(33) Escape - Misfortunes Isle

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode 33: Escape – Misfortune’s Isle
Date: August 8, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Date of Show: (Escape, CBS, Golden Age of Radio)
Episode Adaptation: "Misfortune’s Isle" by Richard Matthews Hallett

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Episode Overview

In this immersive episode, Harold’s Old Time Radio presents a classic tale of high-seas adventure, betrayal, and fleeting romance from the “Escape” radio series: "Misfortune’s Isle." Set in 1790s Manila and the treacherous waters off Borneo, the story follows the disillusioned Captain Arat as he’s drawn into a perilous scheme involving pirates, fortunes in birds' nests, enigmatic allies, and a Spanish noblewoman yearning for escape herself. The audio drama transports listeners to an era of wooden ships and iron men, crackling with classic radio tension and intrigue.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: Manila, 1790

• Captain Arat (Paul Frees) is bored and restless after three years trading in the Far East, feeling the weight of colonial powers—Dutch, British, and Spanish—controlling every coast.
• He reconnects with his old ally, Young Po, who reminds him:

  "Anyway, my friend, I reserve my sympathies for the poor. You have gained much wealth in trade." (03:17)

2. Mysterious Stranger & Trouble in Town

• Captain Arat observes Dona Delfina del Crispo, wife of Don Narciso Crispo, the Captain General. She’s dubbed "the little caged bird" for her beauty and sadness.
• Michael O’Kane bursts aboard with exciting news: pirates have raided, almost kidnapping the Captain General’s wife. Evidence connects the infamous pirate Serif and his fortress on Borneo’s coast.
• O’Kane produces a cutlass traded in their previous dealings, with O’Kane remarking:

  "...here's the part that'll stop you. There is no one in Manila that knows who they were. Except yours truly, Michael O’Kane." (05:56)

3. The Scheme for Fortune

• Arat hatches a plan to assault Serif’s stronghold, lured by not only Spanish blessings but the legendary wealth of “Misfortune’s Isle”—birds’ nests prized in Canton and possible gold in the river.
• At Dona Delfina’s urging, Don Narciso is persuaded to support the venture, dangle royal titles as a reward, and even join the expedition:

  "Any man who risks these islands a pirate to be made a Conde with lands and titles." — Dona Delfina (09:22)

4. Storms & Secret Passengers

• The expedition launches amid storms and delays. Captain Arat discovers Dona Delfina has stowed away in his cabin, revealing her resourcefulness and desperation to escape her own golden cage.
• Their conversations brim with both wit and tension:

  "Even when you are rude to me, your mark is so very sweet. Why not?" — Dona Delfina (15:56)
  "Woman or no woman aboard, it was too late to turn back now." — Captain Arat (16:10)

5. Approach to Misfortune’s Isle

• They reach Serif’s river. Young Po learns their Chinese allies are away; worse, Jambu, thought loyal, has defected to the enemy. The ship is grounded, gunpowder ruined—they must prepare to fight for their lives.
• “We’ll fight without them,” Arat declares, as stones and oil are hurriedly readied (19:20).
• Delfina is spirited away to the caves atop the cliffs—home to the lucrative birds' nests and the deadly Upas tree, sacred and toxic to the island’s Dayak headhunters.

6. A Night of Fighting and Flames

• As the Dayaks attack under cover of darkness, the defenders are increasingly desperate:

  "They’ll be swarming aboard us in another two minutes. Where’s the Captain General?" — Captain Arat (25:48)

• Suddenly, the Upas tree bursts into flame. Delfina, silhouetted in the blaze, appears to the Dayaks as a white goddess escaping her prison, sending them into panicked retreat.
• "10,000 bushels of unexpected good fortune. The little paratita saved our worthless lives." — Michael O’Kane (26:56)
• Don Narciso, shocked and humiliated, threatens retribution, but Young Po interjects:

  "It is my humble opinion that elderly men should learn to control their emotions." (27:59)

