m to take up my own post, he imprudently sent them away, and soon
after, the buffalo started from the wood, and rushed upon him. He
fired both his barrels, and missed the animal; we heard the reports
and ran towards him, but it was too late! Ocampo was no longer in
existence. The buffalo had gored him through and through, and his body
was ploughed up with frightful wounds. But no such accident ever took
place again; for when strangers came to witness our buffalo hunts,
I made them get up in a tree, or on the crest of a mountain, where
they might remain as spectators of the combat, without taking any
part in it, or being exposed to any danger.

And now that I have described buffalo hunting in the mountains,
I must return to my colonising labours.

CHAPTER V.

Description of my House at Jala-Jala--Storms, Gales, and
Earthquakes--Reforming the Banditti--Card-playing--Tagal
Cock-fighting--Skirmishes with Robbers--Courage of my Wife--Our
Domestic Happiness--Visits from Europeans--Their Astonishment at
our Civilisation--Visit to a Sick Friend at Manilla--Tour through
the Provinces of the Ilocos and Pangasinan Indians--My Reception
by the Tinguians--Their Appearance and Habits--Manners and
Customs--Indian Fete at Laganguilan y Madalag--Horrible Ceremonies
to Celebrate a Victory--Songs and Dances--Our Night-watch--We
Explore our Cabin--Discovery of a Secret Well--Tomb of the
Tinguian Indians.

As I have previously said, my house possessed every comfort that
could possibly be desired. It was built of hewn stone, so that in
case of an attack it could serve as a small fortress. The front
overlooked the lake, which bathed with its clear and limpid waters
the verdant shore within a hundred steps from my dwelling; the back
part looked upon woods and hills, where the vegetation was rich and
plentiful. From our windows we could gaze upon those grand majestic
scenes which a beautiful tropical sky so frequently affords. At
times, on a dark night, the summits of the hills suddenly shone
with a weak faint light, which increased by degrees; then the bright
moon gradually appeared, and illuminated the tops of the mountains,
as large beacon-fires would have done; then again, calm, peaceful,
and serene, she reflected her soft poetic light over the bosom of
the lake, as tranquil and unruffled as herself. It was indeed an
imposing sight. Towards evening, Nature at times showed herself