“I am anxious to eat the mango fruit which belongs to Algaba of Dagála,” said Aponībolinayen. When she said this she was almost dying and she repeated it. “Ala cousin Dalonágan, you go and take cousin Dina-ogan, and go and secure the mango fruit of Algaba of Dagála,” said Aponībalagen. “Why does Aponībolinayen want the mango fruit of Algaba of Dagála; does she not know that anyone who goes there cannot return?” asked Dalonágan. “Ala, you go and be careful and he will not hurt you,” said Aponībalagen. And Dalonágan went truly, and started, and Aponībalagen gave Dalonágan a belt and earrings, which he was to trade for the mango fruit; and Dalonágan went to get Dina-ogan, and he took an egg. Not long after they went and they held the egg all the time as they walked. When they were in the middle of the way the egg hatched. When they had almost arrived in Dagála the chicken had become a rooster which could crow.
Not long after they arrived at the spring of Algaba of Dagála, and the people who dipped water from the spring were there. “You people who are dipping water from the spring, where is a shallow place where we can cross?” “Where is the shallow place where we can cross you say, rich men, perhaps you are enemies,” said the women who were dipping water. “If we are enemies we would kill you,” said Dalonágan. “You see the shallow place where the people cross,” said the peoplePage 43who were dipping water from the well. Not long after they spread their belt on the water and they rode across. When they arrived on the other side of the river they took a bath. As soon as they finished bathing they went on top of a high stone and dried their bodies. The water which dropped from their bodies became agates which have no holes through them, and the women who were dipping water saw the agates which dropped from their bodies and they touched each other and said, “Look at that.” When they put their clouts on they asked the women, “Where is the road to the house of Algaba of Dagála?” “You follow thesagang;34they lead to his house and hisbalaua,” said the women who were dipping water from the well. “Will one of you guide us to the house of our cousin Algaba?” they said. “No, because no one comes to get water unless all are together,” said the women. Not long after Dalonágan and his companion went up to the town and the defensive fence, which was made of boa constrictors, did not notice them for the snakes slept. Not long after they arrived at thebalaua. “Wes,” they said, and the old womanalan35came to look at them through the window. “How are you?” she said. “Do not go to thebalaua, because Algaba can see you,” said thealan.
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 Aponībolinayen 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 Aponībolinayen. “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,”Page 44he 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 Aponībolinayen,” said Algaba. He said to his motheralan“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 motheralan.
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 Aponībolinayen. “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 Aponībolinayen will die,” he said, and she truly died. “Why is Aponībolinayen 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 Aponībalagen 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 Aponībalagen 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 perfume36kaladakadshe will move directly,” he said, and the body moved. “I use my power so that when I whip my perfumebanawᴇsshe 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 Aponībolinayen, for she was alive again. “How long I sleep! you say. You have been dead,” said Algaba, and Aponībolinayen looked at him and she it saw was not Aponībalagen who held her in his arms. “Why, Aponībalagen, 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 Aponībolinayen had regained her breath, Algaba divided the mango fruit into two parts and he gave to Aponībolinayen, but she did not want to takePage 45it 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 Aponībalagen left them alone.
Not long after Aponībolinayen could sit up straight, and she wanted to leave Algaba, but he took her. When Aponībolinayen 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 Aponībolinayen. “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 Aponībolinayen. “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 Aponībolinayen of Kaodanan, sister of Aponībalagen who are son and daughter of Ebang and Pagbokásan,” said Aponībolinayen. 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 motheralan, “now we are going to take you to Kadalayapan, because I have found a wife.” “No,” said thealan, “we must first buildbalauahere.” “That is good if it is what you desire,” said Algaba.
Not long after Aponībolinayen commanded people to pound rice, and others to get betel-nuts which were covered with gold. So they truly madeSayang.37Not long after when it became evening they madeLībon.37“The best for us to do is to invite Aponībalagen, 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 Aponībolinayen and Algaba buildbalaua,” said the betel-nut to Aponībalagen. When the other betel-nuts arrived at Kadalayapan to invite the people they said to Langa-an, “Come to Dagála because Aponībolinayen and Algaba makebalaua.” Not long after Aponībalagen and Aponīgawanī and the other people went.Page 46
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 Kabonīyan38and 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 thealandanced. 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 Aponīgawanī 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 theLakay39of Kadalayapan.” Not long after, “My name is Pagbokásan who is the father of Aponībalagen of Kaodanan.” Not long after, “My name is Algaba who is the son of analanwho has deformed feet,40who has no sister; we are not like you people who have power,” said Algaba. Not long after, “My name is Aponībalagen of Kaodanan who is the son of Ebang and Pagbokásan.” Not long after, “My name is Aponīgawanī 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 Aponībolinayen who is thePage 47sister of Aponībalagen.” As soon as they told their names, they laid down their betel-nut quids. The quids of Algaba and Aponīgawanī both went to the quid of Pagatipánan, also the quids of Aponībalagen and Aponībolinayen went to the quid of Pagbokásan. Then Aponīgawanī 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, Aponītolau,41is for you to go back with us to Kadalayapan,” said Aponīgawanī. “If that is what you wish it is all right,” he said. Not long after thebalauawas finished and they took them to Kadalayapan. The valuable things which thealanowned she gave to them, and she flew away.