7. Resolution and Return

• In the aftermath, mutual respect is (grudgingly) shared. The adventure closes with plans to return to Canton, banter about trading for silk, and glimmers of romance.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Colonial Power

  "Out here in the south, it's the Dutch who call the turn on the coast. The British. And here in Manila, it's the Spanish. A man has Young Po. There she comes now." — Captain Arat (03:41)

• On Taking Chances

  "Some things may be worth taking chances for." — Captain Arat (04:49)
  "For me, I find it so much simpler to go to sleep and dream of maidens on the moon." — Young Po (04:52)

• Dona Delfina’s Resilience

  "You are very rude." — Dona Delfina (14:43)
  "Even when you are rude to me, your mark is so very sweet." (15:56)

• On the Upas Tree’s Legend

  "A hundred legends were told about the Upas tree. How its shadow could kill a man... the diax made a horrible poison from the juice of its bark, and they worshiped the tree." (16:53)

• Human Frailty & Fortune

  "Perhaps we could surrender, make peace somehow." — Don Narciso (25:03)
  "Well, take no surrender. They want our heads." — Captain Arat (25:07)

• Delfina’s Heroism

  "The great flaming torch of the tree spread into full bloom... At the sight of their white goddess escaping from her prison in the tree, the Dyaks broke in panic and turned their boats and raced for the shore." (26:11)

• Bittersweet Farewell

  "Buenos noches." — Dona Delfina (22:34)
  "Adiosito... for a little while." — Captain Arat (22:42)

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Key Timestamps

• 03:17: Captain Arat and Young Po discuss trade, power, and dissatisfaction in Manila
• 05:56: Michael O’Kane reveals cutlass evidence and the connection to pirates
• 09:22: Dona Delfina urges Don Narciso to support the attack on Serif; titles and fortune discussed
• 14:03: Delfina is discovered as a stowaway; exchanges with Arat deepen the character drama
• 17:52: Young Po brings grave news after parlay with Serif—desertion, disadvantage
• 19:10: Realization that the ship’s powder is ruined; defense preparations under way
• 20:43–22:42: Arat brings Delfina to the caves for safety, emotionally charged farewell
• 25:03–26:11: The Dayaks attack; Delfina’s torch turns the tide
• 26:55–27:59: Aftermath, Don Narciso’s anger, Young Po’s humor

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Tone & Style

The drama retains the brisk, colorful, and sometimes wryly humorous tone characteristic of Golden Age radio adventure, with quick dialogue, dramatic outbursts, and moments of romantic longing. Michael O’Kane provides comic relief; Captain Arat is grit and principle; Young Po is dryly philosophical; Dona Delfina is spirited and complex.

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Why Listen?

This episode is a spirited blast of old-school adventure and melodrama, perfect for those who love classic audio storytelling. With vibrant, often poetic language, a sweeping sense of place and peril, and memorable characters, “Escape: Misfortune’s Isle” is a jewel of the era, beautifully brought to life by Harold's Old Time Radio.

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Missed the drama? This summary gives you all the adventure, romance, and golden-age nostalgia you need!

Transcript

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[Captain Arat]

have you shaken that spring cold yet? Wondering if you'll get a new Easter bonnet this year? Want to get away from it all? We offer you Escape. You are aboard a Chinese junk on the ground off the coast of Borneo, and paddling toward you are the canoes of the deadly Dayak headhunters. Your powder is wet. Your throat is dry, because for you there is no escape. Escape. Produced and directed by William N. Robeson and designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure. Tonight we escaped to the Orient of 150 years ago, to the Manila of 1790 in Richard Matthews Hallett's story of a wooden ship and an iron man, Misfortune's Isle. The water, which was lying at anchor so close up against the jetty I could have leaned over and spit on the wheels of the elegant Spanish carriages clattering along the promenade. That's exactly what I felt like doing. I'd been away from Salem for three three years now. Three years of sailing a trader brig through the China Seas and south into the Spice Islands. All for what? The whole thing had grown stale. Suddenly I was plainly and simply bored. Yong Po stood beside me there at the taffrail and tried to console me with philosophy. He'd anchored his sailing junk alongside earlier in the day and come aboard to renew a friendship that started two years before. A tien scene when I hauled him out from under an executioner's axe. He was under it because he just sold me six fine fat pigs without remembering, they happened to be the sacred property of the Tientsin Temple. Oh, Yang Po was a real philosopher, all right.

