The Battle of the Crabs

_Visayan_

One day the land crabs had a meeting and one of them said:

"What shall we do with the waves? They sing so loudly all the time

that we cannot possibly sleep."

"Well," answered one of the oldest of the crabs, "I think we should

make war on them."

The others agreed to this, and it was decided that the next day all

the male crabs should get ready to fight the waves. They started for

the sea, as agreed, when they met a shrimp.

"Where are you going, my friends?" asked the shrimp.

"We are going to fight the waves," answered the crabs, "for they make

so much noise at night that we cannot sleep."

"I do not think you will succeed," said the shrimp, "for the waves

are very strong and your legs are so weak that even your bodies bend

almost to the ground when you walk." Wherewith he laughed loudly.

This made the crabs very angry, and they pinched the shrimp until he

promised to help them win the battle.

Then they all went to the shore. But the crabs noticed that the eyes

of the shrimp were set unlike their own, so they thought his must be

wrong and they laughed at him and said:

"Friend shrimp, your face is turned the wrong way. What weapon have

you to fight with the waves?"

"My weapon is a spear on my head," replied the shrimp, and just then

he saw a big wave coming and ran away. The crabs did not see it,

however, for they were all looking toward the shore, and they were

covered with water and drowned.

By and by the wives of the crabs became worried because their husbands

did not return, and they went down to the shore to see if they could

help in the battle. No sooner had they reached the water, however,

than the waves rushed over them and killed them.

Some time after this thousands of little crabs appeared near the shore,

and the shrimp often visited them and told them of the sad fate of

their parents. Even today these little crabs can be seen on the shore,

continually running back and forth. They seem to rush down to fight

the waves, and then, as their courage fails, they run back to the

land where their forefathers lived. They neither live on dry land,

as their ancestors did, nor in the sea where the other crabs are,

but on the beach where the waves wash over them at high tide and try

to dash them to pieces.

The First Monkey

_Visayan_

Many years ago at the foot of a forest-covered hill was a small town,

and just above the town on the hillside was a little house in which

lived an old woman and her grandson.

The old woman, who was very industrious, earned their living by

removing the seeds from cotton, and she always had near at hand

a basket in which were cotton and a long stick that she used for

a spindle. The boy was lazy and would not do anything to help his

grandmother, but every day went down to the town and gambled.

One day, when he had been losing money, the boy went home and was

cross because his supper was not ready.

"I am hurrying to get the seeds out of this cotton," said the

grandmother, "and as soon as I sell it, I will buy us some food."

At this the boy fell into a rage, and he picked up some cocoanut

shells and threw them at his grandmother. Then she became angry and

began to whip him with her spindle, when suddenly he was changed into

an ugly animal, and the cotton became hair which covered his body,

while the stick itself became his tail.

As soon as the boy found that he had become an ugly creature he ran

down into the town and began whipping his companions, the gamblers,

with his tail, and immediately they were turned into animals like

himself.

Then the people would no longer have them in the town, but drove

them out. They went to the forest where they lived in the trees,

and ever since they have been known as monkeys.

The Monkey and the Turtle

_Ilocano_

A monkey, looking very sad and dejected, was walking along the bank

of the river one day when he met a turtle.

"How are you?" asked the turtle, noticing that he looked sad.

The monkey replied, "Oh, my friend, I am very hungry. The squash of

Mr. Farmer were all taken by the other monkeys, and now I am about

to die from want of food."

"Do not be discouraged," said the turtle; "take a bolo and follow me

and we will steal some banana plants."

So they walked along together until they found some nice plants which

they dug up, and then they looked for a place to set them. Finally

the monkey climbed a tree and planted his in it, but as the turtle

could not climb he dug a hole in the ground and set his there.

When their work was finished they went away, planning what they should

do with their crop. The monkey said:

"When my tree bears fruit, I shall sell it and have a great deal

of money."

And the turtle said: "When my tree bears fruit, I shall sell it and

buy three varas of cloth to wear in place of this cracked shell."

A few weeks later they went back to the place to see their plants and

found that that of the monkey was dead, for its roots had had no soil

in the tree, but that of the turtle was tall and bearing fruit.

"I will climb to the top so that we can get the fruit," said the

monkey. And he sprang up the tree, leaving the poor turtle on the

ground alone.

"Please give me some to eat," called the turtle, but the monkey threw

him only a green one and ate all the ripe ones himself.

When he had eaten all the good bananas, the monkey stretched his arms

around the tree and went to sleep. The turtle, seeing this, was very

angry and considered how he might punish the thief. Having decided

on a scheme, he gathered some sharp bamboo which he stuck all around

under the tree, and then he exclaimed:

"Crocodile is coming! Crocodile is coming!"

The monkey was so startled at the cry that he fell upon the sharp

bamboo and was killed.

Then the turtle cut the dead monkey into pieces, put salt on it, and

dried it in the sun. The next day, he went to the mountains and sold

his meat to other monkeys who gladly gave him squash in return. As

he was leaving them he called back:

"Lazy fellows, you are now eating your own body; you are now eating

your own body."

Then the monkeys ran and caught him and carried him to their own home.

"Let us take a hatchet," said one old monkey, "and cut him into very

small pieces."

But the turtle laughed and said: "That is just what I like, I have

been struck with a hatchet many times. Do you not see the black scars

on my shell?"

Then one of the other monkeys said: "Let us throw him into the water,"

At this the turtle cried and begged them to spare his life, but they

paid no heed to his pleadings and threw him into the water. He sank

to the bottom, but very soon came up with a lobster. The monkeys

were greatly surprised at this and begged him to tell them how to

catch lobsters.

"I tied one end of a string around my waist," said the turtle. "To

the other end of the string I tied a stone so that I would sink."

The monkeys immediately tied strings around themselves as the turtle

said, and when all was ready they plunged into the water never to

come up again.

And to this day monkeys do not like to eat meat, because they remember

the ancient story.

The Story of Bantugan

_Moro_

Before the Spaniards occupied the island of Mindanao,  there lived

in the valley of the Rio Grande a very strong man, Bantugan, whose

father was the brother of the earthquake and thunder. [146]

Now the Sultan of the Island [147] had a beautiful daughter whom

Bantugan wished to marry, but the home of the Sultan was far off,

and whoever went to carry Bantugan's proposal would have a long and

hazardous journey. All the head men consulted together regarding who

should be sent, and at last it was decided that Bantugan's own son,

Balatama, was the one to go. Balatama was young but he was strong and

brave, and when the arms of his father were given him to wear on the

long journey his heart swelled with pride. More than once on the way,

however, his courage was tried, and only the thought of his brave

father gave him strength to proceed.

Once he came to a wooden fence which surrounded a stone in the form of

a man, and as it was directly in his path he drew his fighting knife

to cut down the fence. Immediately the air became as black as night

and stones rained down as large as houses. This made Balatama cry, but

he protected himself with his father's shield and prayed, calling on

the winds from the homeland until they came and cleared the air again.

