Chapter 9 Summary

Camp Spooky Smith in the Canadian Rockies is like Camp Currie, but more rugged and more compact, Third Regiment having shaken out 98% of its recruits. Fifty-man “H Company,” with Zim as commander is organized as a single platoon; and trainees receive much personal attention. Frankel takes an active part in training and knows every fact about each man. He is milder than Zim, makes everything look easy, and achieves the same results. Suit practice on vertical granite walls is difficult and dangerous. So is climbing the old-fashioned way, which they also practice.

At Camp Smith, trainees are eligible for Sunday liberty in town, a major psychological boost they are careful not to forfeit by bad behavior. Shuttles run to Vancouver every Sunday morning and return in the evening. Setting foot there on his first leave with Pat Leivy and “Kitten” Smith, Rico realizes...