Jacinto was already one of the leaders of the town when general Cardenas came through Santa Cruz, the small town which during the first dozen years of the century had been a place of exile and a prison for the opposes to the Porfirian regime. It was an opportunity for the government and the margined indians to meet each other. Cardenas, of rural roots, was particularly interested in the indians of the country among them the Maya of Quintana Roo, auto segregated since the caste wars of 1847. The old men fought against change. The young men did not so much. Only the influence and authority of the old men delayed the integration, which although, slow, discontinuous and   incomplete was invading the main towns and far away places. The rural teachers made great efforts to stay and struggled against the rejection of the communities.

            The contents of the convocation made Jacinto feel that this was an opportunity to break down many barriers.

            One night, the leader and the baatab deliberated one more time over what they would say to the authorities during the encounter.

            "It is necessary, Jacinto had said, to tell the General about the needs of teachers and schools."

            "The children have to learn to read and write, and to speak Spanish. I think s the first thing that we should ask for."

            "It is more important to ask them to respect our land," disagreed the baatab.

            "We have to be more and more alert so that they don't invade us. Remember the chicle cutters that came into our land to the north. Many of our towns are being invaded by those who exploit cedar and caoba trees. Already near Chetumal they are opening roads to exploit the forests. The day will come, when we will have trouble, even in our cornfields. The forests are being wiped out, and the  animals are going farther and farther away."

            "And our religion?"  Interrupted the indian priest. "You can see that the tsuulo'ob do not respect our beliefs. They come from other races and religions to teach our people, to convince them to deny our saints, we have heard of many churches that divide our people with new beliefs."

            "Remember too," added José Chuc, "that their justice isn't ours, the law is not applied in the same way to the tsuulo'ob as to us. They punish us and pardon themselves for the same infraction."

            The counsel went on for a long time. Finally, they agreed to send a representation of 10 leaders, including the Baatab.

            Jacinto would speak for them since he was the only one who spoke Spanish. Jacinto's mind went back to the memory of Marcelo, that time in Santa Cruz, years ago, when thanks to his intervention and courage as the voice of the Maya leaders, the revolt had not continued. Who knows how many people would have suffered and died if it had.

            Since then, the contacts, although sporadic, had broken the isolation of the people of his race, however Tok'tuunich was one of the most stubborn and only the teachings of Marcelo had changed their way of thinking. But that was limited and temporary.

            What would be of his friend? And about Leonor's son? He hadn't ever heard from them again after Marcelo took his baby to Zaci after Leonor died. The voice of Carmen who was nursing their youngest son, almost a year old, broke his thoughts. "How many days will you be in Santa Cruz?"

            "I don't think any more than necessary to rest from the trip," answered Jacinto. "Most likely a day or two at the most."

            "You should take advantage of the trip to buy some things, don't you think?"

            "I will take some gold coins to exchange or sell, what would you like me to bring back."

            Carmen listed the things that she wanted or needed. Jacinto listened hard, trying to memorize the list. "I will buy two axes, and two machetes, and some shots for my gun, I think 2 or 3 coins should be enough."

            "Don't let them trick you, Jacinto," emphasized Carmen, "you know what each English coin is worth, the tsuulo'ob are very clever, they value our gold coins more that anything because they are getting more scarce every day."

            "I know, I am not a fool. When I get to Santa Cruz I will go to different places to find out how much merchandise they can give me, or how much they will give me in Mexican money for them. I am not going to give them away."

            Carmen didn't go on, as she had noticed the severe tone of voice of her husband. The conversation was over.

            When the committee arrived in Santa Cruz, the little community was full of people from the Maya towns who had come to the meeting with General Cardenas. From the out skirts there were groups sitting in the shade next to the stone fences, some were refreshing themselves with pozole. Closer to the town center, 2 or 3 blocks away the stores were full of activity invaded by the maasewaalo'ob who were mainly buying or selling some coins to have the current money.

            The presence of a strong guard in the government building got Jacinto's attention, well-uniformed soldiers with modern rifles.

            They crossed the street that bordered the church from east to west and going south, they headed for the Cenote which for along time had guarded the Holy Cross, mother of all Crosses of the Cupulo'ob of Quintana Roo.

            Near the site so sacred to them, they set up camp, tying their pack animals. A few minutes later, they joined the "baatab" to go together to the center of town to present themselves to the authorities.

            General Cardenas arrived in his vehicle over the bumpy road that led to Chetumal, caused great excitement among the Maya groups from all the towns of the center of the territory of Quintana Roo.

            Jacinto, with his group, went ahead to the location of the Delegation  of Government where the candidate was speaking with the cruzo'ob.  As they come close to the vehicle, they saw the groups mingling in a disorderly fashion. The assistants and the soldiers cleared the area and held them back.

            A few seconds later, Jacinto saw a man descend from the vehicle. He seemed to be the candidate, because of the posters and signs. He noticed his stern look, his long face, and his thick black moustache that contrasted with the color of his skin, tan and sweaty from the sun.

            When he least expected it, one of the employees of the government signaled him to come forward. The guard at the door stepped aside to allow him to go inside where some of the Maya chiefs were already.

            The baatab of Chunón said to him in Mayan. "You speak good Spanish, you will be one of those who will speak with General Cardenas."

            When his turn came Jacinto stood up. The General raised his hand to greet him. This gesture gave the maasewaal hope. "Where are you from, young man?"

"From the town of Tok'tuunich."

            "Tell me, What do they think in your town? They tell me that you people don't want the authorities and teachers to enter you town."

            Jacinto answered. "Only a few, general, most of us feel that it should finish. We want teachers, we have only had one for more than five years. We also want our land to be respected. Other people have been cutting our lumber and taking our chicle without our permission and without any benefit to the towns, we also want our customs to be respected, as well as our form of justice and we want our religion, Sir. We want to be treated as the other people are."

            The candidate listened to Jacinto's words. The other maasewaalo'ob in the room manifested their agreement with Jacinto's petitions.

            "When I am president, I won't forget what you are telling me. The same as what I have heard in other states of the Republic. Have faith in me."

            The group shook the candidate's hand and left the room to give the others who were waiting in the halls an opportunity.  When he was leaving Jacinto made general comments to his companions.

            Afterwards, they all went to the center of town to the big stores to buy the things they needed. That same afternoon, they started back to their hometown.