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.