It was a jet black night

 Page 6.

It was a jet black night with the exception of the stars above us that were free of the death and destruction that just occurred the day before and we slowly drifted toward the island but the light no longer was shining as we approached the morning dawn. Two more men died overnight in the lifeboat we shared leaving just Smokey the ships cook, Brian Sharp a radio operator, Mr. Roberts and myself. We were unarmed and without any food or water not to mention the injuries to Mr. Roberts but we were alive for the present and our focus was to land on the island unnoticed. Our lifeboat started to scrap bottom as we silently skimmed over a bed of bright white coral speckled with greens and blues and then we stopped resting on a isolated beach of white sand and coconut palms. My feet hit the warn sands with a whoosh and it cleared my mind momentarily as Smokey and Brian helped Mr. Roberts from the boat. Together we pulled the craft into the thick vegetation hiding the boat the best we could and removed the bodies of our fallen comrades and buried them in a shallow grave. After some words and a moment of silence we huddled together to plan our next more.

The sun was beginning to rise and already the hot muggy air was thick making it difficult to catch your breath but we needed to find out where we were. Mr. Roberts told us our mission was secret and no rescue party would be coming. That we carried was fuel for our planes to be used in searching the islands for any involvement of the Japanese who considered the Philippines and perfect location for numerous air bases should they enter the war. Our situation appeared dire but first we needed to remain undetected if we were going to provide any help to our allies. The lifeboat carried a small amount dried rations with some water but only for a few days at best but we did discover a Colt model 1911 a knife, a compass and fifty rounds of 45 caliber ammunition and a first aid kit. Off in the distance I could hear voices and the cropping and clearing of trees and brush. However it was a language I had never heard before but more importantly I could hear them before they could hear us. Mr. Robert knew I was on to something and stepped along side me and said, “what is it Max, do you hear something?”. 

Together we disappeared into the lush tropical jungle silently inching our way forward toward the highest point on the island. I took lead with Mr. Roberts at my side followed by Smokey who handled the knife and Brian who held back several paces but was armed with the Colt. As we made our way through the jungle hundreds of nesting sea birds watched us from their lofty perches above our heads and some squawked loudly in disapproval of our presence. Some took to the air possibility alerting who was ever on the island our location which greatly concerned Mr. Roberts who immediately stopped our process choosing to wait until nightfall to travel.  We were all drenched in sweat as the sun began to fall and in less than eight hours all of our water was gone and just about half our rations. Mr. Roberts gave his portion of rations and most of his water to me and mentioned to the men that we were very lucky to have my eyes and ears under these circumstances and all agreed that I also lifted there spirits. But I feared for Mr. Roberts who seemed to be weakening at every step but it was dark now and we needed to move.