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We ought to be close to there by now."

"How far behind us do you think they are?"

"I think we lost them pretty good when we crossed the river."

We had to wander around a bit before we found the hill. It was real steep. I had trouble getting up with my mangled leg. We found a little cleft where George and I could both sit comfortably and watch for them. The trees thinned out around the hill and we had a nice clear view of the foot.

George lit a cigarette, then offered me one. I said no. George's hand was shaking when he put the package of smokes back into his shirt pocket.

"You and Marjorie still together?" I asked.

"She left."

"When?"

"Year ago. Maybe more."

"Did you love her?"

"Did once."

"I envy you, George."

"You're a fool."

It was about an hour before they showed up. One of the rookies came stumbling out of the bush with his head down. George picked him off beautifully, but the others heard the gunfire.

The other rookie came into sight about five minutes later. He hid himself behind a tree and I couldn't get a shot at him. He kept peeping around the trunk of the tree trying to see where we were. At one point fully half his face was visible. George took a shot at him, but he missed and the rookie pulled his head back. He must have seen where the shot came from because right away he was back out again aiming in our direction. He stuck his head out too far.

"Good shot." Said George.

"You lured him out."

"Where's Blondy?"

We waited nearly forty-five minutes. Finally George said. "Aw, he must have got cold feet. It's two on one now. Let's go down and see if we can find a trail."

George stood up, and I saw a little red dot appear on the back of his shoulder and blood spurt out the front. Then I heard the gunshot. I turned around and saw Frank bearing down on us cocking his gun as he ran.

If George's wound had been fatal Frank would have won. I had my legs curled under me and my gun pointing downhill when Frank drew a bead on me. I don't know if George was trying to save me, or if he stumbled in front of me because he was in pain, but one way or another he got between me and Frank. His head jerked sharply when the bullet punctured his skull. Then he dropped dead at my feet.

I was up and had my gun to my shoulder before he hit the ground. Frank was cocking his gun again. I hit him between the eyes.

It was very quiet. All the animals had been scared off by the gunfire. I took a cigarette from George's pocket and lit it. My hands were steady as I put George's cigarette pack into my shirt pocket.

I made my way slowly back to the river. My leg was pretty painful but I figured I'd live. The haze had cleared off and it was a cool clear night by the time I found the river. I fired off a flare.

It was about an hour and a half before the plane came and landed on the water. But it was pleasant and cool and I smoked and listened to the sounds of the forest. In the distance, a wolf howled. I wished that George was still with me. It is nice to have someone to talk to once the action is over. I would have told him that really those rookies were pretty good. And that Frank must have been pretty bright to get the drop on us like that.

I Swam out the plan when it landed.

"You the only one left, Mr. Adams?" said the pilot as I pulled myself up onto the pontoon.

"Yeah. Five carcasses for you boys to bring in tomorrow."

"Your leg is in pretty bad shape."

"I'll live," I said bitterly.

I envied George.