Too Late the Hero Page #7

- Look, mate...

I couldn't give a bugger about

the Yank's reasons for wanting to carry on...

because I happen to know

they're half-baked anyway.

And if you want to believe that Jap, you can,

but they're not gonna get me.

I'd sooner shoot you than trust them.

As a matter of fact...

much sooner.

How do you know the Japs are lying?

What makes you think

they're all that different from us?

That's right, kid, they're not.

That's why that Jap Major could be lying,

just like I would.

You remain indecisive.

I am sorry.

Perhaps when you have rested...

you will feel different.

But the conditions remain the same.

You have until dusk to give yourselves up.

That is all.

I knew it. He wants to draw our fire

and kill us all.

How do you know that's what he said?

Wanna wait a couple of minutes?

They'll be here.

- In that case, now's the time to pack it in.

- Watch it, darling.

They're coming.

- Clear that place.

- Get down!

Knife.

Come on, let's get out of here.

Get him out of there. Quick, damn it.

- Come on, you guys, give us a hand.

- Get him out of there.

- Griffiths, get my pack.

- Yes, sir.

- McLean!

- Yes, sir?

Get behind him.

Pick him up and get him up the hill.

Come on.

Move down.

- He can't move.

- Come on.

Quick, hurry up.

Come on, damn it.

Move your ass! Come on!

- Move!

- That's the way.

I'll lead them off up here.

That's the way.

Day and night, service is on hand, sir.

Come on, boys.

Don't drop him now.

Watch out for those man-eating trout.

Easy.

You weigh a bleeding ton.

That's it.

Easy, Thorny.

Tosh, my old buddy,

how does it look back there?

It's not so bad.

You'll be all right.

What kind of nonsense is that, man?

I can feel where the scorching thing went in,

and I can't feel where it came out.

Yeah, you are leaking a bit.

Hold up!

That makes your eyes water, doesn't it?

- Is that tight enough?

- Yeah.

Right, now put your little pinkie

on the knot. That's right.

Very pretty.

I'm ready for my coming-out ball.

You'll get "coming out" in a minute.

Take your finger away when I say, "Go."

Ready, steady, go.

There we are. I shouldn't worry about it.

No, you shouldn't, but maybe I should?

That bloody Yankee poonagger's

not coming back.

That's all right.

Thornton's not going anywhere,

are you, Jock?

No, I'm having my change of life.

- Can he walk?

- Only on the water.

Yeah.

That's it then.

Do you hear that, lads?

If anyone's going mad...

We've either got to leave him here

or turn ourselves in, right?

I already told you, nobody's turning it in.

What are you gonna do with him?

You can't bloody carry him back, can you?

You're so bloody clever, Hearne.

What are you gonna do with him?

Listen, you poxed-up Glaswegian queer!

It's bad enough sitting here

full of bloody holes...

without listening to you

open your ugly face!

Knock it off.

I can hear you halfway down the trail.

- What's the matter with you guys, anyway?

- It's Thornton, sir.

He can't walk.

I was just saying we've either

gotta leave him here or turn ourselves in.

Now, suppose you let me worry about that?

Meanwhile, you just rest your toes

because we're leaving before dark.

- Back in a minute, Thorny.

- Thanks, Tosh.

That bloot's worth bottling.

Look at that pair.

I see Snow White's found his first dwarf.

A right teddy bear's picnic

this has turned out to be.

- How long has Thornton got?

- I don't know.

But he won't be here next week,

that's for certain.

Where are you going?

Where are you off?

You know what that Yank's gonna do,

don't you?

- What?

- He's not leaving you here alive.

He'd sooner kill you himself.

- Kill me?

- Why shouldn't he?

All he cares about

is getting back to the camp.

He doesn't give a bugger about you.

I heard him say so.

Go to hell.

The only thing to do

to get you out of here safely...

to see you're looked after,

is to turn ourselves in.

I'll go with McLean and Griffiths

and talk to the Japs.

You try that and I'll shoot you myself.

Don't be daft, man.

- What else is there?

- You cowardly pig.

You just want to save your own skin,

you hear me?

Now look here, Thornton.

For Got's sake, man...

can't you even leave a fellow in peace?

I'm sorry.

I really am.

I was only thinking of you.

Come on, take a wee drop of water.

Come on, now.

I'll hold it up for you. Come on, drink it now.

McLean! Quickly! Wake up!

Wake up! Thornton's had it!

There's no telling

what the Yank will do now.

What is it?

Come on, wake up.

- What's the matter?

- Thornton's dead. Come on!

- What about Tosh?

- Leave him.

You can't leave Tosh.

Once we get to the Japs,

we'll all be all right. Him as well.

Wake up!

Wake up, you stupid bastard!

Where the hell are they?

How the bloody hell do I know?

You're the one

who's supposed to be on guard.

Stupid, dirty bastards!

- You going after them?

- No, it's too late.

They're probably closer to the Japs

than we are.

The only way they'll stay alive

is by telling that Jap Major where we are.

Come on, let's go.

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

From what your comrades have told me...

I may assume that you are now hearing me.

As you must know...

your comrades decided

to try and save their lives...

by surrendering and informing us

of your position.

But you escaped...

and so their fate is still in doubt.

Their surrender is of little value

unless you choose to join them.

If you will surrender before dark...

I shall keep my word.

You will be well treated...

and released in only a few days.

The man, Campbell,

did not merit such good treatment.

He was found to be carrying

the personal effects of one of our officers...

our Communications Lieutenant...

who has been missing since last Tuesday.

His body was discovered yesterday.

Our Lieutenant

was very popular with his men.

You would understand that

there was little I could do to restrain them...

even if I had wanted to.

It has been an incident

in which none of us can take pride.

However, the real problem still remains.

You must decide what you want done

with the two comrades...

who are still our prisoners.

It is for you to say if they shall live.

If you wish to stay alive...

you must persuade your two friends

to surrender. Do you understand?

Yes, sir.

You may talk to them.

Lieutenant? Tosh?

It's me, McLean.

It's right, what the Major was saying.

About Campbell, I mean.

They showed us the stuff

he stole from the officer...

and how he chopped his finger off

to get the ring.

There wasn't anything

anyone coult've done to stop them.

But we're all right.

It is necessary for you to persuade them.

I know we shouldn't have gone off

with Campbell like we did.

And I know we shouldn't have told them

where you were hiding...

but it was Campbell's idea,

and we thought it was for the best.

Listen, if you don't

give yourselves up now...

we'll be the ones who end up paying for it.

Your Corporal

is giving you excellent advice.

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