When they arrived in Kadalayapan, Aponībalagen wanted to marry Aponīgawanī. He sent his mother to go and give the message. As soon as she arrived in Kadalayapan, “Good morning, nephew Aponītolau,” said Ebang. “Good morning, what are you here for?” said Aponītolau. “What are you coming for, you say. Aponībalagen sent me to talk to you, for he wishes to marry Aponīgawanī,” she said. “If you think it is good it will be all right,” said Aponītolau, so she took out the engagement gift and she put one earring inside of a little jar and it was filled with gold. Aponītolau 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 Aponībalagen,” he said to Ebang. “Yes,” she said. So she went home. As soon as she arrived in their house in Kaodanan, Aponībalagen 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 Aponīgawanī. When it became morning he took Aponīgawanī to Kaodanan and the father and mother of Aponīgawanī and the other people followed them. They went to get the marriage payment. It was thebalauafilled nine times with jars. As soon as they gave all the payment, Aponītolau was the next to make his payment. It was also thebalauafilled nine times. As soon as they made all the payment they went home.
(Told by Mano, a woman of Patok.)
“I am going to wash my hair. Give me the rice straw, which has been inherited nine times,” said Aponītolau to his mother Langa-an.Page 48So 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 Aponītolau. “No, for it is not my custom,” said the girl. But Aponītolau 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 Aponītolau said, “My name is Aponītolau 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 Aponītolau 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 thepakálon?”42So Langa-an went at once and got her hat which was as large as thesalakasak43for she saw that Aponītolau was sorrowful.
When she took her hat it clucked.44“Why does my hat cluck when I take it down? I think they do not like you, Aponītolau,” 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.”Page 49
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 Aponītolau, for he wants to marry you and has sent me to talk about thepakálon.” Gimbangonan was very happy and said to her mother, “You tell him yes, for I wish to marry Aponītolau.” 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 thebalauanine 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 Aponītolau was lying down she said, “Wes” for she was tired and Aponītolau 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 ofbasi,45and pigs to be carried to Natpangan, and Aponītolau carried one large empty jar.46So they went. As soon as they arrived Aponītolau 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 Aponītolau 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 Aponītolau, “Come here, Aponītolau. Be very happy. Why do you bend your head?” Aponītolau did not listen, and he did not go. Not long after Langa-an and the others went back home and left Aponītolau to be joined to Gimbangonan. Aponītolau 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 Aponītolau 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 GimbangonanPage 50if you had not sent me.” They sent theirliblibayan47to go and get betel-nuts which were covered with gold, for they intended to makeSayang, so that they could find out who the woman was who had been by the river. Soon theliblibayanreturned 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.” Aponītolau 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 theliblibayanto 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 Aponītolau 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. Aponītolau 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.48He 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 makebalauaso 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 Aponītolau said, “My name is Aponītolau 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 Aponībolinayen 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, Aponītolau said to Aponībolinayen, “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 Aponībolinayen. “If anyone comes you hide in the house,” said Aponītolau. 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 weresomadag, ginlasan, malayo, andtadogan, and other kinds also.49When Aponītolau thoughtPage 51that all the jars had arrived where he was he fed them with betel-nut, first covered withlawed50leaves. 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 Aponībolinayen, but no one answered him and he was surprised. So he hurried to the house and he saw that Aponībolinayen 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 whipped51his perfumebanawᴇsshe said, “Wes.” When he whipped his perfumedagīmonaushe awoke. When he whipped his perfumealīkadakadshe stood up and said, “I told you not to go, Aponītolau, but you went anyway. A big woman came here and stole all my things and killed me. I don't know who she was.” Aponītolau called his mother and asked who it was and his mother replied that it was Gimbangonan. So Aponītolau went to Natpangan. “Why did you go to kill Aponībolinayen?” “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 Aponībolinayen.” 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 Aponībolinayen was afraid, for she feared the jars would eat them. The wide field was full of jars. Aponītolau gave them betel-nut andlawedvine and salt. As soon as they fed them they went back home. Not long after Aponībolinayen said to Aponītolau, “We are going to Natpangan to visit my father and mother,” so they went. As soon as they arrived there Aponībolinayen told her father and mother that Aponītolau 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 Aponībolinayen'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 Aponītolau fed them. The father and mother of Aponībolinayen 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.)Page 52
