Sandokan had crouched down and drawn his kris, while Yanez had grabbed his rifle by the barrel, intending to use it as a club. The dog pounced upon Sandokan, the closer of the two pirates, and attempted to rip out his throat.
But the Tiger of Malaysia would not be taken so easily. As quick as a flash, his right hand shot forward and drove his blade between the black beast’s jaws. Almost simultaneously, Yanez swung his carbine and struck it in the head.
“I think it’s had enough,” said Sandokan, standing up and pushing the whimpering dog away with his foot. “If this is the best the British can do, we won’t have much to fear.”
“I wouldn’t relax just yet, there could be a few men following that dog.”
“They would have fired upon us by now. Let’s go, Yanez.”
The two pirates headed in among the trees, trying to follow the old path. Though it was overrun with plants, roots, calamus, and rattans, the trail was still discernible and seemed as if it could be followed with little difficulty. Unfortunately appearances proved deceiving and every step forward brought new obstacles. Their heads would brush against large cobwebs strong enough trap a small bird, or they would trip over thick roots snaking through the grass and tumble to the ground.
Frightened by the appearance of the two men, numerous Draco lizards scattered off in all directions while other reptiles, their sleep having been disturbed, quickly sped away, hissing menacingly.
Sadly, it was not long before the trail disappeared, forcing Sandokan and Yanez to resume their aerial manoeuvres among the rattans, gambirs and calamus. Their journey, however, did not go unnoticed by the tree dwelling langurs, black-furred monkeys that abound in Borneo and the nearby islands. Angered by that unwelcome intrusion, those primates would often block their path, showering the trespassers with fruit and branches.
Unable to use the sun to get their bearings, they continued to advance haphazardly for a couple of hours, then, spotting the dark waters of a muddy stream flowing beneath them, they quickly made their way towards a branch closer to the ground.
“Won’t there be water snakes in there?” asked Yanez.
“No, a few leeches perhaps,” replied Sandokan.
“Would you prefer to advance up the river?”
“It’ll be faster than swinging through the trees.”
“Well, let’s see how deep it is then.”
“It won’t be more than a foot, Yanez. But you’re right, best to make certain.”
The Portuguese snapped off a branch and dipped it into the water.
“You were right, Sandokan,” he said. “Let’s go down.”
They abandoned the branch and lowered themselves into the stream.
“Do you see anything?” asked Sandokan.
Yanez crouched down and scanned the infinite green arches stretching over the muddy water.
“I think I see some light down there, off in the distance,” he said.
“Perhaps the jungle is finally thinning.”
“It appears so, Sandokan.”
“Let’s hope.”
They slowly trudged up the muddy river, at times grabbing onto the branches above them to aid their advance. The foul stench of rotting fruit and leaves permeated their every step, carrying with it the threat of fever.
The pirates had walked a quarter of a kilometre when the Portuguese stopped suddenly and grabbed onto a large branch that stretched across the river.
“What’s the matter, Yanez?” asked Sandokan, drawing his rifle.
“Listen!”
The pirate leaned forward and fell silent.
“Someone’s coming,” he said after a moment.
A powerful roar echoed through the green arches, instantly silencing the birds and monkeys.
“Be ready, Yanez,” said Sandokan. “There’s a mayas in front of us.”
“And that’s not our only problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look over there, on that large branch stretching across the stream.”
Standing on his tiptoes, Sandokan quickly looked to where Yanez had pointed.
“Ah!” he murmured calmly. “A mayas on one side and a harimau-hitam on the other! Load your rifle and be ready for anything.”
Chapter 21
The Panther and the Orangutan
TWO FORMIDABLE ENEMIES had emerged from the jungle, one no less dangerous than the other, but it appeared that for the moment, they had no desire to attack the two men, for instead of heading down the stream, they quickly advanced towards one another, intending to test each other’s strength. The beast Sandokan had referred to as a harimau-hitam, was a splendid panther of the Sunda, the other was an ape, a mayas tjaping or orangutan (in Malay literally a primitive wild man) still plentiful in Borneo and the nearby islands and feared for their incredible strength and ferocity.
