Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People Part 18

RIGBY (as sounds of approaching footsteps are heard without).

Hus.h.!.+ Here come the Sons of Freedom! (Door is flung open. Rigby's professional manner a.s.serts itself.) Welcome, my lads. Come in! Come in!

WINWOOD (to Richard).

Are we on time? What have you planned for us, d.i.c.k? My hands and heart are ready for a night's work! (Offering his portion of cider in loving- cup fas.h.i.+on.) Some cider?

RICHARD.

No. I've supped on revolution!

WINWOOD.

Would there were something stirring!

RICHARD (throughout with growing excitement).

Are folk still in the Old South Meeting-house?

WINWOOD (impatiently).

Aye, still talking of what's to be done. Hanc.o.c.k and Paul Revere are at a coffee-house.

COREY (as the lads gather about table).

Come, d.i.c.k, you've heard the governor's reply. How would _you_ deal with the taxers?

RICHARD (at table, center, one foot on table and one on chair).

I'd set their tea to brew!

ALL (amazed).

What!

RICHARD.

In a monstrous teapot!

PEABODY (jesting).

As big as Rigby's bowl.

RICHARD (flaming with excitement).

Oh, larger! Larger!

AMESBURY (indicating large c.o.c.kade).

Or as Frank Wharton's hat.

RICHARD (inspired).

Larger by far!

AMESBURY.

You mean----

RICHARD (impa.s.sioned).

I'd take the ocean!

ALL.

The ocean!

Zounds!

The harbor!

Does he mean it?

RICHARD.

Overboard--all of it! Listen. The s.h.i.+ps are deserted: the sailors on sh.o.r.e drinking at different taverns. If we can go disguised, we can slip to the water front unnoticed. You know how many Indians roam our streets, and no one ever heeds them. We'll all be braves and chieftains.

AMESBURY.

But where are our disguises?

RIGBY (opening his chests, tossing out his treasures, wild with delight).

Here! Here and here!

RICHARD.

Wait. We must have other followers. Followers, said I? _Leaders_--with sagacity. Run, Winwood! Speak to John Hanc.o.c.k, Paul Revere, and Dr.

Warren. You know the coffee-house they sup at. Tell them there are disguises for us all. But let no red-coat hear you. Quick! The time is pa.s.sing.

[Exit Winwood, on the run.

RIGBY (half-overcome with his emotion).

Richard!

RICHARD (helping him and the rest to dress, a.s.sisting first one and then another).

Be quick. Let me help you. Here are feathers. Beads. A knife. Hatchets.

A Frenchman's sash-belt. A head-dress.

AMESBURY (hurriedly fastening on his disguise).

Where are yours, d.i.c.k?

RICHARD.

Hus.h.!.+ (Touches his knee.) I cannot scale a ladder. Listen! Here's Winwood.

WINWOOD (bursting in).

Paul Revere, John Hanc.o.c.k, Dr. Warren--all come with us. I've run ahead to tell you they'll meet us on the way. Give me disguises. (They clap an Indian robe across his shoulders, and he takes an armful of Indian finery.) John Hanc.o.c.k says there's a boat and oars at the foot of the wharves, and Paul Revere will lead us. Come quickly, lads!

[He dashes out the door, with his armful of finery. The others follow one by one, as their readiness of costume determines.

RICHARD (to himself).

And Paul Revere will lead them!

RIGBY (his hand on Richard's shoulder).

Richard, you've been the brains, and we are but the fingers! We toss the tea: but 'twas your heart that planned it. Will you not serve us-- serve us here on land? If any British come, see they don't go a-roving.

The fewer on the streets the better. D'ye catch my meaning? And, Richard, one word more. You can see the s.h.i.+ps from here. The work we'll do will take but twenty minutes. If we succeed, I'll send you a signal.

I'll wave this lantern three times in the darkness.

RICHARD.

Bless you, Tom Rigby.

[Richard is left alone, and goes to seat by fire.