The Pirates of Shan   By: Harold L. Goodwin (1914-1990)

A RICK BRANT SCIENCE ADVENTURE STORY

BY JOHN BLAINE

GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK, N. Y. 1958

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Printed in the United States of America

[Illustration: Rick wielded the kris with deadly effect ]

Contents

I THE MISSING SCIENTISTS

II THE HINDU MERCHANT

III BAGOBO COUNTRY

IV THE HEADMAN'S SECRET

V TRAIL OF THE "SAMPAGUITA"

VI THE MAN IN THE RED FEZ

VII NEWS AT ZAMBOANGA

VIII THE "SWIFT ARROW"

IX THE MORO KNIVES

X SOUTH OF SULU

XI THE DANCING PIRATES

XII SEARCH THE WIDE SEAS

XIII THE TWO DATUS

XIV THE HIGH FIRE

XV PLAN OF ATTACK

XVI THE BLACK CLIFF

XVII THE RADIO LINK

XVIII UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS

XIX CHAHDA SWEEPS THE SEA

XX THE PATROL TAKES OVER

List of Illustrations

Rick wielded the kris with deadly effect

The warrior shook Rick's hand and smiled

The man's back was tattooed with a strange design

" All hands on deck! Pirates! "

A sudden jerk would attract the guard's attention

Rick braced himself for the shock

THE PIRATES OF SHAN

CHAPTER I

The Missing Scientists

"We'd better do something," Rick Brant stated grimly, "and we'd better do it fast." He picked up a stone and threw it far out into the green waters of the Atlantic, a gesture that did little to relieve his worry and anxiety.

Don Scott, nicknamed Scotty, said soothingly, "I know how you feel. I feel the same way. But don't forget that Dad is just as worried as we are maybe even more so, because he feels responsible. Besides, I don't think we have long to wait, not with Colonel Rojas here."

Rick knew that his dark haired pal was right, but inaction, even under ordinary circumstances, made him restless, and now that two staff scientists had mysteriously disappeared, his normal desire to keep things moving swiftly was augmented by fear for their safety.

The Spindrift Scientific Foundation, with headquarters on famed Spindrift Island off the New Jersey coast, was regarded by most people as a typical group of scientists, impersonal and efficient, who sometimes made important discoveries or got involved in scientific adventures. But the picture of the Foundation, given mostly through impersonal scientific publications, was wrong.

The scientific efficiency and purpose of Spindrift could not be denied. But what the public failed to appreciate was that the staff, headed by Rick Brant's scientist father, was more like a family than a corporation. The center of activity was the big Brant house and the adjoining laboratory on Spindrift Island. The scientists were not only colleagues, but close personal friends.

As a consequence, when the staff zoologist, Dr. Howard Shannon, and the staff archaeologist, Dr. Anthony Briotti, failed to turn up on schedule from an expedition to the Sulu Sea, the entire Foundation became personally concerned. All work stopped while the staff speculated on what might have happened, what course of action to take.

Rick Brant and his pal Scotty were particularly upset when the days passed and Hartson Brant failed to decide on a course of action. Rick knew, of course, that his father was proceeding logically, obtaining information by cable and phone from the Philippines, but he resented the passing days.

"I'm glad Rojas is here," Rick said. "That must mean Dad is making up his mind. And you know what I hope, don't you?"

"Same as I do. But don't hope too much. Maybe Dad will decide this is a job for professionals, and not for us."

Hartson Brant had returned only a few minutes ago from a hurried trip to New York. He had brought with him Colonel Felix Rojas of the Philippines Constabulary. The tall, slender officer was at present on duty with his country's United Nations delegation. He was an old friend, dating back to the adventure of The Golden Skull when Rick, Scotty, Chahda, and Tony Briotti had gone to the fabulous rice terraces of Ifugao.