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diff --git a/old/69010-0.txt b/old/69010-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 01b3a60..0000000 --- a/old/69010-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4647 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lafitte, a play in prologue and four -acts, by Lucile Rutland - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Lafitte, a play in prologue and four acts - -Authors: Lucile Rutland - Rhoda Cameron - -Release Date: September 18, 2022 [eBook #69010] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LAFITTE, A PLAY IN PROLOGUE -AND FOUR ACTS *** - - - - - - - LAFITTE - - A PLAY - IN PROLOGUE - AND - FOUR ACTS - BY - - LUCILE RUTLAND AND RHODA CAMERON - - Copyright, 1899, by Lucile Rutland and Lucie Leveque - Ayres, (Rhoda Cameron). All rights reserved - - - - -CHARACTERS - - - JEAN DURAND, afterwards Jean Lafitte. - MARQUIS D’ACOSTA, belonging to the court of Ferdinand VII. - DON MANUEL D’ACOSTA, his son. - MARIANA D’ACOSTA, his niece. - PEDRO D’ACOSTA, Mariana’s brother by adoption. - BELUCHE, a soldier in Napoleon’s army. - DELLONNE, a sentry. - LEON DUVAL, a wealthy Louisianian. - BELLA CARDEZ, his step-daughter. - DARBLEE, proprietor of _l’hotel des Exiles_. - DOMINIQUE YOU, his nephew. - BAPTISTE, his negro servant. - A STRANGER - MOTHER AUGUSTUS, an austere, elderly nun. - LIZBETTE, a voo-doo of Barataria. - FATHER POULARDE, a rubicund, self-confessed optimist. - DOCTOR BORDE, the Pride’s doctor. - FATHER CUTHBERT, the priest of Barataria. - CAPTAIN LOCKYER, of the British navy. - CAPTAIN McWILLIAMS, of the British navy. - GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE, Governor of Louisiana. - CHAIRMAN, on the Committee of War Measures. - SHIP CAPTAIN, of American vessel. - OFFICERS, PASSENGERS, of American vessel. - MATE, of the Creole. - - Politicians and legislators, two roysterers, Spanish merchants, - nuns, pirates, hunters, grave-diggers, ladies and gentlemen, - soldiers, servants, guards, and a messenger. - - - - -PLACE. - - - PROLOGUE Bayonne, France. - ACT I. SCENE I. _L’hotel des Exiles_, New Orleans. - ” ” ” II. On board ship, bound for France. - ACT II. Vicinity of Lafitte’s home, the Red House, Barataria. - ACT III. SCENE I. Governor Claiborne’s mansion, New Orleans. - ” ” ” II. _L’hotel des Exiles._ - ACT IV. An approach to New Orleans. - - - - -TIME. - - - PROLOGUE, 1808. - PLAY, 1814-15. - - - - -PROLOGUE. - - - - -PROLOGUE. - - -_SCENE. A beautiful garden; rustic tables and chairs; to the right a -castle, massive, elegant, imposing. Don Manuel D’Acosta, standing on the -veranda, absorbed in thought. Enter Marquis D’Acosta._ - -MARQ. Manuel.—Manuel. - -MAN. You called? - -MARQ. Of what were you thinking so intently? - -MAN. A little plan that I imagine will surprise Napoleon somewhat. - -MARQ. He will at least reciprocate. He has prepared a surprise for us. - -MAN. How so? - -MARQ. I have just heard that we are to be sent to-morrow to the castle of -Valencay. - -MAN. The devil! - -MARQ. As “guests of France,” our host feels that he must provide better -lodgings for us. - -MAN. Safer ones, you mean. - -MARQ. I warned you that your zeal for Ferdinand would lead us to prison. - -MAN. Long live his Majesty, Ferdinand the VII! - -MARQ. And Mariana must share our prison. - -MAN. Better that than freedom with others. - -MARQ. You talk like a youth. Mariana has French blood in her veins. - -MAN. She has Spanish blood in her veins too. She is your niece and my -cousin. - -MARQ. She has no sympathy for Ferdinand. - -MAN. Because she has been taught to distrust him. Will Captain Durand’s -company remain here or escort us to Valencay. - -MARQ. I do not know. - -MAN. It is incredible that you let her speak to that man. - -MARQ. He is not a lunatic. - -MAN. He is worse: he is a _poseur_. You know very well that a girl’s -admiration is always captured by such a tale of heroism as he has been at -pains to have circulated. - -MARQ. What heroism? - -MAN. An absurd story that Napoleon sent him with a message to the -Empress; that five or six rowdy Spaniards, thinking to make a grand -_coup_, and under the impression that they were military instructions, -waylaid him and demanded the papers upon him. - -MARQ. And then? - -MAN. Oh, then my gallant proved himself. He switched out his sword and -bade them advance. And the men, not recognizing him as a hero, advanced -and were slain. - -MARQ. It was a brave act. - -MAN. If one accredit it, as you so generously do. - -MARQ. Manuel, I have used, and will use my influence in your favor. -Beyond that I can do nothing. - -MAN. Say will do nothing. (_exit._) - -MARQ. Poor boy! Poor hot-head! (_enter Mariana._) - -MAR. What a beautiful day, uncle! - -MARQ. Hedged in as we are, I cannot see it. - -MAR. But overhead the way is all ours. - -MARQ. You are very light-hearted these days. - -MAR. There are so many beauties on beauties, and still out of sight and -hearing, an infinite comfort, as if God had centered the Universe into a -nesting hollow for us. - -MARQ. You know, Mariana, that I wish you to marry Manuel. - -MAR. Uncle— - -MARQ. You know that your father wished it; left you his fortune only upon -that condition. - -MAR. Yes, I know. - -MARQ. Think of these things. Do not let the caprice of a moment weigh -against the wishes of your dead. (_exit; Mariana sits absorbed in -thought; enter Jean Durand; he has his left arm lightly bandaged; he -comes up behind her, puts his right arm around her._) - -MAR. (_starting_) Oh! It is you. - -JEAN. I am jealous of those long thoughts of yours. - -MAR. Are you? - -JEAN. Jealous of all things that claim you; the winds that whisper to you -all day long, the dreams that make you smile or sigh, the moon-beams that -enfold you at night, the thoughts that bid you pay attention. - -MAR. I know a magician who converts all those things to his use. - -JEAN. I know an enchantress who makes him believe he does. - -MAR. He praises my eyes, my lips, my hair, and I lie awake at night -thinking about the happiness and the wonder of their being beautiful to -him. - -JEAN. The wonder would be in their being anything else. - -MAR. Even for my chance words, he creates meanings of wisdom and wit. - -JEAN. Because, like the sun’s rays, they beautify even the smallest -things. - -MAR. I am afraid he does not hear me; that he does not see me. - -JEAN. He loves you, sweetheart. God has put no appraiser in the world -half so infallible as Love. Do you know why I was jealous of that long -thought of yours? - -MAR. No. (_she bends her head and lightly touches with her lips his -wounded arm._) - -JEAN. Because it seemed a sad thought. - -MAR. It was. I was thinking of Pedro. - -JEAN. Your brother? - -MAR. Yes. Do you know, Jean, I am glad I cannot have the fortune my -father left. - -JEAN. I am glad that I shall be forever in your debt for the privilege of -making you another. - -MAR. Even if I had not met you, I could never have married Manuel, and, -in that case, the fortune would have reverted to the Church. - -JEAN. In that case it would have been your brother’s happiness and -privilege to have shared his with you. - -MAR. My brother was not even mentioned in the will. That is why I am glad -I cannot have the money. - -JEAN. What was his offense? - -MAR. Nothing, that we know of. He is not really my brother, you know; -only an adopted brother. - -JEAN. French? - -MAR. No, Spanish; adopted by my parents before my birth, when they had -despaired of having a child of their own. - -JEAN. Then he is older than you? - -MAR. Ten years. - -JEAN. Where is he now? - -MAR. We do not know. Five years ago, (when we left France to go to Spain, -after my father’s death) he ceased answering my letters. I begged him to -write to me—to love me, but— - -JEAN. He is an ingrate. - -MAR. Oh, he is not. He is hurt and humiliated by father’s will. He had -been treated as a son during his life-time; he must have supposed he -would still be treated as a son when father died. My heart aches for poor -Pedro. - -JEAN. He ought to be a happy man. - -MAR. Happy? - -JEAN. You pray for him—long for him—love him. - -MAR. I pray for others. - -JEAN. For me? - -MAR. My best prayers. - -JEAN. And long for me sometimes? - -MAR. Always—when you give me a chance. - -JEAN. If I were forced to give you a long chance? - -MAR. Jean— - -JEAN. Let me speak to your uncle, sweetheart. - -MAR. It would be useless. - -JEAN. He is kind to you; he loves you. - -MAR. He loves Manuel better. He is determined on the marriage. - -JEAN. But if he saw your happiness is at stake? - -MAR. He would call it caprice. You see my father’s will makes it easy for -him to think desire, duty. - -JEAN. Then marry me, sweetheart. Give me the right to make your peace -secure. All that you have dreamed of me I will try to be; all that you -have hoped for me I will work to achieve; all that you believe of me I -will die to prove. Marry me, sweetheart. Say the yes that is in your eyes. - -MAR. (_closing them_) My eyes are tell-tales which should be punished. - -JEAN. (_kissing them_) Your eyes are altar lamps to Truth. Say the -yes that is in your heart. (_Mariana throws her arms around him_) My -sweetheart! To-night? - -MAR. Oh, Jean— - -JEAN. This is our last day here. - -MAR. Last! - -JEAN. To-morrow Ferdinand and his Court will be removed to the castle of -Valencay. - -MAR. And you? Do you accompany us? - -JEAN. I do not know. I have not yet received my orders. - -MAR. You will not leave me, Jean? - -JEAN. Does one leave the light, air, warmth, life? I shall come to you -this afternoon. - -MAR. My uncle is calling— - -JEAN. _Au revoir_, sweetheart. (_kisses her; exit Mariana; Beluche enters -R. U._) - -BEL. (_to sentry at back_) Is Captain Durand here? - -JEAN. (_overhearing him, and turning up stage from L. I. E._) Ah, Beluche! - -BEL. You seem very happy. Are you not yet tired of your Spanish watch? - -JEAN. Tired? I wish it might last forever. - -BEL. We shall have you Spanishized next; praising the senors; adoring the -senoritas. - -JEAN. The senoritas— - -BEL. Thank heaven, I can hear your rhapsodies seldom. - -JEAN. You’ll force me to think soon, Beluche, that some fair senorita has -jilted you heartlessly. - -BEL. Would the thought suggest any caution? - -JEAN. You admit? - -BEL. I admit that to deserve is better than to possess. - -JEAN. Well parried! - -BEL. And, as against polite Spaniards, I admit to a preference for honest -cannibals. - -JEAN. (_laughing_) And the New World? - -BEL. And the New World. I have heard tales of it to make the heart beat -and the eye lighten. - -JEAN. Fairy tales. - -BEL. Matters of fact; of wonderful fortune-making, of breathless daring. - -JEAN. Accomplished by whom? - -BEL. The Carthagenians (_fiercely_) against the Spanish. - -JEAN. Oh—the Caribbean sea exploits? Pirates. - -BEL. I beg your pardon. Privateers. - -JEAN. I believe you _are_ in earnest. - -BEL. I am going there. - -JEAN. To the New World? - -BEL. To the New World. Will you go with me? - -JEAN. My dear Beluche, impossible. - -BEL. Then good-by. I must hurry back. (_exit_) - -JEAN. Wait a moment. Beluche—What an eccentric! (_looking towards -Mariana’s window_) But he does not know that I have found a new world -already. (_exit; enter Pedro R, U. E.; he sees Jean exiting; looks after -him gloomily_) - -PED. Captain Durand! More officious than ever I presume, since the -Emperor has been pleased to praise him. Confound the luck! To have -to break off in the midst of my furlough for cursed gambling debts -and threatened disgrace. However, my young Captain, you’ve been a -sufficient thorn in my side; you won’t have a chance to step in my shoes -yet awhile.—I must see Manuel. Re-enforced as he will be by Mariana’s -fortune, his friendship appeals to me. (_enter Manuel_) How goes the -world with my brother-in-law elect? - -MAN. Pedro! It is ages since we have heard from you. Mariana has been in -much sorrow about it. - -PED. I hope then to give her added joy on her wedding day. - -MAN. Her wedding day? - -PED. The earliest time fixed by her father for her marriage is at hand. I -assume your eagerness to profit by it. - -MAN. You assume hers too? - -PED. Why not? - -MAN. For the most potent of all reasons. She does not love me. - -PED. She says so. Women are fond of entreaty. - -MAN. I have entreated. - -PED. They are fond of mastery. You are faint-hearted, despondent. - -MAN. I am reasonable. - -PED. You speak your defeat. There is no other man, is there? - -MAN. Curse him! - -PED. What sort of man? - -MAN. Oh, a young swashbuckler, lately promoted to a Captaincy by -Napoleon,—Jean Durand, by name. - -PED. That man! - -MAN. What of him? - -PED. She must not marry him. One thing more: do you love her? - -MAN. Pedro d’Acosta! - -PED. Your pardon. I had not thought of the fortune. Your own is -sufficient guarantee against financial motives. - -MAN. I love her, certainly. - -PED. Then—I shall be able to help you. - -MAN. She will not listen to you. - -PED. I shall not ask her to do so. Do not let her know that I am in -Bayonne. - -MAN. You wear a French Colonel’s uniform. She will hear of you through -Captain Durand. - -PED. She will hear only of his Colonel, whose name is Tolosa. - -MAN. But you? - -PED. I am Colonel Tolosa. Five years ago I dropped the name of my adopted -parents, and assumed that of the little Spanish town in which I was born. - -MAN. You joined the French army! - -PED. For which you shall be thankful. To return to Mariana: there is no -use arguing with a woman in love. We must pit our wits against Durand’s, -letting her know nothing of our interference. Go to her. Press your suit, -besiege her with entreaty. Determine to win and you shall. - -MAN. If you speak truth— - -PED. There is no if but in yourself. Sweep aside all denial, rush her -along the current of your will; make her breathless, powerless. When she -recovers, she will admire, love you. - -MAN. Pedro— - -PED. No thanks, I’ll help you, if you will help yourself. - -MAN. When shall I see you again? - -PED. Leave that to me. _Au revoir._ (_exit_) - -MAN. (_enthusiastically_) If Pedro be right!—(_enter Mariana with a -basket for gathering flowers_) - -MAR. Uncle has been seeking you, Manuel. - -MAN. (_advancing towards her_) And you? - -MAR. (_purposely misunderstanding_) He did not need me. - -MAN. Have _you_ been seeking me? - -MAR. Why should I? - -MAN. Why, indeed! You know that my love needs no bidding; that it is— - -MAR. That it is very unbidden. - -MAN. That it is the sum of my existence; that it has ruined my life for -all things save worship of one idea—you; longing for one good—you; hatred -for one opposition—yours. - -MAR. I must gather my flowers. - -MAN. (_savagely_) You are in a cutting mood. Allow me to hold your basket -for you. - -MAR. It will do as well on the ground, (_she lets it fall to the ground; -Manuel picks it up._) I prefer it on the ground. - -MAN. I prefer to hold it. - -MAR. But as the basket is mine—(_goes to take it._) - -MAN. (_retaining it_) And you are mine— - -MAR. You know my answer to that. - -MAN. My dearest, in the days when our great, great uncle was a corsair— - -MAR. Spare me the recital of his feats. - -MAN. He would have made short shrift of your little sins of hesitancy and -doubt. - -MAR. Hesitancy! - -MAN. He would have seized you, body and soul. He would have understood no -denial. He would have seen no sense in it. - -MAR. A corsair you called him. Another name for thief. - -MAN. For poetry, freedom, reckless bravery! - -MAR. For underhandedness and skulking cowardice. I abhor his very name. - -MAN. That is impossible. It is also mine. - -MAR. Your boast of it does you no credit. - -MAN. Mariana, my best beloved, do not drive me to desperation. I am -patient. - -MAR. I am not, especially when you seek to overawe me by telling me what -a notorious pirate would do in your place. - -MAN. But I— - -MAR. Please give me my basket. - -MAN. You are not so severe on all adventurers; Captain Durand, for -instance. - -MAR. Captain Durand! - -MAN. Yes. Do you suppose I do not see how he has hoodwinked you into -admiration, love perhaps, by his tales of valor and gallantry. - -MAR. Please give me my basket. - -MAN. You shall not put me aside in this manner. You shall realize that I -love you and that you shall love me. - -MAR. Why such vehemence since you are confident? - -MAN. Because you are cruel; because day by day you torture me. - -MAR. I have never given you any hope. - -MAN. You give me none now? - -MAR. I give you none now. - -MAN. Ha! ha! “Sweep aside all denial; rush her along the current of your -will. When she recovers, she will admire, love you.” - -MAR. What? - -MAN. There is your basket. (_exit_) - -MAR. What did he mean? I wonder—Oh, I wish Jean would come. (_enter -Jean_) Well? - -JEAN. Bad news. Col. Tolosa has returned. - -MAR. He orders you—? - -JEAN. To remain here. - -MAR. Oh! - -JEAN. He must have divined, you see, that I wanted to go. - -MAR. Despicable! - -JEAN. But he cannot divine the glory and happiness that will be mine in -remaining, since you will remain with me. - -MAR. You don’t think, Jean, that there would be any hope of gaining -uncle’s consent? - -JEAN. There would be scant time in which to gain it. (_enter Pedro and -Manuel at back_) - -MAN. Manuel, too—You have no idea how insistent Manuel has become, almost -to the point of threats. - -JEAN. Ah, put an end to such unpleasant possibilities, sweetheart. Let us -be married to-night. Father Cuthbert is here—has just arrived. - -MAR. Father John Cuthbert? - -JEAN. The same. Do you know him? - -MAR. He was our parish priest in the old days in France. Pedro and I used -to walk with him often. - -JEAN. He is one of my best friends. - -MAR. Will he be here long? - -JEAN. Unfortunately, no. He is only going through—will be leaving in the -early morning for America. But are you not glad, sweetheart, that he is -here to marry us? - -MAR. Yes. - -JEAN. I had almost forgotten. I must get a ring. - -MAR. (_touching the ring on his left hand_) This will do. - -JEAN. (_taking it off_) What! This little silver thing? It is all -battered. - -MAR. (_taking it from him_) But more precious so than if chased by the -finest workers