_Scene 1._—INTERIOR OF A DUNGEON—GLEN IN CHAINS.
_Glen._ When I think of my unmerited sufferings, it almost drives me mad.
I struck the doctor, and for that, I must remain here loaded with chains.
But why did he strike me? He takes my wife from me, sends her off, and
then comes and beats me over the head with his cane. I did right to
strike him back again. I would I had killed him. Oh! there is a volcano
pent up in the hearts of the slaves of these Southern States that will
burst forth ere long. When that day comes, wo to those whom its unpitying
fury may devour! I would be willing to die, if I could smite down with
these chains every man who attempts to enslave his fellow-man.
_Enter SAMPEY, R._
_Sampey._ Glen, I jess bin hear massa call de oberseer, and I spec
somebody is gwine to be whipped. Anudder ting: I know whar massa took
Linda to. He took her to de poplar farm, an’ he went away las’ night, an’
missis she follow after massa, an’ she ain’t come back yet. I tell you,
Glen, de debil will be to pay on dis place, but don’t you tell any body
dat I tole you.
[_Exit SAMPEY, R._
_Scene 2._—PARLOR.
_DR. GAINES, alone._
_Dr. Gaines._ Yes, I will have the black rascal well whipped, and then
I’ll sell him. It was most fortunate for me that Hamilton was willing to
sell him to me.
_Enter MR. SCRAGG, L._
I have sent for you, Mr. Scragg. I want you to take Glen out of the
dungeon, take him into the tobacco house, fasten him down upon the
stretcher, and give him five hundred lashes upon his bare back; and when
you have whipped him, feel his pulse, and report to me how it stands, and
if he can bear more, I’ll have you give him an additional hundred or two,
as the case may be.
_Scragg._ I tell you, doctor, that suits me to a charm. I’ve long wanted
to whip that nigger. When your brother-in-law came here to board, and
brought that boy with him, I felt bad to see a nigger dressed up in such
fine clothes, and I wanted to whip him right off. I tell you, doctor, I
had rather whip that nigger than go to heaven, any day,—that I had!
_Dr. G._ Go, Mr. Scragg, and do your duty. Don’t spare the whip!
_Scragg._ I will, sir; I’ll do it in order.
[_Exit SCRAGG, L._
_Dr. G._ Every thing works well now, and when I get Glen out of the way,
I’ll pay Melinda another visit, and she’ll give me a different reception.
But I wonder where my wife is? She left word that she was going to see
her brother, but I am afraid that she has got on my track. That woman is
the pest of my life. If there’s any place in heaven for her, I’d be glad
if the Lord would take her home, for I’ve had her too long already. But
what noise is that? What can that be? What is the matter?
_Enter SCRAGG, L., with face bloody._
_Scragg._ Oh, dear me! oh, my head! That nigger broke away from me, and
struck me over the head with a stick. Oh, dear me! Oh!
_Dr. G._ Where is he, