The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-22
THE HEAD OF
DATTO KAHN
Copyright, by shortstory Pub. Coz
BY Albert W. ToIman.

Sudl h-lulCotCu OIL aus " WIZ
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 a dealer in
the merchandise of war Secret and
deadly as midnight serpent. he left
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
grizzled captain.
Still 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 Kaim's 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 very cruel man, price was set
upon his head, with exemption and
full pardon for any rebel who should
bring it in.
Then began 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-hande. His keen
glance read the sulen 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 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 gided stealth
lily, a single man on every trail bu
one; and on that were two far apart
But the first knew that the secont
/ was following
l. Datto Kahn scaled crag, an(
i looked out through its screen Of vine.
Z over the sun-kisscd breeZeswept tree
tops. II was a pleasant world to Hive
l. in. He had no desire to tread just ye
u the razor-edge OF Sirat that bridge.
the believer over the pit of hell. T,
u avoid II he would try "A last resource
II Again he sank into the foliaged gloom
d That afternoon in forest glen tive
y contestants debated with bolos IL
d quick breathing silence. The issue
d was question of heads; and tn,
champion who argued more incisivel,
y passed out of the glade with two, on,
II on his shoulders the other In a blood,
t. bag
Z. At sunset from the jungle-edge
q white rag on a stick waved truce t
the American camp, and brown MAJ
e crept out with grisly burden To tn,
n sentries he said:
l Take me to your chief. bring TIT
. head of Datto Kahn"
u They led him in. or the captain III
IS exacted a solemn pledge:
II swear to me on the Book of you
Prophet that |, SUliman al-Melik
Y, bearer of the head of Datto Kahn
n shall 20 free and unframed. | swea
" by the Black Stone Of the Kaaba TO b,
!. loyal TO the United States"
d The captain pledged him full pardon
II and safety.
o Now open the bag" said he; AM
r the troopers, grouped around, stoo'
It at gaze with wide eyes and parte'
n lips.
& Out rolled bloody head. The.
l. stared on it., fascinated, curious; 70
never before had white man seen tn,
- face of Datto Kahn and lived
Il The captain broke the silence:
rs this the head of Datto Kaim2"
a mo, but of his servant, a traito
ia who would have betrayed him"
10 Where then is his head?" came tn
stern inquiry.
The brown man placed his hand
A. upon his brow and salaamed low
Ie Behold, on the shoulders of Sol
"a man al-Melik, loyal to the Unite
!" States and protected by thine oath
" the head Of Datto Kahn"
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