The group of rebels with Amity in tow made their way towards their camp. She had her hands tied as they trekked through the rainforest of el yunque. Amity had no clue what they meant by seeing her family's crimes. She looked at Luz leading them through the rain forest. She had a clear knowledge of the land. Amity was looking at surroundings when she caught the attention of Gus. "What are you up to? Are you looking for a way out of this? Bec there isn't? You made the bed now lie in it." He remarked.
Amity had heard this for the last hour. "What the hell do you mean by that neither I or my family have done anything wrong." She said, "This caught the attention of Luz.''Oh really. Gus lift your shirt." Luz said as Gus lifted his shirt to show scars from whips.``You see that Blight. Each lash he got working on one of your family's plantations. Working himself to the bone so you could have a silver spoon to eat from." Luz was shocked to see the scars across his body. "But my family has always treated those who
work for them fairly." Amity said as she couldn't believe what she had seen. "Oh believe it girl, your family has blood on its hands." Luz said as they approached their camp. It was a small clearing Where several tents had been set up to sleep in. a Storage area for the supplies they looted and nearby was a natural waterfall that was beautiful. Amity was stunned at the natural beauty of all the scenery before her eyes as a parrot flew in the trees above. As she went to sit down Luz cut her hands free and pointed at the
storage area. "Don't think you are free to relax. Help them move the supplies ." Luz said. Amity had little choice as she helped to stow away the supplies. "Hunter, you are in charge while I Take vee to the doctor." Luz said As the Man nodded in approval as Luz and Vee began the trek to the town of Nagubado….
Later In Nagubado….
Luz and Vee approached the doctor's office and knocked on his door. "Luz and Vee it's good to see you know get in quickly." The doctor said."Doctor Sanchez, what's the matter?" Luz said as he shut his curtains. "Spanish troops girls, they are in town to collect taxes. The last thing we need is for them to find out we're helping you." The Doctor
said. Luz was surprised. "But I thought they come at the end of the week, not the start." Vee said as the Doctor went to work on her arm. "Now they come twice a week. They squeeze the people dry here. They say they now need supplies for the war. They rarely if ever pay for can barely scrape by as it is." The doctor said as he had cleaned the
wound and began to sew it shut. "Alright you are good to go just take it easy for a bit." Doctor Sanchez said. Luz went into her pocket and pulled out what money she had saying"It's not much but you need it more." Doctor Sanchez smiled and thanked them as they headed back to their camp….
Later at The camp….
After Luz and Vee returned the group reveled in their victory over the spanish. They had a fire going and sang and drank with a meal of pork and arroz con gandules. Amity kept her distance but was thankful for the meal. "What part of the pig are these?" She asked. "Trust me when I say you don't wanna know. We peasants can't afford a fine
pork shoulder like you rich folk can so we fry what's left and eat it." Luz said as she went for another plate. Amity ignored that as she ate her plate. She was curious how worried her family must be right now….
La Fortezla…..
Alador and Odalia were in the governor's office furious at the kidnapping of Amity. "How the hell did your son allow this to happen?" Odalia said, slamming the table. "Mrs. Blight this is a war. My son was ambushed. He was doing his best given the situation." Philip said. "Well if you and your son don't fix this situation you can kiss our agreement
goodbye." Odalia said. "Dear, let's not be so hasty." Alador said, trying his best to calm the situation. "I am certain Phllip and his son Hector will get our daughter back in no time." He said. The two quickly left and Phillip sent word for his son. "Hector, I have a task for you." Phillip said as he poured himself a bottle of rum. "You will do whatever is
necessary to track down those rebels and bring the Blight girl back." Phillip said, having a sip of his rum. "Yes father but they won't be easy to find if they are in el yunque." Hector said. "I don't care if it is easy or it is hard, this must be done. The future of our family depends on it. Is that understood?" Phillip said. "Yes father, don't worry. I am Searching the garrison for the best men to hunt them down as we speak." Hector said.
"Good. The sooner we crush this troublesome rebel cell the closer we get to driving them off this Island." Phillip said as he sent his son off for the night….
Back At the camp…
The group had put the fire out for the night and was getting ready to get some sleep. They hadn't grabbed Amity's clothes so luz spared her what she had. Amity didn't trust any of them but she was grateful for the clothes. She was instructed to sleep in Luz's tent as the others had no space for her. "Now don't even think of running. Its miles of
rain forest in each direction and you'll die before anybody finds you." Luz said. "Now get some sleep because I'm gonna show you the sins of Spain tomorrow." Luz said as she went to sleep. Amity did her best to sleep but sleeping on the hard floor of the rainforest was not something she was built for. As she struggled to get some sleep she saw a
paper rolled up in Luz's pants pocket. Pulling it out she decided to read it as she needed something to take her mind off sleeping on the hard floor. What she found was the Ten Commandments of Freedmen. She had heard of the manifesto By the famed Doctor Betances but had never read it as it was considered subversive material. Looking at the paper she read to herself
"Puerto Ricans
The government of Mme. Isabella II throws upon us a terrible accusation.
It states that we are bad Spaniards. The government defames us.
We don't want separation, we want peace, the union to Spain; however, it is fair that we also add conditions to the contract. They are rather easy, here they are:
The abolition of slavery
The right to vote on all impositions
Freedom of religion
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of trade
The right to assembly
Right to bear arms
Inviolability of the citizen
The right to choose our own authorities
These are the Ten Commandments of Free Men.
If Spain feels capable of granting us, and gives us, those rights and liberties, they may then send us a General Captain, a governor... made of straw, that we will burn in effigy come Carnival time, as to remember all the Judases that they have sold us until now.
That way we will be Spanish, and not otherwise.
If not, Puerto Ricans - HAVE PATIENCE!, for I swear that you will be free."
Amity was amazed. These were the types of ideals that she had read about in Europe studying books on the French revolution. Were these peasants she had looked down upon more sophisticated than she was told. Was their purpose behind their grievances? Amity decided she would open her mind to what Luz was to show her the next day.