CHAPTER XVI
THE HOISTING CRANE.
While two of the actors were singing the Incarnatus est in thechurch at the celebration of mass on the last day of the fiesta,and all were kneeling and the priests were bowing their heads, a manwhispered in Ibarra's ear: "During the ceremony of the blessing ofthe corner stone, do not go near the priest, do not go in the ditch,do not approach the corner stone. Your life will depend on it."
Ibarra looked and saw that it was Elias, the pilot, but, as soon ashe had spoken, he lost himself in the crowd.
The yellow-skinned man kept his word. It was not a simple liftingcrane which he had built over the ditch for the purpose of loweringthe enormous block of granite. It was not the mere tripod which NorJuan had wanted for holding a tackle-block. It was something more. Itwas at the same time a machine and an ornament, grand and imposing.
The confusing and complicated scaffolding had been raised to a heightof more than eight meters. Four heavy timbers buried in the groundand supporting each other with colossal, diagonal braces, servedas the base. The braces were joined to each other by immense nails,about half driven into the wood, perhaps because the apparatus wasonly of a provisional nature, and it could then be more easily takendown. Enormous cables were hanging from all sides, giving the entireapparatus an aspect of solidity and grandeur. The top was gay withflags and banners of various colors, floating pennants, and massivegarlands of flowers and leaves, all artistically interwoven.
On high, in the shade of the projecting timbers, banners and wreaths,a large three-wheeled tackle-block was suspended by ropes and ironhooks. Over the shining rims of these pulleys great cables passed,holding suspended in the air a massive stone. The center of this stonehad been chiseled out so that when lowered upon the hollowed stone,which had already been placed in the ditch, a small enclosure would beformed between the two. This space was to contain an account of theceremonies, newspapers, manuscripts and coins, to be transmitted,perhaps, to other generations, in the far distant future. Fromthis tackle-block at the top of the structure, the cable passeddown to another smaller pulley which was fastened at the base of theapparatus. Through this pulley, the cable passed to the cylinder of awindlass which was held to the ground by massive beams. This windlasswhich can be operated by only two hands, multiplies man's strength bymeans of a series of cog-wheels. Although there is a gain in force,there is of course a loss in velocity.
"Look!" said the yellow-skinned man, as he gave the crank aturn. "Look, Nor Juan, with my strength alone, I can raise and lowerthat massive block of stone. This is so nicely arranged that I cancontrol the ascent or descent of the stone by inches. Thus one manbelow can arrange the two stones in place, while I manipulate theapparatus from here."
Nor Juan could but admire the man as he smiled in such a peculiarmanner. The curious people standing about made comments and praisedthe yellow-skinned man for his work.
"Who taught you the mechanism?" asked Nor Juan.
"My father, my father who is now dead," he replied, with that samepeculiar smile.
"And who taught your father?"
"Don Saturnino, the grandfather of Don Crisostomo."
"I did not know that Don Saturnino----"
"Oh, he knew a good many things. Not only did he know how to whip welland how to expose his workmen to the rays of the sun, but he knew alsohow to awaken the sleeping and how to make those awake sleep. In time,you will see what my father has taught me, you will see!"
And the yellow fellow smiled in a strange manner.
At two eating stands, there was now being prepared a sumptuous andabundant breakfast. However, on the table designated for the littleones of the school, there was no wine, but instead a larger amountof fruit. In a covered passage which joined the two stands, therewere seats for the musicians and a table covered with sweetmeats,candies and flasks of water, ornamented with leaves and flowers,for the thirsty public.
The crowd, resplendent in gay-colored clothes, was already fleeing fromthe hot rays of the sun and gathering under the shade of the treesor of the covering. The small boys climbed the trees near the place,in order to get a better view of the ceremony, and looked with envyupon the school children, who, clean and well dressed, were occupyinga place designated for them. The fathers of the school children wereenthusiastic. They, poor countrymen that they were, would have thepleasure of seeing their children eat on a white table cloth, justlike the curate and the Alcalde. Merely to think of it was enough todrive away their hunger.
