by José Rizal
CHAPTER XXVI
PASQUINADES
Very early the next morning Basilio arose to go to the hospital. Hehad his plans made: to visit his patients, to go afterwards to theUniversity to see about his licentiateship, and then have an interviewwith Makaraig about the expense this would entail, for he had used upthe greater part of his savings in ransoming Juli and in securing ahouse where she and her grandfather might live, and he had not daredto apply to Capitan Tiago, fearing that such a move would be construedas an advance on the legacy so often promised him.
Preoccupied with these thoughts, he paid no attention to the groupsof students who were at such an early hour returning from the WalledCity, as though the classrooms had been closed, nor did he even notethe abstracted air of some of them, their whispered conversations,or the mysterious signals exchanged among them. So it was that whenhe reached San Juan de Dios and his friends asked him about theconspiracy, he gave a start, remembering what Simoun had planned,but which had miscarried, owing to the unexplained accident to thejeweler. Terrified, he asked in a trembling voice, at the same timeendeavoring to feign ignorance, "Ah, yes, what conspiracy?"
"It's been discovered," replied one, "and it seems that many areimplicated in it."
With an effort Basilio controlled himself. "Many implicated?" heechoed, trying to learn something from the looks of the others. "Who?"
"Students, a lot of students."
Basilio did not think it prudent to ask more, fearing that he wouldgive himself away, so on the pretext of visiting his patients he leftthe group. One of the clinical professors met him and placing his handmysteriously on the youth's shoulder--the professor was a friend ofhis--asked him in a low voice, "Were you at that supper last night?"
In his excited frame of mind Basilio thought the professor hadsaid _night before last_, which was the time of his interview withSimoun. He tried to explain. "I assure you," he stammered, "that asCapitan Tiago was worse--and besides I had to finish that book--"
"You did well not to attend it," said the professor. "But you're amember of the students' association?"
"I pay my dues."
"Well then, a piece of advice: go home at once and destroy any papersyou have that may compromise you."
Basilio shrugged his shoulders--he had no papers, nothing more thanhis clinical notes.
"Has Senor Simoun--"
"Simoun has nothing to do with the affair, thank God!" interruptedthe physician. "He was opportunely wounded by some unknown hand andis now confined to his bed. No, other hands are concerned in this,but hands no less terrible."
Basilio drew a breath of relief. Simoun was the only one who couldcompromise him, although he thought of Cabesang Tales.
"Are there tulisanes--"
"No, man, nothing more than students."
Basilio recovered his serenity. "What has happened then?" he madebold to ask.
"Seditious pasquinades have been found; didn't you know about them?"
"Where?"
"In the University."
"Nothing more than that?"
"Whew! What more do you want?" asked the professor, almost ina rage. "The pasquinades are attributed to the students of theassociation--but, keep quiet!"
The professor of pathology came along, a man who had more the lookof a sacristan than of a physician. Appointed by the powerful mandateof the Vice-Rector, without other merit than unconditional servilityto the corporation, he passed for a spy and an informer in the eyesof the rest of the faculty.
The first professor returned his greeting coldly, and winked toBasilio, as he said to him, "Now I know that Capitan Tiago smells likea corpse--the crows and vultures have been gathering around him." Sosaying, he went inside.
Somewhat calmed, Basilio now ventured to inquire for more details,but all that he could learn was that pasquinades had been found onthe doors of the University, and that the Vice-Rector had orderedthem to be taken down and sent to the Civil Government. It was saidthat they were filled with threats of assassination, invasion, andother braggadocio.
The students made their comments on the affair. Their informationcame from the janitor, who had it from a servant in Santo Tomas,who had it from an usher. They prognosticated future suspensions andimprisonments, even indicating who were to be the victims--naturallythe members of the association.
Basilio then recalled Simoun's words: "The day in which they can getrid of you, you will not complete your course."
"Could he have known anything?" he asked himself. "We'll see who isthe most powerful."
Recovering his serenity, he went on toward the University, to learnwhat attitude it behooved him to take and at the same time to seeabout his licentiateship. He passed along Calle Legazpi, then downthrough Beaterio, and upon arriving at the corner of this streetand Calle Solana saw that something important must indeed havehappened. Instead of the former lively, chattering groups on thesidewalks were to be seen civil-guards making the students move on,and these latter issuing from the University silent, some gloomy,some agitated, to stand off at a distance or make their way home.
The first acquaintance he met was Sandoval, but Basilio called to himin vain. He seemed to have been smitten deaf. "Effect of fear on thegastro-intestinal juices," thought Basilio.
