ergo.' But
how did they know we were coming?"

Zircon shook his head. "The islands in the vicinity are too small to
have radio or telephone. However, we've not been too careful about our
plans. The waiter last night, or a houseboy outside our hotel door could
have overheard us, and a vinta could have gotten here in time to lay a
trap."

"We'll probably never be sure," Rick said. Suddenly he grinned widely.
He had the feeling they were making progress.

"At least," he stated, "we've met the Pirates of Shan!"

CHAPTER IX

The Moro Knives

Rick walked to the bow as the _Swift Arrow_ approached the harbor of
Jolo in the early-morning hours. He used Shannon's long glass to inspect
some curious-looking houses to the west of the harbor entrance. The
glass showed him they were built on stilts over the water, and connected
by a series of bamboo walkways.

Zircon joined him and borrowed the glass for a look. "Samal village," he
explained. "I've never seen one, but I spent last night reading a pocket
guide I picked up at Bayot's. The Samals are Moros, noted as fishermen."

"And pirates?"

Zircon smiled. "The book didn't say."

In spite of the primitive Samal village, the dock and the city were
fairly modern. As Scotty took the _Swift Arrow_ closer, Rick and Zircon
looked for a place to tie up.

Chahda saved them the trouble. The Hindu boy appeared on a bale of abaca
and waved both arms until they saw him, then he motioned them to the
left and ran down the dock. Scotty swung the MTB past the dock and saw a
smaller dock where a few pleasure boats were tied up. In a moment they
were alongside. Chahda caught the line Rick threw and hauled the bow in.

The Hindu boy jumped aboard as soon as they were tied up. "You early,"
he greeted them.

"We could have been here last night, but we decided to take it easy and
not risk running into vintas and things in the darkness," Rick replied.

"It was a fine trip," Scotty added. "We met some friends."

"Friends? You meaning purposies?"

"Porpoises," Rick corrected. "Not exactly. He means pirates. They took
some shots at us."

Chahda's wide eyes took in the bullet holes. He muttered to himself in
Hindi.

"We were a little surprised," Zircon added. "We're not even sure they
were especially after us. They might have been waiting for any craft
that came along. We can't imagine how they could communicate so rapidly,
unless they had advance notice of our plans."

Chahda