Chapter 5

Algaba was playing with his sweetheart in the other house, when his sweetheart arrived from the well. "Your big snakes, which make the fence, did not see the enemies who came inside of the town." Then Algaba ran to his house and he was very angry when he saw the two men. He went to get his headaxe and spear and when he took them down the weapons shed tears which were of oil. "What is the matter with my weapons that they weep oil? Perhaps these men are my relatives," said the angry man. He dropped them and when he took another set they shed bloody tears.

The two men went up into the kitchen of the house, and Algaba went there. "How do you do now?" he said, still angry. "What do you want here?" "What are you here for, you ask, and we came to buy the mango fruit for Aponibolinayen who is nearly dead." "It is good that you came here," said Algaba, but he was angry and the two men were frightened, and they did not eat much. As soon as they finished eating, "What do you want to pay?" said Algaba. They let him see the one earring of Aponibolinayen. "I don't like that; look at the yard of my house. All the stones are gold," said Algaba. When he did not want the earring, they let him see the belt, and Algaba smiled. "How pretty it is! I think the lady who owns this is much prettier," he said to them. "Ala, you go and get two of the fruit." So they went truly, and Dalonágan went to climb and when he secured two mangoes he went down. "We go now." "I will go with you for I wish to see Aponibolinayen," said Algaba. He said to his mother _alan_ "You, mother, do not feel anxious concerning me while I am gone, for I want to go and see the sick lady who so desires the mango fruit. Watch for enemies who come inside the town." "Yes, do not stay long," said his mother _alan_.

Not long after they went and when they were in the middle of the way Algaba said, "Is it far yet?" "It is near now," they answered. "I use my power so that the sick woman, for whom they came to get fruit, will feel very ill and nearly die," said Algaba to himself. Not long after, truly they almost arrived. When they reached the well, he asked again, "Is it still far?" but he knew that the well belonged to Aponibolinayen. "It is near now; she owns this well," they said. Not long after they entered the gate of the town. "I use my power so that Aponibolinayen will die," he said, and she truly died. "Why is Aponibolinayen dead? The mango fruit which we went to get is worthless now," they said. "Perhaps she is the one they are wailing for," said Algaba of Dagála. When they reached the ladder, "The mango fruit which you went to get is no good at all," said Aponibalagen to them. "Yes, it is. I came because I wish to see her," said Algaba of Dagála. "If it is possible for you to bring her to life, please do so," said Aponibalagen to him, and took him inside of the house. Algaba looked at her, and she was a lady without an equal for beauty. Not long after he took the body in his arms. "I use my power so that when I whip my perfume [119] _kaladakad_ she will move directly," he said, and the body moved. "I use my power so that when I whip my perfume _banawes_ she will say '_Wes_'" and she at once said "_Wes_." "I use my power so that when I whip my perfume she will wake up," and she woke up. "_Wes_, how long my sleep was!" said Aponibolinayen, for she was alive again. "How long I sleep! you say. You have been dead," said Algaba, and Aponibolinayen looked at him and she it saw was not Aponibalagen who held her in his arms. "Why, Aponibalagen, do you detest me? Another man is holding me," she said, and she arose from his arms, because she was ashamed. "Do not leave me, lady; you would have been dead a long time if I had not come," said Algaba, and their rings exchanged of themselves while he was holding her and when Aponibolinayen had regained her breath, Algaba divided the mango fruit into two parts and he gave to Aponibolinayen, but she did not want to take it for she was ashamed. "If you do not wish to eat this fruit which I give you, you cannot go to anyone but me," said Algaba, and Aponibalagen left them alone.

