During the early part of the night he was all right, but later it occurred to him that he might be seen and killed by the ladrones, who often passed that way.
Below the bridge was a raft of bamboo poles, and he thought it would be wise to get down there, where he could not so easily be seen. But there were many mosquitoes over the water, so that he was unable to sleep. He determined, however, to stay there until day dawned.
At about four o'clock he heard a heavy step upon the floor of the bridge, and by the moonlight he could see that the new-comer was a huge giant with a long club.
A little later another giant came, and Tanag, full of fear, heard the following dialogue:—
"Did you kill many people?"
"Yes, I put my poison on the food, and in a short time those who ate of it were attacked by the cholera and died. And how are you getting along yourself?"
"At first I killed many people with my poison, but now I am disappointed, because they have found out the antidote for it."
"What is that?"
"The root of the balingay tree boiled in water. It is a powerful antidote against the poison I use. And what is the antidote against yours?"
"Simply the root of the alibutbut tree boiled in water. Luckily, no one has discovered this antidote, and so many people will die."