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Piang!" resounded through the stillness, as the excited Moros watched him. Sicto stood, head down, wriggling his toes in the sand. He did not like the idea of the lonely jungle, or the thought of the long hard days between him and Ganassi Peak, but he did not speak. With solemn ceremony the pandita prepared to anoint the boys according to the rites of the tribe.
And so these strange companions, the timid, wild monkey and the gentle, savage boy crouched in the tree together, watching the typhoon beat out its fury on the helpless things of nature, and ever clearer grew the bulutu as it wreathed and crowned Piang's goal, Ganassi Peak. The silence was oppressive. Piang stumbled along through the tangle of vines and weeds, tired and foot-sore.
"Piang, all these creatures are going to be your friends." Piang seated himself on the soft turf opposite Ganassi; the fawn nosed her head under Piang's arm and sank by his side. "The charm that I am about to give you will protect you from tempest, danger, and deceit: no storm can destroy you; no animal can creep upon you unaware, and no man can lie to you.
It was so simple that Piang laughed heartily. The mina-bird, startled, squawked an admonition and fluttered to Piang's lap. "Where do we go when we die," asked the inquisitive boy. Ganassi scouted the Christian's belief that heaven is in the clouds. Were they not in the clouds now? "When a child is born, the soul enters the body through the opening left in the skull.
Had he found an easier route, and was he already with old Ganassi, receiving the rites of charm boy? Unfamiliar with the vegetation on the mountain, Piang was afraid to touch the many strange fruits, so he contented himself with bananas and cocoanuts, and for water he drank dew from the enormous pitcher-plants.
At the mention of his enemy's name, Piang quickly scanned the surrounding jungle, but Ganassi's soft chuckle reassured him. "Have no fear, child. Sicto can never harm you, nor will he ever reach Ganassi. The python would smother him; the mina-bird would peck out his eyes; the gentle fawn would lead him astray." "How do you know all this, O Ganassi?"
"And if it is not beautiful, shiny, and bright, boy, what then?" "Oh, but it must be, Ganassi! It is the most valuable thing in the world!" "You may unclasp it, Piang." Clumsily the boy fumbled with the fastenings; eagerly his eyes sought the charm. His face went blank; tears sprang to his eyes.
Old Ganassi will guide the real charm boy to him; he is great; he is ubiquitous. Have no fear of the jungle or its creatures, for he will be with you." Amazement and joy were written on Piang's face. He was to penetrate the jungle at last, alone! His heart thrilled at the thought of the adventures waiting for him there, and with radiant face he turned toward the inviting forest. "Piang!
The lame and the halt crowded around him, imploring him to save them. Confused, Piang wondered what was expected of him but suddenly he remembered what the great Ganassi had said: "The source of power is faith!" His proud little head went up; his brave eyes smiled: "Have no fear, my people. Piang, the charm boy, will protect you." A startling phenomenon had terrified the barrio.
Many questions were put to the wise old hermit, and his ready answers astonished, but satisfied, Piang. Night came on, and the strange company lay down together under the shelter of the banian and slept. Piang was very happy. He had reached Ganassi, was proclaimed the real charm boy, and was at last to receive the glorious charm.
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