Not long after Aponibolinayen could sit up straight, and she wanted to leave Algaba, but he took her. When Aponibolinayen looked at her ring she saw it was not her own. "Why have I another ring?" she asked, and she caught the hand of Algaba for he wanted to take her. "Give me my ring. It is not good for you, for it looks like copper. Take your ring, for it is really gold," said Aponibolinayen. "No, this is good, for I did not take it from your finger. The spirits wanted it to come to my finger. Our rings are both gold, but they are different colors," he said. "Let us chew betel-nut for it is bad for us to talk when we do not know each other's names." "It is not my custom to chew betel-nut," said Aponibolinayen. "Then you learn," said Algaba. Not long after he made her chew and he gave to her. "Now, lady, whom I visit you tell your name first," he said. "No, because I am ashamed, as a woman to tell my name first." Not long after he said, "My name is Algaba of Dagála. I have looked in all parts of the world for a wife, but I did not find anyone like you, and now I have found you, and I want you to be married to me." "My name is Aponibolinayen of Kaodanan, sister of Aponibalagen who are son and daughter of Ebang and Pagbokásan," said Aponibolinayen. Not long after they laid down their quids and they were rows of agate beads which have no holes. Algaba said, "It is good for us to be married." So they were married and they went to Dagála. As soon as they arrived in Dagála, "Mother," he said to his mother _alan_, "now we are going to take you to Kadalayapan, because I have found a wife." "No," said the _alan_, "we must first build _balaua_ here." "That is good if it is what you desire," said Algaba.

Not long after Aponibolinayen commanded people to pound rice, and others to get betel-nuts which were covered with gold. So they truly made _Sayang._ [120] Not long after when it became evening they made _Libon._ "The best for us to do is to invite Aponibalagen, and all the people of Kadalayapan and some other places," said Algaba. Not long after they sent the betel-nuts which were covered with gold to invite their relatives. Some of the betel-nuts they sent to Kaodanan. "Sir, come to Dagála, because Aponibolinayen and Algaba build _balaua_," said the betel-nut to Aponibalagen. When the other betel-nuts arrived at Kadalayapan to invite the people they said to Langa-an, "Come to Dagála because Aponibolinayen and Algaba make _balaua_." Not long after Aponibalagen and Aponigawani and the other people went.

When they reached the middle of the way they met the people of Kadalayapan, so they were a large party who went. When they arrived at Dagála, at the place where the spring is, they saw that all the stones by the river were gold and they were surprised, and the people who were dipping water from the spring were there. "You people who are dipping water, where is the shallow place for us to cross?" they said. "You look for the place where the people go across?" said the people who were dipping water. Not long after they went across the river. As soon as they reached the other side of the river, they took a bath. The women who were dipping water saw that the water which ran from their bodies were agates which had no holes. "How wonderful are the people who live in Kadalayapan and Kaodanan, for they are relatives of Kaboniyan [121] and they have power," said the women who were dipping water from the well.

"You people who are dipping water, where is the trail which leads to the house of Algaba of Dagála?" they said. "Follow the head poles; they are along the road to his house," said the women who were dipping water. So they went up truly to the town, and the boa constrictors which made the fence around the town did not move when they passed, for they were afraid, and when they arrived at the house of Algaba the _alan_ danced. When they sat down Pagatipánan was in a hurry. "Ala! Langa-an, let us go and give the betel-nut which is covered with gold to Algaba," he said and they went truly. They told Algaba that they were going to chew betel-nut, because they wished to learn if they were relatives; and Algaba said "That is good," and they called Aponigawani to the house, and they cut the betel-nut in pieces. As soon as they cut it in pieces, "The best way to do is for you to tell your name first, because we came to visit you," said Pagatipánan to Algaba. "No, old man, you tell your name first," said Algaba. Not long after, "My name is Pagatipánan who am the _Lakay_ [122] of Kadalayapan." Not long after, "My name is Pagbokásan who is the father of Aponibalagen of Kaodanan." Not long after, "My name is Algaba who is the son of an _alan_ who has deformed feet, [123] who has no sister; we are not like you people who have power," said Algaba. Not long after, "My name is Aponibalagen of Kaodanan who is the son of Ebang and Pagbokásan." Not long after, "My name is Aponigawani of Kadalayapan who has no brother, so that when some enemies come into our town I dress in the bark of trees." Not long after, "My name is Aponibolinayen who is the sister of Aponibalagen." As soon as they told their names, they laid down their betel-nut quids. The quids of Algaba and Aponigawani both went to the quid of Pagatipánan, also the quids of Aponibalagen and Aponibolinayen went to the quid of Pagbokásan. Then Aponigawani stood up. "You are so strange, Algaba, you are my brother. I am so glad that I have a brother now. You are bad for you let the enemies come into Kadalayapan," she said. "Excuse me for I was far from Kadalayapan and did not see; it is our custom for some of us to go to fight," said Algaba. "The best way to do, Aponitolau, [124] is for you to go back with us to Kadalayapan," said Aponigawani. "If that is what you wish it is all right," he said. Not long after the _balaua_ was finished and they took them to Kadalayapan. The valuable things which the _alan_ owned she gave to them, and she flew away.