of France; bent, and nearly broken, and stained with -blood, it is an earnest of my lover’s valor; of the fearless worth that -won him his Emperor’s commendation. (_she kisses the ring, and slips it -on her finger_) - -JEAN. Did I not tell you, sweetheart, that your thoughts, like the sun’s -rays, beautify even the smallest things? Now listen. To-night, whenever -my best opportunity offers, I shall come to you. I shall make my presence -known by softly singing the refrain of “_Mon Coeur a Toi_.” If all be -well, come down to me in the garden. - -MAR. Oh, Jean, there is a great white tempest in my soul! It awes me. - -JEAN. There is a greater one it seems to me in mine, but it does not -awe me. It builds me—up to heaven. For the last time, my precious one, -good-by. - -MAR. Good-by. - -JEAN. To-night. (_he kisses her; exeunt Jean and Mariana_) - -MAN. (_advancing_) You see the result of “sweeping aside all denial.” It -has hurried her into marriage. - -PED. It has done nothing of the sort. They were bound to find some -excuses for marrying. - -MAN. They shall not marry. I’ll warn my father—lock her in— - -PED. And ruin your chances forever. - -MAN. I have no chances. - -PED. If you will give me Mariana’s fortune for my good offices, I’ll -ensure you the defeat of your rival. - -MAN. Mariana’s fortune! - -PED. What I shall do requires care and planning, and is not unaccompanied -by risk. You have an ample fortune of your own. I have, thanks to my -father’s kindness, nothing—less than nothing, since I am deeply in debt -and in danger of disgrace, even dismissal from the army. - -MAN. But Mariana’s fortune— - -PED. Will be yours. - -MAN. I cannot promise that. - -PED. Then I cannot risk what I had thought of. - -MAN. It would be useless. I have no chance. - -PED. Certainly Durand seems to have left you none. - -MAN. Damn him! - -PED. He was not even ruffled by Mariana’s confession of your desperate -wooing. - -MAN. I’ll kill him! - -PED. (_amused_) As for your threats, he did not consider them. - -MAN. (_turning fiercely upon him_) Stop that! - -PED. (_coolly and indifferently_) Good-by. (_going_) - -MAN. Pedro! Will you not see the folks and use your influence with -Mariana? She might listen to you. - -PED. I think it very unlikely. - -MAN. Wait a moment. What if your plan should fail? - -PED. What plan? - -MAN. About Durand. - -PED. It would not fail. - -MAN. Mariana, of course, would know nothing of our agreement? - -PED. Certainly nothing. - -MAN. Very well then. I do not believe it possible for me to win her, but -it will be a satisfaction to have outwitted Durand. - -PED. (_handing him a pencil and paper upon which he has been writing._) -Will you sign this? - -MAN. My word is sufficient. - -PED. Certainly. Yet as a matter of business, I prefer to have your -signature. - -MAN. I do not believe anything will come of it. (_signs_) - -PED. Your marriage will come of it. But there is no time to lose. Come -with me. (_exeunt; night has come on, the moon is rising; enter Jean_) - -JEAN. Dellonne is on watch. I’ll—Why, Beluche! (_enter Beluche_) - -BEL. I could not leave without asking you once more to come with me. - -JEAN. How leave? Have you resigned from the army? - -BEL. I have. I am disgusted with Napoleon’s manner of treating the -Spaniards; sick of inaction. Come with me. - -JEAN. (_laughs_) My dear Beluche, will the fair senorita allow your -departure? - -BEL. What senorita? - -JEAN. The creator of this restlessness, this love-hate. - -BEL. Do I look like a fool? - -JEAN. Heaven forbid! - -BEL. Heaven has nothing to do with it. I am a fool. - -JEAN. My dear Beluche— - -BEL. I bear on my shoulders a convict’s brand—not a regular mark, but -the scars of lashings. I am a young man no longer because seven of my -years have been spent in prison—a prison to which my fair senorita and -her Spanish hypocrites sent me. And it is still a daily humiliation to me -that she has a miniature of me to show her friends; the fool whose face -she placed upon a serpent’s head—a fitting locket truly. Probably Antonio -Cardez dangles it at his watch chain now—the fat, insentient beast!—the -very kind of man sure to exhibit jewelry on his expansive front. - -JEAN. My dear Beluche, I had no idea— - -BEL. You have none now—about Spaniards. Are you not under command of a -Spanish colonel? - -JEAN. He must be French at heart since he is a commanding officer in -Napoleon’s army. Do you know him? - -BEL. No, I have never seen him. - -JEAN. I will confess to you that without reason—simply on instinct—the -best support for your plea lies in my intuition about that one Spaniard. - -BEL. Ah! - -JEAN. But the fact remains. I have no cause to hate the Spanish. If I -should ever have, and if my chances of avenging myself should be forever -lost to me in the Old World, then I will go with you to the New. - -BEL. Then! To-morrow and her dupes! Good by. Remember that I liked you. -(_exit_) - -JEAN. Poor Beluche! (_sentry passes at back_). Dellonne—(_sentry -salutes_). I’ll relieve you of duty for awhile. Hold yourself in -readiness to return at a signal from me. (_Sentry salutes and exit; Jean -looks after him, turns to Mariana’s window and is advancing towards it, -when Manuel appears._) - -MAN. Good evening, Captain. - -JEAN. Good evening. - -MAN. (_descending into the garden_) Do you go with us to-morrow? - -JEAN. I do not. - -MAN. Have a cigar? (_offering him a cigar_) - -JEAN. Thanks. I have just had one. - -MAN. Not with me. Try one. (_Jean takes a cigar_) - -JEAN. Thanks. (_Manuel offers him a light, then lights his own cigar_) - -MAN. I suppose there is no telling when we shall see you again? - -JEAN. We may meet. - -MAN. In case we don’t, will you remember that I am much indebted to you? - -JEAN. For what? - -MAN. Oh, a thousand things. You do not, I see, estimate rightly the -appreciation you provoke. - -JEAN. I— - -MAN. Shall we walk? (_Jean stands dazed_) Are you ill? - -JEAN. Nothing.... A little dizziness.... (_staggers to bench near -table, sits and sinks face downward upon the table; Manuel watches him, -then beckons to a servant who enters, bearing a bottle of liquor; exit -servant; Manuel drinks from the bottle, then empties the remainder of -the contents upon the ground and places the bottle on the table by Jean. -He then exchanges his hat and cloak for those of Jean, goes to Mariana’s -window and softly sings Mon Coeur a Toi. After a moment, her door opens -and Mariana comes down to him with extended hands. Manuel hastily wraps -her cloak around her and leads her down the garden path. Exeunt Manuel -and Mariana. Then from the distance, comes a cry of fear and horror._) - -MAR. (_without_) Jean! Jean! (_Jean starts up at the cry, but falls dazed -and helpless, back into a troubled sleep. A short silence; then a sudden -alarm sounds. Lights flash. A cry behind the scenes: “The prisoners have -escaped!” and a group of soldiers, led by Colonel Tolosa, rushes on the -scene._) - -PED. Who is on watch? - -DELL. Captain Durand. He relieved me half an hour ago. (_they see Jean -asleep; Pedro goes up to him; picks up the bottle at his side and lets it -fall to the ground. Jean raises his head; struggles to his feet._) - -PED. Captain Durand, you are drunk. You were sleeping at your post; you -have allowed your prisoners to escape. What have you to say in your own -defense? - -JEAN. (_staggering semi-conscious to centre._) Mariana.... (_falls._) - -PED. (_looking him over coldly._) Remove his sword and order a summons -prepared for a court-martial. - - CURTAIN. - - - - -ACT I. - - - - -ACT I. - - -_SCENE I. Six years later. L’Hotel des Exiles; New Orleans. A large, -dark-paneled, low-ceilinged room. Enter Leon Duval and Pedro._ - -DUV. You resided in Spain until within the last few years, did you not? - -PED. Yes; our family belonged to Ferdinand’s Court, but when His Majesty -was overthrown, our fortunes all suffering in the downfall, my uncle -removed to New Orleans. - -DUV. Where your own overthrow was completed by Cupid. To be frank with -you, you are perfectly eligible to my daughter’s hand;—I like you—but -owing to her youth and the great wealth that will be hers, (she is my -sole heir) I am constrained to caution. Personally, the weight of my -authority will be in your favor, but in the meantime we must wait until -you have money enough to raise you in worldly minds above the suspicion -of fortune hunting. - -PED. For your frankness, even though it wound me, I thank you. My only -protest arises from suspense lest in the interim Bella should prefer -another; even that she may prefer another now. - -DUV. I have never had any trouble with women, no matter who the woman. -All that is necessary is to coax them in the proper way, so as to make -them think they are yielding through grace and not necessity. - -PED. A rare art. - -DUV. An easy one. I pledge you my word that Bella will wed as I dictate. -(_enter several legislators and politicians._) - -1st POL. It is plain to see that the British have designs on this city. - -1st LEG. They won’t amount to anything. (_enter Beluche._) - -DUV. They will amount to ruin, unless Lafitte be checked in time. - -2nd POL. Confound it all, he must be. - -DUV. He is not only a terror to the State, a growing paralysis upon its -commerce, but a menace to the entire country; uncatchable, unrestrainable. - -PED. The country’s trade with Spain has been well nigh ruined. - -1st LEG. Yes and her neutrality laws put at naught. - -DUV. Worse still; the entire respectability of the State is being -debauched underhandedly into complicity with this Emperor of Barataria -under penalty of being ruined. - -2nd LEG. The Governor must be urged to act. - -1st POL. He cannot remain unheedful of the petition we will send him. - -DUV. To business! (_exeunt_.) - -BEL. Ha! ha! Petition away, my gallants! The man who from public -disgrace has been able to build himself into a power, a whole country -fears because it cannot subdue, need have no apprehension arising from -petitions. Jean Durand of the French army was a very different man from -Jean Lafitte, Emperor of Barataria. “If he should ever have cause to hate -the Spanish!” he promised me. The cause must have been grievous—a woman, -of course—the cause is always a woman, though Jean has said nothing -to me about it. However, she has made him a good hater. For that much -I am beholden to her.—But I must see Lafitte about the Creole. I have -suspicions about that ship. He has been away so many months, the men are -becoming unruly. I had thought to find him here looking up old Darblee -about his _protege_, Dominique. (_enter Baptiste._) Has Master Dominique -returned, Baptiste? - -BAP. No sah, not jess ’zactly. I’ze lookin’ into dis week fo’ ’im. - -BEL. Still got that little habit of looking into things? - -BAP. Yes sah, an’ dat minds me. Does you know, marser, if dem bloodhounds -bite hard? - -BEL. Pretty hard. - -BAP. Is dey any chance fo’ a man to git ’way fum em? - -BEL. They have been known to swim a stream and find the scent on the -other side. Don’t be foolhardy, Baptiste. - -BAP. Who me? _I_ ain’t got no idee o’ runnin’ ’way. Naw, sah. I jess want -to fin’ out fo’ a fren o’ mine. - -BEL. Isn’t Mr Darblee a kind master? - -BAP. Dey ain no better. Ef dat daid man dint hanker roun’ ’ere so -continuous— - -BEL. What man? - -BAP. Yo see dat mask over de door? Dat man’s sperrit dogs me all de -time;—won’t even let anything stay whar I puts it. Dis very mornin’, I -had done put marser Darblee’s slippers in de sun to air an’ wen I went to -look fo’ ’em dey uz done gone. (_wipes his forehead._) - -BEL. A thief, perhaps. - -BAP. Naw sah. Dey ain no body kin git in de co’t widout me seein’ ’em. - -BEL. Mr. Darblee may not ask for the slippers. (_exeunt; enter Darblee -and Dominique._) - -DOM. And here is the old home again! - -DAR. And the old uncle to give you welcome. - -DOM. Spain is a pretty far way off, eh uncle? - -DAR. But with Lafitte!—You know, Dominique, I have served Lafitte for -years and yet have never seen him. - -DOM. You have no idea the wonderful man he is! - -DAR. Yes? - -DOM. Oh, a man to admire, copy, love; a man to spend your life with, -if it were not for Bella. How is Bella? Have you seen her? Is she -well?—(_notices a bulge in Darblee’s pockets._) What on earth have you -in your pockets? - -DAR. (_pulling out a pair of slippers._) I bought them for you and wore -them once to see if they were comfortable. This morning I found them in -the broiling sun, put there to air by Baptiste. Fortunately I was in time -to save the coloring. - -DOM. Baptiste would seem to have opinions of your feet. Thank you, uncle. -They are beautiful. - -DAR. Have you had any _ecrevisse_ gumbo since you left home? - -DOM. No indeed; nothing so good. (_he puts the slippers on a chair and -walks to the right of mask door to take a look at the old place._) - -DAR. I wonder whether Baptiste has ordered those _ecrevisses_? (_exit L; -enter Baptiste dusting Darblee’s hat; he sees the slippers; puts the hat -down and takes the slippers up._) Baptiste. - -BAP. Lordy! I done forgot ’bout dem _ecrevisses_! - -DAR. (_without._) Baptiste! - -BAP. Yes sah. (_Dominique re-enters just as Baptiste hides the slippers -in some out of the way place; Baptiste exits._) - -DOM. It seems safest to follow uncle’s example if I would have my -slippers. (_puts them in his pockets; deep sailor pockets, that make no -bulges; enter Darblee._) - -DAR. Tell me about that shipwreck. - -DOM. It was purely imaginary. - -DAR. What! - -DOM. I dared not say I had not been shipwrecked when Lizbette said I had. -Bella would have had no further faith in me. - -DAR. Nonsense. - -DOM. Of course. - -DAR. You don’t mean— - -DOM. Yes I do—every time I think of the day I chanced to speak of that -old voo-doo to Bella.—How about Baptiste? Is he still as much troubled by -ghosts as ever? - -DAR. I suppose so. He’s flightier than ever. (_enter Bella._) - -DOM. (_catching both her hands._) At last! - -BELLA. I received your note just in time. (_exit Darblee._) I told father -I wished to go to confession, so he accompanied me to the Church. I must -get back before he returns. And oh, what do you think? - -DOM. I love you. - -BELLA. A most delightful thing has happened. - -DOM. You love me. - -BELLA. Be serious. Our love seems more hopeless than ever. - -DOM. What! - -BELLA. I said seems. There is a suitor for my hand whom father insists -that I shall marry and father himself is more inveterate than ever -against the men he calls pirates. - -DOM. But you? - -BELLA. Oh, I am glad that the suitor has come because otherwise I would -never have been easy in my mind. I would always have been expecting -trouble. - -DOM. Bella,— - -BELLA. Lizbette _said_ there would be an obstacle more serious than all -the others—even than the shipwreck. - -DOM. Lizbette be— - -BELLA. Dominique! - -DOM. But I protest— - -BELLA. Now listen. Didn’t you yourself tell me about Lizbette’s wonderful -prediction long ago? - -DOM. A coincidence. - -BELLA. (_reprovingly._) Ah! - -DOM. And I furthermore declare that I never was shipwrecked. - -BELLA. (_claps her hands._) Ha, ha! Lizbette _said_ you would tell -stories and get others to tell stories in order to shake my faith in her! - -DOM. What is this suitor’s name? - -BELLA. I can’t tell you. - -DOM. I shall see your father. - -BELLA. I won’t have it. Why, father might kill you, he is so wrought up -over the doings of the pirates. - -DOM. Bah!—That’s a singular locket you have on. - -BELLA. Yes, isn’t it? A serpent’s head. - -DOM. (_examining it._) Containing the miniature of a young man. This is -the reason of your quiescence. Will you let me have this locket? - -BELLA. No, I will not. - -DOM. And you will not tell me your suitor’s name. Very well. I swear to -you that I will find the man whose picture you wear. - -BELLA. (_laughs._) You cannot. You can only trust me. - -DOM. I never thought you cruel before. (_turns from her._) - -BELLA. I am not. (_Dominique keeps away._) Dominique—Nick— - -DOM. (_coming to her._) Bella—(_enter Darblee._) - -DAR. I have just discovered that Mr. Duval is in the next room. (_exit._) - -BELLA. I must go. - -DOM. I will accompany you. - -BELLA. No, you mustn’t. - -DOM. I may at least follow you with my eyes till you enter the Church. -(_exeunt; enter Baptiste; he goes to the place in which he had stowed -his slippers; looks; finds them gone; exit quickly and apprehensively; -enter Dominique._) I have never seen my prospective father-in-law, so -I’ll try to get a glimpse of him. (_listens to some one approaching_) -Baptiste,—“hanted,” as usual, I’ll bet. (_he takes up Darblee’s hat, puts -it on the mask head and goes himself into the niche; Baptiste enters._) - -BAP. I _mus’_ a made a mistake ’bout dem slippers, (_goes to places; -looks; falls more and more into bewilderment and consternation._) - -DAR. (_calling without._) Baptiste. - -BAP. Yes sah. - -DAR. Bring me my hat. - -BAP. Yes sah. (_turns to get the hat; gone! his hand goes to his -forehead._) - -DAR. (_angrily._) Baptiste! - -BAP. Yes sah. (_begins a nervous, fumbling search._) - -DOM. (_behind the mask, in a hollow voice._) Baptiste—(_Baptiste looks up -and as he does so, the hat flies out to him; he yells and exits running; -enter Darblee, angry, just as Dominique comes forth laughing._) - -DAR. Where is he? - -DOM. Don’t be angry, uncle. It’s my fault that he didn’t obey you. You -haven’t any time for anger any way. Isn’t Bella pretty? - -DAR. Very. Tell me about Lafitte. - -DOM. Eyes like stormy skies. A word, a question, and all along the cloud -of eye-lashes, a lightning flash of challenge! - -DAR. So intolerant? - -DOM. So right. - -DAR. But still— - -DOM. She has a right to resent suspicion. - -DAR. She! I speak of Lafitte. - -DOM. Your pardon. I spoke of Bella. - -DAR. (_coaxingly._) Lafitte— - -DOM. (_lapsing into seriousness._) I’ll tell you an impression I received -more clearly than ever during this last voyage. I think Lafitte is -looking for somebody—that he has some implacable purpose—and that when he -finds the person or persons he seeks, there will be a relentless day of -reckoning for all. - -DAR. You think so? - -DOM. (_nods his head._) All along the coasts of Spain and France he would -take his dog and be gone for days together. - -DAR. But that— - -DOM. May mean nothing. I think differently. (_looking at his watch._) -Heavens! I shall not be able to see my future father-in-law to-day. I -must rejoin my ship. - -DAR. You will be back to dinner? - -DOM. Yes. _Au revoir._ (_exeunt; Bella enters just as Duval, Pedro and -the others enter._) - -DUV. (_in high feather._) Well, that’s done! - -1st LEG. And well done. The petition cannot fail to carry weight. - -DUV. Five hundred dollars reward for Lafitte’s head should bring about -results. - -BELLA. (_advancing timidly._) It is blood money. - -DUV. What of it? - -BELLA. Pirates are men. - -PED. (_smilingly and yet on the alert._) Does Miss Bella know any of them? - -DUV. (_angrily, to Bella._) I will tell you this much: that if ever the -nosing Britishers get into New Orleans, it will be by the aid of the -pirates. This is no time to compromise with banditti. - -PED. (_indulgently, protectingly and probingly._) Miss Bella spoke in -ignorance. She can have no sympathy for pirates. (_Duval and others -discuss in pantomime at back._) - -BELLA. (_impulsively._) She can have— - -PED. (_in Bella’s pause; watchfully._) A lover. (_bows._) - -BELLA. (_recovering herself; trivially._) A lover! I promised myself many -before I left school. Have you ever been in love, Mr. d’Acosta? - -PED. Cruel one! - -BELLA. Have you any woman relative whom you remember and love? - -PED. Yes. I have an only sister whom I love and who is very devoted to me. - -BELLA. Here? - -PED. Yes: but immediately upon the arrival of our family here, she -entered a convent and is now on the point of taking the veil. - -BELLA. Oh, why? - -PED. An obstacle in love. - -BELLA. Did you try to help her? - -PED. I did all I could towards forwarding her marriage. - -BELLA. I’d like to know her. - -PED. I fear you cannot. She will only see her uncle and myself. - -BELLA. Poor girl!