The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER LVII 262
"Are you going to talk?" the alferez again demanded in dismay.
Tarsilo shook his head, and they again lowered him. His eyelids were closing as the pupils continued to stare
at the sky where the fleecy clouds floated; he doubled back his neck so that he might still see the light of day,
but all too soon he had to go down into the water, and that foul curtain shut out the sight of the world from
him forever.
A minute passed. The watchful Muse saw large bubbles rise to the surface of the water. "He's thirsty," she
commented with a laugh. The water again became still.
This time the alferez did not give the signal for a minute and a half. Tarsilo's features were now no longer
contracted. The half-raised lids left the whites of his eyes showing, from his mouth poured muddy water
streaked with blood, but his body did not tremble in the chill breeze.
Pale and terrified, the silent bystanders gazed at one another. The alferez made a sign that they should take the
body down, and then moved away thoughtfully. Doña Consolation applied the lighted end of her cigar to the
bare legs, but the flesh did not twitch and the fire was extinguished.
"He strangled himself," murmured a cuadrillero. "Look how he turned his tongue back as if trying to swallow
it."
The other prisoner, who had watched this scene, sweating and trembling, now stared like a lunatic in all
directions. The alferez ordered the directorcillo to question him.
"Sir, sir," he groaned, "I'll tell everything you want me to."
"Good! Let's see, what's your name?"
"Andong, [144] sir!"
"Bernardo--Leonardo--Ricardo--Eduardo--Gerardo--or what?"
"Andong, sir!" repeated the imbecile.
"Put it down Bernardo, or whatever it may be," dictated the alferez.
"Surname?"
The man gazed at him in terror.
"What name have you that is added to the name Andong?"
"Ah, sir! Andong the Witless, sir!"
The bystander's could not restrain a smile. Even the alferez paused in his pacing about.
"Occupation?"
"Pruner of coconut trees, sir, and servant of my mother-in-law."
"Who ordered you to attack the barracks?"