[Michael O'Kane]

Anyway, my friend, I reserve my sympathies for the poor. You have gained much wealth and trade.

[Captain Arat]

Aye, and a few measly gold pieces. But the trouble is out here, a man can't go it on his own. He needs backing.

[Michael O'Kane]

What more backing could a rash man desire than those eight brass cannon at the rail?

[Captain Arat]

They're fair guns, all right, but it's a flag I'm speaking of.

[Michael O'Kane]

Do these unworthy eyes not see a pin up there at the masthead?

[Captain Arat]

The bunning of Salem swings no weight. Out here in the south, it's the Dutch who call the turn on the coast. The British. And here in Manila, it's the Spanish. A man has Young Po. There she comes now. And the second carriage. There. That's the fourth time since high noon she's come back.

[Michael O'Kane]

Ah, four fine horses and two footmen. She rides in style.

[Captain Arat]

Watch, watch. She'll look up at the ship. She has every time today. There, you see?

[Michael O'Kane]

Ah, that one. The little caged bird.

[Captain Arat]

You know her?

[Michael O'Kane]

I know of her. She is wife of Don Narciso Crispo, the Spanish nobleman who is Captain General of the island south of Zamboanga. He is in residence here in Manila.

[Captain Arat]

She looks very sad. Why is she called the little caged bird?

[Michael O'Kane]

One glimpse of Don Merciso would answer your question better than thousand words.

[Captain Arat]

She's very beautiful, too. I'll swear she looks back and smiles. Just then.

[Michael O'Kane]

Captain Arat, once in pity, I set free a parakeet which I had found caught in a net. I still bear scar from its beak.

[Captain Arat]

Some things may be worth taking chances

[Michael O'Kane]

for me, I find it so much simpler to go to sleep and dream of maidens on the moon.

[Captain Arat]

Ah, but the moon's too far away.

[Michael O'Kane]

Hey, Rad, where are you? Huh?

[Captain Arat]

Oh, up here, Michael, on the quarter deck.

[Michael O'Kane]

Then the honorable red headed one is still your first mate?

[Captain Arat]

Aye, that he is. What's the matter, Michael?

[Michael O'Kane]

Matter indeed. Haven't you heard all the excitement in town.

[Captain Arat]

I've been looked at, young Poo.

[Michael O'Kane]

Haven't they hung you yet? This unworthy one is touched by your concern, mister.

[Captain Arat]

Ok. What do you mean by excitement? I've been on board all day.

[Michael O'Kane]

I know. Last night, with all their soldiers on guard and the stone ramparts and all, a band of pirates slipped ashore down coast and got through into the city. Pirates? 10,000 bushels of a misfortune. They may possibly think it was me. Oh, they have no clue as to who it was. Got away scot free, they did. And they almost abducted the Captain's General of Zamboango. And set what? Hi, Hi. An important grande by the name of Don Cisco something or other. His guard finally heard them. Ah, pity fortune not with you, Captain Arat. Ah, but here's the part that'll stop you. There is no one in Manila that knows who they were. Except yours truly, Michael Okane.

[Captain Arat]

Goa.

[Michael O'Kane]

Here, have a look at that.

[Captain Arat]

What a Manchester cutler. Aye, and there's a mark on the handle. It's one we traded to Serif.

[Michael O'Kane]

Aye. Aye. The bandit King of North Bonyo. And it was me. Found this morning on the beach where the pirate boat came ashore.

[Captain Arat]

You found it?

[Michael O'Kane]

No, no, no, not quite. A melee by the name of Jambu brought it to him. Jambu? 10,000 sampans filled with boiled fish.

[Captain Arat]

You know the fellow?

[Michael O'Kane]

I have used him as interpreter. He speak Dayak, but in some former incarnation, he undoubtedly was ill.

[Captain Arat]

You know, I think this may be exactly what I need. Need for what? I reckon to make fortunes for the three of us.

[Michael O'Kane]

I certainly remember an unexpected appointment, young Po.

[Captain Arat]

It's a plan that won't work without you. I'm not talking a bare prophet. This means a fortune.

[Michael O'Kane]

I am amazed. There is much talk of money and yet very little talk of Spanish lady. I've heard rumors on shore about these Spanish lasses. For one thing, they wear no stockings. Huh?

[Captain Arat]

And how's a man to know it? Michael, you can't count too much on hearsay.

[Michael O'Kane]

Well, now, it was a Spaniard that told me.

[Captain Arat]

All right. Now listen, lads. Let me tell you the plan. And if we're all agreed, I'll go ashore and talk to this dono.

[Michael O'Kane]

After I have heard it, I think I shall go and sacrifice White Rooster to Queen of Heaven. Though I doubt it will do great deal of good.

[Captain Arat]

The only thing I can't understand is why this damn boo didn't take the cutlass to Don Ciso in the first place.

[Michael O'Kane]

It is quite possible he did take it there in first place. Captain Harad. It is point worth consideration.

[Captain Arat]

It took a bit of talking right enough. But finally the others agreed to the plan. And no more than two hours later, I was talking to the Captain General of Zamboango himself. He turned out to be a little monkey of a man. Yellow as a faded sunflower and much older than I expected to find.

[Michael O'Kane]

I'm quite well satisfied regarding your identification of those who perpetrate the outrage, Captain Howard. But addictions and fatalities I Have also heard the stories of this pirate serif.

[Captain Arat]

I think a broadside of my 32 pounders can furnish him enough fatalities. Excellently.

[Michael O'Kane]

It is not that simple. They say his headquarters on the Borneo coast is nothing less than a fortress.

[Captain Arat]

Ah, it's only a bamboo stockade lying at the mouth of the river. And it's in range of the guns on my brig. My friend Yang Po has been there.

[Michael O'Kane]

But hard against the mouth of the

[Captain Arat]

river is the Plutalaca Misfortune's isle, huh? And on it, limestone caves filled with birds nests worth $50 a pound in Canton.

[Michael O'Kane]

That may well be, Captain Erat. But there is also the Upas tree. You must have heard of it.

[Captain Arat]

Ay, but I count a little on hearsay, Excellency.

[Michael O'Kane]

It is not hearsay. The Dyak headhunters poisoned the spears and ours with its juices. I have seen men scratched by them die like that.

[Captain Arat]

Some things are worth taking chances for.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

I must say that I quite agree with you. Dusty.

[Michael O'Kane]

Delfina. Captain Arat, may I present my wife,

[Captain Arat]

Dona Delfina del Crispo. Captain Arat.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

I'm on it, Martito. I have heard it all. You must agree to this expedition. You know the king's offer. Any man who risks these islands a pirate to be made a Conde with lands and titles.

[Michael O'Kane]

Have both lands and titles, my dear. What is it you expect from this Captain Aright?

[Captain Arat]

A fortune, Excellency. The bird's nests themselves should be worth a half million Yankee dollars. And there's gold and antimony in the river. And trade with the Dyaks?

[Michael O'Kane]

Precisely.

[Captain Arat]

What is the plan of yours? Well, 50 of Seraph's men are Chinese who once served Yang Po. They'll come in with us. If he can get word to him. That'll make things easier.

[Michael O'Kane]

And how do you expect to get word to them?

[Captain Arat]

Yang Po and I will sail in ahead of his junk and try to contact them. My mate will bring up the water witch 24 hours later, and then we'll attack.

[Michael O'Kane]

And exactly why have you come to me?

[Captain Arat]

Were I to do it without official support, I'd. I'd be judged a pirate myself, wouldn't I?

[Michael O'Kane]

I don't know. It would be a great thing if it could be done, Marciso.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Why not think of it tonight and decide in the morning? I think that may be a wise suggestion. Allow me to show you out, Capita Merit.

[Captain Arat]

By your leave, Excellency. I'll see you tomorrow, then.

[Michael O'Kane]

Good day, Captain.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

This way, please. He will agree? You may depend on it.

[Captain Arat]

Good. I Hope also that His Excellency will accompany us personally.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Well, you can be certain of it.

[Captain Arat]

You seem quite sure of that.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Who do you think it was who had the Cutlass sent to you?

[Captain Arat]

You.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Here is the door, Capita. I will say. Are you? In our language, it means goodbye for a little while.

[Captain Arat]

For a little while, huh? Well, in that case, Adiosito. Delfino was right.

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[Captain Arat]

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[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Being tossed about mostly. It is a very unsteady ship you have, Capitan.

[Captain Arat]

There should be a lot more unsteady when a hundred Dayak headhunters start trying to board her. How did you arrive here?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Any sack of feathers. It's really all that saved me during the storm, you know.

[Captain Arat]

Oh, confound it. Don't you realize your husband is on board? Sleeping in the deck cabins? Suppose he should come down here for

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

something he did once? I hid in the wardrobe.

[Captain Arat]

Oh, all the fool tricks.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

But you did say or Yosito for a little while.

[Captain Arat]

Yes, but it wasn't an invitation.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Who could tell? Anyway, I shall prove quite valuable to you.

[Captain Arat]

I doubt it.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

You will see. Melvo will become frightened at the last moment. He always does.

[Captain Arat]

And what will you do?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Whatever is required at the time. I am not afraid of fighting my capital. I have seen it before.

[Captain Arat]

Confound it. We had a fortune in our reach, and now you come along and ruin it.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

You underestimate me.

[Captain Arat]

Well, I won't do that again.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

You are very rude.

[Captain Arat]

I'm meant to be. Why did you marry him?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

I had no choice. My father was ambitious, was influential.

[Captain Arat]

And did your father realize his ambition?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

He. He became a colonel and was still the San Diego Fuchilli. Oh.

[Captain Arat]

Oh, I'm sorry. And now if you'll remove yourself from my bunk and eat some soul.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

If you are going to move in here, then what am I going to do?

[Captain Arat]

Oh, you'll think of something. You made all your own plans so far. Thank you.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

But if my husband sees me, then he may think you brought me on board.

[Captain Arat]

Well, in that case, I shall be forced to kill him in the duel. Good night.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

You. You are going to.

[Captain Arat]

I hope to try the Shrine of the Queen of Heaven. It's the last cabin in the stern. No one goes there but Yang Po. And he'll have to be told about you anyway. Good night.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Even when you are rude to me, your mark is so very sweet. Why not?

[Captain Arat]

Well, woman or no woman aboard, it was too late to turn back now. And so two days later, we dropped anchor at the mouth of Serif's River. Off the port rail a quarter mile away lay the pirate stockade. Was backed up by the dark green mass of jungle. And on the opposite side of the junk, across a hundred yards or so of water, was the beach of Misfortune's Isle. Sloping back to break sharply on the foot of the limestone cliffs. On the upper shoulders of those cliffs were the caves with a fortune in edible birds left. And between the cliffs and the water stood the Upas tree. A hundred legends were told about the Upas tree. How its shadow could kill a man, how the spirit of a white goddess was prisoned in the thick dark foliage of its top, and how birds that lighted on its branches fell dead to the ground. Well, one thing at least was true enough. The diax made a horrible poison from the juice of its bark, and they worshiped the tree. Young Po took the renegade interpreter Jam bu with him and went ashore to pay his respects to Serif, and at the same time was to pass the word to his Chinese friends. It was late afternoon when he came back, and I'd become nearly as uneasy as Don Narciso. Yangpo came aboard alone and motioned me to follow him below, saying nothing until we were alone in my cabin.

