietly and descended the stairs. Elias looked athim with an indescribable expression. If you had seen him, you wouldhave thought that all his life was concentrated in his eyes. Theyellow man looked down into the abyss opening at his feet.
Ibarra, after glancing at the stone which hung over his head, and thenat Elias and the yellow man, said to Nor Juan in a trembling voice:"Give me the bucket of mortar and find another trowel for me above."
The young man stood alone. Elias was no longer looking at him; his eyesinstead were riveted on the yellow man's hand, while the latter leanedover the ditch and followed with anxiety the movements of Ibarra.
The noise of the trowel removing a mass of sand and lime was heard,accompanied by the low murmur of the employees who were congratulatingthe Alcalde on his address.
Suddenly there was a frightful creaking. The pulley which was tied tothe base of the crane jumped and then the windlass struck the apparatuslike a battering-ram. The timbers swayed, ropes flew into the air and,in a second, all came down with a terrible crash. A cloud of dust wasraised, and a thousand cries filled the air. Nearly all fled; a fewhurried to the ditch. Only Maria Clara and Father Salvi remained intheir places without moving, both pale and silent.
When the cloud of dust had partially cleared away, Ibarra could beseen standing among a mass of beams, bamboos, and cables, betweenthe windlass and the massive stone, which in its descent had shakenand crushed everything. The young man was still holding the trowelin his hand, his eyes staring with fright at the dead body of a manwhich was lying at his feet, half buried under the timbers.
"Are you hurt?--Are you still alive? For God's sake speak!" said someof the employees, full of terror.
"Miracle! a miracle!" cried some.
"Come and remove the body of this unfortunate man," said Ibarra,as if awakening from a dream.
On hearing his voice, Maria Clara felt her strength giving way andshe fell, half fainting, into the arms of her friends.
Great confusion reigned. Everybody was talking, gesticulating,and running from one side to the other, up and down the stairs,all stupefied and full of consternation.
"Who is the dead man? Is he still alive?" asked the alferez.
The body was identified as the yellow workman who had been standingbeside the windlass.
"Let proceedings be brought against the superintendent of the work,"was the first thing that the Alcalde said.
They examined the body, felt of the heart, but it was no longerbeating. The blow had fallen on the head and blood was oozing fromthe nose, ears and mouth. Some strange marks were seen on the man'sneck. There were four deep dents on one side and a single but deeperone on the other. It looked as though an iron hand had grasped itlike a pair of pinchers.
The priests warmly congratulated the young man and shook his hand.
"When I think that only a few moments ago I was standing there,"said one of the employees. "Say! If I had been the last! Jesus!"
"It makes my hair stand on end," said another, who was bald.
Ibarra had departed, to ascertain the condition of Maria Clara.
"Let this not prevent the festival from continuing," said theAlcalde. "God be praised! The dead man is neither a priest nor aSpaniard! Your escape must be celebrated! Just think--if the stonehad fallen on you!"
"There is such a thing as a presentiment!" said the Notary. "I saidso. Senor Ibarra was reluctant to descend. I saw it!"
"Let the festival go on! Give us some music! Weeping will not bringthe dead man to life. Captain, serve warrants right here! Let theclerk of the tribunal come. Arrest the superintendent of the work!"
"Put him in the stocks!"
"Put him in the stocks! Eh? Some music, music! Put the maestrillo inthe stocks."
"Senor Alcalde," replied Ibarra gravely, "if weeping cannot bringthe dead man back to life, neither can anything be gained by puttinga man in prison when we do not know that he is culpable. I will givebail for him and ask that he be given liberty for some days at least."
"Well, well! But such a misfortune must not be repeated!"
All kinds of comments were circulating among the people. The theorythat it was a miracle was already accepted. Father Salvi, however,seemed to rejoice very little over the miracle, which the peopleattributed to a saint of his order and of his parish.
There were some who claimed to have seen, as the crane was falling, afigure dressed in black like the Franciscans, go down in the ditch. Itwas without doubt San Diego himself. It was supposed, too, that Ibarrahad heard mass and that the yellow man had not. It was all as clearas the light of the sun.
Ibarra went home to change his clothes.
"Hm! Bad beginning," said Old Tasio as he left the place.
Ibarra had just finished dressing when a servant announced thata countryman was asking for him. Supposing that it was one of hislaborers, the young man ordered that they show him into his study,which also served as a library and a chemical laboratory. But, tohis great surprise, he met the muscular figure of the mysterious Elias.
"You recently saved my life," said he in Tagalog, at once comprehendingIbarra's movement. "I have paid you only half of the debt, and youare not indebted to me; rather the contrary. I have come to ask afavor of you...."
"Speak out!" replied the young man, in the same language and somewhatsurprised at the gravity of the peasant.
