| Jesus, I feel pooped, he thoughtHis legs quivered a little as he picked up his tommy gunHe felt too tired to say anything more"Okay, see you up on the hill," he muttered
For some obscure reason, he knew he should not leave, and as he walked away down the trail he felt again the curious shame and guilt the Japanese soldier had caused himThat Croft's a bastard, he told himselfRed felt leaden, in fever
When he had gone, Croft sat down on the ground and lit a cigaretteHe smoked intently without saying anythingGallagher sat beside him, looking at the prisoner"Let's get rid of him and get back," he blurted suddenly
"Hold your water," Croft told him softly
"What's the use of torturin' the poor bastard?" Gallagher chanel purse white asked
"He ain't complainin'," Croft said
But then, as if he had understood them, the prisoner crumpled suddenly to his knees and began to sob in a high-pitched voiceEvery few seconds he would turn to them, and extend his hands with pleading motions, and then he would beat his arms on the ground as if he despaired of making them understandOut of the spate of words, Gallagher could distinguish something that sounded like "kood-sigh, kood-sigh
Gallagher was a little hysterical from the abruptness with which the combat had begun and endedHis momentary compassion for the prisoner lapsed and was replaced by an intense irritation"Let's cut out that 'kood-sigh' shit," he roared at the Jap
The soldier was silent for a moment, and d |
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