from the jungle
trail into the clearing that led to the village, a squad of four
troopers, under Juan, broke off from the party and started away at a
dogtrot to make a wide circle and approach the village from the opposite
side.

The rest walked straight ahead, at a slow pace that would give Juan's
squad time to move into position. Rick's party reached the first house
in the village and Major Lacson held up his hand. From the far side of
the village came Juan's whistle blast.

The major's hand dropped. Troopers with rifles charged into the Bagobo
village, scattering among the houses. Lacson drew his pistol and marched
straight to the headman's house.

The headman walked to meet them, and his face stiffened as he saw the
pistol. He spoke rapidly.

Gonzalez translated. "He wants to know why you come with a weapon
pointed at him, and why your men raid his houses."

"Tell him we come as enemies because he lied. The Americans were here.
My men search for evidence."

The Filipino professor translated, and the headman made an expressive
gesture with his hands. He sat down on a seat made of a split tanguile
log and stared straight ahead, obviously intending to maintain a stony
silence.

A trooper ran up, waving a tubular object which he handed to the major.
Rick saw that it was a high-powered telescope, like one Shannon had
owned. His pulse quickened as Scotty removed the protective lens caps
and examined the object.

"Shannon's," Scotty stated. "His initials are stamped on the side, and
on the front lens cap."

The headman seemed to wilt.

Another trooper ran up, and he carried a leather quiver that Rick
recognized instantly. It also was Shannon's. He knew it well, from their
field archery games. In the quiver was the bow, a takedown model, and
three dozen arrows.

"Major, what are we going to do?"

For reply, the officer planted himself in front of the headman, his
voice harsh. "Tell him, Professor Gonzalez, that we have evidence
enough. Unless he has a good explanation, we must believe that his
village murdered the Americans. For this, some of his people may pay
with their lives."

Dr. Gonzalez translated into Bagobo. For long minutes the headman sat
quietly, then he rose to his full height and looked the officer in the
eye.

"I am caught between a knife and a spear," Dr. Gonzalez translated.
"There is death either way. It is true, the Americans came. We made them
welcome. For one evening they stayed. We