—Father is going. (_exeunt; enter Manuel._) - -MAN. (_looking after Pedro angrily._) Confound it! Unconcerned about me -now altogether,—has richer prospects in view.—I knew she wouldn’t get -tired of it. Instead she’s going to take the veil. Curse me for a fool! -Fortune played in my hands directly six years ago and I was soft-hearted -and squeamish enough to be melted by a pair of pleading eyes and a half -promise of yes, if Ferdinand should succeed. (_rings bell._) I’ll have -the Marquis, at all events, safely out of the way. (_enter Darblee._) - -DAR. Good morning, Don Manuel. - -MAN. Good morning. I wish to engage a room for a business meeting between -Lafitte and the Spanish merchants. - -DAR. (_eagerly; curiously._) You know?— - -MAN. (_sternly._) To-day, at two o’clock. - -DAR. (_relapsing into business._) The best? - -MAN. Certainly. - -DAR. It shall be ready. (_exit._) - -MAN. The Spanish merchants lost no time in instructing me to engage a -room when they received word that Lafitte would see them at last, and -listen to their plea for compromise. It doesn’t matter that I sent the -message. And the Marquis, who isn’t a merchant, is as excited as any -of them, because of his friends. He’ll attend the meeting, no fear, and -I shall have put that much more time between him and any message from -the convent.—Confound it all, why doesn’t that fellow come? (_enter a -stranger._) Ah, I was just beginning to think you late. - -STRAN. I could only get this. (_showing a rusty priest’s robe._) - -MAN. So much the better. You’ll look more genuine in rusty clothes. A -priest should be economical. Now you understand that you are to ask for -Miss d’Acosta; that you are sent to bring her to the bed-side of her -dying uncle. - -STRAN. I understand all. - -MAN. Once out of the convent, you will drive to the little green cottage -immediately above the city, near the Jesuit plantation, where I will meet -you. - -STRAN. Very well. - -MAN. Be about _it_ now. (_exeunt severally; almost immediately, re-enter -Stranger._) - -STRAN. It’s very well and good to say be about it, but I need a few -drinks to brace me up. (_rings bell; enter Darblee._) - -DAR. Good-morning. - -STRAN. Let me have a good drink of whiskey. (_Darblee pours out a drink; -Stranger drains it; experiments with his spine to see if he’s braced; -looks gloomy._) Let me have a good drink of whiskey. - -DAR. You’ve just had one. - -STRAN. Let me have a good drink of whiskey. - -DAR. When you’ve paid for the first. - -STRAN. Paid! Don Manuel d’Acosta authorizes my demand. (_Darblee shakes -his head._) What’s more, I’m a priest.—Don’t you believe me? (_enter -two roysterers._) Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Here’s a state of affairs. -I call upon you to compel this _bourgeois_ to respect the credit of -gentlemen,—to serve us drinks and as many as we want! - -1st ROY. Drinks! - -2nd ROY. Come, host. Drinks! - -DAR. I do not dispense them for the pleasure of beholding inebriates. - -1st ROY. What! - -2nd ROY. Inebriates! - -STRAN. Down with him! (_they set upon Darblee and throw him._) - -1st ROY. We’ll show you who’s an inebriate. Hold him! (_1st Roysterer -seizes a bottle; Stranger and 2nd Roysterer fasten themselves on -Darblee’s arms; 1st Roysterer puts bottle to Darblee’s face._) - -DAR. By heaven, he’ll punch my eye out! - -1st ROY. (_wavering in drunkenness._) It’s what I think myself. I can’t -find his damned mouth! - -STRAN. Unstop the bottle! (_1st Roysterer unstops the bottle; pours -contents into Darblee’s face, aiming all the time for his mouth. Darblee -kicks, sputters and squirms._) - -DAR. Help! (_enter Lafitte; he knocks the Stranger aside, scatters the -Roysterers and laughingly picks up Darblee._) - -LAF. (_laughing._) What is it? A secret society function? - -DAR. High noon robbery and assault. That’s what it is;—a demand for -drinks without pay. (_wipes his face._) - -2nd ROY. (_to Lafitte._) Who are you? - -STRAN. You think because you take us unaware— - -LAF. How about now? (_draws; exeunt Roysterers._) - -DAR. (_pointing to Stranger and laying a cautious hand on Lafitte’s -arm._) He’s a priest. - -LAF. Then he should be attending to his business rather than brawling -about drinks. (_Stranger turns off swaggeringly and exits, singing Mon -Coeur a Toi; Lafitte starts; turns to Darblee._) A priest, did you -say?—Then he’d some excuse for wanting drinks. He has no love to keep his -heart warm, no hate to make it hot. I’ll pay for the drinks. (_goes to -door; calls._) Friend! (_signs to Stranger to return; enter Stranger._) -It is a chilly day. Will you have a drink with us? (_Stranger bows -awkwardly._) Come host, your best. (_laying money on table._) Is it long -since you joined the priesthood? (_they drink._) - -STRAN. (_nervously; gloomily._) Not very. (_holding out his glass._) Let -me have a good drink of whiskey. (_Lafitte lays money on table; Darblee -pours out a drink._) - -LAF. Have you far to go to-day? - -STRAN. (_tipsily_.) To the little green cottage immediately above the -city. Let me have a good drink of whiskey. (_Lafitte lays money on table; -Darblee pours out drink and exits._) I must be going. - -LAF. Do you walk? - -STRAN. No, sir! Drive. Come (_hic_) with me? - -LAF. (_laughing._) To the little green cottage? - -STRAN. Near the Jesuit plantation. I (_hic_) remember. - -LAF. I congratulate you. Good luck. - -STRAN. (_going._) To the little green Jesuit (_hic_) immediately above -the plantation city. (_exit; enter Darblee._) - -DAR. (_bustling about._) Deplorable that I have such scant time in which -to prepare. (_confidentially and gleefully._) A great man is to be here -in a little while—Jean Lafitte! - -LAF. You don’t mean it! - -DAR. I do and I can show you no greater appreciation of the service you -rendered me than to ask you to stay and catch a glimpse of him. - -LAF. Thanks. - -DAR. I’ll wager you any money that the attacks on American vessels will -cease now. - -LAF. Why? - -DAR. Because Lafitte has come home; because none of them is brave enough -to cope against him; no, nor all of them put together. - -LAF. _You_ are a follower of Lafitte? - -DAR. (_startled into consciousness._) I? You little know me. Powerful as -Lafitte is and great and flattering as have been the advances he has made -to me, I yet withstand him, humble though I seem. - -LAF. Splendid! - -DAR. And here are these royal Spanish merchants. For years they have -been striving to at least compromise with him, and now to-day, mad with -delight because they have at last received word from him that he will see -them! - -LAF. (_starts._) Has he sent them that word? - -DAR. Don Manuel d’Acosta has just a while ago engaged a room for the -meeting. - -LAF. Don Manuel d’Acosta! (_aside_) And I looking for them in Spain! - -DAR. (_anxiously._) You don’t think Lafitte will disappoint them? - -LAF. (_grimly._) No. I don’t think Lafitte will disappoint them. When do -they expect him? - -DAR. To-day at two o’clock. Don Manuel— - -LAF. Do you know whether the Marquis d’Acosta live in New Orleans? - -DAR. Yes, he does. A beautiful niece of his— - -LAF. Ah! - -DAR. Came here with him once long ago. - -LAF. Here? - -DAR. Right here, in this room. - -LAF. Do you know where the Marquis lives? - -DAR. (_reflectively._) No—I don’t know the number. - -LAF. Do you know the street? - -DAR. (_more reflectively._) No, I don’t, but I believe it must be -somewhere in the Latin quarter. - -LAF. Thanks. Good-by. (_exit._) - -DAR. A singular man, but not sharp enough to catch me napping. (_enter -several Spanish merchants._) - -1st MER. It is long before the hour. (_looks at his watch._) - -2nd MER. What of it? There are many things to discuss. (_enter Marquis -d’Acosta and several merchants._) - -MARQ. What, here already! - -3d MER. Your watch is slow. - -MARQ. (_he and all look at their watches._) Half past one. - -2nd MER. Twenty-five to two. - -1st MER. We Spanish merchants have been so particularly warred upon that -I had despaired of our ever getting at this man. - -3d MER. My dear fellow, never despair. Show us the way, Darblee. -(_exeunt; led by Darblee; enter Mariana and several nuns._) - -MOTHER AUGUSTUS. Is this the place? - -MAR. Yes. (_Mother Augustus motions to a man who rings the bell._) - -M. AUG. (_to Mariana._) You should give up that silver ring, Mariana, -which seems to be so associated with worldly souvenirs. - -MAR. This ring! Never. It is an amulet. At sight of it all faith is -imperative, all beauty understood, all despondency a sin. (_aside._) What -is death? He loves me still. (_enter Baptiste._) - -M. AUG. Is the Marquis d’Acosta here? - -BAP. Yes ma’am. - -M. AUG. Say to him that Miss d’Acosta is here and wishes to see him. - -BAP. Yes ma’am. (_bows and exit._) - -MAR. (_to 1st Nun._) Will the preliminary of my taking the veil be at all -binding? - -1st NUN. No. - -MAR. (_earnestly and candidly._) I wish to remain with you, but my heart -is not and can never be indifferent to the joys and hopes that made life -dearest. - -1st NUN. It need not be. - -M. AUG. She should strive to make it so. - -1st NUN. She is going to France, mother, where her young girlhood was -spent. (_Mother Augustus turns away._) - -2d NUN. What a singular mask over that door! - -MAR. I know all about that mask. I can’t explain the uncontrollable -impulse that made me beg to know all about it and its hiding-place. Mr. -Darblee finally, out of sheer courtesy, told me the secret, though up -to that time no one but he and a nephew of his knew that there was a -hiding-place connected with the mask at all. - -1st NUN. How is it? - -MAR. It seems very simple. The door beneath the mask is a sham one, the -floor in the passage-way is high enough to permit one to look through the -mask standing and a touch on a certain part of it opens a secret slide -in the wall; an otherwise undiscoverable, impregnable hiding-place. It’s -delightfully tricky! See. (_she goes laughingly by a side door to the -back of a door beneath the mask and looks through it._) - -M. AUG. Mariana! Come down. (_enter Mariana._) You should be ashamed of -yourself to be such a child. - -MAR. I can tell you the story of the mask. It is the mask of a dead -pirate’s head. He was killed long ago for some atrocity or other and -his mask placed in this room by the Governor’s order as a warning to -the pirates who were in the habit of congregating in this place. The -superstition obtained that when any of the pirates are in danger the -spirit of the murdered man sends some human ear into his mask to baffle -the plotters. - -3d NUN. Is that believed now? - -MAR. Yes, by many. A generation or two ago, however, the house passed -into the hands of Mr. Darblee’s father, who of course, made it orderly -and respectable. He had an addition built and being possessed by love of -the mysterious and unexpected, had the secret slide put in the wall. - -2d NUN. It sounds like some of the stories about Lafitte? - -MAR. (_shuddering._) Ah, not that name! I have a dread of that man. - -1st NUN. They say that he is terrible, but that he has always the honor -of his word. - -MAR. (_with sweeping contempt._) The honor of his word! A thief -honorable! A leader in lawlessness, cruelty, shamelessness! - -3d NUN. I hope we may be spared. - -2d NUN. Oh, the pirates! There are no safeguards against the dangers that -beset an ocean voyage. - -M. AUG. There is one safeguard all sufficient,—the Almighty. (_enter -Marquis._) - -MARQ. Mariana,—your pardon, ladies, for having kept you waiting, but the -occasion admitted of no neglect. - -M. AUG. We have just come from your house where they told us you were -here. We have been notified that our ship sails almost immediately. -Mariana will barely have time to take the veil. - -MARQ. As trustee of her fortune, I have decided to see it safely with her -in France,—the two chests; one of gold and one of jewels. - -MAR. Oh, thank you, uncle for coming with us! Is Pedro here? - -MARQ. No, he is not. - -MAR. I so wished to tell him good-by. (_enter Manuel, baffled, enraged, -desperate._) - -MAN. Mariana! - -MAR. Mother Augustus, my cousin, Don d’Acosta. (_Manuel bows._) - -MAN. How happens it that you are leaving so soon? - -MAR. That the Captain knows better than I do. - -MAN. There has been no sudden good wind that he should thus hasten the -time for sailing by twenty-four hours. (_breaking from his angry sense -of defeat into wild pleading._) And you?... Don’t go Mariana. Is there -nothing I can say? - -MAR. Yes. Tell me about Pedro. - -MAN. I have no time for Pedro,—for anyone but yourself and myself. -(_enter Pedro._) - -MAR. There he is now! Pedro. (_goes to him._) - -PED. (_suave; affectionate; regretful._) Well,—is it good-by? - -MAR. You’ll come to see me sometime. - -PED. When I acquire means enough to travel on. - -MAR. Oh, I wish— - -M. AUG. We must be leaving. - -MAR. Come to the Church, Pedro,—just across the way—and see me take the -veil. - -PED. I’ll be there. _Au revoir._ (_the Marquis, the nuns and Mariana -exeunt; Pedro looks at Manuel who has sunk desperately into a chair goes -up to him and slaps him on the back._) Brace up, old man! - -MAN. (_intolerably; shaking Pedro’s hand off._) Ah! - -PED. If you were not so huffy, I’d tell you a secret. - -MAN. You are married, I suppose. - -PED. Far from it,—and cannot be without your services. - -MAN. Tell me the secret. - -PED. I have a plan by which I can get command of a pirate ship at a -moment’s notice. There is one now, the Creole, lying at anchor, ready to -sail at a word of command. (_they look at each other, then Pedro offers -his hand; Manuel takes it._) - -MAN. (_rings bell._) I’ll join you immediately. (_exit Pedro; enter -Darblee._) Has Lafitte come yet? - -DAR. He has not. - -MAN. I’ll be back in a moment. - -DAR. Very well. (_exeunt severally; enter Lafitte._) - -LAF. No trace of the house. (_re-enter Darblee._) Is Don Manuel d’Acosta -here? - -DAR. He has gone, but he will be back immediately. (_music heard; Lafitte -walks about._) - -LAF. What is that music? - -DAR. Some ceremony in the Church, I suppose. (_Lafitte walks to window as -a little band of black-robed nuns file out silently from the Church; they -disappear and music ceases._) - -LAF. I am going into the smoking-room. Notify me so soon as Don Manuel -returns. - -DAR. Very well. (_exeunt; enter Baptiste, followed by Lizbette._) - -BAP. (_pointing to the mask._) Dar tis. Cyarnt yo conjure de sperrit o’ -dat daid man ’let me ’lone? _I_ cyarn warn no pirates. I dunno wat t’warn -’em ’bout. En ef I did, who dat gwine b’lieve a old nigger like me anyway? - -LIZ. (_contemptuously._) Yo skeert. Yo know sperrits need ’sistance -z’well ez people. - -BAP. Lordy! - -LIZ. Ee’s in de bricks dar, bodaciously confined, en das wy ee callin’. -Ee’s cole; likely got de ague. - -BAP. Lordy! - -LIZ. Might be a little hot red pepper tea ud ease ’im immejite. - -BAP. But I cyarn get a cup o tea troo dat dar solid brick on iron. Dey -ain no place dar whar ee _could_ be. - -LIZ. (_stolidly._) Dey’s a place. Gimme a long straw. (_Baptiste gets one -from a broom; Lizbette makes passes over the wall with her eyes shut and -her body swaying; finally in sliding her hand over the wall, stops with -her finger on a spot; opens her eyes and inserts the straw._) Yo see dat? -(_throwing the straw._) Am it broke? (_pulls out the straw unbroken._) - -BAP. Lordy! - -LIZ. Tell _me_ dey ain no place dar. - -BAP. But cyarn get a cup o tea troo dat pin-point of a hole. - -LIZ. Yo cyarn _inject_ it troo dar, cyarn yo? - -BAP. Lordy! - -LIZ. Ee kin catch it. (_she puts her eye to the hole; sways her arms._) -Yes sah.... I’ze gwine leave yo in good charge.... (_sways more and -more._) Yes sah.... Ee’s ’ere.... (_almost collapsing._) Comin’, sah! -(_straightens herself._) Git dar, Baptiste. - -BAP. (_horror stricken._) Who me? - -LIZ. Ee wants yo. - -BAP. Lordy! - -LIZ. (_contemptuously._) Ah! (_bolstering him up._) Put yo eye to dat -hole. - -BAP. Stay by me. - -LIZ. Go ’head. (_Baptiste puts his eye to the hole._) - -BAP. I doan see nuttin. - -LIZ. Yo better look out! - -DAR. (_without._) Baptiste. - -LIZ. What I tell yo! (_Baptiste struggles to get away; Lizbette holds him -tightly._) Keep firm, man! (_enter Darblee._) - -DAR. Baptiste! (_Baptiste falls to the floor._) Lizbette! I won’t have -you turning that crazy man of mine crazier. Get out, both of you! -(_exeunt Lizbette and Baptiste; enter Lafitte._) I’m afraid you may be -disappointed in seeing Lafitte. (_looking at his watch._) He’s late. - -LAF. And Don Manuel? - -DAR. Has not yet returned.