Chapter 29Just before dawn, Charlie and John checked over the Dauphin helicopter while I talked with Sam.
Sam said, "We will be leaving In Salah in a few minutes. On the way out of town, we plan on refueling all vehicles. I offered to pay for fuel the two troop trucks needed, but they flatly refused. They said 'We have strict orders'."
I told Sam, "Charlie, John, Joe and I will be leaving very soon to pick up the cargo. Everyone else is going to stay in the plane. It is about 183 miles to the cargo, which I figure to be about 1.5 hours, then maybe a half hour to get the cargo into the air, then the trip back to the airport. I'm guessing we will be gone about 3.5 to 4 hours, barring any problems."
"Well, I wish you guys all the luck."
I said, "Same to you Sam."
After disconnecting the
