Introduction: Mariano and Leonor -- Part I. Before the fall (1853/1870). An unlikely prodigy ; The teacher appears ; Trial by fire -- Part II. Exile (1871/1880). Spain ; A young man's travels ; Discovering America (1): Mexico ; Discovering America (2): Guatemala ; Homecoming, interrupted -- Part III. The great work (1881/1895). New York (1): a false start ; New York (2): no country, no master ; New York (3): the great work begins ; New York (4): the final push ; Farewells and rowboats ; "My life for my country" -- Epilogue: a hero's afterlife