The Pirates of Shan: A Rick Brant Science-Adventure Story “Dangerous Discovery” - Chapter 19 Chahda Sweeps the Sea

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter nineteen 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 nineteen, Shahada sweeps the sea. The exchange of rifle
shots lasted only a few moments without causing casualties to

(00:21):
either side. Scotti had fired more in mourning than to
score a hit. The spin drifters had taken cover behind
the rocks, and the protection had been enough. Rick sized
up the situation. More Vintas were crowding into the cove.
There were so many now they got in each other's way.
Before long, the entire cove would be jammed with Vintas
and the Moros would come swarming ashore. Unfortunately, the sea

(00:44):
was calm, with only low surf on the eastern shore.
Heavy breakers would have been helpful in keeping the pirates busy.
Rick thought one thing was clear as glass. They couldn't
wait for the pirates to overrun them. Rick hurried to
Zirkon's side, Professor, can you carry Shannon. We've got to
get to the other side of the cove, then across
the rocks to the sea. It's a better position to defend,

(01:07):
and we might have a chance to get to the water.
When Shahata comes, I've called him. He's on the way
in Rick's right. Scotty chimed in get going, I'll cover you.
Zirkon nodded without speaking. He stepped swiftly to Shannon's side,
picked the zoologist up. Then he followed Rick to the
end of the cove and started the climb over the
tiny spit of land that separated the cove from the

(01:29):
open sea. It was rough going. Tony Briotti gave Zirkon
a hand over the roughest places, while Rick and Elpidio
Torres stood by to assist where needed. Scotty stayed at
the edge of the cove, rifle at the ready. The
pirates hadn't gotten organized yet. The spin drifters were still
in deep shadow and not clearly visible. Now and then

(01:50):
a pirate took a rifle shot, but that was more
from lack of discipline than a target at which to shoot.
Rick hoped that the Spindrift group could reach the seaward
side of the spit they were now climbing before the
pirates swarmed ashore. There was a good chance of defending
the spit, particularly with Scotty's rifle. Zircon reached the top
and went over, and Rick called Scotty, come on. Scotty

(02:13):
instantly turned and ran. A hail of badly aimed rifle
slugs spattered off the rock across an area forty feet wide.
As the pirates shot at the sound of Rick's voice,
none came near the mark. Then a few pirates smarter
than the rest realized what was going on. As Tony
Briotti and the Torres boy were silhouetted briefly against the

(02:33):
sky at the top of the rise, the handful of
alert pirates fired. Most shots missed, but Rick heard the
Filipino boy gasp. Scotty reached Rick's side and said softly,
let's go and slide over the top on your stomach.
Rick didn't need the advice. He had no intention of
letting the pirates catch him in silhouette. He crouched low
and moved the few feet to the top, found a

(02:57):
boulder and slipped quickly around it. Scotty followed a moment later,
I'm staying here at the top. Scotty said, if any
pirates try to come after us, I'll have a clear shot,
and when they get wise and come around to the seaside,
I can shoot down on them. How are we going
to get out of this? You tell me, Rick suggested,
I don't know. The pirates hadn't been long in catching on.

(03:19):
A few Vintas were already rounding the cove point, heading
for the party, now huddled behind boulders on a ledge
just above the sea. Rick hurried down to join the others,
leaving Scotty to guard the rear. Tony Brearty greeted him. Look.
Rick's eyes followed the archaeologist's pointing finger off to the southeast.
On a sea tinted pink from the rising sun. He

(03:40):
saw the low lines of the swift arrow. Shahata was
on his way. Zircon bellowed, watch it. He echoed his
words with the flat slap of a pistol shot. The
first Vinta had reached the group and was standing only
a few feet off shore. Others were crowding in behind it.
Rick got ready to shoot again and saw that the boy,

(04:00):
a bloody handkerchief tied around his upper arm, was throwing
rocks with his good hand. Tony Briotty followed suit, picking
up large chunks of lava and slamming them into the
pirate craft. Rick sputted a rifleman in the nearest vina
and set a broad headed arrow at him. The arrow
passed between the pirate's arm and sighed, but pinned him
by his shirt to the venta mast Rick quickly knocked

(04:23):
another arrow and waited for a clear shot. Behind him,
Scotty's rifle spoke once twice, then a third time. Yells
from beyond the spit of land showed that the pirates
had tried to come at them overland. Rick hoped Scotty's
single rifle would be enough. At least his pal was
shooting from cover while the pirates were in the open.
A vna tried to approach, and Rick sent an arrow

(04:45):
into the helmsman's shoulder. The venta sheared off and collided
with another. It was only a question of time before
the pirates were forced ashore by their very numbers. Rick
knew that his small group wouldn't last long, not against
barongs and Chriss's. He he shot again and took a
Pirate rifleman out of the action. Zirkhon's heavy automatic picked
off the first pirate that tried to climb ashore and

