alumniate me; but I take no notice of
men and continue on my way. I have here briefly related my history,
and that of a judgment at the hands of mankind."

Elias became silent and continued rowing.

"I believe that you are not wrong," murmured Ibarra, in a low voice,
"when you say that justice ought to procure the welfare of the
people by lifting up the criminals and by raising the standard of
their morality. Only ... that is impossible--a Utopia. And then,
where is the money for so many new employees to come from?"

"And what are the priests for, the priests who proclaim peace and
charity as their mission? Is it more meritorious for a priest to wet
the head of a child, to give it salt to eat, than to awaken in the
darkened conscience of a criminal that spark, given by God to every
man, that he may seek to do good? Is it more human to accompany a
criminal to the gallows than to accompany him through the difficult
path which leads from vice to virtue? Are not spies, executioners and
Guardias Civiles paid? The latter institution, besides being an evil,
also costs money."

"My friend, neither you nor I, although we wish it, can accomplish it."

"Alone we are nothing, it is true. Take up the cause of the people,
unite them, listen to their voices, give others an example to follow,
give them the idea of what is called a fatherland, a patria!"

"What the people ask for is impossible. We must wait."

"To wait, to wait, is equivalent to suffering!"

"If I should ask it, they would laugh at me."

"And if the people should sustain you?"

"Never! I would never be the one to lead the multitude and accomplish
by force what the Government does not believe is opportune. No! If I
ever saw the multitude armed for such a purpose, I would put myself on
the side of the Government. And I would fight it, for in such a mob I
would not see my country. I wish for its welfare: that is the reason
that I am erecting the school-house. I look for it through means of
instruction, education and progress. Without light there is no road."

"Nor without fighting is there liberty," replied Elias.

"I do not care for that kind of liberty."

"Without liberty there is no light," replied the pilot with
enthusiasm. "You say that you know very little about our country. I
believe it. You do not see the fight that is impending. You do not see
the cloud on the horizon. The combat begins in the sphere of ideas, and
then descends to the arena to tinge