Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Dream Audie Books presents the Pirates of Shan a Rick
Brandt's science adventure story Dangerous Discovery.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
By Harold L. Goodwin, Chapter seven. News at Sambawanga, a
crowd of Filipinos, including several Moros, was attracted by the
brief fight. A few departed in a hurry after one
look at the captive's bared back. The rest remained at
a distance, talking in the local dialect. Rick and Scotty
(00:29):
kept alert, ready to act if anyone tried to free
the captive. Scotty had him tied up with his own sash.
He was seated against the warehouse wall. Sullen and silent.
Zircon emerged from the warehouse. I got the captain on
the phone. He's on his way. Apparently the captain wasted
no time. In less than two minutes, his sedan skidded
to a stop and he jumped out, What is going on?
(00:53):
He was trailing us, Serkon said, indicating the Morrow. He
also trailed us in Manila. We thought it best to
try to find doubt why. Incidentally, an old Chinese is
hiding in the warehouse. He ran when he saw the
symbol on the Moro's back and maybe a Chinese character
of some sort. Captain Lim inspected the design and nodded,
(01:14):
it is I know Chinese. Those lines form the word
for Shan, which in English is mountain. But I have
no idea why it should frighten the old man, I
will ask. The three spindrifters looked at each other, excitement
on all of their faces. Now we know the word
the headman of the Bogobo village used. Zurkon commented, Shan
(01:36):
or mountain. They waited, keeping close watch on the crowd
until Captain Lim emerged. The officer shook his head. I
could get little from him. He fears the pirates of Shan,
of which he says this Morrow is a member. He
would not elaborate. Who are the pirates of Shan? Rick demanded,
(01:57):
I don't know. The phrase is new to me, silly
Scotty muttered, piracy's been dead for a century, not so
Lim corrected. Excuse me, but piracy is not uncommon, especially
along the China coast and in the islands south of Borneo.
Only a short time ago Chinese pirates captured an ocean
(02:19):
going cargo ship. He's right, Surkon confirmed, I've read a
piracy quite recently. And don't forget the Moros of Sulu
were a pirate nation until Spanish gunboats and troops cut
down the activity and the Americans finally stopped it. Piracy's
not new to this part of the world. Scotty helped
Captain Lim put the Moro in the sedan. I will
(02:41):
be surprised if we get much from this, man, Lim said,
but we can try at the fort. I will see
you at dinner to night. The crowd dispersed and the
three walked back to the hotel. Zircon left them in
the lobby. Be back shortly. I'm in a wire Okola
about pirates in their rooms always took off their outer
clothes and sprawled on their beds in shorts. This is
(03:04):
shaping up to something, big Rick said thoughtfully. I know
what you mean. Robbery at Kotobato, kidnapping at Vao, and
now this it must tie together. Apparently some people have
heard of the pirates of Shan, but most have it
strange the constabulary doesn't know about them. But I suppose
(03:24):
it's natural enough in an area like this with only
few troops and millions of square miles. But why would
pirates take our friends Scotty didn't even try to guess.
Isn't Shahata do pretty soon? He asked? Not until eight?
Rick had given Shahada details of the findings at the
Bogobo village, and the Hindu boy had decided to spend
(03:46):
another day in to Voo. He would join them at
Bayat's at least recollecting some pieces that add up, Rick said,
with more satisfaction than he had felt in a long time.
He closed his eyes and began to review the information
they had obtained. Presently, he drifted off to sleep. Scotty
woke Rick some time later. Wake up, Shahata is here?
(04:07):
Rick sat up, blinking. What time is it? After nine?
We're due at dinner shortly. Where's Shahata getting cleaned up?
