only light was that of the fire.
Blocking the light were two figures, Ifugao guards, clad only in
breechcloths. Both held spears. Unlike the Igorot spears, the Ifugao
weapons were tall with flared points.

Chahda sliced through the straw of the hut with the bolo, parted it, and
stepped through. Rick was close on his heels, rifle unslung and ready
for use. He felt Scotty crowding him.

The Hindu boy ran to Tony, knelt, and cut his bonds. Rick lifted his
rifle and reached the front of the hut in three long strides. The barrel
of his weapon descended on the head of the nearest Ifugao. Rick caught
the man as he fell.

The second Ifugao turned, mouth open to yell, and stepped right into a
vicious butt stroke from Scotty's rifle. Chahda was already ushering
Tony through the opening at the rear of the hut. The boys pushed through
and followed at a trot as Dog Meat guided them back the way they had
come. The music was still loud. No one had seen the guards go down.

The party reached the first terrace and stopped while Tony massaged his
hands. The rope had cut off the circulation. Finally he motioned that he
was ready. He could climb, but slowly. At a whispered word from Chahda,
Rick and Scotty went up the terrace wall and took stations with ready
rifles, in case they should be spotted while Tony was helpless on the
wall.

Tony reached the top of the first terrace and whispered that he could
move faster now. Chahda and Dog Meat took him to the easiest place to
climb the second wall, while Rick and Scotty waited as a rear guard.

Tony was halfway up the second terrace when pandemonium broke loose in
the village below. The boys saw the dance break up, saw men rush into
the hut where Tony had been held prisoner and drag out the guards, one
of whom had regained consciousness. The men of the village scattered
into various huts and came out with spears and bolos.

Rick looked up in time to see Tony's legs disappear over the top of the
terrace wall. He tugged Scotty's arm. "Let's go."

They swarmed up the wall as fast as their groping hands and feet would
allow, but not before a spear clanged off the stones between them. They
had been spotted!

Chahda leaned over and grabbed Rick's hand. Rick went up in a hurry,
then both of them pulled Scotty up. Ifugaos were already on the terrace
below!

Rick realized that the Ifugaos had the advantage. They were used to the
terraces. He also realized that they could be where he now st