THE TRIUMPH AT PLATTSBURG
ACT FIRST.
Scene 1. The village of Plattsburg, in front of Fort Moreau. The fort practicable. Flag flying, Sentinel on duty; villagers cross stage removing property.
(Enter Corporal Peabody with soldiers.)
Corporal. Halt. Stand at ease. Good people, what is the meaning of all this confusion and consternation? You could not be more alarmed if the whole village were already in flames about your ears.
Dr. Drench. And so it will be, corporal, if we stay here a few hours longer. The ease is a desperate one I assure you, beyond the reach of medicine. Is not Sir George Prevost, with many thousand troops, already within a few miles of the village?
Corporal. Very true, but I calculate he will have to come nearer before he takes the village, and that you know he cannot do without having a taste of the quality of the Green Mountain Boys.
Dr. Drench. Exactly as you say, but I would just as leave be down at Whitehall during the operation, so I'll move myself and plunder out of harm's way. Must have an eye to the main chance, corporal, and take care of my property, you know.
Corporal. The surest way to take care of it is to defend it with a musket in your hand. I have one at your service, doctor.
Dr. Drench. Thank ye, thank ye kindly, just as much as though I had accepted of it; but no occasion at present.
Corporal. What, doctor, not afraid to look upon death at this time of day?
Dr. Drench. Afraid! La! no, that's my trade, and that I may continue to exercise it, I decline your polite offer.
Andre. (Without.) Stand out o' the way, man, and make room for Andre Macklegraith, who would see the general.
Corporal. What noise is that?
Dr. Drench. It is Andre Macklegraith, the miller.
(Enter Andre.)
Andre. Corporal Peabody, it warms the cockles o' my heart to see your good natured face at this present speaking, though you ken weel enow, that the time ha' been, and that na lang syne, when I would ha' preferred your room to your company any day in the week, and ha' been the gainer by it.
Corporal. Twist me, but I guessed as much, Andre, but what has worked this sudden change in your feelings?
Andre. Our feud's at an end, corporal,—Our feud's at an end. Take a pinch o' sneezer out o' my mull, and that you ken will be as binding as though we drank out o' the same cup together, and the ceremony is more economical—take a good pinch, man, you're welcome.—Ah! doctor, I cry you mercy, it glads one to see your gracious physiognomy; and how does the world wag with you, man?
Dr. Drench. Only so, so.
Corporal. The war is about to drive him from the village, Andre.
Andre. The doctor is right. It is an old saw, ye ken, that twa of a trade can never agree, and the war I am thinking will do business upon a larger scale than the doctor.—Ha! Ha! do you take my meaning?
Corporal. Yes, and so does the doctor too; but he makes a wry face in taking it.
Andre. Well I have done as much in swallowing his nostrums.—Ha! Ha!—Never look vexed, doctor.—A harmless jest will break no bones, and Andre, you ken right weel, is not the churl that would hurt as much as a hair upon his neighbor's head. Well, Corporal Peabody, as I was saying, our feud's at an end. You know I always counted you a bonnie laddie when you used to come to my mill on Dead Creek with your grist of white wheat, and as fine wheat it was as any that grew in Clinton County, that I will say for it.
Corporal. And heavy tolls came out of it too, Andre.
Andre. Ha! Ha! Let Andre alone for that man; but de'il a grain more did he take than his lawful toll. Ye canna say that ever Andre Macklegraith lost sight of the golden rule, which bids him do as
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