is the only antidote to its bite; if that be not
promptly resorted to, horrible sufferings are followed by certain
death. The alin-morani is another kind, eight or ten feet long, and,
if anything, more dangerous still than the "rice leaf," inasmuch as
its bite is deeper, and more difficult to cauterise. I was never
bitten by any of these reptiles, despite the slight precaution I
observed in wandering about the woods, by night as well as by day.

Twice only I endangered myself: the first time was by treading upon
a dajon-palay; I was warned by a movement under my foot. I pressed
hard with that leg, and saw the snake's little head stretching out
to bite me on the ankle; fortunately my foot was on him at so short a
distance from his head that he could not get at me. I drew my dagger,
and cut off his head. On another occasion, I noticed two eagles
rising and falling like arrows amongst the bushes, always at the
same place. Curious to see what kind of animal they were attacking,
I approached the place; but no sooner had I done so, than an enormous
alin-morani, furious with the wounds the eagles had inflicted on him,
advanced to meet me. I retreated; he coiled himself up, gave a spring,
and almost caught me on the face. By an instantaneous movement,
I made a spring backwards, and avoided him; but I took care not to
turn my back and run, for then I should have been lost. The serpent
returned to the charge, bounding towards me; I again avoided him, and
was trying, but in vain, to reach him with my dagger, when an Indian,
who perceived me from a distance, ran up, armed with a stout switch,
and rid me of him.

CHAPTER XI.

The Prosperity and Happiness of my Life at
Jala-Jala--Destructiveness of the Locusts--Agriculture in the
Philippines--My Herds of Oxen, Buffaloes, and Horses--My Wife
presents me with a Daughter, who Dies--The Admiration of the Indian
Women for my Wife--Birth of my Son--Continued Prosperity--Death
of my brother Henry--My Friendship with Malvilain--His Marriage
with my eldest Sister--His Premature Death--I take my Wife to
Manilla--Melancholy Adieus--We Return to Jala-Jala--Death of my
Wife--My friend Vidie--I determine to Return to France.

Never was life more actively spent, or more crowded with emotions,
than the time I passed at Jala-Jala, but it suited my tastes and
my character, and I enjoyed as perfect happiness as one can look
for when far away from on