. It was in two sections, the upper limb made to be fitted
into the handle, which was permanently attached to the lower limb. It
was an excellent bow, not as heavy as some, but a deadly weapon in the
hands of a good shot. It pulled fifty pounds at twenty-eight inches
draw.

Rick slipped the quiver back under the seat. He planned to carry it when
necessary, so that he, too, would be armed. He was a better than average
bowman. It was one of the few sports in which he could nearly always
beat Scotty, thanks to his own aptitude and Shannon's teaching. He
noticed suddenly that the seat belt light had flashed on. He tightened
his belt as the plane descended into Cotabato.

He watched as the city came into view. It was a community of small
houses located on a series of rivers or canals. The surrounding
countryside was given over to rice paddies and occasional coconut
groves.

This was the first step in the backward trail. Rick had no idea what
they might find, but lacking any other course of action they had decided
to go back along the _Sampaguita's_ route hoping to pick up a clue. They
would stay in Cotabato only as long as the plane stopped, just time
enough to meet Tony Briotti's friend, Father Murray, an American
missionary priest.

As the plane swept in for a landing across the unpaved runway Rick saw
the white robes of a priest and knew that Major Lacson's message to the
Cotabato constabulary detachment asking that the priest meet the plane
had been received.

Father Murray, a lean, tanned, sun-helmeted man of youthful appearance,
greeted them as they stepped from the plane. Zircon introduced himself
and the boys, and the four retired to the shade of a royal palm to talk.

"Tony and Howard's disappearance was shocking news," Father Murray
commented. "You have no new information about what happened to them?"

Zircon told him the little they knew. "We stopped by to see you, hoping
you could shed some light on the kidnaping."

The priest shook his head. "I haven't the remotest idea. Their visit
here was without incident, except for a robbery attempt. I don't even
recall any conversation that might be helpful. We talked mostly about
their research project."

"You mentioned a robbery?" Rick asked.

"Yes, the first night they were here. Thieves broke into the _convento_,
but by good luck, some of my Christian parishioners who live next door
were awake. They hurried to the rescue with guns, and the thieves fled
bef