“Sinogyaman, come and oil my hair so that I can go to war,” said Aponītolau. “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 Gᴇgᴇnawan where Asībowan lived. Sinogyaman and Sinagayan did not want him to go, but Aponītolau 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 Gᴇgᴇnawan. A bird went to him and said, “Why do you stand here for a long time, Aponītolau?” “Why do you stand a long time, you say, and I am going to the town of Asībowan, whom every one says is a pretty girl,” said Aponītolau to the bird. “Ala, Aponītolau, it is best for you to follow me and I will show you the way to the place where Asībowan lives.” Not long after they went and they soon arrived at the town of Gᴇgᴇnawan. “Ala, Aponītolau, I leave you now for I have showed you the way,” said the bird. So Aponītolau went alone to the house of Asībowan. When he reached the ladder of her house Asībowan was looking out of the window and she said, “Oh, there is a rich gentleman. How are you? Where are you going?” Aponītolau 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.” Aponītolau 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 Aponītolau.
Not long after, while they were talking he saw Asībowan break the fish stick and put it in the pot and he watched to see what would become of the stick. He saw that it became a fish.52She called often for Aponītolau to come and eat and he went and he said, “I want to wait until your husband comes, for it is not good for us to eat first, and it is not good for us to be eating when he arrives.” “Come, it will be all right. We will eat now, and he can eat when he comes” said Asībowan. So he went to eat with her, for he was very hungry. He saw that she took all the rice and fish out of the pots, and there were only dishes for them. “What is the matter with this woman that she does not leave any fish for her husband?” he said to himself. While they were eating Asībowan told him that she did not have a husband and Aponītolau smiled. When they finished eating, they cut betel-nut forPage 53them to chew. “Now be patient for we must chew betel-nut, for it is not good for us to talk until we know each other's names.” Asībowan said, “How can we chew betel-nut, for I do not chew for I am related to Kabonīyan?”53“You must chew anyway for we cannot tell our names unless we chew,” said Aponītolau. When Aponītolau urged her a long time she took the betel-nut and they chewed. “Since you are the lady who lives here, it is best that you tell your name first,” said Aponītolau. “No it is not good for a woman to tell her name first, so you must tell your name,” said Asībowan. Not long after, “My name is Aponītolau of Kadalayapan who is the son of Langa-an and Pagatipánan, who goes to find a pretty girl who has power like me,” said Aponītolau. “My name is Asībowan of Gᴇgᴇnawan, who lives alone in the field, who has no neighbors for this is my fortune,” said Asībowan. So Aponītolau staid with her nine months and his father and mother were searching for him. They had many people searching for him and they killed many animals to feed the people until all their animals were gone. The bones which they threw away made a pile nine times as large as thebalaua.
Asībowan became pregnant and not long after she gave birth. “What shall we call our girl?” said Aponītolau. “We will call her Binaklingan.” When Asībowan bathed the baby it grew one span for she used magical power. So the baby grew one span every time.54Not long after she could walk, Aponītolau saw the pile of bones which the searchers had thrown away when they ate, and it was nine times larger than thebalaua. “The best thing for us to do, Asībowan, is for us to go to Kadalayapan, for my father and mother are still searching for me and the people who are searching are eating all their animals.” “The best thing for you to do is to go home and find a woman whom you should marry and then when you are married you makeSayang55and I will come to Kadalayapan,” said Asībowan, for it was not good for them to be married because she had less magical power than Aponītolau. “If you do not wish to go, I will take our daughter Binaklingan.” “Wait awhile until we have commanded that a house be built for her to live in.” Not long after they commanded that a house be made for Binaklingan, and it was all of gold. It was finished in the middle of the night and she used magic so that the golden house went to Kadalayapan.
