Chapter 37 thirty six bernard

I don't want war.No one wants war.I never thought of India either.But (I admit) the war made me, a middle-aged bank teller who thought his life settled down, stand up, jump, and even whistle (not a fancy tune).Because I am already a member of the 298 Restoration and Rescue Team.Passed RAF training and testing, served as a (engine) mechanic, and was proud of being a rookie. Macy needs a reasonable man on this rescue mission.Me, his first choice to see, is only a little older.The order is to find a downed kite (Spitfire).The report said it had fallen from somewhere on the hill.It was vague, but a nearby Army group knew where it was.Macy was tracking some piece of equipment on that plane.All were silent.The security is so tight that even low-ranking Air Force recruits are not allowed to know.Grab some supplies (including a light machine gun each) and put them in the truck.It's great to be off base duty.sense of freedom.It can even be said to be a task.

Macy is not as stupid as some people, such as the senior railwayman from his hometown.A wife, and two sons (one of whom he has not yet met) were waiting for him in Brayton.We've been bickering along the way, like brothers. If you underestimate the enemy, you will lose the battle.If you can find a man who thinks Japanese soldiers are stupid, I'll take you to see a man who is as happy as a fairy. There are many stories about Macy's.Collect them and keep them in your mental scrapbook.Flip out to scare those white knees.If you bring in a wounded soldier, you'd better kill him, because if you don't kill him, he'll pull out a grenade and blow everyone up while you're tending to him.Or, if you can't do it, it's better to tie his hands, because the Japanese soldiers will open their own wounds (oh their own wounds!) and die for the emperor.Talk about it with relish, and even take these stories aftertaste.Everyone has.Stories spread around the camp, turning even the tanned faces pale with fright.Macy's story isn't as exciting as some.A brother swears that a Japanese soldier can still run after being hit by twenty bullets.Others are convinced that the short men can be resurrected from the dead.But I don't believe it at all.

I said: I don’t believe everything my brothers say. He replied: You shouldn't believe it, uncle. (You see, just a little older to be called that.) You haven't been here long enough to overturn our opinion entirely. He misunderstood (I mean, more subtle). You can teach a dog to attack anything until it dies.As long as it is a stupid animal, it will always attack you without thinking about yourself.That's not smart.That is obedience.But that doesn't win the war.Our superior intelligence won the battle.I said. Uncle, I hope you're not talking about your sense of humor, are you?

(again) deliberately misunderstood.I told him: Japanese soldiers are just wind-up toys, and their wind-up will eventually unwind. As a result, Army non-commissioned officers are useless.What he meant by pinpointing the exact location was a slight wave of his arm in the direction of the hill.Do you have more detailed directions, sir?Macy (diplomat) asked cautiously. A flick of a finger.He told us: You will need mules. Do you have a mule for us, sir? No. Macy winked at me, and I accepted it right away.Sometimes it's hard to understand that we're at war with these khaki-wearing brethren.He gave us a quick warning as he left: Be careful out there.Japanese soldiers were patrolling there not long ago.Say goodbye to us when you're done.

From a distance, the forest on the hills looks like curly kale.harmless.fun.I thought it would bounce if I fell on it.It didn't take long for him to change his mind.Slashed through dark, damp, smelly bushes.painfully slow.The nasty thing fell into the shirt.Flies suck the moisture from their eyes.The mosquito swarm was as thick as cloth.Seeing the trail of the crash makes me and Macy hug each other like scoring players.We both agreed that it was not far away.Having said that, it took us hours.To make a passage in the bushes, every step is as hard as a miner digs coal.Would Queenie recognize her husband now?Melted brown and black, like a warm chocolate bar.Brave and fearless as a rock.Not the pale bank teller who panics when the subway is crowded.

It was late when we reached the crash site.Impossible to barely rush back without light.We have to camp here.Macy said.We had a place for McConchie stew, a cigarette, a dry place to sit and shoot.Macia settled down, wrapped tightly in a blanket.You'll need blankets, uncle.When we stopped, he noticed that the weather had turned cold, and he almost forgot what it meant to be cold.Not enough to make you shiver even under the cold water of the base.It is hot day and night.I even slept under a towel to wipe off the sweat.I laughed when my brother who was still in the store delivered a thick fluffy blanket.Heavy, dirty, rotten stuff.Just looking at it makes me shudder.I didn't take it, but took more biscuits and water.

