The Two Datus
The _Swift Arrow_ moved slowly through the darkness toward the Tawi Tawi
Group. Chahda was at the helm, while Rick, Scotty, and Zircon held a
council of war in the cabin. The Hindu boy kept popping in and out,
letting the MTB travel with locked rudder for a few minutes at a time so
he could be in on the conference.
"It has to be Shan," Rick said flatly. "No fishing village ever had that
many vintas. And no peaceful fishermen ever fired on a stranger the way
that mob fired on us. Besides, there's a mountain."
"I agree." Zircon examined his pistol barrel carefully, then ran a
cleaning rag through it again. "Furthermore, those vintas operated in a
planned defense, in a way no fishermen would ever do. I'm convinced that
it is the right island. The problem now is, what do we do?"
Scotty paused in reassembling his rifle after a thorough cleaning. "Is
there a choice? We can't rush the village and rescue our friends, even
if we knew where they were. We'll have to get the constabulary, and the
Philippines Naval Patrol, and mount an all-out assault on the place."
"No!" Rick exclaimed. "We can't do that. If the pirates saw an armed
fleet approaching, they'd kill Tony and Shannon, and get rid of their
bodies. The fleet would find nothing at all."
Chahda asked in quick alarm, "You think they kill scientists when we
come today?"
"I doubt it," Rick explained. "After all, one boat isn't a threat to
them, even a fast one like this one. I think they'd only get rid of Tony
and Shannon if they saw they were going to be invaded."
"Then what can we do?" Scotty asked.
"I'm not sure. Anyway, the first thing is to see if our friends are
really there. When we get some more facts, maybe we can work out a
plan."
Zircon nodded. "That's sensible. The question is, how can we reconnoiter
the island? Circling it in the boat again will only tell us what we
already know."
"Only one way. We go look," Chahda pointed out.
Rick knew the Hindu boy was right. But getting ashore presented
problems. If the MTB got within swimming distance, the pirates would see
it. Of course they could row ashore by night in the rubber life raft the
big boat carried. He suggested it to the others.
Chahda leaped at the idea. "Silent boat is good, Rick, but not rubber
boat. You remember we still got vinta?"
"Of course!" Rick saw that Chahda had hit on the answer. They had left
the captured vinta in a small cove on the shore of an uninhabited island
a few miles to the north. "We can get it and tow it to easy sailing
distance. The pirates won't think anything of a single vinta even if
they see it. There must be boats coming and going all the time."
"That is what I think too." Chahda ran back to the helm.
"Won't they recognize the vinta?" Scotty asked, then answered his own
question, "I guess not. I've seen a dozen sails like it, and the hull
looks like all the rest."
"The plan might work," Zircon agreed. "We'll try it. First we get the
vinta, then head south. By morning we'll be far out in the open sea. We
can then make a wide circle and approach the island from the east. They
won't expect us from that direction. Besides, only the western shore was
guarded, so far as I could see."
Rick had a picture in his mind of the strip of isolated beach on the
northern shore. If they could land there, no one would see them. Then
they could climb over the stretch of lava between the beach and the
land, or swim around to the point where the land began.
"I know the place," he volunteered, and told the others his idea,
repeating it for Chahda's benefit as the boy reappeared at the cabin
door.
Zircon thought it over. "It should work, unless they have a lookout
posted at each side of the island. But we can't know that until we try.
Frankly, I doubt it. I think they believe the island is safe on all
sides except the west. Now, who will go on this reconnaissance?"
"Rick and me," Chahda said firmly.
"I'm going," Scotty stated.
Zircon held up his hand. "Wait. Chahda, from your tone of voice, you
have a reason. What is it?"
"Plenty reason. This small island, so who goes ashore will be seen, I
think. So, must be in Moro clothes. Professor, you and Scotty not good
size for Moro. You too big, and Scotty has too wide shoulders. Rick is
maybe a little tall, but not so wide. He can maybe stoop a little. Me, I
perfect for Moro. Even same color."
"You're right," Zircon agreed. "No question of it. So curb your
impatience, Scotty. Your turn will come and so will mine. Chahda, you
take the lead in figuring out disguises for you and Rick. Scotty, you
and I will take over the watch and get underway."
* * * * *
By morning the _Swift Arrow_, with the vinta in tow, was in Indonesian
waters far from shipping lanes or fishing grounds. Zircon figured their
position as 120 degrees 29 minutes longitude, and 4 degrees 21 seconds
latitude. They had seen no sails for hours.
The MTB was allowed to drift while the group went about the business of
making ready. Chahda had created a Moro cap for Rick from a piece of
upholstery he had cut from a seat bottom. Rick had cut the seams in a
pair of white duck trousers and laced them with twine from the rope
locker until they fitted as tightly as Moro pants. One of his own
shirts, dirtied up a little and left open at the collar, would complete
his outfit.
Chahda cut one of his extra turbans in half and made sashes for both of
them, and modified the wrapping of his own turban so that it was more
like the flat Moro variety.
