The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-11-19
THE HEAD OF
DATTO KAHN
By Albert W. Tolman.

SurigaoS Shark-infeSted straits TO VOL
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
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
lion," said young lieutenant, with
conviction.
Short and squat, black as burnt
coffee, hdeous as a nightmare, cruel
and cowardly,' was the dictum of a
grizzled captain.
Still 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 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 a 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 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 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 it's 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,"
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.
we must scatter, each for himself
Let none follow me; that path is safe
for me alone"
Into the jungle they glided stealth.
lily, single man on every trail but
one; and on that were two, far apart
But the first knew that the second
W. :C..Cv'ii:s.
Datto Kahn scaled a crag and
looked out through its screen of vines
over the sun-kissed breeze-swept tree
tops. II was a pleasant world to live
in. He had no desire to tread lust vet
the razoredge 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
mat afternoon in forest glen two
contestants debated with bolos in
quick-breathing silence. The issue
was a question of heads; and the
champion who argued more incisiyely
passed out of the glade with two one
on his shoulders, the other in a bloody
bag.
AT sunset from the jungle-edge a
white rag on a stick waved truce TO
the American camp. and a 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 a solemn pledge:
Swear to me on the Book of vou-
Prophet that |, Soliman al-NeHk
bearer of the head of Datto Kahn
shall go free and unframed. | swear
by the Black Stone of the Kaaba to he
loyal TO the United States"
The captain pledged him fun pardon
and safety.
Now open the bag said he; and
the troopers. grouped around stood
at gaze with wide eyes and nar,ad
lips
Out rolled bloody head. They
stared on it, fascinated. curious. for
never before had white man seen tho
lace OF Datto Kahn and lived
The captain broke the silence.
is TINS the head of Datto Kaim?"
NO. but OF his servant. a traitor
VINO would have betrayed him"
Where then is his head?" came rho
stern inquiry
The brown man placed his hands
upon his brow and salaamed low.
Behold. on the shoulders of Soil.
man al-Melik. loyal to the United
States and protected by thine oath-
the head of Datto Kahn"
Favorltes of Fortune