"Gold Spur is a stranger," said the sovereign. "I will bet on Rival of Lightning; I consider him matchless: he killed Coral Beak, who had slaughtered untold adversaries."
All the spectators followed the Queen's example.
"If that is so," she cried, laughing, "I will bet alone against you all; I will join myself to the fortunes of Gold Spur."
The struggle began. Rival of Lightning rushed forward with the speed which had won him his name. Usually, he disabled his foe at the first onslaught; but now he fell back, leaving a few feathers in his antagonist's beak, the latter being untouched.
"Well done! well done!" was the shout on every side. "Gold Spur begins wonderfully well!"
Some of the noblemen squatted on their heels, to follow the fight more closely.
The birds closed for the second time. But nothing was to be seen except a confused heap of quivering plumes; then Rival of Lightning fell with bleeding head, and Gold Spur proudly placed one foot upon the body of his conquered enemy.
"Victory!" cried the Kisaki, clapping her small milk-white hands. "Gold Spur is the monarch of the day; to him belongs the prize collar."
One of the princesses fetched a black lacquer box containing a gold ring set with rubies and coral, from which hung a tiny crystal bell.
The victor was brought to the Queen, who, taking the ring in two fingers, put it round the bird's neck.