CHAPTER XIII
The Two Datus
The _Swift Arrow_ moved slowly through the darkness toward the Tawi TawiGroup. Chahda was at the helm, while Rick, Scotty, and Zircon held acouncil 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 sohe could be in on the conference.
"It has to be Shan," Rick said flatly. "No fishing village ever had thatmany vintas. And no peaceful fishermen ever fired on a stranger the waythat mob fired on us. Besides, there's a mountain."
"I agree." Zircon examined his pistol barrel carefully, then ran acleaning rag through it again. "Furthermore, those vintas operated in aplanned defense, in a way no fishermen would ever do. I'm convinced thatit is the right island. The problem now is, what do we do?"
Scotty paused in reassembling his rifle after a thorough cleaning. "Isthere a choice? We can't rush the village and rescue our friends, evenif we knew where they were. We'll have to get the constabulary, and thePhilippines Naval Patrol, and mount an all-out assault on the place."
"No!" Rick exclaimed. "We can't do that. If the pirates saw an armedfleet approaching, they'd kill Tony and Shannon, and get rid of theirbodies. The fleet would find nothing at all."
Chahda asked in quick alarm, "You think they kill scientists when wecome today?"
"I doubt it," Rick explained. "After all, one boat isn't a threat tothem, even a fast one like this one. I think they'd only get rid of Tonyand 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 arereally there. When we get some more facts, maybe we can work out aplan."
Zircon nodded. "That's sensible. The question is, how can we reconnoiterthe island? Circling it in the boat again will only tell us what wealready know."
"Only one way. We go look," Chahda pointed out.
Rick knew the Hindu boy was right. But getting ashore presentedproblems. If the MTB got within swimming distance, the pirates would seeit. Of course they could row ashore by night in the rubber life raft thebig boat carried. He suggested it to the others.
Chahda leaped at the idea. "Silent boat is good, Rick, but not rubberboat. You remember we still got vinta?"
"Of course!" Rick saw that Chahda had hit on the answer. They had leftthe captured vinta in a small cove on the shore of an uninhabited islanda few miles to the north. "We can get it and tow it to easy sailingdistance. The pirates won't think anything of a single vinta even ifthey 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 ownquestion, "I guess not. I've seen a dozen sails like it, and the hulllooks like all the rest."
"The plan might work," Zircon agreed. "We'll try it. First we get thevinta, then head south. By morning we'll be far out in the open sea. Wecan then make a wide circle and approach the island from the east. Theywon't expect us from that direction. Besides, only the western shore wasguarded, so far as I could see."
Rick had a picture in his mind of the strip of isolated beach on thenorthern shore. If they could land there, no one would see them. Thenthey could climb over the stretch of lava between the beach and theland, 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 cabindoor.
Zircon thought it over. "It should work, unless they have a lookoutposted 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 allsides 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, youhave a reason. What is it?"
"Plenty reason. This small island, so who goes ashore will be seen, Ithink. So, must be in Moro clothes. Professor, you and Scotty not goodsize for Moro. You too big, and Scotty has too wide shoulders. Rick ismaybe a little tall, but not so wide. He can maybe stoop a little. Me, Iperfect for Moro. Even same color."
"You're right," Zircon agreed. "No question of it. So curb yourimpatience, Scotty. Your turn will come and so will mine. Chahda, youtake the lead in figuring out disguises for you and Rick. Scotty, youand I will take over the watch and get underway."
* * * * *
By morning the _Swift Arrow_, with the vinta in tow, was in Indonesianwaters far from shipping lanes or fishing grounds. Zircon figured theirposition as 120 degrees 29 minutes longitude, and 4 degrees 21 secondslatitude. They had seen no sails for hours.
The MTB was allowed to drift while the group went about the business ofmaking ready. Chahda had created a Moro cap for Rick from a piece ofupholstery he had cut from a seat bottom. Rick had cut the seams in apair of white duck trousers and laced them with twine from the ropelocker until they fitted as tightly as Moro pants. One of his ownshirts, dirtied up a little and left open at the collar, would completehis outfit.
