nish name for a Mexican dollar, worth about
forty-seven cents; but two _pesos_ and an American dollar are reckoned
as of the same value in Manila.

"A hundred dollars gold! Why, that's the same price you asked me
before," cried Hal in good-natured protest.

"Yep, allee same; him plenty cheap."

"It's too much," sighed Sergeant Hal. But the Chinaman, as though he had
not heard, asked:

"You likee? You buy?"

"I can't afford it at that price."

"All light; come in some other day," invited the Chinaman politely, and
glided over to where another possible customer was examining some
handsome jade jewelry.

"My _soldado_ (soldier) friend has not been long in Manila?" inquired a
low, pleasant, courteous voice behind the two young soldiers.

Hal wheeled. It was the Filipino dandy whom he confronted. That smiling,
prosperous-looking native was employing his left hand to twist one end
of the upturned moustache to a finer point.

"No; we haven't been here long," Hal smiled. "Three days, in fact."

"And you do not yet know how to bargain with these sharp-witted _Chinos_
(Chinese)?"

"I'm afraid not," said Sergeant Overton.

"May I ask, senor, what you wished to buy?"

"This box," Hal answered.

"And how much did the _Chino_ want for it, if I may make bold enough to
ask so much of the senor's business?"

"Why, he wants a hundred dollars in gold," Hal responded.

The Filipino dandy inspected the box critically.

"You are right, senor; the price is too high. It is _muy caro_ (very
dear), in fact. It could be bought for less, if you knew better how to
deal with these smiling yellow heathen."

"I'd be greatly obliged, then, if you would tell me how to put the
bargain through."

"You should get this rare and handsome box, senor, for ninety dollars,
gold--even, perhaps, for not much more than eighty."

"Even that would be a fearful price for me to pay," murmured Hal,
shaking his head regretfully. "I shall have to give up the idea, I
guess."

"Ah, but no!" cried the Filipino, as though struck suddenly by an idea.
"Not if the senor will do me one very great favor!"

"What favor can I possibly do you?" asked Sergeant Hal, regarding the
little brown man with considerable astonishment.

"Why, it is all very simple, senor. Simply let me feel that I have been
permitted to do a courtesy to an _Americano_ to one of the race to which
I owe so much. In a word, senor, I am not--as you may perhaps
guess"--here the Filipi