One day when he accompanied the collegians on their walk, he had a dispute with some cadets, which resulted in a skirmish and a challenge.

No doubt recalling his brilliant youth, the professor preached a crusade and promised good marks to all who during the promenade on the following Sunday would take part in the fray.

The week was a lively one--there were occasional encounters in which canes and sabers were crossed, and in one of these Basilio distinguished himself.

Borne in triumph by the students and presented to the professor, he thus became known to him and came to be his favorite.

Partly for this reason and partly from his diligence, that year he received the highest marks, medals included, in view of which Capitan Tiago, who, since his daughter had become a nun, exhibited some aversion to the friars, in a fit of good humor induced him to transfer to the Ateneo Municipal, the fame of which was then in its apogee.
Here a new world opened before his eyes--a system of instruction that he had never dreamed of.