Part 11 (1/2)
”That what the yelling was about?” Tony asked
”Scotty yelled,” Rick said ”Mosquito bit hiet swatted when he least expects it,” Scotty promised ”Come on, Chahda Spin us a yarn”
”Okay” Chahda sat cross-legged on Rick's bed ”You knoent to Manila Hotel For three days I waited Then one day I sit next to famous assistant Secretary of Exterior”
”Interior,” Rick corrected ”Lazada”
”Yes Soon he is met by a friend who sits with him This friend is not known to me then But I listen I hear Lazada's friend say that soon cos, please?”
”Desecrate,” Tony supplied
”Yes Do that to sacred Ifugao things This friend begs Lazada not to give peres of the beds now, concentrating on every word
”Friend says Aold
Sacred objects of gold will be carried away, and earth-cokes and drafts will fall on Ifugao people”
”Earthquakes and droughts,” Rick corrected
”That is what I said,” Chahda nodded ”Lazada objects that these are not real gold things, and the friend says they are Real gold Much gold
All very sacred Again he begs Lazada not to allow this sacker-ledge”
”Sacrilege”
”Yes Anyway, Lazada says Americans have much influence He does not know if he can stop them But he will try I do not believe he talks truth His looks do not make me trust him You know?”
The boys knew
”When friend leaves, I think I follow him He starts out, then he et close and listen He says to Ale into China?”
Rick whistled He had heard that s business
”Aold? Lazada says we not talk here, you co official dinner tonight, and there is plenty tio to Nu boy to be guard at Lazada's, after I ed No trouble”
Chahda always ht He doubted that it was as simple as the Hindu boy made out
”Aet A”