They were already at a distance from the shore, the sun had set, and as in these latitudes there is scarcely any twilight, the shades were lengthening, bringing into view the bright disk of the full moon.
"Sir," replied Elias gravely, "I am the bearer of the wishes of many unfortunates." "Unfortunates?
What do you mean ?" In a few words Elias recounted his conversation with the leader of the tulisanes, omitting the latter's doubts and threats.

Ibarra listened attentively and was the first to break the long silence that reigned after he had finished his story.
"So they want--" "Radical reforms in the armed forces, in the priesthood, and in the administration of justice; that is to say, they ask for paternal treatment from the government." "Reforms?
In what sense ?" "For example, more respect for a man's dignity, more security for the individual, less force in the armed forces, fewer privileges for that corps which so easily abuses what it has." "Elias," answered the youth, "I don't know who you are, but I suspect that you are not a man of the people; you think and act so differently from others.

You will understand me if I tell you that, however imperfect the condition of affairs may be now, it would be more so if it were changed.

I might be able to get the friends that I have in Madrid to talk, _by paying them_; I might even be able to see the Captain-General; but neither would the former accomplish anything nor has the latter sufficient power to introduce so many novelties.

Nor would I ever take a single step in that direction, for the reason that, while I fully understand that it is true that these corporations have their faults, they are necessary at this time.