Guy. You make me alter my opinion of the British officer. Captain. Sir! I saw service in the Peninsular and I was under fire at Waterloo---- Guy. But a handful of scarecrow weavers is too much for you because they're English. Captain. A few are not, Mr. Barlow. But those torches don't indicate a few, but a very much larger number than I have force to cope with. Ephraim (_timidly_). There certainly is a great number. Guy (_to Captain_). In other words, you shirk your duty. Captain (_controlling himself_). I don't want to quarrel with a civilian. (_Turning to Ephraim._) Am I to get my men into position, sir? Ephraim (_hesitating_). Well--their number is certainly alarming. (_Turning to Guy for a lead._) Guy (_curtly_). Yes. Ephraim (_to Captain_). If you please, Captain. Captain. Very well. You've a copy of the Riot Act with you? Ephraim (_nervously_). Yes. I hope I shall not have to read it. Captain. That is for you to decide. Ephraim. Yes. (_Calling._) Guy! Guy (_by the shed_). One minute, sir. There's a smell of tallow here. Captain (_without suspicion_). Your lantern. Guy. That didn't smell before. Captain (_impatiently_). The torches below there, then. The wind would carry their reek. Guy. Yes. Only there doesn't happen to be a wind. Captain (_suspicious now_). The shed? Guy (_picking up lantern_). I'll see. (_He holds up lantern, disclosing Ruth and Martin at opposite ends of the shed._) There's no one there. Must have been our lantern. What did you want, father? Ephraim. Guy, hadn't we better leave it? I don't want bloodshed. They're decent fellows at heart, and we don't know they mean to attack. I can't believe it of them. Wait till they do and use the soldiers to guard the factory. Guy. What's the use of waiting till they attack? Take them here unprepared and you make a thorough job of it. Captain. Yes: only I can't promise to take them unprepared. Guy. Why not? Have I to teach you your business? Get your men round them in the dark and---- Captain. It won't be dark. The clouds will be off the moon soon. Guy (_sarcastically_). Then as Nature won't assist you, Captain, you'll have to draw upon the great store of military tactics you no doubt acquired in your numerous campaigns. How long will it take to get your men placed between that crowd and the factory? Captain. Oh, say ten minutes. The moon will be clear before then. Guy. I hope it won't. They'll run like hares at the sight of a uniform, and I want them taught a lesson they'll not forget in a hurry. Ephraim (_picking up lantern_). Shall we go? Guy. Yes. I'll join you below. Ephraim. Join? Aren't you coming? Guy. In a minute. For the moment I have business here. Captain. What business are we to imagine that can keep you here alone? Guy. You can imagine any business you like. You can imagine me praying for the British Army when it is officered by men like you, but, at any rate, you can leave me here.