He'll be back. Where's Zurkon gone out? He had a
call from the hotel desk. Rick got into the shower
for a quick wake up bath. By the time he
was dressed, Zirkon had returned a yellow sheet of paper
(04:28):
in his hands. Shahada arrived a moment later. All here,
Shahada said, good now I tell you know who got
our friends pirates. Rick stirred at him in awe. How
did you find that out word you said one that
scared Bogobos. I said it too in few places at Tavao,
(04:50):
I tried different ways to say and I must have
said it good. One time Filipino snapped at me to
shut up because word no good. But did Shahada shut up? Never,
Scotti said emphatically, is true anyway, Filipino whispers to me
about Pirates of Shan. He knows little, only that they
(05:12):
kill quick, and no one knows who is a pirate
and who is not. Not many have heard of them,
some have, Zirkon interjected, He waived the paper. Okolo replied
by return wire. Listen, the big physicist read. Pirates of
Shan take back to seventeenth century. Originally Chinese Muslims, later
(05:33):
joined by Filipino Moslims and some Malays, most active around
eighteen hundred. Shan is from the Chinese word for mountain,
but no one knows what mountain. Some believe Shan located
near Bonio Coast. Some mention pirates in action against Japanese
during World War II. No records since regret no more available.
(05:55):
Okolo certainly knows his history. Scotty stated, well, at least
we have a tag to hang on the enemy. The
kidnappers were pirates, zir Khan agreed, being trailed by one
certainly seems to tie up with Tony and Howard's disappearance.
And speaking of kidnappers, that Filipino boy Elpdo Torres was kidnapped.
His folks now have a ransom demand. He held out
(06:17):
a recent newspaper. Rick scanned the front page story. Think
there might be a connection possible, I suppose, but consider
the distance. According to the story, a ransom of one
million pesos is to be left on the Batanga coast
south of Manila. Scotti whistled half a million bucks. That
(06:38):
would make piracy worthwhile. Yes, but Manila isn't the Sulu
Si Zircon pointed out. Also, there'd been no ransom demand
for Tony and Howard. They weren't taken until some time
after the tourists. Boy vanished, what we do now? Shahada asked,
we eat with the local constablary chief. Rick replied, think
(06:59):
it s to join us. Shahada grinned, safer, No I
go I hungry? Rick and Scotti were hungry too. The
Spanish Filipino custom of dining late did not appeal to them,
but as it developed, dinner was worth waiting for. Captain
Lymb was apparently a gourmet. He had ordered soup bed
(07:20):
of smoked oysters from Palabuan Island, a second course of
delicate butterfly fish filets in a marvelous sauce of fresh coconut,
a main course of breasts of chicken boiled in coconut milk,
a salad of hearts of palm, a Spanish dessert called lecheflan,
which was a kind of custard swimming in a caramel sauce,
(07:40):
and thick aromatic bantanganas coffee. Rick and Scottie ate till
they could hold no more, and Shahada groaned. Once I
read words stuffed like Christmas goose. This now fits me.
Zircon lighted a Manila's cigar and sat back in his chair,
a look of pure contentment on his face. A wonderful meal, Captain,
(08:01):
thank you for all of us. I haven't dined so
well in months. Captain Lim beamed his pleasure. Then you
may forgive me for failing with the morrow, He would say, nothing.
I have no legal grounds on which to hold him
longer either. Zirkon nodded his understanding. We expect nothing, but
we had to try. Shahada, tell Captain Limb what you
(08:22):
found out and devou and I'll give him Okolo's message.
The exchange of information completed, Zircon changed the subject. The
scientists knew they were in need of something to take
their minds off the search for a while, and he
encouraged Captain Limb to tell them about Zamboanga and its
long and sometimes bloody history. The officer turned out to
(08:42):
be an entertaining storyteller. He kept them laughing or on
the edge of their chairs until after midnight. Then he
began teaching them the famous song that goes the monkeys
have no tales in Samboanga. The monkeys have no tales
in Sambowanga. The monkeys have no tails. They were bitten
off by Wales. Oh, the monkeys have no tails in Samboanga.
(09:06):
The spindrifters had just gotten into the swing of the
rollicking melody when a sergeant came in with a message
for the Captain. Lim tore the envelope open and read rapidly.
Then he slapped his hand on the table. Good this
is for Major laxon a boat answering the description of
the Sampogouita was seen about four days after the kidnapping,
(09:27):
heading south of the island of Balan. A fisherman saw it.
Rick's heart left with sudden hope and excitement. Where's Balan?
Across the strait from here is Basilon? Bowan is a
small island south of it, Scotty said, with relief. At
least we know now which way they're heading, and we
know what to do next. Sirkon added, we go after it.
(09:50):
Shahata concluded grimly end of chapter seven.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Dream Oudie Books hopes you have enjoyed this program.