When they arrived in Kadalayapan, Aponibalagen wanted to marry Aponigawani. He sent his mother to go and give the message. As soon as she arrived in Kadalayapan, "Good morning, nephew Aponitolau," said Ebang. "Good morning, what are you here for?" said Aponitolau. "What are you coming for, you say. Aponibalagen sent me to talk to you, for he wishes to marry Aponigawani," she said. "If you think it is good it will be all right," said Aponitolau, so she took out the engagement gift and she put one earring inside of a little jar and it was filled with gold. Aponitolau lifted his eyebrows and half of the gold disappeared, so Ebang put another earring in the pot and it was full again. "Ala! when it becomes evening you come and bring Aponibalagen," he said to Ebang. "Yes," she said. So she went home. As soon as she arrived in their house in Kaodanan, Aponibalagen asked the result of her trip. "They agreed all right; we will go when it becomes evening," said Ebang. When it became night they went to Kadalayapan and he lived with Aponigawani. When it became morning he took Aponigawani to Kaodanan and the father and mother of Aponigawani and the other people followed them. They went to get the marriage payment. It was the _balaua_ filled nine times with jars. As soon as they gave all the payment, Aponitolau was the next to make his payment. It was also the _balaua_ filled nine times. As soon as they made all the payment they went home.

(Told by Mano, a woman of Patok.)

3

"I am going to wash my hair. Give me the rice straw, which has been inherited nine times," said Aponitolau to his mother Langa-an. So Langa-an gave him some and he went to the river to wash. As soon as he arrived at the well he saw the pretty girl who was washing her hair. He went and sat down on her skirt and the pretty girl told him not to cut her in many places so she would not need to doctor the wounds. "If I were an old enemy I would have killed you at the first. It is bad for us to talk when we do not know each other's names. Let us chew betel-nut," said Aponitolau. "No, for it is not my custom," said the girl. But Aponitolau compelled her to chew betel-nut with him. "You tell your name first," he said to her. "No, it is not good for me to tell my name first, for I am a woman. You are a man. You tell your name first." So Aponitolau said, "My name is Aponitolau of Kadalayapan who am the son of Langa-an and Pagatipánan, who came here to wash my hair. It is good fortune for me that I met you here washing your hair." "My name is Gimbangonan of Natpangan, who am the daughter of It-tonagan, who is the sister of Aldasan." As soon as she told her name she disappeared and went to hide among the betel nuts on the branch of a tree. So Aponitolau was very sorry and he went back home without washing his hair. As soon as he arrived where Langa-an was sitting he said to her "Mother, when I arrived at the well by the river I met a pretty girl whose name was Gimbangonan, the daughter of It-tonagan of Natpangan. We chewed betel-nuts and told our names, but as soon as she told her name she disappeared and I could not see her. She said that she lived in Natpangan. I want to marry her. Will you go and arrange the _pakálon?"_ [125] So Langa-an went at once and got her hat which was as large as the _salakasak_ [126] for she saw that Aponitolau was sorrowful.

When she took her hat it clucked. [127] "Why does my hat cluck when I take it down? I think they do not like you, Aponitolau," said Langa-an. "No, you go and try." So Langa-an went again to get her hat and again it clucked, but nevertheless she took it and went. When she was in the middle of the way the head of the hat which was like a bird swung and made Langa-an turn her head and it clucked again. Langa-an sat down by the trail and wondered what would happen. Not long after she went on again and she met Asindamáyan near the ford. She asked where the ford was and when Asindamáyan told her, she spread her belt on the water and it ferried her across. Not long after she reached the other side of the river, and she inquired for the house of Gimbangonan. Asindamáyan answered, "You look for the house where many people are putting props under the house. That is the house of Gimbangonan. Her porch has many holes in it."

