"No, but this is the carriage, here," cried the Filipino, as Hal and Noll turned to walk down the Escolta. "Get in, then, and enjoy yourself," called back Hal. In an instant the Filipino was in front of them, barring their way. "But you permitted me to stop a carriage," he protested, bewildered. "Exactly," nodded Hal, "and we hope you will enjoy yourself. Step aside, please, for we want to pass on." "But you are not going with me, after----" "Nothing was said about that," Hal answered, "and we have other plans. Good-bye." As the Filipino dandy once more tried to place himself in front of the young sergeant, Hal gently but firmly thrust the insistent fellow aside. The Filipino stood glaring after them until the two Army boys were out of sight. The glint in his eyes was far from pleasant. "Now, what on earth did that fellow want of us?" demanded Noll wonderingly. "Nothing good, anyway," returned Hal Overton. "Intending benefactors don't act in that fashion. He may represent a bad phase of life out here. Let's forget him. Say, here's a store we must have overlooked on our way up here. Let's go in." Half an hour later the Army boys came out of the store, each carrying a small parcel. For his first present home each young soldier had bought for his mother a small assortment of the wonderfully filmy _pina_ lace handkerchiefs made by the native women. "No _quilez_ around here for hire," said Hal, after looking up and down the Escolta. "Let's walk across the bridge over the Pasig. We'll be more likely to find an idle _cochero_ on the other side of the river." As they started the sky was darkening, and the lightning beginning to flash, for this was in early July, at the height of the rainy season. "I hope we find a _cochero_ soon," muttered Noll, looking up at the dark sky. "I don't fancy the idea of walking all the way out to Malate in a downpour." They were not quite over the bridge when the storm broke in all its force. Tropical thunder crashed with a fury that made artillery fire seem trifling. Great sheets of lightning flashed on all sides. "Hustle, before we get drowned," laughed Sergeant Hal, breaking into a fast run. "There's shelter just beyond the end of the bridge." The shelter for which both soldiers headed was a kiosk, barely larger than a sentry-box, that had once been erected for the convenience of the native boys who stood there with relief horses for the service of the old street car line. The door stood open. Eager to make any port in a storm, Hal and Noll bolted inside just in time to hear an angry voice declare: "I had them picked out--two young _sergentes_, mere boys. At first they were very polite--a minute later they made fun of me to my face--me, Vicente Tomba! But I shall know them again, I shall see them, and I shall make them wish they had never been born. I----" The Filipino dandy stopped short as the two Army boys stepped briskly inside. He gave a gasp as he recognized them.