Chapters 9 through 12 of Part I Summary

In Chapter 9, the next morning, a soldier yanks the blanket off of Chiko. For a moment, he forgets where he is. They are taken outside to an open cooking fire. Chiko has not eaten since lunch the day before. In the daylight he sees the lush mounts and jungles that surround them. The soldiers eat first and then the boys are given rice and weak tea. Tai licks his bowl clean. They are given uniforms. There aren't enough boots so half the boys including Chiko have to wear their sandals.

Another bus arrives returning the captain to the camp. He must sleep in nicer quarters. Chiko doesn't like the looks of the bamboo stick he carries which is sharped like a spear. The captain announces that they have all been accepted into the army so...