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Shaw dropped into the pit and began his descent He paused briefly and looked up

The dust from the explosion had not settled, and all view of the anxious faces above was obscured

On the perimeter's rim, Lieutenant Sanchez'an intense rate of fire into the thicket-covered gully Since the first shots he had lost one dead and eight wounded He also had been hit, a bullet passing through his thigh and out again He tore off his battle jacket and wrapped the entry and exit holes with his undershirt

"Their fire has slackened," coeant Hooper, between spits of tobacco

"It's a miracle any of them are still alive in there," Sanchez said

"Nobody fights that hard but fanatical terrorists"

"They're well trained I have to hand the Then he scratched an ear and peered between two large boulders that shielded him "Listen!"

Hooper's brow furrowed "Sir?"

"They've stopped firing"

"Could be a trick to sucker us in"

"I don't think so," said Sanchez "Pass the word to cease fire"

Soon a strange silence settled over the battle-scarred woods Then slowly a h over his head

"Son of a bitch," Hooperfull battle dress"

"Probably bought it at war surplus"

"S bastard"