The Long Patrol: World War II Novel (14 page)

O'Connor didn’t move, his aim never wavered. The man spoke. It was English, at least the words were, but he couldn’t understand what he was saying. The words were all jumbled up and crazy. O'Connor went up to his knees, still aiming. The man moved his rifle harmlessly away and took a step towards him. He broke into a broad smile, the yellowed teeth looking bright against his black skin. Another man came out of the jungle appearing out of nowhere. He was younger and didn’t have a smile on his face. He looked more menacing and kept his ancient rifle pointed at O'Connor’s gut.

O'Connor put out his hand in greeting, then called to the others behind him. “Got some natives up here, Sarge.”

Welch came sprinting forward and burst onto the scene. The smiling man smiled broader and the younger man pointed his gun to a harmless angle. Welch was bursting, “Eloni and Fau, I was wondering if we might run into you blokes.” They hugged and slapped each other on the back.

Lieutenant Caprielli said, “What the hell’s going on here? Who are these men?” Upon seeing the officer both natives sprang to attention and gave him smart salutes, palm out. Lieutenant Caprielli didn’t know what to do. He saluted them back. They both smiled and said something Caprielli couldn’t understand. Welch said, “These are some of my men.” He pointed to the older, “This is Eloni Finau and this young chap is Fau.” He pulled them into hugs, “They’re some of the chaps we’re trying to find. We’re in good hands. They can take us directly to their village.”

Lieutenant Caprielli asked, “What’s that they’re speaking? Sounds like English, but it’s not.”

“Ah, yes it’s Pidgin. I’ve lived here for years. I’m fluent. It’s quite easy to learn being English speakers already. It’s basically a mix of their language and ours, weighted towards ours.” Caprielli looked uncertain, “Don’t worry, I’ll translate.” As if to prove it, “He just said, welcome to his island.”

Sergeant Carver butted in, “Ask him how far to his camp.”

Welch said, “I know how far it is.” Carver glared at him and Welch asked. “He says about a two kilometers that way,” He pointed.

Lieutenant Caprielli shouldered his carbine, “Tell him to lead on.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

The squad moved much faster with the native guides. They led them to a trail that would be invisible unless you knew it was there. They moved along it at a trot for almost a kilometer, then the trail went up for another half kilometer ending on top of a hill. One moment they were moving along a jungle trail and the next they were in a small meadow surrounded by thatched huts and dark people wearing very little clothing.

The villagers gazed their way, but mostly went about their business. To be in amongst friendlies was a good feeling. The men relaxed and slung their rifles, feeling safe. A group of three topless women walked past them and giggled as they looked them up and down. Private Dunphy took off his helmet and bowed, “Ladies,” he said.

They tittered and bounced away. The one on the end looked back at him. Dunphy put his helmet back on and whistled. Corporal Hooper punched his arm, “What you whistling at? Those are the homeliest women I’ve ever seen.”

Dunphy pushed him away, “How long we been on this shithole island Hoop?” Hooper shrugged. Dunphy continued, “Couple weeks. Before that, New Caledonia and before that a stinking troop ship. I haven’t seen a woman in months and certainly not a topless one.”

Corporal Hooper shook his head, “They’re still ugly. They’d have to be the last women on earth. Even then I’d have to close my eyes.”

“Ha, that’s why you never get any. Too picky. The ugly ones are the most appreciative.” He mimicked slapping an ass as he gyrated.

Sergeant Carver put an end to it, “Can it Dunphy. Hands off the merchandise.” He pointed around the squad, “Understand?” They all nodded. “Go have a seat over there while we figure out what’s happening.”

The squad, sans Sergeant Carver, Lieutenant Caprielli and Welch, went to a tree in the center of the village and took their packs off. They sat down relishing the rest. O'Connor put his head on his pack and watched the puffy clouds drift by. The evening brought a breeze and its caress felt good against his sweat encrusted skin. The stress of leading the squad through the jungle left him with each slow breath he took. A line of half clothed women came to them holding flasks made from animal hides and the men drank the cool water. O'Connor thought he’d died and gone to heaven.

