poised for the final thrust up through the belly of the Transvaal to
Pretoria which was the heart.
'It will all be over in three months. ' The Scotsman gave his
opinion.
'You think so?' Sean sneered at him a little, and succeeded in
provoking an argument whose flames were fed with gin.
As the level in the carafe fell the time for sober and serious
discussion passed and they became sentimental. Tenderly Saul inquired
after their injuries.
The Scotsman was being shipped home across the sea, and at the thought
of parting they became sad.
Sean was returning the following day to Ladyburg for convalescent
leave. At the end of which, if the doctors were satisfied that the
pieces of shrapnel in his leg were satisfactorily encysted (two words
which Sean had difficulty enunciating) he would be returned to duty.
The word 'duty' aroused their patriotism and Sean and Saul with arms
around each other's shoulders swore a mighty oath that together,
comrades in arms, brothers in blood, they would see this war out.
Never counting the cost in hardship and danger, together they would
ride against the foe.
Suitable music was needed for their mood, and the Scotsman gave them
'The Wild Colonial Boy. ' His eyes were moist and his voice quavered
with emotion.
Deeply touching, but not entirely appropriate to the occasion, Sean and
Saul did
'Hearts of Oak' as a duet, then all three launched into a lively
rendition of
'Are you awake, Johnny Cope?'
The Matron arrived in the middle of the third chorus, by which time
Johnny Cope and anybody else within a hundred yards could not possibly
have been sleeping.
'Gentlemen, visiting hour ended at five o'clock.' She was a fearsome
woman with a voice like a cavalry charge, but Saul who had pleaded
before hanging judges rose undaunted to the defence.
'Madam.' He opened his address with a bow. 'These men may, let me
speak with truth-these heroes have made great sacrifice in the name of
freedom. Their blood has flowed like gin in defence of that glorious
ideal-Freedom! All I ask is that a little of that precious stuff be
granted unto them. Madam. In the name of honour, of fairness, and of
gratitude I appeal to you.' He ended with one fist clenched above his
heart and his head tragically bowed.
'Hoots, mon!
'Oh good! Very good!
The two heroes burst into spontaneous and heartwarming applause, but
over the Matron's features descended a frosty veil of suspicion.
She elevated her nose a little and sniffed.
'You're drunk!' she accused grimly.
'Oh, foul libel! Oh, monstrous untruth.' Saul backed hurriedly out of
range.
'All right, Sergeant.' She turned grimly on Sean. 'Where is it?
