The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

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