***

Sergeant Carver, Lieutenant Caprielli and Welch were escorted into the largest hut. Upon entering they were inundated with a thick pall of foul smelling smoke. A man sat in a makeshift chair a long pipe in his hand spewing thick tendrils of smoke. He was as black as Eloni, but his skin was wrinkled deeply giving him a look of old leather. He was powerfully built. Even sitting he had a presence that couldn’t be ignored. His dark eyes looked them over through the smoke. He directed them to sit. They looked around for chairs, but settled for the hard pack dirt floor. He spoke to Welch calling him by name, “Mr. Welch, you leave alone and you return with Marines.”

Welch smiled, “Chief Ahio I bring you soldiers, not Marines. These men are very good soldiers, like the Marines.”

Ahio spoke, “Soldiers, Marines, is all the same, Americans.”

“Yes, Americans. They’ve come to help us kill the Japanese.”

He smiled, showing off only a black hole, no teeth were visible. “That’s good. There are plenty to kill, more arrive all the time.”

Welch translated for the others. Caprielli said, “Ask him how many and where.”

He asked and Ahio answered, “Japanese have landed three thousand soldiers off Cape Esperance. They moved their forces to the edge of the Matanikau. Some are still close to us, but the larger force has moved east to the river. Big loud tanks too.”

Caprielli was beaming. Getting this kind of intelligence would not only help his men, but his career as well. “Is he sure about this. Can we trust him?”

Welch scowled, “Of course we can trust him, these people are loyal to us; they’ve no love for the Japanese, believe me.”

Caprielli addressed Carver, “Sergeant we’ve got some elevation here, see if we can relay this information to division from here.”

Carver got to his feet and slung his Thompson, “Yes,Sir. He left, leaving Welch. Welch continued to speak in Pidgin and they laughed and back slapped. Lieutenant Caprielli looked around the hut. There was something on the far wall hanging from strings attached to a pole. He squinted trying to see what it was in the dim light.

Ahio saw him looking and broke into a wide smile. He reached back and grabbed the pole. The objects swung wildly, appearing to be medium sized balls. Caprielli reached his hand out to stop them from spinning. He pulled his hand back fast when he realized they were shrunken human heads. Disgusted he said, “What the hell are those?”

Welch said something to Ahio and they both laughed. He slapped the Lieutenant on the back, “Those are what you think they are…shrunken human heads. Don’t forget these islands have only been occupied by the commonwealth for the past one hundred years. Headhunting and cannibalism were rampant for many thousands of generations.” He smiled at the heads, “These were passed down from Chief Ahio’s grandfather, possibly the last relics from those days. They’re a national treasure.”

Caprielli scowled, “Not for those poor souls.”

Welch shrugged, “Our influence turned them away from such atrocities. Before the Japs arrived, these islands were well managed and behaved societies. Honestly, if they thought the Japs would win they’d turn us in to save their own skins. They’re loyal as long as we’re supplying them with goods and showing progress.”

“That sounds pretty flimsy.”

Ahio put the shrunken heads back against the wall and spoke to Welch who translated. “He’s asking when you plan on visiting the next village…where Captain Morrisey is.”

“We’ll sleep here tonight and go in the morning. The sooner we meet up with him the sooner we can plan some guerrilla attacks.”

After Ahio heard the translation he clapped his hands and spoke excitedly. “Ahio says his hunters killed a wild boar today, they will feast and celebrate your arrival.”

Carver reentered the hut, “Sir, Crandall went up a tree and was able to relay the message you wanted sent out. He talked with Lieutenant Smote. He wants you to check back in when you find Captain Morrisey. He also sent his thanks for the info.” Lieutenant Caprielli nodded,
this mission might turn out alright after all
.

***

The smell of cooking boar meat permeated the village making the hungry soldiers salivate. They hadn’t had a hot meal since arriving on Guadalcanal. Villagers hustled about preparing for the big night. They wanted to build a big bonfire, but Welch reminded them of the danger of air attacks and they settled for a small fire under cover of a thatch roof with no walls.

