_A Wood._
_Enter_ ROVER, _in his first clothes, greatly agitated, with pistols_.
_Rover._ Which way did Mr. Abrawang take? Dick Buskin, I think, has no
suspicion of my intentions:--such a choleric spark will fight, I dare
say. If I fall, or even survive this affair, I leave the field of
love, and the fair prize, to the young gentleman I've personated, for
I'm determined to see Lady Amaranth no more--Oh, here comes Abrawang.
_Enter_ SIR GEORGE.
_Sir Geo._ Now to relieve these foolish seagulls--they must be hovering
about this coast--Ha! puppy unknown!--
_Rover._ You're the very man I was seeking.--You are not ignorant, Mr.
Abrawang--
_Sir Geo._ Mr. what?
_Rover._ You will not resign your title, ha, ha, ha! Oh, very well,
I'll indulge you,--_Sir George Thunder_, you honoured me with a blow.
_Sir Geo._ Did it hurt you?
_Rover._ 'Sdeath! but let me proceed like a gentleman; as it's my
pride to reject even favours, no man shall offer me an injury.
_Sir Geo._ Eh!
_Rover._ In rank we're equal.
_Sir Geo._ Are we faith? [_Smiling._] The English of all this is,
we're to fight.
_Rover._ Sir, you have marked on me an indelible stain, only to be
washed out by blood.
_Sir Geo._ Why, I've only one objection to fighting you.
_Rover._ What's that, sir?
_Sir Geo._ That you're too brave a lad to be killed.
_Rover._ Brave! No, sir; at present I wear the stigma of a coward.
_Sir Geo._ Zounds! I like a bit of fighting--hav'n't had a morsel a
long time--don't know when I've smelt gunpowder--but to bring down a
woodcock.
_Rover._ Take your ground.
_Sir Geo._ But what are we to do for weapons?
_Rover._ Here are weapons.
_Sir Geo._ Well, this is bold work, for a privateer to give battle to
a king's ship.
_Rover._ Try your charge, sir, and take your ground.
_Sir Geo._ I would not wish to sink, burn, or destroy, what I think
was built for good service; but, damme, if I don't wing you, to teach
you better manners.
_Enter the three_ RUFFIANS, _not perceiving_ ROVER.
_3d Ruff._ Ay, here's the honest fellow has brought us some cash.
[_Looking at_ SIR GEORGE.
_2d Ruff._ We're betrayed, it's the very gentleman, that's in pursuit
of us, and this promise was only a decoy to throw us into his power--The
pistol!
[_Apart, and pointing to it._ SIR GEORGE _ramming the charge_.
[_2d_ RUFFIAN _seizes and wrenches the piece from_ SIR GEORGE.
_Sir Geor._ Ah, boys!
_2d Ruff._ You'd have our lives, now we'll have yours.
[_Presents the piece at_ SIR GEORGE; ROVER _advances quick,
and knocks it out of his hand_.
[_They run off._
_Rover._ Rascals! [_Pursues them._
_Sir Geor._ [_Takes up the other piece._] My brave lad! I'll--[_Going._
_Enter_ JOHN DORY.
_John._ No, you shan't. [_Holding him._
_Sir Geor._ The rogues will--
_John._ Never mind the rogues--
[_Noise of fighting without, a piece let off._
_Sir Geor._ S'blood! Must I see my preserver perish. [_Struggling._
_John._ Well, I know I'm your preserver, and I will perish, but I'll
bring you out of harm's way. [_Still holding him._
_Sir Geor._ Though he'd fight me himself--
_John._ Sure we all know you'd fight the devil.
_Sir Geor._ He saved my life.
_John._ I'll save your life [_Whips him up in his arms._] So hey! haul
up, my noble little crab walk! [_Exit._