the pilot house again, a long knife in his hand.

The three pounded down the dock and leaped aboard, then stopped short at
the sight on the stern. Chahda had suspended a large bunch of bananas
from a convenient hook and was methodically slicing it to pieces with a
long Moro knife in each hand.

Rick exploded, "What in the name of an Indian idiot are you doing?"

Chahda paused in his dancing attack to welcome them aboard with a grin.
"I get in shape. You like my weapons?"

Rick and the others examined them with considerable interest. One was a
barong, with a heavy blade about two feet long. The blade curved along
the bottom, or cutting edge, but was nearly straight along the top,
which was nearly a quarter of an inch thick. The second weapon was a
kris, about the same length, but with two cutting edges, both of which
were wavy in typical kris fashion. The kris was more swordlike, but it
was a cutting weapon not used for stabbing.

Chahda proceeded to give a demonstration, a blade in each hand. Rick was
amazed to see that he used both hands equally well.

"Why all the sudden interest in weapons?" Rick asked.

Chahda sent the remainder of the bananas flying with one cut. "We go
after scientists, yes? We find them, too. But, Rick, don't think we get
them back without one big fight!"

CHAPTER X

South of Sulu

The _Swift Arrow_ rounded the western end of Jolo and headed south
toward the Tapul islands. On the south side of the group was the island
of Siasi where Zircon planned to top off the fuel tanks and check in
with the constabulary again.

The four set up watches, two to a watch, four hours at a stretch. They
settled down to a long search. At Siasi they would be at the center of
the Sulu Archipelago, and would leave the Sulu Sea behind and enter the
Celebes Sea. The sun blazed down from nearly overhead at noon until the
caulking in the deck bubbled and the sea seemed to steam. They were less
than six degrees above the Equator now.

Vintas dotted the waters close to the islands, but they were apparently
peaceful Samal fishermen. There was no sign of a pirate fleet.

"I doubt that the pirates will bother us in these waters," Zircon
remarked. "Too close to islands with civilization on them. We can look
for trouble in the more open waters to the south."

"They bothered us close to Zamboanga," Rick pointed out.

"True. However, I suspect it was simply a quick try at getting us before
we were well und