The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XXIII 113
"It must be full," whispered Albino, "for it has been over five days now since it was visited."
The fisherman drew in his net, but not even a single little fish adorned it. The water as it fell back in glittering
drops reflecting the sunlight seemed to mock his efforts with a silvery smile. An exclamation of surprise,
displeasure, and disappointment escaped from the lips of all. Again the youth repeated the operation, but with
no better result.
"You don't understand your business," said Albino, climbing up into the pen of the corral and taking the net
from the youth's hands. "Now you'll see! Andeng, get the pot ready!"
But apparently Albino did not understand the business either, for the net again came up empty. All broke out
into laughter at him.
"Don't make so much noise that the fish can hear and so not let themselves be caught. This net must be torn."
But on examination all the meshes of the net appeared to be intact.
"Give it to me," said Leon, Iday's sweetheart. He assured himself that the fence was in good condition,
examined the net and being satisfied with it, asked, "Are you sure that it hasn't been visited for five days?"
"Very sure! The last time was on the eve of All Saints."
"Well then, either the lake is enchanted or I'll draw up something."
Leon then dropped the pole into the water and instantly astonishment was pictured on his countenance.
Silently he looked off toward the mountain and moved the pole about in the water, then without raising it
murmured in a low voice:
"A cayman!"
"A cayman!" repeated everyone, as the word ran from mouth to mouth in the midst of fright and general
surprise.
"What did you say?" they asked him.
"I say that we're caught a cayman," Leon assured them, and as he dropped the heavy end of the pole into the
water, he continued: "Don't you hear that sound? That's not sand, but a tough hide, the back of a cayman.
Don't you see how the posts shake? He's pushing against them even though he is all rolled up. Wait, he's a big
one, his body is almost a foot or more across."
"What shall we do?" was the question.
"Catch him!" prompted some one.
"Heavens! And who'll catch him?"
No one offered to go down into the trap, for the water was deep.
"We ought to tie him to our banka and drag him along in triumph," suggested Sinang. "The idea of his eating
the fish that we were going to eat!"
"I have never yet seen a live cayman," murmured Maria Clara.