Aloj went back and sat down here Kszar and Tokar. The sun would break over the horizon in a very few minutes, and the camp was rapidly coming to life. As he watched, clusters of men were gathering. First day they all lined in front of a screened-off area marked LATRINES on a rough signboard. After leaving the latrines they hurried off in many directions. Some went to where the trucks were parked. Some disappeared into the tent which held the weapons, some went to the shelter where food was readied. At the farthest edge of the compound two men with shoves began to dig a series of holes.
Aloj watched the men with the shovels idly at first. They seemed to be very energetic about their digging, as though it had to be completed quickly. The holes they were making were deep and long and narrow.
Aloj suddenly dove at Kszar, grabbed his arm, and shook him. "Kszar! Kszar! Wake up!'
Kszar's eyes flew open. "What? Where?"
"Look--look---what they are---what are they doing?" He hauled at Kszar, and the older boy shot up. Aloj pointed down the slope.
Aloj started silently. Then, "They are digging graves," he said quietly. "Must be for the men who died in the raid last night."
Suddenly a shrill whistle blasted through the trees. It was not very loud, but every man in the fortress seemed able to hear it. Those few who were not yet at work now came scurrying out of their homebrew shelters, rolling up blankets and brushing their uniforms. They hurried toward the latrines and then scattered through the compound.392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDrFCwswjZ
"Up," said Kszar briskly. He stuck a toe in Tokar's ribs and shook him. "You're not in the village---this is the army. We get to be soldiers again. You, too, Vladisar, Sploj. Up--up---"392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNZXtYdaC7
Aloj grabbed his blanket and started rolling it. As the others scrambled up, sleepy, grouchy, stumbling, he snapped their blankets and shook them. "Come on!" He poked Kszar. "Hurry! We'd better get moving before Davor or somebody comes after us. I've been watching---we go down there"----he nodded at the latrines---"and then----"392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64HzdCdwZr
"And then we find out more about killing people?" groaned Tokar.
"I think," said Aloj thoughtfully, "we're going to find out how they bury people here."392Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAMnfWEaaA
