else is needed
for a school!"

Every one looked at Ibarra, but, though he grew a little pale, he
pursued his conversation with Maria Clara.

"But does your reverence consider----"

"See here!" continued the Franciscan, again cutting off the
alcalde. "See how one of our lay brothers, the most stupid one we
have, built a hospital. He paid the workmen eight cuartos a day,
and got them from other pueblos, too. Not much like these young
feather-brains who ruin workmen, paying them three or four reales!"

"Does your reverence say he paid but eight cuartos? Impossible!" said
the alcalde, hoping to change the course of the conversation.

"Yes, senor, and so should those do who pride themselves upon being
good Spaniards. Since the opening of the Suez Canal, corruption has
reached even here! When the Cape had to be doubled, not so many ruined
men came here, and fewer went abroad to ruin themselves!"

"But Father Damaso----"

"You know the Indian; as soon as he has learned anything, he takes
a title. All these beardless youths who go to Europe----"

"But, your reverence, listen----" began the alcalde, alarmed by the
harshness of these words.

"Finish as they merit," continued the priest. "The hand of God is in
it; he is blind who does not see that. Already even the fathers of
these reptiles receive their chastisement; they die in prison! Ah----"

He did not finish. Ibarra, livid, had been watching him. At these words
he rose, gave one bound, and struck out with his strong hand. The monk,
stunned by the blow, fell backward.

Surprised and terrified, not one of the spectators moved.

"Let no one come near!" said the young man in a terrible voice,
drawing his slender blade, and holding the neck of the priest with
his foot. "Let no one come, unless he wishes to die."

Ibarra was beside himself, his whole body trembled, his threatening
eyes were big with rage. Father Damaso, regaining his senses, made
an effort to rise, but Crisostomo, grasping his neck, shook him till
he had brought him to his knees.

"Senor de Ibarra! Senor de Ibarra!" stammered one and another. But
nobody, not even the alferez, risked a movement. They saw the knife
glitter; they calculated Crisostomo's strength, unleashed by anger;
they were paralyzed.

"All you here, you have said nothing. Now it rests with me. I avoided
him; God brings him to me. Let God judge!"

Ibarra breathed with effort, but his arm of iron kept harsh hold of
the Francisc