—I suppose Lafitte will be here though. I never -could understand that long absence of his. It must have due to a love -affair. - -LAF. You’d better keep a quiet tongue. Lafitte is not a man to endure -prying into his private affairs. - -DAR. (_laughs._) One would think I need instructions. (_enter Baptiste._) - -LAF. Do you know Lafitte? - -DAR. Intimately. Many a time he has begged me to go with him. “Darblee,” -he would, “I need you.” - -LAF. You would make my dog blush. - -DAR. Many a time, in this very room, with tears in his eyes, he has -upbraided me for my obduracy. - -BAP. Dat ee have, sah! - -DAR. _I_ am not afraid of Lafitte. I will tell him to his face that he -can’t overawe me. - -BAP. ’Deed ee cyarnt. Pesky what trash! (_enter Beluche._) - -BEL. Lafitte— - -DAR. (_In consternation._) What! - -BAP. (_staggered._) Lordy! - -BEL. I have a suspicion that the Creole is going to attack the American -vessel which sailed a little while ago. - -LAF. Where is the Creole? - -BEL. She’s just cleared the wharf. (_Darblee ostentatiously brings a -chair up behind Lafitte._) - -LAF. (_looking at his watch._) How much start have they on us? - -BEL. Enough to count very seriously. There is a storm coming, too. The -wind will shift in less than three hours. (_Baptiste is bringing a chair -for Beluche when Darblee intercepts him, takes the chair from him, kicks -him._) - -DAR. Get out! (_looking after him angrily._) Son of Satan! (_exit -Baptiste; Darblee ostentatiously brings chair up behind Beluche._) - -LAF. There is no time to lose. Come. - -BEL. It is a question whether the chances justify pursuit. - -LAF. What! - -BEL. The Pride is at Barataria. - -LAF. What of it? Is not an American vessel in danger? Shall I not accept -a challenge from my own men? (_exit, followed by Beluche._) - -DAR. (_center._) Whew! (_falls into chair; enter Baptiste._) Let me have -a good drink of whisky! - - CURTAIN. - - -_SCENE II. Saloon of the American vessel. Laughter at rise of curtain. -Mariana, Mother Augustus, the nuns, Father Poularde, lady and gentlemen -passengers, discovered._ - -1st L. P. (_to a man passenger; laughing._) You said you never were -sea-sick. - -FATH. P. (_a short, rubicund priest._) He is not now. Sea-sickness is all -imagination. I have never been sea-sick. - -1st M. P. (_sea-sick._) You never sailed such a deadly level sea. - -1st L. P. That’s the delightful part of it. - -1st M. P. Ugh! (_enter Marquis._) - -MARQ. They say there’s a storm coming. - -FATH. P. (_laughing to sea-sick passenger._) Now you’ll be all right. - -2d L. P. Oh, I _am_ afraid of storms! - -FATH. P. You should have no patience with fear. - -2d L. P. (_whimsically_) I haven’t. - -FATH. P. God is all powerful, He will provide. - -MAR. How dark it’s getting! (_faint thunder._) - -M. AUG. (_to Mariana and nuns._) Will you come? (_exeunt Mariana, Mother -Augustus and nuns._) - -3d L. P. Ugh! Feel those swells! - -1st L. P. Don’t! (_lightning._) - -FATH. P. What do you mean? _Feel_ those swells! - -1st M. P. Ugh! (_exit; lightning and thunder._) - -1st L. P. Oh,—(_starts toward door_.) - -3d L. P. Where are you going, dear? - -1st L. P. To—get my book. - -3d L. P. I’ll go with you. (_exeunt 1st and 3d lady passengers; lightning -and thunder._) - -2d M. P. (_to Father Poularde who is leaving._) - -FATH. P. I’ll be back in a moment. (_exit._) - -2d L. P. Oh, if I were only like Father Poularde!—fearless and never -sea-sick! I— - -2nd M. P. Allow me to assist you. (_exeunt; terrible thunder and -lightning; enter Father Poularde; he peeps around to see if anybody is in -sight; has a good many qualms; enter the Captain._) - -FATH. P. Captain, are we in any danger? - -CAPT. Not in the least. It’s only a cross sea. (_thunder and lightning._) - -FATH. P. But— - -CAPT. (_Taking Father Poularde up to a hatchway leading below._) Put your -ear here. (_Father Poularde puts his ear to the hatchway._) What do you -hear? - -FATH. P. Nothing—but swearing. - -CAPT. Just so. Those men are old sailors. Would they be swearing if there -were any danger? - -FATH. P. (_grasping Captain’s hand._) Thank you. (_exeunt; enter two -ship’s officers, meeting each other._) - -1st OFF. Have you noticed that craft off to Westward? - -2nd OFF. No. What of her? - -1st OFF. Come and See. (_exeunt; thunder and lightning; enter Father -Poularde, very unsteady on his legs and very sick; he looks around -cautiously; creeps up to the hatchway and listens intently; then falls -back relieved._) - -FATH. P. Thank God, they’re swearing yet. (_enter Captain and officers._) - -1st OFF. She’s simply lying by. - -2d OFF. Not in distress,—she doesn’t signal. - -CAPT. A pirate, waiting till the blow is over. (_exit Father Poularde -expeditiously and horrifiedly._) - -1st OFF. Shall the passengers be warned? - -CAPT. Not until our suspicions are confirmed. (_enter wildly and -excitedly the passengers._) - -1st L. P. Is there a pirate ship coming? - -2d L. P. Can it catch us? - -3d L. P. (_hysterically_) Let’s get the life preservers! - -CAPT. Be quiet, ladies. (_exeunt Captain and 2d Officer._) - -MARQ. (_determinedly, to 1st Officer._) What can we do? - -FATH. P. (_hysterically._) Put on more sail! - -1st OFF. We are using all we dare now. (_exit._) - -1st NUN. I knew we wouldn’t be spared. - -MAR. (_in awe._) Oh hush, sister. - -M. AUG. We are in God’s hands. (_noises and excited voices heard -without._) - -FATH P. What’s that? (_enter 2d Officer._) - -2d OFF. Prepare yourselves. They are here. (_Marquis goes to Mariana; -leads her away; exeunt nuns and lady passengers; the men draw their -swords and exeunt to the defense, except father Poularde, who follows the -ladies; fighting; the clash of swords heard without; enter Pedro, forcing -his way in in a hand fight; he has blood on his face, which has trickled -down from a cut on his head; he is followed by Manuel and the Creole’s -crew; exit Manuel in search of Mariana._) - -PED. (_after felling the Captain._) Mate. - -MATE. Ay, ay, sir. - -PED. See that two chests, one of gold and one of jewels, marked -“d’Acosta” be placed on board the Creole. - -MATE. Ay, ay, sir. - -PED. They go to New Orleans. The balance of the booty will belong to the -crew of the Creole. - -MATE. To the crew of the Creole. - -PED. Who are to take her to Barataria immediately after the landing in -New Orleans. - -MATE. Ay, ay, sir. - -CAPT. (_rising._) Not while I have life left to defend the property -entrusted to my care! (_gives Pedro a sword thrust._) - -PED. (_knocks the sword from the Captain’s hand and kills him._) I’ll -send you where you won’t need property, curse you! (_to the men._) -Scuttle this ship. (_he bandages his arm._) And put troublesome -passengers out of the way.—Now, I’ll look up those chests. (_exit; enter -Manuel pursuing a nun._) - -MAN. Ah, lift your veil. (_tries to raise a corner of it._) I love you. -Do you not realize that your youth, your beauty— - -M. AUG. (_suddenly tearing aside her vail._) Sir! (_Manuel reels; -recovers himself and rushes away; Mother Augustus veils herself and -exits; enter Mariana veiled leaning upon the Marquis._) - -MARQ. Have courage, Mariana. (_enter pirates._) - -1st PIR. (_perceiving Mariana._) Ah,—won’t you give me that little silver -ring, lady?—as a souvenir. - -MAR. (_covering the ring with her other hand._) Not that. - -1st PIR. (_laughs._) Even nuns, it seems, have their little bits of -sentiment. - -MAR. I will give you this jeweled cross. - -1st PIR. Will you put it on my neck? (_he bends his head and Mariana with -trembling hands is about to put the chain around his neck when a tipsy -fellow, with a glass in his hand, interferes._) - -2d PIR. (_pushing first pirate aside._) Let’s have impartiality. If I -cannot have a jewel, I may have a look at her face. I’ll bet you it’s a -pretty face. If I win, I get a kiss; if you win, you get my share of the -booty. - -PIRATES. Done. - -MARQ. Gentlemen! I beseech you. - -2d PIR. Oh, have done. - -MARQ. You have heard of religion,—chivalry— - -2d PIR. Throw the old clam overboard. - -MARQ. You will find that he can still fight. (_drawing._) - -1st PIR. What! - -3d PIR. Give him a bath! (_they overpower the Marquis and take him up to -exit with him._) - -MAR. Uncle!—Oh, sirs, be merciful! - -2d PIR. Troublesome passengers must be put out of the way. (_exeunt with -Marquis; enter Manuel._) - -MAR. (_distractedly._) Manuel! Uncle!—he has been thrown into sea!—save -him! - -MAN. We will hope that he can swim to safety, dear. - -MAR. (_stupified_). What! - -MAN. I dare not interfere. I discovered that the pirates intended -attacking the vessel and in order to save you, took a false oath and -joined them. Any rebellion would cost me my life. But life or no life, I -will interfere in your behalf. - -MAR. (_distractedly._) Uncle,— - -MAN. Listen to me, Mariana. Your uncle must take his chances. But you—You -have no chance of death. You will be taken to Barataria, there to become -a drudge when your attractions as toy shall have palled. Let me try to -save you. Marry me, I beseech you. - -MAR. Why can you not save me without marrying me? - -MAN. (_doggedly._) Because I have not the incentive; because I will not -love you longer without reward. - -MAR. I scorn your help. Any pirate would do as much. - -MAN. Without marrying you. - -MAR. I will appeal to them; they cannot be utterly heartless. - -MAN. They seemed so about the Marquis. Ah, Mariana, listen to reason. -Just now when you taunted me, I was angry. But I will tell you now why -I cannot save you without marrying you. Because I have not the right to -protect you from them; because now you belong as much to them as to me. -(_enter several tipsy pirates._) - -1st PIR. I tell you that part of the booty belongs to me. - -2d PIR. I don’t care a straw about that. The booty I want is her money. -(_exeunt pirates._) - -MAN. You hear? Mariana, my darling, you have always been too honorable -to choose dishonor now. I will wait for your love; have I not waited -all these years? (_several pirates pass through singing and laughing -boisterously._) - -1st PIR. (_perceiving Mariana_,) There she is! (_Mariana goes to Manuel -as first pirate advances_,) - -MAN. (_moving forward to meet him._) She went that way just a minute -ago. (_exeunt pirates_,) Quick! (_to Mariana_,) Decide. (_Mariana bows -her head in hopeless consent; Manuel seizes her hand; kisses it._) My -darling! (_turns to look for a priest just as Father Poularde appears -trembling and white in the doorway._) Father. (_Father Poularde enters._) -Marry us immediately. - -FATH. P. (_looking fearfully around._) You are— - -MAN. One of the pirates. Make haste. - -FATH. P. (_drops his book which he has taken out of his pocket; picks it -up and opens it shakily; reads at random._) Be merciful, O Lord, and hear -our prayers. From the shades of death, where the light of Thy countenance -shineth not— - -MAN. (_knocking the book up._) You must be excellent for funerals. The -marriage service, if you please. - -FATH. P. (_picking up his book._) Yes, yes. (_enter several pirates._) - -1st PIR. (_to a pirate coming from the opposite direction._) You’d better -hurry. - -2d PIR. There aren’t many minutes in which to leave this ship. She’s -settling fast. - -FATH. P. (_going._) There is no time to lose. - -MAN. (_threateningly._) There will be less for you, if you do not perform -this marriage ceremony. - -FATH. P. (_fumbling for the place._) Do you take this woman for better, -for worse, till death do you part? - -MAN. I do. - -FATH. P. Do you take this man for better, for worse, till death do you -part? - -MAR. No. - -MAN. What! - -MAR. No. Come death, come dishonor, I will not be the first to dishonor -myself. - -MAN. (_seizing her shoulders in frenzy_) You shall be my mistress -then!—do you hear?—my mistress! (_a great tumult without; enter an -excited crowd._) - -CROWD. The Pride! Lafitte! (_Mariana puts out her hands to Father -Poularde and falls fainting in his arms, her veil as she does so, -drifting over her face._) - -MAN. (_to Father Poularde._) Give her to me. (_Father Poularde too -terror-stricken to hear, puts Mariana hastily on the floor and exits; -Manuel is stooping to lift her when Lafitte enters._) Jean Durand! (_he -slinks away._) - -LAF. Beluche. - -BEL. Here. - -LAF. See that the commander of the Creole be found, put in chains and -brought on the Creole to Barataria, you to command her. - -BEL. Very well. (_exit._) - -LAF. (_to his men._) Attend to the passengers. (_the men salute and -exeunt; Lafitte sees the unconscious nun, goes to her and stoops -to pick her up._) She must have air. (_he puts her veil aside._) -Mariana!—(_kissing her hands._) Not dead, thank God! Narbonne! (_to -one of his men._) Tell Doctor Borde to come here instantly. (_exit -Narbonne._) Sweetheart ... (_kissing her hands._) little sweetheart.... -(_enter Dr. Borde; he comes to Mariana’s side; kneels; feels her pulse; -listens to her heart._) - -DR. B. She must be kept perfectly quiet and, in the event of her -regaining consciousness, it will be best for her to see no one but the -nuns who were with her. - -LAF. Is she in danger? - -DR. B. Impossible to say. Shock. I will— (_stooping as if to lift -Mariana._) - -LAF. (_putting him aside._) Order the best room in the Pride gotten ready -immediately. (_exit Dr. Borde; Lafitte gently lifts Mariana: kisses her -face tenderly and is carrying her out when the curtain falls._) - - CURTAIN. - - - - -ACT II. - - - - -ACT II. - - -_Barataria; vicinity of Lafitte’s home, the Red House; the Bay of -Barataria at back; luxuriant foliage and flowers. Enter Lafitte; he has -flowers in his hand and is followed by a dog._ - -LAF. (_sorrowfully and perplexedly._) Dressed as a nun ... Mariana, -dressed as a nun!... (_joyfully._) But alive! (_looking at the flowers -in his hand._) Fairer than the fairest of you,—and alive! I shall see -her maybe,—tell her all that she could not hear when I knelt beside her -unconscious sweetness. (_exeunt Lafitte and dog; voices, good-naturedly -boisterous, heard without._) - -1st V. How many yards? - -2nd V. Two hundred, if one. (_cries of “Ah!” and laughter; enter a -hunting party returning from the woods; two of the men carry a deer._) - -1st H. He would have us believe that he can shoot as well as the Emperor! - -3d H. (_in good humored raillery._) Oh, he can do everything,—sail a -ship, too. But he didn’t give himself the chance of being caught on the -Creole. (_laughter._) - -2d H. Anyone might think I had had intentions of going on the Creole to -hear you talk. - -3rd H. My boy, no. You know the Emperor is prescient; at least that his -marvelous skill and intuition made him seem so. - -2d H. I know that the Emperor is our man, long life to him! - -ALL. Bravo! - -2d H. That he is as just as he is powerful and as kind-hearted as he is -strong! (_enter Lizbette, sorting some herbs and singing in a moaning low -voice._) - -ALL. Bravo! - -2d H. (_pointing to Lizbette._) Who but the Emperor would allow a witch -like that to roam the Island at liberty. - -ALL. Three cheers for the Emperor! (_exeunt hunters; Lizbette looks after -them angrily._) - -LIZ. Yo’ze sorry kase Marser Lafitte done change me fum a slave to a free -ooman. Ne mine. I knows how to sarve ’im yit. I done fund out how to get -p’mission to hep nuss dat purty young leddy,—to hep save her life. Good -ting fe’ me, Fader Cuthbert uz done gone, kase ee woon’t a let me do it. -(_enter Baptiste._) - -BAP. Good-day to you, Aun’ Lizbette. - -LIZ. How yo gettin’ on? - -BAP. Mizzable, tank yo. - -LIZ. De sperrit? - -BAP. Ont leave anyting whar I puts it. (_pulls out a madras handkerchief -to wipe his face, and in doing so drops money on the ground; Lizbette -picks it up and appropriates it unperceived._) - -LIZ. De powers done signify as how yo likely steal dem tings wat -disappear. - -BAP. (_dumbfounded_) Who me? - -LIZ. (_nods her head impressively._) Wat yo come fo’? - -BAP. (_dazedly._) Lordy!—Miss Bella wan t’know wat to do in a case o -jealousy?—supposin’ like a lover’s jealousy? - -LIZ. Nuttin’. Keep still. Things will come right troo a disguise. - -BAP. An’ dis—(_takes out the serpent-head locket._) I dunno who dat sen’ -it, but de owner wan t’know ef her lover gwine be true to her? (_Lizbette -takes the locket._) I done got some money here wat Miss Bella sont yo..., -(_looks for the money; finds none; Lizbette shakes her head._) - -LIZ. Wat use try to fool de powers? - -BAP. (_distracted._) But Aun’ Lizbette ... (_Lizbette shakes her head._) -Lordy! I’ll give you de las’ cent I got, Aun’ Lizbette—all de money I kin -make so you woan gimme dat rep’tation. Dat sperrit jes sot on chasin’ me -to dem blood-houn’s. - -LIZ. Wy ont yo try to hep dat sperrit? Ef yo could see ’im onst— - -BAP. I doan wan t’see ’im! - -LIZ. (_contemptuously._) Yo skeert. - -BAP. Yo ain bin hanted. - -LIZ. Kase I ain skeert an’ I’ze frenly to ’em. (_exeunt; enter Lafitte -and his dog. Lafitte sits; lets his hand fall on his dog._) - -LAF. Beppo, dear little friend, she has been very ill; she hasn’t even -known that we live. She doesn’t know it now.