[Michael O'Kane]

It is my humble opinion, Captain Allard, that heaven favors us with the sighted lack of fortune.

[Captain Arat]

Boy, what happened?

[Michael O'Kane]

Serif most polite. I most polite. We enjoy most friendly conversation while we both held our knives beneath our robes. All very polite.

[Captain Arat]

Well, did you get word to your men, Serif?

[Michael O'Kane]

Blessed with presents of 200 Dayaks and 50 Melees. My own brethren are unfortunately down the coast for two days.

[Captain Arat]

Oh, that's a bad piece of luck.

[Michael O'Kane]

But I have news of much worse. One John Bodart, son of 10,000 devils, has deserted us.

[Captain Arat]

He deserted it?

[Michael O'Kane]

He has joined Sarif.

[Captain Arat]

Oh, he'll tell him exactly what we're planning.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Do not believe Jambu would do such a thing.

[Captain Arat]

Delfina, I told you to stay out of this cabin.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Jambo worships me. He's my slave wife. It was he who helped me sleep on board.

[Captain Arat]

Ah, so that's why he's done it.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

He has no desert. What could he hope to gain by it?

[Captain Arat]

You, probably.

[Michael O'Kane]

This Angwase one offers suggestion that we stand out to sea until we water, which come tomorrow.

[Captain Arat]

A fine idea, except for one thing. Your sleepy little sons of heaven left the cable slack. We're grounded on a mud bar with no chance of moving before the tide tomorrow morning we'll have to stand and fight.

[Michael O'Kane]

Ah, yes. They are so callous, I forgot to tell you. They even neglected to cover powder during storm. The water ruined it.

[Captain Arat]

Then we'll not even have the four cannon.

[Michael O'Kane]

Really? Matter of slight importance. They only ornaments. They would blow up if we fired them.

[Captain Arat]

You could hardly have picked a more suitable time to tell me well, we'll fight without them.

[Michael O'Kane]

The impetuosity of youth. I think I sleep for a while and dream of maidens on the moon.

[Captain Arat]

Yang Po, you'll stay on your feet and start your men boiling kettles of oil and piling rocks by the rail.

[Michael O'Kane]

It would be so much pleasanter to die in one sleep.

[Captain Arat]

If I know Serif you'll not attack until nearly midnight. Delfina, can you swim?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

I can't do anything.

[Captain Arat]

Primarily, I want to know if you can swim.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

I can.

[Captain Arat]

Good. Yangpo, I'll be back and help you in an hour. But I have a job to do first. Come along, Condesa. It was dark when we slipped into the water and struck out for the island. If I had tried to lower a boat, they might have seen us from the shore. I could see no other way to keep her out of it. The rest of us had no chance. I knew how the Dayaks fought. We could expect no help, none board. She would have been the only one of us left alive. Aye. Jumbo would see to that. We made the beach safely crossed it, and worked our way up the steep path on the face of the cliff. Finally, we reached the ledge in front of the caves.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

It is so dark here, it frightens me.

[Captain Arat]

Well, there's nothing to harm you. Bats in the caves, perhaps, but nothing else.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

I am to stay here alone, Ben?

[Captain Arat]

Aye. Until the water witch comes into anchor tomorrow. Light this torch then, and signal them. They'll come ashore and take you off the murder.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Where will you be tomorrow? Arek? You are going back there to die with him, aren't you?

[Captain Arat]

Will I have a fighting chance?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

You have no chance at all, and you know it.

[Captain Arat]

Don't go.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Stay with me. Aret.

[Captain Arat]

You know that's impossible.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

No. This man, Young Po, is no better than a pirate himself. And you cannot help him by losing your own life.

[Michael O'Kane]

Or stay with me.

[Captain Arat]

And what of your husband?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Do not go back. I beg you. Please.

[Captain Arat]

Aren't Delphina. You have a deadlier poison than the Upas tree itself.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Will you force me then to stay here in safety and watch you die on those decks that belos?

