I had hidden my poor little white jacket in my hat, and I strode along the causeway of Manilla more proud than Artaban himself. I was the owner of a coat and six lancets; but there remained, for all my fortune, the sum of one dollar only; this consideration slightly tempered the joy that I felt in gazing on my brilliant costume. I thought of where I could pass the night, and subsist on the morrow and the following days, if the sick were not ready for me. Reflecting thus I slowly wandered from Binondoc to the military town, and from the military town back to Binondoc,--when, suddenly, a bright idea shot across my brain. At Cavite I had heard spoken of a Spanish captain, by name Don Juan Porras, whom an accident had rendered almost blind. I resolved to seek him, and offer my services; it remained but to find his residence. I addressed a hundred persons, but each replied that he did not know, and passed on his way. An Indian who kept a small shop, and to whom I spoke, relieved my trouble: "If the senor is a captain," he said, "your excellency would obtain his address at the first barrack on your road." I thanked him, and eagerly followed his counsel. At the infantry barracks, where I presented myself, the officer on duty sent a soldier to guide me to the captain's dwelling: it was time, the night had already fallen. Don Juan Porras was an Andalusian, a good man, and of an extremely cheerful disposition. I found him with his head wrapped in a Madras handkerchief, busied in completely covering his eyes with two enormous poultices. "Senor Captain," I said, "I am a physician, and a skilful oculist. I have come hither to take care of you, and I am fully convinced that I shall cure you." "Basta" (enough is said), was his answer; "all the physicians in Manilla are asses." This more than sceptical reply did not discourage me. I resolved to turn it to account. "My opinion is precisely the same as yours," I promptly answered; "and it is because I am strongly convinced of the ignorance of the native doctors, that I have made up my mind to come and practise in the Philippines." "Of what nation are you, sir?" "I am a Frenchman." "A French physician!" cried Don Juan; "Ah! that is quite another matter. I ask your pardon for having spoken so irreverently of men of your profession. A French physician! I put myself entirely into your hands. Take my eyes, Senor Medico, and do what you will with them!" The conversation was taking a favourable turn: I hastened to broach the principal question: "Your eyes are very bad, Senor Captain," said I; "to accomplish a speedy cure, it is absolutely necessary that I should never quit you for a moment." "Would you consent to come and pass some time with me, doctor?" Here was the principal consideration settled. "I consent," replied I, "but on one condition; namely, that I shall pay you for my board and lodging."