—But she is better, Bep, old -boy ... better! Weak and very nervous, they say, but quite conscious. It -was the shock— (_getting up and calling._) Narbonne. (_enter Narbonne._) -Order the false commander of the Creole brought before me. (_Narbonne -bows and exits; Lafitte walks about; enter Pedro in chains and escorted -by pirates; Lafitte faces about as they enter; both start._) What! (_to -the man._) Is this the man who commanded the Creole? - -1st PIR. This is the man. - -LAF. Colonel Tolosa, what have you to say in your own defense? (_Pedro -is silent._) Perhaps you know the whereabouts of that ally of yours, Don -Manuel d’Acosta? - -PED. I can— - -LAF. Silence! I will not send you to your reckoning with an added -villainy. I can find Don Manuel myself. - -PED. You— - -LAF. For your plunder of an American vessel in the name of Lafitte. I -order you shot. (_exit. Pedro is conducted to the back of the stage, near -the Bay, where two men set about digging his grave._) - -1st GRAVE-DIGGER. I have often cautioned the men never to trust anyone -no matter what his guarantees, without asking for the pass-word. I’ll -bet you this fellow couldn’t have answered. “To-morrow,” I say and if -the other fellow answers “and her dupes,” all right, I’ll believe him. -(_enter Beluche; he goes to Pedro and searches him._) - -2d G-D. You shouldn’t speak the pass-word except upon necessity. -(_Beluche throws unimportant things found on Pedro to the ground._) - -1st G-D. (_looks at Pedro; laughs_) Ha! Dead men tell no tales. (_Beluche -finds a small picture; looks at it studiously._) - -BEL. (_aside._) There is something familiar about this face. Ahbah! -(_throws picture aside; pirates nearer the front have been drawing lots -with dice._) - -1st PIR. (_to a comrade._) You, one. (_they throw again._) - -ALL. Two! (_two of the men stand apart; balance throw again._) Three! -(_the three appointed by lot go to back of stage; Beluche measures off -the distance; they place themselves on line._) - -BEL. One, (_they raise their guns._) two. (_enter Father Cuthbert._) - -FATH. C. Pedro!—Stop! (_to the men._) Would you send a soul into eternity -without preparation? Leave us. I will be responsible for the prisoner. - -BEL. He may escape. - -FATH. C. He is bound. I will call you when he shall have confessed. - -BEL. (_motions the men away; to Father Cuthbert, reluctantly._) Ten -minutes. (_the men stack their guns against a tree and exeunt._) - -FATH. C. (_turning to Pedro._) Quickly. What have you done? - -PED. I was tempted and fell. I got command of a pirate ship and attacked -and sank an American vessel. - -FATH. C. (_overwhelmed._) Miserable man! - -PED. There is no hope, you see. - -FATH. C. No. Lafitte himself, could not have one rule for his men and -another for outsiders. But you—Mariana’s brother! - -PED. He does not know that I am Mariana’s brother. Once, in Bayonne, -unperceived by him, I saw my sister’s lover, but I had no idea that -Lafitte was the long-mourned-for man. - -FATH. C. He does not know that you are Mariana’s brother! - -PED. No. In view of my coming execution I have spared him the knowledge. - -FATH. C. (_walking about_) It must not be. It would be an eternal barrier -between them. Yet—how? How useless to appeal for extra time to the men. - -PED. I could make some amends by sending you word of Mariana. - -FATH. C. Yes.—I must risk it. (_looks off to see that he is unwatched; -goes to the three guns, unloads them, still leaving them powder-charged -and returns them to their places; speaks to Pedro._) You will feign death -upon being fired at. (_Pedro nods._) And now, my poor boy, a prayer. -(_Pedro bows his head._) Merciful Lord of death and life, (_pirates -return; take up their guns._) help us now in this supreme hour. (_Beluche -re-measures the distance._) Save him, God, dear Father! (_men station -themselves._) Save him, forgive him, God, dear Mother! - -BEL. One! (_men raise their guns; Father Cuthbert blesses Pedro -silently._) Two! (_enter Mariana; she wears a long, trailing white -dress and her hair is loosely twisted._) Three! (_men fire; at the same -moment Mariana recognizes Pedro, screams and runs to him as he falls -face-downward; enter Lizbette; Father Cuthbert lifts Mariana from Pedro’s -body and motions to Lizbette to take her._) - -LIZ. (_with her arms around Mariana; leading her away._) Come ’long, -honey;—come ’long wid yo po’ ole Lizbette.... (_exeunt Lizbette and -Mariana, the latter sobbing._) - -FATH. C. Gentlemen, I beg a great favor of you;—that the prisoner’s body -be left in my charge. - -BEL. His head should be stuck up on a pole for buzzards to pick at! -(_knocks the body contemptuously with his gun; Father Cuthbert puts out -his hand deprecatingly._) - -PIRATES. Ah! - -FATH. C. I knew this man long ago,—and the law is now satisfied. - -BEL. (_reluctantly._) Well,—out of respect for you. - -FATH. C. Thank you. (_bows; kneels beside the body; the men turn to exit -and Beluche in going picks up the little picture he had found on Pedro -and thrown aside; he puts it in his coat pocket; exeunt men and Beluche; -Father Cuthbert looks to see that they have all gone, takes from the -ground a long, hooded overcoat which he had carried over his arm when -he entered; touches Pedro who rises._) Put this on, (_Pedro puts on -overcoat._) and make the most of your chances. (_Father Cuthbert pulls -the hood over Pedro’s face._) Fortunately it is a new coat they have -never seen. - -PED. You have saved my life. - -FATH. C. Go. Don’t forget about Mariana. (_Pedro nods; exit._) God help -him! (_he goes to the grave, takes up a spade and fills in the grave -quickly; enter Beluche._) - -BEL. (_suspiciously._) You’ve made short work of it. Why didn’t you call -in one of the men to help you? - -FATH. C. (_fixing the earth._) Sentiment, I suppose. - -BEL. (_poking the newly broken ground with his stick._) The earth is very -sweet and clean for such as this. - -FATH. C. (_puts out his hand deprecatingly._) My friend—(_enter -Lizbette._) How is the young lady, Lizbette? - -LIZ. Tollable easy, sah. - -FATH. C. (_sternly._) You haven’t been practicing your voo-doo arts on -her? - -LIZ. Naw, sah. - -FATH. C. Very well. See that you don’t. (_exeunt Father Cuthbert and -Beluche._) - -LIZ. (_looking after them._) Huh! I dunno who dat gwine hep ’er, me, if -tain Lizbette I done bin ’bliged t’give ’er sometin’ to make ’er sleep. -She war plum crazy. En dose white leddies dunno nuttin. Ne mine. Lizbette -know. She done put ’er t’sleep ez peaceful z’a lamb, en wen she wake up, -she ont remember. (_takes an opaque white bottle out of her pocket._) -Dish hyar remedy fo, blues ... I knows it, kase iss marked “Cordial” on -de bottle an’ issa white bottle. (_buries the bottle up to its stopper on -one end of the grave._) People say it heps ’em lots. (_takes out a black -bottle from her pocket._) An’ dish hyar rank pison might z’well season -some, too. (_enter unperceived by Lizbette, Father Cuthbert; she buries -the black bottle up to the stopper in the other end of the grave and -exits._) - -FATH. C. Up to her same old tricks. (_goes to grave; finds the last -bottle Lizbette buried; looks for and finds the first; reads._) -“Cordial.” I’ll do a little voo-doo work myself. (_takes from his pocket -an empty flask; pours the contents of the cordial bottle into his -flask._) Harmless enough remedies; but her influence becomes dangerous. -(_pours the poison from the black bottle into the cordial bottle and -the blues remedy from his flask into the black bottle; he re-buries the -bottles as he found them._) A good thing to nonplus her occasionally -in her practices. (_exit; re-enter Lizbette with Bella’s locket in her -hand._) - -LIZ. Snake head got pow’ful signification. (_enter unperceived, -Dominique; Lizbette goes to grave; holds locket high over it; shuts her -eyes and sways; speaks in ghostly monotone._) Wat you know.... - -DOM. (_looks up; starts._) What are you doing with that locket? Where did -you get it? - -LIZ. I dunno, sah, whar it come fum. It uz sent to me an’ll be sont fo’ -agin. - -DOM. Why? - -LIZ. Fo’ advisement; to fin’ out ef de lady’s lover am true to ’er. - -DOM. Give me that locket instantly. (_Lizbette hands it to him._) No. -(_hands it back to Lizbette gloomily; aside_) She wouldn’t let me have it -herself. (_Lizbette holds the locket aloft once more shuts her eyes and -sways; Dominique walks about excitedly with his eyes on the ground; enter -unperceived, Beluche._) - -LIZ. (_in ghostly monotone_). Wat yo know.... (_Beluche who had advanced -snatches the locket from her, flings it violently on the ground and puts -his foot on it._) - -DOM. (_in amazed indignation; angrily._) If you please!— - -BEL. (_becoming conscious of Dominique._) Ah, yes. (_stoops; picks up the -locket and straightens it out._) Your pardon. (_suavely._) Snakes always -throw me into uncontrollable temper. (_hands the locket to Dominique_) -May I inquire whose it is? - -DOM. (_curtly._) No, you may not. - -BEL. (_intensely._) Then I will tell you one thing. You had better be on -your greatest guard against a certain fat man. Beware of him!—let your -sweetheart beware of him! Otherwise when you will think your love and -happiness most secure, they will be ravished from you with utter cruelty. - -DOM. Are you crazy? - -BEL. Yes,—sixteen years crazy. But you—You have neither great wealth nor -grand name. I am sorry for your youth. I warn you. (_exit._) - -DOM. Beluche—Well, of all.... (_night sets in; enter Pedro, cloaked -and hooded; he looks on the ground for the little picture he had seen -Beluche throw aside; he is not seen by Lizbette and Dominique._) Here. -(_Dominique gives the locket to Lizbette; Pedro looks up; recognises -Bella’s locket; Dominique speaks recklessly, moodily._) While you have -your hand in, you may as well tell me whether I have a rival or no. -(_Pedro hears; understands Bella’s defense of pirates; exits without -having been observed; Lizbette once more holds the locket aloft; shuts -her eyes and sways._) - -LIZ. (_in ghostly monotone._) I seen a gemman ... dressed like de -bridegroom ... ee fat, but ee not t’all stiff-jinted, dough; an’ ee do -make love rapchewrous! - -DOM. (_intolerantly._) Ah! (_aside._) I’ll look for the man in the -locket. (_exit._) - -LIZ. Dis snake head pow’ful significant. (_the moon rises, Lizbette puts -locket in her bosom; takes her bottles from the grave and exits. Enter -Lafitte; he walks across stage; sits absent-mindedly; rests his elbows on -his knees and his head in his hands. Enter Mariana. “Her eyes are open, -but their sense is shut.” She wears a long, filmy, trailing white dress; -her hair falls over her shoulders; she has her back turned to Lafitte; -she touches the tall flowers lightly going from one to another—_) - -MAR. (_in a low, soft voice to a flower._) I am jealous of these -long thoughts of yours. (_encircling the flower-stalk with her arms, -she puts her cheek against the flowers; smiles tenderly; then starts -apprehensively._) Did you hear that?... (_calmly._) The wind. I know a -secret about the wind. It blows and blows till the world is full of a -great white tempest that builds us—up to heaven!... (_fearfully._) Hush! -What was that? (_Lafitte looks up; sees Mariana; starts; rises._) - -LAF. Mariana! (_she starts; trembles, but does not turn; Lafitte -advances; holds out his arms._) Mariana! - -MAR. (_waking._) Ah! (_she turns; throws herself in his arms._) I am so -glad you are come! - -LAF. (_overcome with emotion; passing his hand gently again and again -over her bowed head._) My sweetheart— - -MAR. My heart is so full.... It has been such a long while since you went -away.... - -LAF. Such a long while, sweetheart. But now— - -MAR. You won’t leave me? - -LAF. I won’t leave you, even though— - -MAR. What? - -LAF. Tell me. I have been tortured. You—are a nun? - -MAR. No: only a novice, free to leave at any time. - -LAF. Thank God! - -MAR. He would not let me be a nun, Jean. He brought me here to you. -(_Lafitte takes his hat off, lets the hand holding it fall to his side -and with his other arm around Mariana; lifts his head to heaven._) Jean— - -LAF. Yes? - -MAR. I.... (_passes her hand across her forehead in bewildered anguish._) -Oh, I have had such horrible dreams!... They were dreams? - -LAF. (_soothingly._) Dreams, sweetheart. - -MAR. My uncle ... my brother ... I dreamed they were killed! - -LAF. (_lovingly._) Did you not think sometimes _I_ was dead? - -MAR. Yes. - -LAF. Death cannot claim those you love. - -MAR. Your voice is so comforting. - -LAF. How could it be otherwise in this beautiful hour? Come, sweetheart, -let us walk by the shore. The great, calm heart of Nature will strengthen -you. (_they walk up stage._) See how the little waves, like baby hands, -pat the Earth’s breast all night long. (_exeunt. Enter as they disappear, -Manuel; he is dressed in pirate clothes._) - -MAN. (_looking after them._) Curse the luck! It isn’t enough that I must -thrust myself into a dead pirate’s clothes in order to save my head -on that Creole expedition, but I must find myself checkmated at last -in spite of everything! (_enter Mariana; her step is light and she is -singing softly and blithely._) Mariana—(_kneels._) - -MAR. (_startled._) Ah! - -MAN. I beg your forgiveness for my words and conduct on the ship. I was -beside myself—wild with fear lest you should be taken from me—taken to -worse than death. I risked my life—I risk it now to save you. - -MAR. (_with transcendent happiness._) There is no need. Jean is here. -Jean loves me. - -MAN. (_rising._) Jean is a pirate! - -MAR. (_turning away in slighting reproval._) Ah! - -MAN. Not in make-believe as I was, but in hard, vicious reality. - -MAR. (_turning upon him._) Take care. - -MAN. His name is not Jean Durand, but Jean Lafitte! (_Mariana recoils._) -He it is who has robbed you; who intends dishonor towards you. - -MAR. Silence! - -MAN. Who is responsible for the sinking of the American vessel, the -death of your uncle, the killing of your brother! - -MAR. (_remembering the execution._) Ah!—Cowardly liar! - -MAN. I can prove the truth of my assertions. - -MAR. Do it, on your life! (_exit, followed by Manuel; enter several -pirates._) - -1st PIR. (_points to a boat coming up the bay._) That’s a strange boat -coming up the Bay. (_enter Lafitte and Father Cuthbert._) - -2d PIR. An English boat, isn’t it? - -LAF. Bearing a flag of truce. (_to his men._) Bring torches, and see that -the hospitality of the Island is practiced. (_exeunt several men; the -boat lands; Captains McWilliams and Lockyer and several other Englishmen -disembark._) - -CAP. L. (_to Lafitte._) Have I the honor of addressing the Commander -of Barataria? (_Lafitte bows; enter pirates with pine torches_) I beg -to present him this letter from Colonel Nicholls of the British navy. -(_hands Lafitte a letter._) - -LAF. (_reading._)—“I invite you, with your brave followers, to enter into -the service of Great Britain—” - -PIRATES. (_threateningly._) What! - -LAF. (_makes a peremptorily quieting gesture; reads._)—“You shall have -the grade of Captain—” - -C. McW. Your property shall be guaranteed to you and your persons -protected. (_enter pirates carrying dining table and chairs._) - -CAPT. L. And here (_handing Lafitte another paper._) are instructions to -me by Sir W. H. Percy, Captain of the Hermes, senior officer in the Gulf -of Mexico. (_pirates dress the table with viands and wine._) - -LAF. (_reads._)—“lands will at the conclusion of the war be alloted to -them in His Majesty’s colonies in America”— - -CAPT. L. And in addition, as you will see, thirty thousand dollars -conferred upon you, payable at your option in Pensacola or New Orleans. - -C. McW. You surely cannot let slip such an opportunity of acquiring -fortune and consideration. - -LAF. In a day or two— - -CAPT. L. No reflection should be necessary. As a Frenchman, you are now -of course, a friend of Great Britain. - -LAF. And as an American? - -CAPT. L. You are outlawed the American Government and exposed, if taken, -to infamy and death. - -C. McW. Whereas in the British service you would have respect, an -enviable prospect of promotion,— - -LAF. (_leading the way to the table._) Let us sit. - -C. McW. (_they seat themselves._) And proper appreciation. - -CAPT. L. Your services would be immensely important in carrying out -the operations which the British government has planned against lower -Louisiana. - -LAF. How so? - -CAPT. L. Your knowledge of the country would serve us unerringly, (_enter -at back Manuel, who beckons cautiously; enter Mariana._) Then, so soon -as possession of Louisiana is obtained, the army will penetrate into the -upper country and act in concert with the forces in Canada. Everything is -prepared for carrying on the war in that quarter with the utmost vigor. - -LAF. You are confident of success? - -C. McW. We are sure of it. The French and Spanish population of Louisiana -will support us. - -LAF. (_reflectively._) The negroes, too. - -CAPT. L. Will render us great assistance, because we will incite them to -insurrection by offering them their liberty. - -C. McW. Come. What do you say? - -LAF. (_rising, glass in hand._) I drink— - -CAPT. L. Lafitte forever! He drinks to His Majesty, King George the Third! - -LAF. I drink to—Success! - -ALL. Hear! (_all drink: Father Cuthbert puts down his glass sadly, -without tasting the wine_.) - -MAR. (_in choked surprise and horror._) Lafitte! (_exit Manuel_) - -FATH. C. (_rising_) Mariana. - -MAR. Do not speak to me! (_all rise._) - -LAF. (_advancing a step or two._) Mariana. - -MAR. (_recoiling and speaking with headlong passion._) -Hypocrite!—traitor!—murderer! (_exit, following Manuel_.) - - CURTAIN. - - - - -ACT III. - - - - -ACT III. - - -SCENE I. _Governor Claiborne’s mansion. Ball room just off the scene; -music; guests in evening dress move about; enter Duval and legislators -and politicians of Act I.; exeunt other guests._ - -1st POL. I have it from the Governor that an expedition has been fitted -out,—has been in readiness for days to start against Lafitte and his -followers. - -DUV. (_impatiently._) Then why doesn’t it start? - -1st POL. Because there has been treachery,—because at the last moment it -was discovered that the pilot was a spy. - -DUV. Ah! - -1st POL. It is an enforced delay. The way is dangerous. - -1st LEG. (_to Duval._) You forget that already one expedition against -Barataria has failed and come to grief. (_exeunt Duval, legislators and -politicians; enter Lizbette, dressed as a serving-woman; enter Baptiste._) - -BAP. Lordy, Aun’ Lizbette, yo’ hyar! - -LIZ. Ne mine ’bout dat. Lizbette got frens. Yo hole yo mouf shut ’bout -me, dass all. I wan t’ see yo. - -BAP. Lordy! Dey shorely’ll come bad luck to me fo’ dis night. - -LIZ. De folks all dancin’ de gran’ quadrille now. Who dat gwine see yo? - -BAP. (_submissively._) Yes ma’am. - -LIZ. Is yo see dat young leddy wat come to de hotel dat day wid de nuns? - -BAP. Lordy, Aun Lizbette, how yo know dat? - -LIZ. Ne mine. Is yo see her? - -BAP. Norm, I— - -LIZ. (_severely._) Pay ’tention wat you say. - -BAP. (_looks at her dazedly; finally fumbles in his pockets_) I done got -a little money hyar, Aun’ Lizbette, to hep make up wat de sperrit took -’way dat day. - -LIZ. (_turning the money over in her hand dissatisfiedly._) Huh!