The soldiers sat around the fire. Chief Ahio assured them the perimeter was well guarded by his best men. The soldiers took it with a grain of salt and held onto their carbines anyway. Women were entering the circle of men to refill gourds with water. Dunphy stared at the women, smiling and waving. One in particular caught his fancy. She was homely by western standards, but younger than the others and more shy.

When she entered the circle he held up his empty gourd for a refill. She walked over and kneeled beside him, holding her animal skin flask out. He handed her his cup, but when she reached for it he pulled it back, teasing her. She looked at him and he smiled. She gave him a small smile back then looked down in embarrassment. He reached out and lifted her chin. He looked her in the eye then held out his cup and she poured. “Thank you,” he said.

She nodded and left the circle. He watched her all the way and was happy to see her look back at him just before disappearing in the darkness. He took a drink of water and Private O'Connor leaned close, “I’d be careful if I was you. She looks like jailbait to me.”

“Out here? There’s no such thing. Besides she looks old enough to me.”

“I wasn’t referring to her age, but her being Chief Ahio’s daughter. Doubt he wants your grubby hands on her.”

“My hands are clean,” he spit, “mind your own business, Red.”

The night went on and soon they were feasting on wild boar. Parts of the animal was passed around and the men would tear off a chunk and pass it along. Dunphy stood up and mumbled he was going to take a piss. He wiped his greasy hands on his pants and left the circle of light. The darkness was complete. He stopped and stretched his back waiting for his eyes to adjust. He went to the edge of the village and took a piss. He stared up at the stars which were darting in and out of cloud cover. The jungle noises were almost deafening. With a full belly and relatively safe position he pondered the island. He wondered if people vacationed here before the war. He doubted it.

He finished and turned back towards the village. His eyes were adjusted and he could see the women and children huddled in a group waiting for the men to finish eating. He realized they were waiting to eat whatever was leftover. He spotted the girl he’d teased and watched her. Back home he wouldn’t have given her the time of day, but he hadn’t been with a woman in a long time and he was used to being with women. His family money, his position in society and his handsome features were magnets for shallow treasure-seeking women. He’d never sought them out, but they’d always found him and he’d grown accustomed to the touch of a woman. He craved that touch now.

As he watched, she stood and took her flask to get a refill. Now was his chance. He watched her and followed. She stopped at a barrel that looked like it once held wine. She twisted a knob and refilled her skin.

He came up behind her and when she turned she let out a yelp. He put his hand over her mouth and his finger to his. “Hey, it’s me, don’t be startled.”

When she recognized him he took his hand from her mouth. Her dark eyes shone in the night. He couldn’t decide if it was fear or excitement. He smiled and took a step back. She relaxed, “You’re pretty,” he said, thinking the direct approach would be best.

She said something he couldn’t understand. He smiled, “I think you’re beautiful.” She smiled and he reached out to touch her cheek. She pulled back slightly. He took that as a good sign and he kept his hand there. She looked into his eyes and he gave his best bedroom eyes back. He caressed her cheek and stepped closer. She said something and he put his finger on her lips. “It’s okay. We can have some fun.”

She didn’t understand his language and he didn’t understand hers, but there was no doubt of his intentions. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. She looked surprised and tried to turn away, but he held her cheek and lifted her face. He kissed her lips, but she didn’t kiss him back. He kissed her again and this time she responded and kissed him back. He smiled inwardly,
now we’re getting somewhere
.

They kissed in the darkness, then she broke away, smiled and led him by his hand around the outside of the village. He looked behind him at his squad still scarfing down wild boar around the fire. They wouldn’t miss him for a while. He followed this island girl and she led him to a hut. The inside was as bare as the other huts, but it had a pile of military style blankets mounded on a makeshift thatch bed.

She pulled him towards it and she sat down in front of him. She looked into his eyes and started unbuttoning his pants. This girl wasn’t as innocent and shy as she pretended. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as she worked her magic. Soon he was lying beside her under the itchy wool blankets. It was hot, but the sweat that dripped from both their bodies mingled and made their lovemaking even more powerful.