Page:Representative American plays.pdf/146

Rh Mutter not, even now, her incantations.

{A few scattering shot heard.) The fronts have met, and from the forest

coverts, Exchange their cautious fire.

{A bugle sounds, answered hy another from a different quarter. Shouts, Yells, a general and continued dis- charge of musketry. Shouts and bugles.) Ray. The crisis has arrived — the fire has ceased, And now the closer work of death com- mences. Ascend yon tree, and say what thou ob- servest.

{To a boy, icho ascends the tree.) Boy. I see them now. The Indians stand dismay'd. We 're pouring now upon them from the

forest. From every side. — Now, now the Indians

turn — They meet — they close — they're strug- gling man to man. Sword, knife and tomahawk are glanc- ing. ISA. Heaven !

Protect, protect my Charles! Alice. Save my dear father. {Shout.)

Rav. What shout is that? Hear ye the

savage yellt Boy. No, no, 't was ours, — we 've con- quer'd — and they come, Dragging their prisoners with them. Here 's my father.

{Enter 1st Villager shouting "Victory," meets and caresses the boy.)

{General Shout, Bugles. Enter Wal- FORD, Charles, Villagers, with In- DiA^q- Prisoxers. They arrange themselves on each side; the Indians in the background. Charles flies to his mother, luho sinks on her knees in his embrace. Alice joins her fa- ther, various groups formed. Mary manifests much interest for Charles, who regards her tenderly. Ravexsworth preserves his suspi- cious and reserved demeanour.)

{Enter the UxKXOWx. He passes down the centre. All gaze on him luith awe, and stretch forth their hands towards him, bending their bodies.)

UxK. No; not to me this homage — net to man

Is your this day's deliverance owing.

There— ^ To heaven address your gratitude. To

God Stretch forth your hands and raise your

swimming eyes. Before Jehovah bend your bodies down, And from your humble hearts pour out

the flood Of Thankfulness. It was his care that

watch'd His eye that saw; his arm that smote the

heathen — His be the praise and glory.

{All bend in adoration. The Ux-

KXOWN casts a glance at Isabella,

and exclaims as he goes out,)

Yes; 'tis she. {Exit Uxkxowx.) {After a short pause, they raise their

heads and look around anxiously for

the UxKXOWX".)

{Enter Sir Reginald.)

Walf. Has this thing been'? Where is

he? did he pass you? Sir R. Who?

Walf. Our mysterious leader —

Sir R. I saw him not.

Walf. Was 't an earthly being ? Alice. my father!

It was not mortal. Charles. In the fight his arm,

Like the fierce lightning wither'd where it fell. Sir R. You speak of wonders ! Rav. Woman, what think you —

Was it an angel — or a fiend? Walf. What mean you?

(Isabella turns from him proudly. Charles represses his anger on ex- changing glances with Mary.) Rav. You '11 know anon. Walf ord, you bleed. {Crosses to Walford.)

Walf. A trifle.

Rav. He does not bleed — Walf. I think not ; yet he dar'd

The thickest of the fight. Rav. Can you not see?

Do you but mark? Walf. Your meaning is most dark.

Rav. The murkiest night must fly before the day; Illusion, strong as Hell must yield to

Truth. You understand me not — No matter —

come — Let these vile heathens be securely plac'd To await their certain death — then to the temple —