—Is yo -see her? (_Baptiste shakes his head._) Den go. (_Baptiste bows and turns -to go._) But yo better look out. - -BAP. (_stopping and turning around._) Ma’am? - -LIZ. (_moving bric-a-brac about energetically._) I dunno wat dat gwine -save yo. - -BAP. (_trembling._) Who me? - -LIZ. ’Ceptin’ yo gits spunky.—Go ’long. - -BAP. Home? - -LIZ. Ef yo doan hear fum me in fifteen minutes. - -BAP. Lordy! (_exeunt Baptiste and Lizbette; enter hurriedly Mariana, -followed by Manuel; both in evening dress._) - -MAN. Won’t you let me know your purpose?—Won’t you let me share with you -your hopes and fears? - -MAR. (_quietly and firmly._) No. - -MAN. Ah, you have not forgiven me; you still remember the conduct of -which I will be ashamed to the end of my life. - -MAR. (_evenly and unemotionally._) You are mistaken. I remember also -the love which constituted itself a protective force to return me to my -uncle’s house six years ago. - -MAN. (_eagerly._) You— - -MAR. (_very self-reliant and aloof._) But now,—I can take care of myself. - -MAN. (_with sudden vehemence._) You want to see Lafitte again! You still -love him! (_Mariana remains unmoved; Manuel walks about._) Very well. -(_aside._) He must be gotten rid of. (_dissembling his rage, he returns -to Mariana._) I forgot to tell you, Mariana, that Father Cuthbert is in -the city and wishes to see you. I shall be leaving in a little while and -will take any message you like to send. (_hands her paper and pencil._) - -MAR. Thank you. (_sits; writes a brief note; hands it to Manuel._) If you -will give him this, I shall be much obliged to you. - -MAN. (_bows._) Good-night. - -MAR. Good-night. (_exit Manuel; enter Governor Claiborne._) - -GOV. C. (_soliloquizing._) Impatience does no good.... - -MAR. (_advances; bows._) Governor Claiborne. - -GOV. C. I beg your pardon, but— - -MAR. Don’t you remember me? At the convent— - -GOV. C. So I do. Miss d’Acosta. - -MAR. Yes, Mariana d’Acosta, come to ask you a great favor. - -GOV. C. Anything in my power. - -MAR. I have heard of the delayed expedition against Barataria. I will -myself, if you will allow me, lead it. - -GOV. C. Miss d’Acosta! - -MAR. No one is so well qualified for the work as I. I have lived there, -days that have been years. I have seen them rob, destroy life and -property; kill my nearest and dearest. Oh!— - -GOV. C. My poor child! - -MAR. I will lead the expedition. I know the way. (_Governor Claiborne -shakes his head; walks back and forth._) I have seen the British in -consultation with those pirates; seen them seated at the same table in -feasting and good fellowship! - -GOV. C. (_starts._) Can you be sure? - -MAR. I heard them discussing the capture of Louisiana; I heard and saw -them drink to Success! - -GOV. C. (_walks about._) If it were not for your youth—your sex— - -MAR. Ah, let me go. I have most cause to go. - -GOV. C. You were on the ship— - -MAR. Yes. Let me go. - -GOV. C. Your brother— - -MAR. Ah, there is no time to lose. Action is imperative. Write the order. - -GOV. C. Pray heaven, I do not wrong you in doing so. (_writes; Mariana -takes the order._) - -MAR. The nation will bless you for this act. (_exeunt; Mariana hurriedly, -Governor Claiborne slowly and much perturbed in spirit; enter from -opposite direction, Pedro; enter Manuel._) - -MAN. (_starts._) You! Why, I thought—Does Mariana know you are alive? - -PED. Probably not. - -MAN. (_with sudden change of thought; hurriedly, eagerly._) Would you -like to earn the five hundred dollars reward for Lafitte’s head? - -PED. I would. - -MAN. Very well. (_takes Mariana’s note out of his pocket._) Here’s an -easy way. - -PED. (_reads._) “Dear Father:—I beg your pardon for my words and actions -at Barataria. I shall be at _l’hotel des Exiles_ at 4 o’clock on the 7th. -May I see you then? Humbly and in sorrow, Mariana.”—(_slaps Manuel on the -back._) My boy, love is improving you. - -MAN. Have you an eraser? - -PED. (_takes one out of his pocket._) Always prudent to carry one. -(_Manuel spreads Mariana’s note on a table; erases heading._) I think -I can capture Emperor Lafitte at the time and place mentioned and make -beside quite a handsome sum off the Spanish merchants for the capture. - -MAN. By whom can we send this? - -PED. (_examining the note._) It must go immediately. The appointment is -only two days off and Lafitte cannot be trusted to be found at the last -moment. He is said to be frequently away from Barataria for days. - -MAN. How about that nigger of Darblee? He is thought to be very much _en -rapport_ with Lizbette, the old witch of the island, who is Lafitte’s -staunch friend. - -PED. Just the man! Frighten him sufficiently with portents and he would -as soon think of dying as of proving faithless. (_enter Baptiste at -back._) - -MAN. Isn’t that he? - -PED. Baptiste. (_Baptiste starts; comes forward bowing._) You are in -great danger. - -BAP. Yes, sah. - -PED. It behooves you to be careful.—Do you know Lizbette? - -BAP. Naw, sah, I ain’t— - -PED. That will do. Do you know Lizbette? - -BAP. (_in distressed irresolution._) I done had some ’quaintance wid ’er, -but— - -PED. Here is a paper that you will give to Lizbette for Lafitte. Now -listen. If it reach him safely and in time, you will have a big reward. -If not— - -BAP. Lordy! - -PED. If not, you will be haunted to a most torturing death; a death you -will not be able to escape. You are in great danger. I put the paper here -on this table. (_lays paper down; Baptiste approaches._) Don’t touch it, -till you have seen me disappear. I’m going. (_moves toward exit._) Be -careful. Watch the paper. Watch me. Your safety is at stake. (_raises his -hand impressively; exeunt Manuel and Pedro; Baptiste in his eagerness to -watch Pedro, goes a little up stage, away from the table; enter by a side -entrance, Lizbette._) - -LIZ. (_passing by table and swooping up paper._) I dunno who dat scatter -all dis litter ’bout. (_throws paper in fire and exits without having -been seen by Baptiste._) - -BAP. (_comes to table; finds note gone! falls on his knees._) Lordy! -Lordy! (_crawls around table on his knees looking for paper; enter -Bella._) - -BELLA. Why, Baptiste! You’d better hurry home before Mr. Darblee -discovers your absence. - -BAP. Good-by, Miss Bella. - -BELLA. Good-by, Baptiste. (_exit Baptiste._) Poor fellow! He looks as I -feel. Oh, I am so glad Dominique has not come. If he and Pedro d’Acosta -meet ... I believe that man to be a sinister and deadly.—I hate State -balls! (_enter Dominique._) - -DOM. Alone? - -BELLA. (_half coquettishly._) I was hoping to be. - -DOM. You were waiting for me,—wondering why I hadn’t come. Now, confess. - -BELLA. (_seriously._) I was prayerfully glad you hadn’t come. - -DOM. What!—Let me tell you something:—you haven’t kissed me once. - -BELLA. What kept you? (_enter unperceived, Manuel._) - -DOM. I see. You want me to kiss you first. (_kisses her in spite of -Bella’s attempted defense; Manuel coughs; Dominique turns; Manuel exits._) - -BELLA. Now, you see. - -DOM. A very disagreeable fellow. Is he the suitor? - -BELLA. No. - -DOM. Who is the suitor, Bella? What’s his abominable name? (_Bella is -silent._) Is he here? (_Bella starts._) He is. Then I’ll find him. -(_going._) - -BELLA. (_alarmed._) Dominique! I’ll tell you one thing about him. -He’s—stout. - -DOM. What! Ah, you are joking. I give you warning. I am going to disguise -myself and catch a glimpse of that man. - -BELLA. Why disguise yourself? - -DOM. Because I believe you’d warn him away if you knew I were coming. - -BELLA. Pshaw! (_laughs._) I’d know you under any disguise. Oh!—I have an -idea. “Things will come right through a disguise!” - -DOM. Eh? - -BELLA. You must assume a disguise and try it on your uncle. - -DOM. My uncle! - -BELLA. Don’t you see, if the impression produced by it be favorable, you -can try it on my father and lay your case before him. Then in an adverse -event, you’ll still be unknown. - -DOM. (_doubtfully, scratching his chin._) Ye—es; but I’d like to catch a -glimpse of Mr. Duval to-night. - -BELLA. He has already gone home. Now listen, Dominique. Don’t be seen -with me any more to-night. We’ll only jeopardize our chances. - -DOM. (_kicks a flower lying on the floor._) Allow me to conduct you to -your friends. (_Bella takes his arms and as they turn to move away, Pedro -enters and sees them; exeunt Bella and Dominique._) - -PED. (_savagely, yet calculatingly._) There is a way ... it may not be -worth much, but then again it may. (_re-enter Dominique alone; as he is -passing, Pedro goes up to him; raises his hand._) “TO-MORROW—” - -DOM. “AND HER DUPES.” - -PED. (_offers Dominique his hand; gives him a hearty shake._) At eleven -o’clock on the morning of the 7th, you are to go to the _Cafe Marin_ for -an important paper containing news of urgent import for Lafitte. At three -o’clock of the same day, you are to bring the documents to Lafitte at -_l’hotel des Exiles_. - -DOM. At three o’clock. - -PED. I am understood? - -DOM. Perfectly. _Au revoir._ (_exit; enter Manuel._) - -MAN. Just a word. You’d better make yourself secure with your lady-love. -Otherwise, you may find that even with one fortune, you will be unable to -get the other. - -PED. What do you mean? - -MAN. I noticed a very ardent young man with her a while ago, and I -noticed that he kissed her quite possessingly. - -PED. (_grimly._) I have the young man under _surveillance_. (_enter -unperceived, Lizbette; she straightens a rug; Dominique repasses at back -with a few ladies._) Is that the man? (_Manuel and Lizbette look up -stage._) - -MAN. That’s the man. - -PED. My stay in Barataria wasn’t profitless after all. I learned the -pirate pass-word. (_Lizbette, who had been on the point of going, stops; -listens._) - -MAN. Not much gain in that, I should say. - -PED. Well, I used it a while ago as an experiment upon that ardent young -man and the trap succeeded beautifully. He answered immediately. - -MAN. Why didn’t you have him arrested? - -PED. I had no witnesses. But I have instructed him to get and bring -certain papers to Lafitte at Darblee’s at 3 o’clock on the afternoon -of the 7th. I shall have a body of armed men on the spot and if the -government fail to catch and convict the fellow with those papers on him, -I shall be much deceived. (_exeunt Pedro and Manuel._) - -LIZ. (_advances; shakes her fist after them._) Catch Marser Dominique, -would you? Not wid de powers ’gainst yo. _I_ kin warn Marser Dominique. -(_going._) Stop! Ee plum discontempchus o’ me. Ef I tell ’im, ee’ll go -shore. Ne mine Marser Lafitte sot heap o store on dat young man. I gwine -save ’im anyhow. Marser Lafitte de man! _Ee_’ll know how to deal wid ’em. -(_unties her apron; exit; enter Lafitte; he is exquisitely attired in -evening dress; enter from opposite direction a man servant._) - -LAF. Is Miss d’Acosta here? - -SER. Naw, sah. - -LAF. Be careful. She has been here. - -SER. (_scratching his temple._) Miss d’Acosta?—Oh, yes sah; I ’members. - -LAF. Is she here now. - -SER. Less’n she done gone, sah. She was hyar a minit ago. (_Lafitte exits -eagerly followed by servant; enter Governor Claiborne and the Chairman on -the Committee of War Measures._) - -GOV. C. I was very reluctant to let her go. - -CHAIR. If Lafitte be in league with the British, it is a league -formidable beyond computation. - -GOV. C. Exactly. No time can be lost. I ordered the expedition off with -all speed. Lafitte must be captured. Since the five hundred dollars -reward be of no avail, we’ll try fire. - -CHAIR. It is like the British to league themselves with those hellish -pirates. (_exeunt; enter Lafitte._) - -LAF. She is not here and I can find no clue as to where she has gone. -(_leans against mantel; enter several ladies and gentlemen._) - -1st LADY. She must have reconsidered her determination to become a nun. - -2d LADY. No wonder! I think Don Manuel d’Acosta (_Lafitte starts_) is the -most perfectly fascinating man I ever met. - -1st GEN. Oh, now. A little quarter! - -1st LADY. He seemed so tender to her—so protecting and gallant! (_exeunt -ladies and gentlemen._) - -LAF. I must find her, or she will be duped, trapped, as she was trapped -into a belief that I could be a traitor! (_enter Governor Claiborne and -the Chairman; Lafitte goes up to them._) Governor Claiborne, allow me to -present to you—Jean Lafitte. (_bows._) - -GOV. C. What!—Do you know that there is a five hundred dollar reward for -your head posted over this city? - -LAF. I have been a little more flattering. (_bows._) I have offered five -thousand dollars for yours. - -GOV. C. (_enraged._) You dare! (_to the Chairman_.) The guard. - -CHAIR. (_summoning at back quickly._) The guard! (_enter soldiers._) - -GOV. C. I order you to—(_points to Lafitte; Lafitte takes from his breast -a white paper; holds it commandingly aloft; the Governor pauses; waives -the soldiers off._) Await further orders. (_exeunt soldiers._) Well? -It is questionable honor in me to respect even a flag of truce in your -hands.—Proceed. - -LAF. The British are preparing to attack New Orleans by way of Barataria. - -GOV. C. Well sir? You are ready to give them assistance. - -LAF. I come to offer my services to the American forces. - -CHAIR. A trick. - -LAF. For no pay whatever;—to enter the lists merely as a private. - -CHAIR. A ruse, sir; a crafty ruse by which to obtain money or honors -from the American government. (_Lafitte hands the paper to Governor -Claiborne._) - -GOV C. (_reads._)—“Captain!... thirty thousand dollars!” ... (_hands the -paper to the Chairman._) - -LAF. If you will not accept my services, I shall instantly leave the -country. I will not suffer the imputation of having co-operated towards -an invasion from Barataria which cannot fail to take place. (_Governor -Claiborne walks about._) - -CHAIR. (_doubtfully still._) The Speaker of the House and the President -of the Senate are here— - -GOV. C. It would do no harm to see them and find out whether they think -it fit to submit the matter to the Legislature and to General Jackson. - -LAF. I can only give you ten minutes in which to decide. - -GOV. C. (_resentfully._) You are autocratic. - -LAF. I must be. A matter dearer life, country, heaven, claims my -attention and cannot wait. I will await your early return here. (_exeunt -Governor Claiborne and the Chairman; Lafitte becomes impatient; looks -at his watch; finally sits near the fire and absent-mindedly picks up a -charred remnant of Mariana’s note which had fallen on the hearth._) A -love note, probably.... (_he holds it up; throws it into the fire; then, -looking upon the flame, he softly and unconsciously whistles Mon Coeur a -Toi._) - - CURTAIN. - - -_SCENE II. L’hotel des Exiles; the mask room. Enter Baptiste._ - -BAP. (_has the black bottle in his hands._) Nuttin ax wid me same zit -ought to. I got dish ere rat pison fum Aun’ Lizbette kase she say she -done season it on a new made grave an’ de rats hep dem sperrits to -make noises ’bout my room, an’ I done see dem critters eatin’ de bread -I soak in dat pison. An’ dey comes up peert z’ever. (_shakes his head -dolefully._) Dey’s bad time comin’ shore. (_exit; enter Bella and Duval._) - -DUV. (_coaxingly._) Now, if he have the fortune in a week, you’ll marry -him? - -BELLA. We’ll wait until he have the fortune. - -DUV. (_puts his arm around Bella; enter unperceived, Dominique._) Come, -let us sit here. - -DOM. (_starts._) The stout man! (_aside._) - -DUV. (_draws Bella to the arm of his chair; Bella pouts._) Now, be my -sweet little girl; won’t you? (_kisses Bella’s cheek; she breaks away; -Duval runs after her._) Ah, (_laughing_) you can’t escape me so! (_as -Duval gets opposite the niche door, Dominique rushes up behind him, -shoves him up the step and claps him into the niche; re-enter Dominique._) - -DOM. (_furiously_) So, Miss— - -BELLA. (_in a frightened undertone._) It is my father, Leon Duval, that -you have shut up there! (_kicking and calling by Duval._) - -DOM. What! I’ll go to the rescue. (_starting_) - -BELLA. (_detaining him_) You’ll do nothing of the kind. We’ll ask Mr. -Darblee to come. (_exeunt; enter Baptiste; Duval raps; calls; Baptiste -starts._) - -BAP. Lordy! (_Duval raps again; Baptiste jumps; suddenly has an idea._) -Yes, sah! (_exit on a run; returns immediately holding a big syringe._) -Comin’ sah. Lordy!... (_he puts the syringe to the crevice in the wall -and applies his remedy; redoubled, furious stamping and swearing by -Duval; enter Darblee and Bella._) - -DAR. Baptiste. (_Baptiste falls back in a state of collapse; exit -Darblee; re-enter immediately Darblee, conducting Duval whose face and -hair are soaked._) My dear sir, I am all amazement and indignation! - -DUV. (_pointing to Baptiste._) That son of Satan must have put me in -there. - -BAP. Naw sah, Marser Duval. De mask sperrit put yo in dyar, sah, to save -some pirate fum despair an’ death. - -DAR. Nonsense. - -BAP. Who dat put Marser Duval in dyar den? I dint know dey uz a place in -dyar big ’nough fo’ anyting ’ceptin’ a sperrit. - -BELLA. (_nervously._) I just caught a glimpse of a man with a full -beard;—oh, a horrible red beard! Then I ran out for assistance and met -Mr. Darblee. - -DUV. A plague of old pirate houses! They’re always full of traps. - -DAR. (_to Baptiste._) Get out! (_to Duval._) I’ll have him severely -punished for this. - -DUV. I’ll wash my face and comb my hair. (_exit._) - -BELLA. Baptiste— - -DAR. Oh, of course, he won’t be punished. - -BELLA. (_dejectedly._) I’m afraid our chances will be smaller than ever -now. - -DAR. I hear there are some extra fine terrapin in the market, just sent -in from _Bayou Teche_. I’ll go see if there be any left. A few of them -will restore your father’s good humor. (_bows; exit; enter Duval._) - -DUV. Scoundrel!—Come. (_exeunt Duval and Bella; enter Mariana._) - -MAR. (_exultant; nervous; wretched; looks around._) No one here. (_looks -at her watch._) Long before the time. So much the better. I need a little -rest.