SCENE II
Reading edition
TIME: a little later. PLACE: the sugar-cane field.
THE JACKAL. THE CAMEL. FARMER. BOYS.
[The CAMEL eats the sugar-cane. The JACKAL comes running into the field.]
CAMEL. What! Have you finished your crabs?
JACKAL. I cannot eat another one! Are you not ready to go?
CAMEL. Ready! Why, I have just begun.
JACKAL. I'll wait for you outside the field, then.
[The Camel nods and disappears among the cane.]
Now I do not wish to wait for him. I am in a hurry to get home, I am. So I'll sing a little song I know. The farmer then will come and drive the camel out.
[He goes. Soon he is heard singing in the distance. Enter the FARMER and the BOYS with clubs.]
FARMER. I see no jackal here!
A BOY. I am sure I heard him singing!
ANOTHER BOY. I heard him, too!
FARMER. We must look for him and drive him out.
[The CAMEL enters, eating cane.]
FIRST BOY. Look, look! A camel!
SECOND BOY. Look, father! A camel!
FARMER (to Camel). So it was you who was singing, was it? Drive him out, boys! Quick! Beat him with your clubs!
[They rush upon the Camel and beat him as he runs from the field.]