Thereupon Balatama encountered a great snake [148] in the road,

and it inquired his errand. When told, the snake said:

"You cannot go on, for I am guard of this road and no one can pass."

The animal made a move to seize him, but with one stroke of his

fighting knife the boy cut the snake into two pieces, one of which

he threw into the sea and the other into the mountains.

After many days the weary lad came to a high rock in the road,

which glistened in the sunlight. From the top he could look down

into the city for which he was bound. It was a splendid place with

ten harbors. Standing out from the other houses was one of crystal

and another of pure gold. Encouraged by this sight he went on, but

though it seemed but a short distance, it was some time before he at

last stood at the gate of the town.

It was not long after this, however, before Balatama had made known his

errand to the Sultan, and that monarch, turning to his courtiers, said:

"You, my friends, decide whether or not I shall give the hand of my

daughter to Bantugan in marriage."

The courtiers slowly shook their heads and began to offer objections.

Said one, "I do not see how Bantugan can marry the Sultan's daughter

because the first gift must be a figure of a man or woman in pure

gold."

"Well," said the son of Bantugan, "I am here to learn what you want

and to say whether or not it can be given."

Then a second man spoke: "You must give a great yard with a floor of

gold, which must be three feet thick."

"All this can be given," answered the boy.

And the sister of the Princess said: "The gifts must be as many as

the blades of grass in our city."

"It shall be granted," said Balatama.

"You must give a bridge built of stone to cross the great river,"

said one.

And another: "A ship of stone you must give, and you must change into

gold all the cocoanuts and leaves in the Sultan's grove."

"All this can be done," said Balatama. "My uncles will give all save

the statue of gold, and that I shall give myself. But first I must

go to my father's town to secure it."

At this they were angry and declared that he had made sport of them

and unless he produced the statue at once they would kill him.

"If I give you the statue now," said he, "there will come dreadful

storms, rain, and darkness."

But they only laughed at him and insisted on having the statue,

so he reached in his helmet and drew it forth.

Immediately the earth began to quake. A great storm arose, and stones

as large as houses rained until the Sultan called to Balatama to put

back the statue lest they all be killed.

"You would not believe what I told you," said the boy; "and now I am

going to let the storm continue."

But the Sultan begged him and promised that Bantugan might marry his

daughter with no other gifts at all save the statue of gold. Balatama

put back the statue into his helmet, and the air became calm again

to the great relief of the Sultan and his courtiers. Then Balatama

prepared to return home, promising that Bantugan would come in three

months for the wedding.

All went well with the boy on the way home until he came to the fence

surrounding the stone in the form of a man, and there he was detained

and compelled to remain four months.

Now about this time a Spanish general heard that Bantugan was preparing

to marry the Sultan's daughter, whom he determined to wed himself. A

great expedition was prepared, and he with all his brothers embarked on

his large warship which was followed by ten thousand other ships. They

went to the Sultan's city, and their number was so great that they

filled the harbor, frightening the people greatly.

Then the General's brother disembarked and came to the house of the

Sultan. He demanded the Princess for the General, saying that if the

request were refused, the fleet would destroy the city and all its

people. The Sultan and his courtiers were so frightened that they

decided to give his daughter to the General, the next full moon being

the date set for the wedding.

In the meantime Bantugan had been preparing everything for the

marriage which he expected to take place at the appointed time. But

as the days went by and Balatama did not return, they became alarmed,

fearing he was dead. After three months had passed, Bantugan prepared

a great expedition to go in search of his son, and the great warship

was decorated with flags of gold.

As they came in sight of the Sultan's city, they saw the Spanish

fleet in the harbor, and one of his brothers advised Bantugan not

to enter until the Spaniards left They then brought their ship to

anchor. But all were disappointed that they could not go farther, and

one said, "Why do we not go on? Even if the blades of grass turn into

Spaniards we need not fear." Another said: "Why do we fear? Even if

the cannon-balls come like rain, we can always fight." Finally some

wanted to return to their homes and Bantugan said: "No, let us seek

my son. Even though we must enter the harbor where the Spaniards are,

let us continue our search." So at his command the anchors were lifted,

and they sailed into the harbor where the Spanish fleet lay.

Now at this very time the Spanish general and his brother were with

the Sultan, intending to call upon the Princess. As the brother talked

with one of the sisters of the Princess they moved toward the window,

and looking down they saw Bantugan's ships entering the harbor. They

could not tell whose flags the ships bore. Neither could the Sultan

when he was called. Then he sent his brother to bring his father who

was a very old man, to see if he could tell. The father was kept in

a little dark room by himself that he might not get hurt, and the

Sultan said to his brother:

"If he is so bent with age that he cannot see, talk, or walk, tickle

him in the ribs and that will make him young again; and, my Brother,

carry him here yourself lest one of the slaves should let him fall

and he should hurt himself."

So the old man was brought, and when he looked out upon the ships

he saw that the flags were those of the father of Bantugan who had

been a great friend of his in his youth. And he told them that he and

Bantugan's father years ago had made a contract that their children

and children's children should intermarry, and now since the Sultan

had promised his daughter to two people, he foresaw that great trouble

would come to the land. Then the Sultan said to the General:

"Here are two claimants to my daughter's hand. Go aboard your ships

and you and Bantugan make war on each other, and the victor shall

have my daughter."

So the Spaniards opened fire upon Bantugan, and for three days the

earth was so covered with smoke from the battle that neither could

see his enemy. Then the Spanish general said:

"I cannot see Bantugan or the fleet anywhere, so let us go and claim

the Princess."

But the Sultan said: "We must wait until the smoke rises to make sure

that Bantugan is gone."

When the smoke rose, the ships of Bantugan were apparently unharmed

and the Sultan said:

"Bantugan has surely won, for his fleet is uninjured while yours is

badly damaged. You have lost."

"No," said the General, "we will fight it out on dry land."

So they both landed their troops and their cannon, and a great fight

took place, and soon the ground was covered with dead bodies. And the

Sultan commanded them to stop, as the women and children in the city

were being killed by the cannon-balls, but the General said:

"If you give your daughter to Bantugan we shall fight forever or

until we die."

Then the Sultan sent for Bantugan and said:

"We must deceive the Spaniard in order to get him to go away. Let us

tell him that neither of you will marry my daughter, and then after

he has gone, we shall have the wedding."

Bantugan agreed to this, and word was sent to the Spaniards that the

fighting must cease since many women and children were being killed. So

it was agreed between the Spaniard and Bantugan that neither of them

should marry the Princess. Then they both sailed away to their homes.

Bantugan soon returned, however, and married the Princess, and

on the way back to his home they found his son and took him with

them. For about a week the Spanish general sailed toward his home

and then he, too, turned about to go back, planning to take the

Princess by force. When he found that she had already been carried

away by Bantugan, his wrath knew no bounds. He destroyed the Sultan,

his city, and all its people. And then he sailed away to prepare a

great expedition with which he should utterly destroy Bantugan and

his country as well.

One morning Bantugan looked out and saw at the mouth of the Rio Grande

the enormous fleet of the Spaniards whose numbers were so great that

in no direction could the horizon be seen. His heart sank within him,

for he knew that he and his country were doomed.

