Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

Every Tuesday BOY'S CINEMA r and possessing a frame that indicated a raw-boned strength and virility. They were obviously of a diffei'ent stamp from the rest of the caserne's inmates, the brothers John and Beau Geste. In con- trast to their comrades, who, taken col- lectivelv, were fairly representative of the scum of Europe, the two Englishmen bore the hall-marks of education and good breeding. Nevertheless, it was said of them that they had been involved in some "scrape " concerning a famous jewel, and had fled from England to evade the Law. joining the Foreign Legion together with a third brother named Digby, who had enrolled as a bugler and who was at present stationed at Tokotu. Whether it was right or wrong, the story regarding the reason for the enlistment of the brothers Geste had gained credence in the regiment, and it was a story that had interested m.any a legionnaire—Sergeant Markoff included. But none of the occu- pants of the caserne at Fort Zinderneuf was giving a thought to that story now, for Schwartz was the cynosure of all eyes, and the idea of revolt was the subject that dominated all minds. "Then we're uiranimous?" the German queried, glancing around as the growling response to his harangue died away, and Ignorant of the fact that Maris and John and Beau Geste had not supported that response. Maris spoke solemnly. "Schwartz," he said, "you've been talk- ing mutiny for the last few days. But can't you see a mutiny is just what Markoff wants? If he puts it down, he'll be a hero." "And you're the one that would help him put it down?" Schwartz jibed. "Look, let Markoff hang himself," the Belgian counselled. "Lieutenant Martin's death gives him enough rope. When Markoff's superior officers learn what he's already done, he'll go to prison for life." Schwartz turned to the other men. "Listen to our sergeant-lover!" he scoffed. "He thinks, no doubt, that we should give Markoff a bunch of posies every morning! Ach, pay no heed to Maris. How long are we going to keep on licking Markoff's boots, the boots that kick us? Do you realise that there are more than fifty of us, and that there is only one Markoff? Do you realise that those stripes on Markoff's sleeve can't stop a rifle bullet? I'm for killing him, and then getting out of here!" Fifty-odd voices uttered a low-toned chorus of approval, which Maris made haste to interrupt. "You fools!" he hissed. "Don't let Schwartz persuade you to mutiny! You'll never get away with it." "Meaning that you're with Markoff, eh. Maris?" Schwartz grated. "All right, it's fifty against two—fifty against three, counting Corpoi'al Rasinoff, who's Mark- off's special pet." "Schwartz, it's fifty of you against the whole Legion, against the whole army of Africa!" the Belgian retorted. "Don't you see " The hulking Schwartz cut in on him, his ire kindled by the opposition Maris was offering to his rebellious proposal. "Shut up!" he snarled, in soaring accent. " Shut up, you yellow -" He in turn was checked—by the elder of the two Geste brothers. "Wait a minute," the long-limbed Englishman drawled. " I don't know much about mutinies, Schwartz, but I do know it isn't good form to plan them at the top of your voice." The German rounded on him, and eyed him suspiciously. "No?" he breathed. " And where do you stand, anyhow?" " Well." Beau Guest observed reflectively, "I don't like Markoff, but also I don't like you." "Fifty against four, eh?" Schwartz snapped. "Make it five," Beau's brother John was quick to interpose. Beau glanced at his young kinsman ap- preciatively, then looked at Schwartz again. "Your idea is to kill Markoff and desert," he I'emarked, " and it seems every- one in the caserne, excepting Maris aiid my brother and I is ready to throw in with you. But has it occurred to you that there are two Arab scouts somewhere in the offing outside this fort—two loyal Ai'ab scouts who would ride to Tokotu for help the minute they saw anything was wrong?" "We'll be a day's march ahead of any column that sets out from Tokotu after us," put in a legionnaire named Renoir. "A day's march ahead?" Beau Geste reiterated. "And you think you can out- strip the Camel Corps in a trek to the boi'der of the Frenc/t Territoire Militaire, with a day's start on foot?" Schwartz spoke once more. His tone was fiercely impatient. "Talk, talk, talk!" he ground out. "Listen, Englischei', I know what I'm doing, and no Camel Corps will catch up with us. Those two Arab scouts will report at the fort as usual in the morning, and we'll wait till morning before we act. We'll settle with the scouts when thej" show up. and we'll settle with Markoff at the same time—and with Rasinoff. Yes. and we'll settle with you and your brother and Maris —unle.ss you come in with us." Beau was eyeing him in a steadfast manner. "Schwartz," he said quietly, "there's a flag fl.ving above this fort, and when I joined the Legion I swore to uphold it. Armies of good men have died for it— gladly. It's a battle flag, and it's a flag of victory. I'm—rather proud to be under it, Schwartz. And I wouldn't want to go out in the morning like you. and know that I was going to be a traitor to it." The sentiments he had expressed did not fail to produce a momentary effect on some of Schwartz' supporters, who, rem.em.bering the oaths of allegiance they had taken, fidgeted uncomfortably and showed signs of reconsidering the German's proposals. But Schwartz was prompt to counteract Beau's speech. "We have a patriot!" he jeered, launch- ing an Ugly glance at the strapping Englishman, and those who had exhibited a tendency to waver were responding to the Teuton's words with derisive grins when Renoir took a step towards Beau Geste. " You wouldn't be so patriotic if you had a slit in your belly!" he opined, in a voice of mingled savagery and contempt. Beau clenched his right hand. "Would you like to try putting one there?" he invited grimly. Renoir instantly accepted the challenge, and with a blistering oath conjured a knife from a sash which he was wearing round his waist, and which was an item in the uniform issued to every legionnaire. But ere he could lunge at the Englishman. Schwartz seized his wrist. "Stop, Renoir!" the German rasped. "Any trouble now might end in those two Arab scouts riding poste-hasie to Tokotu. We've got to wait till morning." "And supposing this Englishman or his brother or Maris sneak out in the night and warn Markoff?" Renoir parried. He was answered by a small, swarth;/ individual who was standing at his elbow, a man known as Volsin. "I'll go up to the guards." this worthy suggested, referring to three or four sen- tinels who were on duty upon the walls of the fort. "They're all friends of Schwartz. Octoher 14th. l'.>:5'.>.