92 Traditions of the Tinguian 



go to take it to her." He took the switch and used the power of the 

 betel-nut, so that he went as quickly as a person can point to the place 

 of many betel-nuts. In a short time, as the story goes, they arrived. 

 "Good evening," said Aponitolau, but Aponibolinayen thought him 

 to be an enemy. "Does the old enemy bring greetings?" asked Aponi- 

 tolau. Then they went up into the house and he leaned against the 

 corner pole. Aponibolinayen looked at Aponitolau and his good looks 

 seemed to climb the corner pole. " It is better for us to tell our names," 

 said Aponitolau, "for it is difficult to talk when we do not know each 

 other's names." After that he took out, from his little sack, nuts 

 whose husks were of gold. He cut a nut and when he gave the half to 

 Aponibolinayen their golden finger rings exchanged themselves. "Give 

 back my ring," she said. "Our relationship is the reason they change," 

 said Aponitolau. Then they chewed and laid the quids on the headaxe 

 and they became agate beads which looked like honey, and laid in 

 parallel lines. "We are relatives," they said, and in a short time they 

 told their names. When it became time to eat, Aponibolinayen said, 

 "What do we eat?" He took the boiling stick and broke it into pieces, 

 and it became a fish which they ate, 1 and Aponitolau took the bone 

 out of the fish which Aponibolinayen ate. When they finished eating 

 she spread the mat and the blanket which they kept in the box. "I 

 do not like a blanket which is kept in a box, for it smells like kimi"* 

 said Aponitolau. "Why do you not like it? It is what we keep for 

 company and is easy to use," said Aponibolinayen. "The end of my 

 clout is enough for my blanket," said Aponitolau. Then Aponibolina- 

 yen used the power of the betel-nut and vanished. "Why is there 

 no one here?" said Aponitolau. "I use your power betel-nut, so 

 that I may become the insect which belongs to Kaodanan (i.e., the 

 firefly)." 



After that he flew and arrived in the ninth room and sailed back and 

 forth near Aponibolinayen who was playing a pan-pipe. He touched 

 her body and she struck him away. "You must not strike me away, 

 for you hit my headaxe." After that Aponitolau sat down. "How 

 did you pass in here?" she asked. "I passed through the crack in the 

 wall," said Aponitolau; and after that they laid together. When it 

 was early morning Aponibolinayen sent him away, for she feared her 

 brother might come. 



As Aponitolau went quickly to his raft, he was seen by Balau of 

 Baboyan, a great bird. "How fine is Aponitolau, Ala! I shall take 



1 See p. 1 7. 

 1 An insect. 



