re, as the discarded pith
began to fill the opening. Tiny apertures let in just enough air,
but Piang was panting and dripping with sweat. As he struggled on
toward the hole, he could feel the water under him, as it swayed the
log gently. Only a little further!

The moonlight bathed Piang in its soft light; a cool breeze blew
across his face. One of the watching lepers stood up suddenly.

"There are many crocodiles to-night," he finally said, pointing toward
the log where a slight ripple, widening into vanishing rings, closed
over a dark form.

"That's a queer kind of fish!"

The sailors on the patrol-boat crowded around the speaker, glad of
any excitement to break the monotony of their vigil. A thin stream of
water had spurted up, disturbing the perfect calm of the surface, and
a small black object could plainly be seen, hurrying through the water.

"Now what the deuce?" said the captain. Two bells were loudly sounded,
and the boat bounded forward.

"Look out, don't run it down. Steer to one side."

The search-light, turned full upon the strange object, revealed to
the puzzled sailors a slim bamboo tube, sticking upright, propelled
by a strong force from below.

"Now, why don't that stick float, instead of sailing along like a
periscope?" pondered the captain.

As suddenly as the phenomenon had appeared, it sank from sight and
the chase ended abruptly.

"Look at our visitors," said a sailor, pointing over the side. Long
streaks of phosphorescence darted back and forth in the shadow of
the boat.

"That's a pretty bunch of shovel-nosed man-eaters, for you," remarked
the mate. "Gosh, wouldn't you hate to give the hungry devils a chance
at you, though?"

The baile was in full swing. The bichara was proving a great
success. Governor Findy graciously accepted the savages' allegiance
to the new government and their promises to make the trading system
a success. The small park in the center of the garrison was teeming
with life. On one side the American band gave the first notes of
civilized music that the Moros had ever heard; opposite, rows of brass
tom-toms responded mournfully. Gaudy lanterns festooned the tall trees
and swung between, describing graceful curves. Flickering moonlight
and fireflies added their bit. At one end of the park a platform had
been erected for the officers and their families. The savages crowded
around as the Americans swayed to the waltz, and their surprise was
no less tha