The Four Feathers Page #4

Who is this man?

How much did he overhear?

Sangali.

That was a very bad performance,

Mr. Faversham.

No true Sangali would enter a room

with the self-assurance of an Englishman.

- Why was that fellow in such a funk?

- He was terrified you might betray him.

- Oh, I see.

- But for myself I have no such fears.

But I must admit I should feel

a little more comfortable...

if you would tell me frankly why all this -

the wandering, the disguise.

In England four people

gave me a white feather apiece.

- They've got to take them back.

- Oh, a mad race, the English.

No, not so mad.

In England, the white feather

is the mark of a coward.

Ah, I see. Then why worry?

Be a coward and be happy.

No, Doctor.

I have been a coward,

and I wasn't happy.

Tell me, did he bring any news?

Yes. He says a North Surrey regiment

has left Abu Hamid.

By crossing the desert

you could pick them up at the Nile...

perhaps near the 5th Cataract.

Part of Kitchener's army

is going up the river in boats.

They will be hauled up the cataract

by native labor.

There is your chance.

- All right, Sergeant?

- All correct, sir.

We've rigged up enough scarecrows

to look like the entire blooming army!

That ought to draw them, all right.

The men can rest,

but be ready to move without delay.

The moment we're spotted we won't have time

to sit about and admire the view.

- No, sir.

- Take the men back to the camp.

- You watch from that jebel over there.

- Very good, sir.

Your watch.

No Fuzzies round here.

- I'm gonna have a word with the captain.

- Right, Sarge.

Blimey!

- Two men!

- Clark! On the double!

You get the rifles.

Come on. Give me a hand.

Didn't we ought to start him

back to camp at once?

His orders were to stay here till we

seen Dervishes, and we ain't seen none.

It's ice we want

to clap on the back of his neck.

Yes, and a couple of saucy nurses

to clap it on for him.

- Can you see anything?

- No.

I can't make it out.

He said he'd be back by dawn

at the latest.

Well, perhaps he's spotted a covey of Dervishes

and wants to keep an eye on them.

No. If he'd spotted any Dervishes,

he'd be back in no time.

Kitchener?

Who's there?

Corporal Evans, sir.

How long have I been lying here?

Since this time yesterday, sir.

- What's the time now?

- About 3:
00, sir.

Call Sergeant Brown

the moment it's daylight.

But - But it's light now, sir.

- It's afternoon.

- Huh?

What?

- Call Sergeant Brown.

- Yes, sir.

- Sergeant Brown!

- What is it?

- Captain wants you.

- All right.

- Sergeant Brown here, sir.

- Come in, come in.

Glad to see you're better, sir.

No sign of Dervishes yet.

Yes. Now strike the camp immediately.

I spotted Dervish yesterday.

- There's not one moment to lose.

- Very good, sir.

Corporal Clark, call in your men!

Hughes, fetch the captain's horse!

Come on! On the double then!

All right, fall in! Fall in!

Come on, men! Fall in! Come along.

Come on then.

Ready to march off, sir!

Sergeant, come here.

Don't - Don't go away. I -

I want you to -

to help me to my horse.

Oh, very good, sir.

Attention!

Flower and Bardell, strike the tent.

Put it on the mule and follow us behind.

Section at ease! Quick march!

- Take me right up to my tent.

- Very good, sir.

Glad to see you back, sir.

We were getting a little worried.

Ah, need to worry.

I spotted some Dervish yesterday.

That's why I stayed up there -

to keep watch.

They saw us, all right,

so that's half our work done.

Sergeant, give the men some food

and see they get to sleep immediately.

Very good, sir.

- Willoughby?

- Yes, sir?

- Parker?

- Yes, sir?

Put those fires out, will you.

Double the sentries round here.

There's no immediate danger, but we've

got to keep on the alert from now on.

- Yes, sir.

- Right. Put your fire out.

Oi, Bill, give us a hand

with this fire?

Simper, Curtis, Gamble,

bring your equipment round.

Good night, boys.

- Peter?

- Yes, John?

I got a touch of the sun

out there yesterday.

Hard luck, old boy.

I know what it is.

- I had sunstroke when I was a kid at school.

- Oh? H-How did it affect you?

- Well, it gave me a devil of a headache.

- Oh.

You look a bit done-in, John.

You ought to take a good rest.

Yes. Now listen, Peter.

We're not in a healthy spot here.

Things may be a good deal worse

before we're through.

I'm feeling a bit groggy.

I'm going in to rest now.

- Will you look after things for me here tonight?

- Yes, of course.

- Shall I help you in?

- No, no, no. I'll be all right in the morning.

- Seen anything?

- No, sir.

- Well, keep your eyes open.

- Very good, sir.

The mules are restless, sir.

Bad sign.

Yes, I know.

I shall be glad when the sun rises.

Yes, sir.

Alarm!

Alarm!

Bugler, alarm!

Alarm! Alarm!

Alarm!

Load! Present! Fire!

Fire!

Load. Present. Fire!

Present. Fire!

Load. Fire!

- Peter, where are you?

- Here, John.

Are they all around us?

I can't see in this smoke.

Load. Present. Fire!

Present! Fire!

Load. Present. Fire!

Load.

Fire!

- Sir.

- Yes?

- Ali has news, sir.

- Good. What does he know?

What?

Well, the Khalifa's left the Nile

with his whole army.

Fine. That's the news we're waiting for.

Madsen, give orders to sail at once.

Now, this is grand.

We'll soon be up to Omdurman...

and Kitchener can have his battle

where he wants it.

Ah, thanks to Durrance.

He's done a magnificent job.

Peter?

Is that you, Peter?

Peter.

Peter?

Peter!

Peter!

Willoughby?

Burroughs!

Peter!

For God's sake, answer me!

Oh, is that you, Peter?

I'm blasted near mad.

I - I can't see, Peter.

It's no good pretending anymore.

I can't see. I - I'm blind.

The sun got me

out there in the mountains.

Why don't you speak?

What's the matter?

Who are you?

What, are you all dumb?

Have you never seen a blind man before?

Who the devil are you? Speak!

If you can't speak English,

speak Arabic, but speak! Speak!

Or it's true then.

They're all dead.

All my company wiped out.

Nothing but a blind man

and a dumb lunatic.

There's nothing left

but death from thirst.

Come here.

Come here.

Lean your head against

the one cool thing...

left in this blasted furnace.

You won't? All right.

Well, go to the devil alone.

Give it! Give it to me!

Give it to me!

I'll kill you! Let go.

Alarm! Alarm!

Company, stand to!

Company, fall in!

Load! Present! Fire!

Fire! Load! Present!

Fire! Fire!

Load! Present!

Give me my helmet, Sergeant, will you?

Ethne.

Don't you like the polka?

A bit jerky, isn't it?

Ethne, I shall love you always.

Hello, Doctor.

I'm glad to find you alone, Ethne.

- I really came here to talk to you.

- Well, Doctor?

I want to know if you've heard

from Harry Faversham.

I've heard nothing.

It was his own wish and my wish

that the break should be complete.

I've no idea where he is

or what he's doing.

I promised to give you a message when I saw him

on the night before he left England...

a year ago.

A year ago?

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