The panther was probably hungry and, spying the ape on the opposite shore, it had quickly jumped onto a large branch hanging over the stream, planning to use it as a bridge. It was a beautiful and dangerous beast. About the size of a small tiger, it had a large round head, short powerful legs, and a thick coat of dark yellow fur spotted with black rosettes. It must have measured a metre and a half in length, making it one of the largest of its kind.
Its adversary was almost equal in size, with an enormous chest and strong muscular arms more than two and a half metres long. Reddish-brown hair framed a large wrinkled face marked by dark sunken eyes and a prominent mouth filled with sharp teeth.
These apes live in the thickest part of the jungle and spend most of their time in the trees, sleeping in spacious nests they fashion out of branches and leaves. They are more solitary than other apes and usually try to avoid contact with men and other animals. However, once threatened, they can become quite deadly, for few opponents can match their strength.
The orangutan had been searching for fruit, but at the sound of the panther’s roar, it paused on the opposite bank of the stream, beneath a giant durian tree. Its eyes quickly fell upon that dangerous foe, taking in every detail, more in astonishment than in anger. It remained that way for several minutes then drew itself up to its full height and bellowed darkly; the challenge had been accepted.
“It’s going to be a hell of a fight,” said Yanez, not daring to move.
“Thank Allah they aren’t angry at us,” replied Sandokan. “I was afraid they’d attack us.”
“Me too, little brother. Should we find another path?”
Sandokan scanned both banks but quickly realized escape was impossible. Thick walls of trunks, leaves, thorns, roots and vines enclosed both sides of the stream. It would have taken them much too long to open a path with their krises.
“We’re stuck here,” he said. “They’d turn and attack us at the sound of our blades. Best not to move and hope they don’t spot us. The battle should be over quickly.”
“Then we’ll have to face the victor.”
“I doubt it’ll be in any shape to put up much of a fight.”
“It’s about to start. The panther is getting impatient.”
“And the mayas can hardly wait to smash in its enemy’s ribs.”
“Load your rifle, Sandokan. Best be prepared.”
“We’ll shoot them both if need be…”
A deafening howl cut off his sentence. The battle had begun.
Realizing the panther had no desire to leave its branch, the orangutan advanced menacingly, howling ferociously, pounding its chest in fury.
As it watched its prey draw nearer, the panther crouched back, preparing to pounce. The orangutan clasped its foot about a large root, leaned over the stream, grabbed the panther’s branch with both hands and began to shake it vigorously.
The panther, despite having sunk its claws into the wood, lost its balance and fell into the stream, but no sooner had the feline touched the water than it leaped back onto its perch. It paused for a minute then lunged at the orangutan, burying its claws into the great ape’s shoulders and thighs.
The orangutan cried out in pain. Blood gushed from its wounds, coursing through its fur and dripping into the stream. Satisfied, the cunning panther drew back its claws, whirled about, and leaped off the ape’s large chest, intending to retreat before its adversary could strike. But as it landed on the branch, the orangutan lunged and grabbed it by the tail, thwarting its escape. Wild cries of pain tore through the air as the ape tightened its grip, refusing to let go.
“The poor panther!” said Yanez, following the battle with great interest.
“It doesn’t stand much of a chance,” said Sandokan, “it won’t escape from that deadly grip.”
The pirate’s words proved true. Still clutching its adversary’s tail, the orangutan jumped forward and climbed onto the branch. With one swift motion, it raised the panther in air, spun it around, and hurled it into the trunk of an enormous durian tree. There was a dry thud then the unlucky beast tumbled into the dark waters of the stream. Its head, split open by that powerful blow, had spattered the trunk with blood.
“Killed with one blow!” murmured Yanez. “I didn’t think the ape would triumph so quickly.”
“They rarely loose,” replied Sandokan.
