_Fat man_ (_shooting home bolt of Lee-Metford_). And who's fault's that? I've left my property in the Free State, and odds are I shall lose every penny I've got--what part? all over--and come here on to British soil, and what do I find? With fifty men I'd hold this place-- _Thin-faced man._ They'll be here to-night, old De Wet says, and they're to come here and sjambok the Englishmen who've been talking too much. That's what comes of being loyal! _Fat man._ Loyal! With fifty men-- _Brown-faced, grey-haired man_ (_smoking deep-bowled pipe in corner_). No, you wouldn't. _Fat man_ (_playing with sights of Lee-Metford_). What! Not keep the bridge with fifty men-- _Brown-faced, grey-haired man._ And they'd cross by the old drift, and be on every side of you in ten minutes. _Fat man_ (_grounding Lee-Metford_). Ah! Well--h'm! _Thick-set man._ But we're safe enough. Has not the Government sent us a garrison? Six policemen! Six policemen, gentlemen, and the Boers are at Pieter's farrm, and they'll be here to-night and sjambok-- _Thin-faced man._ Where are the troops? Where are the volunteers? Where are the-- _Brown-faced, grey-haired man._ There are no troops, and the better for you. The strength of Aliwal is in its weakness. (_To fat man_.) Put that gun away. _Thin-faced man, thick-set man, and general chorus._ Yes, put it away. _Thin-faced man._ But I want to know why the Boers are armed and we aren't? Why does our Government-- _Brown-faced man._ Are you accustomed to shoot? _Thin-faced man_ (_faintly_). No. _Fat man_ (_returning from putting away Lee-Metford_). But where do you come from? _Brown-faced man._ Free State, same as you do. Lived there five-and-twenty years. _Thin-faced man._ Any trouble in getting away? _Brown-faced man._ No. Field-cornet was a good old fellow and an old friend of mine, and he gave me the hint-- _Thin-faced man._ Not much like ours! Why, there's a lady staying here that's friendly with his daughters, and she went out to see them the other day, and the old man said they'd stop here and sjam-- _Fat man._ Gentlemen, drinks all round! Here's success to the British arms! _All._ Success to the British arms! _Thick-set man._ And may the British Government not desert us again! _Fat man._ I'll take a shade of odds about it. They will. I've no trust in Chamberlain. It'll be just the same as it was in '81. A few reverses and you'll find they'll begin to talk about terms. I know them. Every loyal man in South Africa knows them. (_General murmur of assent._) _Hotel-keeper._ Gentlemen, drinks all round! Here's success to the British arms! _All._ Success to the British arms!