Part 14 (1/2)

The sailors on the patrol-boat crowded around the speaker, glad of any excitement to break the monotony of their vigil. A thin stream of water had spurted up, disturbing the perfect calm of the surface, and a small black object could plainly be seen, hurrying through the water.

”Now what the deuce?” said the captain. Two bells were loudly sounded, and the boat bounded forward.

”Look out, don't run it down. Steer to one side.”

The search-light, turned full upon the strange object, revealed to the puzzled sailors a slim bamboo tube, sticking upright, propelled by a strong force from below.

”Now, why don't that stick float, instead of sailing along like a periscope?” pondered the captain.

As suddenly as the phenomenon had appeared, it sank from sight and the chase ended abruptly.

”Look at our visitors,” said a sailor, pointing over the side. Long streaks of phosph.o.r.escence darted back and forth in the shadow of the boat.

”That's a pretty bunch of shovel-nosed man-eaters, for you,” remarked the mate. ”Gosh, wouldn't you hate to give the hungry devils a chance at you, though?”

The baile was in full swing. The b.i.+.c.hara was proving a great success. Governor Findy graciously accepted the savages' allegiance to the new government and their promises to make the trading system a success. The small park in the center of the garrison was teeming with life. On one side the American band gave the first notes of civilized music that the Moros had ever heard; opposite, rows of bra.s.s tom-toms responded mournfully. Gaudy lanterns festooned the tall trees and swung between, describing graceful curves. Flickering moonlight and fireflies added their bit. At one end of the park a platform had been erected for the officers and their families. The savages crowded around as the Americans swayed to the waltz, and their surprise was no less than that of the Americans, when the tom-toms stirred the Moros to the dance and they whirled and crouched in native fas.h.i.+on.

Governor Findy was surrounded by his personal guard; burly Irishmen shared this honor with stalwart Moros, thus proving the governor's trust in the wild people.

Dato Mandi, Dato Kali Pandapatan, and Governor Findy were conversing on the steps of the dancing platform.

”Kali says that Piang mysteriously disappeared about noon to-day,”

explained Mandi in excellent English.

”Who is this Piang, Mandi?” asked the governor.

”Piang is the idol of the Buldoon tribe. He is Kali Pandapatan's famous charm boy, friend of General Beech and Lieutenant Lewis,”

replied Mandi.

”Strange that one so well known should disappear. Yes, I have heard much of this boy's loyalty and sagacity.” The two Moros turned quickly, warned by a startled look on the governor's face. Far down the smooth sh.e.l.l road a figure was staggering, wavering toward them.

”Trouble, trouble,” muttered Findy.

The music ceased with a discordant jar, there was a slight stir among the spectators as Sicto and his companions attempted to retire, but to their surprise, Kali's faithful men closed about them significantly. On came the figure, lithe, slim, and brown.

”Piang!” cried Kali Pandapatan, and instantly his eyes sought out the cowering Sicto.

The heavy, labored breathing became audible as the exhausted boy stumbled through the crowd. A sentry started forward to seize him, but the governor waved him aside. Dripping and panting, Piang staggered toward his chief.

”Juramentado--gobernador!” faintly whispered Piang.

A wild shriek crashed through the intense stillness; a green sarong was torn off, and the white-clad figure of a juramentado rushed at the governor. But Kali Pandapatan was quicker, and just as the a.s.sa.s.sin raised his barong, a slender kriss glistened in the moonlight and descended. The juramentado lay bathed in his own blood.

Jumping up to the platform, Kali Pandapatan raised his hands.

”My brother chiefs,” he cried, ”did any of you know of this foul plot?”