The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story “Dangerous Discovery” - Chapter 10 South of Sulu

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Dream Oudie Books presents the Pirates of Shan, a Rick
Brant science adventure story Dangerous Discovery.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
By Harold L. Goodwin, Chapter ten. South of Sulu, the
swift Arrow rounded the western end of Holo and headed
south toward the Tapul Islands. On the south side of
the group was the island of Siasi, where Zirkon planned
to top off the fuel tanks and check in with

(00:28):
the constabulary again. The four set up watches, two to
a watch, four hours at a stretch. They settled down
to a long search. At Siasi, they would be at
the center of the Sulu arpeggio and would leave the
Sulu Sea behind them and enter the Celabus Sea. The
sun blazed down from nearly overhead at noon until the

(00:50):
cocking in the deck bubbled and the sea seemed to steam.
They were less than six degrees above the equator. Now.
Vintas dotted the waters close to the island, but they
were apparently peaceful small fishermen. There was no sign of
a pirate fleet. I doubt that the pirates will bother
us in these waters, Zirkon remarked. Too close to islands

(01:11):
with civilization on them, we can look for trouble in
the more open waters to the south. They bothered us
close to Zamboanga. Rick pointed out, true. However, I suspect
it was simply a quick try it getting us before
we were well under wig. I'm rather flattered as a
matter of fact. Of course they know what we're after.

(01:33):
It was in the Manila papers. But they must realize
we won't quit until we find Tony and Howard, and
they must be afraid we'll succeed. Otherwise, why attack us?
Rick saw the sents in Zirkhon's reasoning. Then this mysterious
island may not be hard to find, at least for
anyone who's really determined. That's my guess. Anyway, I think

(01:56):
we may be attacked when we accidentally start toward their base,
and it will be an accident. Since we have no
clues at Siasi, the Honstabilary had no further information of
value except that the government was showing deep interest and
concern about the pirates. The searchers topped off the fuel
and water tanks and anchored for the night in the

(02:17):
protected harbor. At dawn, the hauled anchor and rounded Siassi.
Zircon laid a course that took them south southwest toward
Kinapusan Islands and cautioned all hands to be on the alert.
By noon, they had crossed to Pan passage. Shahada and
Rick were in the galley cooking hamburgers for lunch. Shahada

(02:40):
was explaining the technique of using moral blades. Must remember
knife is not just thing. Is part of your arm.
Is sharp, part that makes arm longer. You know, swing knife,
you swing arm like trying to cut with end of finger. Okay,
get it. Rick agreed. Don't think of the knife as

(03:03):
something separate. Think of it as part of your own body. Yes,
Shahada assented. Next, balancing of knife is important. If is good,
is like part of you. If is bad, can never
be part of you. Morow knives well balanced. You see,
Shahatta never got a chance to finish. All hands on

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deck pirates, Scotty yelled. Rick and Shahada piled out of
the galley at top speed. Rick grabbed Shannon's quiver from
its hook as he passed. He quickly put the bow
together and strung it, then swung the quiver to his back.
As he reached the deck. Ahead was a line of
ventus already curving in an arc to trap them. Rick

(03:46):
glanced behind and saw that other moral craft were closing in.
They would be surrounded this time unless they chose to
give up their pretense of a crippled engine. Shahata. Scotty called,
take the wheels so I can use my The Hindoo
boy checked to be sure his knives were at hand,
then took over from Scotti, who laid out extra clips

(04:06):
and got ready to fire. Zircon had extra clips for
his pistol close at hand. He was watching the Ventus
through the long glass. Rick put on his arm guard
and finger protectors. Since the Ventas were still out of
bow shot. He took a moment to Beeswak's string. Then
he took a small broadheaded arrow from the quiver, knocked it,
and drew a few times to unlimber his muscles, being

(04:29):
careful not to let the string snap out of his fingers.
What now, he asked, We'll go straight ahead, Zirkhon answered, Shahata,
use nearly full speed on one engine. Have the second
engine idling, but don't use it unless we get into
serious trouble. Notice that the ventas ahead of us are
running before the wind. If we can get through the line,