Though he could not hope to win in a fight against such great numbers,

he called his headmen together and said:

"My Brothers, the Christian dogs have come to destroy the land. We

cannot successfully oppose them, but in the defense of the fatherland

we can die."

So the great warship was again prepared, and all the soldiers of

Islam embarked, and then with Bantugan standing at the bow they sailed

forth to meet their fate.

The fighting was fast and furious, but soon the great warship of

Bantugan filled with water until at last it sank, drawing with it

hundreds of the Spanish ships. And then a strange thing happened. At

the very spot where Bantugan's warship sank, there arose from the sea a

great island which you can see today not far from the mouth of the Rio

Grande. It is covered with bongo palms, and deep within its mountains

live Bantugan and his warriors. A Moro sailboat passing this island

is always scanned by Bantugan's watchers, and if it contains women

such as he admires, they are snatched from their seats and carried

deep into the heart of the mountain. For this reason Moro women fear

even to sail near the island of Bongos.

When the wife of Bantugan saw that her husband was no more and that

his warship had been destroyed, she gathered together the remaining

warriors and set forth herself to avenge him. In a few hours her

ship was also sunk, and in the place where it sank there arose the

mountain of Timaco.

On this thickly wooded island are found white monkeys, the servants

of the Princess, who still lives in the center of the mountain. On

a quiet day high up on the mountain side one can hear the chanting

and singing of the waiting-girls of the wife of Bantugan.

Dogedog

_Tinguian_

Dogedog had always been very lazy, and now that his father and mother

were dead and he had no one to care for him, he lived very poorly. He

had little to eat. His house was old and small and so poor that it

had not even a floor. Still he would rather sit all day and idle away

his time than to work and have more things.

One day, however, when the rainy season was near at hand, Dogedog

began thinking how cold he would be when the storms came, and he felt

so sorry for himself that he decided to make a floor in his house.

Wrapping some rice in a banana leaf for his dinner, he took his long

knife and went to the forest to cut some bamboo. He hung the bundle

of rice in a tree until he should need it; but while he was working

a cat came and ate it. When the hungry man came for his dinner, there

was none left. Dogedog went back to his miserable little house which

looked forlorn to him even, now that he had decided to have a floor.

The next day he went again to the forest and hung his rice in the

tree as he did before, but again the cat came and ate it. So the man

had to go home without any dinner.

The third day he took the rice, but this time he fixed a trap in the

tree, and when the cat came it was caught.

"Now I have you!" cried the man when he found the cat; "and I shall

kill you for stealing my rice."

"Oh, do not kill me," pleaded the cat, "and I will be of some use

to you."

So Dogedog decided to spare the cat's life, and he took it home and

tied it near the door to guard the house.

Some time later when he went to look at it, he was very much surprised

to find that it had become a cock.

"Now I can go to the cock-fight at Magsingal," cried the man. And he

was very happy, for he had much rather do that than work.

Thinking no more of getting wood for his floor, he started out at

once for Magsingal with the cock under his arm. As he was crossing

a river he met an alligator which called out to him:

"Where are you going, Dogedog?"

"To the cock-fight at Magsingal," replied the man as he fondly stroked

the rooster.

"Wait, and I will go with you," said the alligator; and he drew

himself out of the water.

The two walking along together soon entered a forest where they met

a deer and it asked:

"Where are you going, Dogedog?"

"To the cock-fight at Magsingal," said the man.

"Wait and I will go with you," said the deer; and he also joined them.

By and by they met a mound of earth that had been raised by the ants,

and they would have passed without noticing it had it not inquired:

"Where are you going, Dogedog?"

"To the cock-fight at Magsingal," said the man once more; and the

mound of earth joined them.

The company then hurried on, and just as they were leaving the forest,

they passed a big tree in which was a monkey.

"Where are you going, Dogedog?" shrieked the monkey. And without

waiting for an answer he scrambled down the tree and followed them.

As the party walked along they talked together, and the alligator

said to Dogedog:

"If any man wants to dive into the water, I can stay under longer

than he."

Then the deer, not to be outdone, said:

"If any man wants to run, I can run faster."

The mound of earth, anxious to show its strength, said:

"If any man wants to wrestle, I can beat him."

And the monkey said:

"If any man wants to climb, I can go higher."

They reached Magsingal in good time and the people were ready for the

fight to begin. When Dogedog put his rooster, which had been a cat,

into the pit, it killed the other cock at once, for it used its claws

like a cat.

The people brought more roosters and wagered much money, but Dogedog's

cock killed all the others until there was not one left in Magsingal,

and Dogedog won much money. Then they went outside the town and

brought all the cocks they could find, but not one could win over

that of Dogedog.

When the cocks were all dead, the people wanted some other sport,

so they brought a man who could stay under water for a long time,

and Dogedog made him compete with the alligator. But after a while

the man had to come up first Then they brought a swift runner and he

raced with the deer, but the man was left far behind. Next they looked

around until they found a very large man who was willing to contend

with the mound of earth, but after a hard struggle the man was thrown.

Finally they brought a man who could climb higher than anyone else,

but the monkey went far above him, and he had to give up.

All these contests had brought much money to Dogedog, and now he had

to buy two horses to carry his sacks of silver. As soon as he reached

home, he bought the house of a very rich man and went to live in

it. And he was very happy, for he did not have to work any more. 

The Alligator's Fruit

_Tinguian_

Two women went to gather some wild fruit from a vine which belonged

to the alligator.

"You must be careful not to throw the rind with your teeth marks

on it where the alligator can see it," said one of the women to the

other as they sat eating the fruit.

But the other woman paid no attention and threw the rind showing

teeth marks into the river, where the alligator saw it.

Thus he knew at once who had taken his fruit, and he was very angry. He

went to the house of the woman and called to the people:

"Bring out the woman that I may eat her, for she has eaten my fruit"

"Very well," answered the people. "But sit down and wait a little

while."

Then they put the iron soil-turner into the fire, and when it was

red hot, they took it to the door and said to the alligator:

"Here, eat this first."

He opened his mouth, and they pushed the red hot iron down his throat,

and he died.

Aponibolinayen and the Sun

_Tinguian_

One day Aponibolinayen and her sister-in-law went out to gather

greens. They walked to the woods to the place where the siksiklat grew,

for the tender leaves of this vine are very good to eat. Suddenly while

searching about in the underbrush, Aponibolinayen cried out with joy,

for she had found the vine, and she started to pick the leaves. Pull

as hard as she would, however, the leaves did not come loose, and all

at once the vine wound itself around her body and began carrying her

upward. [1]

Far up through the air she went until she reached the sky, and there

the vine set her down under a tree. Aponibolinayen was so surprised

to find herself in the sky that for some time she just sat and looked

around, and then, hearing a rooster crow, she arose to see if she

could find it. Not far from where she had sat was a beautiful spring

surrounded by tall betel-nut trees whose tops were pure gold. Rare

beads were the sands of the spring, and the place where the women set

their jars when they came to dip water was a large golden plate. As

Aponibolinayen stood admiring the beauties of this spring, she beheld

a small house nearby, and she was filled with fear lest the owner

should find her there. She looked about for some means of escape and

finally climbed to the top of a betel-nut tree and hid.