Chahda cut one of his extra turbans in half and made sashes for both ofthem, and modified the wrapping of his own turban so that it was morelike the flat Moro variety.
The only real problem was Rick's color. In spite of his deep tan hecouldn't possibly pass for a Moro. He and Chahda searched the boat forsomething that would serve as a stain, then finally took their problemto the others.
Scotty had the answer. With a broad grin he went to his suitcase anddrew out a can of brown shoe polish. "Neatness pays," he proclaimed. Hepassed it to Chahda with a flourish. "Don't give him too high a glosswhen you polish him."
"How about shoes?" Zircon asked. "The polish reminded me. The piratesdon't wear any."
"This pirate does," Rick declared. "I'll rub the shine off, but I can'tgo barefoot."
"Also," Chahda agreed. "Foots too tender. We could not run or fight inbarefoots."
When everything was in readiness except for the application of polish,Rick and Chahda took time to eat, then got into the vinta and beganpracticing.
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 itsown peculiarities.
Slowly, as the day wore on, the two boys learned the Moro craft's waysuntil they could handle it fairly well. There were paddles, in case thewind 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 morethan an hour at a time since the previous morning, but the big scientistand Scotty had decided to handle the MTB themselves on the way to thepirate island, so Rick and Chahda could be fresh for the night'sadventure.
After a meal of hot soup and crackers, the two boys climbed into theirbunks and drifted off to sleep. Zircon and Scotty had already startedthe 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 theHindu boy it was time to get up, then he sat down next to Rick. "I feelfunny, not going with you. Maybe I'd better go along. I could stay inthe vinta, and be ready in case of trouble."
Rick gave his pal a sympathetic grin. He knew how Scotty felt. "Look atit this way. If Chahda and I get caught, that leaves only you andZircon. And you couldn't give up, even with us out of the picture."
"I guess so." Scotty gave in reluctantly. "Come on. Coffee andsandwiches waiting. I'll go topside and help the professor keep alookout."
Rick and Chahda got into their outfits, then the Hindu boy carefullyrubbed in polish on Rick's face, neck, arms, and hands, and his chestwhe
re it showed through the open shirt.
Finally the Hindu boy stood back and admired his handiwork. "Plentygood. You make fine Moro, Rick."
Rick adjusted Chahda's kris in his sash. "So are you. You'd fool theSultan 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 thepilothouse.
"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 wheelwhile he comes down. We're blacked out topside, just in case there's alookout on this side of the island."
In a moment Zircon came down and inspected them carefully. "You'd neverpass in daylight, Rick," he said finally. "But at night there should beno trouble unless someone gives you a close inspection--in which caseyou'd be caught, anyway. Now, have some coffee and sandwiches whileScotty 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 atsea. Volcano is maybe five hundred feet. Man on top can maybe see 25.6ocean miles, says 'Alm-in-ack.'"
"True." Zircon smiled. "But that would be in daylight, with absolutelyclear visibility. You recall that we didn't see the island yesterdayuntil we were perhaps ten miles away? Water vapor in the air cuts downvisibility here, and at night of course it's even less. If we're blackedout, I think we can get within two miles with safety. Fortunately, themoon set shortly after sunset. So our principal problem will be guessinghow far away we can be heard. At low speed, on only one engine, I thinktwo miles will be safe."
The professor had been figuring things out, Rick realized. He noddedapproval. "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 evenentertain the idea. I'm sure you can outrun the pirates. If you'respotted, call us, then get to the shore. We'll come roaring in. Also, Iwant you to take the pistol and extra clips. Then, if need be, you canhold 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. Chahdawas an expert at reconnoitering, and he had had plenty of experiencehimself. Besides, it was good to be moving into action, no matter whatthe danger. They had searched for a long time. Now, their missingfriends were within reach. He had to believe that because thealternative was to think they were dead.
"Let's eat, Chahda," he said. "Almost time to go."