“What next? Do we wait for it to leave?”
“If it spies us, it’ll kill us both on sight.”
“It’s wounded though; it may be in bad shape.”
“Don’t be fooled by the blood; they’ve been known to live even after they’ve been shot several times in the chest.”
“Then we’ll wait until it goes away?”
“That might take awhile. I think its nest is in that durian tree, you can just catch a glimpse of it among those branches.”
“Then we should retrace our steps.”
“That’d cost us too much time. We’d have to make a huge detour, Yanez.”
“Then I guess we’ll have to shoot it if we plan to keep heading up stream.”
“I had the same thought,” said Sandokan. “We’re both good marksmen, we just need to get a little closer so we can get a clear shot. These branches could deflect our bullets.”
While they were preparing to attack the orangutan, the beast had crouched along the riverbank and begun splashing water over its wounds. The panther’s powerful claws had sliced though the poor ape’s skin, tearing it to the bone. Blood gushed from its thighs, forming a small puddle on the ground. It moaned softly as it tended its wounds, howling at times to voice its rage.
Sandokan and Yanez had crossed to the opposite shore, ready to dash into the jungle if their shots missed their mark. They had crept up behind a large branch that stretched out over the stream and were bracing their arms against it to steady their aim, when the orangutan suddenly shot to its feet and began beating its chest in fury.
“What’s the matter with it?” asked Yanez. “Has it spotted us?”
“No,” said Sandokan. “It’s preparing to fight, but not with us.”
“Another panther?”
“Shhh, something’s moving in those bushes.”
“By Jupiter! What if it’s the British?”
“Quiet, Yanez.”
Sandokan silently climbed up onto the branch. Keeping himself hidden behind a curtain of rattan vines, he quickly scanned the opposite shore. Someone was approaching, cautiously advancing through the underbrush. Unaware of the grave danger before him, he was heading straight for the base of the durian tree. Alerted by the rustling of leaves, the orangutan had hidden behind the trunk, ready to pounce on its new foe. It had fallen silent, breathing heavily as it waited to attack.
“What’s happening, Sandokan?” asked Yanez.
“The mayas senses something approaching.”
“An animal or a man?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What if it’s just some unlucky Malay?”
“We won’t allow that ape to kill him. Wait! I think I just saw a hand.”
“White or brown?”
“Brown, Yanez. Aim at the orangutan.”
“I’m ready.”
The great ape howled darkly and rushed into a thick bush, ripping up branches and leaves with its powerful hands. Within seconds it exposed its prey, a cry filled the air, then two shots thundered from the opposite shore. Sandokan and Yanez had fired. Struck in the back, the beast howled and turned about, spotted the two pirates, and raced back over the stream.
Sandokan had dropped his rifle and drawn his kris, ready to fight it hand-to-hand. Yanez had jumped onto the branch and was quickly trying to reload.
Enraged by that surprise attack, the orangutan rushed toward Sandokan, but just as its hairy arms reached to grab the pirate, a cry rang out from the opposite shore.
“The captain!”
A shot thundered.
The orangutan froze as its hands went to its head. It stood there for an instant, glaring fiercely at Sandokan, then fell heavily into the water with a loud splash. Seconds later, the man who, by a hair, had escaped the ape’s wrath, rushed to the bank of the stream shouting, “Captain! Señor Yanez! Glad I didn’t miss!”
Yanez and Sandokan quickly leaped down from the branch.
“Paranoa!” exclaimed the Tiger happily.
“At your service, Captain,” replied the Malay.
“What are you doing in the jungle?” asked Sandokan.
“Looking for you, Captain.”
“How did you know we’d be here?”
“I spotted a few soldiers buzzing about the outskirts of the jungle with a pack of dogs. I knew you had to be in here somewhere.”
“And you risked coming in here alone?” asked Yanez.
“I’m not afraid of a few beasts.”
“That mayas almost tore you into little pieces.”