—If only he had not escaped!... I wonder (_looking scornfully at -mask._) if you are still busy? Did you send some human ear into your mask -to warn your fellow pirates of the burning of Barataria? (_mockingly._) -I will listen now. Perhaps you wish me to save them. (_exit to back of -mask; looks through it; enter Duval and Pedro, the latter out of sight of -the mask eyes._) - -MAN. (_excitedly._) You had my father murdered! - -PED. (_sneeringly._) Did he favor your suit so much that you regret him? -(_Mariana starts; noise in the niche._) - -MAN. What was that?—(_irritably._) Your interference in my behalf has -been too costly. - -PED. (_contemptuously and intolerantly._) Did I not take my own medicine? -Was I not very nearly killed in Barataria by Lafitte’s order? Would I not -have been killed but for the fact that Father Cuthbert unloaded the guns? - -MAN. A likely story! You knew from the beginning that Lafitte was Jean -Durand. You depended upon that fact in case of emergency. - -PED. Have a care. No man shall accuse me of being a coward with impunity. - -MAN. I challenge you to deny that you told Lafitte you are Mariana’s -brother. - -PED. Certainly, I deny it. Lafitte saw in me only the Colonel Tolosa -who had had him drugged and court-martialed from Napoleon’s army six -years ago. Not that I would not have availed myself of the chance to -escape, if there had been one; but there is no escape in pirate law for -insubordinators. And you may thank your lucky star that Lafitte did not -happen on the execution ground when Mariana did. It would have been all -up with you if he had. - -MAN. (_with feverish apprehension._) If she should discover our plot! - -PED. She is safe never to know it. The men have orders not to let her -in:—small-pox in the house. - -MAN. Lafitte’s arrest will be made without her knowledge. But you—She -will hear of you through the reward. - -PED. What of it? I cheerfully forego all privileges to her society. So -that she does not hear of your complicity— - -MAN. It is prudent to burn that agreement about her fortune. It will make -no difference to you. The chests are in Barataria and so soon as Lafitte -is disposed of, you can go for them. (_Pedro takes a paper from his -pocket and hands it to Manuel; Manuel opens it; starts._) What! - -PED. What’s the matter? - -MAN. Oh, despicable. - -PED. (_tears the paper out of Manuel’s hand; stamps his foot._) Fool! -Fool! - -MAN. Traitor! British spy! And to think that I told you of the British -Commission’s offer to Lafitte! - -PED. Damn it all! - -MAN. And here (_shaking his hand at the paper._) I discover that you have -offered to show them the way into New Orleans and earn the British money -at the same time that you are pretending to serve the American Government -by capturing Lafitte. - -PED. Ah, have done. I admit that I drew them a careful map of the -country. You have seen the written guarantee of payment from Captain -Lockyer of the British navy in case the chart be found correct. - -MAN. (_accusingly._) You! - -PED. That was the paper I had intended to be found on the ardent young -man. As to Lafitte, I see no reason why I should not combine pleasure -with business. - -MAN. As to Lafitte, all right. He ought to be killed—curse him!—will be, -if he come, but your treachery to the government is intolerable. - -PED. (_cruelly and deliberately._) Do you threaten, or are you merely -patriotic? (_Manuel walks about._) Because in the former case, I will see -to it that you do not get Mariana, unless— - -MAN. (_turning on him angrily._) There are two sides to that! Suppose I -inform the Governor that the attack upon and scuttling of the American -vessel, the killing of her captain, my father and many passengers, the -delivery of her crew into piratical hands were your work? That you forged -an order from Lafitte in order to get command of one of his ships? -Suppose I inform him that the work of rescue was really done by Lafitte? - -PED. (_quietly._) Would you not be implicating yourself? Would you not be -doing Lafitte a good turn?—We had best stand by our old bargain: the girl -for you, the money for me. - -MAN. (_after a pause._) Let me have that agreement. - -PED. I haven’t it. - -MAN. What! - -PED. I made a mistake; left that paper instead of this. (_rapping paper -in his hand._) - -MAN. What! That man has.... If Mariana should ever see it.... - -PED. I can remedy that blunder yet. - -MAN. But if for all this, she will not— - -PED. Then she must be made to. - -MAN. (_fretfully._) Why she should have chosen a house with entrances on -three streets.... We cannot watch all three. - -PED. Lafitte is not on his guard. I’ll watch the North side, you the -South and the men the West. (_walks apart absorbed in thought._) - -MAN. (_excitedly; restlessly._) At what time did her note tell Father -Cuthbert she would see him? (_takes out a note-book; opens it._) 4 -o’clock. Emperor Lafitte is not yet due for a long while. (_walks -about._) That was a good idea to have her write that note in pencil ... -and a cleverer one to erase the “dear father” and send it to Lafitte.... -(_enter Dominique disguised; he wears a very red, full beard._) - -DOM. (_aside on perceiving Pedro._) The very man! I’ll try him. (_going -up to Pedro; bows._) Do you know if Mr. Darblee be in? (_Pedro shrugs his -shoulders surlily and turns off; Dominique turns to Manuel._) Rheumatic? -(_Manuel shrugs his shoulders._) Do _you_ know if Mr. Darblee be in? - -MAN. (_curtly._) I do not. (_exeunt Pedro and Manuel._) - -DOM. (_cheerfully._) Must be a good disguise. The very man who gave me -the order to be here didn’t recognize me. I’ll try uncle Darblee. (_exit; -enter from mask niche, Mariana._) - -MAR. (_looks around desperately; rings bell._) I have no time in which -to do anything myself.—He may come at any moment ... (_writes hastily; -enter Baptiste._) Here. (_gives Baptiste money._) Take this note to the -Governor. (_gives him note._) Use all the speed you can in getting there. -Go! (_half pushes Baptiste out of the room._) I will beg his life of the -governor later, but now—I must save Jean.... May be Mr. Darblee would -help me. (_exit; enter one of Pedro’s guard; he beckons to others who -enter._) - -1st G. (_significantly._) The Captain left orders that any man answering -the description he gave us should be searched. - -2d G. Yes and any papers found on him brought _unopened_ to him at _Mme. -Fantine’s_. - -3d G. That’s singular. A prisoner’s papers are generally opened before -him. - -1st G. That’s not our affair. - -2d G. No. The only thing we’ve got to be careful about is not to make a -mistake in the man. - -1st G. (_significantly._) Ah! - -3d G. He isn’t expected to arrive before 3 o’clock. (_looks at his -watch._) Twenty minutes from now. - -1st G. He’s here now. - -2d G. Ah, no. - -3d G. He couldn’t be. - -1st G. Did you notice a youngish looking man, with a straight nose and a -yellow cravat? - -2d G. Why, he had a beard! - -1st G. Yes,—and may be it’s his and maybe it isn’t. He didn’t handle it -as if it were. - -3d G. You think?— - -1st G. We’ve simply let him escape. (_enter Dominique._) - -2d G. Here he is! - -DOM. (_bows._) At your service. - -1st G. Take off that beard. - -DOM. What? - -3d G. British spy! - -DOM. Come, come. - -2d G. Your airs of complacency won’t deceive us. - -DOM. What the devil are you talking about? - -1st G. Surrender! - -DOM. (_angrily._) I _am_ disguised, (_switching off his beard._) but not -a British spy. (_draws his sword._) Now,—what do you want? - -ALL. You. - -1st G. And a paper you have on you. - -DOM. (_starts._) I have a paper on me, but you shall not have it. - -1st G. Seize him! - -ALL. Kill him! (_they fight; Dominique wounds 2d guard._) - -1st G. (_to 3d guard._) Pin him to the wall. (_enter Lafitte; he knocks -1st guard’s sword up just in time to save Dominique; they fight, 3d guard -engaging Dominique and 1st guard, Lafitte; Lafitte’s sword breaks._) Now, -(_to Lafitte._) Curse you, die! (_as 1st guard lunges at him, Lafitte -grapples with him and clinches; 1st guard calls to 2d and 3d guards._) -Shall you let him escape, you two! Kill him! (_2d guard resumes his -sword; rushes at Dominique; 1st guard speaks while struggling to get at -Lafitte._) Kill him! (_Lafitte by a supreme effort, throws 1st guard from -him, causing him to drop his sword. Lafitte picks it up; wounds 2d guard -and knocks the sword out of the hand of the 3d guard._) - -LAF. I command you in the name of Governor Claiborne to desist. -(_1st guard picks himself up from the floor; 2d and 3d guards stand -irresolute._) Upon what charge do you seek to arrest this man? - -1st G. As a British spy. - -LAF. Search him. I pledge my word for him. - -DOM. (_waving them aside; to Lafitte._) The paper is for you. (_Lafitte -shakes his head._) I insist. - -LAF. Let them have it. (_1st guard searches Dominique; finds paper; -motions to his men; they station themselves besides Dominique; 1st guard -moves toward the door._) Friend! If you be honest you will read that -paper before the prisoner. (_1st guard hesitates; beckons to his men; -they go to him; Lafitte speaks hurriedly to Dominique._) Back to back. -There’s been treason. - -3d G. It’s nothing but fair. - -1st G. And may be safer, since we have been charged not to make a mistake. - -2d G. We can say the seal got broken in the tussle. (_they return and the -1st guard opens the paper._) - -1st. G. (_looks sheepishly at his comrades_;) A love affair. (_he returns -the paper to Dominique; exeunt guards._) - -LAF. (_with a puzzled face, takes paper; he opens it, starts terribly; -crumples the paper into a thousand pieces in his clenched fist; walks -about in violent agitation._) Oh, not to save twenty countries! not to -save my soul from everlasting disgrace, will I stop in my search now! Go! -(_to Dominique._) Fight indomitably. General Jackson will tell you where. -Here is your commission as Captain. - -DOM. (_takes commission and in doing so, kisses Lafitte’s hand._) Can I -not help you? - -LAF. Yes. Fight for us both! (_exit Dominique by West entrance just as -Mariana enters._) - -MAR. (_she sees Lafitte; speaks in a horrified, low voice._) Jean ... - -LAF. Mariana! (_he holds her in his arms silently; his cheek on her hair; -then holds her from him._) You are well? (_Mariana nods._) Ah, (_folding -her in his arms again._) I have been seeking you night and day; I must -have left Barataria almost in the hour you did; I have not been there -since. I have lived in terror. Even death has frightened me, since it -might claim me before I found you. - -MAR. (_starts_) Oh, Jean— - -LAF. (_soothing her._) All is well, sweetheart. My life belongs to you. -That is why it is a charmed life. Only a little while ago, I escaped -from the British. I was journeying along on foot. Beppo kept me company. -Suddenly, I heard the tramp of horses. Intuitively I felt that they -carried British soldiers. I watched. A turn in the road showed me I -was right. I heard Captain McWilliams’ voice, I crouched in the thick -undergrowth bordering the road, I tried to quiet Beppo. He barked. I—I -was obliged to kill him in order to prevent him from betraying me.... Not -for the value of my own life, but to save the country’s. (_Mariana put -her arms around his neck_) Then, so soon as they had gone by, I borrowed -a horse and came on. I have sent word to General Jackson. There is no -time to spare. Now that I have found you and can put you in secure care, -I must go. The British are approaching. They are within nine miles of the -city. - -MAR. And you? - -LAF. (_tenderly._) I, sweetheart, am Captain once more. Captain Jean -Lafitte, of the American army. Ah, there is so much in my heart!—so much -that I want to tell you about my hatred for the Spanish; my feint to the -British Commission. You don’t understand. I have never sailed under any -flag but that of the republic of Carthagena. My vessels are perfectly -regular in that respect. Carthagena is at war with Spain. I capture and -sink Spanish vessels and take possession of their cargoes. That is the -sum total of my offending. When I shall have told you what we owe to -Spaniards,—how hopeless I was— - -MAR. (_brokenly._) I know— - -LAF. (_compassionatingly._) Sweetheart! (_kisses her._) Now, let us find -Darblee. He will care for you until my return. - -MAR. (_detaining him._) Not now. - -LAF. I must go, sweetheart. - -MAR. (_half-sobbing._) I want to see you.... I haven’t seen you for so -long.... - -LAF. (_passing his hand over her hair._) Sweetheart— - -MAR. Did you get my note asking you to come here? - -LAF. (_surprised._) No. - -MAR. Then _why_ did you come? - -LAF. To save Dominique. I was barely in time. (_leading her towards the -door._) - -MAR. (_suddenly placing her back on the shut door._) No!—You cannot go! - -LAF. (_in gentle remonstrance._) Sweetheart— - -MAR. You cannot go. The house is guarded! - -LAF. (_dazed at first; then comprehending._) And you?... You wrote to me -to come here? - -MAR. The note was for Father Cuthbert. I had no idea ... then I overheard -Manuel and Pedro.... - -LAF. Manuel! Is he coming? At last! (_walks center; enter Beluche._) - -BEL. Lafitte, General Jackson fears that the British are preparing to -attack by way of Barataria. He commands me to caution you about the -defense of that point. - -LAF. Oh, I am perfectly confident of the fidelity of my men. - -BEL. (_grimly._) They have had provocation. - -LAF. (_indignantly._) Provocation! At a time like this, to speak of -provocation! - -BEL. (_doggedly._) Yes. Now, they urge, is the time to retaliate for all -the persecution they have endured at the hands of the Americans. Now. -While the opportunity offers. All hail to the Emperor of Barataria! - -LAF. (_goes up quietly to Beluche and puts his hands on his shoulders._) -Beluche,—we are first of all Americans. Who will follow me must follow -now not the Emperor of Barataria, but the American soldier. Re-iterate my -orders to the men of Barataria. (_Beluche, humbled, bows; in turning he -sees Mariana; he starts and his face is instantly hard._) - -BEL. It is well the men of Barataria don’t see you with this woman, or -they would refuse to obey your orders. (_exit._) - -LAF. (_turns in bewilderment to Mariana._) What did he mean? - -MAR. (_looks at him desperately; Lafitte waits; finally she puts out her -hands in dumb, piteous supplication._) I thought my brother had been -killed ... and my uncle ... all those helpless people.... - -LAF. Your brother? Where? - -MAR. At Barataria ... shot ... by a band of pirates.... - -LAF. That man! The false commander of the Creole? - -MAR. Yes. - -LAF. (_takes her by the shoulders._) You are dreaming! That man was -Colonel Tolosa; the man responsible for my court-martial from Napoleon’s -army; the man who came near separating us forever. That was the man I -ordered shot at Barataria. - -MAR. And that—was Pedro;—the man who has trapped you here now. - -LAF. Impossible. He was buried at Barataria. - -MAR. (_shakes her head._) He was saved by Father Cuthbert. - -LAF. (_with sudden oppressive intuition._) And you? What did you do. - -MAR. (_puts out her hands blindly._) I thought Pedro had been killed ... -and I did not know him then ... I loved him with all my heart ... and I -believed you cruel as well as wicked.... - -LAF. Quick! What did you do? - -MAR. I led an expedition against Barataria ... had the entire Island -burned and sacked and many of the pirates killed and taken prisoners.... - -LAF. Merciful heaven! I understand Beluche’s warning and the peril of New -Orleans! (_indistinct noises of voices heard without._) - -MAR. Pedro and the guard! Ah, let me try to save you! (_falls on her -knees._) On my knees, Jean!