Chapter 4 Summary

Strachan expresses pity, but Paget says such things happen in war, it is nearly forgotten, and continues narrating: The execution takes place beside the recreation ground. When the maimed body stops twitching, Sugamo tells the women they are bad and sends them walking to Kota Bharu. They are desperate to escape this place of horrors, escorted only by the disgraced sergeant who shares the chickens. Their first stop is Besarah, a beautiful fishing village. Yet, when the children have nightmares about Harman, they skip their rest day to get further away. In the next beautiful village of Balok, they rest. The northeast coast of Malaya is fresh and lovely. Fish protein helps strengthen them and salt water heals some skin diseases. The children have energy to play. The sergeant, however, grows suspicious, unhelpful, moping, sullen, and lonesome. Paget tries to cheer him up...