[The Social Cancer by Jose Rizal]@TWC D-Link book
The Social Cancer

CHAPTER XXIV
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The result was that although Capitan Basilio was hard pressed the game became a stalemate, owing to many careless moves on the young man's part.
"It's settled, we're at peace!" exclaimed Capitan Basilio heartily.
"Yes, we're at peace," repeated the youth, "whatever the decision of the court may be." And the two shook hands cordially.
While all present were rejoicing over this happy termination of a quarrel of which both parties were tired, the sudden arrival of a sergeant and four soldiers of the Civil Guard, all armed and with bayonets fixed, disturbed the mirth and caused fright among the women.
"Keep still, everybody!" shouted the sergeant.

"Shoot any one who moves!" In spite of this blustering command, Ibarra arose and approached the sergeant.

"What do you want ?" he asked.
"That you deliver to us at once a criminal named Elias, who was your pilot this morning," was the threatening reply.
"A criminal--the pilot?
You must be mistaken," answered Ibarra.
"No, sir, this Elias has just been accused of putting his hand on a priest--" "Oh, was that the pilot ?" "The very same, according to reports.

You admit persons of bad character into your fiestas, Senor Ibarra." Ibarra looked him over from head to foot and replied with great disdain, "I don't have to give you an account of my actions! At our fiestas all are welcome.

Had you yourself come, you would have found a place at our table, just as did your alferez, who was with us a couple of hours ago." With this he turned his back.
The sergeant gnawed at the ends of his mustache but, considering himself the weaker party, ordered the soldiers to institute a search, especially among the trees, for the pilot, a description of whom he carried on a piece of paper.
Don Filipo said to him, "Notice that this description fits nine tenths of the natives.


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