A whispered conversation followed, and Alverez finally exclaimed:
“I’ll do it! Wait here. Watch Piang.” Then he hurried off.
Without approaching Kali, or divulging the secret to any one, Piang followed the men to the dock, and Sicto laughed softly as he watched the unsuspecting boy walk into the trap. The little gunboat Sabah was bobbing at her moorings, and Piang joined the crowd that was gazing in wonder at the strange craft. A shrill whistle, signifying the Sabah’s intention of immediate departure, so terrified the Moros that some took to their heels while others sought the safety of tall lamp-posts. Piang was laughing merrily when he was startled by a noise, and turning, he saw Alverez and a soldier running toward him.
Instantly everything was confusion, and Piang realized that he was the center of the excitement.
“Are you Piang?” asked the soldier, cautiously approaching him.
“Sure, me Piang.”
“Hike! Beat it!” said the man, pointing to the Sabah.
What did he mean? Was Piang to be allowed to go aboard the boat?
The soldier made it very plain, finally, that such was the case, but Piang insisted that he could not depart on a pleasure ride without getting his chief’s permission.
“Sigi, beat it, I tell you, pronto!” said the soldier impatiently, emphasizing the command with a push. Almost before Piang realized it, he found himself on the gunboat, which was slowly moving out toward the channel. In his hand was a crumpled piece of paper which the soldier had gingerly thrust into it.