@@@@@God's ways were God's ways, he told himself, 988
@@@@@God's ways were God's ways, he told himself, and a man did not try to brook themIf the storm was meant to blow away their tent, it would do it even if they had a plow to hold it downNow, because he did not know it was not raining in Mississippi, he prayed that the storm should not destroy his father's cropsThey jus' been planted, LordPlease don' wash them awayAnd even in his praying Ridges had no hope; he prayed to show that he was respectful
The wind tore through the bivouac area like a great scythe, slashing the palm fronds from the coconut trees, blasting the rain before itAs they looked, they saw a tent jerk upward from its mooring, and then stream away in the wind, flapping like a terrified bird"I wonder what's happening up at the front," Goldstein shoutedHe had realized with a shock that there were other bivouacs like this, scattered for miles into the jungle"Holdin' on, Ah guess," he shouted backGoldstein wondered what it looked like up forward; during the week he had been with recon, he had seen only the mile or two of road upon which they were workingNow he tried to conceive of an attack being made during this storm and winced before the prospect of itAll his energies had to be concentrated on the ridgepole, which he held with both handsThe Japs might even be attacking their area now, he thoughtHe wondered if anyone was on guard in the machine gun emplacements"A smart general would start an attack now," he said
"Reckon," Ridges answered quietlyThe wind had lapsed for a moment, and their voices had a subdued uncertain quality as if they were talking in a churchGoldstein released the pole, and felt the strain flowing out of his armsFatigue products being carried away by the bloodstream, he thoughtPerhaps the storm was practically overIn the hole, the ground was hopelessly muddy, and Goldstein wondered how they would sleep that nightHe shivered; abruptly he had realized the chill weight of his sodden clothing
The wind started again, and their mute tense struggle to preserve the tent began once mo
