bscuring the view; a damp breeze
chilled the travelers, and they anxiously scanned the heavens for
Bal-Bal, the terrible. Obstructions in the river were numerous and
dangerous. Once they grazed the side of a floating log; it immediately
turned upon them, emitting blood-curdling bellows through gaping
jaws. Piang's spear silenced the menacing crocodile, and the party
hurried on. A _taloetook_ (owl) wailed his melancholy koekh-koekh,
and the mournful sound seemed to draw the handful of men closer
together. Through the jungle the river wound its serpentine way; dense
growths crowded the bank and leaned far out over the stream. Trailing
vines and hanging ferns brushed the occupants of the canoe, and in
fear they avoided contact with them, so often did their velvety green
conceal wicked thorns and poisonous spines. Fiery eyes dotted the
jungle, stealthily watching for a chance to pounce upon the intruders;
rustling of the rushes warned them of invisible dangers.

"_Karangan!_" ("Sand-bar!") cried Piang, and just in time the banco
swerved, avoiding the slimy mud that might have held them prisoners,
at the mercy of prowling night terrors.

A light twinkled in the distance; confused sounds reached the rescuers,
and they pushed forward with renewed energy.

"Ooooh, Mihing!" called Asin, in his cracked, wavering voice.

"Ooooh!" came the answer from the barrio.

"Piang, we look to you to protect us from Bal-Bal, to you and your
sacred anting-anting." Solemnly Kali Pandapatan made this announcement.

The boy was the first to land. The lame and the halt crowded around
him, imploring him to save them. Confused, Piang wondered what was
expected of him but suddenly he remembered what the great Ganassi
had said:

"The source of power is faith!"

His proud little head went up; his brave eyes smiled:

"Have no fear, my people. Piang, the charm boy, will protect you."

A startling phenomenon had terrified the barrio. Just at dusk,
old Asin had been squatting in the doorway of his hut, dreamily
watching Papita's little white fawn munching mangos under the fatal
tree, when suddenly he saw it rise, struggle, suspended in the air,
then disappear. Its pathetic cry was heard once, high above their
heads. Then there was silence. The aged populace had been too
frightened to investigate and had hovered around the fire, afraid
to venture beyond its circle of light. Asin had been despatched to
notify the head of the tribe that Bal-Bal wa