The Americans Part 33

That's your look-out. Move on!

(_He starts toward the old woman. Buck Bentley knocks the ashes from his pipe and goes toward the First Sentry_)

SECOND SENTRY.

(_Who has been watching_)

Know what you're doing, Buck?

(_There is a fight. Bentley takes the rifle from the First Sentry who, in a rage, starts for the gate_)

FIRST SENTRY.

If this goes by I'll show the regiment a thing or two, I'll jump the Service, that's what I'll do.

(_He hurries into the mill-yard. Bentley helps the old woman pick up the sticks_)

OLD WOMAN.

I thought they'd never go. G.o.d bless you, son.

(_Starts up the slope_)

SECOND SENTRY.

We'll see, by G.o.d, who's running this shebang.

OLD WOMAN.

You ain't heard nothin' from the station yet?

BUCK BENTLEY.

No, mother.

(_The old woman goes out. Bentley comes to the gate and sets the rifle against the fence_)

SECOND SENTRY.

(_Talking into the mill-yard_)

He even helped her fill her ap.r.o.n.

HASKELL.

(_Entering with the First Sentry_)

Have you gone crazy, Buck? What do you mean?

BUCK BENTLEY.

(_Fills his pipe_)

Is this the Company's property out here?

HASKELL.

We've got our orders and that settles it.

Don't settle it with you, eh?

A MILITIAMAN.

(_From the top of a lumber stack_)

Here they come!

FIRST SENTRY.

In other words you'll do as you d.a.m.n please.

(_Haskell comes forward and looks down the street, left_)

HASKELL.

Now shut your mouths.

FIRST SENTRY.

I'm not through with this yet.

(_Picks up his rifle and goes back on his beat_)

SECOND SENTRY.

d.a.m.n pretty soldier you are.

HASKELL.

Do you hear?

(_Militiamen are seen climbing on top of the lumber stacks. Others appear at the gate. Captain Haskell walks left where a noise is heard down the street. Presently a squad of militia enters with fifteen or twenty strike-breakers. Behind them, with the officer in charge, comes Jergens, who is speaking to the crowd of strikers that follows. In front of the crowd walks Sam Williams. Mingling among the men are seen Dicey, King, and Masters. Some women and children straggle in and linger, left. On this side of the crowd, silent, watching everything, is Harvey Anderson_)

JERGENS.

The world is big and we can get the men.

SAM WILLIAMS.