"The stream moans, a desperate complaint mixing with distant faint jungle sounds, like an echo from another world. The eerie sounds come from somewhere in a remote past, arriving softly like featherweight leaves falling on the grass of times long, long ago." (pg. 2.)

"...numerous souls of ghosts and devils were born in that deadly defeat. They were still loose, wandering in every corner and bush in the jungle, drifting along the stream, refusing to depart for the Other World." (pg. 3.)

"I'll go in this fight. You keep [the cards]. If you live on, gamble with life. Deuces, treys and fours all carry the sacred spirit of our whole platoon. We'll bring you permanent luck." (pg. 8.)

"'We have so many of those damned idiots up there in the north enjoying the profits of war, but it's the sons of peasants who have to leave home, leaving a helpless old...