condensed master

Will Bonner
sounds of the soldiers. He could hear brief echoing shouts in the distance, but
failed to pinpoint their direction. Another quick look at the position of the sun
convinced him that he was heading in the right direction, but within minutes he
burst into a grassy clearing. Keeping undercover, Will scanned the area.
A small shack, with outbuildings and sundry farm equipment, could be seen on
the opposite side of the clearing, some four or five hundred yards away, and a
rough road led away through the forest behind the shack. As far as he could see,
from left to right, there was no end to the clearing, indicating that he would have
to proceed directly across the open area at an angle, to keep clear of the buildings.
But it would be a risky venture.
Will sat pondering, at the same time watching for signs of life, but there was
none. The prospects for sitting it out until dusk were remote, and he knew that he
would soon have to move on. Taking one last look over the open area he was
about to take off when suddenly the jeep appeared on the road behind the house.
Will froze, and then stepped back deeper into the cover of the trees.
The two young soldiers got out and approached the house. Thank heavens
I didn't go! Will thought, as a man appeared and obviously engaged the soldiers
in conversation, occasionally pointing around the clearing towards the trees.
Disappearing back inside he reappeared carrying a shotgun, and getting into the
jeep with the others, they drove back up the road into the forest.
Will shivered at the thoughts that were going through his mind. What provoked
the man to get his shotgun? He was probably taking the soldiers to places in the
area wellknown to the locals, and guessed that had there been others in the shack,
they would have appeared when the jeep arrived. With his heart pounding, Will
strode out into the open, feeling with every step that he was being watched by a
thousand eyes, but he knew that it would be fatal to start running, which would
only tend to highlight his position.
At the point of no return he was practically a nervous wreck, furtively looking
in every direction as the tension continued to mount, the desire to run almost
engulfing him, but each step was now taking him closer to his objective and he
slowly began to take control of his panic.
Approaching the rear of the outbuildings, Will stopped to take a final look
around when the still air was shattered by the loud barking of a dog coming from
inside the buildings. Rooted to the spot, he knew that he should be on the move,
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