@@@@@In the truck there was no sound except for
@@@@@In the truck there was no sound except for an occasional mutter or curse as they hit a bumpEach vehicle by itself was making all the noises that trucks can make; they creaked and jounced and groaned over the bogholes, and their tires made wet singing soundsBut, taken all together, the line of trucks had a combined, intricate medley of vibrations and tones which sounded like the gentle persistent lapping of surf against the sides of a shipIt was a melancholy sound, and, in the darkness, the men sprawled uncomfortably on the floor, their backs propped against the knees of the man behind them, their rifles pitched at every odd angle or straddled clumsily across their kneesCroft had insisted they wear their helmets, and Red was sweating under the unaccustomed weight"Might as well wear a goddam sandbag," he said to Wyman
Encouraged, Wyman asked, "I guess it's gonna be rough, huh?"
Red sighed, but repressed his annoyance"It won't be too bad, kidYou just keep a tight ass-hole, and the rest of you'll take care of itself
Wyman laughed quietlyHe liked Red, and decided he would stay near himThe trucks halted, and the men moved around inside, shifting their positions and groaning as they flexed their cramped limbsThey waited patiently, their heads dropping on their chests, their damp clothing unable to dry in the heavy night airThere was barely a breeze and they felt tired and sleepy
Goldstein was beginning to fidgetAfter the trucks had remained motionless for five minutes, he turned to Croft and asked, "Sergeant, is it all right if I get out and take a look at what's holding us up?"
Croft snorted"You can stay right here, GoldsteinThey ain't none of us gonna be getting up and getting lost on purpose
Goldstein felt himself flush"I didn't mean anything like that," he said"I just thought it might be dangerous for us to be sitting here like this when there might be Japs aroundHow do we know why the trucks stopped?"
Croft yawned and then lashed him in a cold even voice"I tell you what, you're going to have enough things to worry aboutSuppose you just set down and beat your meat if you're gettin' anxiousI'll do all the goddam mastermindi