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Updated: June 7, 2025
Here my guide stopped short, the fight having no longer any interest for him; and then, perceiving I questioned him no longer, he left me to myself, when I returned to my habitation and Alila, who was sick enough of Manabo. For my own part I had seen enough of the Tinguians, and besides I thought I had observed that they seemed not too well pleased with the long stay I had made among them.
"Ah!" said Alila, "if I had not taken the anten-anten from him he would be still alive." I searched the small book through and through; prayers and invocations that had not much sense were therein written in the Tagalese language. A good friar who was present took it out of my hands.
Whilst he addressed me these complaints, I had leant my back against one side of the well, my knees were applied against the other, and down I went. I had already descended about four yards, when I felt some rubbish falling upon me. I raised my head, and saw Alila coming down too. The poor fellow would not remain alone.
As we cannot sleep, and that we are masters here, let us make a night visit; perhaps we shall find things that are unknown to us. Light the fire and follow me, Alila." The poor lieutenant obeyed without answering a word. He rubbed two pieces of bamboo one against the other, and I heard him muttering between his teeth: "What cursed idea has the master now?
Alila was the best runner he was as fleet as a deer; so I told him: "Set out, Alila, and bring me that runaway, either dead or alive." My brave lieutenant, to be less encumbered in the race, left his gun with us, took a long spear, and went off.
I gave it a strong push, and at the moment, Cajoui, who, with his carbine on cock, was waiting for me behind the door, fired straight at me. The fire and the smoke blinded me, and by a most inconceivable chance the ball slightly grazed my clothes without wounding me. Alila, knowing I had no fire-arms, hearing the report, thought I was killed.
Ah! how often since that time, when seated before a richly served table having before me delicious and recherché viands, and that in dining-rooms where the atmosphere was balmy and perfumed by the aroma arising from the highly flavoured dishes how often, I say, have I regretted the supper I partook of with Alila in the forest, after a day's ramble on the mountains!
"If he rob, why it is only to get possession of a little of the superfluity of the rich, and that he divides among the poor that's all. Now, master, do you know what use the Tulisan makes of his plunder?" "No, indeed, master Alila," answered I, smilingly.
I understood from him that he was accompanied by no fellow-traveller, and that he was going northwards, in the opposite direction to our own. But Alila, who decidedly had a grudge against the savages, was most anxious to lodge a ball in this fellow's head. However, I strenuously opposed such a project, and ordered him to let go the bridle.
I made my preparations, and set out with my faithful lieutenant, Alila, who never left me, and who was justly styled Mabouti-Tao. We were mounted upon good horses, that carried us along like gazelles to Vigan, the chief town of the province of South Ilocos, where we left the animals. This river is the only issue by which we could penetrate to the Tinguians.
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