Now the owner of this house was Ini-init, [2] the Sun, but he was

never at home in the daylight, for it was his duty to shine in the

sky and give light to all the world. At the close of the day when

the Big Star took his place in the sky to shine through the night,

Ini-init returned to his house, but early the next morning he was

always off again.

From her place in the top of the betel-nut tree, Aponibolinayen saw

the Sun when he came home at evening time, and again the next morning

she saw him leave. When she was sure that he was out of sight she

climbed down and entered his dwelling, for she was very hungry. She

cooked rice, and into a pot of boiling water she dropped a stick

which immediately became fish, [3] so that she had all she wished to

eat. When she was no longer hungry, she lay down on the bed to sleep.

Now late in the afternoon Ini-init returned from his work and went

to fish in the river near his house, and he caught a big fish. While

he sat on the bank cleaning his catch, he happened to look up toward

his house and was startled to see that it appeared to be on fire. [4]

He hurried home, but when he reached the house he saw that it was

not burning at all, and he entered. On his bed he beheld what looked

like a flame of fire, but upon going closer he found that it was a

beautiful woman fast asleep.

Ini-init stood for some time wondering what he should do, and then

he decided to cook some food and invite this lovely creature to eat

with him. He put rice over the fire to boil and cut into pieces the

fish he had caught. The noise of this awakened Aponibolinayen, and

she slipped out of the house and back to the top of the betel-nut

tree. The Sun did not see her leave, and when the food was prepared

he called her, but the bed was empty and he had to eat alone. That

night Ini-init could not sleep well, for all the time he wondered who

the beautiful woman could be. The next morning, however, he rose as

usual and set forth to shine in the sky, for that was his work.

That day Aponibolinayen stole again to the house of the Sun and cooked

food, and when she returned to the betel-nut tree she left rice and

fish ready for the Sun when he came home. Late in the afternoon

Ini-init went into his home, and when he found pots of hot rice

and fish over the fire he was greatly troubled. After he had eaten

he walked a long time in the fresh air. "Perhaps it is done by the

lovely woman who looks like a flame of fire," he said. "If she comes

again I will try to catch her."

The next day the Sun shone in the sky as before, and when the afternoon

grew late he called to the Big Star to hurry to take his place, for he

was impatient to reach home. As he drew near the house he saw that it

again looked as if it was on fire. He crept quietly up the ladder, and

when he had reached the top he sprang in and shut the door behind him.

Aponibolinayen, who was cooking rice over the fire, was surprised and

angry that she had been caught; but the Sun gave her betel-nut [5]

which was covered with gold, and they chewed together and told each

other their names. Then Aponibolinayen took up the rice and fish,

and as they ate they talked together and became acquainted.

After some time Aponibolinayen and the Sun were married, and every

morning the Sun went to shine in the sky, and upon his return at night

he found his supper ready for him. He began to be troubled, however,

to know where the food came from, for though he brought home a fine

fish every night, Aponibolinayen always refused to cook it.

One night he watched her prepare their meal, and he saw that, instead

of using the nice fish he had brought, she only dropped a stick into

the pot of boiling water.

"Why do you try to cook a stick?" asked Ini-init in surprise.

"So that we can have fish to eat," answered his wife.

"If you cook that stick for a month, it will not be soft," said

Ini-init. "Take this fish that I caught in the net, for it will

be good."

But Aponibolinayen only laughed at him, and when they were ready to

eat she took the cover off the pot and there was plenty of nice soft

fish. The next night and the next, Aponibolinayen cooked the stick,

and Ini-init became greatly troubled for he saw that though the stick

always supplied them with fish, it never grew smaller.

Finally he asked Aponibolinayen again why it was that she cooked the

stick instead of the fish he brought, and she said:

"Do you not know of the woman on earth who has magical power and can

change things?"

"Yes," answered the Sun, "and now I know that you have great power."

"Well, then," said his wife, "do not ask again why I cook the stick."

And they ate their supper of rice and the fish which the stick made.

One night not long after this Aponibolinayen told her husband that

she wanted to go with him the next day when he made light in the sky.

"Oh, no, you cannot," said the Sun, "for it is very hot up there,

[6] and you cannot stand the heat."

"We will take many blankets and pillows," said the woman, "and when

the heat becomes very great, I will hide under them."

Again and again Ini-init begged her not to go, but as often she

insisted on accompanying him, and early in the morning they set out,

carrying with them many blankets and pillows.

First, they went to the East, and as soon as they arrived the Sun began

to shine, and Aponibolinayen was with him. They traveled toward the

West, but when morning had passed into noontime and they had reached

the middle of the sky Aponibolinayen was so hot that she melted and

became oil. Then Ini-init put her into a bottle and wrapped her in

the blankets and pillows and dropped her down to earth.

Now one of the women of Aponibolinayen's town was at the spring dipping

water when she heard something fall near her. Turning to look, she

beheld a bundle of beautiful blankets and pillows which she began to

unroll, and inside she found the most beautiful woman she had ever

seen. Frightened at her discovery, the woman ran as fast as she could

to the town, where she called the people together and told them to

come at once to the spring. They all hastened to the spot and there

they found Aponibolinayen for whom they had been searching everywhere.

"Where have you been?" asked her father; "we have searched all over

the world and we could not find you.'

"I have come from Pindayan," answered Aponibolinayen. "Enemies of

our people kept me there till I made my escape while they were asleep

at night"

All were filled with joy that the lost one had returned, and they

decided that at the next moon [7] they would perform a ceremony for

the spirits [8] and invite all the relatives who were mourning for

Aponibolinayen.

So they began to prepare for the ceremony, and while they were

pounding rice, Aponibolinayen asked her mother to prick her little

finger where it itched, and as she did so a beautiful baby boy popped

out. The people were very much surprised at this, and they noticed

that every time he was bathed the baby grew very fast so that, in

a short time, he was able to walk. Then they were anxious to know

who was the husband of Aponibolinayen, but she would not tell them,

and they decided to invite everyone in the world to the ceremony that

they might not overlook him.

They sent for the betel-nuts that were covered with gold, [9] and

when they had oiled them they commanded them to go to all the towns

and compel the people to come to the ceremony.

"If anyone refuses to come, grow on his knee," said the people,

and the betel-nuts departed to do as they were bidden.

As the guests began to arrive, the people watched carefully for one

who might be the husband of Aponibolinayen, but none appeared and they

were greatly troubled. Finally they went to the old woman, Alokotan,

who was able to talk with the spirits, and begged her to find what town

had not been visited by the betel-nuts which had been sent to invite

the people. After she had consulted the spirits the old woman said:

"You have invited all the people except Ini-init who lives up

above. Now you must send a betel-nut to summon him. It may be that

he is the husband of Aponibolinayen, for the siksiklat vine carried

her up when she went to gather greens."

