Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1908-10-16
THE HEAD Or
DATTO kAI M
Copyright, by Shortstory Pub. Coz
BY Albert W. Tolnnan.


canic Butulan frowning over the Sea
If 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 In
the merchandise of war. Secret and
deadly as midnight serpent, he lef.
trail through the jungle as easy to
follow as yesterdays proa-track 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.
HE IN tall and supple, with slender
hands and feet, an Arab Of the Arabs.
handsome as Apollo and brave as a
lion," said young lieutenant, with
conviction.
"Short and squat, black as burnt
coffee. hideous as nightmare, cruel
and cowardly," was the dictum OF
grizzled captain.
Still third painted different pic.
ture. The Moros themselves knew,
but said nothing. deeming silence
healthier than speech.
Wearied at last " frequent tidings
Of Datto Kaim's evil deeds, the au
thorities at Manila determined tina,
the brigand must be taken. "Alive or
dead" ran the decree; and, as he had
been very cruel man, price was set
upon his head, with exemption and
full pardon for any rebel who should
bring 1t in.
Then 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 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 tho
southern pass:
"They have 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
glance read the sullen faces, ere he
spoke:
"'Tis the end of the hunt. A price
is on my head. Does anyone want IT."
All swore by Mahommed that they
did not. But one man lied; and the
Datto knew 1t. He arose, and the
rest rose likewise. --....s. -.
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, q single man on every trail but
one; and on that were two, far apart.
But the first knew that the second
was following.
Datto Kahn scaled a crag, and
looked out through it's screen of vines
over the sun.kissed breeze-swept tree.
tops. 1t was a pleasant world to live
In. He had no desire to tread Just yet
the razor-edge of Sirat that bridges
the believer over the pit Of hell. To
avoid 1t he would try last resource.
Again he sank into the foliaged gloom.
That afternoon in forest glen two
contestants debated with bolos in
quick-breathing silence. The issue
was question Of heads; and the
champion who argued more incisively
passed out of the glade with two, one
ON his shoulders, the other In bloody
bag. ]
At sunset from the jungleedge q
white rag on stick waved truce to
the American camp, and q brown man
'crept out with grisly burden. To the
sentries he said:
take me to your chief. bring the
head of Datto Kahn"
They led him in. OF the captain he
exacted solemn pledge:
Swear to me on the Book Of your
Prophet that I, Soliman al-Melik,
bearer Of the head of Datto Kahn,
shall go free and unframed. I swear
by the Black Stone of the Kaaba to be
loyal to the United States"
The captain pledged him full pardon
and safety.
Nov open the bag" said he; and
the troopers, grouped around, stood
at gaze with wide eyes and parted
! lips.
Out rolled bloody head. They
stared on it, fascinated, curious; for
never before had white man seen the
face of Datto Kahn and lived.
The captain broke the silence:
is this the head Of Datto Katm?"
mo, but Of his servant, a traitor
who would have betrayed him."
Where then is his head?" came the
stern inquiry.
The brown man placed his hands
upon his brow and salaamed low.
Behold, on the shoulders OF Soil.
man al.MeNk, loyal to the United
States and protected by thine oath.
the head of Datto Kahn"
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