Licensed to Kill

We were almost home free when the shooting began. After nine days trekking through thick jungle in mountainous northern Laos, we had finally reached the river we needed to cross to safety. Then the sound of a bullet split the still air. The second and third shots were close enough to stop us in our tracks. Government troops had spotted our scout slashing a path through the foliage. Our guide, Hmong rebel commander and government enemy Moua Toua Ther, instructed us to sit tight rather than run. The thick foliage, he knew, afforded us some protection. Hours passed. Every rustle in...