The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story “Dangerous Discovery” - Chapter 17 The Radio Link

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter seventeen 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 Cinda J. M.
Chapter seventeen, the radio link. Dawn was showing its first
pale light in the east when Rick and Scotty tied

(00:21):
the Vinta at the stern of the Swift Arrow and
climbed aboard. Hobart, Sirkhin and Shahada greeted them with relief.
We thinking you lost, are caught, Shahada said, happily, glad
we wrong. Zir Khan added, we were about to make
a run toward shore, hoping to see you. It was
the wind, Scotty said, wearily. We had to beat to

(00:42):
windward all the way back. Did you ever try tacking
a Vinta for hours against a stiff breeze? Rick slumped
down on a convenient bench. Save the talk for later.
We'd better get out o here. It's nearly daylight. You're right,
You're right. Zirkon hurried to the controls and headed the
swift arrows south. Gradually he opened the throttles until at

(01:03):
a safe distance from the island, the MTB was moving
at full cruising speed. Only then did the four take
time to talk any radio contact. Rick demanded. Zirkon's wide
grin answered him. Are they all right? Scotty yelled yes,
wanna say hello. Rick jumped for the radio unit. The
scientist held out and plugged in the earphone. Scotty took

(01:25):
shahatas set Rick and Scotty here. Rick called, do you
hear us? Tony Briotti's familiar voice answered Rick and Scotti,
You two young cliffhangers? What took you so long to
get back? Zircon kept us posted, and we were worried, sick.
We kept watching the village, expecting you to be hauled
in as prisoners. Rick explained about the unfavorable wind, and

(01:48):
Scotty added, besides, we took it easy crossing the volcano.
We hammered spikes and a few rough places to make
it easier. When we come back for you, you can't,
Tony said swiftly. Boys, believe me. We are grateful for
the attempt, but you can't get away with it. There's
a look out in position to see us at all times,
and there's no way you can sneak up on him.

(02:08):
I've told zirk On this, you must not try. How's
doctor Shannon? Rick asked, fine, we're all fine, although we
could use a bath and some home cooking. But don't
try to change the subject. Rick, you must not try
to get us out of here. You'll end up in
this prison, if not dead. Rick could see that the
conversation was leading nowhere, and he knew now that the

(02:30):
scientists were all right. We're tired, Tony, he said, wearily.
It's been a rough night. All right, boys, one of
us will be awake at all times, so call whenever
you wish. Zirkon looked at them anxiously as they put
the radio units away. How about it is, Tony? Right? Right?
Is Radishes? Rick assented. The lookout is where we can't

(02:51):
reach him except with a gun, and the noise of
a shot would defeat us. I'm sure there's some way
out of this, but I can't think straight. I'm too tired.
Below and into your bunks, both of you, Zirkon commanded,
Shahata and I will stand by until we're in safe waters.
Then we can all get some sleep. Rick needed no
second invitation. He was asleep in five minutes. Hours later,

(03:15):
a ray of sun through the porthole woke him out
of deep dreamless slumber. He stretched luxuriously. A wash and
a cold drink would be just right, he decided, and
wondered how long he'd been asleep. His watch told him
it was two thirty in the afternoon. He got to
his feet and saw that Scotty was out of his bunk,
probably on deck. Shahata was sleeping quietly, even though the

(03:36):
swinging quiver Rick had placed on a hook near the
bunk struck him in the elbow every time the boat rolled.
Rick lifted the quiver down and started to hang it
where Shahata wouldn't be bothered. He paused, his brows furrowed.
He had the answer to their problem in his hands.
An arrow was silent. He shook his head and put

(03:57):
the quiver away. It would mean putting a hunting arrow
through a guard's head without warning. He knew perfectly well
he was uncapable of killing a man in cold blood,
no matter what the provocation. It would be an easy shot,
but one he would never make. Zirkon and Scotty were
relaxed on deck when Rick joined them after a quick shower.
They greeted him soberly. Did you dream the right answer,

(04:19):
Scotty asked, I didn't dream at all. He retorted, I
had only one idea, and it won't do. He told
them about the bow. Zirkon smiled, understandingly. I quite agree, Rick,
I couldn't do it either, even if I had the skill.
He changed the subject. I talked with Howard while you
were sleeping. He agrees with Tony, we must not make

(04:39):
the try. Let's not give up. Scotty pleaded, we haven't
explored every possible idea true. Zirkon agreed, Rick, you don't
know all that Tony and Howard told us. It seems
there was a reason behind their kidnapping after all. What yes,
remember the missing Filipino boy from Manila, Alpidio Torre. Seems

(05:00):
he's a young naturalist. He ran away from home to
join Shannon and Briotti when he read of their expedition
in the papers. And how do you suppose he did it?
The light dawned? Of course, the young Moro guide. Rick exclaimed,
I get it now. The pirates weren't after our boys
at all. They were after the Torres kid. Only to

(05:20):
get him they had to grab Briotti and Shannon too
exactly right. Tony and Howard didn't even know who he was.
They hired him in good faith. Then, when the pirates
showed up in the Bogobo village, they tried to defend
the boy and got taken too. They were brought here
in the rented sailboat along with the Torus Boy. The
sailboat was repainted and taken into Indonesia to be sold. Now,