For some seconds, Elias looked fixedly into Ibarra's eyes and thenreplied: "If human justice should ever wish to clear up this mystery,I beg of you not to speak to any one about the warning that I gaveyou in the church."
"Don't be troubled about that," replied the young man
with a certainnote of displeasure in his voice. "I know that they are hunting you,but I am no informer."
"Oh, it is not for my sake, it is not for me!" exclaimed Elias,not without some pride. "It is for your sake. I have nothing to fearfrom men."
Ibarra's surprise increased. The tone in which the countryman wasspeaking was new to him and did not seem to be in accord either withhis state or his fortune.
"What do you mean?" asked Ibarra, interrogating the mysterious manwith his look.
"I do not speak in enigmas; I try to express myself clearly. Foryour greater security, it is necessary that your enemies think youunsuspecting and off your guard."
Ibarra stepped back.
"My enemies? Have I enemies?"
"All of us have, sir, all from the lowest insect to man, from thepoorest to the richest and most powerful. Enmity is the law oflife. You have enemies in the highest and in the lowest ranks. Youare planning a great undertaking; you have a past; your father, yourgrandfather had enemies because they had passion. In life it is notcriminals who provoke the most hatred, but rather honorable men."
"Do you know my enemies?"
Elias did not reply at once, but meditated.
"I knew one, the one who has died," he replied. "Last night Idiscovered that something was being plotted against you, through somewords that were exchanged between him and an unknown man who losthimself in the crowd. 'The fish will not eat this one as they didhis father; you will see to-morrow,' said he. These words attractedmy attention, not only on account of their meaning but because theywere spoken by this man, who only a few days ago had presented himselfto the superintendent of the work with the express desire that he begiven charge of the work of placing the corner stone. He did not askfor a large wage, but made a great show of his knowledge. I had nosufficient reasons to attribute evil designs to him, but somethingtold me that my suspicions were right. For this reason, in order towarn you, I chose a moment and an occasion when you could not ask meany questions. You already know the rest."
Elias was then silent for some moments; yet Ibarra did not reply norutter a word. He was meditating.
"I am sorry that the man is dead," he replied at last. "We might havebeen able to learn something more about it from him."
"If he had lived he would have escaped from the trembling hand ofblind, human justice. God has now judged him! God has killed him! LetGod be the only judge!"
Crisostomo looked a moment at the man who was speaking to him in thismanner. He noticed that his muscular arms were covered with bruisesand black and blue spots.
"Do you also believe in the miracle version of the affair?" he said,smiling--"this miracle of which the people speak?"
"If I believed in miracles, I would not believe in God. I would believein a deified man. In fact, I would believe that man had created Godafter his image and likeness," he replied solemnly. "But I believein Him. More than once I have felt His hand. When all was fallingheadlong, threatening destruction for everything which was in theplace, I Held the criminal. I put myself by his side. He was struckand I am safe and sound."
"You? So that you...?"
"Yes! I held him when he wanted to escape, once he had begun hisfatal work. I saw his crime. I say: 'Let God be the only judge amongmen. Let Him be the only one who has the right to take away life. Letman never think of substituting himself for him!'"
"And, still you this time...."
"No!" interrupted Elias, foreseeing the objection that he was going toraise. "It is not the same thing. When a man as judge condemns anotherto death or destroys his future forever, he does it with impunity andmakes use of the force of other men to carry out his sentence. Yet,after all, the sentence may be wrong and unjust. But I, in exposing thecriminal to the same danger which he had prepared for others, ran thesame risks. I did not kill him. I allowed the hand of God to kill him."
"Do you not believe in chance?"
"To believe in chance is like believing in miracles. Both theoriessuppose that God does not know the future. What is a casualty? Ahappening which absolutely nobody knows beforehand. What is amiracle? A contradiction, a contortion of the laws of nature. Lackof foresight and contradiction in the All Knowing, who directs themachinery of the world, are two great imperfections."
"Who are you?" Ibarra asked again, with a certain dread. "Have youstudied?"
"I have had to believe in God a great deal because I have lost myfaith in men," replied the pilot, evading the question.
Ibarra thought that he understood this man; young and proscribed,he disregarded human justice; denied the right of man to judge hisequals, he protested against power and superiority of certain classesof men over others.
"But you must admit the necessity of human justice, however imperfectit may be," he replied. "God, although he has ministers on the earth,cannot, that is to say, cannot clearly give his judgment upon themillions of contentions which are stirred up by our passions. It isnecessary, it is just, that a man should sometimes judge his fellows."
"For good, yes; for bad, no. To correct and improve, yes; but notto destroy, for if he fails in his judgment, there is no power thatcan remedy the evil that has been done. But," he added, changing histone, "this discussion is beyond and above me, and I am keeping youfrom those who are now awaiting you. But do not forget what I havejust said: You have enemies. Take care of yourself for the good ofyour country!"