Dream Audie Books presents the Pirates of Shan a Rick
Brandt's science adventure story Dangerous Discovery.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
By Harold L. Goodwin, Chapter seven. News at Sambawanga, a
crowd of Filipinos, including several Moros, was attracted by the
brief fight. A few departed in a hurry after one
look at the captive's bared back. The rest remained at
a distance, talking in the local dialect. Rick and Scotty
(00:29):
kept alert, ready to act if anyone tried to free
the captive. Scotty had him tied up with his own sash.
He was seated against the warehouse wall. Sullen and silent.
Zircon emerged from the warehouse. I got the captain on
the phone. He's on his way. Apparently the captain wasted
no time. In less than two minutes, his sedan skidded
to a stop and he jumped out, What is going on?
(00:53):
He was trailing us, Serkon said, indicating the Morrow. He
also trailed us in Manila. We thought it best to
try to find doubt why. Incidentally, an old Chinese is
hiding in the warehouse. He ran when he saw the
symbol on the Moro's back and maybe a Chinese character
of some sort. Captain Lim inspected the design and nodded,
(01:14):
it is I know Chinese. Those lines form the word
for Shan, which in English is mountain. But I have
no idea why it should frighten the old man, I
will ask. The three spindrifters looked at each other, excitement
on all of their faces. Now we know the word
the headman of the Bogobo village used. Zurkon commented, Shan
(01:36):
or mountain. They waited, keeping close watch on the crowd
until Captain Lim emerged. The officer shook his head. I
could get little from him. He fears the pirates of Shan,
of which he says this Morrow is a member. He
would not elaborate. Who are the pirates of Shan? Rick demanded,
(01:57):
I don't know. The phrase is new to me, silly
Scotty muttered, piracy's been dead for a century, not so
Lim corrected. Excuse me, but piracy is not uncommon, especially
along the China coast and in the islands south of Borneo.
Only a short time ago Chinese pirates captured an ocean
(02:19):
going cargo ship. He's right, Surkon confirmed, I've read a
piracy quite recently. And don't forget the Moros of Sulu
were a pirate nation until Spanish gunboats and troops cut
down the activity and the Americans finally stopped it. Piracy's
not new to this part of the world. Scotty helped
Captain Lim put the Moro in the sedan. I will
(02:41):
be surprised if we get much from this, man, Lim said,
but we can try at the fort. I will see
you at dinner to night. The crowd dispersed and the
three walked back to the hotel. Zircon left them in
the lobby. Be back shortly. I'm in a wire Okola
about pirates in their rooms always took off their outer
clothes and sprawled on their beds in shorts. This is
(03:04):
shaping up to something, big Rick said thoughtfully. I know
what you mean. Robbery at Kotobato, kidnapping at Vao, and
now this it must tie together. Apparently some people have
heard of the pirates of Shan, but most have it
strange the constabulary doesn't know about them. But I suppose
(03:24):
it's natural enough in an area like this with only
few troops and millions of square miles. But why would
pirates take our friends Scotty didn't even try to guess.
Isn't Shahata do pretty soon? He asked? Not until eight?
Rick had given Shahada details of the findings at the
Bogobo village, and the Hindu boy had decided to spend
(03:46):
another day in to Voo. He would join them at
Bayat's at least recollecting some pieces that add up, Rick said,
with more satisfaction than he had felt in a long time.
He closed his eyes and began to review the information
they had obtained. Presently, he drifted off to sleep. Scotty
woke Rick some time later. Wake up, Shahata is here?
(04:07):
Rick sat up, blinking. What time is it? After nine?
We're due at dinner shortly. Where's Shahata getting cleaned up?
