Part 16 (1/2)

Rick looked doubtful ”We shouldn't leave the plane”

”Do not fear It will be perfectly safe”

Santos switched to the native language, speaking briefly and with authority The crowd obediently fell back a few paces, leaving a cleared area around the plane The road coht

Nevertheless, Angel Manotok said, ”I ait here”

Rick nodded That was best He and Scotty followed Santos to the office, a few hundred feet down the street The office was on the second floor of a fra The first floor was a work area filled with tools, including a bulldozer and a road scraper

Before discussing business, Santos insisted on refresharee-clad Filipino workman appeared Santos spoke

In a few moments the workman reappeared Both boys were surprised when he offered thee to be sipping coke in a place inhabited by primitive people clad in breechcloths, soot down to business ”Can you find out if a truck and a green sedan have passed through Bontoc?”

”What kind of truck, please?”

Rick described it ”We don't have the make of the sedan It may have had five men in it” He couldn't believe that the sedan had reached Bontoc, however

Santos picked up his phone, reached down, and whirled a crank The phone rang He spoke Ilokano into it, then received a reply froateh here today”

CHAPTER IX

Ifugao Country

There was only one difficulty, but it was a major one Rick didn't knohether or not the district road commissioner could be believed Santos was Lazada's man

The boys finished their cokes before Rick decided on a course of action

If Santos was lying, they would find out soon enough So, for the present, they would assu the truth, and that he could be trusted

”Is the province peaceful up this way?” Rick asked

”Oh, yes” Santos replied ”It is usually very peaceful Soorots in Bontoc and the Ifugaos at Banaue cause no trouble”

”Glad to hear it,” Scotty said ”When we start digging, solad to hear that they're not often riled up”

”What are your plans?” Santos asked

Rick shrugged ”It is hard to knohere to begin Before we plan our ca, we must survey the terraces

Is there any sort of field where I could land at Banaue?”

”No,” Santos replied with great positiveness ”Once you see the terraces you will see for yourself that there is no place”

Rick stood up and Scotty followed suit ”I think perhaps we had better fly over to Banaue and see the terraces Then ill have a better understanding of our problems Thank you for your hospitality, Mr De los Santos”

”It is nothing But tell me Isn't there another in your party? Another American?”