THE INSURGENCE of CHAN SANTA CRUZ

BOOK SEVEN: THE SECOND of the BOOKS of CHANGE

CHAPTER FIVE

"Well, would your brother be capable of handling matters in Campeche?" Baroja persisted in venturing. "Given your family connections, his help in that state would be invaluable. The very success of our endeavor rests with Campeche."

"I understand," said Rigoberto, straining to hold back any inclination to betray his misgivings. "But I know little more about José, at this time, than any of you. He has never been a predictable man. Even as a boy he had episodes... I won't dwell on these but it is a fact that he seldom does what he is expected to, on which I have rested our hopes. He will not suffer a fool. When given orders by a General whom he respects, his record is impeccable... it speaks for itself. But he is not a soldier, any more than he is a politician. He is something other. He is greatly admired by President Huerta, I hear," Rigoberto added, which statement did not much cheer his companions.

"Well that isn't exactly the sort of thing that the Governor wishes to hear?" the Colonel said. "Did you assess his intents, or his capabilities during the visit last month?"

Rigoberto hesitated. "I repeat that much of what he was doing was confidential, not only to myself but, even, our father. When pressed, José's always tended to favor irrelevancies... most of what we were able to speak of concerned some book about the territory, something there besides, naturally, a sum of money in the form of securities which he has left with my wife and myself as a token of sympathy. Their value is substantial, although complicated by political intrigues. But further, the Colonel... Huerta has promoted him again, as a reward for his deeds... he has affirmed that the President has entrusted him with a fortune for the prosecution of the war and the salvation of Mexico. If Mexico is lost, however, José will see to it that this money is turned towards the preservation, at least, of the Southeast. You have to understand that he spent nearly ten years as... well, let's be honest about it, practically as an indian."

"That is in itself not so bad," Urzaiz replied. "Indians can be every bit as fearsome with the gun and machete as any Mexican, and most have the virtue of obedience. Look at Huerta, at Diaz for that matter! In Tabasco there was trouble, two years ago, and a few of the alcaldes prohibited groups of four or more from conversing publicly. During one of their fiestas a circus tent caught fire, but the indians there didn't talk or even shout, when burned, they filed silently out as if they were so many ghosts. If it is someone to give orders whom your brother needs, that will not be a problem! I rather think it is the other extreme," the Caballero observed dryly, "a problem of too many leaders."

"Obtain his assistance," the Colonel told Rigoberto, cutting short the reminisces of the aging Hermano Mayor. "Use whatever methods you see fit and keep us notified. Elena isn't a party to this latter benefit, is she?"

"Of course not," Rigoberto declared indignantly, "only that which my brother has left for safekeeping and as a gesture of good faith."

"Very well. Now... about the Governor? If Cortes has made such fine gifts to the rest of the military officers as he has made to me, we'll have no difficulty in securing the state, if not the peninsula."

Rigoberto grimaced inwardly. He was far from naive, but the corruption of all the Yucatecan Governors... be they Porfirian, Maderists of either the Moreno or Suarez faction or Huertistas... astonished him. The thought of Prisciliano Cortes encountering the Guatemalan President filled him with foreboding.

"If I may be so presumptuous," the Professor said, "I deem our best course is to wait out the few weeks, even months, until Huerta either prevails or falls. In that latter case, every revolutionary army in Mexico will converge upon the capital in search of loot and power. We'll have the southeast to ourselves. There are additional factors to consider, should the Americans invade. Logically we assume that they will cross over from Texas or sail to Veracruz. Probably both! We cannot give appearance of collaboration, neither should we fail to avail ourselves of opportunity."

Baroja nodded. "It is better that way. The President of Guatemala does not wish to commit Guatemalan forces to Mexican soil until, of course, it is no longer Mexican. He will have his hands full prying the British colony from the lion’s grasp. Once the peninsula is secured, the first step will be a confederation with the other nations of Central America, that each may reap the benefits of free association while maintaining the independence of their own rule. Governor Cortes, unfortunately, has little loyalty to Yucatan... but we have many sympathizers within the ranks."

"Yet the people must be prepared," objected the Caballero. "We are Yucatecans still, not Mexicans nor Guatemalans, most of the lower orders are as strange to Americans as any of the gente decente would be to them, whether they speak Spanish, English, French or any other language. There is another obstacle. Would it be in their interest to combine with the Christian... meaning Catholic... states of the peninsula, besides the republics of Central America? The Yankees must be cultivated, ideas carefully implanted, and in advance of military action."

"Do you have any suggestion?" asked Baroja.

"We may begin with a gallo," suggested Urzaiz, referring to a torchlight procession comprised primarily of students, in which a visiting dignitary is honored with speeches and music. "A tribute to a man above suspicion, to be honored personally by the Governor."

"If Governor Cortes can assign the details to our friend here," said the Professor, with an inclination towards Baroja, "I see no reason why the Guatemalans should not provide an emissary. But I do not feel it should be a military man. Let Mexico have its warriors. We shall begin by holding out the prospect of peace, for which the masses shall fight all the more desperately. Ricardo!" called the Professor.

In answer to Salazar's summons a boy of twelve or thirteen years, in Rigoberto's estimation, entered, giving his father a salute. Although it was a day of rest, Ricardo Salazar wore the spotless uniform of a junior military cadet. "Señor Baroja has a duty for you and your classmates," the Professor said. "Can we trust you with an important mission?"

"Certainly, father," Ricardo answered promptly, gaining a glance of admiration from Baroja, who declared that he would remain behind when the meeting had concluded. Ricardo was then dismissed until that time.

"In any instance, Torreon shall determine our course," said the Colonel of Militia, who now addressed Rigoberto. "If you can reach your brother and learn of Bravo's prospects, we shall be able to forward our little conspiracy based on information, not mere speculation."

"Must you call us conspirators?" Roberto Urzaiz griped. "There is a meanness in that word... rather, we all are patriots, doing a patriotic duty. Talking of plots and intrigues calls to mind, rather, some sordid little band of malcontents... failed Senators striking at a Caesar."

"There are some Caesars worth striking down," Baroja corrected the Hermano Mayor. "There is no man, not even Governor Cortes, not Generals Bravo nor Blanquet... certainly not the Licenciado's brother - being, by all accounts, a man of exceptional and native intelligence... who will stand with Huerta if to so stand ensures his fall."

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