(05:07):
slammed him back onto his fellows. Tony Briotti aided the
sudden pile up of pirates with a chunk of lavat
the size of a basketball. Sudden screams of pain and
rage came from the mass of struggling Moros. Other Vintas
had pulled on to shore farther away, and Rick saw
pirates scrambling up the rock unhindered. He got two with arrows,

(05:28):
then Scotty fired from his vantage point and drove them
to cover. Above the Moro battle cries and screams of rage,
Rick suddenly heard the horn blast of the swift arrow.
He looked up in time to see Shahata driving at
full speed parallel with a beach. As the Hindu boy
drew close, the swift arrow saluting kin and suddenly erupted
a load of tacks into the cluster of Vintas. The

(05:50):
pirates scrambled to cover against this new menace. As the
empty be swept by the terrific bow wave lifted the
Ventas high and sent them crashing into one another. Two
of them turned over. Rick fell back and grabbed his
radio unit, quickly plugging in the earphone. Shahata, that was great,
the Hindu boy sounded excited. I make short turn down,

(06:10):
do same thing again, only closer. You get ready when
I toot horn you get to water somehow, Okay, we'll try,
Rick answered gloomily. He beckoned to Scotti, who came down
to join him, keeping a watchful eye to the rear
in case a pirate tried to come over the rise.
The two hurried desserk on side. Rick said swiftly, we've
got to get to the water. Shahata is coming back

(06:32):
right now. We have to be ready when he toots
Zircon handed Tony the pistol. Keep their heads down, Tony,
I'm going to take Howard up the shore to that
nearest venta. The rest of you come after me. Hurry
it up. We'll have to swim for it unless we
can grab the venta. The big scientist reached Shannon's side
just as Shahatas started his second run again. The Hindu

(06:53):
boy opened with a blast from the saluting cannon, then
crowded close inshore, letting his bow wave dry the venta's
hard against each other and the shore. The crashing ventas
sent their crews down in heaps. The MTB was so
close to shore that Rick could see the string Shahada
had rigged to trigger the cannon by remote control. The
pirates were too busy to worry about the spin drifters

(07:14):
for a moment. Zirkon scooped Shannon up and hurried along
the shore, ignoring the wash from the MTB that lashed
over the rocks. Rick and Scotty were right behind him,
weapons ready. A venta with only two pirates aboard, was
scraping back down over a rock. The rest of its
crew were struggling in the water. Get them, Sirkon yelled.
Rick cut one with an arrow just as the man

(07:35):
rose to a sitting position on the gunwale. The heavy
shaft carried him over the side. Scotty's rifle sent the
other into the bottom of the venta in a heap.
The boys moved fast, grabbing the venta before retreating waves
carried it away. Zirkon jumped in, turning as he did so,
he fell the zoologist in his arms. The mast took
the blow of the Scientist's great weight and broke off short,

(07:59):
leaving a tangle of s sail, mast and boom. Get in.
Scotty yelled at Tony and Torres. His rifle barked at
the pirates further up the beach, driving them to cover again.
Zir Kon put Shannon down and heaved the pirate Scotty
had wounded on to the shore. Rick followed Tony and
Torres into the boat, then yelled for Scotty to push off.
He grabbed the radio unit again and called Shahatta, what

(08:20):
do we do? Now, get a little away from shore
and go into the water. Catch rope when I come,
all must catch you watch when I toot horn and
you see. Rick yelled the instructions to the others, then
stuffed the set back into his pocket, dropped his bow
and took a paddle. Scotty knelt beside him, a length
of board in his hands. Let's go, boy, he said urgently,

(08:41):
Under the impetus of Scotty's initial shove and the boy's paddles,
the Vinta moved slowly out until it was a good
thirty feet from shore. The nearest of the pirate craft
moved to intercept it. Four moros at the paddles. Scotty
stopped paddling and started shooting. The pirates. Dropped the paddles
and dove for the bottom of the venta. Rick looked
about anxiously where was Shahata. Then he saw the mptbe

(09:03):
making a sweeping turn at the northern tip of the island.
As he watched, Shahata straightened out and the bow wave
of the empty bee curled as he picked up speed.
Better get in the water, Rick called Tony, give me
the pistol and take Shannon's bow and quiver. Better, hang
them both on your back. Scotty and I will stay
in the venta and cover you. Tony nodded in exchanged weapons.

(09:23):
I'll help Zirkon with Shannon. Come on, pete over the
side and swim out a little way. The torres boy
responded at once, diving headlong into the water. Tony followed
and took Shannon as Zirkon handed the injured man down.
Then Zirkon got into the water too and led the
four away from the venta. Rick and Scotty watched the
tangle of pirate craft, waiting for the next pirate boat

(09:45):
to get untangled and make a try for them. Shahata's
bow wave had left the pirate fleet in shambles. Some
of the ventas turned over nearly all with sails and
booms in a heap on deck or over the pirates.
One venta extricated itself, and the pirates suddenly located the boys.
Amro raised his rifle to fire and found it smashed
in his hands. As Scotty snapped off a shot, the

