“How will you make me regret my words, señor?” he asked. “Not by meeting me man to man, I will make oath. That you have not the courage to do.”
“You shall be delivered over to the officers. You will suffer as a traitor.”
“I thought it would be in some such manner that a coward would seek retaliation. I am no traitor to Spain, but I stand for her advantage and advancement. Because I say all Americans are not cowards is no token that I would not be among the first to fight for Spain if I believed America had actually wronged my country.”
“Your country! Bah! You have no country! You are an outcast—an outlaw!”
“It is so,” confessed Esparto, with a touch of sadness. “In America speech is free. In Spain it is different. Some things may be said; but some other things may not be whispered. The one who says Spain has not dealt justly and liberally with Cuba is branded as a traitor. The one who advocated home rule in Cuba is said to be the enemy of Spain, and his life is at stake. And yet our country was plunging deeper and deeper into debt each day in order to sustain the great army that was fighting to whip the insurgents in Cuba. The debt we may never pay, but who thinks of that!
“Ah! do not think the people of Spain are all fools! No, no! They have endured many things, and have not murmured. But all the time they are learning a great lesson. They have seen the things which have been done by the United States and by France, and they have thought what things might be done here. France showed us the way. Wait a little. The scenes of the French Commune may be repeated in Spain! The streets of Madrid may run red with blood! Then will the people reveal their power! Then will they rise for their freedom! Beware of that time! Some day Spain shall become a republic!”
“Treason! treason!” shouted several voices.
But the listeners had been profoundly impressed and greatly stirred by the fiery words of the daring revolutionist. Not a few felt that Esparto was foretelling what must come upon Spain. Not a few felt that it was coming very soon. The great masses were restive beneath the burden thrown upon them, and that burden was increasing with each passing day. It did seem that the time was ripe for a general uprising in Spain.
Those who listened to Esparto turned to look into each other’s eyes, seeking to read the thoughts of their companions.
After that cry of treason there was a little silence, and then Gonzalez snarled: