PILGRIM CHANT
(Tune: Oxford. To be sung off stage by the Puritan maidens before they enter to take part in the episode.)
Gone is now the sullen winter,Gone the famine and the snow;In the forest, like a promise,See the first white mayflowers blow.
Fresh hope thrills us with their coming,They, too, braved the winter long;Then at Springtime took new leafage,Frail yet steadfast, small but strong.
Cling we thus to our new country,Let us struggle and endure;We have found a land of Freedom,And our heritage is sure.
THE SPINNING LESSON(A Pilgrim Interlude)CHARACTERS
PRISCILLA MULLINSLads of Plymouth TownJOHN BILLINGTONDEGORY MARTINYouthful Pilgrim MaidensRUTHPATIENCEMIRIAMLETTICEANNESTAR-OF-SPRING, an Indian maidenNATIQUA, a squaw, her motherFOREST FLOWER, another Indian maidenHERON'S WING, a young Indian brave
SCENE:A grassy glade at Plymouth in the Spring of 1621, Trees right, left, and background. At the beginning of the scene the grassy stage is deserted. There presently enters from background Anne, a young Pilgrim maid of about fourteen, whose somber garb shows out darkly against the green background. She looks quickly about her, right and left, shielding her eyes with her hand. Then she calls back over her shoulder to her companions, Diantha and Lettice.
ANNE(calling).
Come quickly, Diantha. Here is a fair spot for our corn-shelling, and not a prowling Indian in sight.
[Diantha, slender, dark, and somewhat older than Anne, enters with Lettice. They carry between them an Indian basket of capacious size, in which are dried ears of corn.
DIANTHA(clearly).
Nay, we need have no fear; for on one side Captain Miles Standish keeps watch, and on the other John Alden; so as for Indians——
LETTICE(as they come to center).
One Indian only have I seen this day, and to see him is ever a sign of good omen.
DIANTHA.
That means that Squanto is in Plymouth Town, our good, true Indian friend. He it was who taught us how to shell the corn, so many months agone; he it was who taught us, this Spring, the manner of sowing it.
LETTICE(holding up Indian basket).
And here is one of the Indian corn-baskets that Captain Standish found buried in a strange wilderness spot when he first explored these forests.
ANNE(drawing near to Lettice).
These forests—! Oh, my heart! As night draws on how dark and fearsome they appear! And now that Spring is in the land it sets me longing for English hedgerows.
[Sits on ground, left, and begins to shell corn.
LETTICE(joining Anne in her work).
Do you remember the Spring in Leyden, Diantha?
DIANTHA(looking upward as she stands).
Why, even here the Spring is very fair! Do not the sunlight, the blue sky, and the budding trees make your heart sing with joy?
ANNE.
Sit, then, Diantha, and let us have a quiet hour.
DIANTHA(standing behind them, half-gay, half-mocking).
A quiet hour—! Hither come Patience and Miriam and Ruth, the greatest clatter-tongues in Plymouth. See! They have been gathering wild plum blossoms!
[Enter Miriam, Patience, and Ruth from background. They hasten towards Diantha. The exquisite white of the blossoms they carry makes them look like heralds of the Spring.
MIRIAM(excitedly).
Diantha, what dost think! Priscilla Mullins hath declared herself weary of spinning in her own door-yard, and since Squanto hath told us that we need not fear the Indians she hath besought Degory Martin and John Billington to bring hither her spinning-wheel.
PATIENCE(wide-eyed).
Was ever the like known in Plymouth!
RUTH(as all look eagerly towards background).
Hither she comes!
PRISCILLA(clearly in distance).
Have a care, Degory.
DEGORY.
Aye, Mistress Priscilla.
PRISCILLA(as they emerge from background).
Stumble not, John Billington.
JOHN BILLINGTON(sturdily).
Not while I bear such a burden.
[They set down the spinning-wheel, center.
PRISCILLA.
I thank you. Will you come for me when the shadows o' the pines grow long across my doorway?
[The Pilgrim lads nod, and exeunt, left background.
PRISCILLA(to Pilgrim maidens).
Well, and have you no word of greeting? Why, they are dumb with astonishment! And is it so strange a thing to bring one's wheel outdoors? 'Twas out of doors that this wood first grew! (Touches wheel.) All day I have longed to be out in these wide spaces—and yet there was work to do. But see—now I weld heart's desire and work together!
[She begins to spin. Meantime Pilgrim maidens group about her. Tableau.
MIRIAM.
You are ever one to see the bright side of things, Priscilla, and———Look, Priscilla—an Indian!
[At sound of that dread word all the maidens draw near to Priscilla. From the woods in right background appears Star-of-Spring, the little Indian maiden. She carries a basket of shell-fish on her head, steadying it with her hand. She is so intent on walking carefully that she does not see the group of Pilgrims until she is nearly upon them. There ensues a period of unflagging pantomime. Star-of-Spring, upon seeing the group of dark-clad maidens, starts back, half terrified. Priscilla rises, and as an overture of peace and good-will, takes a few steps towards her. Star-of-Spring retreats still further towards right. Priscilla returns to her wheel.
Star-of-Spring, emboldened, takes a step towards the Pilgrim maidens. Pilgrim maidens, quite as wary of Star-of-Spring as she is of them, retreat a little way to left. At this Star-of-Spring's last fears vanish. She wishes to be friends. With pretty pleading she holds out to them her basket of shell-fish. Places it on the ground and then steps back, bowing, with arms wide and outstretched palms.
PRISCILLA.
She means we should accept it. Is that not truly generous!
DIANTHA(reassured).
It must be Star-of-Spring, the little Indian maid of whom Squanto has so often told us.
[Diantha takes up basket. Pantomime of delight on part of Star-of-Spring. She draws near to Anne, and with a quaint grace touches Anne's cap and kerchief. Tries on Anne's cap, and looks at herself in a barbaric bit of looking-glass that dangles from one of her many chains of beads. Then laughs, gives back the cap, and is in turn fascinated at the sight of Priscilla when she begins spinning. Star-of-Spring approaches the wheel with pantomime indicating awe and delighted curiosity. She first inspects it, and then begins to talk in dumbshow with quick, animated gestures. The Pilgrim maidens are somewhat bewildered.
DIANTHA(as the meaning of the scene dawns on her).
Priscilla! She wishes to spin!
ANNE.
Thou hast done many strange things in this new land, Priscilla; but I doubt not that the strangest of all is to give an Indian maiden her first lesson in spinning!
[Priscilla rises. Star-of-Spring seats herself. Business of Priscilla's teaching her to spin. Haltingly and somewhat fumblingly she does at length manage to compass the first rudiments of her lesson. The Pilgrim maidens stand grouped about her. Tableau.
DEGORY(from background).
The shadows of the pines lengthen across your door-sill, Priscilla!
[At sound of the new voice Star-of-Spring rises, and hastily retreats, right. Degory Martin and John Billington enter from background.
DIANTHA.
Only think, Degory, Star-of-Spring, an Indian maid, hath had a spinning lesson!
DEGORY.
The shadows are lengthening. Twilight comes apace here in the forest. 'Tis time you all came home.
[The maidens of Plymouth follow him as he and John Billington take the spinning-wheel and spinning-stool with them. They make their exit at center background. Star-of-Spring, who has lingered at edge of trees, right, steals out to look after her departing playmates. Stands at place where spinning-wheel was. Again shakes her head, as if in perplexity over the strange arts of the palefaces. Finds on grass part of a skein of flax. Tosses it lightly in the air. Catches it again as it falls. Begins a characteristic dance, swaying, tossing skein, catching it. Each step of the dance takes her further into background. Then she comes down center again, like a tossing bough or a blown flame. She does not perceive the group entering from left. Her mother (Natiqua), Forest Flower, and Heron's Wing. They also are so occupied with portage that they do not perceive Star-of-Spring until they are almost up to her. Heron's Wing and Forest Flower carry between them a birch-bark canoe. Behind them trudges Natiqua, bent beneath a double pile of fagots. They pass, in picturesque silhouette, back of the spot where Priscilla had been seated with her spinning-wheel. Then they and Star-of-Spring become aware of each other. They stop. Natiqua frowns. Star-of-Spring points to place where Priscilla sat with her spinning-wheel, and by animated gestures portrays what has taken place. But neither Natiqua, Forest Flower, nor Heron's Wing is in the least interested. Natiqua shakes her head and frowns. It is evident that the wonders of the palefaces are not to her mind. She lets slip from her back her double pile of fagots, then replaces one, and Star-of-Spring takes up the other. Then, in Indian file, they cross the scene to right, and slowly disappear from view.
COSTUMES
PILGRIM MAIDENS. The Pilgrim maidens should wear plain black dresses ankle length, with white cuffs and Puritan caps, and white kerchiefs. These dresses may be made of black cambric, worn with the glazed side turned in.
THE PILGRIM LADS. The Pilgrim lads wear black suits, with full knee-breeches, black stockings, and low black shoes with silver buckles. Their hair comes to their ears, and they have white collars turned down on their coats, and deep white cuffs on their sleeves.
THE INDIANS. The Indians wear costumes of cotton khaki, the necks gaily painted with Indian designs. Strings of beads and shells. Natiqua has a green and scarlet blanket. She and the Indian maidens wear their hair in braids. They also have a gay strip of cheesecloth—red, green, or yellow—bound about their brows, and a quill stuck upright in the back. Heron's Wing has a head-dress of blue-gray heron's feathers. All wear moccasins. (See description of Indian costumes in "Princess Pocahontas.")
CHARACTERS
LORD FAIRFAXMARY BALL WASHINGTONGEORGE WASHINGTONPlantation handsAUNT RACHELSAMBOLUCYDINAHPETERNELLYSUSYUNCLE NED
SCENE:The lawn of Ferry Farm, 1748. A wide expanse of green. Trees right, left, and background. The trees in background supposedly screen the Colonial house from view. At the left the estate supposedly stretches to the highway. At the right, behind the trees, it is given over to flower and vegetable gardens.
At the beginning of the scene the grassy space is deserted, but from the distance, right, comes the sound of singing. The sound swells louder and louder in the rhythm of one of the oldest of African songs, "Mary and Martha just gone 'long to ring those charming bells." The first verse is sung before the singers appear. With the second verse those who have been at work in the fields come into view, their gay and colorful costumes bright against the green background.
Two of the children run into sight first; then comes a group of nine or ten young people. Some carry between them baskets heaped quite high with fruit and vegetables. One boy holds a hoe. A girl carries a rake. Another an armful of dried corn on the ear. Two more a low basket heaped with cotton. In the center of this group hobbles old Aunt Rachel, turbaned, and leaning on a cane. By her side walks Lucy, carrying a great bunch of pink "Winter Roses."
The third verse is sung as this group emerges into full view of the audience. The children stand looking at Aunt Rachel as they sing, as if they were catching some of the words from her. She beats time with her finger to see that they learn correctly. Other voices take up the song in right background, swelling it higher and higher. Uncle Ned, with his fiddle under his arm, comes slowly from right to join the group in foreground. The baskets are set down. The boy leans on his hoe, the girl on her wooden rake, rapt and happy. All are given over to the rhythmic joy of the music.
UNCLE NED(with a sigh of happiness).
I certainly do love music. Nothing cheers the heart like singing—unless it's the voice of the fiddle.
SUSY(hopping up and down).
Play to us, Uncle Ned, play to us!
[Uncle Ned tucks his fiddle under his chin and begins to play. At first the air is chant-like, and has a strain of melancholy, then it grows gayer and gayer, until it turns into a dance tune. The children first stand about Uncle Ned in a circle, listening. Then they begin to dance, with swaying bodies and cries of delight. Here and there a girl and boy dance opposite each other, hands on hips. There should be five or six dancing groups in all. Uncle Ned finishes with a flourish, and turns towards left.
THE CHILDREN.
Play us another tune, Uncle Ned! Play us another tune!
UNCLE NED(to a little girl who is especially imploring).
No, no, honey. There's work for me to do up yonder at the house.
[Goes off, left background.
AUNT RACHEL(still swaying a little and nodding her head).
It certainly does take the fiddle to make old bones feel young again. Where are you going, Susy?
SUSY(taking up her basket and indicating left).
Off to the stables.
AUNT RACHEL(center).
And where are you going, Lucy?
LUCY.
Up to the house with this bunch of roses for Mistress Washington.
SUSY.
Look! Here comes Nelly from the house now.
NELLY(running down from background).
Have you-all heard the news? This is the day that Master George is leaving for his surveying trip with Lord Fairfax. See! Mistress Washington is coming to speak to us now!
[All look in the direction of house. Madam Washington is seen approaching from the background, center, a stately figure in Colonial dress, her hair slightly touched with gray. Cries of "Good-morning, Mistress Washington! Good-morning!" Children skip up and down. Baskets, hoe, and rake are alike forgotten. Madam Washington stands in center, and the plantation children are grouped in a wide semicircle about her, so that all she does is in full view of audience. Lucy presents Madam Washington with a bunch of roses. Madam Washington takes them, bows, and smiles. Lucy drops a courtesy.
MADAM WASHINGTON.
How is your fever, Aunt Rachel?
AUNT RACHEL.
Better, better, I thank you.
LUCY.
Is this the day that Master George is starting for--
PETER(as he comes running down from background).
Mistress Washington! Mistress Washington! Lord Fairfax has come, and Master George's horse is all saddled and waiting.
[Madam Washington turns and, follows Peter back to the house.
AUNT RACHEL(indicating left).
Come, children! You can see the road from here. There he is on his horse!
[Young George Washington, in tan-colored frontiersman's garb, is seen dimly through the trees. With him a stately figure that is Lord Fairfax. They wave and bow in direction of house. Then George waves in direction of plantation group in foreground.
SAMBO(shielding his eyes with his hand).
I can see him! I can see him!
ALL(looking off towards left, waving, gesticulating).
Good-by, good-by, Master George!
OTHERS.
Come back soon, Master George. Good-by! Good-by!
AUNT RACHEL(sadly shaking her head).
He is gone! How we will miss him!
[An instant's dejection falls on the group. They stand saggingly, joy gone from them.
AUNT RACHEL(brightening).
It's only for a short time. Only for a short time. He'll be back. He'll surely be back.
[The group brightens. A tambourine drops jinglingly. It is picked up. Baskets and hoe are resumed. The group starts towards background, leisurely, tunefully singing:
(Air: Chorus of "Down Where the Cotton Blossoms Grow.")
Bright shines the sun, the clover-fields are white,Through the woods the happy children go:As gay are our hearts as flowers swinging light,When balmy airs of Springtime blow.
Gaily we work with spade and rake and hoe,Golden shines the burnished sun of noon;Then in the fields the shadows longer grow,Time to be looking for the moon!
Then twilight comes, and then the velvet night,Stars shine like a beacon through the gloam,The old cabin road is gray beneath their light,The long road that leads us to our home.
[As they sing the darkies move towards background. The voices grow fainter and fainter. The scene ends.
COSTUMES
LORD FAIRFAX. Plum-colored velvet. Three-cornered black hat. White wig with cue.
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Frontiersman's suit of cotton khaki, made on Indian lines, with Indian tunic, and knee-breeches. Tan stockings, with strappings of khaki wound round them, and moccasins.
MADAM WASHINGTON. Dark green quilted petticoat. Overdress and bodice of dark green, flowered in old rose. Elbow sleeves. White ruffles of lace. White lawn fichu. Powdered hair.
The plantation negroes wear tropically bright colors. All the colors are solid. Aunt Rachel has a bright blue dress with a white apron and kerchief, and a black cloak across her shoulders. She wears a scarlet and yellow turban, and huge gold hoops in her ears. The negro girls wear red and blue and green cotton dresses with white kerchiefs, and colored aprons—a yellow apron with a red dress, and so on. Some of them wear gay little turbans. Their feet are bare. The boys wear black knee-breeches, and bright-colored shirts, open at the neck. Uncle Ned wears black knee-breeches, low black shoes, and a faded scarlet vest with gilt buttons opening over a soft white shirt.
(Founded on a legend of him youth.CHARACTERS
GEORGE WASHINGTON, a Youthful SurveyorYoung Lads who serve respectfully as "chainmen" and "pilots"RICHARD GLENNJAMES TALBOTKEITH CARYA FRONTIERSMANRED ROWAN, his daughter
SCENE:An open woodland glade that is part of the wilderness portion of Lord Fairfax's estate beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, 1748. Trees at right, left, and background. Trailing vines. Low bushes. Underfoot a carpet of rotting leaves. At the left, near foreground, a fire smolders. Near it are spread a bearskin used as a sleeping-blanket, some pine boughs, surveyors' tools, and a tin box. At the right a fallen tree-trunk, mossed, vine-covered. The time is mid-afternoon. The lads who enter wear the garb of frontiersmen; but when the play begins the forest glade is deserted until Richard Genn's voice is heard from the woods in background.
RICHARD GENN.
Come on, then, Washington. Hurry there, Talbot! (Genn enters, carrying chains and a surveyor's pole, and comes quickly to the fire.) Why, the ashes have kept their heat since morning. We will not have to start another fire.
JAMES TALBOT(entering with Washington from background).
That's good hearing, for I'm famished. How say you, Washington?
WASHINGTON.(laughing and coming to fire).
I could eat a wild turkey, feathers and all. This life in the wilderness makes one keenly hungry. What's in the box, Richard?
TALBOT(delving into tin box).
Bacon. Some dry bread.
WASHINGTON.
Toast the bacon between the bread, and we'll have such a feast as is due to young surveyors who've tramped a good ten miles since morning. Now then, Richard. Here are some sticks. Let each lad toast his own.
TALBOT(helping to prepare).
The very smell of it makes me ravenous. (To Genn.) I wonder where your Uncle is, and Colonel Fairfax?
GENN.
Miles from here, doubtless. (Stretches.) But Iamstiff!
WASHINGTON.
And where can Carey be?
TALBOT.
Oh, Carey's lagged behind to get a shot at some grouse that he means to have for supper. Hark!
CAREY(In background).
Lads! Lads! Where be ye?
WASHINGTON.(calling in answer).
Here, Carey, here. (To the others.) That's he, now. Well, Carey, what luck?
CAREY(entering from background).
Any luck but pot luck. Missed both times. No grouse for us. I almost wish I'd raided some frontiersman's cabin.
[Sits at fire.
WASHINGTON.
"Get what you can get honestly." (Passes him the bacon.) "Use what you get frugally." That was an old saying I learned from my copybook, and even in the wilderness it seems to hold true.
RICHARD GENN(as they sit about fire, eating).
What's to be done when this meal is finished?GEORGE WASHINGTON.Naught that I know of. I can do no more till I receive further orders from Colonel Fairfax.
TALBOT.
Well, then, we've a half-holiday. 'Tis the first idle time we've had in three weeks. Up before dawn, and to bed before star-rise! I tell you it makes the hours spin fast. How shall we pass our leisure?
CAREY.
I'm going back for those grouse.
[Rises.
TALBOT.
I've seen the bronze of a wild turkey's wing.
[Rises.
GENN.(smacking his lips).
I'd like to have that same turkey wing here before the fire! (Rises.) I'm with you, Talbot, for whatever a sportsman's luck may bring. And you, Washington?
WASHINGTON.
I'd best wait here to see if a message comes from Colonel Fairfax. If in one hour the message does not come, I'll join you.
GENN.(ready to start).
Well, then, Talbot.
[The three lads start.
WASHINGTON.(to Carey).
I wish you luck! May you flush a grouse at every ten yards!
[Lads laugh, and exeunt, background. Washington looks after them a moment, and then takes surveying paper from his pocket.
WASHINGTON.
Now for my wilderness chart!
[Pores over it. From the distance comes the sound of a frontiersman's ax, which he is too absorbed to notice. Red Rowan enters from the right, a wild, picturesque young figure in a scarlet cloak.
WASHINGTON.(to himself, as he bends over his chart).
'Tis not so easy as Little Hunting Creek!
RED ROWAN(approaching him).
Nothing is easy in the wilderness!
WASHINGTON(starting up, gazing at her, and then brushing his hand across his eyes).
I thought I was studying before the fire; but instead I've been dreaming . . . dreaming!
RED ROWAN(shaking her head).
No dream! Only a woodsman's daughter. You can hear my father yonder, felling oaks. I saw the glimmer of your fire and came.
WASHINGTON.(with a boyish courtesy and shyness).
Will you—will you not be seated?
RED ROWAN(seated on bearskin, looking at fire).
Folks call me Red Rowan.
WASHINGTON.
My name is Washington. George Washington.
RED ROWAN(still looking at the fire).
You have a shrewd fire, and the air is chill in these mountains.
WASHINGTON.
Will you not have some bacon and bread? I wish there were more to offer you.
RED ROWAN
I'll have a taste of the bacon and a morsel of bread. (Washington begins to prepare them). I thank you.
WASHINGTON.(toasting bread and bacon).
The wilderness must be rough-seeming to you.
RED ROWAN
I'm well-used to deep forests and long, hard journeys, for the love of a trail is in my blood. My grandfather was a gentleman rover, and my father a frontiersman, and my mother was—a gipsy.
WASHINGTON.(surprised).
A gipsy?
RED ROWAN(nodding).
Aye, but she died when I was little, and lies buried oversea. 'Tis ten years now since my father came from England, and brought me with him.
WASHINGTON.
You have known little of a roof, then.
RED ROWAN
Aye, or of schooling. But forests are kind teachers, and have given me much. There is a lore deeper than the lore of books. You too must know it. For with lonely campfires and winding roads and sharp, white, frosty stars one comes to gather wisdom. Schoolbooks may give you the past, but it is in my blood to know——
WASHINGTON.(as she pauses).
The future—!
RED ROWAN(slowly, gazing at fire).
Or so I tell myself. I must ofttimes make up fancies to help the long days pass. (Rises.) Come, for a jest, let me read your palm, Master Washington. And in after years you may say: "Why, so Red Rowan told me!"
WASHINGTON.
Would you have me put faith in witchcraft?
RED ROWAN(offended).
Do I look like a witch? Nay, but you know right well I do not. Come, let me read your hand. 'Tis a mere jest, and will do no harm, and you need not believe a word I say.
WASHINGTON.
I will not, if it is flattering; for I have learned aforetime thathumility is the forerunner of advancement.[Footnote: Washington's own words]
RED ROWAN(seated on mossy log, as she reads his hand).
What would you wish to be?
WASHINGTON.(simply).
When I grow older, a man of deeds, not words. [Footnote: Washington's own words]
RED ROWAN
Well, then, give hither. (Reading his hand.) Your name is Washington, and you come from beyond Blue Ridge. All this I know. For the rest, let me read. You are well versed in woodcraft, but not so well in books.
WASHINGTON.
There I must mend me.
RED ROWAN
Aye. You are a notable horseman: your wrist is quick at the foils; you can swim, climb, and fight, if need be. You are strong, and your valor equals your strength, your courtesy, your bearing. The line of truth is here. You smile?
WASHINGTON.
I was thinking of the matter of a hatchet and a cherry tree!
RED ROWAN(still reading).
Through all your life, success will smile upon you. Here are the marks of battles. Here are the lines of hardships and of victories. And all these little lines—see, marches, marches, marches! You'll be a colonel, and perhaps a general. You laugh? Some day you'll see! 'Twill all come true! You'll fight in a great cause.
WASHINGTON.(puzzled).
What cause is there to fight for?
RED ROWAN
That I do not know. But here 'tis clearly written. And you will win. Your name will be on all men's tongues. 'Tis a long road, and all up hill. But at the summit—triumph! Remember that. Upon the summit is triumph.
WASHINGTON.(half-soberly).
And for the rest?
RED ROWAN
You'll be upon a farmstead with great, rolling acres.
WASHINGTON.
Forest or farmstead, I care not which. That part is true enough, Mistress Rowan. There was a time when I wished to go to sea; but now I hope to spend my life at Ferry Farm.
RED ROWAN(rising).
Part of it will be spent far otherwise. Remember that I told you.
WASHINGTON.(courteously). Aye, I'll remember, tho' 'tis but a jest.
RED ROWAN(pausing).
Aye, a jest wrought of gipsy magic. I wish you well, Master Washington, and I thank you for your hospitality.
FRONTIERSMAN'S VOICE(calling from right).
Rowan!
RED ROWAN(answering).
I'm coming, father. (To Washington.) Remember, Master Washington, that I told you.
[Exit Rowan, quickly and lightly.
WASHINGTON.(smiling to himself).
Remember! Why, 'tis the merest jest.
CAREY(from background).
Time's up, George! There's wondrous sport. Are you not coming?
WASHINGTON.(to Carey).
Aye, I am coming. (To himself.) But the merest jest! "To fight in a great cause—!" "A long hill, and a hard, and at the summit—triumph!" (Shaking off the spell the words have cast on him). The lads would laugh, did I but tell them! (Calls, in answer to impatient steps, and crackling of leaves in background.) I come!
[He makes his exit into background, running blithely, and the play ends.
COSTUMES
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Frontiersman's suit, modeled on Indian lines. The suit is tan-colored, supposedly made of dressed deerskin. The breeches and tunic are fringed, Indian fashion. There is neither paint nor beading upon the suits. Moccasins. The other lads wear suits of the same kind. The material can be cotton khaki. The moccasins can be made of the same, and beaded.
RED ROWAN. Dress of leaf-brown homespun made rather short, and quite plain, open at the neck, the sleeves coming to the elbow. A cloak of vivid scarlet, gathered in simple folds at neck, and falling to the ankles. Both dress and cloak may be made of cambric, using the unglazed side. Tan stockings. Moccasins. The latter may be made of cotton khaki, and beaded.
CHARACTERS
DANIEL BOONE, a pioneer.ROGER KENTON, a ladALLAN RIGDON, anotherBLAIZE PRITCHARD, a trapperEDWARD BRYANJAMES COLBYBLACK FISH, an Indian ChiefHAWK EYE, a young Indian BraveEAGLE'S FEATHER, anotherOther Pioneers, Trappers, Indians
(Note: The events comprised in this play cover a longer period of time than is suggested here.)
SCENE:An open woodland. Place, the Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky, 1778. Trees right, left, and background. A slightly worn path leads to background where the salt springs are supposed to be. Tall poles with skins on them. A large kettle swings over the fire in right foreground. Near it are other kettles, iron saucepans, and sacks for salt. In center background a hollow tree with swinging moss covering its opening. A fallen log near the kettles serves as a seat.The play begins by young Allan Rigdon coming out of woods, left, with a few fagots which he feeds to the fire, bending over it, and looking in the kettle. James Colby comes by the half-worn path from background, carrying a bucket of water.
COLBY(calling).
How comes the salt, Rigdon? If 'twere not that these licks give it in such abundance, 'twould try a lad's patience sorely. 'Tis like a girl's work—tending kettles! And hardly a man's work—carrying water from a spring. (Puts down pail of water.) 'Faith, my arms are stiff, and my fingers also! If an Indian sprang at me from a thicket I could not so much as cock my gun! What shall I do next? Carry more water? The rest are still drawing it—moregirl's work, if you'll leave me call it so! (As a slight sound is heard at left.) Heaven's mercy! What's that? (Seizes gun.) Is it Indians?
BOONE(quietly approaching from left).
And if it were, would your work be onlygirl'swork, Colby? It shows you but a foolish lad to speak of it thus lightly. With all Boonesborough in need of salt, with our cattle and horses half-perishing for the want of it, with the way that lies to the licks a very wilderness road for danger, 'twould hardly be called girl's work to tend these kettles—brave as our frontier women are. 'Tismen'swork, Colby, although you be but lads who do it.
RIGDON.
The wilderness makes men of lads right quickly; does it not, Master Boone?
BOONE(seated on log).
Aye, that it does. If it were not for the stress of the times, and the scarcity of men to keep watch, you should be back in Boonesborough, and not here, my lads. But 'twas for your courage and skill that I chose you. How comes the salt, Rigdon?
RIGDON.
Finely, sir, finely. And the hunting?
BOONE(shaking his head).
Scarce enough to keep a fox alive. I must start forth again. There should be plenty of bison fat and deer meat for the days that are coming. (Enter Kenton with bucket of water. He puts it down, and salutes Boone.) Well, Kenton, what news from the springs?
KENTON.
The same as ever, sir. Blaize Pritchard and Edward Bryan stand guard while the rest of us carry water. The camp is as you see it. There's not been a sign of an Indian since you left us yesternight.
BOONE.
You do not ask what I've brought back with me, Kenton.
KENTON.
I know, sir, that if there were game to be had you would have bagged it. But since we've come to the Blue Lick Springs the buffalo and deer seem to have gotten wind of us. There's not so much as a rabbit scampering across the grass. It seems as if nature herself were in league against us.
BOONE.
Nonsense, lad. There'll be game enough soon, when I've foraged further. Such times as these were sent to us to see whether we be of iron or putty.
KENTON.
All the same, sir, I'll be glad when the boiling is done and we can pack our salt, and start through the forest for home. Long as the trail is, I would sooner have it than——
BOONE(clutching rifle).
Hark! The crack of a branch—in the forest. On the defense, lads. I'll investigate.
[Goes into woods at right.
KENTON(in a low voice, as the lads seize their rifles).
If it should be those venomous Shawnees! Before we left Boonesborough 'twas said that they'd already passed the war-pipe through their villages. They have been still so long, 'tis time for an uprising. (Approaching footsteps are heard.) Who comes?
COLBY(on the alert).
Just Boone himself.
RIGDON.
What signs, sir?
BOONE.
No signs at all, unless for the first time in their lives the Indians are shrewder than the Long Knives. There's not so much as a broken branch, or a newly fallen leaf. Now, lads, off to the spring with you. I'll tend this last kettle, and when 'tis boiled, I'll start on the trail again. There must be bison and deer for the followers of Daniel Boone. Lads, stay! If because we are unmolested you should sometimes think that tending the kettle is work for girls—remember that we and our guns are all that stand between the Indians and the fort at Boonesborough, where all the women and children are. Will you remember?
ALL(speaking vehemently).
Aye, sir.
BOONE.
And as I take the trail I will remember the lads who've lived on dry bread and the paring of bacon rinds, and who've tasted naught but parched buffalo meat in three weeks.
RIGDON.
You've gone hungry yourself, sir.
BOONE.
Well, lads, 'tis all in the day's luck. We'll not suffer for meat if I can shoot an elk or a bear. (Lads exeunt through trees in background, Boone watching them.) Brave lads they are, and true!
[He tends the kettle, facing audience. After a moment Indians stealthily appear in background.
EAGLE'S FEATHER(as two of the braves seize Boone).
Long Knife, surrender!
[There is a brief struggle between Boone and the braves; but the former finds, that it is useless to resist.
HAWK EYE
Shawnees on warpath. Long have watched Boone and tried to trap him. Now have got him. Boone show trail to Boonesborough.
BOONE(to himself, in a tense whisper).
Boonesborough?
BLACK FISH(majestically).
What answer does Long Knife Boone make? If Long Knife joins tribe, Long Knife will be treated with honor. All at Boonesborough will be killed; but Boone's life will be spared if he joins tribe. What answer does Long Knife Boone make?
[Boone considers deeply for a moment. His gun has been taken from him; but he is so closely surrounded that his arms are left free. He considers deeply for another moment, arms crossed on breast, head bowed. Looks up for an instant. Gives a searching glance at the Indians. Considers again for a moment. Then raises his head.
BOONE.
Long Knife says—yes!
[Holds out his hands, smiling.
ALL INDIANS(delighted at pantomime of acquiescence).
Wah!
BLACK FISH(waving tomahawk in air).
Long Knife's brothers—over by spring!
ALL INDIANS(in chorus).
Kill! Kill!
BOONE.
Wait! Black Fish try to kill Long Knife's brothers. Long Knife's brothers fight back. Kill maybe one brave. Maybe two braves. Maybe three braves. But—Boone speak to his white brothers. They surrender to Black Fish. No fighting. No braves killed. What does Black Fish answer?
BLACK FISH.
Black Fish answers: Long Knife show great wisdom. Black Fish do as Long Knife says.
[Some of the Indians start in the direction of the spring.
HAWK EYE(grunting).
Umph!
[Kenton is suddenly brought in by two braves who have captured him. As his eye falls on Boone his voice shrills with terror.
KENTON.
Oh, they have caught you! They have—
[The rest of the pioneers begin to appear from background, closely guarded by the Indians.
COLBY(as all of Boone's little band are brought in as captives).
What's this? Not Boone a traitor?
BOONE.
Hush! (To the other white men.) No use to fight. We are surrounded. (To Black Fish.) Does Black Fish give me leave to speak to my comrades apart?
[Black Fish nods assent. Boone and his band withdraw to left. The Indians withdraw to right. Each side holds a conference. That of the Indians is in pantomime.
BOONE(to his band).
No use to fight, lads. Put up your guns. (Indicates Indians.) Half a score more are in the woods behind us. If we surrender, we may gain some time. If we refuse, we're lost. They'll march at once on Boonesborough.
KENTON.
Wilson's gone free, sir. He'll take Boonesborough the news of our capture.
BOONE(rapidly).
Aye; but he cannot take them the news of what Black Fish means to do. No one in Boonesborough knows that the Indians are on the warpath. A massacre is planned. The fires are lit. The tomahawks are ready. We must gain time. 'Tis all that we can do. We must surrender. I'll break through when I can. (Loudly.) Think well, my brothers. Here is freedom offered you, if you surrender. What do you say?
PRITCHARD(loudly).
I say that we surrender.
[Boone, turning, makes a gesture to the spot where their guns lie piled, then towards the Indians as one would say: "We give in."
BLACK FISH.
My brothers, we, too, have had a council. Far in the North the British pay much gold for paleface prisoners.
PRITCHARD(involuntarily).
Oh, Boone, we're sold!
BOONE(quickly).
No! Saved! The British will take a ransom, and Boonesborough will pay it to the uttermost farthing. (In a low voice.) Come, strategy! Strategy! I will break through to-night.
PRITCHARD.
Great Chief Black Fish, to you we have surrendered. With your braves we will take the trail to the British encampment.
BLACK FISH(grunting with pleasure).
Umph! Much money for paleface prisoners. (To Hawk Eye). Give prisoners bison meat. Water. See they not die on road. No want to lose money they bring. Braves march now. Boone not go. Boone stay with us.
[While Black Fish has been speaking the braves and their prisoners line up for departure. Meantime, from the woods in background other Indians have joined the group. Those who have captured Boone describe the feat in dumbshow. The newly arrived Indians bear food, a blanket or so, a war-drum, pipes, etc.
BOONE(striving to speak gaily).
A good journey, my lads. I shall be thinking of you.
EDWARD BRYAN(low: aside, full of commiseration).
You will be here alone!
BOONE(hurriedly, seeing that Bryan's remark has been overheard by the Indians).
With my kind brothers! (Quickly, seeing that Black Fish's back is turned.) March bravely, lads. Remember Boonesborough!
PRITCHARD(moved).
Your hand, Boone.
BOONE(clasping Pritchard's hand).
My comrade!
[They look at each other a long moment. Then the line, Indian-guarded, and led by Hawk Eye, marches out, left.
BLACK FISH.
Now we make a great feast. Celebrate.
[They all sit on ground. War-pipe is passed. Gourds with grape wine. Dried fish. Dried fruits. General hum of excitement and pleasure. Animated and colorful groups. Boone smokes the war-pipe when it is passed to him. Drinks and eats freely with the others. Through it all, now soft, now loud, sounds the drone of the war-drum. Now and again a young buck yells jubilantly, or ejaculates a shrill "E-yah!" of pleasure. They rise from feasting to dance in a war-circle about the drum, right. Boone does a few steps with them, and then retreats to left of stage. More dances. Speeches with short guttural words and grunts. Waving of tomahawks. Shrill cries. Another circle is formed about the war-drum. Attention drifts away from Boone. Finally, after a second dance about the war-drum Eagle's Feather gives a sudden cry of "Boone! Boone gone!" Intense excitement. Cries of rage. General search as Indians exeunt right and left. One or two lag behind and look in bushes. Eagle's Feather pulls back swinging moss from hollow tree and looks within. Then the baffled Indians dart off stage, right. A moment later Boone enters from left. Looks warily about him, right, left, and background. Then darts into hollow tree. A moment later the Indians, headed by Eagle's Feather, enter right, left, and background. They gesticulate with cries of "Boonesborough!" Some urge taking the way at left, others the way at right. Eagle's Feather is among the latter. The way at right is ultimately decided upon. With a final yell of "Boonesborough!" and great swinging of tomahawks, all the Indians exeunt right. The drone of the war-drum begins, and grows fainter and fainter as they go into the forest. The gourds and blankets and pipes they have collected and taken with them as supplies for the march.
BOONE(coming triumphantly out of his hollow tree).
They have taken the wrong trail! I am free to warn my people! I can gain the fort ere the Indians reach it! Boonesborough is saved.
[Exit Boone, running left. The grassy space is left vacant, and the scene ends.
COSTUMES
DANIEL BOONE. Daniel Boone and his followers wear suits of buckskin made on Indian lines. (Cotton khaki imitates the tan color of the buckskin.) Long breeches, the buckskin tunic coming about to the knee. It is fringed. There is no adornment on the tunics such as Indians wear. The lads of the party wear buckskin breeches of knee-length, and tan strapping over tan-colored stockings. They should all wear moccasins, or imitation moccasins made of khaki, and embroidered in beads.
THE INDIANS. The Indians wear suits resembling those of Boone and his followers, save that they have painted insignia and bead and shell embroidery. Black Fish has a great black fish painted on his khaki costume. All wear moccasins. All have feathered head-dresses andwar-paint. The war-paint of Black Fish is scarlet and black, and he wears an immense black head-dress of feathers that is longer and handsomer than those of any of the others. Eagle's Feather wears a scarlet head-band and one huge gray eagle's feather in it, stuck upright. For further description of Indian finery see description of braves in "Princess Pocahontas." The blankets and baskets can be the same in this play as in that one.
PROPERTIES. The hollow tree can be made of two halves of barrels fastened together, and stood upright by means of props put behind it. It should be painted dark brown inside and out, or covered withdark-brown burlap flecked with black and white for lichen. Green vines can be hung about it, and it should stand well in the background, resembling a rotting and blasted tree as much as possible.