Dream on Monkey Mountain

At night, Makak, Tigre, and Souris are in their jail cells. Corporal Lestrade enters, waking them by banging a cup against a tin plate. He gives the prisoners their food while Souris explains that Makak has been muttering to himself and occasionally bursting into song. Souris feels sorry for Makak and asks that Lestrade let him go. Lestrade refuses: As an instrument of the law, he has “white man work to do” (279). Lestrade tries to feed Makak, who offers the Corporal money to for his release. Lestrade becomes incensed, accuses Makak of attempted bribery, and launches into an impassioned defense of the law. Makak replies that the law killed Moustique. Lestrade has no idea what Makak is talking about.  

While the Corporal fetches food, Tigre and Souris plot to steal Makak’s money. Tigre tries to convince that the true meaning of Makak’s dream is to kill Lestrade. Tigre appeals to Makak’s pride: No lion of Africa would allow himself to be caged. Makak produces a knife. Tigre tells Makak to pretend to be sick and then calls for Lestrade. When the Corporal approaches Makak’s cell, Makak stabs him and takes the keys. He frees Tigre and Souris, “near weeping with rage” (286). He leads them away while Lestrade sits up, assuring the audience that his wound is only minor. He announces that he will hunt down the prisoners but will give them a head start to make the hunt more exciting.