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CHAPTER VI ESCAPE AND SACRIFICE Many months had passed from the time the tsu’ulo’ob arrived in Chuum-Poom, days after the rebellion of Valladolid on June 4, 1910, until the retreat of General Bravo from Santa Cruz, when the Revolution government ordered its evacuation and it was handed over to the Cruzo’ob. When the ts'uulo'ob heard, they desired ardently to return to their homes in Valladolid. During all this time, the white men worked in their fields and participated in all of the activities of the village, except in the ¨safeguard¨ of the ¨church¨ since they were excluded because of a religious taboo. No white man could be worthy to be a custodian of the ¨sanctuary¨ of the Talking Cross. Miguel and Carlos had children with their máasewáal wives, but not so Damian Barrera whose mate had not conceived. Ki'tuk, from the beginning, had placed a tight watch over their movements, in the village as well as in their milpas and they never had at their disposition, the weapons which had been taken away from them when they were captured. They only ate meat like venison, wild pig, turkey or pheasant when they took part in the ¨puuj¨as beaters or when a family member of their wives was paid for some game animal.
Riviera
Caribe Maya Hotel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico The vigilance became even stricter when Ki’tuk heard that ts'uulo'ob had abandoned Santa Cruz. He suspected and intuitively knew the thoughts of the three ts’uulo’ob and their desire to return to their homes. He placed them under extremely tight surveillance and the towns of the area were put on alert and instructed to kill them if they escaped from the town. Ki'tuk and the other Maya chiefs decided, not to go back to Santa Cruz. El Baalam-naj had been spoiled and desecrated. After that it had served as a prison, and many prisoners had been killed inside of it. It was said that the ¨Cross¨ would never go back there. Besides, everybody agreed that only the inaccessible jungle could give security, isolation and opportunity to go on being independent of the government of the ts’uulo’ob. Commander May and the other chiefs already were making deals to exploit the chicle and lumber with the ts’uulo’ob. They were considered traitors by Ki'tuk and the other chiefs. It will cost them a lot someday - They thought. While the days passed, Damian was developing a plan to return to Zaci. Whenever he had an opportunity, he would analyze the options and difficulties, as well as the possibility of making a successful escape from Chuum
poom. Carlos wasn't very enthusiastic about the plan. He, even frankly declared that he would stay with his wife. They were very fond of one another, and she was expecting another baby, However, he offered his help although he asked for absolute carefulness; he reminded them that if they were discovered, they would be killed without remedy, also she was sure that because of his wife's family and his loyalty to the village that they wouldn't kill him. More than two years had passed since their arrival in Chuum-poom when they found themselves together in the little square of the town sitting in the light of the full moon. I believe-said Barrera- -that we can not put off our departure. The rumors are confirmed; the revolution is within the government, we can go back to our families . We have to go back to our people, at least I will run the risk. Tell me, Miguel, will you go with me ? - I'm with you compadre, he answered . -I won't go-put in Carlos- I have thought about it a thousand times. Here, I have peace and tranquility that I have never had, I could never abandon my pregnant wife and my unborn son. -I know that I am running a great risk- he continued- but I think I'll make it. I believe that you two are running a greater risk. I don't see many chances that you will be able to escape. -Which way will you go? - toward Valladolid you will have to get by Tok’tuunich and Ti ho suco and other towns, toward Santa Cruz you won't stand a chance, you would have to go Chetumal, I don't see how - but it is decided, and may God be with you. We will go directly to Valladolid, but we will avoid the most used paths. If we, make it to Ti ho suco, we will be safe- said Damian. -and with what weapons will you survive? - you won't be able to get enough food without a shot gun at least- said Carlos. We will have to depend on Vega -interrupted Damian- I'll ask him for his shot gun and we will stage a robbery so they won't accuse him of being an accomplice -it is our only chance of getting a weapon-. Carlos kept silent while Miguel and Damian went over the details. They would accumulate supplies and water in the milpa. An old carbide lamp would be very useful during the first night of their escape, their old boots would last two or three days at least. And so they revised the whole plan a thousand times. days