(10:08):
pirate's stock splintered and the force of the slug smashed
the barrel across his face. He went down. Then one
of the pirates on shore made a try. He stood upright,
rifle poised. Rick fired with the heavy automatic. He missed.
The pirate looked at the silvery splatter of lead on
a rock two inches from his right knee and dove
for cover. Shahata flashed by, and the bow wave lifted

(10:29):
Rick and Scottie high in the air. They grapped at
the venta with their free hands and had to grip
tightly to keep from being thrown as it rolled wildly.
Rick snapped the safety on and lowered the hammer to
half cock, then tucked the pistol securely in his belt
For a moment. He hung on with both hands and
called to Scottie, let's hit the drink. Scotty was trying
to sling his rifle on his back while holding on

(10:51):
with one hand. He gave it up and went over
the side. Once in the sea, he rose to the
surface and got the rifle sling in position. Rick waited
until the venta was on the downward slope of the
backwash from the shore, then went in head first. The
cool water engulfed him and he twisted upward and broke
the surface. Scotty was waiting. The two of them swam

(11:11):
outward to where the other forward treading water waiting for Shahata.
Rick heard the MTB's horn let go with a long blast.
He rose out of the water to look. For a moment,
he thought Shahata was out of control because the big
boat was spinning in a tight circle that could only
be done by putting one engine in full reverse and
the other in full forward. Then the boy saw what

(11:32):
Shahata had done. The centrifugal force of the whirling emptybe
sent a fifty gallon drum dancing across the water to
the full length of a long rope. As the barrel
swung wide, Shahada straightened out and put on speed. Come on,
Rick yelled at Scotty. He stretched out in the water
for a fast sprint leave it to Shahata. Had he

(11:52):
tried to swing the barrel out while traveling in a
straight line, it merely would have fallen astern. Circling the
MPTB at a fast speed was the only way to
get the rope out far enough from the boat to
give them all a chance of grabbing it. Rick looked
up and saw that both he and Scotty were just
inside the path of the barrel was traveling. It was
falling astern now that Shahada was on a straight course,

(12:13):
but it would still be far enough away from the
side to catch them all. He stopped and looked at
his friends. Saw that Zirkon had locked his legs around
Shannon's chest and was ready. Tony and Torres were facing
the oncoming MTB, ready to grab stand by. He called
to Scottie, don't miss it. Scotty called back. Shahada flashed by.

(12:34):
Rick had a quick glimpse of Zirkon being hauled along
like an oversized surfboard. Then the rope was on him.
He grabbed with both hands and braced himself for the shock.
The jerk on his arms was tremendous, but he held
tight and flailed his legs to get his head above water.
After one gasping breath, he managed to turn himself against
the force of the water and lay flat on his stomach.

(12:55):
By arching his back, he brought his face above water,
and in a moment he was planing along like a
water ski. Next to him on the rope, Scotty had
done the same. Rick counted anxiously, then heaved a relieved sigh.
All present, but unless Shahada slowed down soon, Shanan would
be in serious trouble. Apparently, the Hindu boy was keeping

(13:16):
a close watch on his catch. He dropped his speed
until he was barely making headway, giving Zirkon a chance
to pull Shannon up to the rope where the injured
man could help himself. Then Shahada hauled in on the
rope until Zirkon was directly alongside. The Hindu boy had
thrown over the ship's boarding ladder. Zirkon grabbed it and
held Rick and Scotty left the rope and swam rapidly

(13:38):
toward the boat. Both had realized that Zirkon would need help,
so had Tony, who was already helping Shannon to the ladder.
Shahada lowered a line with a bow line in the end,
and Zirkon slipped the loop over Shannon's shoulders and made
sure it was secure in his arms. Then the big
scientist hurried up the ladder and called down, hold him
away from the side. Rick, get on the ladder, Scotty,

(13:59):
come help me to keep his feet clear. In a moment,
all hands were in position, Rick wrapped one leg around
a wooden rung and slipped one arm behind the ropes. Then,
as Scotti and Zirkon hauled, he held Shannon out from
the boat so the injured leg could not strike the
side or a rung. As soon as Shannon's shoulders were
at the railing Tony went by Rick and helped pull

(14:21):
the scientists aboard. Rick waited to give Torres a hand,
noting as the Filipino boy climbed up that the rough
bandage on his wounded arm was stained with fresh blood.
The boy gave him a wide grin As he climbed
to safety. A rifle slug interrupted Rick's answering grin. It
slapped into the hall only a few feet away. With
his free hand, he found his knife and severed the

(14:41):
rope that held the barrel. Then he called go Shahata,
get out of here. The roar of the twin engines
was his answer. By the time he climbed over the
side and hauled in the ladder, the MTB was reaching
top speed. As Shahada put the Pirate island astern Rick
glanced back. The Pirate ventas were still clustered around the
shore near the cove. Far above them, the black rock

(15:03):
of the volcano was pink with the rays of the
newly risen sun. For long moments, Rick stared at Shan.
Then he turned with a grin to shake hands with
his friends. End of Chapter nineteen.