“But I am a woman!”
“You are undertaking to make peace like a man!”
“And I swear before the High God?”
“That you will henceforth be a faithful adherent of the Government of the United States. Put up your hands.”
Maria and Nemecia Victoria lifted trembling brown arms. Dumbly the concourse followed their example. Julie alone understood the valor of those uplifted arms. All these women were imperiling their souls before the Padre for this terrible oath. But the Major had agreed to hold back the Macabebes, and for that they could perform this miracle.
Calmiden watched Julie closely, as they went out together.
“You put them up to this. What was the use?”
“If they do bring peace—”
“Utopian dreamer! It will be the first time it has happened that way.”
“But I know these people a little. Maria will leave no stone unturned. She did not need that perfectly valueless oath that the Major imposed upon her to scare her into the truth.”