The Major addressed them. “Tell them,” he said to the interpreter, “that for two years I have exhausted every peaceful means to get the men of this island to return to their homes. They take the oath of allegiance only to gain access to the town and commit fresh atrocities. This is one of the last islands to continue in a state of outlawry and disorder. The Macabebes shall come!”
Calmiden and the Sergeant-Major exchanged unofficial glances of pure delight. A hush of sheer fright closed the women’s throats.
“You killed my Lieutenant,” the Major accused. “Your men strangled him in the night when he was defenselessly sleeping. You have bad leaders who inoculate you with their passions. There have been wicked deeds and murders. These things must end.”
The women wept in terrible despair, helplessly wringing their brown hands. Brown supplicating hands groping up out of the dark!
Julie, carried along by the throng, tried to speak. The Major was right. Yet if Adams had lost his life, he had given it—to the East. There could be no price set on blood so shed. The vision rose before her of lonely Dao, and Adams guarding its destiny. She wriggled forward through the women.
“Major,” she said, “these women have come to offer you a proposal of peace. If you will agree to delay the coming of the Macabebes, they will promise to bring in their men.”
The Major stared at her incredulously. “The women! What have they to do with the insurrection?”
“As things stand now, a great deal. There are only women left in the villages now—without food. The burden of such an existence has become too much for them to endure. They will no longer furnish funds for Andegas. Maria Tectos and Nemecia Victoria are rich women; so are the Señoras Calextas and Pandilig. The women are the backbone of the community, and they give you their sacred promise. They are weary of war, and wish to embrace the Government of the United States.”
The Major strode over to the window and turned his back on them. The women stared tremulously at him—but Julie motioned them back. He turned at last, frowning thoughtfully.
“Maria Tectos!” he said abruptly to the Old Maid, “Will you take the oath of allegiance? And you, Nemecia? And the rest of you?”