Page:William Wells Brown - The Escape Or, A Leap for Freedom; a Drama in Five Acts.pdf/52

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

Enter Dr. Gaines and Scragg, followed by Cato, R.

Dr. G. Gentlemen, I am in pursuit of two valuable slaves, and I will pay five hundred dollars for their arrest.

[Exit Mr. White, L.

1st Loun. I'll bet a picayune that your niggers have been stolen by that cussed feller from Massachusetts. Don't you see he's gone?

Dr. G. Where is the man? If I can lay my hands on him, he'll never steal another nigger. Where is the scoundrel?

1st Loun. Let's go after the feller. I'll go with you. Come, foller me. [Exit all, L., except Cato and the waiter.

Cato. Why don't you bring in massa's saddle-bags? What de debil you standin' dar for? You common country

niggers don't know nuffin', no how. Go an' get massa's saddle-bags, and bring 'em in.

Exit Servant, R.

By golly! ebry body's gone, an' de bar-keeper too. I'll tend de bar myself now; an' de fuss gemman I waits on will be dis gemman of color. [Goes behind the counter, and drinks.] Ah, dis is de stuff fer me; it makes my head swim; it makes me happy right off. I'll take a little more.

Enter Barkeeper, L.

Barkeeper. What are you doing behind that bar, you black cuss?

Cato. I is lookin' for massa's saddle-bags, sir. Is dey here?

Barkeeper. But what were you drinking there?

Cato. Me drinkin'! Why, massa, you muss be mistaken. I ain't drink nuffin'.

Barkeeper. You infernal whelp, to stand there and lie in that way!

Cato. Oh, yes, seer, I did tase dat coffee in dat bottle; dat's all I did.

Enter Mr. White, L., excited.

Mr. White. I say, sir, is there no place of concealment in your house? They are after me, and my life is in danger. Say, sir, can't you hide me away?

Barkeeper. Well, you ought to hold your tongue when you come into our State.

Mr. White. But, sir, the Constitution gives me the right to speak my sentiments, at all times and in all places.