176
THE TRIUMPH AT PLATTSBURG
I give the preference to his brother, he disowns him, and acts in a manner that frightens us all.
Andre. What a shocking lie! It's gross enough to choak[1] the throat of the Witch of Endor.
Capt. Stanley. Go in, my friend, and compose yourself. A little sleep will do you good.
Andre. I dinna want to sleep. By my troth, a pretty piece of work. Here comes a thief that I never before set my eyes upon, who calls himself my brother, steals the betrothed of my heart from me, seduces my mother, wears my clothes and uses my mill, and then I am told to go to sleep for it will do me good. Who the de'il could sleep with all that upon his conscience?
Mrs. Mack. Pray keep your temper, son.
Capt. Stanley. Poor fellow, he is very far gone.
Lucy. Very far gone indeed, sir.—Ah! do not come nigh me.
Capt. Stanley. Take care, he is dangerous.
Andre. But, mother, I am in my sound senses. Can't you put in a word to show that you have not quite cast me off?
Mrs. Mack. Why are you so unwilling to acknowledge your brother then?
Andre. Simply because I can't exactly remember him, never having had the pleasure of seeing him before. Indeed, mother, if you say he is my brother it does not become me to gainsay it, and I, like a dutiful son, will acknowledge the kin, provided he will get about his business speedily and leave me my cloathes, my lassie and my mill in no worse condition than he found them.
Capt. Stanley. It is dangerous to let him run at large—I wonder you have the courage to trust him so near you.
Andre. The fault's on his side, it is he that's near me.
Major McCrea. My friend, my brother, I beg of you to go in for a moment with your mother.
Andre. And leave the lassie alone in your clutches! Andre may be confounded, but he is nae sic <in> a fool as that.
Capt. Stanley. Get in, comrade, or do you require the help of my foot to assist you?
Andre. No, I can walk on my own shanks well enow.—
Capt. Stanley. Charge.—(The platoon charge bayonet and advance toward Andre.)
Andre. How, do you make me a prisoner in my own house! Horrible, horrible! and all this in a free country, and towards an honest and harmless citizen, who pays his lawful taxes regular down upon the nail. Ken ye what ye do upon your own responsibility. I shall make it all known to General Macomb, and if he don't call you to a severe account, by the cross of Saint Andrew, I'll come John Doe and Richard Roe over you at the next assizes.
(They push him in and close the door.)
Capt. Stanley. Ha, ha, ha! a comical fellow.
Major McCrea. Thanks, comrade, he is more violent than usual, but a few moments' reflection and he will become pacified.
Capt. Stanley. I hope so.—I must leave you sooner than I would wish in order to station the sentinels.—(Selects one soldier from the platoon and stations him.)—Adieu, comrade. Platoon, to the right face; forward march.
(Exit with soldiers.)
Major McCrea. Good woman, I shall never forget this proof of your attachment. Sooner or later I will recompense your generosity.
Mrs. Mack. I am paid, sir, in the opportunity of serving you.
Major McCrea. Go to your son and dissipate the alarm that this strange adventure has occasioned. Tell him who I am, and doubtless he will aid in my escape.
(Exeunt Mrs. Mack. & Lucy into the mill.)
(Enter Elinor.)
Elinor. I am faint with fatigue and fright. Here is a place of shelter where I may rest until I recover sufficient strength to pursue my search. Alas! how severely is my disobedience punished.
Sentinel. Stand, give the word.
Elinor. I know it not.
Sentinel. You cannot pass, then.
Major McCrea. Elinor, my child.
Elinor. Whose voice is that. My father!
Sentinel. His child! This is not the miller then.
Maj. McCrea. She faints. A glass of water, for heaven's sake.
Sentinel. I cannot leave my post.
(Enter Andre.)
- ↑ Choke
