Chapter 2: - Page 7 of 7
On the Lower Deck
(English version of “El Filibusterismo”)
When the events of seventy-two occurred, [4] he feared that the large income his curacy yielded him would attract attention to him, so, desiring peace above everything, he sought and secured his release, living thereafter as a private individual on his patrimonial estate situated on the Pacific coast. He there adopted his nephew, Isagani, who was reported by the malicious to be his own son by his old sweetheart when she became a widow, and by the more serious and better informed, the natural child of a cousin, a lady in Manila.
The captain of the steamer caught sight of the old priest and insisted that he go to the upper deck, saying, If you don’t do so, the friars will think that you don’t want to associate with them.
Padre Florentino had no recourse but to accept, so he summoned his nephew in order to let him know where he was going, and to charge him not to come near the upper deck while he was there. If the captain notices you, he’ll invite you also, and we should then be abusing his kindness.
My uncle’s way!
thought Isagani. All so that I won’t have any reason for talking with Doña Victorina.
[4] The liberal
demonstrations in Manila, and the mutiny in the Cavite Arsenal, resulting in the garroting of the three native priests to whom this work was dedicated: the first of a series of fatal mistakes, culminating in the execution of the author, that cost Spain the loyalty of the Filipinos.—Tr.