by John Blaine
Rick looked up and saw that both he and Scotty were just inside the path that the barrel was traveling. It was falling astern now that Chahda was on a straight course, but it would still be far enough away from the side to catch them all.
He stopped and looked at his friends, and saw that Zircon had locked his legs aroundShannon ’s chest and was ready. Tony and Torres were facing the oncoming MTB, ready to grab.
“Stand by,” he called to Scotty.
“Don’t miss it,” Scotty called back.
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Chahda flashed by.
Rick had a quick glimpse of Zircon 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. 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 Chahda slowed down soon,Shannon would be in serious trouble. Apparently the Hindu boy was keeping a close watch on his catch. He dropped his speed until he was barely making headway, giving Zircon a chance to pullShannon up to the rope where the injured man could help himself.
Then Chahda hauled in on the rope until Zircon was directly alongside. The Hindu boy had thrown over the ship’s boarding ladder. Zircon grabbed it and held.
Rick and Scotty left the rope and swam rapidly toward the boat. Both had realized that Zircon would need help.So had Tony, who was already helpingShannonto the ladder.
Chahda lowered a line with a bowline in the end, and Zircon slipped the loop overShannon ’s shoulders and made sure it was secure under 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, come help me. Tony, 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 Scotty and Zircon hauled, he heldShannon out from the boat so the injured leg could not strike the side or a rung.
As soon asShannon ’s shoulders were at the railing, Tony went by Rick and helped pull the scientist 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 hull only a few feet away. With his free hand he found his knife and severed the rope that held the barrel, then he called, “Go, Chahda! Get out of here!”
The roar of the twin engines was his answer. By the time he had climbed over the side and hauled in the ladder, the MTB was reaching top speed as Chahda put the pirate island astern.
Rick glanced back. The pirate vintas were still clustered around the shore near the cove. Far above them, the black rock 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.
CHAPTER XX
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The Patrol Takes Over
Colonel Felix Rojas of the Philippines Constabulary paced the deck of the Swift Arrow while he listened to the story related by the Spindrifters. Next to the MTB was a gunboat of the Philippines Naval Patrol, and beyond that a destroyer-escort loaded to the gunwales with constabulary troopers.
Rick and his friends had arrived at the port of Dalun, on Tawi Tawi , just in time to catch the two-ship convoy that was about to leave in search of them. The presence of Colonel Rojas was a surprise, but, as he explained, once reports of the pirates reached him, he had taken the next plane home to assume command.
The group in the pilothouse of the MTB was complete, except for Shannon and Elpidio Torres who were receiving medical treatment on the gunboat.
Hobart Zircon covered the story from the point of view of the searchers,then Tony Briotti filled in the details of what had happened to him, Shannon, and “Pete” Torres.
Colonel Rojas listened without interruption,then shook his head. “I can’t understand it. The pirates didn’t want you and Dr. Shannon. They wanted the Torres boy. Why didn’t they simply kill the two of you?”
Tony Briotti shrugged. “It wasn’t simple humanity, believe me. They have none. I think they realized that Pete Torres had to be returned alive. His father is too important a man in this country for Pete to be harmed. It would mean that the entire armed forces of the country would be turned loose to hunt the pirates down. So, if they planned to send Pete home after getting the ransom, they also had to return us.”
“Because young Torres would have reported your deaths, and thePhilippines armed forces would probably be augmented by American warships,” Colonel Rojas finished. “That’s as good a reason as any. We’ll accept it for lack of anything else.”
Rick spoke up. “There’s one hole in Tony’s reasoning. They also had to assume that once the prisoners were released, the authorities would have a description of the island. So it would only be a matter of time before the pirate hangout was located.”
“Sorry, Rick,” Tony corrected. “None of us had the remotest idea of where we were, or what the island looked like. We were brought in by night, blindfolded, and taken to the cliff cave. From there we could see only the western shore. Why, we didn’t even know we were on the side of a volcano until you took us off.”
“That gives your reason even greater acceptance,” Zircon boomed. “Actually, what puzzles me is why the pirates kept you so long. Usually, if ransom isn’t forthcoming pretty fast, the victims are never seen alive.”
Rojas answered, “That’s generally true, I’m sure. But we have to remember the distances and lack of communications in this part of the world. Also, the ransom was a million pesos. No one has that much in cash, even a wealthy man like Torres. He had sent word that he would pay, but that it would take many days to raise the cash in small bills. His deadline was the day after tomorrow.”
The ransom would never be paid now, Rick thought. Cables had been sent toManila and Spindrift the very first thing, while Shannon and Torres were being moved to the gunboat’s sick bay.