So a betel-nut was called and bidden to summon Ini-init.

The betel-nut went up to the Sun, who was in his house, and said:

"Good morning, Sun. I have come to summon you to a ceremony which the

father and mother of Aponibolinayen are making for the spirits. If

you do not want to go, I will grow on your head." [10]

"Grow on my head," said the Sun. "I do not wish to go."

So the betel-nut jumped upon his head and grew until it became so

tall that the Sun was not able to carry it, and he was in great pain.

"Oh, grow on my pig," begged the Sun. So the betel-nut jumped upon

the pig's head and grew, but it was so heavy that the pig could not

carry it and squealed all the time. At last the Sun saw that he would

have to obey the summons, and he said to the betel-nut:

"Get off my pig and I will go."

So Ini-init came to the ceremony, and as soon as Aponibolinayen and the

baby saw him, they were very happy and ran to meet him. Then the people

knew that this was the husband of Aponibolinayen, and they waited

eagerly for him to come up to them. As he drew near, however, they saw

that he did not walk, for he was round; and then they perceived that

he was not a man but a large stone. All her relatives were very angry

to find that Aponibolinayen had married a stone; and they compelled

her to take off her beads [11] and her good clothes, for, they said,

she must now dress in old clothes and go again to live with the stone.

So Aponibolinayen put on the rags that they brought her and at once

set out with the stone for his home. No sooner had they arrived there,

however, than he became a handsome man, and they were very happy.

"In one moon," said the Sun, "we will make a ceremony for the spirits,

and I will pay your father and mother the marriage price [12] for you."

This pleased Aponibolinayen very much, and they used magic so that

they had many neighbors who came to pound rice [13] for them and to

build a large spirit house. [14]

Then they sent oiled betel-nuts to summon their relatives to the

ceremony. The father of Aponibolinayen did not want to go, but

the betel-nut threatened to grow on his knee if he did not. So he

commanded all the people in the town to wash their hair and their

clothes, and when all was ready they set out.

When they reached the town they were greatly surprised to find that

the stone had become a man, and they chewed the magic betel-nuts to

see who he might be. It was discovered that he was the son of a couple

in Aponibolinayen's own town, and the people all rejoiced that this

couple had found the son whom they had thought lost. They named him

Aponitolau, and his parents paid the marriage price for his wife--the

spirit house nine times full of valuable jars. [15]

After that all danced and made merry for one moon, and when the people

departed for their homes Ini-init and his wife went with them to live

on the earth.

The Aderna Bird (Ang Ibong Adarna)

There was once a king who greatly desired to obtain an aderna bird,

which is possessed of magical powers, has a wonderful song, and talks

like men. This king had a beautiful daughter, and he promised her to

any one who would bring him an aderna bird. Now the quest for the

aderna bird is very dangerous, because, if the heart is not pure,

the man who touches the bird becomes stone, and the bird escapes.

There were in that country three brothers, Juan, Diego, and Pedro,

and they all agreed to set out together to catch the aderna bird. Afar

in the mountains they saw him, and Diego, being the eldest, had first

chance, and he caught the aderna bird, but being of impure life he

became a stone, and the bird flew away over the mountains.

Juan and Pedro pursued it over the rocky way till at last they saw

it again, and Pedro, being the next eldest, essayed to catch it. He,

too, being a bad man, was turned into stone and the aderna bird flew

over another mountain, and Juan, undaunted, followed alone.

When at last he saw the aderna bird he made a trap with a mirror with

a snare in front and soon caught the bird. He made a cage for it and

started on his homeward journey. When he reached the stone which was

his brother Pedro, he begged the bird to undo its work and make him

a man again, and the bird did so. Then the two went on to where Diego

was, and again Juan entreated the bird to set the other brother free,

and the bird did so.

But Pedro and Diego, far from being grateful for what Juan had done

for them, bound him, choked him, beat him, and left him for dead far

from any road or any habitation, and went on their way to the king

with the aderna bird, expecting for one the hand of the princess and

for the other a rich reward.

But the aderna bird would not sing. Said the king, "O Aderna Bird,

why do you not sing?" The bird replied, "O Mighty King, I sing only

for him who caught me." "Did these men catch you?" "No, O King, Juan

caught me, and these men have beaten him and stolen me from him." So

the king had them punished, and waited for the coming of Juan.

Juan meanwhile had freed himself from his bonds, and wandered sore

and hungry and lame through the forest. At last he met an old man

who said to him, "Juan, why do you not go to the king's house, for

there they want you very much?" "Alas," said Juan, "I am not able

to walk so far from weakness, and I fear I shall die here in the

forest." "Do not fear," said the old man, "I have here a wonderful

hat that, should you but whisper to it where you wish to go, in a

moment you are transported there through the air."

So the old man gave him the hat, and Juan put it on and said, "Hat,

if this be thy nature, carry me across the mountains to the king's

palace." And the hat carried him immediately into the presence of

the king. Then the aderna bird began to sing, and after a time Juan

married the princess, and all went well for the rest of their lives.

The Stories of Juan

Juan Gathers Guavas.

The guavas were ripe, and Juan's father sent him to gather enough

for the family and for the neighbors who came to visit them. Juan

went to the guava bushes and ate all that he could hold. Then he

began to look around for mischief. He soon found a wasp nest and

managed to get it into a tight basket. He gave it to his father

as soon as he reached home, and then closed the door and fastened

it. All the neighbors were inside waiting for the feast of guavas,

and as soon as the basket was opened they began to fight to get out

of the windows. After a while Juan opened the door and when he saw

his parents' swollen faces, he cried out, "What rich fine guavas

those must have been! They have made you both so very fat."

Juan Makes Gulay of his own Child.

After Juan was married about a year a baby was born, and he and

his wife loved it very much. But Juan was always obedient to his

wife, being a fool, and when she told him to make gulay or stew he

inquired of her of what he should make it. She replied of anac, 

meaning anac hang gabi. Then she went away for a while, and when

she returned Juan had the gulay ready. She asked for the baby and

was horrified to learn that Juan had made a stew of his own child,

having taken her words literally.

Juan Wins a Wager for the Governor.

Juan was well known for a brave man, though a fool, and the priest and

the governor wished to try him on a wager. The governor told him that

the priest was dead, and ordered him to watch the body in the church

that night. The priest lay down on the bier before the altar, and

after Juan came the priest arose. Juan pushed him down again and ran

out of the church and secured a club. Returning, he said to the priest,

"You are dead; try to get up again and I will break you to pieces." So

Juan proved himself to be a brave man, and the governor won his wager.

Juan Hides the Salt.

Juan's father came into possession of a sack of salt, which used to

be very precious and an expensive commodity. He wished it hidden in a

secure place and so told Juan to hide it till they should need it. Juan

went out and after hunting for a long time hid it in a carabao wallow,

and of course when they went to fetch it again nothing was left but

the sack.

The Man in the Shroud.

