When I explored the wreckage I found the bodies of six
crewmembers. They must have all died instantly. Nothing seemed disturbed and I left it pretty much
that way.
Inside the plane I found several things that I’m going to
take. Best of all I discovered one of the rubber
lifeboats from the bomber. I also found a pistol and
some ammunition. I guess I’ll bring that along, too,
but I don’t feel like killing anyone. There are also
some tins of food. I will take as much as I can carry. Right now I am eating the food
that I had with me from the monastery. The monks
also showed me how to find food in the jungle that
grows naturally. So food is not a concern.
Eleni, today and tomorrow I am going to make a copy
of this letter and bury it along with one of my dog
tags—and
the dog tags of the three men that were killed when
we were attacked. The other copy I am going to keep
with me and hopefully give it to you in person.
I have no idea what has happened to this war. Maybe
the North finally surrendered. We were hitting them
pretty hard. All I know is that I haven’t heard any
fighting or aircraft for over a year.
I think I will find a river soon. Now that I have a
lifeboat I will be able to float down it and get out
of here. Anyhow, this is my plan.
Eleni, I guess I have told you everything there is
to know. As I said, I am not afraid—not
even of dying. My life seems to have deepened and
taken on new meaning. I love you so much. I think of
you and Maria every day. You are both in my prayers.
Please give my love to my mother and father, and to
your parents, and to everyone I miss so much. If
for some reason I don’t make it out of here, at
least the other letter will be buried for safe
keeping. Someday, someone will surly find it. But of
course I am going to make it out of here and having
said this, with all my love, let me say, goodbye. Nickolas.
________________________________________
Late in the afternoon of the following day, Nick
finished making the copy of his letter. Inside the
bomber, strewn on the metal floor he found several
map tubes. Since one was a little shorter than the
rest, he grabbed it. Outside he used some tools
from the bomber to dig a deep hole. The monkeys
watched him place a pile of rocks over the spot.
Five days after that, Nickolas spotted the river he
had been looking for. But his troubles were far from
over.
photo by:
Mr.
Charles Pieters
________________________________________
The next morning came much too early for Major
Sutton. He had slept late. They had accomplished
their mission. But for the other men their curiosity was
overwhelming. Even Lt. Ngo wanted to know what they
had found.
When Sutton finally unzipped his door he was glad
to see his friends. Scott handed him a cup of
coffee. Blake handed him a bowl of hot cereal.
Sutton felt hungry. In his left hand he held the
metal tube. He would have to tell them about Nick.
Of course he would. But other matters were better
left unsaid. What would be the point?
“Blake, thanks for the cereal. Men, I have got
something to tell you.”
