"If it has come to that it is time that I retire," said the Colonel; "with secret societies I will have nothing to do. But remember, prepare you everything and when the day comes leave the work to us, we want no civilians interfering with the troops." So saying the Colonel poured himself out a goblet of water and left the room. "He says right," said Marcelino, as he went out; "it is for us to prepare the work, for others to do it." "We must not only prepare, but much we must do also," said Belgrano. "Without doubt," said Evaña. "The people are accustomed to look to one central power, we will destroy the Spanish power, but we must put another in its place, a central power ruling by the will of the people. This power we must guide ourselves, but we must also hold ourselves ready to act at times as its instruments." "If we are not careful we shall but substitute one despotism for another," said Marcelino. "Without danger nothing is done," replied Evaña. "To discuss fully all these points, and to provide as far as we can against all these dangers, it is necessary that we form a secret committee. A secret committee is irresponsible, and its members are pledged to nothing, we will have but one tie between us, that of nationality, we must all be Argentines. Each man will give account to the others of all that he does for the common cause, will consult with them as to what he may purpose to do, and will know where to look for aid in any event that may befall in which the co-operation of others is requisite. "Who do you propose to invite to join us?" asked Belgrano. "If you will both join me the committee is formed at once, then we may consult together as to whom we shall invite." "I refuse no longer, I see that it is necessary," said Marcelino. "I will join you also," said Belgrano. "The first I propose to invite," said Evaña, "are Nicolas Rodriguez Peña, Francisco Passo, and Berruti." "And Dr Vieytes," said Belgrano; "his house will be a good point of reunion for us." "And I propose Juan Jose Passo, Donado, and Miguel Yrigoyen," said Marcelino. "I think all those will join us," said Evaña. "All of them think as we do," said Marcelino; "all demand the liberation of our country from foreign domination; but even among so few there are many opinions as to the means of doing it. What plan of action do you propose in which we may all combine?" "I propose nothing, the time has not yet come," replied Evaña. "One idea unites us, America for the Americans, let that suffice us for the present." "America for the Americans," said Belgrano; "let that be our watchword." Then the three stood up joining hands across the table, repeating together that watchword which expressed more fully than any other words could do, the crude plans and ill-defined aspirations of the new generation: "America for the Americans." BOOK V THE DAWN OF FREEDOM PART II THE MISTS OF THE EARLY MORN PROLOGUE