GOVERNESS. Mercy! Mercy!
1ST PIRATE. I should like to second that.
CHIEF. Those in favour--ay! (They all say "Ay.") Contrary--No! (The
GOVERNESS says "No.") The motion is carried.
(One of the Pirates opens the door of the cave. The GOVERNESS rushes
to the CHIEF and throws herself at his feet. OLIVER and JILL appear in
the nick of time.)
OLIVER. A maiden in distress! I will rescue her. (She looks up and
OLIVER recognises her) Oh! Carry on, Commodore.
(The GOVERNESS is lowered into the cave and the door is shut.)
CHIEF (to his men). Go, find that black beetle, and having found it,
introduce it circumspectly by the back door.
PIRATES. Ay, ay, sir. [They go out.
OLIVER. All the same, you know, I jolly well should like to rescue
somebody.
JILL (excitedly). Oo, rescue me, Oliver.
CHIEF (solemnly). Two-toed Thomas, Terror of the Dyaks, and Pest of
the North Pacific, truly thou art a well-plucked one. Wilt fight me
for the wench? (He puts an arm round JILL.)
OLIVER. I will.
CHIEF. Swords?
OLIVER. Pistols.
CHIEF. At twenty paces?
OLIVER. Across a handkerchief.
CHIEF. Done! (Feeling in his pockets) Have you got a handkerchief? I
think I must have left mine on the dressing-table.
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