<Scene: Early 1861. One of the more prestigious gentlemen's clubs to be found in the Empire's capital. The servants have just cleared away the remains of a light breakfast; porridge, kippers, toast, marmalade, kidneys and so forth.>
"Oh."
"My dear fellow, what ever can be the matter? You sound positively distraught."
"Article. The Times. Explorer."
"Ah. Would it be possible to peruse the relevant article? Thank you."
<Having attended one of the Empire's better public schools, the reader's lips barely move as he absorbs the information to be found tucked amidst the august organ's pages.>
"So some chap's come to a sticky end at the hands of some...Ngoni, it seems, in....east Africa? Zanzibar? Bit of a blow for the fellow's kith and kin, I agree, but I fail to see how it could prompt such an uncharacteristically emotional outburst from you."
"Blethers."
"Good lord. William 'Blethers' Smythe-Bletherington of the Remove? I had no idea you knew him. No wonder you refused a third helping of devilled kidneys. What the deuce led him to go swanning about Africa with...let me see...several score of askaris and two members of the Putney hunting, shooting and fishing set?"
"Bet."
"Typical Blethers. Presumably that explains the 'carefully chosen-fireworks manufactured by Messrs. Lyte, Blew and Torchpepper' that the Times said he also took along? The dozen tea-chests of fireworks, to be precise?"
<An eyebrow is raised in confirmation.>
"I see. What on was he thinking? Incidentally, talking of chaps in foreign climes, have you heard from Samuel? Last I knew, the fellows over at the Reform were claiming he'd bagged himself a chit of a girl on the Danube, whilst those at the Savage said he was Africa-bound himself..."
<Fade out...>
Position
|
Faction
|
Played
|
Won
|
Lost
|
Hongos
|
||
Gained
|
Lost
|
Total
|
|||||
1
|
Ngoni
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
6
|
1
|
“Turks”
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
6
|
1
|
Mangbetu
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
6
|
4
|
Zanzibar
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
Ruga-Ruga
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
4
|
Smyth-Bletherington
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
4
|
 |
| A decent breakfast; the solid foundation on which to build an empire... |
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