[Captain Arat]

Will it. Will it make so much, very much difference to you?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

So much that I would not care to be alive tomorrow. In Manila. I hated my life. I prayed for earthquakes, pirates, death, anything. But now I pray only that you may live through this night.

[Captain Arat]

Delfina. Delfina. There's nothing can be said.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Leave them if you must,

[Michael O'Kane]

but before

[Captain Arat]

you do, kiss me. Delfina.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Buenos noches.

[Captain Arat]

Predioso.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Adiosito.

[Captain Arat]

O diocita for a little while. Had I stayed there one moment longer, I should never have left her. Back aboard the junk, I found Young Po rushing preparations for the hopeless fight that stood ahead of us. Don Narciso was shivering on the quarter deck, and I saw no reason to tell him his wife had made the trip with us. The Chinese crew had piled stones and smoke pots at the rail, ready to throw down on the heads of the Dayaks who had tried aboard us. And kettles of oil were being heated over a brick hearth by the mast. Paper lanterns had been lighted and hung about the rigging, but outside the narrow limits of the deck, we could see nothing. Nothing but the black wall of the Borneo Knight, that same dark wall shut off any side of the upas tree and of the cliff face where Delfina lay hidden. But I knew from the ledge she could see us moving about on the lighted deck. I loaded my pistols with the only dry powder aboard, and we waited. There was no light on shore and no sound, and three hours went past.

[Michael O'Kane]

Signores, have all possible measures been taken? My venerable Captain General, I have offered incense and rice to Queen of Heaven. If our enemies prevail after that, then we have mistreated them in some former life. I go below to sleep. Sleep? And who is to give orders to your men? They give them to one another, Excellency. They are all commanders in their own right. We may perhaps meet later in Third or Fourth Haven with powder trader aboard and grounded ship.

[Captain Arat]

I might warn you before the attack starts, your Excellency. Stay away from the rail, at least until after the smoke pots are thrown. Oh, the Dayaks use bamboo poles with iron hooks on the end, and they can reach up and drag a man over the rail easier than picking coconuts.

[Michael O'Kane]

Perhaps we could surrender, make peace somehow.

[Captain Arat]

Well, take no surrender. They want our heads.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Look.

[Captain Arat]

They're on us.

[Michael O'Kane]

Young Paul.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

And duck.

[Michael O'Kane]

Here they come.

[Captain Arat]

Watch the way on direct, Clancy. Use your cutlers. If a head comes over the side and look out for the hook. There is dying worries that run their boltsman against the skies through the junk. And now we're pushing their murderous hooks over the rail. The Chinese crew is fighting like madmen, tossing over smoke pots, smashing those heavy rocks down on the heads of the pirate mob, pouring out smoking kettles of boiling oil. And the whole curtain of night was torn by the screams of anger.

[Michael O'Kane]

Captain Elrond, we find ourselves suddenly without smoke pots or soothing oil. And rocks are nearly gone.

[Captain Arat]

They'll be swarming aboard us in another two minutes. Where's the Captain General?

[Michael O'Kane]

He has retired to cabin. It would be uncharitable to say he has left.

[Captain Arat]

Well, a lot of good it'll do him. What happened? Young poor. They're on the island. Look.

[Michael O'Kane]

It would appear top of slick upas tree has burst into flame.

[Captain Arat]

The great flaming torch of the tree spread into full bloom and leaped up to the heavens, lighting the whole sea around us and everywhere about us. Screaming in hoarse terror. The diak drew off in their boats and stared at the blazing death of their sacred tree. And then, in full view on the glaring face of the cliff, the beautiful and weird figure of a woman, hair streaming behind it, swung slowly out from behind the flame and up and up, and then disappeared over the ledge in front of the cave. And at the sight of their white goddess escaping from her prison in the tree, the dyaks broke in panic and turned their boats and raced for the shore. And while I thought of the signal torch I'd left with Delfina. Suddenly the battle was over.