Juan, being a joker, once thought to have a little fun at others'

expense, so he robed himself in a shroud, placed a bier by the

roadside, set candles around it, and lay down so that all who went by

should see him and be frightened. A band of robbers went by that way,

and seeing the corpse, besought it to give them luck. As it happened,

they were more than usually fortunate, and when they returned they

began to make offerings to him to secure continuance of their good

fortune. As the entire proceeds of their adventures were held in

common, they soon began to quarrel over the offerings to be made. The

captain became angry, and drew his sword with a threat to run the

corpse through for causing so much dissension among his men.

This frightened the sham dead man to such a degree that he jumped up

and ran away, and the robbers, who were even more frightened than he,

ran the other way, leaving all their plunder.

Juan then returned and gathered all the money and valuables left

behind by the robbers, and carried them home. Now he had a friend

who was very curious to know how he came into possession of so much

wealth, and so Juan told him, only he said nothing about robbers,

but told his friend, whose name was Pedro, that the things were the

direct reward of God for his piety.

Pedro, being afraid of the woods, decided to lie just inside the church

door; besides, that being a more sacred place, he felt sure that God

would favor him even more than Juan. He arranged his bier with the

candles around him, and lay down to await the shower of money that

should reward his devotions. When the sacristan went to the church

to ring the bell for vespers, he saw the body lying there, and not

knowing of any corpse having been carried in, he was frightened

and ran to tell the padre. The padre, when he had seen the body,

said it was a miracle, and that it must be buried within the church,

for the sanctification of the edifice.

But Pedro, now thoroughly frightened, jumped off the bier and ran away,

and the priest and the sacristan ran the other way, so the poor man

never received the reward for his piety, and the church was deprived

of a new patron saint.

The Eagle and the Hen

One day the eagle declared his love for the hen. He flew down to search

for her, and when he had found her he said: "I wish you to be my mate."

The hen answered: "I am willing, but let me first grow wings like

yours, so I can fly as high as you." The eagle replied: "I will do so,

and as a sign of our betrothal I will give you this ring. Take good

care of it until I come again."

The hen promised to do so, and the eagle flew away.

The next day the cock met the hen. When he saw the ring around her neck

he was very much surprised and said: "Where did you get that ring? I

think you are not true to me. Do you not remember your promise to be

my mate? Throw away that ring." So she did.

At the end of a week the eagle came with beautiful feathers to dress

the hen. When she saw him she became frightened and hid behind the

door. The eagle entered, crying: "How are you, my dear hen? I am

bringing you a beautiful dress," and he showed it to the hen. "But

where is your ring? Why do you not wear it?" The hen could not at

first answer, but after a little she tried to deceive the eagle, and

said: "Oh, pardon me, sir! Yesterday as I was walking in the garden

I met a large snake, and I was so frightened that I ran towards the

house. When I reached it I found that I had lost the ring, and I

looked everywhere for it; but alas! I have not yet found it."

The eagle looked keenly at the hen and said: "I would never have

believed that you would behave so badly. I promise you that, whenever

you have found my ring, I will come down again and take you for my

mate. As a punishment for breaking your promise you shall always

scratch the ground and look for the ring, and all your chickens that

I find I will snatch away from you. That is all. Good-by." Then he

flew away.

And ever since, all the hens all over the world have been scratching

to find the eagle's ring.

Note.--The bird of whom this story is told is the dapay, or brahman

kite. It is larger than most of our hawks and is more like the eagle

in appearance, although not very large.

Juan, the Student

There was once a poor couple who lived happily in a quiet place. They

had one son, named Juan, whom at first they loved very much; but

afterwards, either because their extreme poverty made it difficult

for them to support him, or because of his wickedness and waywardness,

they began to hate him, and made plans to kill him.

In order to carry out this purpose, the father called his son to him

one evening, and said: "My son, to-morrow we will go to the mountain to

get some lumber with which to repair our house. I want you to prepare

our breakfast very early, so that we may set out before the sun rises."

On the next morning they arose very early and ate their breakfast. As

it consisted only of rice and a few small fishes, it was soon finished,

and they set out for the mountain. When they had arrived at a lonely

spot, the man seized his son and fastened him to a large tree. Then

he took his bolo and cut down the tree in such a way as to cause it

to fall on the boy and kill him. Then he returned home, thinking that

he should have no more trouble on account of his son.

Early the next morning, the man heard a noise as of some one

approaching the house. On opening a window he perceived his son,

whom he supposed he had killed on the previous day, coming towards

the house and bearing a heavy load of wood. When the boy had come

near he asked where he should put the wood. At first the father was

too much frightened to reply, but at last he told his son to put the

wood down near the house.

For a long time Juan lived at home, but his parents hated him

continually, and at last decided to give him poison. One day they sent

him on a long trip, giving him seven pieces of poisoned bread for his

food along the way. When he had become weary and hungry from walking,

he sat down under a tree and began to open the handkerchief to get from

it some of the bread to eat. Suddenly a number of crows flew down from

the tree, seized the bread, ate it, and almost immediately died. The

boy at once perceived the intention of his parents and returned

home. As soon as he arrived there, he declared to his father and

mother his intention of leaving them and going elsewhere to live. As

soon as they heard him, they were full of joy, and readily gave him

the desired permission.

He went to a distant town, and decided to study. He made such progress

that his teachers were charmed with his diligence. He was very fond

of debates with his schoolmates, and one day asked them the following

riddle: "Two tried to kill one, one killed seven, two were left, and

one went away." They searched through the books for the answer to the

riddle, but as they were unable to find it, they agreed that Juan was

the cleverest one among them, since they could not answer his riddle.

One day the student met a young lady to whom he gave the riddle. She

asked for a little time in which to study it, and this being granted,

went home, disguised herself as a young man and, returning, asked

Juan to tell the answer to the riddle. "For I know," she said,

"that many students have tried to find the solution of this riddle,

but have not been successful." Juan finally granted her request,

and told her the answer to the riddle, which was the story of his life.

Then the young lady returned home, put on her own clothes, and went

back to the student's house, to give him the answer to his riddle. When

Juan heard her answer, he thought her a very clever young woman,

since she had succeeded where so many young men had failed, so he

fell in love with the young lady and married her.

The Monkey and the Turtle

One day a Monkey met a Turtle on the road, and asked, "Where are

you going?"

"I am going to find something to eat, for I have had no food for

three whole days," said the Turtle.

"I too am hungry," said the Monkey; "and since we are both hungry,

let us go together and hunt food for our stomachs' sake."

They soon became good friends and chatted along the way, so that the

time passed quickly. Before they had gone far, the Monkey saw a large

bunch of yellow bananas on a tree at a distance.

"Oh, what a good sight that is!" cried he. "Don't you see the bananas

hanging on that banana-tree? [pointing with his first finger toward

the tree]. They are fine! I can taste them already."

But the Turtle was short-sighted and could not see them. By and by

they came near the tree, and then he saw them. The two friends were

very glad. The mere sight of the ripe, yellow fruit seemed to assuage

their hunger.

