“My friend,” said the captain, “these oranges are different from any in this country, for each contains but one seed.”

Pusong had learned all that he needed to know, so he swam back to the shore, and the next morning announced that he was ready for the trial.

Many people had assembled to hear the great seer.  Pusong continued to read in his book, as though it was the source of his information.  The hour agreed upon struck, and the captain of the vessel handed an orange to Juan and said:  “Mr. Pusong, you may tell us how many seeds this orange contains.”

Pusong took the orange and smelled it.  Then he opened his book and after a while said:  “This orange you have presented me with contains but one seed.”

The orange was cut and but the one seed found in it, so Pusong was paid the money.  Of course he obtained a great reputation throughout the country, and became very rich.

III.  Juan Pusong’s father drove his cows out one day to pasture.  Juan slipped secretly from the house, and going to the pasture, took the cows into the forest and tied them there.  When his father was going for the cows he met Juan and asked:  “Where did you come from?” The boy replied:  “I have just come from school.  What are you looking for?”

“I am looking for our cows,” said his father.

“Why did n’t you tell me that before,” asked Juan.  “Wait a minute,” and he took his little book from his pocket and, looking into it, said:  “Our cows are in such a place in the forest, tied together.  Go and get them.”  So his father went to the place where Juan said the cows were and found them.  Afterwards it was discovered that Juan could not read even his own name, so his father beat him for the trick he had played.

IV.  Pusong and Tabloc-laui.  Pusong had transgressed the law, and was for this reason put into a cage to be in a short time submerged with it into the sea.

Tabloc-laui, a friend of Pusong’s, passed by and saw him in the cage.  “What are you there for?” Tabloc-laui asked.

“Oh!” answered Pusong, “I am a prisoner here, as you see, because the chief wants me to marry his daughter and I don’t want to do it.  I am to stay here until I consent.”

“What a fool you are!” said Tabloc-laui.  “The chief’s daughter is pretty, and I am surprised that you are not willing to marry her.”

“Hear me, Tabloc-laui!” said the prisoner.  “If you want to marry the chief’s daughter, let me out and get in here in my place; for tomorrow they will come and ask you if you will consent.  Then you will be married at once.”

“I am willing!” exclaimed Tabloc-laui.  “Get out and I will take your place!”

Next morning the chief ordered his soldiers to take the cage with the prisoner to the sea and submerge it in the water.

Tabloc-laui, on seeing the soldiers coming toward him, thought they would make inquiries of him as Pusong had said.