Both of the airmen still wore their helmets and summer flying suits. The helmets protected their heads from the sharp points on the branches, and the flying suits protected their uniforms. Bill tried to follow their route down the stream on his map, but had to give up. There were too many small streams in that country which were not indicated on the map. About sundown they stopped for a longer rest period.
“When do we eat?” asked Breene.
“Right now if you want to,” replied Bill.
“What will I eat?” asked Breene.
“You have an emergency ration, eat some of that.”
“I am not that hungry,” said Breene. “I tried one of those some time ago and it tasted like sawdust mixed with sausage finely ground and then baked. I’ll save mine until tomorrow.”
“It probably won’t do either one of us any harm to go without eating tonight,” replied Bill. “We still have a long distance ahead of us before we get to civilization. I think that we may as well stay right here and shove on tomorrow.”
“How far do you figure that we are from the railroad?” asked Breene.
“About fifty miles air line,” replied Bill.
“I think that you are right, Lieutenant. We can’t get there tonight.”