(05:43):
Tony says, the pirates are getting restless. If the ransom
for the Torres Boy isn't forthcoming in a few days,
they may all vanish for good. Rick swallowed. There must
be a way to get that guard. He looked at Scottie.
Could you bean that lookout with a stone from a sling?
Scotty shook his head, angle and rage are wrong. I

(06:04):
might be lucky, but I might not. If not, there
goes the ballgame. Of course, I could make a sling
easily enough. The boys referred to the ancient variety of
sling rather than the modern sling shot. Both were adept
in its use, although Scotty was the better shot. Scotty continued,
why does a bowshot have to be lethal? You've got

(06:25):
some blunt arrows the moment the words blunt arrows were spoken,
Rick's mind went into high gear. The arrows in the
quiver wouldn't do at that range with so powerful a bow.
Even a blunt arrow in the head would kill. But
if he could somehow give the arrow a broader and
blunter head so that the impact would be spread over
a greater area, it could stun without killing. Professor, get

(06:50):
the details on when the lookout is changed, and anything
else that might be useful, Rick said quickly, I think
I've got an idea that will work. Thanks to Scotty's comment,
he hurried went forward and rummaged around in the rope blocker.
He moved to the paint locker and examined everything within reach.
There was nothing suitable. Disappointed, he went on deck and
examined the superstructure. A wooden barrel plug would be ideal,

(07:14):
but they didn't have a barrel aboard. There was only
a fifty gallon steel drum used as a spare fuel supply.
If worst came to worst, he could fashion ahead from
a piece of the fenderboard. Then his eyes suddenly fell
on the flagstaff astern and he let out a yell
of delight. Scotty and Zirkon watched as he unshipped the
staff from its holder and pulled it down. It had

(07:35):
a gilded sphere about the size of a baseball on top.
Rick tested it anxiously. It was glued tightly. Scotty Sircon bellowed,
there's a saw in the tool chest. I believe I
saw a brace and bits most Scotty and Zirkon had
seen instantly what Rick was after. The large smooth ball
would spread the arrow's impact over a greedier area. Scotty

(07:57):
returned in a moment with the tools and saw the
ball off. Then Rick got a blunt arrow from the
quiver and cut the metal tip off with his knife.
He bored a hole of the proper size and the
base of the ball. The arrow fit perfectly. Rick tested
the balance of the now ungainly arrow and shook his head.
I'm not sure I can hit anything with it. Get

(08:19):
the bow, Zircon commanded. Scottie put us screw through the
base of the ball to hold it on the shaft.
I'm going to rig a backstop so Rick can practice.
The scientists found a tarplin and strung it up like
a curtain across the stern at the center of the tarpaulin,
he pinned a work glove. Rick studied the set up.
The canvas would give absorbed the shock of the arrow

(08:40):
and allow it to fall on deck. He would be
all right. He didn't want a chance losing the ball.
He consulted with Scotty and they paced off the approximate
distance he would have to shoot. Then he climbed up
on the pilot house to get the proper elevation. Spreading
the bow a few times to loosen his muscles, he
began to practice. The arrow was terribly heavy and its

(09:01):
whole response to the bow was changed. At first, he
missed by two or three feet, Then as he continued
to practice, as accuracy began to approve. He stopped after
a while and had a coke. I'll never be able
to shoot a normal arrow again, he complained. Scotty grinned,
make this shot and you'll never have to shoot again.
By the time Shahada emerged, rubbing sleep from his eyes,

(09:22):
Rick was on target. Four out of five shots hit
the glove, then nine out of ten were in the palm.
Sir Konk called a halt, took the glove from the
tarp and slipped it on. He tucked a folded handkerchief
into the glove, then stood with hand out stretched before
the tarp hit it. He invited, I'll hurt you. Rick objected, No,
my hand will give with the arrow. I want an

(09:44):
idea of the impact. Rick nodded. He knocked the arrow,
took a firm stance, and drew for an instant. He held,
then he loosed smoothly. The ball smacked into the scientist's hand.
The scientist swung lightly with the blow and stood grinning.
The ball and its projected shaft held firmly in his hand,
A real beanball, Zirkhon boomed. It'll do Rick. Now check

(10:07):
your equipment and put it away. We have to make plans.
Rick realized the professor had chosen an apt simile when
he said beanball like a fastball hurled by a big
league pitcher. The arrow could be caught in the hand,
but would knock for a loop anyone it hit in
the head. Now all he had to do was shoot straight,
just one time. Zirkon gathered the boys around him. Tony says,

(10:31):
the lookout changes at sundown and again sometime you're dawn.
So if we make our try as soon after dark
as possible. We'll have until dawn to return, and this
time there'll be no beating to windward with a vinta.
We'll take it in as you did last night. But
when it's time to leave, Shahada will come after us
in the big boat. Meanwhile, we say nothing to Tony

(10:53):
and Howard. We'll explain after we've landed. The Hindu boy
looked pained. I not go, sir. Come put a hand
gently on the boy's wounded shoulder. You can't climb without
opening that shoulder, Shahata, So you're elected to operate the boat.
You'll keep your own radio set, and we'll call you
in when we're ready to be taken off. And when

(11:15):
we call, come a run in that I will do,
Shahada promised. Right now from your description of the climb boys,
I think we need a few rope ladders. Let's get
started making them. End of chapter seventeen