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Title& The Reign of Greed

'om#lete English (ersion of )El *ilibusterismo)

+uthor& Jose Rizal

Translator& 'harles erbyshire

Release ate& -ctober ./, 0//1 2EBook 3./4546

%anguage& English

'haracter set encoding& 78-$991:$.

;;; 8T+RT -* T<78 PR-JE'T G=TE>BERG EB--? T<E RE7G> -* GREE ;;;

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[iii]

The Reign of Greed

A Complete English Version of El Filibusterismo from theSpanish of

José Rizal By

Charles Derbyshire

Manila

Philippine Education Company11!

[iv]



Copyright, 1912, by Philippine Education Company.

Entered at Stationers !all.

"egistrado en las #slas $ilipinas.

All rights reserved .[v]

Translator’s Introduction

El $ilibusterismo, the second o% &os' "i(als novels o% Philippine li%e, is a story o% the

last days o% the Spanish r'gime in the Philippines. )nder the name o% The Reign ofGreed it is %or the %irst time translated into English. *ritten some %our or %ive years

a%ter Noli Me Tangere, the boo+ represents "i(als more mature udgment on political

and social conditions in the islands, and in its graver and less hope%ul tone re%lects the

disappointments and discouragements -hich he had encountered in his e%%orts to lead

the -ay to re%orm. "i(als dedication to the %irst edition is o% special interest, as the

-riting o% it -as one o% the grounds o% accusation against him -hen he -ascondemned to death in 19/. #t reads0

o the memory o% the priests, 3on 4ariano 5ome( 67 years old8, 3on &os' urgos 6:; years

old8, and 3on &acinto <amora 6:7 years old8. E=ecuted in agumbayan $ield on the 2th o%

$ebruary, 1>2.

he Church, by re%using to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime that has been imputed to

you? the 5overnment, by surrounding your trials -ith mystery and shado-s, causes the belie%

that there -as some error, committed in %atal moments? and all the Philippines, by -orshiping

your memory and calling you martyrs, in no [vi]sense recogni(es your culpability. #n so %ar,

there%ore, as your complicity in the Cavite mutiny is not clearly proved, as you may or may nothave been patriots, and as you may or may not have cherished sentiments %or ustice and %or

liberty, # have the right to dedicate my -or+ to you as victims o% the evil -hich # underta+e to

combat. @nd -hile -e a-ait e=pectantly upon Spain some day to restore your good name and

cease to be ans-erable %or your death, let these pages serve as a tardy -reath o% dried leaves over

your un+no-n tombs, and let it be understood that every one -ho -ithout clear proo%s attac+s

your memory stains his hands in your bloodA

&. "i(al.B

@ brie% recapitulation o% the story in Noli Me Tangere 6he Social Cancer8 is essentialto an understanding o% such plot as there is in the present -or+, -hich the author

called a continuationB o% the %irst story.

&uan Crisostomo #barra is a young $ilipino, -ho, a%ter studying %or seven years in

Europe, returns to his native land to %ind that his %ather, a -ealthy lando-ner, has died

in prison as the result o% a uarrel -ith the parish curate, a $ranciscan %riar named

Padre 3amaso. #barra is engaged to a beauti%ul and accomplished girl, 4aria Clara,



the supposed daughter and only child o% the rich 3on Santiago de los Santos,

commonly +no-n as Capitan iago,B a typical $ilipino caciue, the predominant

character %ostered by the %riar r'gime.[vii]

#barra resolves to %orego all uarrels and to -or+ %or the betterment o% his people. o

sho- his good intentions, he see+s to establish, at his o-n e=pense, a public school inhis native to-n. !e meets -ith ostensible support %rom all, especially Padre 3amasos

successor, a young and gloomy $ranciscan named Padre Salvi, %or -hom 4aria Clara

con%esses to an instinctive dread.

@t the laying o% the cornerDstone %or the ne- schoolhouse a suspicious accident,

apparently aimed at #barras li%e, occurs, but the %estivities proceed until the dinner,

-here #barra is grossly and -antonly insulted over the memory o% his %ather by $ray

3amaso. he young man loses control o% himsel% and is about to +ill the %riar, -ho is

saved by the intervention o% 4aria Clara.

#barra is e=communicated, and Capitan iago, through his %ear o% the %riars, is %orced

to brea+ the engagement and agree to the marriage o% 4aria Clara -ith a young and

ino%%ensive Spaniard provided by Padre 3amaso. bedient to her reputed %athers

command and in%luenced by her mysterious dread o% Padre Salvi, 4aria Clara

consents to this arrangement, but becomes seriously ill, only to be saved by medicines

sent secretly by #barra and clandestinely administered by a girl %riend.

#barra succeeds in having the e=communication removed, but be%ore he can e=plain

matters an uprising against the Civil 5uard is secretly brought about through agents o%

Padre Salvi, and the leadership is ascribed to #barra to ruin him. !e is -arned by amysterious %riend, an outla- called Elias, -hose li%e he had accidentally saved? but

desiring %irst to see 4aria Clara, he re%uses to ma+e his escape, and -hen the

outbrea+ [viii]occurs he is arrested as the instigator o% it and thro-n into prison in

4anila.

n the evening -hen Capitan iago gives a ball in his 4anila house to celebrate his

supposed daughters engagement, #barra ma+es his escape %rom prison and succeeds

in seeing 4aria Clara alone. !e begins to reproach her because it is a letter -ritten to

her be%ore he -ent to Europe -hich %orms the basis o% the charge against him, but she

clears hersel% o% treachery to him. he letter had been secured %rom her by %alserepresentations and in e=change %or t-o others -ritten by her mother ust be%ore her

birth, -hich prove that Padre 3amaso is her real %ather. hese letters had been

accidentally discovered in the convento by Padre Salvi, -ho made use o% them to

intimidate the girl and get possession o% #barras letter, %rom -hich he %orged others to

incriminate the young man. She tells him that she -ill marry the young Spaniard,



sacri%icing hersel% thus to save her mothers name and Capitan iagos honor and to

prevent a public scandal, but that she -ill al-ays remain true to him.

#barras escape had been e%%ected by Elias, -ho conveys him in a ban+a up the Pasig

to the Fa+e, -here they are so closely beset by the Civil 5uard that Elias leaps into

the -ater and dra-s the pursuers a-ay %rom the boat, in -hich #barra lies concealed.

n Christmas Eve, at the tomb o% the #barras in a gloomy -ood, Elias appears,

-ounded and dying, to %ind there a boy named asilio beside the corpse o% his mother,

a poor -oman -ho had been driven to insanity by her husbands neglect and abuses

on the part o% the Civil 5uard, her younger son having [i=]disappeared some time

be%ore in the convento, -here he -as a sacristan. asilio, -ho is ignorant o% Eliass

identity, helps him to build a %uneral pyre, on -hich his corpse and the mad-omans

are to be burned.

)pon learning o% the reported death o% #barra in the chase on the Fa+e, 4aria Clara becomes disconsolate and begs her supposed god%ather, $ray 3amaso, to put her in a

nunnery. )nconscious o% her +no-ledge o% their true relationship, the %riar brea+s

do-n and con%esses that all the trouble he has stirred up -ith the #barras has been to

prevent her %rom marrying a native, -hich -ould condemn her and her children to the

oppressed and enslaved class. !e %inally yields to her entreaties and she enters the

nunnery o% St. Clara, to -hich Padre Salvi is soon assigned in a ministerial capacity.[=]

masters, lords, and rulers in all lands,

#s this the handi-or+ you give to 5od,

his monstrous thing distorted and soulDuenchedG!o- -ill you ever straighten up this shapeD?

ouch it again -ith immortality?

5ive bac+ the up-ard loo+ing and the light?

"ebuild in it the music and the dream?

4a+e right the immemorial in%amies,

Per%idious -rongs, immedicable -oesG

masters, lords, and rulers in all lands,

!o- -ill the %uture rec+on -ith this manG

!o- ans-er his brute uestion in that hour

*hen -hirl-inds o% rebellion sha+e the -orldG

!o- -ill it be -ith +ingdoms and -ith +ingsH

*ith those -ho shaped him to the thing he isH

*hen this dumb terror shall reply to 5od,

@%ter the silence o% the centuriesG

Ed-in 4ar+ham[=i]



Contents

#. n the )pper 3ec+

##. n the Fo-er 3ec+

###. Fegends#I. Cabesang ales

I. @ Cocheros Christmas Eve

I#. asilio

I##. Simoun

I###. 4erry Christmas

#J. Pilates

J. *ealth and *ant

J#. Fos aKos

J##. Placido Penitente

J###. he Class in PhysicsJ#I. #n the !ouse o% the Students

JI. SeKor Pasta

JI#. he ribulations o% a Chinese

JI##. he Luiapo Pair

JI###. Fegerdemain

J#J. he $use

JJ. he @rbiter

JJ#. 4anila ypes

JJ##. he Per%ormance

JJ###. @ CorpseJJ#I. 3reams

JJI. Smiles and ears[=ii]

JJI#. Pasuinades

JJI##. he $riar and the $ilipino

JJI###. ata+ut

JJ#J. E=it Capitan iago

JJJ. &uli

JJJ#. he !igh %%icial

JJJ##. E%%ect o% the Pasuinades

JJJ###. Fa )ltima "a(MnJJJ#I. he *edding

JJJI. he $iesta

JJJI#. enD<aybs @%%lictions

JJJI##. he 4ystery

JJJI###. $atality

JJJ#J. Conclusion[1]



On the Upper Deck

Sic itur ad astra.

ne morning in 3ecember the steamer Tabo -as laboriously ascending the tortuouscourse o% the Pasig, carrying a large cro-d o% passengers to-ard the province o% Fa

Faguna. She -as a heavily built steamer, almost round, li+e the tabú %rom -hich she

derived her name, uite dirty in spite o% her pretensions to -hiteness, maestic and

grave %rom her leisurely motion. @ltogether, she -as held in great a%%ection in that

region, perhaps %rom her agalog name, or %rom the %act that she bore the

characteristic impress o% things in the country, representing something li+e a triumph

over progress, a steamer that -as not a steamer at all, an organism, stolid, imper%ect

yet unimpeachable, -hich, -hen it -ished to pose as being ran+ly progressive,

proudly contented itsel% -ith putting on a %resh coat o% paint. #ndeed, the happy

steamer -as genuinely $ilipinoA #% a person -ere only reasonably considerate, shemight even have been ta+en %or the Ship o% State, constructed, as she had been, under

the inspection o% Reverendos and Ilustrísimos....

athed in the sunlight o% a morning that made the -aters o% the river spar+le and the

bree(es rustle in the bending bamboo on its ban+s, there she goes -ith her -hite

silhouette thro-ing out great clouds o% smo+eHthe Ship o% State, so the o+e runs,

also has the vice o% smo+ingA he -histle shrie+s at every moment, hoarse and

commanding li+e a tyrant -ho -ould rule by shouting, so that no one on [2] board can

hear his o-n thoughts. She menaces everything she meets0 no- she loo+s as though

she -ould grind to bits the salambaw, insecure %ishing apparatus -hich in theirmovements resemble s+eletons o% giants saluting an antediluvian tortoise? no- she

speeds straight to-ard the clumps o% bamboo or against the amphibian

structures, karihan, or -ayside lunchDstands, -hich, amid gumamelas and other

%lo-ers, loo+ li+e indecisive bathers -ho -ith their %eet already in the -ater cannot

bring themselves to ma+e the %inal plunge? at times, %ollo-ing a sort o% channel

mar+ed out in the river by treeDtrun+s, she moves along -ith a satis%ied air, e=cept

-hen a sudden shoc+ disturbs the passengers and thro-s them o%% their balance, all the

result o% a collision -ith a sandDbar -hich no one dreamed -as there.

4oreover, i% the comparison -ith the Ship o% State is not yet complete, note thearrangement o% the passengers. n the lo-er dec+ appear bro-n %aces and blac+

heads, types o% #ndians,1Chinese, and mesti(os, -edged in bet-een bales o%

merchandise and bo=es, -hile there on the upper dec+, beneath an a-ning that

protects them %rom the sun, are seated in com%ortable chairs a %e- passengers dressed

in the %ashion o% Europeans, %riars, and government cler+s, each -ith his puro cigar,



and ga(ing at the landscape apparently -ithout heeding the e%%orts o% the captain and

the sailors to overcome the obstacles in the river.

he captain -as a man o% +indly aspect, -ell along in years, an old sailor -ho in his

youth had plunged into %ar vaster seas, but -ho no- in his age had to e=ercise much

greater attention, care, and vigilance to avoid dangers o% a trivial character. @nd they-ere the same %or each day0 the same sandDbars, the same hul+ o% un-ieldy steamer

-edged into the same curves, li+e a corpulent dame [:]in a ammed throng. So, at each

moment, the good man had to stop, to bac+ up, to go %or-ard at hal% speed, sendingH

no- to port, no- to starboardHthe %ive sailors euipped -ith long bamboo poles to

give %orce to the turn the rudder had suggested. !e -as li+e a veteran -ho, a%ter

leading men through ha(ardous campaigns, had in his age become the tutor o% a

capricious, disobedient, and la(y boy.

3oKa Iictorina, the only lady seated in the European group, could say -hether

the Tabo -as not la(y, disobedient, and capriciousH3oKa Iictorina, -ho, nervous asever, -as hurling invectives against the cascos, ban+as, ra%ts o% coconuts, the #ndians

paddling about, and even the -asher-omen and bathers, -ho %retted her -ith their

mirth and chatter. Nes, the Tabo -ould move along very -ell i% there -ere no #ndians

in the river, no #ndians in the country, yes, i% there -ere not a single #ndian in the

-orldHregardless o% the %act that the helmsmen -ere #ndians, the sailors #ndians,

#ndians the engineers, #ndians ninetyDnine per cent, o% the passengers, and she hersel%

also an #ndian i% the rouge -ere scratched o%% and her pretentious go-n removed. hat

morning 3oKa Iictorina -as more irritated than usual because the members o% the

group too+ very little notice o% her, reason %or -hich -as not lac+ing? %or ust consider

Hthere could be %ound three %riars, convinced that the -orld -ould move bac+-ards

the very day they should ta+e a single step to the right? an inde%atigable 3on Custodio

-ho -as sleeping peace%ully, satis%ied -ith his proects? a proli%ic -riter li+e enD

<ayb 6anagram o% #baKe(8, -ho believed that the people o% 4anila thought because

he, enD<ayb, -as a thin+er? a canon li+e Padre #rene, -ho added luster to the clergy

-ith his rubicund %ace, care%ully shaven, %rom -hich to-ered a beauti%ul &e-ish nose,

and his sil+en cassoc+ o% neat cut and small buttons? and a -ealthy e-eler li+e

Simoun, -ho -as reputed to be the adviser and inspirer o% all the acts o% his

E=cellency, the CaptainD5eneralH [O] ust consider the presence there o% these

pillars sine quibus non o% the country, seated there in agreeable discourse, sho-inglittle sympathy %or a renegade $ilipina -ho dyed her hair redA o- -asnt this enough

to e=haust the patience o% a %emale &obHa sobriuet 3oKa Iictorina al-ays applied to

hersel% -hen put out -ith any oneA

he illDhumor o% the seKora increased every time the captain shouted Port,B

StarboardB to the sailors, -ho then hastily sei(ed their poles and thrust them against

the ban+s, thus -ith the strength o% their legs and shoulders preventing the steamer



%rom shoving its hull ashore at that particular point. Seen under these circumstances

the Ship o% State might be said to have been converted %rom a tortoise into a crab

every time any danger threatened.

ut, captain, -hy dont your stupid steersmen go in that directionGB as+ed the lady

-ith great indignation.

ecause its very shallo- in the other, seKora,B ans-ered the captain, deliberately,

slo-ly -in+ing one eye, a little habit -hich he had cultivated as i% to say to his -ords

on their -ay out, Slo-ly, slo-lyAB

!al% speedA otheration, hal% speedAB protested 3oKa Iictorina disdain%ully. *hy

not %ullGB

ecause -e should then be traveling over those rice%ields, seKora,B replied the

imperturbable captain, pursing his lips to indicate the cultivated %ields and indulgingin t-o circumspect -in+s.

his 3oKa Iictorina -as -ell +no-n in the country %or her caprices and

e=travagances. She -as o%ten seen in society, -here she -as tolerated -henever she

appeared in the company o% her niece, Paulita 5ome(, a very beauti%ul and -ealthy

orphan, to -hom she -as a +ind o% guardian. @t a rather advanced age she had

married a poor -retch named 3on iburcio de EspadaKa, and at the time -e no- see

her, carried upon hersel% %i%teen years o% -edded li%e, %alse %ri((es, and a hal%D

European costumeH%or her -hole ambition had been to Europeani(e hersel%, -ith the

result that %rom the illDomened day o% her -edding she had gradually, [7]than+s to hercriminal attempts, succeeded in so trans%orming hersel% that at the present time

Luatre%ages and Iircho- together could not have told -here to classi%y her among the

+no-n races.

!er husband, -ho had borne all her impositions -ith the resignation o% a %a+ir

through so many years o% married li%e, at last on one luc+less day had had his bad

hal%Dhour and administered to her a superb -hac+ -ith his crutch. he surprise o%

4adam &ob at such an inconsistency o% character made her insensible to the

immediate e%%ects, and only a%ter she had recovered %rom her astonishment and her

husband had %led did she ta+e notice o% the pain, then remaining in bed %or severaldays, to the great delight o% Paulita, -ho -as very %ond o% o+ing and laughing at her

aunt. @s %or her husband, horri%ied at the impiety o% -hat appeared to him to be a

terri%ic parricide, he too+ to %light, pursued by the matrimonial %uries 6t-o curs and a

parrot8, -ith all the speed his lameness permitted, climbed into the %irst carriage he

encountered, umped into the %irst ban+a he sa- on the river, and, a Philippine

)lysses, began to -ander %rom to-n to to-n, %rom province to province, %rom island



to island, pursued and persecuted by his bespectacled Calypso, -ho bored every one

that had the mis%ortune to travel in her company. She had received a report o% his

being in the province o% Fa Faguna, concealed in one o% the to-ns, so thither she -as

bound to seduce him bac+ -ith her dyed %ri((es.

!er %ello- travelers had ta+en measures o% de%ense by +eeping up among themselvesa lively conversation on any topic -hatsoever. @t that moment the -indings and

turnings o% the river led them to tal+ about straightening the channel and, as a matter

o% course, about the port -or+s. enD<ayb, the ournalist -ith the countenance o% a

%riar, -as disputing -ith a young %riar -ho in turn had the countenance o% an

artilleryman. oth -ere shouting, gesticulating, -aving their arms, spreading out their

hands, [/]stamping their %eet, tal+ing o% levels, %ishDcorrals, the San 4ateo "iver,2o%

cascos, o% #ndians, and so on, to the great satis%action o% their listeners and the

undisguised disgust o% an elderly $ranciscan, remar+ably thin and -ithered, and a

handsome 3ominican about -hose lips %litted constantly a scorn%ul smile.

he thin $ranciscan, understanding the 3ominicans smile, decided to intervene and

stop the argument. !e -as undoubtedly respected, %or -ith a -ave o% his hand he cut

short the speech o% both at the moment -hen the %riarDartilleryman -as tal+ing about

e=perience and the ournalistD%riar about scientists.

Scientists, enD<aybHdo you +no- -hat they areGB as+ed the $ranciscan in a

hollo- voice, scarcely stirring in his seat and ma+ing only a %aint gesture -ith his

s+inny hand. !ere you have in the province a bridge, constructed by a brother o%

ours, -hich -as not completed because the scientists, relying on their theories,

condemned it as -ea+ and scarcely sa%eHyet loo+, it is the bridge that has -ithstoodall the %loods and earthua+esAB:

hats it, puales! that very thing, that -as e=actly -hat # -as going to sayAB

e=claimed the %riarDartilleryman, thumping his %ists do-n on the arms o% his bamboo

chair. hats it, that bridge and the scientistsA hat -as ust -hat # -as going to

mention, Padre SalviH puales"B

enD<ayb remained silent, hal% smiling, either out o% respect or because he really did

not +no- -hat to reply, and yet his -as the only thin+ing head in the PhilippinesA

Padre #rene nodded his approval as he rubbed his long nose.

Padre Salvi, the thin and -ithered cleric, appeared to be satis%ied -ith such

submissiveness and -ent on in the [>]midst o% the silence0 ut this does not mean

that you may not be as near right as Padre CamorraB 6the %riarDartilleryman8. he

trouble is in the la+eHB



he %act is there isnt a single decent la+e in this country,B interrupted 3oKa

Iictorina, highly indignant, and getting ready %or a return to the assault upon the

citadel.

he besieged ga(ed at one another in terror, but -ith the promptitude o% a general, the

e-eler Simoun rushed in to the rescue. he remedy is very simple,B he said in astrange accent, a mi=ture o% English and South @merican. @nd # really dont

understand -hy it hasnt occurred to somebody.B

@ll turned to give him care%ul attention, even the 3ominican. he e-eler -as a tall,

meager, nervous man, very dar+, dressed in the English %ashion and -earing a pith

helmet. "emar+able about him -as his long -hite hair contrasted -ith a sparse blac+

beard, indicating a mesti(o origin. o avoid the glare o% the sun he -ore constantly a

pair o% enormous blue goggles, -hich completely hid his eyes and a portion o% his

chee+s, thus giving him the aspect o% a blind or -ea+Dsighted person. !e -as standing

-ith his legs apart as i% to maintain his balance, -ith his hands thrust into the poc+etso% his coat.

he remedy is very simple,B he repeated, and -ouldnt cost a cuarto.B

he attention no- redoubled, %or it -as -hispered in 4anila that this man controlled

the CaptainD5eneral, and all sa- the remedy in process o% e=ecution. Even 3on

Custodio himsel% turned to listen.

3ig a canal straight %rom the source to the mouth o% the river, passing through

4anila? that is, ma+e a ne- riverDchannel and %ill up the old Pasig. hat -ould saveland, shorten communication, and prevent the %ormation o% sandbars.B

he proect le%t all his hearers astounded, accustomed as they -ere to palliative

measures.[]

#ts a Nan+ee planAB observed enD<ayb, to ingratiate himsel% -ith Simoun, -ho had

spent a long time in orth @merica.

@ll considered the plan -onder%ul and so indicated by the movements o% their heads.

nly 3on Custodio, the liberal 3on Custodio, o-ing to his independent position andhis high o%%ices, thought it his duty to attac+ a proect that did not emanate %rom

himsel%Hthat -as a usurpationA !e coughed, stro+ed the ends o% his mustache, and

-ith a voice as important as though he -ere at a %ormal session o% the @yuntamiento,

said, E=cuse me, SeKor Simoun, my respected %riend, i% # should say that # am not o%

your opinion. #t -ould cost a great deal o% money and might perhaps destroy some

to-ns.B



hen destroy themAB reoined Simoun coldly.

@nd the money to pay the laborersGB

3ont pay themA )se the prisoners and convictsAB

ut there arent enough, SeKor SimounAB

hen, i% there arent enough, let all the villagers, the old men, the youths, the boys,

-or+. #nstead o% the %i%teen days o% obligatory service, let them -or+ three, %our, %ive

months %or the State, -ith the additional obligation that each one provide his o-n

%ood and tools.B

he startled 3on Custodio turned his head to see i% there -as any #ndian -ithin earD

shot, but %ortunately those nearby -ere rustics, and the t-o helmsmen seemed to be

very much occupied -ith the -indings o% the river.

ut, SeKor SimounHB

3ont %ool yoursel%, 3on Custodio,B continued Simoun dryly, only in this -ay are

great enterprises carried out -ith small means. hus -ere constructed the Pyramids,

Fa+e 4oeris, and the Colosseum in "ome. Entire provinces came in %rom the desert,

bringing their tubers to %eed on. ld men, youths, and boys labored in transporting

stones, he-ing them, and carrying them on their shoulders under the direction o% the

o%%icial lash, and a%ter-ards, the survivors returned to their homes or perished [9]in the

sands o% the desert. hen came other provinces, then others, succeeding one another inthe -or+ during years. hus the tas+ -as %inished, and no- -e admire them, -e

travel, -e go to Egypt and to !ome, -e e=tol the Pharaohs and the @ntonines. 3ont

%ool yoursel%Hthe dead remain dead, and might only is considered right by posterity.B

ut, SeKor Simoun, such measures might provo+e uprisings,B obected 3on

Custodio, rather uneasy over the turn the a%%air had ta+en.

)prisings, ha, haA 3id the Egyptian people ever rebel, # -onderG 3id the &e-ish

prisoners rebel against the pious itusG 4an, # thought you -ere better in%ormed in

historyAB

Clearly Simoun -as either very presumptuous or disregarded conventionalitiesA o

say to 3on Custodios %ace that he did not +no- historyA #t -as enough to ma+e any

one lose his temperA So it seemed, %or 3on Custodio %orgot himsel% and retorted, ut

the %act is that youre not among Egyptians or &e-sAB



@nd these people have rebelled more than once,B added the 3ominican, some-hat

timidly. #n the times -hen they -ere %orced to transport heavy timbers %or the

construction o% ships, i% it hadnt been %or the clericsHB

hose times are %ar a-ay,B ans-ered Simoun, -ith a laugh even drier than usual.

hese islands -ill never again rebel, no matter ho- much -or+ and ta=es they have.!avent you lauded to me, Padre Salvi,B he added, turning to the $ranciscan, the

house and hospital at Fos aKos, -here his E=cellency is at presentGB

Padre Salvi gave a nod and loo+ed up, evading the uestion.

*ell, didnt you tell me that both buildings -ere constructed by %orcing the people to

-or+ on them under the -hip o% a layDbrotherG Perhaps that -onder%ul bridge -as

built in the same -ay. o- tell me, did these people rebelGB[1;]

he %act isHthey have rebelled be%ore,B replied the 3ominican, and ab a#tu ad posse valet illatio"B

o, no, nothing o% the +ind,B continued Simoun, starting do-n a hatch-ay to the

cabin. *hats said, is saidA @nd you, Padre Sibyla, dont tal+ either Fatin or

nonsense. *hat are you %riars good %or i% the people can rebelGB

a+ing no notice o% the replies and protests, Simoun descended the small

companion-ay that led belo-, repeating disdain%ully, osh, boshAB

Padre Sibyla turned pale? this -as the %irst time that he, IiceD"ector o% the )niversity,had ever been credited -ith nonsense. 3on Custodio turned green? at no meeting in

-hich he had ever %ound himsel% had he encountered such an adversary.

@n @merican mulattoAB he %umed.

@ ritish #ndian,B observed enD<ayb in a lo- tone.

@n @merican, # tell you, and shouldnt # +no-GB retorted 3on Custodio in illDhumor.

!is E=cellency has told me so. !es a e-eler -hom the latter +ne- in !avana, and,

as # suspect, the one -ho got him advancement by lending him money. So to repayhim he has had him come here to let him have a chance and increase his %ortune by

selling diamondsHimitations, -ho +no-sG @nd he so ungrate%ul, that, a%ter getting

money %rom the #ndians, he -ishesHhuhAB he sentence -as concluded by a

signi%icant -ave o% the hand.



o one dared to oin in this diatribe. 3on Custodio could discredit himsel% -ith his

E=cellency, i% he -ished, but neither enD<ayb, nor Padre #rene, nor Padre Salvi, nor

the o%%ended Padre Sibyla had any con%idence in the discretion o% the others.

he %act is that this man, being an @merican, thin+s no doubt that -e are dealing

-ith the reds+ins. o tal+ o% these matters on a steamerA Compel, %orce the peopleA@nd hes the very person -ho advised the e=pedition to [11]the Carolines and the

campaign in 4indanao, -hich is going to bring us to disgrace%ul ruin. !es the one

-ho has o%%ered to superintend the building o% the cruiser, and # say, -hat does a

e-eler, no matter ho- rich and learned he may be, +no- about naval constructionGB

@ll this -as spo+en by 3on Custodio in a guttural tone to his neighbor enD<ayb,

-hile he gesticulated, shrugged his shoulders, and %rom time to time -ith his loo+s

consulted the others, -ho -ere nodding their heads ambiguously. he Canon #rene

indulged in a rather euivocal smile, -hich he hal% hid -ith his hand as he rubbed his

nose.

# tell you, enD<ayb,B continued 3on Custodio, slapping the ournalist on the arm,

all the trouble comes %rom not consulting the oldDtimers here. @ proect in %ine -ords,

and especially -ith a big appropriation, -ith an appropriation in round numbers,

da((les, meets -ith acceptance at once, %or thisAB !ere, in %urther e=planation, he

rubbed the tip o% his thumb against his middle and %ore%inger.O

heres something in that, theres something in that,B enD<ayb thought it his duty to

remar+, since in his capacity o% ournalist he had to be in%ormed about everything.

o- loo+ here, be%ore the port -or+s # presented a proect, original, simple, use%ul,

economical, and practicable, %or clearing a-ay the bar in the la+e, and it hasnt been

accepted because there -asnt any o% that in it.B !e repeated the movement o% his

%ingers, shrugged his shoulders, and ga(ed at the others as though to say, !ave you

ever heard o% such a mis%ortuneGB

4ay -e +no- -hat it -asGB as+ed several, dra-ing nearer and giving him their

attention. he proects o% 3on Custodio -ere as reno-ned as uac+s speci%ics.

3on Custodio -as on the point o% re%using to e=plain it %rom resentment at not having%ound any supporters in his diatribe against Simoun. *hen theres no danger, [12]you

-ant me to tal+, ehG @nd -hen there is, you +eep uietAB he -as going to say, but that

-ould cause the loss o% a good opportunity, and his proect, no- that it could not be

carried out, might at least be +no-n and admired.



@%ter blo-ing out t-o or three pu%%s o% smo+e, coughing, and spitting through a

scupper, he slapped enD<ayb on the thigh and as+ed, Nouve seen duc+sGB

# rather thin+ soH-eve hunted them on the la+e,B ans-ered the surprised ournalist.

o, #m not tal+ing about -ild duc+s, #m tal+ing o% the domestic ones, o% those thatare raised in Pateros and Pasig. 3o you +no- -hat they %eed onGB

enD<ayb, the only thin+ing head, did not +no-Hhe -as not engaged in that

business.

n snails, man, on snailsAB e=claimed Padre Camorra. ne doesnt have to be an

#ndian to +no- that? its su%%icient to have eyesAB

E=actly so, on snailsAB repeated 3on Custodio, %lourishing his %ore%inger. @nd do

you +no- -here they get themGB

@gain the thin+ing head did not +no-.

*ell, i% you had been in the country as many years as # have, you -ould +no- that

they %ish them out o% the bar itsel%, -here they abound, mi=ed -ith the sand.B

hen your proectGB

*ell, #m coming to that. 4y idea -as to compel all the to-ns round about, near the

bar, to raise duc+s, and youll see ho- they, all by themselves, -ill deepen the channel by %ishing %or the snailsHno more and no less, no more and no lessAB

!ere 3on Custodio e=tended his arms and ga(ed triumphantly at the stupe%action o%

his hearersHto none o% them had occurred such an original idea.

*ill you allo- me to -rite an article about thatGB as+ed enD<ayb. #n this country

there is so little thin+ing doneHB[1:]

ut, 3on Custodio,B e=claimed 3oKa Iictorina -ith smir+s and grimaces, i%

everybody ta+es to raising duc+s the balot 7

eggs -ill become abundant. )gh, ho-nastyA "ather, let the bar close up entirelyAB[1O]

1 he Spanish designation %or the Christiani(ed 4alay o% the Philippines -as indio 6#ndian8, a term used

rather contemptuously, the name filipino being generally applied in a restricted sense to the children o%

Spaniards born in the #slands.Hr.



2 o- generally +no-n as the 4ariuina.Hr.

: his bridge, constructed in Fu+ban under the supervision o% a $ranciscan %riar, -as ocularly re%erred to

as the $uente de %apri#ho! being apparently an ignorant blunder in the right direction, since it -as

declared in an o%%icial report made by Spanish engineers in 172 to con%orm to no +no-n principle o%

scienti%ic construction, and yet proved to be strong and durable.Hr.

O 3on Custodios gesture indicates money.Hr.

7 3uc+ eggs, that are allo-ed to advance -ell into the duc+ling stage, then boiled and eaten. he seKora is

sneering at a custom among some o% her o-n people.Hr.

On the Loer Deck

here, belo-, other scenes -ere being enacted. Seated on benches or small -ooden

stools among valises, bo=es, and bas+ets, a %e- %eet %rom the engines, in the heat o%

the boilers, amid the human smells and the pestilential odor o% oil, -ere to be seen thegreat maority o% the passengers. Some -ere silently ga(ing at the changing scenes

along the ban+s, others -ere playing cards or conversing in the midst o% the scraping

o% shovels, the roar o% the engine, the hiss o% escaping steam, the s-ash o% disturbed

-aters, and the shrie+s o% the -histle. #n one corner, heaped up li+e corpses, slept, or

tried to sleep, a number o% Chinese pedlers, seasic+, pale, %rothing through hal%D

opened lips, and bathed in their copious perspiration. nly a %e- youths, students %or

the most part, easily recogni(able %rom their -hite garments and their con%ident

bearing, made bold to move about %rom stern to bo-, leaping over bas+ets and bo=es,

happy in the prospect o% the approaching vacation. o- they commented on the

movements o% the engines, endeavoring to recall %orgotten notions o% physics, no-

they surrounded the young schoolgirl or the redDlippedbu&era -ith her collar

o% sampaguitas! -hispering into their ears -ords that made them smile and cover their

%aces -ith their %ans.

evertheless, t-o o% them, instead o% engaging in these %leeting gallantries, stood in

the bo- tal+ing -ith a man, advanced in years, but still vigorous and erect. oth these

youths seemed to be -ell +no-n and respected, to udge %rom the de%erence sho-n

them by their %ello- passengers. he elder, -ho -as dressed in complete blac+, -as

the medical [17]student, asilio, %amous %or his success%ul cures and e=traordinary

treatments, -hile the other, taller and more robust, although much younger, -as

#sagani, one o% the poets, or at least rimesters, -ho that year came %rom the @teneo,1 a

curious character, ordinarily uite taciturn and uncommunicative. he man tal+ing

-ith them -as the rich Capitan asilio, -ho -as returning %rom a business trip to

4anila.



Capitan iago is getting along about the same as usual, yes, sir,B said the student

asilio, sha+ing his head. !e -ont submit to any treatment. @t the advice o% a#ertain person he is sending me to San 3iego under the prete=t o% loo+ing a%ter his

property, but in reality so that he may be le%t to smo+e his opium -ith complete

liberty.B

*hen the student said a #ertain person, he really meant Padre #rene, a great %riend

and adviser o% Capitan iago in his last days.

pium is one o% the plagues o% modern times,B replied the capitan -ith the disdain

and indignation o% a "oman senator. he ancients +ne- about it but never abused it.

*hile the addiction to classical studies lastedHmar+ this -ell, young menHopium

-as used solely as a medicine? and besides, tell me -ho smo+e it the mostGH

Chinamen, Chinamen -ho dont understand a -ord o% FatinA @h, i% Capitan iago had

only devoted himsel% to CiceroHB !ere the most classical disgust painted itsel% on his

care%ullyDshaven Epicurean %ace. #sagani regarded him -ith attention0 that gentleman-as su%%ering %rom nostalgia %or antiuity.

ut to get bac+ to this academy o% Castilian,B Capitan asilio continued, # assure

you, gentlemen, that you -ont materiali(e it.B

Nes, sir, %rom day to day -ere e=pecting the permit,B replied #sagani. Padre #rene,

-hom you may have noticed above, and to -hom -eve presented a team o% bays, has

promised it to us. !es on his -ay no- to con%er -ith the 5eneral.B [1/]hat doesnt

matter. Padre Sibyla is opposed to it.B

Fet him oppose itA hats -hy hes here on the steamer, in order toHat Fos aKos

be%ore the 5eneral.B

@nd the student asilio %illed out his meaning by going through the pantomime o%

stri+ing his %ists together.

hats understood,B observed Capitan asilio, smiling. ut even though you get the

permit, -herell you get the %undsGB

*e have them, sir. Each student has contributed a real.B

ut -hat about the pro%essorsGB

*e have them0 hal% $ilipinos and hal% Peninsulars.B2

@nd the houseGB



4a+araig, the -ealthy 4a+araig, has o%%ered one o% his.B

Capitan asilio had to give in? these young men had everything arranged.

$or the rest,B he said -ith a shrug o% his shoulders, its not altogether bad, its not a

bad idea, and no- that you cant +no- Fatin at least you may +no- Castilian. !ereyou have another instance, namesa+e, o% ho- -e are going bac+-ards. #n our times

-e learned Fatin because our boo+s -ere in Fatin? no- you study Fatin a little but

have no Fatin boo+s. n the other hand, your boo+s are in Castilian and that language

is not taughtH aetas parentum pe'or avis tulit nos nequiores" as !orace said.B *ith

this uotation he moved a-ay maestically, li+e a "oman emperor.

he youths smiled at each other. hese men o% the past,B remar+ed #sagani, %ind

obstacles %or everything. Propose a thing to them and instead o% seeing its advantages

they only %i= their attention on the di%%iculties. hey -ant everything to come smooth

and round as a billiard ball.B

!es right at home -ith your uncle,B observed asilio.[1>]

hey tal+ o% past times. ut listenHspea+ing o% uncles, -hat does yours say about

PaulitaGB

#sagani blushed. !e preached me a sermon about the choosing o% a -i%e. # ans-ered

him that there -asnt in 4anila another li+e herHbeauti%ul, -ellDbred, an orphanHB

Iery -ealthy, elegant, charming, -ith no de%ect other than a ridiculous aunt,B addedasilio, at -hich both smiled.

#n regard to the aunt, do you +no- that she has charged me to loo+ %or her husbandGB

3oKa IictorinaG @nd youve promised, in order to +eep your s-eetheart.B

aturallyA ut the %act is that her husband is actually hiddenHin my uncles houseAB

oth burst into a laugh at this, -hile #sagani continued0 hats -hy my uncle, being

a conscientious man, -ont go on the upper dec+, %ear%ul that 3oKa Iictorina -ill as+him about 3on iburcio. &ust imagine, -hen 3oKa Iictorina learned that # -as a

steerage passenger she ga(ed at me -ith a disdain thatHB

@t that moment Simoun came do-n and, catching sight o% the t-o young men,

greeted asilio in a patroni(ing tone0 !ello, 3on asilio, youre o%% %or the vacationG

#s the gentleman a to-nsman o% yoursGB



asilio introduced #sagani -ith the remar+ that he -as not a to-nsman, but that their

homes -ere not very %ar apart. #sagani lived on the seashore o% the opposite coast.

Simoun e=amined him -ith such mar+ed attention that he -as annoyed, turned

suarely around, and %aced the e-eler -ith a provo+ing stare.

*ell, -hat is the province li+eGB the latter as+ed, turning again to asilio.

*hy, arent you %amiliar -ith itGB

!o- the devil am # to +no- it -hen #ve never set %oot in itG #ve been told that its

very poor and doesnt buy e-els.B[1]

*e dont buy e-els, because -e dont need them,B reoined #sagani dryly, piued in

his provincial pride.

@ smile played over Simouns pallid lips. 3ont be o%%ended, young man,B he replied.# had no bad intentions, but as #ve been assured that nearly all the money is in the

hands o% the native priests, # said to mysel%0 the %riars are dying %or curacies and the

$ranciscans are satis%ied -ith the poorest, so -hen they give them up to the native

priests the truth must be that the +ings pro%ile is un+no-n there. ut enough o% thatA

Come and have a beer -ith me and -ell drin+ to the prosperity o% your province.B

he youths than+ed him, but declined the o%%er.

Nou do -rong,B Simoun said to them, visibly ta+en abac+. eer is a good thing, and

# heard Padre Camorra say this morning that the lac+ o% energy noticeable in thiscountry is due to the great amount o% -ater the inhabitants drin+.B

#sagani -as almost as tall as the e-eler, and at this he dre- himsel% up.

hen tell Padre Camorra,B asilio hastened to say, -hile he nudged #sagani slyly,

tell him that i% he -ould drin+ -ater instead o% -ine or beer, perhaps -e might all be

the gainers and he -ould not give rise to so much tal+.B

@nd tell him, also,B added #sagani, paying no attention to his %riends nudges, that

-ater is very mild and can be drun+, but that it dro-ns out the -ine and beer and putsout the %ire, that heated it becomes steam, and that ru%%led it is the ocean, that it once

destroyed man+ind and made the earth tremble to its %oundationsAB:

Simoun raised his head. @lthough his loo+s could not be read through the blue

goggles, on the rest o% his %ace surprise might be seen. "ather a good ans-er,B he

said. ut # %ear that he might get %acetious and as+ me -hen the [19]-ater -ill be



converted into steam and -hen into an ocean. Padre Camorra is rather incredulous and

is a great -ag.B

*hen the %ire heats it, -hen the rivulets that are no- scattered through the steep

valleys, %orced by %atality, rush together in the abyss that men are digging,B replied

#sagani.

o, SeKor Simoun,B interposed asilio, changing to a esting tone, rather +eep in

mind the verses o% my %riend #sagani himsel%0

Q$ire you, you say, and -ater -e,

hen as you -ish, so let it be?

ut let us live in peace and right,

or shall the %ire eer see us %ight?

So oined by -isdoms glo-ing %lame,

hat -ithout anger, hate, or blame,*e %orm the steam, the %i%th element,

Progress and light, li%e and movement.B

)topia, )topiaAB responded Simoun dryly. he engine is about to meetHin the

meantime, #ll drin+ my beer.B So, -ithout any -ord o% e=cuse, he le%t the t-o %riends.

ut -hats the matter -ith you today that youre so uarrelsomeGB as+ed asilio.

othing. # dont +no- -hy, but that man %ills me -ith horror, %ear almost.B

# -as nudging you -ith my elbo-. 3ont you +no- that hes called the ro-n

CardinalGB

he ro-n CardinalGB

r lac+ Eminence, as you -ish.B

# dont understand.B

"ichelieu had a Capuchin adviser -ho -as called the 5ray Eminence? -ell, thats-hat this man is to the 5eneral.B

"eallyGB

hats -hat #ve heard %rom a #ertain person! H-ho al-ays spea+s ill o% him behind

his bac+ and %latters him to his %ace.B



3oes he also visit Capitan iagoGB

$rom the %irst day a%ter his arrival, and #m sure that [2;]a #ertain person loo+s upon

him as a rivalHin the inheritance. # believe that hes going to see the 5eneral about

the uestion o% instruction in Castilian.B

@t that moment #sagani -as called a-ay by a servant to his uncle.

n one o% the benches at the stern, huddled in among the other passengers, sat a native

priest ga(ing at the landscapes that -ere successively un%olded to his vie-. !is

neighbors made room %or him, the men on passing ta+ing o%% their hats, and the

gamblers not daring to set their table near -here he -as. !e said little, but neither

smo+ed nor assumed arrogant airs, nor did he disdain to mingle -ith the other men,

returning the salutes -ith courtesy and a%%ability as i% he %elt much honored and very

grate%ul. @lthough advanced in years, -ith hair almost completely gray, he appeared

to be in vigorous health, and even -hen seated held his body straight and his headerect, but -ithout pride or arrogance. !e di%%ered %rom the ordinary native priests, %e-

enough indeed, -ho at that period served merely as coadutors or administered some

curacies temporarily, in a certain sel%Dpossession and gravity, li+e one -ho -as

conscious o% his personal dignity and the sacredness o% his o%%ice. @ super%icial

e=amination o% his appearance, i% not his -hite hair, revealed at once that he belonged

to another epoch, another generation, -hen the better young men -ere not a%raid to

ris+ their dignity by becoming priests, -hen the native clergy loo+ed any %riar at all in

the %ace, and -hen their class, not yet degraded and vili%ied, called %or %ree men and

not slaves, superior intelligences and not servile -ills. #n his sad and serious %eatures

-as to be read the serenity o% a soul %orti%ied by study and meditation, perhaps triedout by deep moral su%%ering. his priest -as Padre $lorentino, #saganis uncle, and his

story is easily told.

Scion o% a -ealthy and in%luential %amily o% 4anila, o% agreeable appearance and

cheer%ul disposition, suited to shine in the -orld, he had never %elt any call to the

sacerdotal [21] pro%ession, but by reason o% some promises or vo-s, his mother, a%ter

not a %e- struggles and violent disputes, compelled him to enter the seminary. She

-as a great %riend o% the @rchbishop, had a -ill o% iron, and -as as ine=orable as is

every devout -oman -ho believes that she is interpreting the -ill o% 5od. Iainly the

young $lorentine o%%ered resistance, vainly he begged, vainly he pleaded his love

a%%airs, even provo+ing scandals0 priest he had to become at t-entyD%ive years o% age,

and priest he became. he @rchbishop ordained him, his %irst mass -as celebrated

-ith great pomp, three days -ere given over to %easting, and his mother died happy

and content, leaving him all her %ortune.



ut in that struggle $lorentine received a -ound %rom -hich he never recovered.

*ee+s be%ore his %irst mass the -oman he loved, in desperation, married a nobodyHa

blo- the rudest he had ever e=perienced. !e lost his moral energy, li%e became dull

and insupportable. #% not his virtue and the respect %or his o%%ice, that un%ortunate love

a%%air saved him %rom the depths into -hich the regular orders and secular clergymen

both %all in the Philippines. !e devoted himsel% to his parishioners as a duty, and byinclination to the natural sciences.

*hen the events o% seventyDt-o occurred,O he %eared that the large income his curacy

yielded him -ould attract attention to him, so, desiring peace above everything, he

sought and secured his release, living therea%ter as a private individual on his

patrimonial estate situated on the Paci%ic coast. !e there adopted his nephe-, #sagani,

-ho -as reported by the malicious to be his o-n son by his old s-eetheart -hen she

became a -ido-, and by the more serious and better in%ormed, the natural child o% a

cousin, a lady in 4anila.[22]

he captain o% the steamer caught sight o% the old priest and insisted that he go to the

upper dec+, saying, #% you dont do so, the %riars -ill thin+ that you dont -ant to

associate -ith them.B

Padre $lorentino had no recourse but to accept, so he summoned his nephe- in order

to let him +no- -here he -as going, and to charge him not to come near the upper

dec+ -hile he -as there. #% the captain notices you, hell invite you also, and -e

should then be abusing his +indness.B

4y uncles -ayAB thought #sagani. @ll so that # -ont have any reason %or tal+ing-ith 3oKa Iictorina.B[2:]

1 he &esuit College in 4anila, established in 179.Hr.

2 atives o% Spain? to distinguish them %rom the $ilipinos, i(e(! descendants o% Spaniards born in the

Philippines. See 5lossary0 #ndian.BHr.

: #t -as a common saying among the old $ilipinos that the Spaniards 6-hite men8 -ere %ire 6activity8,

-hile they themselves -ere -ater 6passivity8.Hr.

O he liberalB demonstrations in 4anila, and the mutiny in the Cavite @rsenal, resulting in the garroting

o% the three native priests to -hom this -or+ -as dedicated0 the %irst o% a series o% %atal mista+es,

culminating in the e=ecution o% the author, that cost Spain the loyalty o% the $ilipinos.Hr.

Legends



#ch -eiss nicht -as soil es bedeuten

3ass ich so traurig binA

*hen Padre $lorentino oined the group above, the bad humor provo+ed by the

previous discussion had entirely disappeared. Perhaps their spirits had been raised by

the attractive houses o% the to-n o% Pasig, or the glasses o% sherry they had drun+ in preparation %or the coming meal, or the prospect o% a good brea+%ast. *hatever the

cause, the %act -as that they -ere all laughing and o+ing, even including the lean

$ranciscan, although he made little noise and his smiles loo+ed li+e deathDgrins.

Evil times, evil timesAB said Padre Sibyla -ith a laugh.

5et out, dont say that, IiceD"ectorAB responded the Canon #rene, giving the others

chair a shove. #n !ong+ong youre doing a %ine business, putting up every building

thatHha, haAB

ut, tutAB -as the reply? you dont see our e=penses, and the tenants on our estates

are beginning to complainHB

!ere, enough o% complaints, puales! else #ll %all to -eepingAB cried Padre Camorra

glee%ully. *ere not complaining, and -e havent either estates or ban+ingDhouses.

Nou +no- that my #ndians are beginning to haggle over the %ees and to %lash schedules

on meA &ust loo+ ho- they cite schedules to me no-, and none other than those o% the

@rchbishop asilio Sancho,1 as i% %rom his time [2O]up to no- prices had not risen. !a,

ha, haA *hy should a baptism cost less than a chic+enG ut # play the dea% man,

collect -hat # can, and never complain. *ere not avaricious, are -e, Padre SalviGB

@t that moment Simouns head appeared above the hatch-ay.

*ell, -hereve you been +eeping yoursel%GB 3on Custodio called to him, having

%orgotten all about their dispute. Noure missing the prettiest part o% the tripAB

Psha-AB retorted Simoun, as he ascended, #ve seen so many rivers and landscapes

that #m only interested in those that call up legends.B

@s %or legends, the Pasig has a %e-,B observed the captain, -ho did not relish anydepreciation o% the river -here he navigated and earned his livelihood. !ere you

have that o% Malapad)na)bato!a roc+ sacred be%ore the coming o% the Spaniards as the

abode o% spirits. @%ter-ards, -hen the superstition had been dissipated and the roc+

pro%aned, it -as converted into a nest o% tulisanes, since %rom its crest they easily

captured the luc+less ban+as, -hich had to contend against both the currents and men.

Fater, in our time, in spite o% human inter%erence, there are still told stories about



-rec+ed ban+as, and i% on rounding it # didnt steer -ith my si= senses, #d be

smashed against its sides. hen you have another legend, that o% 3oKa &eronimas

cave, -hich Padre $lorentino can relate to you.B

Everybody +no-s that,B remar+ed Padre Sibyla disdain%ully.

ut neither Simoun, nor enD<ayb, nor Padre #rene, nor Padre Camorra +ne- it, so

they begged %or the story, some in est and others %rom genuine curiosity. he priest,

adopting the tone o% burlesue -ith -hich some had made their reuest, began li+e an

old tutor relating a story to children.

nce upon a time there -as a student -ho had made a promise o% marriage to a

young -oman in his country, [27] but it seems that he %ailed to remember her. She

-aited %or him %aith%ully year a%ter year, her youth passed, she gre- into middle age,

and then one day she heard a report that her old s-eetheart -as the @rchbishop o%

4anila. 3isguising hersel% as a man, she came round the Cape and presented hersel% be%ore his grace, demanding the %ul%ilment o% his promise. *hat she as+ed -as o%

course impossible, so the @rchbishop ordered the preparation o% the cave that you may

have noticed -ith its entrance covered and decorated -ith a curtain o% vines. here

she lived and died and there she is buried. he legend states that 3oKa &eronima -as

so %at that she had to turn side-ise to get into it. !er %ame as an enchantress sprung

%rom her custom o% thro-ing into the river the silver dishes -hich she used in the

sumptuous banuets that -ere attended by cro-ds o% gentlemen. @ net -as spread

under the -ater to hold the dishes and thus they -ere cleaned. #t hasnt been t-enty

years since the river -ashed the very entrance o% the cave, but it has gradually been

receding, ust as the memory o% her is dying out among the people.B

@ beauti%ul legendAB e=claimed enD<ayb. #m going to -rite an article about it. #ts

sentimentalAB

3oKa Iictorina thought o% d-elling in such a cave and -as about to say so, -hen

Simoun too+ the %loor instead.

ut -hats your opinion about that, Padre SalviGB he as+ed the $ranciscan, -ho

seemed to be absorbed in thought. 3oesnt it seem to you as though his 5race,

instead o% giving her a cave, ought to have placed her in a nunneryHin St. Claras, %or e=ampleG *hat do you sayGB

here -as a start o% surprise on Padre Sibylas part to notice that Padre Salvi

shuddered and loo+ed as+ance at Simoun.



ecause its not a very gallant act,B continued Simoun uite naturally, to give a

roc+y cli%% as a home to one -ith -hose hopes -e have tri%led. #ts hardly religious to

e=pose her thus to temptation, in a cave on the ban+s o% a riverHit smac+s o% nymphs

and dryads. #t -ould [2/]have been more gallant, more pious, more romantic, more in

+eeping -ith the customs o% this country, to shut her up in St. Claras, li+e a ne-

Eloise, in order to visit and console her %rom time to time.B

# neither can nor should pass udgment upon the conduct o% archbishops,B replied the

$ranciscan sourly.

ut you, -ho are the ecclesiastical governor, acting in the place o% our @rchbishop,

-hat -ould you do i% such a case should ariseGB

Padre Salvi shrugged his shoulders and calmly responded, #ts not -orth -hile

thin+ing about -hat cant happen. ut spea+ing o% legends, dont overloo+ the most

beauti%ul, since it is the truest0 that o% the miracle o% St. icholas, the ruins o% -hosechurch you may have noticed. #m going to relate it to SeKor Simoun, as he probably

hasnt heard it. #t seems that %ormerly the river, as -ell as the la+e, -as in%ested -ith

caymans, so huge and voracious that they attac+ed ban+as and upset them -ith a slap

o% the tail. ur chronicles relate that one day an in%idel Chinaman, -ho up to that time

had re%used to be converted, -as passing in %ront o% the church, -hen suddenly the

devil presented himsel% to him in the %orm o% a cayman and upset the ban+a, in order

to devour him and carry him o%% to hell. #nspired by 5od, the Chinaman at that

moment called upon St. icholas and instantly the cayman -as changed into a stone.

he old people say that in their time the monster could easily be recogni(ed in the

pieces o% stone that -ere le%t, and, %or my part, # can assure you that # have clearlymade out the head, to udge %rom -hich the monster must have been enormously

large.B

4arvelous, a marvelous legendAB e=claimed enD<ayb. #ts good %or an articleHthe

description o% the monster, the terror o% the Chinaman, the -aters o% the river, the

bamboo bra+es. @lso, itll do %or a study o% comparative religions? because, loo+ you,

an in%idel Chinaman in great distress invo+ed e=actly the saint that he must +no- only

by hearsay and in -hom he did not believe. !ere theres [2>]no room %or the proverb

that Qa +no-n evil is pre%erable to an un+no-n good. #% # should %ind mysel% in China

and get caught in such a di%%iculty, # -ould invo+e the obscurest saint in the calendar

be%ore Con%ucius or uddha. *hether this is due to the mani%est superiority o%

Catholicism or to the inconseuential and illogical inconsistency in the brains o% the

yello- race, a pro%ound study o% anthropology alone -ill be able to elucidate.B

enD<ayb had adopted the tone o% a lecturer and -as describing circles in the air -ith

his %ore%inger, priding himsel% on his imagination, -hich %rom the most insigni%icant



%acts could deduce so many applications and in%erences. ut noticing that Simoun -as

preoccupied and thin+ing that he -as pondering over -hat he, enD<ayb, had ust

said, he inuired -hat the e-eler -as meditating about.

@bout t-o very important uestions,B ans-ered Simoun? t-o uestions that you

might add to your article. $irst, -hat may have become o% the devil on seeing himsel%suddenly con%ined -ithin a stoneG 3id he escapeG 3id he stay thereG *as he crushedG

Second, i% the petri%ied animals that # have seen in various European museums may

not have been the victims o% some antediluvian saintGB

he tone in -hich the e-eler spo+e -as so serious, -hile he rested his %orehead on

the tip o% his %ore%inger in an attitude o% deep meditation, that Padre Camorra

responded very gravely, *ho +no-s, -ho +no-sGB

Since -ere busy -ith legends and are no- entering the la+e,B remar+ed Padre

Sibyla, the captain must +no- manyHB

@t that moment the steamer crossed the bar and the panorama spread out be%ore their

eyes -as so truly magni%icent that all -ere impressed. #n %ront e=tended the beauti%ul

la+e bordered by green shores and blue mountains, li+e a huge mirror, %ramed in

emeralds and sapphires, re%lecting the s+y in its glass. n the right -ere spread out the

lo- shores, %orming bays -ith grace%ul curves, and dim there in the distance the crags

o% Sungay, -hile in the [2] bac+ground rose 4a+iling, imposing and maestic,

cro-ned -ith %leecy clouds. n the le%t lay alim #sland -ith its curious s-eep o%

hills. @ %resh bree(e rippled over the -ide plain o% -ater.

y the -ay, captain,B said enD<ayb, turning around, do you +no- in -hat part o%

the la+e a certain 5uevara, avarra, or #barra, -as +illedGB

he group loo+ed to-ard the captain, -ith the e=ception o% Simoun, -ho had turned

a-ay his head as though to loo+ %or something on the shore.

@h, yesAB e=claimed 3oKa Iictorina. *here, captainG 3id he leave any trac+s in the

-aterGB

he good captain -in+ed several times, an indication that he -as annoyed, butreading the reuest in the eyes o% all, too+ a %e- steps to-ard the bo- and scanned the

shore.

Foo+ over there,B he said in a scarcely audible voice, a%ter ma+ing sure that no

strangers -ere near. @ccording to the o%%icer -ho conducted the pursuit, #barra, upon

%inding himsel% surrounded, umped out o% his ban+a there near the Rinabutasan2 and,



s-imming under -ater, covered all that distance o% more than t-o miles, saluted by

bullets every time that he raised his head to breathe. ver yonder is -here they lost

trac+ o% him, and a little %arther on near the shore they discovered something li+e the

color o% blood. @nd no- # thin+ o% it, its ust thirteen years, day %or day, since this

happened.B

So that his corpseHB began enD<ayb.

*ent to oin his %athers,B replied Padre Sibyla. *asnt he also another %ilibuster,

Padre SalviGB

hats -hat might be called cheap %unerals, Padre Camorra, ehGB remar+ed enD

<ayb.[29]

#ve al-ays said that those -ho -ont pay %or e=pensive %unerals are %ilibusters,B

reoined the person addressed, -ith a merry laugh.

ut -hats the matter -ith you, SeKor SimounGB inuired enD<ayb, seeing that the

e-eler -as motionless and thought%ul. @re you seasic+Han old traveler li+e youG

n such a drop o% -ater as thisAB

# -ant to tell you,B bro+e in the captain, -ho had come to hold all those places in

great a%%ection, that you cant call this a drop o% -ater. #ts larger than any la+e in

S-it(erland and all those in Spain put together. #ve seen old sailors -ho got seasic+

here.B[:;]

1 @rchbishop o% 4anila %rom 1>/> to 1>>.Hr.

2 et-een this island 6alim8 and !alahala point e=tends a strait a mile -ide and a league long, -hich

the #ndians call QRinabutasan, a name that in their language means Qplace that -as cle%t open? %rom

-hich it is in%erred that in other times the island -as oined to the mainland and -as separated %rom it by

some severe earthua+e, thus leaving this strait0 o% this there is an old tradition among the #ndians.BH

$ray 4artine( de <uKigas *stadismo 61;:8.

Ca!esang Taleshose -ho have read the %irst part o% this story -ill perhaps remember an old -oodD

cutter -ho lived in the depths o% the %orest.1 andang Selo is still alive, and though his

hair has turned completely -hite, he yet preserves his good health. !e no longer hunts

or cuts %ire-ood, %or his %ortunes have improved and he -or+s only at ma+ing

brooms.



!is son ales 6abbreviation o% eles%oro8 had -or+ed at %irst on shares on the lands o%

a capitalist, but later, having become the o-ner o% t-o carabaos and several hundred

pesos, determined to -or+ on his o-n account, aided by his %ather, his -i%e, and his

three children. So they cut do-n and cleared a-ay some thic+ -oods -hich -ere

situated on the borders o% the to-n and -hich they believed belonged to no one.

3uring the labors o% cleaning and cultivating the ne- land, the -hole %amily %ell ill-ith malaria and the mother died, along -ith the eldest daughter, Fucia, in the %lo-er

o% her age. his, -hich -as the natural conseuence o% brea+ing up ne- soil in%ested

-ith various +inds o% bacteria, they attributed to the anger o% the -oodland spirit, so

they -ere resigned and -ent on -ith their labor, believing him paci%ied.

ut -hen they began to harvest their %irst crop a religious corporation, -hich o-ned

land in the neighboring to-n, laid claim to the %ields, alleging that they %ell -ithin

their boundaries, and to prove it they at once started to set up [:1]their mar+s.

!o-ever, the administrator o% the religious order le%t to them, %or humanitys sa+e, the

usu%ruct o% the land on condition that they pay a small sum annuallyHa mere

bagatelle, t-enty or thirty pesos. ales, as peace%ul a man as could be %ound, -as as

much opposed to la-suits as any one and more submissive to the %riars than most

people? so, in order not to smash a pal&ok against a kawali 6as he said, %or to him the

%riars -ere iron pots and he a clay ar8, he had the -ea+ness to yield to their claim,

remembering that he did not +no- Spanish and had no money to pay la-yers.

esides, andang Selo said to him, PatienceA Nou -ould spend more in one year o%

litigation than in ten years o% paying -hat the -hite padres demand. @nd perhaps

theyll pay you bac+ in massesA Pretend that those thirty pesos had been lost in

gambling or had %allen into the -ater and been s-allo-ed by a cayman.B

he harvest -as abundant and sold -ell, so ales planned to build a -ooden house in

the barrio o% Sagpang, o% the to-n o% iani, -hich adoined San 3iego.

@nother year passed, bringing another good crop, and %or this reason the %riars raised

the rent to %i%ty pesos, -hich ales paid in order not to uarrel and because he

e=pected to sell his sugar at a good price.

PatienceA Pretend that the cayman has gro-n some,B old Selo consoled him.

hat year he at last sa- his dream reali(ed0 to live in the barrio o% Sagpang in a

-ooden house. he %ather and grand%ather then thought o% providing some education

%or the t-o children, especially the daughter &uliana, or &uli, as they called her, %or she

gave promise o% being accomplished and beauti%ul. @ boy -ho -as a %riend o% the

%amily, asilio, -as studying in 4anila, and he -as o% as lo-ly origin as they.



ut this dream seemed destined not to be reali(ed. he %irst care the community too+

-hen they sa- the %amily prospering -as to appoint as cabe(a de barangay its

most [:2]industrious member, -hich le%t only ano, the son, -ho -as only %ourteen

years old. he %ather -as there%ore called%abesang ales and had to order a sac+ coat,

buy a %elt hat, and prepare to spend his money. #n order to avoid any uarrel -ith the

curate or the government, he settled %rom his o-n poc+et the shortages in the ta=Dlists, paying %or those -ho had died or moved a-ay, and he lost considerable time in

ma+ing the collections and on his trips to the capital.

PatienceA Pretend that the caymans relatives have oined him,B advised andang

Selo, smiling placidly.

e=t year youll put on a long s+irt and go to 4anila to study li+e the young ladies o%

the to-n,B Cabesang ales told his daughter every time he heard her tal+ing o%

asilios progress.

ut that ne=t year did not come, and in its stead there -as another increase in the rent.

Cabesang ales became serious and scratched his head. he clay ar -as giving up all

its rice to the iron pot.

*hen the rent had risen to t-o hundred pesos, ales -as not content -ith scratching

his head and sighing? he murmured and protested. he %riarDadministrator then told

him that i% he could not pay, some one else -ould be assigned to cultivate that landH

many -ho desired it had o%%ered themselves.

!e thought at %irst that the %riar -as o+ing, but the %riar -as tal+ing seriously, andindicated a servant o% his to ta+e possession o% the land. Poor ales turned pale, he %elt

a bu((ing in his ears, he sa- in the red mist that rose be%ore his eyes his -i%e and

daughter, pallid, emaciated, dying, victims o% the intermittent %eversHthen he sa- the

thic+ %orest converted into productive %ields, he sa- the stream o% s-eat -atering its

%urro-s, he sa- himsel% plo-ing under the hot sun, bruising his %eet against the stones

and roots, -hile this %riar had been driving about in his carriage -ith the -retch -ho

-as to get the land %ollo-ing li+e a slave behind his master. o, a thousand [::]times,

noA $irst let the %ields sin+ into the depths o% the earth and bury them allA *ho -as

this intruder that he should have any right to his landG !ad he brought %rom his o-n

country a single hand%ul o% that soilG !ad he croo+ed a single one o% his %ingers to pullup the roots that ran through itG

E=asperated by the threats o% the %riar, -ho tried to uphold his authority at any cost in

the presence o% the other tenants, Cabesang ales rebelled and re%used to pay a single

cuarto, having ever be%ore himsel% that red mist, saying that he -ould give up his

%ields to the %irst man -ho could irrigate it -ith blood dra-n %rom his o-n veins.



ld Selo, on loo+ing at his sons %ace, did not dare to mention the cayman, but tried to

calm him by tal+ing o% clay ars, reminding him that the -inner in a la-suit -as le%t

-ithout a shirt to his bac+.

*e shall all be turned to clay, %ather, and -ithout shirts -e -ere born,B -as the reply.

So he resolutely re%used to pay or to give up a single span o% his land unless the %riars

should %irst prove the legality o% their claim by e=hibiting a titleDdeed o% some +ind.

@s they had none, a la-suit %ollo-ed, and Cabesang ales entered into it, con%iding

that some at least, i% not all, -ere lovers o% ustice and respecters o% the la-.

# serve and have been serving the Ring -ith my money and my services,B he said to

those -ho remonstrated -ith him. #m as+ing %or ustice and he is obliged to give it

to me.B

3ra-n on by %atality, and as i% he had put into play in the la-suit the -hole %uture o%himsel% and his children, he -ent on spending his savings to pay la-yers, notaries,

and solicitors, not to mention the o%%icials and cler+s -ho e=ploited his ignorance and

his needs. !e moved to and %ro bet-een the village and the capital, passed his days

-ithout eating and his nights -ithout sleeping, -hile his tal+ -as al-ays about brie%s,

e=hibits, and appeals. here -as then seen a struggle such as -as never be%ore carried

on under the s+ies o% the Philippines0 that o% a poor #ndian, [:O]ignorant and %riendless,

con%iding in the ustness and righteousness o% his cause, %ighting against a po-er%ul

corporation be%ore -hich &ustice bo-ed her head, -hile the udges let %all the scales

and surrendered the s-ord. !e %ought as tenaciously as the ant -hich bites -hen it

+no-s that it is going to be crushed, as does the %ly -hich loo+s into space onlythrough a pane o% glass. Net the clay ar de%ying the iron pot and smashing itsel% into a

thousand pieces bad in it something impressiveHit had the sublimeness o%

desperationA

n the days -hen his ourneys le%t him %ree he patrolled his %ields armed -ith a

shotgun, saying that the tulisanes -ere hovering around and he had need o% de%ending

himsel% in order not to %all into their hands and thus lose his la-suit. @s i% to improve

his mar+smanship, he shot at birds and %ruits, even the butter%lies, -ith such accurate

aim that the %riarDadministrator did not dare to go to Sagpang -ithout an escort o%

civilDguards, -hile the %riars hireling, -ho ga(ed %rom a%ar at the threatening %igureo% ales -andering over the %ields li+e a sentinel upon the -alls, -as terror stric+en

and re%used to ta+e the property a-ay %rom him.

ut the local udges and those at the capital, -arned by the e=perience o% one o% their

number -ho had been summarily dismissed, dared not give him the decision, %earing

their o-n dismissal. Net they -ere not really bad men, those udges, they -ere upright



and conscientious, good citi(ens, e=cellent %athers, duti%ul sonsHand they -ere able

to appreciate poor ales situation better than ales himsel% could. 4any o% them -ere

versed in the scienti%ic and historical basis o% property, they +ne- that the %riars by

their o-n statutes could not o-n property, but they also +ne- that to come %rom %ar

across the sea -ith an appointment secured -ith great di%%iculty, to underta+e the

duties o% the position -ith the best intentions, and no- to lose it because an #ndian%ancied that ustice had to be done on earth as in heavenHthat surely -as an ideaA

hey had their [:7]%amilies and greater needs surely than that #ndian0 one had a mother

to provide %or, and -hat duty is more sacred than that o% caring %or a motherG @nother

had sisters, all o% marriageable age? that other there had many little children -ho

e=pected their daily bread and -ho, li+e %ledglings in a nest, -ould surely die o%

hunger the day he -as out o% a ob? even the very least o% them had there, %ar a-ay, a

-i%e -ho -ould be in distress i% the monthly remittance %ailed. @ll these moral and

conscientious udges tried everything in their po-er in the -ay o% counsel, advising

Cabesang ales to pay the rent demanded. ut ales, li+e all simple souls, once he had

seen -hat -as ust, -ent straight to-ard it. !e demanded proo%s, documents, papers,

titleDdeeds, but the %riars had none o% these, resting their case on his concessions in the

past.

Cabesang ales constant reply -as0 #% every day # give alms to a beggar to escape

annoyance, -ho -ill oblige me to continue my gi%ts i% he abuses my generosityGB

$rom this stand no one could dra- him, nor -ere there any threats that could

intimidate him. #n vain 5overnor 4HH made a trip e=pressly to tal+ to him and

%righten him. !is reply to it all -as0 Nou may do -hat you li+e, 4r. 5overnor, #m

ignorant and po-erless. ut #ve cultivated those %ields, my -i%e and daughter died

-hile helping me clear them, and # -ont give them up to any one but him -ho can do

more -ith them than #ve done. Fet him %irst irrigate them -ith his blood and bury in

them his -i%e and daughterAB

he upshot o% this obstinacy -as that the honorable udges gave the decision to the

%riars, and everybody laughed at him, saying that la-suits are not -on by ustice. ut

Cabesang ales appealed, loaded his shotgun, and patrolled his %ields -ith

deliberation.

3uring this period his li%e seemed to be a -ild dream. !is son, ano, a youth as tall as

his %ather and as good as his sister, -as conscripted, but he let the boy go rather than

purchase a substitute.[:/]

# have to pay the la-yers,B he told his -eeping daughter. #% # -in the case #ll %ind a

-ay to get him bac+, and i% # lose it # -ont have any need %or sons.B



So the son -ent a-ay and nothing more -as heard o% him e=cept that his hair had

been cropped and that he slept under a cart. Si= months later it -as rumored that he

had been seen embar+ing %or the Carolines? another report -as that he had been seen

in the uni%orm o% the Civil 5uard.

ano in the Civil 5uardA +,usmariosepAB e=claimed several, clasping their hands.ano, -ho -as so good and so honestA Requimternam"B

he grand%ather -ent many days -ithout spea+ing to the %ather, &uli %ell sic+, but

Cabesang ales did not shed a single tear, although %or t-o days he never le%t the

house, as i% he %eared the loo+s o% reproach %rom the -hole village or that he -ould be

called the e=ecutioner o% his son. ut on the third day he again sallied %orth -ith his

shotgun.

4urderous intentions -ere attributed to him, and there -ere -ellDmeaning persons

-ho -hispered about that he had been heard to threaten that he -ould bury the %riarDadministrator in the %urro-s o% his %ields, -hereat the %riar -as %rightened at him in

earnest. @s a result o% this, there came a decree %rom the CaptainD5eneral %orbidding

the use o% %irearms and ordering that they be ta+en up. Cabesang ales had to hand

over his shotgun but he continued his rounds armed -ith a long bolo.

*hat are you going to do -ith that bolo -hen the tulisanes have %irearmsGB old Selo

as+ed him.

# must -atch my crops,B -as the ans-er. Every stal+ o% cane gro-ing there is one

o% my -i%es bones.B

he bolo -as ta+en up on the prete=t that it -as too long. !e then too+ his %athers old

a= and -ith it on his shoulder continued his sullen rounds.

Every time he le%t the house andang Selo and &uli trembled %or his li%e. he latter

-ould get up %rom her loom, go to the -indo-, pray, ma+e vo-s to the saints,

and [:>]recite novenas. he grand%ather -as at times unable to %inish the handle o% a

broom and tal+ed o% returning to the %orestHli%e in that house -as unbearable.

@t last their %ears -ere reali(ed. @s the %ields -ere some distance %rom the village,Cabesang ales, in spite o% his a=, %ell into the hands o% tulisanes -ho had revolvers

and ri%les. hey told him that since he had money to pay udges and la-yers he must

have some also %or the outcasts and the hunted. hey there%ore demanded a ransom o%

%ive hundred pesos through the medium o% a rustic, -ith the -arning that i% anything

happened to their messenger, the captive -ould pay %or it -ith his li%e. -o days o%

grace -ere allo-ed.



his ne-s thre- the poor %amily into the -ildest terror, -hich -as augmented -hen

they learned that the Civil 5uard -as going out in pursuit o% the bandits. #n case o% an

encounter, the %irst victim -ould be the captiveHthis they all +ne-. he old man -as

paraly(ed, -hile the pale and %rightened daughter tried o%ten to tal+ but could not.

Still, another thought more terrible, an idea more cruel, roused them %rom their stupor.

he rustic sent by the tulisanes said that the band -ould probably have to move on,and i% they -ere slo- in sending the ransom the t-o days -ould elapse and Cabesang

ales -ould have his throat cut.

his drove those t-o beings to madness, -ea+ and po-erless as they -ere. andang

Selo got up, sat do-n, -ent outside, came bac+ again, +no-ing not -here to go,

-here to see+ aid. &uli appealed to her images, counted and recounted her money, but

her t-o hundred pesos did not increase or multiply. Soon she dressed hersel%, gathered

together all her e-els, and as+ed the advice o% her grand%ather, i% she should go to see

the gobernadorcillo, the udge, the notary, the lieutenant o% the Civil 5uard. he old

man said yes to everything, or -hen she said no, he too said no. @t length came the

neighbors, their relatives and %riends, some poorer than others, in their simplicity

magni%ying [:]the %ears. he most active o% all -as Sister ali, a

great panguinguera! -ho had been to 4anila to practise religious e=ercises in the

nunnery o% the Sodality.

&uli -as -illing to sell all her e-els, e=cept a loc+et set -ith diamonds and emeralds

-hich asilio had given her, %or this loc+et had a history0 a nun, the daughter o%

Capitan iago, had given it to a leper, -ho, in return %or pro%essional treatment, had

made a present o% it to asilio. So she could not sell it -ithout %irst consulting him.

Luic+ly the shellDcombs and earrings -ere sold, as -ell as &ulis rosary, to their

richest neighbor, and thus %i%ty pesos -ere added, but t-o hundred and %i%ty -ere still

lac+ing. he loc+et might be pa-ned, but &uli shoo+ her head. @ neighbor suggested

that the house be sold and andang Selo approved the idea, satis%ied to return to the

%orest and cut %ire-ood as o% old, but Sister ali observed that this could not be done

because the o-ner -as not present.

he udges -i%e once sold me her tapis %or a peso, but her husband said that the sale

did not hold because it hadnt received his approval. Ab-" !e too+ bac+ the tapis and

she hasnt returned the peso yet, but # dont pay her -hen she -ins at panguingui!ab-" #n that -ay #ve collected t-elve cuartos, and %or that alone #m going to play

-ith her. # cant bear to have people %ail to pay -hat they o-e me, ab-"B

@nother neighbor -as going to as+ Sister ali -hy then did not she settle a little

account -ith her, but the uic+ panguinguera suspected this and added at once0 3o



you +no-, &uli, -hat you can doG orro- t-o hundred and %i%ty pesos on the house,

payable -hen the la-suit is -on.B

his seemed to be the best proposition, so they decided to act upon it that same day.

Sister ali o%%ered to accompany her, and together they visited the houses o% all the

rich %ol+s in iani, but no one -ould accept the proposal. he case, they said, -asalready lost, and to sho- %avors to an enemy o% the %riars -as to e=pose themselves to

their [:9]vengeance. @t last a pious -oman too+ pity on the girl and lent the money on

condition that &uli should remain -ith her as a servant until the debt -as paid. &uli

-ould not have so very much to do0 se-, pray, accompany her to mass, and %ast %or

her no- and then. he girl accepted -ith tears in her eyes, received the money, and

promised to enter her service on the %ollo-ing day, Christmas.

*hen the grand%ather heard o% that sale he %ell to -eeping li+e a child. *hat, that

granddaughter -hom he had not allo-ed to -al+ in the sun lest her s+in should be

burned, &uli, she o% the delicate %ingers and rosy %eetA *hat, that girl, the prettiest inthe village and perhaps in the -hole to-n, be%ore -hose -indo- many gallants had

vainly passed the night playing and singingA *hat, his only granddaughter, the sole

oy o% his %ading eyes, she -hom he had dreamed o% seeing dressed in a long s+irt,

tal+ing Spanish, and holding hersel% erect -aving a painted %an li+e the daughters o%

the -ealthyHshe to become a servant, to be scolded and reprimanded, to ruin her

%ingers, to sleep any-here, to rise in any manner -hatsoeverA

So the old grand%ather -ept and tal+ed o% hanging or starving himsel% to death. #% you

go,B he declared, #m going bac+ to the %orest and -ill never set %oot in the to-n.B

&uli soothed him by saying that it -as necessary %or her %ather to return, that the suit

-ould be -on, and they could then ransom her %rom her servitude.

he night -as a sad one. either o% the t-o could taste a bite and the old man re%used

to lie do-n, passing the -hole night seated in a corner, silent and motionless. &uli on

her part tried to sleep, but %or a long time could not close her eyes. Some-hat relieved

about her %athers %ate, she no- thought o% hersel% and %ell to -eeping, but sti%led her

sobs so that the old man might not hear them. he ne=t day she -ould be a servant,

and it -as the very day asilio -as accustomed to come %rom 4anila -ith presents

%or her. !ence%or-ard she -ould have to give up that love? asilio, -ho -as going to be a doctor, couldnt marry a [O;] pauper. #n %ancy she sa- him going to the church in

company -ith the prettiest and richest girl in the to-n, both -ellDdressed, happy and

smiling, -hile she, &uli, %ollo-ed her mistress, carrying novenas, buyos, and the

cuspidor. !ere the girl %elt a lump rise in her throat, a sin+ing at her heart, and begged

the Iirgin to let her die %irst.



utHsaid her conscienceHhe -ill at least +no- that # pre%erred to pa-n mysel%

rather than the loc+et he gave me.

his thought consoled her a little and brought on empty dreams. *ho +no-s but that a

miracle might happenG She might %ind the t-o hundred and %i%ty pesos under the

image o% the IirginHshe had read o% many similar miracles. he sun might not risenor morning come, and mean-hile the suit -ould be -on. !er %ather might return, or

asilio put in his appearance, she might %ind a bag o% gold in the garden, the tulisanes

-ould send the bag o% gold, the curate, Padre Camorra, -ho -as al-ays teasing her,

-ould come -ith the tulisanes. So her ideas became more and more con%used, until at

length, -orn out by %atigue and sorro-, she -ent to sleep -ith dreams o% her

childhood in the depths o% the %orest0 she -as bathing in the torrent along -ith her t-o

brothers, there -ere little %ishes o% all colors that let themselves be caught li+e %ools,

and she became impatient because she %ound no pleasure in catchnig such %oolish little

%ishesA asilio -as under the -ater, but asilio %or some reason had the %ace o% her

brother ano. !er ne- mistress -as -atching them %rom the ban+.[O1]

1 he re%erence is to the novel Noli Me Tangere 6The ,o#ial %an#er 8, the authors %irst -or+, o% -hich, the

present is in a -ay a continuation.Hr.

" Cochero’s Christ#as $%e

asilio reached San 3iego ust as the Christmas Eve procession -as passing through

the streets. !e had been delayed on the road %or several hours because the cochero,having %orgotten his cedula, -as held up by the Civil 5uard, had his memory ogged

by a %e- blo-s %rom a ri%leDbutt, and a%ter-ards -as ta+en be%ore the commandant.

o- the carromata -as again detained to let the procession pass, -hile the abused

cochero too+ o%% his hat reverently and recited a paternoster to the %irst image that

came along, -hich seemed to be that o% a great saint. #t -as the %igure o% an old man

-ith an e=ceptionally long beard, seated at the edge o% a grave under a tree %illed -ith

all +inds o% stu%%ed birds. @ kalan -ith a clay ar, a mortar, and a kalikut %or mashing

buyo -ere his only utensils, as i% to indicate that he lived on the border o% the tomb

and -as doing his coo+ing there. his -as the 4ethuselah o% the religious

iconography o% the Philippines? his colleague and perhaps contemporary is called inEurope Santa Claus, and is still more smiling and agreeable.

#n the time o% the saints,B thought the cochero, surely there -ere no civilDguards,

because one cant live long on blo-s %rom ri%leDbutts.B



ehind the great old man came the three 4agian Rings on ponies that -ere capering

about, especially that o% the negro 4elchior, -hich seemed to be about to trample its

companions.

o, there couldnt have been any civilDguards,B decided the cochero, secretly

envying those %ortunate times, because i% there had been, that negro -ho is cuttingup [O2]such capers beside those t-o SpaniardsBH5aspar and atha(arH-ould have

gone to ail.B

hen, observing that the negro -ore a cro-n and -as a +ing, li+e the other t-o, the

Spaniards, his thoughts naturally turned to the +ing o% the #ndians, and he sighed. 3o

you +no-, sir,B he as+ed asilio respect%ully, i% his right %oot is loose yetGB

asilio had him repeat the uestion. *hose right %ootGB

he RingsAB -hispered the cochero mysteriously.