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Zircon waved a big hand. “Anyway, it’s all over now, and reasons become less important. My question, Colonel Rojas, is what are you going to do about these pirates? I’m sure you can wipe out the main island, but there are groups on many other islands.”
The constabulary officer smiled grimly. “We will strike Shan just before dawn tomorrow. I assure you that my men and the sailors of the patrol will take pleasure in breaking up that little nest. As for the other groups, that is a more difficult problem.”
“You need spies,” Chahda stated.
“We do,” Rojas agreed. “However, once the main island is taken, the local groups will have no central leadership. I might add that Paulo Lacson has already broken up theDavao gang.”
“So fast?”Scotty asked incredulously.
“Three days ago. The Bagobos had reasons to fear reprisals, you see, and Paulo took no chances. He kept a platoon with full automatic weapons hidden in the village houses. The pirate gang attacked and got a very warm reception. Those who survived are prisoners.”
“Good for Major Lacson!” Rick exclaimed. “We were impressed by his efficiency. You can see why.”
“How about Zamboanga?”Zircon boomed.
“Apparently there is no gang there. Captain Lim released the Moro you caught, but he’s back in custody again, recaptured by Lim as soon as orders went out fromManila . Lim believes he’s one of the main leaders of the pirates, partly because he personally checked on you inManila ,then followed you to Zamboanga. The gang nearest Zamboanga is the one that tried to get you in the channel. Another gunboa
t is searching the area right now, trying to locate an island fishing colony with too many armed vintas and too many rifles.”
“Maybe you can find pirate pigeons and turn loose,” Chahda offered. “Then planes could follow.”
Rojas stared at the boy thoughtfully. “Now there is a useful idea. I’ll get off a general instruction to look for pigeon cotes.”
Tony Briotti chuckled. “He’s full of ideas. Now, if he can only get one about cleaning the polish from Rick’s face so we can recognize him again, we can call this case closed.”
A hail from the gunboat brought the talk to a halt. Shannon and Torres were ready to rejoin the party.
The scientist’s broken leg was in a cast, with a steel brace at the bottom so that he would be able to walk around, cast and all, in a few days. Pete Torres had a neat bandage on his arm; apparently the Filipino Naval medico had removed the pirate rifle slug easily enough.
Once the group was assembled again, Rojas asked, “What are your plans?”
“Back toManilafrom Zamboanga, and then to Spindrift by the first plane,” Zircon stated.
“Go if you like,” Howard Shannon said calmly. “Tony and I haven’t even started our work here. We’re staying.”
“You can’t go rambling around with a broken leg,” Zircon roared.
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“Whose leg is it? Besides, I work with my head, not my legs.”
Scotty whispered to Rick, “Who’s going to win?”
Rick grinned. “Shannon. Zircon’s yelling too loud. That means he’s only arguing for effect.”
His prediction was right. After a few more exchanges Zircon turned to the boys. “You want to stay on with these stubborn idiots?”
“Maybe for a little while,” Rick said, and Scotty nodded.
Zircon threw up his hands.“All right! If we all pitch in, maybe we can leave sooner.”
Chahda offered, “Pretty good vacation, maybe. I stay a while.”
“If you stay, you’ll need a guide, won’t you?” Elpidio Torres asked hesitatingly.
The Spindrifters stared at him,then broke into laughter.
“That makes it unanimous,” Rick said with a grin.“If Pete can get permission from his father.”
Colonel Rojas looked at the group with admiration. “Nothing stops you, does it? Not even being kidnaped by pirates and held for weeks.”
“It wasn’t so bad,” Tony Briotti replied. “They fed us, and we weren’t mistreated, except for being knocked around that first night. We’re healthy enough, barring Howard’s leg and Pete’s arm.”
Zircon sighed. “Well, I suppose we can go back to Zamboanga and start over again. We’ll have to talk withSantos about his missing boat. Let’s hope you can recover it, through diplomatic channels, or something. Otherwise, I’m sure his insurance will take care of it.”
Colonel Rojas coughed. “This expedition against Shan won’t take more than a day or two, and I’m in need of a little rest myself. I may join you.”
His announcement was greeted with cheers.
“There’s only one thing that bothers me about this plan.” Tony Briotti said, “Howard and I are peaceful folk, on a peaceful mission. But we know from long experience that when Rick, Scotty, and Chahda walk into a place, peace flies out the window.”
“It’s already flown for this trip,” Rick pointed out. “We weren’t the ones who chased it, either.”
“No,” Tony said warmly. “If we haven’t really thanked you, it’s only because words just aren’t adequate. You didn’t drive peace away this time, but you certainly brought it back!”
THE END
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The Pirates of Shan
A RICK BRANT SCIENCE-ADVENTURE STORY, no. 14
BY JOHN BLAINE
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