below them with a splash, disappeared under the surface, then bobbed up
and floated away downstream until checked by the ropes.
Both Bruce and Ruffy filmed and swore during the lengthy exasperating
business of dragging it back against the current and manhandling its
awkward bulk back on to the bridge.
Half a dozen times it slipped at the crucial moment and splashed back
into the river.
Despite his other virtues, Ruffy's vocabulary of cursing words was
limited and it added to his frustration that he had to keep repeating
himself. Bruce did much better - he remembered things that he had heard
and he made up a few.
When finally they had the dripping baulk of timber back on the bridge
and were resting, Ruffy turned to Bruce with honest admiration.
'You swear pretty good,' he said. 'Never heard you before, but no doubt
about it, you're good! What's that one about the cow again?' Bruce
repeated it for him a little self-consciously.
'You make that up yourself?' asked Ruffy.
'Spur of the moment,' laughed Bruce.
'That's 'bout the dirtiest I ever heard.' Ruffy could not conceal his
envy. 'Man, you should write a book.' 'Let's get this bridge finished
first,' said Bruce. 'Then I'll think about it.' Now the truss was almost
servile in its efforts to please.
It dropped neatly across the gap and lay beside its twin.
'You curse something good enough, and it works every time,' Ruffy
announced sagely. 'I think your one about the cow made all the
difference, boss.' With two trusses in position they had broken the back
of the project. They carried the shelter out and set it on the trusses,
straddling the gap. The third and fourth trusses were dragged into
position and secured with ropes and nails before nightfall.
When the shelter waddled wearily back to the laager at dusk, the men
within it were exhausted. Their hands were bleeding and bristled with
wood splinters, but they were also mightily pleased with themselves.
Sergeant Jacque, keep one of your searchlights trained on the bridge all
night. We don't want our friends to come out and set fire to it again.'
'There are only a few hours' life left in each of the batteries.' Jacque
kept his voice low.
at a time then.' Bruce spoke without hesitation.
'We must have that bridge lit up all night.
'You think you could spare a beer for each of the boys that worked
on the bridge today?'
'A whole one each!' Ruffy was shocked. 'I only got a Couple cases left.'
Bruce fixed him with a stern eye and Ruffy grinned.
'Okay, boss. Guess they've earned it.' Bruce transferred his attention
to Wally Hendry who sat on the running-board of one of the trucks
cleaning his nails with the point of his bayonet.
'Everything under control here, Hendry?' he asked coolly.
'Sure, what'd you think would happen? We'd have a visit from the
archbishop? The sky'd fall in? Your French thing'd have twins or
something?' He looked up from his nails at Bruce. 'When are you jokers
going to get that bridge finished, instead of wandering around asking