*hat RingsGB

ur Rings, the Ring o% the #ndians.B

asilio smiled and shrugged his shoulders, -hile the cochero again sighed. he

#ndians in the country places preserve the legend that their +ing, imprisoned and

chained in the cave o% San 4ateo, -ill come some day to %ree them. Every hundredth

year he brea+s one o% his chains, so that he no- has his hands and his le%t %oot looseH

only the right %oot remains bound. his +ing causes the earthua+es -hen he strugglesor stirs himsel%, and he is so strong that in sha+ing hands -ith him it is necessary to

e=tend to him a bone, -hich he crushes in his grasp. $or some une=plainable reason

the #ndians call him Ring ernardo, perhaps by con%using him -ith ernardo del

Carpio.1

*hen he gets his right %oot loose,B muttered the cochero, sti%ling another sigh, #ll

give him my horses, and o%%er him my services even to death, %or hell %ree us %rom

the Civil 5uard.B *ith a melancholy ga(e he -atched the hree Rings move on.[O:]

he boys came behind in t-o %iles, sad and serious as though they -ere there undercompulsion. hey lighted their -ay, some -ith torches, others -ith tapers, and others

-ith paper lanterns on bamboo poles, -hile they recited the rosary at the top o% their

voices, as though uarreling -ith somebody. @%ter-ards came St. &oseph on a modest

%loat, -ith a loo+ o% sadness and resignation on his %ace, carrying his stal+ o% lilies, as

he moved along bet-een t-o civilDguards as though he -ere a prisoner. his enabled

the cochero to understand the e=pression on the saints %ace, but -hether the sight o%



the guards troubled him or he had no great respect %or a saint -ho -ould travel in

such company, he did not recite a single reuiem.

ehind St. &oseph came the girls bearing lights, their heads covered -ith

hand+erchie%s +notted under their chins, also reciting the rosary, but -ith less -rath

than the boys. #n their midst -ere to be seen several lads dragging along little rabbitsmade o% &apanese paper, lighted by red candles, -ith their short paper tails erect. he

lads brought those toys into the procession to enliven the birth o% the 4essiah. he

little animals, %at and round as eggs, seemed to be so pleased that at times they -ould

ta+e a leap, lose their balance, %all, and catch %ire. he o-ner -ould then hasten to

e=tinguish such burning enthusiasm, pu%%ing and blo-ing until he %inally beat out the

%ire, and then, seeing his toy destroyed, -ould %all to -eeping. he cochero observed

-ith sadness that the race o% little paper animals disappeared each year, as i% they had

been attac+ed by the pest li+e the living animals. !e, the abused Sinong, remembered

his t-o magni%icent horses, -hich, at the advice o% the curate, he had caused to be

blessed to save them %rom plague, spending there%or ten pesosH%or neither the

government nor the curates have %ound any better remedy %or the epi(ooticHand they

had died a%ter all. Net he consoled himsel% by remembering also that a%ter the sho-er

o% holy -ater, the Fatin phrases o% the padre, and the ceremonies, the horses had

become so vain and sel%Dimportant that [OO]they -ould not even allo- him, Sinong, a

good Christian, to put them in harness, and he had not dared to -hip them, because a

tertiary sister had said that they -ere san#tified .

he procession -as closed by the Iirgin dressed as the 3ivine Shepherd, -ith a

pilgrims hat o% -ide brim and long plumes to indicate the ourney to &erusalem. hat

the birth might be made more e=plicable, the curate had ordered her %igure to be

stu%%ed -ith rags and cotton under her s+irt, so that no one could be in any doubt as to

her condition. #t -as a very beauti%ul image, -ith the same sad e=pression o% all the

images that the $ilipinos ma+e, and a mien some-hat ashamed, doubtless at the -ay

in -hich the curate had arranged her. #n %ront came several singers and behind, some

musicians -ith the usual civilDguards. he curate, as -as to be e=pected a%ter -hat he

had done, -as not in his place, %or that year he -as greatly displeased at having to use

all his diplomacy and shre-dness to convince the to-nspeople that they should pay

thirty pesos %or each Christmas mass instead o% the usual t-enty. Noure turning

%ilibustersAB he had said to them.

he cochero must have been greatly preoccupied -ith the sights o% the procession, %or

-hen it had passed and asilio ordered him to go on, he did not notice that the lamp

on his carromata had gone out. either did asilio notice it, his attention being

devoted to ga(ing at the houses, -hich -ere illuminated inside and out -ith little

paper lanterns o% %antastic shapes and colors, stars surrounded by hoops -ith long

streamers -hich produced a pleasant murmur -hen sha+en by the -ind, and %ishes o%



movable heads and tails, having a glass o% oil inside, suspended %rom the eaves o% the

-indo-s in the delight%ul %ashion o% a happy and homeli+e %iesta. ut he also noticed

that the lights -ere %lic+ering, that the stars -ere being eclipsed, that this year had

%e-er ornaments and hangings than the %ormer, -hich in turn had had even %e-er than

the year preceding it. here -as scarcely any music in the streets, -hile the agreeable

noises o% the +itchen -ere not to be heard in all [O7]the houses, -hich the youthascribed to the %act that %or some time things had been going badly, the sugar did not

bring a good price, the rice crops had %ailed, over hal% the live stoc+ had died, but the

ta=es rose and increased %or some ine=plicable reason, -hile the abuses o% the Civil

5uard became more %reuent to +ill o%% the happiness o% the people in the to-ns.

!e -as ust pondering over this -hen an energetic !altAB resounded. hey -ere

passing in %ront o% the barrac+s and one o% the guards had noticed the e=tinguished

lamp o% the carromata, -hich could not go on -ithout it. @ hail o% insults %ell about

the poor cochero, -ho vainly e=cused himsel% -ith the length o% the procession. !e

-ould be arrested %or violating the ordinances and a%ter-ards advertised in the

ne-spapers, so the peace%ul and prudent asilio le%t the carromata and -ent his -ay

on %oot, carrying his valise. his -as San 3iego, his native to-n, -here he had not a

single relative.

he only, house -herein there seemed to be any mirth -as Capitan asilios. !ens

and chic+ens cac+led their death chant to the accompaniment o% dry and repeated

stro+es, as o% meat pounded on a choppingDbloc+, and the si((ling o% grease in the

%ryingDpans. @ %east -as going on in the house, and even into the street there passed a

certain draught o% air, saturated -ith the succulent odors o% ste-s and con%ections. #n

the entresol asilio sa- Sinang, as small as -hen our readers +ne- her

be%ore,2 although a little rounder and plumper since her marriage. hen to his great

surprise he made out, %urther in at the bac+ o% the room, chatting -ith Capitan asilio,

the curate, and the al%ere( o% the Civil 5uard, no less than the e-eler Simoun, as ever

-ith his blue goggles and his nonchalant air.

#ts understood, SeKor Simoun,B Capitan asilio -as saying, that -ell go to iani

to see your e-els.B

# -ould also go,B remar+ed the al%ere(, because # [O/]need a -atchDchain, but #m so

busyHi% Capitan asilio -ould underta+eHB

Capitan asilio -ould do so -ith the greatest pleasure, and as he -ished to propitiate

the soldier in order that he might not be molested in the persons o% his laborers, he

re%used to accept the money -hich the al%ere( -as trying to get out o% his poc+et.

#ts my Christmas gi%tAB



# cant allo- you, Capitan, # cant permit itAB

@ll rightA *ell settle up a%ter-ards,B replied Capitan asilio -ith a lordly gesture.

@lso, the curate -anted a pair o% ladys earrings and reuested the capitan to buy them

%or him. # -ant them %irst class. Fater -ell %i= up the account.B

3ont -orry about that, Padre,B said the good man, -ho -ished to be at peace -ith

the Church also. @n un%avorable report on the curates part could do him great damage

and cause him double the e=pense, %or those earrings -ere a %orced present. Simoun in

the meantime -as praising his e-els.

hat %ello- is %ierceAB mused the student. !e does business every-here. @nd i% #

can believe a #ertain person! he buys %rom some gentlemen %or a hal% o% their value

the same e-els that he himsel% has sold %or presents. Everybody in this country

prospers but usAB

!e made his -ay to his house, or rather Capitan iagos, no- occupied by a

trust-orthy man -ho had held him in great esteem since the day -hen he had seen

him per%orm a surgical operation -ith the same coolness that he -ould cut up a

chic+en. his man -as no- -aiting to give him the ne-s. -o o% the laborers -ere

prisoners, one -as to be deported, and a number o% carabaos had died.

he same old story,B e=claimed asilio, in a bad humor. Nou al-ays receive me

-ith the same complaints.B he youth -as not overbearing, but as he -as at times

scolded by Capitan iago, he li+ed in his turn to chide those under his orders. [O>]

he old man cast about %or something ne-. ne o% our tenants has died, the old

%ello- -ho too+ care o% the -oods, and the curate re%used to bury him as a pauper,

saying that his master is a rich man.B

*hat did he die o%GB

% old age.B

5et outA o die o% old ageA #t must at least have been some disease.B asilio in his(eal %or ma+ing autopsies -anted diseases.

!avent you anything ne- to tell meG Nou ta+e a-ay my appetite relating the same

old things. 3o you +no- anything o% SagpangGB



he old man then told him about the +idnapping o% Cabesang ales. asilio became

thought%ul and said nothing moreHhis appetite had completely le%t him.[O]

1

his legend is still current among the agalogs. #t circulates in various %orms, the commonest being thatthe +ing -as so con%ined %or de%ying the lightning? and it ta+es no great stretch o% the imagination to

%ancy in this idea a re%erence to the %irearms used by the Spanish conuerors. Luite recently 6&anuary

19;98, -hen the nearly e=tinct volcano o% anahao shoo+ itsel% and scattered a %e- tons o% mud over the

surrounding landscape, the people thereabout recalled this old legend, saying that it -as their Ring

ernardo ma+ing another e%%ort to get that right %oot loose.Hr.

2 he re%erence is to Noli Me Tangere! in -hich Sinang appears.

&asilio

*hen the bells began their chimes %or the midnight mass and those -ho pre%erred agood sleep to %iestas and ceremonies arose grumbling at the noise and movement,

asilio cautiously le%t the house, too+ t-o or three turns through the streets to see that

he -as not -atched or %ollo-ed, and then made his -ay by un%reuented paths to the

road that led to the ancient -ood o% the #barras, -hich had been acuired by Capitan

iago -hen their property -as con%iscated and sold. @s Christmas %ell under the

-aning moon that year, the place -as -rapped in dar+ness. he chimes had ceased,

and only the tolling sounded through the dar+ness o% the night amid the murmur o% the

bree(eDstirred branches and the measured roar o% the -aves on the neighboring la+e,

li+e the deep respiration o% nature sun+ in pro%ound sleep.

@-ed by the time and place, the youth moved along -ith his head do-n, as i%

endeavoring to see through the dar+ness. ut %rom time to time he raised it to ga(e at

the stars through the open spaces bet-een the treetops and -ent %or-ard parting the

bushes or tearing a-ay the lianas that obstructed his path. @t times he retraced his

steps, his %oot -ould get caught among the plants, he stumbled over a proecting root

or a %allen log. @t the end o% a hal%Dhour he reached a small broo+ on the opposite side

o% -hich arose a hilloc+, a blac+ and shapeless mass that in the dar+ness too+ on the

proportions o% a mountain. asilio crossed the broo+ on the stones that sho-ed blac+

against the shining sur%ace o% the -ater, ascended the hill, and made his -ay to a small

space enclosed by old and [O9]crumbling -alls. !e approached the balete tree that rose

in the center, huge, mysterious, venerable, %ormed o% roots that e=tended up and do-n

among the con%usedlyDinterlaced trun+s.

Pausing be%ore a heap o% stones he too+ o%% his hat and seemed to be praying. here

his mother -as buried, and every time he came to the to-n his %irst visit -as to that

neglected and un+no-n grave. Since he must visit Cabesang ales %amily the ne=t



day, he had ta+en advantage o% the night to per%orm this duty. Seated on a stone, he

seemed to %all into deep thought. !is past rose be%ore him li+e a long blac+ %ilm, rosy

at %irst, then shado-y -ith spots o% blood, then blac+, blac+, gray, and then light, ever

lighter. he end could not be seen, hidden as it -as by a cloud through -hich shone

lights and the hues o% da-n.

hirteen years be%ore to the day, almost to the hour, his mother had died there in the

deepest distress, on a glorious night -hen the moon shone brightly and the Christians

o% the -orld -ere engaged in reoicing. *ounded and limping, he had reached there in

pursuit o% herHshe mad and terri%ied, %leeing %rom her son as %rom a ghost. here she

had died, and there had come a stranger -ho had commanded him to build a %uneral

pyre. !e had obeyed mechanically and -hen he returned he %ound a second stranger

by the side o% the others corpse. *hat a night and -hat a morning those -ereA he

stranger helped him raise the pyre, -hereon they burned the corpse o% the %irst, dug

the grave in -hich they buried his mother, and then a%ter giving him some pieces o%

money told him to leave the place. #t -as the %irst time that he had seen that manH

tall, -ith bloodDshot eyes, pale lips, and a sharp nose.

Entirely alone in the -orld, -ithout parents or brothers and sisters, he le%t the to-n

-hose authorities inspired in him such great %ear and -ent to 4anila to -or+ in some

rich house and study at the same time, as many do. !is ourney -as an dyssey o%

sleeplessness and startling surprises, in -hich hunger counted %or little, %or he ate

the [7;]%ruits in the -oods, -hither he retreated -henever he made out %rom a%ar the

uni%orm o% the Civil 5uard, a sight that recalled the origin o% all his mis%ortunes. nce

in 4anila, ragged and sic+, he -ent %rom door to door o%%ering his services. @ boy

%rom the provinces -ho +ne- not a single -ord o% Spanish, and sic+ly besidesA

3iscouraged, hungry, and miserable, he -andered about the streets, attracting

attention by the -retchedness o% his clothing. !o- o%ten -as he tempted to thro-

himsel% under the %eet o% the horses that %lashed by, dra-ing carriages shining -ith

silver and varnish, thus to end his misery at onceA $ortunately, he sa- Capitan iago,

accompanied by @unt #sabel. !e had +no-n them since the days in San 3iego, and in

his oy believed that in them he sa- almost %ello-Dto-ns%ol+. !e %ollo-ed the

carriage until he lost sight o% it, and then made inuiries %or the house. @s it -as the

very day that 4aria Clara entered the nunnery and Capitan iago -as accordingly

depressed, he -as admitted as a servant, -ithout pay, but instead -ith leave to study,i% he so -ished, in San &uan de Fetran.1

3irty, poorly dressed, -ith only a pair o% clogs %or %oot-ear, at the end o% several

months stay in 4anila, he entered the %irst year o% Fatin. n seeing his clothes, his

classmates dre- a-ay %rom him, and the pro%essor, a handsome 3ominican, never

as+ed him a uestion, but %ro-ned every time he loo+ed at him. #n the eight months

that the class continued, the only -ords that passed bet-een them -ere his name read



%rom the roll and the daily adsum -ith -hich the student responded. *ith -hat

bitterness he le%t the class each day, and, guessing the reason %or the treatment

accorded him, -hat tears sprang into his eyes and -hat complaints -ere sti%led in his

heartA !o- he had -ept and sobbed over the grave o% his mother, relating to her his

hidden sorro-s, humiliations, and a%%ronts, -hen at the approach o% Christmas

Capitan iago had ta+en him bac+ to San 3iegoA Net he memori(ed the lessons-ithout [71]omitting a comma, although he understood scarcely any part o% them. ut

at length he became resigned, noticing that among the three or %our hundred in his

class only about %orty merited the honor o% being uestioned, because they attracted

the pro%essors attention by their appearance, some pran+, comicality, or other cause.

he greater part o% the students congratulated themselves that they thus escaped the

-or+ o% thin+ing and understanding the subect. ne goes to college, not to learn and

study, but to gain credit %or the course, so i% the boo+ can be memori(ed, -hat more

can be as+edHthe year is thus gained.B2

asilio passed the e=aminations by ans-ering the solitary uestion as+ed him, li+e a

machine, -ithout stopping or breathing, and in the amusement o% the e=aminers -on

the passing certi%icate. !is nine companionsHthey -ere e=amined in batches o% ten in

order to save timeHdid not have such good luc+, but -ere condemned to repeat the

year o% brutali(ation.

#n the second year the gameDcoc+ that he tended -on a [72]large sum and he received

%rom Capitan iago a big tip, -hich he immediately invested in the purchase o% shoes

and a %elt hat. *ith these and the clothes given him by his employer, -hich he made

over to %it his person, his appearance became more decent, but did not get beyond that.

#n such a large class a great deal -as needed to attract the pro%essors attention, and

the student -ho in the %irst year did not ma+e himsel% +no-n by some special uality,

or did not capture the goodD-ill o% the pro%essors, could -ith di%%iculty ma+e himsel%

+no-n in the rest o% his schoolDdays. ut asilio +ept on, %or perseverance -as his

chie% trait.

!is %ortune seemed to change some-hat -hen he entered the third year. !is pro%essor

happened to be a very olly %ello-, %ond o% o+es and o% ma+ing the students laugh,

complacent enough in that he almost al-ays had his %avorites recite the lessonsHin

%act, he -as satis%ied -ith anything. @t this time asilio no- -ore shoes and a clean

and -ellDironed camisa. @s his pro%essor noticed that he laughed very little at the

o+es and that his large eyes seemed to be as+ing something li+e an eternal uestion,

he too+ him %or a %ool, and one day decided to ma+e him conspicuous by calling on

him %or the lesson. asilio recited it %rom beginning to end, -ithout hesitating over a

single letter, so the pro%essor called him a parrot and told a story to ma+e the class

laugh. hen to increase the hilarity and usti%y the epithet he as+ed several uestions,



at the same time -in+ing to his %avorites, as i% to say to them, Noull see ho- -ere

going to amuse ourselves.B

asilio no- understood Spanish and ans-ered the uestions -ith the plain intention

o% ma+ing no one laugh. his disgusted everybody, the e=pected absurdity did not

materiali(e, no one could laugh, and the good %riar never pardoned him %or havingde%rauded the hopes o% the class and disappointed his o-n prophecies. ut -ho -ould

e=pect anything -orth -hile to come %rom a head so badly combed and placed on an

#ndian poorly shod, classi%ied until recently among the arboreal animalsG @s in

other [7:]centers o% learning, -here the teachers are honestly desirous that the students

should learn, such discoveries usually delight the instructors, so in a college managed

by men convinced that %or the most part +no-ledge is an evil, at least %or the students,

the episode o% asilio produced a bad impression and he -as not uestioned again

during the year. *hy should he be, -hen he made no one laughG

Luite discouraged and thin+ing o% abandoning his studies, he passed to the %ourth year o% Fatin. *hy study at all, -hy not sleep li+e the others and trust to luc+G

ne o% the t-o pro%essors -as very popular, beloved by all, passing %or a sage, a great

poet, and a man o% advanced ideas. ne day -hen he accompanied the collegians on

their -al+, he had a dispute -ith some cadets, -hich resulted in a s+irmish and a

challenge. o doubt recalling his brilliant youth, the pro%essor preached a crusade and

promised good mar+s to all -ho during the promenade on the %ollo-ing Sunday

-ould ta+e part in the %ray. he -ee+ -as a lively oneHthere -ere occasional

encounters in -hich canes and sabers -ere crossed, and in one o% these asilio

distinguished himsel%. orne in triumph by the students and presented to the pro%essor, he thus became +no-n to him and came to be his %avorite. Partly %or this

reason and partly %rom his diligence, that year he received the highest mar+s, medals

included, in vie- o% -hich Capitan iago, -ho, since his daughter had become a nun,

e=hibited some aversion to the %riars, in a %it o% good humor induced him to trans%er to

the @teneo 4unicipal, the %ame o% -hich -as then in its apogee.

!ere a ne- -orld opened be%ore his eyesHa system o% instruction that he had never

dreamed o%. E=cept %or a %e- super%luities and some childish things, he -as %illed -ith

admiration %or the methods there used and -ith gratitude %or the (eal o% the

instructors. !is eyes at times %illed -ith tears -hen he thought o% the %our previous

years during -hich, %rom lac+ o% means, he had been unable to study at that center. !e

had to ma+e e=traordinary e%%orts to get [7O]himsel% to the level o% those -ho had had a

good preparatory course, and it might be said that in that one year he learned the

-hole %ive o% the secondary curricula. !e received his bachelors degree, to the great

satis%action o% his instructors, -ho in the e=aminations sho-ed themselves to be proud

o% him be%ore the 3ominican e=aminers sent there to inspect the school. ne o% these,



as i% to dampen such great enthusiasm a little, as+ed him -here he had studied the %irst

years o% Fatin.

#n San &uan de Fetran, Padre,B ans-ered asilio.

@haA % courseA !es not bad,Hin Fatin,B the 3ominican then remar+ed -ith aslight smile.

$rom choice and temperament he selected the course in medicine. Capitan iago

pre%erred the la-, in order that he might have a la-yer %ree, but +no-ledge o% the la-s

is not su%%icient to secure clientage in the PhilippinesHit is necessary to -in the cases,

and %or this %riendships are reuired, in%luence in certain spheres, a good deal o%

astuteness. Capitan iago %inally gave in, remembering that medical students get on

intimate terms -ith corpses, and %or some time he had been see+ing a poison to put on

the ga%%s o% his gameDcoc+s, the best he had been able to secure thus %ar being the

blood o% a Chinaman -ho had died o% syphilis.

*ith eual diligence, or more i% possible, the young man continued this course, and

a%ter the third year began to render medical services -ith such great success that he

-as not only preparing a brilliant %uture %or himsel% but also earning enough to dress

-ell and save some money. his -as the last year o% the course and in t-o months he

-ould be a physician? he -ould come bac+ to the to-n, he -ould marry &uliana, and

they -ould be happy. he granting o% his licentiateship -as not only assured, but he

e=pected it to be the cro-ning act o% his schoolDdays, %or he had been designated to

deliver the valedictory at the graduation, and already he sa- himsel% in the rostrum,

be%ore the -hole %aculty, the obect o% public attention. @ll [77]those heads, leaders o%4anila science, hal%Dhidden in their colored capes? all the -omen -ho came there out

o% curiosity and -ho years be%ore had ga(ed at him, i% not -ith disdain, at least -ith

indi%%erence? all those men -hose carriages had once been about to crush him do-n in

the mud li+e a dog0 they -ould listen attentively, and he -as going to say something

to them that -ould not be trivial, something that had never be%ore resounded in that

place, he -as going to %orget himsel% in order to aid the poor students o% the %utureH

and he -ould ma+e his entrance on his -or+ in the -orld -ith that speech.[7/]

1 he 3ominican school o% secondary instruction in 4anila.Hr.

2 he studies o% secondary instruction given in Santo omas, in the college o% San &uan de Fetran, and o%

San &os', and in the private schools, had the de%ects inherent in the plan o% instruction -hich the %riars

developed in the Philippines. #t suited their plans that scienti%ic and literary +no-ledge should not become

general nor very e=tensive, %or -hich reason they too+ but little interest in the study o% those subects or

in the uality o% the instruction. heir educational establishments -ere places o% lu=ury %or the children o%



-ealthy and -ellDtoDdo %amilies rather than establishments in -hich to per%ect and develop the minds o%

the $ilipino youth. #t is true they -ere care%ul to give them a religious education, tending to ma+e them

respect the omnipotent po-er 6 si#8 o% the monastic corporations.

he intellectual po-ers -ere made dormant by devoting a greater part o% the time to the study o% Fatin,

to -hich they attached an e=traordinary importance, %or the purpose o% discouraging pupils %rom studying

the e=act and e=perimental sciences and %rom gaining a +no-ledge o% true literary studies.

he philosophic system e=plained -as naturally the scholastic one, -ith an e=ceedingly re%ined and

subtile logic, and -ith de%icient ideas upon physics. y the study o% Fatin, and their philosophic systems,

they converted their pupils into automatic machines rather than into practical men prepared to battle -ith

li%e.BH %ensus of the $hilippine Islands ./ashington! 01234! 5olume III! pp( 620! 627(

'i#oun

ver these matters asilio -as pondering as he visited his mothers grave. !e -as

about to start bac+ to the to-n -hen he thought he sa- a light %lic+ering among thetrees and heard the snapping o% t-igs, the sound o% %eet, and rustling o% leaves. he

light disappeared but the noises became more distinct, coming directly to-ard -here

he -as. asilio -as not naturally superstitious, especially a%ter having carved up so

many corpses and -atched beside so many deathDbeds, but the old legends about that

ghostly spot, the hour, the dar+ness, the melancholy sighing o% the -ind, and certain

tales heard in his childhood, asserted their in%luence over his mind and made his heart

beat violently.

he %igure stopped on the other side o% the balete, but the youth could see it through

an open space bet-een t-o roots that had gro-n in the course o% time to the proportions o% treeDtrun+s. #t produced %rom under its coat a lantern -ith a po-er%ul

re%lecting lens, -hich it placed on the ground, thereby lighting up a pair o% ridingD

boots, the rest o% the %igure remaining concealed in the dar+ness. he %igure seemed to

search its poc+ets and then bent over to %i= a shovelDblade on the end o% a stout cane.

o his great surprise asilio thought he could ma+e out some o% the %eatures o% the

e-eler Simoun, -ho indeed it -as.

he e-eler dug in the ground and %rom time to time the lantern illuminated his %ace,

on -hich -ere not no- the blue goggles that so completely disguised him. asilio

shuddered0 that -as the same stranger -ho thirteen years be%ore had dug his mothersgrave there, only no- he had aged some-hat, his hair had turned -hite, he -ore a

beard [7>]and a mustache, but yet his loo+ -as the same, the bitter e=pression, the

same cloud on his bro-, the same muscular arms, though some-hat thinner no-, the

same violent energy. ld impressions -ere stirred in the boy0 he seemed to %eel the

heat o% the %ire, the hunger, the -eariness o% that time, the smell o% %reshly turned

earth. Net his discovery terri%ied himHthat e-eler Simoun, -ho passed %or a ritish



#ndian, a Portuguese, an @merican, a mulatto, the ro-n Cardinal, his lac+

Eminence, the evil genius o% the CaptainD5eneral as many called him, -as no other

than the mysterious stranger -hose appearance and disappearance coincided -ith the

death o% the heir to that landA ut o% the t-o strangers -ho had appeared, -hich -as

#barra, the living or the deadG

his uestion, -hich he had o%ten as+ed himsel% -henever #barras death -as

mentioned, again came into his mind in the presence o% the human enigma he no-

sabe%ore him. he dead man had had t-o -ounds, -hich must have been made by

%irearms, as he +ne- %rom -hat he had since studied, and -hich -ould be the result o%

the chase on the la+e. hen the dead man must have been #barra, -ho had come to die

at the tomb o% his %ore%athers, his desire to be cremated being e=plained by his

residence in Europe, -here cremation is practised. hen -ho -as the other, the living,

this e-eler Simoun, at that time -ith such an appearance o% poverty and

-retchedness, but -ho had no- returned loaded -ith gold and a %riend o% the

authoritiesG here -as the mystery, and the student, -ith his characteristic coldD

bloodedness, determined to clear it up at the %irst opportunity.

Simoun dug a-ay %or some time, but asilio noticed that his old vigor had declinedH

he panted and had to rest every %e- moments. $earing that he might be discovered,

the boy made a sudden resolution. "ising %rom his seat and issuing %rom his hidingD

place, he as+ed in the most matterDo%D%act tone, Can # help you, sirGB

Simoun straightened up -ith the spring o% a tiger [7]attac+ed at his prey, thrust his

hand in his coat poc+et, and stared at the student -ith a pale and lo-ering ga(e.

hirteen years ago you rendered me a great service, sir,B -ent on asilio unmoved,

in this very place, by burying my mother, and # should consider mysel% happy i% #

could serve you no-.B

*ithout ta+ing his eyes o%% the youth Simoun dre- a revolver %rom his poc+et and the

clic+ o% a hammer being coc+ed -as heard. $or -hom do you ta+e meGB he as+ed,

retreating a %e- paces.

$or a person -ho is sacred to me,B replied asilio -ith some emotion, %or he thought

his last moment had come. $or a person -hom all, e=cept me, believe to be dead, and-hose mis%ortunes # have al-ays lamented.B

@n impressive silence %ollo-ed these -ords, a silence that to the youth seemed to

suggest eternity. ut Simoun, a%ter some hesitation, approached him and placing a

hand on his shoulder said in a moving tone0 asilio, you possess a secret that can

ruin me and no- you have ust surprised me in another, -hich puts me completely in



your hands, the divulging o% -hich -ould upset all my plans. $or my o-n security

and %or the good o% the cause in -hich # labor, # ought to seal your lips %orever, %or

-hat is the li%e o% one man compared to the end # see+G he occasion is %itting? no one

+no-s that # have come here? # am armed? you are de%enceless? your death -ould be

attributed to the outla-s, i% not to more supernatural causesHyet #ll let you live and

trust that # shall not regret it. Nou have toiled, you have struggled -ith energetic perseverance, and li+e mysel%, you have your scores to settle -ith society. Nour

brother -as murdered, your mother driven to insanity, and society has prosecuted

neither the assassin nor the e=ecutioner. Nou and # are the dregs o% ustice and instead

o% destroying -e ought to aid each other.B

Simoun paused -ith a repressed sigh, and then slo-ly resumed, -hile his ga(e

-andered about0 Nes, # am he -ho came here thirteen years ago, sic+ and -retched,

to pay [79]the last tribute to a great and noble soul that -as -illing to die %or me. he

victim o% a vicious system, # have -andered over the -orld, -or+ing night and day to

amass a %ortune and carry out my plan. o- # have returned to destroy that system, to

precipitate its do-n%all, to hurl it into the abyss to-ard -hich it is senselessly rushing,

even though # may have to shed oceans o% tears and blood. #t has condemned itsel%, it

stands condemned, and # dont -ant to die be%ore # have seen it in %ragments at the

%oot o% the precipiceAB

Simoun e=tended both his arms to-ard the earth, as i% -ith that gesture he -ould li+e

to hold there the bro+en remains. !is voice too+ on a sinister, even lugubrious tone,

-hich made the student shudder.

Called by the vices o% the rulers, # have returned to these islands, and under the cloa+ o% a merchant have visited the to-ns. 4y gold has opened a -ay %or me and

-heresoever # have beheld greed in the most e=ecrable %orms, sometimes hypocritical,

sometimes shameless, sometimes cruel, %atten on the dead organism, li+e a vulture on

a corpse, # have as+ed mysel%H-hy -as there not, %estering in its vitals, the

corruption, the ptomaine, the poison o% the tombs, to +ill the %oul birdG he corpse

-as letting itsel% be consumed, the vulture -as gorging itsel% -ith meat, and because

it -as not possible %or me to give it li%e so that it might turn against its destroyer, and

because the corruption developed slo-ly, # have stimulated greed, # have abetted it.

he cases o% inustice and the abuses multiplied themselves? # have instigated crime

and acts o% cruelty, so that the people might become accustomed to the idea o% death. #

have stirred up trouble so that to escape %rom it some remedy might be %ound? # have

placed obstacles in the -ay o% trade so that the country, impoverished and reduced to

misery, might no longer be a%raid o% anything? # have e=cited desires to plunder the

treasury, and as this has not been enough to bring about a popular uprising, # have

-ounded the people in their most sensitive %iber? # have [/;]made the vulture itsel%

insult the very corpse that it %eeds upon and hasten the corruption.



o-, -hen # -as about to get the supreme rottenness, the supreme %ilth, the mi=ture

o% such %oul products bre-ing poison, -hen the greed -as beginning to irritate, in its

%olly hastening to sei(e -hatever came to hand, li+e an old -oman caught in a

con%lagration, here you come -ith your cries o% !ispanism, -ith chants o% con%idence

in the government, in -hat cannot come to pass, here you have a body palpitating

-ith heat and li%e, young, pure, vigorous, throbbing -ith blood, -ith enthusiasm,suddenly come %orth to o%%er itsel% again as %resh %oodA

@h, youth is ever ine=perienced and dreamy, al-ays running a%ter the butter%lies and

%lo-ersA Nou have united, so that by your e%%orts you may bind your %atherland to

Spain -ith garlands o% roses -hen in reality you are %orging upon it chains harder than

the diamondA Nou as+ %or eual rights, the !ispani(ation o% your customs, and you

dont see that -hat you are begging %or is suicide, the destruction o% your nationality,

the annihilation o% your %atherland, the consecration o% tyrannyA *hat -ill you be in

the %utureG @ people -ithout character, a nation -ithout libertyHeverything you have

-ill be borro-ed, even your very de%ectsA Nou beg %or !ispani(ation, and do not pale

-ith shame -hen they deny it youA @nd even i% they should grant it to you, -hat then

H-hat have you gainedG @t best, a country o% pronunciamentos, a land o% civil -ars,

a republic o% the greedy and the malcontents, li+e some o% the republics o% South

@mericaA o -hat are you tending no-, -ith your instruction in Castilian, a

pretension that -ould be ridiculous -ere it not %or its deplorable conseuencesA Nou

-ish to add one more language to the %orty odd that are spo+en in the islands, so that

you may understand one another less and less.B

n the contrary,B replied asilio, i% the +no-ledge o% Castilian may bind us to the

government, in e=change it may also unite the islands among themselves.B[/1]

@ gross errorAB reoined Simoun. Nou are letting yourselves be deceived by big

-ords and never go to the bottom o% things to e=amine the results in their %inal

analysis. Spanish -ill never be the general language o% the country, the people -ill

never tal+ it, because the conceptions o% their brains and the %eelings o% their hearts

cannot be e=pressed in that languageHeach people has its o-n tongue, as it has its

o-n -ay o% thin+ingA *hat are you going to do -ith Castilian, the %e- o% you -ho

-ill spea+ itG Rill o%% your o-n originality, subordinate your thoughts to other brains,

and instead o% %reeing yourselves, ma+e yourselves slaves indeedA ineDtenths o%

those o% you -ho pretend to be enlightened are renegades to your countryA !e among

you -ho tal+s that language neglects his o-n in such a -ay that he neither -rites nor

understands it, and ho- many have # not seen -ho pretended not to +no- a single

-ord o% itA ut %ortunately, you have an imbecile governmentA *hile "ussia enslaves

Poland by %orcing the "ussian language upon it, -hile 5ermany prohibits $rench in

the conuered provinces, your government strives to preserve yours, and you in

return, a remar+able people under an incredible government, you are trying to despoil



yourselves o% your o-n nationalityA ne and all you %orget that -hile a people

preserves its language, it preserves the mar+s o% its liberty, as a man preserves his

independence -hile he holds to his o-n -ay o% thin+ing. Fanguage is the thought o%

the peoples. Fuc+ily, your independence is assured? human passions are loo+ing out

%or thatAB

Simoun paused and rubbed his hand over his %orehead. he -aning moon -as rising

and sent its %aint light do-n through the branches o% the trees, and -ith his -hite

loc+s and severe %eatures, illuminated %rom belo- by the lantern, the e-eler appeared

to be the %ate%ul spirit o% the -ood planning some evil.

asilio -as silent be%ore such bitter reproaches and listened -ith bo-ed head, -hile

Simoun resumed0 # sa- this movement started and have passed -hole nights

o% [/2]anguish, because # understood that among those youths there -ere e=ceptional

minds and hearts, sacri%icing themselves %or -hat they thought to be a good cause,

-hen in reality they -ere -or+ing against their o-n country. !o- many times have #-ished to spea+ to you young men, to reveal mysel% and undeceive youA ut in vie-

o% the reputation # enoy, my -ords -ould have been -rongly interpreted and -ould

perhaps have had a counter e%%ect. !o- many times have # not longed to approach

your 4a+araig, your #saganiA Sometimes # thought o% their death, # -ished to destroy

themHB

Simoun chec+ed himsel%.

!eres -hy # let you live, asilio, and by such imprudence # e=pose mysel% to the

ris+ o% being some day betrayed by you. ut you +no- -ho # am, you +no- ho-much # must have su%%eredHthen believe in meA Nou are not o% the common cro-d,

-hich sees in the e-eler Simoun the trader -ho incites the authorities to commit

abuses in order that the abused may buy e-els. # am the &udge -ho -ishes to

castigate this system by ma+ing use o% its o-n de%ects, to ma+e -ar on it by %lattering

it. # need your help, your in%luence among the youth, to combat these senseless desires

%or !ispani(ation, %or assimilation, %or eual rights. y that road you -ill become

only a poor copy, and the people should loo+ higher. #t is madness to attempt to

in%luence the thoughts o% the rulersHthey have their plan outlined, the bandage covers

their eyes, and besides losing time uselessly, you are deceiving the people -ith vain

hopes and are helping to bend their nec+s be%ore the tyrant. *hat you should do is to

ta+e advantage o% their preudices to serve your needs. @re they un-illing that you be

assimilated -ith the Spanish peopleG 5ood enoughA 3istinguish yourselves then by

revealing yourselves in your o-n character, try to lay the %oundations o% the Philippine

%atherlandA 3o they deny you hopeG 5oodA 3ont depend on them, depend upon

yourselves and -or+A 3o they deny you representation [/:]in their CortesG So much

the betterA Even should you succeed in sending representatives o% your o-n choice,



-hat are you going to accomplish there e=cept to be over-helmed among so many

voices, and sanction -ith your presence the abuses and -rongs that are a%ter-ards

perpetratedG he %e-er rights they allo- you, the more reason you -ill have later to

thro- o%% the yo+e, and return evil %or evil. #% they are un-illing to teach you their

language, cultivate your o-n, e=tend it, preserve to the people their o-n -ay o%

thin+ing, and instead o% aspiring to be a province, aspire to be a nationA #nstead o%subordinate thoughts, thin+ independently, to the end that neither by right, nor custom,

nor language, the Spaniard can be considered the master here, nor even be loo+ed

upon as a part o% the country, but ever as an invader, a %oreigner, and sooner or later

you -ill have your libertyA !eres -hy # let you liveAB

asilio breathed %reely, as though a great -eight had been li%ted %rom him, and a%ter a

brie% pause, replied0 Sir, the honor you do me in con%iding your plans to me is too

great %or me not to be %ran+ -ith you, and tell you that -hat you as+ o% me is beyond

my po-er. # am no politician, and i% # have signed the petition %or instruction in

Castilian it has been because # sa- in it an advantage to our studies and nothing more.

4y destiny is di%%erent? my aspiration reduces itsel% to alleviating the physical

su%%erings o% my %ello- men.B

he e-eler smiled. *hat are physical su%%erings compared to moral torturesG *hat

is the death o% a man in the presence o% the death o% a societyG Some day you -ill

perhaps be a great physician, i% they let you go your -ay in peace, but greater yet -ill

be he -ho can inect a ne- idea into this anemic peopleA Nou, -hat are you doing %or

the land that gave you e=istence, that supports your li%e, that a%%ords you +no-ledgeG

3ont you reali(e that that is a useless li%e -hich is not consecrated to a great ideaG #t

is a stone -asted in the %ields -ithout becoming a part o% any edi%ice.B [/O]

o, no, sirAB replied asilio modestly, #m not %olding my arms, #m -or+ing li+e

all the rest to raise up %rom the ruins o% the past a people -hose units -ill be bound

togetherHthat each one may %eel in himsel% the conscience and the li%e o% the -hole.

ut ho-ever enthusiastic our generation may be, -e understand that in this great

social %abric there must be a division o% labor. # have chosen my tas+ and -ill devote

mysel% to science.B

Science is not the end o% man,B declared Simoun.

he most civili(ed nations are tending to-ard it.B

Nes, but only as a means o% see+ing their -el%are.B

Science is more eternal, its more human, its more universalAB e=claimed the youth

in a transport o% enthusiasm. *ithin a %e- centuries, -hen humanity has become



redeemed and enlightened, -hen there are no races, -hen all peoples are %ree, -hen

there are neither tyrants nor slaves, colonies nor mother countries, -hen ustice rules

and man is a citi(en o% the -orld, the pursuit o% science alone -ill remain, the -ord

patriotism -ill be euivalent to %anaticism, and he -ho prides himsel% on patriotic

ideas -ill doubtless be isolated as a dangerous disease, as a menace to the social

order.B

Simoun smiled sadly. Nes, yes,B he said -ith a sha+e o% his head, yet to reach that

condition it is necessary that there be no tyrannical and no enslaved peoples, it is

necessary that man go about %reely, that he +no- ho- to respect the rights o% others in

their o-n individuality, and %or this there is yet much blood to be shed, the struggle

%orces itsel% %or-ard. o overcome the ancient %anaticism that bound consciences it

-as necessary that many should perish in the holocausts, so that the social conscience

in horror declared the individual conscience %ree. #t is also necessary that all ans-er

the uestion -hich -ith each day the %atherland as+s them, -ith its %ettered hands

e=tendedA Patriotism can only be a crime in a tyrannical people, because then it is

rapine under a beauti%ul name, but ho-ever [/7] per%ect humanity may become,

patriotism -ill al-ays be a virtue among oppressed peoples, because it -ill at all

times mean love o% ustice, o% liberty, o% personal dignityHnothing o% chimerical

dreams, o% e%%eminate idylsA he greatness o% a man is not in living be%ore his time, a

thing almost impossible, but in understanding its desires, in responding to its needs,

and in guiding it on its %or-ard -ay. he geniuses that are commonly believed to have

e=isted be%ore their time, only appear so because those -ho udge them see %rom a

great distance, or ta+e as representative o% the age the line o% stragglersAB

Simoun %ell silent. Seeing that he could a-a+e no enthusiasm in that unresponsive

mind, he turned to another subect and as+ed -ith a change o% tone0 @nd -hat are

you doing %or the memory o% your mother and your brotherG #s it enough that you

come here every year, to -eep li+e a -oman over a graveGB @nd he smiled

sarcastically.

he shot hit the mar+. asilio changed color and advanced a step.

*hat do you -ant me to doGB he as+ed angrily.

*ithout means, -ithout social position, ho- may # bring their murderers to usticeG #-ould merely be another victim, shattered li+e a piece o% glass hurled against a roc+.

@h, you do ill to recall this to me, since it is -antonly reopening a -oundAB

ut -hat i% # should o%%er you my aidGB



asilio shoo+ his head and remained pensive. @ll the tardy vindications o% ustice, all

the revenge in the -orld, -ill not restore a single hair o% my mothers head, or recall a

smile to my brothers lips. Fet them rest in peaceH-hat should # gain no- by

avenging themGB

Prevent others %rom su%%ering -hat you have su%%ered, that in the %uture there be no brothers murdered or mothers driven to madness. "esignation is not al-ays a virtue? it

is a crime -hen it encourages tyrants0 there are no despots -here there are no slavesA

4an is in his o-n nature so -ic+ed that he al-ays abuses complaisance. # thought

as [//]you do, and you +no- -hat my %ate -as. hose -ho caused your mis%ortunes

are -atching you day and night, they suspect that you are only biding your time, they

ta+e your eagerness to learn, your love o% study, your very complaisance, %or burning

desires %or revenge. he day they can get rid o% you they -ill do -ith you as they did

-ith me, and they -ill not let you gro- to manhood, because they %ear and hate youAB

!ate meG Still hate me a%ter the -rong they have done meGB as+ed the youth insurprise.

Simoun burst into a laugh. Q#t is natural %or man to hate those -hom he has

-ronged, said acitus, con%irming the quos laeserunt et oderunt o% Seneca. *hen you

-ish to gauge the evil or the good that one people has done to another, you have only

to observe -hether it hates or loves. hus is e=plained the reason -hy many -ho have

enriched themselves here in the high o%%ices they have %illed, on their return to the

Peninsula relieve themselves by slanders and insults against those -ho have been their

victims. $roprium humani ingenii est odisse quern laeseris"8

ut i% the -orld is large, i% one leaves them to the peace%ul enoyment o% po-er, i% #

as+ only to be allo-ed to -or+, to liveHB

@nd to rear mee+Dnatured sons to send them a%ter-ards to submit to the yo+e,B

continued Simoun, cruelly mimic+ing asilios tone. @ %ine %uture you prepare %or

them, and they have to than+ you %or a li%e o% humiliation and su%%eringA 5ood

enough, young manA *hen a body is inert, it is useless to galvani(e it. -enty years

o% continuous slavery, o% systematic humiliation, o% constant prostration, %inally create

in the mind a t-ist that cannot be straightened by the labor o% a day. 5ood and evil

instincts are inherited and transmitted %rom %ather to son. hen let your idylic ideaslive, your dreams o% a slave -ho as+s only %or a bandage to -rap the chain so that it

may rattle less and not ulcerate his s+inA Nou hope %or a little home and some ease, a

-i%e and a hand%ul o% riceHhere is your [/>]ideal man o% the PhilippinesA *ell, i% they

give it to you, consider yoursel% %ortunate.B



asilio, accustomed to obey and bear -ith the caprices and humors o% Capitan iago.

-as no- dominated by Simoun, -ho appeared to him terrible and sinister on a

bac+ground bathed in tears and blood. !e tried to e=plain himsel% by saying that he

did not consider himsel% %it to mi= in politics, that he had no political opinions because

he had never studied the uestion, but that he -as al-ays ready to lend his services

the day they might be needed, that %or the moment he sa- only one need, theenlightenment o% the people.

Simoun stopped him -ith a gesture, and, as the da-n -as coming, said to him0

Noung man, # am not -arning you to +eep my secret, because # +no- that discretion

is one o% your good ualities, and even though you might -ish to sell me, the e-eler

Simoun, the %riend o% the authorities and o% the religious corporations, -ill al-ays be

given more credit than the student asilio, already suspected o% %ilibusterism, and,

being a native, so much the more mar+ed and -atched, and because in the pro%ession

you are entering upon you -ill encounter po-er%ul rivals. @%ter all, even though you

have not corresponded to my hopes, the day on -hich you change your mind, loo+ me

up at my house in the Escolta, and #ll be glad to help you.B

asilio than+ed him brie%ly and -ent a-ay.

!ave # really made a mista+eGB mused Simoun, -hen he %ound himsel% alone. #s it

that he doubts me and meditates his plan o% revenge so secretly that he %ears to tell it

even in the solitude o% the nightG r can it be that the years o% servitude have

e=tinguished in his heart every human sentiment and there remain only the animal

desires to live and reproduceG #n that case the type is de%ormed and -ill have to be

cast over again. hen the hecatomb is preparing0 let the un%it perish and only thestrongest surviveAB

hen he added sadly, as i% apostrophi(ing some one0 [/]!ave patience, you -ho le%t

me a name and a home, have patienceA # have lost allHcountry, %uture, prosperity,

your very tomb, but have patienceA @nd thou, noble spirit, great soul, generous heart,

-ho didst live -ith only one thought and didst sacri%ice thy li%e -ithout as+ing the

gratitude or applause o% any one, have patience, have patienceA he methods that # use

may perhaps not be thine, but they are the most direct. he day is coming, and -hen it

brightens # mysel% -ill come to announce it to you -ho are no- indi%%erent. !ave

patienceAB[/9]

(err) Christ#as*

*hen &uli opened her sorro-ing eyes, she sa- that the house -as still dar+, but the

coc+s -ere cro-ing. !er %irst thought -as that perhaps the Iirgin had per%ormed the



miracle and the sun -as not going to rise, in spite o% the invocations o% the coc+s. She

rose, crossed hersel%, recited her morning prayers -ith great devotion, and -ith as

little noise as possible -ent out on the batalan(

here -as no miracleHthe sun -as rising and promised a magni%icent morning, the

bree(e -as delight%ully cool, the stars -ere paling in the east, and the coc+s -erecro-ing as i% to see -ho could cro- best and loudest. hat had been too much to as+

Hit -ere much easier to reuest the Iirgin to send the t-o hundred and %i%ty pesos.

*hat -ould it cost the 4other o% the Ford to give themG ut underneath the image

she %ound only the letter o% her %ather as+ing %or the ransom o% %ive hundred pesos.

here -as nothing to do but go, so, seeing that her grand%ather -as not stirring, she

thought him asleep and began to prepare brea+%ast. Strange, she -as calm, she even

had a desire to laughA *hat had she had last night to a%%lict her soG She -as not going

very %ar, she could come every second day to visit the house, her grand%ather could

see her, and as %or asilio, he had +no-n %or some time the bad turn her %athers

a%%airs had ta+en, since he had o%ten said to her, *hen #m a physician and -e are

married, your %ather -ont need his %ields.B

*hat a %ool # -as to cry so much,B she said to hersel% as she pac+ed her tampipi( !er

%ingers struc+ against the loc+et and she pressed it to her lips, but

immediately [>;]-iped them %rom %ear o% contagion, %or that loc+et set -ith diamonds

and emeralds had come %rom a leper. @h, then, i% she should catch that disease she

could not get married.

@s it became lighter, she could see her grand%ather seated in a corner, %ollo-ing all her

movements -ith his eyes, so she caught up her tampipi o% clothes and approached himsmilingly to +iss his hand. he old man blessed her silently, -hile she tried to appear

merry. *hen %ather comes bac+, tell him that # have at last gone to collegeHmy

mistress tal+s Spanish. #ts the cheapest college # could %ind.B

Seeing the old mans eyes %ill -ith tears, she placed the tampipi on her head and

hastily -ent do-nstairs, her slippers slapping merrily on the -ooden steps. ut -hen

she turned her head to loo+ again at the house, the house -herein had %aded her

childhood dreams and her maiden illusions, -hen she sa- it sad, lonely, deserted,

-ith the -indo-s hal% closed, vacant and dar+ li+e a dead mans eyes, -hen she heard

the lo- rustling o% the bamboos, and sa- them nodding in the %resh morning bree(e as

though bidding her %are-ell, then her vivacity disappeared? she stopped, her eyes

%illed -ith tears, and letting hersel% %all in a sitting posture on a log by the -ayside she

bro+e out into disconsolate tears.

&uli had been gone several hours and the sun -as uite high overhead -hen andang

Selo ga(ed %rom the -indo- at the people in their %estival garments going to the to-n



to attend the high mass. early all led by the hand or carried in their arms a little boy

or girl dec+ed out as i% %or a %iesta.

Christmas day in the Philippines is, according to the elders, a %iesta %or the children,

-ho are perhaps not o% the same opinion and -ho, it may be supposed, have %or it an

instinctive dread. hey are roused early, -ashed, dressed, and dec+ed out -itheverything ne-, dear, and precious that they possessHhigh sil+ shoes, big hats,

-oolen or velvet suits, -ithout overloo+ing %our or %ive [>1]scapularies, -hich contain

te=ts %rom St. &ohn, and thus burdened they are carried to the high mass, -here %or

almost an hour they are subected to the heat and the human smells %rom so many

cro-ding, perspiring people, and i% they are not made to recite the rosary they must

remain uiet, bored, or asleep. @t each movement or antic that may soil their clothing

they are pinched and scolded, so the %act is that they do not laugh or %eel happy, -hile

in their round eyes can be read a protest against so much embroidery and a longing %or

the old shirt o% -ee+Ddays.

@%ter-ards, they are dragged %rom house to house to +iss their relatives hands. here

they have to dance, sing, and recite all the amusing things they +no-, -hether in the

humor or not, -hether com%ortable or not in their %ine clothes, -ith the eternal

pinchings and scoldings i% they play any o% their tric+s. heir relatives give them

cuartos -hich their parents sei(e upon and o% -hich they hear nothing more. he only

positive results they are accustomed to get %rom the %iesta are the mar+s o% the

a%oresaid pinchings, the ve=ations, and at best an attac+ o% indigestion %rom gorging

themselves -ith candy and ca+e in the houses o% +ind relatives. ut such is the

custom, and $ilipino children enter the -orld through these ordeals, -hich a%ter-ards

prove the least sad, the least hard, o% their lives.

@dult persons -ho live independently also share in this %iesta, by visiting their parents

and their parents relatives, croo+ing their +nees, and -ishing them a merry

Christmas. heir Christmas gi%t consists o% a s-eetmeat, some %ruit, a glass o% -ater,

or some insigni%icant present.

andang Selo sa- all his %riends pass and thought sadly that this year he had no

Christmas gi%t %or anybody, -hile his granddaughter had gone -ithout hers, -ithout

-ishing him a merry Christinas. *as it delicacy on &ulis part or pure %orget%ulnessG

*hen he tried to greet the relatives -ho called on him, bringing their children, he

%ound to his great surprise that he could not articulate a -ord. Iainly he tried, but

no [>2]sound could he utter. !e placed his hands on his throat, shoo+ his head, but

-ithout e%%ect. *hen he tried to laugh, his lips trembled convulsively and the only

noise produced -as a hoarse -hee(e li+e the blo-ing o% bello-s.



he -omen ga(ed at him in consternation. !es dumb, hes dumbAB they cried in

astonishment, raising at once a literal pandemonium.[>:]

+ilates

*hen the ne-s o% this mis%ortune became +no-n in the to-n, some lamented it and

others shrugged their shoulders. o one -as to blame, and no one need lay it on his

conscience.

he lieutenant o% the Civil 5uard gave no sign0 he had received an order to ta+e up all

the arms and he had per%ormed his duty. !e had chased the tulisanes -henever he

could, and -hen they captured Cabesang ales he had organi(ed an e=pedition and

brought into the to-n, -ith their arms bound behind them, %ive or si= rustics -ho

loo+ed suspicious, so i% Cabesang ales did not sho- up it -as because he -as not in

the poc+ets or under the s+ins o% the prisoners, -ho -ere thoroughly sha+en out.

he %riarDadministrator shrugged his shoulders0 he had nothing to do -ith it, it -as a

matter o% tulisanes and he had merely done his duty. rue it -as that i% he had not

entered the complaint, perhaps the arms -ould not have been ta+en up, and poor ales

-ould not have been captured? but he, $ray Clemente, had to loo+ a%ter his o-n

sa%ety, and that ales had a -ay o% staring at him as i% pic+ing out a good target in

some part o% his body. Sel%Dde%ense is natural. #% there are tulisanes, the %ault is not his,

it is not his duty to run them do-nHthat belongs to the Civil 5uard. #% Cabesang

ales, instead o% -andering about his %ields, had stayed at home, he -ould not have

been captured. #n short, that -as a punishment %rom heaven upon those -ho resistedthe demands o% his corporation.

*hen Sister Penchang, the pious old -oman in -hose [>O]service &uli had entered,

learned o% it, she eaculated several +,usmarioseps, crossed hersel%, and remar+ed,

%ten 5od sends these trials because -e are sinners or have sinning relatives, to

-hom -e should have taught piety and -e havent done so.B

hose sinning relatives re%erred to &uliana, %or to this pious -oman &uli -as a great

sinner. hin+ o% a girl o% marriageable age -ho doesnt yet +no- ho- to prayA 9esús,

ho- scandalousA #% the -retch doesnt say the :i;s te salve María -ithout stoppingat es #ontigo, and the ,anta María-ithout a pause a%ter pe#adores, as every good

Christian -ho %ears 5od ought to doA She doesnt +no- the oremus gratiam, and

says mentíbus %or m<ntibus. @nybody hearing her -ould thin+ she -as tal+ing about

something else. +,usmariosep"B



5reatly scandali(ed, she made the sign o% the cross and than+ed 5od, -ho had

permitted the capture o% the %ather in order that the daughter might be snatched %rom

sin and learn the virtues -hich, according to the curates, should adorn every Christian

-oman. She there%ore +ept the girl constantly at -or+, not allo-ing her to return to

the village to loo+ a%ter her grand%ather. &uli had to learn ho- to pray, to read the

boo+s distributed by the %riars, and to -or+ until the t-o hundred and %i%ty pesosshould be paid.

*hen she learned that asilio had gone to 4anila to get his savings and ransom &uli

%rom her servitude, the good -oman believed that the girl -as %orever lost and that the

devil had presented himsel% in the guise o% the student. 3read%ul as it all -as, ho- true

-as that little boo+ the curate had given herA Nouths -ho go to 4anila to study are

ruined and then ruin the others. hin+ing to rescue &uli, she made her read and reDread

the boo+ called Tandang =asio Ma#unat ,1 charging her al-ays to go and see

the [>7]curate in the convento,2 as did the heroine, -ho is so praised by the author, a

%riar.

4ean-hile, the %riars had gained their point. hey had certainly -on the suit, so they

too+ advantage o% Cabesang ales captivity to turn the %ields over to the one -ho had

as+ed %or them, -ithout the least thought o% honor or the %aintest t-inge o% shame.

*hen the %ormer o-ner returned and learned -hat had happened, -hen he sa- his

%ields in anothers possession,Hthose %ields that had cost the lives o% his -i%e and

daughter,H-hen he sa- his %ather dumb and his daughter -or+ing as a servant, and

-hen he himsel% received an order %rom the to-n council, transmitted through the

headman o% the village, to move out o% the house -ithin three days, he said nothing?

he sat do-n at his %athers side and spo+e scarcely once during the -hole day.[>/]

1 he nature o% this boo+let, in agalog, is made clear in several passages. #t -as issued by the

$ranciscans, but proved too outspo+en %or even Fatin re%inement, and -as suppressed by the rder itsel%.

Hr.

2 he rectory or parish house.

,ealth and ,antn the %ollo-ing day, to the great surprise o% the village, the e-eler Simoun,

%ollo-ed by t-o servants, each carrying a canvasDcovered chest, reuested the

hospitality o% Cabesang ales, -ho even in the midst o% his -retchedness did not

%orget the good $ilipino customsHrather, he -as troubled to thin+ that he had no -ay

o% properly entertaining the stranger. ut Simoun brought everything -ith him,



servants and provisions, and merely -ished to spend the day and night in the house

because it -as the largest in the village and -as situated bet-een San 3iego and

iani, to-ns -here he hoped to %ind many customers.

Simoun secured in%ormation about the condition o% the roads and as+ed Cabesang

ales i% his revolver -as a su%%icient protection against the tulisanes.

hey have ri%les that shoot a long -ay,B -as the rather absentDminded reply.

his revolver does no less,B remar+ed Simoun, %iring at an arecaDpalm some t-o

hundred paces a-ay.

Cabesang ales noticed that some nuts %ell, but remained silent and thought%ul.

5radually the %amilies, dra-n by the %ame o% the e-elers -ares, began to collect.

hey -ished one another merry Christmas, they tal+ed o% masses, saints, poor crops, but still -ere there to spend their savings %or e-els and trin+ets brought %rom Europe.

#t -as +no-n that the e-eler -as the %riend o% the CaptainD5eneral, so it -asnt lost

labor to get on good terms -ith him, and thus be prepared %or contingencies.

Capitan asilio came -ith his -i%e, daughter, and sonDinDla-, [>>] prepared to spend at

least three thousand pesos. Sister Penchang -as there to buy a diamond ring she had

promised to the Iirgin o% @ntipolo. She had le%t &uli at home memori(ing a boo+let

the curate had sold her %or %our cuartos, -ith %orty days o% indulgence granted by the

@rchbishop to every one -ho read it or listened to it read.

9esús"B said the pious -oman to Capitana i+a, that poor girl has gro-n up li+e a

mushroom planted by the tikbalang( #ve made her read the boo+ at the top o% her

voice at least %i%ty times and she doesnt remember a single -ord o% it. She has a head

li+e a sieveH%ull -hen its in the -ater. @ll o% us hearing her, even the dogs and cats,

have -on at least t-enty years o% indulgence.B

Simoun arranged his t-o chests on the table, one being some-hat larger than the

other. Nou dont -ant plated e-elry or imitation gems. his lady,B turning to Sinang,

-ants real diamonds.B

hats it, yes, sir, diamonds, old diamonds, antiue stones, you +no-,B she

responded. Papa -ill pay %or them, because he li+es antiue things, antiue stones.B

Sinang -as accustomed to o+e about the great deal o% Fatin her %ather understood and

the little her husband +ne-.



#t ust happens that # have some antiue e-els,B replied Simoun, ta+ing the canvas

cover %rom the smaller chest, a polished steel case -ith bron(e trimmings and stout

loc+s. # have nec+laces o% Cleopatras, real and genuine, discovered in the Pyramids?

rings o% "oman senators and +nights, %ound in the ruins o% Carthage.B

Probably those that !annibal sent bac+ a%ter the battle o% CannaeAB e=claimedCapitan asilio seriously, -hile he trembled -ith pleasure. he good man, thought he

had read much about the ancients, had never, by reason o% the lac+ o% museums in

$ilipinas, seen any o% the obects o% those times.

# have brought besides costly earrings o% "oman ladies, [>]discovered in the villa o%

@nnius 4ucius Papilinus in Pompeii.B

Capitan Easilio nodded to sho- that he understood and -as eager to see such precious

relics. he -omen remar+ed that they also -anted things %rom "ome, such as rosaries

blessed by the Pope, holy relics that -ould ta+e a-ay sins -ithout the need o%con%essions, and so on.

*hen the chest -as opened and the cotton pac+ing removed, there -as e=posed a tray

%illed -ith rings, reliuaries, loc+ets, cruci%i=es, brooches, and such li+e. he

diamonds set in among variously colored stones %lashed out brightly and shimmered

among golden %lo-ers o% varied hues, -ith petals o% enamel, all o% peculiar designs

and rare @rabesue -or+manship.

Simoun li%ted the tray and e=hibited another %illed -ith uaint e-els that -ould have

satis%ied the imaginations o% seven d'butantes on the eves o% the balls in their honor.3esigns, one more %antastic than the other, combinations o% precious stones and pearls

-or+ed into the %igures o% insects -ith a(ure bac+s and transparent %ore-ings,

sapphires, emeralds, rubies, turuoises, diamonds, oined to %orm dragonD%lies, -asps,

bees, butter%lies, beetles, serpents, li(ards, %ishes, sprays o% %lo-ers. here -ere

diadems, nec+laces o% pearls and diamonds, so that some o% the girls could not

-ithhold a nakú o% admiration, and Sinang gave a cluc+ -ith her tongue, -hereupon

her mother pinched her to prevent her %rom encouraging the e-eler to raise his prices,

%or Capitana i+a still pinched her daughter even a%ter the latter -as married.

!ere you have some old diamonds,B e=plained the e-eler. his ring belonged tothe Princess Famballe and those earrings to one o% 4arie @ntoinettes ladies.B hey

consisted o% some beauti%ul solitaire diamonds, as large as grains o% corn, -ith

some-hat bluish lights, and pervaded -ith a severe elegance, as though they still

re%lected in their spar+les the shuddering o% the "eign o% error.[>9]



hose t-o earringsAB e=claimed Sinang, loo+ing at her %ather and instinctively

covering the arm ne=t to her mother.

Something more ancient yet, something "oman,B said Capitan asilio -ith a -in+.

he pious Sister Penchang thought that -ith such a gi%t the Iirgin o% @ntipolo -ould be so%tened and grant her her most vehement desire0 %or some time she had begged %or

a -onder%ul miracle to -hich her name -ould be attached, so that her name might be

immortali(ed on earth and she then ascend into heaven, li+e the Capitana #nes o% the

curates. She inuired the price and Simoun as+ed three thousand pesos, -hich made

the good -oman cross hersel%H +,usmariosep"

Simoun no- e=posed the third tray, -hich -as %illed -ith -atches, cigarD and matchD

cases decorated -ith the rarest enamels, reliuaries set -ith diamonds and containing

the most elegant miniatures.

he %ourth tray, containing loose gems, stirred a murmur o% admiration. Sinang again

cluc+ed -ith her tongue, her mother again pinched her, although at the same time

hersel% emitting a +,usmaríao% -onder.

o one there had ever be%ore seen so much -ealth. #n that chest lined -ith dar+Dblue

velvet, arranged in trays, -ere the -onders o% the Arabian Nights! the dreams o%

riental %antasies. 3iamonds as large as peas glittered there, thro-ing out attractive

rays as i% they -ere about to melt or burn -ith all the hues o% the spectrum? emeralds

%rom Peru, o% varied %orms and shapes? rubies %rom #ndia, red as drops o% blood?

sapphires %rom Ceylon, blue and -hite? turuoises %rom Persia? riental pearls, somerosy, some leadDcolored, others blac+. hose -ho have at night seen a great roc+et

burst in the a(ure dar+ness o% the s+y into thousands o% colored lights, so bright that

they ma+e the eternal stars loo+ dim, can imagine the aspect the tray presented.

@s i% to increase the admiration o% the beholders, Simoun [;]too+ the stones out -ith

his tapering bro-n %ingers, gloating over their crystalline hardness, their luminous

stream, as they poured %rom his hands li+e drops o% -ater re%lecting the tints o% the

rainbo-. he re%lections %rom so many %acets, the thought o% their great value,

%ascinated the ga(e o% every one.

Cabesang ales, -ho had approached out o% curiosity, closed his eyes and dre- bac+

hurriedly, as i% to drive a-ay an evil thought. Such great riches -ere an insult to his

mis%ortunes? that man had come there to ma+e an e=hibition o% his immense -ealth on

the very day that he, ales, %or lac+ o% money, %or lac+ o% protectors, had to abandon

the house raised by his o-n hands.



!ere you have t-o blac+ diamonds, among the largest in e=istence,B e=plained the

e-eler. heyre very di%%icult to cut because theyre the very hardest. his some-hat

rosy stone is also a diamond, as is this green one that many ta+e %or an emerald.

Luiroga the Chinaman o%%ered me si= thousand pesos %or it in order to present it to a

very in%luential lady, and yet it is not the green ones that are the most valuable, but

these blue ones.B

!e selected three stones o% no great si(e, but thic+ and -ellDcut, o% a delicate a(ure

tint.

$or all that they are smaller than the green,B he continued, they cost t-ice as much.

Foo+ at this one, the smallest o% all, -eighing not more than t-o carats, -hich cost

me t-enty thousand pesos and -hich # -ont sell %or less than thirty. # had to ma+e a

special trip to buy it. his other one, %rom the mines o% 5olconda, -eighs three and a

hal% carats and is -orth over seventy thousand. he Iiceroy o% #ndia, in a letter #

received the day be%ore yesterday, o%%ers me t-elve thousand pounds sterling %or it.B

e%ore such great -ealth, all under the po-er o% that man -ho tal+ed so una%%ectedly,

the spectators %elt a +ind o% a-e mingled -ith dread. Sinang cluc+ed several times and

her mother did not pinch her, perhaps because she too -as overcome, or perhaps

because she re%lected that a[1] e-eler li+e Simoun -as not going to try to gain %ive

pesos more or less as a result o% an e=clamation more or less indiscreet. @ll ga(ed at

the gems, but no one sho-ed any desire to handle them, they -ere so a-eDinspiring.

Curiosity -as blunted by -onder. Cabesang ales stared out into the %ield, thin+ing

that -ith a single diamond, perhaps the very smallest there, he could recover his

daughter, +eep his house, and perhaps rent another %arm. Could it be that those gems-ere -orth more than a mans home, the sa%ety o% a maiden, the peace o% an old man

in his declining daysG

@s i% he guessed the thought, Simoun remar+ed to those about him0 Foo+ hereH-ith

one o% these little blue stones, -hich appear so innocent and ino%%ensive, pure as

spar+s scattered over the arch o% heaven, -ith one o% these, seasonably presented, a

man -as able to have his enemy deported, the %ather o% a %amily, as a disturber o% the

peace? and -ith this other little one li+e it, red as ones heartDblood, as the %eeling o%

revenge, and bright as an orphans tears, he -as restored to liberty, the man -as

returned to his home, the %ather to his children, the husband to the -i%e, and a -hole

%amily saved %rom a -retched %uture.B

!e slapped the chest and -ent on in a loud tone in bad agalog0 !ere # have, as in a

medicineDchest, li%e and death, poison and balm, and -ith this hand%ul # can drive to

tears all the inhabitants o% the PhilippinesAB



he listeners ga(ed at him a-eDstruc+, +no-ing him to be right. #n his voice there

could be detected a strange ring, -hile sinister %lashes seemed to issue %rom behind

the blue goggles.

hen as i% to relieve the strain o% the impression made by the gems on such simple

%ol+, he li%ted up the tray and e=posed at the bottom the san#tum san#torum. Cases o%"ussian leather, separated by layers o% cotton, covered a bottom lined -ith gray

velvet. @ll e=pected -onders, and Sinangs husband thought he sa- carbuncles, gems

that [2]%lashed %ire and shone in the midst o% the shado-s. Capitan asilio -as on the

threshold o% immortality0 he -as going to behold something real, something beyond

his dreams.

his -as a nec+lace o% Cleopatras,B said Simoun, ta+ing out care%ully a %lat case in

the shape o% a hal%Dmoon. #ts a e-el that cant be appraised, an obect %or a museum,

only %or a rich government.B

#t -as a nec+lace %ashioned o% bits o% gold representing little idols among green and

blue beetles, -ith a vultures head made %rom a single piece o% rare asper at the center

bet-een t-o e=tended -ingsHthe symbol and decoration o% Egyptian ueens.

Sinang turned up her nose and made a grimace o% childish depreciation, -hile Capitan

asilio, -ith all his love %or antiuity, could not restrain an e=clamation o%

disappointment.

#ts a magni%icent e-el, -ellDpreserved, almost t-o thousand years old.B

Psha-AB Sinang made haste to e=claim, to prevent her %athers %alling into

temptation.

$oolAB he chided her, a%ter overcoming his %irst disappointment. !o- do you +no-

but that to this nec+lace is due the present condition o% the -orldG *ith this Cleopatra

may have captivated Caesar, 4ar+ @ntonyA his has heard the burning declarations o%

love %rom the greatest -arriors o% their time, it has listened to speeches in the purest

and most elegant Fatin, and yet you -ould -ant to -ear itAB

#G # -ouldnt give three pesos %or it.B

Nou could give t-enty, silly,B said Capitana i+a in a udicial tone. he gold is good

and melted do-n -ould serve %or other e-elry.B

his is a ring that must have belonged to Sulla,B continued Simoun, e=hibiting a

heavy ring o% solid gold -ith a seal on it.



*ith that he must have signed the deathD-rarrants during his dictatorshipAB

e=claimed Capitan asilio, pale [:]-ith emotion. !e e=amined it and tried to

decipher the seal, but though he turned it over and over he did not understand

paleography, so he could not read it.

*hat a %inger Sulla hadAB he observed %inally. his -ould %it t-o o% oursHas #vesaid, -ere degeneratingAB

# still have many other e-elsHB

#% theyre all that +ind, never mindAB interrupted Sinang. # thin+ # pre%er the

modern.B

Each one selected some piece o% e-elry, one a ring, another a -atch, another a loc+et.

Capitana i+a bought a reliuary that contained a %ragment o% the stone on -hich ur

Saviour rested at his third %all? Sinang a pair o% earrings? and Capitan asilio the-atchDchain %or the al%ere(, the ladys earrings %or the curate, and other gi%ts. he

%amilies %rom the to-n o% iani, not to be outdone by those o% San 3iego, in li+e

manner emptied their purses.

Simoun bought or e=changed old e-elry, brought there by economical mothers, to

-hom it -as no longer o% use.

Nou, havent you something to sellGB he as+ed Cabesang ales, noticing the latter

-atching the sales and e=changes -ith covetous eyes, but the reply -as that all his

daughters e-els had been sold, nothing o% value remained.

*hat about 4aria Claras loc+etGB inuired Sinang.

rueAB the man e=claimed, and his eyes bla(ed %or a moment.

#ts a loc+et set -ith diamonds and emeralds,B Sinang told the e-eler. 4y old

%riend -ore it be%ore she became a nun.B

Simoun said nothing, but an=iously -atched Cabesang ales, -ho, a%ter opening

several bo=es, %ound the loc+et. !e e=amined it care%ully, opening and shutting itrepeatedly. #t -as the same loc+et that 4aria Clara had -orn during the %iesta in San

3iego and -hich she had in a moment o% compassion given to a leper.

# li+e the design,B said Simoun. !o- much do you -ant %or itGB[O]



Cabesang ales scratched his head in perple=ity, then his ear, then loo+ed at the

-omen.

#ve ta+en a %ancy to this loc+et,B Simoun -ent on. *ill you ta+e a hundred, %ive

hundred pesosG 3o you -ant to e=change it %or something elseG a+e your choice

hereAB

ales stared %oolishly at Simoun, as i% in doubt o% -hat he heard. $ive hundred

pesosGB he murmured.

$ive hundred,B repeated the e-eler in a voice sha+ing -ith emotion.

Cabesang ales too+ the loc+et and made several turns about the room, -ith his heart

beating violently and his hands trembling. 3ared he as+ moreG hat loc+et could save

him, this -as an e=cellent opportunity, such as might not again present itsel%.

he -omen -in+ed at him to encourage him to ma+e the sale, e=cepting Penchang,

-ho, %earing that &uli -ould be ransomed, observed piously0 # -ould +eep it as a

relic. hose -ho have seen 4aria Clara in the nunnery say she has got so thin and

-ea+ that she can scarcely tal+ and its thought that shell die a saint. Padre Salvi

spea+s very highly o% her and hes her con%essor. hats -hy &uli didnt -ant ito give

it up, but rather pre%erred to pa-n hersel%.B

his speech had its e%%ectHthe thought o% his daughter restrained ales. #% you -ill

allo- me,B he said, #ll go to the to-n to consult my daughter. #ll be bac+ be%ore

night.B

his -as agreed upon and ales set out at once. ut -hen he %ound himsel% outside o%

the village, he made out at a distance, on a path, that entered the -oods, the %riarD

administrator and a man -hom he recogni(ed as the usurper o% his land. @ husband

seeing his -i%e enter a private room -ith another man could not %eel more -rath or

ealousy than Cabesang ales e=perienced -hen he sa- them moving over his %ields,

the %ields cleared by him, -hich he had thought to leave to his children. #t seemed to

him that [7]they -ere moc+ing him, laughing at his po-erlessness. here %lashed into

his memory -hat he had said about never giving up his %ields e=cept to him -ho

irrigated them -ith his o-n blood and buried in them his -i%e and daughter.

!e stopped, rubbed his hand over his %orehead, and shut his eyes. *hen he again

opened them, he sa- that the man had turned to laugh and that the %riar had caught his

sides as though to save himsel% %rom bursting -ith merriment, then he sa- them point

to-ard his house and laugh again.



@ bu(( sounded in his ears, he %elt the crac+ o% a -hip around his chest, the red mist

reappeared be%ore his eyes, he again sa- the corpses o% his -i%e and daughter, and

beside them the usurper -ith the %riar laughing and holding his sides. $orgetting

everything else, he turned aside into the path they had ta+en, the one leading to his

%ields.

Simoun -aited in vain %or Cabesang ales to return that night. ut the ne=t morning

-hen he arose he noticed that the leather holster o% his revolver -as empty. pening it

he %ound inside a scrap o% paper -rapped around the loc+et set -ith emeralds and

diamonds, -ith these %e- lines -ritten on it in agalog0

Pardon, sir, that in my o-n house # relieve you o% -hat belongs to you, but necessity drives me

to it. #n e=change %or your revolver # leave the loc+et you desired so much. # need the -eapon,

%or # am going out to oin the tulisanes.

# advise you not to +eep on your present road, because i% you %all into our po-er, not then beingmy guest, -e -ill reuire o% you a large ransom.

eles%oro &uan de 3ios.B

@t last #ve %ound my manAB muttered Simoun -ith a deep breath. !es some-hat

scrupulous, but so much the betterHhell +eep his promises.B

!e then ordered a servant to go by boat over the la+e to Fos aKos -ith the larger

chest and a-ait him there. !e -ould go on overland, ta+ing the smaller chest, the

one [/]containing his %amous e-els. he arrival o% %our civilDguards completed hisgood humor. hey came to arrest Cabesang ales and not %inding him too+ andang

Selo a-ay instead.

hree murders had been committed during the night. he %riarDadministrator and the

ne- tenant o% Cabesang ales land had been %ound dead, -ith their heads split open

and their mouths %ull o% earth, on the border o% the %ields. #n the to-n the -i%e o% the

usurper -as %ound dead at da-n, her mouth also %illed -ith earth and her throat cut,

-ith a %ragment o% paper beside her, on -hich -as the name Tales, -ritten in blood as

though traced by a %inger.

Calm yourselves, peace%ul inhabitants o% RalambaA one o% you are named ales,

none o% you have committed any crimeA Nou are called Fuis !abaKa, 4atas

elarmino, icasio Eigasani, Cayetano de &esTs, 4ateo Eleorde, Feandro Fope(,

@ntonino Fope(, Silvestre )baldo, 4anuel !idalgo, Paciano 4ercado, your name is

the -hole village o% Ralamba.1 Nou cleared your %ields, on them you have spent the

labor o% your -hole lives, your savings, your vigils and privations, and you have been

despoiled o% them, driven %rom your homes, -ith the rest %orbidden to sho- you



hospitalityA ot content -ith outraging ustice, they 2 have trampled upon the sacred

traditions o% your countryA Nou have served Spain and the Ring, and -hen in their

name you have as+ed %or ustice, you -ere banished -ithout trial, torn %rom your

-ives arms and your childrens caressesA @ny one o% you has su%%ered more than

Cabesang ales, and yet none, not one o% you, has received usticeA either pity nor

humanity has been sho-n youHyou have been persecuted beyond [>]the tomb, as-as 4ariano !erbosaA: *eep or laugh, there in those lonely isles -here you -ander

vaguely, uncertain o% the %utureA Spain, the generous Spain, is -atching over you, and

sooner or later you -ill have usticeA[]

1 $riends o% the author, -ho su%%ered in *eylers e=pedition, mentioned belo-.Hr.

2 he 3ominican corporation, at -hose instigation CaptainD5eneral Ialeriano *eyler sent a battery o%

artillery to Ralamba to destroy the property o% tenants -ho -ere contesting in the courts the %riars titlesto land there. he authors %amily -ere the largest su%%erers.Hr.

: @ relative o% the author, -hose body -as dragged %rom the tomb and thro-n to the dogs, on the prete=t

that he had died -ithout receiving %inal absolution.Hr.

Los &a-os

!is E=cellency, the CaptainD5eneral and 5overnor o% the Philippine #slands, had been

hunting in osoboso. ut as he had to be accompanied by a band o% music,Hsince

such an e=alted personage -as not to be esteemed less than the -ooden images

carried in the processions,Hand as devotion to the divine art o% St. Cecilia has not yet

been populari(ed among the deer and -ild boars o% osoboso, his E=cellency, -ith

the band o% music and train o% %riars, soldiers, and cler+s, had not been able to catch a

single rat or a solitary bird.

he provincial authorities %oresa- dismissals and trans%ers, the poor gobernadorcillos

and cabe(as de barangay -ere restless and sleepless, %earing that the mighty hunter in

his -rath might have a notion to ma+e up -ith their persons %or the lac+ o%

submissiveness on the part o% the beasts o% the %orest, as had been done years be%ore

by an alcalde -ho had traveled on the shoulders o% impressed porters because he

%ound no horses gentle enough to guarantee his sa%ety. here -as not lac+ing an evil

rumor that his E=cellency had decided to ta+e some action, since in this he sa- the

%irst symptoms o% a rebellion -hich should be strangled in its in%ancy, that a %ruitless

hunt hurt the prestige o% the Spanish name, that he already had his eye on a -retch to

be dressed up as a deer, -hen his E=cellency, -ith clemency that enD<ayb lac+ed

-ords to e=tol su%%iciently, dispelled all the %ears by declaring that it pained him to

sacri%ice to his pleasure the beasts o% the %orest.



ut to tell the truth, his E=cellency -as secretly very -ell satis%ied, %or -hat -ould

have happened had he missed [9]a shot at a deer, one o% those not %amiliar -ith

political etiuetteG *hat -ould the prestige o% the sovereign po-er have come to

thenG @ CaptainD5eneral o% the Philippines missing a shot, li+e a ra- hunterG *hat

-ould have been said by the #ndians, among -hom there -ere some %air huntsmenG

he integrity o% the %atherland -ould have been endangered.

So it -as that his E=cellency, -ith a sheepish smile, and posing as a disappointed

hunter, ordered an immediate return to Fos aKos. 3uring the ourney he related -ith

an indi%%erent air his hunting e=ploits in this or that %orest o% the Peninsula, adopting a

tone some-hat depreciative, as suited the case, to-ard hunting in $ilipinas. he bath

in 3ampalit, the hot springs on the shore o% the la+e, cardDgames in the palace, -ith an

occasional e=cursion to some neighboring -ater%all, or the la+e in%ested -ith

caymans, o%%ered more attractions and %e-er ris+s to the integrity o% the %atherland.

hus on one o% the last days o% 3ecember, his E=cellency %ound himsel% in the sala,ta+ing a hand at cards -hile he a-aited the brea+%ast hour. !e had come %rom the

bath, -ith the usual glass o% coconutDmil+ and its so%t meat, so he -as in the best o%

humors %or granting %avors and privileges. !is good humor -as increased by his

-inning a good many hands, %or Padre #rene and Padre Sibyla, -ith -hom he -as

playing, -ere e=ercising all their s+ill in secretly trying to lose, to the great irritation

o% Padre Camorra, -ho on account o% his late arrival only that morning -as not

in%ormed as to the game they -ere playing on the 5eneral. he %riarDartilleryman -as

playing in good %aith and -ith great care, so he turned red and bit his lip every time

Padre Sibyla seemed inattentive or blundered, but he dared not say a -ord by reason

o% the respect he %elt %or the 3ominican. #n e=change he too+ his revenge out on Padre

#rene, -hom he loo+ed upon as a base %a-ner and despised %or his coarseness. Padre

Sibyla let him scold, -hile the humbler Padre #rene tried to e=cuse himsel% [9;] by

rubbing his long nose. !is E=cellency -as enoying it and too+ advantage, li+e the

good tactician that the Canon hinted he -as, o% all the mista+es o% his opponents.