But the Turtle could not climb the tree, so he agreed that the Monkey

should go up alone and should throw some of the fruit down to him. The

Monkey was up in a flash; and, seating himself comfortably, he began

to eat the finest of the fruit, and forgot to drop any down to the

Turtle waiting below. The Turtle called for some, but the Monkey

pretended not to hear. He ate even the peelings, and refused to drop

a bit to his friend, who was patiently begging under the tree.

At last the Turtle became angry, very angry indeed: "so he thought

he would revenge" (as my informant puts it). While the Monkey was

having a good time, and filling his stomach, the Turtle gathered

sharp, broken pieces of glass, and stuck them, one by one, all around

the banana-tree. Then he hid himself under a cocoanut-shell not far

away. This shell had a hole in the top to allow the air to enter. That

was why the Turtle chose it for his hiding-place.

The Monkey could not eat all the bananas, for there were enough to

last a good-sized family several days; "but he ate all what he can,"

and by and by came down the tree with great difficulty, for the glass

was so sharp that it cut even the tough hand of the Monkey. He had a

hard time, and his hands were cut in many places. The Turtle thought

he had his revenge, and was not so angry as before.

But the Monkey was now very angry at the trick that had been played

upon him, and began looking for the Turtle, intending to kill him. For

some time he could not find his foe, and, being very tired, he sat

down on the cocoanut-shell near by. His weariness increased his anger

at the Turtle very much.

He sat on the shell for a long time, suffering from his wounds, and

wondering where to find the Turtle,--his former friend, but now his

enemy. Because of the disturbance of the shell, the Turtle inside could

not help making a noise. This the Monkey heard; and he was surprised,

for he could not determine whence the sound came. At last he lifted

his stool, and there found his foe the Turtle.

"Ha! Here you are!" he cried. "Pray now, for it is the end of your

life."

He picked up the Turtle by the neck and carried him near the riverbank,

where he meant to kill him. He took a mortar and pestle, and built a

big fire, intending to pound him to powder or burn him to death. When

everything was ready, he told the Turtle to choose whether he should

die in the fire or be "grounded" in the mortar. The Turtle begged for

his life; but when he found it was in vain, he prayed to be thrown

into the fire or ground in the mortar,--anything except be thrown

into the water. On hearing this, the Monkey picked the Turtle up

in his bleeding fingers, and with all his might threw him into the

middle of the stream.

Then the Turtle was very glad. He chuckled at his own wit, and laughed

at the foolishness of the Monkey. He came up to the surface of the

water and mocked at the Monkey, saying, "This is my home. The water

is my home."

This made the Monkey so angry that he lost his self-possession

entirely. He jumped into the middle of the river after the Turtle,

and was drowned.

Since that day monkeys and turtles have been bitter enemies.

Catalina of Dumaguete

This is a legend of Dumaguete, the capital of the province of Negros

Occidental. From this town can be seen five islands, viz., Negros,

Cebu, Bohol, Mindanao, and Siquijor.

There is no one on the great island of Negros who does not love the

name of Catalina. Even the wild mountain men speak it with respect,

and down in the coast towns at night, when the typhoon is lashing the

waters of Tan Strait, and the rain and wind make the nipa leaves

on the roofs dance and rattle, the older people gather their little

black-eyed grandchildren around the shell of burning cocoanut oil

and tell them her story.

Many years ago there lived in Dumaguete a poor tuba seller named Banog,

who made his daily rounds to the houses just as the milkman does in

far-off America. But instead of a rattling wagon he had only a long

bamboo from which he poured the drink, and in place of sweet milk he

left the sap of the cocoanut tree.

The bad custom of mixing tuud, a kind of red bark, with the sap,

and thus making of it a strong liquor, had not yet been known, so

Banog, though poor, was respected, and the people tried in every way

to help him and his daughter Catalina.

Catalina was a beautiful girl of sixteen and very good and industrious,

but with many strange ways. She scarcely ever spoke a word and spent

most of her time in looking out over the sea. Sometimes she would

suddenly stand erect and, clasping her hands, would remain for a long

time looking up at the sky as if she saw something that no one else

could see. On account of these strange manners the people thought

her a wonderful girl and she was supposed to have mysterious powers.

One day many ships came up from the island of Mindanao and hundreds

of fierce Moros landed. Shouting and waving their terrible knives,

they fell upon the peaceful people and killed many, among them poor

Banog. Then they robbed and burned the houses and, seizing all the

women they could find, set sail for their great southern island. Among

the prisoners was Catalina. With her eyes fixed on the sky she sat

very quiet and still in the bow of one of the boats, and though her

companions spoke often to her she made no reply.

Suddenly she sprang into the water and a wonderful thing occurred,

for, instead of sinking, she walked lightly over the waves toward the

distant shore. The Moros were so astonished that they did not try to

stop her and she reached the land safely.

Many people who had hidden in the forests ran out to meet her but she

spoke to no one. With her eyes still fixed above she walked through

the burning town and along the road to Dalugdug, the Thunder mountain,

that lies behind Dumaguete.

On Dalugdug there lived a terrible Sigbin. Its body was like that of

a monstrous crow, but just under its neck were two long legs like

those of a grasshopper, which enabled it to leap great distances

without using its wings. It ate any one who came near its home,

so when the people saw Catalina start to climb the mountain they

begged her to come back. She paid no heed to their cries, however,

but went up higher and higher, till her white dress seemed merely a

speck on the mountain side.

All at once she seemed to stop and raise her hands. Then a fearful

shriek was heard, and the fierce Sigbin came rushing down the

mountain. It appeared to be greatly frightened, for it took tremendous

leaps and screamed as if in terror. Over the heads of the people

it jumped, and, reaching the shore, cleared the narrow channel and

disappeared among the mountains of the island of Cebu.

When the people saw that the Sigbin had gone they ran up the mountain

and searched everywhere for Catalina, but they could find no trace of

her. Sorrowfully they returned to their homes and busied themselves

in building new houses and in making their town beautiful once more.

Several years passed in peace and then again the Moro boats came up

from Mindanao. The men hurriedly gathered on the beach to meet them,

and the women and children hid in the cocoanut groves.

This time the Moros had no quick and easy victory, for the Visayans,

armed with bolos and remembering their lost wives and sisters, fought

furiously, and for a time drove the enemy before them. But more Moro

boats arrived and numbers told against the defenders. Slowly but

surely they fell fighting until but a few remained.

Suddenly a bridge of clouds unfolded from Dalugdug to the town, and

across it came the lost Catalina holding a beehive in her hands. Then

she spoke and thousands of bees flew from the hive to the ground. Again

she spoke and waved her hand, and the bees changed into little black

men with long sharp spears, who charged the Moros and killed every

one of them.

Then Catalina, the hive still in her hand, went back over the bridge

and disappeared once more in the mountain.

The people came out of their hiding places, crowding around the little

black men and questioning them, but they received no answer. Instead

the little warriors gathered together and ran into the forest and up

the mountain side, where they were soon lost to view.

