ians on horseback armed
with rifles, and a pack of dogs of high and low degree. Our chief
hunter was a remarkably fine-looking man, a half-caste. He was dressed
in something like a bull-fighter's costume. He dismounted and
approached the wood, rifle in hand. Two of the Indians threw off most
of their clothes, and kept only their swords by their sides. Thus
lightly clad, they were able to climb the trees to get out of harm's
way. The Indians beat the woods, and the dogs barked and yelped, till
at length a huge buffalo came out to ascertain what all the noise was
about. He stood pawing the ground and tossing up the grass with his
horns, as if working himself into a rage, looking round that he might
single out an object on which to vent his rage. Though we were at some
distance, we felt the scene excessively trying. His eye soon fell on
the bold huntsman, who stood rifle in hand ready to hit him on the head
as he approached. If his hand trembled, if his rifle missed fire, his
fate was sealed. The excitement, as I watched the result, was so great,
that I could scarcely breathe. The huntsman stood like a statue, so
calm and unmoved, with his eye fixed on the monstrous brute. The
buffalo got within a dozen paces of him. I almost shrieked out, for I
expected every moment to see the man tossed in the air, or trampled and
gored to death with those formidable horns. On came the buffalo--there
was a report--a cloud of smoke--and as it cleared away, he was seen with
his knees bent and his head as it were ploughing the ground; yet another
moment, and his huge body rolled over a lifeless mass; and the hunter
advancing, placed his foot proudly between his horns, as a sign that he
was the victor. Loud shouts rent the air from all the Indians, for the
feat their leader had performed was no easy one, and which few are
capable of accomplishing. In some parts of the island, buffaloes are
taken with the lasso, as we had seen it employed in Mexico. The animal
was cut up and transferred to a cart, to be carried down to the lake, by
which it was to be conveyed to Manilla. Tame buffaloes are used for
agricultural purposes.

The vegetable productions of the Philippines are very numerous. Rice is
grown in great quantities. What is known as Manilla hemp is an article
of much value. It is obtained from the fibre of a species of plantain.
It, can only be exported from the port of Manilla. Indigo, coffee,
sugar, cotton, and tob