Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1908-12-01
TIE HEAD OF
DATTO KAIM vi
BY Albert W. Tolman.


Surigaos sharkinfested straits to vol
canic Bu.ulan frownins over the Sea
of Celebes. the Americans in garrison |
talked OF the Unconquered brigand. !
Datto Kahn Bullets and bolo.slashes, |
generously dispensed in lightning raid |
and treacherous ambush. had taught |
them well his prowess as a dealer iu |
the merchandise Of war. Secret and |
deadly as a midnight serpent he lef; |
a trail through the Jungle as easy TO |
follow as yesterdays proatrack in the |
surrounding sea. OF his face and fig |
ure no white man could speak certain |
ly, for The lips Of the dead are sealed !
yet many and various were the
traits that were ascribed TO him by his
foes.
clio IS tan aud supple, with slender
hands and feet, am Arab of the Arabs
handsome as Apollo and brave as a
lion said a young lieutenant, with
conviction.
Short and squat. black as burnt
coffee. hidcous as a nightmare. cruel
and cowardly,' was the dictum Of a
grizzled captain
Sill a third painted a different pic
ture. The Moros themselves knew,
but said nothing. deeming silence
healthier than speech.
Wearied at last by frequent tidings
Of Datto Kaims evil deeds, the au-
thorities at Manila determined thar
the brigand must be taken. Alive or
dead ran the decree; and, as he had
been a very cruel man, price was set
upon his head. with exemption and
full pardon for any rebel who should
bring 1t in.
TLen began a hunt with Krag and
Mauser through swamp and jungle and
canebrake, over hill and valley, until
finally the quarry came to bay in the
wooded hollow of an old crater.
Deep in a bosque of tall cogon-grass
lurked Datto Kahn. From his lair
four scouts stole out by different
trails to spy what way Of escape lay
open. The first painted back from the
north with cheek redly bullet-scored.
"The Americana pigs hold the path, "
said he.
BY the route that led to the sea the
second skunk in.
There also are the sons of the
devil" was his report
Quoth the third, fresh from the
southern pass:
They have a strange gun that talks
faster than an angry woman"
The fourth scout did not come back
at ALL Then indeed the Datto knew
that the game was near its close. He
sat silent in the gloomy circle, hand
toying with bolo-handle. His keen
glance read the sullen faces, ere he
spoke:
"'Tis the end of the hunt. A price
is on my head Does anyone want III?
All swore by Mahommed that they
did not. But one man he'd; and the
Datto knew 1t. He arose, and the
rest rose likewise.
I'VE must scatter, each for himself
Let none follow me; that path is safe
for me alone"
Into the jungle they glided stealth
lily, a single man on every trail bu
one; and on that were two, far apart
But the first knew that the seconC
was following.
Datto Kahn scaled a crag, anC
locked out through its screen of vinei
over the sun-kissed breeze-swept tree
tops. II was a pleasant world to livl
in. He had no desire to tread Just ye
the razor-edge of Sirat that bridge
he believer over the pit of hell. T,
avoid 1t he would try last resource
Again ne sank into the foliaged gloom
That afternoon in a forest glen tw
contestants debated with bolos Il
ruiok-breathing silence. The issu
as a question of heads; and tn
Champion who argued more incisivel
agsed out Of the glade with two, on
~ lis shoulders. the other in blood
Jag.
IT sunset from the jHngle-edge
white rag ON a stick waved truce {
/ he American camp, and brown ma
. crept out with a grisly burden. To tn
sentries he said:
Take me to your chief l bring tn
/ head of Datto Kahn"
/. They led him in. OF the captain
exacted a solemn pledge:
Swear TO me on the Book Of you
Prophet that l. Sollman al-Menl
> bearer OF the head of Datto Kahn
shall go free and unframed. | swes
!, by the Black Stone of the Kaaba TO b
!. loyal to the United States"
The captain pledged him full pardo
and safety.
Now open the bag" said he; an
the troopers, grouped around, 500
I at gaze with wide eyes and parte
lips
Out rolled a bloody head The
stared on 1t. fascinated, curious; 4
s never before had white man seen III
Q face OF Datto Kahn and lived.
The captain boke the silence;
is this the head Of Datto Kaim?"
mo, but Of his servant. tralto
who would have betrayed him"
> Where then is his head?" came In
. stern inquiry.
Z !