Scarcely had the unknown man arrived, when another figure quickly appeared from behind one of the large rocks, advanced and drew a revolver. "Who are you?" he asked in Tagalog and, in an imperious voice, as he cocked the hammer of his weapon. "Is old Pablo among you?" asked the first calmly, without replying to the question or becoming intimidated. "Do you refer to the Captain? Yes, he is." "Tell him, then, that Elias is looking for him here," said the man. "Are you Elias?" asked the other with a certain respect, and approaching him without lowering his revolver. "Then come." Elias followed him. They penetrated into a kind of cavern, which was hollowed out in the depths of the earth. The guide, who knew the way, told the pilot when he ought to get down, stoop or crawl. However, it was not long before they came to a sala or room in the cave, miserably illuminated by pitch torches, and occupied by twelve or fifteen armed men. The faces of the men were dirty and their clothes ragged; some were sitting down, others lying down, conversing among themselves in a low tone. Leaning his elbows on a stone which served as a table and contemplating thoughtfully the lamp, which was shedding very little light for the amount of smoke it made, sat an old man. His countenance was sad, and his head wrapped in a bloody rag. If we had not known that the place was a cave of tulisanes, we would have said, on reading the desperation on the face of the old man, that it was the Tower of Hunger on the eve when Ugolino devoured his sons. At the arrival of Elias and the guide, the men were about to arise, but, at a signal from the guide, they were quieted and contented themselves with examining the pilot, who was entirely unarmed. The old man turned his head slowly and his eyes met the sturdy figure of Elias. The latter, in turn, with his head uncovered, full of sadness and interest, gazed upon the old man. "Is it you?" asked the old man, his face brightening a little as he recognized the youth. "How badly off you are!" murmured Elias, in an half-intelligible tone of voice. The old man bowed in silence, made a sign to the men, who then arose and left, not, however, without first directing glances at the pilot, measuring his stature and muscles. "Yes!" said the old man to Elias as soon as they found themselves alone. "Six months ago, I gave you refuge in my house. Then, it was I who sympathized with you; now, fortune has changed and it is you who pity me. But sit down, and tell me how you came here." "Some fifteen days ago they told me of your misfortune," replied the young man slowly, and in a low voice, looking toward the light. "I at once set out on the road and I have been searching for you from mountain to mountain. I have travelled over the greater part of two provinces.