design had its
own peculiarities.

Slowly, as the day wore on, the two boys learned the Moro craft's ways
until they could handle it fairly well. There were paddles, in case the
wind failed, and Rick thought they might end up using the paddles,
anyway.

As they tied up after the last practice run Zircon called them to eat,
then instructed them to get some sleep. None of the four had slept more
than an hour at a time since the previous morning, but the big scientist
and Scotty had decided to handle the MTB themselves on the way to the
pirate island, so Rick and Chahda could be fresh for the night's
adventure.

After a meal of hot soup and crackers, the two boys climbed into their
bunks and drifted off to sleep. Zircon and Scotty had already started
the run toward Shan.

Rick awoke with Scotty shaking him. "Time to rise, old son."

The boy swung to the deck. "Where are we?"

"About five miles east of the island." Scotty shook Chahda and told the
Hindu boy it was time to get up, then he sat down next to Rick. "I feel
funny, not going with you. Maybe I'd better go along. I could stay in
the vinta, and be ready in case of trouble."

Rick gave his pal a sympathetic grin. He knew how Scotty felt. "Look at
it this way. If Chahda and I get caught, that leaves only you and
Zircon. And you couldn't give up, even with us out of the picture."

"I guess so." Scotty gave in reluctantly. "Come on. Coffee and
sandwiches waiting. I'll go topside and help the professor keep a
lookout."

Rick and Chahda got into their outfits, then the Hindu boy carefully
rubbed in polish on Rick's face, neck, arms, and hands, and his chest
where it showed through the open shirt.

Finally the Hindu boy stood back and admired his handiwork. "Plenty
good. You make fine Moro, Rick."

Rick adjusted Chahda's kris in his sash. "So are you. You'd fool the
Sultan of Sulu himself."

"We be two Datus," Chahda said, grinning. "Datu Rick and Datu Chahda."

"What's this date business?" Scotty asked as he came down from the
pilothouse.

"Is Datu, not date. Datu is what Moros call Chiefs. We Datus."

"Okay, Datus. The professor wants a look at you. I'll go take the wheel
while he comes down. We're blacked out topside, just in case there's a
lookout on this side of the island."

In a moment Zircon came down and inspected them carefully. "You'd never
pass in daylight, Rick," he said finally. "But at night there should be
no trouble unless someone give