human
Damn it all, sir! the major exclaimed.
gpt
When are you going to rip into them? They'll be on us, in three minutes--in two! Give 'em Hell, before it's too late! Stop 'em!
human
No, Major, he said.
gpt
No machine-guns yet. You and your eternal machine-guns are sometimes a weariness to the flesh. He raised his voice, above the tumult of the approaching storm of men and horses.
human
I suppose you've never even heard of the _La'ab el Barut_, the powder-play of the Arabs? They are greeting us with their greatest display of ceremony--and you talk about machine-guns!
gpt
No mistakes now, men! No accidents! The first man that pulls a trigger at these people, I'll shoot down with my own hand!
human
We must give them a return salute, my Captain, he said in Arabic.
gpt
To omit that would be a grave breach of the laws of host and guest--almost as bad as violating the salt!
human
That is quite true, Lieutenant, he answered.
gpt
Thank you for reminding me!
human
Load with blanks, he commanded,
gpt
It is well, _Effendi_! approved the lieutenant, his eyes gleaming with Gallic enthusiasm.
human
These are no People of the Black Tents, no Beni Harb, nor thieving Meccans. These are men of the very ancient, true Arabic blood--and we must honor them!