ng to bring?"

"I do not know, Senor. This morning two arrived, one of them the lasak
(black sprinkled with white) which whipped the Consul's talisain
(red, sprinkled with black)."

"Do you think that my bulik (black, red and white), can beat him?"

"Yes, I surely do. I'll stake my house and shirt on him!"

At that moment Captain Tiago arrived. He was dressed, like the big
gamblers, in a camisa of Canton linen, woolen pantaloons, and a
panama-straw hat. Behind him came two servants, carrying the lasak
and a white cock of colossal proportions.

"Sinang tells me that Maria Clara is improving steadily," said
Captain Basilio.

"She no longer has any fever, but she is still weak."

"Did you lose last night?"

"A little. I heard that you won.... I am going to see if I can win
back my money."

"Do you want to fight your lasak?" asked Captain Basilio, looking at
the rooster.

"That depends on whether there is any money up."

"How much will you stake?"

"I don't play less than two thousand."

"Have you seen my bulik?" asked Captain Basilio, and then called a
man to bring a small rooster.

Captain Tiago examined it, and after weighing it in his hand, and
examining its scales, he handed it back.

"What do you put up?" he asked.

"Whatever you say."

"Two thousand five hundred?"

"Make it three?"

"Three."

"Let her go!"

The circle of curious people and gamblers learn that the two celebrated
cocks are to be fought. Both the roosters have made a history for
themselves; both have a reputation. All want to see and examine the
two celebrities. Opinions are expressed, and prophecies made.

In the meantime the voices grow louder, the confusion is augmented, the
rueda fills up and a rush is made for the seats. The soltadores bring
two cocks to the ring for a preliminary contest. One of the roosters
is blanco (white), the other rojo (red). They are already spurred, but
the gaffs are not yet unsheathed. Cries of "Al blanco! al blanco!" are
heard. Some one else shouts, "Al rojo!" The blanco is the favorite.

Civil Guards circulate among the crowd. They are not wearing
the uniform of their body, nor do they wear the costume of the
native. Pantaloons of guingon with a red fringe, a blue-spotted blouse
shirt, and the cuartel cap--you have here their disguise, in harmony
with their deportment; watching and betting, making disturbance and
talking of maintaining the peace.

While the shouting is going on and men