@@@@@He saw blackheads on the Jap's forehead, and
@@@@@He saw blackheads on the Jap's forehead, and a tiny postule on the side of his nose, and drops of sweat in the deep hollows under his eyesPerhaps they stared at each other for half a second, and then the Jap unsheathed his bayonet, and Red turned and ranHe saw the other man lunging toward him, and Red thought inanely, Horror movieWith a great effort he shrieked over his shoulder, "Get him, GET HIM, CROFT!"
Then Red tripped, and lay motionless on the ground, half stunnedHe was trying to ready himself for the flash of pain the knife would cause as it pierced his back, and he held his breathHe heard his heart beat once, and then once moreHis alertness was returning, and he poised his bodyHis heart beat again, and again, and againAbruptly, he realized that nothing was going to happen
Croft's clear cold voice grated in his ear"Goddam, Red, how long you gonna lay on the ground?"
Red rolled over and sat upHe repressed a groan with difficulty, but the effort made him shudder
"What do you think of your boy friend?" Croft asked softly
The Jap was standing several yards away with his hands in the airHe had dropped the bayonet, and it lay at his feetCroft walked over and kicked it away
Red looked at the Japanese soldier, and for an instant their eyes metBoth men looked away, as if they had each been caught in something shamefulRed realized suddenly how weak he felt
Yet even now he could not admit any weakness to Croft"What took you guys so goddam long?" he asked
"Got down as fast as we could," Croft said
Gallagher spoke up abruptlyHis face was white and his mouth trembled"I was gonna shoot the mother-fugger but you were in the