She Would Be a Soldier Part 9

JAILOR. I think you're in a devil of a pickle already--come, get in!

[_Removes a board from the scene, which discovers a small dark hole.

JERRY supplicates._]

JERRY. How long am I to be here, Mr. Jailor, in company with myself?

JAILOR. That depends on your good behaviour. [_Cannon are heard._]

There! the battle has commenced.

JERRY. [_Putting his head out of the hole._] O dear, what's that? The great guns are going off. Are you sure, my dear jailor, that this prison is bomb proof?

JAILOR. Take your head in, you great land turtle.

JERRY. Oh, what will become of me?

_End of the Second Act._

ACT III.

_Scene in front of a pavilion tent; trumpets and drums sounding._

_Enter GENERAL, LENOX, SOLDIERS, OFFICERS, &c._

GENERAL. At length victory has crown'd our arms, and the result of this action will keep alive the spirits of our troops, and the hopes of our country. Hark! the bugles are sounding a retreat, and the enemy has abandoned the field and taken to his entrenchments. Lenox, your hand--your conduct this day has confirmed our hopes--allow me in the name of our country to thank you.

LENOX. Not a word, dear general, not a word; I have merely done my duty, and done no more than every soldier in our ranks.

GENERAL. What is the result of this day's action?

LENOX. The enemy has lost upwards of 500 in killed and wounded, and several princ.i.p.al officers have been taken prisoners.

GENERAL. In what position were they when the attack became general?

LENOX. The British commander, pressed by our artillery under Towson, issued in all his force from his entrenchments. It was a gallant sight, to see his solid columns and burnished arms advance on the margin of the river, and his cavalry, with lightning's force, dart on our flanks to turn and throw them into confusion: but they were met by the volunteers under the brave Porter, and gallantly repulsed.

GENERAL. Go on.

LENOX. The enemy then condensed his forces and crossed the bridge, and was encountered on the plains of Chippewa by Scott, with his brigade, when the action became severe and general. No ambuscade or masked batteries were held in reserve--the enemy was not a moment concealed from our view--no tangled thicket or umbrageous groves gave effect or facility to our rifles: the battle was fought on a plain--where man grappled man, force was opposed to force, skill to skill, and eye to eye, in regular, disciplined, and admirable order.

GENERAL. How near were you to the British general?

LENOX. In sight and hearing. Charge the Yankees! said a hoa.r.s.e voice which I knew to be his. Charge away! said our ardent troops, as they advanced with fixed bayonets; the fire became dreadful, and our stars and stripes were seen waving in the blaze. Scott rode through the lines cheering the men, and gallantly leading them on; Jessup and his third battalion turned the right flank of the enemy after a dreadful conflict; Ketchum had kept up a cross and ruinous fire; and Towson, from his dread artillery, scattered grape like hail amongst them. On, on! cried Leavenworth, the day's our own, my boys! Just then a shot struck down my comrade, Harrison, and shattered his leg.

GENERAL. Well?

LENOX. He grasped his sword and fought on his stump, clinging to the spot like fire-eyed Mars; the enemy, pressed on all sides, gave way; our troops pursued, and the flight became general. At length we drove them to their entrenchments, and remained masters of the field. Our trumpets sounded their retreat; victory perched on our eagles, and our bands struck up the soul-inspiring air of "Hail, Columbia, happy land!"

GENERAL. Well done, my brave fellows! This action will teach the enemy to respect that valour which they cannot subdue. See that the wounded prisoners are taken care of: give them all succor: victory loses half its value, when it is not tempered with mercy.

[_Exit GENERAL._

LENOX. Now to my dear Christine, to receive from her the reward which I hope I have fairly earned, and seek with her the joys of tranquillity and love.

_Enter a SOLDIER._

SOLDIER. Towards the conclusion of the battle we made two Indian warriors prisoners, who were fighting desperately; we have them with us.

LENOX. Bring them in; I will examine them, touching the number and force of their tribe. [_Exit SOLDIER, who returns with PENDRAGON and LAROLE, with a file of men; both are painted and dressed as Indians; PENDRAGON preserves his opera-gla.s.s, and LAROLE his snuff-box._]

PENDRAGON. What are we brought here for, fellow?

LENOX. Warriors, the fate of battle has placed you in our power; yet fear nothing, we shall treat you like men and soldiers. Deeply do we regret to see you take up arms against us, instigated by foreign influence, and bribed by foreign gold. How numerous is your tribe?

PENDRAGON. Why what the devil, sir, do you take us for Choctaws? Can't you tell a man of fas.h.i.+on in masquerade?

LENOX. Who and what are you?

PENDRAGON. I am the honourable Captain Pendragon, of his Majesty's Coldstream guards.

LENOX. The _honourable_ Captain Pendragon, and taken prisoner fighting in the ranks with Indians, and in disguise? A man of rank and fas.h.i.+on, and a soldier, changing his complexion, his nature and his character--herding with savages--infuriating their horrid pa.s.sions, and whetting their knives and tomahawks against their defenceless prisoners?

Impossible! And who are you, sir? [_To LAROLE._

LAROLE. [_Taking snuff._] Begar, sair, I am von man of fas.h.i.+on aussi, I am valet de sham to capitain Pendragoon; ve are in de masquerade, sair.

PENDRAGON. It's very true, sir, 'pon honour--we are in masquerade, though you look as if you doubt it. War, sir, is a kind of a--a singular science, and if you are to be knock'd on the head, 'tis of very little consequence whether your nose is tipped with blue or red, damme. I am in your power, sir, and a man of fas.h.i.+on, 'pon honour.

LENOX. Well, sir, if your example is to govern men of honour or men of fas.h.i.+on, I hope I am ignorant of the attributes of the one, or the eccentricities of the other. However, mercy to prisoners, even when they have forfeited mercy, may teach your nation lessons of toleration and humanity. Your life is safe, sir.

PENDRAGON. Sir, you speak very like a gentleman, and I shall be happy to taste Burgundy with you at the Horse Guards.

LENOX. I thank you, sir.

LAROLE. Par example, dis Yankee Doodel is von very pretti spoken jeune gentiman, I will give him de encouragement. Sair, I vill be ver happy to serve you en my contree, to take un ta.s.se de caffee at de Palais Royale en Paris wid you, to dress your hair, or pull your corset tight.

_Enter GENERAL, ADELA and OFFICER._

GENERAL. Who have we here?

LENOX. Prisoners, sir, and in disguise.

ADELA. As I live, an Indian dandy!

PENDRAGON. A lady? [_With an air of fas.h.i.+on._] Ma'am, your most devoted slave--inexpressibly happy to find a beautiful creature in this d.a.m.n'd wilderness. You see, ma'am, I am a kind of a prisoner, but always at home, always at my ease, _a-la-mode_ St. James--extremely rejoiced to have the honour of your acquaintance. A fine girl, LaRole, split me!

LAROLE. Oh, oui, she is very fine, I like her ver mush.