Uncle, do you have a blanket? Can't see the need for that. Can't see the need for that?I told you it would be used here. seems a bit redundant God, uncle, it really looks like your style. I thought to myself: there is no need. Macy shook his head.Snickers at my expense.You always thought you knew best, didn't you?It was only a matter of time before it was brought to the commode. Remember that commode? I said: don't carry the toilet anymore.The brothers just insisted on that matter and did not let me go. I still insist that is a good way.It's just that the timing is wrong.The base public toilets are disgusting.Hundreds of people defecated into a row of old commodes with roofs above them.The stench, the flies, the maggots.Who knows what disease is breeding in it?Open defecation is most commonly seen in India.Those workers also made a small contribution.Occasionally only fire can be used for cleaning and disinfection until the next time it needs to be used for disinfection again.Pour in a gallon or two of gasoline.A brother approached with a long match, on top of which a plank four by two inches was placed.Once lit, run like hell while it's burning.For me this is a basic requirement.Pour in the gasoline and go straight like a fuse.Then sit still and watch the fire travel along the ground and clear the ditches.Don't run, just be smart.It's useless for the brothers to shake their heads, it won't work (including Macy).That was my trick.There are still many viewers watching.

Pour in the gasoline, pouring carefully along the previously prepared groove.Sit on a chair and use a match with you.He hissed off as expected.But it didn't run long enough.Maybe a foot or two.There was laughter and noise.Uncle, what should we do now?Is there any other way?The problem was that I spent too much time explaining why the fuse didn't reach its goal.Gasoline evaporates too quickly on hot ground.Go on, get the long matches.The brethren are just laughing.Of course, by the time I took the burning match to the public toilet, the two gallons of gasoline would have evaporated in the air.A violent burst.The roof flew to the Indian city of Kohima.Even I was thrown into the air.When I hit the ground, I was drenched in excrement from the toilet.

It is still possible to succeed.I told Macy. Oh, stop thinking about it, uncle. Assure you, I didn't count the time to evaporate.but next time next time!Who do you think will let you have a next time?We're all still seeing poop where it shouldn't be.You just want to know the most, right? Well, probably. Well, probably.He taunts me. But at least I saw a snake and recognized it as a snake.I told him. Don't change the subject.That kind of thing can happen to anyone.I fell asleep at that time! It wasn't fair to remind him of it either, but he had started it. Macy woke us up from the shed in the middle of the night.Snakes, there are snakes.he yelled.Struggling on mission in Indian camp bed.It's a big bug!He told us while banging around.We are all awake.Knives and guns are ready to go.Snake, big snake, Macy pounced like a mountain, trying to drive the snake out of the bed.The foot of his bed was broken.Everything fell to the ground, and Macy fell with her.He screamed and was bitten by a snake, and ran to the military doctor to hug his leg.Leave us poking around here and there.We all agreed he was terrified when we hunted the big snake in the shed.It turned out that Macy was sleeping on his own arm.Woke up and scratched but nothing.The conclusion is the snake.When throwing his arm out of the bed, he was cut by a piece of sharp bamboo.

