The Southern Cross Part 19

Hop. You ought to know; he's very ill.

Bill. Ill! He? Not a healthier man than him in here.

Hop. What!

Gordon (at the door). I tell you, don't disturb him.

Winth. It is essential. (To Bill)--Call Mr. Hillary.

[Exit Bill: pushes past Gordon with lantern. He is heard shouting, "Here, git up! Whar's Hillary? You thar!

Get up!" A confused sound of voices: then Bill says loudly, "Here, whar is he? None of your d.a.m.ned jokes!"

The voices grow louder.

[Enter Bill, hurriedly.

Bill (excited). He's not in thar! Look 'round the room. Ain't he in here!

[Goes hurriedly to the straw, then to mattress, then dashes into the other room.

Hop. Escaped! Impossible! Why not you?

[Re-enter Bill, runs to door on left, then into hall, crying, "Escaped prisoner! Guard!" The prison bell begins to ring.

[Enter Bill, followed by four men with rifles, carrying lanterns.

Bill (rushes to Gordon in a rage). Whar's that fellow gone? Tell me, or I'll--

[Starts to strike him.

Winth. You'll be kicked out of this prison--(To guards) Search the rooms. He may be hiding (to Gordon). For G.o.d's sake man, where has he gone?

[Gordon has come to the mattress, where he half kneels, watching the others.

Gordon (in a low voice). No.

[Re-enter the guard, followed by the rest of the prisoners, much excited. They talk in low voices to one another.

Hop. (coming forward with the lantern). h.e.l.lo! What's this? Fresh earth on the floor. Here, men. Quick!

[They s.n.a.t.c.h away the mattress, disclosing the round hole in the floor.

Winth. He's gone.

Hop. (bending down). Where does this lead?

Winth. The drain pipe underneath the prison. Here, men, to the entrance on the river bank. Two of you wait to watch in here.

[Exit two of the guard and Bill.

Hop. What do you think it means?

Winth. That their plan has been successful.

Hop. (in an agony). Hillary had important news, but what--what can he have found out?

Winth. (turns to Gordon, almost pleading). Have you nothing for us to hear?

Gordon. Nothing.

Winth. Tell me, man. Ah, tell me why. You came into this of your own free choice, I can see that. You came that you might save him. That was not all. He had information. Then, that was it. Well, sir, the fight is on. You've won so far.

[A sudden radiant look of joy comes over Gordon's face.

Gordon. I pray G.o.d you are not mistaken.

[Re-enter Bill and the guards.

Bill. He's gone, whether by boat or horse we can't tell. We have a guard stationed at the river.

Winth. Very good. You may wait outside.

[Exit the two men.

Send the men back to the room.

Bill. Git back to bed, all of ye!

[The men go back to room (Right). As they pa.s.s Gordon, the soldier Carter gave the water to stops quickly, catching his hand.

Third Soldier. I wish you could have gone too.

[Gordon presses his hand, then the soldier exits with the others.

Bill. What else, sir?

Hop. Nothing; you can go.

[Exit Bill.

Winth. (comes slowly up to Gordon). Tomorrow. Have you thought about tomorrow?

Gordon (raising his head). Yes.

Winth. And the women who love you--Little Fair and Charlotte?

Gordon. They too!

Winth. (breaks out). Is there no hope for you: you will not speak? Ah, in G.o.d's name, think what you do!