Padre Camorra -as ignorant o% the %act that across the table they -ere playing %or the

intellectual development o% the $ilipinos, the instruction in Castilian, but had he

+no-n it he -ould doubtless have oy%ully entered into that game.

he open balcony admitted the %resh, pure bree(e and revealed the la+e, -hose -aters

murmured s-eetly around the base o% the edi%ice, as i% rendering homage. n the

right, at a distance, appeared alim #sland, a deep blue in the midst o% the la+e, -hile

almost in %ront lay the green and deserted islet o% Ralamba, in the shape o% a hal%D

moon. o the le%t the picturesue shores -ere %ringed -ith clumps o% bamboo, then a

hill overloo+ing the la+e, -ith -ide rice%ields beyond, then red roo%s amid the deep

green o% the trees,Hthe to-n o% Ralamba,Hand beyond the shoreDline %ading into the

distance, -ith the hori(on at the bac+ closing do-n over the -ater, giving the la+e the



appearance o% a sea and usti%ying the name the #ndians give it o% dagat na tabang , or

%reshD-ater sea.

@t the end o% the sala, seated be%ore a table covered -ith documents, -as the

secretary. !is E=cellency -as a great -or+er and did not li+e to lose time, so he

attended to business in the intervals o% the game or -hile dealing the cards.4ean-hile, the bored secretary ya-ned and despaired. hat morning he had -or+ed,

as usual, over trans%ers, suspensions o% employees, deportations, pardons, and the li+e,

but had not yet touched the great uestion that had stirred so much interestHthe

petition o% the students reuesting permission to establish an academy o% Castilian.

Pacing %rom one end o% the room to the other and conversing animatedly but in lo-

tones -ere to be seen 3on Custodio, a high o%%icial, and a %riar named Padre

$ernande(, -ho hung his head -ith an air either o% meditation or annoyance. $rom an

adoining room issued the [91]clic+ o% balls stri+ing together and bursts o% laughter,

amid -hich might be heard the sharp, dry voice o% Simoun, -ho -as playing billiards

-ith enD<ayb.

Suddenly Padre Camorra arose. he devil -ith this game, puales"B he e=claimed,

thro-ing his cards at Padre #renes head. $uales, that tric+, i% not all the others, -as

assured and -e lost by de%aultA $uales" he devil -ith this gameAB

!e e=plained the situation angrily to all the occupants o% the sala, addressing himsel%

especially to the three -al+ing about, as i% he had selected them %or udges. he

general played thus, he replied -ith such a card, Padre #rene had a certain card? he led,

and then that %ool o% a Padre #rene didnt play his cardA Padre #rene -as giving the

game a-ayA #t -as a devil o% a -ay to playA !is mothers son had not come here torac+ his brains %or nothing and lose his moneyA

hen he added, turning very red, #% the booby thin+s my money gro-s on every

bushA... n top o% the %act that my #ndians are beginning to haggle over paymentsAB

$uming, and disregarding the e=cuses o% Padre #rene, -ho tried to e=plain -hile he

rubbed the tip o% his bea+ in order to conceal his sly smile, he -ent into the

billiardroom.

Padre $ernande(, -ould you li+e to ta+e a handGB as+ed $ray Sibyla.

#m a very poor player,B replied the %riar -ith a grimace.

hen get Simoun,B said the 5eneral. Eh, SimounA Eh, 4ister, -ont you try a

handGB



*hat is your disposition concerning the arms %or sporting purposesGB as+ed the

secretary, ta+ing advantage o% the pause.

Simoun thrust his head through the door-ay.

3ont you -ant to ta+e Padre Camorras place, SeKor SindbadGB inuired Padre#rene. Nou can bet diamonds instead o% chips.B[92]

# dont care i% # do,B replied Simoun, advancing -hile he brushed the chal+ %rom his

hands. *hat -ill you betGB

*hat should -e betGB returned Padre Sibyla. he 5eneral can bet -hat he li+es, but

-e priests, clericsHB

ahAB interrupted Simoun ironically. Nou and Padre #rene can pay -ith deeds o%

charity, prayers, and virtues, ehGB

Nou +no- that the virtues a person may possess,B gravely argued Padre Sibyla, are

not li+e the diamonds that may pass %rom hand to hand, to be sold and resold. hey

are inherent in the being, they are essential attributes o% the subectHB

#ll be satis%ied then i% you pay me -ith promises,B replied Simoun estingly. Nou,

Padre Sibyla, instead o% paying me %ive something or other in money, -ill say, %or

e=ample0 %or %ive days # renounce poverty, humility, and obedience. Nou, Padre #rene0

# renounce chastity, liberality, and so on. hose are small matters, and #m putting up

my diamonds.B

*hat a peculiar man this Simoun is, -hat notions he hasAB e=claimed Padre #rene

-ith a smile.

@nd he,B continued Simoun, slapping his E=cellency %amiliarly on the shoulder, he

-ill pay me -ith an order %or %ive days in prison, or %ive months, or an order o%

deportation made out in blan+, or let us say a summary e=ecution by the Civil 5uard

-hile my man is being conducted %rom one to-n to another.B

his -as a strange proposition, so the three -ho had been pacing about gatheredaround.

ut, SeKor Simoun,B as+ed the high o%%icial, -hat good -ill you get out o% -inning

promises o% virtues, or lives and deportations and summary e=ecutionsGB



@ great dealA #m tired o% hearing virtues tal+ed about and -ould li+e to have the

-hole o% them, all there are in the -orld, tied up in a sac+, in order to thro- them into

the sea, even though # had to use my diamonds %or sin+ers.B[9:]

*hat an ideaAB e=claimed Padre #rene -ith another smile. @nd the deportations and

e=ecutions, -hat o% themGB

*ell, to clean the country and destroy every evil seed.B

5et outA Noure still sore at the tulisanes. ut you -ere luc+y that they didnt demand

a larger ransom or +eep all your e-els. 4an, dont be ungrate%ulAB

Simoun proceeded to relate ho- he had been intercepted by a band o% tulisanes, -ho,

a%ter entertaining him %or a day, had let him go on his -ay -ithout e=acting other

ransom than his t-o %ine revolvers and the t-o bo=es o% cartridges he carried -ith

him. !e added that the tulisanes had charged him -ith many +ind regards %or hisE=cellency, the CaptainD5eneral.

@s a result o% this, and as Simoun reported that the tulisanes -ere -ell provided -ith

shotguns, ri%les, and revolvers, and against such persons one man alone, no matter

ho- -ell armed, could not de%end himsel%, his E=cellency, to prevent the tulisanes

%rom getting -eapons in the %uture, -as about to dictate a ne- decree %orbidding the

introduction o% sporting arms.

n the contrary, on the contraryAB protested Simoun, %or me the tulisanes are the

most respectable men in the country, theyre the only ones -ho earn their livinghonestly. Suppose # had %allen into the handsH-ell, o% you yourselves, %or e=ample,

-ould you have let me escape -ithout ta+ing hal% o% my e-els, at leastGB

3on Custodio -as on the point o% protesting? that Simoun -as really a rude @merican

mulatto ta+ing advantage o% his %riendship -ith the CaptainD5eneral to insult Padre

#rene, although it may be true also that Padre #rene -ould hardly have set him %ree %or

so little.

he evil is not,B -ent on Simoun, in that there are tulisanes in the mountains and

uninhabited partsHthe evil lies in the tulisanes in the to-ns and cities.B

Fi+e yoursel%,B put in the Canon -ith a smile.[9O]

Nes, li+e mysel%, li+e all o% usA Fets be %ran+, %or no #ndian is listening to us here,B

continued the e-eler. he evil is that -ere not all openly declared tulisanes. *hen

that happens and -e all ta+e to the -oods, on that day the country -ill be saved, on



that day -ill rise a ne- social order -hich -ill ta+e care o% itsel%, and his E=cellency

-ill be able to play his game in peace, -ithout the necessity o% having his attention

diverted by his secretary.B

he person mentioned at that moment ya-ned, e=tending his %olded arms above his

head and stretching his crossed legs under the table as %ar as possible, upon noticing-hich all laughed. !is E=cellency -ished to change the course o% the conversation,

so, thro-ing do-n the cards he had been shu%%ling, he said hal% seriously0 Come,

come, enough o% o+es and cardsA Fets get to -or+, to -or+ in earnest, since -e still

have a hal%Dhour be%ore brea+%ast. @re there many matters to be got through -ithGB

@ll no- gave their attention. hat -as the day %or oining battle over the uestion o%

instruction in Castilian, %or -hich purpose Padre Sibyla and Padre #rene had been

there several days. #t -as +no-n that the %ormer, as IiceD"ector, -as opposed to the

proect and that the latter supported it, and his activity -as in turn supported by the

Countess.

*hat is there, -hat is thereGB as+ed his E=cellency impatiently.

he petition about sporting arms,B replied the secretary -ith a sti%led ya-n.

$orbiddenAB

Pardon, 5eneral,B said the high o%%icial gravely, your E=cellency -ill permit me to

invite your attention to the %act that the use o% sporting arms is permitted in all the

countries o% the -orld.B

he 5eneral shrugged his shoulders and remar+ed dryly, *e are not imitating any

nation in the -orld.B

et-een his E=cellency and the high o%%icial there -as al-ays a di%%erence o% opinion,

so it -as su%%icient that [97]the latter o%%er any suggestion -hatsoever to have the

%ormer remain stubborn.

he high o%%icial tried another tac+. Sporting arms can harm only rats and chic+ens.

heyll sayHB

ut are -e chic+ensGB interrupted the 5eneral, again shrugging his shoulders. @m

#G #ve demonstrated that #m not.B



ut theres another thing,B observed the secretary. $our months ago, -hen the

possession o% arms -as prohibited, the %oreign importers -ere assured that sporting

arms -ould be admitted.B

!is E=cellency +nitted his bro-s.

hat can be arranged,B suggested Simoun.

!o-GB

Iery simply. Sporting arms nearly all have a caliber o% si= millimeters, at least those

no- in the mar+et. @uthori(e only the sale o% those that havent these si= millimeters.B

@ll approved this idea o% Simouns, e=cept the high o%%icial, -ho muttered into Padre

$ernande(s ear that this -as not digni%ied, nor -as it the -ay to govern.

he schoolmaster o% iani,B proceeded the secretary, shu%%ling some papers about,

as+s %or a better location %orHB

*hat better location can he -ant than the storehouse that he has all to himsel%GB

interrupted Padre Camorra, -ho had returned, having %orgotten about the cardDgame.

!e says that its roo%less,B replied the secretary, and that having purchased out o% his

o-n poc+et some maps and pictures, he doesnt -ant to e=pose them to the -eather.B

ut # havent anything to do -ith that,B muttered his E=cellency. !e should addressthe head secretary,1 the governor o% the province, or the nuncio.B[9/]

# -ant to tell you,B declared Padre Camorra, that this little schoolmaster is a

discontented %ilibuster. &ust imagineHthe heretic teaches that corpses rot ust the

same, -hether buried -ith great pomp or -ithout anyA Some day #m going to punch

himAB !ere he doubled up his %ists.

o tell the truth,B observed Padre Sibyla, as i% spea+ing only to Padre #rene, he -ho

-ishes to teach, teaches every-here, in the open air. Socrates taught in the public

streets, Plato in the gardens o% the @cademy, even Christ among the mountains andla+es.B

#ve heard several complaints against this schoolmaster,B said his E=cellency,

e=changing a glance -ith Simoun. # thin+ the best thing -ould be to suspend him.B

SuspendedAB repeated the secretary.



he luc+ o% that un%ortunate, -ho had as+ed %or help and received his dismissal,

pained the high o%%icial and he tried to do something %or him.

#ts certain,B he insinuated rather timidly, that education is not at all -ell provided

%orHB

#ve already decreed large sums %or the purchase o% supplies,B e=claimed his

E=cellency haughtily, as i% to say, #ve done more than # ought to have done.B

ut since suitable locations are lac+ing, the supplies purchased get ruined.B

Everything cant be done at once,B said his E=cellency dryly. he schoolmasters

here are doing -rong in as+ing %or buildings -hen those in Spain starve to death. #ts

great presumption to be better o%% here than in the mother country itsel%AB

$ilibusterismHB

e%ore everything the %atherlandA e%ore everything else -e are SpaniardsAB added

enD<ayb, his eyes glo-ing -ith patriotism, but he blushed some-hat -hen he

noticed that he -as spea+ing alone.

#n the %uture,B decided the 5eneral, all -ho complain -ill be suspended.B[9>]

#% my proect -ere acceptedHB 3on Custodio ventured to remar+, as i% tal+ing to

himsel%.

$or the construction o% schoolhousesGB

#ts simple, practical, economical, and, li+e all my proects, derived %rom long

e=perience and +no-ledge o% the country. he to-ns -ould have schools -ithout

costing the government a cuarto.B

hats easy,B observed the secretary sarcastically. Compel the to-ns to construct

them at their o-n e=pense,B -hereupon all laughed.

o, sirA o, sirAB cried the e=asperated 3on Custodio, turning very red. he buildings are already constructed and only -ait to be utili(ed. !ygienic,

unsurpassable, spaciousHB

he %riars loo+ed at one another uneasily. *ould 3on Custodio propose that the

churches and conventos be converted into schoolhousesG

Fets hear it,B said the 5eneral -ith a %ro-n.



*ell, 5eneral, its very simple,B replied 3on Custodio, dra-ing himsel% up and

assuming his hollo- voice o% ceremony. he schools are open only on -ee+Ddays

and the coc+pits on holidays. hen convert these into schoolhouses, at least during the

-ee+.B

4an, man, manAB

*hat a lovely ideaAB

*hats the matter -ith you, 3on CustodioGB

hats a grand suggestionAB

hat beats them allAB

ut, gentlemen,B cried 3on Custodio, in ans-er to so many e=clamations, lets be practicalH-hat places are more suitable than the coc+pitsG heyre large, -ell

constructed, and under a curse %or the use to -hich they are put during the -ee+Ddays.

$rom a moral standpoint my proect -ould be acceptable, by serving as a +ind o%

e=piation and -ee+ly puri%ication o% the temple o% chance, as -e might say.B

ut the %act remains that sometimes there are coc+%ights [9]during the -ee+,B

obected Padre Camorra, and it -ouldnt be right -hen the contractors o% the

coc+pits pay the governmentHB2

*ell, on those days close the schoolAB

4an, manAB e=claimed the scandali(ed CaptainD5eneral. Such an outrage shall

never be perpetrated -hile # governA o close the schools in order to gambleA 4an,

man, #ll resign %irstAB !is E=cellency -as really horri%ied.

ut, 5eneral, its better to close them %or a %e- days than %or months.B

#t -ould be immoral,B observed Padre #rene, more indignant even than his

E=cellency.

#ts more immoral that vice has good buildings and learning none. Fets be practical,

gentlemen, and not be carried a-ay by sentiment. #n politics theres nothing -orse

than sentiment. *hile %rom humane considerations -e %orbid the cultivation o% opium

in our colonies, -e tolerate the smo+ing o% it, and the result is that -e do not combat

the vice but impoverish ourselves.B



ut remember that it yields to the government, -ithout any e%%ort, more than %our

hundred and %i%ty thousand pesos,B obected Padre #rene, -ho -as getting more and

more on the governmental side.

Enough, enough, enoughAB e=claimed his E=cellency, to end the discussion. # have

my o-n plans in this regard and -ill devote special attention to the matter o% publicinstruction. #s there anything elseGB

he secretary loo+ed uneasily to-ard Padre Sibyla and Padre #rene. he cat -as about

to come out o% the bag. oth prepared themselves.

he petition o% the students reuesting authori(ation to open an academy o%

Castilian,B ans-ered the secretary.

@ general movement -as noted among those in the room. @%ter glancing at one

another they %i=ed their eyes on the [99]5eneral to learn -hat his disposition -ould be.$or si= months the petition had lain there a-aiting a decision and had become

converted into a +ind o% #asus belli in certain circles. !is E=cellency had lo-ered his

eyes, as i% to +eep his thoughts %rom being read.

he silence became embarrassing, as the 5eneral understood, so he as+ed the high

o%%icial, *hat do you thin+GB

*hat should # thin+, 5eneralGB responded the person addressed, -ith a shrug o% his

shoulders and a bitter smile. *hat should # thin+ but that the petition is ust, very

ust, and that # am surprised that si= months should have been ta+en to consider it.B

he %act is that it involves other considerations,B said Padre Sibyla coldly, as he hal%

closed his eyes.

he high o%%icial again shrugged his shoulders, li+e one -ho did not comprehend -hat

those considerations could be.

esides the intemperateness o% the demand,B -ent on the 3ominican, besides the

%act that it is in the nature o% an in%ringement on our prerogativesHB

Padre Sibyla dared not go on, but loo+ed at Simoun.

he petition has a some-hat suspicious character,B corroborated that individual,

e=changing a loo+ -ith the 3ominican, -ho -in+ed several times.



Padre #rene noticed these things and reali(ed that his cause -as almost lostHSimoun

-as against him.

#ts a peace%ul rebellion, a revolution on stamped paper,B added Padre Sibyla.

"evolutionG "ebellionGB inuired the high o%%icial, staring %rom one to the other as i%he did not understand -hat they could mean.

#ts headed by some young men charged -ith being too radical and too much

interested in re%orms, not to use stronger terms,B remar+ed the secretary, -ith a loo+ at

the 3ominican. @mong them is a certain #sagani, a poorly balanced head, nephe- o%

a native priestHB

!es a pupil o% mine,B put in Padre $ernande(, and #m much pleased -ith

him.B[1;;]

$uales! # li+e your tasteAB e=claimed Padre Camorra. n the steamer -e nearly

had a %ight. !es so insolent that -hen # gave him a shove aside he returned it.B

heres also one 4a+aragui or 4a+araiHB

4a+araig,B Padre #rene oined in. @ very pleasant and agreeable young man.B

hen he murmured into the 5enerals ear, !es the one #ve tal+ed to you about, hes

very rich. he Countess recommends him strongly.B

@hAB

@ medical student, one asilioHB

% that asilio, #ll say nothing,B observed Padre #rene, raising his hands and

opening them, as i% to say :ominus vobis#um. !es too deep %or me. #ve never

succeeded in %athoming -hat he -ants or -hat he is thin+ing about. #ts a pity that

Padre Salvi isnt present to tell us something about his antecedents. # believe that #ve

heard that -hen a boy he got into trouble -ith the Civil 5uard. !is %ather -as +illed

inH# dont remember -hat disturbance.B

Simoun smiled %aintly, silently, sho-ing his sharp -hite teeth.

@haA @haAB said his E=cellency nodding. hats the +ind -e haveA 4a+e a note o%

that name.B



ut, 5eneral,B obected the high o%%icial, seeing that the matter -as ta+ing a bad turn,

up to no- nothing positive is +no-n against these young men. heir position is a

very ust one, and -e have no right to deny it on the ground o% mere conectures. 4y

opinion is that the government, by e=hibiting con%idence in the people and in its o-n

stability, should grant -hat is as+ed, then it could %reely revo+e the permission -hen it

sa- that its +indness -as being abusedHreasons and prete=ts -ould not be -anting,-e can -atch them. *hy cause disa%%ection among some young men, -ho later on

may %eel resentment, -hen -hat they as+ is commanded by royal decreesGB[1;1]

Padre #rene, 3on Custodio, and Padre $ernande( nodded in agreement.

ut the #ndians must not understand Castilian, you +no-,B cried Padre Camorra.

hey mustnt learn it, %or then theyll enter into arguments -ith us, and the #ndians

must not argue, but obey and pay. hey mustnt try to interpret the meaning o% the

la-s and the boo+s, theyre so tric+y and petti%ogishA &ust as soon as they learn

Castilian they become enemies o% 5od and o% Spain. &ust read the Tandang =asio Ma#unat Hthats a boo+A #t tells truths li+e thisAB @nd he held up his clenched %ists.

Padre Sibyla rubbed his hand over his tonsure in sign o% impatience. ne -ord,B he

began in the most conciliatory tone, though %uming -ith irritation, here -ere not

dealing -ith the instruction in Castilian alone. !ere there is an underhand %ight

bet-een the students and the )niversity o% Santo omas. #% the students -in this, our

prestige -ill be trampled in the dirt, they -ill say that theyve beaten us and -ill e=ult

accordingly. hen, goodDby to moral strength, goodDby to everythingA he %irst di+e

bro+en do-n, -ho -ill restrain this youthG *ith our %all -e do no more than signal

your o-n. @%ter us, the governmentAB

$uales, thats not soAB e=claimed Padre Camorra. *ell see %irst -ho has the

biggest %istsAB

@t this point Padre $ernande(, -ho thus %ar in the discussion had merely contented

himsel% -ith smiling, began to tal+. @ll gave him their attention, %or they +ne- him to

be a thought%ul man.

3ont ta+e it ill o% me, Padre Sibyla, i% # di%%er %rom your vie- o% the a%%air, but its

my peculiar %ate to be almost al-ays in opposition to my brethren. # say, then, that -eought not to be so pessimistic. he instruction in Castilian can be allo-ed -ithout any

ris+ -hatever, and in order that it may not appear to be a de%eat o% the )niversity, -e

3ominicans ought to put %orth our e%%orts and [1;2] be the %irst to reoice over itHthat

should be our policy. o -hat end are -e to be engaged in an everlasting struggle -ith

the people, -hen a%ter all -e are the %e- and they are the many, -hen -e need them

and they do not need usG *ait, Padre Camorra, -aitA @dmit that no- the people may



be -ea+ and ignorantH# also believe thatHbut it -ill not be true tomorro- or the day

a%ter. omorro- and the ne=t day they -ill be the stronger, they -ill +no- -hat is

good %or them, and -e cannot +eep it %rom them, ust as it is not possible to +eep %rom

children the +no-ledge o% many things -hen they reach a certain age. # say, then, -hy

should -e not ta+e advantage o% this condition o% ignorance to change our policy

completely, to place it upon a basis solid and enduringHon the basis o% ustice, %ore=ample, instead o% on the basis o% ignoranceG heres nothing li+e being ust? that

#ve al-ays said to my brethren, but they -ont believe me. he #ndian idoli(es

ustice, li+e every race in its youth? he as+s %or punishment -hen he has done -rong,

ust as he is e=asperated -hen he has not deserved it. #s theirs a ust desireG hen

grant itA Fets give them all the schools they -ant, until they are tired o% them. Nouth

is la(y, and -hat urges them to activity is our opposition. ur bond o% prestige, Padre

Sibyla, is about -orn out, so lets prepare another, the bond o% gratitude, %or e=ample.

Fets not be %ools, lets do as the cra%ty &esuitsHB

Padre $ernande(AB @nything could be tolerated by Padre Sibyla e=cept to propose the

&esuits to him as a model. Pale and trembling, he bro+e out into bitter recrimination.

@ $ranciscan %irstA @nything be%ore a &esuitAB !e -as beside himsel%.

h, ohAB

Eh, PadreHB

@ general discussion bro+e out, regardless o% the CaptainD5eneral. @ll tal+ed at once,

they yelled, they misunderstood and contradicted one another. enD<ayb and Padre

Camorra shoo+ their %ists in each others %aces, one tal+ing [1;:]o% simpletons and theother o% in+Dslingers, Padre Sibyla +ept harping on the %apitulum, and Padre

$ernande( on the ,umma o% St. homas, until the curate o% Fos aKos entered to

announce that brea+%ast -as served.

!is E=cellency arose and so ended the discussion. *ell, gentlemen,B he said, -eve

-or+ed li+e niggers and yet -ere on a vacation. Some one has said that grave matters

should he considered at dessert. #m entirely o% that opinion.B

*e might get indigestion,B remar+ed the secretary, alluding to the heat o% the

discussion.

hen -ell lay it aside until tomorro-.B

@s they rose the high o%%icial -hispered to the 5eneral, Nour E=cellency, the

daughter o% Cabesang ales has been here again begging %or the release o% her sic+

grand%ather, -ho -as arrested in place o% her %ather.B



!is E=cellency loo+ed at him -ith an e=pression o% impatience and rubbed his hand

across his broad %orehead. %arambasA Cant one be le%t to eat his brea+%ast in

peaceGB

his is the third day she has come. Shes a poor girlHB

h, the devilAB e=claimed Padre Camorra. #ve ust thought o% it. # have something

to say to the 5eneral about thatHthats -hat # came over %orHto support that girls

petition.B

he 5eneral scratched the bac+ o% his ear and said, h, go alongA !ave the secretary

ma+e out an order to the lieutenant o% the Civil 5uard %or the old mans release. hey

shant say that -ere not clement and merci%ul.B

!e loo+ed at enD<ayb. he ournalist -in+ed.[1;O]

1 )nder the Spanish r'gime the government paid no attention to education, the schools 6A8 being under the

control o% the religious orders and the %riarDcurates o% the to-ns.Hr.

2 he coc+pits are %armed out annually by the local governments, the terms contract,B and contractor,B

having no- been so%tened into licenseB and licensee.BHr.

+lacido +enitente

"eluctantly, and almost -ith tear%ul eyes, Placido Penitente -as going along the

Escolta on his -ay to the )niversity o% Santo omas. #t had hardly been a -ee+ since

he had come %rom his to-n, yet he had already -ritten to his mother t-ice, reiterating

his desire to abandon his studies and go bac+ there to -or+. !is mother ans-ered that

he should have patience, that at the least he must be graduated as a bachelor o% arts,

since it -ould be un-ise to desert his boo+s a%ter %our years o% e=pense and sacri%ices

on both their parts.

*hence came to Penitente this aversion to study, -hen he had been one o% the most

diligent in the %amous college conducted by Padre Ialerio in ana-anG herePenitente had been considered one o% the best Fatinists and the subtlest disputants, one

-ho could tangle or untangle the simplest as -ell as the most abstruse uestions. !is

to-nspeople considered him very clever, and his curate, in%luenced by that opinion,

already classi%ied him as a %ilibusterHa sure proo% that he -as neither %oolish nor

incapable. !is %riends could not e=plain those desires %or abandoning his studies and

returning0 he had no s-eethearts, -as not a gambler, hardly +ne- anything

about hunkían and rarely tried his luc+ at the more %amiliar revesino. !e did not



believe in the advice o% the curates, laughed at Tandang =asio Ma#unat , had plenty o%

money and good clothes, yet he -ent to school reluctantly and loo+ed -ith

repugnance on his boo+s.

n the ridge o% Spain, a bridge -hose name alone came %rom Spain, since even its

iron-or+ came %rom %oreign [1;7]countries, he %ell in -ith the long procession o%young men on their -ay to the *alled City to their respective schools. Some -ere

dressed in the European %ashion and -al+ed rapidly, carrying boo+s and notes,

absorbed in thoughts o% their lessons and essaysHthese -ere the students o% the

@teneo. hose %rom San &uan de Fetran -ere nearly all dressed in the $ilipino

costume, but -ere more numerous and carried %e-er boo+s. hose %rom the

)niversity are dressed more care%ully and elegantly and saunter along carrying canes

instead o% boo+s. he collegians o% the Philippines are not very noisy or turbulent.

hey move along in a preoccupied manner, such that upon seeing them one -ould say

that be%ore their eyes shone no hope, no smiling %uture. Even though here and there

the line is brightened by the attractive appearance o% the schoolgirls o% the *s#uela Muni#ipal ,1 -ith their sashes across their shoulders and their boo+s in their hands,

%ollo-ed by their servants, yet scarcely a laugh resounds or a o+e can be heardH

nothing o% song or est, at best a %e- heavy o+es or scu%%les among the smaller boys.

he older ones nearly al-ays proceed seriously and composedly, li+e the 5erman

students.

Placido -as proceeding along the Paseo de 4agallanes to-ard the breachH%ormerly

the gateHo% Santo 3omingo, -hen he suddenly %elt a slap on the shoulder, -hich

made him turn uic+ly in ill humor.

!ello, PenitenteA !ello, PenitenteAB

#t -as his schoolmate &uanito Pelae(, the barbero or pet o% the pro%essors, as big a

rascal as he could be, -ith a roguish loo+ and a clo-nish smile. he son o% a Spanish

mesti(oHa rich merchant in one o% the suburbs, -ho based all his hopes and oys on

the boys talentHhe promised -ell -ith his roguery, and, than+s to his custom o%

playing tric+s on every one and then hiding behind his companions, [1;/]he had

acuired a peculiar hump, -hich gre- larger -henever he -as laughing over his

deviltry.

*hat +ind o% time did you have, PenitenteGB -as his uestion as he again slapped

him on the shoulder.

So, so,B ans-ered Placido, rather bored. @nd youGB



*ell, it -as greatA &ust imagineHthe curate o% iani invited me to spend the vacation

in his to-n, and # -ent. ld man, you +no- Padre Camorra, # supposeG *ell, hes a

liberal curate, very olly, %ran+, very %ran+, one o% those li+e Padre Paco. @s there -ere

pretty girls, -e serenaded them all, he -ith his guitar and songs and # -ith my violin.

# tell you, old man, -e had a great timeHthere -asnt a house -e didnt tryAB

!e -hispered a %e- -ords in Placidos ear and then bro+e out into laughter. @s the

latter e=hibited some surprise, he resumed0 #ll s-ear to itA hey cant help

themselves, because -ith a governmental order you get rid o% the %ather, husband, or

brother, and thenHmerry ChristmasA !o-ever, -e did run up against a little %ool, the

s-eetheart, # believe, o% asilio, you +no-G Foo+, -hat a %ool this asilio isA o have

a s-eetheart -ho doesnt +no- a -ord o% Spanish, -ho hasnt any money, and -ho

has been a servantA Shes as shy as she can be, but pretty. Padre Camorra one night

started to club t-o %ello-s -ho -ere serenading her and # dont +no- ho- it -as he

didnt +ill them, yet -ith all that she -as ust as shy as ever. ut itll result %or her as

it does -ith all the -omen, all o% themAB

&uanito Pelae( laughed -ith a %ull mouth, as though he thought this a glorious thing,

-hile Placido stared at him in disgust.

Fisten, -hat did the pro%essor e=plain yesterdayGB as+ed &uanito, changing the

conversation.

Nesterday there -as no class.B

ho, and the day be%ore yesterdayGB

4an, it -as hursdayAB

"ightA *hat an ass # amA 3ont you +no-, Placido, [1;>]that #m getting to be a

regular assG *hat about *ednesdayGB

*ednesdayG *aitH*ednesday, it -as a little -et.B

$ineA *hat about uesday, old manGB

uesday -as the pro%essors nameday and -e -ent to entertain him -ith an

orchestra, present him %lo-ers and some gi%ts.B

@h, #arambas"B e=claimed &uanito, that # should have %orgotten about itA *hat an

ass # amA Fisten, did he as+ %or meGB



Penitente shrugged his shoulders. # dont +no-, but they gave him a list o% his

entertainers.B

%arambas" FistenH4onday, -hat happenedGB

@s it -as the %irst schoolDday, he called the roll and assigned the lessonHaboutmirrors. Foo+, %rom here to here, by memory, -ord %or -ord. *e ump all this section,

-e ta+e that.B !e -as pointing out -ith his %inger in the PhysicsB the portions that

-ere to be learned, -hen suddenly the boo+ %le- through the air, as a result o% the slap

&uanito gave it %rom belo-.

hunder, let the lessons goA Fets have a dia pi#hido"B

he students in 4anila call dia pi#hido a schoolDday that %alls bet-een t-o holidays

and is conseuently suppressed, as though %orced out by their -ish.

3o you +no- that you really are an assGB e=claimed Placido, pic+ing up his boo+ and

papers.

Fets have a dia pi#hido"B repeated &uanito.

Placido -as un-illing, since %or only t-o the authorities -ere hardly going to suspend

a class o% more than a hundred and %i%ty. !e recalled the struggles and privations his

mother -as su%%ering in order to +eep him in 4anila, -hile she -ent -ithout even the

necessities o% li%e.

hey -ere ust passing through the breach o% Santo 3omingo, and &uanito, ga(ing

across the little pla(a2 in [1;]%ront o% the old Customs building, e=claimed, o- #

thin+ o% it, #m appointed to ta+e up the collection.B

*hat collectionGB

$or the monument.B

*hat monumentGB

5et outA $or Padre altha(ar, you +no-.B

@nd -ho -as Padre altha(arGB

$oolA @ 3ominican, o% courseHthats -hy the padres call on the students. Come on

no-, loosen up -ith three or %our pesos, so that they may see -e are sports. 3ont let



them say a%ter-ards that in order to erect a statue they had to dig do-n into their o-n

poc+ets. 3o, Placido, its not money thro-n a-ay.B

!e accompanied these -ords -ith a signi%icant -in+. Placido recalled the case o% a

student -ho had passed through the entire course by presenting canaryDbirds, so he

subscribed three pesos.

Foo+ no-, #ll -rite your name plainly so that the pro%essor -ill read it, you seeH

Placido Penitente, three pesos. @h, listenA #n a couple o% -ee+s comes the nameday o%

the pro%essor o% natural history. Nou +no- that hes a good %ello-, never mar+s

absences or as+s about the lesson. 4an, -e must sho- our appreciationAB

hats rightAB

hen dont you thin+ that -e ought to give him a celebrationG he orchestra must not

be smaller than the one you had %or the pro%essor o% physics.B

hats rightAB

*hat do you thin+ about ma+ing the contribution t-o pesosG Come, Placido, you

start it, so youll be at the head o% the list.B

hen, seeing that Placido gave the t-o pesos -ithout hesitation, he added, Fisten,

put up %our, and a%ter-ards #ll return you t-o. heyll serve as a decoy.B

*ell, i% youre going to return them to me, -hy give them to youG #tll be su%%icient,%or you to -rite %our.B

@h, thats rightA *hat an ass # amA 3o you +no-, [1;9]#m getting to be a regular assA

ut let me have them anyho-, so that # can sho- them.B

Placido, in order not to give the lie to the priest -ho christened him, gave -hat -as

as+ed, ust as they reached the )niversity.

#n the entrance and along the -al+s on each side o% it -ere gathered the students,

a-aiting the appearance o% the pro%essors. Students o% the preparatory year o% la-, o%the %i%th o% the secondary course, o% the preparatory in medicine, %ormed lively groups.

he latter -ere easily distinguished by their clothing and by a certain air that -as

lac+ing in the others, since the greater part o% them came %rom the @teneo 4unicipal.

@mong them could be seen the poet #sagani, e=plaining to a companion the theory o%

the re%raction o% light. #n another group they -ere tal+ing, disputing, citing the

statements o% the pro%essor, the te=tDboo+s, and scholastic principles? in yet another



they -ere gesticulating and -aving their boo+s in the air or ma+ing demonstrations

-ith their canes by dra-ing diagrams on the ground? %arther on, they -ere

entertaining themselves in -atching the pious -omen go into the neighboring church,

all the students ma+ing %acetious remar+s. @n old -oman leaning on a young girl

limped piously, -hile the girl moved along -rith do-ncast eyes, timid and abashed to

pass be%ore so many curious eyes. he old lady, catching up her co%%eeDcolored s+irt,o% the Sisterhood o% St. "ita, to reveal her big %eet and -hite stoc+ings, scolded her

companion and shot %urious glances at the staring bystanders.

he rascalsAB she grunted. 3ont loo+ at them, +eep your eyes do-n.B

Everything -as noticed? everything called %orth o+es and comments. o- it -as a

magni%icent victoria -hich stopped at the door to set do-n a %amily o% votaries on

their -ay to visit the Iirgin o% the "osary : on her %avorite [11;]day, -hile the

inuisitive sharpened their eyes to get a glimpse o% the shape and si(e o% the young

ladies %eet as they got out o% the carriages? no- it -as a student -ho came out o% thedoor -ith devotion still shining in his eyes, %or he had passed through the church to

beg the Iirgins help in understanding his lesson and to see i% his s-eetheart -as

there, to e=change a %e- glances -ith her and go on to his class -ith the recollection

o% her loving eyes.

Soon there -as noticed some movement in the groups, a certain air o% e=pectancy,

-hile #sagani paused and turned pale. @ carriage dra-n by a pair o% -ellD+no-n -hite

horses had stopped at the door. #t -as that o% Paulita 5ome(, and she had already

umped do-n, light as a bird, -ithout giving the rascals time to see her %oot. *ith a

be-itching -hirl o% her body and a s-eep o% her hand she arranged the %olds o% hers+irt, shot a rapid and apparently careless glance to-ard #sagani, spo+e to him and

smiled. 3oKa Iictorina descended in her turn, ga(ed over her spectacles, sa- &uanito

Pelae(, smiled, and bo-ed to him a%%ably.

#sagani, %lushed -ith e=citement, returned a timid salute, -hile &uanito bo-ed

pro%oundly, too+ o%% his hat, and made the same gesture as the celebrated clo-n and

caricaturist Pan(a -hen he received applause.

!eavens, -hat a girlAB e=claimed one o% the students, starting %or-ard. ell the

pro%essor that #m seriously ill.B So adeo, as this invalid youth -as +no-n, enteredthe church to %ollo- the girl.

adeo -ent to the )niversity every day to as+ i% the classes -ould be held and each

time seemed to be more and more astonished that they -ould. !e had a %i=ed idea o% a

latent and eternalholida&, and e=pected it to come any day. So each morning, a%ter

vainly proposing that they play truant, he -ould go a-ay alleging important business,



an appointment, or illness, ust at the very moment -hen his companions -ere going

to their classes. ut by some occult, thaumaturgic art adeo passed the e=aminations,

-as beloved [111] by the pro%essors, and had be%ore him a promising %uture.

4ean-hile, the groups began to move inside, %or the pro%essor o% physics and

chemistry had put in his appearance. he students appeared to be cheated in theirhopes and -ent to-ard the interior o% the building -ith e=clamations o% discontent.

Placido -ent along -ith the cro-d.

Penitente, PenitenteAB called a student -ith a certain mysterious air. Sign thisAB

*hat is itGB

ever mindHsign itAB

#t seemed to Placido that some one -as t-itching his ears. !e recalled the story o% acabe(a de barangay in his to-n -ho, %or having signed a document that he did not

understand, -as +ept a prisoner %or months and months, and came near to deportation.

@n uncle o% Placidos, in order to %i= the lesson in his memory, had given him a severe

earDpulling, so that al-ays -henever he heard signatures spo+en o%, his ears

reproduced the sensation.

E=cuse me, but # cant sign anything -ithout %irst understanding -hat its about.B

*hat a %ool you areA #% t-o #elestial #arbineers have signed it, -hat have you to

%earGB

he name o% #elestial #arbineers inspired con%idence, being, as it -as, a sacred

company created to aid 5od in the -ar%are against the evil spirit and to prevent the

smuggling o% heretical contraband into the mar+ets o% the e- <ion.O

Placido -as about to sign to ma+e an end o% it, because he -as in a hurry,Halready

his classmates -ere reciting the > Thoma,Hbut again his ears t-itched, so he said,

@%ter the classA # -ant to read it %irst.B

#ts very long, dont you seeG #t concerns the presentation o% a counterDpetition, orrather, a protest. 3ont [112]you understandG 4a+araig and some others have as+ed

that an academy o% Castilian be opened, -hich is a piece o% genuine %oolishnessHB

@ll right, all right, a%ter a-hile. heyre already beginning,B ans-ered Placido,

trying to get a-ay.



ut your pro%essor may not call the rollHB

Nes, yes? but he calls it sometimes. Fater on, later onA esides, # dont -ant to put

mysel% in opposition to 4a+araig.B

ut its not putting yoursel% in opposition, its onlyHB

Placido heard no more, %or he -as already %ar a-ay, hurrying to his class. !e heard

the di%%erent voicesH adsum! adsum Hthe roll -as being calledA !astening his steps

he got to the door ust as the letter L -as reached.

Tinam-an g?"B7 he muttered, biting his lips.

!e hesitated about entering, %or the mar+ -as already do-n against him and -as not

to be erased. ne did not go to the class to learn but in order not to get this absence

mar+, %or the class -as reduced to reciting the lesson %rom memory, reading the boo+,and at the most ans-ering a %e- abstract, pro%ound, captious, enigmatic uestions.

rue, the usual preachment -as never lac+ingHthe same as ever, about humility,

submission, and respect to the clerics, and he, Placido, -as humble, submissive, and

respect%ul. So he -as about to turn a-ay -hen he remembered that the e=aminations

-ere approaching and his pro%essor had not yet as+ed him a uestion nor appeared to

notice himHthis -ould be a good opportunity to attract his attention and become

+no-nA o be +no-n -as to gain a year, %or i% it cost nothing to suspend one -ho -as

not +no-n, it reuired a hard heart not to be touched by the sight o% a youth -ho by

his daily presence -as a reproach over a year o% his li%e -asted.[11:]

So Placido -ent in, not on tiptoe as -as his custom, but noisily on his heels, and only

too -ell did he succeed in his intentA he pro%essor stared at him, +nitted his bro-s,

and shoo+ his head, as though to say, @h, little impudence, youll pay %or thatAB[11O]

1 he 4unicipal School %or 5irlsB -as %ounded by the municipality o% 4anila in 1/O.... he institution

-as in charge o% the Sisters o% Charity.H %ensus of the $hilippine Islands! 5ol( III! p( 603.

2 o- +no-n as Pla(a EspaKa.Hr.

: Patroness o% the 3ominican rder. She -as %ormally and sumptuously recro-ned a ueen o% the s+ies in

19;>.Hr.

O @ burlesue on an association o% students +no-n as the Mili#ia Angeli#a, organi(ed by the 3ominicans

to strengthen their hold on the people. he name used is signi%icant, carbineersB being the local revenue

o%%icers, notorious in their later days %or gra%t and abuse.Hr.



7 inamUan Kg linti+ABHa agalog e=clamation o% anger, disappointment, or dismay, regarded as a very

strong e=pression, euivalent to pro%anity. Fiterally, 4ay the lightning stri+e youABHr.

The Class in +h)sics

he classroom -as a spacious rectangular hall -ith large grated -indo-s that

admitted an abundance o% light and air. @long the t-o sides e=tended three -ide tiers

o% stone covered -ith -ood, %illed -ith students arranged in alphabetical order. @t the

end opposite the entrance, under a print o% St. homas @uinas, rose the pro%essors

chair on an elevated plat%orm -ith a little stair-ay on each side. *ith the e=ception o%

a beauti%ul blac+board in a narra %rame, scarcely ever used, since there -as still

-ritten on it the viva that had appeared on the opening day, no %urniture, either use%ul

or useless, -as to be seen. he -alls, painted -hite and covered -ith gla(ed tiles to

prevent scratches, -ere entirely bare, having neither a dra-ing nor a picture, nor even

an outline o% any physical apparatus. he students had no need o% any, no one missed

the practical instruction in an e=tremely e=perimental science? %or years and years it

has been so taught and the country has not been upset, but continues ust as ever. o-

and then some little instrument descended %rom heaven and -as e=hibited to the class

%rom a distance, li+e the monstrance to the prostrate -orshipersHloo+, but touch notA

$rom time to time, -hen some complacent pro%essor appeared, one day in the year

-as set aside %or visiting the mysterious laboratory and ga(ing %rom -ithout at the

pu((ling apparatus arranged in glass cases. o one could complain, %or on that day

there -ere to be seen uantities o% brass and glass-are, tubes, dis+s, -heels, bells, and

the li+eHthe e=hibition did not get beyond that, and the country -as not upset.[117]

esides, the students -ere convinced that those instruments had not been purchased

%or themHthe %riars -ould be %oolsA he laboratory -as intended to be sho-n to the

visitors and the high o%%icials -ho came %rom the Peninsula, so that upon seeing it

they -ould nod their heads -ith satis%action, -hile their guide -ould smile, as i% to

say, Eh, you thought you -ere going to %ind some bac+-ard mon+sA *ell, -ere

right up -ith the timesH-e have a laboratoryAB

he visitors and high o%%icials, a%ter being handsomely entertained, -ould then -rite

in their Travels or Memoirs0 he "oyal and Ponti%ical )niversity o% Santo omas o%

4anila, in charge o% the enlightened 3ominican rder, possesses a magni%icent physical laboratory %or the instruction o% youth. Some t-o hundred and %i%ty students

annually study this subect, but -hether %rom apathy, indolence, the limited capacity

o% the #ndian, or some other ethnological or incomprehensible reason, up to no- there

has not developed a Favoisier, a Secchi, or a yndall, not even in miniature, in the

4alayD$ilipino race.B



Net, to be e=act, -e -ill say that in this laboratory are held the classes o% thirty or

%orty advan#ed students, under the direction o% an instructor -ho per%orms his duties

-ell enough, but as the greater part o% these students come %rom the @teneo o% the

&esuits, -here science is taught practically in the laboratory itsel%, its utility does not

come to be so great as it -ould be i% it could be utili(ed by the t-o hundred and %i%ty

-ho pay their matriculation %ees, buy their boo+s, memori(e them, and -aste a year to+no- nothing a%ter-ards. @s a result, -ith the e=ception o% some rare usher or anitor

-ho has had charge o% the museum %or years, no one has ever been +no-n to get any

advantage %rom the lessons memori(ed -ith so great e%%ort.

ut let us return to the class. he pro%essor -as a young 3ominican, -ho had %illed

several chairs in San &uan de Fetran -ith (eal and good repute. !e had the reputation

o% being a great logician as -ell as a pro%ound [11/] philosopher, and -as one o% the

most promising in his cliue. !is elders treated him -ith consideration, -hile the

younger men envied him, %or there -ere also cliues among them. his -as the third

year o% his pro%essorship and, although the %irst in -hich he had taught physics and

chemistry, he already passed %or a sage, not only -ith the complaisant students but

also among the other nomadic pro%essors. Padre 4illon did not belong to the common

cro-d -ho each year change their subect in order to acuire scienti%ic +no-ledge,

students among other students, -ith the di%%erence only that they %ollo- a single

course, that they ui( instead o% being ui((ed, that they have a better +no-ledge o%

Castilian, and that they are not e=amined at the completion o% the course. Padre

4illon -ent deeply into science, +ne- the physics o% @ristotle and Padre @mat, read

care%ully his "amos,B and sometimes glanced at 5anot.B *ith all that, he -ould

o%ten sha+e his head -ith an air o% doubt, as he smiled and murmured0 transeat .B #n

regard to chemistry, no common +no-ledge -as attributed to him a%ter he had ta+en

as a premise the statement o% St. homas that -ater is a mi=ture and proved plainly

that the @ngelic 3octor had long %orestalled er(elius, 5ayDFussac, unsen, and other

more or less presumptuous materialists. 4oreover, in spite o% having been an

instructor in geography, he still entertained certain doubts as to the rotundity o% the

earth and smiled maliciously -hen its rotation and revolution around the sun -ere

mentioned, as he recited the verses

El mentir de las estrellas

Es un cMmodo mentir.B

1

!e also smiled maliciously in the presence o% certain physical theories and considered

visionary, i% not actually insane, the &esuit Secchi, to -hom he imputed the ma+ing o%

triangulations on the host as a result o% his astronomical mania, %or -hich reason it

-as said that he had been %orbidden [11>]to celebrate mass. 4any persons also noticed

in him some aversion to the sciences that he taught, but these vagaries -ere tri%les,

scholarly and religious preudices that -ere easily e=plained, not only by the %act that



the physical sciences -ere eminently practical, o% pure observation and deduction,

-hile his %orte -as philosophy, purely speculative, o% abstraction and induction, but

also because, li+e any good 3ominican, ealous o% the %ame o% his order, he could

hardly %eel any a%%ection %or a science in -hich none o% his brethren had e=celledHhe

-as the %irst -ho did not accept the chemistry o% St. homas @uinasHand in -hich

so much reno-n had been acuired by hostile, or rather, let us say, rival orders.

his -as the pro%essor -ho that morning called the roll and directed many o% the

students to recite the lesson %rom memory, -ord %or -ord. he phonographs got into

operation, some -ell, some ill, some stammering, and received their grades. !e -ho

recited -ithout an error earned a good mar+ and he -ho made more than three

mista+es a bad mar+.

@ %at boy -ith a sleepy %ace and hair as sti%% and hard as the bristles o% a brush ya-ned

until he seemed to be about to dislocate his a-s, and stretched himsel% -ith his arms

e=tended as though he -ere in his bed. he pro%essor sa- this and -ished to startlehim.

Eh, there, sleepyDheadA *hats thisG Fa(y, too, so its sure you2 dont +no- the

lesson, haGB

Padre 4illon not only used the depreciative tu -ith the students, li+e a good %riar, but

he also addressed them in the slang o% the mar+ets, a practise that he had acuired

%rom the pro%essor o% canonical la-0 -hether that reverend gentleman -ished to

humble the students or the sacred decrees o% the councils is a uestion not yet settled,

in spite o% the great attention that has been given to it.[11]

his uestion, instead o% o%%ending the class, amused them, and many laughedHit -as

a daily occurrence. ut the sleeper did not laugh? he arose -ith a bound, rubbed his

eyes, and, as though a steamDengine -ere turning the phonograph, began to recite.

he name o% mirror is applied to all polished sur%aces intended to produce by the

re%lection o% light the images o% the obects placed be%ore said sur%aces. $rom the

substances that %orm these sur%aces, they are divided into metallic mirrors and glass

mirrorsHB

Stop, stop, stopAB interrupted the pro%essor. !eavens, -hat a rattleA *e are at the

point -here the mirrors are divided into metallic and glass, ehG o- i% # should

present to you a bloc+ o% -ood, a piece o% +amagon %or instance, -ell polished and

varnished, or a slab o% blac+ marble -ell burnished, or a suare o% et, -hich -ould

re%lect the images o% obects placed be%ore them, ho- -ould you classi%y those

mirrorsGB



*hether he did not +no- -hat to ans-er or did not understand the uestion, the

student tried to get out o% the di%%iculty by demonstrating that he +ne- the lesson, so

he rushed on li+e a torrent.

he %irst are composed o% brass or an alloy o% di%%erent metals and the second o% a

sheet o% glass, -ith its t-o sides -ell polished, one o% -hich has an amalgam o% tinadhering to it.B

ut, tut, tutA hats not itA # say to you Q :ominus vobis#um, and you ans-er me -ith

Q Requies#at in pa#e" B

he -orthy pro%essor then repeated the uestion in the vernacular o% the mar+ets,

interspersed -ith #osas and ab-s at every moment.

he poor youth did not +no- ho- to get out o% the uandary0 he doubted -hether to

include the +amagon -ith the metals, or the marble -ith glasses, and leave the et as aneutral substance, until &uanito Pelae( maliciously prompted him0

he mirror o% +amagon among the -ooden mirrors.B[119]

he incautious youth repeated this aloud and hal% the class -as convulsed -ith

laughter.

@ good sample o% -ood you are yoursel%AB e=claimed the pro%essor, laughing in spite

o% himsel%. Fets see %rom -hat you -ould de%ine a mirrorH%rom a sur%ace per se! in

quantum est superfi#ies, or %rom a substance that %orms the sur%ace, or %rom thesubstance upon -hich the sur%ace rests, the ra- material, modi%ied by the attribute

Qsur%ace, since it is clear that, sur%ace being an accidental property o% bodies, it cannot

e=ist -ithout substance. Fets see no-H-hat do you sayGB

#G othingAB the -retched boy -as about to reply, %or he did not understand -hat it

-as all about, con%used as he -as by so many sur%aces and so many accidents that

smote cruelly on his ears, but a sense o% shame restrained him. $illed -ith anguish and

brea+ing into a cold perspiration, he began to repeat bet-een his teeth0 he name o%

mirror is applied to all polished sur%acesHB

*rgo! per te, the mirror is the sur%ace,B angled the pro%essor. *ell, then, clear up

this di%%iculty. #% the sur%ace is the mirror, it must be o% no conseuence to the

Qessence o% the mirror -hat may be %ound behind this sur%ace, since -hat is behind it

does not a%%ect the Qessence that is be%ore it,id est , the sur%ace, quae super fa#iem est!quia vo#atur superfi#ies! fa#ies ea quae supra videtur . 3o you admit that or do you

not admit itGB



he poor youths hair stood up straighter than ever, as though acted upon by some

magnetic %orce.

3o you admit it or do you not admit itGB

@nythingA *hatever you -ish, Padre,B -as his thought, but he did not dare toe=press it %rom %ear o% ridicule. hat -as a dilemma indeed, and he had never been in

a -orse one. !e had a vague idea that the most innocent thing could not be admitted

to the %riars but that they, or rather their estates and curacies, -ould get out o% it all the

results and advantages imaginable. So his good angel prompted him to deny

everything -ith all the energy [12;]o% his soul and re%ractoriness o% his hair, and he

-as about to shout a proud nego, %or the reason that he -ho denies everything does

not compromise himsel% in anything, as a certain la-yer had once told him? but the

evil habit o% disregarding the dictates o% ones o-n conscience, o% having little %aith in

legal %ol+, and o% see+ing aid %rom others -here one is su%%icient unto himsel%, -as his

undoing. !is companions, especially &uanito Pelae(, -ere ma+ing signs to him toadmit it, so he let himsel% be carried a-ay by his evil destiny and e=claimed,

%on#edo, Padre,B in a voice as %altering as though he -ere saying, In manus tuas#ommendo spiritum meum(B

%on#edo ante#edentum,B echoed the pro%essor, smiling maliciously. *rgo, # can

scratch the mercury o%% a loo+ingDglass, put in its place a piece o% bibinka, and -e

shall still have a mirror, ehG o- -hat shall -e haveGB

he youth ga(ed at his prompters, but seeing them surprised and speechless,

contracted his %eatures into an e=pression o% bitterest reproach. :eus meus! :eusmeus! quare dereliquiste me!B said his troubled eyes, -hile his lips muttered

@inintikan"B Iainly he coughed, %umbled at his shirtDbosom, stood %irst on one %oot

and then on the other, but %ound no ans-er.

Come no-, -hat have -eGB urged the pro%essor, enoying the e%%ect o% his reasoning.

=ibinka"B -hispered &uanito Pelae(. =ibinka"B

Shut up, you %oolAB cried the desperate youth, hoping to get out o% the di%%iculty by

turning it into a complaint.

Fets see, &uanito, i% you can ans-er the uestion %or me,B the pro%essor then said to

Pelae(, -ho -as one o% his pets.

he latter rose slo-ly, not -ithout %irst giving Penitente, -ho %ollo-ed him on the

roll, a nudge that meant, 3ont %orget to prompt me.B



Nego #onsequentiam, Padre,B he replied resolutely.

@ha, then probo #onsequentiam" $er te, the polished sur%ace constitutes the Qessence

o% the mirrorHB[121]

Nego suppositum"8 interrupted &uanito, as he %elt Placido pulling at his coat.

!o-G $er te HB

Nego"B

*rgo! you believe that -hat is behind a%%ects -hat is in %rontGB

Nego"8 the student cried -ith still more ardor, %eeling another er+ at his coat.

&uanito, or rather Placido, -ho -as prompting him, -as unconsciously adoptingChinese tactics0 not to admit the most ino%%ensive %oreigner in order not to be invaded.

hen -here are -eGB as+ed the pro%essor, some-hat disconcerted, and loo+ing

uneasily at the re%ractory student. 3oes the substance behind a%%ect, or does it not

a%%ect, the sur%aceGB

o this precise and categorical uestion, a +ind o% ultimatum, &uanito did not +no-

-hat to reply and his coat o%%ered no suggestions. #n vain he made signs to Placido,

but Placido himsel% -as in doubt. &uanito then too+ advantage o% a moment in -hich

the pro%essor -as staring at a student -ho -as cautiously and secretly ta+ing o%% theshoes that hurt his %eet, to step heavily on Placidos toes and -hisper, ell me, hurry

up, tell meAB

# distinguishH5et outA *hat an ass you areAB yelled Placido unreservedly, as he

stared -ith angry eyes and rubbed his hand over his patentDleather shoe.

he pro%essor heard the cry, stared at the pair, and guessed -hat had happened.

Fisten, you meddler,B he addressed Placido, # -asnt uestioning you, but since you

thin+ you can save others, lets see i% you can save yoursel%, salva te ipsum! anddecide this uestion.B

&uanito sat do-n in content, and as a mar+ o% gratitude stuc+ out his tongue at his

prompter, -ho had arisen blushing -ith shame and muttering incoherent e=cuses.

$or a moment Padre 4illon regarded him as one gloating over a %avorite dish. *hat a

good thing it -ould be [122]to humiliate and hold up to ridicule that dudish boy,



al-ays smartly dressed, -ith head erect and serene loo+A #t -ould be a deed o% charity,

so the charitable pro%essor applied himsel% to it -ith all his heart, slo-ly repeating the

uestion.

he boo+ says that the metallic mirrors are made o% brass and an alloy o% di%%erent

metalsHis that true or is it not trueGB

So the boo+ says, Padre.B

@iber diBit! ergo ita est . 3ont pretend that you +no- more than the boo+ does. #t

then adds that the glass mirrors are made o% a sheet o% glass -hose t-o sur%aces are

-ell polished, one o% them having applied to it an amalgam o% tin, nota bene, an

amalgam o% tinA #s that trueGB

#% the boo+ says so, Padre.B

#s tin a metalGB

#t seems so, Padre. he boo+ says so.B

#t is, it is, and the -ord amalgam means that it is compounded -ith mercury, -hich

is also a metal. *rgo, a glass mirror is a metallic mirror? ergo, the terms o% the

distinction are con%used?ergo, the classi%ication is imper%ectHho- do you e=plain

that, meddlerGB

!e emphasi(ed the ergos and the %amiliar yousB -ith indescribable relish, at thesame time -in+ing, as though to say, Noure done %or.B

#t means that, it means thatHB stammered Placido.

#t means that you havent learned the lesson, you petty meddler, you dont

understand it yoursel%, and yet you prompt your neighborAB

he class too+ no o%%ense, but on the contrary many thought the epithet %unny and

laughed. Placido bit his lips.

*hats your nameGB the pro%essor as+ed him.

Placido,B -as the curt reply.

@haA Placido Penitente, although you loo+ more li+e Placido the PrompterHor the

Prompted. ut, $enitent , #m going to impose some penan#e on you %or your

promptings.B[12:]



Pleased -ith his play on -ords, he ordered the youth to recite the lesson, and the

latter, in the state o% mind to -hich he -as reduced, made more than three mista+es.

Sha+ing his head up and do-n, the pro%essor slo-ly opened the register and slo-ly

scanned it -hile he called o%% the names in a lo- voice.

PalenciaHPalomoHPanganibanHPedra(aHPeladoHPelae(HPenitents, ahaAPlacido Penitente, %i%teen une=cused absencesHB

Placido started up. $i%teen absences, PadreGB

$i%teen une=cused absences,B continued the pro%essor, so that you only lac+ one to

be dropped %rom the roll.B

$i%teen absences, %i%teen absences,B repeated Placido in ama(ement. #ve never been

absent more than %our times, and -ith today, perhaps %ive.B

&esso, esso, monseer,B: replied the pro%essor, e=amining the youth over his gold eyeD

glasses. Nou con%ess that you have missed %ive times, and 5od +no-s i% you may

have missed o%tener. Atqui, as # rarely call the roll, every time # catch any one # put %ive

mar+s against him? ergo, ho- many are %ive times %iveG !ave you %orgotten the

multiplication tableG $ive times %iveGB

-entyD%ive.B

Correct, correctA hus youve still got a-ay -ith ten, because # have caught you only

three times. !uh, i% # had caught you every timeHo-, ho- many are three times%iveGB

$i%teen.B

$i%teen, right you areAB concluded the pro%essor, closing the register. #% you miss

once moreHout o% doors -ith you, get outA @h, no- a mar+ %or the %ailure in the daily

lesson.B

!e again opened the register, sought out the name, and entered the mar+. Come, only

one mar+,B he said, since you hadnt any be%ore.B[12O]

ut, Padre,B e=claimed Placido, restraining himsel%, i% your "everence puts a mar+

against me %or %ailing in the lesson, your "everence o-es it to me to erase the one %or

absence that you have put against me %or today.B



!is "everence made no ans-er. $irst he slo-ly entered the mar+, then contemplated it

-ith his head on one side,Hthe mar+ must be artistic,Hclosed the register, and as+ed

-ith great sarcasm, Ab-, and -hy so, sirGB

ecause # cant conceive, Padre, ho- one can be absent %rom the class and at the

same time recite the lesson in it. Nour "everence is saying that to be is not to be.B

Nakú, a metaphysician, but a rather premature oneA So you cant conceive o% it,

ehG ,ed patet eBperientia and #ontra eBperientiam negantem! fusilibus est arguendum,

do you understandG @nd cant you conceive, -ith your philosophical head, that one

can be absent %rom the class and not +no- the lesson at the same timeG #s it a %act that

absence necessarily implies +no-ledgeG *hat do you say to that, philosophasterGB

his last epithet -as the drop o% -ater that made the %ull cup over%lo-. Placido

enoyed among his %riends the reputation o% being a philosopher, so he lost his

patience, thre- do-n his boo+, arose, and %aced the pro%essor.

Enough, Padre, enoughA Nour "everence can put all the mar+s against me that you

-ish, but you havent the right to insult me. Nour "everence may stay -ith the class, #

cant stand any more.B *ithout %urther %are-ell, he stal+ed a-ay.

he class -as astounded? such an assumption o% dignity had scarcely ever been seen,

and -ho -ould have thought it o% Placido PenitenteG he surprised pro%essor bit his

lips and shoo+ his head threateningly as he -atched him depart. hen in a trembling

voice he began his preachment on the same old theme, delivered ho-ever -ith more

energy and more elouence. #t dealt -ith the gro-ing arrogance, the innateingratitude, the presumption, the lac+ o% respect %or superiors, the pride that the spirit

o% dar+ness in%used in the [127]young, the lac+ o% manners, the absence o% courtesy,

and so on. $rom this he passed to coarse ests and sarcasm over the presumption

-hich some goodD%orDnothing promptersB had o% teaching their teachers by

establishing an academy %or instruction in Castilian.

@ha, ahaAB he morali(ed, those -ho the day be%ore yesterday scarcely +ne- ho- to

say, QNes, Padre, Qo, Padre, no- -ant to +no- more than those -ho have gro-n

gray teaching them. !e -ho -ishes to learn, -ill learn, academies or no academiesA

)ndoubtedly that %ello- -ho has ust gone out is one o% those in the proect. Castilianis in good hands -ith such guardiansA *hen are you going to get the time to attend the

academy i% you have scarcely enough to %ul%ill your duties in the regular classesG *e

-ish that you may all +no- Spanish and that you pronounce it -ell, so that you -ont

split our earDdrums -ith your t-ist o% e=pression and your Qps?O but %irst business and

then pleasure0 %inish your studies %irst, and a%ter-ards learn Castilian, and all become

cler+s, i% you so -ish.B



So he -ent on -ith his harangue until the bell rang and the class -as over. he t-o

hundred and thirtyD%our students, a%ter reciting their prayers, -ent out as ignorant as

-hen they -ent in, but breathing more %reely, as i% a great -eight had been li%ted %rom

them. Each youth had lost another hour o% his li%e and -ith it a portion o% his dignity

and sel%Drespect, and in e=change there -as an increase o% discontent, o% aversion to

study, o% resentment in their hearts. @%ter all this as+ %or +no-ledge, dignity, gratitudeA

:e nobis! post hae#! tristis sententia fertur A

&ust as the t-o hundred and thirtyD%our spent their class hours, so the thousands o%

students -ho preceded them have spent theirs, and, i% matters do not mend, so -ill

those yet to come spend theirs, and be brutali(ed, -hile -ounded dignity and youth%ul

enthusiasm -ill be converted into[12/]hatred and sloth, li+e the -aves that become

polluted along one part o% the shore and roll on one a%ter another, each in succession

depositing a larger sediment o% %ilth. ut yet !e -ho %rom eternity -atches the

conseuences o% a deed develop li+e a thread through the loom o% the centuries, !e-ho -eighs the value o% a second and has ordained %or !is creatures as an elemental

la- progress and development, !e, i% !e is ust, -ill demand a strict accounting %rom

those -ho must render it, o% the millions o% intelligences dar+ened and blinded, o%

human dignity trampled upon in millions o% !is creatures, and o% the incalculable time

lost and e%%ort -astedA @nd i% the teachings o% the 5ospel are based on truth, so also

-ill these have to ans-erHthe millions and millions -ho do not +no- ho- to

preserve the light o% their intelligences and their dignity o% mind, as the master

demanded an accounting %rom the co-ardly servant %or the talent that he let be ta+en

%rom him.[12>]

1 o lie about the stars is a sa%e +ind o% lying.BHr.

2 hroughout this chapter the pro%essor uses the %amiliar tu in addressing the students, thus giving his

remar+s a contemptuous tone.Hr.

: he pro%essor spea+s these -ords in vulgar dialect.

O o con%use the letters p and f in spea+ing Spanish -as a common error among uneducated $ilipinos.H

r.

In the .ouse of the 'tudents

he house -here 4a+araig lived -as -orth visiting. Farge and spacious, -ith t-o

entresols provided -ith elegant gratings, it seemed to be a school during the %irst

hours o% the morning and pandemonium %rom ten ocloc+ on. 3uring the boarders



recreation hours, %rom the lo-er hall-ay o% the spacious entrance up to the main %loor,

there -as a bubbling o% laughter, shouts, and movement. oys in scanty clothing

played sipa or practised gymnastic e=ercises on improvised trape(es, -hile on the

staircase a %ight -as in progress bet-een eight or nine armed -ith canes, stic+s, and

ropes, but neither attac+ers nor attac+ed did any great damage, their blo-s generally

%alling side-ise upon the shoulders o% the Chinese pedler -ho -as there selling hisoutlandish mi=tures and indigestible pastries. Cro-ds o% boys surrounded him, pulled

at his already disordered ueue, snatched pies %rom him, haggled over the prices, and

committed a thousand deviltries. he Chinese yelled, s-ore, %ors-ore, in all the

languages he could abber, not omitting his o-n? he -himpered, laughed, pleaded, put

on a smiling %ace -hen an ugly one -ould not serve, or the reverse.

!e cursed them as devils, savages, no kilistanos1 but that mattered nothing. @ -hac+

-ould bring his %ace around smiling, and i% the blo- %ell only upon his shoulders he

-ould calmly continue his business transactions, contenting himsel% -ith crying out to

them that he -as not in the game, but i% it struc+ the %lat bas+et on -hich -ere placed

his -ares, then he -ould s-ear never to come again, as he [12] poured out upon them

all the imprecations and anathemas imaginable. hen the boys -ould redouble their

e%%orts to ma+e him rage the more, and -hen at last his vocabulary -as e=hausted and

they -ere satiated -ith his %ear%ul mi=tures, they paid him religiously, and sent him

a-ay happy, -in+ing, chuc+ling to himsel%, and receiving as caresses the light blo-s

%rom their canes that the students gave him as to+ens o% %are-ell.

Concerts on the piano and violin, the guitar, and the accordion, alternated -ith the

continual clashing o% blades %rom the %encing lessons. @round a long, -ide table the

students o% the @teneo prepared their compositions or solved their problems by the

side o% others -riting to their s-eethearts on pin+ per%orated noteDpaper covered -ith

dra-ings. !ere one -as composing a melodrama at the side o% another practising on

the %lute, %rom -hich he dre- -hee(y notes. ver there, the older boys, students in

pro%essional courses, -ho a%%ected sil+ soc+s and embroidered slippers, amused

themselves in teasing the smaller boys by pulling their ears, already red %rom repeated

%illips, -hile t-o or three held do-n a little %ello- -ho yelled and cried, de%ending

himsel% -ith his %eet against being reduced to the condition in -hich he -as born,

+ic+ing and ho-ling. #n one room, around a small table, %our -ere

playing revesino -ith laughter and o+es, to the great annoyance o% another -ho pretended to be studying his lesson but -ho -as in reality -aiting his turn to play.

Still another came in -ith e=aggerated -onder, scandali(ed as he approached the

table. !o- -ic+ed you areA So early in the morning and already gamblingA Fets see,

lets seeA Nou %ool, ta+e it -ith the three o% spadesAB Closing his boo+, he too oined in

the game.



Cries and blo-s -ere heard. -o boys -ere %ighting in the adoining roomHa lame

student -ho -as very sensitive about his in%irmity and an unhappy ne-comer %rom

the provinces -ho -as ust commencing his studies. !e -as -or+ing over a treatise

on philosophy and reading innocently [129]in a loud voice, -ith a -rong accent, the

Cartesian principle0 %ogito! ergo sum"B

he little lame boy 6el #o'ito8 too+ this as an insult and the others intervened to restore

peace, but in reality only to so- discord and come to blo-s themselves.

#n the diningDroom a young man -ith a can o% sardines, a bottle o% -ine, and the

provisions that he had ust brought %rom his to-n, -as ma+ing heroic e%%orts to the

end that his %riends might participate in his lunch, -hile they -ere o%%ering in their

turn heroic resistance to his invitation. thers -ere bathing on the a(otea, playing

%iremen -ith the -ater %rom the -ell, and oining in combats -ith pails o% -ater, to

the great delight o% the spectators.

ut the noise and shouts gradually died a-ay -ith the coming o% leading students,

summoned by 4a+araig to report to them the progress o% the academy o% Castilian.

#sagani -as cordially greeted, as -as also the Peninsular, Sandoval, -ho had come to

4anila as a government employee and -as %inishing his studies, and -ho had

completely identi%ied himsel% -ith the cause o% the $ilipino students. he barriers that

politics had established bet-een the races had disappeared in the schoolroom as

though dissolved by the (eal o% science and youth.

$rom lac+ o% lyceums and scienti%ic, literary, or political centers, Sandoval too+

advantage o% all the meetings to cultivate his great oratorical gi%ts, delivering speechesand arguing on any subect, to dra- %orth applause %rom his %riends and listeners. @t

that moment the subect o% conversation -as the instruction in Castilian, but as

4a+araig had not yet arrived conecture -as still the order o% the day.

*hat can have happenedGB

*hat has the 5eneral decidedGB

!as he re%used the permitGB

!as Padre #rene or Padre Sibyla -onGB

Such -ere the uestions they as+ed one another, uestions that could be ans-ered

only by 4a+araig.[1:;]



@mong the young men gathered together there -ere optimists li+e #sagani and

Sandoval, -ho sa- the thing already accomplished and tal+ed o% congratulations and

praise %rom the government %or the patriotism o% the studentsHoutbursts o% optimism

that led &uanito Pelae( to claim %or himsel% a large part o% the glory o% %ounding the

society.

@ll this -as ans-ered by the pessimist Pecson, a chubby youth -ith a -ide, clo-nish

grin, -ho spo+e o% outside in%luences, -hether the ishop @., the Padre ., or the

Provincial C., had been consulted or not, -hether or not they had advised that the

-hole association should be put in ailHa suggestion that made &uanito Pelae( so

uneasy that he stammered out, %arambas, dont you drag me intoHB

Sandoval, as a Peninsular and a liberal, became %urious at this. ut psha-AB he

e=claimed, that is holding a bad opinion o% his E=cellencyA # +no- that hes uite a

%riarDlover, but in such a matter as this he -ont let the %riars inter%ere. *ill you tell

me, Pecson, on -hat you base your belie% that the 5eneral has no udgment o% hiso-nGB

# didnt say that, Sandoval,B replied Pecson, grinning until he e=posed his -isdomD

tooth. $or me the 5eneral has his own udgment, that is, the udgment o% all those

-ithin his reach. hats plainAB

Noure dodgingHcite me a %act, cite me a %actAB cried Sandoval. Fets get a-ay

%rom hollo- arguments, %rom empty phrases, and get on the solid ground o% %acts,BH

this -ith an elegant gesture. $acts, gentlemen, %actsA he rest is preudiceH# -ont

call it %ilibusterism.B

Pecson smiled li+e one o% the blessed as he retorted, here comes the %ilibusterism.

ut cant -e enter into a discussion -ithout resorting to accusationsGB

Sandoval protested in a little e=temporaneous speech, again demanding %acts.

*ell, not long ago there -as a dispute bet-een some private persons and certain

%riars, and the acting 5overnor [1:1]rendered a decision that it should be settled by the

Provincial o% the rder concerned,B replied Pecson, again brea+ing out into a laugh, as

though he -ere dealing -ith an insigni%icant matter, he cited names and dates, and promised documents that -ould prove ho- ustice -as dispensed.

ut, on -hat ground, tell me this, on -hat ground can they re%use permission %or

-hat plainly appears to be e=tremely use%ul and necessaryGB as+ed Sandoval.



Pecson shrugged his shoulders. #ts that it endangers the integrity o% the %atherland,B

he replied in the tone o% a notary reading an allegation.

hats pretty goodA *hat has the integrity o% the %atherland to do -ith the rules o%

synta=GB

he !oly 4other Church has learned doctorsH-hat do # +no-G Perhaps it is %eared

that -e may come to understand the la-s so that -e can obey them. *hat -ill

become o% the Philippines on the day -hen -e understand one anotherGB

Sandoval did not relish the dialectic and esting turn o% the conversation? along that

path could rise no speech -orth the -hile. 3ont ma+e a o+e o% thingsAB he

e=claimed. his is a serious matter.B

he Ford deliver me %rom o+ing -hen there are %riars concernedAB

ut, on -hat do you baseHB

n the %act that, the hours %or the classes having to come at night,B continued Pecson

in the same tone, as i% he -ere uoting +no-n and recogni(ed %ormulas, there may be

invo+ed as an obstacle the immorality o% the thing, as -as done in the case o% the

school at 4alolos.B

@notherA ut dont the classes o% the @cademy o% 3ra-ing, and the novenaries and

the processions, cover themselves -ith the mantle o% nightGB

he scheme a%%ects the dignity o% the )niversity,B -ent on the chubby youth, ta+ing

no notice o% the uestion.

@%%ects nothingA he )niversity has to accommodate [1:2]itsel% to the needs o% the

students. @nd granting that, -hat is a university thenG #s it an institution to discourage

studyG !ave a %e- men banded themselves together in the name o% learning and

instruction in order to prevent others %rom becoming enlightenedGB

he %act is that movements initiated %rom belo- are regarded as discontentHB

*hat about proects that come %rom aboveGB interpolated one o% the students.

heres the School o% @rts and radesAB

Slo-ly, slo-ly, gentlemen,B protested Sandoval. #m not a %riarDlover, my liberal

vie-s being -ell +no-n, but render unto Caesar that -hich is Caesars. % that

School o% @rts and rades, o% -hich # have been the most enthusiastic supporter and



the reali(ation o% -hich # shall greet as the %irst strea+ o% da-n %or these %ortunate

islands, o% that School o% @rts and rades the %riars have ta+en chargeHB

r the cat o% the canary, -hich amounts to the same thing,B added Pecson, in his turn

interrupting the speech.

5et outAB cried Sandoval, enraged at the interruption, -hich had caused him to lose

the thread o% his long, -ellDrounded sentence. @s long as -e hear nothing bad, lets

not be pessimists, lets not be unust, doubting the liberty and independence o% the

government.B

!ere he entered upon a de%ense in beauti%ul phraseology o% the government and its

good intentions, a subect that Pecson dared not brea+ in upon.

he Spanish government,B he said among other things, has given you everything, it

has denied you nothingA *e had absolutism in Spain and you had absolutism here? the%riars covered our soil -ith conventos, and conventos occupy a third part o% 4anila? in

Spain the garrote prevails and here the garrote is the e=treme punishment? -e are

Catholics and -e have made you Catholics? -e -ere scholastics and scholasticism

sheds its light in your college halls? in short, gentlemen, -e -eep -hen you -eep, -e

su%%er -hen [1::]you su%%er, -e have the same altars, the same courts, the same

punishments, and it is only ust that -e should give you our rights and our oys.B

@s no one interrupted him, he became more and more enthusiastic, until he came to

spea+ o% the %uture o% the Philippines.

@s # have said, gentlemen, the da-n is not %ar distant. Spain is no- brea+ing the

eastern s+y %or her beloved Philippines, and the times are changing, as # positively

+no-, %aster than -e imagine. his government, -hich, according to you, is

vacillating and -ea+, should be strengthened by our con%idence, that -e may ma+e it

see that it is the custodian o% our hopes. Fet us remind it by our conduct 6should it

ever %orget itsel%, -hich # do not believe can happen8 that -e have %aith in its good

intentions and that it should be guided by no other standard than ustice and the

-el%are o% all the governed. o, gentlemen,B he -ent on in a tone more and more

declamatory, -e must not admit at all in this matter the possibility o% a consultation

-ith other more or less hostile entities, as such a supposition -ould imply ourresignation to the %act. Nour conduct up to the present has been %ran+, loyal, -ithout

vacillation, above suspicion? you have addressed it simply and directly? the reasons

you have presented could not be more sound? your aim is to lighten the labor o% the

teachers in the %irst years and to %acilitate study among the hundreds o% students -ho

%ill the college halls and %or -hom one solitary pro%essor cannot su%%ice. #% up to the

present the petition has not been granted, it has been %or the reason, as # %eel sure, that



there has been a great deal o% material accumulated, but # predict that the campaign is

-on, that the summons o% 4a+araig is to announce to us the victory, and tomorro-

-e shall see our e%%orts cro-ned -ith the applause and appreciation o% the country,

and -ho +no-s, gentlemen, but that the government may con%er upon you some

handsome decoration o% merit, bene%actors as you are o% the %atherlandAB[1:O]

Enthusiastic applause resounded. @ll immediately believed in the triumph, and many

in the decoration.

Fet it be remembered, gentlemen,B observed &uanito, that # -as one o% the %irst to

propose it.B

he pessimist Pecson -as not so enthusiastic. &ust so -e dont get that decoration on

our an+les,B he remar+ed, but %ortunately %or Pelae( this comment -as not heard in

the midst o% the applause.

*hen they had uieted do-n a little, Pecson replied, 5ood, good, very good, but one

supposition0 i% in spite o% all that, the 5eneral consults and consults and consults, and

a%ter-ards re%uses the permitGB

his uestion %ell li+e a dash o% cold -ater. @ll turned to Sandoval, -ho -as ta+en

abac+. henHB he stammered.

henGB

hen,B he e=claimed in a burst o% enthusiasm, still e=cited by the applause, seeingthat in -riting and in printing it boasts o% desiring your enlightenment, and yet hinders

and denies it -hen called upon to ma+e it a realityHthen, gentlemen, your e%%orts -ill

not have been in vain, you -ill have accomplished -hat no one else has been able to

do. 4a+e them drop the mas+ and %ling do-n the gauntlet to youAB

ravo, bravoAB cried several enthusiastically.

5ood %or SandovalA !urrah %or the gauntletAB added others.

Fet them %ling do-n the gauntlet to usAB repeated Pecson disdain%ully. uta%ter-ardsGB

Sandoval seemed to be cut short in his triumph, but -ith the vivacity peculiar to his

race and his oratorical temperament he had an immediate reply.



@%ter-ardsGB he as+ed. @%ter-ards, i% none o% the $ilipinos dare to accept the

challenge, then #, Sandoval, in the name o% Spain, -ill ta+e up the gauntlet, because

such a policy -ould give the lie to the good intentions that she has al-ays cherished

to-ard her provinces, and because [1:7]he -ho is thus %aithless to the trust reposed in

him and abuses his unlimited authority deserves neither the protection o% the

%atherland nor the support o% any Spanish citi(enAB

he enthusiasm o% his hearers bro+e all bounds. #sagani embraced him, the others

%ollo-ing his e=ample. hey tal+ed o% the %atherland, o% union, o% %raternity, o%

%idelity. he $ilipinos declared that i% there -ere only Sandovals in Spain all -ould be

Sandovals in the Philippines. !is eyes glistened, and it might -ell be believed that i%

at that moment any +ind o% gauntlet had been %lung at him he -ould have leaped upon

any +ind o% horse to ride to death %or the Philippines.

he cold -aterB alone replied0 5ood, thats very good, Sandoval. # could also say

the same i% # -ere a Peninsular, but not being one, i% # should say one hal% o% -hat youhave, you yoursel% -ould ta+e me %or a %ilibuster.B

Sandoval began a speech in protest, but -as interrupted.

"eoice, %riends, reoiceA IictoryAB cried a youth -ho entered at that moment and

began to embrace everybody.

"eoice, %riendsA Fong live the Castilian tongueAB

@n outburst o% applause greeted this announcement. hey %ell to embracing oneanother and their eyes %illed -ith tears. Pecson alone preserved his s+eptical smile.

he bearer o% such good ne-s -as 4a+araig, the young man at the head o% the

movement. his student occupied in that house, by himsel%, t-o rooms, lu=uriously

%urnished, and had his servant and a cochero to loo+ a%ter his carriage and horses. !e

-as o% robust carriage, o% re%ined manners, %astidiously dressed, and very rich.

@lthough studying la- only that he might have an academic degree, he enoyed a

reputation %or diligence, and as a logician in the scholastic -ay had no cause to envy

the most %ren(ied uibblers o% the )niversity %aculty. evertheless he -as not very %ar

behind in regard to modern ideas and progress, %or his %ortune enabled him to have allthe boo+s and maga(ines that [1:/]a -atch%ul censor -as unable to +eep out. *ith

these uali%ications and his reputation %or courage, his %ortunate associations in his

earlier years, and his re%ined and delicate courtesy, it -as not strange that he should

e=ercise such great in%luence over his associates and that he should have been chosen

to carry out such a di%%icult underta+ing as that o% the instruction in Castilian.



@%ter the %irst outburst o% enthusiasm, -hich in youth al-ays ta+es hold in such

e=aggerated %orms, since youth %inds everything beauti%ul, they -anted to be in%ormed

ho- the a%%air had been managed.

# sa- Padre #rene this morning,B said 4a+araig -ith a certain air o% mystery.

!urrah %or Padre #reneAB cried an enthusiastic student.

