DOCTOR.
Some men have got natures so crooked that with every chance in the world to go straight they can"t manage it. The only thing is to let them go to the devil as best they may.
d.i.c.k.
Alec was bound to give him another chance. [ALEC MACKENZIE _comes in_.]
Hulloa, Alec! Where have you been?
ALEC.
I"ve been going the round of the outlying sentries.
d.i.c.k.
All serene?
ALEC.
Yes. I"ve just seen a native messenger that Mindabi sent to me.
DOCTOR.
Anything important?
ALEC.
[_Curtly._] Yes. How"s the arm, d.i.c.k?
d.i.c.k.
Oh, that"s nothing. It"s only a scratch.
ALEC.
You"d better not make too light of it. The smallest wound has a way of being troublesome in this country.
DOCTOR.
He"ll be all right in a day or two.
ALEC.
How are the others?
DOCTOR.
They"re going on pretty well on the whole. Perkins, of course, will be down for some days longer. And some of the natives are rather badly hurt. Those devils have got explosive bullets.
ALEC.
Any one in great danger?
DOCTOR.
No, I don"t think so. There are two men who are in rather a bad way, but all they want is rest.
ALEC.
I see.
d.i.c.k.
I say, have you had anything to eat lately?
ALEC.
[_With a laugh._] Good Lord! I quite forgot. I wonder when the d.i.c.kens I had some food last.
d.i.c.k.
[_Smiling._] You"ve had nothing to-day, have you?
ALEC.
No, I don"t think so. Those Arabs kept us so confoundedly busy.
d.i.c.k.
You must be devilish hungry.
ALEC.
Now you mention it, I think I am. And thirsty, by Jove! I wouldn"t give my thirst for an elephant tusk.
d.i.c.k.
And to think there"s nothing but tepid water to drink!
DOCTOR.
I"ll go and tell the boy to bring you some food. It"s a rotten game to play tricks with your digestion like that.
ALEC.
[_Gaily._] Stern man, the doctor, isn"t he? It won"t hurt me once in a way. And I shall enjoy it all the more now.
DOCTOR.
[_Calling._] Selim!