Well, says Macy, we're not talking about that right now.All I need to know is, how are you going to stay here all night without a blanket? Cold air doesn't make you hairy. You also got it right once, uncle.What do you keep talking about every time?basic requirements.The weather here can be so cold that you can feel hair-raising heat because exposure to cold air will kill you. Well, it can't be that bad.I'm a bit chilly, but admitting to being cold doesn't help.I light a cigarette.Queenie has never liked heat.She would unbutton the top two buttons of her blouse, dip her handkerchief in cold water and place it on the nape of her neck.Water would drip from her front, tiny droplets disappearing in her cleavage.It's like living in an oven.She would complain, recline in her chair and fan herself with a newspaper.I'll tell her I like heat.Those endless summer days when I was a kid.A hypnotic afternoon of birdsong.Sitting outside in the sun on the stairs.The temperature of the two bare legs waited for Dad to come home.His smile as he strolled home with his shirt sleeves rolled up.Whoa, it's scorching hot, little Bernie.Crickets in the backyard and Ma's lemonade with four sugar drops.But after a few months in India, the endless heat has me dreaming of snow.Fancy ice on winter mornings creates cracks in windows.The exhaled mist frosted in the cold wind.Get out of bed and get dressed.Jumping up and down, nose numbness and runny nose.Blow hot air on your frozen fingers.Knock the ice open with my heel.trembling.I miss shaking.But be careful what you desire in this God-forgotten place.I'm shaking right now.Hold the cigarette butts with both hands.Grit your teeth so they don't chatter.

