Part 30 (1/2)
Tarsilo gazed at the bird with a sombre air. It seemed that he was not looking at the c.o.c.k, but at something in the future. He pa.s.sed his hand over his forehead.
”Are you ready?” he asked his brother, his voice scarcely perceptible.
”I? Long ago. Without having to see them.”
”It is our poor sister----”
”Bah! Didn't they tell you that the leader is Don Crisostomo? Have you not seen him walking with the Governor General? What danger will we run?”
”And if we are killed?”
”What does it matter? Our father died from being whipped to death.”
”You are right.”
Both brothers sought Lucas in the crowd.
As soon as they caught sight of him, Tarsilo stopped.
”No! Let us go away from here! We are going to lose,” he exclaimed.
”Go if you wish. I am going to accept.”
”Bruno!”
Unfortunately, a man approached them and said:
”Are you betting? I am backing the bulik.”
The two brothers did not reply.
”I'll give you odds.”
”How much?” asked Bruno.
The man counted out four peso pieces. Bruno looked at him, breathless.
”I have two hundred. Fifty to forty.”
”No,” said Bruno promptly. ”Make it ...”
”All right! fifty to thirty.”
”Double it if you wis.h.!.+”
”Well! The bulik is my winning color and I have just won. Hundred against sixty!”