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248 Both Ben and the major could not help but smile. They had met such friars before,—for the Philippines are fairly overrun with them—some good, some indifferent, and some very bad,—and they knew that not one of the order thinks of taking up arms either on one side or the other. Besides, the specimen before them looked so thoroughly uncomfortable and miserable they could not help but pity him.

"If you're all right, we'll not hurt you," said the major.

"T'ank you, señor, t'ank you!" And the friar almost touched the floor with his bowing.

"Are you hungry?" asked Ben.

"Hungry!" The holy man began to mutter something in his native tongue. "I have eaten nothing, sefior,—no, nothing; think of it!—in two days!"

"You shall have something, and at once," said Ben. "You are willing, major?"

"To be sure, captain; give him his fill, poor fellow. I wouldn't be in his boots for a good deal." And while Ben took the friar to where he might have something to comfort the inner man, the major continued his walk through the old building.