Soon strains of music were heard in the distance. A promiscuouscrowd of persons of all ages and dress was preceding the band. Theyellow-looking man was uneasy and was examining the whole apparatus. Acurious countryman was also following his glances and was observingevery movement he made. This countryman was Elias, who had also come toattend the ceremony. His hat and his style of dress almost concealedhis identity. He had secured the best possible place for himself,right up close to the crane, on the edge of the excavation.
With the band of music came the Alcalde, the officials of the town, thefriars, with the exception of Father Damaso, and the Spanish employeesof the Government. Ibarra was conversing with the Alcalde, for they hadbecome quite friendly from the time the young man paid him some highcompliments on his insignia, decorations and cordon. Pride in belongingto an aristocratic family was a weakness of His Excellency. CaptainTiago, the alferez and several wealthy persons, with their shiningsilk hats, walked along, surrounded by a group of youngsters. FatherSalvi followed, the same as ever, silent and pensive.
The young man could feel his heart beat as they approached thedesignated place. Instinctively, he glanced at the strange-lookingscaffolding which had been raised there. He saw, too, theyellow-looking man who saluted him with respect, and, for a moment,Ibarra fixed his eyes on him. To his surprise, Ibarra also discoveredElias on the edge of the excavation. He gave the young pilot asignificant look, letting him understand that he remembered what hehad said in the church.
The curate put on his sacerdotal vestments and began the ceremony. Theone-eyed sacristan mayor held the book and a choir boy was chargedwith the water-sprinkler and the vessel of blessed water. The otherswho stood around about, their heads uncovered, maintained a deepsilence. In spite of the fact that Father Salvi read in a low tone,it could be noticed that his voice trembled.
In the meantime the articles, such as manuscripts, newspapers,medals and coins, which were to be placed in the corner stone hadbeen enclosed in a little glass box, and hermetically sealed in aleaden cylinder.
"Senor Ibarra, do you wish to put the box in its place? The curateawaits it," said the Alcalde to Ibarra.
"I would do so with much pleasure," replied he, "but I would beusurping the honorable duty of the Senor Notary. The Notary ought toattest the act."
The Notary took it seriously, descended the carpeted stairs to thebottom of the excavation and, with fitting solemnity, deposited thebox in the hollow which had been made in the stone. The curate thentook up the sprinkler and sprinkled the stones with holy water.
The time had now come for each one to put his trowelful of mortar onthe surface of the stone, which lay in the ditch, so that the otherstone might fit upon it and be made to adhere to it.
Ibarra presented the Alcalde with a trowel, upon whose wide silverblade was engraved the date. But His Excellency first delivered anaddress in Spanish.
"Citizens of San Diego," he said in a solemn tone. "I have the honor topreside at a ceremony the importance of which you already understand. Aschool is being founded. The school is the base of society. The schoolis the book in which is written the future of the people. Show methe schools of a people and I will tell you what those people are.
"Citizens of San Diego! Thank God that he has given you virtuouspriests; and the Mother Country that she untiringly diffuses hercivilization over these fertile islands, protected by her gloriousflag. Thank God that she has had pity for you, bringing you thesehumble priests that they may enlighten you and teach
you the divineword. Thank the Government for the great sacrifices it has made,makes now and will make in the future for you and your sons.
"And now that the first stone of this great edifice has been blessed,I, Alcalde Mayor of this province, in the name of His Majesty,the King, whom God guard, King of the Spains, in the name of theillustrious Spanish Government, and under its spotless and evervictorious banner, I consecrate this act and begin the building ofthis school.
"Citizens of San Diego! Long live the King! Long live Spain! Long livethe Church! Long live the priests! Long live the Catholic religion!"
"Viva! Viva!" replied the others. "Long live the Alcalde!"
The Alcalde majestically descended to the accompaniment of the musicwhich had begun to play. He placed some trowels of mortar on thestone and with equal majesty ascended the stairs.
The Government employees applauded.