The Pearl of Lima / A Story of True Love

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Book: Read The Pearl of Lima / A Story of True Love for Free Online
Authors: Jules Verne
when the schooner brought us arms?"
    The Sambo cast down his head without reply.
    "Did not my brethren know," resumed Manangani, "that there was an exchange of shots between the Annonciation and the custom-house officers, and that the capture of the vessel would have ruined our projects of conspiracy?"
    A murmur of approbation received the words of the Indian.
    "Those of my brethren who will wait before they judge will be the beloved of my heart," resumed the Sambo; "who knows whether my son Martin Paz will not one day re-appear? Listen now; the arms which have been sent us from Sechura are in our power; they are concealed in the mountains of the Cordilleras, and ready to do their office when you shall be prepared to do your duty."
    "And what delays us?" said a young Indian; "we have sharpened our knives and are waiting."
    "Let the hour come," said the Sambo; "do my brethren know what enemy their arms should strike first?"
    "Those mestizoes who treat us as slaves, and strike us with the hand and whip, like restive mules."
    "These are the monopolizers of the riches of the soil, who will not suffer us to purchase a little comfort for our old age."
    "You are mistaken; and your first blows must be struck elsewhere," said the Sambo, growing animated; "these are not the men who have dared for three hundred years past to tread the soil of our ancestors; it is not these rich men gorged with gold who have dragged to the tomb the sons of Manco-Capac; no, it is these proud Spaniards whom Fate has thrust on our independent shores! These are the true conquerors of whom you are the true slaves! If they have no longer wealth, they have authority; and, in spite of Peruvian emancipation, they crush and trample upon our natural rights. Let us forget what we are, to remember what our fathers have been!"
    " Anda! anda! " exclaimed the assembly, with stamps of approbation.
    After a few moments of silence, the Sambo assured himself, by interrogating various conspirators, that the friends of Cusco and of all Bolivia were ready to strike as a single man.
    Then, resuming with fire:
    "And our brethren of the mountains, brave Manangani, if they have all a heart of hatred equal to thine, a courage equal to thine, they will fall on Lima like an avalanche from the summit of the Cordilleras."
    "The Sambo shall not complain of their boldness on the day appointed. Let the Indian leave the city, he shall not go far without seeing throng around him zambos burning for vengeance! In the gorges of San Cristoval and the Amancaës, more than one is couched on his poncho , with his poignard at his girdle, waiting until a long carbine shall be confided to his skillful hand. They also have not forgotten that they have to revenge on the vain Spaniards the defeat of Manco-Capac."
    "Well said! Manangani; it is the god of hatred who speaks from thy mouth. My brethren shall know before long him whom their chiefs have chosen to lead this great vengeance. President Gambarra is seeking only to consolidate his power; Bolivar is afar, Santa Cruz has been driven away; we can act with certainty. In a few days, the fête of the Amancaës will summon our oppressors to pleasure; then, let each be ready to march, and let the news be carried to the most remote villages of Bolivia."
    At this moment three Indians entered the great hall. The Sambo hastened to meet them.
    "Well?" said he to them.
    "The body of Martin Paz has not been recovered; we have sounded the river in every direction; our most skillful divers have explored it with religious care, and the son of the Sambo cannot have perished in the waters of the Rimac."
    "Have they killed him? What has become of him? Oh! wo, wo to them if they have killed my son! Let my brethren separate in silence; let each return to his post, look, watch and wait!"
    The Indians went out and dispersed; the Sambo alone remained with Manangani, who asked him:
    "Does the Sambo know what sentiment conducted his son to San Lazaro? The Sambo, I trust, is

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