The National tribune., 1898-07-28
CHAPTER TX.

MY dDSenCc ItOm HOmS
caused great uneasiness. The patient
whom had visited before at Quingua
, had not exactly followed the prescribed
; regimen, so that his distemper had in
creased, and he was impatiently expect
ing to return and die, he said, in his
, house. A few days afterwards we went
to Manila, where he rendered his last
Sigh surrounded by his family. My wife
! and set sail for Jala-Jala.
We glided most agreeably upon the lake
until we left the strait of Quinanbutasan
but, once there, we met with so violent
an east wind, and the water of the lake
was so ruffied, that we were obliged to
re-enter the strait, and cast anchor near
the cabin of the old fisherman Relempago,
whom have already noticed.
Our sailors landed to prepare their sup
per; as for ourselves, we remained in our
boat, where we stretched ourselves at our
ease, the old fisherman as he sat doubled
up in the Indian fashion, amusing us in
the best way he could by the narration Of
brigand stories.
interrupted him all on sudden, say
ing to him:
"Relempago, should prefer hearing the
history of your own personal adventures;
do, therefore, relate your misfortunes to
u.s."
| The old fisherman heaved a sigh. and
| then, unwilling to disoblige me, began his
story in the poetical terms so familiar to
the Tagal tongue, and which it is almost
Impossible to reproduce by translation:
| ROMANCE OF FISHERMAN
| 'Lagune is not my native place." said
he; IL was born in the island of Zebou,
and was at the age of 20 what is called a
| fine young man; but, pray believe me- !
was by no meafs' proud of my physical
advantages, and preferred being the first
| fisherman of my village. Nevertheless,
| my comrades were jealous of me, and ali
that because the young girls would look
at me with a certain cOmplaisant air and
seemed to find me to their liking"
! could not bat smile at this frank
avowal of the old man. which he perceiv-
q tell you these things, sir" raplied he,
them without feafing to appear ridiculous
1T is so long ago. And, besides, allow
me to inform you. that relate to you such
things, not from vanity-Oh, MOI but
merely to furnish you with an exact
recital. Besides, the shy and roguish
passed through the village, fattered me in
no manner. / Was in love with Theresa,
sir; yes, j was passionately in love with
| her, and my love was returned, for fondly
did she love me; q look from any other
/, but from her was totally Indifferent to
NE.
I'VE had been brought up together"
said he, land had been afIianced as soon
as we had grown up. Theresa's relations
were opposed to our union; they even put
4 forward vain and frivolous pretexts; and
whatever efforts ! made to bring them to
decide upon bestowing her affianced hand
on me, | never could succeed.
IL was beginning to lose all courage,
when one morning there came into my
| mind the piouS thought of offering to the
Infant Jesus, in the church of Zebou. the
first pearl | should fish up. / therefore
repaired earlier than usual to the sea-
shore, implored the Almighty to grant me
his protection, and to have me married to
| my beloved Theresa.
THE sun was Just beginning to dart his
burning rays upon the earth, and was
gliding the surface of the waters. Nature
was awaking from her transitOry sleep,
and every living being or object was sing
ing in it's language a hymn to the Creator.
DIVING FOR FORTUNE.
with beating heart began diving to
| the bottom of the sea- in search of the
pearl which l so ardently wished for, but
my searches and struggles were COM
pletely Ruthless at first. Had anyone
been near me Mt that moment he would
have easily read my disappointment in
my face. Nevertheless, my courage failed
me not. began again, but with no bet
ter success. oh, Lord cried /, thou
nearest not then my prayers, my suppl
cations! Thou wilt not then accept for
thy beloved Son the Offering that destine
for him.
For the sixth time / plunged. and
brought up from the bottom of the sea
TWO enormous oysters. ! opened one of
Them, and found it contained a pearl SO
large that never in my life had seen one
Ike it. My Joy was SO great that | set to
dancing IN my pirOgue, as if had lost my
reason. The Lord, then, did vouchsafe to
protect me, since He enabled me to ac-
complish my vow. With a joyful heart
fetraced my steps to my dwelling and
not wishing to fail in my word, i took my
magnificent pearl to the curate OF Zebou
The reverend father" continued the
old fisherman, was delighted with my
present. That pearl was worth 5000
piasters Tor rs, 000francs, i.e., 81 200 English
money! and you must have admired it
you, as well as all other persons who
attend the church-for the Infant Jesus
always holds it in his hand The curate
thanked and congratulated me on my
very good idea.
go home in peace, brother. said he to
me: go home i'll peace. Heaven will not
forget thy meritOrious action-yea, the
disinterestedness OF thy good work. and
sooner or later thy desires will be heark-
ened to-.
Il left the holy man with my heart 10Y
full indeed, and 7 FASTENED to inform
Theresa OF the PASTORS consoing words:
we reioiced Iikeqiyo children together.
The inhabitants of the village. seeing
us us SO joyful soiparely happy, were envi
o'' iot, tiHu
could no loneer, ,fpd any pretext for OPP
posing our being United
One cveningIadh my return from fish,
ing, saw one bbhy neighbors advancing
| towards me. .hDhht man had always
| shown me thelgreatest affection. so that
on seeing himot thus advance, my limbs
began to tremble and the pulsations OF
my heart gradu4ItX ceased. His face was
pale, and entfTeiy" altered His hapeard
eyes threw forbHffashes OF terror, and his
voice was trembling and agitated.
CAPTURED BY MALAYs.
1.-THE Maiays have made a descent
upon the coast, said he to me. They
surprised some persons of the village
and carried them off prisoners
:, And Fheresar exclaimed L.
Carried off with the others he re-
piled.
Il heard no more of this revelation. and
Tor some minutes-like the warrior
pierced to the heart by poisoned arrow
was completely deprived of all con-
seriousness. 5
When l came back to myself tears
tooded my face, and brought me some
reiiei; but suddenly l resumed my co,Ir-I
age, and felt that no time was To he LOST
ran to the shore where | had left nv
pirogue, which ! unfastened and as
quickly as oars could pull me. | pursued
the Malays. not in the hope of Wrestling
! Theresa from them, but resolved upon