When Aponītolau woke up early in the early morning he heard many roosters crowing and many people talking. “My daughter Binaklingan, how bad your mother is, for she sent us here to Kadalayapan withoutPage 54telling us,” said Aponītolau. His daughter was very sorry but she played on the pan pipe. When it was morning Langa-an saw the golden house by their house. “Why there is a different house here. I think Aponītolau has arrived and maybe he is in that house,” said Langa-an to Pagbokásan,56and Pagbokásan went outdoors. “Are you here Aponītolau? We had sought you for a long time, but did not find you. None of our animals are left alive,” said Pagbokásan. “Why did you search for me? I told Sinogyaman and Sinagayan that I was going to fight. Did they not tell you?” said Aponītolau. “We thought that you encountered our old, dangerous enemies, for you have been away many months. Why do you have a daughter who is a young girl?” “Yes, Binaklingan who is here is my daughter, and her mother Asībowan with whom I lived for a long time did not want to come here to Kadalyapan, for she said I must find a girl suitable for me to marry and then we must makebalauaso that she will come to our town.”
When they had been in Kadalayapan five days, they went to take a walk in the evening of the sixth day, and they went to the spring of Lisnáyan. As soon as he arrived at the spring he used magic so that all the pretty girls who never go outdoors felt hot and went to the spring to bathe.57Not long after Aponībolinayen felt very hot and she went to take a bath at the spring. Aponītolau saw her taking a bath and she looked like the half of a rainbow, and Aponītolau went to her, and Aponībolinayen saw him while she was bathing. “Do not wound me in more than one place so I will not have so much to cure.” “If I was an enemy I would have killed you at once,” said Aponītolau. Soon he cut a betel-nut into two pieces. “It is best for us to chew betel-nut for it is bad for us to talk when we do not know each other's names.” Aponībolinayen did not wish to chew, but when Aponītolau urged her she chewed and they told their names. “My name is Aponītolau of Kadalayapan who is the son of Pagbokásan and Langa-an.” “My name is Aponībolinayen of Kaodanan who is the sister of Aponībalagen who put me at the place close to the spring of Lisnáyan, for he does not wish anyone to see me, but you have found me.” Not long after, while they were talking, Aponībolinayen used magic so that she vanished and she went among the betel-nuts on the branch of the tree. “Where did the girl go? I did not see her when she vanished,” said Aponītolau to himself. Not long after he went home with his headPage 55bent for he was very sorrowful. When he arrived at their house, “Why are you bending your head Aponītolau?” said his mother. “What are you bending your head for? you say, and I went to the well of Lisnáyan and talked with Aponībolinayen, but after a while she vanished and I could not see her anymore.” “Did you not give her any betel-nut?” asked his mother. “Yes, I did.” “What are you so sorry for if you gave her betel-nut? you will find her bye and bye,” said his mother.
On the second night he went again to Lisnáyan and he used his power so that all the young girls, were hot again so that they went to the spring. When he looked up where there were many betel-nuts he saw Aponībolinayen taking a bath. “I did not see you when you left me Aponībolinayen,” said Aponītolau. “Now I am going to take you home.” “No, do not take me for my brother will hate me. I do not want to go to your house.” He took her to his town of Kadalayapan and he sent his mother to Natpangan to tell Aponībalagen that Aponībolinayen was in Kadalayapan. Not long after his mother Langa-an took her skirt and her hat which was like a bird and when she arrived at the gate of Kaodanan Sinogyaman was dipping water from the spring. “Niece Sinogyaman, where is the ford?” “Look there at the shallow place, for it is the ford.” She took off her belt and she spread it on the water, and she rode on it to the other side, and then she took a bath. When she finished bathing she stood on a high stone and the drops of water from her body were agate beads with no holes. “How strange, the people of Kadalayapan are. They are very different from us,” said the women who were dipping water from the spring. Not long after Langa-an put on her skirt, and when she finished she said, “Are you not finished dipping water, Sinogyaman? I want you to guide me to the house of my nephew Aponībalagen, for I have forgotten the way, for I have not been here for a long time.” “No, I am not through, but I will show you the way, Aunt,” said Sinogyaman, and she guided her.
When they reached the yard of Aponībalagen, “Good morning, Nephew.” “Good morning, Aunt,” he said to her. “Come up.” Not long after she went up the stairs. “What are you coming here for, Aunt?” “What are you coming here for? you say. I come because I wish to see you.” Not long after he went to getbasi, and he had made her drink. When they had drunk, she said, “The other reason I came here, Nephew Aponībalagen, is that Aponītolau sent me, for he wishes to marry your sister.” “I have no sister. I do not know what my mother did with her,” he replied. “We have no daughter. Aponībalagen is our only child,” said Ebang. While they were still talking they kept on drinking thebasi. When the old woman Langa-an became drunk she told them that Aponībolinayen wasPage 56in Kadalayapan, and Aponībalagen was surprised and his heart jumped. “I went to hide Aponībolinayen in Lisnáyan so that no one would see her, but now someone has found her.” So Langa-an gave them the engagement present58and she asked how much they must pay as the marriage price. “You must fill thebalauanine times,” they answered. So Langa-an filled thebalauanine times with different kinds of valuable things. As soon as she had paid the marriage price she went back home. When she arrived in Kadalayapan and reached the top of the ladder of the house she laid down and slept, for she was drunk. “How strange you act, mother. Why don't you tell us the news before you sleep?” said Aponītolau, and she said, “The engagement and marriage gifts were accepted.”
