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Updated: June 27, 2025
"But I think, sir," argued Hal, "that you'll agree that there are probably men from several tribes under the datto's command. In that case many different tribal dialects will be spoken. Noll pardon me, sir Sergeant Terry and I can answer in any heathen-sounding, guttural sort of words, and look stupid." "It's quite difficult, my lad, to improvise a pretended language on the spur of the moment."
The datto was accompanied by his wife, for notwithstanding he is a Mohammedan, he has but one, and the wife of his Philippine foster-brother, besides a large retinue of followers and slaves. He also brought with him a band, and as a rival orchestra had come out earlier, we stationed the first one in the bow of the ship, and the datto's musicians in the stern.
Behind Hakkut came another and younger man, the datto's sword-bearer. Hakkut was carrying his own heavy, straight-edged sword. For a moment or two he stood blinking upon the scene of carnage and death below him as he halted on his porch. Then his gaze swept to the regulars behind the machine gun, standing alert with bayonets fixed, ready for that solitary word "charge!"
Despite the datto's wine-forbidden code of ethics, whiskey and soda were passed to the men, as well as fine cigars and cigarettes; and when we finally left it was to be followed to the launch in real Arabian Nights style by two picturesque slaves carrying gifts for us all from the future Sultan and Sultana of Mindanao jabuls magnificently embroidered, hand-woven turbans, and knives with silver handles truly right royal gifts and charming mementos of a very charming visit.
The headgear of the Moros consists entirely of turbans, fezes, or soft tam-o'-shanters, the latter a compromise, I fancy, between the hats of civilization and the head-covering demanded by the Moslem religion. The datto's wife was a shy little woman, with an unusually sweet voice and big, startled brown eyes, which gave her an indescribably pathetic look.
Wouldn't it be a good plan, sir, since the datto is assuredly dead, to have his body placed upon the top of the wall and hurled over to the Moros outside? When they behold that sight they may feel that their cause is gone." "That is the best suggestion that could be made. You attend to it, Sergeant." "Very good, sir." Lieutenant Prescott paused for a moment in the shelter of the datto's porch.
Then the Americans drove that guard in, killing four of them and holding the gate. Now there was wild yelling inside the fort. Lights flashed from the principal building in the enclosure. Sergeant Hal waited only long enough to realize that Lieutenant Prescott's command had come up when he shouted to his own men: "Follow me to the datto's house! He's the fellow we want."
"The officer of the day and the sergeant of the guard," came the response, in Lieutenant Holmes's crisp tones. "Advance, sir." The seven new arrivals lay on the ground, apparently sound asleep. Davo had his hat over his face, and was snoring lightly. "Who are these new men in camp, Corporal?" demanded Holmes sharply. "Fugitives from the datto's lines, sir.
There could be no doubt that this was a Moro fort, erected for a particular purpose, and Hal's active mind immediately fathomed that purpose. "The datto's own headquarters!" he whispered in his chum's ear. "Oh, Noll, I hope that I am right!" Terry nodded. He was as excited as was his comrade. The wall, as well as the Army boys could judge, was more than two hundred feet long.
Into the closely packed ranks of the brown men who sought to defend the datto's house the Gatling poured its raking fire with fearful effect. Whatever the issue of this madly fought battle, it began to look as though the Datto Hakkut were doomed. "Have your men fix their bayonets, Lieutenant Prescott!" commanded Captain Freeman. "Fall in, men! We'll take the datto on the rush!"
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