We got lunch ready, ruining
recklessly another biscuit tin. While we were eating it a Serb came
near.
"I am starving," he said.
We gave him some curry and rice. He devoured it.
"To-morrow," he said, "I go back to commando."
We pointed to his hand, which was bound in dirty linen.
"But?"
"It is better to go back though wounded than be starved to death."
We also held a court of justice. A driver complained that one of the
Englishmen had given him a pair of boots and that the corporal had taken
them.
"CORPORAL!!"
He came grinning. We exposed the complaint.
"Certainly the man had a pair of boots," said he; "but he has them no
longer. Now, they are mine, I have taken them."
"But they were given to him."
"But I have taken them. I needed new boots." He exhibited his own, which
were split.
We told him that possession by capture was not recognized in our circle,
and ordered immediate restitution. He agreed gloomily, no doubt feeling
that the foundations of his world were falling about his ears, and what
was the use of being a corporal anyway?
In the afternoon we sought out the motor authorities, finding our old
friends Ristich and Derrok in command.
Pages:
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339