The Purple Plain Page #6

lf l help you, do you think you

can manage to stand up on one leg?

l'll have a go.

But aren't you going to wait

until the sun's down?

We haven't got time for that.

l'm beginning to get hungry.

You all right?

Okay now?

- l think so.

- Hold on tight. Here we go.

Another 50 yards

and we'll take a rest.

Did you hear me?

Carrington.

Carrington!

Carrington!

Sir?

- Are you all right?

- Yes.

We'll rest right up here.

l'm all right.

Sorry.

Time for a drink anyway.

That's almost the last

of the water, isn't it?

Almost.

- You had yours yet?

- No, l'll have it a little later.

Drink it now.

Let's see you.

All right.

How much left now?

That's the last.

About had it, haven't we?

Not yet.

Pretty near, l'd say.

- You'd better go on.

- We'll both go on.

- You'll never get me out of here.

- Sure l will.

You're getting like old Blore.

- Why?

- Well, face facts.

We can't go on without water.

lf you were by yourself,

you might get to the river,

fill that flask.

There might even be something

we could eat there.

Fruit, maybe.

Or even a nice juicy trout.

What's the watch for?

lt'll be dark

for a couple hours yet.

l might lose my bearings.

When it gets light, you fire a shot.

l'll be listening.

After that, fire one

at hourly intervals.

Okay?

Okay.

lt's too bad

l don't have a fishing line.

l'll have breakfast

ready for you when you get back.

Just make mine toast and coffee.

The Lord be praised!

Yes. He reached the river all right.

He was picked up

by some Naga bearers.

He took him back with him

and got the navigator out.

- Alive?

- Yes, but only just.

A few more hours,

it would have been too late.

Forward hospital are flying

them both in tomorrow.

Anna said he would come back.

l didn't have faith enough.

- This is where l get out.

- Not too much talk, please, Mr. Forrester.

That's not fair, nurse.

Mr. Forrester and l...

got lots to talk about.

All right, Mr. Forrester,

that's enough.

Well, l'll be seeing you.

Yes, sir.

Thanks for the ride.

- Haven't we met before?

- The face seems familiar.

How about a nice jeep ride, Doc?

No nonsense now.

You're a sick man.

- You're going to hospital.

- You know where l'm going.

l'll take all the salt

and mepacrine you want.

- Your eyes still ache?

- No.

Let's have a look at your tongue.

What an impossible man you are.

All right, get in.

Hello, Miss McNab.

Look at me,

crying like a loony.

Have you ever heard

of such a thing?

There, there.

Where's Anna?

She's in there.

Asleep, l think.

She hasn't slept at all

till she knew that you were safe.

- You can go in.

- Well, l oughtn't to wake her.

There's no need to wake her.

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