CHAPTER 53 (The first shadow has a connection to the sacristan
THE CARD OF THE DEAD AND SHADOWS
Summary:
That night the moon is blotted out by clouds.
Three figures speak inside the cemetery, discussing why
they agreed to participate in the attack on the barracks
and the church, which they believe is organized by
Ibarra. One shadow cited that Ibarra promised to take his
ill wife to Manila.
The three figures go quiet upon seeing a shadow
approach the cemetery gate. He immediately ordered
them to disperse for he had been followed and promised
that they will receive the arms the next day, shouting
“Viva Don Crisostomo”. After the figures left, he waited
to see who’s following him. The new shadow asked
what they were doing in the cemetery, they reasoned that
they were waiting to play cards with the dead. One of
them points out that the spirits won’t appear if there are
two living souls present, so the men decide to play a card
game to decide who will stay and who will leave.
Two Civil Guard patrol the dark and rainy
streets, talking about the Elias’ whereabouts when they
stumbled upon Lucas whom they asked if he saw Elias.
He denied that he knew the man they were talking about
and that he was on his way to church. One notices
Lucas’ scar but decided to let him go. Shortly after the
Elias arrived saying he was after a man with a scar who
beaten and threatened his brother. he guards look at one
another in surprise before rushing off to where they last
saw Lucas.
Main Points:
THREE SHADOWS (Pedro, Bruno, Tarsilo)
o "No, you already know he is odd and cautious, but
he must be on our side. Don Crisostomo has saved
his life."
(Elias is an important or a vital piece in their plan.)
Reasons mentioned for participating in the uprising
1) Crisostomo Ibarra healed Sisa
2) Settle with the friar
3) To show the Guardia Civil that their father had sons
o "I am being followed," said the first shadow. "Could
it be the civil guard? Did the sacristan mayor lie to
me?"
mayor; he is also aware of the plan.)
o "Long live Crisostomo Ibarra!"
(Comparable to what the KKK did which is to chant
Rizal's name.)
o "I am waiting for the hour to strike eight for me to
have the card of the dead. I want to win a large
amount tonight."
(A belief during the Spanish Colonial times. This is
also the reason why Basilio and Crispin rung the
bell during one night even though it's raining.)
o "Do you have your own deck?" "No!"
(It is not true that he went there to deal with the
dead since he was just using it as an excuse for why
he is present there.)
o Lighting of the match when they started to play.
(Elias' excuse to discover who the shadows are.)
o Lucas did not invite anyone to gamble with him; he
did not even conjure up the dead as required by
superstition, but uncovered himself and muttered
some prayers, crossing and signing himself with the
same fervor as did the Prefect of the Confraternity of
the Holy Rosary at the same moment.
(Shows Lucas' personality. It is evident that he is
also a leader in his town.)
o Lighting on roads
(Active attacks of Tulisanes)
o "According to Padre Damaso; complexion, brown;
eyes, black; nose, regular; beard, none; hair, dark;..."
(Describing Elias' features without knowing the
truth.)
(Guardia Civils are written as fools.)
o A man is selected as a guardia civil even though he
was a smuggler.
(There is no proper system in selecting those who
will become guardia civil.)
o "Sir, I am pursuing a man who beat and threatened
my brother. He has a scar on his face and his name is
Elias!"
(Elias' used his wit in fooling the Guardia Civil to
chase Lucas instead.)
o "And forthwith they dashed in the direction of
church where minutes before Lucas had
disappeared.”
(Lucas is aware that Padre Salvi was the one
responsible for the uprising.)