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If the flowers of the fire tree faded before the scorching sun set, it was destined that the tribe would be unsuccessful in its ventures for the season; should the blooms defy the rays of the sun until the dews of evening rested on its petals, old Kali Pandapatan could sally forth unafraid to meet his fierce brothers of the jungle.
A light twinkled in the distance; confused sounds reached the rescuers, and they pushed forward with renewed energy. "Ooooh, Mihing!" called Asin, in his cracked, wavering voice. "Ooooh!" came the answer from the barrio. "Piang, we look to you to protect us from Bal-Bal, to you and your sacred anting-anting." Solemnly Kali Pandapatan made this announcement. The boy was the first to land.
"Sicto, it is given that you shall have your chance." Kali Pandapatan spoke loudly, a frown on his brow. "Piang is of our own blood, and we, one and all, wish him to be our charm boy, but there shall be no injustice done. Born under the same star, within the same hour, it is not for me to decide whether you or Piang is the Heaven-sent." Turning to the pandita, Kali whispered something.
"The barrio Bal-Bal!" gasped the exhausted old man. The night pressed upon them. Up the river darted Asin's slender banco with Kali Pandapatan and a few picked warriors. "Asin, we shall need you, and you, Piang," the chief had said, and the boy jumped into the boat.
"Kali Pandapatan," finally announced the boy, "it is given that we act as brave men. If it is Bal-Bal who has been swooping upon us, have no fear; he can come no more with Piang, the charm boy, prepared to meet him. If it is something else that is hovering near, we must go boldly forth and slay our enemy." A relieved sigh from the listeners greeted this speech.
Old Dato Kali Pandapatan laid his hands once again on his favorite's head: "Little brother," he said, "this shall be known as Piang's Cut-off. Some day you will be the greatest dato in Mindanao." News that a strange craft had put into Cotabato reached Piang in his mountain home. Hurriedly he gathered his few weapons together and started down the trail.
The Moros were quickly assembled for the advance, and Kali paused by the side of Piang's raft: "If we are driven back, Piang, I will give three calls of the mina-bird. Answer likewise and retreat as quickly as possible." "Forward, Kali Pandapatan," answered Piang with great dignity. "We will not retreat."
He moodily contemplated the charm boy at work on the silly-looking structure that he was not allowed to approach. When it was finished, Kali Pandapatan ordered every one to go to their homes, to lock and bar the doors, and, under pain of his displeasure, to make no sound. The death-like stillness was fraught with tension.
From his place of honor Piang glanced loftily in their direction, and as his eyes met Sicto's, his triumph was complete. Under Piang's steady gaze, the bully quailed and, dropping his eyes, shambled off into the darkness. Dato Kali Pandapatan had declared a three days' holiday in honor of Piang's safe return from his long journey to the haunt of Ganassi, the wonder man.
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.
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