—for the love you bore me—(_Jean lifts her -from the floor._) For the love you bear your imperiled country. - -LAF. Yes. Speak to Darblee if you can. He is one of my men and will come -to the rescue. - -MAR. Yes, yes. (_she pushes Lafitte into the mask niche, following him -out of the room; Pedro, Manuel and the guard enter._) - -PED. An empty room! There has been treachery somewhere. (_noise in the -niche._) What was that? (_he rushes to the door beneath the mask; tries -to open it; to burst it._) - -MAN. That door is built against a wall; an annex made to the house after -it was completed. - -PED. (_to the guard._) Knock the lock off. (_they knock it off; the door -is swung open and reveals a solid brick wall._) - -MAN. Just as I told you. - -PED. Search the house. (_enter Mariana._) - -MAR. (_in feigned joyful surprise, to Pedro._) Pedro! (_going to him_) -Alive! - -PED. (_catching her arm; roughly._) Where is Lafitte? Come, now. I’ll -stand no fooling. - -MAR. (_quietly._) I am in no mood for fooling either. I have not seen -Lafitte. (_softening._) But you— - -PED. The men swear they saw him enter. - -MAR. I know he is not in the house, because he would have asked for me. I -was coming into this room just now, when I overheard Manuel speaking of -the use to which he had put my note. - -PED. (_brutally._) What else did you overhear? - -MAR. (_looking at him calmly and unflinchingly._) Nothing. I was on the -point of entering, thinking that Father Cuthbert might be here, when -I heard Manuel speak. Then I decided to wait and see what came of my -note before going to the Governor. (_to Manuel._) There was no need of -concealment. I would have helped you if I had known. - -MAN. You would? - -MAR. Have I not wrongs? I wrote to Lafitte, which must be the reason of -his non-appearance now, when as ill-luck would have it, he escaped from -the burning of Barataria. Yes, that was my business the night of the -ball; to beg the Governor’s permission to lead the delayed expedition -against Barataria. - -MAN. Why didn’t you let me know? - -MAR. Because I wanted to do it all myself. - -1st G. A woman _did_ lead that expedition. - -MAR. A woman did. She failed of her purpose then, but please God, she’ll -not fail now. I am on my way to inform the Governor that Lafitte is to -meet me a half hour hence at the hotel _St. Philippe_. He will come, -because he will believe me to be repentant. - -MAN. (_suspiciously._) You still believe that he loves you? - -MAR. Do not profane the word. I still believe that Jean Lafitte is not a -man to relinquish any purpose lightly. - -PED. (_to 1st guard._) Order eight of your best men to watch this hotel. -(_exit 1st guard; to Mariana._) We will go with you my dear. - -MAR. I will meet you at _St. Philippe_. I wish to see Mr. Darblee about -my room first. (_moving towards door._) - -PED. (_agreeably._) We can wait. Shall I conduct you to Mr. Darblee? - -MAR. (_baffled; speaks sweetly._) Thank you. (_takes Pedro’s arm, clock -strikes 4._) Oh, I haven’t time. I must go to the Governor immediately. - -PED. (_pleasantly._) There is no need. A sufficient force will be on -hand. I have engaged to myself to capture Lafitte. We will all go to _St. -Philippe_; all—except the eight who are to watch this hotel. - -MAR. I’ll get my hat. (_Pedro crosses to door; holds it open for her._) -The Governor (_aside_) will have received my message and sent succor -before they discover—(_exeunt Mariana and Pedro; enter 1st guard and -three others._) - -MAN. (_to 1st guard._) All right? (_1st guard bows; enter Mariana and -Pedro; Manuel advances; takes Mariana’s cloak from Pedro; folds it -lovingly about Mariana._) Happy cloak, to enfold you so warmly! to feel -the sweet, soft pulsing of your heart! - -PED. Ready? (_enter Lafitte._) - -LAF. Stop! - -MAN. (_starts._) Lafitte! - -MAR. (_starts._) Ah! - -PED. (_to the guard._) Seize him! (_the six guards rush upon Lafitte; -fasten his arms down._) - -LAF. I give you warning! I belong to the American army. You will pay -dearly. - -PED. (_savagely._) _You_ won’t be the bill-maker, Emperor Lafitte. (_to -the men._) Remove his sword. (_they remove it; Pedro takes it; breaks it -across his knee and throws the pieces aside; exit 1st guard._) - -MAN. (_turning upon Mariana in a fury of jealousy._) So, Miss! You still -love this fellow! Well, American or not, he will be put out of the way! -Pedro and I have some scores to settle with him. And as for you, my -beauty—(_goes to Mariana; she slaps his face._) We’ll see! (_takes her -forcibly in his arms._) call upon your determined lover now! (_kisses -her; Lafitte suddenly breaks the shackles that bind his arms; snatches a -small dagger from his belt and fells Manuel with a blow; then he turns -upon the crowd; re-enter 1st guard and eight armed men._) - -LAF. (_with his dagger in hand_.) Advance, cowards! - -PED. His head, dead or alive. Fire! (_the eight men raise their guns; -Mariana screams; runs in front of Lafitte, clinging to him; at the same -moment a commotion is heard at the opposite door and a file of soldiers -with raised guns appears._) - -1st SOL. Hold! - -PED. Fire! - -1st SOL. The first man who fires will be shot! (_the eight men lower -their guns._) Arrest these men. (_pointing to Pedro and Manuel; the -soldiers handcuff them._) - -PED. Upon whose order and on what charge? - -1st SOL. Governor Claiborne’s order, on charge of being a British spy. -(_to his men._) Search them. (_Pedro and Manuel are searched; the paper -from Captain Lockyer is found on Pedro and handed to 1st soldier._) - -MAN. (_he is assisted to his feet; speaks with the borrowed strength of -rage._) Do you know that it is _Lafitte_ whom you have saved? - -1st SOL. (_to his men._) Lead them away. (_Pedro and Manuel are marched -off; exeunt guards and soldiers; 1st soldier goes up to Lafitte._) - -You had best use all dispatch in joining your command. Every moment’s -delay now is dangerous. (_bows; exit._) - -LAF. Mariana.... (_he gently takes her arm from his neck and raises her -head; she is dazed almost insensible._) Sweetheart.... - -MAR. (_violently._) No!—I cannot let you go! (_Lafitte kisses her; -smooths her hair; leads her to the door._) - -LAF. Good-by, sweetheart ... good-by. - -MAR. (_quietly; leaning against the door._) Good-by.... - - CURTAIN. - - - - -ACT IV. - - - - -ACT IV. - -_Morning of January 8th, 1815. Early dawn; an approach to New Orleans, -swamp land; cypress trees, draped in Spanish moss; Batteries 3 and 4—the -pirates of Barataria—stationed about in the distance; enter Beluche._ - - -BEL. (_to two or three of his men._) Remember: Wellington’s soldiers are -to be dealt with; twelve thousand to five. Relieve the forward watch. -(_men salute and exeunt; Beluche looks after them; sighs; walks a few -steps with bowed head; takes out the little picture he had found on Pedro -in Barataria; looks at it long and intently, enter agitatedly, Bella._) - -BELLA. (_timidly, yet desperately._) Can you tell me if Dominique You be -here? - -BEL. (_looks up; starts; looks at his picture; looks at Bella; puts the -picture in his pocket._) He is. - -BELLA. May I see him? - -BEL. (_coldly._) No— - -BELLA. Just a moment— - -BEL. (_brusquely._) Is not your name Cardez? - -BELLA. Yes. - -BEL. Ha! - -BELLA. Do you know Captain You? - -BEL. (_grimly._) I do and I can tell you that you need expect no success -in the practice of your wiles upon him, because I know too, that you have -another lover. - -BELLA. (_starts._) Who are you? - -BEL. (_turning to leave her._) All women are alike in their infamous -cruelty. - -BELLA. (_runs after him._) Please ... I must see him. He may be killed. - -BEL. Very probably. - -BELLA. I want to ask his forgiveness for my foolish words— - -BEL. Whose picture does that locket contain? (_pointing to serpent-head -locket on Bella’s neck._) - -BELLA. Promise to send Dominique to me and I will tell you. - -BEL. May be. - -BELLA. It is the picture of a man my mother loved. - -BEL. Tell me the story. - -BELLA. It was over in Spain. He was a Frenchman, but it seems he had -been intrusted by the Spanish government with important papers with -instructions not to let them leave his hands except to the proper -authority. My mother with a girl’s caprice, begged to take them; was -refused; begged, pouted and finally had them read to her. She had been -outspoken in her love for this man, though my grand-parents had betrothed -her to my father. They must have overheard the reading of the papers, for -a few hours later my mother’s lover was arrested and thrown into prison -and his life saved only on condition of mother’s immediate marriage to my -father. - -BEL. (_starts._) What! - -BELLA. So you see, he must have believed—this man whom my mother -loved—that she betrayed him. (_Beluche bows his head._) And she, knowing -that all hope was over, and knowing too, his merciless, just nature did -not dare to try to undeceive him. Then my grand-parents died and when I -was still a young baby, my father died, leaving mother penniless. But -the world was bright for her once more, because for the first time in -two years, she had hope. She tried to find the man she loved. She prayed -to be able to tell him why she had seemed to forsake him; to be able to -beg his forgiveness for all the misery she had entailed by her foolish -insistence. But when at last she came to a place where they had heard of -him, she was told that he was dead. And so, to lift me out of the stress -of dire poverty, she finally yielded and married Leon Duval. They came to -America and he made her a good husband to the end. - -BEL. (_in a choked voice._) She is dead. - -BELLA. Yes—Poor mother!—Don’t you think it a fine face? (_showing Beluche -the locket._) - -BEL. No—an idiotic face. - -BELLA. (_warmly._) It is not so. Mother could never have loved other than -a fine man. - -BEL. Did she ever tell you his name? - -BELLA. No.—Sometimes I think they may have made a mistake about his being -dead;—don’t you think so? - -BEL. No,—he is dead. (_turns to go._) - -BELLA. (_puts her hand on his arm._) You will send Dominique to me? - -BEL. Yes. - -BELLA. Thank you.—I do like you. (_exeunt severally Bella and Beluche; -distant sounds of battle; enter several pirates; they look surly, -scowling._) - -1st PIR. Do you hear that firing? - -2d PIR. I’m not deaf. (_shivers; draws his coat about him._) - -1st PIR. _I_ don’t believe in Lafitte’s co-operation; I don’t believe he -advised our being stationed here. - -3d PIR. (_savagely._) If I thought we had been imposed upon— - -1st PIR. Are we sheep that we are to be led to the slaughter in this -manner? - -3d PIR. What can we do? - -1st PIR. It’s our turn to relieve the watch next, isn’t it? - -2d PIR. Yes. - -1st PIR. Very well then. Wait in seeming acquiescence until the British -come— - -3d PIR. And then? (_hoof-beats are heard approaching._) - -1st PIR. Wave a flag of truce and let Captains Beluche and You take the -consequences. (_enter a mounted messenger._) - -MESS. Captain Lafitte— - -1st PIR. Is not here. - -MESS. General Jackson orders him to take Battery 3 to the re-enforcement -of Coffee’s line. Captain Beluche— - -1st PIR. Over there. (_pointing; exit messenger, the men following him; -distant sounds of battle; enter Dominique._) - -DOM. (_worried and anxious._) the idea of exposing herself in this -manner!—must be more of Lizbette’s counsel. (_stops; whistles._) I’ll bet -that disguise was insisted upon at Lizbette’s dictation. I’ve a great -mind to try the prescription on Bella herself. (_puts on disguise._) She -said she’d recognize me under any disguise. (_enter Bella; Dominique goes -up to her; holds out both hands._) - -BELLA. (_starts._) Who are you? - -DOM. Your heart must tell you. - -BELLA. Sir— - -DOM. Do not speak hastily. I know I have seemed to do so, but I could not -help it. We may be interrupted at any moment. - -BELLA. You have no right— - -DOM. The best I love you. - -BELLA. You do not know me. - -DOM. (_humoring the situation, but wholly in earnest._) You are talking -nonsense. It is you who do not know me. My heart is full of you. My soul -seeks you even in sleep. I love you. - -BELLA. You are insolent. - -DOM. No. I am truthful. Why will you mistake? Do you not feel that I -have loved you for months: prayed for all chances to meet you—to kiss -you—(_attempts to kiss her._) - -BELLA. (_screams._) Help! (_enter Duval._) - -DUV. (_aside._) The red beard! (_whips out his sword_;) Draw, sir. -(_Bella runs aside._) - -DOM. I refuse to draw. - -DUV. Do you wish to be murdered? - -DOM. (_coolly._) I shall not be. - -DUV. Take this!—(_he makes a pass at Dominique who dodges the sword and -trips him._) - -BELLA. Brute! (_she makes a dash for Dominique’s face; catches his -whiskers; pulls off his disguise; screams; Duval is up again and on the -point of resuming the attack._) Don’t! (_to her father; throws her arms -around Dominique’s neck._) It is Dominique. I love him. (_enter Beluche._) - -DUV. And who the devil may Dominique be? A pirate, I’ll bet. One of a -band of sneaking robbers, too cowardly ever to fight squarely and above -board. (_enter men of Battery 4._) - -BEL. (_with cutting contempt._) But brave enough to _fight_, no matter -what the circumstances, when the country needs them. (_the pirates settle -about; play cards and throw dice._) - -DUV. None of your insinuations. I would be fighting now, if it were not -for this girl. - -BEL. (_to Dominique, aside._) You’d better see to your men. They are -becoming moody. Lafitte’s absence pre-occupies them. - -DOM. You think?— - -BEL. (_gravely._) Keep a close watch. I am taking battery 3 to the -re-enforcement of Coffee’s line. (_exit; Dominique turns to exit._) - -DUV. (_to Dominique._) Stop! (_Dominique stops; to Bella_,) With whom did -you come? - -BELLA. Baptiste. - -DUV. Then go home with him. - -BELLA. (_kisses her father._) Good-by. (_holds her hand out to -Dominique._) Good-by. (_he comes to her; takes her hand; kisses it; exit -Bella._) - -DUV. (_to Dominique._) Now, sir!—I have no time to join the fighting -forces near New Orleans. I will follow you and settle my personal -differences with you later. - -DOM. (_bows; turns; makes a few steps toward exit, followed by Duval; -stops; starts._) By heavens!—the British! The men have let them pass -without a shot! (_to his men._) Forward! (_men remain seated; continue -playing._) In the name of Lafitte! (_all rise._) - -1st PIR. In the name of lies! Lafitte is not here. - -DOM. He would be here if he could. - -2d PIR. He could be here if he would. - -DUV. The British are advancing! (_to the men._) In the name of the -country! - -1st PIR. And of the legislators who offered rewards for pirate heads! - -2d PIR. Who had us shot like dogs! - -3d PIR. Burned out of house and home! - -4th PIR. Thrown into dungeons! - -5th PIR. And liberated only in order that we might defend them! - -ALL. (_in rage, making a lunge at Duval._) Ah! - -DOM. (_darting in front of Duval._) Back, cowards! Respectable odds await -you! (_the British open fire; pirates stand irresolute._) - -1st PIR. (_to the men._) Come. - -DOM. (_jumps on a knoll; levels his gun._) I’ll shoot the first man who -retreats. (_men face about irresolutely; firing continues; one man is -wounded._) - -WOUNDED P. (_in a rage of defiance._) Ah! (_switches out a large white -handkerchief; strings it to the barrel of his gun; advances towards the -British._) We won’t retreat! (_pirates cheer and rally marching around -wounded pirate; firing ceases; Dominique shoots down the flag of truce; -the men in rage close upon Duval and Dominique; another flag of truce is -raised and the march towards the British re-begun; meanwhile, above the -sound of their frenzy; are heard approaching cheers and hoof-beats by the -hundred; enter Lafitte followed by scores of his men._) - -LAF. Men of Barataria to the front! (_snatches down the flag of truce._) -Death to Wellington’s soldiers! (_exit; firing begins._) - -ALL. Lafitte forever! (_exeunt; furious firing, becoming momentarily more -remote; enter Bella, Mariana and Baptiste._) - -BAP. (_cataleptic with fear._) Lordy! Lordy! - -BELLA. Oh hush, Baptiste, you give me the shivers. (_to Mariana._) I’m -glad I brought my cordial bottle, in case we get too nervous. - -BAP. Oh, Miss Bella, yo plumb rash to fly so in de face o’ Providence! -Lordy, (_kneels._) please make ’em change dey mine, seein’ I cyarn do -nuttin, an’ ef not, pertec dis po’ ole nigger who done pray to you an’ -who bin yo good an’ faithful sarvent.... Yes, Lord, I trus yo full an’ -free.... (_a stray shot sounds close and loud; Bella starts, dropping her -cordial bottle; Baptiste jumps up._) Gawd A’mighty, das dang’ous! (_exit -running._) - -BELLA. Oh, I think we had better go, too. (_takes Mariana’s arm; half -pulls her off; enter Pedro._) - -PED. (_scantily clad._) I made up my mind to escape. I’ve done it. -Hungry—chilled to the bone—with blood hounds on my track—But if every -other purpose I ever had in life fail, I will accomplish that of my hate -for Lafitte. (_reaches for his pistol; holds his hand out; looks at -it._) Curse this cold! I can scarcely hold my pistol. (_sees the cordial -bottle; picks it up._) Ah! (_takes a drink; slaps the stopper back on and -throws the bottle down; makes a wry face._) That’s queer tasting stuff. -(_the firing has ceased; enter Lafitte._) - -LAF. (_anxiously._) Surely she could not have been so imprudent—(_Pedro -sees him; creeps up behind him; aims waveringly._) - -PED. (_in choking rage._) Damn— (_falls; dies; Lafitte turns; sees Pedro; -enter Mariana._) - -MAR. Jean! (_Lafitte starts; throws his cloak over Pedro’s body._) You -are not hurt? - -LAF. Not hurt, sweetheart. - -MAR. And the victory? - -LAF. Is ours. I have just sent word to General Jackson. The British have -been routed with fearful loss. - -MAR. And we?—Oh—(_seeing the covered form._) Who is it? - -LAF. (_solemnly._) A man to whom I owe much knowledge. (_Mariana takes a -flower from her breast, goes up to the body and places it upon his._) - -LAF. (_to some of his men who have come on._) Take this body to New -Orleans for interment. (_the men carry it away; enter Dominique and Bella -at back._) My sweetheart this place— - -MAR. Ah, I am so proud of you! (_enter Duval and Beluche._) - -BEL. (_earnestly to Duval._) Your broken word would be a lesser matter to -you than your daughter’s broken heart. - -BELLA. Oh, here’s my cordial bottle! (_picks it up._) - -DUV. (_to Lafitte._) I desire, sir, to congratulate you. (_shakes hands; -Bella goes to Mariana; Beluche and Dominique are grouped together._) - -BELLA. (_to Mariana, showing her cordial bottle._) Shall we take a -swallow,—just to settle our nerves? (_Mariana smiles; takes the bottle; -raises it._) - -LAF. (_comes behind her as she is about to drink, takes the bottle from -her and throws it aside; happily._) You need no cordial on such a day as -this. - -BELLA. All, my tonic is all wasted! (_enter a messenger on horseback._) - -MESS. (_dismounts; bows._) General Jackson presents his thanks to -Captain Jean Lafitte for his efficient and loyal services; also thanks -to Captains Beluche and You, together with a promise to grant Captain -Lafitte any pardons he may ask. - -LAF. (_bows._) My profound acknowledgement and most respectful homage to -General Jackson. Do you know whether the two men arrested at the _hotel -des Exiles_ have been executed? (_Mariana goes to Lafitte’s side._) - -MESS. They have not. One of them escaped; is being traced now. The other -will be executed in an hour. (_Mariana starts; puts her hand on Lafitte’s -arm._) - -LAF. (_placing his hand over hers._) Which one escaped. - -MESS. Pedro d’Acosta. (_Mariana buries her face in her hand._) - -DUV. (_starts._) Pedro d’Acosta arrested? - -MESS. As a British spy. - -LAF. I shall be very much in your debt if you will use all possible speed -in seeing the Governor and in begging him, in my name, to spare Don -Manuel d’Acosta’s life—and that of Pedro d’Acosta, if he be caught. - -MESS. I shall do so. (_bows; exit._) - -MAR. (_to Lafitte._) Do you think he will be in time? - -LAF. Yes. - -DUV. (_to Bella._) Well, I will give my consent. - -BEL. On one condition: that she give up her faith in Lizbette and her -practices. - -BELLA. Dominique told you about that, but—I promise. (_exeunt Bella, -Dominique, Duval and Beluche._) - -MAR. Do you think Pedro will be caught? - -LAF. (_lovingly._) It would not matter if he were. - -MAR. But do you think he’ll be caught? - -LAF. (_kisses her._) No, sweetheart. (_passes his hand gently over her -hair._) I don’t think he’ll be caught. - - CURTAIN. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LAFITTE, A PLAY IN PROLOGUE AND -FOUR ACTS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. 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