"Do you think that my _bulik_ is a match for it?"

"I should say so! I'll bet my house and my camisa on it!"

At that moment Capitan Tiago arrives, dressed like the heavy gamblers,
in a camisa of Canton linen, woolen pantaloons, and a wide straw
hat. Behind him come two servants carrying the _lasak_ and a white
cock of enormous size.

"Sinang tells me that Maria is improving all the time," says Capitan
Basilio.

"She has no more fever but is still very weak."

"Did you lose last night?"

"A little. I hear that you won. I'm going to see if I can't get
even here."

"Do you want to fight the _lasak?_" asks Capitan Basilio, looking at
the cock and taking it from the servant. "That depends--if there's
a bet."

"How much will you put up?"

"I won't gamble for less than two."

"Have you seen my _bulik?_" inquires Capitan Basilio, calling to a
man who is carrying a small game-cock.

Capitan Tiago examines it and after feeling its weight and studying
its scales returns it with the question, "How much will you put up?"

"Whatever you will."

"Two, and five hundred?"

"Three?"

"Three!"

"For the next fight after this!"

The chorus of curious bystanders and the gamblers spread the news
that two celebrated cocks will fight, each of which has a history
and a well-earned reputation. All wish to see and examine the two
celebrities, opinions are offered, prophecies are made.

Meanwhile, the murmur of the voices grows, the confusion increases,
the _Rueda_ is broken into, the seats are filled. The skilled
attendants carry the two cocks into the arena, a white and a red,
already armed but with the gaffs still sheathed. Cries are heard,
"On the white!" "On the white!" while some other voice answers,
"On the red!" The odds are on the white, he is the favorite; the red
is the "outsider," the _dejado_.

Members of the Civil Guard move about in the crowd. They are not
dressed in the uniform of that meritorious corps, but neither are
they in civilian costume. Trousers of _guingon_ with a red stripe,
a camisa stained blue from the faded blouse, and a service-cap, make
up their costume, in keeping with their deportment; they make bets
and keep watch, they raise disturbances and talk of keeping the peace.

While the spectators are yelling, waving their hands, flourishing and
clinking pieces of silver; while they search in their pockets for the
last coin, or, in the lack of such, try to pledge their word, promising
to s