Such is the story of Catalina, Since that time Dumaguete has been safe

from the Moros. The Sigbin has never returned to Negros. It still

lives in the mountains of Cebu and the people are so afraid of it

that they lock themselves in their houses after dark and can hardly

be induced to come out. Up in the mountains of Negros live the little

black men. They are called Negritos and are very savage and wild.

The savior of Dumaguete still lives in Dalugdug and is worshiped by the

people. And in the town, now grown into a big busy city, the old people

for years to come will tell their grandchildren the story of Catalina.

The Faithlessness of Sinogo

Somewhere off the northern coast of Mindanao a strong current begins

to travel northward. It runs to the island of Siquijor and then,

turning slightly to the east, goes racing between the islands of Cebu

and Negros. At the narrow entrance between San Sebastian and Ayucatan

it breaks up into hundreds of small whirlpools that make the water

hiss and bubble for a distance of nearly three miles.

For steamers and large boats there is not the slightest danger,

but to the native in his little sacayan with its bamboo outriggers

these whirlpools are objects of dread and fear. He will go miles out

of his way to escape them. If you inquire as to the reason, he will

explain that the Liloan, or whirlpool, is a thing always to be avoided,

and then he will tell you the story of Sinogo.

Years and years ago, when Maguayan ruled the sea and the terrible

Captan launched his thunderbolts from above, the water and air were

filled with swimming and flying monsters. Those that lived in the air

were armed with great teeth and sharp claws; but, though they were

fierce and savage, they lived together in peace, for they feared the

anger of their master Captan.

In the sea, however, all was not so peaceful, for some of the

monsters were so huge and savage and so confident in their strength

that Maguayan could do nothing with them. He lived in constant fear

of attack from these fierce subjects and finally, in despair, called

on Captan to help him in his trouble.

Accordingly Captan sent his swift messengers to every part of the

earth, air, and sea, and ordered that a council of all the creatures

in the world should be held. He named the little island of Caueli in

the center of the Sulu Sea as the meeting place, and commanded all

to hasten there without delay.

Soon the members of the council began to arrive, and the sky was

darkened by flying monsters, and the water boiled as the terrible

reptiles of the sea rushed to the place appointed.

In a short time the little island was crowded with these dreadful

creatures. There were huge Buayas from Mindanao, fierce Tic-bolans

from Luzon, savage Sigbins from Negros and Bohol, hundreds of Unglocs

from Panay and Leyte, and great Uak Uaks and other frightful monsters

from Samar and Cebu. They grouped themselves in a large circle around

a golden throne on which sat Captan and Maguayan, and while waiting

the commands of their master filled the air with shrieks and howls.

At length Captan raised his hand and the noise instantly stopped. Then

he announced his decree. He said that Maguayan was his brother god

and should be treated with the same respect. He commanded all his

subjects to obey the god of the sea and told them that he would kill

with a thunderbolt any that disobeyed this order. Then he desired all

to return to their own regions, and again the air was filled with a

noise of thunder and the sea roared and foamed as the monsters went

back to their homes.

Soon there remained on the island only Captan, Maguayan, and

three messengers of Captan, who were called Sinogo, Dalagan, and

Guidala. These were giants in size and had large wings which enabled

them to fly with great swiftness. They had long spears and sharp

swords and were very brave and powerful. Of the three, Dalagan was

the swiftest, Guidala the bravest, and Sinogo the handsomest and best

loved by Captan.

When all the creatures were gone Maguayan thanked Captan, but

the great god said that he had only done his duty in helping his

brother. Then he gave Maguayan a little golden shell and explained

to him its wonderful power. Maguayan had but to put it in his mouth

and he could change his form to that of any creature he pleased. In

case a monster, defying Captan's orders, should attack him, he had

simply to change himself into a stronger monster of twice the size

of his enemy, and then fight and kill him easily.

Again Maguayan thanked his brother god and, taking the shell, placed

it on the throne beside him. Then Captan ordered his messengers to

bring food and drink, and soon the two gods were feasting merrily.

Now it happened that Sinogo had been standing behind the throne and

had heard all that had been said. He was filled with a desire to own

the wonderful shell, and in spite of the many favors he had received

from Captan he resolved to steal it. The more he thought of its great

power, the more he longed for it. With it he could rule the earth and

sea as a god, and, by hiding, he might avoid the anger of Captan. So

he watched for an opportunity to make away with it. Finally his chance

came. While handing Maguayan some food, he slyly caught up the shell,

and soon afterwards quietly slipped away.

For some time his absence was not discovered, but all at once Captan

called for his favorite messenger and, receiving no reply, ordered

Dalagan to search for him. Soon Dalagan returned and reported that

Sinogo could not be found on the island. At the same time Maguayan

noticed that the golden shell was gone.

Then Captan knew that his messenger had stolen the shell and

escaped. He flew into a great rage and swore he would kill Sinogo. He

ordered Dalagan and Guidala to hasten to the north in search of the

faithless messenger and to bring him back a prisoner.

Swiftly northward over the blue sea flew the messengers, and near the

island of Guimaras caught sight of Sinogo. He saw his pursuers and

flew all the swifter, but he was no match for them in speed. Nearer

and nearer they came and then, drawing their swords, rushed forward

to seize him.

But Sinogo was not to be easily caught. Quick as a flash, he placed

the shell in his mouth and dived down into the water, at the same

time changing himself into a huge crocodile-shaped Buaya with scales

like armor of steel.

In vain Dalagan and Guidala rained blows on the monster. The swords

could not pierce the heavy scales.

Up through Guimaras Strait the chase went on, and Sinogo tore up

the water in his flight. So great was the disturbance of the ocean

that, as they rounded the northern coast of Negros, the waves dashed

completely over the little island of Bacabac, sweeping away the hills

and bringing the land to the level of the sea.

Still the rapid flight went on. Straight for Bantayan headed Sinogo,

but suddenly changing his course he dashed into the narrow channel

between Negros and Cebu. Then Dalagan, leaving Guidala to continue the

chase alone, flew swiftly back to Caueli and told Captan that Sinogo

was in the little strait. Up sprang the god and, flying directly east,

he posted himself at the southern entrance of the channel. In his

hand he held an enormous thunderbolt, and thus armed he waited for

the appearance of Sinogo.

Down into the narrow entrance sped the faithless messenger, tearing

up the water in his mad flight, while the brave Guidala struck in

vain at his huge body. Suddenly a roar of thunder sounded and the

thunderbolt fell on the back of the monster, bearing him down beneath

the waves and then, stiffening like a bar of iron, pinning him to the

bottom far below. In vain he struggled to free himself; the bar held

him fast and sure. In his struggles the shell fell from his mouth,

but a little Tamban caught it and brought it safely to Captan.

Thousands of years have passed, but far under the water, like a fly

on a pin, Sinogo struggles in the form of a huge Buaya. The water

bubbles around him and for three miles little whirlpools go racing up

the channel. And the native in his little sacayan avoids the narrow

entrance where the water boils and foams, for Sinogo still twists

and squirms, and the Liloan is a thing to be feared and dreaded.