The only real problem was Rick's color. In spite of his deep tan he
couldn't possibly pass for a Moro. He and Chahda searched the boat for
something that would serve as a stain, then finally took their problem
to the others.
Scotty had the answer. With a broad grin he went to his suitcase and
drew out a can of brown shoe polish. "Neatness pays," he proclaimed. He
passed it to Chahda with a flourish. "Don't give him too high a gloss
when you polish him."
"How about shoes?" Zircon asked. "The polish reminded me. The pirates
don't wear any."
"This pirate does," Rick declared. "I'll rub the shine off, but I can't
go barefoot."
"Also," Chahda agreed. "Foots too tender. We could not run or fight in
barefoots."
When everything was in readiness except for the application of polish,
Rick and Chahda took time to eat, then got into the vinta and began
practicing.
The craft was filthy, from years of accumulated dirt and no cleaning,
and it offended Rick's nose. But more than that, it was hard to handle.
He could sail in conventional craft, but the outrigger design had its
own peculiarities.
Slowly, as the day wore on, the two boys learned the Moro craft's ways
until they could handle it fairly well. There were paddles, in case the
wind failed, and Rick thought they might end up using the paddles,
anyway.
As they tied up after the last practice run Zircon called them to eat,
then instructed them to get some sleep. None of the four had slept more
than an hour at a time since the previous morning, but the big scientist
and Scotty had decided to handle the MTB themselves on the way to the
pirate island, so Rick and Chahda could be fresh for the night's
adventure.
After a meal of hot soup and crackers, the two boys climbed into their
bunks and drifted off to sleep. Zircon and Scotty had already started
the run toward Shan.
Rick awoke with Scotty shaking him. "Time to rise, old son."
The boy swung to the deck. "Where are we?"
"About five miles east of the island." Scotty shook Chahda and told the
Hindu boy it was time to get up, then he sat down next to Rick. "I feel
funny, not going with you. Maybe I'd better go along. I could stay in
the vinta, and be ready in case of trouble."
Rick gave his pal a sympathetic grin. He knew how Scotty felt. "Look at
it this way. If Chahda and I get caught, that leaves only you and
Zircon. And you couldn't give up, even with us out of the picture."
"I guess so." Scotty gave in reluctantly. "Come on. Coffee and
sandwiches waiting. I'll go topside and help the professor keep a
lookout."
Rick and Chahda got into their outfits, then the Hindu boy carefully
rubbed in polish on Rick's face, neck, arms, and hands, and his chest
where it showed through the open shirt.
Finally the Hindu boy stood back and admired his handiwork. "Plenty
good. You make fine Moro, Rick."
Rick adjusted Chahda's kris in his sash. "So are you. You'd fool the
Sultan of Sulu himself."
"We be two Datus," Chahda said, grinning. "Datu Rick and Datu Chahda."
"What's this date business?" Scotty asked as he came down from the
pilothouse.
"Is Datu, not date. Datu is what Moros call Chiefs. We Datus."
"Okay, Datus. The professor wants a look at you. I'll go take the wheel
while he comes down. We're blacked out topside, just in case there's a
lookout on this side of the island."
In a moment Zircon came down and inspected them carefully. "You'd never
pass in daylight, Rick," he said finally. "But at night there should be
no trouble unless someone gives you a close inspection--in which case
you'd be caught, anyway. Now, have some coffee and sandwiches while
Scotty and I move the boat in closer."
Rick said doubtfully, "Isn't it dangerous to get too close?"
Chahda chimed in. "In 'Worrold Alm-in-ack,' says can see pretty far at
sea. Volcano is maybe five hundred feet. Man on top can maybe see 25.6
ocean miles, says 'Alm-in-ack.'"
"True." Zircon smiled. "But that would be in daylight, with absolutely
clear visibility. You recall that we didn't see the island yesterday
until we were perhaps ten miles away? Water vapor in the air cuts down
visibility here, and at night of course it's even less. If we're blacked
out, I think we can get within two miles with safety. Fortunately, the
moon set shortly after sunset. So our principal problem will be guessing
how far away we can be heard. At low speed, on only one engine, I think
two miles will be safe."
The professor had been figuring things out, Rick realized. He nodded
approval. "All right. We'll be ready by the time you're in position.
I'll leave my Megabuck unit on the boat, and we'll depend on Chahda's.
Then, if we get caught, you and Scotty will still have two sets."
"You won't get caught," Zircon stated emphatically. "Don't even
entertain the idea. I'm sure you can outrun the pirates. If you're
spotted, call us, then get to the shore. We'll come roaring in. Also, I
want you to take the pistol and extra clips. Then, if need be, you can
hold off the mob for the few minutes it will take us to get there."
"All right." Rick didn't really believe they would be caught. Chahda
was an expert at reconnoitering, and he had had plenty of experience
himself. Besides, it was good to be moving into action, no matter what
the danger. They had searched for a long time. Now, their missing
friends were within reach. He had to believe that because the
alternative was to think they were dead.
"Let's eat, Chahda," he said. "Almost time to go."