Padre #rene,B continued 4a+araig, has told me about everything that too+ place at

Fos aKos. #t seems that they disputed %or at least a -ee+, he supporting and

de%ending our case against all o% them, against Padre Sibyla, Padre $ernande(, Padre

Salvi, the 5eneral, the e-eler SimounHB

he e-eler SimounAB interrupted one o% his listeners. *hat has that &e- to do -ith

the a%%airs o% our countryG *e enrich him by buyingHB

Reep uietAB admonished another impatiently, an=ious to learn ho- Padre #rene had

been able to overcome such %ormidable opponents.

here -ere even high o%%icials -ho -ere opposed to our proect, the !ead Secretary,

the Civil 5overnor, Luiroga the ChinamanHB

Luiroga the ChinamanA he pimp o% theHB

Shut upAB

@t last,B resumed 4a+araig, they -ere going to pigeonhole the petition and let it

sleep %or months and months, -hen Padre #rene remembered the Superior

Commission o% Primary #nstruction and proposed, since the matter concerned the

teaching o% the Castilian tongue, that [1:>]the petition be re%erred to that body %or a

report upon it.B

ut that Commission hasnt been in operation %or a long time,B observed Pecson.

hats e=actly -hat they replied to Padre #rene, and he ans-ered that this -as a good

opportunity to revive it, and availing himsel% o% the presence o% 3on Custodio, one o%its members, he proposed on the spot that a committee should be appointed. 3on

Custodios activity being +no-n and recogni(ed, he -as named as arbiter and the

petition is no- in his hands. !e promised that he -ould settle it this month.B

!urrah %or 3on CustodioAB



ut suppose 3on Custodio should report un%avorably upon itGB inuired the

pessimist Pecson.

)pon this they had not rec+oned, being into=icated -ith the thought that the matter

-ould not be pigeonholed, so they all turned to 4a+araig to learn ho- it could be

arranged.

he same obection # presented to Padre #rene, but -ith his sly smile he said to me0

Q*eve -on a great deal, -e have succeeded in getting the matter on the road to a

decision, the opposition sees itsel% %orced to oin battle. #% -e can bring some

in%luence to bear upon 3on Custodio so that he, in accordance -ith his liberal

tendencies, may report %avorably, all is -on, %or the 5eneral sho-ed himsel% to be

absolutely neutral.B

4a+araig paused, and an impatient listener as+ed, !o- can -e in%luence himGB

Padre #rene pointed out to me t-o -aysHB

Luiroga,B some one suggested.

Psha-, great use LuirogaHB

@ %ine present.B

o, that -ont do, %or he prides himsel% upon being incorruptible.B

@h, yes, # +no-AB e=claimed Pecson -ith a laugh. Pepay the dancing

girl.B [1:]@h, yes, Pepay the dancing girl,B echoed several.

his Pepay -as a sho-y girl, supposed to be a great %riend o% 3on Custodio. o her

resorted the contractors, the employees, the intriguers, -hen they -anted to get

something %rom the celebrated councilor. &uanito Pelae(, -ho -as also a great %riend

o% the dancing girl, o%%ered to loo+ a%ter the matter, but #sagani shoo+ his head, saying

that it -as su%%icient that they had made use o% Padre #rene and that it -ould be going

too %ar to avail themselves o% Pepay in such an a%%air.

Sho- us the other -ay.B

he other -ay is to apply to his attorney and adviser, SeKor Pasta, the oracle be%ore

-hom 3on Custodio bo-s.B

# pre%er that,B said #sagani. SeKor Pasta is a $ilipino, and -as a schoolmate o% my

uncles. ut ho- can -e interest himGB



heres the quid ,B replied 4a+araig, loo+ing earnestly at #sagani. SeKor Pasta has a

dancing girlH# mean, a seamstress.B

#sagani again shoo+ his head.

3ont be such a puritan,B &uanito Pelae( said to him. he end usti%ies the meansA #+no- the seamstress, 4atea, %or she has a shop -here a lot o% girls -or+.B

o, gentlemen,B declared #sagani, lets %irst employ decent methods. #ll go to SeKor

Pasta and, i% # dont accomplish anything, then you can do -hat you -ish -ith the

dancing girls and seamstresses.B

hey had to accept this proposition, agreeing that #sagani should tal+ to SeKor Pasta

that very day, and in the a%ternoon report to his associates at the )niversity the result

o% the intervie-.[1:9]

1 No #ristianos, not Christians, i(e., savages.Hr.

'e-or +asta

#sagani presented himsel% in the house o% the la-yer, one o% the most talented minds in

4anila, -hom the %riars consulted in their great di%%iculties. he youth had to -ait

some time on account o% the numerous clients, but at last his turn came and he entered

the o%%ice, or bufete, as it is generally called in the Philippines. he la-yer receivedhim -ith a slight cough, loo+ing do-n %urtively at his %eet, but he did not rise or o%%er

a seat, as he -ent on -riting. his gave #sagani an opportunity %or observation and

care%ul study o% the la-yer, -ho had aged greatly. !is hair -as gray and his baldness

e=tended over nearly the -hole cro-n o% his head. !is countenance -as sour and

austere.

here -as complete silence in the study, e=cept %or the -hispers o% the cler+s and

understudies -ho -ere at -or+ in an adoining room. heir pens scratched as though

uarreling -ith the paper.

@t length the la-yer %inished -hat he -as -riting, laid do-n his pen, raised his head,

and, recogni(ing the youth, let his %ace light up -ith a smile as he e=tended his hand

a%%ectionately.

*elcome, young manA ut sit do-n, and e=cuse me, %or # didnt +no- that it -as

you. !o- is your uncleGB



#sagani too+ courage, believing that his case -ould get on -ell. !e related brie%ly

-hat had been done, the -hile studying the e%%ect o% his -ords. SeKor Pasta listened

impassively at %irst and, although he -as in%ormed o% the e%%orts o% the students,

pretended ignorance, as i% to sho- that he had nothing to do -ith such childish

matters, but -hen he began to suspect -hat -as -anted o% him and [1O;]heard

mention o% the IiceD"ector, %riars, the CaptainD5eneral, a proect, and so on, his %aceslo-ly dar+ened and he %inally e=claimed, his is the land o% proectsA ut go on, go

onAB

#sagani -as not yet discouraged. !e spo+e o% the manner in -hich a decision -as to

be reached and concluded -ith an e=pression o% the con%idence -hich the young men

entertained that he, SeKor Pasta, -ould inter#ede in their behal% in case 3on Custodio

should consult him, as -as to be e=pected. !e did not dare to say -ould advise,

deterred by the -ry %ace the la-yer put on.

ut SeKor Pasta had already %ormed his resolution, and it -as not to mi= at all in thea%%air, either as consulter or consulted. !e -as %amiliar -ith -hat had occurred at Fos

aKos, he +ne- that there e=isted t-o %actions, and that Padre #rene -as not the only

champion on the side o% the students, nor had he been the one -ho proposed

submitting the petition to the Commission o% Primary #nstruction, but uite the

contrary. Padre #rene, Padre $ernande(, the Countess, a merchant -ho e=pected to sell

the materials %or the ne- academy, and the high o%%icial -ho had been citing royal

decree a%ter royal decree, -ere about to triumph, -hen Padre Sibyla, -ishing to gain

time, had thought o% the Commission. @ll these %acts the great la-yer had present in

his mind, so that -hen #sagani had %inished spea+ing, he determined to con%use him

-ith evasions, tangle the matter up, and lead the conversation to other subects.

Nes,B he said, pursing his lips and scratching his head, there is no one -ho surpasses

me in love %or the country and in aspirations to-ard progress, butH# cant

compromise mysel%, # dont +no- -hether you clearly understand my position, a

position that is very delicate, # have so many interests, # have to labor -ithin the limits

o% strict prudence, its a ris+HB

he la-yer sought to be-ilder the youth -ith an e=uberance o% -ords, so he -ent on

spea+ing o% la-s and [1O1]decrees, and tal+ed so much that instead o% con%using the

youth, he came very near to entangling himsel% in a labyrinth o% citations.

#n no -ay do -e -ish to compromise you,B replied #sagani -ith great calmness.

5od deliver us %rom inuring in the least the persons -hose lives are so use%ul to the

rest o% the $ilipinosA ut, as little versed as # may be in the la-s, royal decrees, -rits,

and resolutions that obtain in this country, # cant believe that there can be any harm in

%urthering the high purposes o% the government, in trying to secure a proper



interpretation o% these purposes. *e are see+ing the same end and di%%er only about

the means.B

he la-yer smiled, %or the youth had allo-ed himsel% to -ander a-ay %rom the

subect, and there -here the %ormer -as going to entangle him he had already

entangled himsel%.

hats e=actly the quid , as is vulgarly said. #ts clear that it is laudable to aid the

government, -hen one aids it submissively, %ollo-ing out its desires and the true spirit

o% the la-s in agreement -ith the ust belie%s o% the governing po-ers, and -hen not

in contradiction to the %undamental and general -ay o% thin+ing o% the persons to

-hom is intrusted the common -el%are o% the individuals that %orm a social organism.

here%ore, it is criminal, it is punishable, because it is o%%ensive to the high principle

o% authority, to attempt any action contrary to its initiative, even supposing it to be

better than the governmental proposition, because such action -ould inure its

prestige, -hich is the elementary basis upon -hich all colonial edi%ices rest.B

Con%ident that this broadside had at least stunned #sagani, the old la-yer %ell bac+ in

his armchair, out-ardly very serious, but laughing to himsel%.

#sagani, ho-ever, ventured to reply. # should thin+ that governments, the more they

are threatened, -ould be all the more care%ul to see+ bases that are impregnable. he

basis o% prestige %or colonial governments is the -ea+est [1O2]o% all, since it does not

depend upon themselves but upon the consent o% the governed, -hile the latter are

-illing to recogni(e it. he basis o% ustice or reason -ould seem to be the most

durable.B

he la-yer raised his head. !o- -as thisHdid that youth dare to reply and argue

-ith him, him, SeKor PastaG *as he not yet be-ildered -ith his big -ordsG

Noung man, you must put those considerations aside, %or they are dangerous,B he

declared -ith a -ave o% his hand. *hat # advise is that you let the government attend

to its o-n business.B

5overnments are established %or the -el%are o% the peoples, and in order to

accomplish this purpose properly they have to %ollo- the suggestions o% the citi(ens,-ho are the ones best uali%ied to understand their o-n needs.B

hose -ho constitute the government are also citi(ens, and among the most

enlightened.B

ut, being men, they are %allible, and ought not to disregard the opinions o% others.B



hey must be trusted, they have to attend to everything.B

here is a Spanish proverb -hich says, Qo tears, no mil+, in other -ords, Qo him

-ho does not as+, nothing is given.

B

Luite the reverse,B replied the la-yer -ith a sarcastic smile? -ith the governmente=actly the reverse occursHB

ut he suddenly chec+ed himsel%, as i% he had said too much and -ished to correct his

imprudence. he government has given us things that -e have not as+ed %or, and that

-e could not as+ %or, because to as+Hto as+, presupposes that it is in some -ay

incompetent and conseuently is not per%orming its %unctions. o suggest to it a

course o% action, to try to guide it, -hen not really antagoni(ing it, is to presuppose

that it is capable o% erring, and as # have already said to you such suppositions are

menaces to the e=istence o% colonial governments. he common cro-d overloo+s this

and the young men -ho set to -or+ thoughtlessly [1O:]do not +no-, do notcomprehend, do not try to comprehend the counterDe%%ect o% as+ing, the menace to

order there is in that ideaHB

Pardon me,B interrupted #sagani, o%%ended by the arguments the urist -as using -ith

him, but -hen by legal methods people as+ a government %or something, it is

because they thin+ it good and disposed to grant a blessing, and such action, instead o%

irritating it, should %latter it Hto the mother one appeals, never to the stepmother. he

government, in my humble opinion, is not an omniscient being that can see and

anticipate everything, and even i% it could, it ought not to %eel o%%ended, %or here you

have the church itsel% doing nothing but as+ing and begging o% 5od, -ho sees and+no-s everything, and you yoursel% as+ and demand many things in the courts o% this

same government, yet neither 5od nor the courts have yet ta+en o%%ense. Every one

reali(es that the government, being the human institution that it is, needs the support

o% all the people, it needs to be made to see and %eel the reality o% things. Nou yoursel%

are not convinced o% the truth o% your obection, you yoursel% +no- that it is a

tyrannical and despotic government -hich, in order to ma+e a display o% %orce and

independence, denies everything through %ear or distrust, and that the tyranni(ed and

enslaved peoples are the only ones -hose duty it is never to as+ %or anything. @

people that hates its government ought to as+ %or nothing but that it abdicate its

po-er.B

he old la-yer grimaced and shoo+ his head %rom side to side, in sign o% discontent,

-hile he rubbed his hand over his bald pate and said in a tone o% condescending pity0

@hemA those are bad doctrines, bad theories, ahemA !o- plain it is that you are

young and ine=perienced in li%e. Foo+ -hat is happening -ith the ine=perienced

young men -ho in 4adrid are as+ing %or so many re%orms. hey are accused o%



%ilibusterism, many o% them dont dare return here, and yet, -hat are they as+ing %orG

hings holy, ancient, and recogni(ed as uite harmless. ut there [1OO]are matters that

cant be e=plained, theyre so delicate. Fets seeH# con%ess to you that there are other

reasons besides those e=pressed that might lead a sensible government to deny

systematically the -ishes o% the peopleHnoHbut it may happen that -e %ind

ourselves under rulers so %atuous and ridiculousHbut there are al-ays other reasons,even though -hat is as+ed be uite ustHdi%%erent governments encounter di%%erent

conditionsHB

he old man hesitated, stared %i=edly at #sagani, and then -ith a sudden resolution

made a sign -ith his hand as though he -ould dispel some idea.

# can guess -hat you mean,B said #sagani, smiling sadly. Nou mean that a colonial

government, %or the very reason that it is imper%ectly constituted and that it is based

on premisesHB

o, no, not that, noAB uic+ly interrupted the old la-yer, as he sought %or something

among his papers. o, # meantHbut -here are my spectaclesGB

here they are,B replied #sagani.

he old man put them on and pretended to loo+ over some papers, but seeing that the

youth -as -aiting, he mumbled, # -anted to tell you something, # -anted to sayH

but it has slipped %rom my mind. Nou interrupted me in your eagernessHbut it -as an

insigni%icant matter. #% you only +ne- -hat a -hirl my head is in, # have so much to

doAB

#sagani understood that he -as being dismissed. So,B he said, rising, -eHB

@h, you -ill do -ell to leave the matter in the hands o% the government, -hich -ill

settle it as it sees %it. Nou say that the IiceD"ector is opposed to the teaching o%

Castilian. Perhaps he may be, not as to the %act but as to the %orm. #t is said that the

"ector -ho is on his -ay -ill bring a proect %or re%orm in education. *ait a -hile,

give time a chance, apply yoursel% to your studies as the e=aminations are near, andH

#arambas" Hyou -ho already spea+ Castilian and e=press yoursel% easily,

-hat [1O7]are you bothering yoursel% aboutG *hat interest have you in seeing itspecially taughtG Surely Padre $lorentino thin+s as # doA 5ive him my regards.B

4y uncle,B replied #sagani, has al-ays admonished me to thin+ o% others as much

as o% mysel%. # didnt come %or mysel%, # came in the name o% those -ho are in -orse

condition.B



*hat the devilA Fet them do as you have done, let them singe their eyebro-s

studying and come to be bald li+e mysel%, stu%%ing -hole paragraphs into their

memoriesA # believe that i% you tal+ Spanish it is because you have studied itHyoure

not o% 4anila or o% Spanish parentsA hen let them learn it as you have, and do as #

have done0 #ve been a servant to all the %riars, #ve prepared their chocolate, and

-hile -ith my right hand # stirred it, -ith the le%t # held a grammar, # learned, and,than+ 5odA have never needed other teachers or academies or permits %rom the

government. elieve me, he -ho -ishes to learn, learns and becomes -iseAB

ut ho- many among those -ho -ish to learn come to be -hat you areG ne in ten

thousand, and moreAB

PishA *hy any moreGB retorted the old man, shrugging his shoulders. here are too

many la-yers no-, many o% them become mere cler+s. 3octorsG hey insult and

abuse one another, and even +ill each other in competition %or a patient. Faborers, sir,

laborers, are -hat -e need, %or agricultureAB

#sagani reali(ed that he -as losing time, but still could not %orbear replying0

)ndoubtedly, there are many doctors and la-yers, but # -ont say there are too

many, since -e have to-ns that lac+ them entirely, and i% they do abound in uantity,

perhaps they are de%icient in uality. Since the young men cant be prevented %rom

studying, and no other pro%essions are open to us, -hy let them -aste their time and

e%%ortG @nd i% the instruction, de%icient as it is, does not +eep many %rom becoming

la-yers and doctors, i% -e must %inally have them, -hy not have good [1O/]onesG

@%ter all, even i% the sole -ish is to ma+e the country a country o% %armers and

laborers, and condemn in it all intellectual activity, # dont see any evil in enlighteningthose same %armers and laborers, in giving them at least an education that -ill aid

them in per%ecting themselves and in per%ecting their -or+, in placing them in a

condition to understand many things o% -hich they are at present ignorant.B

ah, bah, bahAB e=claimed the la-yer, dra-ing circles in the air -ith his hand to

dispel the ideas suggested. o be a good %armer no great amount o% rhetoric is

needed. 3reams, illusions, %anciesA Eh, -ill you ta+e a piece o% adviceGB

!e arose and placed his hand a%%ectionately on the youths shoulder, as he continued0

#m going to give you one, and a very good one, because # see that you are intelligentand the advice -ill not be -asted. Noure going to study medicineG *ell, con%ine

yoursel% to learning ho- to put on plasters and apply leeches, and dont ever try to

improve or impair the condition o% your +ind. *hen you become a licentiate, marry a

rich and devout girl, try to ma+e cures and charge -ell, shun everything that has any

relation to the general state o% the country, attend mass, con%ession, and communion

-hen the rest do, and you -ill see a%ter-ards ho- you -ill than+ me, and # shall see



it, i% # am still alive. @l-ays remember that charity begins at home, %or man ought not

to see+ on earth more than the greatest amount o% happiness %or himsel%, as entham

says. #% you involve yoursel% in ui=otisms you -ill have no career, nor -ill you get

married, nor -ill you ever amount to anything. @ll -ill abandon you, your o-n

countrymen -ill be the %irst to laugh at your simplicity. elieve me, you -ill

remember me and see that # am right, -hen you have gray hairs li+e mysel%, gray hairssuch as theseAB

!ere the old la-yer stro+ed his scanty -hite hair, as he smiled sadly and shoo+ his

head.

*hen # have gray hairs li+e those, sir,B replied #sagani [1O>]-ith eual sadness, and

turn my ga(e bac+ over my past and see that # have -or+ed only %or mysel%, -ithout

having done -hat # plainly could and should have done %or the country that has given

me everything, %or the citi(ens that have helped me to liveHthen, sir, every gray hair

-ill be a thorn, and instead o% reoicing, they -ill shame meAB

So saying, he too+ his leave -ith a pro%ound bo-. he la-yer remained motionless in

his place, -ith an ama(ed loo+ on his %ace. !e listened to the %oot%alls that gradually

died a-ay, then resumed his seat.

Poor boyAB he murmured, similar thoughts also crossed my mind onceA *hat more

could any one desire than to be able to say0 Q# have done this %or the good o% the

%atherland, # have consecrated my li%e to the -el%are o% othersA @ cro-n o% laurel,

steeped in aloes, dry leaves that cover thorns and -ormsA hat is not li%e, that does not

get us our daily bread, nor does it bring us honorsH the laurel -ould hardly serve %ora salad, nor produce ease, nor aid us in -inning la-suits, but uite the reverseA Every

country has its code o% ethics, as it has its climate and its diseases, di%%erent %rom the

climate and the diseases o% other countries.B

@%ter a pause, he added0 Poor boyA #% all should thin+ and act as he does, # dont say

but thatHPoor boyA Poor $lorentinoAB[1O]

The Tri!ulations of a Chinese

#n the evening o% that same Saturday, Luiroga, the Chinese, -ho aspired to the

creation o% a consulate %or his nation, gave a dinner in the rooms over his ba(aar,

located in the Escolta. !is %east -as -ell attended0 %riars, government employees,

soldiers, merchants, all o% them his customers, partners or patrons, -ere to be seen

there, %or his store supplied the curates and the conventos -ith all their necessities, he

accepted the chits o% all the employees, and he had servants -ho -ere discreet,



prompt, and complaisant. he %riars themselves did not disdain to pass -hole hours in

his store, sometimes in vie- o% the public, sometimes in the chambers -ith agreeable

company.

hat night, then, the sala presented a curious aspect, being %illed -ith %riars and cler+s

seated on Iienna chairs, stools o% blac+ -ood, and marble benches o% Cantoneseorigin, be%ore little suare tables, playing cards or conversing among themselves,

under the brilliant glare o% the gilt chandeliers or the subdued light o% the Chinese

lanterns, -hich -ere brilliantly decorated -ith long sil+en tassels. n the -alls there

-as a lamentable medley o% landscapes in dim and gaudy colors, painted in Canton or

!ong+ong, mingled -ith ta-dry chromos o% odalis+s, hal%Dnude -omen, e%%eminate

lithographs o% Christ, the deaths o% the ust and o% the sinnersHmade by &e-ish

houses in 5ermany to be sold in the Catholic countries. or -ere there lac+ing the

Chinese prints on red paper representing a man seated, o% venerable aspect, -ith a

calm, smiling %ace, behind -hom stood a servant, ugly, horrible, diabolical,

threatening, armed -ith a lance having a -ide, [1O9]+een blade. @mong the #ndians

some call this %igure 4ohammed, others Santiago,1 -e do not +no- -hy, nor do the

Chinese themselves give a very clear e=planation o% this popular pair. he pop o%

champagne cor+s, the rattle o% glasses, laughter, cigar smo+e, and that odor peculiar to

a Chinese habitationHa mi=ture o% pun+, opium, and dried %ruitsHcompleted the

collection.

3ressed as a Chinese mandarin in a blueDtasseled cap, Luiroga moved %rom room to

room, sti%% and straight, but casting -atch%ul glances here and there as though to

assure himsel% that nothing -as being stolen. Net in spite o% this natural distrust, he

e=changed handsha+es -ith each guest, greeted some -ith a smile sagacious and

humble, others -ith a patroni(ing air, and still others -ith a certain shre-d loo+ that

seemed to say, # +no-A Nou didnt come on my account, you came %or the dinnerAB

@nd Luiroga -as rightA hat %at gentleman -ho is no- praising him and spea+ing o%

the advisability o% a Chinese consulate in 4anila, intimating that to manage it there

could be no one but Luiroga, is the SeKor 5on(ale( -ho hides behind the

pseudonym $itilí -hen he attac+s Chinese immigration through the columns o% the

ne-spapers. hat other, an elderly man -ho closely e=amines the lamps, pictures, and

other %urnishings -ith grimaces and eaculations o% disdain, is 3on imoteo Pelae(,

&uanitos %ather, a merchant -ho inveighs against the Chinese competition that is

ruining his business. he one over there, that thin, bro-n individual -ith a sharp loo+

and a pale smile, is the celebrated originator o% the dispute over 4e=ican pesos, -hich

so troubled one o% Luirogas prot'ges0 that government cler+ is regarded in 4anila as

very clever. hat one %arther on, he o% the %ro-ning loo+ and un+empt mustache, is a

government o%%icial -ho passes %or a most meritorious %ello- because he has the

courage to spea+ ill o% the business in lottery tic+ets carried on bet-een



Luiroga [17;]and an e=alted dame in 4anila society. he %act is that t-o thirds o% the

tic+ets go to China and the %e- that are le%t in 4anila are sold at a premium o% a hal%D

real. he honorable gentleman entertains the conviction that some day he -ill dra-

the %irst pri(e, and is in a rage at %inding himsel% con%ronted -ith such tric+s.

he dinner, mean-hile, -as dra-ing to an end. $rom the diningDroom %loated into thesala snatches o% toasts, interruptions, bursts and ripples o% laughter. he name o%

Luiroga -as o%ten heard mingled -ith the -ords consul,B euality,B ustice.B he

amphitryon himsel% did not eat European dishes, so he contented himsel% -ith

drin+ing a glass o% -ine -ith his guests %rom time to time, promising to dine -ith

those -ho -ere not seated at the %irst table.

Simoun, -ho -as present, having already dined, -as in the sala tal+ing -ith some

merchants, -ho -ere complaining o% business conditions0 everything -as going

-rong, trade -as paraly(ed, the European e=changes -ere e=orbitantly high. hey

sought in%ormation %rom the e-eler or insinuated to him a %e- ideas, -ith the hopethat these -ould be communicated to the CaptainD5eneral. o all the remedies

suggested Simoun responded -ith a sarcastic and un%eeling e=clamation about

nonsense, until one o% them in e=asperation as+ed him %or his opinion.

4y opinionGB he retorted. Study ho- other nations prosper, and then do as they do.B

@nd -hy do they prosper, SeKor SimounGB

Simoun replied -ith a shrug o% his shoulders.

he port -or+s, -hich -eigh so heavily upon commerce, and the port not yet

completedAB sighed 3on imoteo Pelae(. @ Penelopes -eb, as my son says, that is

spun and unspun. he ta=esHB

Nou complainingAB e=claimed another. &ust as the 5eneral has decreed the

destruction o% houses o% light materialsA2 @nd you -ith a shipment o% galvani(ed

ironAB[171]

Nes,B reoined 3on imoteo, but loo+ -hat that decree cost meA hen, the

destruction -ill not be carried out %or a month, not until Fent begins, and othershipments may arrive. # -ould have -ished them destroyed right a-ay, butHesides,

-hat are the o-ners o% those houses going to buy %rom me i% they are all poor, all

eually beggarsGB

Nou can al-ays buy up their shac+s %or a tri%le.B



@nd a%ter-ards have the decree revo+ed and sell them bac+ at double the priceH

thats businessAB

Simoun smiled his %rigid smile. Seeing Luiroga approach, he le%t the uerulous

merchants to greet the %uture consul, -ho on catching sight o% him lost his satis%ied

e=pression and assigned a countenance li+e those o% the merchants, -hile he bentalmost double.

Luiroga respected the e-eler greatly, not only because he +ne- him to be very

-ealthy, but also on account o% his rumored in%luence -ith the CaptainD5eneral. #t

-as reported that Simoun %avored Luirogas ambitions, that he -as an advocate %or

the consulate, and a certain ne-spaper hostile to the Chinese had alluded to him in

many paraphrases, veiled allusions, and suspension points, in the celebrated

controversy -ith another sheet that -as %avorable to the ueued %ol+. Some prudent

persons added -ith -in+s and hal%Duttered -ords that his lac+ Eminence -as

advising the 5eneral to avail himsel% o% the Chinese in order to humble the tenacious pride o% the natives.

o hold the people in subection,B he -as reported to have said, theres nothing li+e

humiliating them and humbling them in their o-n eyes.B

o this end an opportunity had soon presented itsel%. he guilds o% mesti(os and

natives -ere continually -atching one another, venting their bellicose spirits and their

activities in ealousy and distrust. @t mass one day the gobernadorcillo o% the natives

-as seated on a bench to the right, and, being e=tremely thin, happened to cross one

o% his legs over the other, thus adopting a nonchalant [172]attitude, in order to e=posehis thighs more and display his pretty shoes. he gobernadorcillo o% the guild o%

mesti(os, -ho -as seated on the opposite bench, as he had bunions, and could not

cross his legs on account o% his obesity, spread his legs -ide apart to e=pose a plain

-aistcoat adorned -ith a beauti%ul gold chain set -ith diamonds. he t-o cliues

comprehended these maneuvers and oined battle. n the %ollo-ing Sunday all the

mesti(os, even the thinnest, had large paunches and spread their legs -ide apart as

though on horsebac+, -hile the natives placed one leg over the other, even the %attest,

there being one cabe(a de barangay -ho turned a somersault. Seeing these

movements, the Chinese all adopted their o-n peculiar attitude, that o% sitting as they

do in their shops, -ith one leg dra-n bac+ and up-ard, the other s-inging loose.

here resulted protests and petitions, the police rushed to arms ready to start a civil

-ar, the curates reoiced, the Spaniards -ere amused and made money out o%

everybody, until the 5eneral settled the uarrel by ordering that every one should sit

as the Chinese did, since they -ere the heaviest contributors, even though they -ere

not the best Catholics. he di%%iculty %or the mesti(os and natives then -as that their

trousers -ere too tight to permit o% their imitating the Chinese. ut to ma+e the



intention o% humiliating them the more evident, the measure -as carried out -ith great

pomp and ceremony, the church being surrounded by a troop o% cavalry, -hile all

those -ithin -ere s-eating. he matter -as carried to the Cortes, but it -as repeated

that the Chinese, as the ones -ho paid, should have their -ay in the religious

ceremonies, even though they apostati(ed and laughed at Christianity immediately

a%ter. he natives and the mesti(os had to be content, learning thus not to -aste timeover such %atuity.:[17:]

Luiroga, -ith his smooth tongue and humble smile, -as lavishly and %latteringly

attentive to Simoun. !is voice -as caressing and his bo-s numerous, but the e-eler

cut his blandishments short by as+ing brusuely0

3id the bracelets suit herGB

@t this uestion all Luirogas liveliness vanished li+e a dream. !is caressing voice

became plaintive? he bo-ed lo-er, gave the Chinese salutation o% raising his claspedhands to the height o% his %ace, and groaned0 @h, SeKor SimounA #m lost, #m

ruinedABO

!o-, Luiroga, lost and ruined -hen you have so many bottles o% champagne and so

many guestsGB

Luiroga closed his eyes and made a grimace. Nes, the a%%air o% that a%ternoon, that

a%%air o% the bracelets, had ruined him. Simoun smiled, %or -hen a Chinese merchant

complains it is because all is going -ell, and -hen he ma+es a sho- that things are

booming it is uite certain that he is planning an assignment or %light to his o-ncountry.

Nou didnt +no- that #m lost, #m ruinedG @h, SeKor Simoun, #m busted"B o ma+e

his condition [17O] plainer, he illustrated the -ord by ma+ing a movement as though he

-ere %alling in collapse.

Simoun -anted to laugh, but restrained himsel% and said that he +ne- nothing,

nothing at all, as Luiroga led him to a room and closed the door. !e then e=plained

the cause o% his mis%ortune.

hree diamond bracelets that he had secured %rom Simoun on pretense o% sho-ing

them to his -i%e -ere not %or her, a poor native shut up in her room li+e a Chinese

-oman, but %or a beauti%ul and charming lady, the %riend o% a po-er%ul man, -hose

in%luence -as needed by him in a certain deal in -hich he could clear some si=

thousand pesos. @s he did not understand %eminine tastes and -ished to be gallant, the

Chinese had as+ed %or the three %inest bracelets the e-eler had, each priced at three to



%our thousand pesos. *ith a%%ected simplicity and his most caressing smile, Luiroga

had begged the lady to select the one she li+ed best, and the lady, more simple and

caressing still, had declared that she li+ed all three, and had +ept them.

Simoun burst out into laughter.

@h, sir, #m lost, #m ruinedAB cried the Chinese, slapping himsel% lightly -ith his

delicate hands? but the e-eler continued his laughter.

)gh, bad people, surely not a real lady,B -ent on the Chinaman, sha+ing his head in

disgust. *hatA She has no decency, -hile me, a Chinaman, me al-ays politeA @h,

surely she not a real ladyHa #igarrera has more decencyAB

heyve caught you, theyve caught youAB e=claimed Simoun, po+ing him in the

chest.

@nd everybodys as+ing %or loans and never paysH-hat about thatG Cler+s, o%%icials,

lieutenants, soldiersHB he chec+ed them o%% on his longDnailed %ingersHah, SeKor

Simoun, #m lost, #mbusted AB

5et out -ith your complaints,B said Simoun. #ve saved you %rom many o%%icials

that -anted money %rom you. #ve lent it to them so that they -ouldnt bother you,

even -hen # +ne- that they couldnt pay.B[177]

ut, SeKor Simoun, you lend to o%%icials? # lend to -omen, sailors, everybody.B

# bet you get your money bac+.B

4e, money bac+G @h, surely you dont understandA *hen its lost in gambling they

never pay. esides, you have a consul, you can %orce them, but # havent.B

Simoun became thought%ul. Fisten, Luiroga,B he said, some-hat abstractedly, #ll

underta+e to collect -hat the o%%icers and sailors o-e you. 5ive me their notes.B

Luiroga again %ell to -hining0 they had never given him any notes.

*hen they come to you as+ing %or money, send them to me. # -ant to help you.B

he grate%ul Luiroga than+ed him, but soon %ell to lamenting again about the

bracelets. @#igarrera -ouldnt be so shamelessAB he repeated.

he devilAB e=claimed Simoun, loo+ing as+ance at the Chinese, as though studying

him. E=actly -hen # need the money and thought that you could pay meA ut it can



all be arranged, as # dont -ant you to %ail %or such a small amount. Come, a %avor,

and #ll reduce to seven the nine thousand pesos you o-e me. Nou can get anything

you -ish through the CustomsHbo=es o% lamps, iron, copper, glass-are, 4e=ican

pesosHyou %urnish arms to the conventos, dont youGB

he Chinese nodded a%%irmation, but remar+ed that he had to do a good deal o% bribing. # %urnish the padres everythingAB

*ell, then,B added Simoun in a lo- voice, # need you to get in %or me some bo=es

o% ri%les that arrived this evening. # -ant you to +eep them in your -arehouse? there

isnt room %or all o% them in my house.B

Luiroga began to sho- symptoms o% %right.

3ont get scared, you dont run any ris+. hese ri%les are to be concealed, a %e- at a

time, in various d-ellings, then a search -ill be instituted, and many people -ill be [17/]sent to prison. Nou and # can ma+e a haul getting them set %ree. )nderstand

meGB

Luiroga -avered, %or he -as a%raid o% %irearms. #n his des+ he had an empty revolver

that he never touched -ithout turning his head a-ay and closing his eyes.

#% you cant do it, #ll have to apply to some one else, but then #ll need the nine

thousand pesos to cross their palms and shut their eyes.B

@ll right, all rightAB Luiroga %inally agreed. ut many people -ill be arrestedGherell be a search, ehGB

*hen Luiroga and Simoun returned to the sala they %ound there, in animated

conversation, those -ho had %inished their dinner, %or the champagne had loosened

their tongues and stirred their brains. hey -ere tal+ing rather %reely.

#n a group -here there -ere a number o% government cler+s, some ladies, and 3on

Custodio, the topic -as a commission sent to #ndia to ma+e certain investigations

about %oot-ear %or the soldiers.

*ho compose itGB as+ed an elderly lady.

@ colonel, t-o other o%%icers, and his E=cellencys nephe-.B

$ourGB reoined a cler+. *hat a commissionA Suppose they disagreeHare they

competentGB



hats -hat # as+ed,B replied a cler+. #ts said that one civilian ought to go, one -ho

has no military preudicesHa shoema+er, %or instance.B

hats right,B added an importer o% shoes, but it -ouldnt do to send an #ndian or a

Chinaman, and the only Peninsular shoema+er demanded such large %eesHB

ut -hy do they have to ma+e any investigations about %oot-earGB inuired the

elderly lady. #t isnt %or the Peninsular artillerymen. he #ndian soldiers can go

bare%oot, as they do in their to-ns.B7[17>]

E=actly so, and the treasury -ould save more,B corroborated another lady, a -ido-

-ho -as not satis%ied -ith her pension.

ut you must remember,B remar+ed another in the group, a %riend o% the o%%icers on

the commission, that -hile its true they go bare%oot in the to-ns, its not the same as

moving about under orders in the service. hey cant choose the hour, nor the road,nor rest -hen they -ish. "emember, madam, that, -ith the noonday sun overhead and

the earth belo- ba+ing li+e an oven, they have to march over sandy stretches, -here

there are stones, the sun above and %ire belo-, bullets in %rontHB

#ts only a uestion o% getting used to itAB

Fi+e the don+ey that got used to not eatingA #n our present campaign the greater part

o% our losses have been due to -ounds on the soles o% the %eet. "emember the don+ey,

madam, remember the don+eyAB

ut, my dear sir,B retorted the lady, loo+ ho- much money is -asted on shoeD

leather. heres enough to pension many -ido-s and orphans in order to maintain our

prestige. 3ont smile, %or #m not tal+ing about mysel%, and # have my pension, even

though a very small one, insigni%icant considering the services my husband rendered,

but #m tal+ing o% others -ho are dragging out miserable livesA #ts not right that a%ter

so much persuasion to come and so many hardships in crossing the sea they should

end here by dying o% hunger. *hat you say about the soldiers may be true, but the %act

is that #ve been in the country more than three years, and # havent seen any soldier

limping.B

#n that # agree -ith the lady,B said her neighbor. *hy issue them shoes -hen they

-ere born -ithout themGB

@nd -hy shirtsGB

@nd -hy trousersGB



&ust calculate -hat -e should economi(e on soldiers clothed only in their s+insAB

concluded he -ho -as de%ending the army.[17]

#n another group the conversation -as more heated. enD<ayb -as tal+ing and

declaiming, -hile Padre Camorra, as usual, -as constantly interrupting him. he %riarD

ournalist, in spite o% his respect %or the co-led gentry, -as al-ays at loggerheads-ith Padre Camorra, -hom he regarded as a silly hal%D%riar, thus giving himsel% the

appearance o% being independent and re%uting the accusations o% those -ho called him

$ray #baKe(. Padre Camorra li+ed his adversary, as the latter -as the only person -ho

-ould ta+e seriously -hat he styled his arguments. hey -ere discussing magnetism,

spiritualism, magic, and the li+e. heir -ords %le- through the air li+e the +nives and

balls o% ugglers, tossed bac+ and %orth %rom one to the other.

hat year great attention had been attracted in the Luiapo %air by a head, -rongly

called a sphin=, e=hibited by 4r. Feeds, an @merican. 5laring advertisements covered

the -alls o% the houses, mysterious and %unereal, to e=cite the curiosity o% the public. either enD<ayb nor any o% the padres had yet seen it? &uanito Pelae( -as the only

one -ho had, and he -as describing his -onderment to the party.

enD<ayb, as a ournalist, loo+ed %or a natural e=planation. Padre Camorra tal+ed o%

the devil, Padre #rene smiled, Padre Salvi remained grave.

ut, Padre, the devil doesnt need to comeH-e are su%%icient to damn ourselvesHB

#t cant be e=plained any other -ay.B

#% scienceHB

5et out -ith science, pualesAB

ut, listen to me and #ll convince you. #ts all a uestion o% optics. # havent yet seen

the head nor do # +no- ho- it loo+s, but this gentlemanBHindicating &uanito Pelae(

Htells us that it does not loo+ li+e the tal+ing heads that are usually e=hibited. So be

itA ut the principle is the sameHits all a uestion o% optics. *aitA @ mirror is placed

thus, another mirror behind it, [179]the image is re%lectedH# say, it is purely a problem

in physics.B

a+ing do-n %rom the -alls several mirrors, he arranged them, turned them round and

round, but, not getting the desired result, concluded0 @s # say, its nothing more or

less than a uestion o% optics.B



ut -hat do you -ant mirrors %or, i% &uanito tells us that the head is inside a bo=

placed on the tableG # see in it spiritualism, because the spiritualists al-ays ma+e use

o% tables, and # thin+ that Padre Salvi, as the ecclesiastical governor, ought to prohibit

the e=hibition.B

Padre Salvi remained silent, saying neither yes nor no.

#n order to learn i% there are devils or mirrors inside it,B suggested Simoun, the best

thing -ould be %or you to go and see the %amous sphin=.B

he proposal -as a good one, so it -as accepted, although Padre Salvi and 3on

Custodio sho-ed some repugnance. hey at a %air, to rub shoulders -ith the public, to

see sphin=es and tal+ing headsA *hat -ould the natives sayG hese might ta+e them

%or mere men, endo-ed -ith the same passions and -ea+nesses as others. ut enD

<ayb, -ith his ournalistic ingenuity, promised to reuest 4r. Feeds not to admit the

public -hile they -ere inside. hey -ould be honoring him su%%iciently by the visitnot to admit o% his re%usal, and besides he -ould not charge any admission %ee. o

give a sho- o% probability to this, he concluded0 ecause, remember, i% # should

e=pose the tric+ o% the mirrors to the public, it -ould ruin the poor @mericans

business.B enD<ayb -as a conscientious individual.

@bout a do(en set out, among them our acuaintances, Padres Salvi, Camorra, and

#rene, 3on Custodio, enD<ayb, and &uanito Pelae(. heir carriages set them do-n at

the entrance to the Luiapo Pla(a.[1/;]

1 he patron saint o% Spain, St. &ames.Hr.

2 !ouses o% bamboo and nipa, such as %orm the homes o% the masses o% the natives.Hr.

: #n this paragraph "i(al alludes to an incident that had very serious results. here -as annually

celebrated in inondo a certain religious %estival, principally at the e=pense o% the Chinese mesti(os. he

latter %inally petitioned that their gobernadorcillo be given the presidency [17:n]o% it, and this -as granted,

than+s to the %act that the parish priest 6the 3ominican, $ray &os' !evia Campomanes8 held to the opinion

that the presidency belonged to those -ho paid the most. he agalogs protested, alleging their better

right to it, as the genuine sons o% the country, not to mention the historical precedent, but the %riar, -ho-as loo+ing a%ter his o-n interests, did not yield. 5eneral errero 65overnor, 17V18, at the advice

o% his liberal councilors, %inally had the parish priest removed and %or the time being decided the a%%air in

%avor o% the agalogs. he matter reached the Colonial %%ice 6 Ministerio de Cltramar 8 and the 4inister

-as not even content merely to settle it in the -ay the %riars desired, but made amends to Padre !evia by

appointing him a bishop.BH /( *( Retana! who was a 'ournalist in Manila at the time! in a note to this#hapter(



Childish and ridiculous as this may appear no-, it -as %ar %rom being so at the time, especially in vie- o%

the supreme contempt -ith -hich the pugnacious agalog loo+s do-n upon the mee+ and complaisant

Chinese and the mortal antipathy that e=ists bet-een the t-o races.Hr.

O #t is regrettable that Luirogas picturesue butchery o% Spanish and agalogHthe dialect o% the 4anila

ChineseHcannot be reproduced here. nly the thought can be given. here is the same di%%iculty -ith r+s!d+s, and l+s that the Chinese sho- in English.Hr.

7 )p to the outbrea+ o% the insurrection in 19/, the only genuinely Spanish troops in the islands -ere a

%e- hundred artillerymen, the rest being natives, -ith Spanish o%%icers.Hr.

The /uiapo 0air

#t -as a beauti%ul night and the pla(a presented a most animated aspect. a+ing

advantage o% the %reshness o% the bree(e and the splendor o% the &anuary moon, the

people %illed the %air to see, be seen, and amuse themselves. he music o% the

cosmoramas and the lights o% the lanterns gave li%e and merriment to every one. Fong

ro-s o% booths, brilliant -ith tinsel and gauds, e=posed to vie- clusters o% balls,

mas+s strung by the eyes, tin toys, trains, carts, mechanical horses, carriages, steamD

engines -ith diminutive boilers, Filliputian table-are o% porcelain, pine ativities,

dolls both %oreign and domestic, the %ormer red and smiling, the latter sad and pensive

li+e little ladies beside gigantic children. he beating o% drums, the roar o% tin horns,

the -hee(y music o% the accordions and the handDorgans, all mingled in a carnival

concert, amid the coming and going o% the cro-d, pushing, stumbling over one

another, -ith their %aces turned to-ard the booths, so that the collisions -ere %reuent

and o%ten amusing. he carriages -ere %orced to move slo-ly, -ith the tabí o% thecocheros repeated every moment. 4et and mingled government cler+s, soldiers, %riars,

students, Chinese, girls -ith their mammas or aunts, all greeting, signaling, calling to

one another merrily.

Padre Camorra -as in the seventh heaven at the sight o% so many pretty girls. !e

stopped, loo+ed bac+, nudged enD<ayb, chuc+led and s-ore, saying, @nd that one,

and that one, my in+DslingerG @nd that one over there, -hat say youGB #n his

contentment he even %ell to using the %amiliar tuto-ard his %riend and adversary.

Padre [1/1]Salvi stared at him %rom time to time, but he too+ little note o% Padre Salvi.

n the contrary, he pretended to stumble so that he might brush against the girls, he-in+ed and made eyes at them.

$uales"B he +ept saying to himsel%. *hen shall # be the curate o% LuiapoGB

Suddenly enD<ayb let go an oath, umped aside, and slapped his hand on his arm?

Padre Camorra in his e=cess o% enthusiasm had pinched him. hey -ere approaching

a da((ling seKorita -ho -as attracting the attention o% the -hole pla(a, and Padre



Camorra, unable to restrain his delight, had ta+en enD<aybs arm as a substitute %or

the girls.

#t -as Paulita 5ome(, the prettiest o% the pretty, in company -ith #sagani, %ollo-ed by

3oKa Iictorina. he young -oman -as resplendent in her beauty0 all stopped and

craned their nec+s, -hile they ceased their conversation and %ollo-ed her -ith theireyesHeven 3oKa Iictorina -as respect%ully saluted.

Paulita -as arrayed in a rich camisa and paKuelo o% embroidered piKa, di%%erent %rom

those she had -orn that morning to the church. he gau(y te=ture o% the piKa set o%%

her shapely head, and the #ndians -ho sa- her compared her to the moon surrounded

by %leecy clouds. @ sil+ roseDcolored s+irt, caught up in rich and grace%ul %olds by her

little hand, gave maesty to her erect %igure, the movement o% -hich, harmoni(ing

-ith her curving nec+, displayed all the triumphs o% vanity and satis%ied couetry.

#sagani appeared to be rather disgusted, %or so many curious eyes %i=ed upon the

beauty o% his s-eetheart annoyed him. he stares seemed to him robbery and the girlssmiles %aithlessness.

&uanito sa- her and his hump increased -hen he spo+e to her. Paulita replied

negligently, -hile 3oKa Iictorina called to him, %or &uanito -as her %avorite, she

pre%erring him to #sagani.

*hat a girl, -hat a girlAB muttered the entranced Padre Camorra.[1/2]

Come, Padre, pinch yoursel% and let me alone,B said enD<ayb %ret%ully.

*hat a girl, -hat a girlAB repeated the %riar. @nd she has %or a s-eetheart a pupil o%

mine, the boy # had the uarrel -ith.B

&ust my luc+ that shes not o% my to-n,B he added, a%ter turning his head several

times to %ollo- her -ith his loo+s. !e -as even tempted to leave his companions to

%ollo- the girl, and enD<ayb had di%%iculty in dissuading him. Paulitas beauti%ul

%igure moved on, her grace%ul little head nodding -ith inborn couetry.

ur promenaders +ept on their -ay, not -ithout sighs on the part o% the %riarD

artilleryman, until they reached a booth surrounded by sightseers, -ho uic+ly made-ay %or them. #t -as a shop o% little -ooden %igures, o% local manu%acture,

representing in all shapes and si(es the costumes, races, and occupations o% the

country0 #ndians, Spaniards, Chinese, mesti(os, %riars, clergymen, government cler+s,

gobernadorcillos, students, soldiers, and so on.



*hether the artists had more a%%ection %or the priests, the %olds o% -hose habits -ere

better suited to their esthetic purposes, or -hether the %riars, holding such an

important place in Philippine li%e, engaged the attention o% the sculptor more, the %act

-as that, %or one cause or another, images o% them abounded, -ellDturned and

%inished, representing them in the sublimest moments o% their livesHthe opposite o%

-hat is done in Europe, -here they are pictured as sleeping on cas+s o% -ine, playingcards, emptying tan+ards, rousing themselves to gaiety, or patting the chee+s o% a

bu=om girl. o, the %riars o% the Philippines -ere di%%erent0 elegant, handsome, -ellD

dressed, their tonsures neatly shaven, their %eatures symmetrical and serene, their ga(e

meditative, their e=pression saintly, some-hat rosyDchee+ed, cane in hand and patentD

leather shoes on their %eet, inviting adoration and a place in a glass case. #nstead o% the

symbols o% gluttony and incontinence o% their brethren in [1/:]Europe, those o% 4anila

carried the boo+, the cruci%i=, and the palm o% martyrdom? instead o% +issing the

simple country lasses, those o% 4anila gravely e=tended the hand to be +issed by

children and gro-n men doubled over almost to +neeling? instead o% the %ull re%ectory

and diningDhall, their stage in Europe, in 4anila they had the oratory, the studyDtable?

instead o% the mendicant %riar -ho goes %rom door to door -ith his don+ey and sac+,

begging alms, the %riars o% the Philippines scattered gold %rom %ull hands among the

miserable #ndians.

Foo+, heres Padre CamorraAB e=claimed enD<ayb, upon -hom the e%%ect o% the

champagne still lingered. !e pointed to a picture o% a lean %riar o% thought%ul mien

-ho -as seated at a table -ith his head resting on the palm o% his hand, apparently

-riting a sermon by the light o% a lamp. he contrast suggested dre- laughter %rom

the cro-d.

Padre Camorra, -ho had already %orgotten about Paulita, sa- -hat -as meant and

laughing his clo-nish laugh, as+ed in turn, *hom does this other %igure resemble,

enD<aybGB

#t -as an old -oman -ith one eye, -ith disheveled hair, seated on the ground li+e an

#ndian idol, ironing clothes. he sadDiron -as care%ully imitated, being o% copper -ith

coals o% red tinsel and smo+eD-reaths o% dirty t-isted cotton.

Eh, enD<ayb, it -asnt a %ool -ho designed thatB as+ed Padre Camorra -ith a

laugh.

*ell, # dont see the point,B replied the ournalist.

ut, puales, dont you see the title, The $hilippine $ressG hat utensil -ith -hich

the old -oman is ironing is here called the pressAB



@ll laughed at this, enD<ayb himsel% oining in goodDnaturedly.

-o soldiers o% the Civil 5uard, appropriately labeled, -ere placed behind a man -ho

-as tightly bound and had his %ace covered by his hat. #t -as entitled The %ountr&of D06EF Abaka,1 and %rom appearances they -ere going to shoot him.

4any o% our visitors -ere displeased -ith the e=hibition. hey tal+ed o% rules o% art,

they sought proportionHone said that this %igure did not have seven heads, that the

%ace lac+ed a nose, having only three, all o% -hich made Padre Camorra some-hat

thought%ul, %or he did not comprehend ho- a %igure, to be correct, need have %our

noses and seven heads. thers said, i% they -ere muscular, that they could not be

#ndians? still others remar+ed that it -as not sculpture, but mere carpentry. Each added

his spoon%ul o% criticism, until Padre Camorra, not to be outdone, ventured to as+ %or

at least thirty legs %or each doll, because, i% the others -anted noses, couldnt he

reuire %eetG So they %ell to discussing -hether the #ndian had or had not any aptitude

%or sculpture, and -hether it -ould be advisable to encourage that art, until there arosea general dispute, -hich -as cut short by 3on Custodios declaration that the #ndians

had the aptitude, but that they should devote themselves e=clusively to the

manu%acture o% saints.

ne -ould say,B observed enD<ayb, -ho -as %ull o% bright ideas that night, that

this Chinaman is Luiroga, but on close e=amination it loo+s li+e Padre #rene. @nd

-hat do you say about that ritish #ndianG !e loo+s li+e SimounAB

$resh peals o% laughter resounded, -hile Padre #rene rubbed his nose.

hats rightAB

#ts the very image o% himAB

ut -here is SimounG Simoun should buy it.B

ut the e-eler had disappeared, unnoticed by any one.

$uales"B e=claimed Padre Camorra, ho- stingy the @merican isA !es a%raid -e

-ould ma+e him pay the admission %or all o% us into 4r. Feeds sho-.B [1/7]

oAB reoined enD<ayb, -hat hes a%raid o% is that hell compromise himsel%. !e

may have %oreseen the o+e in store %or his %riend 4r. Feeds and has got out o% the

-ay.B



hus, -ithout purchasing the least tri%le, they continued on their -ay to see the

%amous sphin=. enD<ayb o%%ered to manage the a%%air, %or the @merican -ould not

rebu%% a ournalist -ho could ta+e revenge in an un%avorable article. Noull see that

its all a uestion o% mirrors,B he said, because, you seeHB @gain he plunged into a

long demonstration, and as he had no mirrors at hand to discredit his theory he tangled

himsel% up in all +inds o% blunders and -ound up by not +no-ing himsel% -hat he -assaying. #n short, youll see ho- its all a uestion o% optics.B[1//]

1 @ba+a is the %iber obtained %rom the leaves o% the Musa teBtilis and is +no-n commercially as 4anila

hemp. @s it is e=clusively a product o% the Philippines, it may be ta+en here to symboli(e the country.H

r.

Legerde#ain

4r. Feeds, a genuine Nan+ee, dressed completely in blac+, received his visitors -ith

great de%erence. !e spo+e Spanish -ell, %rom having been %or many years in South

@merica, and o%%ered no obection to their reuest, saying that they might e=amine

everything, both be%ore and a%ter the e=hibition, but begged that they remain uiet

-hile it -as in progress. enD<ayb smiled in pleasant anticipation o% the ve=ation he

had prepared %or the @merican.

he room, hung entirely in blac+, -as lighted by ancient lamps burning alcohol. @ rail

-rapped in blac+ velvet divided it into t-o almost eual parts, one o% -hich -as %illed

-ith seats %or the spectators and the other occupied by a plat%orm covered -ith achec+ered carpet. #n the center o% this plat%orm -as placed a table, over -hich -as

spread a piece o% blac+ cloth adorned -ith s+ulls and cabalistic signs. he mise en s#ne -as there%ore lugubrious and had its e%%ect upon the merry visitors. he o+es

died a-ay, they spo+e in -hispers, and ho-ever much some tried to appear

indi%%erent, their lips %ramed no smiles. @ll %elt as i% they had entered a house -here

there -as a corpse, an illusion accentuated by an odor o% -a= and incense. 3on

Custodio and Padre Salvi consulted in -hispers over the e=pediency o% prohibiting

such sho-s.

enD<ayb, in order to cheer the dispirited group and embarrass 4r. Feeds, said to himin a %amiliar tone0 Eh, 4ister, since there are none but ourselves here and -e arent

#ndians -ho can be %ooled, -ont you let us see [1/>]the tric+G *e +no- o% course that

its purely a uestion o% optics, but as Padre Camorra -ont be convincedHB

!ere he started to ump over the rail, instead o% going through the proper opening,

-hile Padre Camorra bro+e out into protests, %earing that enD<ayb might be right.



@nd -hy not, sirGB reoined the @merican. ut dont brea+ anything, -ill youGB

he ournalist -as already on the plat%orm. Nou -ill allo- me, thenGB he as+ed, and

-ithout -aiting %or the permission, %earing that it might not be granted, raised the

cloth to loo+ %or the mirrors that he e=pected should be bet-een the legs o% the table.

enD<ayb uttered an e=clamation and stepped bac+, again placed both hands under thetable and -aved them about? he encountered only empty space. he table had three

thin iron legs, sun+ into the %loor.

he ournalist loo+ed all about as though see+ing something.

*here are the mirrorsGB as+ed Padre Camorra.

enD<ayb loo+ed and loo+ed, %elt the table -ith his %ingers, raised the cloth again, and

rubbed his hand over his %orehead %rom time to time, as i% trying to remember

something.

!ave you lost anythingGB inuired 4r. Feeds.

he mirrors, 4ister, -here are the mirrorsGB

# dont +no- -here yours areHmine are at the hotel. 3o you -ant to loo+ at

yoursel%G Noure some-hat pale and e=cited.B

4any laughed, in spite o% their -eird impressions, on seeing the esting coolness o%

the @merican, -hile enD<ayb retired, uite abashed, to his seat, muttering, #t cant be. Noull see that he doesnt do it -ithout mirrors. he table -ill have to be changed

later.B

4r. Feeds placed the cloth on the table again and turning to-ard his illustrious

audience, as+ed them, @re you satis%iedG 4ay -e beginGB

!urry upA !o- coldDblooded he isAB said the -ido-.[1/]

hen, ladies and gentlemen, ta+e your seats and get your uestions ready.B

4r. Feeds disappeared through a door-ay and in a %e- moments returned -ith a

blac+ bo= o% -ormDeaten -ood, covered -ith inscriptions in the %orm o% birds, beasts,

and human heads.

Fadies and gentlemen,B he began solemnly, once having had occasion to visit the

great pyramid o% Rhu%u, a Pharaoh o% the %ourth dynasty, # chanced upon a

sarcophagus o% red granite in a %orgotten chamber. 4y oy -as great, %or # thought that



# had %ound a royal mummy, but -hat -as my disappointment on opening the co%%in,

at the cost o% in%inite labor, to %ind nothing more than this bo=, -hich you may

e=amine.B

!e handed the bo= to those in the %ront ro-. Padre Camorra dre- bac+ in loathing,

Padre Salvi loo+ed at it closely as i% he enoyed sepulchral things, Padre #rene smileda +no-ing smile, 3on Custodio a%%ected gravity and disdain, -hile enD<ayb hunted

%or his mirrorsHthere they must be, %or it -as a uestion o% mirrors.

#t smells li+e a corpse,B observed one lady, %anning hersel% %uriously. )ghAB

#t smells o% %orty centuries,B remar+ed some one -ith emphasis.

enD<ayb %orgot about his mirrors to discover -ho had made this remar+. #t -as a

military o%%icial -ho had read the history o% apoleon.

enD<ayb %elt ealous and to utter another epigram that might annoy Padre Camorra a

little said, #t smells o% the Church.B

his bo=, ladies and gentlemen,B continued the @merican, contained a hand%ul o%

ashes and a piece o% papyrus on -hich -ere -ritten some -ords. E=amine them

yourselves, but # beg o% you not to breathe heavily, because i% any o% the dust is lost

my sphin= -ill appear in a mutilated condition.B

he humbug, described -ith such seriousness and conviction, [1/9]-as gradually

having its e%%ect, so much so that -hen the bo= -as passed around, no one dared to breathe. Padre Camorra, -ho had so o%ten depicted %rom the pulpit o% iani the

torments and su%%erings o% hell, -hile he laughed in his sleeves at the terri%ied loo+s o%

the sinners, held his nose, and Padre SalviHthe same Padre Salvi -ho had on @ll

Souls 3ay prepared a phantasmagoria o% the souls in purgatory -ith %lames and

transparencies illuminated -ith alcohol lamps and covered -ith tinsel, on the high

altar o% the church in a suburb, in order to get alms and orders %or massesHthe lean

and taciturn Padre Salvi held his breath and ga(ed suspiciously at that hand%ul o%

ashes.

Memento! homo! quia pulvis esAB muttered Padre #rene -ith a smile.

PishAB sneered enD<aybHthe same thought had occurred to him, and the Canon had

ta+en the -ords out o% his mouth.

ot +no-ing -hat to do,B resumed 4r. Feeds, closing the bo= care%ully, # e=amined

the papyrus and discovered t-o -ords -hose meaning -as un+no-n to me. #



deciphered them, and tried to pronounce them aloud. Scarcely had # uttered the %irst

-ord -hen # %elt the bo= slipping %rom my hands, as i% pressed do-n by an enormous

-eight, and it glided along the %loor, -hence # vainly endeavored to remove it. ut my

surprise -as converted into terror -hen it opened and # %ound -ithin a human head

that stared at me %i=edly. Paraly(ed -ith %right and uncertain -hat to do in the

presence o% such a phenomenon, # remained %or a time stupe%ied, trembling li+e a person poisoned -ith mercury, but a%ter a -hile recovered mysel% and, thin+ing that it

-as a vain illusion, tried to divert my attention by reading the second -ord. !ardly

had # pronounced it -hen the bo= closed, the head disappeared, and in its place # again

%ound the hand%ul o% ashes. *ithout suspecting it # had discovered the t-o most potent

-ords in nature, the -ords o% creation and destruction, o% li%e and o% deathAB[1>;]

!e paused %or a %e- moments to note the e%%ect o% his story, then -ith grave and

measured steps approached the table and placed the mysterious bo= upon it.

he cloth, 4isterAB e=claimed the incorrigible enD<ayb.

*hy notGB reoined 4r. Feeds, very complaisantly.

Fi%ting the bo= -ith his right hand, he caught up the cloth -ith his le%t, completely

e=posing the table sustained by its three legs. @gain he placed the bo= upon the center

and -ith great gravity turned to his audience.

!eres -hat # -ant to see,B said enD<ayb to his neighbor. Nou notice ho- he

ma+es some e=cuse.B

5reat attention -as depicted on all countenances and silence reigned. he noise and

roar o% the street could be distinctly heard, but all -ere so a%%ected that a snatch o%

dialogue -hich reached them produced no e%%ect.

*hy cant -e go inGB as+ed a -omans voice.

Ab-, theres a lot o% %riars and cler+s in there,B ans-ered a man. he sphin= is %or

them only.B

he %riars are inuisitive too,B said the -omans voice, dra-ing a-ay. hey dont-ant us to +no- ho- theyre being %ooled. *hy, is the head a %riars queridaGB

#n the midst o% a pro%ound silence the @merican announced in a tone o% emotion0

Fadies and gentlemen, -ith a -ord # am no- going to reanimate the hand%ul o%

ashes, and you -ill tal+ -ith a being that +no-s the past, the present, and much o% the

%utureAB



!ere the prestidigitator uttered a so%t cry, %irst mourn%ul, then lively, a medley o% sharp

sounds li+e imprecations and hoarse notes li+e threats, -hich made enD<aybs hair

stand on end.

:eremof AB cried the @merican.

he curtains on the -all rustled, the lamps burned lo-, the table crea+ed. @ %eeble

groan responded %rom the interior o% the bo=. Pale and uneasy, all stared at one

another, -hile one terri%ied seKora caught hold o% Padre Salvi.[1>1]

he bo= then opened o% its o-n accord and presented to the eyes o% the audience a

head o% cadaverous aspect, surrounded by long and abundant blac+ hair. #t slo-ly

opened its eyes and loo+ed around the -hole audience. hose eyes had a vivid

radiance, accentuated by their cavernous soc+ets, and, as i% deep -ere calling unto

deep, %i=ed themselves upon the pro%ound, sun+en eyes o% the trembling Padre Salvi,

-ho -as staring unnaturally, as though he sa- a ghost.

Sphin=,B commanded 4r. Feeds, tell the audience -ho you are.B

@ deep silence prevailed, -hile a chill -ind ble- through the room and made the blue

%lames o% the sepulchral lamps %lic+er. he most s+eptical shivered.

# am #muthis,B declared the head in a %unereal, but strangely menacing, voice. # -as

born in the time o% @masis and died under the Persian domination, -hen Cambyses

-as returning %rom his disastrous e=pedition into the interior o% Fibya. # had come to

complete my education a%ter e=tensive travels through 5reece, @ssyria, and Persia,and had returned to my native laud to d-ell in it until hoth should call me be%ore his

terrible tribunal. ut to my undoing, on passing through abylonia, # discovered an

a-%ul secretHthe secret o% the %alse Smerdis -ho usurped the throne, the bold 4agian

5aumata -ho governed as an impostor. $earing that # -ould betray him to Cambyses,

he determined upon my ruin through the instrumentality o% the Egyptian priests, -ho

at that time ruled my native country. hey -ere the o-ners o% t-oDthirds o% the land,

the monopoli(ers o% learning, they held the people do-n in ignorance and tyranny,

they brutali(ed them, thus ma+ing them %it to pass -ithout resistance %rom one

domination to another. he invaders availed themselves o% them, and +no-ing their

use%ulness, protected and enriched them. he rulers not only depended on their -ill, but some -ere reduced to mere instruments o% theirs. he Egyptian priests hastened to

e=ecute 5aumatas orders, -ith greater [1>2](eal %rom their %ear o% me, because they

-ere a%raid that # -ould reveal their impostures to the people. o accomplish their

purpose, they made use o% a young priest o% @bydos, -ho passed %or a saint.B



@ pain%ul silence %ollo-ed these -ords. hat head -as tal+ing o% priestly intrigues and

impostures, and although re%erring to another age and other creeds, all the %riars

present -ere annoyed, possibly because they could see in the general trend o% the

speech some analogy to the e=isting situation. Padre Salvi -as in the grip o%

convulsive shivering? he -or+ed his lips and -ith bulging eyes %ollo-ed the ga(e o%

the head as though %ascinated. eads o% s-eat began to brea+ out on his emaciated%ace, but no one noticed this, so deeply absorbed and a%%ected -ere they.

*hat -as the plot concocted by the priests o% your country against youGB as+ed 4r.

Feeds.

he head uttered a sorro-%ul groan, -hich seemed to come %rom the bottom o% the

heart, and the spectators sa- its eyes, those %iery eyes, clouded and %illed -ith tears.

4any shuddered and %elt their hair rise. o, that -as not an illusion, it -as not a tric+0

the head -as the victim and -hat it told -as its o-n story.

@yAB it moaned, sha+ing -ith a%%liction, # loved a maiden, the daughter o% a priest,

pure as light, li+e the %reshly opened lotusA he young priest o% @bydos also desired

her and planned a rebellion, using my name and some papyri that he had secured %rom

my beloved. he rebellion bro+e out at the time -hen Cambyses -as returning in rage

over the disasters o% his un%ortunate campaign. # -as accused o% being a rebel, -as

made a prisoner, and having e%%ected my escape -as +illed in the chase on Fa+e

4oeris. $rom out o% eternity # sa- the imposture triumph. # sa- the priest o% @bydos

night and day persecuting the maiden, -ho had ta+en re%uge in a temple o% #sis on the

island o% Philae. # sa- him persecute and harass her, even in the subterranean

chambers, # sa- him drive her mad -ith terror and su%%ering, li+e a huge bat pursuinga -hite dove. [1>:]@h, priest, priest o% @bydos, # have returned to li%e to e=pose your

in%amy, and a%ter so many years o% silence, # name thee murderer, hypocrite, liarAB

@ dry, hollo- laugh accompanied these -ords, -hile a cho+ed voice responded, oA

4ercyAB

#t -as Padre Salvi, -ho had been overcome -ith terror and -ith arms e=tended -as

slipping in collapse to the %loor.

*hats the matter -ith your "everenceG @re you illGB as+ed Padre #rene.

he heat o% the roomHB

his odor o% corpses -ere breathing hereHB



4urderer, slanderer, hypocriteAB repeated the head. # accuse youHmurderer,

murderer, murdererAB

@gain the dry laugh, sepulchral and menacing, resounded, as though that head -ere so

absorbed in contemplation o% its -rongs that it did not see the tumult that prevailed in

the room.

4ercyA She still livesAB groaned Padre Salvi, and then lost consciousness. !e -as as

pallid as a corpse. Some o% the ladies thought it their duty to %aint also, and proceeded

to do so.

!e is out o% his headA Padre SalviAB

# told him not to eat that birdsDnest soup,B said Padre #rene. #t has made him sic+.B

ut he didnt eat anything,B reoined 3on Custodio shivering. @s the head has beenstaring at him %i=edly, it has mesmeri(ed him.B

So disorder prevailed, the room seemed to be a hospital or a battle%ield. Padre Salvi

loo+ed li+e a corpse, and the ladies, seeing that no one -as paying them any attention,

made the best o% it by recovering.

4ean-hile, the head had been reduced to ashes, and 4r. Feeds, having replaced the

cloth on the table, bo-ed his audience out.

his sho- must be prohibited,B said 3on Custodio on leaving. #ts -ic+ed andhighly immoral.B[1>O]

@nd above all, because it doesnt use mirrors,B added enD<ayb, -ho be%ore going

out o% the room tried to assure himsel% %inally, so he leaped over the rail, -ent up to

the table, and raised the cloth0 nothing, absolutely nothingA1 n the %ollo-ing day he

-rote an article in -hich he spo+e o% occult sciences, spiritualism, and the li+e.

@n order came immediately %rom the ecclesiastical governor prohibiting the sho-, but

4r. Feeds had already disappeared, carrying his secret -ith him to !ong+ong.[1>7]

1 Net enD<ayb -as not very much mista+en. he three legs o% the table have grooves in them in -hich

slide the mirrors hidden belo- the plat%orm and covered by the suares o% the carpet. y placing the bo=

upon the table a spring is pressed and the mirrors rise gently. he cloth is then removed, -ith care to raise

it instead o% letting it slide o%%, and then there is the ordinary table o% the tal+ing heads. he table is

connected -ith the bottom o% the bo=. he e=hibition ended, the prestidigitator again covers the table,

presses another spring, and the mirrors descend.H Author+s note(



The 0use

Placido Penitente le%t the class -ith his heart over%lo-ing -ith bitterness and sullen

gloom in his loo+s. !e -as -orthy o% his name -hen not driven %rom his usual

course, but once irritated he -as a veritable torrent, a -ild beast that could only bestopped by the death o% himsel% or his %oe. So many a%%ronts, so many pinpric+s, day

a%ter day, had made his heart uiver, lodging in it to sleep the sleep o% lethargic vipers,

and they no- -ere a-a+ing to sha+e and hiss -ith %ury. he hisses resounded in his

ears -ith the esting epithets o% the pro%essor, the phrases in the slang o% the mar+ets,

and he seemed to hear blo-s and laughter. @ thousand schemes %or revenge rushed

into his brain, cro-ding one another, only to %ade immediately li+e phantoms in a

dream. !is vanity cried out to him -ith desperate tenacity that he must do something.

Placido Penitente,B said the voice, sho- these youths that you have dignity, that you

are the son o% a valiant and noble province, -here -rongs are -ashed out -ith blood.Noure a atangan, Placido PenitenteA @venge yoursel%, Placido PenitenteAB

he youth groaned and gnashed his teeth, stumbling against every one in the street

and on the ridge o% Spain, as i% he -ere see+ing a uarrel. #n the latter place he sa- a

carriage in -hich -as the IiceD"ector, Padre Sibyla, accompanied by 3on Custodio,

and he had a great mind to sei(e the %riar and thro- him into the river.

!e proceeded along the Escolta and -as tempted to assault t-o @ugustinians -ho

-ere seated in the door-ay [1>/]o% Luirogas ba(aar, laughing and o+ing -ith other

%riars -ho must have been inside in oyous conversation, %or their merry voices andsonorous laughter could be heard. Some-hat %arther on, t-o cadets bloc+ed up the

side-al+, tal+ing -ith the cler+ o% a -arehouse, -ho -as in his shirtsleeves. Penitents

moved to-ard them to %orce a passage and they, perceiving his dar+ intention, goodD

humoredly made -ay %or him. Placido -as by this time under the in%luence o%

theamok , as the 4alayists say.

@s he approached his homeHthe house o% a silversmith -here he lived as a boarderH

he tried to collect his thoughts and ma+e a planHto return to his to-n and avenge

himsel% by sho-ing the %riars that they could not -ith impunity insult a youth or ma+e

a o+e o% him. !e decided to -rite a letter immediately to his mother, Cabesang@ndang, to in%orm her o% -hat had happened and to tell her that the schoolroom had

closed %orever %or him. @lthough there -as the @teneo o% the &esuits, -here he might

study that year, yet it -as not very li+ely that the 3ominicans -ould grant him the

trans%er, and, even though he should secure it, in the %ollo-ing year he -ould have to

return to the )niversity.



hey say that -e dont +no- ho- to avenge ourselvesAB he muttered. Fet the

lightning stri+e and -ell seeAB

ut Placido -as not rec+oning upon -hat a-aited him in the house o% the silversmith.

Cabesang @ndang had ust arrived %rom atangas, having come to do some shopping,

to visit her son, and to bring him money, er+ed venison, and sil+ hand+erchie%s.

he %irst greetings over, the poor -oman, -ho had at once noticed her sons gloomy

loo+, could no longer restrain her curiosity and began to as+ uestions. !is %irst

e=planations Cabesang @ndang regarded as some subter%uge, so she smiled and

soothed her son, reminding him o% their sacri%ices and privations. She spo+e o%

Capitana Simonas son, -ho, having entered the seminary, no- carried himsel% in the

to-n li+e a bishop, and Capitana Simona already [1>>]considered hersel% a 4other o%

5od, clearly so, %or her son -as going to be another Christ.

#% the son becomes a priest,B said she, the mother -ont have to pay us -hat sheo-es us. *ho -ill collect %rom her thenGB

ut on seeing that Placido -as spea+ing seriously and reading in his eyes the storm

that raged -ithin him, she reali(ed that -hat he -as telling her -as un%ortunately the

strict truth. She remained silent %or a -hile and then bro+e out into lamentations.

@yAB she e=claimed. # promised your %ather that # -ould care %or you, educate you,

and ma+e a la-yer o% youA #ve deprived mysel% o% everything so that you might go to

schoolA #nstead o% oining the panguingui -here the sta+e is a hal% peso, # Ie gone

only -here its a hal% real, enduring the bad smells and the dirty cards. Foo+ at my patched camisa? %or instead o% buying ne- ones #ve spent the money in masses and

presents to St. Sebastian, even though # dont have great con%idence in his po-er,

because the curate recites the masses %ast and hurriedly, hes an entirely ne- saint and

doesnt yet +no- ho- to per%orm miracles, and isnt made o% batikulin but

o% lanete( @y, -hat -ill your %ather say to me -hen # die and see him againAB

So the poor -oman lamented and -ept, -hile Placido became gloomier and let sti%led

sighs escape %rom his breast.

*hat -ould # get out o% being a la-yerGB -as his response.

*hat -ill become o% youGB as+ed his mother, clasping her hands. heyll call you a

%ilibuster and garrote you. #ve told you that you must have patience, that you must be

humble. # dont tell you that you must +iss the hands o% the curates, %or # +no- that

you have a delicate sense o% smell, li+e your %ather, -ho couldnt endure European

cheese.1 ut -e have to su%%er, to be silent, to say yes [1>]to everything. *hat are -e



going to doG he %riars o-n everything, and i% they are un-illing, no one -ill become

a la-yer or a doctor. !ave patience, my son, have patienceAB

ut #ve had a great deal, mother, #ve su%%ered %or months and months.B

Cabesang @ndang then resumed her lamentations. She did not as+ that he declarehimsel% a parti(an o% the %riars, she -as not one hersel%Hit -as enough to +no- that

%or one good %riar there -ere ten bad, -ho too+ the money %rom the poor and deported

the rich. ut one must be silent, su%%er, and endureHthere -as no other course. She

cited this man and that one, -ho by being patient and humble, even though in the

bottom o% his heart he hated his masters, had risen %rom servant o% the %riars to high

o%%ice? and such another -ho -as rich and could commit abuses, secure o% having

patrons -ho -ould protect him %rom the la-, yet -ho had been nothing more than a

poor sacristan, humble and obedient, and -ho had married a pretty girl -hose son had

the curate %or a god%ather. So Cabesang @ndang continued her litany o% humble

and patient $ilipinos, as she called them, and -as about to cite others -ho by not being so had %ound themselves persecuted and e=iled, -hen Placido on some tri%ling

prete=t le%t the house to -ander about the streets.

!e passed through Siba+ong,2 ondo, San icolas, and Santo Cristo, absorbed in his

illDhumor, -ithout ta+ing note o% the sun or the hour, and only -hen he began to %eel

hungry and discovered that he had no money, having given it all %or celebrations and

contributions, did he return to the house. !e had e=pected that he -ould not meet his

mother there, as she -as in the habit, -hen in 4anila, o% going out at that hour to a

neighboring house -here [1>9] panguingui -as played, but Cabesang @ndang -as

-aiting to propose her plan. She -ould avail hersel% o% the procurator o% the@ugustinians to restore her son to the good graces o% the 3ominicans.

Placido stopped her -ith a gesture. #ll thro- mysel% into the sea %irst,B he declared.

#ll become a tulisan be%ore #ll go bac+ to the )niversity.B

@gain his mother began her preachment about patience and humility, so he -ent a-ay

again -ithout having eaten anything, directing his steps to-ard the uay -here the

steamers tied up. he sight o% a steamer -eighing anchor %or !ong+ong inspired him

-ith an ideaHto go to !ong+ong, to run a-ay, get rich there, and ma+e -ar on the

%riars.

he thought o% !ong+ong a-o+e in his mind the recollection o% a story about %rontals,

cirials, and candelabra o% pure silver, -hich the piety o% the %aith%ul had led them to

present to a certain church. he %riars, so the silversmith told, had sent to !ong+ong to

have duplicate %rontals, cirials, and candelabra made o% 5erman silver, -hich they

substituted %or the genuine ones, these being melted do-n and coined into 4e=ican



pesos. Such -as the story he had heard, and though it -as no more than a rumor or a

story, his resentment gave it the color o% truth and reminded him o% other tric+s o%

theirs in that same style. he desire to live %ree, and certain hal%D%ormed plans, led him

to decide upon !ong+ong. #% the corporations sent all their money there, commerce

must be %lourishing and he could enrich himsel%.

# -ant to be %ree, to live %reeAB

ight surprised him -andering along San $ernando, but not meeting any sailor he

+ne-, he decided to return home. @s the night -as beauti%ul, -ith a brilliant moon

trans%orming the sualid city into a %antastic %airy +ingdom, he -ent to the %air. here

he -andered bac+ and %orth, passing booths -ithout ta+ing any notice o% the articles

in them, ever -ith the thought o% !ong+ong, o% living %ree, o% enriching himsel%.[1;]

!e -as about to leave the %air -hen he thought he recogni(ed the e-eler Simoun

bidding goodDby to a %oreigner, both o% them spea+ing in English. o Placido everylanguage spo+en in the Philippines by Europeans, -hen not Spanish, had to be

English, and besides, he caught the name !ong+ong. #% only the e-eler -ould

recommend him to that %oreigner, -ho must be setting out %or !ong+ongA

Placido paused. !e -as acuainted -ith the e-eler, as the latter had been in his to-n

peddling his -ares, and he had accompanied him on one o% his trips, -hen Simoun

had made himsel% very amiable indeed, telling him o% the li%e in the universities o% the

%ree countriesH-hat a di%%erenceA

So he %ollo-ed the e-eler. SeKor Simoun, SeKor SimounAB he called.

he e-eler -as at that moment entering his carriage. "ecogni(ing Placido, he

chec+ed himsel%.

# -ant to as+ a %avor o% you, to say a %e- -ords to you.B

Simoun made a sign o% impatience -hich Placido in his perturbation did not observe.

#n a %e- -ords the youth related -hat had happened and made +no-n his desire to go

to !ong+ong.

*hyGB as+ed Simoun, staring %i=edly at Placido through his blue goggles.

Placido did not ans-er, so Simoun thre- bac+ his head, smiled his cold, silent smile

and said, @ll rightA Come -ith me. o Calle #risAB he directed the cochero.



Simoun remained silent throughout the -hole drive, apparently absorbed in

meditation o% a very important nature. Placido +ept uiet, -aiting %or him to spea+

%irst, and entertained himsel% in -atching the promenaders -ho -ere enoying the

clear moonlight0 pairs o% in%atuated lovers, %ollo-ed by -atch%ul mammas or aunts?

groups o% students in -hite clothes that the moonlight made -hiter still? hal%Ddrun+en

soldiers in a carriage, si= together, on their -ay to visit some nipa temple dedicated toCytherea? [11]children playing their games and Chinese selling sugarDcane. @ll these

%illed the streets, ta+ing on in the brilliant moonlight %antastic %orms and ideal

outlines. #n one house an orchestra -as playing -alt(es, and couples might be seen

dancing under the bright lamps and chandeliersH-hat a sordid spectacle they

presented in comparison -ith the sight the streets a%%ordedA hin+ing o% !ong+ong, he

as+ed himsel% i% the moonlit nights in that island -ere so poetical and s-eetly

melancholy as those o% the Philippines, and a deep sadness settled do-n over his

heart.

Simoun ordered the carriage to stop and both alighted, ust at the moment -hen

#sagani and Paulita 5ome( passed them murmuring s-eet inanities. ehind them

came 3oKa Iictorina -ith &uanito Pelae(, -ho -as tal+ing in a loud voice, busily

gesticulating, and appearing to have a larger hump than ever. #n his preoccupation

Pelae( did not notice his %ormer schoolmate.

heres a %ello- -hos happyAB muttered Placido -ith a sigh, as he ga(ed to-ard the

group, -hich became converted into vaporous silhouettes, -ith &uanitos arms plainly

visible, rising and %alling li+e the arms o% a -indmill.

hats all hes good %or,B observed Simoun. #ts %ine to be youngAB

o -hom did Placido and Simoun each alludeG

he e-eler made a sign to the young man, and they le%t the street to pic+ their -ay

through a labyrinth o% paths and passage-ays among various houses, at times leaping

upon stones to avoid the mudholes or stepping aside %rom the side-al+s that -ere

badly constructed and still more badly tended. Placido -as surprised to see the rich

e-eler move through such places as i% he -ere %amiliar -ith them. hey at length

reached an open lot -here a -retched hut stood o%% by itsel% surrounded by bananaD

plants and arecaDpalms. Some bamboo %rames and sections o% the same material ledPlacido to suspect that they -ere approaching the house o% a pyrotechnist.[12]

Simoun rapped on the -indo- and a mans %ace appeared.

@h, sirAB he e=claimed, and immediately came outside.



#s the po-der hereGB as+ed Simoun.

#n sac+s. #m -aiting %or the shells.B

@nd the bombsGB

@re all ready.B

@ll right, then. his very night you must go and in%orm the lieutenant and the

corporal. hen +eep on your -ay, and in Famayan you -ill %ind a man in a ban+a. Nou

-ill say %abesa and he -ill ans-er Tales. #ts necessary that he be here tomorro-.

heres no time to be lost.B

Saying this, he gave him some gold coins.

