human
Yes, said the old man to Elias when they were alone,
gpt
As soon as I heard of your misfortunes, replied Elias slowly,
human
I set out, and searched from mountain to mountain. I've gone over nearly two provinces.
gpt
I have come to make you a proposition. After vainly trying to find some representative of the family which caused the ruin of my own, I have decided to go North, and live among the savage tribes. Will you leave this life you are beginning, and come with me? Let me be a son to you?
human
At my age, he said,
gpt
Malediction, malediction upon me, who held the avenging hands of my sons! I was their assassin!
human
I understand you, said Elias;
gpt
I too have a vengeance to satisfy; and yet, from fear of striking the innocent, I choose to forego that.
human
You can; you are young; you have not lost your last hope. I too, I swear it, would not strike the innocent. You see this wound? I got it rather than harm a cuadrillero who was doing his duty.
gpt
And yet, said Elias,
human
Seþor, continued Elias,
gpt
I have had the fortune to do a great service to a young man, rich, kind of heart, upright, wishing the good of his country. It is said he has relations at Madrid; of that I know nothing, but I know he is the friend of the governor-general. What do you think of interesting him in the cause of the miserable and making him their voice?
human
He is rich, you say. The rich think only of increasing their riches. Not one of them would compromise his peace to go to the aid of those who suffer. I know it, I who was rich myself.
gpt
But he is not like the others. And he is a young man about to marry, who wishes the tranquillity of his country for the sake of his children's children.
human
He is a man, then, who is going to be happy. Our cause is not that of fortunate men.
gpt
No, but it is that of men of courage!
human
True, said the old man, seating himself again.
gpt
Let us suppose he consents to be our mouthpiece. Let us suppose he wins the captain-general, and finds at Madrid deputies who can plead for us; do you believe we shall have justice?
human
Let us try it before we try measures of blood, said Elias.
gpt
It must surprise you that I, an outlaw too, and young and strong, propose pacific measures. It is because I see the number of miseries which we ourselves cause, as well as our tyrants. It is always the unarmed who pay the penalty.
human
And if nothing result from our steps?
gpt
If we are not heard, if our grievances are made light of, I shall be the first to put myself under your orders.
human
I accept the proposition, he said;
gpt
I know you will keep your word. I will help you to avenge your parents; you shall help me to avenge my sons!
human
Meanwhile, seþor, you will do nothing violent.
gpt
And you will set forth the wrongs of the people; you know them. When shall I have the response?
human
In four days send me a man to the lake shore of San Diego. I will tell him the decision, and name the person on whom I count.
gpt
Elias will be chief when Captain Pablo is fallen,