CLIMBER Why! Where’s Finn? LISTENER [_Coming down._] Gone off in the huff While you were saying your prayers. CLIMBER [_Desperately, to Marksman._] I don’t believe it! Tell me there’s No truth in what he said. MARKSMAN [_Quietly._] Yes, for the present, Finn is dead. CLIMBER [_Quietly steadfast._] I don’t believe it. MARKSMAN He has lost his head. CLIMBER [_Looking round._] Where are the others? GRIPPER [_Sarcastically._] They’ve followed him like brothers. CLIMBER Has the Thief gone with the rest? MARKSMAN Yes; she thought it best. She said it was inhuman To let them go without a woman. CLIMBER [_Radiantly, with upraised face._] Thank you! LISTENER [_To Marksman._] Who’s she speaking to? [_The Marksman quietly shoots an arrow out of the window._] LISTENER Why did you do that? MARKSMAN Being under my protection She looked straight in the right direction. LISTENER [_Who has run to the window to look after the arrow._] I say! They’ve put off in the boat And left us all behind! CLIMBER [_Anxiously._] Has Finn got his coat? LISTENER No; there it is behind The press. CLIMBER Is the Thief there? LISTENER Yes. CLIMBER Then never mind. [_To Gripper._] Come! You must follow And take the tiller, or the sea will swallow Them all. GRIPPER [_Plaintively._] It’s no use; I would fall Without something to grip. CLIMBER Are you afraid to slip If I make fast A rope to the mast? GRIPPER [_Brightening._] Oh no! not if you give me anything To hold to, even the smallest bit of string. But how will you get over there? It’s far too rough to swim. Take care! CLIMBER [_To Listener._] Can you hear What the Thief is saying? LISTENER [_Putting his ear to the ground and listening intently._] I rather think she’s praying. CLIMBER