bleached it."

A pair of Moros went by, carrying a bamboo pole from which a dozen small
sharks were suspended by the gills. Rick saw that the fins had been cut
off, probably bought by some Chinese for making soup.

There were shops everywhere. Zircon looked them over carefully. "Watch
for a hardware store," he requested.

They reached the constabulary office before finding a hardware store,
however. Rick and Scotty decided to wait outside and enjoy the
interesting street scene while Zircon checked in.

The boys noted that many Moros were armed, with krises or barongs in
fancy sheaths. Some had small daggers with pistol-grip type handles
tucked in their sashes. While Rick and Scotty watched, they were on the
alert for possible enemies, but so many Moros eyed them curiously, it
was hard to pick out any one of them as being suspicious. Just the same,
both had the feeling of being tailed.

Zircon emerged shortly. "Lacson and Lim have both sent messages
transmitting what details we have. All detachments in the area have been
alerted to watch for the _Sampaguita_. Now they'll also be told to keep
a lookout for pirates or information concerning them. Our report on the
attack has gone to Manila already. They wasted no time."

The Spindrifters resumed their hike up the main street and came upon a
hard-goods store. Inside, Zircon finally succeeded in making his wants
known. To the boys' amazement, he bought ten dozen boxes of ordinary
household tacks! He refused to tell them what the tacks were for.

"He's going to nail down the facts," Rick suggested.

Scotty shook his head. "Nope. He thinks we have a sailboat, and anyone
knows sailboats have to tack into the wind."

Zircon merely grinned and said nothing.

Visits to four ship supply stores followed. Zircon expressed amazement
at the top of his voice that no timing gear was available. He bemoaned
the loss of one engine unless the gear was forthcoming. He sounded
pretty convincing.

"We've got it made," Scotty said with satisfaction as the three walked
back to the dock. "Did you know we have a tail? He's good, too. I had
trouble spotting him. You can bet he heard the professor's sad story,
which means the vintas will know about our 'bad engine.'"

The _Swift Arrow_ was in sight now. Rick stared for a heartbeat, then
broke into a run. "Come on! Chahda's fighting with someone!"

Rick had seen the Hindu boy dance into sight on the stern of the boat,
then lunge behind