“It hadn’t caught me yet, Señor Yanez, and, as you saw, my bullet found its mark.”
“Have the other prahus arrived?” asked Sandokan.
“No, Captain. There still hadn’t been any sign of them when I set out to look for you.”
“When was that?” the pirate asked anxiously.
“Yesterday morning.”
“Could something have happened to the other ships?” asked Yanez, with more than a little worry in his voice.
“The storm may have blown them far to the north,” replied the Tiger.
“That could be, Captain,” said Paranoa. “The wind was pretty strong. We were lucky enough to find shelter in a small, well-protected bay about sixty miles from here and managed to make our way back fairly quickly. It’s been more than a day; the other ships may have arrived while I’ve been searching for you.”
“Let’s hope we find them waiting for us,” said Sandokan. “Did you lose any men during the storm?”
“None, Captain.”
“And your ship?”
“She suffered a little damage, but it’s all been repaired.”
“Is she hidden in the bay?”
“I had her set sail to avoid any surprise attacks.”
“You landed alone?”
“Alone, Captain.”
“Did you spot any British soldiers buzzing about the bay?”
“No. However, as I said, I spied a few of them searching the outskirts of this part of the jungle.”
“When?”
“This morning.”
“Where?”
“East of here.”
“They must have been coming from Lord James’ villa,” Sandokan said to Yanez. Then turning to Paranoa he asked, “Are we far from the bay?”
“We won’t get there before sunset.”
“We’re farther than we thought!” exclaimed Yanez. “It’s only two o’clock now. We still have a long way to go.”
“It won’t be easy to make our way through this jungle, Señor Yanez. It’ll be at least four hours before we reach its outskirts.”
“We best get started then,” said Sandokan, barely stifling his impatience.
“In a hurry to get back to the bay, little brother?”
“Ye
s, Yanez. I have a bad feeling about this… if our ships aren’t waiting in the bay, I’m afraid we may never see them again.”
“By Jupiter! That would be a disaster!”
“A terrible tragedy, Yanez,” sighed Sandokan. “It almost seems as if Fate is against us, as if she’s anxious to deal the Tigers of Mompracem a last mortal blow.”
“And if your tragic prediction comes true? What would we do then, Sandokan?”
“What would we do? Do you think the Tiger of Malaysia would lose heart and bow to destiny? No, we’d continue the fight. We’d track down our enemy and give them a taste of our steel. We won’t give up so easily.”
“Think a minute; there are only forty men aboard our prahu.”
“They’re forty Tigers, Yanez. Led by us, they’d perform miracles; no one would be able to stop them.”
“You’d attack the villa?”
“We’d attack the fort in Victoria if need be. I won’t leave this island without Marianna Guillonk. Who knows, she may be the key to Mompracem’s survival. Our lucky star appears to be fading, but it has not yet been extinguished! Perhaps it’ll shine stronger than ever. Ah!… If only she… Mompracem’s fate is in her hands, Yanez.”
“And yours,” sighed the Portuguese. “It’s pointless to talk about it now. Come, let’s try and reach the brook, and see if our prahus have arrived.”
“Yes, let’s go,” said Sandokan, “with such reinforcements we could take on all of Labuan.”
Guided by Paranoa, they ascended the stream and soon reached the old game trail the Malay had discovered a few hours earlier. Plants and roots had overrun it; however, it was still traversable and the pirates made their way forward without too much difficulty. They advanced through the great jungle for five hours, stopping from time to time for a short rest. Finally, at sunset, they arrived near the banks of the little brook.
Not seeing any enemies, they headed west, crossing a small swamp that led to the sea. It had been dark for several hours by the time they reached the shores of the bay. Paranoa and Sandokan walked towards the reef to scan the horizon.
“Do you see that, Captain?” said Paranoa, pointing at a speck of light off in the distance that could easily have been mistaken for a star.
“Our prahu?” asked Sandokan.
Sandokan: The Tigers of Mompracem (The Sandokan Series Book 1) Page 17