North West Frontier Page #4

- It was a fine thing to do.

- That's not why I did it.

You'd have to go too far back with me

to understand.

I think I do understand.

You were married to a doctor.

A very fine one. A man who died

trying to save people's lives.

You can't be married to a man like

that without living up to his ideals.

I'm right, am I not?

You're right

but for all the wrong reasons.

I didn't live up to them.

I think I hated them.

I hated the squalor and the dirt,

the places we had to live.

I hated his being a doctor at all.

I even left him once

and went back to the States.

One does learn, though.

Even if it is a bit late in the day.

Does that make sense?

Yes, it makes sense. I may be one of

the brutal and licentious soldiery

but I'm not a complete blockhead.

He would have been as surprised

as you to see me on that train.

Anyway, how is young India?

How are we going to feed it?

Mr Bridie has an idea to do with

a leather glove.

- If we had a leather glove.

- Lady Windham has.

She has everything in her handbag.

Smelling salts, playing cards,

iodine, bandages.

Even the latest edition of The Times.

How about that drink for the boys?

And I could do with a cup of tea.

Coffee? Or would that

bring the Empire crashing down?

Tea.

You were happy in Haserabad,

weren't you?

Yes, it's my home.

I've lived there for 21 years.

I was happy there too.

It's a little bit different for you,

Lady Windham.

I've only a half-sister in England.

We've never been very close.

I don't think her husband likes me.

So really, you see, I'm alone.

It's not so different for me.

I have a few relations in England.

I even had to leave my old dog behind.

Not much of a dog, but he was mine.

- I had to leave my husband behind.

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean...

You've had your home in one place

for 20 years. I haven't had a home.

Just a succession of big houses

that haven't been easy to run.

My husband has been my home.

Wherever he is.

Lady Windham, how could I have been

so thoughtless? Please forgive me.

- Don't be silly, Mr Bridie.

- Can I get you some water?

How about a drop of whisky?

There's some in the van.

Lady Windham, what's the matter?

Nothing like a woman in tears to stop

a man feeling sorry for himself.

Mr Bridie? He certainly doesn't

seem sorry for himself now.

Your husband will be all right.

I'm sure he will.

Here we are, Lady Windham. Dear me...

That was a near one.

Thank you. That's better.

- It's rather strong.

- More water?

- I'm not complaining.

- Mrs Wyatt?

- No. I'm supposed to be fixing tea.

- Leave it to me.

He's happy now he's doing

something for somebody else.

You've been married, you should know

that much about men.

Maybe a doctor's wife doesn't see

enough of her husband to find out.

He was one of his patients.

Thin and wasted like a starved little frog.

Look at him now.

The railway line is broken.

- Reverse, quick! Back in the tunnel.

- Yes, sahib.

Damn! I beg your pardon.

They've blown up the line.

Shutters up, please.

It may be nothing to do with us.

It may have been done

to prevent reinforcements getting in.

- We can't just sit here.

- Can't we?

We can't go forwards and going back

seems to be out of the question.

It seems to be a most interesting

military problem.

Or just a matter of common sense.

Let's see. The dufada will have

to stand guard. That leaves six men.

We can replace that blown section

with a length of rail taken from behind.

- It's impossible.

- It's been done before.

Thank you, Mr Bridie.

This is what we're going to do.

We'll move the train forward...

It'll be safer to leave the ladies

in the tunnel.

Yes, but that gives us 200 yards

of open country.

We may need all the cover we can get.

Any more questions?

Good. Let's get on with it.

I hope there's some more of these.

A cup of tea might come in handy.

(Birds squawking)

Well, it looks clear enough.

But as Mr Peters put it,

we just can't sit here.

Look!

- What is it? What did you see?

- Something move.

- Are you sure? Where? Show me.

- Up there.

- What did you see? Was it a man?

- I don't know.

You'll have me doing it next.

Don't come out till I call you.

Kumar! Spanners, turnkeys, crowbars.

Excuse me. I'd advise you gentlemen

to do the same. It'll be pretty hot.

A master of understatement.

It's an old English pastime.

Right, gentlemen. Out. Come on!

Good for you, Mr Bridie.

- Armament merchants first.

- Come on!

If there is anyone out there, this is

the moment they've been waiting for.

- Why not send one of the Indians?

- Mr Peters!

Be careful, sahib.

Where you going, sahib?

This one yours. This one yours.

Oh, no. Not that way, sahib. This way.

Van Leyden, for heaven's sake!

Don't you want posterity to know

what a hero you are?

We want help now.

You sound like the empire builder

in distress.

I am coming.

I really find it quite pleasant to be

out of the train, Captain Scott.

You wait till you start lugging rails about.

- (Whistle shrieks)

- Strangle that, Gupta!

I thought Victoria was on our side.

Quick as you can, gentlemen.

Leave the shutter alone, Kishan.

Come and sit over here

and we'll build a card house.

I'll show you how.

Now gather up the cards first.

Now we'll start on the second floor.

That's right. You put your wall up there.

Shall we put one roof there?

Now yours.

Ah.

This is now a most intriguing situation,

Captain Scott.

No rail in front and no rail behind.

What happens if you are attacked?

Trust you to think of that one.

Now we've got two floors.

Let's try to get another, shall we?

Oh dear. We shall

have to start that one again.

(Animal calls)

Look. There it is.

A heliograph.

(Mrs Wyatt) What does it mean?

(Scott) They've found us.

- Ought we to open fire?

- It's a waste of time at this range.

We'll have to work fast. Come on.

- Come and sit down here.

- Why?

Just do as you're told, darling.

Right in this corner.

Right, Mr Bridie. Back to the coach.

I'll put the two last bolts in.

(Rifle clicks)

(Gunfire)

Back in the carriage quickly.

Keep your heads down!

Gupta, get back!

Dakhtar, covering fire!

Oh, my father God. Don't be careless

to save your Indian son.

(Indistinct call)

Gupta, get moving!

- What's the matter? You been hit?

- Yes, sahib.

But he was careful only to hit me

at the foot of the leg.

And a little bit in the arm also, sahib.

- That is all.

- We'll soon fix you up.

Soon we'll be down on the plain.

We can relax a bit. I hope.

Yes, sahib. And Gupta will

have to teach you to drive Victoria.

Can you keep your eyes open

a few moments?

- Yes, sahib.

- You did well.

- Pressure's dropping.

- Victoria wants water, sahib.

- How far is the next station?

- 20 miles distance.

- Will she make it?

- Oh, yes, sahib. But slowly slowly.

- How's that?

- That's very all right.

Sahib is engine driver now.

Tomorrow we'll have you in hospital.

Oh, no. Gupta does not like

to live in hospitals.

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