In the afternoon they began to makeSayang.59Not long after the old woman Alokotán, who conducted theSayangand made them danceDa-eng,60arrived and she began to perform the ceremony. When it became morning, “You people who live with us, come and pound rice,” said Aponībolinayen. So the people gathered and pounded rice for them. As soon as they finished pounding rice she commanded herliblibayan61to go and get betel-nuts. When they arrived with the betel-nuts, “You betel-nuts come and oil yourselves and go to invite all our relatives, for we are makingSayang. Invite all the people except the old enemies,” she said and when it became evening they madeLībon62
Asībowan was anxious to chew betel-nut and she went to search for one in the corner of her house and she found an oiled nut which was covered with gold. When she tried to cut it in two it said to her. “Do not cut me, for I came to invite people to attend theSayangof Aponītolau and Aponībolinayen.” And Asībowan said, “I cannot go.” “If you do not come I will grow on your knee,” said the betel-nut. “No, go on my big pig.” So the betel-nut jumped on the head of her pig and it grew very high, and the pig squealed. “Get off from my pig and I will come,” said Asībowan. Late in the afternoon they saw her below thetalagan.63“Asībowan is here now, Aponībolinayen, come and see her,” said Aponītolau. So Aponībolinayen came and she took her to their house, and Iwaginan took two skirts and he made them dance. He danced first with Asībowan before he made the others dance and his wifePage 57Gimbagonan was jealous. When they finished dancing he gave the skirts to Aponībalagen and Sinagayan. As soon as Aponībalagen had finished Iwaginan made Aponītolau dance with Gimbagonan. While they were dancing Gimbagonan danced to the sound of the jars which she had about her neck and in her hair, i.e., she had necklaces of big jars and they stuck together so she could not hear thegansas. Not long after Asībowan wished to go back home. “Now I am going home, Aponībolinayen, for no one is watching my house,” “No, do not go yet, for someone wants to marry your daughter Binaklingan.” “I must go now, you take care of her.” So she went back home and they did not see her. As soon as theSayangwas over Dina-ogan was engaged to Binaklingan. Soon he paid the marriage price, and it was thebalauafilled nine times with valuable things.
Not long after all the people went back to their homes, and Aponībalagen was left alone and he acted as if he was drunk, but he was not drunk. He laid down in thebalaua, and Aponībolinayen covered him with blankets. Not long after Aponīgawanī went outdoors for she felt hot, and Aponībalagen peeped at her. Not long after she went inside of the house and went into the ninth room, and Aponībalagen watched her. When it became night Aponībalagen went to the place where she was and Aponītolau did not see him. So he looked for her in the ninth room, and she was playing the pan pipe. While she was playing she saw a firefly, and she tried to hit it with her pan pipe, and Aponībalagen said “Do not strike me or you will hit my headaxe,” and he became a man again. “How did you get in here?” said Aponīgawanī. “I came, because I saw you when I was lying in thebalaua.” He sat down beside her and tried to cut a betel-nut for her to chew. “We will chew betel-nut so we can tell our names,” said Aponībalagen. She took the betel-nut and they chewed. “You tell your name first, for you live here.” “No it is not good for me to tell my name first, for I am a woman. You are the first.” “My name is Aponībalagen who is the brother of Aponībolinayen who is the son of Pagbokásan of Kaodanan.” “My name is Aponīgawanī who is the sister of Aponītolau who is the daughter of Pagatipánan and Langa-an.”
When they had been in the room nine nights Aponītolau went to see Aponīgawanī, and when he got to the room Aponībalagen was there. “Why are you here, brother-in-law?” said Aponītolau. “I am here, because I wish to marry your sister,” said Aponībalagen. “If you want to marry her you must engage her and you come another day to makepakálon.”64Not long after Aponībalagen wentPage 58home and told his father and mother that they would go next day to make thepakálonso he could marry Aponīgawanī. Aponītolau and his father and mother went to Kaodanan and took the marriage price before Aponībalagen and his people made thepakálon. Aponībalagen paid the same as Aponītolau did for Aponībolinayen. Not long after they returned to Kadalayapan and the next day Aponībalagen went and got Aponīgawanī. They danced for one month and then they took Aponīgawanī to Kaodanan, and all the people went home. This is all.
