Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honor Part 71

ALEC.

You'll neither of you sleep in your beds to-night. Another sell for the mosquitoes, isn't it? I propose to break up the camp and start marching as soon as the moon goes down.

d.i.c.k.

I say, it's a bit thick after a day like this. We're all so done up that we shan't be able to go a mile.

ALEC.

Nonsense, you will have had two hours' rest.

DOCTOR.

But some of those fellows who are wounded can't possibly be moved.

ALEC.

They must!

DOCTOR.

I won't answer for their lives.

ALEC.

We must take the risk. Our only chance is to make a bold dash for it, and we can't leave the wounded here.

d.i.c.k.

I suppose there's going to be a deuce of a row?

ALEC.

[_Grimly._] There is.

d.i.c.k.

Your companions seldom have a chance to complain of the monotony of their existence, Alec. What are you going to do now?

ALEC.

At this moment, I'm going to fill my pipe.

[_There is a pause while_ ALEC _fills and lights his pipe_.

d.i.c.k.

I gather from the general amiability of your demeanour that we're in a rather tight place?

ALEC.

Tighter than any of your patent-leather boots, my friend.

d.i.c.k.

[_Gravely._] Have we any chance of getting through, old man?

ALEC.

[_Lightly._] Oh, I don't know. There's always a chance.

d.i.c.k.

Don't grin at me in that irritating fas.h.i.+on.

ALEC.

You must wish you were treading the light fantastic toe in a London ball-room, d.i.c.k.

d.i.c.k.

Frankly I do.... I suppose we're going to fight again?

ALEC.

Like Kilkenny cats.

d.i.c.k.

[_Briskly._] Well, at all events that's some comfort. If I am going to be done out of my night's rest, I should like to take it out of some one.

ALEC.

If things turn out all right, we shall have come near finis.h.i.+ng the job, and there won't be much more slave-raiding in this part of Africa.

d.i.c.k.

And if things don't turn out all right?

ALEC.

Why, then I'm afraid the tea-tables of Mayfair will be deprived of your scintillating repartee forever.

d.i.c.k.

Well, I've had a very good time in my life. I've loved a little, I've looked at some good pictures, read some thundering fine books, and I've worked and played. If I can only account for a few more of those d.a.m.ned scoundrels before I die, I shouldn't think I had much to complain of.

ALEC.