Part 40 (1/2)

The bell in the church tolled eight and all arose to pray. Father Salvi, with a weak and trembling voice, led, but, as each one had his own thoughts, n.o.body paid any attention to him.

The prayer had scarcely ended, when Ibarra presented himself. The young man was wearing mourning, not only in his dress, but in his face. In fact, it was so evident that Maria Clara, on seeing him, arose and took a step toward him as if to ask what ailed him, but at the same instant a discharge of musketry was heard. Ibarra stopped, his eyes rolled and he was unable to speak. The curate hid himself behind a pillar. More shooting and more noise was heard in the direction of the convent, followed by cries and the sound of people running. Captain Tiago, Aunt Isabel and Linares entered the room, hurriedly crying ”tulisan! tulisan!” Andeng followed them, brandis.h.i.+ng a spit and ran toward her foster sister.

Aunt Isabel fell on her knees and prayed the Kyrie eleison. Captain Tiago, pale and trembling, carried a chicken's liver on his fork, and, in tears, offered it to the Virgin of Antipolo. Linares had his mouth full and was armed with a spoon. Sinang and Maria Clara embraced each other. The only person who did not move was Ibarra. He stood as if petrified, his face indescribably pale.

The cries and blows continued, the windows were shut with a bang, a whistle was heard, and occasionally a shot.

”Christe eleison! Santiago, fasten the windows,” groaned Aunt Isabel.

”Fifty great bombs and a thanksgiving ma.s.s,” replied Captain Tiago. ”Ora pro n.o.bis!”

After a time, things quieted down and there was a terrible silence. The voice of the alferez was distinguished, as he came running in, and crying: ”Father curate! Father Salvi! Come!”

”Misere! The alferez is asking for confession!” cried Aunt Isabel.

”Is he wounded?” asked Linares at last. ”Ah!”

”Come, Father Salvi! There is nothing to fear now,” continued the alferez, shouting.

Father Salvi, pale, and decided at last, came out of his hiding-place and went downstairs.

”The tulisanes have killed the alferez!” said Aunt Isabel.

”Maria Clara, Sinang, go to your room! Fasten the door! Kyrie eleison!”

Ibarra also went toward the stairs, in spite of Aunt Isabel, who was saying: ”Don't go out! You haven't confessed yet. Don't go out!”

The good old woman had been a great friend of Ibarra's mother.

But Ibarra left the house. It seemed to him that all about him was revolving through the air, that even the ground was gone from under his feet. His ears buzzed. His legs moved heavily and irregularly. Waves of blood, light and darkness, succeeded one another on the retina of his eye.

Despite the fact that the moon was s.h.i.+ning brightly in the heavens, the young man stumbled on every stone in the solitary and deserted street.

Near the cuartel he saw some soldiers with their bayonets fixed, talking excitedly. He pa.s.sed by unseen.

In the tribunal, blows, cries, wails, and curses were heard. The alferez's voice drowned all the others.

”Put him in the stocks! Put handcuffs on that fellow! Two shots for whoever moves! Sergeant, you will mount your guard! Let no one pa.s.s, not even G.o.d! Corporal, let no one sleep!”

Ibarra hastened his steps toward his house. His servants were uneasily awaiting him.

”Saddle the best horse and go to bed!” said he to them.

He entered his laboratory and hurriedly began to get his travelling bag ready. He opened an iron box, took out all the money which he found there and put it in a bag. He gathered his jewels together, took down a picture of Maria Clara which was hanging upon the wall, and, arming himself with a dirk and two revolvers, he turned to the cupboard where he had some tools.

At that instant, three blows, loud and strong, sounded on the door.

”Who's there?” asked Ibarra, in a doleful voice.

”Open in the name of the King! Open the door at once, or we will knock it down!” replied an imperious Spanish voice.