(Told by Lagmani, a woman of Patok.)
“Mother Dinawágan go and engage me to someone, for I want to be married. I like the sister of Aponībalagen of Natpangan” said Gawigawen of Adasin. “Yes,” said his mother. So she took her hat which looked like the moonbeam and she started to go and when she arrived in Natpangan she said, “Good morning, nephew Aponībalagen.” “What do you want here, Aunt?” he replied. “What do you want, you say, and I want to talk with you.” “Come up, Aunt, and we will hear what you have to say.” So he asked his mother Ebang to prepare food. As soon as Ebang had prepared the food and called them to eat, Aponībalagen went to get thebasiand they drank before they ate. And Ebang broke up the fish stick and put it in the pot and it became fish.65Not long after they ate, and when they had finished Aponībalagen said to Dinawágan, “Come and see this.” “No, I better stay here.” When Aponībalagen urged her she came in and he opened thebasījar which was nine times inherited and as soon as they had drank Dinawágan said that she could not tarry for it was afternoon, “I have something to tell you, Aponībalagen.” “What is it?” said Aponībalagen. “My son Gawigawen of Adasin wants to marry your sister.” Aponībalagen agreed, so she gave a golden cup which looked like the moon as an engagement present, and they agreed on a day forpakálon.66Aponībalagen said, “Tomorrow will be the day forpakálon.”
Dinawágan went home. “Did they accept our golden cup which looks like the moon, mother?” asked Gawigawen. “Yes. Tomorrow will be thepakálon,” said the mother. Not long after she said, “All you people who live in the same town with us, prepare to go to thepakálonof Gawigawen in Natpangan tomorrow afternoon.” The people agreed and in the morning they truly started and they went. “You, myPage 59jarbilibiliwhich always salutes the visitors, go first; and you my jarginlasanfollow, and youmalayoandtadoganand yougumtan.”67So they went first to Natpangan, and Gawigawen and the people followed them, and also eighteen young girls who were Gawigawen's concubines went also.
Not long after they arrived in Natpangan and Iwaginan and the other people went to attend thepakálon, and also many people from the other towns. When all whom they had invited arrived they agreed how much Gawigawen should pay for his wife. Aponībalagen told them to fill thebalaua68eighteen times with valuable things. So thebalauawas filled. Not long after they ate and when they had finished they went to the yard and they played ongansasand danced. Iwaginan took the skirts and gave one to Nagten-ngaᴇyan of Kapanīkīyan and they danced.69When she danced she looked like the spindle. She did not go around, but always moving and the water from the river went up into the town and the striped fishes bit her heels. Not long after they stopped dancing and Gimbagonan was jealous and she said “Ala, give me the skirt and I will dance next.” “Do not say that Gimbagonan, for it is shameful for us,” he answered her. Not long after he gave the cloth to Dakandokan of Pakapsowan. She danced with Algaba of Dagala. Not long after they finished dancing and Iwaginan made Aponībolinayen and Balogaygayan dance. He often went to fight in the enemies towns. Not long after Aponībolinayen went down from the house and the sunshine vanished when she appeared. She danced with Balogaygayan and when she moved her feet the water from the river went up again into the town and the fish bit at her heels as they did before. After they stopped Iwagīnan made his wife Gimbagonan dance and she was happy when she danced with Aponībalagen. When they danced the big jars around Gimbagonan's neck made more noise than thegansasand the jars said “Kītol, kītol, kanītol, inka, inka, inkantol.”