That's when we heard it.Cut through the dark night.Clear and piercing. Johnny, come and save me, Johnny. Did you hear that?I said. It's Japanese soldiers.Macy said softly.We both squatted up and grabbed our guns.Useless.Like a boy in a game pointing a gun around. Don't shoot.Macy said. Johnny, my leg is broken and I'm here, come and save me.Pure English.Johnny.Johnny. Are you sure it's not the pilot?I asked. It's Japanese soldiers.They are just scaring us. Do they know where we are? have no idea.If they knew, we would be dead by now. Johnny save me.Please come and save me. I pointed the gun to make sure I could hear where the sound was coming from.Macy put his hand on the gun, barrel down.Don't shoot, he whispered urgently, shoot them and they'll know where we are. help me.I'm here.Come here soon, Johnny. We just sit quietly.Put out the cigarette. A forest without moonlight.dark.weird.Packed with things you haven't seen before.Ghostly shadows.strange sound.Weird creaks, chirps, flutters, rattles.It's funny, I admit, that the strangest and scariest sounds are the most familiar things.A human voice calling for help.A strange echo was so clear that it seemed to be transmitted through a catheter, and the cold wind made me shiver involuntarily.Insist on my teeth chattering.But that voice Johnny, come here, Johnny that voice makes my hands tremble. Macy approached me quietly.Sit and move alternately in the makeshift camp.Quiet.The eyes are as alert as prey.Raised his hands and wrapped the blanket around me and then around him.Two wary heads turned.Our bodies are bundled together, our naked parts stuck together. Johnny, help me. Our guns cocked quickly, protruding from the gaps in the cloth, pointing in different directions.It's all right, uncle.They don't know where we are.won't be coming. can you be sure Macy snickered.His warm breath came to my cheeks, smelling of tobacco.Just as sure as being with Japanese soldiers.Bursts of body odor wafted from the blanket.Rough fibers rub against our cheeks.Our body temperature gradually warms the air in the cocoon. Johnny, Johnny. The muscles in Macy's arms twitched (tightened again) against me.His knees rubbed against mine tensely. Johnny, come here quickly.Can you hear me, Johnny? Macy's chest, which had been raised due to holding his breath, relaxed unexpectedly.never mind.They won't come any closer. The cry no longer occurs from time to time.But both of us have also lost sleepiness.Frankly, we need each other to sit up straight for the blankets to wrap around us.Macy rested the gun on his lap. Really hope you brought a goddamn blanket.He leaned into my ear and told me. sorry. I told you you'd need it. My fault, I know.sorry. Sitting in the uninhabited darkness, we couldn't even light cigarettes, lest the bright butts give away our whereabouts.Macy started telling me about his post-war plans.I can't imagine myself returning to the railway bureau as a clerk.I have this idea, see what you think.He wants to breed rabbits.Get it all done.Rabbit ranch.I thought that as long as one or two can start.The initial cost is not too much.One male and one female, and then sit and observe.Do you know what rabbits breed like?He said. have no idea. like a rabbit. I see. It was a joke just now, uncle. Yes, it's a joke, I get it. By the time it gets light, we've got everything done.I even became a partner.In charge of accounts, profits and losses (responsible for the business side).Settled down in Kent (just outside Ashford, not bad).Main label: Edible Rabbit (and related products such as pies and stews).Subtitle: Lucky Rabbit's Claw.We decided not to make a rabbit fur scarf (like fox fur).Even though floppy ears make for cute bows, British housewives still don't want to wear a fluffy dead rabbit around their necks, according to Macy. The most beautiful view of sunrise.A ghostly mist gradually faded from the distant hills.Those warm days are as welcome as the first breath.Back to the job at hand.The Rabbit Ranch is folded along with the blanket.Nevertheless, we remain cautious.Speak softly with intuition.Shrug your shoulders.The guns were at the ready so that the Japanese soldiers would not be able to see us more clearly now. The wreckage was barely recognizable as an airplane.He bumped into the hill and planted a somersault, raking up the vegetation.One wing was missing.Half of the fuselage remains.The engine came off and fell further down the hill.The propeller disappeared without a trace.No trace of bullet holes.The fuel tank was empty and probably evaporated.Someone saw the plane before us.Macy said.There are signs of fire burning nearby. Perspex, wheels, all gone. Is it another rescue team? no. Japanese soldiers? Macy shrugged.Maybe a local.Get a good price for them. Such an unfriendly place.It's hard to imagine anyone living nearby getting ready for a Sunday walk.No sign of the driver.I said: I might have been let go.Macy looked skeptical, and it was well-founded.The sleeves of thick jackets hang from trees.It looks like it was bitten off by a wild animal not long ago.However, the three upper sleeves are still clean and intact.I found that the place where my hand touched the tree was sticky, and I turned it over to find that it was covered with congealed blood.The other end of the tree was still dripping blood.Nothing was said, but my job was to find the remains.All I could find was the charred edge of the identification card.Names and numbers were burned.Then another pool of blood.Macy, who checked the fuselage, shook his head.Tut again and again.Remove some equipment and never mention it. There is no need to stay any longer.Macy decides.Can't find anything else.Before we leave, I bow my head and say a prayer in case this is a cemetery.Macy was annoyed at first, trying to get away, but soon joined me. Shall we sing a hymn?I asked. Well, uncle, why not do it?Look at the Japanese soldiers, here, what a pity you couldn't catch us last night? I understand what that means. We walked for hours, neither of us wanting to utter the word lost.It looks familiar there.Yes, this is the way.Relatively orderly.As we were heading towards the hills, we heard human voices.foreigners.very close.very close.We both fell to the ground immediately.In the low grass (no one can see).Macy made a quiet gesture and put his hand to his lips.My finger was shaking again on the trigger of the LMG.Not sure if I looked as scared as Macy.He was as pale as a corpse.I can feel the pee warming my pants before soaking into the ground.Powerless to stop.I am a coward.I know, but I don't want to die.Hastily retreated to the ground, trembling like a schoolgirl.Would Queenie be proud?At least Macy had two other sons who could pass on their father's story as an act of valor.Macy began to mutter something (perhaps, a prayer) to himself.Human voices, talking in gibberish again.There was a burst of laughter.Macy and I had a quick and bold exchange of glances.Perhaps, our last glimpse. I saw a top of the head first.Suddenly Macy was angry again.He shouted: Naga.Then it jumped up like a toy in a box.The three thin and dark locals were not surprised to see us.They know we're there.A cunning bunch.The excitement made Macy negotiate (sign language).Blankets, four packs of loose cigarettes, a few rupees, and these toothless old men were happy to take us back to the army barracks. When we arrived, the Army sergeant looked strangely relieved.I thought I was going to send someone over to find you.Your RAF brethren are not combat stuff.He wants us to know this.Macy was quite resentful, clenching his jaw like a cage.It wasn't until the sergeant handed us a glass of beer that we let go.We could hardly believe it.Christmas in May?The non-commissioned officer told us: Good news, the war against Germany is over.Hitler is dead.He picked up a bottle of whiskey he had barely drunk and poured himself a glass.They're going to give us back everything they got.Raise a generous glass and tell Macy and me: I didn't think you were lucky enough to escape a Japanese patrol.But thank God.Maybe you colleagues are not so stupid after all.cheers.