@@@@@They accepted the break eagerly, sprawling
@@@@@They accepted the break eagerly, sprawling in a line along the narrow top of the ridge
Wyman had been panting heavily for the last twenty minutes of the march, and he lay quiet on his back, waiting for the spring to return to his legs
"How're you feeling?" Roth asked Wyman shook his headThey would be continuing like this all day, and he knew with the experience he had gained on this patrol that he would not be able to make it"I'm going to lighten my pack," he told Roth
But everything in it was essentialWyman deliberated whether to throw away his rations or his blanketThey had taken twenty-one K rations with them and only seven had been eaten so farBut if they crossed the mountain and scouted through the Jap rear they would be gone at least a weekHe couldn't take the chanceWyman withdrew his blanket from the pack, and tossed it a few yards away
"Whose blanket is that?" Croft had seen it, and was walking toward them
"Mine, Sergeant," Wyman admitted
"Go fetch it and stick it in your pack
"I really don't need it," Wyman said softly
Croft glared at himNow that Hearn was gone, the discipline was his, and it was not going to be threatenedWith Hearn, sloppy habits had developed which he must cauterizeBesides, waste always offended him"Go get it, boy, I'm telling you
Wyman sighed, stood up, and retrieved the blanketAs he was folding it, Croft softened a trifleHe was pleased at how quickly Wyman had obeyed him"Listen, you're gonna need that blan