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Updated: September 16, 2025
True, they may become the slaves of some unscrupulous dato, but there is always the romantic chance that they may fall into the hands of the hero of their dreams and become the favorite of his seraglio. "Where is Piang?" Dato Kali Pandapatan addressed a copper-colored slave who salaamed and replied: "In the jungle, O most high one, searching for the blooming fire branch." "It is well."
He salaamed before the dato and, without a glance at the others, bounded up the trail, away into the jungle. "But," protested the lieutenant, "no one has given him any orders, any directions." The interpreter conveyed the American's misgivings to the dato. A smile broke over his face. "Piang needs no directions, no advice.
Finally the women sidled nearer, and soon the entire population had hedged the little company in, and were gazing with awe at the huge American horses with their odd trappings. One mare stamped her foot and neighed loudly, scattering the spectators in every direction, greatly to the amusement of the white men. It was all very hard for the dato to understand.
Prosperity and honor had come to Dato Kali Pandapatan and his people under the rule of General Beech and Governor Findy, and Piang had been raised to the post of official interpreter. Sicto, the disturber, had been seized in Zamboanga on the charge of complicity in the plot on Governor Findy's life; he had attempted to escape, and there were varying reports as to the results.
Twined in his long black hair was a wreath of scarlet fire flowers; every face brightened as he fled past. "You have again brought the sign, Piang. When do we fight?" asked Kali Pandapatan. The fire-tree has not yet bloomed in the enemy's country, and we may yet pass through safely," Piang replied. "You have spoken," said the dato and laid his palms on the youth's head.
They know for certain that the forest will not leave them to starve and when there is no more rice, durian, mangosteen etc., it is never difficult to catch a pheasant, monkey, rat, serpent or even a wild boar. Were they acquainted with Italian operas their favourite lines would certainly be: Non curiamo l'incerto domani Se quest' oggi n'è dato goder.
Piang had no interest in anything but the boys, and as soon as the dato condescended to greet him with the customary salutation for guests, he was left in peace to join them at their interrupted game of pelota. Twilight comes quickly in the tropics. When darkness had fallen, each family was squatting beside its rice pot, and as the night silence deepened, the village slept.
The kingdom of Borneo, properly so called, extended from Tanjong Dato, in latitude 3° 15' north, to Kanukungan point, in the Straits of Macassar, 1° 15' north, which included the whole north part of the island. When the Portuguese first visited Borneo, in 1520, the whole island was in a most flourishing state.
And yet the captains of his fleet cared not for the gold, so long as the mighty Dato saved his honor.
"You say that Dato Ynoch is pursuing you?" "Yes, yes, that is him in the first prau," excitedly replied Piang. "Well, Piang, it is Ynoch that brings the Sabah here to-day. We thank you, my boy, for tempting him into the open." When the Moro boy disclosed Ynoch's identity, a grim smile settled over Governor Findy's face. "Man the guns, Captain!" commanded General Beech in his dignified, quiet way.
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