🧚 Opening, part 24 · page 2

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.70

“If I give you the statue now,” said he, “there will come dreadful storms, rain, and darkness.”71

But they only laughed at him and insisted on having the statue, so he reached into his helmet and drew it forth.72

Immediately the earth began to quake.73 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.74

“You would not believe what I told you,” said the boy; “and now I am going to let the storm continue.”75

But the Sultan begged him and promised that Bantugan might marry his daughter with no other gifts at all save the statue of gold.76 Balatama put back the statue into his helmet, and the air became calm again to the great relief of the Sultan and his courtiers.77 Then Balatama prepared to return home, promising that Bantugan would come in three months for the wedding.78

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.79

Now about this time a Spanish general heard that Bantugan was preparing to marry the Sultan’s daughter, whom he determined to wed himself.80 A great expedition was prepared, and he with all his brothers embarked on his large warship which was followed by ten thousand other ships.81 They went to the Sultan’s city, and their number was so great that they filled the harbor, frightening the people greatly.82

Then the General’s brother disembarked and came to the house of the Sultan.83 He demanded the Princess for the General, saying that if the request were refused the fleet would destroy the city and all its people.84 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.85

In the meantime Bantugan had been preparing everything for the marriage which he expected to take place at the appointed time.86 But as the days went by and Balatama did not return they became alarmed, fearing that he was dead.87 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.88

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.89 They then brought their ship to anchor.90 But all were disappointed that they could go no farther, and one said, “Why do we not go on?91 Even if the blades of grass turn into Spaniards we need not fear.”92 Another said: “Why do we fear?93 Even if the cannon-balls come like rain, we can always fight.”94 Finally some wanted to return to their homes and Bantugan said: “No, let us seek my son.95 Even though we must enter the harbor where the Spaniards are, let us continue our search.”96 So at his command the anchors were lifted, and they sailed into the harbor where the Spanish fleet lay.97

Now at this very time the Spanish general and his brother were with the Sultan, intending to call upon the Princess.98 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.99 They could not tell whose flags the ships bore.100 Neither could the Sultan when he was called.101 Then he sent his brother to bring his father, who was a very old man, to see if he could tell.102 The father was kept in a little dark room by himself that he might not get hurt, and the Sultan said to his brother:103

“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.”104

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.105 And he told them that he and Bantugan’s father years ago had made a contract that their children and children’s children should inter-marry, and now since the Sultan had promised his daughter to two people, he foresaw that great trouble would come to the land.106 Then the Sultan said to the General:107

“Here are two claimants to my daughter’s hand.108 Go aboard your ships and you and Bantugan make war on each other, and the victor shall have my daughter.”109

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.110 Then the Spanish general said:111

“I cannot see Bantugan or the fleet anywhere, so let us go and claim the Princess.”112

But the Sultan said: “We must wait until the smoke rises to make sure that Bantugan is gone.”113

When the smoke rose, the ships of Bantugan were apparently unharmed and the Sultan said:114

“Bantugan has surely won, for his fleet is uninjured while yours is badly damaged.115 You have lost.”116

“No,” said the General, “we will fight it out on dry land.”117

So they both landed their troops and their cannon, and a great fight took place, and soon the ground was covered with dead bodies.118 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:119

“If you give your daughter to Bantugan we shall fight forever, or until we die.”120

Then the Sultan sent for Bantugan and said:121

“We must deceive the Spaniard in order to get him to go away.122 Let us tell him that neither of you will marry my daughter, and then after he has gone, we shall have the wedding.”123

Bantugan agreed to this, and word was sent to the Spaniard that the fighting must cease since many women and children were being killed.124 So it was agreed between the Spaniard and Bantugan that neither of them should marry the Princess.125 Then they both sailed away to their homes.126

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.127 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.128 When he found that she had already been carried away by Bantugan, his wrath knew no bounds.129 He destroyed the Sultan, his city, and all its people.130 And then he sailed away to prepare a great expedition with which he should utterly destroy Bantugan and his country as well.131

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.132 His heart sank within him, for he knew well that he and his country were doomed.133