262 RAJA DON AX. 



and petted him, and he soon shewed an astonishing and pre- 

 cocious appreciation of her caresses. One day she threw 

 him off rather roughly, and turned to her weaving, and when 

 she looked round again, behold the child had taken the form 

 of a handsome young man. Then Raja Donan explained 

 who he was and how he had come there and reminded the 

 Princess of the presents she had sent him by the kite. Then 

 they ate together and exchanged mutual vows and were ex- 

 ceedingly happy. 



RAJA Donan now took the name of Che TUAKAL and by 

 private agreement with the Princess commenced to busy him- 

 self with the arrangements for her marriage with RAJA PlAKAS, 

 which had been interrupted by her supposed death and his 

 confinement in prison. Raja PlAKAS on being released 

 amused himself daily with other young nobles at the cock-pit, 

 where no one was found to vanquish his birds. 



Che TUAKAL wended his way to the pulai tree where he 

 had, as RAJA DONAN, left his clothing and other property. 

 The tree opened as before, and he took out his things and 

 went back to the town carrying the tail -less cock under his 

 arm. With it he presented himself at the cock-pit, where he 

 was challenged to a match by Raja PlAKAS. At first he said 

 lie had no money, but eventually let himself be persuaded to 

 accept the challenge. Then the owners proceeded to match 

 their birds. That of Raja PlAKAS was of the size for which 

 the top spur (bulang atas) is suitable, and Raja DONAN, 

 though his bird was smaller, used a spur fixed in the same 

 way."* Wanting some one to hold the bird while he was 

 fastening the spurs, t Raja Donan threw his flute on the 

 ground and it immediately became an ugly youth who forth- 

 with attended him. Raja PlAKAS now gave the word to fix 

 the spurs on the birds. The ugly youth held Raja Donan's 

 bird, and while the latter fixed on the spur, repeated this 

 verse : — 



* There are several ways of fixing spurs on game cocks among the Malays- 

 The smaller the bird the lower should the spur be fixed. A small bird with a 

 spur fixed above the claws may be matched against a large one with a spur fixed 

 near the knee-joint. 



r The bird must be held by one person while another fastens the spur on, 

 otherwise the bird might be cut and injured; mem-bega is the technical word for 

 this office. 