As soon as they finished dancing the people said, “The best thing to do is to go home, for we have been here three months now.” “We will take Aponībolinayen” said Dinawágan to the people who lived in the same town with her and she spoke to Aponībalagen. So they prepared rice and coconut soaked together and wrapped in leaves, and a cake made of rice flour and coconut shaped like a tongue, a rice cake, which was fried for Aponībolinayen's provision on the road. “You who live in the other towns who were invited, do not go home yet for we are goingPage 60to take Aponībolinayen to Adasin,” said Aponībalagen. Soon it became morning and they all went to Adasin and Gimbagonan carried two big baskets of cakes, and while they were walking she ate all the time and she ate half of them. When they arrived at the spring of Gawigawen of Adasin, they were surprised, for it was very beautiful and its sands were of beads, and the grass they used to clean pots with was also beads and the place where the jars sat was a big dish.70
“Go and tell Gawigawen that he must come here and bring an old man, for I am going to take his head and make a spring for Aponībolinayen,” said Aponībalagen. So someone went and told Gawigawen to bring the old man Taōdan with him to the spring. So Aponībalagen cut off his head and he made a spring and the water from it bubbled up and the body became a big tree called Alangīgan71which used to shade Aponībolinayen when she went to the spring to dip water, and the blood of the old man was changed to valuable beads. Not long after they went up to the town and the place where they walked—from the spring to the ladder of the house—was all big plates. Gimbagonan sat below the house ladder, because they were afraid the house could not hold her, for she was a big woman, and she hated them and she said to Iwaginan, “Why do you put me here?” “We put you there because we are afraid that you will break the house and give a bad sign to the boy and girl who are to be married.”72
Aponībolinayen covered her face all of the time and she sat down in the middle of the house, for Indiápan said that she must not uncover her face for her husband Gawigawen had three noses, and she was afraid to look at him.73But Gawigawen was a handsome man. Aponībolinayen believed what Indiápan had told her. Not long after Dinawágan spread the string of agate beads along the floor where Aponībolinayen sat.74After a month they were still there and the people from the other towns wished to go home, and Aponībalagen said to Aponībolinayen, “Ala, be good to your husband and uncover your face. We are going back home now.” But Aponībolinayen would not uncover her face. Not long after all the people went back to their towns and Aponībolinayen's mother-in-law commanded her to go and cook. She did not uncover her face, but always felt when she went about, and when she had cooked, she refused to eat, but Gawīgawen and his fatherPage 61and mother ate. When Gawigawen went to Aponībolinayen at night she changed to oil, and she did that every night, and they put the carabao hides under her mat so the oil would not drop to the ground. On the fifth night she used magic so that they could not see her go out and she dropped her beads under the house and then she became oil and dropped her body. So she went away and always walked and Gawigawen looked for her, for a long time. He went to Natpangan for he could not find her in any of the towns.
When Aponībolinayen was in the middle of the jungle she met a wild rooster which was crowing. “Where are you going Aponībolinayen?” it said to her. “Why are you walking in the middle of the jungle?” and Aponībolinayen said, “I came here for I am running away from my husband for I do not want to be married to him for he has three noses.” “No, Gawigawen is a handsome man. I often see him, for this is where he comes often to snare chickens. Do not believe what Indiápan said to you, for she is crazy,” said the rooster. Not long after she walked on and she reached the place of many big trees and the big monkey met her and said, “Where are you going, Aponībolinayen?” And she answered, “Where are you going, you say. I am running away because I do not want to marry Gawigawen.” “Why don't you wish to marry Gawigawen?” “Because Indiápan told me he has three noses.” The monkey laughed and said, “Do not believe that. Indiápan wants to marry Gawigawen herself. He is a handsome man.” Aponībolinayen walked on and soon she reached a wide field and she did not know where she was. She stopped in the middle of the field and she thought she would go on to the other side.
Not long after she reached the ocean and she sat down on a log and a carabao came along. It passed often where she sat. Aponībolinayen thought she would ride on the carabao, and she got on its back and it took her to the other side of the ocean. When they reached the other side Aponībolinayen saw a big orange tree with much fruit on it. The carabao said, “Wait here while I eat grass and I will return soon.” Aponībolinayen said, “Yes,” but the carabao went to the place of the man who owned him and said, “Come over here, for there is a good toy for you.” And Kadayadawan of Pintagayan said, “What is it?” “Come, hurry,” said the carabao. So he combed his hair and oiled it and put on his striped coat and his clout and belt, and he took his spear and he rode on the carabao's back. Not long after Kadayadawan saw the pretty girl in the orange tree and he said, “How pretty she is!” And the carabao said, “That is the toy I told you about.”
