Adventure in Sahara Page #5

The court has taken into consideration

your courage in battle.

However, no military organization can exist

when the rank and file

takes the law into its own hands.

Before the judges retire

to agree upon a verdict,

have any of you anything further to say

in your defense?

lf the president of the court will permit me,

l have something to say.

l have no evidence which can deny

that these men took part in a revolt.

However, as an officer who experienced

the entire regrettable incident,

l must speak in condemnation

of the conditions that caused their action.

ln all of my experiences in the service,

l have never encountered an officer

who was not solicitous of his men,

who did not merit their loyalty and respect.

But at Agadez, l found an exception.

Captain Savatt.

l accuse Captain Savatt of the most

unspeakable brutality towards his men.

l accuse him

of breaking the first rule of an officer,

leaving his outpost

undermanned and unprotected

in order to take his men

on a march of punishment.

l accuse him of killing his men

with his physical punishments,

and driving them mad

with his mental cruelties.

Gentlemen, had l not been an officer,

l would have done exactly as these men did.

They ask only for freedom under arms,

which every man expects

when he serves his country.

They had but one motive.

Removal of an officer

who stands for everything

-the Army of the Republic condemns.

-These are serious accusations, Lieutenant.

-Gentlemen, certainly you place no belief...

-One moment, Captain.

lf you're making an official charge,

have you any further proof

to substantiate these charges?

l have several witnesses

who are ready to testify.

The court has reached its verdict.

We do not in any way

condone armed rebellion.

However, in view

of the unusual circumstances in this case,

you are hereby condemned to serve

four months in military prison at Marek.

After serving your sentence,

you will be discharged from the service.

-Sergeant.

-Detail, halt.

One moment.

Special permission from the general.

Wilson, fall out.

You are to see the Lieutenant

for five minutes.

We'll wait outside.

Forward march.

l wanted to say goodbye.

l'm leaving in a few hours

to take command of Agadez.

That's great.

And l want to thank you

for what you've done for us.

Not at all.

l arranged for someone else

to say goodbye to you, also.

-Goodbye and good luck.

-Goodbye.

-l'm to serve four months at Marek.

-Yes, l heard.

And you're returning to Paris?

Yes, l'm taking off for Paris in a half hour,

but l may land in Marek by mistake.

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