When Collecting In The Philippines, I Put In Most Of My Time In
The Florida Blanca Mountains, In The Province Of Pampanga, Northern
Luzon.
I arrived one evening after dark at the good-sized village of
Florida Blanca, which is situated a few miles from the foot of the
mountain, whose name it shares.
I carried a letter to the American
schoolmaster, who was the only white man in the district, and had been
a soldier in the late war. It seemed to me a curious policy on the part
of the American government to turn their soldiers into schoolmasters,
especially as in most cases they are very ignorant themselves. I
believe, however, the chief object is to teach the young Filipinos
English, and so turn them into live American citizens. The Americans
are far from popular in the Philippines, and when in Manila I was
strongly advised not to wear KHAKI in the jungle for fear of being
taken for an American soldier.
The American's house was dark and still when I arrived at Florida
Blanca, but whilst I was wondering what to do, I was surprised to
hear a small voice, coming out of a small adjoining house, say in
good English (though slowly and with a strong accent), "Thee -
master - has - gone - into - thee - mountains - to - kill -
deer - and - pigs." This was from one of the American's own pupils,
an intelligent little fellow named Camilo. As I learnt that he was not
expected back for two or three days, there was nothing left but to make
myself as comfortable as possible in his house until his return.
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