The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story “Dangerous Discovery” - Chapter 13 The Two Datus

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter thirteen of the Pirates of Shan A Rick Brandt's
science adventure story by Harold L. Goodwin. This LibriVox recording
is in the public domain. Read by Cindy J. M.
Chapter thirteen, the two Datus, the swift arrow moved slowly
through the darkness toward the Tawi Tawi group. Shahada was

(00:22):
at the helm while ris Kotti and Zirkon 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 ventas, and no peaceful fisherman ever fired on a

(00:43):
stranger the way that mob fired on us. Besides, there's
a mountain, I agree. Zirkon examined his pistol barrel carefully,
then ran a cleaning rag through it again. Furthermore, those
ventas operated in a planned defense in a way no
fishermen would ever do. I'm convinced this is the right island.

(01:04):
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 Constablary and the Philippines Naval patrol and mount an
all out assault on the place. No. Rick exclaimed, we

(01:27):
can't do that. If the pirates saw an arm fleet approaching,
they'll kill Tony and Shannon and get rid of the bodies.
The fleet would find nothing at all. Shahada asked, in
quick alarm. You think they kill scientists when we come
to day. I doubt it, Rick explained, After all, one
boat isn't a threat to them, even a fast one

(01:48):
like this one. I think they'd only get rid of
Tony and Shannon if they saw that 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. Sircon nodded,
that's sensible. The question is how can we reconnoiter the island.

(02:12):
Circling it in a boat again will only tell us
what we already know. Only one way we go look,
Shahadas pointed out. Rick knew the Hindu boy was right,
but getting ashore presented problems. If the empty bee got
within swimming distance, the pirates would see it. Of course,
they could row ashore by night and the rubber life

(02:32):
raft the big boat carried. He suggested it to the others.
Shahada leaped at the IDEA silent boat is good, Rick,
but not rubber boat. You remember, we still got vinta.
Of course, Rick saw that Shahada had hit on the answer.
They had left the captured venta and a small cove
on the shore of an uninhabited island a few miles

(02:55):
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. Shahatavs ran back to the helm.
Won't they recognize the vinta, Scotty asked, then answered his

(03:17):
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. Sarkan agreed. We'll try it. First,
we get the venta, 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

(03:38):
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 the point to where the
land began. I know the place. He volunteered and told

(03:59):
the others his idea, repeating it for Shahata's benefit. As
the boy reappeared at the cabin door, Zirkon 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,

(04:21):
who will go on this reconnaissance Rick and me? Shahada
said firmly. I'm going, Scotty, stated Zirkon, held up his hand. Wait, Shahata,
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

(04:42):
Moro clothes. Professor. You and Scotty not good size for Morrow.
You too big, and Scotty has two wide shoulders. Rick
is maybe a little tall, but not so wide. He
can maybe stoop a little me. I perfect for Morrow,
even in the same color. You're right, Zirkon agreed, no

(05:03):
question of it. So curb your impatience, Scottie. Your turn
will come, and so will mine. Shahata, 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 the shipping lanes or
fishing grounds. Zircon figured their position as one hundred and

(05:26):
twenty degrees twenty nine minutes longitude and four degrees twenty
one 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. Shahata had created a
Moro cap for Rick from a piece of upholstery. He
had cut from a seat bottom. Rick had cut the

(05:48):
seams in a pair of white duck trousers and laced
them with twine from the rope blocker until they fit
as tight as Moro payants. One of his own shirts,
dirtied up a little and left open at the collar,
would complete his own outfit. Shahada 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

(06:09):
it was more like the flat moral variety. The only
real problem was Rick's color. In spite of his deep tnd,
he couldn't possibly pass for Morrow. He and Shahada searched
the boat for something that would serve as a stain.
They finally took their problems to the others. Scotty had
the answer with a broad grin. He went to a
suit case and drew out a can of brown shoe

(06:31):
polish Neatness pays, he proclaimed. He passed it to Shahata
with a flourish. Don't give him too high a gloss
when you polish him. How about shoes, ar Khan 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, Shahata agreed, foot's too tender.

(06:54):
We could not run or fight in barefoots. When everything
was in readiness except for the application of polish, Rick
and Shahada 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

(07:15):
could sail in conventional craft, but the outrigger design had
its own peculiarities. Slowly, as the day wore on, the
two boys learned the moral 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

(07:38):
to get some sleep. None of the forts slept more
than an hour at a time since the previous morning.
But the big scientists and Scotty had decided to handle
the MTB themselves on the way to the Pirate Island,
so Rick and Shahada 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 Scotti had already started the run towards Shan.

(08:01):
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. Shahata told
the Hindu boy it was time to get up, then
sat down next to Rick. I feel funny not going
with you. Maybe I'd better go along. I could stay
in the vinda and be ready in case of trouble.

(08:22):
Rick gave his palace sympathetic grin. He knew how Scotty felt.
Look at it this way. If Shahada 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 sandwich
is waiting. I'll go topside and help the professor keep
a lookout. Rick and Shahada got into their outfits. Then

(08:43):
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 handy work. Plenty good, You make fine, moro Rick.
Rick adjusted Shahata's chris in his stash. So are you
you'd fool even the Sultan of Sulu himself. We'd be

(09:05):
two datus, Shahada said, grinning, dat to Rick. Dattoo, Shahata.
What is this date business, Scotty asked, as he came
down from the pilot house. Is datu not date datoo?
It's what Moros call chiefs. We datuos okay datus. The
professor wants to look at you. I'll go take the

(09:27):
wheel while he comes down. We're blacked out topside, just
in case there's a look out on this side of
the island. In a moment, Sircon 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

(09:48):
and I move the boat in closer, Rick said, doubtfully.
Isn't it dangerous to get too close? Shahada chimed in
and world Almond act says, we can see pretty far
at sea. Volcano is maybe five hundred feet. Men on
top can see twenty five point six ocean miles, says Almanac. True,

(10:12):
Zircon smiled, but that would be in daylight with absolute
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 the 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,

(10:33):
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 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 will depend on Shahatas. Then

(10:56):
if we get caught, you and Scottie will still have
two sets. You won't get caught, zirconstated emphatically, don't even
entertain the idea. I am 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 a few minutes. It

(11:17):
would take us to get there, all right. Rick didn't
really believe they would be caught. Shahada 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.

(11:41):
Let's eat Shahada, he said. Almost time to go. End
of chapter thirteen.