!o-s this, sirGB the man inuired in very good Spanish. #s there any ne-sGB

Nes, itll be done -ithin the coming -ee+.B

he coming -ee+AB e=claimed the un+no-n, stepping bac+-ard. he suburbs are

not yet ready, they hope that the 5eneral -ill -ithdra- the decree. # thought it -as

postponed until the beginning o% Fent.B

Simoun shoo+ his head. *e -ont need the suburbs,B he said. *ith Cabesang ales

people, the e=Dcarbineers, and a regiment, -ell have enough. Fater, 4aria Clara may

be dead. Start at onceAB

he man disappeared. Placido, -ho had stood by and heard all o% this brie% intervie-,

%elt his hair rise and stared -ith startled eyes at Simoun, -ho smiled.

Noure surprised,B he said -ith his icy smile, that this #ndian, so poorly dressed,

spea+s Spanish -ellG !e -as a schoolmaster -ho persisted in teaching Spanish to the

children and did not stop until he had lost his position and had been deported as a

disturber o% the public peace, and %or having been a %riend o% the un%ortunate #barra. #

got him bac+ %rom his deportation, -here he had been -or+ing as a pruner o% coconutD

palms, and have made him a pyrotechnist.B

hey returned to the street and set out %or ro(o. e%ore [1:]a -ooden house o%

pleasant and -ellD+ept appearance -as a Spaniard on crutches, enoying the

moonlight. *hen Simoun accosted him, his attempt to rise -as accompanied by a

sti%led groan.

Noure readyGB Simoun inuired o% him.



# al-ays amAB

he coming -ee+GB

So soonGB

@t the %irst cannonDshotAB

!e moved a-ay, %ollo-ed by Placido, -ho -as beginning to as+ himsel% i% he -ere

not dreaming.

3oes it surprise you,B Simoun as+ed him, to see a Spaniard so young and so

a%%licted -ith diseaseG -o years ago he -as as robust as you are, but his enemies

succeeded in sending him to alaba+ to -or+ in a penal settlement, and there he

caught the rheumatism and %ever that are dragging him into the grave. he poor devil

had married a very beauti%ul -oman.B

@s an empty carriage -as passing, Simoun hailed it and -ith Placido directed it to his

house in the Escolta, ust at the moment -hen the cloc+s -ere stri+ing hal%Dpast ten.

-o hours later Placido le%t the e-elers house and -al+ed gravely and thought%ully

along the Escolta, then almost deserted, in spite o% the %act that the ca%'s -ere still

uite animated. o- and then a carriage passed rapidly, clattering noisily over the

-orn pavement.

$rom a room in his house that overloo+ed the Pasig, Simoun turned his ga(e to-ardthe *alled City, -hich could be seen through the open -indo-s, -ith its roo%s o%

galvani(ed iron gleaming in the moonlight and its somber to-ers sho-ing dull and

gloomy in the midst o% the serene night. !e laid aside his blue goggles, and his -hite

hair, li+e a %rame o% silver, surrounded his energetic bron(ed %eatures, dimly lighted by

a lamp -hose %lame -as dying out %rom lac+ o% oil. @pparently -rapped in thought,

he too+ no notice o% the %ading light and impending dar+ness.[1O]

*ithin a %e- days,B he murmured, -hen on all sides that accursed city is burning,

den o% presumptuous nothingness and impious e=ploitation o% the ignorant and the

distressed, -hen the tumults brea+ out in the suburbs and there rush into the terrori(edstreets my avenging hordes, engendered by rapacity and -rongs, then -ill # burst the

-alls o% your prison, # -ill tear you %rom the clutches o% %anaticism, and my -hite

dove, you -ill be the Phoeni= that -ill rise %rom the glo-ing embersA @ revolution

plotted by men in dar+ness tore me %rom your sideHanother revolution -ill s-eep me

into your arms and revive meA hat moon, be%ore reaching the apogee o% its brilliance,

-ill light the Philippines cleansed o% loathsome %ilthAB



Simoun, stopped suddenly, as though interrupted. @ voice in his inner consciousness

-as as+ing i% he, Simoun, -ere not also a part o% the %ilth o% that accursed city,

perhaps its most poisonous %erment. Fi+e the dead -ho are to rise at the sound o% the

last trumpet, a thousand bloody spectersHdesperate shades o% murdered men, -omen

violated, %athers torn %rom their %amilies, vices stimulated and encouraged, virtues

moc+ed, no- rose in ans-er to the mysterious uestion. $or the %irst time in hiscriminal career, since in !avana he had by means o% corruption and bribery set out to

%ashion an instrument %or the e=ecution o% his plansHa man -ithout %aith, patriotism,

or conscienceH%or the %irst time in that li%e, something -ithin rose up and protested

against his actions. !e closed his eyes and remained %or some time motionless, then

rubbed his hand over his %orehead, tried to be dea% to his conscience, and %elt %ear

creeping over him. o, he must not analy(e himsel%, he lac+ed the courage to turn his

ga(e to-ard his past. he idea o% his courage, his conviction, his sel%Dcon%idence

%ailing him at the very moment -hen his -or+ -as set be%ore himA @s the ghosts o%

the -retches in -hose mis%ortunes he had ta+en a hand continued to hover be%ore his

eyes, as i% issuing %rom the shining sur%ace o% the river to invade the room -ith

appeals and hands e=tended to-ard [17]him, as reproaches and laments seemed to %ill

the air -ith threats and cries %or vengeance, he turned his ga(e %rom the -indo- and

%or the %irst time began to tremble.

o, # must be ill, # cant be %eeling -ell,B he muttered. here are many -ho hate

me, -ho ascribe their mis%ortunes to me, butHB

!e %elt his %orehead begin to burn, so he arose to approach the -indo- and inhale the

%resh night bree(e. elo- him the Pasig dragged along its silvered stream, on -hose

bright sur%ace the %oam glittered, -inding slo-ly about, receding and advancing,

%ollo-ing the course o% the little eddies. he city loomed up on the opposite ban+, and

its blac+ -alls loo+ed %ate%ul, mysterious, losing their sordidness in the moonlight that

ideali(es and embellishes everything. ut again Simoun shivered? he seemed to see

be%ore him the severe countenance o% his %ather, dying in prison, but dying %or having

done good? then the %ace o% another man, severer still, -ho had given his li%e %or him

because he believed that he -as going to bring about the regeneration o% his country.

o, # cant turn bac+,B he e=claimed, -iping the perspiration %rom his %orehead. he

-or+ is at hand and its success -ill usti%y meA #% # had conducted mysel% as you did, #

should have succumbed. othing o% idealism, nothing o% %allacious theoriesA $ire and

steel to the cancer, chastisement to vice, and a%ter-ards destroy the instrument, i% it be

badA o, # have planned -ell, but no- # %eel %everish, my reason -avers, it is natural

H#% # have done ill, it has been that # may do good, and the end usti%ies the means.

*hat # -ill do is not to e=pose mysel%HB

*ith his thoughts thus con%used he lay do-n, and tried to %all asleep.



n the %ollo-ing morning Placido listened submissively, -ith a smile on his lips, to

his mothers preachment. *hen she spo+e o% her plan o% interesting the @ugustinian

procurator he did not protest or obect, but on the contrary o%%ered himsel% to carry it

out, in order to save trouble %or [1/]his mother, -hom he begged to return at once to

the province, that very day, i% possible. Cabesang @ndang as+ed him the reason %or

such haste.

ecauseHbecause i% the procurator learns that you are here he -ont do anything

until you send him a present and order some masses.B[1>]

1 he 4alay method o% +issing is uite di%%erent %rom the ccidental. he mouth is placed close to the

obect and a deep breath ta+en, o%ten [1>n]-ithout actually touching the obect, being more o% a sni%% than

a +iss.Hr.

2 o- Calle etuan, Santa Cru(. he other names are still in use.Hr.

The "r!iter

rue it -as that Padre #rene had said0 the uestion o% the academy o% Castilian, so long

be%ore broached, -as on the road to a solution. 3on Custodio, the active 3on

Custodio, the most active o% all the arbiters in the -orld, according to enD<ayb, -as

occupied -ith it, spending his days reading the petition and %alling asleep -ithout

reaching any decision, -a+ing on the %ollo-ing day to repeat the same per%ormance,

dropping o%% to sleep again, and so on continuously.

!o- the good man labored, the most active o% all the arbiters in the -orldA !e -ished

to get out o% the predicament by pleasing everybodyHthe %riars, the high o%%icial, the

Countess, Padre #rene, and his o-n liberal principles. !e had consulted -ith SeKor

Pasta, and SeKor Pasta had le%t him stupe%ied and con%used, a%ter advising him to do a

million contradictory and impossible things. !e had consulted -ith Pepay the dancing

girl, and Pepay, -ho had no idea -hat he -as tal+ing about, e=ecuted a pirouette and

as+ed him %or t-entyD%ive pesos to bury an aunt o% hers -ho had suddenly died %or the

%i%th time, or the %i%th aunt -ho had suddenly died, according to %uller e=planations, at

the same time reuesting that he get a cousin o% hers -ho could read, -rite, and playthe violin, a ob as assistant on the public -or+sHall things that -ere %ar %rom

inspiring 3on Custodio -ith any saving idea.

-o days a%ter the events in the Luiapo %air, 3on Custodio -as as usual busily

studying the petition, -ithout hitting upon the happy solution. *hile he ya-ns,

coughs, smo+es, and thin+s about Pepays legs and her pirouettes, [1]let us give



some account o% this e=alted personage, in order to understand Padre Sibylas reason

%or proposing him as the arbiter o% such a ve=atious matter and -hy the other cliue

accepted him.

3on Custodio de Sala(ar y Sanche( de 4onteredondo, o%ten re%erred to as Good

Authorit&, belonged to that class o% 4anila society -hich cannot ta+e a step -ithouthaving the ne-spapers heap titles upon them, calling each indedefatigable!distinguished! Healous! a#tive! profound! intelligent! well)informed! influential , and so

on, as i% they %eared that he might be con%used -ith some idle and ignorant possessor

o% the same name. esides, no harm resulted %rom it, and the -atch%ul censor -as not

disturbed. he Good Authorit& resulted %rom his %riendship -ith enD<ayb, -hen the

latter, in his t-o noisiest controversies, -hich he carried on %or -ee+s and months in

the columns o% the ne-spapers about -hether it -as proper to -ear a high hat, a

derby, or a salakot! and -hether the plural o% #ar-#ter should

be #ar-#teres or #ara#t<res! in order to strengthen his argument al-ays came out -ith,

*e have this on good authority,B *e learn this %rom good authority,B later letting it

be +no-n, %or in 4anila everything becomes +no-n, that thisGood Authorit& -as no

other than 3on Custodio de Sala(ar y Sanche( de 4onteredondo.

!e had come to 4anila very young, -ith a good position that had enabled him to

marry a pretty mesti(a belonging to one o% the -ealthiest %amilies o% the city. @s he

had natural talent, boldness, and great sel%Dpossession, and +ne- ho- to ma+e use o%

the society in -hich he %ound himsel%, he launched into business -ith his -i%es

money, %illing contracts %or the government, by reason o% -hich he -as made

alderman, a%ter-ards alcalde, member o% the Economic Society,1 councilor o% the

administration, president [19]o% the directory o% the >bras $ias,2 member o% the

Society o% 4ercy, director o% the SpanishD$ilipino an+, etc., etc. or are

these et#eteras to be ta+en li+e those ordinarily placed a%ter a long enumeration o%

titles0 3on Custodio, although never having seen a treatise on hygiene, came to be

viceDchairman o% the oard o% !ealth, %or the truth -as that o% the eight -ho

composed this board only one had to be a physician and he could not be that one. So

also he -as a member o% the Iaccination oard, -hich -as composed o% three

physicians and seven laymen, among these being the @rchbishop and three

Provincials. !e -as a brother in all the con%raternities o% the common and o% the most

e=alted dignity, and, as -e have seen, director o% the Superior Commission o% Primary#nstruction, -hich usually did not do anythingHall these being uite su%%icient reason

%or the ne-spapers to heap adectives upon him no less -hen he traveled than -hen

he snee(ed.

#n spite o% so many o%%ices, 3on Custodio -as not among those -ho slept through the

sessions, contenting themselves, li+e la(y and timid delegates, in voting -ith the

maority. he opposite o% the numerous +ings o% Europe -ho bear the title o% Ring o%



&erusalem, 3on Custodio made his dignity %elt and got %rom it all the bene%it possible,

o%ten %ro-ning, ma+ing his voice impressive, coughing out his -ords, o%ten ta+ing up

the -hole session telling a story, presenting a proect, or disputing -ith a colleague

-ho had placed himsel% in open opposition to him. @lthough not past %orty, he already

tal+ed o% acting -ith circumspection, o% letting the %igs ripen 6adding under his breath

pump+insB8, o% pondering deeply and o% stepping -ith care%ul tread, o% the necessity%or understanding the country, because the nature o% the #ndians, because the prestige

o% the Spanish name, because they -ere %irst o% all Spaniards, because religionHand

so on. "emembered yet in 4anila is a speech o% his -hen %or the %irst time it -as

proposed to [19;]light the city -ith +erosene in place o% the old coconut oil0 in such an

innovation, %ar %rom seeing the e=tinction o% the coconutDoil industry, he merely

discerned the interests o% a certain aldermanHbecause 3on Custodio sa- a long -ay

Hand opposed it -ith all the resonance o% his bucal cavity, considering the proect too

premature and predicting great social cataclysms. o less celebrated -as his

opposition to a sentimental serenade that some -ished to tender a certain governor on

the eve o% his departure. 3on Custodio, -ho %elt a little resentment over some slight or

other, succeeded in insinuating the idea that the rising star -as the mortal enemy o%

the setting one, -hereat the %rightened promoters o% the serenade gave it up.

ne day he -as advised to return to Spain to be cured o% a liver complaint, and the

ne-spapers spo+e o% him as an @ntaeus -ho had to set %oot in the mother country to

gain ne- strength. ut the 4anila @ntaeus %ound himsel% a small and insigni%icant

person at the capital. here he -as nobody, and he missed his beloved adectives. !e

did not mingle -ith the upper set, and his lac+ o% education prevented him %rom

amounting to much in the academies and scienti%ic centers, -hile his bac+-ardness

and his parishDhouse politics drove him %rom the clubs disgusted, ve=ed, seeing

nothing clearly but that there they -ere %orever borro-ing money and gambling

heavily. !e missed the submissive servants o% 4anila, -ho endured all his

peevishness, and -ho no- seemed to be %ar pre%erable? -hen a -inter +ept him

bet-een a %ireplace and an attac+ o% pneumonia, he sighed %or the 4anila -inter

during -hich a single uilt is su%%icient, -hile in summer he missed the easyDchair and

the boy to %an him. #n short, in 4adrid he -as only one among many, and in spite o%

his diamonds he -as once ta+en %or a rustic -ho did not +no- ho- to comport

himsel% and at another time %or an Indiano. !is scruples -ere sco%%ed at, and he -as

shamelessly %louted by some borro-ers -hom he o%%ended. 3isgusted -ith theconservatives, -ho too+ no great notice o% his advice, as -ell as -ith the [191]sponges

-ho ri%led his poc+ets, he declared himsel% to be o% the liberal party and returned

-ithin a year to the Philippines, i% not sound in his liver, yet completely changed in

his belie%s.

he eleven months spent at the capital among ca%' politicians, nearly all retired hal%D

pay o%%iceDholders, the various speeches caught here and there, this or that article o%



the opposition, all the political li%e that permeates the air, %rom the barberDshop -here

amid the scissorsDclips the $igaro announces his program to the banuets -here in

harmonious periods and telling phrases the di%%erent shades o% political opinion, the

divergences and disagreements, are adustedHall these things a-o+e in him the

%arther he got %rom Europe, li+e the li%eDgiving sap -ithin the so-n seed prevented

%rom bursting out by the thic+ hus+, in such a -ay that -hen he reached 4anila he believed that he -as going to regenerate it and actually had the holiest plans and the

purest ideals.

3uring the %irst months a%ter his return he -as continually tal+ing about the capital,

about his good %riends, about 4inister SoDandDSo, e=D4inister SuchDaDne, the

delegate C., the author ., and there -as not a political event, a court scandal, o%

-hich he -as not in%ormed to the last detail, nor -as there a public man the secrets o%

-hose private li%e -ere un+no-n to him, nor could anything occur that he had not

%oreseen, nor any re%orm be ordered but he had %irst been consulted. @ll this -as

seasoned -ith attac+s on the conservatives in righteous indignation, -ith apologies o%

the liberal party, -ith a little anecdote here, a phrase there %rom some great man,

dropped in as one -ho did not -ish o%%ices and employments, -hich same he had

re%used in order not to be beholden to the conservatives. Such -as his enthusiasm in

these %irst days that various cronies in the groceryDstore -hich he visited %rom time to

time a%%iliated themselves -ith the liberal party and began to style themselves liberals0

3on Eulogio adana, a retired sergeant o% carbineers? the honest @rmendia,

by [192] pro%ession a pilot, and a rampant Carlist? 3on Eusebio Picote, customs

inspector? and 3on oni%acio acon, shoeD and harnessDma+er.:

ut nevertheless, %rom lac+ o% encouragement and o% opposition, his enthusiasm

gradually -aned. !e did not read the ne-spapers that came %rom Spain, because they

arrived in pac+ages, the sight o% -hich made him ya-n. he ideas that he had caught

having been all e=pended, he needed rein%orcement, and his orators -ere not there,

and although in the casinos o% 4anila there -as enough gambling, and money -as

borro-ed as in 4adrid, no speech that -ould nourish his political ideas -as permitted

in them. ut 3on Custodio -as not la(y, he did more than -ishHhe -or+ed.

$oreseeing that he -as going to leave his bones in the Philippines, he began to

consider that country his proper sphere and to devote his e%%orts to its -el%are.

hin+ing to liberali(e it, he commenced to dra- up a series o% re%orms or proects,-hich -ere ingenious, to say the least. #t -as he -ho, having heard in 4adrid

mention o% the -ooden street pavements o% Paris, not yet adopted in Spain, proposed

the introduction o% them in 4anila by covering the streets -ith boards nailed do-n as

they are on the sides o% houses? it -as he -ho, deploring the accidents to t-oD-heeled

vehicles, planned to avoid them by putting on at least three -heels? it -as also he

-ho, -hile acting as viceDpresident o% the oard o% !ealth, ordered everything

%umigated, even the telegrams that came %rom in%ected places? it -as also he -ho, in



compassion %or the convicts that -or+ed in the sun and -ith a desire o% saving to the

government the cost o% their euipment, suggested that they be clothed in a simple

breechDclout and set to -or+ not by day but at night. !e marveled, he stormed, that his

proects should encounter obectors, but consoled himsel% -ith the re%lection that the

man -ho is -orth enemies has them, and revenged himsel% by attac+ing

and[19:]tearing to pieces any proect, good or bad, presented by others.

@s he prided himsel% on being a liberal, upon being as+ed -hat he thought o% the

#ndians he -ould ans-er, li+e one con%erring a great %avor, that they -ere %itted %or

manual labor and theimitative arts 6meaning thereby music, painting, and sculpture8,

adding his old postscript that to +no- them one must have resided many, many years

in the country. Net -hen he heard o% any one o% them e=celling in something that -as

not manual labor or an imitative art Hin chemistry, medicine, or philosophy, %or

e=ampleHhe -ould e=claim0 @h, he promises %airly, %airly -ell, hes not a %oolAB and

%eel sure that a great deal o% Spanish blood must %lo- in the veins o% such an Indian. #%

unable to discover any in spite o% his good intentions, he then sought a &apanese

origin, %or it -as at that time the %ashion began o% attributing to the &apanese or the

@rabs -hatever good the $ilipinos might have in them. $or him the native songs -ere

@rabic music, as -as also the alphabet o% the ancient $ilipinosHhe -as certain o%

this, although he did not +no- @rabic nor had he ever seen that alphabet.

@rabic, the purest @rabic,B he said to enD<ayb in a tone that admitted no reply. @t

best, ChineseAB

hen he -ould add, -ith a signi%icant -in+0 othing can be, nothing ought to be,

original -ith the #ndians, you understandA # li+e them greatly, but they mustnt beallo-ed to pride themselves upon anything, %or then they -ould ta+e heart and turn

into a lot o% -retches.B

@t other times he -ould say0 # love the #ndians %ondly, #ve constituted mysel% their

%ather and de%ender, but its necessary to +eep everything in its proper place. Some

-ere born to command and others to serveHplainly, that is a truism -hich cant be

uttered very loudly, but it can be put into practise -ithout many -ords. $or loo+, the

tric+ depends upon tri%les. *hen you -ish to reduce a people to subection, assure it

that it is in subection. he [19O]%irst day it -ill laugh, the second protest, the third

doubt, and the %ourth be convinced. o +eep the $ilipino docile, he must have repeated

to him day a%ter day -hat he is, to convince him that he is incompetent. *hat good

-ould it do, besides, to have him believe in something else that -ould ma+e him

-retchedG elieve me, its an act o% charity to hold every creature in his placeHthat is

order, harmony. hat constitutes the s#ien#e o% government.B



#n re%erring to his policies, 3on Custodio -as not satis%ied -ith the -ord art , and

upon pronouncing the -ord government , he -ould e=tend his hand do-n-ards to the

height o% a man bent over on his +nees.

#n regard to his religious ideas, he prided himsel% on being a Catholic, very much a

CatholicHah, Catholic Spain, the land o% María ,antísimaA @ liberal could be andought to be a Catholic, -hen the reactionaries -ere setting themselves up as gods or

saints, ust as a mulatto passes %or a -hite man in Ra%%irland. ut -ith all that, he ate

meat during Fent, e=cept on 5ood $riday, never -ent to con%ession, believed neither

in miracles nor the in%allibility o% the Pope, and -hen he attended mass, -ent to the

one at ten ocloc+, or to the shortest, the military mass. @lthough in 4adrid he had

spo+en ill o% the religious orders, so as not to be out o% harmony -ith his

surroundings, considering them anachronisms, and had hurled curses against the

#nuisition, -hile relating this or that lurid or droll story -herein the habits danced, or

rather %riars -ithout habits, yet in spea+ing o% the Philippines, -hich should be ruled

by special la-s, he -ould cough, loo+ -ise, and again e=tend his hand do-n-ards to

that mysterious altitude.

he %riars are necessary, theyre a necessary evil,B he -ould declare.

ut ho- he -ould rage -hen any #ndian dared to doubt the miracles or did not

ac+no-ledge the PopeA @ll the tortures o% the #nuisition -ere insu%%icient to punish

such temerity.

*hen it -as obected that to rule or to live at the e=pense [197]o% ignorance has

another and some-hat ugly name and is punished by la- -hen the culprit is a single person, he -ould usti%y his position by re%erring to other colonies. *e,B he -ould

announce in his o%%icial tone, can spea+ out plainlyA *ere not li+e the ritish and the

3utch -ho, in order to hold people in subection, ma+e use o% the lash. *e avail

ourselves o% other means, milder and surer. he salutary in%luence o% the %riars is

superior to the ritish lash.B

his last remar+ made his %ortune. $or a long time enD<ayb continued to use

adaptations o% it, and -ith him all 4anila. he thin+ing part o% 4anila applauded it,

and it even got to 4adrid, -here it -as uoted in the Parliament as %rom a liberal of

long residen#e there. he %riars, %lattered by the comparison and seeing their prestigeenhanced, sent him sac+s o% chocolate, presents -hich the incorruptible 3on Custodio

returned, so that enD<ayb immediately compared him to Epaminondas. evertheless,

this modern Epaminondas made use o% the rattan in his choleric moments, and advised

its useA



@t that time the conventos, %ear%ul that he -ould render a decision %avorable to the

petition o% the students, increased their gi%ts, so that on the a%ternoon -hen -e see him

he -as more perple=ed than ever, his reputation %or energy -as being compromised. #t

had been more than a %ortnight since he had had the petition in his hands, and only

that morning the high o%%icial, a%ter praising his (eal, had as+ed %or a decision. 3on

Custodio had replied -ith mysterious gravity, giving him to understand that it -as notyet completed. he high o%%icial had smiled a smile that still -orried and haunted him.

@s -e -ere saying, he ya-ned and ya-ned. #n one o% these movements, at the

moment -hen he opened his eyes and closed his mouth, his attention -as caught by a

%ile o% red envelopes, arranged in regular order on a magni%icent +amagon des+. n

the bac+ o% each could be read in large letters0 P"&ECS.[19/]

$or a moment he %orgot his troubles and Pepays pirouettes, to re%lect upon all that

those %iles contained, -hich had issued %rom his proli%ic brain in his hours o%

inspiration. !o- many original ideas, ho- many sublime thoughts, ho- many meanso% ameliorating the -oes o% the PhilippinesA #mmortality and the gratitude o% the

country -ere surely hisA

Fi+e an old lover -ho discovers a moldy pac+age o% amorous epistles, 3on Custodio

arose and approached the des+. he %irst envelope, thic+, s-ollen, and plethoric, bore

the title0 P"&ECS # P"&EC.

o,B he murmured, theyre e=cellent things, but it -ould ta+e a year to read them

over.B

he second, also uite voluminous, -as entitled0 P"&ECS )3E"

CS#3E"@#. o, not those either.B

hen came the P"&ECS E@"#5 C4PFE#, P"&ECS P"ESEE3,

P"&ECS "E&ECE3, P"&ECS @PP"IE3, P"&ECS PSPE3.

hese last envelopes held little, but the least o% all -as that o% the P"&ECS

EJEC)E3.

3on Custodio -rin+led up his noseH-hat did it containG !e had completely

%orgotten -hat -as in it. @ sheet o% yello-ish paper sho-ed %rom under the %lap, asthough the envelope -ere stic+ing out its tongue. his he dre- out and un%olded0 it

-as the %amous proect %or the School o% @rts and radesA

*hat the devilAB he e=claimed. #% the @ugustinian padres too+ charge o% itHB



Suddenly he slapped his %orehead and arched his eyebro-s, -hile a loo+ o% triumph

overspread his %ace. # have reached a decisionAB he cried -ith an oath that -as not

e=actly eureka. 4y decision is madeAB

"epeating his peculiar eureka %ive or si= times, -hich struc+ the air li+e so many

glee%ul lashes, he sat do-n at his des+, radiant -ith oy, and began to -rite %uriously.[19>]

1 he ,o#iedad *#on;mi#a de Amigos del $aís %or the encouragement o% agricultural and industrial

development, -as established by asco de Iargas in 1>;.Hr.

2 $unds managed by the government %or ma+ing loans and supporting charitable enterprises.Hr.

: he names are %ictitious burlesues.Hr.

(anila T)pes

hat night there -as a grand %unction at the eatro de Iariedades. 4r. &ouays $rench

operetta company -as giving its initial per%ormance, @es %lo#hes de %orneville. o

the eyes o% the public -as to be e=hibited his select troupe, -hose %ame the

ne-spapers had %or days been proclaiming. #t -as reported that among the actresses

-as a very beauti%ul voice, -ith a %igure even more beauti%ul, and i% credit could be

given to rumor, her amiability surpassed even her voice and %igure.

@t hal%Dpast seven in the evening there -ere no more tic+ets to be had, not even

though they had been %or Padre Salvi himsel% in his direct need, and the persons

-aiting to enter the general admission already %ormed a long ueue. #n the tic+etD

o%%ice there -ere scu%%les and %ights, tal+ o% %ilibusterism and races, but this did not

produce any tic+ets, so that by a uarter be%ore eight %abulous prices -ere being

o%%ered %or them. he appearance o% the building, pro%usely illuminated, -ith %lo-ers

and plants in all the doors and -indo-s, enchanted the ne- arrivals to such an e=tent

that they burst out into e=clamations and applause. @ large cro-d surged about the

entrance, ga(ing enviously at those going in, those -ho came early %rom %ear o%

missing their seats. Faughter, -hispering, e=pectation greeted the later arrivals, -hodisconsolately oined the curious cro-d, and no- that they could not get in contented

themselves -ith -atching those -ho did.

Net there -as one person -ho seemed out o% place amid such great eagerness and

curiosity. !e -as a tall, meager man, -ho dragged one leg sti%%ly -hen he -al+ed,

dressed [19]in a -retched bro-n coat and dirty chec+ered trousers that %itted his lean,

bony limbs tightly. @ stra- sombrero, artistic in spite o% being bro+en, covered an



enormous head and allo-ed his dirty gray, almost red, hair to straggle out long and

+in+y at the end li+e a poets curls. ut the most notable thing about this man -as not

his clothing or his European %eatures, guiltless o% beard or mustache, but his %iery red

%ace, %rom -hich he got the nic+name by -hich he -as +no-n, %amaron#o#ido.1 !e

-as a curious character belonging to a prominent Spanish %amily, but he lived li+e a

vagabond and a beggar, sco%%ing at the prestige -hich he %louted indi%%erently -ith hisrags. !e -as reputed to be a +ind o% reporter, and in %act his gray goggleDeyes, so cold

and thought%ul, al-ays sho-ed up -here anything publishable -as happening. !is

manner o% living -as a mystery to all, as no one seemed to +no- -here he ate and

slept. Perhaps he had an empty hogshead some-here.

ut at that moment Camaroncocido lac+ed his usual hard and indi%%erent e=pression,

something li+e mirth%ul pity being re%lected in his loo+s. @ %unny little man accosted

him merrily.

$riendAB e=claimed the latter, in a raucous voice, as hoarse as a %rogs, -hile hedisplayed several 4e=ican pesos, -hich Camaroncocido merely glanced at and then

shrugged his shoulders. *hat did they matter to himG

he little old man -as a %itting contrast to him. Small, very small, he -ore on his head

a high hat, -hich presented the appearance o% a huge hairy -orm, and lost himsel% in

an enormous %roc+ coat, too -ide and too long %or him, to reappear in trousers too

short, not reaching belo- his calves. !is body seemed to be the grand%ather and his

legs the grandchildren, -hile as %or his shoes he appeared to be %loating on the land,

%or they -ere o% an enormous sailor type, apparently protesting against the hairy

-orm [199]-orn on his head -ith all the energy o% a convento beside a *orldsE=position. #% Camaroncocido -as red, he -as bro-n? -hile the %ormer, although o%

Spanish e=traction, had not a single hair on his %ace, yet he, an #ndian, had a goatee

and mustache, both long, -hite, and sparse. !is e=pression -as lively. !e -as +no-n

as Tio ui#o,2 and li+e his %riend lived on publicity, advertising the sho-s and posting

the theatrical announcements, being perhaps the only $ilipino -ho could appear -ith

impunity in a sil+ hat and %roc+ coat, ust as his %riend -as the %irst Spaniard -ho

laughed at the prestige o% his race.

he $renchman has paid me -ell,B he said smiling and sho-ing his picturesue

gums, -hich loo+ed li+e a street a%ter a con%lagration. # did a good ob in posting the

bills.B

Camaroncocido shrugged his shoulders again. Luico,B he reoined in a cavernous

voice, i% theyve given you si= pesos %or your -or+, ho- much -ill they give the

%riarsGB



io Luico thre- bac+ his head in his usual lively manner. o the %riarsGB

ecause you surely +no-,B continued Camaroncocido, that all this cro-d -as

secured %or them by the conventos.B

he %act -as that the %riars, headed by Padre Salvi, and some lay brethren captained by 3on Custodio, had opposed such sho-s. Padre Camorra, -ho could not attend,

-atered at the eyes and mouth, but argued -ith enD<ayb, -ho de%ended them %eebly,

thin+ing o% the %ree tic+ets they -ould send his ne-spaper. 3on Custodio spo+e o%

morality, religion, good manners, and the li+e.

ut,B stammered the -riter, i% our o-n %arces -ith their plays on -ords and phrases

o% double meaningHB

ut at least theyre in CastilianAB the virtuous councilor interrupted -ith a roar,

in%lamed to righteous -rath. bscenities in $rench, man, enD<ayb, %or 5ods sa+e,in $renchA everAB[2;;]

!e uttered this never -ith the energy o% three 5u(mans threatened -ith being +illed

li+e %leas i% they did not surrender t-enty ari%as. Padre #rene naturally agreed -ith

3on Custodio and e=ecrated $rench operetta. *he-, he had been in Paris, but had

never set %oot in a theater, the Ford deliver himA

Net the $rench operetta also counted numerous parti(ans. he o%%icers o% the army and

navy, among them the 5enerals aides, the cler+s, and many society people -ere

an=ious to enoy the delicacies o% the $rench language %rom the mouths o%genuine $arisiennes, and -ith them -ere a%%iliated those -ho had traveled by the

4.4.: and had abbered a little $rench during the voyage, those -ho had visited Paris,

and all those -ho -ished to appear learned.

!ence, 4anila society -as divided into t-o %actions, operettists and antiDoperettists.

he latter -ere supported by the elderly ladies, -ives ealous and care%ul o% their

husbands love, and by those -ho -ere engaged, -hile those -ho -ere %ree and those

-ho -ere beauti%ul declared themselves enthusiastic operettists. otes and then more

notes -ere e=changed, there -ere goings and comings, mutual recriminations,

meetings, lobbyings, arguments, even tal+ o% an insurrection o% the natives, o% theirindolence, o% in%erior and superior races, o% prestige and other humbugs, so that a%ter

much gossip and more recrimination, the permit -as granted, Padre Salvi at the same

time publishing a pastoral that -as read by no one but the proo%Dreader. here -ere

uestionings -hether the 5eneral had uarreled -ith the Countess, -hether she spent

her time in the halls o% pleasure, -hether !is E=cellency -as greatly annoyed,

-hether there had been presents e=changed, -hether the $rench consulH, and so on



and on. 4any names -ere bandied about0 Luiroga the Chinamans, Simouns, and

even those o% many actresses.

han+s to these scandalous preliminaries, the peoples [2;1]impatience had been

aroused, and since the evening be%ore, -hen the troupe arrived, there -as tal+ o%

nothing but attending the %irst per%ormance. $rom the hour -hen the red postersannounced @es %lo#hes de %orneville the victors prepared to celebrate their triumph.

#n some o%%ices, instead o% the time being spent in reading ne-spapers and gossiping,

it -as devoted to devouring the synopsis and spelling out $rench novels, -hile many

%eigned business outside to consult their poc+etDdictionaries on the sly. So no business

-as transacted, callers -ere told to come bac+ the ne=t day, but the public could not

ta+e o%%ense, %or they encountered some very polite and a%%able cler+s, -ho received

and dismissed them -ith grand salutations in the $rench style. he cler+s -ere

practising, brushing the dust o%% their $rench, and calling to one another oui!monsieur! s+il vous plait , and pardonA at every turn, so that it -as a pleasure to see and

hear them.

ut the place -here the e=citement reached its clima= -as the ne-spaper o%%ice. enD

<ayb, having been appointed critic and translator o% the synopsis, trembled li+e a poor

-oman accused o% -itchcra%t, as he sa- his enemies pic+ing out his blunders and

thro-ing up to his %ace his de%icient +no-ledge o% $rench. *hen the #talian opera -as

on, he had very nearly received a challenge %or having mistranslated a tenors name,

-hile an envious rival had immediately published an article re%erring to him as an

ignoramusHhim, the %oremost thin+ing head in the PhilippinesA @ll the trouble he had

had to de%end himsel%A !e had had to -rite at least seventeen articles and consult

%i%teen dictionaries, so -ith these salutary recollections, the -retched enD<ayb

moved about -ith leaden hands, to say nothing o% his %eet, %or that -ould be

plagiari(ing Padre Camorra, -ho had once intimated that the ournalist -rote -ith

them.

Nou see, LuicoGB said Camaroncocido. ne hal% o% the people have come because

the %riars told them not to, ma+ing it a +ind o% public protest, and the other hal%

because [2;2]they say to themselves, Q3o the %riars obect to itG hen it must be

instructiveA elieve me, Luico, your advertisements are a good thing but the pastoral

-as better, even ta+ing into consideration the %act that it -as read by no one.B

$riend, do you believe,B as+ed io Luico uneasily, that on account o% the

competition -ith Padre Salvi my business -ill in the %uture be prohibitedGB

4aybe so, Luico, maybe so,B replied the other, ga(ing at the s+y. 4oneys getting

scarce.B



io Luico muttered some incoherent -ords0 i% the %riars -ere going to turn theatrical

advertisers, he -ould become a %riar. @%ter bidding his %riend goodDby, he moved

a-ay coughing and rattling his silver coins.

*ith his eternal indi%%erence Camaroncocido continued to -ander about here and

there -ith his crippled leg and sleepy loo+s. he arrival o% un%amiliar %aces caught hisattention, coming as they did %rom di%%erent parts and signaling to one another -ith a

-in+ or a cough. #t -as the %irst time that he had ever seen these individuals on such

an occasion, he -ho +ne- all the %aces and %eatures in the city. 4en -ith dar+ %aces,

humped shoulders, uneasy and uncertain movements, poorly disguised, as though they

had %or the %irst time put on sac+ coats, slipped about among the shado-s, shunning

attention, instead o% getting in the %ront ro-s -here they could see -ell.

3etectives or thievesGB Camaroncocido as+ed himsel% and immediately shrugged his

shoulders. ut -hat is it to meGB

he lamp o% a carriage that drove up lighted in passing a group o% %our or %ive o% these

individuals tal+ing -ith a man -ho appeared to be an army o%%icer.

3etectivesA #t must be a ne- corps,B he muttered -ith his shrug o% indi%%erence.

Soon, ho-ever, he noticed that the o%%icer, a%ter spea+ing to t-o or three more groups,

approached a carriage and seemed to be tal+ing vigorously -ith some person inside.

Camaroncocido too+ a %e- steps[2;:]%or-ard and -ithout surprise thought that he

recogni(ed the e-eler Simoun, -hile his sharp ears caught this short dialogue.

he signal -ill be a gunshotAB

Nes, sir.B

3ont -orryHits the 5eneral -ho is ordering it, but be care%ul about saying so. #%

you %ollo- my instructions, youll get a promotion.B

Nes, sir.B

So, be readyAB

he voice ceased and a second later the carriage drove a-ay. #n spite o% his

indi%%erence Camaroncocido could not but mutter, Somethings a%ootHhands on

poc+etsAB

ut %eeling his o-n to be empty, he again shrugged his shoulders. *hat did it matter

to him, even though the heavens should %allG



So he continued his pacing about. n passing near t-o persons engaged in

conversation, he caught -hat one o% them, -ho had rosaries and scapularies around

his nec+, -as saying in agalog0 he %riars are more po-er%ul than the 5eneral, dont

be a %oolA !ell go a-ay and theyll stay here. So, i% -e do -ell, -ell get rich. he

signal is a gunshot.B

!old hard, hold hard,B murmured Camaroncocido, tightening his %ingers. n that

side the 5eneral, on this Padre Salvi. Poor countryA ut -hat is it to meGB

@gain shrugging his shoulders and e=pectorating at the same time, t-o actions that

-ith him -ere indications o% supreme indi%%erence, he continued his observations.

4ean-hile, the carriages -ere arriving in di((y streams, stopping directly be%ore the

door to set do-n the members o% the select society. @lthough the -eather -as scarcely

even cool, the ladies sported magni%icent sha-ls, sil+ nec+erchie%s, and even light

cloa+s. @mong the escorts, some -ho -ere in %roc+ coats -ith -hite ties -oreovercoats, -hile others carried them on their arms to display the rich sil+ linings.[2;O]

#n a group o% spectators, adeo, he -ho -as al-ays ta+en ill the moment the pro%essor

appeared, -as accompanied by a %ello- to-nsman o% his, the novice -hom -e sa-

su%%er evil conseuences %rom reading -rongly the Cartesian principle. his novice

-as very inuisitive and addicted to tiresome uestions, and adeo -as ta+ing

advantage o% his ingenuousness and ine=perience to relate to him the most stupendous

lies. Every Spaniard that spo+e to him, -hether cler+ling or underling, -as presented

as a leading merchant, a maruis, or a count, -hile on the other hand any one -ho

passed him by -as a greenhorn, a petty o%%icial, a nobodyA *hen pedestrians %ailedhim in +eeping up the novices astonishment, he resorted to the resplendent carriages

that came up. adeo -ould bo- politely, -ave his hand in a %riendly manner, and call

out a %amiliar greeting.

*hos heGB

ahAB -as the negligent reply. he Civil 5overnor, the IiceD5overnor, &udge HH,

SeKora HH, all %riends o% mineAB

he novice marveled and listened in %ascination, ta+ing care to +eep on the le%t. adeothe %riend o% udges and governorsA

adeo named all the persons -ho arrived, -hen he did not +no- them inventing titles,

biographies, and interesting s+etches.



Nou see that tall gentleman -ith dar+ -his+ers, some-hat suintDeyed, dressed in

blac+Hhes &udge @ HH, an intimate %riend o% the -i%e o% Colonel HH. ne day

i% it hadnt been %or me they -ould have come to blo-s. !ello, here comes that

ColonelA *hat i% they should %ightGB

he novice held his breath, but the colonel and the udge shoo+ hands cordially, thesoldier, an old bachelor, inuiring about the health o% the udges %amily.

@h, than+ heavenAB breathed adeo. #m the one -ho made them %riends.B[2;7]

*hat i% they should invite us to go inGB as+ed the novice timidly.

5et out, boyA # never accept %avorsAB retorted adeo maestically. # con%er them, but

disinterestedly.B

he novice bit his lip and %elt smaller than ever, -hile he placed a respect%ul distance bet-een himsel% and his %ello- to-nsman.

adeo resumed0 hat is the musician !HH? that one, the la-yer &HH, -ho

delivered as his o-n a speech printed in all the boo+s and -as congratulated and

admired %or it? 3octor RHH, that man ust getting out o% a hansom, is a specialist in

diseases o% children, so hes called !erod? thats the ban+er FHH, -ho can tal+ only

o% his money and his hoards? the poet 4HH, -ho is al-ays dealing -ith the stars

and the be&ond . here goes the beauti%ul -i%e o% HH, -hom Padre LHHis

accustomed to meet -hen he calls upon the absent husband? the &e-ish merchant P

HH, -ho came to the islands -ith a thousand pesos and is no- a millionaire. hat%ello- -ith the long beard is the physician "HH, -ho has become rich by ma+ing

invalids more than by curing them.B

4a+ing invalidsGB

Nes, boy, in the e=amination o% the conscripts. @ttentionA hat %inely dressed

gentleman is not a physician but a homeopathist sui generis Hhe pro%esses completely

the similis similibus. he young cavalry captain -ith him is his chosen disciple. hat

man in a light suit -ith his hat tilted bac+ is the government cler+ -hose ma=im is

never to be polite and -ho rages li+e a demon -hen he sees a hat on any one elsesheadHthey say that he does it to ruin the 5erman hatters. he man ust arriving -ith

his %amily is the -ealthy merchant CHH, -ho has an income o% over a hundred

thousand pesos. ut -hat -ould you say i% # should tell you that he still o-es me %our

pesos, %ive reales, and t-elve cuartosG ut -ho -ould collect %rom a rich man li+e

himGB



hat gentleman in debt to youGB[2;/]

SureA ne day # got him out o% a bad %i=. #t -as on a $riday at hal%Dpast si= in the

morning, # still remember, because # hadnt brea+%asted. hat lady -ho is %ollo-ed by

a duenna is the celebrated Pepay, the dancing girl, but she doesnt dance any more

no- that a very Catholic gentleman and a great %riend o% mine hasH%orbidden it.heres the deathsDhead <HH, -hos surely %ollo-ing her to get her to dance again.

!es a good %ello-, and a great %riend o% mine, but has one de%ectHhes a Chinese

mesti(o and yet calls himsel% a Peninsular Spaniard. SsshA Foo+ at enD<ayb, him

-ith the %ace o% a %riar, -hos carrying a pencil and a roll o% paper in his hand. !es

the great -riter, enD<ayb, a good %riend o% mineHhe has talentAB

Nou dont sayA @nd that little man -ith -hite -his+ersGB

!es the o%%icial -ho has appointed his daughters, those three little girls, assistants in

his department, so as to get their names on the payDroll. !es a clever man, verycleverA *hen he ma+es a mista+e he blames it on somebody else, he buys things and

pays %or them out o% the treasury. !es clever, very, very cleverAB

adeo -as about to say more, but suddenly chec+ed himsel%.

@nd that gentleman -ho has a %ierce air and ga(es at everybody over his shouldersGB

inuired the novice, pointing to a man -ho nodded haughtily.

ut adeo did not ans-er. !e -as craning his nec+ to see Paulita 5ome(, -ho -as

approaching -ith a %riend, 3oKa Iictorina, and &uanito Pelae(. he latter had presented her -ith a bo= and -as more humped than ever.

Carriage a%ter carriage drove up? the actors and actresses arrived and entered by a

separate door, %ollo-ed by their %riends and admirers.

@%ter Paulita had gone in, adeo resumed0 hose are the nieces o% the rich Captain 3

HH, those coming up in a landau? you see ho- pretty and healthy they areG

*ell, [2;>]in a %e- years theyll be dead or cra(y. Captain 3HH is opposed to their

marrying, and the insanity o% the uncle is appearing in the nieces. hats the SeKorita

EHH, the rich heiress -hom the -orld and the conventos are disputing over. !ello, #+no- that %ello-A #ts Padre #rene, in disguise, -ith a %alse mustache. # recogni(e him

by his nose. @nd he -as so greatly opposed to thisAB

he scandali(ed novice -atched a neatly cut coat disappear behind a group o% ladies.



he hree $atesAB -ent on adeo, -atching the arrival o% three -ithered, bony,

hollo-Deyed, -ideDmouthed, and shabbily dressed -omen. heyre calledHB

@troposGB ventured the novice, -ho -ished to sho- that he also +ne- somebody, at

least in mythology.

o, boy, theyre called the *eary *aitersHold, censorious, and dull. hey pretend

to hate everybodyHmen, -omen, and children. ut loo+ ho- the Ford al-ays places

beside the evil a remedy, only that sometimes it comes late. here behind the $ates,

the %rights o% the city, come those three girls, the pride o% their %riends, among -hom #

count mysel%. hat thin young man -ith goggleDeyes, some-hat stooped, -ho is

-ildly gesticulating because he cant get tic+ets, is the chemist SHH, author o% many

essays and scienti%ic treatises, some o% -hich are notable and have captured pri(es.

he Spaniards say o% him, Qheres some hope %or him, some hope %or him. he

%ello- -ho is soothing him -ith his Ioltairian smile is the poet HH, a young man

o% talent, a great %riend o% mine, and, %or the very reason that he has talent, he hasthro-n a-ay his pen. hat %ello- -ho is trying to get in -ith the actors by the other

door is the young physician )HH, -ho has e%%ected some remar+able curesHits

also said o% him that he promises -ell. !es not such a scoundrel as Pelae( but hes

cleverer and slyer still. # believe that hed sha+e dice -ith death and -in.B

@nd that bro-n gentleman -ith a mustache li+e hogDbristlesGB[2;]

@h, thats the merchant $HH, -ho %orges everything, even his baptismal certi%icate.

!e -ants to be a Spanish mesti(o at any cost, and is ma+ing heroic e%%orts to %orget

his native language.B

ut his daughters are very -hite.B

Nes, thats the reason rice has gone up in price, and yet they eat nothing but bread.B

he novice did not understand the connection bet-een the price o% rice and the

-hiteness o% those girls, but he held his peace.

here goes the %ello- thats engaged to one o% them, that thin bro-n youth -ho is

%ollo-ing them -ith a lingering movement and spea+ing -ith a protecting air to thethree %riends -ho are laughing at him. !es a martyr to his belie%s, to his consistency.B

he novice -as %illed -ith admiration and respect %or the young man.

!e has the loo+ o% a %ool, and he is one,B continued adeo. !e -as born in San

Pedro 4a+ati and has in%licted many privations upon himsel%. !e scarcely ever bathes



or eats por+, because, according to him, the Spaniards dont do those things, and %or

the same reason he doesnt eat rice and dried %ish, although he may be -atering at the

mouth and dying o% hunger. @nything that comes %rom Europe, rotten or preserved, he

considers divineHa month ago asilio cured him o% a severe attac+ o% gastritis, %or he

had eaten a ar o% mustard to prove that hes a European.B

@t that moment the orchestra struc+ up a -alt(.

Nou see that gentlemanHthat hypochondriac -ho goes along turning his head %rom

side to side, see+ing salutesG hats the celebrated governor o% Pangasinan, a good

man -ho loses his appetite -henever any #ndian %ails to salute him. !e -ould have

died i% he hadnt issued the proclamation about salutes to -hich he o-es his celebrity.

Poor %ello-, its only been three days since he came %rom the province and loo+ ho-

thin he has becomeA h, heres the great man, the illustriousHopen your eyesAB[2;9]

*hoG hat man -ith +nitted bro-sGB

Nes, thats 3on Custodio, the liberal, 3on Custodio. !is bro-s are +nit because hes

meditating over some important proect. #% the ideas he has in his head -ere carried

out, this -ould be a di%%erent -orldA @h, here comes 4a+araig, your housemate.B

#t -as in %act 4a+araig, -ith Pecson, Sandoval, and #sagani. )pon seeing them, adeo

advanced and spo+e to them.

@rent you coming inGB 4a+araig as+ed him.

*e havent been able to get tic+ets.B

$ortunately, -e have a bo=,B replied 4a+araig. asilio couldnt come. oth o% you,

come in -ith us.B

adeo did not -ait %or the invitation to be repeated, but the novice, %earing that he

-ould intrude, -ith the timidity natural to the provincial #ndian, e=cused himsel%, nor

could he be persuaded to enter.[21;]

1 oiled ShrimpBHr.

2 )ncle $ran+.BHr.

: 4essageries 4aritimes, a $rench line o% steamers in the riental trade.Hr.



The +erfor#ance

he interior o% the theater presented a lively aspect. #t -as %illed %rom top to bottom,

-ith people standing in the corridors and in the aisles, %ighting to -ithdra- a head

%rom some hole -here they had inserted it, or to shove an eye bet-een a collar and anear. he open bo=es, occupied %or the most part by ladies, loo+ed li+e bas+ets o%

%lo-ers, -hose petalsHthe %ansHshoo+ in a light bree(e, -herein hummed a

thousand bees. !o-ever, ust as there are %lo-ers o% strong or delicate %ragrance,

%lo-ers that +ill and %lo-ers that console, so %rom our bas+ets -ere e=haled li+e

emanations0 there -ere to be heard dialogues, conversations, remar+s that bit and

stung. hree or %our bo=es, ho-ever, -ere still vacant, in spite o% the lateness o% the

hour. he per%ormance had been advertised %or hal%Dpast eight and it -as already a

uarter to nine, but the curtain did not go up, as his E=cellency had not yet arrived.

he galleryDgods, impatient and uncom%ortable in their seats, started a rac+et, clapping

their hands and pounding the %loor -ith their canes.

oomHboomHboomA "ing up the curtainA oomHboomHboomAB

he artillerymen -ere not the least noisy. Emulators o% 4ars, as enD<ayb called

them, they -ere not satis%ied -ith this music? thin+ing themselves perhaps at a

bull%ight, they made remar+s at the ladies -ho passed be%ore them in -ords that are

euphemistically called %lo-ers in 4adrid, although at times they seem more li+e %oul

-eeds. *ithout heeding the %urious loo+s o% the husbands, they [211] bandied %rom one

to another the sentiments and longings inspired by so many beauties.

#n the reserved seats, -here the ladies seemed to be a%raid to venture, as %e- -ere to

be seen there, a murmur o% voices prevailed amid suppressed laughter and clouds o%

tobacco smo+e. hey discussed the merits o% the players and tal+ed scandal,

-ondering i% his E=cellency had uarreled -ith the %riars, i% his presence at such a

sho- -as a de%iance or mere curiosity. thers gave no heed to these matters, but -ere

engaged in attracting the attention o% the ladies, thro-ing themselves into attitudes

more or less interesting and statuesue, %lashing diamond rings, especially -hen they

thought themselves the %oci o% insistent operaDglasses, -hile yet another -ould

address a respect%ul salute to this or that seKora or seKorita, at the same time lo-ering

his head gravely to -hisper to a neighbor, !o- ridiculous she isA @nd such a boreAB

he lady -ould respond -ith one o% her most gracious smiles and an enchanting nod

o% her head, -hile murmuring to a %riend sitting near, amid la(y %lourishes o% her %an,

!o- impudent he isA !es madly in love, my dear.B



4ean-hile, the noise increased. here remained only t-o vacant bo=es, besides that

o% his E=cellency, -hich -as distinguished by its curtains o% red velvet. he orchestra

played another -alt(, the audience protested, -hen %ortunately there arose a charitable

hero to distract their attention and relieve the manager, in the person o% a man -ho

had occupied a reserved seat and re%used to give it up to its o-ner, the philosopher

3on Primitivo. $inding his o-n arguments useless, 3on Primitivo had appealed to anusher. # dont care to,B the hero responded to the latters protests, placidly pu%%ing at

his cigarette. he usher appealed to the manager. # dont care to,B -as the response,

as he settled bac+ in the seat. he manager -ent a-ay, -hile the artillerymen in the

gallery began to sing out encouragement to the usurper.

ur hero, no- that he had attracted general attention, [212]thought that to yield -ould

be to lo-er himsel%, so he held on to the seat, -hile he repeated his ans-er to a pair o%

guards the manager had called in. hese, in consideration o% the rebels ran+, -ent in

search o% their corporal, -hile the -hole house bro+e out into applause at the %irmness

o% the hero, -ho remained seated li+e a "oman senator.

!isses -ere heard, and the in%le=ible gentleman turned angrily to see i% they -ere

meant %or him, but the galloping o% horses resounded and the stir increased. ne might

have said that a revolution had bro+en out, or at least a riot, but no, the orchestra had

suspended the -alt( and -as playing the royal march0 it -as his E=cellency, the

CaptainD5eneral and 5overnor o% the islands, -ho -as entering. @ll eyes sought and

%ollo-ed him, then lost sight o% him, until he %inally appeared in his bo=. @%ter loo+ing

all about him and ma+ing some persons happy -ith a lordly salute, he sat do-n, as

though he -ere indeed the man %or -hom the chair -as -aiting. he artillerymen then

became silent and the orchestra tore into the prelude.

ur students occupied a bo= directly %acing that o% Pepay, the dancing girl. !er bo=

-as a present %rom 4a+araig, -ho had already got on good terms -ith her in order to

propitiate 3on Custodio. Pepay had that very a%ternoon -ritten a note to the illustrious

arbiter, as+ing %or an ans-er and appointing an intervie- in the theater. $or this

reason, 3on Custodio, in spite o% the active opposition he had mani%ested to-ard the

$rench operetta, had gone to the theater, -hich action -on him some caustic remar+s

on the part o% 3on 4anuel, his ancient adversary in the sessions o% the @yuntamiento.

#ve come to udge the operetta,B he had replied in the tone o% a Cato -hose

conscience -as clear.

So 4a+araig -as e=changing loo+s o% intelligence -ith Pepay, -ho -as giving him to

understand that she had something to tell him. @s the dancing girls %ace -ore a happy

e=pression, the students augured that a %avorable outcome -as assured. Sandoval, -ho

had ust returned [21:]%rom ma+ing calls in other bo=es, also assured them that the



decision had been %avorable, that that very a%ternoon the Superior Commission had

considered and approved it. Every one -as ubilant, even Pecson having laid aside his

pessimism -hen he sa- the smiling Pepay display a note. Sandoval and 4a+araig

congratulated one another, #sagani alone remaining cold and unsmiling. *hat had

happened to this young manG

)pon entering the theater, #sagani had caught sight o% Paulita in a bo=, -ith &uanito

Pelae( tal+ing to her. !e had turned pale, thin+ing that he must be mista+en. ut no, it

-as she hersel%, she -ho greeted him -ith a gracious smile, -hile her beauti%ul eyes

seemed to be as+ing pardon and promising e=planations. he %act -as that they had

agreed upon #saganis going %irst to the theater to see i% the sho- contained anything

improper %or a young -oman, but no- he %ound her there, and in no other company

than that o% his rival. *hat passed in his mind is indescribable0 -rath, ealousy,

humiliation, resentment raged -ithin him, and there -ere moments even -hen he

-ished that the theater -ould %all in? he had a violent desire to laugh aloud, to insult

his s-eetheart, to challenge his rival, to ma+e a scene, but %inally contented himsel%

-ith sitting uiet and not loo+ing at her at all. !e -as conscious o% the beauti%ul plans

4a+araig and Sandoval -ere ma+ing, but they sounded li+e distant echoes, -hile the

notes o% the -alt( seemed sad and lugubrious, the -hole audience stupid and %oolish,

and several times he had to ma+e an e%%ort to +eep bac+ the tears. % the trouble

stirred up by the hero -ho re%used to give up the seat, o% the arrival o% the CaptainD

5eneral, he -as scarcely conscious. !e stared to-ard the dropDcurtain, on -hich -as

depicted a +ind o% gallery -ith sumptuous red hangings, a%%ording a vie- o% a garden

in -hich a %ountain played, yet ho- sad the gallery loo+ed to him and ho-

melancholy the painted landscapeA @ thousand vague recollections surged into his

memory li+e distant echoes o% music heard in the night, [21O]li+e songs o% in%ancy, the

murmur o% lonely %orests and gloomy rivulets, moonlit nights on the shore o% the sea

spread -ide be%ore his eyes. So the enamored youth considered himsel% very -retched

and stared %i=edly at the ceiling so that the tears should not %all %rom his eyes.

@ burst o% applause dre- him %rom these meditations. he curtain had ust risen, and

the merry chorus o% peasants o% Corneville -as presented, all dressed in cotton caps,

-ith heavy -ooden sabots on their %eet. Some si= or seven girls, -ellDrouged on the

lips and chee+s, -ith large blac+ circles around their eyes to increase their brilliance,

displayed -hite arms, %ingers covered -ith diamonds, round and shapely limbs. *hilethey -ere chanting the orman phrase AlleH! mar#heH" AlleH! mar#heH"B they smiled

at their di%%erent admirers in the reserved seats -ith such openness that 3on Custodio,

a%ter loo+ing to-ard Pepays bo= to assure himsel% that she -as not doing the same

thing -ith some other admirer, set do-n in his noteDboo+ this indecency, and to ma+e

sure o% it lo-ered his head a little to see i% the actresses -ere not sho-ing their +nees.



h, these $rench-omenAB he muttered, -hile his imagination lost itsel% in

considerations some-hat more elevated, as he made comparisons and proects.

uoi v+la tous les #an#ans d+la s+maine"B sang 5ertrude, a proud damsel, -ho -as

loo+ing roguishly as+ance at the CaptainD5eneral.

*ere going to have the cancanAB e=claimed adeo, the -inner o% the %irst pri(e in

the $rench class, -ho had managed to ma+e out this -ord. 4a+araig, theyre going

to dance the cancanAB

!e rubbed his hands glee%ully. $rom the moment the curtain rose, adeo had been

heedless o% the music. !e -as loo+ing only %or the prurient, the indecent, the immoral

in actions and dress, and -ith his scanty $rench -as sharpening his ears to catch the

obscenities that the austere guardians o% the %atherland had %oretold.

Sandoval, pretending to +no- $rench, had converted himsel% [217]into a +ind o%interpreter %or his %riends. !e +ne- as much about it as adeo, but the published

synopsis helped him and his %ancy supplied the rest. Nes,B he said, theyre going to

dance the cancanHshes going to lead it.B

4a+araig and Pecson redoubled their attention, smiling in anticipation, -hile #sagani

loo+ed a-ay, morti%ied to thin+ that Paulita should be present at such a sho- and

re%lecting that it -as his duty to challenge &uanito Pelae( the ne=t day.

ut the young men -aited in vain. Serpolette came on, a charming girl, in her cotton

cap, provo+ing and challenging. Jein! qui parle de ,erpoletteKB she demanded o% thegossips, -ith her arms a+imbo in a combative attitude. Some one applauded, and a%ter

him all those in the reserved seats. *ithout changing her girlish attitude, Serpolette

ga(ed at the person -ho had started the applause and paid him -ith a smile,

displaying ro-s o% little teeth that loo+ed li+e a string o% pearls in a case o% red velvet.

adeo %ollo-ed her ga(e and sa- a man in a %alse mustache -ith an e=traordinarily

large nose. y the mon+s co-lAB he e=claimed. #ts #reneAB

Nes,B corroborated Sandoval, # sa- him behind the scenes tal+ing -ith the

actresses.B

he truth -as that Padre #rene, -ho -as a melomaniac o% the %irst degree and +ne-

$rench -ell, had been sent to the theater by Padre Salvi as a sort o% religious

detective, or so at least he told the persons -ho recogni(ed him. @s a %aith%ul critic,

-ho should not be satis%ied -ith vie-ing the piece %rom a distance, he -ished to

e=amine the actresses at %irst hand, so he had mingled in the groups o% admirers and



gallants, had penetrated into the greenroom, -here -as -hispered and tal+ed a $rench

reuired by the situation, a market Lren#h, a language that is readily comprehensible

%or the vender -hen the buyer seems disposed to pay -ell.[21/]

Serpolette -as surrounded by t-o gallant o%%icers, a sailor, and a la-yer, -hen she

caught sight o% him moving about, stic+ing the tip o% his long nose into all the noo+sand corners, as though -ith it he -ere %erreting out all the mysteries o% the stage. She

ceased her chatter, +nitted her eyebro-s, then raised them, opened her lips and -ith

the vivacity o% a $arisienne le%t her admirers to hurl hersel% li+e a torpedo upon our

critic.

Tiens! tiens! Toutou" Mon lapin"B she cried, catching Padre #renes arm and sha+ing it

merrily, -hile the air rang -ith her silvery laugh.

ut, tutAB obected Padre #rene, endeavoring to conceal himsel%.

Mais! #omment" Toi i#i! grosse bte" *t moi qui t+#ro&ais? B

+Tais pas d+tapage! @il&" Il faut m+respe#ter" +,uis i#i l+$ape"B

*ith great di%%iculty Padre #rene made her listen to reason, %or Fily -as en#hante< to

meet in 4anila an old %riend -ho reminded her o% the #oulisses o% the 5rand pera

!ouse. So it -as that Padre #rene, %ul%illing at the same time his duties as a %riend and

a critic, had initiated the applause to encourage her, %or Serpolette deserved it.

4ean-hile, the young men -ere -aiting %or the cancan. Pecson became all eyes, butthere -as everything e=cept cancan. here -as presented the scene in -hich, but %or

the timely arrival o% the representatives o% the la-, the -omen -ould have come to

blo-s and torn one anothers hair out, incited thereto by the mischievous peasants,

-ho, li+e our students, hoped to see something more than the cancan.

Scit, scit, scit, scit, scit, scit,

3ispute(Dvous, batte(Dvous,

Scit, scit, scit, scit, scit, scit,

ous allons compter les coups.

he music ceased, the men -ent a-ay, the -omen returned, a %e- at a time, and

started a conversation among [21>]themselves, o% -hich our %riends understood

nothing. hey -ere slandering some absent person.

hey loo+ li+e the Chinamen o% the pansiteria"B -hispered Pecson.



ut, the cancanGB as+ed 4a+araig.

heyre tal+ing about the most suitable place to dance it,B gravely responded

Sandoval.

hey loo+ li+e the Chinamen o% the pansiteria,B repeated Pecson in disgust.

@ lady accompanied by her husband entered at that moment and too+ her place in one

o% the t-o vacant bo=es. She had the air o% a ueen and ga(ed disdain%ully at the

-hole house, as i% to say, #ve come later than all o% you, you cro-d o% upstarts and

provincials, #ve come later than youAB here are persons -ho go to the theater li+e

the contestants in a muleDrace0 the last one in, -ins, and -e +no- very sensible men

-ho -ould ascend the sca%%old rather than enter a theater be%ore the %irst act. ut the

ladys triumph -as o% short durationHshe caught sight o% the other bo= that -as still

empty, and began to scold her better hal%, thus starting such a disturbance that many

-ere annoyed.

SshA SshAB

he bloc+headsA @s i% they understood $renchAB remar+ed the lady, ga(ing -ith

supreme disdain in all directions, %inally %i=ing her attention on &uanitos bo=, -hence

she thought she had heard an impudent hiss.

&uanito -as in %act guilty, %or he had been pretending to understand everything,

holding himsel% up proudly and applauding at times as though nothing that -as said

escaped him, and this too -ithout guiding himsel% by the actors pantomime, becausehe scarcely loo+ed to-ard the stage. he rogue had intentionally remar+ed to Paulita

that, as there -as so much more beauti%ul a -oman close at hand, he did not care to

strain his eyes loo+ing beyond her. Paulita had blushed, covered her %ace -ith her %an,

and glanced stealthily to-ard -here #sagani, silent and morose, -as abstractedly

-atching the sho-.[21]

Paulita %elt nettled and ealous. *ould #sagani %all in love -ith any o% those alluring

actressesG he thought put her in a bad humor, so she scarcely heard the praises that

3oKa Iictorina -as heaping upon her o-n %avorite.

&uanito -as playing his part -ell0 he shoo+ his head at times in sign o% disapproval,

and then there could be heard coughs and murmurs in some parts, at other times he

smiled in approbation, and a second later applause resounded. 3oKa Iictorina -as

charmed, even conceiving some vague ideas o% marrying the young man the day 3on

iburcio should dieH&uanito +ne- $rench and 3e EspadaKa didntA hen she began

to %latter him, nor did he perceive the change in the dri%t o% her tal+, so occupied -as



he in -atching a Catalan merchant -ho -as sitting ne=t to the S-iss consul. !aving

observed that they -ere conversing in $rench, &uanito -as getting his inspiration %rom

their countenances, and thus grandly giving the cue to those about him.

Scene %ollo-ed scene, character succeeded character, comic and ridiculous li+e the

baili%% and 5renicheu=, imposing and -insome li+e the maruis and 5ermaine. heaudience laughed heartily at the slap delivered by 5aspard and intended %or the

co-ard 5renicheu=, -hich -as received by the grave baili%%, -hose -ig -ent %lying

through the air, producing disorder and con%usion as the curtain dropped.

*heres the cancanGB inuired adeo.

ut the curtain rose again immediately, revealing a scene in a servant mar+et, -ith

three posts on -hich -ere a%%i=ed signs bearing the

announcements0 servantes, #o#hers, and domestiques. &uanito, to improve the

opportunity, turned to 3oKa Iictorina and said in a loud voice, so that Paulita mighthear and he convinced o% his learning0

,ervantes means servants, domestiques domestics.B

@nd in -hat -ay do the servantes di%%er %rom the domestiquesGB as+ed Paulita.

&uanito -as not %ound -anting. :omestiques are those [219]that are domesticatedH

havent you noticed that some o% them have the air o% savagesG hose are

the servantes.B

hats right,B added 3oKa Iictorina, some have very bad mannersHand yet #

thought that in Europe everybody -as cultivated. ut as it happens in $rance,H-ell, #

seeAB

SshA SshAB

ut -hat -as &uanitos predicament -hen the time came %or the opening o% the mar+et

and the beginning o% the sale, and the servants -ho -ere to be hired placed

themselves beside the signs that indicated their classA he men, some ten or t-elve

rough characters in livery, carrying branches in their hands, too+ their place under thesign domestiquesA

hose are the domestics,B e=plained &uanito.

"eally, they have the appearance o% being only recently domesticated,B observed

3oKa Iictorina. o- lets have a loo+ at the savages.B



hen the do(en girls headed by the lively and merry Serpolette, dec+ed out in their

best clothes, each -earing a big bouuet o% %lo-ers at the -aist, laughing, smiling,

%resh and attractive, placed themselves, to &uanitos great desperation, beside the post

o% the servantes.

!o-s thisGB as+ed Paulita guilelessly. @re those the savages that you spo+e o%GB

o,B replied the imperturbable &uanito, theres a mista+eHtheyve got their places

mi=edHthose coming behindHB

hose -ith the -hipsGB

&uanito nodded assent, but he -as rather perple=ed and uneasy.

So those girls are the #o#hersGB

!ere &uanito -as attac+ed by such a violent %it o% coughing that some o% the spectators

became annoyed.

Put him outA Put the consumptive outAB called a voice.

ConsumptiveA o be called a consumptive be%ore PaulitaA &uanito -anted to %ind the

blac+guard and ma+e [22;]him s-allo- that consumptive.B bserving that the

-omen -ere trying to hold him bac+, his bravado increased, and he became more

conspicuously %erocious. ut %ortunately it -as 3on Custodio -ho had made the

diagnosis, and he, %ear%ul o% attracting attention to himsel%, pretended to hear nothing,apparently busy -ith his criticism o% the play.

#% it -erent that # am -ith you,B remar+ed &uanito, rolling his eyes li+e some dolls

that are moved by cloc+-or+, and to ma+e the resemblance more real he stuc+ out his

tongue occasionally.

hus that night he acuired in 3oKa Iictorinas eyes the reputation o% being brave and

punctilious, so she decided in her heart that she -ould marry him ust as soon as 3on

iburcio -as out o% the -ay. Paulita became sadder and sadder in thin+ing about ho-

the girls called #o#hers could occupy #saganis attention, %or the name had certaindisagreeable associations that came %rom the slang o% her convent schoolDdays.

@t length the %irst act -as concluded, the maruis ta+ing a-ay as servants Serpolette

and 5ermaine, the representative o% timid beauty in the troupe, and %or coachman the

stupid 5renicheu=. @ burst o% applause brought them out again holding hands, those

-ho %ive seconds be%ore had been tormenting one another and -ere about to come to



blo-s, bo-ing and smiling here and there to the gallant 4anila public and e=changing

+no-ing loo+s -ith various spectators.

*hile there prevailed the passing tumult occasioned by those -ho cro-ded one

another to get into the greenroom and %elicitate the actresses and by those -ho -ere

going to ma+e calls on the ladies in the bo=es, some e=pressed their opinions o% the play and the players.

)ndoubtedly, Serpolette is the best,B said one -ith a +no-ing air.

# pre%er 5ermaine, shes an ideal blonde.B

ut she hasnt any voice.B[221]

*hat do # care about the voiceGB

*ell, %or shape, the tall one.B

Psha-,B said enD<ayb, not a one is -orth a stra-, not a one is an artistAB

enD<ayb -as the critic %or *l Grito de la Integridad , and his disdain%ul air gave him

great importance in the eyes o% those -ho -ere satis%ied -ith so little.

Serpolette hasnt any voice, nor 5ermaine grace, nor is that music, nor is it art, nor is

it anythingAB he concluded -ith mar+ed contempt. o set onesel% up as a great critic

there is nothing li+e appearing to be discontented -ith everything. esides, themanagement had sent only t-o seats %or the ne-spaper sta%%.

#n the bo=es curiosity -as aroused as to -ho could be the possessor o% the empty one,

%or that person, -ould surpass every one in chic, since he -ould be the last to arrive.

he rumor started some-here that it belonged to Simoun, and -as con%irmed0 no one

had seen the e-eler in the reserved seats, the greenroom, or any-here else.

Net # sa- him this a%ternoon -ith 4r. &ouay,B some one said. !e presented a

nec+lace to one o% the actresses.B

o -hich oneGB as+ed some o% the inuisitive ladies.

o the %inest o% all, the one -ho made eyes at his E=cellency.B

his in%ormation -as received -ith loo+s o% intelligence, -in+s, e=clamations o%

doubt, o% con%irmation, and hal%Duttered commentaries.



!es trying to play the 4onte Cristo,B remar+ed a lady -ho prided hersel% on being

literary.

r purveyor to the PalaceAB added her escort, ealous o% Simoun.

#n the students bo=, Pecson, Sandoval, and #sagani had remained, -hile adeo hadgone to engage 3on Custodio in conversation about his proects, and 4a+araig to hold

an intervie- -ith Pepay.

#n no -ay, as # have observed to you be%ore, %riend [222]#sagani,B declared Sandoval

-ith violent gestures and a sonorous voice, so that the ladies near the bo=, the

daughters o% the rich man -ho -as in debt to adeo, might hear him, in no -ay does

the $rench language possess the rich sonorousness or the varied and elegant cadence

o% the Castilian tongue. # cannot conceive, # cannot imagine, # cannot %orm any idea o%

$rench orators, and # doubt that they have ever had any or can have any no- in the

strict construction o% the term orator, because -e must not con%use the name orator-ith the -ords babbler and charlatan, %or these can e=ist in any country, in all the

regions o% the inhabited -orld, among the cold and curt Englishmen as among the

lively and impressionable $renchmen.B

hus he delivered a magni%icent revie- o% the nations, -ith his poetical

characteri(ations and most resounding epithets. #sagani nodded assent, -ith his

thoughts %i=ed on Paulita, -hom he had surprised ga(ing at him -ith an e=pressive

loo+ -hich contained a -ealth o% meaning. !e tried to divine -hat those eyes -ere

e=pressingHthose eyes that -ere so elouent and not at all deceptive.

o- you -ho are a poet, a slave to rhyme and meter, a son o% the 4uses,B continued

Sandoval, -ith an elegant -ave o% his hand, as though he -ere saluting, on the

hori(on, the ine Sisters, do you comprehend, can you conceive, ho- a language so

harsh and unmusical as $rench can give birth to poets o% such gigantic stature as our

5arcilasos, our !erreras, our Esproncedas, our CalderonsGB

evertheless,B obected Pecson, Iictor !ugoHB

Iictor !ugo, my %riend Pecson, i% Iictor !ugo is a poet, it is because he o-es it to

Spain, because it is an established %act, it is a matter beyond all doubt, a thingadmitted even by the $renchmen themselves, so envious o% Spain, that i% Iictor !ugo

has genius, i% he really is a poet, it is because his childhood -as spent in 4adrid? there

he dran+ in his %irst impressions, there his brain -as molded, there his imagination

-as colored, his heart modeled, and the most beauti%ul concepts o% his mind

born. [22:]@nd a%ter all, -ho is Iictor !ugoG #s he to be compared at all -ith our

modernHB



his peroration -as cut short by the return o% 4a+araig -ith a despondent air and a

bitter smile on his lips, carrying in his hand a note, -hich he o%%ered silently to

Sandoval, -ho read0

4N 3IE0 Nour letter has reached me late, %or # have already handed in my decision, and it

has been approved. !o-ever, as i% # had guessed your -ish, # have decided the matter accordingto the desires o% your prot'g's. #ll be at the theater and -ait %or you a%ter the per%ormance.

Nour duc+ling,

C)S3##5.B

!o- tender the man isAB e=claimed adeo -ith emotion.

*ellGB said Sandoval. # dont see anything -rong about thisHuite the reverseAB

Nes,B reoined 4a+araig -ith his bitter smile, decided %avorablyA #ve ust seen

Padre #rene.B

*hat does Padre #rene sayGB inuired Pecson.

he same as 3on Custodio, and the rascal still had the audacity to congratulate me.

he Commission, -hich has ta+en as its o-n the decision o% the arbiter, approves the

idea and %elicitates the students on their patriotism and their thirst %or +no-ledgeHB

*ellGB

nly that, considering our dutiesHin short, it says that in order that the idea may not

be lost, it concludes that the direction and e=ecution o% the plan should be placed in

charge o% one o% the religious corporations, in case the 3ominicans do not -ish to

incorporate the academy -ith the )niversity.B

E=clamations o% disappointment greeted the announcement. #sagani rose, but said

nothing.

@nd in order that -e may participate in the management o% the academy,B 4a+araig

-ent on, -e are intrusted -ith the collection o% contributions and dues, -ith [22O]theobligation o% turning them over to the treasurer -hom the corporation may designate,

-hich treasurer -ill issue us receipts.B

hen -ere ta=DcollectorsAB remar+ed adeo.

Sandoval,B said Pecson, theres the gauntletHta+e it upAB



!uhA hats not a gauntletH%rom its odor it seems more li+e a soc+.B

he %unniest, part o% it,B 4a+araig added, is that Padre #rene has advised us to

celebrate the event -ith a banuet or a torchlight processionHa public demonstration

o% the students en masseto render than+s to all the persons -ho have intervened in the

a%%air.B

Nes, a%ter the blo-, lets sing and give than+s. ,uper flumina =ab&lonis sedimusAB

Nes, a banuet li+e that o% the convicts,B said adeo.

@ banuet at -hich -e all -ear mourning and deliver %uneral orations,B added

Sandoval.

@ serenade -ith the 4arseillaise and %uneral marches,B proposed #sagani.

o, gentlemen,B observed Pecson -ith his clo-nish grin, to celebrate the event

theres nothing li+e a banuet in a pansitería, served by the Chinamen -ithout

camisas. # insist, -ithout camisasAB

he sarcasm and grotesueness o% this idea -on it ready acceptance, Sandoval being

the %irst to applaud it, %or he had long -ished to see the interior o% one o% those

establishments -hich at night appeared to be so merry and cheer%ul.

&ust as the orchestra struc+ up %or the second act, the young men arose and le%t the

theater, to the scandal o% the -hole house.[227]

" Corpse

Simoun had not, in %act, gone to the theater. @lready, at seven ocloc+ in the evening,

he had le%t his house loo+ing -orried and gloomy. !is servants sa- him return t-ice,

accompanied by di%%erent individuals, and at eight ocloc+ 4a+araig encountered him

pacing along Calle !ospital near the nunnery o% St. Clara, ust -hen the bells o% its

church -ere ringing a %uneral +nell. @t nine Camaroncocido sa- him again, in the

neighborhood o% the theater, spea+ -ith a person -ho seemed to be a student, pay the

latters admission to the sho-, and again disappear among the shado-s o% the trees.

*hat is it to meGB again muttered Camaroncocido. *hat do # get out o% -atching

over the populaceGB

asilio, as 4a+araig said, had not gone to the sho-. he poor student, a%ter returning

%rom San 3iego, -hither he had gone to ransom &uli, his %uture bride, %rom her



servitude, had turned again to his studies, spending his time in the hospital, in

studying, or in nursing Capitan iago, -hose a%%liction he -as trying to cure.

he invalid had become an intolerable character. 3uring his bad spells, -hen he %elt

depressed %rom lac+ o% opium, the doses o% -hich asilio -as trying to reduce, he

-ould scold, mistreat, and abuse the boy, -ho bore it resignedly, conscious that he-as doing good to one to -hom he o-ed so much, and yielded only in the last

e=tremity. !is vicious appetite satis%ied, Capitan iago -ould %all into a good humor,

become tender, and call him his son, tear%ully recalling the youths services, ho- -ell

he administered the estates, and -ould even tal+ o% ma+ing [22/]him his heir. asilio

-ould smile bitterly and re%lect that in this -orld complaisance -ith vice is re-arded

better than %ul%ilment o% duty. ot a %e- times did he %eel tempted to give %ree rein to

the craving and conduct his bene%actor to the grave by a path o% %lo-ers and smiling

illusions rather than lengthen his li%e along a road o% sacri%ice.

*hat a %ool # amAB he o%ten said to himsel%. People are stupid and then pay %or it.B

ut he -ould sha+e his head as he thought o% &uli, o% the -ide %uture be%ore him. !e

counted upon living -ithout a stain on his conscience, so he continued the treatment

prescribed, and bore everything patiently.

Net -ith all his care the sic+ man, e=cept %or short periods o% improvement, gre-

-orse. asilio had planned gradually to reduce the amount o% the dose, or at least not

to let him inure himsel% by increasing it, but on returning %rom the hospital or some

visit he -ould %ind his patient in the heavy slumber produced by the opium, driveling,

pale as a corpse. he young man could not e=plain -hence the drug came0 the onlyt-o persons -ho visited the house -ere Simoun and Padre #rene, the %ormer rarely,

-hile the latter never ceased e=horting him to be severe and ine=orable -ith the

treatment, to ta+e no notice o% the invalids ravings, %or the main obect -as to save

him.

3o your duty, young man,B -as Padre #renes constant admonition. 3o your duty.B

hen he -ould deliver a sermon on this topic -ith such great conviction and

enthusiasm that asilio -ould begin to %eel +indly to-ard the preacher. esides, Padre

#rene promised to get him a %ine assignment, a good province, and even hinted at the

possibility o% having him appointed a pro%essor. *ithout being carried a-ay byillusions, asilio pretended to believe in them and -ent on obeying the dictates o% his

o-n conscience.

hat night, -hile @es %lo#hes de %orneville -as being presented, asilio -as

studying at an old table by the light [22>]o% an oilDlamp, -hose thic+ glass globe partly

illuminated his melancholy %eatures. @n old s+ull, some human bones, and a %e-



boo+s care%ully arranged covered the table, -hereon there -as also a pan o% -ater

-ith a sponge. he smell o% opium that proceeded %rom the adoining bedroom made

the air heavy and inclined him to sleep, but he overcame the desire by bathing his

temples and eyes %rom time to time, determined not to go to sleep until he had

%inished the boo+, -hich he had borro-ed and must return as soon as possible. #t -as

a volume o% the Medi#ina @egal & ToBi#ología o% 3r. $riata, the only boo+ that the pro%essor -ould use, and asilio lac+ed money to buy a copy, since, under the prete=t

o% its being %orbidden by the censor in 4anila and the necessity %or bribing many

government employees to get it in, the boo+sellers charged a high price %or it.

