@@@@@His instincts, his experience, told him that 816
@@@@@His instincts, his experience, told him that the pass would be dangerous, probably futile, and yet there was no alternativeThey could climb Mount Anaka, but Hearn would never hear of that"Ain't nothin' else to do, I suppose But he felt disturbedThe more he looked at the mountain
"Let's start," Hearn said
They went down again to the men in the hollow, put on their packs, and began to marchHearn alternated with Brown and Croft in leading the platoon, while Martinez acted as point and scouted ahead, almost always thirty or forty yards in front of themThe grass was slick from the night's dew, and the men slipped frequently as they moved downhill, panted hoarsely as they toiled up an ascending slopeHearn, however, was feeling goodHis body had reacted from the preceding day's march, and was stronger now, the waste burned out of himHe had awakened with stiff muscles and a sore shoulder, but rested and cheerfulThis morning his legs were firm, and he sensed greater reserves of enduranceAs they crossed the first ridge-line, he hefted his pack higher on his broad shoulders, and turned up his face to the sun for an instantEverything smelled fine, and the grass had the sweet fresh odor of early morning"Okay, men, let's hit it," he called to them cheerfully as they passed byHe had dropped back from the point, and he moved from man to man, slowing his stride or increasing it in order to keep pace with them
"How's it going today, Wyman, you feel any better?"
Wyman noddedI'm sorry I pooped out yesterday
"Hell, we all were bushed, it'll be better today He clapped Wyman on the shoulder and dropped back to Ridges
"Lot of country, heh, boy?"
"Yeah, Lootenant, always enough country
He walked for a while beside Wilson, kidding him"Still fertilizing the ground, boy?"
"Yeah, Ah lost mah petcock, ain't nothin' to hold it in now
Hearn nudged him in the