He'll be back. Where's Zurkon gone out? He had a
call from the hotel desk. Rick got into the shower
for a quick wake up bath. By the time he
was dressed, Zirkon had returned a yellow sheet of paper
(04:28):
in his hands. Shahada arrived a moment later. All here,
Shahada said, good now I tell you know who got
our friends pirates. Rick stirred at him in awe. How
did you find that out word you said one that
scared Bogobos. I said it too in few places at Tavao,
(04:50):
I tried different ways to say and I must have
said it good. One time Filipino snapped at me to
shut up because word no good. But did Shahada shut up? Never,
Scotti said emphatically, is true anyway, Filipino whispers to me
about Pirates of Shan. He knows little, only that they
(05:12):
kill quick, and no one knows who is a pirate
and who is not. Not many have heard of them,
some have, Zirkon interjected, He waived the paper. Okolo replied
by return wire. Listen, the big physicist read. Pirates of
Shan take back to seventeenth century. Originally Chinese Muslims, later
(05:33):
joined by Filipino Moslims and some Malays, most active around
eighteen hundred. Shan is from the Chinese word for mountain,
but no one knows what mountain. Some believe Shan located
near Bonio Coast. Some mention pirates in action against Japanese
during World War II. No records since regret no more available.
(05:55):
Okolo certainly knows his history. Scotty stated, well, at least
we have a tag to hang on the enemy. The
kidnappers were pirates, zir Khan agreed, being trailed by one
certainly seems to tie up with Tony and Howard's disappearance.
And speaking of kidnappers, that Filipino boy Elpdo Torres was kidnapped.
His folks now have a ransom demand. He held out
(06:17):
a recent newspaper. Rick scanned the front page story. Think
there might be a connection possible, I suppose, but consider
the distance. According to the story, a ransom of one
million pesos is to be left on the Batanga coast
south of Manila. Scotti whistled half a million bucks. That
(06:38):
would make piracy worthwhile. Yes, but Manila isn't the Sulu
Si Zircon pointed out. Also, there'd been no ransom demand
for Tony and Howard. They weren't taken until some time
after the tourists. Boy vanished, what we do now? Shahada asked,
we eat with the local constablary chief. Rick replied, think
(06:59):
it s to join us. Shahada grinned, safer, No I
go I hungry? Rick and Scotti were hungry too. The
Spanish Filipino custom of dining late did not appeal to them,
but as it developed, dinner was worth waiting for. Captain
Lymb was apparently a gourmet. He had ordered soup bed
(07:20):
of smoked oysters from Palabuan Island, a second course of
delicate butterfly fish filets in a marvelous sauce of fresh coconut,
a main course of breasts of chicken boiled in coconut milk,
a salad of hearts of palm, a Spanish dessert called lecheflan,
which was a kind of custard swimming in a caramel sauce,
(07:40):
and thick aromatic bantanganas coffee. Rick and Scottie ate till
they could hold no more, and Shahada groaned. Once I
read words stuffed like Christmas goose. This now fits me.
Zircon lighted a Manila's cigar and sat back in his chair,
a look of pure contentment on his face. A wonderful meal, Captain,
(08:01):
thank you for all of us. I haven't dined so
well in months. Captain Lim beamed his pleasure. Then you
may forgive me for failing with the morrow, He would say, nothing.
I have no legal grounds on which to hold him
longer either. Zirkon nodded his understanding. We expect nothing, but
we had to try. Shahada, tell Captain Limb what you
(08:22):
found out and devou and I'll give him Okolo's message.
The exchange of information completed, Zircon changed the subject. The
scientists knew they were in need of something to take
their minds off the search for a while, and he
encouraged Captain Limb to tell them about Zamboanga and its
long and sometimes bloody history. The officer turned out to
(08:42):
be an entertaining storyteller. He kept them laughing or on
the edge of their chairs until after midnight. Then he
began teaching them the famous song that goes the monkeys
have no tales in Samboanga. The monkeys have no tales
in Sambowanga. The monkeys have no tails. They were bitten
off by Wales. Oh, the monkeys have no tails in Samboanga.
(09:06):
The spindrifters had just gotten into the swing of the
rollicking melody when a sergeant came in with a message
for the Captain. Lim tore the envelope open and read rapidly.
Then he slapped his hand on the table. Good this
is for Major laxon a boat answering the description of
the Sampogouita was seen about four days after the kidnapping,
(09:27):
heading south of the island of Balan. A fisherman saw it.
Rick's heart left with sudden hope and excitement. Where's Balan?
Across the strait from here is Basilon? Bowan is a
small island south of it, Scotty said, with relief. At
least we know now which way they're heading, and we
know what to do next. Sirkon added, we go after it.
(09:50):
Shahata concluded grimly end of chapter seven.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Dream Oudie Books hopes you have enjoyed this program.
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