When Langa-an arrived at the house she said, "Good afternoon." And It-tonagan and Gimbangonan answered, "Good afternoon." They invited her to go up into the house and she went. "Why do you come here, Aunt?" said Gimbangonan. "I came to arrange for you to marry Aponitolau, for he wants to marry you and has sent me to talk about the _pakálon_." Gimbangonan was very happy and said to her mother, "You tell him yes, for I wish to marry Aponitolau." So It-tonagan agreed to the marriage and Langa-an asked how much the marriage price would be. "The regular custom of the people with magical power which is the _balaua_ nine times full," said Aldasan, because It-tonagan was always restless and was walking outside the house. So Langa-an left a little jar and agate bead, as a sign of the engagement, for Gimbangonan. Not long after she went back home to Kadalayapan. When she arrived where Aponitolau was lying down she said, "_Wes_" for she was tired and Aponitolau heard her and he went and inquired what was the matter. His mother answered that they had agreed on the marriage and the next day he could go and marry Gimbangonan.

As soon as the next day came they prepared jars of _basi_, [128] and pigs to be carried to Natpangan, and Aponitolau carried one large empty jar. [129] So they went. As soon as they arrived Aponitolau asked where Gimbangonan was, and the people said, "Look at the big woman." He looked and saw that she was a very big woman and Aponitolau cried, for she was not the girl he had seen before, and he bent his head. While the old men were talking to each other Gimbangonan said to Aponitolau, "Come here, Aponitolau. Be very happy. Why do you bend your head?" Aponitolau did not listen, and he did not go. Not long after Langa-an and the others went back home and left Aponitolau to be joined to Gimbangonan. Aponitolau was afraid to go to Gimbangonan, for she was a very big woman. She called to him all the time, but he did not go to her. It-tonagan was restless and did not stay in the house even in the night, and they could not sleep.

After ten days Aponitolau said, "I am going to Kadalayapan for a little while. I will return soon." "If you go to Kadalayapan I will go with you," she said. "Do not go this time and I will take you next time," he said, and he went. When he was near the gate of the town of Kadalayapan he hung his head until he reached his house. His mother asked why he hung his head. "I do not wish to marry Gimbangonan for she is not the woman I met by the river." "Do not be angry with me for I did what you wished. I would not have engaged you to Gimbangonan if you had not sent me." They sent their _liblibayan_ [130] to go and get betel-nuts which were covered with gold, for they intended to make _Sayang_, so that they could find out who the woman was who had been by the river. Soon the _liblibayan_ returned and they said, "We did not get the betel-nuts which you desired for we found a pretty toy among the branches of the tree." Aponitolau took the branch of the tree which shone as if covered with fire and he put a blanket on it and many pillows around it. As soon as they had again commanded the _liblibayan_ to get the betel-nuts they went and soon they arrived with the fruit. They oiled the betel-nuts and sent them to every place in the world and if anyone refused to come they were to grow on their knees. Not long after the betel-nuts went to the different towns and invited all the people.

When they arrived they danced and Aponitolau looked at them to see if the woman he met at the river was there, but she was not among them, and he wondered what had become of the woman, for the betel-nuts had gone to all parts of the world. Aponitolau went into the house for he was sorrowful, and he laid down near the blankets and he noticed that the blankets appeared as if on fire and he was frightened. [131] He got up and unwrapped the blankets and he saw a pretty girl. "I did not think you were here. I have been engaged. You said your name was Gimbangonan, and I sent my mother to engage me to you, but when I saw Gimbangonan she was a big woman so I left her and came here to make _balaua_ so I might find you. You cannot escape from me now for I shall hold your hand. Let us chew betel-nut." So they chewed and Aponitolau said, "My name is Aponitolau of Kadalayapan who is the son of Langa-an and Pagbokásan to whom you told a lie for you said you were Gimbangonan, and now I want to know your real name." "My name is Aponibolinayen of Natpangan who is the daughter of Ebang and Pagatipánan." When they had told their names they saw that they were related and that they both possessed magical power, so they were married.

