Capitan Basilio approaches one of the townsmen and asks, "Do you know which cock Capitan Tiago is going to bring?" "I don't know, sir. This morning two came, one of them the _lásak_ that whipped the Consul's _talisain_." [127] "Do you think that my _bulik_ is a match for it?" "I should say so! I'll bet my house and my camisa on it!" At that moment Capitan Tiago arrives, dressed like the heavy gamblers, in a camisa of Canton linen, woolen pantaloons, and a wide straw hat. Behind him come two servants carrying the _lásak_ and a white cock of enormous size. "Sinang tells me that Maria is improving all the time," says Capitan Basilio. "She has no more fever but is still very weak." "Did you lose last night?" "A little. I hear that you won. I'm going to see if I can't get even here." "Do you want to fight the _lásak?_" asks Capitan Basilio, looking at the cock and taking it from the servant. "That depends--if there's a bet." "How much will you put up?" "I won't gamble for less than two." "Have you seen my _bulik?_" inquires Capitan Basilio, calling to a man who is carrying a small game-cock. Capitan Tiago examines it and after feeling its weight and studying its scales returns it with the question, "How much will you put up?" "Whatever you will." "Two, and five hundred?" "Three?" "Three!" "For the next fight after this!" The chorus of curious bystanders and the gamblers spread the news that two celebrated cocks will fight, each of which has a history and a well-earned reputation. All wish to see and examine the two celebrities, opinions are offered, prophecies are made. Meanwhile, the murmur of the voices grows, the confusion increases, the _Rueda_ is broken into, the seats are filled. The skilled attendants carry the two cocks into the arena, a white and a red, already armed but with the gaffs still sheathed. Cries are heard, "On the white!" "On the white!" while some other voice answers, "On the red!" The odds are on the white, he is the favorite; the red is the "outsider," the _dejado_. Members of the Civil Guard move about in the crowd. They are not dressed in the uniform of that meritorious corps, but neither are they in civilian costume. Trousers of _guingón_ with a red stripe, a camisa stained blue from the faded blouse, and a service-cap, make up their costume, in keeping with their deportment; they make bets and keep watch, they raise disturbances and talk of keeping the peace.