(04:51):
we'll have the weather gage of them. In other words,
they'll have to tack with the wind against them. We'll
be able to get free easily on one engine. Scotty
pointed to a gap between a venta with a solid
purple sail and one with the blue and white stripes.
There's a hole to go through, Shahada. Rick saw that
the Vintas ahead were closing in. The Moro craft would

(05:13):
be too deep by the time the MTB reached them.
He loosened his quiver and made sure the arrows were free.
He might have to shoot pretty fast. His senses were
unnaturally alert. The water was bluer than blue, and the
small patches of fair weather clouds seemed brilliantly white. The
sails on the Moro craft were gaudy, their crews properly

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fierce and picturesque. He was detached from the reality of
the scene, as though this was some movie he was watching.
Zircum brought him back to reality with a jolt pick
off the helmsman. First. Rick could hear the yells now
as the Moros saw that the swift arrow was almost
within reach. He ran to the fore deck and knelt
on one knee. Arrow knocked and ready, Scotty climbed to

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the top of the pilot house, lay prone rifle thrust out.
The Pirate yells were louder now, and some Morrows brandished
barongs or chrisses, while others waved rifles. Rick suppressed a shudder.
If the Pirates got on board with those knives. The
pirate fleet opened fire a slug wind off a ventilator

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cowl a foot from Ric's head, but he forced himself
to wait. It was still a little far for bow shooting.
It was not too far for Scotty. However. Rick heard
the sharp crack of his pal's rifle and saw a
Moro helmsman slump over in the nearest Vinta. The craft
sheared off. Another Moro jumped to take the helmsman's place,

(06:41):
and Scotty's second shot splintered the rudder handle in his hands.
A Vinta closed to within twenty yards an easy bow shot.
Rick mentally timed the rise and fall of the craft
on the swell, Then, as it broached slightly, he had
a clear shot at the helmsman. Kneeling, He drew swiftly
at loosed the shaft caught the Morrow in the hollow

(07:02):
of the shoulder and pinned him back against the stern transom.
Rick reached for another arrow in the smooth rhythm Shannon
had taught him, but the rhythm was abruptly shattered by
a sudden blast almost in his ear. He whirled swiftly
to meet the new threat, just in time to see
Zirkon open the breach of the saluting cannon and extract

(07:23):
a smoking shell. For an instant, Rick wondered if the
scientist had taken leave of his senses. He saw Zirkon
ram home a blank cartridge and close the breach. Then
suddenly the action made sense to Rick, for Zirkon upended
the cannon muzzle and poured in a box of tacks.
The scientist depressed the muzzle, slighted calmly, and pulled the lanyard.

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A swath of tacks spewed into the bow of the
nearest Vinta, bringing a chorus of pirate yells. The craft
swerved away. Shouting with delight at the scientist's ingenuity, Rick
jumped to Zirkon's side. Working together, they fired box after
box of tacks and saw the Vinas slowly clear the way.
The moros could face steel or hot lead without a qualm,

(08:10):
but the fierce, stinging tax were too much and too unexpected.
They failed to press the attack at the crucial moment,
and the swift arrows slipped through the line. As Zirkon
had predicted. One engine gave them enough speed to get clear.
Once the Moros had lost the advantage of a favorable wind,
Scotty fired a few more shots at the Vintas within range,

(08:32):
then dropped to the deck. The fight was over. The
four gathered in the pilot house, and the three boys
stared at Zircon with mixed admiration and amusement. It's nothing,
the big scientist said, modestly. You see, in my lifetime,
I've been an avid reader. At one time while at
the university, I read of some round the world traveler

(08:53):
using tax in a signal gun. So I disclaim originality
the world all in act, not saying about this, Shahado said, grinning.
Is pretty lucky, you have good memory for other books.
Professor Rick looked back at the Vintas rapidly falling astern.
The pirates were well beyond gunshot. Now victory at sea,

(09:17):
he proclaimed, Thanks to the professor's college education. End of
Chapter ten.

Speaker 1 (09:24):
Dream Audiobooks hopes you have enjoyed this program.