Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Sparky, Hurst and Attercliffe wait on a wharf. Hurst and Attercliffe play cards as Sparky keeps watch, wondering how long "Black Jack Musgrave" is going to be. Attercliffe assures him Musgrave will be on time, and Sparky sings a song about desertion. Attercliffe tells him he shouldn't sing that song, but Sparky keeps singing. Hurst loses his temper, telling him to shut up. Sparky jokes that the others are afraid that "he" will hear the song, referring to a nearby box. Hurst tells Attercliffe to focus on the game.

The Bargee arrives. His conversation with the soldiers reveals that he is the man from whom the soldiers rented a barge to take them and their crates up the canal. He says he's ready to go, but the soldiers say they won't leave until Musgrave is there. As they load the boxes...