They continued climbing, coming to a dirt road that led to higher ground. The road was so steep and slick with mud that a group of soldiers struggled to get vehicles up the hill. This was a problem for the supply trucks and jeeps being used to carry away the wounded. Deke could hear mortars and small-arms fire in the distance, indicating that there were still plenty of Japanese soldiers around. Each footstep carried them closer to the fighting.
They saw that the soldiers had rigged a system to get the vehicles up the hill by lashing a gasoline-powered winch to a thick tree near the top. A heavy rope was tied to the bumper of whatever vehicle was trying to ascend the road. The winch kicked in, snorting and belching smoke as soldiers strained at the corners of the vehicle, adding their muscle power to get the vehicle up the incline.
The winch was a large, hulking machine, its metal body caked with mud and grease. It must have been a bear to get it into place at the top of the steep incline. As it kicked in, its gears turned and smoke poured from its exhaust pipes, adding to the already thick air of the jungle.
Meanwhile, soldiers tugged on the ropes, their muscles bulging and sweat dripping down their faces as they strained to guide a heavy truck up the steep incline. Foot by foot, tires spinning, the vehicle climbed the hill.
“Should we help?” one of the new members of Patrol Easy asked.
“Nope. Looks to me like they got it just fine on their own,” Philly said.
After all, a smart soldier knew better than to volunteer for any form of physical work that he could avoid.
They kept going up the hill, passing the crew struggling with the vehicle, and found that the road ended. Soon after that, it was clear the Japanese had been there before them. Instead of a dirt trail leading higher, there were steps cut into the sides of the hill and lined with logs to keep the dirt from washing away. The steps were rough and shot through with roots and rocks, but it made the going a lot easier.
“And one thing’s for sure, we’re going to get plenty of exercise this morning,” Philly said.
They kept climbing as the sound of the winch behind them faded and the sounds of fighting grew more intense.
“We are not joining in that fight,” Steele clarified. “Our job is to go around the edges and catch any Japs trying to sneak in behind us. So keep your eyes open.”
“In other words, shoot first and ask questions later,” Philly said.
Deke ignored Philly’s banter. To say that Philly shared his thoughts half baked was an understatement. Most of the time, Philly’s thoughts didn’t even make it into the oven.
All Deke’s attention was now focused on the surrounding forest. The Japanese could be anywhere. The trees pressed in close, creating a dense green wall of vegetation. There could be an entire company of Japanese not more than fifty feet away in all that greenery, and they would never see them until the enemy opened fire and it was too late. It had happened to more than one patrol, and the division’s losses were mounting.
Deke used every sense he had to try to detect the enemy. His ears strained to hear anything that wasn’t a bird or a droning insect. Some rustle of leaves or crack of branches would give the enemy away. His eyes searched for any flicker of movement, which was the best way of determining whether there was anyone in these woods.
He even pressed his nose into service, sniffing the humid air. The Japanese smelled different, just as he was sure
A sniper rifle wasn’t much use here in this dense forest, with its limited sight lines. Instead, they would’ve been better off with a submachine gun. That was all right. He would get off at least one shot with the Springfield before unloading the .45 that hung in a holster on his utility belt. It was also reassuring that Lieutenant Steele was behind him with his 12-gauge shotgun at the ready.
Deke had seen that one-eyed bastard do a lot of damage with that shotgun.
“I don’t like this one bit,” Philly muttered, watching their surroundings nervously.
“Shut up, Philly,” the lieutenant said quietly. “Less talking and more looking. Keep your eyes open.”
All of Deke’s senses vibrated on high alert, expecting at any moment for the enemy to come swarming at them out of the brush. Bugs buzzed in his ears, but he scarcely noticed. He was a lot more worried about the buzzing of bullets that might come at any moment.
They came to a small clearing, and Deke went into a tense crouch, weapon at the ready. When he saw two forms lying prone in the middle of the clearing behind a log, half hidden by the dappled shade, he automatically raised the rifle to his shoulder, getting ready to fire.
