white man around
here, so far as I know."

"Then he sends a regular collector for the money?"

"Yes. He has a new collector this year."

"A Moro?"

"The fellow looks to me more like a Tagalo. He's a sharp, keen, little
business man--of his peculiar type."

"A Tagalo?" mused Lieutenant Prescott. "By Jove, I wish you'd give me a
close description of the fellow."

"Perhaps I can do better than that," proposed Mr. Seaforth, rising.
"When the collector was here my son succeeded--without the rascal's
knowledge--in getting a snapshot at him. I think I can find the photo."

Disappearing into the house, the planter soon returned, handing the
young officer a card. Prescott gazed at the photo, then called out:

"Men, pass the word for Sergeant Overton to report here. Tell him that
his orders are to keep under cover while on the way here."

Hal soon appeared, crouching behind the trench, and sheltered by the
high dirt wall.

"Sergeant, have you ever seen this fellow in the photo?" inquired the
lieutenant, with a smile, passing the card to Overton.

"I should think I have, sir. This is Vicente Tomba."

"Can't be a doubt about it, can there?"

"Not unless Tomba has a twin brother, sir."

"And to think that we had that little rascal in arrest!" muttered the
lieutenant. "It was a sad day for Mindanao when Tomba escaped from our
guard house."

Then, after a pause, Prescott continued:

"By the way, Mr. Seaforth, how long has Draney been on his present
plantation?"

"I don't know, Lieutenant. He's been there longer than I have resided
here."

"Has he ever been troubled by the Moros?"

"They have never attacked him, Lieutenant. Draney must pay some tribute
to the Datto Hakkut."

Lieutenant Prescott and Sergeant Hal Overton glanced quickly at one
another, though neither spoke.

"That is all, Sergeant," said the officer, by way of dismissal. "Return
to your men."

"Very good, sir."

CHAPTER XIV

THE CALL FOR MIDNIGHT COURAGE

At a few minutes past six it was dark, for the sun goes down early in
the tropics.

Now the soldiers were relieved from their cramped positions of the day.
A few at a time they left the trenches, rising and walking about.

Inside the house their bacon was cooked for them and their coffee made.
Mr. Seaforth, who was abundantly supplied with food, added a variety of
palatable eatables to their night meal.

Lieutenant Prescott and Sergeant Hal Overton walked together around th