that?" commented Greer.

The savages were for all the world like packs of wild animals brought
to bay. Gaudy Bogobos from Davao brushed shoulders for the first time
with Sabanas and Kalibugans, and their snarls and bickerings boded
ill for the success of the bichara; but finally the natives huddled
together, linked by the common suspicion of their Christian enemy.

Before entering the town, every visitor was required to place
his weapons in the _lanceria_. Now a weaponless Moro is the most
embarrassed of men, with the possible exception of the dreamer who
finds himself at a party in pajamas. A Moro's idea of his costume,
arranged in order of its importance is: first, weapons; second, hat;
third, shirt, and, incidentally, trousers.

The timid creatures slunk along, looking suspiciously behind them, but
as the soldiers paid no attention to them, they gradually forgot their
enmity toward civilization and became engrossed in the new delights:
pink lemonade, pop-corn, toy balloons. They were beside themselves
with joy. When ice-cream was introduced, and they had been assured
that it would not burn them, their admiration was unbounded. Piang
surreptitiously slipped some of the heavenly sweet into his wallet
for future consumption and was dismayed a little later to find a thin
stream trickling down his leg and an empty wallet.

Governor Findy watched with interest the mingling of the many alien
people. Wily Chinamen behind their bamboo street-stalls ministered
to the wants of the throng, taking in trade bits of gold-dust and
trinkets of brass; Filipinos offered their wares, cooling drinks and
sweets. The Filipino's costume is very different from that of the
Moro. He wears stiff, white trousers, carefully creased and immaculate
shirts which hang outside the trousers. He wears no shoes, and his
short black hair is oiled and brushed very carefully.

"Now, it's many times I've been wonderin' what the advantage is in
wearin' your shirt outside your trousers," said Sergeant Greer to a
sentry. "That's what I call practical," and he pointed to an ice-cream
vender, industriously wiping a spoon on the tail of his shirt, before
offering it to a new customer.

There was great excitement over the coming _baile_ (ball). That night
savages and Christians were to enjoy the festivities side by side, and
marvelous tales of preparation were being circulated. Piang and Kali
Pandapatan wandered about the village, pausing here and there, fill