later, on a very dark night after sunset Damian and Miguel sneaked toward their milpa. Later, their wives, afraid because of their absence went to Carlos house. They were surprised to find him alone, because the three were always together. Carlos informed them of the situation and convinced them of the need for silence for as long as possible. They would tell the "baatab" that they had thought that their husband were getting drunk in Carlos house. So it would look like they didn't know anything. Carlos couldn't get to sleep during the first hours. He imagined his friends in their desperate escape toward far away Zaci. He guessed at their anguish, the crazy race against time, their advance in the dark and the thousand dangers around them. Almost at dawn, he fell asleep. When he woke up, a group of guards armed with rifles and machetes was next to his hammock. In an instant, he understood that it had all been discovered. Pretending to be ignorant of the facts and simulating to be calm Carlos asked.-To what do I owe your presence here in my house with guns ?. Did something happen?- . The head guard said dryly.- Get dressed, commander Ki’tuk is waiting for you. -Carlos got up and dressed quickly. An instant later he was standing in front of Ki’tuk. - Your friends did not keep their word- - it is my fault because I broke our laws. I assure you that they will not escape and my men will kill them. All the villages have been advised. They will not escape, as for you, you will be the bull in our bullfight, as we had warned you Carlos felt a chill at the thought, not of his death, but of the "banderillas". -Kituk- he answered calmly -I want to tell you, if I didn't escape it is because I want to stay here with my wife who is expecting a baby and with my son, I preferred to run the risk of dying here than to escape with my friends. I am not afraid to die, but I ask you to let me live for my children. Ki’tuk listened to him, apparently unmoved. In his mind, he admired Carlos. -The sentence will be carried out at once. The shouting of the máasewáal outside the house of the baatab made him imagine what was coming . His decision was instantaneous. He grabbed a carabine from the closest guard. He pulled the trigger of the "30-30" but before he could fire the máasewáal’ob jumped on Carlos with their machetes. In a few seconds, Carlos lay at the feet of Ki’tuk dying from the many machete wounds, meanwhile, Silvano was playing with little Jacinto in the patio of his house when he was advised of the escape of the ts’uulo’ob. He knew what that meant, everybody must take part in the hunt when he listened to the "baatab" who instructed the máasewáalo'ob to cover the zone, he imagined that the only road that the fugitives could take, would be the one to x-ho'otsuck or maybe father to the east, the roads that led to the small villages around Zaci. There was only one direction; and surely they took it, that had decided to go as fast as possible to their home town. If they had almost a days head -start on their hunters, they couldn't be very far away even if they had walked all night The order was to take them alive. That would not be difficult if they caught them up because they wouldn't be armed. -My compadre Jose and I will cover the path that goes to Chemax, suggested Silvano. Jose Chuc agreed, the two were habitual buddies. - Everybody, leave at once, with only the most necessary. If we wait, we won't have as much chance to catch them-- emphasized the "baataab." He formed groups of three, pointing out the different routes to be covered. If anyone found traces, he would come back to report and reorganize the hunt. Silvano, Jose and another máasewáal left with water and food for three days. If they could not do anything in that time, it would useless to continue. Damian and Miguel didn't stop for a second during the first night, nor during the next morning. On the march, they ate the hard piimo'ob and drank water, around noon, beaten by fatigue and need for sleep, they decided to rest for two hours. While Damian dissolved in a jicara the "pakeyem" with salt, sitting on a rock in the shadow of a shady "pukte" Miguel gathered some branches to lay down on the ground. -We'll both sleep at the same time, it's better that way. I don't think there will be any danger we have at least a sixteen hour head- start. When we pick up the pace again we'll recover our advantage. We need to get our energy back- - If we can keep up this pace for three days, they'll never be able to catch us-said Miguel. In a few minutes after drinking the "pozole," they both were sleeping soundly in the shade of the abundant "pukte" tree. The carabine that they had taken from Vega was at hand, together with the "chuuj" and the "saabukaano'ob of supplies. When they woke up, the sun was filtering through the branches of the trees toward the west. They jumped up, at least four hours had passed. They