Chapter 5 Summary

In Kuantan, on the evening of that fateful July 1942 day, a sergeant reports to Sugamo that the Australian is still alive. Sugamo goes to check and asks the man if he can get him anything before he dies. Harman asks for a chicken and a beer. Expressionless, Sugamo returns to his house and sends an orderly to canvas the town for beer, knowing there is none. When it proves impossible for him to fulfill the dying wish in full - and thus show Bushido - he orders Harman taken down gently and sent to the hospital.

Learning Harman is alive is like opening a door or emerging from a tunnel. Paget tries to pray, but cannot form the words. The diggers can provide no more information than that Harman leaves the hospital on two sticks and is shipped to Singapore. Paget remains in...