It was several miles to the Headquarters. It was several miles to everything around here.
The countryside, if it could be called that, was bleak and brown. There was no vegetation, only the spongy turf. Low hills sloped down into the water and beyond them the white mountains disappeared into the clouds.
Ravens and gulls were everywhere. Some of the younger officers had caught ravens, slit their tongues, and occasionally had taught them how to talk. Ravens made good pets.
“I wonder how the Chaplain’s going to get back to Andrefski?” asked Hodges.
“I haven’t any idea,” said Barkison. “He’ll probably fly. Are planes flying out of here now, Colonel?”
“Certainly. They have all along. Well, except for a few days last week.”
Barkison smiled tightly. “Just when we wanted one, they stopped flying.”
“It must have been a great experience for you,” said the Colonel. “I’d give anything to have been in your shoes. That ship was really busted up.”
“Yes, we took quite a knocking.” Barkison looked away dreamily as though he were reliving those daring hours when he had stood on the bridge shouting orders to the men. Hodges thought this was very funny.
“I know the General thinks a lot of you for this. I heard him say so this morning at a staff meeting, which reminds me we’ve got a new Colonel in the Headquarters.”