Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1908-11-04
THE HEAD or
DATTO KAHN
BY Albert w. ToIman.

canic Butulan frowning 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 dealer in
the merchandise of war Secret and
deadly as midnight serpent, he left
a 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 is 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 a
grizzled captain
Still third painted different pic
ture. The Moros themselves knew,
but said nothing, deeming silence
healthier than speech.
Wearied at last by frequent tidings
of Datto Kaim's evil deeds, the au-
thorities at Manila determined thar
the bfigand must be taken. "Alive or
dead ran the decree; and, as he had
been very cruel man, a, price was set
upon his head with exemption and
full pardon for any rebel who should
bring it in.
Then began a hunt with Krag, and
Mauser through swamp end jungle and
canebrake, over hin and valley, until
finally the quarry came to bay in the
wooded hollow of an old crater
Deep in a bosque Of tell cogon-grass
lurked Datto aim From his lair
four scouts stole 0ut by different
trails to spy what way Of escape lay
open. The frs RATED back from the
north with chees 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
QNth 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 it y
All swore by Mahommed that they
did not. But one man he'd and the
Datto knew it. 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 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 its screen of vines
over the sun-kissed breeze-swept tree
tops. 1t was y pleasant world to live
in. He had no desire to tread just yet
the razor5edge of Sirat that bridges
the believer over the pit of hell To
avoid it 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 jungle-edge a
white rag on stick waved truce to
the AmericaE camp, and brown man
crept out with a grisly burden. To the
sentries he said:
F'Take me to your chief l bring the
head of Datto Kahn"
They led him in. OF the captain he
exacted a solemn pledge:
Swear to me on the Book Of your
Prophet that /, Soliman al-Melik,
bearer of the head of Datto Kahn,
shall go free and unframed / 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:
rs this the head Of Datto Kaim?"
No, but Of his, servant, traitor
who would have betrayed him"
Where then is his head?" came the
stern inquiry.
The brown man placed HIS handa