obviously nonplused, to get the men lined up.
'Yes, sir,' said the sergeant, glad of an excuse to get out of range.
Then Azumi snapped in Japanese at Torusumi and Torusumi moved up too and said, 'Hotchatore,' which means 'Quick March.' When they were halfway across the airfield and well out of Azumi's hearing distance, Torusumi smiled at Peter Marlowe. 'We're going to the west end today.
And we're going to cut down the trees.'
'We are? I don't understand.'
'It is simple. I told Azumi-san that thou art the King's interpreter, and that I felt he should know this, since he takes ten percent of our profits. So,'
Torusumi shrugged, 'of course we must look after each other. And maybe we can discuss some business during the day.'
Peter Marlowe weakly ordered the men to halt.
'What's the matter, sir?' asked the sergeant.
'Nothing, Sergeant. Listen, all of you! Now no noise. We've got the trees.'
'Oh bloody hell how great.'
There was the beginning of a cheer, quickly stifled.
When they got to the three trees, Spence and his working party were already there with their guard. Torusumi went up to the guard and they had a slanging match in Korean. But Spence and his angry men were lined up and marched away by the furious guard. 'Why the hell have you got the trees, you bastard? We were here first!' Spence called out.
'Yes,' said Peter Marlowe sympathetically. He knew how Spence felt.
'Torusumi beckoned to Peter Marlowe and sat down in the shade and propped his rifle against a tree. 'Post a guard,' he yawned. 'I hold thee responsible if I am caught asleep by any pestilential Japanese or Korean.'
'Thou mayest sleep soft in my trust,' Peter Marlowe replied.
'Wake me at the hour of food.'
'It will be done.'
Peter Marlowe posted guards in vantage points, then led the furious assault on the trees. He wanted the trees down and carved up before anyone changed their orders.
By noon the three trees were down and the millionaire's cabbage out of the trees. The men were all exhausted and ant-bitten, but that didn't matter, for today's booty was huge. There were two coconuts per man to take home and another fifteen left over. Peter Marlowe said that they would save five for Torusumi and share the other ten for lunch. He divided two millionaire's cabbage and said that the other should be kept for Torusumi and Azumi, just in case they wanted it. If they didn't, then it too would be divided.
Peter Marlowe was propped against a tree, panting from the exertion, when a sudden danger whistle rocked him to his feet and he was quickly beside Torusumi, shaking him awake.
'A guard, Torusumi-san, hurry.'
Torusumi scrambled to his feet and brushed down his uniform. 'Good. Go back to the trees and look busy,' he said softly.
Then Torusumi wandered nonchalantly into the clearing. When he recognized the guard, he relaxed and motioned the man into the shade and they both propped their rifles and lay back and began to smoke.
'Shoko-san,' Torusumi called out. 'Rest easy, it is only my friend.'
Peter Marlowe smiled, then called out, 'Hey, Sergeant. Cut open a couple of the best young coconuts and take them to the guards.' He couldn't take them himself, for he would have lost much face.
The sergeant chose the two carefully and sliced the tops off. The outside husks were green-brown and two inches thick and pithy on the deep imbedded nut. The white meat that lined the interior of the nut was just soft enough and easy to eat with a spoon if you'd a mind, and the juice cool and sweet-tasting.
'Smith,' he called out.
'Yes, Sarn't.'
'Take these over to the bloody Nips.'
'Why me? I'm bloody well always having to do more than the —'
'Get your arse over here.'
Smith, a spare little Cockney, grumbled to his feet and did as he was ordered.
Torusumi and the other guard drank deeply. Then Torusumi called out to Peter Marlowe, 'We thank thee.'
'Peace be with thee,' replied Peter Marlowe.
Torusumi jerked out a crumpled pack, of Kooas and handed them to Peter Marlowe.
'I thank thee,' said Peter Marlowe.
'Peace be with thee,' Torusumi replied politely.
There were seven cigarettes. The men insisted that Peter Marlowe take two. The other five were split up, one to four men, and by general consent the cigarettes were to be smoked after lunch.
Lunch was rice and fish water and weak tea. Peter Marlowe took only rice and mixed in a touch of blachang. For dessert he enjoyed his share of coconut. Then he settled tiredly against the stump of one of the trees and looked over the airfield, waiting for the lunch hour to end.