[Michael O'Kane]

10,000 bushels of unexpected good fortune. The little pair Tita saved our worthless lives.

[Captain Arat]

Aye.

[Michael O'Kane]

Then you recognize these venerable eyes have never looked upon sight more fair. I shall address her hereafter as Princess of Heaven. And I think perhaps another recognized her also. Did you not see it? That was Delfina. It was my wife.

[Captain Arat]

I know. She was aboard with us.

[Michael O'Kane]

Aboard with us? By your permission, senor.

[Captain Arat]

No. She stowed away and asked that the knowledge of her presence be kept from you.

[Michael O'Kane]

I have no doubt she found you quite agreeable to such a plan.

[Captain Arat]

Take care, Excellency.

[Michael O'Kane]

Take care. I will see your hand, signor. And as for her, I shall whip her through the street of Manila.

[Captain Arat]

We will discuss that later.

[Michael O'Kane]

I do not discuss my decision. In fact, he may be better die

[Captain Arat]

being aboard at once.

[Michael O'Kane]

Perhaps Beatles are dead on this very deck. You'll pardon me. It is my humble opinion that elderly men should learn to control their motions.

[Captain Arat]

Wait.

[Michael O'Kane]

Wait.

[Captain Arat]

There's a Dayak warrior hiding there by the rail.

[Michael O'Kane]

We both have gone and left him.

[Captain Arat]

Excellency. Excellency. Away from that rail.

[Michael O'Kane]

I take no order from you, Senor.

[Captain Arat]

Get back. Look out.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Silence. Stop them.

[Michael O'Kane]

Wake your horse. They come in the bow shooting Captain Arrow.

[Captain Arat]

Hi. But a little used to the Captain General, I'm afraid. See what you can do From Yangpo. I'm going ashore to look after her.

[Michael O'Kane]

See what I can do for him.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Now.

[Michael O'Kane]

How can I be expected to replace man's head on his body? Especially when head seems to have rolled overboard? There's not the least bit of use in giving me a poet's blondie, old reprobate. It was nothing but pure luck that kept me from sailing in here this morning and finding nothing but your heads all a smoking in a row. Life moves only according to dreams of Queen of heaven, Mr. O'. Kane. Not to mention, of course, those of Princess. Oh, that Spanish lass, eh? And quite a one she's turned out to be. I plan to devote a remainder of my unworthy life to rescue our small birds from nets.

[Captain Arat]

Now that's a silly way for a

[Michael O'Kane]

grown man to spend his time.

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Oh.

[Michael O'Kane]

Oh. Come in. A rat.

[Captain Arat]

I've been wondering where to find you. I was charting the course. Well, we can sail in the morning.

[Michael O'Kane]

Both ships are nearly loaded.

[Captain Arat]

Good. We'll head for Canton. Yang Po. This friend of yours there, this Hong Kwa, you think he might have some good quality of silk to trade?

[Michael O'Kane]

I hate these people.

[Captain Arat]

Possible.

[Michael O'Kane]

Ah, silk, is it now? And what will you be wanting silk for?

[Dona Delfina del Crispo]

Aad.

[Captain Arat]

Well. Well, it's not silk. I. I mean, not that.

[Michael O'Kane]

Come, man. It's what? What? It's not silk. Aad. Then what is it?

[Captain Arat]

H. Oh, all right, Michael, if you have to know everything I want to trade with him for. For a dozen pair of sil. Escape is produced and directed by William N. Robeson and tonight brought you Misfortune's Isle by Richard Matthews Hallett. Adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield with Paul Freeze as Captain Arad, Virginia Greg as Dona Delfina, Bill Conrad as young foe, Barry Kroger as Don Narciso and Tony Barrett as Mike o'. Kane. Next week, when you're tired out from doing nothing all weekend, when Blue Monday stares you in the face. Next week at this time when your problems seem just too much for you, we offer you escape. Next week we bring you another exciting story by one of the world's great authors. Good night then. Until this same time next week, when once again, we offer you escape. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

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