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170 had been trampled under the feet of a runaway buffalo cow, a beast quite common in certain parts of the Philippines. His home was that now being reduced to ashes.

"Your lot is certainly a hard one, my man," said Dan to him soothingly. "But it will do you no good to sit here and mourn. What is your name?"

"Wamba, señor."

"Would you like to become our guide, Wamba? We will pay you well?"

At this the eyes of the native brightened somewhat, for he was of the poorest class.

"You will pay me well?" he asked slowly.

"We will."

"You will not pay me in chit?" went on Wamba. In Manila many large bills are paid in chit, instead of coin, a chit being merely a personal note. These chits are issued by nearly everyone, and float around from person to person before being presented to the issuer for redemption.

"No, you shall have coin—gold and silver," and Dan showed the contents of his purse, which contained several Mexican silver dollars, and some Spanish gold and copper coins.

"And where shall I guide you?"

"We want to go into Manila secretly."

"You are soldier spies?"