Read Online A Town like Alice by Nevil Shute - Free Book Online Page A

weeks Captain Yoniata faced them after the morning inspection. The women stood worn and draggled in the shade of the veranda facing him, holding the children by the hand. Many of the adults, and most of the children, by that time were thin and ill.
    He said, "Ladies, the Imperial Japanese Army has entered Singapore, and all Malaya is free. Now prisoner camps are being built for men and also for womans and childs. Prisoner camps are at Singapore and you go there. I am very sad your life here has been uncomfortable, but now will be better. Tomorrow you start to Kuala Lumpur, not more than you can go each day. From Kuala Lumpur you go by train to Singapore, I think. In Singapore you will be very happy. Thank you."
    From Panong to Kuala Lumpur is forty-seven miles; it took a minute for his meaning to sink in. Then Mrs Horsefall said, "How are we to travel to Kuala Lumpur? Will there be a truck?"
    He said, "Very sorry, no truck. You walk, easy journeys, not more than you can go each day. Japanese soldier help you."
    She said, "We can't walk, with these children. We must have a truck."
    These were bad thoughts, and his eyes hardened. 'You walk," he repeated.
    "But what are we to do with all the luggage?"
    He said, "You carry what you can. Presently the luggage is sent after you." He turned, and went away.
    For the remainder of the day they sat in stunned desperation; those who had luggage sorted hopelessly through their things, trying to make packs that would hold the essentials and yet which would not be too heavy. Mrs Horsefall, who had been a schoolmistress in her time and had assumed the position of leader, moved among them, helping and advising. She had one child herself, a boy of ten called John; her own position was better than most, for it was possible for a woman to carry the necessities for one boy of that age. The position of the mothers with several younger children was bad indeed.
    Jean and Mrs Holland had less of a problem, for having lost their luggage they had less to start with and the problem of selection did not arise. They had few clothes to change into, and what they had could easily go into Jean's haversack. They had acquired two blankets and three food bowls between them, and three spoons, and a knife and fork; they decided to make a bundle of these small possessions in the blankets, and they had a piece of cord to tie the bundle with and to make a sling, so that one could carry the haversack and one the bundle. Their biggest problem was their shoes, which had once been fashionable and were quite unsuitable for marching in.
    Towards evening, when the children had left them and they were alone with the baby in a corner, Mrs Holland said quietly, "My dear, I shan't give up, but I don't think I can walk very far. I've been so poorly lately."
    Jean said, "It'll be all right," although deep in her mind she knew that it was not going to be all right at all. "You're much fitter than some of the others," and this possibly was true. "We'll have to take it very slowly, because of the children. We'll take several days over it."
    "I know, my dear. But where are we going to stay at night? What are they going to do about that?"
    Nobody had an answer to that one.
    Rice came to them soon after dawn, and at about eight o'clock Captain Yoniata appeared with four soldiers, who were to be their guard upon the journey. "Today you walk to Ayer Penchis," he said. "Fine day, easy journey. Good dinner when you get to Ayer Penchis. You will be very happy."
    Jean asked Mrs Horsefall, "How far is Ayer Penchis?"
    "Twelve or fifteen miles, I should think. Some of us will never get that far."
    Jean said, "We'd better do what the soldiers do, have a rest every hour. Hadn't we?"
    "If they'll let us."
    It took an hour to get the last child out of the latrine and get the women ready for the march. The guards squatted on their heels; it was a small matter to them when the march started. Finally Captain Yoniata appeared again, his eyes hard and