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 abacá 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?"