So absorbed -ras the youth in his studies that he had not given any attention at all to

some pamphlets that had been sent to him %rom some un+no-n source, pamphlets that

treated o% the Philippines, among -hich %igured those that -ere attracting the greatest

notice at the time because o% their harsh and insulting manner o% re%erring to the

natives o% the country. asilio had no time to open them, and he -as perhaps

restrained also by the thought that there is nothing pleasant about receiving an insult

or a provocation -ithout having any means o% replying or de%ending onesel%. he

censorship, in %act, permitted insults to the $ilipinos but prohibited replies on their

part.

#n the midst o% the silence that reigned in the house, bro+en only by a %eeble snore that

issued no- and then %rom the adoining bedroom, asilio heard light %oot%alls on the

stairs, %oot%alls that soon crossed the hall-ay and approached the room -here he -as.

"aising his head, he sa- the door open and to his great surprise appeared the sinister

%igure o% the e-eler Simoun, -ho since the scene in San 3iego had not come to visit

either himsel% or Capitan iago.

!o- is the sic+ manGB he inuired, thro-ing a rapid [22]glance about the room and

%i=ing his attention on the pamphlets, the leaves o% -hich -ere still uncut.

he beating o% his heart is scarcely perceptible, his pulse is very -ea+, his appetite

entirely gone,B replied asilio in a lo- voice -ith a sad smile. !e s-eats pro%usely

in the early morning.B

oticing that Simoun +ept his %ace turned to-ard the pamphlets and %earing that he

might reopen the subect o% their conversation in the -ood, he -ent on0 !is system issaturated -ith poison. !e may die any day, as though struc+ by lightning. he least

irritation, any e=citement may +ill him.B

Fi+e the PhilippinesAB observed Simoun lugubriously.



asilio -as unable to re%rain %rom a gesture o% impatience, but he -as determined not

to recur to the old subect, so he proceeded as i% he had heard nothing0 *hat -ea+ens

him the most is the nightmares, his terrorsHB

Fi+e the governmentAB again interrupted Simoun.

Several nights ago he a-o+e in the dar+ and thought that he had gone blind. !e

raised a disturbance, lamenting and scolding me, saying that # had put his eyes out.

*hen # entered his room -ith a light he mistoo+ me %or Padre #rene and called me his

saviour.B

Fi+e the government, e=actlyAB

Fast night,B continued asilio, paying no attention, he got up begging %or his

%avorite gameDcoc+, the one that died three years ago, and # had to give him a chic+en.

hen he heaped blessings upon me and promised me many thousandsHB

@t that instant a cloc+ struc+ hal%Dpast ten. Simoun shuddered and stopped the youth

-ith a gesture.

asilio,B he said in a lo-, tense voice, listen to me care%ully, %or the moments are

precious. # see that you havent opened the pamphlets that # sent you. Noure not

interested in your country.B

he youth started to protest.

#ts useless,B -ent on Simoun dryly. *ithin an [229]hour the revolution is going to

brea+ out at a signal %rom me, and tomorro- therell be no studies, therell be no

)niversity, therell be nothing but %ighting and butchery. # have everything ready and

my success is assured. *hen -e triumph, all those -ho could have helped us and did

not do so -ill be treated as enemies. asilio, #ve come to o%%er you death or a %utureAB

3eath or a %utureAB the boy echoed, as though he did not understand.

*ith us or -ith the government,B reoined Simoun. *ith your country or -ith your

oppressors. 3ecide, %or time pressesA #ve come to save you because o% the memoriesthat unite usAB

*ith my country or -ith the oppressorsAB repeated asilio in a lo- tone. he youth

-as stupe%ied. !e ga(ed at the e-eler -ith eyes in -hich terror -as re%lected, he %elt

his limbs turn cold, -hile a thousand con%used ideas -hirled about in his mind. !e

sa- the streets running blood, he heard the %iring, he %ound himsel% among the dead



and -ounded, and by the peculiar %orce o% his inclinations %ancied himsel% in an

operators blouse, cutting o%% legs and e=tracting bullets.

he -ill o% the government is in my hands,B said Simoun. #ve diverted and -asted

its %eeble strength and resources on %oolish e=peditions, da((ling it -ith the plunder it

might sei(e. #ts heads are no- in the theater, calm and unsuspecting, thin+ing o% anight o% pleasure, but not one shall again repose upon a pillo-. # have men and

regiments at my disposition0 some # have led to believe that the uprising is ordered by

the 5eneral? others that the %riars are bringing it about? some # have bought -ith

promises, -ith employments, -ith money? many, very many, are acting %rom revenge,

because they are oppressed and see it as a matter o% +illing or being +illed. Cabesang

ales is belo-, he has come -ith me hereA @gain # as+ youH-ill you come -ith us or

do you pre%er to e=pose yoursel% to the resentment o% my %ollo-ersG #n critical

moments, [2:;]to declare onesel% neutral is to be e=posed to the -rath o% both the

contending parties.B

asilio rubbed his hand over his %ace several times, as i% he -ere trying to -a+e %rom

a nightmare. !e %elt that his bro- -as cold.

3ecideAB repeated Simoun.

@nd -hatH-hat -ould # have to doGB as+ed the youth in a -ea+ and bro+en voice.

@ very simple thing,B replied Simoun, his %ace lighting up -ith a ray o% hope. @s #

have to direct the movement, # cannot get a-ay %rom the scene o% action. # -ant you,

-hile the attention o% the -hole city is directed else-here, at the head o% a company to%orce the doors o% the nunnery o% St. Clara and ta+e %rom there a person -hom only

you, besides mysel% and Capitan iago, can recogni(e. Noull run no ris+ at all.B

4aria ClaraAB e=claimed asilio.

Nes, 4aria Clara,B repeated Simoun, and %or the %irst time his voice became human

and compassionate. # -ant to save her? to save her # have -ished to live, # have

returned. # am starting the revolution, because only a revolution can open the doors o%

the nunneries.B

@yAB sighed asilio, clasping his hands. Nouve come late, too lateAB

*hyGB inuired Simoun -ith a %ro-n.

4aria Clara is deadAB



Simoun arose -ith a bound and stood over the youth. Shes deadGB he demanded in a

terrible voice.

his a%ternoon, at si=. y no- she must beHB

#ts a lieAB roared Simoun, pale and beside himsel%. #ts %alseA 4aria Clara lives,4aria Clara must liveA #ts a co-ardly e=cuseA Shes not dead, and this night #ll %ree

her or tomorro- you dieAB

asilio shrugged his shoulders. Several days ago she -as ta+en ill and # -ent to the

nunnery %or ne-s o% her. Foo+, here is Padre Salvis letter, brought by Padre #rene.

Capitan iago -ept all the evening, +issing his daughters [2:1] picture and begging her

%orgiveness, until at last he smo+ed an enormous uantity o% opium. his evening her

+nell -as tolled.B

@hAB e=claimed Simoun, pressing his hands to his head and standing motionless. !eremembered to have actually heard the +nell -hile he -as pacing about in the vicinity

o% the nunnery.

3eadAB he murmured in a voice so lo- that it seemed to be a ghost -hispering.

3eadA 3ead -ithout my having seen her, dead -ithout +no-ing that # lived %or herH

deadAB

$eeling a terrible storm, a tempest o% -hirl-ind and thunder -ithout a drop o% -ater,

sobs -ithout tears, cries -ithout -ords, rage in his breast and threaten to burst out li+e

burning lava long repressed, he rushed precipitately %rom the room. asilio heard himdescend the stairs -ith unsteady tread, stepping heavily, he heard a sti%led cry, a cry

that seemed to presage death, so solemn, deep, and sad that he arose %rom his chair

pale and trembling, but he could hear the %ootsteps die a-ay and the noisy closing o%

the door to the street.

Poor %ello-AB he murmured, -hile his eyes %illed -ith tears. !eedless no- o% his

studies, he let his ga(e -ander into space as he pondered over the %ate o% those t-o

beings0 heHyoung, rich, educated, master o% his %ortunes, -ith a brilliant %uture

be%ore him? sheH%air as a dream, pure, %ull o% %aith and innocence, nurtured amid love

and laughter, destined to a happy e=istence, to be adored in the %amily and respectedin the -orld? and yet o% those t-o beings, %illed -ith love, -ith illusions and hopes, by

a %atal destiny he -andered over the -orld, dragged ceaselessly through a -hirl o%

blood and tears, so-ing evil instead o% doing good, undoing virtue and encouraging

vice, -hile she -as dying in the mysterious shado-s o% the cloister -here she had

sought peace and perhaps %ound su%%ering, -here she entered pure and stainless and

e=pired li+e a crushed %lo-erA[2:2]



Sleep in peace, illDstarred daughter o% my hapless %atherlandA ury in the grave the

enchantments o% youth, %aded in their primeA *hen a people cannot o%%er its daughters

a tranuil home under the protection o% sacred liberty, -hen a man can only leave to

his -ido- blushes, tears to his mother, and slavery to his children, you do -ell to

condemn yoursel% to perpetual chastity, sti%ling -ithin you the germ o% a %uture

generation accursedA *ell %or you that you have not to shudder in your grave, hearingthe cries o% those -ho groan in dar+ness, o% those -ho %eel that they have -ings and

yet are %ettered, o% those -ho are sti%led %rom lac+ o% libertyA 5o, go -ith your poets

dreams into the regions o% the in%inite, spirit o% -oman dimDshado-ed in the

moonlights beam, -hispered in the bending arches o% the bambooDbra+esA !appy she

-ho dies lamented, she -ho leaves in the heart that loves her a pure picture, a sacred

remembrance, unspotted by the base passions engendered by the yearsA 5o, -e shall

remember youA #n the clear air o% our native land, under its a(ure s+y, above the

billo-s o% the la+e set amid sapphire hills and emerald shores, in the crystal streams

shaded by the bamboos, bordered by %lo-ers, enlivened by the beetles and butter%lies

-ith their uncertain and -avering %light as though playing -ith the air, in the silence

o% our %orests, in the singing o% our rivers, in the diamond sho-ers o% our -ater%alls, in

the resplendent light o% our moon, in the sighs o% the night bree(e, in all that may call

up the vision o% the beloved, -e must eternally see you as -e dreamed o% you, %air,

beauti%ul, radiant -ith hope, pure as the light, yet still sad and melancholy in the

contemplation o% our -oesA[2::]

Drea#s

@mor, u' astro eresG

n the %ollo-ing day, hursday, at the hour o% sunset, #sagani -as -al+ing along the

beauti%ul promenade o% 4aria Cristina in the direction o% the 4alecon to +eep an

appointment -hich Paulita had that morning given him. he young man had no doubt

that they -ere to tal+ about -hat had happened on the previous night, and as he -as

determined to as+ %or an e=planation, and +ne- ho- proud and haughty she -as, he

%oresa- an estrangement. #n vie- o% this eventuality he had brought -ith him the only

t-o letters he had ever received %rom Paulita, t-o scraps o% paper, -hereon -ere

merely a %e- hurriedly -ritten lines -ith various blots, but in an even hand-riting,

things that did not prevent the enamored youth %rom preserving them -ith moresolicitude than i% they had been the autographs o% Sappho and the 4use Polyhymnia.

his decision to sacri%ice his love on the altar o% dignity, the consciousness o%

su%%ering in the discharge o% duty, did not prevent a pro%ound melancholy %rom ta+ing

possession o% #sagani and brought bac+ into his mind the beauti%ul days, and nights

more beauti%ul still, -hen they had -hispered s-eet nothings through the %lo-ered



gratings o% the entresol, nothings that to the youth too+ on such a character o%

seriousness and importance that they seemed to him the only matters -orthy o%

meriting the attention o% the most e=alted human understanding. !e recalled the -al+s

on moonlit nights, the %air, the dar+ 3ecember mornings a%ter the mass o% ativity, the

holy -ater that he used to o%%er her, -hen she -ould than+ him -ith a loo+

charged [2:O]-ith a -hole epic o% love, both o% them trembling as their %ingerstouched. !eavy sighs, li+e small roc+ets, issued %rom his breast and brought bac+ to

him all the verses, all the sayings o% poets and -riters about the inconstancy o%

-oman. #n-ardly he cursed the creation o% theaters, the $rench operetta, and vo-ed to

get revenge on Pelae( at the %irst opportunity. Everything about him appeared under

the saddest and somberest colors0 the bay, deserted and solitary, seemed more solitary

still on account o% the %e- steamers that -ere anchored in it? the sun -as dying behind

4ariveles -ithout poetry or enchantment, -ithout the capricious and richly tinted

clouds o% happier evenings? the @nda monument, in bad taste, mean and suat,

-ithout style, -ithout grandeur, loo+ed li+e a lump o% iceDcream or at best a chun+ o%

ca+e? the people -ho -ere promenading along the 4alecon, in spite o% their

complacent and contented air, appeared distant, haughty, and vain? mischievous and

badDmannered, the boys that played on the beach, s+ipping %lat stones over the sur%ace

o% the -ater or searching in the sand %or mollus+s and crustaceans -hich they caught

%or the mere %un o% catching and +illed -ithout bene%it to themselves? in short, even

the eternal port -or+s to -hich he had dedicated more than three odes, loo+ed to him

absurd, ridiculous childs play.

he port, ah, the port o% 4anila, a bastard that since its conception had brought tears

o% humiliation and shame to allA #% only a%ter so many tears there -ere not being

brought %orth a useless abortionA

@bstractedly he saluted t-o &esuits, %ormer teachers o% his, and scarcely noticed a

tandem in -hich an @merican rode and e=cited the envy o% the gallants -ho -ere in

calesas only. ear the @nda monument he heard enD<ayb tal+ing -ith another

person about Simoun, learning that the latter had on the previous night been ta+en

suddenly ill, that he re%used to see any one, even the very aides o% the 5eneral. NesAB

e=claimed #sagani -ith a bitter smile, %or him attentions because he is rich. he

soldiers return [2:7]%rom their e=peditions sic+ and -ounded, but no one visits them.B

4using over these e=peditions, over the %ate o% the poor soldiers, over the resistance

o%%ered by the islanders to the %oreign yo+e, he thought that, death %or death, i% that o%

the soldiers -as glorious because they -ere obeying orders, that o% the islanders -as

sublime because they -ere de%ending their homes.1

@ strange destiny, that o% some peoplesAB he mused. ecause a traveler arrives at

their shores, they lose their liberty and become subects and slaves, not only o% the



traveler, not only o% his heirs, but even o% all his countrymen, and not %or a generation,

but %or all timeA @ strange conception o% usticeA Such a state o% a%%airs gives ample

right to e=terminate every %oreigner as the most %erocious monster that the sea can cast

upAB

!e re%lected that those islanders, against -hom his country -as -aging -ar, a%ter all-ere guilty o% no crime other than that o% -ea+ness. he travelers also arrived at the

shores o% other peoples, but %inding them strong made no display o% their strange

pretension. *ith all their -ea+ness the spectacle they presented seemed beauti%ul to

him, and the names o% the enemies, -hom the ne-spapers did not %ail to call co-ards

and traitors, appeared glorious to him, as they succumbed -ith glory amid the ruins o%

their crude %orti%ications, -ith greater glory even than the ancient roan heroes, %or

those islanders had carried a-ay no Philippine !elenA #n his poetic enthusiasm he

thought o% the young men o% those islands -ho could cover themselves -ith glory in

the eyes o% their -omen, and in his amorous desperation he envied them because they

could %ind a brilliant suicide.[2:/]

@h, # should li+e to die,B he e=claimed, be reduced to nothingness, leave to my

native land a glorious name, perish in its cause, de%ending it %rom %oreign invasion,

and then let the sun a%ter-ards illumine my corpse, li+e a motionless sentinel on the

roc+s o% the seaAB

he con%lict -ith the 5ermans2 came into his mind and he almost %elt sorry that it had

been adusted0 he -ould gladly have died %or the SpanishD$ilipino banner be%ore

submitting to the %oreigner.

ecause, a%ter all,B he mused, -ith Spain -e are united by %irm bondsHthe past,

history, religion, languageHB

Fanguage, yes, languageA @ sarcastic smile curled his lips. hat very night they -ould

hold a banuet in the pansitería to #elebrate the demise o% the academy o% Castilian.

@yAB he sighed, provided the liberals in Spain are li+e those -e have here, in a little

-hile the mother country -ill be able to count the number o% the %aith%ulAB

Slo-ly the night descended, and -ith it melancholy settled more heavily upon theheart o% the young man, -ho had almost lost hope o% seeing Paulita. he promenaders

one by one le%t the 4alecon %or the Funeta, the music %rom -hich -as borne to him in

snatches o% melodies on the %resh evening bree(e? the sailors on a -arship anchored in

the river per%ormed their evening drill, s+ipping about among the slender ropes li+e

spiders? the boats one by one lighted their lamps, thus giving signs o% li%e? -hile the

beach,



3o el viento ri(a las calladas olas

Lue con blando murmullo en la ribera

Se desli(an veloces por s solas.:

[2:>]

as @laeos says, e=haled in the distance thin, vapors that the moon, no- at its %ull,gradually converted into mysterious transparent gau(e.

@ distant sound became audible, a noise that rapidly approached. #sagani turned his

head and his heart began to beat violently. @ carriage -as coming, dra-n by -hite

horses, the -hite horses that he -ould +no- among a hundred thousand. #n the

carriage rode Paulita and her %riend o% the night be%ore, -ith 3oKa Iictorina.

e%ore the young man could ta+e a step, Paulita had leaped to the ground -ith sylphD

li+e agility and smiled at him -ith a smile %ull o% conciliation. !e smiled in return,

and it seemed to him that all the clouds, all the blac+ thoughts that be%ore had besethim, vanished li+e smo+e, the s+y lighted up, the bree(e sang, %lo-ers covered the

grass by the roadside. ut un%ortunately 3oKa Iictorina -as there and she pounced

upon the young man to as+ him %or ne-s o% 3on iburcio, since #sagani had

underta+en to discover his hidingDplace by inuiry among the students he +ne-.

o one has been able to tell me up to no-,B he ans-ered, and he -as telling the

truth, %or 3on iburcio -as really hidden in the house o% the youths o-n uncle, Padre

$lorentino.

Fet him +no-,B declared 3oKa Iictorina %uriously, that #ll call in the Civil 5uard.@live or dead, # -ant to +no- -here he isHbecause one has to -ait ten years be%ore

marrying again.B

#sagani ga(ed at her in %rightH3oKa Iictorina -as thin+ing o% remarryingA *ho

could the un%ortunate beG

*hat do you thin+ o% &uanito Pelae(GB she as+ed him suddenly.

&uanitoA #sagani +ne- not -hat to reply. !e -as tempted to tell all the evil he +ne- o%

Pelae(, but a %eeling o% delicacy triumphed in his heart and he spo+e -ell o% his rival,%or the very reason that he -as such. 3oKa Iictorina, entirely satis%ied and becoming

enthusiastic, then [2:] bro+e out into e=aggerations o% Pelae(s merits and -as already

going to ma+e #sagani a con%idant o% her ne- passion -hen Paulitas %riend came

running to say that the %ormers %an had %allen among the stones o% the beach, near the

4alecon. Stratagem or accident, the %act is that this mischance gave an e=cuse %or the

%riend to remain -ith the old -oman, -hile #sagani might tal+ -ith Paulita. 4oreover,



it -as a matter o% reoicing to 3oKa Iictorina, since to get &uanito %or hersel% she -as

%avoring #saganis love.

Paulita had her plan ready. n than+ing him she assumed the role o% the o%%ended

party, sho-ed resentment, and gave him to understand that she -as surprised to meet

him there -hen everybody -as on the Funeta, even the $rench actresses.

Nou made the appointment %or me, ho- could # be else-hereGB

Net last night you did not even notice that # -as in the theater. # -as -atching you all

the time and you never too+ your eyes o%% those #o#hers.B

So they e=changed parts0 #sagani, -ho had come to demand e=planations, %ound

himsel% compelled to give them and considered himsel% very happy -hen Paulita said

that she %orgave him. #n regard to her presence at the theater, he even had to than+ her

%or that0 %orced by her aunt, she had decided to go in the hope o% seeing him during the per%ormance. Fittle she cared %or &uanito Pelae(A

4y aunts the one -ho is in love -ith him,B she said -ith a merry laugh.

hen they both laughed, %or the marriage o% Pelae( -ith 3oKa Iictorina made them

really happy, and they sa- it already an accomplished %act, until #sagani remembered

that 3on iburcio -as still living and con%ided the secret to his s-eetheart, a%ter

e=acting her promise that she -ould tell no one. Paulita promised, -ith the mental

reservation o% relating it to her %riend.

his led the conversation to #saganis to-n, surrounded [2:9] by %orests, situated on the

shore o% the sea -hich roared at the base o% the high cli%%s. #saganis ga(e lighted up

-hen he spo+e o% that obscure spot, a %lush o% pride overspread his chee+s, his voice

trembled, his poetic imagination glo-ed, his -ords poured %orth burning, charged

-ith enthusiasm, as i% he -ere tal+ing o% love to his love, and he could not but

e=claim0

h, in the solitude o% my mountains # %eel %ree, %ree as the air, as the light that shoots

unbridled through spaceA @ thousand cities, a thousand palaces, -ould # give %or that

spot in the Philippines, -here, %ar %rom men, # could %eel mysel% to have genuineliberty. here, %ace to %ace -ith nature, in the presence o% the mysterious and the

in%inite, the %orest and the sea, # thin+, spea+, and -or+ li+e a man -ho +no-s not

tyrants.B

#n the presence o% such enthusiasm %or his native place, an enthusiasm that she did not

comprehend, %or she -as accustomed to hear her country spo+en ill o%, and sometimes



oined in the chorus hersel%, Paulita mani%ested some ealousy, as usual ma+ing hersel%

the o%%ended party.

ut #sagani very uic+ly paci%ied her. Nes,B he said, # loved it above all things

be%ore # +ne- youA #t -as my delight to -ander through the thic+ets, to sleep in the

shade o% the trees, to seat mysel% upon a cli%% to ta+e in -ith my ga(e the Paci%ic -hichrolled its blue -aves be%ore me, bringing to me echoes o% songs learned on the shores

o% %ree @merica. e%ore +no-ing you, that sea -as %or me my -orld, my delight, my

love, my dreamA *hen it slept in calm -ith the sun shining overhead, it -as my

delight to ga(e into the abyss hundreds o% %eet belo- me, see+ing monsters in the

%orests o% madrepores and coral that -ere revealed through the limpid blue, enormous

serpents that the country %ol+ say leave the %orests to d-ell in the sea, and there ta+e

on %right%ul %orms. Evening, they say, is the time -hen the sirens appear, and # sa-

them bet-een the -avesHso great -as my eagerness that once # thought # could

discern them amid the %oam, busy in their divine [2O;]sports, # distinctly heard their

songs, songs o% liberty, and # made out the sounds o% their silvery harps. $ormerly #

spent hours and hours -atching the trans%ormations in the clouds, or ga(ing at a

solitary tree in the plain or a high roc+, -ithout +no-ing -hy, -ithout being able to

e=plain the vague %eelings they a-o+e in me. 4y uncle used to preach long sermons

to me, and %earing that # -ould become a hypochondriac, tal+ed o% placing me under a

doctors care. ut # met you, # loved you, and during the last vacation it seemed that

something -as lac+ing there, the %orest -as gloomy, sad the river that glides through

the shado-s, dreary the sea, deserted the s+y. @h, i% you should go there once, i% your

%eet should press those paths, i% you should stir the -aters o% the rivulet -ith your

%ingers, i% you should ga(e upon the sea, sit upon the cli%%, or ma+e the air ring -ith

your melodious songs, my %orest -ould be trans%ormed into an Eden, the ripples o% the

broo+ -ould sing, light -ould burst %rom the dar+ leaves, into diamonds -ould be

converted the de-drops and into pearls the %oam o% the sea.B

ut Paulita had heard that to reach #saganis home it -as necessary to cross mountains

-here little leeches abounded, and at the mere thought o% them the little co-ard

shivered convulsively. !umored and petted, she declared that she -ould travel only in

a carriage or a rail-ay train.

!aving no- %orgotten all his pessimism and seeing only thornless roses about him,

#sagani ans-ered, *ithin a short time all the islands are going to be crossed -ith

net-or+s o% iron rails.

QPor donde rUpidas

N voladoras

Focomotoras

Corriendo irUn,O



as some one said. hen the most beauti%ul spots o% the islands -ill be accessible to

all.B[2O1]

hen, but -henG *hen #m an old -omanGB

@h, you dont +no- -hat -e can do in a %e- years,B replied the youth. Nou dontreali(e the energy and enthusiasm that are a-a+ening in the country a%ter the sleep o%

centuries. Spain heeds us? our young men in 4adrid are -or+ing day and night,

dedicating to the %atherland all their intelligence, all their time, all their strength.

5enerous voices there are mingled -ith ours, statesmen -ho reali(e that there is no

better bond than community o% thought and interest. &ustice -ill be meted out to us,

and everything points to a brilliant %uture %or all. #ts true that -eve ust met -ith a

slight rebu%%, -e students, but victory is rolling along the -hole line, it is in the

consciousness o% allA he traitorous repulse that -e have su%%ered indicates the last

gasp, the %inal convulsions o% the dying. omorro- -e shall be citi(ens o% the

Philippines, -hose destiny -ill be a glorious one, because it -ill be in loving hands.@h, yes, the %uture is oursA # see it roseDtinted, # see the movement that stirs the li%e o%

these regions so long dead, lethargic. # see to-ns arise along the railroads, and

%actories every-here, edi%ices li+e that o% 4andaloyanA # hear the steam hiss, the

trains roar, the engines rattleA # see the smo+e riseHtheir heavy breathing? # smell the

oilHthe s-eat o% monsters busy at incessant toil. his port, so slo- and laborious o%

creation, this river -here commerce is in its death agony, -e shall see covered -ith

masts, giving us an idea o% the %orests o% Europe in -inter. his pure air, and these

stones, no- so clean, -ill be cro-ded -ith coal, -ith bo=es and barrels, the products

o% human industry, but let it not matter, %or -e shall move about rapidly in

com%ortable coaches to see+ in the interior other air, other scenes on other shores,

cooler temperatures on the slopes o% the mountains. he -arships o% our navy -ill

guard our coasts, the Spaniard and the $ilipino -ill rival each other in (eal to repel all

%oreign invasion, to de%end our homes, and let you bas+ in peace and smiles, loved

and respected. $ree %rom the system o% e=ploitation, [2O2]-ithout hatred or distrust, the

people -ill labor because then labor -ill cease to be a despicable thing, it -ill no

longer be servile, imposed upon a slave. hen the Spaniard -ill not embitter his

character -ith ridiculous pretensions o% despotism, but -ith a %ran+ loo+ and a stout

heart -e shall e=tend our hands to one another, and commerce, industry, agriculture,

the sciences, -ill develop under the mantle o% liberty, -ith -ise and ust la-s, as in prosperous England.B7

Paulita smiled dubiously and shoo+ her head. 3reams, dreamsAB she sighed. #ve

heard it said that you have many enemies. @unt says that this country must al-ays be

enslaved.B



ecause your aunt is a %ool, because she cant live -ithout slavesA *hen she hasnt

them she dreams o% them in the %uture, and i% they are not obtainable she %orces them

into her imagination. rue it is that -e have enemies, that there -ill be a struggle, but

-e shall conuer. he old system may convert the ruins o% its castle into %ormless

barricades, but -e -ill ta+e them singing hymns o% liberty, in the light o% the eyes o%

you -omen, to the applause o% your lovely hands. ut do not be uneasyHthe struggle-ill be a paci%ic one. Enough that you spur us to (eal, that you a-a+e in us noble and

elevated thoughts and encourage us [2O:]to constancy, to heroism, -ith your a%%ection

%or our re-ard.B

Paulita preserved her enigmatic smile and seemed thought%ul, as she ga(ed to-ard the

river, patting her chee+ lightly -ith her %an. ut i% you accomplish nothingGB she

as+ed abstractedly.

he uestion hurt #sagani. !e %i=ed his eyes on his s-eetheart, caught her lightly by

the hand, and began0 Fisten, i% -e accomplish nothingHB

!e paused in doubt, then resumed0 Nou +no- ho- # love you, ho- # adore you, you

+no- that # %eel mysel% a di%%erent creature -hen your ga(e en%olds me, -hen #

surprise in it the %lash o% love, but yet i% -e accomplish nothing, # -ould dream o%

another loo+ o% yours and -ould die happy, because the light o% pride could burn in

your eyes -hen you pointed to my corpse and said to the -orld0 Q4y love died

%ighting %or the rights o% my %atherlandA B

Come home, child, youre going to catch cold,B screeched 3oKa Iictorina at that

instant, and the voice brought them bac+ to reality. #t -as time to return, and they+indly invited him to enter the carriage, an invitation -hich the young man did not

give them cause to repeat. @s it -as Paulitas carriage, naturally 3oKa Iictorina and

the %riend occupied the bac+ seat, -hile the t-o lovers sat on the smaller one in %ront.

o ride in the same carriage, to have her at his side, to breathe her per%ume, to rub

against the sil+ o% her dress, to see her pensive -ith %olded arms, lighted by the moon

o% the Philippines that lends to the meanest things idealism and enchantment, -ere all

dreams beyond #saganis hopesA *hat -retches they -ho -ere returning alone on %oot

and had to give -ay to the s-i%t carriageA #n the -hole course o% the drive, along the

beach and do-n the length o% Fa Sabana, across the ridge o% Spain, #sagani sa-nothing but a s-eet pro%ile, grace%ully set o%% by beauti%ul hair, ending in an arching

nec+ that lost itsel% amid the gau(y piKa. @ diamond -in+ed at him %rom the lobe o%

the[2OO]little ear, li+e a star among silvery clouds. !e heard %aint echoes inuiring %or

3on iburcio de EspadaKa, the name o% &uanito Pelae(, but they sounded to him li+e

distant bells, the con%used noises heard in a dream. #t -as necessary to tell him that

they had reached Pla(a Santa Cru(.[2O7]



1 "e%erring to the e=peditionsH Misi;n *spaola %at;li#a Hto the Caroline and Pele- #slands %rom 1/

to 197, headed by the Capuchin $athers, -hich brought misery and disaster upon the natives o% those

islands, unpro%itable losses and su%%erings to the $ilipino soldiers engaged in them, discredit to Spain, and

decorations o% merit to a number o% Spanish o%%icers.Hr.

2 ver the possession o% the Caroline and Pele- #slands. he e=peditions re%erred to in the previous note

-ere largely inspired by 5erman activity -ith regard to those islands, -hich had al-ays been claimed by

Spain, -ho sold her claim to them to 5ermany a%ter the loss o% the Philippines.Hr.

: *here the -ind -rin+les the silent -aves, that rapidly brea+, o% their o-n movement, -ith a gentle

murmur on the shore.BHr.

O *here rapid and -inged engines -ill rush in %light.BHr.

7 here is something almost uncanny about the general accuracy o% the prophecy in these lines, the

economic part o% -hich is no- so -ell on the -ay to reali(ation, although the -riter o% them -oulddoubtless have been a very much surprised individual had he also %oreseen ho- it -ould come about. ut

one o% his o-n e=pressions -as %ire and steel to the cancer,B and it surely got them.

n the very day that this passage -as translated and this note -ritten, the %irst commercial liner -as tied

up at the ne- doc+s, -hich have destroyed the 4alecon but raised 4anila to the %ront ran+ o% riental

seaports, and the %inal revision is made at aguio, 4ountain Province, amid the cooler temperatures on

the slopes o% the mountains.B @s %or the political portion, it is di%%icult even no- to contemplate calmly

the blundering %atuity o% that bigoted medieval brand o% patriotismB -hich led the decrepit Philippine

government to play the @ncient 4ariner and shoot the @lbatross that brought this message.Hr.

'#iles and Tearshe sala o% the $ansiteria Ma#anista de =uen Gusto1 that night presented an

e=traordinary aspect. $ourteen young men o% the principal islands o% the archipelago,

%rom the pure #ndian 6i% there be pure ones8 to the Peninsular Spaniard, -ere met to

hold the banuet advised by Padre #rene in vie- o% the happy solution o% the a%%air

about instruction in Castilian. hey had engaged all the tables %or themselves, ordered

the lights to be increased, and had posted on the -all beside the landscapes and

Chinese +a+emonos this strange versicle0

5F"N C)S3# $" !#S CFEIE"ESS @3 P@S# E@! !E N)!S $ 53 *#FF.B

#n a country -here everything grotesue is covered -ith a mantle o% seriousness,

-here many rise by the %orce o% -ind and hot air, in a country -here the deeply

serious and sincere may do damage on issuing %rom the heart and may cause trouble,

probably this -as the best -ay to celebrate the ingenious inspiration o% the illustrious



3on Custodio. he moc+ed replied to the moc+ery -ith a laugh, to the governmental

o+e -ith a plate o% pansit , and yetHA

hey laughed and ested, but it could be seen that the merriment -as %orced. he

laughter had a certain nervous ring, eyes %lashed, and in more than one o% these a tear

glistened. evertheless, these young men -ere cruel, they -ere unreasonableA #t -asnot the %irst time that their most[2O/] beauti%ul ideas had been so treated, that their

hopes had been de%rauded -ith big -ords and small actions0 be%ore this 3on Custodio

there had been many, very many others.

#n the center o% the room under the red lanterns -ere placed %our round tables,

systematically arranged to %orm a suare. Fittle -ooden stools, eually round, served

as seats. #n the middle o% each table, according to the practise o% the establishment,

-ere arranged %our small colored plates -ith %our pies on each one and %our cups o%

tea, -ith the accompanying dishes, all o% red porcelain. e%ore each seat -as a bottle

and t-o glittering -ineDglasses.

Sandoval -as curious and ga(ed about scrutini(ing everything, tasting the %ood,

e=amining the pictures, reading the bill o% %are. he others conversed on the topics o%

the day0 about the $rench actresses, about the mysterious illness o% Simoun, -ho,

according to some, had been %ound -ounded in the street, -hile others averred that he

had attempted to commit suicide. @s -as natural, all lost themselves in conectures.

adeo gave his particular version, -hich according to him came %rom a reliable

source0 Simoun had been assaulted by some un+no-n person in the old Pla(a

Iivac,2 the motive being revenge, in proo% o% -hich -as the %act that Simoun himsel%

re%used to ma+e the least e=planation. $rom this they proceeded to tal+ o% mysteriousrevenges, and naturally o% mon+ish pran+s, each one relating the e=ploits o% the curate

o% his to-n.

@ notice in large blac+ letters cro-ned the %rie(e o% the room -ith this -arning0

3e esta %onda el cabecilla

@l publico advierte

Lue nada deen absolutamente

Sobre alguna mesa M silla.:

[2O>]

*hat a noticeAB e=claimed Sandoval. @s i% he might have con%idence in the police,

ehG @nd -hat versesA 3on iburcio converted into a uatrainHt-o %eet, one longer

than the other, bet-een t-o crutchesA #% #sagani sees them, hell present them to his

%uture aunt.B



!eres #saganiAB called a voice %rom the stair-ay. he happy youth appeared radiant

-ith oy, %ollo-ed by t-o Chinese, -ithout camisas, -ho carried on enormous -aiters

tureens that gave out an appeti(ing odor. 4erry e=clamations greeted them.

&uanito Pelae( -as missing, but the hour %i=ed had already passed, so they sat do-n

happily to the tables. &uanito -as al-ays unconventional.

#% in his place -e had invited asilio,B said adeo, -e should have been better

entertained. *e might have got him drun+ and dra-n some secrets %rom him.B

*hat, does the prudent asilio possess secretsGB

# should say soAB replied adeo. % the most important +ind. here are some

enigmas to -hich he alone has the +ey0 the boy -ho disappeared, the nunHB

5entlemen, the pansit lang)lang is the soup par eB#ellen#eAB cried 4a+araig. @syou -ill observe, Sandoval, it is composed o% vermicelli, crabs or shrimps, egg paste,

scraps o% chic+en, and # dont +no- -hat else. @s %irstD%ruits, let us o%%er the bones to

3on Custodio, to see i% he -ill proect something -ith them.B

@ burst o% merry laughter greeted this sally.

#% he should learnHB

!ed come aDrunningAB concluded Sandoval. his is e=cellent soupH-hat is it

calledGB

$ansit lang)lang , that is, Chinese pansit , to distinguish it %rom that -hich is peculiar

to this country.B

ahA hats a hard name to remember. #n honor o% 3on Custodio, # christen it

the soup pro'e#t AB

5entlemen,B said 4a+araig, -ho had prepared the menu, there are three courses

yet. Chinese ste- made o% por+HB[2O]

*hich should be dedicated to Padre #rene.B

5et outA Padre #rene doesnt eat por+, unless he turns his nose a-ay,B -hispered a

young man %rom #loilo to his neighbor.

Fet him turn his nose a-ayAB



3o-n -ith Padre #renes nose,B cried several at once.

"espect, gentlemen, more respectAB demanded Pecson -ith comic gravity.

he third course is a lobster pieHB

*hich should be dedicated to the %riars,B suggested he o% the Iisayas.

$or the lobsters sa+e,B added Sandoval.

"ight, and call it %riar pieAB

he -hole cro-d too+ this up, repeating in concert, $riar pieAB

# protest in the name o% one o% them,B said #sagani.

@nd #, in the name o% the lobsters,B added adeo.

"espect, gentlemen, more respectAB again demanded Pecson -ith a %ull mouth.

he %ourth is ste-ed pansit , -hich is dedicatedHto the government and the

countryAB

@ll turned to-ard 4a+araig, -ho -ent on0 )ntil recently, gentlemen, the pansit -as

believed to be Chinese or &apanese, but the %act is that, being un+no-n in China or

&apan, it -ould seem to be $ilipino, yet those -ho prepare it and get the bene%it %romit are the ChineseHthe same, the very, very same that happens to the government and

to the Philippines0 they seem to be Chinese, but -hether they are or not, the !oly

4other has her doctorsHall eat and enoy it, yet characteri(e it as disagreeable and

loathsome, the same as -ith the country, the same as -ith the government. @ll live at

its cost, all share in its %east, and a%ter-ards there is no -orse country than the

Philippines, there is no government more imper%ect. Fet us then dedicate the pansit tothe country and to the government.B

@greedAB many e=claimed.

# protestAB cried #sagani.[2O9]

"espect %or the -ea+er, respect %or the victims,B called Pecson in a hollo- voice,

-aving a chic+enDbone in the air.

Fets dedicate the pansit to Luiroga the Chinaman, one o% the %our po-ers o% the

$ilipino -orld,B proposed #sagani.



o, to his lac+ Eminence.B

SilenceAB cautioned one mysteriously. here are people in the pla(a -atching us,

and -alls have ears.B

rue it -as that curious groups -ere standing by the -indo-s, -hile the tal+ andlaughter in the adoining houses had ceased altogether, as i% the people there -ere

giving their attention to -hat -as occurring at the banuet. here -as something

e=traordinary about the silence.

adeo, deliver your speech,B 4a+araig -hispered to him.

#t had been agreed that Sandoval, -ho possessed the most oratorical ability, should

deliver the last toast as a summing up.

adeo, la(y as ever, had prepared nothing, so he %ound himsel% in a uandary. *hiledisposing o% a long string o% vermicelli, he meditated ho- to get out o% the di%%iculty,

until he recalled a speech learned in school and decided to plagiari(e it, -ith

adulterations.

eloved brethren in proectAB he began, gesticulating -ith t-o Chinese chopDstic+s.

ruteA Reep that chopDstic+ out o% my hairAB cried his neighbor.

Called by you to %ill the void that has been le%t inHB

PlagiarismAB Sandoval interrupted him. hat speech -as delivered by the president

o% our lyceum.B

Called by your election,B continued the imperturbable adeo, to %ill the void that has

been le%t in my mindBHpointing to his stomachHby a man %amous %or his Christian

principles and %or his inspirations and proects, -orthy o% some little remembrance,

-hat can one li+e mysel% say o% him, # -ho am very hungry, not having brea+%astedGB

!ave a nec+, my %riendAB called a neighbor, o%%ering that portion o% a chic+en.[27;]

here is one course, gentlemen, the treasure o% a people -ho are today a tale and a

moc+ery in the -orld, -herein have thrust their hands the greatest gluttons o% the

-estern regions o% the earthHB !ere he pointed -ith his chopstic+s to Sandoval, -ho

-as struggling -ith a re%ractory chic+enD-ing.

@nd easternAB retorted the latter, describing a circle in the air -ith his spoon, in order

to include all the banueters.



o interruptionsAB

# demand the %loorAB

# demand pic+lesAB added #sagani.

ring on the ste-AB

@ll echoed this reuest, so adeo sat do-n, contented -ith having got out o% his

uandary.

he dish consecrated to Padre #rene did not appear to be e=tra good, as Sandoval

cruelly demonstrated thus0 Shining -ith grease outside and -ith por+ insideA ring

on the third course, the %riar pieAB

he pie -as not yet ready, although the si((ling o% the grease in the %ryingDpan could be heard. hey too+ advantage o% the delay to drin+, begging Pecson to tal+.

Pecson crossed himsel% gravely and arose, restraining his clo-nish laugh -ith an

e%%ort, at the same time mimic+ing a certain @ugustinian preacher, then %amous, and

beginning in a murmur, as though he -ere reading a te=t.

,i tripa plena laudal :eum! tripa fameli#a laudabit fratres Hi% the %ull stomach

praises 5od, the hungry stomach -ill praise the %riars. *ords spo+en by the Ford

Custodio through the mouth o% enD<ayb, in the ournal *l Grito de la Integridad , the

second article, absurdity the one hundred and %i%tyDseventh.

eloved brethren in Christ0 Evil blo-s its %oul breath over the verdant shores o%

$railandia, commonly called the Philippine @rchipelago. o day passes but the attac+

is rene-ed, but there is heard some sarcasm against the reverend, venerable, in%allible

corporations, de%enseless and unsupported. [271]@llo- me, brethren, on this occasion

to constitute mysel% a +nightDerrant to sally %orth in de%ense o% the unprotected, o% the

holy corporations that have reared us, thus again con%irming the saving idea o% the

adageHa %ull stomach praises 5od, -hich is to say, a hungry stomach -ill praise the

%riars.B

ravo, bravoAB

Fisten,B said #sagani seriously, # -ant you to understand that, spea+ing o% %riars, #

respect one.B

Sandoval -as getting merry, so he began to sing a shady couplet about the %riars.



!ear me, brethrenAB continued Pecson. urn your ga(e to-ard the happy days o%

your in%ancy, endeavor to analy(e the present and as+ yourselves about the %uture.

*hat do you %indG $riars, %riars, and %riarsA @ %riar bapti(ed you, con%irmed you,

visited you in school -ith loving (eal? a %riar heard your %irst secret? he -as the %irst to

bring you into communion -ith 5od, to set your %eet upon the path-ay o% li%e? %riars

-ere your %irst and %riars -ill be your last teachers? a %riar it is -ho opens the hearts o% your s-eethearts, disposing them to heed your sighs? a %riar marries you, ma+es you

travel over di%%erent islands to a%%ord you changes o% climate and diversion? he -ill

attend your deathDbed, and even though you mount the sca%%old, there -ill the %riar be

to accompany you -ith his prayers and tears, and you may rest assured that he -ill

not desert you until he sees you thoroughly dead. or does his charity end thereH

dead, he -ill then endeavor to bury you -ith all pomp, he -ill %ight that your corpse

pass through the church to receive his supplications, and he -ill only rest satis%ied

-hen he can deliver you into the hands o% the Creator, puri%ied here on earth, than+s

to temporal punishments, tortures, and humiliations. Fearned in the doctrines o%

Christ, -ho closes heaven against the rich, they, our redeemers and genuine ministers

o% the Saviour, see+ every means to li%t a-ay our sins and bear them %ar, %ar o%%, there

-here the accursed Chinese and Protestants [272]d-ell, to leave us this air, limpid,

pure, health%ul, in such a -ay that even should -e so -ish a%ter-ards, -e could not

%ind a real to bring about our condemnation.

#%, then, their e=istence is necessary to our happiness, i% -heresoever -e turn -e

must encounter their delicate hands, hungering %or +isses, that every day smooth the

mar+s o% abuse %rom our countenances, -hy not adore them and %atten themH-hy

demand their impolitic e=pulsionG Consider %or a moment the immense void that their

absence -ould leave in our social system. ireless -or+ers, they improve and

propagate the racesA 3ivided as -e are, than+s to our ealousies and our

susceptibilities, the %riars unite us in a common lot, in a %irm bond, so %irm that many

are unable to move their elbo-s. a+e a-ay the %riar, gentlemen, and you -ill see ho-

the Philippine edi%ice -ill totter? lac+ing robust shoulders and hairy limbs to sustain it,

Philippine li%e -ill again become monotonous, -ithout the merry note o% the play%ul

and gracious %riar, -ithout the boo+lets and sermons that split our sides -ith laughter,

-ithout the amusing contrast bet-een grand pretensions and small brains, -ithout the

actual, daily representations o% the tales o% occaccio and Fa $ontaineA *ithout the

girdles and scapularies, -hat -ould you have our -omen do in the %utureHsave thatmoney and perhaps become miserly and covetousG *ithout the masses, novenaries,

and processions, -here -ill you %ind games o% panguingui to entertain them in their

hours o% leisureG hey -ould then have to devote themselves to their household duties

and instead o% reading diverting stories o% miracles, -e should then have to get them

-or+s that are not e=tant.



a+e a-ay the %riar and heroism -ill disappear, the political virtues -ill %all under

the control o% the vulgar. a+e him a-ay and the #ndian -ill cease to e=ist, %or the %riar

is the $ather, the #ndian is the *ordA he %ormer is the sculptor, the latter the statue,

because all that -e are, thin+, or do, -e o-e to the %riarHto his patience, his toil, his

perseverance o% three centuries to modi%y the %orm [27:] ature gave us. he

Philippines -ithout the %riar and -ithout the #ndianH-hat then -ould become o% theun%ortunate government in the hands o% the ChinamenGB

#t -ill eat lobster pie,B suggested #sagani, -hom Pecsons speech bored.

@nd thats -hat -e ought to be doing. Enough o% speechesAB

@s the Chinese -ho should have served the courses did not put in his appearance, one

o% the students arose and -ent to the rear, to-ard the balcony that overloo+ed the

river. ut he returned at once, ma+ing mysterious signs.

*ere -atchedA #ve seen Padre Sibylas petAB

NesGB eaculated #sagani, rising.

#ts no use no-. *hen he same he disappeared.B

@pproaching the -indo- he loo+ed to-ard the pla(a, then made signs to his

companions to come nearer. hey sa- a young man leave the door o% the pansitería,

ga(e all about him, then -ith some un+no-n person enter a carriage that -aited at the

curb. #t -as Simouns carriage.

@hAB e=claimed 4a+araig. he slave o% the IiceD"ector attended by the 4aster o%

the 5eneralAB[27O]

1 hese establishments are still a notable %eature o% native li%e in 4anila. *hether the author adopted a

title already common or populari(ed one o% his o-n invention, the %act is that they are no- invariably

+no-n by the name used here. he use o% ma#anista -as due to the presence in 4anila o% a large number

o% Chinese %rom 4acao.Hr.

2 riginally, Pla(a San 5abriel, %rom the 3ominican mission %or the Chinese established there? later, as it

became a commercial center, Pla(a Iivac? and no- +no-n as Pla(a Cervantes, being the %inancial center

o% 4anila.Hr.

: he manager o% this restaurant -arns the public to leave absolutely nothing on any table or chair.BHr.



+as1uinades

Iery early the ne=t morning asilio arose to go to the hospital. !e had his plans

made0 to visit his patients, to go a%ter-ards to the )niversity to see about his

licentiateship, and then have an intervie- -ith 4a+araig about the e=pense this -ouldentail, %or he had used up the greater part o% his savings in ransoming &uli and in

securing a house -here she and her grand%ather might live, and he had not dared to

apply to Capitan iago, %earing that such a move -ould be construed as an advance on

the legacy so o%ten promised him.

Preoccupied -ith these thoughts, he paid no attention to the groups o% students -ho

-ere at such an early hour returning %rom the *alled City, as though the classrooms

had been closed, nor did he even note the abstracted air o% some o% them, their

-hispered conversations, or the mysterious signals e=changed among them. So it -as

that -hen he reached San &uan de 3ios and his %riends as+ed him about theconspiracy, he gave a start, remembering -hat Simoun had planned, but -hich had

miscarried, o-ing to the une=plained accident to the e-eler. erri%ied, he as+ed in a

trembling voice, at the same time endeavoring to %eign ignorance, @h, yes, -hat

conspiracyGB

#ts been discovered,B replied one, and it seems that many are implicated in it.B

*ith an e%%ort asilio controlled himsel%. 4any implicatedGB he echoed, trying to

learn something %rom the loo+s o% the others. *hoGB

Students, a lot o% students.B

asilio did not thin+ it prudent to as+ more, %earing [277]that he -ould give himsel%

a-ay, so on the prete=t o% visiting his patients he le%t the group. ne o% the clinical

pro%essors met him and placing his hand mysteriously on the youths shoulderHthe

pro%essor -as a %riend o% hisHas+ed him in a lo- voice, *ere you at that supper last

nightGB

#n his e=cited %rame o% mind asilio thought the pro%essor had said night before last ,

-hich -as the time o% his intervie- -ith Simoun. !e tried to e=plain. # assure you,Bhe stammered, that as Capitan iago -as -orseHand besides # had to %inish that

boo+HB

Nou did -ell not to attend it,B said the pro%essor. ut youre a member o% the

students associationGB

# pay my dues.B



*ell then, a piece o% advice0 go home at once and destroy any papers you have that

may compromise you.B

asilio shrugged his shouldersHhe had no papers, nothing more than his clinical

notes.

!as SeKor SimounHB

Simoun has nothing to do -ith the a%%air, than+ 5odAB interrupted the physician. !e

-as opportunely -ounded by some un+no-n hand and is no- con%ined to his bed.

o, other hands are concerned in this, but hands no less terrible.B

asilio dre- a breath o% relie%. Simoun -as the only one -ho could compromise him,

although he thought o% Cabesang ales.

@re there tulisanesHB

o, man, nothing more than students.B

asilio recovered his serenity. *hat has happened thenGB he made bold to as+.

Seditious pasuinades have been %ound? didnt you +no- about themGB

*hereGB

#n the )niversity.B

othing more than thatGB

*he-A *hat more do you -antGB as+ed the pro%essor, [27/]almost in a rage. he

pasuinades are attributed to the students o% the associationHbut, +eep uietAB

he pro%essor o% pathology came along, a man -ho had more the loo+ o% a sacristan

than o% a physician. @ppointed by the po-er%ul mandate o% the IiceD"ector, -ithout

other merit than unconditional servility to the corporation, he passed %or a spy and an

in%ormer in the eyes o% the rest o% the %aculty.

he %irst pro%essor returned his greeting coldly, and -in+ed to asilio, as he said to

him, o- # +no- that Capitan iago smells li+e a corpseHthe cro-s and vultures

have been gathering around him.B So saying, he -ent inside.

Some-hat calmed, asilio no- ventured to inuire %or more details, but all that he

could learn -as that pasuinades had been %ound on the doors o% the )niversity, and



that the IiceD"ector had ordered them to be ta+en do-n and sent to the Civil

5overnment. #t -as said that they -ere %illed -ith threats o% assassination, invasion,

and other braggadocio.

he students made their comments on the a%%air. heir in%ormation came %rom the

anitor, -ho had it %rom a servant in Santo omas, -ho had it %rom an usher. hey prognosticated %uture suspensions and imprisonments, even indicating -ho -ere to be

the victimsHnaturally the members o% the association.

asilio then recalled Simouns -ords0 he day in -hich they can get rid o% you, you

-ill not complete your course.B

Could he have +no-n anythingGB he as+ed himsel%. *ell see -ho is the most

po-er%ul.B

"ecovering his serenity, he -ent on to-ard the )niversity, to learn -hat attitude it behooved him to ta+e and at the same time to see about his licentiateship. !e passed

along Calle Fega(pi, then do-n through eaterio, and upon arriving at the corner o%

this street and Calle Solana sa- that something important must indeed have happened.

#nstead o% the %ormer lively, chattering groups on the side-al+s [27>]-ere to be seen

civilDguards ma+ing the students move on, and these latter issuing %rom the )niversity

silent, some gloomy, some agitated, to stand o%% at a distance or ma+e their -ay home.

he %irst acuaintance he met -as Sandoval, but asilio called to him in vain. !e

seemed to have been smitten dea%. E%%ect o% %ear on the gastroDintestinal uices,B

thought asilio.

Fater he met adeo, -ho -ore a Christmas %aceHat last that eternal holiday seemed

to be reali(ed.

*hat has happened, adeoGB

*ell have no school, at least %or a -ee+, old manA SublimeA 4agni%icentAB !e

rubbed his hands in glee.

ut -hat has happenedGB

heyre going to arrest all o% us in the association.B

@nd are you glad o% thatGB



herell be no school, therell be no schoolAB !e moved a-ay almost bursting -ith

oy.

asilio sa- &uanito Pelae( approaching, pale and suspicious. his time his hump had

reached its ma=imum, so great -as his haste to get a-ay. !e had been one o% the most

active promoters o% the association -hile things -ere running smoothly.

Eh, Pelae(, -hats happenedGB

othing, # +no- nothing. # didnt have anything to do -ith it,B he responded

nervously. # -as al-ays telling you that these things -ere ui=otisms. #ts the truth,

you +no- #ve said so to youGB

asilio did not remember -hether he had said so or not, but to humor him replied,

Nes, man, but -hats happenedGB

#ts the truth, isnt itG Foo+, youre a -itness0 #ve al-ays been opposedHyoure a

-itness, dont %orget itAB

Nes, man, but -hats going onGB

Fisten, youre a -itnessA #ve never had anything to do -ith the members o% the

association, e=cept to give them [27]advice. Noure not going to deny it no-. e

care%ul, -ont youGB

o, no, # -ont deny it, but %or goodness sa+e, -hat has happenedGB

ut &uanito -as already %ar a-ay. !e had caught a glimpse o% a guard approaching

and %eared arrest.

asilio then -ent on to-ard the )niversity to see i% perhaps the secretarys o%%ice

might be open and i% he could glean any %urther ne-s. he o%%ice -as closed, but there

-as an e=traordinary commotion in the building. !urrying up and do-n the stair-ays

-ere %riars, army o%%icers, private persons, old la-yers and doctors, there doubtless to

o%%er their services to the endangered cause.

@t a distance he sa- his %riend #sagani, pale and agitated, but radiant -ith youth%ul

ardor, haranguing some %ello- students -ith his voice raised as though he cared little

that he be heard by everybody.

#t seems preposterous, gentlemen, it seems unreal, that an incident so insigni%icant

should scatter us and send us into %light li+e sparro-s at -hom a scarecro- has been



sha+enA ut is this the %irst time that students have gone to prison %or the sa+e o%

libertyG *here are those -ho have died, those -ho have been shotG *ould you

apostati(e no-GB

ut -ho can the %ool be that -rote such pasuinadesGB demanded an indignant

listener.

*hat does that matter to usGB reoined #sagani. *e dont have to %ind out, let them

%ind outA e%ore -e +no- ho- they are dra-n up, -e have no need to ma+e any sho-

o% agreement at a time li+e this. here -here the danger is, there must -e hasten,

because honor is thereA #% -hat the pasuinades say is compatible -ith our dignity and

our %eelings, be he -ho he may that -rote them, he has done -ell, and -e ought to be

grate%ul to him and hasten to add our signatures to hisA #% they are un-orthy o% us, our

conduct and our consciences -ill in themselves protest and de%end us %rom every

accusationAB[279]

)pon hearing such tal+, asilio, although he li+ed #sagani very much, turned and le%t.

!e had to go to 4a+araigs house to see about the loan.

ear the house o% the -ealthy student he observed -hisperings and mysterious signals

among the neighbors, but not comprehending -hat they meant, continued serenely on

his -ay and entered the door-ay. -o guards advanced and as+ed him -hat he

-anted. asilio reali(ed that he had made a bad move, but he could not no- retreat.

#ve come to see my %riend 4a+araig,B he replied calmly.

he guards loo+ed at each other. *ait here,B one o% them said to him. *ait till the

corporal comes do-n.B

asilio bit his lips and Simouns -ords again recurred to him. !ad they come to arrest

4a+araigGH-as his thought, but he dared not give it utterance. !e did not have to

-ait long, %or in a %e- moments 4a+araig came do-n, tal+ing pleasantly -ith the

corporal. he t-o -ere preceded by a -arrant o%%icer.

*hat, you too, asilioGB he as+ed.

# came to see youHB

oble conductAB e=claimed 4a+araig laughing. #n time o% calm, you avoid us.B

he corporal as+ed asilio his name, then scanned a list. 4edical student, Calle

@nloagueGB he as+ed.



asilio bit his lip.

Nouve saved us a trip,B added the corporal, placing his hand on the youths shoulder.

Noure under arrestAB

*hat, # alsoGB

4a+araig burst out into laughter.

3ont -orry, %riend. Fets get into the carriage, -hile # tell you about the supper last

night.B

*ith a grace%ul gesture, as though he -ere in his o-n house, he invited the -arrant

o%%icer and the corporal to enter the carriage that -aited at the door.

o the Civil 5overnmentAB he ordered the cochero.

o- that asilio had again regained his composure, he [2/;]told 4a+araig the obect

o% his visit. he rich student did not -ait %or him to %inish, but sei(ed his hand. Count

on me, count on me, and to the %estivities celebrating our graduation -ell invite these

gentlemen,B he said, indicating the corporal and the -arrant o%%icer.[2/1]

The 0riar and the 0ilipino

Io= populi, vo= 3ei

*e le%t #sagani haranguing his %riends. #n the midst o% his enthusiasm an usher

approached him to say that Padre $ernande(, one o% the higher pro%essors, -ished to

tal+ -ith him.

#saganis %ace %ell. Padre $ernande( -as a person greatly respected by him, being

the one al-ays e=cepted by him -henever the %riars -ere attac+ed.

*hat does Padre $ernande( -antGB he inuired.

he usher shrugged his shoulders and #sagani reluctantly %ollo-ed him.

Padre $ernande(, the %riar -hom -e met in Fos aKos, -as -aiting in his cell, grave

and sad, -ith his bro-s +nitted as i% he -ere in deep thought. !e arose as #sagani

entered, shoo+ hands -ith him, and closed the door. hen he began to pace %rom one

end o% the room to the other. #sagani stood -aiting %or him to spea+.



SeKor #sagani,B he began at length -ith some emotion, %rom the -indo- #ve heard

you spea+ing, %or though # am a consumptive # have good ears, and # -ant to tal+ -ith

you. # have al-ays li+ed the young men -ho e=press themselves clearly and have

their o-n -ay o% thin+ing and acting, no matter that their ideas may di%%er %rom mine.

Nou young men, %rom -hat # have heard, had a supper last night. 3ont e=cuse

yoursel%HB

# dont intend to e=cuse mysel%AB interrupted #sagani.

So much the betterHit sho-s that you accept the conseuences o% your actions.

esides, you -ould do ill in [2/2]retracting, and # dont blame you, # ta+e no notice o%

-hat may have been said there last night, # dont accuse you, because a%ter all youre

%ree to say o% the 3ominicans -hat seems best to you, you are not a pupil o% oursH

only this year have -e had the pleasure o% having you, and -e shall probably not have

you longer. 3ont thin+ that #m going to invo+e considerations o% gratitude? no, #m

not going to -aste my time in stupid vulgarisms. #ve had you summoned here because # believe that you are one o% the %e- students -ho act %rom conviction, and,

as # li+e men o% conviction, #m going to e=plain mysel% to SeKor #sagani.B

Padre $ernande( paused, then continued his -al+ -ith bo-ed head, his ga(e riveted

on the %loor.

Nou may sit do-n, i% you -ish,B he remar+ed. #ts a habit o% mine to -al+ about

-hile tal+ing, because my ideas come better then.B

#sagani remained standing, -ith his head erect, -aiting %or the pro%essor to get to the point o% the matter.

$or more than eight years # have been a pro%essor here,B resumed Padre $ernande(,

still continuing to pace bac+ and %orth, and in that time #ve +no-n and dealt -ith

more than t-entyD%ive hundred students. #ve taught them, #ve tried to educate them,

#ve tried to inculcate in them principles o% ustice and o% dignity, and yet in these days

-hen there is so much murmuring against us #ve not seen one -ho has the temerity to

maintain his accusations -hen he %inds himsel% in the presence o% a %riar, not even

aloud in the presence o% any numbers. Noung men there are -ho behind our bac+s

calumniate us and be%ore us +iss our hands, -ith a base smile begging +ind loo+s %romusA ahA *hat do you -ish that -e should do -ith such creaturesGB

he %ault is not all theirs, Padre,B replied #sagani. he %ault lies partly -ith those

-ho have taught them to be hypocrites, -ith those -ho have tyranni(ed over %reedom

o% thought and %reedom o% speech. !ere every independent [2/:]thought, every -ord

that is not an echo o% the -ill o% those in po-er, is characteri(ed as %ilibusterism, and



you +no- -ell enough -hat that means. @ %ool -ould he be -ho to please himsel%

-ould say aloud -hat he thin+s, -ho -ould lay himsel% liable to su%%er persecutionAB

*hat persecution have you had to su%%erGB as+ed Padre $ernande(, raising his head.

!avent # let you e=press yoursel% %reely in my classG evertheless, you are an

e=ception that, i% -hat you say is true, # must correct, so as to ma+e the rule as generalas possible and thus avoid setting a bad e=ample.B

#sagani smiled. # than+ you, but # -ill not discuss -ith you -hether # am an

e=ception. # -ill accept your uali%ication so that you may accept mine0 you also are

an e=ception, and as here -e are not going to tal+ about e=ceptions, nor plead %or

ourselves, at least, # mean, I+m not , # beg o% my professor to change the course o% the

conversation.B

#n spite o% his liberal principles, Padre $ernande( raised his head and stared in surprise

at #sagani. hat young man -as more independent than he had thoughtHalthough hecalled him professor , in reality he -as dealing -ith him as an eual, since he allo-ed

himsel% to o%%er suggestions. Fi+e a -ise diplomat, Padre $ernande( not only

recogni(ed the %act but even too+ his stand upon it.

5ood enoughAB he said. ut dont loo+ upon me as your pro%essor. #m a %riar and

you are a $ilipino student, nothing more nor lessA o- # as+ youH-hat do the

$ilipino students -ant o% usGB

he uestion came as a surprise? #sagani -as not prepared %or it. #t -as a thrust made

suddenly -hile they -ere preparing their de%ense, as they say in %encing. husstartled, #sagani responded -ith a violent stand, li+e a beginner de%ending himsel%.

hat you do your dutyAB he e=claimed.

$ray $ernande( straightened upHthat reply sounded to him li+e a cannonDshot. hat

-e do our dutyAB he [2/O]repeated, holding himsel% erect. 3ont -e, then, do our

dutyG *hat duties do you ascribe to usGB

hose -hich you voluntarily placed upon yourselves on oining the order, and those

-hich a%ter-ards, once in it, you have been -illing to assume. ut, as a $ilipinostudent, # dont thin+ mysel% called upon to e=amine your conduct -ith re%erence to

your statutes, to Catholicism, to the government, to the $ilipino people, and to

humanity in generalHthose are uestions that you have to settle -ith your %ounders,

-ith the Pope, -ith the government, -ith the -hole people, and -ith 5od. @s a

$ilipino student, # -ill con%ine mysel% to your duties to-ard us. he %riars in general,

being the local supervisors o% education in the provinces, and the 3ominicans in



particular, by monopoli(ing in their hands all the studies o% the $ilipino youth, have

assumed the obligation to its eight millions o% inhabitants, to Spain, and to humanity,

o% -hich -e %orm a part, o% steadily bettering the young plant, morally and physically,

o% training it to-ard its happiness, o% creating a people honest, prosperous, intelligent,

virtuous, noble, and loyal. o- # as+ you in my turnHhave the %riars %ul%illed that

obligation o% theirsGB

*ere %ul%illingHB

@h, Padre $ernande(,B interrupted #sagani, you -ith your hand on &our heart can

say that you are %ul%illing it, but -ith your hand on the heart o% your order, on the

heart o% all the orders, you cannot say that -ithout deceiving yoursel%. @h, Padre

$ernande(, -hen # %ind mysel% in the presence o% a person -hom # esteem and respect,

# pre%er to be the accused rather than the accuser, # pre%er to de%end mysel% rather than

ta+e the o%%ensive. ut no- that -e have entered upon the discussion, let us carry it to

the endA !o- do they %ul%ill their obligation, those -ho loo+ a%ter education in theto-nsG y hindering itA @nd those -ho here monopoli(e education, those -ho try to

mold the mind o% youth, to the e=clusion o% all others -homsoever, ho- do they carry

out their missionG y [2/7]curtailing +no-ledge as much as possible, by e=tinguishing

all ardor and enthusiasm, by trampling on all dignity, the souls only re%uge, by

inculcating in us -ornDout ideas, rancid belie%s, %alse principles incompatible -ith a

li%e o% progressA @h, yes, -hen it is a uestion o% %eeding convicts, o% providing %or the

maintenance o% criminals, the government calls %or bids in order to %ind the purveyor

-ho o%%ers the best means o% subsistence, he -ho at least -ill not let them perish %rom

hunger, but -hen it is a uestion o% morally %eeding a -hole people, o% nourishing the

intellect o% youth, the healthiest part, that -hich is later to be the country and the all,

the government not only does not as+ %or any bid, but restricts the po-er to that very

body -hich ma+es a boast o% not desiring education, o% -ishing no advancement.

*hat should -e say i% the purveyor %or the prisons, a%ter securing the contract by

intrigue, should then leave the prisoners to languish in -ant, giving them only -hat is

stale and rancid, e=cusing himsel% a%ter-ards by saying that it is not convenient %or

the prisoners to enoy good health, because good health brings merry thoughts,

because merriment improves the man, and the man ought not to be improved, because

it is to the purveyors interest that there be many criminalsG *hat should -e say i%

a%ter-ards the government and the purveyor should agree bet-een themselves that o%the ten or t-elve cuartos -hich one received %or each criminal, the other should

receive %iveGB

Padre $ernande+ bit his lip. hose are grave charges,B he said, and you are

overstepping the limits o% our agreement.B



o, Padre, not i% # continue to deal -ith the student uestion. he %riarsHand # do

not say, you %riars, since # do not con%use you -ith the common herdHthe %riars o% all

the orders have constituted themselves our mental purveyors, yet they say and

shamelessly proclaim that it is not e=pedient %or us to become enlightened, because

some day -e shall declare ourselves %reeA hat is ust the same [2//]as not -ishing the

prisoner to be -ellD%ed so that he may improve and get out o% prison. Fiberty is to man-hat education is to the intelligence, and the %riars un-illingness that -e have it is

the origin o% our discontent.B

#nstruction is given only to those -ho deserve it,B reoined Padre $ernande( dryly.

o give it to men -ithout character and -ithout morality is to prostitute it.B

*hy are there men -ithout character and -ithout moralityGB

he 3ominican shrugged his shoulders. 3e%ects that they imbibe -ith their mothers

mil+, that they breathe in the bosom o% the %amilyHho- do # +no-GB

@h, no, Padre $ernande(AB e=claimed the young man impetuously. Nou have not

dared to go into the subect deeply, you have not -ished to ga(e into the depths %rom

%ear o% %inding yoursel% there in the dar+ness o% your brethren. *hat -e are, you have

made us. @ people tyranni(ed over is %orced to be hypocritical? a people denied the

truth must resort to lies? and he -ho ma+es himsel% a tyrant breeds slaves. here is no

morality, you say, so let it beHeven though statistics can re%ute you in that here are

not committed crimes li+e those among other peoples, blinded by the %umes o% their

morali(ers. ut, -ithout attempting no- to analy(e -hat it is that %orms the character

and ho- %ar the education received determines morality, # -ill agree -ith you that -eare de%ective. *ho is to blame %or thatG Nou -ho %or three centuries and a hal% have

had in your hands our education, or -e -ho submit to everythingG #% a%ter three

centuries and a hal% the artist has been able to produce only a caricature, stupid indeed

he must beAB

r bad enough the material he -or+s upon.B

Stupider still then, -hen, +no-ing it to be bad, he does not give it up, but goes on

-asting time. ot only is he stupid, but he is a cheat and a robber, because he +no-s

that his -or+ is useless, yet continues to dra- his salary. ot only is he stupid and athie%, he is a villain in that [2/>]he prevents any other -or+man %rom trying his s+ill to

see i% he might not produce something -orth -hileA he deadly ealousy o% the

incompetentAB

he reply -as sharp and Padre $ernande( %elt himsel% caught. o his ga(e #sagani

appeared gigantic, invincible, convincing, and %or the %irst time in his li%e he %elt



beaten by a $ilipino student. !e repented o% having provo+ed the argument, but it -as

too late to turn bac+. #n this uandary, %inding himsel% con%ronted -ith such a

%ormidable adversary, he sought a strong shield and laid hold o% the government.

Nou impute all the %aults to us, because you see only us, -ho are near,B he said in a

less haughty tone. #ts natural and doesnt surprise me. @ person hates the soldier or policeman -ho arrests him and not the udge -ho sends him to prison. Nou and -e are

both dancing to the same measure o% musicHi% at the same note you li%t your %oot in

unison -ith us, dont blame us %or it, its the music that is directing our movements.

3o you thin+ that -e %riars have no consciences and that -e do not desire -hat is

rightG 3o you believe that -e do not thin+ about you, that -e do not heed our duty,

that -e only eat to live, and live to ruleG *ould that it -ere soA ut -e, li+e you,

%ollo- the cadence, %inding ourselves bet-een Scylla and Charybdis0 either you reect

us or the government reects us. he government commands, and he -ho commands,

commands,Hand must be obeyedAB

$rom -hich it may be in%erred,B remar+ed #sagani -ith a bitter smile, that the

government -ishes our demorali(ation.B

h, no, # didnt mean thatA *hat # meant to say is that there are belie%s, there are

theories, there are la-s, -hich, dictated -ith the best intention, produce the most

deplorable conseuences. #ll e=plain mysel% better by citing an e=ample. o stamp

out a small evil, there are dictated many la-s that cause greater evils still0

Q#orruptissima in republi#a plurimae leges! said acitus. o prevent[2/]one case o%

%raud, there are provided a million and a hal% preventive or humiliating regulations,

-hich produce the immediate e%%ect o% a-a+ening in the public the desire to elude andmoc+ such regulations. o ma+e a people criminal, theres nothing more needed than

to doubt its virtue. Enact a la-, not only here, but even in Spain, and you -ill see ho-

the means o% evading it -ill be sought, and this is %or the very reason that the

legislators have overloo+ed the %act that the more an obect is hidden, the more a sight

o% it is desired. *hy are rascality and astuteness regarded as great ualities in the

Spanish people, -hen there is no other so noble, so proud, so chivalrous as itG

ecause our legislators, -ith the best intentions, have doubted its nobility, -ounded

its pride, challenged its chivalryA 3o you -ish to open in Spain a road among the

roc+sG hen place there an imperative notice %orbidding the passage, and the people,

in order to protest against the order, -ill leave the high-ay to clamber over the roc+s.

he day on -hich some legislator in Spain %orbids virtue and commands vice, then all

-ill become virtuousAB

he 3ominican paused %or a brie% space, then resumed0 ut you may say that -e are

getting a-ay %rom the subect, so #ll return to it. *hat # can say to you, to convince

you, is that the vices %rom -hich you su%%er ought to be ascribed by you neither to us



nor to the government. hey are due to the imper%ect organi(ation o% our social

system0 qui multum probat! nihil probat , one loses himsel% through e=cessive caution,

lac+ing -hat is necessary and having too much o% -hat is super%luous.B

#% you admit those de%ects in your social system,B replied #sagani, -hy then do you

underta+e to regulate alien societies, instead o% %irst devoting your attention toyourselvesGB

*ere getting a-ay %rom the subect, young man. he theory in accomplished %acts

must be accepted.B

So let it beA # accept it because it is an accomplished [2/9]%act, but # -ill %urther as+0

-hy, i% your social organi(ation is de%ective, do you not change it or at least give heed

to the cry o% those -ho are inured by itGB

*ere still %ar a-ay. Fets tal+ about -hat the students -ant %rom the %riars.B

$rom the moment -hen the %riars hide themselves behind the government, the

students have to turn to it.B

his statement -as true and there appeared no means o% ignoring it.

#m not the government and # cant ans-er %or its acts. *hat do the students -ish us

to do %or them -ithin the limits by -hich -e are con%inedGB

ot to oppose the emancipation o% education but to %avor it.B

he 3ominican shoo+ his head. *ithout stating my o-n opinion, that is as+ing us to

commit suicide,B he said.

n the contrary, it is as+ing you %or room to pass in order not to trample upon and

crush you.B

@hemAB coughed Padre $ernande(, stopping and remaining thought%ul. egin by

as+ing something that does not cost so much, something that any one o% us can grant

-ithout abatement o% dignity or privilege, %or i% -e can reach an understanding andd-ell in peace, -hy this hatred, -hy this distrustGB

hen lets get do-n to details.B

Nes, because i% -e disturb the %oundation, -ell bring do-n the -hole edi%ice.B



hen lets get do-n to details, lets leave the region o% abstract principles,B reoined

#sagani -ith a smile, and also without stating m& own opinion!BHthe youth accented

these -ordsHthe students -ould desist %rom their attitude and so%ten certain

asperities i% the pro%essors -ould try to treat them better than they have up to the

present. hat is in their hands.B

*hatGB demanded the 3ominican. !ave the students any complaint to ma+e about

my conductGB

Padre, -e agreed %rom the start not to tal+ o% yoursel% [2>;]or o% mysel%, -ere

spea+ing generally. he students, besides getting no great bene%it out o% the years

spent in the classes, o%ten leave there remnants o% their dignity, i% not the -hole o% it.B

Padre $ernande( again bit his lip. o one %orces them to studyHthe %ields are

uncultivated,B he observed dryly.

Nes, there is something that impels them to study,B replied #sagani in the same tone,

loo+ing the 3ominican %ull in the %ace. esides the duty o% every one to see+ his o-n

per%ection, there is the desire innate in man to cultivate his intellect, a desire the more

po-er%ul here in that it is repressed. !e -ho gives his gold and his li%e to the State has

the right to reuire o% it opporttmity better to get that gold and better to care %or his

li%e. Nes, Padre, there is something that impels them, and that something is the

government itsel%. #t is you yourselves -ho pitilessly ridicule the uncultured #ndian

and deny him his rights, on the ground that he is ignorant. Nou strip him and then

sco%% at his na+edness.B

Padre $ernande( did not reply, but continued to pace about %everishly, as though very

much agitated.

Nou say that the %ields are not cultivated,B resumed #sagani in a changed tone, a%ter a

brie% pause. Fets not enter upon an analysis o% the reason %or this, because -e should

get %ar a-ay. ut you, Padre $ernande(, you, a teacher, you, a learned man, do you

-ish a people o% peons and laborersG #n your opinion, is the laborer the per%ect state at

-hich man may arrive in his developmentG r is it that you -ish +no-ledge %or

yoursel% and labor %or the restGB

o, # -ant +no-ledge %or him -ho deserves it, %or him -ho +no-s ho- to use it,B

-as the reply. *hen the students demonstrate that they love it, -hen young men o%

conviction appear, young men -ho +no- ho- to maintain their dignity and ma+e it

respected, then there -ill be +no-ledge, then there -ill be considerate pro%essorsA

#% [2>1]there are no- pro%essors -ho resort to abuse, it is because there are pupils -ho

submit to it.B



*hen there are pro%essors, there -ill be studentsAB

egin by re%orming yourselves, you -ho have need o% change, and -e -ill %ollo-.B

Nes,B said #sagani -ith a bitter laugh, let us begin it, because the di%%iculty is on our

side. *ell you +no- -hat is e=pected o% a pupil -ho stands be%ore a pro%essorHyouyoursel%, -ith all your love o% ustice, -ith all your +ind sentiments, have been

restraining yoursel% by a great e%%ort -hile # have been telling you bitter truths, you

yoursel%, Padre $ernande(A *hat good has been secured by him among us -ho has

tried to inculcate other ideasG *hat evils have not %allen upon you because you have

tried to be ust and per%orm your dutyGB

SeKor #sagani,B said the 3ominican, e=tending his hand, although it may seem that

nothing practical has resulted %rom this conversation, yet something has been gained.

#ll tal+ to my brethren about -hat you have told me and # hope that something can be

done. nly # %ear that they -ont believe in your e=istence.B

# %ear the same,B returned #sagani, sha+ing the 3ominicans hand. # %ear that my

%riends -ill not believe in your e=istence, as you have revealed yoursel% to me

today.B1[2>2]

Considering the intervie- at an end, the young man too+ his leave.

Padre $ernande( opened the door and %ollo-ed him -ith his ga(e until he disappeared

around a corner in the corridor. $or some time he listened to the retreating %ootsteps,

then -ent bac+ into his cell and -aited %or the youth to appear in the street.

!e sa- him and actually heard him say to a %riend -ho as+ed -here he -as going0

o the Civil 5overnmentA #m going to see the pasuinades and oin the othersAB

!is startled %riend stared at him as one -ould loo+ at a person -ho is about to commit

suicide, then moved a-ay %rom him hurriedly.

Poor boyAB murmured Padre $ernande(, %eeling his eyes moisten. # grudge you to

the &esuits -ho educated you.B

ut Padre $ernande( -as completely mista+en? the &esuits repudiated #sagani2 -hen

that a%ternoon they learned that he had been arrested, saying that he -ould

compromise them. hat young man has thro-n himsel% a-ay, hes going to do us

harmA Fet it be understood that he didnt get those ideas here.B



or -ere the &esuits -rong. oA hose ideas come only %rom 5od through the

medium o% ature.[2>:]

1

*e do not believe in the verisimilitude o% this dialogue, %abricated by the author in order to re%ute thearguments o% the %riars, -hose pride -as so great that it -ould not permit any #sagani to tell them these

truths %ace to %ace. he invention o% Padre $ernande( as a 3ominican pro%essor is a stro+e o% generosity

on "i(als part, in conceding that there could have e=isted an&%riar capable o% tal+ing %ran+ly -ith

an Indian.BH /( *( Retana! in note to this #hapter in the edition published b& him at =ar#elona in 012.

"etana ought to +no- o% -hat he is -riting, %or he -as in the employ o% the %riars %or several years and

later in Spain -rote e=tensively %or the ournal supported by them to de%end their position in the

Philippines. !e has also been charged -ith having strongly urged "i(als e=ecution in 19/. Since 19,

ho-ever, he has doubled about, or, perhaps more aptly, per%ormed a ournalistic somersaultHhaving

-ritten a di%%use biography and other -or+s dealing -ith "i(al. !e is strong in unassorted [2>2n]%acts, but

his comments, -hen not inane and -earisome, approach a maudlin -ail over spilt mil+,B so the above is

given at its %ace value only.Hr.

2 Luite suggestive o%, and perhaps inspired by, the authors o-n e=perience.Hr.

Tatakut

*ith prophetic inspiration enD<ayb had been %or some days past maintaining in his

ne-spaper that education -as disastrous, very disastrous %or the Philippine #slands,

and no- in vie- o% the events o% that $riday o% pasuinades, the -riter cro-ed and

chanted his triumph, leaving belittled and over-helmed his adversary Joratius, -ho

in the $irote#nia had dared to ridicule him in the %ollo-ing manner0

$rom our contemporary, *l Grito0

Education is disastrous, very disastrous, %or the Philippine #slands.B

@dmitted.

$or some time *l Grito has pretended to represent the $ilipino peopleH ergo, as $ray #baKe(

-ould say, i% he +ne- Fatin.

ut $ray #baKe( turns 4ussulman -hen he -rites, and -e +no- ho- the 4ussulmans dealt -itheducation. In witness whereof , as a royal preacher said, the @le=andrian libraryA

o- he -as right, he, enD<aybA !e -as the only one in the islands -ho thought, the

only one -ho %oresa- eventsA

ruly, the ne-s that seditious pasuinades had been %ound on the doors o% the

)niversity not only too+ a-ay the appetite %rom many and disturbed the digestion o%



others, but it even rendered the phlegmatic Chinese uneasy, so that they no longer

dared to sit in their shops -ith one leg dra-n up as usual, %rom %ear o% losing time in

e=tending it in order to put themselves into %light. @t eight ocloc+ in the morning,

although the sun continued on its course and his E=cellency, the CaptainD5eneral, did

not appear at the head o% his victorious cohorts, still the [2>O]e=citement had increased.

he %riars -ho -ere accustomed to %reuent Luirogas ba(aar did not put in theirappearance, and this symptom presaged terri%ic cataclysms. #% the sun had risen a

suare and the saints appeared only in pantaloons, Luiroga -ould not have been so

greatly alarmed, %or he -ould have ta+en the sun %or a gamingDtable and the sacred

images %or gamblers -ho had lost their camisas, but %or the %riars not to come,

precisely -hen some novelties had ust arrived %or themA

y means o% a provincial %riend o% his, Luiroga %orbade entrance into his gamingD

houses to every #ndian -ho -as not an old acuaintance, as the %uture Chinese consul

%eared that they might get possession o% the sums that the -retches lost there. @%ter

arranging his ba(aar in such a -ay that he could close it uic+ly in case o% need, he

had a policeman accompany him %or the short distance that separated his house %rom

Simouns. Luiroga thought this occasion the most propitious %or ma+ing use o% the

ri%les and cartridges that he had in his -arehouse, in the -ay the e-eler had pointed

out? so that on the %ollo-ing days there -ould be searches made, and thenHho-

many prisoners, ho- many terri%ied people -ould give up their savingsA #t -as the

game o% the old carbineers, in slipping contraband cigars and tobaccoDleaves under a

house, in order to pretend a search and %orce the un%ortunate o-ner to bribery or %ines,

only no- the art had been per%ected and, the tobacco monopoly abolished, resort -as

had to the prohibited arms.

ut Simoun re%used to see any one and sent -ord to the Chinese that he should leave

things as they -ere, -hereupon he -ent to see 3on Custodio to inuire -hether he

should %orti%y his ba(aar, but neither -ould 3on Custodio receive him, being at the

time engaged in the study o% a proect %or de%ense in case o% a siege. !e thought o%

enD<ayb as a source o% in%ormation, but %inding the -riter armed to the teeth and

using t-o loaded revolvers %or paperD-eights, too+ his leave in the shortest

possible [2>7]time, to shut himsel% up in his house and ta+e to his bed under pretense

o% illness.

