"Disarm the Patricios and Arribeños![3] He had better not try to do that."
"He will, you will resist it, and then will commence your war of independence."
"I hope you are not a true prophet; if we strike the blow too soon we shall fail. As I said before, we are not ripe for independence."
"And so long as the Spaniards rule over you they will take care that you never do ripen, so that your hope of independence is a dangerous dream."
"Dangerous it may be, but it is no dream," said Marcelino, rising excitedly to his feet; "I know my own countrymen and I have faith in the future of my native country. No great work can be performed without danger; there are heroes amongst us who fear no danger; let the danger come, they will teach us how to meet them. I tell you, my friend, before these black hairs of mine have turned grey you will see the rise of a great Republic on the shores of La Plata."
"In establishing it you will do your share of the work nobly," answered Gordon. "May God help you, for I believe you have a hard task before you."
"Do you believe there is a God?" asked Marcelino, reseating himself and looking steadfastly at his friend.
"I do, as surely as I see you sitting there before me."
"I think there is too; but I do not think that he takes any interest in the affairs of men."