picked up their gear and restarted their march, worried now and with all the vigor they could muster. Where were they? wondered Damian. He was sure that they had left the path leading to Tok'tuunich and Chun-yaxché to the south. They were going directly north, the sun setting to the west. In a few minutes more they would light the carbide lamps, they were waiting as long as they could to save fuel. If we keep up this rhythm, in two or three days we will reach safety-- said Damian. May it be God's will- answered Miguel-until now we have a good start but don't forget these damn Indians are great walkers. We shouldn't be over- confident, and they continued walking, as they had been doing almost until dawn when they ate again, and rested for two hours, more or less. Silvano and Jose had made no mistakes, the second day wasn't over yet when Silvano who was leading the way discovered the first sign. The marks further on convinced him that they were on the right track. Turning to his compadre, he said: -Jose, you and I will go on ahead, let "P’uus" -(that was what they called the third man of their trio) let him go back—P’uus went back along the way, while Silvano and Jose continued their forced march. More than forty-eight hours had gone by since they had left their village to hunt down the ts’uulo’ob, when both of them stopped brusquely, at the sound of a not far off shot gun fire. They removed their sandals so they wouldn't make the slightest sound, with extreme caution, they sneaked through the big trees by the narrow path. Finally they heard foot steps at a short distance: It was a question of waiting for an opportunity. They waited patiently. Damian and Miguel stopped to rest in the shade for a little while. It was almost noon they were worn out from the effort and anguish . They didn't hear anything , until Silvano's voice less then five meters away surprised them. -Don't move-said Silvano while he and his compadre pointed their "30-30" at them . After that the ts’uulo’ob recognized Silvano, the same Indian, that they found when they were looking for Chuum-poom more than two years before. Damian and Miguel didn't move they were expecting the worse. -Well-said Damian- now you have us at your mercy- will you kill us?. If you are going to have to, do it here, because we won't move one step back- saying this, he expected more máasewáalo'ob to appear. He didn't think they were the whole party. Silvano didn't answer, he turned to Jose -pick up their weapon, be careful, if one moves, kill the other one. Jose picked up the shot-gun and stepped back. You should know that your friend was killed the same morning that they discovered your escape, you, too, will die. Nothing, matters anymore Silvano- -said Damian- - we knew that if we failed we would be killed, but we can't live our lives with you; I don't guess you can understand that. We have families and we have to go back to them-. Silvano remembered the first encounter when this white man could have killed him, but they didn't. He remembered his only son, Jacinto, who he would never have seen, if this Ts’uul had shot him. It was a great confusion, for a moment, he didn't know what to do- and if I let them go? -they surely will be able to make it to their homes. After a few seconds he told Damian Two years ago, you could have killed me but you didn't. We too have feelings. I will not kill you, but your friend here will go with us.--Damian immediately understood the nobility of the máasewáal. -Silvano, I couldn't live in peace if, like a coward, I abandoned my friend. Either let us both go or we will both stay and be killed.-- Silvano listened and admired the gesture. At the silence, Miguel spoke. -Get out of here now, Damian, you mustn't sacrifice yourself for me, besides, you can tell our families what happened. that way, they won't have to live with doubt of whether we survived or not. Silvano didn't understand since Miguel was speaking Spanish, but he knew what they were talking about. No, Miguel, either both of us walk out of here or none of us Pick up your gear and let's go, and be ready for a shot in the back. If they don't shoot, we'll be safe.- When the two bent over to take their saabukaano'ob, and water, Jose lifted his carabine, and aimed at Miguel. Let them go, Jose-ordered Silvano . He took Vega’s carabine, and taking a couple of steps, he said to Damian . -Take it, you will need it further on.-- Damian took the shot-gun, and overcome to the point of tears, could only babble a couple of words. -Thanks, I'll never forget this.- - We're even, I don't owe you and you don't owe me- answered the máasewáal. Damian and Miguel took up the march again a few steps beyond, Damian stopped and turned to look at the two máasewáal. For a few minutes Silvano sustained his gaze, then Damian went on his way. Would they ever see each other again ?.
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