The procession reached the clearing that gave a full view of the sea. In the distance the eye could discern the curving coast of tiny Bongao; Kali was impervious to the summer beauty and youth of the sparkling ocean, to the charm of the dainty island so gaily chatting with the garrulous waves. He did not see the graceful, white rice-birds or the regal aigrets flitting about among the trees; he saw only the vast, restless ocean. There were no boats in sight.
Slowly the willing carabao was turned homeward, and the aged monarch sorrowfully gave up hope of sending succor to Piang that night. The recent storm had probably delayed his envoys, and he must wait the Sabah’s monthly visit, which would come the next day.
At the door of his hut Kali Pandapatan was helped from the royal beast’s back and up the steep ladder entrance into the cool dusk of the interior where industrious women squatted at their several tasks.
“I miss the child’s lively chatter,” Aioi was saying sadly.
“She was a trying pupil, I can tell you,” remarked the woman at the loom, “but a winning child.” She leaned closer to Aioi and whispered:
“Did you know that Papita had been asked in marriage?” The surprised look on Aioi’s face made an answer unnecessary.
“Our chief is said to have spurned the offer. You know he has always hoped to prove Papita’s noble birth; he wanted Piang to have her, so when the terrible Dato Ynoch’s offer came—”
“Who speaks the name of our enemy in my house?” thundered Kali, glowering at the chattering women. “Bend to your tasks and have done with idle gossip.”
What difference did it make to Piang if he was alone, if he had only the barest clue to Papita’s whereabouts? He was going to follow up that clue, and something seemed to tell him that he was on the right track. The jungle was dripping and steaming after a three days’ downpour; monkeys and birds were huddled in the trees, melancholy, but patient, knowing that their friend, the burning tropic sun, would come to them again, some day. Piang trudged on through the sticky, slippery jungle. An occasional fresh track or recent camping site made him push forward eagerly. What he should do when he did overtake the kidnappers, he had no idea, but something always happened to help Piang. He reverently touched his sacred charm.