could easily travel in this way, and after a few
unsuccessful attempts to follow, Sicto jumped to the ground. Slyly
making his way along on foot, Sicto watched his rival. When Piang
thought he had outdistanced his pursuer, he slipped to the ground
and started off.

"Leeeeee lelelele ouiiiit!" The war-cry rang through the jungle,
and Piang knew that his life depended on his fleet-footedness. Over
fallen tree trunks, through dense cogon grass, Piang fled. His feet
were pierced by wicked thorns, and everything he touched seemed to
throw out a defense against him. Bamboo caught at his clothing and
held him prisoner; _bajuca_ vines clutched his weapons, hurling him
to the ground. Sicto was gaining on him. After poor Piang had made
the path through the jungle, it was easy enough for Sicto to follow.

On, up, fled the boy. He came to a clearing through which a mountain
stream was bubbling. The sun beat down; the stifling heat rising
from rotting vegetation took his breath away, but Piang ran on. What
was that black hole yawning in the mountain side? With a gasp, Piang
realized he was at the mouth of the haunted cave.

The brook, flowing swiftly down the mountain, plunged into the cave
and disappeared, to come to the surface about two miles away. It was
the home of the most terrible reptiles and animals, and the souls of
wicked people waited there for Judgment Day.

Piang scanned the precipitous cliffs, the impenetrable jungle, in
search of an avenue of escape. He was trapped. A gloating cry from
Sicto decided him. Sicto was a coward and would be afraid to follow
him, so Piang ran toward the cave. Had not the pandita said that
Ganassi would be with the real charm boy, and was not Piang sure of
that protection? Who but Piang was the charm boy?

Piang's courage began to flag, however, as he caught the cold, damp
odor from the cave, but he bravely plunged into the forbidding-looking
cavern. Man had probably never set foot in that place before. Creeping
along, he peered into the increasing darkness, but could see nothing. A
shriek startled him, and the sight that met his eyes made his blood
run cold. Sicto had started to follow Piang, but just as he came
to the opening, a huge python slipped across the mouth of the cave,
waving its enormous head from side to side. Sicto, trembling with fear,
retreated into the jungle, and as Piang saw him disappear, he longed
to be out again, fighting Sicto, anything, rather than penned up in