will, Senor, and of your own future,"
said he to Crisostomo, who kept silent. "But if you will permit
me to offer a suggestion, I say to you: Look well at what you are
going to do. You are about to start a war, for you have money,
talent, and you will quickly find aid, for, unfortunately, many
are discontented. Furthermore, in this fight, which you are to
begin, those who are going to suffer most are the defenseless, the
innocent. The same sentiments which a month ago prompted me to come
to you and ask for reforms, are those which now move me to ask you to
reflect. The country, Senor, is not thinking of separating itself from
the mother country. It asks only a little liberty, a little justice,
a little love. The discontented will assist you, the criminals and the
desperate, but the people will hold aloof. You are mistaken if, seeing
everything dark, you believe that the country is desperate. The country
suffers, yes, but it still hopes, believe me, and will only rise in
revolt when it has lost patience; that is, when those who govern wish
it--which is still far off. I myself would not follow you. I shall
never take recourse to these extreme remedies while I see hope in men."

"Then I will go without you!" replied Crisostomo, resolutely.

"Is it your firm decision?"

"Yes, my firm and only decision: I call to witness the memory of my
father! I cannot allow them to deprive me of peace and happiness with
impunity, I who have desired only my country's welfare, I who have
respected all and have suffered on account of a hypocritical religion,
on account of love for my country. How have they responded to me? By
burying me in an infamous prison and by prostituting my fiancee. No,
not to avenge myself would be a crime. It would be encouraging
them to commit new injustices. No! it would be cowardice, it would
be pusillanimity to weep and groan while there is life and vigor,
when to insult and challenge are added scoffery and contemptuous
ridicule! I will arouse this ignorant people, I will make them see
their misery--this people who do not think of each other as brothers,
who are mere wolves devouring each other. I will tell them to rise
against this oppression and appeal to the eternal right of mankind
to conquer their liberty!"

"Innocent people will suffer."

"All the better! Can you lead me to the mountain?"

"Till you are safe!" replied Elias.

They again went up the Pasig. They spoke from time to time of
indiffere