Carmen listened, with dilated eyes. As for Josè, his head swam. Starting hurriedly after Rosendo, who rose immediately to inaugurate preparations, he drew him into the latter’s house. “Hombre!” he cried, his whole frame tremulous with agitation, “do you know what you are doing? Do you––”
“Na, Padre,” replied Rosendo gently, as he held up a restraining hand, “it is best. I want the Americanos to take Carmen. She is not safe another day here. The soldiers left but yesterday. They may return any hour. At any moment an order might come for your arrest or mine. We must get her away at once. We can do no more for her here. The struggle has been long, and I weary of it.” He sat down in exhaustion and mopped his damp brow. “I weary of life, Padre. I would be through with it. I am old. This world can hold little more for me. If I can but know that she is safe––Bien, that is all. From what we have learned, this country will soon be plunged again into war. I do not wish to live through another revolution. I have seen many. I seem to have fought 347 all my life. And for what? What is La Libertad to me? Nothing––less than nothing. I have not the funds to work it. I doubt if I could even hold it, were it known here that I had the title to such a famous mine. But the Americano can hold it. And he is honest, Padre. He will save Carmen’s interest, and deal fairly with her. Bien, let him place her in a school in the States. If you weather the oncoming revolution, then you may be able to send for her. Quien sabe?”
Josè controlled himself. “Rosendo,” he said, “I will go with her.”
The old man looked at him quizzically. “Do you mean, Padre, that you will leave the Church?”
Josè kept silent for some time. Then he spoke bitterly.
“Can I remain longer in Simití, where the people have become divided––where they look upon me askance, as the cause of the trouble that has befallen them? Is not my usefulness here ended? War is at our door. What, think you, will it mean to Simití? To us? And Wenceslas, what has he further in store for you and me? What he has for Carmen, we well know. And we seek by flight to save her. But the disappearance of Diego has not been explained. The trick which Anita played upon Morales to save Carmen must bring down increased wrath upon our heads, especially yours and mine. No, Rosendo, you and I must go, and go at once!”
“And Anita––?”
“We will pick her up in Cartagena. Don Jorge will accompany us. I have certain information to give him that will enlist his services––information which, I think, will serve to introduce him to His Grace, and somewhat abruptly. But, come, Rosendo, do you and Doña Maria prepare for flight!”
“Maria and I? The States! Na, Padre, it is impossible! I will go with the Americanos up the Boque and to La Libertad. Then I will return to Simití––or to the hacienda of Don Nicolás, if Maria wishes to remain there while I am in the hills. But––do you go, Padre––go and look after the girl. There is nothing further for you here. Yes, Padre, go––go!”
“But––ah, Rosendo, you will reconsider? The Americans will take us all for that mine!”