Tarsilo gazed at the bird with a sombre air. It seemed that he was not looking at the c.o.c.k, but at something in the future. He pa.s.sed his hand over his forehead.

"Are you ready?" he asked his brother, his voice scarcely perceptible.

"I? Long ago. Without having to see them."

"It is our poor sister----"

"Bah! Didn't they tell you that the leader is Don Crisostomo? Have you not seen him walking with the Governor General? What danger will we run?"

"And if we are killed?"

"What does it matter? Our father died from being whipped to death."

"You are right."

Both brothers sought Lucas in the crowd.

As soon as they caught sight of him, Tarsilo stopped.

"No! Let us go away from here! We are going to lose," he exclaimed.

"Go if you wish. I am going to accept."

"Bruno!"

Unfortunately, a man approached them and said:

"Are you betting? I am backing the bulik."

The two brothers did not reply.

"I'll give you odds."

"How much?" asked Bruno.

The man counted out four peso pieces. Bruno looked at him, breathless.

"I have two hundred. Fifty to forty."

"No," said Bruno promptly. "Make it ..."

"All right! fifty to thirty."

"Double it if you wish!"

"Well! The bulik is my winning color and I have just won. Hundred against sixty!"

"That's a go! Wait till I go and get my money."

"But I will be the stake-holder," said the other, in whom the manner of Bruno inspired little confidence.

"It's all the same to me!" responded the latter, trusting in the strength of his fists.

And, turning to his brother, he said:

"Go away, if you wish; I'm going to stay."

Then Tarsilo reflected. He loved his brother and the game. He could not leave him alone, and he murmured. "Let it be so!"

They approached Lucas. The latter saw them coming and smiled.

"Eh! there!" said Tarsilo.

"What is it?"

"How much do you give?" asked the two brothers.

"I have already told you. If you want to find some others to help us surprise the cuartel, I will give you thirty pesos apiece, and ten pesos for each companion you get. If all comes out well, each will receive one hundred pesos and you two, double that amount. Don Crisostomo is rich."

"Accepted," exclaimed Bruno. "Hand over the money."

"I knew well that you were brave, like your father. Come! Don't let them hear us or they will kill us," said Lucas, pointing to the Civil Guards.

And taking them into a corner, he told them, as he counted out the money to them:

"To-morrow Don Crisostomo will arrive and bring arms. Day after to-morrow, about eight o'clock at night, come to the cemetery. I will tell you about the final arrangements. You have time to find some other companions."

They took leave of each other. Now the two brothers seemed to have changed their roles. Tarsilo was calm; Bruno, pale.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE TWO SEnORAS.

While Captain Tiago was fighting his lasak against the bulik, Dona Victorina took a walk through the town, with the intention of seeing the condition of the indolent natives, and of their houses and fields. She had dressed as elegantly as she could, putting all her ribbons and flowers on her silk gown, in order to impress the provincials, and make them see how great a distance was between them and her sacred person. Giving her arm to her lame husband, she fluttered through the streets of the town, among the stupefied and wondering inhabitants. Cousin Linares had remained in the house.

"What ugly houses these natives have," began Dona Victorina, making a grimace. "I don't know how they can live there: one must be a native to do it. They meet us and don't uncover their heads! Hit them over the head as the curates and tenientes of the Guardia Civil do when they don't take off their hats. Teach them manners."

"And if they hit me?" asked Dr. de Espadana.

"Aren't you a man?"

"Bu--bu--but, I am la--la--lame."