of the people's complaints, if we can interest
him in the cause of the unhappy?"

The old man shook his head.

"Do you say that he is a rich man? The rich think of nothing but to
increase their riches. Pride and pomp blind them, and, since they are
generally well off, especially if they have powerful friends, none
of them ever troubles himself about the unfortunates. I know it all,
for I was once rich myself."

"But the man of whom I am speaking does not seem to be like the
others. He is a son who would not allow the memory of his father to be
dishonored. He is a young man who thinks about the future--thinks of
a good future for his sons, for he may in a short time have a family
of his own."

"Then he is a man who is going to be happy. Our cause is not a cause
for happy men."

"But it is a cause for men of good hearts."

"That may be," replied the old man sitting down. "Suppose that he
consented to carry our complaints to the Governor General. Suppose
that he finds in the court those who will argue for us. Do you think
we will get justice?"

"Let us try it before resorting to bloody measures," replied
Elias. "It must seem strange to you that I, another unfortunate,
young, robust--that I should propose to you old and weak--peaceful
measures. But it is because I have seen so many miseries caused
by us similar to those caused by tyrants. The unarmed is the one
who suffers."

"And if we do not accomplish anything?"

"Something will be accomplished, believe me! Not all who govern are
unjust. And if we do not accomplish anything, if our voice is not
listened to, if the man turns a deaf ear to the grief of his fellow
men, then we will put ourselves under your orders."

The old man, full of enthusiasm, embraced the young man.

"I accept your proposition, Elias. I know that you will keep your
word. You come to me and I will help you take vengeance for your
father. You will help me to take vengeance for my sons--my sons who
were like you!"

"In the meantime, Senor, avoid all violent measures."

"You can expound the complaints of the people. You certainly know
them. When will we know the answer?"

"Within four days send a man to meet me on the beach at San Diego
and I will tell him what the person in whom I have hope says. If he
accepts, we will get justice, and if he does not accept, I will be
the first to fall in the fight which we will begin."

"Elias will not die. Elias will be chief, when Captain Pablo f