@t %our in the a%ternoon the tal+ -as no longer o% simple pasuinades. here -ere

-hispered rumors o% an understanding bet-een the students and the outla-s o% San

4ateo, it -as certain that in the pansitería they had conspired to surprise the city,

there -as tal+ o% 5erman ships outside the bay to support the movement, o% a band o%

young men -ho under the prete=t o% protesting and demonstrating their !ispanism

had gone to the Palace to place themselves at the 5enerals orders but had been

arrested because it -as discovered that they -ere armed. Providence had saved his



E=cellency, preventing him %rom receiving those precocious criminals, as he -as at

the time in con%erence -ith the Provincials, the IiceD"ector, and -ith Padre #rene,

Padre Salvis representative. here -as considerable truth in these rumors, i% -e have

to believe Padre #rene, -ho in the a%ternoon -ent to visit Capitan iago. @ccording to

him, certain persons had advised his E=cellency to improve the opportunity in order to

inspire terror and administer a lasting lesson to the %ilibusters.

@ number shot,B one had advised, some t-o do(en re%ormers deported at once, in

the silence o% the night, -ould e=tinguish %orever the %lames o% discontent.B

o,B reoined another, -ho had a +ind heart, su%%icient that the soldiers parade

through the streets, a troop o% cavalry, %or e=ample, -ith dra-n sabersHsu%%icient to

drag along some cannon, thats enoughA he people are timid and -ill all retire into

their houses.B

o, no,B insinuated another. his is the opportunity to get rid o% the enemy. #ts notsu%%icient that they retire into their houses, they should be made to come out, li+e evil

humors by means o% plasters. #% they are inclined to start riots, they should be stirred

up by secret agitators. # am o% the opinion that the troops should be resting on their

arms and appearing careless and indi%%erent, so the people may be emboldened, and

then in case o% any disturbanceHout on them, actionAB[2>/]

he end usti%ies the means,B remar+ed another. ur end is our holy religion and the

integrity o% the %atherland. Proclaim a state o% siege, and in case o% the least

disturbance, arrest all the rich and educated, andHclean up the countryAB

#% # hadnt got there in time to counsel moderation,B added Padre #rene, spea+ing to

Capitan iago, its certain that blood -ould no- be %lo-ing through the streets. #

thought o% you, CapitanHhe parti(ans o% %orce couldnt do much -ith the 5eneral,

and they missed Simoun. @h, i% Simoun had not been ta+en illHB

*ith the arrest o% asilio and the search made later among his boo+s and papers,

Capitan iago had become much -orse. o- Padre #rene had come to augment his

terror -ith hairDraising tales. #ne%%able %ear sei(ed upon the -retch, mani%esting itsel%

%irst by a light shiver, -hich -as rapidly accentuated, until he -as unable to spea+.

*ith his eyes bulging and his bro- covered -ith s-eat, he caught Padre #renes armand tried to rise, but could not, and then, uttering t-o groans, %ell heavily bac+ upon

the pillo-. !is eyes -ere -ide open and he -as slaveringHbut he -as dead. he

terri%ied Padre #rene %led, and, as the dying man had caught hold o% him, in his %light

he dragged the corpse %rom the bed, leaving it spra-ling in the middle o% the room.



y night the terror had reached a clima=. Several incidents had occurred to ma+e the

timorous believe in the presence o% secret agitators.

3uring a baptism some cuartos -ere thro-n to the boys and naturally there -as a

scramble at the door o% the church. #t happened that at the time there -as passing a

bold soldier, -ho, some-hat preoccupied, mistoo+ the uproar %or a gathering o%%ilibusters and hurled himsel%, s-ord in hand, upon the boys. !e -ent into the church,

and had he not become entangled in the curtains suspended %rom the choir he -ould

not have le%t a single head on shoulders. #t -as but the matter o% a moment %or

the [2>>]timorous to -itness this and ta+e to %light, spreading the ne-s that the

revolution had begun. he %e- shops that had been +ept open -ere no- hastily

closed, there being Chinese -ho even le%t bolts o% cloth outside, and not a %e- -omen

lost their slippers in their %light through the streets. $ortunately, there -as only one

person -ounded and a %e- bruised, among them the soldier himsel%, -ho su%%ered a

%all %ighting -ith the curtain, -hich smelt to him o% %ilibusterism. Such pro-ess

gained him great reno-n, and a reno-n so pure that it is to be -ished all %ame could

be acuired in li+e mannerHmothers -ould then -eep less and earth -ould be more

populousA

#n a suburb the inhabitants caught t-o un+no-n individuals burying arms under a

house, -hereupon a tumult arose and the people pursued the strangers in order to +ill

them and turn their bodies over to the authorities, but some one paci%ied the e=cited

cro-d by telling them that it -ould be su%%icient to hand over the #orpora deli#torum,

-hich proved to be some old shotguns that -ould surely have +illed the %irst person

-ho tried to %ire them.

@ll right,B e=claimed one braggart, i% they -ant us to rebel, lets go aheadAB ut he

-as cu%%ed and +ic+ed into silence, the -omen pinching him as though he had been

the o-ner o% the shotguns.

#n Ermita the a%%air -as more serious, even though there -as less e=citement, and that

-hen there -ere shots %ired. @ certain cautious government employee, armed to the

teeth, sa- at night%all an obect near his house, and ta+ing it %or nothing less than a

student, %ired at it t-ice -ith a revolver. he obect proved to be a policeman, and

they buried himH paB %hristi" Mutis"

#n 3ulumbayan various shots also resounded, %rom -hich there resulted the death o% a

poor old dea% man, -ho had not heard the sentinels qui<n vive, and o% a hog that had

heard it and had not ans-ered *spaaA he old man -as buried -ith di%%iculty, since

there -as no money to pay %or the obseuies, but the hog -as eaten.[2>]



#n 4anila,1 in a con%ectionery near the )niversity much %reuented by the students,

the arrests -ere thus commented upon.

@nd have they arrested adeoGB2 as+ed the proprietess.

Ab-AB ans-ered a student -ho lived in Parian, hes already shotAB

ShotA NakúA !e hasnt paid -hat he o-es me.B

@y, dont mention that or youll be ta+en %or an accomplice. #ve already burnt the

boo+ : you lent me. here might be a search and it -ould be %ound. e care%ulAB

3id you say that #sagani is a prisonerGB

Cra(y %ool, too, that #sagani,B replied the indignant student. hey didnt try to catch

him, but he -ent and surrendered. Fet him bust himsel%Hhell surely be shot.B

he seKora shrugged her shoulders. !e doesnt o-e me anything. @nd -hat about

PaulitaGB

She -ont lac+ a husband. Sure, shell cry a little, and then marry a Spaniard.B

he night -as one o% the gloomiest. #n the houses the rosary -as recited and pious

-omen dedicated paternosters and reuiems to each o% the souls o% their relatives and

%riends. y eight ocloc+ hardly a pedestrian could be seenHonly %rom time to time

-as heard the galloping o% a horse against -hose sides a saber clan+ed noisily, thenthe -histles o% the -atchmen, and carriages that -hirled along at %ull speed, as though

pursued by mobs o% %ilibusters.

Net terror did not reign every-here. #n the house o% the silversmith, -here Placido

Penitente boarded, the events -ere commented upon and discussed -ith some

%reedom.[2>9]

# dont believe in the pasuinades,B declared a -or+man, lan+ and -ithered %rom

operating the blo-pipe. o me it loo+s li+e Padre Salvis doings.B

@hem, ahemAB coughed the silversmith, a very prudent man, -ho did not dare to stop

the conversation %rom %ear that he -ould be considered a co-ard. he good man had

to content himsel% -ith coughing, -in+ing to his helper, and ga(ing to-ard the street,

as i% to say, hey may be -atching usAB

n account o% the operetta,B added another -or+man.



@haAB e=claimed one -ho had a %oolish %ace, # told you soAB

@hemAB reoined a cler+, in a tone o% compassion, the a%%air o% the pasuinades is

true, Chichoy, and # can give you the e=planation.B

hen he added mysteriously, #ts a tric+ o% the Chinaman LuirogasAB

@hem, ahemAB again coughed the silversmith, shi%ting his uid o% buyo %rom one

chee+ to the other.

elieve me, Chichoy, o% Luiroga the ChinamanA # heard it in the o%%ice.B

Nakú, its certain then,B e=claimed the simpleton, believing it at once.

Luiroga,B e=plained the cler+, has a hundred thousand pesos in 4e=ican silver out

in the bay. !o- is he to get it inG Iery easily. $i= up the pasuinades, availing himsel% o% the uestion o% the students, and, -hile everyDbody is e=cited, grease the o%%icials

palms, and in the cases comeAB

&ust itA &ust itAB cried the credulous %ool, stri+ing the table -ith his %ist. &ust itA

hats -hy Luiroga did itA hats -hyHB ut he had to relapse into silence as he

really did not +no- -hat to say about Luiroga.

@nd -e must pay the damagesGB as+ed the indignant Chichoy.

@hem, ahem, aDhDhemAB coughed the silversmith, hearing steps in the street.[2;]

he %ootsteps approached and all in the shop %ell silent.

St. Pascual ailon is a great saint,B declared the silversmith hypocritically, in a loud

voice, at the same time -in+ing to the others. St. Pascual ailonHB

@t that moment there appeared the %ace o% Placido Penitente, -ho -as accompanied

by the pyrotechnician that -e sa- receiving orders %rom Simoun. he ne-comers

-ere surrounded and importuned %or ne-s.

# havent been able to tal+ -ith the prisoners,B e=plained Placido. here are some

thirty o% them.B

e on your guard,B cautioned the pyrotechnician, e=changing a +no-ing loo+ -ith

Placido. hey say that toDnight theres going to be a massacre.B



@haA hunderAB e=claimed Chichoy, loo+ing about %or a -eapon. Seeing none, he

caught up his blo-pipe.

he silversmith sat do-n, trembling in every limb. he credulous simpleton already

sa- himsel% beheaded and -ept in anticipation over the %ate o% his %amily.

o,B contradicted the cler+, theres not going to be any massacre. he adviser o%BH

he made a mysterious gestureHis %ortunately sic+.B

SimounAB

@hem, ahem, aDhDhemAB

Placido and the pyrotechnician e=changed another loo+.

#% he hadnt got sic+HB

#t -ould loo+ li+e a revolution,B added the pyrotechnician negligently, as he lighted a

cigarette in the lamp chimney. @nd -hat should -e do thenGB

hen -ed start a real one, no- that theyre going to massacre us anyho-HB

he violent %it o% coughing that sei(ed the silversmith prevented the rest o% this speech

%rom being heard, but Chichoy must have been saying terrible things, to udge %rom

his murderous gestures -ith the blo-pipe and the %ace o% a &apanese tragedian that he

put on.

"ather say that hes playing o%% sic+ because hes a%raid to go out. @s may be seen

HB[21]

he silversmith -as attac+ed by another %it o% coughing so severe that he %inally as+ed

all to retire.

evertheless, get ready,B -arned the pyrotechnician. #% they -ant to %orce us to +ill

or be +illedHB

@nother %it o% coughing on the part o% the poor silversmith prevented %urther

conversation, so the -or+men and apprentices retired to their homes, carrying -ith

them hammers and sa-s, and other implements, more or less cutting, more or less

bruising, disposed to sell their lives dearly. Placido and the pyrotechnician -ent out

again.

Prudence, prudenceAB cautioned the silversmith in a tear%ul voice.



Noull ta+e care o% my -ido- and orphansAB begged the credulous simpleton in a still

more tear%ul voice, %or he already sa- himsel% riddled -ith bullets and buried.

hat night the guards at the city gates -ere replaced -ith Peninsular artillerymen, and

on the %ollo-ing morning as the sun rose, enD<ayb, -ho had ventured to ta+e a

morning stroll to e=amine the condition o% the %orti%ications, %ound on the glacis nearthe Funeta the corpse o% a native girl, hal%Dna+ed and abandoned. enD<ayb -as

horri%ied, but a%ter touching it -ith his cane and ga(ing to-ard the gates proceeded on

his -ay, musing over a sentimental tale he might base upon the incident.

!o-ever, no allusion to it appeared in the ne-spapers on the %ollo-ing days,

engrossed as they -ere -ith the %alls and slippings caused by bananaDpeels. #n the

dearth o% ne-s enD<ayb had to comment at length on a cyclone that had destroyed in

@merica -hole to-ns, causing the death o% more than t-o thousand persons. @mong

other beauti%ul things he said0

The sentiment of #harit&, 4"E P"EI@FE # C@!F#C C)"#ES !@ #

!E"S, and the thought o% !im -ho, in%luenced by that same %eeling, sacri%iced himsel%

%or humanit&! moves .si#4 us to compassion over the mis%ortunes o% our +ind and to render than+s

thatin this #ountr&, so scourged by cyclones, there are not enacted scenes so desolating as that

-hich the inhabitants o% the )nited States mus have -itnessedAB

[22]

Joratius did not miss the opportunity, and, also -ithout mentioning the dead, or the

murdered native girl, or the assaults, ans-ered him in his $irote#nia0

@%ter such great charity and such great humanity, $ray #baKe(H# mean, enD<aybHbrings

himsel% to pray %or the Philippines.

ut he is understood.

ecause he is not Catholic, and the sentiment o% charity is most prevalent,B etc.O

[2:]

1 he *alled City, the original 4anila, is still +no-n to the Spaniards and older natives e=clusively as

such, the other districts being re%erred to by their distinctive names.Hr.

2 early all the dialogue in this chapter is in the mongrel SpanishDagalog mar+et language,B -hich

cannot be reproduced in English.Hr.



: 3oubtless a re%erence to the authors %irst -or+, Noli Me Tangere, -hich -as tabooed by the authorities.

Hr.

O Such inanities as these are still a %eature o% 4anila ournalism.Hr.

$2it Capitan Tiagoalis vita, %inis ita

Capitan iago had a good endHthat is, a uite e=ceptional %uneral. rue it is that the

curate o% the parish had ventured the observation to Padre #rene that Capitan iago

had died -ithout con%ession, but the good priest, smiling sardonically, had rubbed the

tip o% his nose and ans-ered0

*hy say that to meG #% -e had to deny the obseuies to all -ho die -ithout

con%ession, -e should %orget the :e profundisA hese restrictions, as you -ell +no-,are en%orced -hen the impenitent is also insolvent. ut Capitan iagoHout on youA

Nouve buried in%idel Chinamen, and -ith a reuiem massAB

Capitan iago had named Padre #rene as his e=ecutor and -illed his property in part to

St. Clara, part to the Pope, to the @rchbishop, the religious corporations, leaving

t-enty pesos %or the matriculation o% poor students. his last clause had been dictated

at the suggestion o% Padre #rene, in his capacity as protector o% studious youths.

Capitan iago had annulled a legacy o% t-entyD%ive pesos that he had le%t to asilio, in

vie- o% the ungrate%ul conduct o% the boy during the last %e- days, but Padre #rene

had restored it and announced that he -ould ta+e it upon his o-n purse andconscience.

#n the dead mans house, -here -ere assembled on the %ollo-ing day many old

%riends and acuaintances, considerable comment -as indulged in over a miracle. #t

-as reported that, at the very moment -hen he -as dying, the [2O]soul o% Capitan

iago had appeared to the nuns surrounded by a brilliant light. 5od had saved him,

than+s to the pious legacies, and to the numerous masses he had paid %or. he story

-as commented upon, it -as recounted vividly, it too+ on particulars, and -as

doubted by no one. he appearance o% Capitan iago -as minutely describedHo%

course the %roc+ coat, the chee+ bulged out by the uid o% buyo, -ithout omitting thegameDcoc+ and the opiumDpipe. he senior sacristan, -ho -as present, gravely

a%%irmed these %acts -ith his head and re%lected that, a%ter death, he -ould appear -ith

his cup o% -hite ta'ú, %or -ithout that re%reshing brea+%ast he could not comprehend

happiness either on earth or in heaven.



n this subect, because o% their inability to discuss the events o% the preceding day

and because there -ere gamblers present, many strange speculations -ere developed.

hey made conectures as to -hether Capitan iago -ould invite St. Peter to

a soltada, -hether they -ould place bets, -hether the gameDcoc+s -ere immortal,

-hether invulnerable, and in this case -ho -ould be the re%eree, -ho -ould -in, and

so on0 discussions uite to the taste o% those -ho %ound sciences, theories, andsystems, based on a te=t -hich they esteem in%allible, revealed or dogmatic.

4oreover, there -ere cited passages %rom novenas, boo+s o% miracles, sayings o% the

curates, descriptions o% heaven, and other embroidery. 3on Primitivo, the philosopher,

-as in his glory uoting opinions o% the theologians.

ecause no one can lose,B he stated -ith great authority. o lose -ould cause hard

%eelings and in heaven there cant be any hard %eelings.B

ut some one has to -in,B reoined the gambler @ristorenas. he %un lies in

-inningAB

*ell, both -in, thats easyAB

his idea o% both -inning could not be admitted by @ristorenas, %or he had passed his

li%e in the coc+pit and had al-ays seen one coc+ lose and the other -inHat best, there

-as a tie. Iainly 3on Primitivo argued in Fatin. [27]@ristorenas shoo+ his head, and

that too -hen 3on Primitivos Fatin -as easy to understand, %or he tal+ed o% an gallustalisainus! a#uto tari armatus! an gallus beati $etri bulikus sasabung Ous sit ,1 and so on,

until at length he decided to resort to the argument -hich many use to convince and

silence their opponents.

Noure going to be damned, %riend 4artin, youre %alling into heresyA %ave ne#adas" #m not going to play monte -ith you any more, and -ell not set up a ban+

together. Nou deny the omnipotence o% 5od, pe##atum mortale" Nou deny the

e=istence o% the !oly rinityH three are one and one is threeA a+e careA Nou

indirectly deny that t-o natures, t-o understandings, and t-o -ills can have only one

memoryA e care%ulA ui#umque non #rederit anathema sit"B

4artin @ristorenas shran+ a-ay pale and trembling, -hile Luiroga, -ho had listened

-ith great attention to the argument, -ith mar+ed de%erence o%%ered the philosopher amagni%icent cigar, at the same time as+ing in his caressing voice0 Surely, one can

ma+e a contract %or a coc+pit -ith Rilisto,2 haG *hen # die, #ll be the contractor, haGB

@mong the others, they tal+ed more o% the deceased? at least they discussed -hat +ind

o% clothing to put on him. Capitan inong proposed a $ranciscan habitHand

%ortunately, he had one, old, threadbare, and patched, a precious obect -hich,



according to the %riar -ho gave it to him as alms in e=change %or thirtyDsi= pesos,

-ould preserve the corpse %rom the %lames o% hell and -hich rec+oned in

its [2/]support various pious anecdotes ta+en %rom the boo+s distributed by the

curates. @lthough he held this relic in great esteem, Capitan inong -as disposed to

part -ith it %or the sa+e o% his intimate %riend, -hom he had not been able to visit

during his illness. ut a tailor obected, -ith good reason, that since the nuns had seenCapitan iago ascending to heaven in a %roc+ coat, in a %roc+ coat he should be

dressed here on earth, nor -as there any necessity %or preservatives and %ireDproo%

garments. he deceased had attended balls and %iestas in a %roc+ coat, and nothing else

-ould be e=pected o% him in the s+iesHand, -onder%ul to relate, the tailor

accidentally happened to have one ready, -hich he -ould part -ith %or thirtyDt-o

pesos, %our cheaper than the $ranciscan habit, because he didnt -ant to ma+e any

pro%it on Capitan iago, -ho had been his customer in li%e and -ould no- be his

patron in heaven. ut Padre #rene, trustee and e=ecutor, reected both proposals and

ordered that the Capitan be dressed in one o% his old suits o% clothes, remar+ing -ith

holy unction that 5od paid no attention to clothing.

he obseuies -ere, there%ore, o% the very %irst class. here -ere responsories in the

house, and in the street three %riars o%%iciated, as though one -ere not su%%icient %or

such a great soul. @ll the rites and ceremonies possible -ere per%ormed, and it is

reported that there -ere even eBtras, as in the bene%its %or actors. #t -as indeed a

delight0 loads o% incense -ere burned, there -ere plenty o% Fatin chants, large

uantities o% holy -ater -ere e=pended, and Padre #rene, out o% regard %or his old

%riend, sang the :ies Irae in a %alsetto voice %rom the choir, -hile the neighbors

su%%ered real headaches %rom so much +nellDringing.

3oKa Patrocinio, the ancient rival o% Capitan iago in religiosity, actually -anted to

die on the ne=t day, so that she might order even more sumptuous obseuies. he

pious old lady could not bear the thought that he, -hom she had long considered

vanuished %orever, should in dying come[2>]%or-ard again -ith so much pomp. Nes,

she desired to die, and it seemed that she could hear the e=clamations o% the people at

the %uneral0 his indeed is -hat you call a %uneralA his indeed is to +no- ho- to

die, 3oKa PatrocinioAB[2]

1 *hether there -ould be a talisain coc+, armed -ith a sharp ga%%, -hether the blessed Peters %ightingD

coc+ -ould be abulik HB

Talisain and bulik are distinguishing terms in the vernacular %or %ightingDcoc+s, tari and sasabung O in the

agalog terms %or ga%%B and gameDcoc+,B respectively.



he agalog terminology o% the coc+pit and mon+ish Fatin certainly ma+e a %ear%ul and -onder%ul

mi=tureHnor did the author have to resort to his imagination to get samples o% it.Hr.

2 his is Luirogas pronunciation o% %hristo.Hr.

Julihe death o% Capitan iago and asilios imprisonment -ere soon reported in the

province, and to the honor o% the simple inhabitants o% San 3iego, let it be recorded

that the latter -as the incident more regretted and almost the only one discussed. @s

-as to be e=pected, the report too+ on di%%erent %orms, sad and startling details -ere

given, -hat could not be understood -as e=plained, the gaps being %illed by

conectures, -hich soon passed %or accomplished %acts, and the phantoms thus created

terri%ied their o-n creators.

#n the to-n o% iani it -as reported that at least, at the very least, the young man -asgoing to be deported and -ould very probably be murdered on the ourney. he

timorous and pessimistic -ere not satis%ied -ith this but even tal+ed about e=ecutions

and courtsDmartialH&anuary -as a %atal month? in &anuary the Cavite a%%air had

occurred, and the&1 even though curates, had been garroted, so a poor asilio -ithout

protectors or %riendsH

# told him soAB sighed the &ustice o% the Peace, as i% he had at some time given advice

to asilio. # told him so.B

#t -as to be e=pected,B commented Sister Penchang. !e -ould go into the churchand -hen he sa- that the holy -ater -as some-hat dirty he -ouldnt cross himsel%

-ith it. !e tal+ed about germs and disease, ab-, its the chastisement o% 5odA !e

deserved it, and he got itA @s [29]though the holy -ater could transmit diseasesA Luite

the contrary, ab-"B

She then related ho- she had cured hersel% o% indigestion by moistening her stomach

-ith holy -ater, at the same time reciting the ,an#tus :eus, and she recommended the

remedy to those present -hen they should su%%er %rom dysentery, or an epidemic

occurred, only that then they must pray in Spanish0

Santo 3iMs,

Santo %uerte,

Santo inmortal,

WFibranos, SeKor, de la peste

N de todo malA2



#ts an in%allible remedy, but you must apply the holy -ater to the part a%%ected,B she

concluded.

ut there -ere many persons -ho did not believe in these things, nor did they

attribute asilios imprisonment to the chastisement o% 5od. or did they ta+e any

stoc+ in insurrections and pasuinades, +no-ing the prudent and ultraDpaci%iccharacter o% the boy, but pre%erred to ascribe it to revenge on the part o% the %riars,

because o% his having rescued %rom servitude &uli, the daughter o% a tulisan -ho -as

the mortal enemy o% a certain po-er%ul corporation. @s they had uite a poor idea o%

the morality o% that same corporation and could recall cases o% petty revenge, their

conecture -as believed to have more probability and usti%ication.

*hat a good thing # did -hen # drove her %rom my houseAB said Sister Penchang. #

dont -ant to have any trouble -ith the %riars, so # urged her to %ind the money.B

he truth -as, ho-ever, that she regretted &ulis liberty, %or &uli prayed and %asted %orher, and i% she had stayed a longer time, -ould also have done penance. *hy, i% the

curates pray %or us and Christ died %or our sins, couldnt &uli do the same %or Sister

PenchangG[29;]

*hen the ne-s reached the hut -here the poor &uli and her grand%ather lived, the girl

had to have it repeated to her. She stared at Sister ali, -ho -as telling it, as though

-ithout comprehension, -ithout ability to collect her thoughts. !er ears bu((ed, she

%elt a sin+ing at the heart and had a vague presentiment that this event -ould have a

disastrous in%luence on her o-n %uture. Net she tried to sei(e upon a ray o% hope, she

smiled, thin+ing that Sister ali -as o+ing -ith her, a rather strong o+e, to be sure, but she %orgave her be%orehand i% she -ould ac+no-ledge that it -as such. ut Sister

ali made a cross -ith one o% her thumbs and a %ore%inger, and +issed it, to prove that

she -as telling the truth. hen the smile %aded %orever %rom the girls lips, she turned

pale, %right%ully pale, she %elt her strength leave her and %or the %irst time in her li%e

she lost consciousness, %alling into a s-oon.

*hen by dint o% blo-s, pinches, dashes o% -ater, crosses, and the application o%

sacred palms, the girl recovered and remembered the situation, silent tears sprang

%rom her eyes, drop by drop, -ithout sobs, -ithout laments, -ithout complaintsA She

thought about asilio, -ho had had no other protector than Capitan iago, and -hono-, -ith the Capitan dead, -as le%t completely unprotected and in prison. #n the

Philippines it is a -ellD+no-n %act that patrons are needed %or everything, %rom the

time one is christened until one dies, in order to get ustice, to secure a passport, or to

develop an industry. @s it -as said that his imprisonment -as due to revenge on

account o% hersel% and her %ather, the girls sorro- turned to desperation. o- it -as



her duty to liberate him, as he had done in rescuing her %rom servitude, and the inner

voice -hich suggested the idea o%%ered to her imagination a horrible means.

Padre Camorra, the curate,B -hispered the voice. &uli gna-ed at her lips and became

lost in gloomy meditation.

@s a result o% her %athers crime, her grand%ather had been arrested in the hope that by

such means the son could be made to appear. he only one -ho could get him [291]his

liberty -as Padre Camorra, and Padre Camorra had sho-n himsel% to be poorly

satis%ied -ith her -ords o% gratitude, having -ith his usual %ran+ness as+ed %or some

sacri%icesHsince -hich time &uli had tried to avoid meeting him. ut the curate made

her +iss his hand, he t-itched her nose and patted her chee+s, he o+ed -ith her,

-in+ing and laughing, and laughing he pinched her. &uli -as also the cause o% the

beating the good curate had administered to some young men -ho -ere going about

the village serenading the girls. 4alicious ones, seeing her pass sad and deected,

-ould remar+ so that she might hear0 #% she only -ished it, Cabesang ales -ould be pardoned.B

&uli reached her home, gloomy and -ith -andering loo+s. She had changed greatly,

having lost her merriment, and no one ever sa- her smile again. She scarcely spo+e

and seemed to be a%raid to loo+ at her o-n %ace. ne day she -as seen in the to-n

-ith a big spot o% soot on her %orehead, she -ho used to go so trim and neat. nce she

as+ed Sister ali i% the people -ho committed suicide -ent to hell.

SurelyAB replied that -oman, and proceeded to describe the place as though she had

been there.

)pon asilios imprisonment, the simple and grate%ul relatives had planned to ma+e

all +inds o% sacri%ices to save the young man, but as they could collect among

themselves no more than thirty pesos, Sister ali, as usual, thought o% a better plan.

*hat -e must do is to get some advice %rom the to-n cler+,B she said. o these poor

people, the to-n cler+ -as -hat the 3elphic oracle -as to the ancient 5ree+s.

y giving him a real and a cigar,B she continued, hell tell you all the la-s so that

your head bursts listening to him. #% you have a peso, hell save you, even though youmay be at the %oot o% the sca%%old. *hen my %riend Simon -as put in ail and %logged

%or not being able to give evidence about a robbery perpetrated near his house, ab-,

%or t-o reales and a hal% and a string o% garlics, the to-n cler+ got him out. @nd # sa-

Simon mysel% -hen [292]he could scarcely -al+ and he had to stay in bed at least a

month. @y, his %lesh rotted as a result and he diedAB



Sister alis advice -as accepted and she hersel% volunteered to intervie- the to-n

cler+. &uli gave her %our reales and added some strips o% er+ed venison her grandD

%ather had got, %or andang Selo had again devoted himsel% to hunting.

ut the to-n cler+ could do nothingHthe prisoner -as in 4anila, and his po-er did

not e=tend that %ar. #% at least he -ere at the capital, thenHB he ventured, to ma+e asho- o% his authority, -hich he +ne- very -ell did not e=tend beyond the boundaries

o% iani, but he had to maintain his prestige and +eep the er+ed venison. ut # can

give you a good piece o% advice, and it is that you go -ith &uli to see the &ustice o% the

Peace. ut its very necessary that &uli go.B

he &ustice o% the Peace -as a very rough %ello-, but i% he should see &uli he might

conduct himsel% less rudelyHthis is -herein lay the -isdom o% the advice.

*ith great gravity the honorable &ustice listened to Sister ali, -ho did the tal+ing,

but not -ithout staring %rom time to time at the girl, -ho hung her head -ith shame.People -ould say that she -as greatly interested in asilio, people -ho did not

remember her debt o% gratitude, nor that his imprisonment, according to report, -as on

her account.

@%ter belching three or %our times, %or his !onor had that ugly habit, he said that the

only person -ho could save asilio -as Padre Camorra, in #ase he should #are to do so. !ere he stared meaningly at the girl and advised her to deal -ith the curate in

person.

Nou +no- -hat in%luence he has,Hhe got your grandD%ather out o% ail. @ report %romhim is enough to deport a ne-Dborn babe or save %rom death a man -ith the noose

about his nec+.B

&uli said nothing, but Sister ali too+ this advice as though she had read it in a

novena, and -as ready to accompany the girl to the convento. #t so happened

that [29:]she -as ust going there to get as alms a scapulary in e=change %or %our %ull

reales.

ut &uli shoo+ her head and -as un-illing to go to the convento. Sister ali thought

she could guess the reasonHPadre Camorra -as reputed to be very %ond o% the-omen and -as very %rolicsomeHso she tried to reassure her. Nouve nothing to %ear

i% # go -ith you. !avent you read in the boo+let Tandang =asio, given you by the

curate, that the girls should go to the convento, even -ithout the +no-ledge o% their

elders, to relate -hat is going on at homeG Ab-, that boo+ is printed -ith the

permission o% the @rchbishopAB



&uli became impatient and -ished to cut short such tal+, so she begged the pious

-oman to go i% she -ished, but his !onor observed -ith a belch that the supplications

o% a youth%ul %ace -ere more moving than those o% an old one, the s+y poured its de-

over the %resh %lo-ers in greater abundance than over the -ithered ones. he

metaphor -as %iendishly beauti%ul.

&uli did not reply and the t-o le%t the house. #n the street the girl %irmly re%used to go

to the convento and they returned to their village. Sister ali, -ho %elt o%%ended at this

lac+ o% con%idence in hersel%, on the -ay home relieved her %eelings by administering

a long preachment to the girl.

he truth -as that the girl could not ta+e that step -ithout damning hersel% in her o-n

eyes, besides being cursed o% men and cursed o% 5odA #t had been intimated to her

several times, -hether -ith reason or not, that i% she -ould ma+e that sacri%ice her

%ather -ould be pardoned, and yet she had re%used, in spite o% the cries o% her

conscience reminding her o% her %ilial duty. o- must she ma+e it %or asilio, hers-eetheartG hat -ould be to %all to the sound o% moc+ery and laughter %rom all

creation. asilio himsel% -ould despise herA o, neverA She -ould %irst hang hersel%

or leap %rom some precipice. @t any rate, she -as already damned %or being a -ic+ed

daughter.

he poor girl had besides to endure all the reproaches [29O]o% her relatives, -ho,

+no-ing nothing o% -hat had passed bet-een her and Padre Camovra, laughed at her

%ears. *ould Padre Camorra %i= his attention upon a country girl -hen there -ere so

many others in the to-nG !ero the good -omen cited names o% unmarried girls, rich

and beauti%ul, -ho had been more or less un%ortunate. 4ean-hile, i% they shouldshoot asilioG

&uli covered her ears and stared -ildly about, as i% see+ing a voice that might plead %or

her, but she sa- only her grand%ather, -ho -as dumb and had his ga(e %i=ed on his

huntingDspear.

hat night she scarcely slept at all. 3reams and nightmares, some %unereal, some

bloody, danced be%ore her sight and -o+e her o%ten, bathed in cold perspiration. She

%ancied that she heard shots, she imagined that she sa- her %ather, that %ather -ho had

done so much %or her, %ighting in the %orests, hunted li+e a -ild beast because she hadre%used to save him. he %igure o% her %ather -as trans%ormed and she recogni(ed

asilio, dying, -ith loo+s o% reproach at her. he -retched girl arose, prayed, -ept,

called upon her mother, upon death, and there -as even a moment -hen, overcome

-ith terror, i% it had not been nightDtime, she -ould have run straight to the convento,

let happen -hat -ould.



*ith the coming o% day the sad presentiments and the terrors o% dar+ness -ere partly

dissipated. he light inspired hopes in her. ut the ne-s o% the a%ternoon -as terrible,

%or there -as tal+ o% persons shot, so the ne=t night -as %or the girl %right%ul. #n her

desperation she decided to give hersel% up as soon as day da-ned and then +ill hersel%

a%ter-ardsHanything, rather than enditre such torturesA ut the da-n brought ne-

hope and she -ould not go to church or even leave the house. She -as a%raid she-ould yield.

So passed several days in praying and cursing, in calling upon 5od and -ishing %or

death. he day gave her a slight respite and she trusted in some miracle. he reports

that [297]came %rom 4anila, although they reached there magni%ied, said that o% the

prisoners some had secured their liberty, than+s to patrons and in%luence. Some one

had to be sacri%icedH-ho -ould it beG &uli shuddered and returned home biting her

%ingerDnails. hen came the night -ith its terrors, -hich too+ on double proportions

and seemed to be converted into realities. &uli %eared to %all asleep, %or her slumbers

-ere a continuous nightmare. Foo+s o% reproach -ould %lash across her eyelids ust as

soon as they -ere closed, complaints and laments pierced her ears. She sa- her %ather

-andering about hungry, -ithout rest or repose? she sa- asilio dying in the road,

pierced by t-o bullets, ust as she had seen the corpse o% that neighbor -ho had been

+illed -hile in the charge o% the Civil 5uard. She sa- the bonds that cut into the %lesh,

she sa- the blood pouring %rom the mouth, she heard asilio calling to her, Save meA

Save meA Nou alone can save meAB hen a burst o% laughter -ould resound and she

-ould turn her eyes to see her %ather ga(ing at her -ith eyes %ull o% reproach. &uli

-ould -a+e up, sit up on her petate, and dra- her hands across her %orehead to

arrange her hairHcold s-eat, li+e the s-eat o% death, moistened itA

4other, motherAB she sobbed.

4ean-hile, they -ho -ere so carelessly disposing o% peoples %ates, he -ho

commanded the legal murders, he -ho violated ustice and made use o% the la- to

maintain himsel% by %orce, slept in peace.

@t last a traveler arrived %rom 4anila and reported that all the prisoners had been set

%ree, all e=cept asilio, -ho had no protector. #t -as reported in 4anila, added the

traveler, that the young man -ould be deported to the Carolines, having been %orced

to sign a petition be%orehand, in -hich he declared that he as+ed it

voluntarily.: he [29/]traveler had seen the very steamer that -as going to ta+e him

a-ay.

his report put an end to all the girls hesitation. esides, her mind -as already uite

-ea+ %rom so many nights o% -atching and horrible dreams. Pale and -ith unsteady

eyes, she sought out Sister ali and, in a voice that -as cause %or alarm, told her that



she -as ready, as+ing her to accompany her. Sister ali thereupon reoiced and tried

to soothe her, but &uli paid no attention to her, apparently intent only upon hurrying to

the convento. She had dec+ed hersel% out in her %inest clothes, and even pretended to

be uite gay, tal+ing a great deal, although in a rather incoherent -ay.

So they set out. &uli -ent ahead, becoming impatient that her companion lagged behind. ut as they neared the to-n, her nervous energy began gradually to abate, she

%ell silent and -avered in her resolution, lessened her pace and soon dropped behind,

so that Sister ali had to encourage her.

*ell get there late,B she remonstrated.

&uli no- %ollo-ed, pale, -ith do-ncast eyes, -hich she -as a%raid to raise. She %elt

that the -hole -orld -as staring at her and pointing its %inger at her. @ vile name

-histled in her ears, but still she disregarded it and continued on her -ay.

evertheless, -hen they came in sight o% the convento, she stopped and began totremble.

Fets go home, lets go home,B she begged, holding her companion bac+.

Sister ali had to ta+e her by the arm and hal% drag her along, reassuring her and

telling her about the boo+s o% the %riars. She -ould not desert her, so there -as

nothing to %ear. Padre Camorra had other things in mindH&uli -as only a poor

country girl.

ut upon arriving at the door o% the convento, &uli %irmly re%used to go in, catchinghold o% the -all.

o, no,B she pleaded in terror. o, no, noA !ave pityAB[29>]

ut -hat a %oolHB

Sister ali pushed her gently along, &uli, pallid and -ith -ild %eatures, o%%ering

resistance. he e=pression o% her %ace said that she sa- death be%ore her.

@ll right, lets go bac+, i% you dont -ant toAB at length the good -oman e=claimed inirritation, as she did not believe there -as any real danger. Padre Camorra, in spite o%

all his reputation, -ould dare do nothing be%ore her.

Fet them carry poor asilio into e=ile, let them shoot him on the -ay, saying that he

tried to escape,B she added. *hen hes dead, then remorse -ill come. ut as %or

mysel%, # o-e him no %avors, so he cant reproach meAB



hat -as the decisive stro+e. #n the %ace o% that reproach, -ith -rath and desperation

mingled, li+e one -ho rushes to suicide, &uli closed her eyes in order not to see the

abyss into -hich she -as hurling hersel% and resolutely entered the convento. @ sigh

that sounded li+e the rattle o% death escaped %rom her lips. Sister ali %ollo-ed, telling

her ho- to act.

hat night comments -ere mysteriously -hispered about certain events -hich had

occurred that a%ternoon. @ girl had leaped %rom a -indo- o% the convento, %alling

upon some stones and +illing hersel%. @lmost at the same time another -oman had

rushed out o% the convento to run through the streets shouting and screaming li+e a

lunatic. he prudent to-ns%ol+ dared not utter any names and many mothers pinched

their daughters %or letting slip e=pressions that might compromise them.

Fater, very much later, at t-ilight, an old man came %rom a village and stood calling at

the door o% the convento, -hich -as closed and guarded by sacristans. he old man

beat the door -ith his %ists and -ith his head, -hile he littered cries sti%led andinarticulate, li+e those o% a dumb person, until he -as at length driven a-ay by blo-s

and shoves. hen he made his -ay to the gobernadorcillos house, but -as told that

the gobernadorcillo -as not there, [29]he -as at the convento? he -ent to the &ustice

o% the Peace, but neither -as the &ustice o% the Peace at homeHhe had been

summoned to the convento? he -ent to the tenienteDmayor, but he too -as at the

convento? he directed his steps to the barrac+s, but the lieutenant o% the Civil 5uard

-as at the convento. he old man then returned to his village, -eeping li+e a child.

!is -ails -ere heard in the middle o% the night, causing men to bite their lips and

-omen to clasp their hands, -hile the dogs slun+ %ear%ully bac+ into the houses -ith

their tails bet-een their legs.

@h, 5od, 5odAB said a poor -oman, lean %rom %asting, in hy presence there is no

rich, no poor, no -hite, no blac+Hhou -ilt grant us usticeAB

Nes,B reoined her husband, ust so that 5od they preach is not a pure invention, a

%raudA hey themselves are the %irst not to believe in !im.B

@t eight ocloc+ in the evening it -as rumored that more than seven %riars, proceeding

%rom neighboring to-ns, -ere assembled in the convento to hold a con%erence. n the

%ollo-ing day, andang Selo disappeared %orever %rom the village, carrying -ith himhis huntingDspear.[299]

1 he native priests urgos, 5ome(, and <amora, charged -ith complicity in the uprising o% 1>2, and

e=ecuted.Hr.



2 his versicle, %ound in the boo+lets o% prayer, is common on the scapularies, -hich, during the late

insurrection, -ere easily converted into the anting)anting , or amulets, -orn by the %anatics.Hr.

: his practiseHsecretly compelling suspects to sign a reuest to be trans%erred to some other islandH-as

by no means a %igment o% the authors imagination, but -as e=tensively practised to anticipate any legal

di%%iculties that might arise.Hr.

The .igh Official

FEspagne et sa, vertu, lEspagne et sa grandeur

out sen vaAHIictor !ugo

he ne-spapers o% 4anila -ere so engrossed in accounts o% a notorious murder

committed in Europe, in panegyrics and pu%%s %or various preachers in the city, in the

constantly increasing success o% the $rench operetta, that they could scarcely devote

space to the crimes perpetrated in the provinces by a band o% tulisanes headed by a%ierce and terrible leader -ho -as called Matanglawin(1 nly -hen the obect o% the

attac+ -as a convento or a Spaniard there then appeared long articles giving %right%ul

details and as+ing %or martial la-, energetic measures, and so on. So it -as that they

could ta+e no notice o% -hat had occurred in the to-n o% iani, nor -as there the

slightest hint or allusion to it. #n private circles something -as -hispered, but so

con%used, so vague, and so little consistent, that not even the name o% the victim -as

+no-n, -hile those -ho sho-ed the greatest interest %orgot it uic+ly, trusting that the

a%%air had been settled in some -ay -ith the -ronged %amily. he only one -ho +ne-

anything certain -as Padre Camorra, -ho had to leave the to-n, to be trans%erred to

another or to remain %or some time in the convento in 4anila.

Poor Padre CamorraAB e=claimed enD<ayb in a %it o% generosity. !e -as so olly

and had such a good heartAB

#t -as true that the students had recovered their liberty, [:;;]than+s to the e=ertions o%

their relatives, -ho did not hesitate at e=pense, gi%ts, or any sacri%ice -hatsoever. he

%irst to see himsel% %ree, as -as to be e=pected, -as 4a+araig, and the last #sagani,

because Padre $lorentine did not reach 4anila until a -ee+ a%ter the events. So many

acts o% clemency secured %or the 5eneral the title o% clement and merci%ul, -hich enD

<ayb hastened to add to his long list o% adectives.

he only one -ho did not obtain his liberty -as asilio, since he -as also accused o%

having in his possession prohibited boo+s. *e dont +no- -hether this re%erred to his

te=tDboo+ on legal medicine or to the pamphlets that -ere %ound, dealing -ith the

Philippines, or both togetherHthe %act is that it -as said that prohibited literature -as



being secretly sold, and upon the un%ortunate boy %ell all the -eight o% the rod o%

ustice.

#t -as reported that his E=cellency had been thus advised0 #ts necessary that there be

some one, so that the prestige o% authority may be sustained and that it may not be

said that -e made a great %uss over nothing. @uthority be%ore everything. #tsnecessary that some one be made an e=ample o%. Fet there be ust one, one -ho,

according to Padre #rene, -as the servant o% Capitan iagoHtherell be no one to

enter a complaintHB

Servant and studentGB as+ed his E=cellency. hat %ello-, thenA Fet it be heAB

Nour E=cellency -ill pardon me,B observed the high o%%icial, -ho happened to be

present, but #ve been told that this boy is a medical student and his teachers spea+

-ell o% him. #% he remains a prisoner hell lose a year, and as this year he %inishesHB

he high o%%icials inter%erence in behal% o% asilio, instead o% helping, harmed him.

$or some time there had been bet-een this o%%icial and his E=cellency strained

relations and bad %eelings, augmented by %reuent clashes.

NesG So much the greater reason that he should be +ept prisoner? a year longer in his

studies, instead o% inuring [:;1]him, -ill do good, not only to himsel% but to all -ho

a%ter-ards %all into his hands. ne doesnt become a bad physician by e=tensive

practise. So much the more reason that he should remainA Soon the %ilibustering

re%ormers -ill say that -e are not loo+ing out %or the countryAB concluded his

E=cellency -ith a sarcastic laugh.

he high o%%icial reali(ed that he had made a %alse move and too+ asilios case to

heart. ut it seems to me that this young man is the most innocent o% all,B he reoined

rather timidly.

oo+s have been sei(ed in his possession,B observed the secretary.

Nes, -or+s on medicine and pamphlets -ritten by Peninsulars, -ith the leaves uncut,

and besides, -hat does that signi%yG 4oreover, this young man -as not present at the

banuet in the pansitería, he hasnt mi=ed up in anything. @s #ve said, hes the mostinnocentHB

So much the betterAB e=claimed his E=cellency ocosely. #n that -ay the punishment

-ill prove more salutary and e=emplary, since it inspires greater terror. o govern is to

act in this -ay, my dear sir, as it is o%ten e=pedient to sacri%ice the -el%are o% one to

the -el%are o% many. ut #m doing moreH%rom the -el%are o% one -ill result the



-el%are o% all, the principle o% endangered authority is preserved, prestige is respected

and maintained. y this act o% mine #m correcting my o-n and other peoples %aults.B

he high o%%icial restrained himsel% -ith an e%%ort and, disregarding the allusion,

decided to ta+e another tac+. ut doesnt your E=cellency %ear theHresponsibilityGB

*hat have # to %earGB reoined the 5eneral impatiently. !avent # discretionary

po-ersG Cant # do -hat # please %or the better government o% these islandsG *hat

have # to %earG Can some menial perhaps arraign me be%ore the tribunals and e=act

%rom me responsibilityG Even though he had the means, he -ould have to consult the

4inistry %irst, and the 4inisterHB[:;2]

!e -aved his hand and burst out into laughter.

he 4inister -ho appointed me, the devil +no-s -here he is, and he -ill %eel

honored in being able to -elcome me -hen # return. he present one, # dont eventhin+ o% him, and the devil ta+e him tooA he one that relieves him -ill %ind himsel% in

so many di%%iculties -ith his ne- duties that he -ont be able to %ool -ith tri%les. #, my

dear sir, have nothing over me but my conscience, # act according to my conscience,

and my conscience is satis%ied, so # dont care a stra- %or the opinions o% this one and

that. 4y conscience, my dear sir, my conscienceAB

Nes, 5eneral, but the countryHB

ut, tut, tut, tutA he countryH-hat have # to do @vith the countryG !ave # perhaps

contracted any obligations to itG 3o # o-e my o%%ice to itG *as it the country thatelected meGB

@ brie% pause ensued, during -hich the high o%%icial stood -ith bo-ed head. hen, as

i% reaching a decision, he raised it to stare %i=edly at the 5eneral. Pale and trembling,

he said -ith repressed energy0 hat doesnt matter, 5eneral, that doesnt matter at

allA Nour E=cellency has not been chosen by the $ilipino people, but by Spain, all the

more reason -hy you should treat the $ilipinos -ell so that they may not be able to

reproach Spain. he greater reason, 5eneral, the greater reasonA Nour E=cellency, by

coming here, has contracted the obligation to govern ustly, to see+ the -el%areHB

@m # not doing itGB interrupted his E=cellency in e=asperation, ta+ing a step %or-ard.

!avent # told you that # am getting %rom the good o% one the good o% allG @re you

no- going to give me lessonsG #% you dont understand my actions, ho- am # to

blameG 3o # compel you to share my responsibilityGB



Certainly not,B replied the high o%%icial, dra-ing himsel% up proudly. Nour

E=cellency does not compel me, your E=cellency cannot compel me, me! toshare &our responsibility. # understand mine in uite another -ay, [:;:]and because #

have it, #m going to spea+H#ve held my peace a long time. h, your E=cellency

neednt ma+e those gestures, because the %act that #ve come here in this or that

capacity doesnt mean that # have given up my rights, that # have been reduced to the part o% a slave, -ithout voice or dignity.

# dont -ant Spain to lose this beauti%ul empire, these eight millions o% patient and

submissive subects, -ho live on hopes and delusions, but neither do # -ish to soil my

hands in their barbarous e=ploitation. # dont -ish it ever to be said that, the slaveD

trade abolished, Spain has continued to cloa+ it -ith her banner and per%ect it under a

-ealth o% specious institutions. o, to be great Spain does not have to be a tyrant,

Spain is su%%icient unto hersel%, Spain -as greater -hen she had only her o-n

territory, -rested %rom the clutches o% the 4oor. # too am a Spaniard, but be%ore being

a Spaniard # am a man, and be%ore Spain and above Spain is her honor, the lo%ty

principles o% morality, the eternal principles o% immutable usticeA @h, you are

surprised that # thin+ thus, because you have no idea o% the grandeur o% the Spanish

name, no, you havent any idea o% it, you identi%y it -ith persons and interests. o you

the Spaniard may be a pirate, he may be a murderer, a hypocrite, a cheat, anything,

ust so he +eep -hat he hasHbut to me the Spaniard should lose everything, empire,

po-er, -ealth, everything, be%ore his honorA @h, my dear sir, -e protest -hen -e read

that might is placed be%ore right, yet -e applaud -hen in practise -e see might play

the hypocrite in not only perverting right but even in using it as a tool in order to gain

control. $or the very reason that # love Spain, #m spea+ing no-, and # de%y your

%ro-nA

# dont -ish that the coming ages accuse Spain o% being the stepmother o% the

nations, the vampire o% races, the tyrant o% small islands, since it -ould be a horrible

moc+ery o% the noble principles o% our ancient +ings. !o- are -e carrying out their

sacred legacyG hey promised to these [:;O]islands protection and ustice, and -e are

playing -ith the lives and liberties o% the inhabitants? they promised civili(ation,

andX-e are curtailing it, %ear%ul that they may aspire to a nobler e=istence? they

promised them light, and -e cover their eyes that they may not -itness our orgies?

they promised to teach them virtue and -e are encouraging their vice. #nstead o% peace, -ealth, and ustice, con%usion reigns, commerce languishes, and s+epticism is

%ostered among the masses.

Fet us put ourselves in the place o% the $ilipinos and as+ ourselves -hat -e -ould do

in their place. @h, in your silence # read their right to rebel, and i% matters do not mend

they -ill rebel some day, and ustice -ill be on their side, -ith them -ill go the

sympathy o% all honest men, o% every patriot in the -orldA *hen a people is denied



light, home, liberty, and usticeHthings that are essential to li%e, and there%ore mans

patrimonyHthat people has the right to treat him -ho so despoils it as -e -ould the

robber -ho intercepts us on the high-ay. here are no distinctions, there are no

e=ceptions, nothing but a %act, a right, an aggression, and every honest man -ho does

not place himsel% on the side o% the -ronged ma+es himsel% an accomplice and stains

his conscience.

rue, # am not a soldier, and the years are cooling the little %ire in my blood, but ust

as # -ould ris+ being torn to pieces to de%end the integrity o% Spain against any %oreign

invader or against an unusti%ied disloyalty in her provinces, so # also assure you that #

-ould place mysel% beside the oppressed $ilipinos, because # -ould pre%er to %all in

the cause o% the outraged rights o% humanity to triumphing -ith the sel%ish interests o%

a nation, even -hen that nation be called as it is calledHSpainAB

3o you +no- -hen the mailDboat leavesGB inuired his E=cellency coldly, -hen the

high o%%icial had %inished spea+ing.

he latter stared at him %i=edly, then dropped his head and silently le%t the palace. [:;7]

utside he %ound his carriage a-aiting him. Some day -hen you declare yourselves

independent,B he said some-hat abstractedly to the native lac+ey -ho opened the

carriageDdoor %or him, remember that there -ere not lac+ing in Spain hearts that beat

%or you and struggled %or your rightsAB

*here, sirGB as+ed the lac+ey, -ho had understood nothing o% this and -as inuiring

-hither they should go.

-o hours later the high o%%icial handed in his resignation and announced his intention

o% returning to Spain by the ne=t mailDsteamer.[:;/]

1 !a-+DEye.BHr.

$ffect of the +as1uinades

@s a result o% the events narrated, many mothers ordered their sons immediately to

leave o%% their studies and devote themselves to idleness or to agriculture. *hen the

e=aminations came, suspensions -ere plenti%ul, and he -as a rare e=ception -ho

%inished the course, i% he had belonged to the %amous association, to -hich no one

paid any more attention. Pecson, adeo, and &uanito Pelae( -ere all ali+e suspended

Hthe %irst receiving his dismissal -ith his %oolish grin and declaring his intention o%



becoming an o%%icer in some court, -hile adeo, -ith his eternal holiday reali(ed at

last, paid %or an illumination and made a bon%ire o% his boo+s. or did the others get

o%% much better, and at length they too had to abandon their studies, to the great

satis%action o% their mothers, -ho al-ays %ancy their sons hanged i% they should come

to understand -hat the boo+s teach. &uanito Pelae( alone too+ the blo- ill, since it

%orced him to leave school %or his %athers store, -ith -hom he -as thence%or-ard to be associated in the business0 the rascal %ound the store much less entertaining, but

a%ter some time his %riends again noticed his hump appear, a symptom that his good

humor -as returning. he rich 4a+araig, in vie- o% the catastrophe, too+ good care

not to e=pose himsel%, and having secured a passport by means o% money set out in

haste %or Europe. #t -as said that his E=cellency, the CaptainD5eneral, in his desire to

do good by good means, and care%ul o% the interests o% the $ilipinos, hindered the

departure o% every one -ho could not %irst prove substantially that he had the money

to spend and could live in idleness in European cities. @mong our [:;>]acuaintances

those -ho got o%% best -ere #sagani and Sandoval0 the %ormer passed in the subect he

studied under Padre $ernande( and -as suspended in the others, -hile the latter -as

able to con%use the e=aminingDboard -ith his oratory.

asilio -as the only one -ho did not pass in any subect, -ho -as not suspended, and

-ho did not go to Europe, %or he remained in ilibid prison, subected every three

days to e=aminations, almost al-ays the same in principle, -ithout other variation

than a change o% inuisitors, since it seemed that in the presence o% such great guilt all

gave up or %ell a-ay in horror. @nd -hile the documents moldered or -ere shi%ted

about, -hile the stamped papers increased li+e the plasters o% an ignorant physician on

the body o% a hypochondriac, asilio became in%ormed o% all the details o% -hat had

happened in iani, o% the death o% &uli and the disappearance o% andang Selo. Sinong,

the abused cochero, -ho had driven him to San 3iego, happened to be in 4anila at

that time and called to give him all the ne-s.

4ean-hile, Simoun had recovered his health, or so at least the ne-spapers said. enD

<ayb rendered than+s to the mnipotent -ho -atches over such a precious li%e,B and

mani%ested the hope that the !ighest -ould some day reveal the male%actor, -hose

crime remained unpunished, than+s to the charity o% the victim, -ho -as too closely

%ollo-ing the -ords o% the 5reat 4artyr0 Lather! forgive them! for the& know not what

the& do( hese and other things enD<ayb said in print, -hile by mouth he -asinuiring -hether there -as any truth in the rumor that the opulent e-eler -as going

to give a grand %iesta, a banuet such as had never be%ore been seen, in part to

celebrate his recovery and in part as a %are-ell to the country in -hich he had

increased his %ortune. #t -as -hispered as certain that Simoun, -ho -ould have to

leave -ith the CaptainD5eneral, -hose command e=pired in 4ay, -as ma+ing every

e%%ort to secure %rom 4adrid an e=tension, [:;]and that he -as advising his

E=cellency to start a campaign in order to have an e=cuse %or remaining, but it -as



%urther reported that %or the %irst time his E=cellency had disregarded the advice o% his

%avorite, ma+ing it a point o% honor not to retain %or a single additional day the po-er

that had been con%erred upon him, a rumor -hich encouraged belie% that the %iesta

announced -ould ta+e place? very soon. $or the rest, Simoun remained un%athomable,

since he had become very uncommunicative, sho-ed himsel% seldom, and smiled

mysteriously -hen the rumored %iesta -as mentioned.

Come, SeKor Sindbad,B enD<ayb had once rallied him, da((le us -ith something

Nan+eeA Nou o-e something to this country.B

3oubtlessAB -as Simouns response, -ith a dry smile.

Noull thro- the house -ide open, ehGB

4aybe, but as # have no houseHB

Nou ought to have secured Capitan iagos, -hich SeKor Pelae( got %or nothing.B

Simoun became silent, and %rom that time on he -as o%ten seen in the store o% 3on

imoteo Pelae(, -ith -hom it -as said he had entered into partnership. Some -ee+s

a%ter-ard, in the month o% @pril, it -as rumored that &uanito Pelae(, 3on imoteos

son, -as going to marry Paulita 5ome(, the girl coveted by Spaniards and %oreigners.

Some men are luc+yAB e=claimed other envious merchants. o buy a house %or

nothing, sell his consignment o% galvani(ed iron -ell, get into partnership -ith a

Simoun, and marry his son to a rich heiressHust say i% those arent stro+es o% luc+that all honorable men dont haveAB

#% you only +ne- -hence came that luc+ o% SeKor Pelae(sAB another responded, in a

tone -hich indicated that the spea+er did +no-. #ts also assured that therell be a

%iesta and on a grand scale,B -as added -ith mystery.

#t -as really true that Paulita -as going to marry [:;9]&uanito Pelae(. !er love %or

#sagani had gradually -aned, li+e all %irst loves based on poetry and sentiment. he

events o% the pasuinades and the imprisonment o% the youth had shorn him o% all his

charms. o -hom -ould it have occurred to see+ danger, to desire to share the %ate o%his comrades, to surrender himsel%, -hen every one -as hiding and denying any

complicity in the a%%airG #t -as ui=otic, it -as madness that no sensible person in

4anila could pardon, and &uanito -as uite right in ridiculing him, representing -hat

a sorry %igure he cut -hen he -ent to the Civil 5overnment. aturally, the brilliant

Paulita could no longer love a young man -ho so erroneously understood social

matters and -hom all condemned. hen she began to re%lect. &uanito -as clever,



capable, gay, shre-d, the son o% a rich merchant o% 4anila, and a Spanish mesti(o

besidesHi% 3on imoteo -as to be believed, a %ullDblooded Spaniard. n the other

hand, #sagani -as a provincial native -ho dreamed o% %orests in%ested -ith leeches, he

-as o% doubt%ul %amily, -ith a priest %or an uncle, -ho -ould perhaps be an enemy to

lu=ury and balls, o% -hich she -as very %ond. ne beauti%ul morning there%ore it

occurred to her that she had been a do-nright %ool to pre%er him to his rival, and %romthat time on Pelae(s hump steadily increased. )nconsciously, yet rigorously, Paulita

-as obeying the la- discovered by 3ar-in, that the %emale surrenders hersel% to the

%ittest male, to him -ho +no-s ho- to adapt himsel% to the medium in -hich he lives,

and to live in 4anila there -as no other li+e Pelae(, -ho %rom his in%ancy had had

chicanery at his %ingerDtips. Fent passed -ith its !oly *ee+, its array o% processions

and pompous displays, -ithout other novelty than a mysterious mutiny among the

artillerymen, the cause o% -hich -as never disclosed. he houses o% light materials

-ere torn do-n in the presence o% a troop o% cavalry, ready to %all upon the o-ners in

case they should o%%er resistance. here -as a great deal o% -eeping and many

lamentations, but the a%%air did not get beyond that. he curious, among [:1;]them

Simoun, -ent to see those -ho -ere le%t homeless, -al+ing about indi%%erently and

assuring each other that thence%or-ard they could sleep in peace.

o-ards the end o% @pril, all the %ears being no- %orgotten, 4anila -as engrossed

-ith one topic0 the %iesta that 3on imoteo Pelae( -as going to celebrate at the

-edding o% his son, %or -hich the 5eneral had graciously and condescendingly agreed

to be the patron. Simoun -as reported to have arranged the matter. he ceremony

-ould be solemni(ed t-o days be%ore the departure o% the 5eneral, -ho -ould honor

the house and ma+e a present to the bridegroom. #t -as -hispered that the e-eler

-ould pour out cascades o% diamonds and thro- a-ay hand%uls o% pearls in honor o%

his partners son, thus, since he could hold no %iesta o% his o-n, as he -as a bachelor

and had no house, improving the opportunity to da((le the $ilipino people -ith a

memorable %are-ell. @ll 4anila prepared to be invited, and never did uneasiness ta+e

stronger hold o% the mind than in vie- o% the thought o% not being among those

bidden. $riendship -ith Simoun became a matter o% dispute, and many husbands -ere

%orced by their -ives to purchase bars o% steel and sheets o% galvani(ed iron in order

to ma+e %riends -ith 3on imoteo Pelae(.[:11]

La Ulti#a Raz3n4

@t last the great day arrived. 3uring the morning Simoun had not le%t his house,

busied as he -as in pac+ing his arms and his e-els. !is %abulous -ealth -as already

loc+ed up in the big steel chest -ith its canvas cover, there remaining only a %e- cases

containing bracelets and pins, doubtless gi%ts that he meant to ma+e. !e -as going to

leave -ith the CaptainD5eneral, -ho cared in no -ay to lengthen his stay, %ear%ul o%



-hat people -ould say. 4alicious ones insinuated that Simoun did not dare remain

alone, since -ithout the 5enerals support he did not care to e=pose himsel% to the

vengeance o% the many -retches he had e=ploited, all the more reason %or -hich -as

the %act that the 5eneral -ho -as coming -as reported to be a model o% rectitude and

might ma+e him disgorge his gains. he superstitious #ndians, on the other hand,

believed that Simoun -as the devil -ho did not -ish to separate himsel% %rom his prey. he pessimists -in+ed maliciously and said, he %ield laid -aste, the locust

leaves %or other partsAB nly a %e-, a very %e-, smiled and said nothing.

#n the a%ternoon Simoun had given orders to his servant that i% there appeared a young

man calling himsel% asilio he should be admitted at once. hen he shut himsel% up in

his room and seemed to become lost in deep thought. Since his illness the e-elers

countenance had become harder and gloomier, -hile the -rin+les bet-een his

eyebro-s had [:12]deepened greatly. !e did not hold himsel% so erect as %ormerly, and

his head -as bo-ed.

So absorbed -as he in his meditations that he did not hear a +noc+ at the door, and it

had to be repeated. !e shuddered and called out, Come inAB

#t -as asilio, but ho- alteredA #% the change that had ta+en place in Simoun during

those t-o months -as great, in the young student it -as %right%ul. !is chee+s -ere

hollo-, his hair un+empt, his clothing disordered. he tender melancholy had

disappeared %rom his eyes, and in its place glittered a dar+ light, so that it might be

said that he had died and his corpse had revived, horri%ied -ith -hat it had seen in

eternity. #% not crime, then the shado- o% crime, had %i=ed itsel% upon his -hole

appearance. Simoun himsel% -as startled and %elt pity %or the -retch.

*ithout any greeting asilio slo-ly advanced into the room, and in a voice that made

the e-eler shudder said to him, SeKor Simoun, #ve been a -ic+ed son and a bad

brotherH#ve overloo+ed the murder o% one and the tortures o% the other, and 5od has

chastised meA o- there remains to me only one desire, and it is to return evil %or

evil, crime %or crime, violence %or violenceAB

Simoun listened in silence, -hile asilio continued? $our months ago you tal+ed to

me about your plans. # re%used to ta+e part in them, but # did -rong, you have been

right. hree months and a hal% ago the revolution -as on the point o% brea+ing out, but# did not then care to participate in it, and the movement %ailed. #n payment %or my

conduct #ve been arrested and o-e my liberty to your e%%orts only. Nou are right and

no- #ve come to say to you0 put a -eapon in my hand and let the revolution comeA #

am ready to serve you, along -ith all the rest o% the un%ortunates.B



he cloud that had dar+ened Simouns bro- suddenly disappeared, a ray o% triumph

darted %rom his eyes, and li+e one -ho has %ound -hat he sought he e=claimed0 #m

right, yes, #m rightA "ight and &ustice are on my side, because [:1:]my cause is that o%

the persecuted. han+s, young man, than+sA Nouve come to clear a-ay my doubts, to

end my hesitation.B

!e had risen and his %ace -as beaming. he (eal that had animated him -hen %our

months be%ore he had e=plained his plans to asilio in the -ood o% his ancestors

reappeared in his countenance li+e a red sunset a%ter a cloudy day.

Nes,B he resumed, the movement %ailed and many have deserted me because they

same disheartened and -avering at the supreme moment. # still cherished

something in my heart, # -as not the master o% all my %eelings, # still lovedA o-

everything is dead in me, no longer is there even a corpse sacred enough %or me to

respect its sleep. o longer -ill there be any vacillation, %or you yoursel%, an idealistic

youth, a gentle dove, understand the necessity and come to spur me to action.Some-hat late you have opened your eyes, %or bet-een you and me together -e

might have e=ecuted marvelous plans, # above in the higher circles spreading death

amid per%ume and gold, brutali(ing the vicious and corrupting or paraly(ing the %e-

good, and you belo- among the people, among the young men, stirring them to li%e

amid blood and tears. ur tas+, instead o% being bloody and barbarous, -ould have

been holy, per%ect, artistic, and surely success -ould have cro-ned our e%%orts. ut no

intelligence -ould support me, # encountered %ear or e%%eminacy among the

enlightened classes, sel%ishness among the rich, simplicity among the youth, and only

in the mountains, in the -aste places, among the outcasts, have # %ound my men. ut

no matter no-A #% -e cant get a %inished statue, rounded out in all its details, o% the

rough bloc+ -e -or+ upon let those to come ta+e chargeAB

Sei(ing the arm o% asilio, -ho -as listening -ithout comprehending all he said, he

led him to the laboratory -here he +ept his chemical mi=tures. )pon the table -as

placed a large case made o% dar+ shagreen, similar to those [:1O]that hold the silver

plate e=changed as gi%ts among the rich and po-er%ul. pening this, Simoun revealed

to sight, upon a bottom o% red satin, a lamp o% very peculiar shape, #ts body -as in the

%orm o% a pomegranate as large as a mans head, -ith %issures in it e=posing to vie-

the seeds inside, -hich -ere %ashioned o% enormous carnelians. he covering -as o%

o=idi(ed gold in e=act imitation o% the -rin+les on the %ruit.

Simoun too+ it out -ith great care and, removing the burner, e=posed to vie- the

interior o% the tan+, -hich -as lined -ith steel t-o centimeters in thic+ness and -hich

had a capacity o% over a liter. asilio uestioned him -ith his eyes, %or as yet he

comprehended nothing. *ithout entering upon e=planations, Simoun care%ully too+

%rom a cabinet a %las+ and sho-ed the young man the %ormula -ritten upon it.



itroDglycerinAB murmured asilio, stepping bac+-ard and instinctively thrusting his

hands behind him. itroDglycerinA 3ynamiteAB eginning no- to understand, he %elt

his hair stand on end.

Nes, nitroDglycerinAB repeated Simoun slo-ly, -ith his cold smile and a loo+ o%

delight at the glass %las+. #ts also something more than nitroDglycerinHitsconcentrated tears, repressed hatred, -rongs, inustice, outrage. #ts the last resort o%

the -ea+, %orce against %orce, violence against violence. @ moment ago # -as

hesitating, but you have come and decided me. his night the most dangerous tyrants

-ill be blo-n to pieces, the irresponsible rulers that hide themselves behind 5od and

the State, -hose abuses remain unpunished because no one can bring them to ustice.

his night the Philippines -ill hear the e=plosion that -ill convert into rubbish the

%ormless monument -hose decay # have %ostered.B

asilio -as so terri%ied that his lips -or+ed -ithout producing any sound, his tongue

-as paraly(ed, his throat parched. $or the %irst time he -as loo+ing at the po-er%ulliuid -hich he had heard tal+ed o% as a thing distilled [:17]in gloom by gloomy men,

in open -ar against society. o- he had it be%ore him, transparent and slightly

yello-ish, poured -ith great caution into the artistic pomegranate. Simoun loo+ed to

him li+e the innee o% the Arabian Nights that sprang %rom the sea, he too+ on gigantic

proportions, his head touched the s+y, he made the house tremble and shoo+ the -hole

city -ith a shrug o% his shoulders. he pomegranate assumed the %orm o% a colossal

sphere, the %issures became hellish grins -hence escaped names and glo-ing cinders.

$or the %irst time in his li%e asilio -as overcome -ith %right and completely lost his

composure.

Simoun, mean-hile, scre-ed on solidly a curious and complicated mechanism, put in

place a glass chimney, then the bomb, and cro-ned the -hole -ith an elegant shade.

hen he moved a-ay some distance to contemplate the e%%ect, inclining his head no-

to one side, no- to the other, thus better to appreciate its magni%icent appearance.

oticing that asilio -as -atching him -ith uestioning and suspicious eyes, he said,

onight there -ill be a %iesta and this lamp -ill be placed in a little diningD+ios+ that

#ve had constructed %or the purpose. he lamp -ill give a brilliant light, bright

enough to su%%ice %or the illumination o% the -hole place by itsel%, but at the end o%

t-enty minutes the light -ill %ade, and then -hen some one tries to turn up the -ic+ a

cap o% %ulminate o% mercury -ill e=plode, the pomegranate -ill blo- up and -ith it

the diningDroom, in the roo% and %loor o% -hich # have concealed sac+s o% po-der, so

that no one shall escape.B

here -ras a moments silence, -hile Simoun stared at his mechanism and asilio

scarcely breathed.



So my assistance is not needed,B observed the young man.

o, you have another mission to %ul%ill,B replied Simoun thought%ully. @t nine the

mechanism -ill have e=ploded and the report -ill have been heard in the country

round, in the mountains, in the caves. he uprising that # had arranged -ith the

artillerymen -as a %ailure %rom lac+ [:1/]o% plan and timeliness, but this time it -ont be so. )pon hearing the e=plosion, the -retched and the oppressed, those -ho -ander

about pursued by %orce, -ill sally %orth armed to oin Cabesang ales in Santa 4esa,

-hence they -ill %all upon the city,2 -hile the soldiers, -hom # have made to believe

that the 5eneral is shamming an insurrection in order to remain, -ill issue %rom their

barrac+s ready to %ire upon -homsoever # may designate. 4ean-hile, the co-ed

populace, thin+ing that the hour o% massacre has come, -ill rush out prepared to +ill

or be +illed, and as they have neither arms nor organi(ation, you -ith some others -ill

put yoursel% at their head and direct them to the -arehouses o% Luiroga, -here # +eep

my ri%les. Cabesang ales and # -ill oin one another in the city and ta+e possession o%

it, -hile you in the suburbs -ill sei(e the bridges and thro- up barricades, and then be

ready to come to our aid to butcher not only those opposing the revolution but also

every man -ho re%uses to ta+e up arms and oin us.B

@llGB stammered asilio in a cho+ing voice.

@llAB repeated Simoun in a sinister tone. @llH#ndians, mesti(os, Chinese,

Spaniards, all -ho are %ound to be -ithout courage, -ithout energy. he race must be

rene-edA Co-ardly %athers -ill only breed slavish sons, and it -ouldnt be -orth

-hile to destroy and then try to rebuild -ith rotten materials. *hat, do you shudderG

3o you tremble, do you %ear to scatter deathG *hat is deathG *hat does a hecatomb o% t-enty thousand -retches signi%yG -enty thousand miseries less, and millions o%

-retches saved %rom birthA he most timid ruler does not [:1>]hesitate to dictate a la-

that produces misery and lingering death %or thousands and thousands o% prosperous

and industrious subects, happy perchance, merely to satis%y a caprice, a -him, his

pride, and yet you shudder because in one night are to be ended %orever the mental

tortures o% many helots, because a vitiated and paralytic people has to die to give place

to another, young, active, %ull o% energyA

*hat is deathG othingness, or a dreamG Can its specters be compared to the reality

o% the agonies o% a -hole miserable generationG he need%ul thing is to destroy the

evil, to +ill the dragon and bathe the ne- people in the blood, in order to ma+e it

strong and invulnerable. *hat else is the ine=orable la- o% ature, the la- o% stri%e in

-hich the -ea+ has to succumb so that the vitiated species be not perpetuated and

creation thus travel bac+-ardsG @-ay then -ith e%%eminate scruplesA $ul%ill the

eternal la-s, %oster them, and then the earth -ill be so much the more %ecund the more

it is %ertili(ed -ith blood, and the thrones the more solid the more they rest upon



crimes and corpses. Fet there be no hesitation, no doubtingsA *hat is the pain o%

deathG @ momentary sensation, perhaps con%used, perhaps agreeable, li+e the

transition %rom -a+ing to sleep. *hat is it that is being destroyedG Evil, su%%eringH

%eeble -eeds, in order to set in their place lu=uriant plants. 3o you call that

destructionG # should call it creating, producing, nourishing, vivi%yingAB

Such bloody sophisms, uttered -ith conviction and coolness, over-helmed the youth,

-ea+ened as he -as by more than three months in prison and blinded by his passion

%or revenge, so he -as not in a mood to analy(e the moral basis o% the matter. #nstead

o% replying that the -orst and co-ardliest o% men is al-ays something more than a

plant, because he has a soul and an intelligence, -hich, ho-ever vitiated and

brutali(ed they may be, can be redeemed? instead o% replying that man has no right to

dispose o% one li%e %or the bene%it o% another, that the right to li%e is inherent in every

individual li+e the right to liberty and to [:1]light? instead o% replying that i% it is an

abuse on the part o% governments to punish in a culprit the %aults and crimes to -hich

they have driven him by their o-n negligence or stupidity, ho- much more so -ould

it be in a man, ho-ever great and ho-ever un%ortunate he might be, to punish in a

-retched people the %aults o% its governments and its ancestors? instead o% declaring

that 5od alone can use such methods, that 5od can destroy because !e can create,

5od -ho holds in !is hands recompense, eternity, and the %uture, to usti%y !is acts,

and man never? instead o% these re%lections, asilio merely interposed a cant

re%lection.

*hat -ill the -orld say at the sight o% such butcheryGB

he -orld -ill applaud, as usual, conceding the right o% the strongest, the mostviolentAB replied Simoun -ith his cruel smile. Europe applauded -hen the -estern

nations sacri%iced millions o% #ndians in @merica, and not by any means to %ound

nations much more moral or more paci%ic0 there is the orth -ith its egotistic liberty,

its lynchDla-, its political %raudsHthe South -ith its turbulent republics, its barbarous

revolutions, civil -ars, pronunciamientos, as in its mother SpainA Europe applauded

-hen the po-er%ul Portugal despoiled the 4oluccas, it applauds -hile England is

destroying the primitive races in the Paci%ic to ma+e room %or its emigrants. Europe

-ill applaud as the end o% a drama, the close o% a tragedy, is applauded, %or the vulgar

do not %i= their attention on principles, they loo+ only at results. Commit the crime

-ell, and you -ill be admired and have more parti(ans than i% you had carried out

virtuous actions -ith modesty and timidity.B

E=actly,B reoined the youth, -hat does it matter to me, a%ter all, -hether they praise

or censure, -hen this -orld ta+es no care o% the oppressed, o% the poor, and o% -ea+

-oman+indG *hat obligations have # to recogni(e to-ard society -hen it has

recogni(ed none to-ard meGB



hats -hat # li+e to hear,B declared the tempter triumphantly. [:19]!e too+ a revolver

%rom a case and gave it to asilio, saying, @t ten ocloc+ -ait %or me in %ront o% the

church o% St. Sebastian to receive my %inal instructions. @h, at nine you must be %ar,

very %ar %rom Calle @nloague.B

asilio e=amined the -eapon, loaded it, and placed it in the inside poc+et o% his coat,then too+ his leave -ith a curt, #ll see you later.B[:2;]

1 )ltima "a(Mn de "eyes0 the last argument o% +ingsH%orce. 6E=pression attributed to Calderon de la

arca, the great Spanish dramatist.8Hr.

2 Curiously enough, and by -hat must have been more than a mere coincidence, this route through Santa

4esa %rom San &uan del 4onte -as the one ta+en by an armed party in their attempt to enter the city at

the outbrea+ o% the Ratipunan rebellion on the morning o% @ugust :;, 19/. 6$oremans The $hilippine

Islands, Chap. JJI#.8

#t -as also on the bridge connecting these t-o places that the %irst shot in the insurrection against

@merican sovereignty -as %ired on the night o% $ebruary O, 199.Hr.

The ,edding

nce in the street, asilio began to consider ho- he might spend the time until the

%atal hour arrived, %or it -as then not later than seven ocloc+. #t -as the vacation

period and all the students -ere bac+ in their to-ns, #sagani being the only one -ho

had not cared to leave, but he had disappeared that morning and no one +ne- his-hereaboutsHso asilio had been in%ormed -hen a%ter leaving the prison he had

gone to visit his %riend and as+ him %or lodging. he young man did not +no- -here

to go, %or he had no money, nothing but the revolver. he memory o% the lamp %illed

his imagination, the great catastrophe that -ould occur -ithin t-o hours. Pondering

over this, he seemed to see the men -ho passed be%ore his eyes -al+ing -ithout

heads, and he %elt a thrill o% %erocious oy in telling himsel% that, hungry and destitute,

he that night -as going to be dreaded, that %rom a poor student and servant, perhaps

the sun -ould see him trans%ormed into some one terrible and sinister, standing upon

pyramids o% corpses, dictating la-s to all those -ho -ere passing be%ore his ga(e no-

in magni%icent carriages. !e laughed li+e one condemned to death and patted the butto% the revolver. he bo=es o% cartridges -ere also in his poc+ets.

@ uestion suddenly occurred to himH-here -ould the drama beginG #n his

be-ilderment he had not thought o% as+ing Simoun, but the latter had -arned him to

+eep a-ay %rom Calle @nloague. hen came a suspicion0 that a%ternoon, upon leaving

the prison, he had proceeded to the %ormer house o% Capitan iago to get his %e-



personal e%%ects and had %ound it trans%ormed, prepared %or a %iesta[:21] Hthe -edding

o% &uanito Pelae(A Simoun had spo+en o% a %iesta.

@t this moment he noticed passing in %ront o% him a long line o% carriages %illed -ith

ladies and gentlemen, conversing in a lively manner, and he even thought he could

ma+e out big bouuets o% %lo-ers, but he gave the detail no thought. he carriages-ere going to-ard Calle "osario and in meeting those that came do-n o%% the ridge

o% Spain had to move along slo-ly and stop %reuently. #n one he sa- &uanito Pelae(

at the side o% a -oman dressed in -hite -ith a transparent veil, in -hom he

recogni(ed Paulita 5ome(.

PaulitaAB he eaculated in surprise, reali(ing that it -as indeed she, in a bridal go-n,

along -ith &uanito Pelae(, as though they -ere ust coming %rom the church. Poor

#saganiAB he murmured, -hat can have become o% himGB

!e thought %or a -hile about his %riend, a great and generous soul, and mentally as+edhimsel% i% it -ould not be -ell to tell him about the plan, then ans-ered himsel% that

#sagani -ould never ta+e part in such a butchery. hey had not treated #sagani as they

had him.

hen he thought that had there been no imprisonment, he -ould have been betrothed,

or a husband, at this time, a licentiate in medicine, living and -or+ing in some corner

o% his province. he ghost o% &uli, crushed in her %all, crossed his mind, and dar+

%lames o% hatred lighted his eyes? again he caressed the butt o% the revolver, regretting

that the terrible hour had not yet come. &ust then he sa- Simoun come out o% the door

o% his house, carrying in his hands the case containing the lamp, care%ully -rapped up,and enter a carriage, -hich then %ollo-ed those bearing the bridal party. #n order not

to lose trac+ o% Simoun, asilio too+ a good loo+ at the cochero and -ith

astonishment recogni(ed in him the -retch -ho had driven him to San 3iego, Sinong,

the %ello- maltreated by the Civil 5uard, the same -ho had come to the prison to tell

him about the occurrences in iani.[:22]

Conecturing that Calle @nloague -as to be the scene o% action, thither the youth

directed his steps, hurrying %or-ard and getting ahead o% the carriages, -hich -ere, in

%act, all moving to-ard the %ormer house o% Capitan iagoHthere they -ere

assembling in search o% a ball, but actually to dance in the airA asilio smiled -hen henoticed the pairs o% civilDguards -ho %ormed the escort, and %rom their number he

could guess the importance o% the %iesta and the guests. he house over%lo-ed -ith

people and poured %loods o% light %rom its -indo-s, the entrance -as carpeted and

stre-n -ith %lo-ers. )pstairs there, perhaps in his %ormer solitary room, an orchestra

-as playing lively airs, -hich did not completely dro-n the con%used tumult o% tal+

and laughter.



