Part 3, Chapter 5 Summary

During the ambush, Wilson has been shot in the stomach and fallen into the long grass. He is almost unconscious, and feels drunk. He drags himself further back to hide from the Japanese who are still nearby. His mind alternates between fear and the conviction that the gunshot in his stomach will cure his illness by letting out the pus. He feels bitter that the platoon has deserted him, and thinks of all the things they have done to offend him.

Croft is full of rage when he realizes Wilson has been left behind, and that the secrecy of the patrol has been compromised. He tells Hearn that he will go back to find Wilson, and Hearn agrees. Hearn's initial impulse had been to leave Wilson.

Croft calls for volunteers to go with him, and Gallagher, Red, Brown and Ridges offer...