Twice only I endangered myself: the first time was by treading upon a dajon-palay; I was warned by a movement under my foot. I pressed hard with that leg, and saw the snake's little head stretching out to bite me on the ankle; fortunately my foot was on him at so short a distance from his head that he could not get at me. I drew my dagger, and cut off his head. On another occasion, I noticed two eagles rising and falling like arrows amongst the bushes, always at the same place. Curious to see what kind of animal they were attacking, I approached the place; but no sooner had I done so, than an enormous alin-morani, furious with the wounds the eagles had inflicted on him, advanced to meet me. I retreated; he coiled himself up, gave a spring, and almost caught me on the face. By an instantaneous movement, I made a spring backwards, and avoided him; but I took care not to turn my back and run, for then I should have been lost. The serpent returned to the charge, bounding towards me; I again avoided him, and was trying, but in vain, to reach him with my dagger, when an Indian, who perceived me from a distance, ran up, armed with a stout switch, and rid me of him. CHAPTER XI. The Prosperity and Happiness of my Life at Jala-Jala--Destructiveness of the Locusts--Agriculture in the Philippines--My Herds of Oxen, Buffaloes, and Horses--My Wife presents me with a Daughter, who Dies--The Admiration of the Indian Women for my Wife--Birth of my Son--Continued Prosperity--Death of my brother Henry--My Friendship with Malvilain--His Marriage with my eldest Sister--His Premature Death--I take my Wife to Manilla--Melancholy Adieus--We Return to Jala-Jala--Death of my Wife--My friend Vidie--I determine to Return to France.