e at Zamboanga to establish
peaceful trading relations, a thing that had never been dreamed
of in the belligerent Sulu Isles, and Americans as well as natives
were fearful of the outcome. The governor was severely criticized
for his experiment, but he had made a deep study of the Moros,
and was willing to run the risks of the present in his desire to
bring the light of freedom and peace to the misguided savages. After
centuries of oppression and outrages against them, the Moros had of
necessity become suspicious and cautious. Preyed upon by Jesuits,
Filipinos, and Spaniards, they had long ago found a ready bolo the
safest argument. Governor Findy had sent them word that they were
to be protected from their enemies, and that Americans were their
friends, but disturbing whispers of traps and bondage made the wild
folk hesitate to obey the summons.

Thus, a strange scene was being enacted at the Zamboanga wharf. From
all directions weird crafts made their way hesitatingly toward it. The
sentries were distrustfully scrutinized, but not a soldier was armed.

"See, Kali Pandapatan, I told you the new governor was good. He trusts
us and permits us to enter his barrio as friends." Proudly the tribe's
charm boy sprang from the war-prau, and, to the astonishment of the
soldiers, as well as the Moros, strutted up to the sergeant in charge
and offered his hand, American fashion.

"I'll be dinged, if it ain't Piang!" exclaimed Sergeant Greer. "Is
this your old man, Piang?" he asked genially, pointing to Kali
Pandapatan. The old chief stiffened at the apparent familiarity.

"Him big chief! Him Kali Pandapatan," hastily corrected Piang.

"Excuse me, sor; no hard feelings, I hope. Had a rough trip over,
I hear; how did you leave the missus?"

When the remark had been interpreted, a murmur rippled through
Kali's ranks, and hands flew to hips. No Moro permits his women to
be spoken of.

"What's all the fuss, kid?" asked the sergeant, innocently.

With an impish grin, Piang replied:

"Him no like talk about missus; him got twenty."

"The deuce he has!" laughed the sergeant. "Some old scout!"

The good-natured Irishman finally gained the confidence of the ruffled
potentate, and when Piang explained that he and the soldier were old
friends, Kali solemnly acknowledged the union with a stiff handshake.

"Ver' good," said the savage with a grin. Piang glowed with pride at
Kali's display of English.

"Now what do you know 'bout