George. Head foremost if you please, my worthy friends; 'Tis but fair play — heels first perhaps, to-morrow. {The men carry him a few paces.) Halt, if it please ye, gentlemen, one mo- ment. Two hobbles more and I 'm defunct. —
Pray, general. Drill those recruits to the step. In camp,
now, uncle, It were a pleasure to be carried out. Sir R. Wilt hold thy peace then ? George. Yes. — The left foot, uncle —
Sir R. Now, gentlemen, at the word "march" lift up The left foot each of you, and so move on. George. Right, uncle. Sir R. Hold your tongue. March !
George. Ay; so, so.
{Exeunt.)
Scene 2. The Village.
{Enter Charles and Edward.)
Charles. Can it be true! the savages so
near? Edw. It is so said.
Charles. Edward, do you return,
And see the unfortunate gentleman I
wounded Placed in security. I '11 hasten home.
{Exit Edward.)
My first care is my mother — then for
Mary! {Exit Charles.)
{Enter Walford, meeting Alice.)
Walf. A\nienee this alarm f Alice. father, we are lost.
A hunter has come in nigh dead with
speed, With tidings that the savages are coming. Walf. How near?
Alice. Alas ! a few miles from the village. Walf. Is 't possible ! can they have thus eluded Our watchful troops! we must prepare — welcome!
{Enter Ravensworth.)
Heard you the fearful tidings. Ravens- worth? Ray. I have, and will you now believe., our sins
Bring these afflictions on us? We have
murderei-s Lurking among us. Walf. How !
Rav. This moment pass'd me.
The relative of the Knight, Sir Reginald ; Dying, or dead. Walf. Whose was the act?
Rav. Whose was 't?
The act of him, whose every act is crime. The son of this dark woman. Walf. How is it known ?
Rav. His sword and handkerchief stain'd both with blood. And mark'd with his vile name, were
found in the wood. He has not Jbeen one day yet in the vil- lage, And lo! these visitations. On the in- stant He must be dealt with. Walf. First for our defence —
What do you counsel? Rav. Prayer and sacrifice.
Walf. 'T is too late now, we must take other means.
{The Villagers enter, exhibiting signs of wild affright.)
Walf. Hark ye, my friend, have messen- gers been sent To warn the seatter'd settlers round? 1st Villa. They have.
Walf. Why rings not the alarum bell ! 1st Villa. I know not,
Unless the exposed position of the church — Walf. Go, some of you and do it. — Hasten, friends, Seize every man his arms.
{Exeunt Villagers.)
Rav. Behold where comes
In all her pride, one of the moving causes
Of all this horror — mark with what an
air. How tranquil and compos'd she looks
around Upon the growing evil — safe, 'midst the
fury Of her own tempest.
{As he speaks; Enter Isabella; the women shrink from her in fear. Alice gazes upon her with interest; Ravensworth fixes his eyes sternly upon her. She remains unmoved.) Walf. Ravensworth, forbear.
Is this a time. —
[Enter 2d Villager.)
