Back to Bataan Page #4

- We were beaten.

- We were not.

Americans cannot beat Filipinos.

My brother, Ramon

licked every American in the USA...

at 118 pounds.

Facts, Maximo. We must stick to facts.

I seem to recall that Ramon lost his fight

for the championship.

We was robbed.

Perhaps, Maximo, I should ask you

about a Filipino who was not beaten.

What were the last words

of Gen. Del Pilar...

to those who left him behind?

"I am..."

"I am surrounded by fearful odds...

"that will overcome me

and my gallant men.

"But I am well pleased with the thought...

"that I die fighting for my beloved country.

"Go you into the hills

and defend it to the death."

- Is this everybody?

- Yes, sir.

I was told I'd find

some Philippine Scouts among you.

Cpl. Cruz, 26th Cavalry,

Philippine Scouts, reporting, sir.

Good, Corporal. Anyone else?

- Where are you men from?

- Mostly from Balintawak, sir.

Ever handle guns?

- Just bolos?

- Our fathers used them well.

How well I know.

I guess you understand we're taking on

a job that would be tough for trained men.

We're gonna blow up a gasoline dump

on a Japanese airfield...

50 miles the other side of Balintawak.

There will be from 400 to 500 Japs

on the field.

- How many?

- 400 or 500.

A mere trifle, like we say.

We'll start tonight after dark.

That ought to put us at the airfield

by dark tomorrow night.

Between now and sundown,

Sgt. Bernessa will give you instructions.

Listen to him carefully

and do exactly as he says.

- Take over, Sergeant.

- Yes, sir.

Things look rough?

A little rough.

In that case, smell this stew.

Go ahead, smell it.

Ever smell anything better than that

in your life?

Never.

In that case, taste it.

Why, it's a masterpiece, Bindle.

You taste there

the fruits of two days' panhandling.

All of which goes to prove

that nothing is wasted.

People could look at me and say,

"Bindle Jackson, hobo."

But without 20 years' experience on the

road, could I make up a mulligan like that?

- Never.

- Now, if I could only shoot.

Colonel, strictly from a point of view

of scientific curiosity...

what would you say our chances are?

- Of blowing up the dump or getting back?

- Both, especially the latter.

- Fair.

- Fair?

You wouldn't say good?

Not if you want me to tell you

what I think.

Very interesting, isn't it?

Not, come to think about it, that I have

any seriously pressing engagements.

- Colonel, did you have a good life?

- Fine life, Bindle.

Especially here on the islands.

- And you?

- I can't complain.

You know,

that's the worst part about war.

You meet somebody,

you get to know them...

wham, you never see them again.

You see something,

but you never know how it ends.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes