The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
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CHAPTER XLVI 215<br />
<strong>The</strong>n the referee, in accordance with the rule prescribed <strong>by</strong> the government, declares the red the winner. A<br />
savage yell greets the decision, a yell that is heard over the whole town, even and prolonged. He who hears<br />
this from afar then knows that the winner is the one against which the odds were placed, or the joy would not<br />
be so lasting. <strong>The</strong> same happens with the nations: when a small one gains a victory over a large one, it is sung<br />
and recounted from age to age.<br />
"You see now!" said Bruno dejectedly to his brother, "if you had listened to me we should now have a<br />
hundred pesos. You're the cause of our being penniless."<br />
Tarsilo did not answer, but gazed about him as if looking for some one.<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re he is, talking to Pedro," added Bruno. "He's giving him money, lots of money!"<br />
True it was that Lucas was counting silver coins into the hand of Sisa's husband. <strong>The</strong> two then exchanged<br />
some words in secret and separated, apparently satisfied.<br />
"Pedro must have agreed. That's what it is to be decided," sighed Bruno.<br />
Tarsilo remained gloomy and thoughtful, wiping away with the cuff of his camisa the perspiration that ran<br />
down his forehead.<br />
"Brother," said Bruno, "I'm going to accept, if you don't decide. <strong>The</strong> law [129] continues, the lásak must win<br />
and we ought not to lose any chance. I want to bet on the next fight. What's the difference? We'll revenge our<br />
father."<br />
"Wait!" said Tarsilo, as he gazed at him fixedly, eye to eye, while both turned pale. "I'll go with you, you're<br />
right. We'll revenge our father." Still, he hesitated, and again wiped away the perspiration.<br />
"What's stopping you?" asked Bruno impatiently.<br />
"Do you know what fight comes next? Is it worth while?"<br />
"If you think that way, no! Haven't you heard? <strong>The</strong> bulik of Capitan Basilio's against Capitan Tiago's lásak.<br />
According to the law the lásak must win."<br />
"Ah, the lásak! I'd bet on it, too. But let's be sure first."<br />
Bruno made a sign of impatience, but followed his brother, who examined the cock, studied it, meditated and<br />
reflected, asked some questions. <strong>The</strong> poor fellow was in doubt. Bruno gazed at him with nervous anger.<br />
"But don't you see that wide scale he has <strong>by</strong> the side of his spur? Don't you see those feet? What more do you<br />
want? Look at those legs, spread out his wings! And this split scale above this wide one, and this double one?"<br />
Tarsilo did not hear him, but went on examining the cock. <strong>The</strong> clinking of gold and silver came to his ears.<br />
"Now let's look at the bulik," he said in a thick voice.<br />
Bruno stamped on the ground and gnashed his teeth, but obeyed. <strong>The</strong>y approached another group where a<br />
cock was being prepared for the ring. A gaff was selected, red silk thread for tying it on was waxed and<br />
rubbed thoroughly. Tarsilo took in the creature with a gloomily impressive gaze, as if he were not looking at<br />
the bird so much as at something in the future. He rubbed his hand across his forehead and said to his brother<br />
in a stifled voice, "Are you ready?"