Later he met Tadeo, who wore a Christmas face--at last that eternalholiday seemed to be realized.
"What has happened, Tadeo?"
"We'll have no school, at least for a week, oldman! Sublime! Magnificent!" He rubbed his hands in glee.
"But what has happened?"
"They're going to arrest all of us in the association."
"And are you glad of that?"
"There'll be no school, there'll be no school!" He moved away almostbursting with joy.
Basilio saw Juanito Pelaez approaching, pale and suspicious. Thistime his hump had reached its maximum, so great was his haste to getaway. He had been one of the most active promoters of the associationwhile things were running smoothly.
"Eh, Pelaez, what's happened?"
"Nothing, I know nothing. I didn't have anything to do with it,"he responded nervously. "I was always telling you that these thingswere quixotisms. It's the truth, you know I've said so to you?"
Basilio did not remember whether he had said so or not, but to humorhim replied, "Yes, man, but what's happened?"
"It's the truth, isn't it? Look, you're a witness: I've always beenopposed--you're a witness, don't forget it!"
"Yes, man, but what's going on?"
"Listen, you're a witness! I've never had anything to do with themembers of the association, except to give them advice. You're notgoing to deny it now. Be careful, won't you?"
"No, no, I won't deny it, but for goodness' sake, what has happened?"
But Juanito was already far away. He had caught a glimpse of a guardapproaching and feared arrest.
Basilio then went on toward the University to see if perhaps thesecretary's office might be open and if he could glean any furthernews. The office was closed, but there was an extraordinary commotionin the building. Hurrying up and down the stairways were friars, armyofficers, private persons, old lawyers and doctors, there doubtlessto offer their services to the endangered cause.
At a distance he saw his friend Isagani, pale and agitated, but radiantwith youthful ardor, haranguing some fellow students with his voiceraised as though he cared little that he be heard by everybody.
"It seems preposterous, gentlemen, it seems unreal, that an incident soinsignificant should scatter us and send us into flight like sparrowsat whom a scarecrow has been shaken! But is this the first time thatstudents have gone to prison for the sake of liberty? Where are thosewho have died, those who have been shot? Would you apostatize now?"
"But who can the fool be that wrote such pasquinades?" demanded anindignant listener.
"What does that matter to us?" rejoined Isagani. "We don't haveto find out, let them find out! Before we know how they are drawnup, we have no need to make any show of agreement
at a time likethis. There where the danger is, there must we hasten, because honoris there! If what the pasquinades say is compatible with our dignityand our feelings, be he who he may that wrote them, he has done well,and we ought to be grateful to him and hasten to add our signaturesto his! If they are unworthy of us, our conduct and our conscienceswill in themselves protest and defend us from every accusation!"
Upon hearing such talk, Basilio, although he liked Isagani verymuch, turned and left. He had to go to Makaraig's house to see aboutthe loan.
Near the house of the wealthy student he observed whisperings andmysterious signals among the neighbors, but not comprehending whatthey meant, continued serenely on his way and entered the doorway. Twoguards advanced and asked him what he wanted. Basilio realized thathe had made a bad move, but he could not now retreat.
"I've come to see my friend Makaraig," he replied calmly.
The guards looked at each other. "Wait here," one of them said tohim. "Wait till the corporal comes down."
Basilio bit his lips and Simoun's words again recurred to him. Hadthey come to arrest Makaraig?--was his thought, but he dared not giveit utterance. He did not have to wait long, for in a few momentsMakaraig came down, talking pleasantly with the corporal. The twowere preceded by a warrant officer.
"What, you too, Basilio?" he asked.
"I came to see you--"
"Noble conduct!" exclaimed Makaraig laughing. "In time of calm,you avoid us."
The corporal asked Basilio his name, then scanned a list. "Medicalstudent, Calle Anloague?" he asked.
Basilio bit his lip.
"You've saved us a trip," added the corporal, placing his hand onthe youth's shoulder. "You're under arrest!"
"What, I also?"
Makaraig burst out into laughter.
"Don't worry, friend. Let's get into the carriage, while I tell youabout the supper last night."
With a graceful gesture, as though he were in his own house, heinvited the warrant officer and the corporal to enter the carriagethat waited at the door.
"To the Civil Government!" he ordered the cochero.
Now that Basilio had again regained his composure, he told Makaraigthe object of his visit. The rich student did not wait for him tofinish, but seized his hand. "Count on me, count on me, and to thefestivities celebrating our graduation we'll invite these gentlemen,"he said, indicating the corporal and the warrant officer.