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Updated: June 10, 2025
When Sicto slunk into the hill barrio that night he was anxious to avoid Piang, but our hero was not concerned about him at all. Around the great fire in the center of the village were seated all the important members of the tribe, and Sicto's envy was complete when he saw that Piang's mother was the object of adoration.
One venturesome little gray form clinging to the branch overhead by its tail, timidly touched Piang's shoulder. It paused, touched it again, and finally confidently hopped upon it, all the while craning its neck, making absurd faces at the sulphur fumes.
Soon the big bird discovered the handy meal and, loudly proclaiming its rights to possession, flapped its way to the earth and lighted right in Piang's noose. The hablar-bird fluttered and chattered as it settled to the task of filling its craw with the good food. Cautiously Piang watched his chance and, with a deft twitch of the rope, secured the noose around the bird's foot.
They would lie in wait, and their revenge would be the more terrible for the delay. Sweat poured down Piang's face; his body ached where the ants had stung him. He tried to plan some means of escape, but none came to his tired brain. "There is no God but Allah," whispered the charm boy, and a peace seemed to fall upon him.
"A leper!" cried the boy and suddenly he realized that he had been trapped by that villain, Sicto. Not Sicto, but Alverez had filched the order for the confinement of a leper, had erased the name, and substituted Piang's. He flung the damning paper from him. As the boy darted off through the jungle, the old woman yelled.
It stirred, turned over, and disappeared under the boat. "Boia!" He had disturbed one of the sleeping monsters! Piang's heart beat very fast, and a shudder passed through him as he felt something bump the bottom of the boat. The crocodile was just beneath him and if it rose suddenly, it would upset him. One, two, three seconds he waited, but they were the longest seconds Piang had ever known.
Piang gathered himself, hid his disappointment, and bravely answered: "I am satisfied." "Shake the gourd, Piang." A hollow rattle came from the immature growth, and Piang's face brightened. "Its worth may be inside. Who knows? Only Ganassi, the wonder man, and he will tell no one." The keen old eyes twinkled as they watched Piang's face. The mystery! It was again established, and Piang was happy.
Eagerly they listened, glad of any distraction, but when Piang explained that he wanted them to abandon their safe bamboo floats for the treacherous flats, home of crocodiles and vermin, there was a murmuring protest. Anger blazed in Piang's eyes. "Am I not charm boy?" he demanded. "Any one who refuses to obey me will be thrown to the crocodiles!"
The terrified expression in the girl's soft eyes touched Piang's heart. "Have no fear, Papita. Let Sicto overtake us and he will be sorry. Put your ear to the baskets." As the girl bent over the two baskets, lying in the bottom of the vinta, a frown puckered her brow. A dull hum, like a caged wind protesting in faint whispers, rose from them.
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