@@@@@He had turned back before he had to, and
By nakiacojf9tn, 17:06@@@@@He had turned back before he had to, and this bothered himInstinctively, he was wondering how to change the story so that he would satisfy CroftBut more directly, more painfully, he was thinking with regret how easy it would have been to have taken the wrist watchNow that he was out of the grove, he was disgusted with himself for having been afraid to lingerHe thought of the things he could have doneBesides the watch he could have retrieved the knife (he had forgotten about it when he looked at the soldier) or he could have jammed the machine gun by putting a handful of dirt in the boltHe thought with amusement of how their faces would have looked, and realized with a shock how terrified they would be when they discovered the dead manGoddam, good ol' Martinez, hoping that Croft would say the same thing In less than an hour he reached the platoon again, and gave his account to CroftThe only change he made was to say that there was no way to slip by the second bivouac"You had to kill that Jap, huh?"
"Yes
Croft shook his headThat'll stir 'em up from here to Jap headquarters He thought for a moment, and said pensively, "I don't know, you never can say what's gonna come out"Goddam, no think of that He was too tired now to feel any deep regret, but as he lay down on his bedding he wondered how many more mistakes he would discover in the next few days"Goddam, tired," he said to rouse Croft's sympathy "Yeah, I guess you had a rough go Croft laid his hand on Martinez's shoulder, gripped it fiercely"Don't say a damn word to the LootenantYou went clear through the pass without seeing a damn thing, y' understand?"
Martinez was puzzled
"That's it, you're a good boy, Japbait
Martinez smiled lazilyIn three minutes he was asleep
8
HEARN woke up feeling quite rested the next morn


