SEVENTH ADVENTURE
THE SECRET OF THE SOURCE
There had been a great drought. Plague was sure to follow suchweather, and the Moros were already dying of starvation. "Rice,rice!" was the cry, but everywhere the crop had failed, and thenatives were desperate.
Piang had been more successful in foraging than the other lads had,and his mother was safe for a time, but there seemed to be no hope,and he sorrowed as he pictured her dying for want of the food thatit was his business to provide for her.
In the stifling heat of midday, the village was startled by theappearance of several white men on the biggest animals they had everseen. Tiny ponies, straying about the village, fled to cover at sightof the strange creatures, and most of the women hid themselves infright. The Moro men sullenly watched the strangers advance, makingno attempt to stop them, but there was no mistaking their hostileattitude.
"Where is the dato?" asked the interpreter, who rode in ahead of themen. There was no answer.
"Come, where is the chief? The white men bring good news; theybring food."
Instantly there was a change. Kali Pandapatan stepped in front ofthe others and said in his musical patois:
"I am Dato Kali Pandapatan. Speak. Do not deceive us."
A lengthy conversation followed, and while the two men were arguingand gesticulating, the strangers gradually coaxed some of the childrentoward them. Finally the women sidled nearer, and soon the entirepopulation had hedged the little company in, and were gazing withawe at the huge American horses with their odd trappings. One marestamped her foot and neighed loudly, scattering the spectators inevery direction, greatly to the amusement of the white men.
It was all very hard for the dato to understand. He explained to hispeople that some great power had sent the white men to save them fromstarvation. The interpreter had told him that the Moros all belongednow to some nation called the United States. A fierce murmur rippledthrough the crowd at this piece of news. The dato raised his handfor quiet.
"Let us hear them through. We are hungry; let them feed us. We willfight for our freedom later, if necessary."
Haughtily Dato Kali Pandapatan faced the newcomers and bade themspeak. The interpreter explained that the men were United Statessoldiers, and that their chief had commanded them to search theislands for starving Moros and to relieve their suffering. The craftydato pondered long before he accepted their offer, all the whilewatching for an attack. It was impossible for him to believe theirgenerosity could be genuine, so used was he to the treachery of Spanishstrangers. When the pack-train loaded with supplies appeared at thehead of the steep mountain pass, a cry went up from the hungry people,and a rush was made toward it. When the supplies had been portionedout to each family, and suspicion banished from the minds of thenatives, the "Americanos" were hailed as their saviors. LieutenantLewis, in charge of the expedition, was offered every courtesy, andthe soldiers were showered with gifts of brass and trinkets. DatoKali Pandapatan vowed his allegiance to the soldiers and offered theservices of his tribe.
"Ask the dato if he has heard of the mysterious rice that has beenfound on Lake Lanao, Ricardo," said Lieutenant Lewis.
The interpreter addressed the dato and learned that it was a wellknown fact that rice had appeared on the surface of the lake fromno apparent source. As it had never been grown in that district,the authorities were puzzled over the persistent rumors. If it couldbe cultivated there, it might be possible to supply the tribes withenough to avoid these frequent famines.
"He says he is not sure, sir, but travelers from that section allbring the same tales of gathering rice in an eddy at one corner of thelake. The tribes are very fierce around there, and as they will nottolerate interference from strangers, no one has dared to investigate."
"I can easily believe it. General Bushing's expedition through thatcountry met with fearful opposition. It's a wonder to me that somany of them came out alive." The lieutenant was silent for a time,then said:
"Ask him if he has a swift runner, some one that he can trust."
Ricardo questioned the chief.
"Yes, sir, he says there is a boy named Piang, who is fleeter thanthe wind, surer than the sun."
"Ask him if he will send this boy for me to the lake to search outthe truth about this rice. Offer him fifty bushels of corn for thelad's family and tell him I will send him twenty-five bushels whetherhe is successful or not."
"Piang! Piang!" the name was on every one's lips. From out the crowdstepped a slender faun of a youth, slim and supple as a reed. Thegaily-colored breech-cloth wound about his loins supported his boloand small knives, and in his tightly knotted long hair, glisteneda creese. With silent dignity he awaited his orders. No curiositymanifested itself in his face; no question was on his lips; he simplywaited. Lieutenant Lewis marveled at the boy's indifference, butwhen the mission was explained to Piang, the light that sparkled inhis eyes and the expressions of excitement and joy that chased eachother across his face removed all doubt from the lieutenant's mind.
Piang was chosen! Piang was to ferret out the secret of the lake! Piangwas to bring honor to his tribe! When it was explained to him thathis mother would be provided for, he abruptly turned from the datoand dashed off to his hut to procure weapons and scanty provisions. Asilence held the natives as they waited for Piang to reappear. Theyall seemed to sense the dangers that were confronting the boy soeager to undertake the task. Hardly ten minutes had elapsed beforehe was in their midst again. He salaamed before the dato and, withouta glance at the others, bounded up the trail, away into the jungle.
"But," protested the lieutenant, "no one has given him any orders,any directions." The interpreter conveyed the American's misgivingsto the dato. A smile broke over his face.
"Piang needs no directions, no advice. No jungle is too thick for himto penetrate, no water deep enough to hide its secrets from him. Piangwill bring you news of the rice. I have spoken."
"And to think of the fuss it takes to get a few dough-boys ready fora hike!" exclaimed the amazed lieutenant.
Adventures of Piang the Moro Jungle Boy Page 17