3on imoteo Pelae( -as reaching the pinnacle o% %ortune, and the reality surpassed

his dreams. !e -as, at last, marrying his son to the rich 5ome( heiress, and, than+s to

the money Simoun had lent him, he had royally %urnished that big house, purchased

%or hal% its value, and -as giving in it a splendid %iesta, -ith the %oremost divinities o%

the 4anila lympus %or his guests, to gild him -ith the light o% their prestige. Since

that morning there had been recurring to him, -ith the persistence o% a popular song,some vague phrases that he had read in the communion service. o- has the

%ortunate hour comeA o- dra-s nigh the happy momentA Soon there -ill be %ul%illed

in you the admirable -ords o% SimounHQ# live, and yet not # alone, but the CaptainD

5eneral liveth in me.B he CaptainD5eneral the patron o% his sonA rue, he had not

attended the ceremony, -here 3on Custodio had represented him, but he -ould come

to dine, he -ould bring a -eddingDgi%t, a lamp -hich not even @laddinsHbet-een

you and me, Simoun -as presenting the lamp. imoteo, -hat more could you desireG

he trans%ormation that Capitan iagos house had undergone -as considerableHit

had been richly repapered, -hile the smo+e and the smell o% opium had been

completely [:2:]eradicated. he immense sala, -idened still more by the colossal

mirrors that in%initely multiplied the lights o% the chandeliers, -as carpeted

throughout, %or the salons o% Europe had carpets, and even though the %loor -as o%

-ide boards brilliantly polished, a carpet it must have too, since nothing should be

lac+ing. he rich %urniture o% Capitan iago had disappeared and in its place -as to be

seen another +ind, in the style o% Fouis JI. !eavy curtains o% red velvet, trimmed

-ith gold, -ith the initials o% the bridal couple -or+ed on them, and upheld by

garlands o% arti%icial orangeDblossoms, hung as portiYres and s-ept the %loor -ith their

-ide %ringes, li+e-ise o% gold. #n the corners appeared enormous &apanese vases,

alternating -ith those o% SYvres o% a clear dar+Dblue, placed upon suare pedestals o%

carved -ood.

he only decorations not in good taste -ere the screaming chromos -hich 3on

imoteo had substituted %or the old dra-ings and pictures o% saints o% Capitan iago.

Simoun had been unable to dissuade him, %or the merchant did not -ant oilDpaintings

Hsome one might ascribe them to $ilipino artistsA !e, a patron o% $ilipino artists,

neverA n that point depended his peace o% mind and perhaps his li%e, and he +ne-

ho- to get along in the PhilippinesA #t is true that he had heard %oreign painters

mentionedH"aphael, 4urillo, Ielasue(Hbut he did not +no- their addresses, andthen they might prove to be some-hat seditious. *ith the chromos he ran no ris+, as

the $ilipinos did not ma+e them, they came cheaper, the e%%ect -as the same, i% not

better, the colors brighter and the e=ecution very %ine. 3ont say that 3on imoteo did

not +no- ho- to comport himsel% in the PhilippinesA

he large hall-ay -as decorated -ith %lo-ers, having been converted into a diningD

room, -ith a long table %or thirty persons in the center, and around the sides, pushed



against the -alls, other smaller ones %or t-o or three persons each. ouuets o%

%lo-ers, pyramids o% %ruits among ribbons and lights, covered their centers. he

grooms place -as designated [:2O] by a bunch o% roses and the brides by another o%

orangeDblossoms and tuberoses. #n the presence o% so much %inery and %lo-ers one

could imagine that nymphs in gau(y garments and Cupids -ith iridescent -ings -ere

going to serve nectar and ambrosia to aerial guests, to the sound o% lyres and @eolianharps.

ut the table %or the greater gods -as not there, being placed yonder in the middle o%

the -ide a(otea -ithin a magni%icent +ios+ constructed especially %or the occasion. @

lattice o% gilded -ood over -hich clambered %ragrant vines screened the interior %rom

the eyes o% the vulgar -ithout impeding the %ree circulation o% air to preserve the

coolness necessary at that season. @ raised plat%orm li%ted the table above the level o%

the others at -hich the ordinary mortals -ere going to dine and an arch decorated by

the best artists -ould protect the august heads %rom the ealous ga(e o% the stars.

n this table -ere laid only seven plates. he dishes -ere o% solid silver, the cloth and

nap+ins o% the %inest linen, the -ines the most costly and e=uisite. 3on imoteo had

sought the most rare and e=pensive in everything, nor -ould he have hesitated at

crime had he been assured that the CaptainD5eneral li+ed to eat human %lesh.[:27]

The 0iesta

3an(ar sobre un volcUn.B

y seven in the evening the guests had begun to arrive0 %irst, the lesser divinities,

petty government o%%icials, cler+s, and merchants, -ith the most ceremonious

greetings and the gravest airs at the start, as i% they -ere parvenus, %or so much light,

so many decorations, and so much glass-are had some e%%ect. @%ter-ards, they began

to be more at ease, sha+ing their %ists play%ully, -ith pats on the shoulders, and even

%amiliar slaps on the bac+. Some, it is true, adopted a rather disdain%ul air, to let it be

seen that they -ere accustomed to better thingsHo% course they -ereA here -as one

goddess -ho ya-ned, %or she %ound everything vulgar and even remar+ed that she

-as ravenously hungry, -hile another uarreled -ith her god, threatening to bo= his

ears.

3on imoteo bo-ed here and bo-ed there, scattered his best smiles, tightened his

belt, stepped bac+-ard, turned hal%-ay round, then completely around, and so on

again and again, until one goddess could not re%rain %rom remar+ing to her neighbor,

under cover o% her %an0 4y dear, ho- important the old man isA 3oesnt he loo+ li+e

a umpingDac+GB



Fater came the bridal couple, escorted by 3oKa Iictorina and the rest o% the party.

Congratulations, handDsha+ings, patroni(ing pats %or the groom0 %or the bride, insistent

stares and anatomical observations on the part o% the men, -ith analyses o% her go-n,

her toilette, speculations as to her health and strength on the part o% the -omen. [:2/]

Cupid and Psyche appearing on lympus,B thought enD<ayb, ma+ing a mental noteo% the comparison to spring it at some better opportunity. he groom had in %act the

mischievous %eatures o% the god o% love, and -ith a little goodD-ill his hump, -hich

the severity o% his %roc+ coat did not altogether conceal, could be ta+en %or a uiver.

3on imoteo began to %eel his belt suee(ing him, the corns on his %eet began to ache,

his nec+ became tired, but still the 5eneral had not come. he greater gods, among

them Padre #rene and Padre Salvi, had already arrived, it -as true, but the chie%

thunderer -as still lac+ing. he poor man became uneasy, nervous? his heart beat

violently, but still he had to bo- and smile? he sat do-n, he arose, %ailed to hear -hat

-as said to him, did not say -hat he meant. #n the meantime, an amateur god maderemar+s to him about his chromos, critici(ing them -ith the statement that they

spoiled the -alls.

Spoil the -allsAB repeated 3on imoteo, -ith a smile and a desire to cho+e him. ut

they -ere made in Europe and are the most costly # could get in 4anilaA Spoil the

-allsAB 3on imoteo s-ore to himsel% that on the very ne=t day he -ould present %or

payment all the chits that the critic had signed in his store.

*histles resounded, the galloping o% horses -as heardHat lastA he 5eneralA he

CaptainD5eneralAB

Pale -ith emotion, 3on imoteo, dissembling the pain o% his corns and accompanied

by his son and some o% the greater gods, descended to receive the 4ighty &ove. he

pain at his belt vanished be%ore the doubts that no- assailed him0 should he %rame a

smile or a%%ect gravity? should he e=tend his hand or -ait %or the 5eneral to o%%er

hisG %arambas" *hy had nothing o% this occurred to him be%ore, so that he might

have consulted his good %riend SimounG

o conceal his agitation, he -hispered to his son in a lo-, sha+y voice, !ave you a

speech preparedGB[:2>]

Speeches are no longer in vogue, papa, especially on such an occasion as this.B

&upiter arrived in the company o% &uno, -ho -as converted into a to-er o% arti%icial

lightsH-ith diamonds in her hair, diamonds around her nec+, on her arms, on her



shoulders, she -as literally covered -ith diamonds. She -as arrayed in a magni%icent

sil+ go-n having a long train decorated -ith embossed %lo-ers.

!is E=cellency literally too+ possession o% the house, as 3on imoteo stammeringly

begged him to do.1 he orchestra played the royal march -hile the divine couple

maestically ascended the carpeted stair-ay.

or -as his E=cellencys gravity altogether a%%ected. Perhaps %or the %irst time since

his arrival in the islands he %elt sad, a strain o% melancholy tinged his thoughts. his

-as the last triumph o% his three years o% government, and -ithin t-o days he -ould

descend %orever %rom such an e=alted height. *hat -as he leaving behindG !is

E=cellency did not care to turn his head bac+-ards, but pre%erred to loo+ ahead, to

ga(e into the %uture. @lthough he -as carrying a-ay a %ortune, large sums to his credit

-ere a-aiting him in European ban+s, and he had residences, yet he had inured

many, he had made enemies at the Court, the high o%%icial -as -aiting %or him there.

ther 5enerals had enriched themselves as rapidly as he, and no- they -ere ruined.*hy not stay longer, as Simoun had advised him to doG o, good taste be%ore

everything else. he bo-s, moreover, -ere not no- so pro%ound as be%ore, he noticed

insistent stares and even loo+s o% disli+e, but still he replied a%%ably and even

attempted to smile.

#ts plain that the sun is setting,B observed Padre #rene in enD<aybs ear. 4any no-

stare him in the %ace.B

he devil -ith the curateHthat -as ust -hat he -as going to remar+A[:2]

4y dear,B murmured into the ear o% a neighbor the lady -ho had re%erred to 3on

imoteo as a umpingDac+, did you ever see such a s+irtGB

)gh, the curtains %rom the PalaceAB

Nou dont sayA ut its trueA heyre carrying everything a-ay. Noull see ho- they

ma+e -raps out o% the carpets.B

hat only goes to sho- that she has talent and taste,B observed her husband,

reproving her -ith a loo+. *omen should be economical.B his poor god -as stillsu%%ering %rom the dressma+ers bill.

4y dear, give me curtains at t-elve pesos a yard, and youll see i% # put on these

ragsAB retorted the goddess in piue. !eavensA Nou can tal+ -hen you have done

something %ine li+e that to give you the rightAB



4ean-hile, asilio stood be%ore the house, lost in the throng o% curious spectators,

counting those -ho alighted %rom their carriages. *hen he loo+ed upon so many

persons, happy and con%ident, -hen he sa- the bride and groom %ollo-ed by their

train o% %resh and innocent little girls, and re%lected that they -ere going to meet there

a horrible death, he -as sorry and %elt his hatred -aning -ithin him. !e -anted to

save so many innocents, he thought o% noti%ying the police, but a carriage drove up toset do-n Padre Salvi and Padre #rene, both beaming -ith content, and li+e a passing

cloud his good intentions vanished. *hat does it matter to meGB he as+ed himsel%.

Fet the righteous su%%er -ith the sinners.B

hen he added, to silence his scruples0 #m not an in%ormer, # mustnt abuse the

con%idence he has placed in me. # o-e him, him more than # do them0 he dug my

mothers grave, they +illed herA *hat have # to do -ith themG # did everything

possible to be good and use%ul, # tried to %orgive and %orget, # su%%ered every

imposition, and only as+ed that they leave me in peace. # got in no ones -ay. *hat

have they done to meG Fet their mangled limbs %ly through the airA *eve su%%ered

enough.B[:29]

hen he sa- Simoun alight -ith the terrible lamp in his hands, sa- him cross the

entrance -ith bo-ed head, as though deep in thought. asilio %elt his heart beat

%ainter, his %eet and hands turn cold, -hile the blac+ silhouette o% the e-eler assumed

%antastic shapes enveloped in %lames. here at the %oot o% the stair-ay Simoun

chec+ed his steps, as i% in doubt, and asilio held his breath. ut the hesitation -as

transientHSimoun raised his head, resolutely ascended the stair-ay, and disappeared.

#t then seemed to the student that the house -as going to blo- up at any moment, andthat -alls, lamps, guests, roo%, -indo-s, orchestra, -ould be hurtling through the air

li+e a hand%ul o% coals in the midst o% an in%ernal e=plosion. !e ga(ed about him and

%ancied that he sa- corpses in place o% idle spectators, he sa- them torn to shreds, it

seemed to him that the air -as %illed -ith %lames, but his calmer sel% triumphed over

this transient hallucination, -hich -as due some-hat to his hunger.

)ntil he comes out, theres no danger,B he said to himsel%. he CaptainD5eneral

hasnt arrived yet.B

!e tried to appear calm and control the convulsive trembling in his limbs,endeavoring to divert his thoughts to other things. Something -ithin -as ridiculing

him, saying, #% you tremble no-, be%ore the supreme moment, ho- -ill you conduct

yoursel% -hen you see blood %lo-ing, houses burning, and bullets -histlingGB

!is E=cellency arrived, but the young man paid no attention to him. !e -as -atching

the %ace o% Simoun, -ho -as among those that descended to receive him, and he read



in that implacable countenance the sentence o% death %or all those men, so that %resh

terror sei(ed upon him. !e %elt cold, he leaned against the -all, and, -ith his eyes

%i=ed on the -indo-s and his ears coc+ed, tried to guess -hat might be happening. #n

the sala he sa- the cro-d surround Simoun to loo+ at the lamp, he heard

congratulations and e=clamations o% admirationHthe -ords diningDroom,B

novelty,B -ere repeated many timesHhe sa- [::;]the 5eneral smile and conecturedthat the novelty -as to be e=hibited that very night, by the e-elers arrangement, on

the table -hereat his E=cellency -as to dine. Simoun disappeared, %ollo-ed by a

cro-d o% admirers.

@t that supreme moment his good angel triumphed, he %orgot his hatreds, he %orgot

&uli, he -anted to save the innocent. Come -hat might, he -ould cross the street and

try to enter. ut asilio had %orgotten that he -as miserably dressed. he porter

stopped him and accosted him roughly, and %inally, upon his insisting, threatened to

call the police.

&ust then Simoun came do-n, slightly pale, and the porter turned %rom asilio to

salute the e-eler as though he had been a saint passing. asilio reali(ed %rom the

e=pression o% Simouns %ace that he -as leaving the %ated house %orever, that the lamp

-as lighted. Alea 'a#ta est" Sei(ed by the instinct o% sel%Dpreservation, he thought then

o% saving himsel%. #t might occur to any o% the guests through curiosity to tamper -ith

the -ic+ and then -ould come the e=plosion to over-helm them all. Still he heard

Simoun say to the cochero, he Escolta, hurryAB

erri%ied, dreading that he might at any moment hear the a-%ul e=plosion, asilio

hurried as %ast as his legs -ould carry him to get a-ay %rom the accursed spot, but hislegs seemed to lac+ the necessary agility, his %eet slipped on the side-al+ as though

they -ere moving but not advancing. he people he met bloc+ed the -ay, and be%ore

he had gone t-enty steps he thought that at least %ive minutes had elapsed.

Some distance a-ay he stumbled against a young man -ho -as standing -ith his

head thro-n bac+, ga(ing %i=edly at the house, and in him he recogni(ed #sagani.

*hat are you doing hereGB he demanded. Come a-ayAB

#sagani stared at him vaguely, smiled sadly, and again turned his ga(e to-ard the open

balconies, across -hich -as revealed the ethereal silhouette o% the bride clinging tothe grooms arm as they moved slo-ly out o% sight.[::1]

Come, #sagani, lets get a-ay %rom that house. ComeAB asilio urged in a hoarse

voice, catching his %riend by the arm.



#sagani gently shoo+ himsel% %ree and continued to stare -ith the same sad smile upon

his lips.

$or 5ods sa+e, lets get a-ay %rom hereAB

*hy should # go a-ayG omorro- it -ill not be she.B

here -as so much sorro- in those -ords that asilio %or a moment %orgot his o-n

terror. 3o you -ant to dieGB he demanded.

#sagani shrugged his shoulders and continued to ga(e to-ard the house.

asilio again tried to drag him a-ay. #sagani, #sagani, listen to meA Fets not -aste

any timeA hat house is mined, its going to blo- up at any moment, by the least

imprudent act, the least curiosityA #sagani, all -ill perish in its ruins.B

#n its ruinsGB echoed #sagani, as i% trying to understand, but -ithout removing his

ga(e %rom the -indo-.

Nes, in its ruins, yes, #saganiA $or 5ods sa+e, comeA #ll e=plain a%ter-ards. ComeA

ne -ho has been more un%ortunate than either you or # has doomed them all. 3o you

see that -hite, clear light, li+e an electric lamp, shining %rom the a(oteaG #ts the light

o% deathA @ lamp charged -ith dynamite, in a mined diningDroom, -ill burst and not a

rat -ill escape alive. ComeAB

o,B ans-ered #sagani, sha+ing his head sadly. # -ant to stay here, # -ant to see her %or the last time. omorro-, you see, she -ill be something di%%erent.B

Fet %ate have its -ayAB asilio then e=claimed, hurrying a-ay.

#sagani -atched his %riend rush a-ay -ith a precipitation that indicated real terror, but

continued to stare to-ard the charmed -indo-, li+e the cavalier o% oggenburg

-aiting %or his s-eetheart to appear, as Schiller tells. o- the sala -as deserted, all

having repaired to the diningDrooms, [::2]and it occurred to #sagani that asilios %ears

may have been -ellD%ounded. !e recalled the terri%ied countenance o% him -ho -as

al-ays so calm and composed, and it set him to thin+ing.

Suddenly an idea appeared clear in his imaginationHthe house -as going to blo- up

and Paulita -as there, Paulita -as going to die a %right%ul death. #n the presence o% this

idea everything -as %orgotten0 ealousy, su%%ering, mental torture, and the generous

youth thought only o% his love. *ithout re%lecting, -ithout hesitation, he ran to-ard



the house, and than+s to his stylish clothes and determined mien, easily secured

admittance.

*hile these short scenes -ere occurring in the street, in the diningD+ios+ o% the

greater gods there -as passed %rom hand to hand a piece o% parchment on -hich -ere

-ritten in red in+ these %ate%ul -ords0

Mene! Tekel! $hares2

9uan %risostomo Ibarra

&uan Crisostomo #barraG *ho is heGB as+ed his E=cellency, handing the paper to his

neighbor.

@ o+e in very bad tasteAB e=claimed 3on Custodio. o sign the name o% a %ilibuster

dead more than ten yearsAB

@ %ilibusterAB

#ts a seditious o+eAB

here being ladies presentHB

Padre #rene loo+ed around %or the o+er and sa- Padre Salvi, -ho -as seated at the

right o% the Countess, turn as -hite as his nap+in, -hile he stared at the mysterious

-ords -ith bulging eyes. he scene o% the sphin= recurred to him.

*hats the matter, Padre SalviGB he as+ed. 3o you recogni(e your %riends

signatureGB

Padre Salvi did not reply. !e made an e%%ort to spea+ [:::]and -ithout being conscious

o% -hat he -as doing -iped his %orehead -ith his nap+in.

*hat has happened to your "everenceGB

#t is his very hand-ritingAB -as the -hispered reply in a scarcely perceptible voice.

#ts the very hand-riting o% #barra.B Feaning against the bac+ o% his chair, he let hisarms %all as though all strength had deserted him.

)neasiness became converted into %right, they all stared at one another -ithout

uttering a single -ord. !is E=cellency started to rise, but apprehending that such a

move -ould be ascribed to %ear, controlled himsel% and loo+ed about him. here -ere

no soldiers present, even the -aiters -ere un+no-n to him.



Fets go on eating, gentlemen,B he e=claimed, and pay no attention to the o+e.B ut

his voice, instead o% reassuring, increased the general uneasiness, %or it trembled.

# dont suppose that that Mene! Tekel! $hares, means that -ere to be assassinated

tonightGB speculated 3on Custodio.

@ll remained motionless, but -hen he added, Net they might poison us,B they leaped

up %rom their chairs.

he light, mean-hile, had begun slo-ly to %ade. he lamp is going out,B observed

the 5eneral uneasily. *ill you turn up the -ic+, Padre #reneGB

ut at that instant, -ith the s-i%tness o% a %lash o% lightning, a %igure rushed in,

overturning a chair and +noc+ing a servant do-n, and in the midst o% the general

surprise sei(ed the lamp, rushed to the a(otea, and thre- it into the river. he -hole

thing happened in a second and the diningD+ios+ -as le%t in dar+ness.

he lamp had already struc+ the -ater be%ore the servants could cry out, hie%,

thie%AB and rush to-ard the a(otea. @ revolverAB cried one o% them. @ revolver,

uic+A @%ter the thie%AB

ut the %igure, more agile than they, had already mounted the balustrade and be%ore a

light could be brought, precipitated itsel% into the river, stri+ing the -ater -ith a loud

splash.[::O]

1 Spanish etiuette reuires a host to -elcome his guest -ith the conventional phrase0 he house belongs

to you.BHr.

2 he hand-riting on the -all at elsha((ars %east, %oretelling the destruction o% abylon. 3aniel, v, 27V

2.Hr.

&en56a)!’s "fflictions

#mmediately upon hearing o% the incident, a%ter lights had been brought and the

scarcely digni%ied attitudes o% the startled gods revealed, enD<ayb, %illed -ith holy

indignation, and -ith the approval o% the pressDcensor secured be%orehand, hastened

homeHan entresol -here he lived in a mess -ith othersHto -rite an article that

-ould be the sublimest ever penned under the s+ies o% the Philippines. he CaptainD

5eneral -ould leave disconsolate i% he did not %irst enoy his dithyrambs, and this

enD<ayb, in his +indness o% heart, could not allo-. !ence he sacri%iced the dinner

and ball, nor did he sleep that night.



Sonorous e=clamations o% horror, o% indignation, to %ancy that the -orld -as smashing

to pieces and the stars, the eternal stars, -ere clashing togetherA hen a mysterious

introduction, %illed -ith allusions, veiled hints, then an account o% the a%%air, and the

%inal peroration. !e multiplied the %lourishes and e=hausted all his euphemisms in

describing the drooping shoulders and the tardy baptism o% salad his E=cellency had

received on his lympian bro-, he eulogi(ed the agility -ith -hich the 5eneral hadrecovered a vertical position, placing his head -here his legs had been, and vice versa,

then intoned a hymn to Providence %or having so solicitously guarded those sacred

bones. he paragraph turned out to be so per%ect that his E=cellency appeared as a

hero, and %ell higher, as Iictor !ugo said.

!e -rote, erased, added, and polished, so that, -ithout -anting in veracityHthis -as

his special merit as a [::7] ournalistHthe -hole -ould be an epic, grand %or the seven

gods, co-ardly and base %or the un+no-n thie%, -ho had e=ecuted himsel%, terrorD

stric+en, and in the very act convinced o% the enormity o% his crime.B

!e e=plained Padre #renes act o% plunging under the table as an impulse o% innate

valor, -hich the habit o% a 5od o% peace and gentleness, -orn throughout a -hole li%e,

had been unable to e=tinguish,B %or Padre #rene had tried to hurl himsel% upon the thie%

and had ta+en a straight course along the submensal route. #n passing, he spo+e o%

submarine passages, mentioned a proect o% 3on Custodios, called attention to the

liberal education and -ide travels o% the priest. Padre Salvis s-oon -as the e=cessive

sorro- that too+ possession o% the virtuous $ranciscan to see the little %ruit borne

among the #ndians by his pious sermons, -hile the immobility and %right o% the other

guests, among them the Countess, -ho sustainedB Padre Salvi 6she grabbed him8,

-ere the serenity and sangD%roid o% heroes, inured to danger in the per%ormance o%

their duties, beside -hom the "oman senators surprised by the 5allic invaders -ere

nervous schoolgirls %rightened at painted coc+roaches.

@%ter-ards, to %orm a contrast, the picture o% the thie%0 %ear, madness, con%usion, the

%ierce loo+, the distorted %eatures, andH%orce o% moral superiority in the raceHhis

religious a-e to see assembled there such august personagesA !ere came in

opportunely a long imprecation, a harangue, a diatribe against the perversion o% good

customs, hence the necessity o% a permanent military tribunal, a declaration o%

martial la- -ithin the limits already so declared, special legislation, energetic and

repressive, because it is in every -ay need%ul, it is o% imperative importance to

impress upon the male%actors and criminals that i% the heart is generous and paternal

%or those -ho are submissive and obedient to the la-, the hand is strong, %irm,

ine=orable, hard, and severe %or those -ho against all reason %ail to respect it and -ho

insult the sacred institutions o% the [::/]%atherland. Nes, gentlemen, this is demanded

not only %or the -el%are o% these islands, not only %or the -el%are o% all man+ind, but



also in the name o% Spain, the honor o% the Spanish name, the prestige o% the #berian

people, because be%ore all things else Spaniards -e are, and the %lag o% Spain,B etc.

!e terminated the article -ith this %are-ell0 5o in peace, gallant -arrior, you -ho

-ith e=pert hand have guided the destinies o% this country in such calamitous timesA

5o in peace to breathe the balmy bree(es o% 4an(anaresA1 *e shall remain here li+e%aith%ul sentinels to venerate your memory, to admire your -ise dispositions, to

avenge the in%amous attempt upon your splendid gi%t, -hich -e -ill recover even i%

-e have to dry up the seasA Such a precious relic -ill be %or this country an eternal

monument to your splendor, your presence o% mind, your gallantryAB

#n this rather con%used -ay he concluded the article and be%ore da-n sent it to the

printingDo%%ice, o% course -ith the censors permit. hen he -ent to sleep li+e

apoleon, a%ter he had arranged the plan %or the battle o% &ena.

ut at da-n he -as a-a+ened to have the sheets o% copy returned -ith a note %rom theeditor saying that his E=cellency had positively and severely %orbidden any mention o%

the a%%air, and had %urther ordered the denial o% any versions and comments that might

get abroad, discrediting them as e=aggerated rumors.

o enD<ayb this blo- -as the murder o% a beauti%ul and sturdy child, born and

nurtured -ith such great pain and %atigue. *here no- hurl the Catilinarian pride, the

splendid e=hibition o% -arli+e crimeDavenging materialsG @nd to thin+ that -ithin a

month or t-o he -as going to leave the Philippines, and the article could not be

published in Spain, since ho- could he say those things about the criminals o%

4adrid, -here other ideas prevailed, -here [::>]e=tenuating circumstances -eresought, -here %acts -ere -eighed, -here there -ere uries, and so onG @rticles such

as his -ere li+e certain poisonous rums that are manu%actured in Europe, good enough

to be sold among the negroes, good for negroes,2 -ith the di%%erence that i% the

negroes did not drin+ them they -ould not be destroyed, -hile enD<aybs articles,

-hether the $ilipinos read them or not, had their e%%ect.

#% only some other crime might be committed today or tomorro-,B he mused.

*ith the thought o% that child dead be%ore seeing the light, those %ro(en buds, and

%eeling his eyes %ill -ith tears, he dressed himsel% to call upon the editor. ut theeditor shrugged his shoulders? his E=cellency had %orbidden it because i% it should be

divulged that seven o% the greater gods had let themselves be surprised and robbed by

a nobody, -hile they brandished +nives and %or+s, that -ould endanger the integrity

o% the %atherlandA So he had ordered that no search be made %or the lamp or the thie%,

and had recommended to his successors that they should not run the ris+ o% dining in

any private house, -ithout being surrounded by halberdiers and guards. @s those -ho



+ne- anything about the events that night in 3on imoteos house -ere %or the most

part military o%%icials and government employees, it -as not di%%icult to suppress the

a%%air in public, %or it concerned the integrity o% the %atherland. e%ore this name enD

<ayb bo-ed his head heroically, thin+ing about @braham, 5u(man El ueno,: or at

least, rutus and other heroes o% antiuity.

Such a sacri%ice could not remain unre-arded, the gods o% ournalism being pleased

-ith @braham enD<ayb. @lmost upon the hour came the reporting angel bearing the

sacri%icial lamb in the shape o% an assault committed at a countryDhouse on the Pasig,

-here certain %riars -ere [::]spending the heated season. !ere -as his opportunity

and enD<ayb praised his gods.

he robbers got over t-o thousand pesos, leaving badly -ounded one %riar and t-o

servants. he curate de%ended himsel% as -ell as he could behind a chair, -hich -as

smashed in his hands.B

*ait, -aitAB said enD<ayb, ta+ing notes. $orty or %i%ty outla-s traitorouslyH

revolvers, bolos, shotguns, pistolsHlion at bayHchairHsplinters %lyingHbarbarously

-oundedHten thousand pesosAB

So great -as his enthusiasm that he -as not content -ith mere reports, but proceeded

in person to the scene o% the crime, composing on the road a !omeric description o%

the %ight. @ harangue in the mouth o% the leaderG @ scorn%ul de%iance on the part o% the

priestG @ll the metaphors and similes applied to his E=cellency, Padre #rene, and Padre

Salvi -ould e=actly %it the -ounded %riar and the description o% the thie% -ould serve

%or each o% the outla-s. he imprecation could be e=panded, since he could tal+ o%religion, o% the %aith, o% charity, o% the ringing o% bells, o% -hat the #ndians o-ed to the

%riars, he could get sentimental and melt into CastelarianO epigrams and lyric periods.

he seKoritas o% the city -ould read the article and murmur, enD<ayb, bold as a lion

and tender as a lambAB

ut -hen he reached the scene, to his great astonishment he learned that the -ounded

%riar -as no other than Padre Camorra, sentenced by his Provincial to e=piate in the

pleasant countryDhouse on the ban+s o% the Pasig his pran+s in iani. !e had a slight

scratch on his hand and a bruise on his head received %rom %lattening himsel% out on

the %loor. he robbers numbered three or %our, armed only -ith bolos, the sum stolen%i%ty pesosA

#t -ont doAB e=claimed enD<ayb. Shut upA Nou dont +no- -hat youre tal+ing

about.B

!o- dont # +no-, pualesKB[::9]



3ont be a %oolHthe robbers must have numbered more.B

Nou in+DslingerHB

So they had uite an altercation. *hat chie%ly concerned enD<ayb -as not to thro-

a-ay the article, to give importance to the a%%air, so that he could use the peroration.

ut a %ear%ul rumor cut short their dispute. he robbers caught had made some

important revelations. ne o% the outla-s under Matanglawin 6Cabesang ales8 had

made an appointment -ith them to oin his band in Santa 4esa, thence to sac+ the

conventos and houses o% the -ealthy. hey -ould be guided by a Spaniard, tall and

sunburnt, -ith -hite hair, -ho said that he -as acting under the orders o% the 5eneral,

-hose great %riend he -as, and they had been %urther assured that the artillery and

various regiments -ould oin them, -here%ore they -ere to entertain no %ear at all.

he tulisanes -ould be pardoned and have a third part o% the booty assigned to them.

he signal -as to have been a cannonDshot, but having -aited %or it in vain thetulisanes, thin+ing themselves deceived, separated, some going bac+ to their homes,

some returning to the mountains vo-ing vengeance on the Spaniard, -ho had thus

%ailed t-ice to +eep his -ord. hen they, the robbers caught, had decided to do

something on their o-n account, attac+ing the countryDhouse that they %ound closest

at hand, resolving religiously to give t-oDthirds o% the booty to the Spaniard -ith

-hite hair, i% perchance he should call upon them %or it.

he description being recogni(ed as that o% Simoun, the declaration -as received as

an absurdity and the robber subected to all +inds o% tortures, including the electric

machine, %or his impious blasphemy. ut ne-s o% the disappearance o% the e-elerhaving attracted the attention o% the -hole Escolta, and the sac+s o% po-der and great

uantities o% cartridges having been discovered in his house, the story began to -ear

an appearance o% truth. 4ystery began to en-rap the a%%air, enveloping it in clouds?

there [:O;]-ere -hispered conversations, coughs, suspicious loo+s, suggestive

comments, and trite secondDhand remar+s. hose -ho -ere on the inside -ere unable

to get over their astonishment, they put on long %aces, turned pale, and but little -as

-anting %or many persons to lose their minds in reali(ing certain things that had

be%ore passed unnoticed.

*eve had a narro- escapeA *ho -ould have saidHB

#n the a%ternoon enD<ayb, his poc+ets %illed -ith revolvers and cartridges, -ent to

see 3on Custodio, -hom he %ound hard at -or+ over a proect against @merican

e-elers. #n a hushed voice he -hispered bet-een the palms o% his hands into the

ournalists ear mysterious -ords.



"eallyGB uestioned enD<ayb, slapping his hand on his poc+et and paling visibly.

*herever he may be %oundHB he sentence -as completed -ith an e=pressive

pantomime. 3on Custodio raised both arms to the height o% his %ace, -ith the right

more bent than the le%t, turned the palms o% his hands to-ard the %loor, closed one eye,

and made t-o movements in advance. SshA SshAB he hissed.

@nd the diamondsGB inuired enD<ayb.

#% they %ind himHB !e -ent through another pantomime -ith the %ingers o% his right

hand, spreading them out and clenching them together li+e the closing o% a %an,

clutching out -ith them some-hat in the manner o% the -ings o% a -indDmill

s-eeping imaginary obects to-ard itsel% -ith practised s+ill. enD<ayb responded

-ith another pantomime, opening his eyes -ide, arching his eyebro-s and suc+ing in

his breath eagerly as though nutritious air had ust been discovered.

SsshAB[:O1]

1 @ to-n in Ciudad "eal province, Spain.Hr.

2 he italici(ed -ords are in English in the original.Hr.

: @ Spanish hero, -hose chie% e=ploit -as the capture o% 5ibraltar %rom the 4oors in 1:;.Hr.

O Emilio Castelar 61:2V1998, generally regarded as the greatest o% Spanish orators.Hr.

The ()ster)

odo se sabe

ot-ithstanding so many precautions, rumors reached the public, even though uite

changed and mutilated. n the %ollo-ing night they -ere the theme o% comment in the

house o% renda, a rich e-el merchant in the industrious district o% Santa Cru(, and

the numerous %riends o% the %amily gave attention to nothing else. hey -ere not

indulging in cards, or playing the piano, -hile little inay, the youngest o% the girls, became bored playing #hongka by hersel%, -ithout being able to understand the

interest a-a+ened by assaults, conspiracies, and sac+s o% po-der, -hen there -ere in

the seven holes so many beauti%ul co-ries that seemed to be -in+ing at her in unison

and smiled -ith their tiny mouths hal%Dopened, begging to be carried up to the home.

Even #sagani, -ho, -hen he came, al-ays used to play -ith her and allo- himsel% to

be beauti%ully cheated, did not come at her call, %or #sagani -as gloomily and silently



listening to something Chichoy the silversmith -as relating. 4omoy, the betrothed o%

Sensia, the eldest o% the daughtersHa pretty and vivacious girl, rather given to o+ing

Hhad le%t the -indo- -here he -as accustomed to spend his evenings in amorous

discourse, and this action seemed to be very annoying to the lory -hose cage hung

%rom the eaves there, the lory endeared to the house %rom its ability to greet everybody

in the morning -ith marvelous phrases o% love. Capitana Foleng, the energetic andintelligent Capitana Foleng, had her accountDboo+ open be%ore her, but

she [:O2]neither read nor -rote in it, nor -as her attention %i=ed on the trays o% loose

pearls, nor on the diamondsHshe had completely %orgotten hersel% and -as all ears.

!er husband himsel%, the great Capitan oringoy,Ha trans%ormation o% the name

3omingo,Hthe happiest man in the district, -ithout other occupation than to dress

-ell, eat, loa%, and gossip, -hile his -hole %amily -or+ed and toiled, had not gone to

oin his coterie, but -as listening bet-een %ear and emotion to the hairDraising ne-s o%

the lan+ Chichoy.

or -as reason %or all this lac+ing. Chichoy had gone to deliver some -or+ %or 3on

imoteo Pelae(, a pair o% earrings %or the bride, at the very time -hen they -ere

tearing do-n the +ios+ that on the previous night had served as a diningDroom %or the

%oremost o%%icials. !ere Chichoy turned pale and his hair stood on end.

NakúAB he e=claimed, sac+s and sac+s o% po-der, sac+s o% po-der under the %loor,

in the roo%, under the table, under the chairs, every-hereA #ts luc+y none o% the

-or+men -ere smo+ing.B

*ho put those sac+s o% po-der thereGB as+ed Capitana Foleng, -ho -as brave and

did not turn pale, as did the enamored 4omoy. ut 4omoy had attended the -edding,so his posthumous emotion can be appreciated0 he had been near the +ios+.

hats -hat no one can e=plain,B replied Chichoy. *ho -ould have any interest in

brea+ing up the %iestaG here couldnt have been more than one, as the celebrated

la-yer SeKor Pasta -ho -as there on a visit declaredHeither an enemy o% 3on

imoteos or a rival o% &uanitos.B

he renda girls turned instinctively to-ard #sagani, -ho smiled silently.

!ide yoursel%,B Capitana Foleng advised him. hey may accuse you. !ideAB

@gain #sagani smiled but said nothing.

3on imoteo,B continued Chichoy, did not +no- to [:O:]-hom to attribute the deed.

!e himsel% superintended the -or+, he and his %riend Simoun, and nobody else. he



house -as thro-n into an uproar, the lieutenant o% the guard came, and a%ter enoining

secrecy upon everybody, they sent me a-ay. utHB

utHbutHB stammered the trembling 4omoy.

Nakú"B eaculated Sensia, ga(ing at her %ianc' and trembling sympathetically toremember that he had been at the %iesta. his young manH#% the house had blo-n up

HB She stared at her s-eetheart passionately and admired his courage.

#% it had blo-n upHB

o one in the -hole o% Calle @nloague -ould have been le%t alive,B concluded

Capitan oringoy, %eigning valor and indi%%erence in the presence o% his %amily.

# le%t in consternation,B resumed Chichoy, thin+ing about ho-, i% a mere spar+, a

cigarette had %allen, i% a lamp had been overturned, at the present moment -e shouldhave neither a 5eneral, nor an @rchbishop, nor any one, not even a government cler+A

@ll -ho -ere at the %iesta last nightHannihilatedAB

5írgen ,antísima" his young manHB

+,usmariosep"B e=claimed Capitana Foleng. @ll our debtors -ere

there, +,usmariosep" @nd -e have a house near thereA *ho could it have beenGB

o- you may +no- about it,B added Chichoy in a -hisper, but you must +eep it a

secret. his a%ternoon # met a %riend, a cler+ in an o%%ice, and in tal+ing about thea%%air, he gave me the clue to the mysteryHhe had it %rom some government

employees. *ho do you suppose put the sac+s o% po-der thereGB

4any shrugged their shoulders, -hile Capitan oringoy merely loo+ed as+ance at

#sagani.

he %riarsGB

Luiroga the ChinamanGB

Some studentGB

4a+araigGB[:OO]

Capitan oringoy coughed and glanced at #sagani, -hile Chichoy shoo+ his head and

smiled.



he e-eler Simoun.B

SimounAAB

he pro%ound silence o% ama(ement %ollo-ed these -ords. Simoun, the evil genius o%

the CaptainD5eneral, the rich trader to -hose house they had gone to buy unset gems,Simoun, -ho had received the renda girls -ith great courtesy and had paid them

%ine complimentsA $or the very reason that the story seemed absurd it -as believed.

%redo quia absurdum!B said St. @ugustine.

ut -asnt Simoun at the %iesta last nightGB as+ed Sensia.

Nes,B said 4omoy. ut no- # rememberA !e le%t the house ust as -e -ere sitting

do-n to the dinner. !e -ent to get his -eddingDgi%t.B

ut -asnt he a %riend o% the 5eneralsG *asnt he a partner o% 3on imoteosGB

Nes, he made himsel% a partner in order to stri+e the blo- and +ill all the Spaniards.B

@haAB cried Sensia. o- # understandAB

*hatGB

Nou didnt -ant to believe @unt entay. Simoun is the devil and he has bought up the

souls o% all the Spaniards. @unt entay said soAB

Capitana Foleng crossed hersel% and loo+ed uneasily to-ard the e-els, %earing to see

them turn into live coals, -hile Capitan oringoy too+ o%% the ring -hich had come

%rom Simoun.

Simoun has disappeared -ithout leaving any traces,B added Chichoy. he Civil

5uard is searching %or him.B

Nes,B observed Sensia, crossing hersel%, searching %or the devil.B

o- many things -ere e=plained0 Simouns %abulous -ealth and the peculiar smell in

his house, the smell o% sulphur. inday, another o% the daughters, a %ran+ and lovely

girl, remembered having seen blue %lames in the [:O7] e-elers house one a%ternoon

-hen she and her mother had gone there to buy e-els. #sagani listened attentively,

but said nothing.

So, last nightHB ventured 4omoy.



Fast nightGB echoed Sensia, bet-een curiosity and %ear.

4omoy hesitated, but the %ace Sensia put on banished his %ear. Fast night, -hile -e

-ere eating, there -as a disturbance, the light in the 5enerals diningDroom -ent out.

hey say that some un+no-n person stole the lamp that -as presented by Simoun.B

@ thie%G ne o% the lac+ !andGB

#sagani arose to -al+ bac+ and %orth.

3idnt they catch himGB

!e umped into the river be%ore anybody recogni(ed him. Some say he -as a

Spaniard, some a Chinaman, and others an #ndian.B

#ts believed that -ith the lamp,B added Chichoy, he -as going to set %ire to thehouse, then the po-derHB

4omoy again shuddered but noticing that Sensia -as -atching him tried to control

himsel%. *hat a pityAB he e=claimed -ith an e%%ort. !o- -ic+edly the thie% acted.

Everybody -ould have been +illed.B

Sensia stared at him in %right, the -omen crossed themselves, -hile Capitan oringoy,

-ho -as a%raid o% politics, made a move to go a-ay.

4omoy turned to #sagani, -ho observed -ith an enigmatic smile0 #ts al-ays -ic+edto ta+e -hat doesnt belong to you. #% that thie% had +no-n -hat it -as all about and

had been able to re%lect, surely he -ouldnt have done as he did.B

hen, a%ter a pause, he added, $or nothing in the -orld -ould # -ant to be in his

placeAB

So they continued their comments and conectures until an hour later, -hen #sagani

bade the %amily %are-ell, to return %orever to his uncles side.[:O/]

0atalit) Matanglawin -as the terror o% Fu(on. !is band had as lie% appear in one province

-here it -as least e=pected as ma+e a descent upon another that -as preparing to

resist it. #t burned a sugarDmill in atangas and destroyed the crops, on the %ollo-ing

day it murdered the &ustice o% the Peace o% iani, and on the ne=t too+ possession o%

the to-n o% Cavite, carrying o%% the arms %rom the to-n hall. he central provinces,



%rom ayabas to Pangasinan, su%%ered %rom his depredations, and his bloody name

e=tended %rom @lbay in the south to Ragayan in the north. he to-ns, disarmed

through mistrust on the part o% a -ea+ government, %ell easy prey into his handsHat

his approach the %ields -ere abandoned by the %armers, the herds -ere scattered,

-hile a trail o% blood and %ire mar+ed his passage. Matanglawin laughed at the severe

measures ordered by the government against the tulisanes, since %rom them only the people in the outlying villages su%%ered, being captured and maltreated i% they resisted

the band, and i% they made peace -ith it being %logged and deported by the

government, provided they completed the ourney and did not meet -ith a %atal

accident on the -ay. han+s to these terrible alternatives many o% the country %ol+

decided to enlist under his command.

@s a result o% this reign o% terror, trade among the to-ns, already languishing, died out

completely. he rich dared not travel, and the poor %eared to be arrested by the Civil

5uard, -hich, being under obligation to pursue the tulisanes, o%ten sei(ed the %irst

person encountered and subected him to unspea+able tortures. #n its impotence,

the [:O>]government put on a sho- o% energy to-ard the persons -hom it suspected, in

order that by %orce o% cruelty the people should not reali(e its -ea+nessHthe %ear that

prompted such measures.

@ string o% these hapless suspects, some si= or seven, -ith their arms tied behind

them, bound together li+e a bunch o% human meat, -as one a%ternoon marching

through the e=cessive heat along a road that s+irted a mountain, escorted by ten or

t-elve guards armed -ith ri%les. heir bayonets gleamed in the sun, the barrels o%

their ri%les became hot, and even the sageDleaves in their helmets scarcely served to

temper the e%%ect o% the deadly 4ay sun.

3eprived o% the use o% their arms and pressed close against one another to save rope,

the prisoners moved along almost uncovered and unshod, he being the best o%% -ho

had a hand+erchie% t-isted around his head. Panting, su%%ering, covered -ith dust

-hich perspiration converted into mud, they %elt their brains melting, they sa- lights

dancing be%ore them, red spots %loating in the air. E=haustion and deection -ere

pictured in their %aces, desperation, -rath, something indescribable, the loo+ o% one

-ho dies cursing, o% a man -ho is -eary o% li%e, -ho hates himsel%, -ho blasphemes

against 5od. he strongest lo-ered their heads to rub their %aces against the dus+y

bac+s o% those in %ront o% them and thus -ipe a-ay the s-eat that -as blinding them.

4any -ere limping, but i% any one o% them happened to %all and thus delay the march

he -ould hear a curse as a soldier ran up brandishing a branch torn %rom a tree and

%orced him to rise by stri+ing about in all directions. he string then started to run,

dragging, rolling in the dust, the %allen one, -ho ho-led and begged to be +illed? but

perchance he succeeded in getting on his %eet and then -ent along crying li+e a child

and cursing the hour he -as born.



he human cluster halted at times -hile the guards dran+, and then the prisoners

continued on their -ay -ith [:O] parched mouths, dar+ened brains, and hearts %ull o%

curses. hirst -as %or these -retches the least o% their troubles.

4ove on, you sons o% HHAB cried a soldier, again re%reshed, hurling the insult

common among the lo-er classes o% $ilipinos.

he branch -histled and %ell on any shoulder -hatsoever, the nearest one, or at times

upon a %ace to leave a -elt at %irst -hite, then red, and later dirty -ith the dust o% the

road.

4ove on, you co-ardsAB at times a voice yelled in Spanish, deepening its tone.

Co-ardsAB repeated the mountain echoes.

hen the co-ards uic+ened their pace under a s+y o% redDhot iron, over a burningroad, lashed by the +notty branch -hich -as -orn into shreds on their livid s+ins. @

Siberian -inter -ould perhaps be tenderer than the 4ay sun o% the Philippines.

Net, among the soldiers there -as one -ho loo+ed -ith disapproving eyes upon so

much -anton cruelty, as he marched along silently -ith his bro-s +nit in disgust. @t

length, seeing that the guard, not satis%ied -ith the branch, -as +ic+ing the prisoners

that %ell, he could no longer restrain himsel% but cried out impatiently, !ere,

4autang, let them aloneAB

4autang turned to-ard him in surprise. *hats it to you, CarolinoGB he as+ed.

o me, nothing, but it hurts me,B replied Carolino. heyre men li+e ourselves.B

#ts plain that youre ne- to the businessAB retorted 4autang -ith a compassionate

smile. !o- did you treat the prisoners in the -arGB

*ith more consideration, surelyAB ans-ered Carolino.

4autang remained silent %or a moment and then, apparently having discovered the

reason, calmly reoined, @h, its because they are enemies and %ight us, -hile theseH these are our o-n countrymen.B

hen dra-ing nearer to Carolino he -hispered, !o- [:O9]stupid you areA heyre

treated so in order that they may attempt to resist or to escape, and thenHbangAB

Carolino made no reply.



ne o% the prisoners then begged that they let him stop %or a moment.

his is a dangerous place,B ans-ered the corporal, ga(ing uneasily to-ard the

mountain. 4ove onAB

4ove onAB echoed 4autang and his lash -histled.

he prisoner t-isted himsel% around to stare at him -ith reproach%ul eyes. Nou are

more cruel than the Spaniard himsel%,B he said.

4autang replied -ith more blo-s, -hen suddenly a bullet -histled, %ollo-ed by a

loud report. 4autang dropped his ri%le, uttered an oath, and clutching at his breast

-ith both hands %ell spinning into a heap. he prisoner sa- him -rithing in the dust

-ith blood spurting %rom his mouth.

!altAB called the corporal, suddenly turning pale.

he soldiers stopped and stared about them. @ -isp o% smo+e rose %rom a thic+et on

the height above. @nother bullet sang to its accompanying report and the corporal,

-ounded in the thigh, doubled over vomiting curses. he column -as attac+ed by

men hidden among the roc+s above.

Sullen -ith rage the corporal motioned to-ard the string o% prisoners and laconically

ordered, $ireAB

he -retches %ell upon their +nees, %illed -ith consternation. @s they could not li%ttheir hands, they begged %or mercy by +issing the dust or bo-ing their headsHone

tal+ed o% his children, another o% his mother -ho -ould be le%t unprotected, one

promised money, another called upon 5odHbut the mu((les -ere uic+ly lo-ered

and a hideous volley silenced them all.

hen began the sharpshooting against those -ho -ere behind the roc+s above, over

-hich a light cloud o% smo+e began to hover. o udge %rom the scarcity o% their shots,

the invisible enemies could not have more than three ri%les. @s they advanced %iring,

the guards sought cover behind[:7;]treeDtrun+s or crouched do-n as they attempted to

scale the height. Splintered roc+s leaped up, bro+en t-igs %ell %rom trees, patches o%earth -ere torn up, and the %irst guard -ho attempted the ascent rolled bac+ -ith a

bullet through his shoulder.

he hidden enemy had the advantage o% position, but the valiant guards, -ho did not

+no- ho- to %lee, -ere on the point o% retiring, %or they had paused, un-illing to

advance? that %ight against the invisible unnerved them. Smo+e and roc+s alone could



be seenHnot a voice -as heard, not a shado- appeared? they seemed to be %ighting

-ith the mountain.

Shoot, CarolinoA *hat are you aiming atGB called the corporal.

@t that instant a man appeared upon a roc+, ma+ing signs -ith his ri%le.

Shoot himAB ordered the corporal -ith a %oul oath.

hree guards obeyed the order, but the man continued standing there, calling out at the

top o% his voice something unintelligible.

Carolino paused, thin+ing that he recogni(ed something %amiliar about that %igure,

-hich stood out plainly in the sunlight. ut the corporal threatened to tie him up i% he

did not %ire, so Carolino too+ aim and the report o% his ri%le -as heard. he man on the

roc+ spun around and disappeared -ith a cry that le%t Carolino horrorDstric+en.

hen %ollo-ed a rustling in the bushes, indicating that those -ithin -ere scattering in

all directions, so the soldiers boldly advanced, no- that there -as no more resistance.

@nother man appeared upon the roc+, -aving a spear, and they %ired at him. !e san+

do-n slo-ly, catching at the branch o% a tree, but -ith another volley %ell %ace

do-n-ards on the roc+.

he guards climbed on nimbly, -ith bayonets %i=ed ready %or a handDtoDhand %ight.

Carolino alone moved %or-ard reluctantly, -ith a -andering, gloomy loo+, the cry o%

the man struc+ by his bullet still ringing in his ears. he [:71]%irst to reach the spot%ound an old man dying, stretched out on the roc+. !e plunged his bayonet into the

body, but the old man did not even -in+, his eyes being %i=ed on Carolino -ith an

indescribable ga(e, -hile -ith his bony hand he pointed to something behind the roc+.

he soldiers turned to see Caroline %right%ully pale, his mouth hanging open, -ith a

loo+ in -hich glimmered the last spar+ o% reason, %or Carolino, -ho -as no other than

ano, Cabesang ales son, and -ho had ust returned %rom the Carolines, recogni(ed

in the dying man his grand%ather, andang Selo. o longer able to spea+, the old

mans dying eyes uttered a -hole poem o% grie%Hand then a corpse, he still continued

to point to something behind the roc+.[:72]

Conclusion

#n his solitary retreat on the shore o% the sea, -hose mobile sur%ace -as visible

through the open, -indo-s, e=tending out-ard until it mingled -ith the hori(on,

Padre $lorentino -as relieving the monotony by playing on his harmonium sad and



melancholy tunes, to -hich the sonorous roar o% the sur% and the sighing o% the

treetops o% the neighboring -ood served as accompaniments. otes long, %ull,

mourn%ul as a prayer, yet still vigorous, escaped %rom the old instrument. Padre

$lorentino, -ho -as an accomplished musician, -as improvising, and, as he -as

alone, gave %ree rein to the sadness in his heart.

$or the truth -as that the old man -as very sad. !is good %riend, 3on iburcio de

EspadaKa, had ust le%t him, %leeing %rom the persecution o% his -i%e. hat morning he

had received a note %rom the lieutenant o% the Civil 5uard, -hich ran thus0

4N 3E@" C!@PF@#,H# have ust received %rom the commandant a telegram that says,

Spaniard hidden house Padre $lorentino capture %or-ard alive dead.B @s the telegram is uite

e=plicit, -arn your %riend not to be there -hen # come to arrest him at eight tonight.

@%%ectionately,

PE"E<

urn this note.

Dthat IDvictorinaAB 3on iburcio had stammered. SDshes cDcapable o% having me

sDshotAB

Padre $lorentino -as unable to reassure him. Iainly he pointed out to him that the

-ord #o'erashould have read #oger-,1 and that the hidden Spaniard could not be

3on [:7:]iburcio, but the e-eler Simoun, -ho t-o days be%ore had arrived,

-ounded and a %ugitive, begging %or shelter. ut 3on iburcio -ould not be

convincedH #o'era -as his o-n lameness, his personal description, and it -as an

intrigue o% Iictorinas to get him bac+ alive or dead, as #sagani had -ritten %rom

4anila. So the poor )lysses had le%t the priests house to conceal himsel% in the hut o%

a -oodcutter.

o doubt -as entertained by Padre $lorentino that the Spaniard -anted -as the

e-eler Simoun, -ho had arrived mysteriously, himsel% carrying the e-elDchest,

bleeding, morose, and e=hausted. *ith the %ree and cordial $ilipino hospitality, the

priest had ta+en him in, -ithout as+ing indiscreet uestions, and as ne-s o% the eventsin 4anila had not yet reached his ears he -as unable to understand the situation

clearly. he only conecture that occurred to him -as that the 5eneral, the e-elers

%riend and protector, being gone, probably his enemies, the victims o% -rong and

abuse, -ere no- rising and calling %or vengeance, and that the acting 5overnor -as

pursuing him to ma+e him disgorge the -ealth he had accumulatedHhence his %light.

ut -hence came his -oundsG !ad he tried to commit suicideG *ere they the result



o% personal revengeG r -ere they merely caused by an accident, as Simoun claimedG

!ad they been received in escaping %rom the %orce that -as pursuing himG

his last conecture -as the one that seemed to have the greatest appearance o%

probability, being %urther strengthened by the telegram received and Simouns decided

un-illingness %rom the start to be treated by the doctor %rom the capital. he e-elersubmitted only to the ministrations o% 3on iburcio, and even to them -ith mar+ed

distrust. #n this situation Padre $lorentino -as as+ing himsel% -hat [:7O]line o%

conduct he should pursue -hen the Civil 5uard came to arrest Simoun. !is condition

-ould not permit his removal, much less a long ourneyHbut the telegram said alive

or dead.

Padre $lorentine ceased playing and approached the -indo- to ga(e out at the sea,

-hose desolate sur%ace -as -ithout a ship, -ithout a sailHit gave him no suggestion.

@ solitary islet outlined in the distance spo+e only o% solitude and made the space

more lonely. #n%inity is at times despairingly mute.

he old man -as trying to analy(e the sad and ironical smile -ith -hich Simoun had

received the ne-s that he -as to be arrested. *hat did that smile meanG @nd that

other smile, still sadder and more ironical, -ith -hich he received the ne-s that they

-ould not come be%ore eight at nightG *hat did all this mystery signi%yG *hy did

Simoun re%use to hideG here came into his mind the celebrated saying o% St. &ohn

Chrysostom -hen he -as de%ending the eunuch Eutropius0 ever -as a better time

than this to sayHIanity o% vanities and all is vanityAB

Nes, that Simoun, so rich, so po-er%ul, so %eared a -ee+ ago, and no- moreun%ortunate than Eutropius, -as see+ing re%uge, not at the altars o% a church, but in the

miserable house o% a poor native priest, hidden in the %orest, on the solitary seashoreA

Ianity o% vanities and all is vanityA hat man -ould -ithin a %e- hours be a prisoner,

dragged %rom the bed -here he lay, -ithout respect %or his condition, -ithout

consideration %or his -oundsHdead or alive his enemies demanded himA !o- could

he save himG *here could he %ind the moving accents o% the bishop o%

ConstantinopleG *hat -eight -ould his -ea+ -ords have, the -ords o% a native

priest, -hose o-n humiliation this same Simoun had in his better days seemed to

applaud and encourageG

ut Padre $lorentine no longer recalled the indi%%erent reception that t-o months

be%ore the e-eler had accorded to him -hen he had tried to interest him in %avor o%

#sagani, [:77]then a prisoner on account o% his imprudent chivalry? he %orgot the

activity Simoun had displayed in urging Paulitas marriage, -hich had plunged

#sagani into the %ear%ul misanthropy that -as -orrying his uncle. !e %orgot all these

things and thought only o% the sic+ mans plight and his o-n obligations as a host,



until his senses reeled. *here must he hide him to avoid his %alling into the clutches

o% the authoritiesG ut the person chie%ly concerned -as not -orrying, he -as

smiling.

*hile he -as pondering over these things, the old man -as approached by a servant

-ho said that the sic+ man -ished to spea+ -ith him, so he -ent into the ne=t room, aclean and -ellDventilated apartment -ith a %loor o% -ide boards smoothed and

polished, and simply %urnished -ith big, heavy armchairs o% ancient design, -ithout

varnish or paint. @t one end there -as a large +amagon bed -ith its %our posts to

support the canopy, and beside it a table covered -ith bottles, lint, and bandages. @

prayingDdes+ at the %eet o% a Christ and a scanty library led to the suspicion that it -as

the priests o-n bedroom, given up to his guest according to the $ilipino custom o%

o%%ering to the stranger the best table, the best room, and the best bed in the house.

)pon seeing the -indo-s opened -ide to admit %reely the health%ul seaDbree(e and

the echoes o% its eternal lament, no one in the Philippines -ould have said that a sic+

person -as to be %ound there, since it is the custom to close all the -indo-s and stop

up all the crac+s ust as soon as any one catches a cold or gets an insigni%icant

headache.

Padre $lorentine loo+ed to-ard the bed and -as astonished to see that the sic+ mans

%ace had lost its tranuil and ironical e=pression. !idden grie% seemed to +nit his

bro-s, an=iety -as depicted in his loo+s, his lips -ere curled in a smile o% pain.

@re you su%%ering, SeKor SimounGB as+ed the priest solicitously, going to his side.

SomeA ut in a little -hile # shall cease to su%%er,B he replied -ith a sha+e o% hishead.[:7/]

Padre $lorentine clasped his hands in %right, suspecting that he understood the terrible

truth. 4y 5od, -hat have you doneG *hat have you ta+enGB !e reached to-ard the

bottles.

#ts useless no-A heres no remedy at allAB ans-ered Simoun -ith a pained smile.

*hat did you e=pect me to doG e%ore the cloc+ stri+es eightHalive or deadHdead,

yes, but alive, noAB

4y 5od, -hat have you doneGB

e calmAB urged the sic+ man -ith a -ave o% his hand. *hats done is done. # must

not %all into anybodys handsHmy secret -ould be torn %rom me. 3ont get e=cited,

dont lose your head, its uselessA FistenHthe night is coming on and theres no time

to be lost. # must tell you my secret, and intrust to you my last reuest, # must lay my



li%e open be%ore you. @t the supreme moment # -ant to lighten mysel% o% a load, #

-ant to clear up a doubt o% mine. Nou -ho believe so %irmly in 5odH# -ant you to

tell me i% there is a 5odAB

ut an antidote, SeKor SimounA # have ether, chloro%ormHB

he priest began to search %or a %las+, until Simoun cried impatiently, )seless, its

uselessA 3ont -aste timeA #ll go a-ay -ith my secretAB

he be-ildered priest %ell do-n at his des+ and prayed at the %eet o% the Christ, hiding

his %ace in his hands. hen he arose serious and grave, as i% he had received %rom his

5od all the %orce, all the dignity, all the authority o% the &udge o% consciences. 4oving

a chair to the head o% the bed he prepared to listen.

@t the %irst -ords Simoun murmured, -hen he told his real name, the old priest

started bac+ and ga(ed at him in terror, -hereat the sic+ man smiled bitterly. a+en bysurprise, the priest -as not master o% himsel%, but he soon recovered, and covering his

%ace -ith a hand+erchie% again bent over to listen.

Simoun related his sorro-%ul story0 ho-, thirteen years [:7>] be%ore, he had returned

%rom Europe %illed -ith hopes and smiling illusions, having come bac+ to marry a girl

-hom he loved, disposed to do good and %orgive all -ho had -ronged him, ust so

they -ould let him live in peace. ut it -as not so. @ mysterious hand involved him in

the con%usion o% an uprising planned by his enemies. ame, %ortune, love, %uture,

liberty, all -ere lost, and he escaped only through the heroism o% a %riend. hen he

s-ore vengeance. *ith the -ealth o% his %amily, -hich had been buried in a -ood, hehad %led, had gone to %oreign lands and engaged in trade. !e too+ part in the -ar in

Cuba, aiding %irst one side and then another, but al-ays pro%iting. here he made the

acuaintance o% the 5eneral, then a maor, -hose goodD-ill he -on %irst by loans o%

money, and a%ter-ards he made a %riend o% him by the +no-ledge o% criminal secrets.

*ith his money he had been able to secure the 5enerals appointment and, once in the

Philippines, he had used him as a blind tool and incited him to all +inds o% inustice,

availing himsel% o% his insatiable lust %or gold.

he con%ession -as long and tedious, but during the -hole o% it the con%essor made no

%urther sign o% surprise and rarely interrupted the sic+ man. #t -as night -hen Padre$lorentino, -iping the perspiration %rom his %ace, arose and began to meditate.

4ysterious dar+ness %looded the room, so that the moonbeams entering through the

-indo- %illed it -ith vague lights and vaporous re%lections.

#nto the midst o% the silence the priests voice bro+e sad and deliberate, but consoling0

5od -ill %orgive you, SeKorHSimoun,B he said. !e +no-s that -e are %allible, !e



has seen that you have su%%ered, and in ordaining that the chastisement %or your %aults

should come as death %rom the very ones you have instigated to crime, -e can see !is

in%inite mercy. !e has %rustrated your plans one by one, the best conceived, %irst by

the death o% 4aria Clara, then by a lac+ o% preparation, then in some mysterious -ay.

Fet us bo- to !is -ill and render !im than+sAB[:7]

@ccording to you, then,B %eebly responded the sic+ man, !is -ill is that these

islandsHB

Should continue in the condition in -hich they su%%erGB %inished the priest, seeing

that the other hesitated. # dont +no-, sir, # cant read the thought o% the #nscrutable. #

+no- that !e has not abandoned those peoples -ho in their supreme moments have

trusted in !im and made !im the &udge o% their cause, # +no- that !is arm has never

%ailed -hen, ustice long trampled upon and every recourse gone, the oppressed have

ta+en up the s-ord to %ight %or home and -i%e and children, %or their inalienable

rights, -hich, as the 5erman poet says, shine ever there above, une=tinguished andine=tinguishable, li+e the eternal stars themselves. o, 5od is ustice, !e cannot

abandon !is cause, the cause o% liberty, -ithout -hich no ustice is possible.B

*hy then has !e denied me !is aidGB as+ed the sic+ man in a voice charged -ith

bitter complaint.

ecause you chose means that !e could not sanction,B -as the severe reply. he

glory o% saving a country is not %or him -ho has contributed to its ruin. Nou have

believed that -hat crime and iniuity have de%iled and de%ormed, another crime and

another iniuity can puri%y and redeem. *rongA !ate never produces anything butmonsters and crime criminalsA Fove alone reali(es -onder%ul -or+s, virtue alone can

saveA o, i% our country has ever to be %ree, it -ill not be through vice and crime, it

-ill not be so by corrupting its sons, deceiving some and bribing others, noA

"edemption presupposes virtue, virtue sacri%ice, and sacri%ice loveAB

*ell, # accept your e=planation,B reoined the sic+ man, a%ter a pause. # have been

mista+en, but, because # have been mista+en, -ill that 5od deny liberty to a people

and yet save many -ho are much -orse criminals than # amG *hat is my mista+e

compared to the crimes o% our rulersG *hy has that 5od to give more heed to my

iniuity than to the cries o% so many innocentsG *hy has !e not stric+en me do-nand then made the people triumphG *hy [:79]does !e let so many -orthy and ust

ones su%%er and loo+ complacently upon their torturesGB

he ust and the -orthy must su%%er in order that their ideas may be +no-n and

e=tendedA Nou must sha+e or shatter the vase to spread its per%ume, you must smite



the roc+ to get the spar+A here is something providential in the persecutions o%

tyrants, SeKor SimounAB

# +ne- it,B murmured the sic+ man, and there%ore # encouraged the tyranny.B

Nes, my %riend, but more corrupt in%luences than anything else -ere spread. Nou%ostered the social rottenness -ithout so-ing an idea. $rom this %ermentation o% vices

loathing alone could spring, and i% anything -ere born overnight it -ould be at best a

mushroom, %or mushrooms only can spring spontaneously %rom %ilth. rue it is that the

vices o% the government are %atal to it, they cause its death, but they +ill also the

society in -hose bosom they are developed. @n immoral government presupposes a

demorali(ed people, a conscienceless administration, greedy and servile citi(ens in the

settled parts, outla-s and brigands in the mountains. Fi+e master, li+e slaveA Fi+e

government, li+e countryAB

@ brie% pause ensued, bro+en at length by the sic+ mans voice. hen, -hat can bedoneGB

Su%%er and -or+AB

Su%%erH-or+AB echoed the sic+ man bitterly. @h, its easy to say that, -hen you are

not su%%ering, -hen the -or+ is re-arded. #% your 5od demands such great sacri%ices

%rom man, man -ho can scarcely count upon the present and doubts the %uture, i% you

had seen -hat # have, the miserable, the -retched, su%%ering unspea+able tortures %or

crimes they have not committed, murdered to cover up the %aults and incapacity o%

others, poor %athers o% %amilies torn %rom their homes to -or+ to no purpose uponhigh-ays that are destroyed each day and seem only to serve %or sin+ing %amilies into

-ant. @h, to su%%er, to -or+, is the -ill o% 5odA Convince them that their murder is

their [:/;]salvation, that their -or+ is the prosperity o% the homeA o su%%er, to -or+A

*hat 5od is thatGB

@ very ust 5od, SeKor Simoun,B replied the priest. @ 5od -ho chastises our lac+ o%

%aith, our vices, the little esteem in -hich -e hold dignity and the civic virtues. *e

tolerate vice, -e ma+e ourselves its accomplices, at times -e applaud it, and it is ust,

very ust that -e su%%er the conseuences, that our children su%%er them. #t is the 5od

o% liberty, SeKor Simoun, -ho obliges us to love it, by ma+ing the yo+e heavy %or us Ha 5od o% mercy, o% euity, -ho -hile !e chastises us, betters us and only grants

prosperity to him -ho has merited it through his e%%orts. he school o% su%%ering

tempers, the arena o% combat strengthens the soul.

# do not mean to say that our liberty -ill be secured at the s-ords point, %or the

s-ord plays but little part in modern a%%airs, but that -e must secure it by ma+ing



ourselves -orthy o% it, by e=alting the intelligence and the dignity o% the individual,

by loving ustice, right, and greatness, even to the e=tent o% dying %or them,Hand

-hen a people reaches that height 5od -ill provide a -eapon, the idols -ill be

shattered, the tyranny -ill crumble li+e a house o% cards and liberty -ill shine out li+e

the %irst da-n.

ur ills -e o-e to ourselves alone, so let us blame no one. #% Spain should see that

-e -ere less complaisant -ith tyranny and more disposed to struggle and su%%er %or

our rights, Spain -ould be the %irst to grant us liberty, because -hen the %ruit o% the

-omb reaches maturity -oe unto the mother -ho -ould sti%le itA So, -hile the

$ilipino people has not su%%icient energy to proclaim, -ith head erect and bosom

bared, its rights to social li%e, and to guarantee it -ith its sacri%ices, -ith its o-n

blood? -hile -e see our countrymen in private li%e ashamed -ithin themselves, hear

the voice o% conscience roar in rebellion and protest, yet in public li%e +eep silence or

even echo the -ords o% him -ho abuses them in order to moc+ the abused? -hile -e

see them -rap themselves up in their egotism and -ith a [:/1]%orced smile praise the

most iniuitous actions, begging -ith their eyes a portion o% the bootyH-hy grant

them libertyG *ith Spain or -ithout Spain they -ould al-ays be the same, and

perhaps -orseA *hy independence, i% the slaves o% today -ill be the tyrants o%

tomorro-G @nd that they -ill be such is not to be doubted, %or he -ho submits to

tyranny loves it.

SeKor Simoun, -hen our people is unprepared, -hen it enters the %ight through %raud

and %orce, -ithout a clear understanding o% -hat it is doing, the -isest attempts -ill

%ail, and better that they do %ail, since -hy commit the -i%e to the husband i% he does

not su%%iciently love her, i% he is not ready to die %or herGB

Padre $lorentino %elt the sic+ man catch and press his hand, so he became silent,

hoping that the other might spea+, but he merely %elt a stronger pressure o% the hand,

heard a sigh, and then pro%ound silence reigned in the room. nly the sea, -hose

-aves -ere rippled by the night bree(e, as though a-a+ing %rom the heat o% the day,

sent its hoarse roar, its eternal chant, as it rolled against the agged roc+s. he moon,

no- %ree %rom the suns rivalry, peace%ully commanded the s+y, and the trees o% the

%orest bent do-n to-ard one another, telling their ancient legends in mysterious

murmurs borne on the -ings o% the -ind.

he sic+ man said nothing, so Padre $lorentino, deeply thought%ul, murmured0

*here are the youth -ho -ill consecrate their golden hours, their illusions, and their

enthusiasm to the -el%are o% their native landG *here are the youth -ho -ill

generously pour out their blood to -ash a-ay so much shame, so much crime, so

much abominationG Pure and spotless must the victim be that the sacri%ice may be

acceptableA *here are you, youth, -ho -ill embody in yourselves the vigor o% li%e



that has le%t our veins, the purity o% ideas that has been contaminated in our brains, the

%ire o% enthusiasm that has been uenched in our heartsG *e a-ait you, youthA

Come, %or -e a-ait youAB

$eeling his eyes moisten he -ithdre- his hand %rom that [:/2]o% the sic+ man, arose,

and -ent to the -indo- to ga(e out upon the -ide sur%ace o% the sea. !e -as dra-n%rom his meditation by gentle raps at the door. #t -as the servant as+ing i% he should

bring a light.

*hen the priest returned to the sic+ man and loo+ed at him in the light o% the lamp,

motionless, his eyes closed, the hand that had pressed his lying open and e=tended

along the edge o% the bed, he thought %or a moment that he -as sleeping, but noticing

that he -as not breathing touched him gently, and then reali(ed that he -as dead. !is

body had already commenced to turn cold. he priest %ell upon his +nees and prayed.

*hen he arose and contemplated the corpse, in -hose %eatures -ere depicted thedeepest grie%, the tragedy o% a -hole -asted li%e -hich he -as carrying over there

beyond death, the old man shuddered and murmured, 5od have mercy on those -ho

turned him %rom the straight pathAB

*hile the servants summoned by him %ell upon their +nees and prayed %or the dead

man, curious and be-ildered as they ga(ed to-ard the bed, reciting reuiem a%ter

reuiem, Padre $lorentino too+ %rom a cabinet the celebrated steel chest that contained

Simouns %abulous -ealth. !e hesitated %or a moment, then resolutely descended the

stairs and made his -ay to the cli%% -here #sagani -as accustomed to sit and ga(e into

the depths o% the sea.

Padre $lorentino loo+ed do-n at his %eet. here belo- he sa- the dar+ billo-s o% the

Paci%ic beating into the hollo-s o% the cli%%, producing sonorous thunder, at the same

time that, smitten by the moonbeams, the -aves and %oam glittered li+e spar+s o% %ire,

li+e hand%uls o% diamonds hurled into the air by some innee o% the abyss. !e ga(ed

about him. !e -as alone. he solitary coast -as lost in the distance amid the dim

cloud that the moonbeams played through, until it mingled -ith the hori(on. he

%orest murmured unintelligible sounds.

hen the old man, -ith an e%%ort o% his herculean arms, hurled the chest into space,thro-ing it to-ard the sea. #t [:/:]-hirled over and over several times and descended

rapidly in a slight curve, re%lecting the moonlight on its polished sur%ace. he old man

sa- the drops o% -ater %ly and heard a loud splash as the abyss closed over and

s-allo-ed up the treasure. !e -aited %or a %e- moments to see i% the depths -ould

restore anything, but the -ave rolled on as mysteriously as be%ore, -ithout adding a



%old to its rippling sur%ace, as though into the immensity o% the sea a pebble only had

been dropped.

4ay ature guard you in her deep abysses among the pearls and corals o% her eternal

seas,B then said the priest, solemnly e=tending his hands. *hen %or some holy and

sublime purpose man may need you, 5od -ill in his -isdom dra- you %rom the bosom o% the -aves. 4ean-hile, there you -ill not -or+ -oe, you -ill not distort

ustice, you -ill not %oment avariceAB

1 #n the original the message reads0 EspaKol escondido casa Padre $lorentino coera remitirU vivo

muerto.B 3on iburcio understands [:7:n]#o'era as re%erring to himsel%? there is a play upon the Spanish

-ords #o'era, lameness, and #oger-, a %orm o% the verb #oger , to sei(e or captureH ' and g in these t-o

-ords having the same sound, that o% the English h.Hr.

[:/7]

GLO''"R7

abá: @ agalog e=clamation o% -onder, surprise, etc., o%ten used to introduce or

emphasi(e a contradictory statement.

alcalde: 5overnor o% a province or district, -ith both e=ecutive and udicial authority.

Ayuntamiento: @ city corporation or council, and by e=tension the building in -hich

it has its o%%ices? speci%ically, in 4anila, the capitol.

balete: he Philippine banyan, a tree sacred in 4alay %ol+Dlore.

banka: @ dugout canoe -ith bamboo supports or outriggers.

batalan: he plat%orm o% split bamboo attached to a nipa house.

batikúlin: @ variety o% easilyDturned -ood, used in carving.

bibinka: @ s-eetmeat made o% sugar or molasses and riceD%lour, commonly sold inthe small shops.

buyera: @ -oman -ho prepares and sells the buyo.

buyo: he masticatory prepared by -rapping a piece o% arecaDnut -ith a little shellD

lime in a betelDlea%Hthe pan o% ritish #ndia.



cabesang: itle o% a cabeza de barangay; given by courtesy to his -i%e also.

cabeza de barangay: !eadman and ta=Dcollector %or a group o% about %i%ty %amilies,

%or -hose tributeB he -as personally responsible.

calesa: @ t-oD-heeled chaise -ith %olding top.

calle: Street 6Spanish8.

camisa: 1. @ loose, collarless shirt o% transparent material -orn by men outside the

trousers. 2. @ thin, transparent -aist -ith %lo-ing sleeves, -orn by -omen.

capitan: Captain,B a title used in addressing or re%erring to a gobernadorcillo, or a

%ormer occupant o% that o%%ice.

carambas: @ Spanish e=clamation denoting surprise or displeasure.

carbineer: #nternalDrevenue guard.

carromata: @ small t-oD-heeled vehicle -ith a %i=ed top.

casco: @ %latDbottomed %reight barge.

cayman: he Philippine crocodile.

cedula: Certi%icate o% registration and receipt %or pollDta=.

chongka: @ childs game played -ith pebbles or co-ryDshells.

cigarrera: @ -oman -or+ing in a cigar or cigarette %actory.

Civil Guard: #nternal uasiDmilitary police %orce o% Spanish o%%icers and native

soldiers.

cochero: Carriage driver, coachman.

cuarto: @ copper coin, one hundred and si=ty o% -hich -ere eual in value to a silver peso.

filibuster: @ native o% the Philippines -ho -as accused o% advocating their separation

%rom Spain.[://]

filibusterism: See filibuster.



gobernadorcillo: Petty governor,B the principal municipal o%%icialHalso, in 4anila,

the head o% a commercial guild.

gumamela: he hibiscus, common as a garden shrub in the Philippines.

Indian: he Spanish designation %or the Christiani(ed 4alay o% the Philippines-as indio 6#ndian8, a term used rather contemptuously, the name ilipino being

generally applied in a restricted sense to the children o% Spaniards born in the #slands.

kalan: he small, portable, open, clay %ireplace commonly used in coo+ing.

kalikut: @ short section o% bamboo %or preparing the buyo? a primitive betelDbo=.

kamagon: @ tree o% the ebony %amily, %rom -hich %ine cabinetD-ood is obtained. #ts

%ruit is themabolo, or dateDplum.

lanete: @ variety o% timber used in carving.

linintikan: @ agalog e=clamation o% disgust or contemptHthunderAB

!alaca"ang: he palace o% the CaptainD5eneral0 %rom the vernacular name o% the

place -here it stands, %ishermens resort.B

!alecon: @ drive along the bay shore o% 4anila, opposite the *alled City.

!estizo: @ person o% mi=ed $ilipino and Spanish blood? sometimes applied also to a person o% mi=ed $ilipino and Chinese blood.

nakú: @ agalog e=clamation o% surprise, -onder, etc.

narra: he Philippine mahogany.

nipa: S-amp palm, -ith the imbricated leaves o% -hich the roo%s and sides o% the

common native houses are constructed.

novena: @ devotion consisting o% prayers recited %or nine consecutive days, as+ing %or

some special %avor? also, a boo+let o% these prayers.

panguingui: @ complicated cardDgame, generally %or small sta+es, played -ith a

monte dec+.

panguinguera: @ -oman addicted to panguingui, this being chie%ly a %eminine

diversion in the Philippines.



pansit: @ soup made o% Chinese vermicelli.

pansiter#a: @ shop -here pansit is prepared and sold.

pa"uelo: @ starched nec+erchie% %olded sti%%ly over the shoulders, %astened in %ront

and %alling in a point behind0 the most distinctive portion o% the customary dress o%$ilipino -omen.

peso: @ silver coin, either the Spanish peso or the 4e=ican dollar, about the si(e o% an

@merican dollar and o% appro=imately hal% its value.

petate: SleepingDmat -oven %rom palm leaves.

pi"a: $ine cloth made %rom pineappleDlea% %ibers.

$rovincial: he head o% a religious order in the Philippines.

pu"ales: 3aggersAB

%uerida: @ paramour, mistress0 %rom the Spanish beloved.B

real: neDeighth o% a peso, t-enty cuartos.

sala: he principal room in the more pretentious Philippine houses.

salakot: *ide hat o% palm or bamboo, distinctively $ilipino.

sampaguita: he @rabian asmine0 a small, -hite, very %ragrant %lo-er, e=tensively

cultivated, and -orn in chaplets and rosaries by -omen and girlsHthe typical

Philippine %lo-er.[:/>]

sipa0 @ game played -ith a hollo- ball o% plaited bamboo or rattan, by boys standing

in a circle, -ho by +ic+ing it -ith their heels endeavor to +eep it %rom stri+ing the

ground.

soltada0 @ bout bet-een %ightingDcoc+s.

&'usmariosep0 @ common e=clamation0 contraction o% the Spanish, (esús) !ar#a) y

(os*, the !oly $amily.

tabi0 he cry used by carriage drivers to -arn pedestrians.

tabú0 @ utensil %ashioned %rom hal% o% a coconut shell.



ta+ú0 @ thic+ beverage prepared %rom beanDmeal and syrup.

tampipi0 @ telescopic bas+et o% -oven palm, bamboo, or rattan.

,andang0 @ title o% respect %or an old man0 %rom the agalog term %or old.B

tapis0 @ piece o% dar+ cloth or lace, o%ten richly -or+ed or embroidered, -orn at the

-aist some-hat in the %ashion o% an apron? a distinctive portion o% the native -omens

attire, especially among the agalogs.

tatakut0 he agalog term %or %ear.B

teniente-mayor0 Senior lieutenant,B the senior member o% the to-n council and

substitute %or the gobernadorcillo.

tertiary sister0 @ member o% a lay society a%%iliated -ith a regular monastic order.

tienda0 @ shop or stall %or the sale o% merchandise.

tikbalang0 @n evil spirit, capable o% assuming various %orms, but said to appear

usually as a tall blac+ man -ith disproportionately long legs0 the bogey manB o%

agalog children.

tulisan0 utla-, bandit. )nder the old r'gime in the Philippines the tulisanes -ere

those -ho, on account o% real or %ancied grievances against the authorities, or %rom

%ear o% punishment %or crime, or %rom an instinctive desire to return to primitivesimplicity, %ores-ore li%e in the to-ns under the bell,B and made their homes in the

mountains or other remote places. 5athered in small bands -ith such arms as they

could secure, they sustained themselves by high-ay robbery and the levying o% blac+D

mail %rom the country %ol+.

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