After three days, Aponitolau said to Aponibolinayen, "Wait for me in the house. Do not be lonesome, for our mother is here. I am going to see my pasture." "Do not stay long," said Aponibolinayen. "If anyone comes you hide in the house," said Aponitolau. Not long after he went and when he arrived in the pasture all the jars went around him and all the jars stuck out their tongues for they were very hungry for they had not been fed for a long time. The jars were _somadag, ginlasan, malayo_, and _tadogan_, and other kinds also. [132] When Aponitolau thought that all the jars had arrived where he was he fed them with betel-nut, first covered with _lawed_ [133] leaves. As soon as he had fed them he gave them some salt. Not long after he went back home and he rode on a carabao.

When he arrived at their house he called to Aponibolinayen, but no one answered him and he was surprised. So he hurried to the house and he saw that Aponibolinayen was dead and he was grieved. He took her in his lap and while her body was in his lap it began to sweat. He used his power so that when he whipped [134] his perfume _banawes_ she said, "_Wes_." When he whipped his perfume _dagimonau_ she awoke. When he whipped his perfume _alikadakad_ she stood up and said, "I told you not to go, Aponitolau, but you went anyway. A big woman came here and stole all my things and killed me. I don't know who she was." Aponitolau called his mother and asked who it was and his mother replied that it was Gimbangonan. So Aponitolau went to Natpangan. "Why did you go to kill Aponibolinayen?" "I went to kill her for you do not care for me any more." "I do not like you, for you are a very big woman. Every time you step the floor is broken. If you come again to Kadalayapan I will cut your head off. Do not come again to harm Aponibolinayen." He went home to Kadalayapan and he divorced Gimbangonan.

Not long after they went to the pasture and they rode on the back of a carabao. As soon as they arrived, all the jars rolled around them and stuck out their tongues and Aponibolinayen was afraid, for she feared the jars would eat them. The wide field was full of jars. Aponitolau gave them betel-nut and _lawed_ vine and salt. As soon as they fed them they went back home. Not long after Aponibolinayen said to Aponitolau, "We are going to Natpangan to visit my father and mother," so they went. As soon as they arrived there Aponibolinayen told her father and mother that Aponitolau had a pasture filled with many different kinds of jars, in the place of Kabinalan. When they had been in Natpangan ten days they returned home and Aponibolinayen's father and mother went with them and saw the jars. When they reached the field where the jars were they were afraid that the jars would eat them, but Aponitolau fed them. The father and mother of Aponibolinayen were surprised for there were many valuable jars which filled the wide field of Kabinalan. Not long after they went back home to Natpangan.

(Told by Angtan, a woman of Lagangilang.)

4

"Sinogyaman, come and oil my hair so that I can go to war," said Aponitolau. "And you, Sinagayan, put some rice in the pot and cook it, and also some fish for us to eat." Not long after she cooked, and Sinogyaman oiled his hair. When Sinagayan finished cooking they ate and started to go to Gegenawan where Asibowan lived. Sinogyaman and Sinagayan did not want him to go, but Aponitolau went anyway.

When he arrived at the edge of the town he stood still a long time, for he did not know the way to Gegenawan. A bird went to him and said, "Why do you stand here for a long time, Aponitolau?" "Why do you stand a long time, you say, and I am going to the town of Asibowan, whom every one says is a pretty girl," said Aponitolau to the bird. "Ala, Aponitolau, it is best for you to follow me and I will show you the way to the place where Asibowan lives." Not long after they went and they soon arrived at the town of Gegenawan. "Ala, Aponitolau, I leave you now for I have showed you the way," said the bird. So Aponitolau went alone to the house of Asibowan. When he reached the ladder of her house Asibowan was looking out of the window and she said, "Oh, there is a rich gentleman. How are you? Where are you going?" Aponitolau said, "I am going to Nagsingkawan, but I have lost my way and I thought that this was Nagsingkawan. I saw this house so I came to get a drink." "This is not Nagsingkawan. Come up and I will cook and we will eat." Aponitolau went up into the house and the girl gave him water to drink. She cooked and then she called him. "I do not want to eat yet. I will rest for awhile and eat when your husband comes," said Aponitolau.