Page:William Wells Brown - The Escape Or, A Leap for Freedom; a Drama in Five Acts.pdf/62

 religion. I got it las' night in de meetin.' Before I got religion, I was a great sinner; I got drunk, an' took de name of de Lord in vain. But now I is a conwerted man; I is bound for hebben; I toats de witness in my bosom; I feel dat my name is rote in de book of life. But dem niggers in de Vine Street Church las' night shout an' make sich a fuss, dey give me de headache. But, tank de Lord, I is got religion, an' now I'll be a preacher, and den dey'll call me de Rev. Alexander Washinton Napoleon Pompey Cæsar. Now I'll preach and pull teef, bofe at de same time. Oh, how I wish I had Hannah wid me! Cuss ole massa, fer ef it warn't for him, I could have my wife wid me. Ef I hadn't religion, I'd say "Damn ole massa!" but as I is a religious man, an' belongs to de church, I won't say no sich a thing. But who is dat I see comin'? Oh, it's a whole heap of people. Good Lord! what is de matter?

Enter and, , followed by. Glen. Let them come; I am ready for them. He that lays hands on me or my wife shall feel the weight of this club. Melinda. Oh, Glen, let's die here, rather than again go into slavery. Officer. I am the United States Marshal. I have a warrant from the Commissioner to take you, and bring you before him. I command assistance. Enter, , and ,  Dr. Gaines. Here they are. Down with the villain! down with him! but don't hurt the gal! Enter,   Mr. White. Why, bless me! these are the slaveholding fellows. I'll fight for freedom! [Takes hold of his umbrella with both hands.—The fight commences, in which, , , , , and the , take part.— enters, and runs to his boat.—, and the  are knocked down, ,  and  jump into the boat, and as it leaves the shore and floats away,  and  wave their hats, and shout loudly for freedom.—Curtain falls.

THE END.