I must confess, without vanity, that the proof to which my Indians had subjected me was sufficiently serious to give them a decided opinion of my courage, and to satisfy them that a Frenchman was as brave as themselves. The habit I subsequently acquired of hunting convinced me that but little danger is really incurred when the weapon is a good one, and the self-possession does not fail. Once every month I indulged in this exercise, which imparts such lively sensations; and I recognised the facility with which one may lodge a ball in a plain surface, a few inches in diameter, and at a few paces distance. But it is no less true that our first huntings were very dangerous. Once only I permitted a Spaniard named Ocampo to accompany us. I had taken the precaution to station two Indians at his side; but when I quitted them to take up my own post, he imprudently sent them away, and soon after, the buffalo started from the wood, and rushed upon him. He fired both his barrels, and missed the animal; we heard the reports and ran towards him, but it was too late! Ocampo was no longer in existence. The buffalo had gored him through and through, and his body was ploughed up with frightful wounds. But no such accident ever took place again; for when strangers came to witness our buffalo hunts, I made them get up in a tree, or on the crest of a mountain, where they might remain as spectators of the combat, without taking any part in it, or being exposed to any danger. And now that I have described buffalo hunting in the mountains, I must return to my colonising labours. CHAPTER V. Description of my House at Jala-Jala--Storms, Gales, and Earthquakes--Reforming the Banditti--Card-playing--Tagal Cock-fighting--Skirmishes with Robbers--Courage of my Wife--Our Domestic Happiness--Visits from Europeans--Their Astonishment at our Civilisation--Visit to a Sick Friend at Manilla--Tour through the Provinces of the Ilocos and Pangasinan Indians--My Reception by the Tinguians--Their Appearance and Habits--Manners and Customs--Indian Fête at Laganguilan y Madalag--Horrible Ceremonies to Celebrate a Victory--Songs and Dances--Our Night-watch--We Explore our Cabin--Discovery of a Secret Well--Tomb of the Tinguian Indians.