When they reached the orange tree Aponībolinayen heard him when he stuck his spear in the ground and she looked down and saw a handsomePage 62man. “Good morning, lady,” he said. “Good morning,” answered Aponībolinayen. Not long after they chewed betel-nut and they told their names. “My name is Kadayadawan of Pintagayan who is the son of analan.”75“My name is Aponībolinayen of Natpangan, who is the daughter of Pagbokásan and Ebang, who is the sister of Aponībalagen.” Their betel-nut quids became agate beads and Kadayadawan said to her, “Ala, it is good for us to marry. I am going to take you home.” So he took her to his home and he was good to his carabao, because it had found him a pretty woman. When they reached the house he put her in a room, and theAti76commanded the soldiers to call Kadayadawan. When they reached the yard of Kadayadawan's house they called “Good morning.” And he looked out of the window and said, “What do you want?” “We came, because the king wants you and we came to get you.” So they started and went. When they arrived where the king was, “Why Kadayadawan have you a pretty girl in your house? Every night I notice that your house appears as if it were burning.” “No, I have not,” answered Kadayadawan. “I think you have, for I notice the flames every night.” “No, I have not. Where would I find a pretty woman?”77
Not long after he went back home. When he reached home Aponībolinayen said to him, “It is best for us to makeSayang.”78And Kadayadawan asked, “How do we makeSayangby ourselves? Our neighbors are all soldiers.” “Do not worry about that, I will see,” said Aponībolinayen. Not long after Kadayadawan took the betel-nuts and they oiled them and they sent them to the towns of their relatives to invite them to theirbalaua. The betel-nuts went. Aponībolinayen told Kadayadawan to go and getmolavesticks. When he arrived with them Aponībolinayen used magic and she said, “I use magic so that when I thrust themolavestick in the ground it will become abalaua.” Not long after the stick became abalaua.
The betel-nuts arrived in Natpangan and said to Aponībalagen, “We came to call you, for Kadayadawan of Pintagayan is makingbalaua.” Aponībalagen said, “How can we attend thebalauawhen we are searching for my sister?” “If you do not wish to come I will grow on your knee.” “Go on my pig.” So the betel-nut grew on the pig, and it was so high the pig could not carry it and it squealed very much. “Ala, get off from the pig and we will come.” SoPage 63the betel-nut got off and they started. “All you people who live in the same town come with me to attend thebalauaof Kadayadawan of Pintagayan.” So they went. They arrived at the same time as Gawigawen of Adasin and they met near to the river. Not long after Kadayadawan saw them by the river and he sent the betel-nuts to carry the people across the river. When they were in the middle of the river Kadayadawan used his power so that their old clothes, which they wore in mourning for Aponībolinayen were taken off from them, and they were surprised, for they did not know when their old clothes had been taken off.
When they reached the other side Aponībalagen said to the people who lived with Kadayadawan. “We are ashamed to come up into the town, for we have no clothes.” Then the betel-nuts told Kadayadawan and he said, “Ala, go and tell them that I will come and bring some clothes for them.” Not long after he arrived where they were and he gave them some clothes to use. “Ala, take these clothes and use them, and come up to the town.” But Aponībalagen and his companions were ashamed. Kadayadawan urged them until they accepted the clothes.
Soon they reached the town and they danced and Iwaginan and Nagten-ngᴇyan danced again and the water from the river went up into the town and the fish bit her feet. Not long after that they stopped dancing and Iwaginan made Gawigawen and Aponībolinayen dance. While they were dancing Gawigawen watched Aponībolinayen, and when they had danced around nine times Gawigawen seized her and put her in his belt.79“Why do you do that Gawigawen?” said Kadayadawan to him, and he threw his spear and Gawigawen fell down and Aponībolinayen escaped and Kadayadawan put her in a room. As soon as he put her in the room he went to bring Gawigawen back to life. Not long after he revived him, “Why did you do that, Gawigawen? I did not steal Aponībolinayen from you.” And Gawigawen said, “Even if you did steal Aponībolinayen from me, she was my wife and I could not find her until now. That is why I put her in my belt, and Aponībalagen knows that she is my wife.” And Kadayadawan said, “She is my wife now.”
Not long after thealanwho took care of Kadayadawan told Langa-an “Kadayadawan is your son. I picked him up when he was only blood which fell from you.”80“Why do you say that you are not my mother?” said Kadayadawan to thealan. Langa-an said to thealan, “It is good if he is my son.” They were very happy and they said to Aponībalagen, “Now we will pay the marriage price and also the price which GawigawenPage 64paid before, we will repay to him.” Aponībalagen agreed, “You fill mybalauanine times with valuable things.” Not long after they filled thebalauanine times with valuable things and they repaid Gawigawen what he had paid when he married Aponībolinayen. When they had paid they danced again. “Ala, now we must go home, for we have staid here a month,” said the people from the other towns. So they went home and they took Aponībolinayen's marriage price.
“Ala, now my cousinalan, we are going to take Aponītolau81home for you have said he is our son,” and thealansaid, “Yes, take all of my things. I took him for I had no children to inherit my possessions.” So they took them to Kadalayapan. Thealanwent to the other part of the world, and Langa-an used magic so that the golden house which thealangave to Aponītolau went to their town of Kadalayapan. Not long after the golden house arrived and the people were surprised when they woke up in the morning and saw the big golden house. Not long after Aponītolau and Aponībolinayen and their father arrived there.
(Told by Magwati of Lagangilang.)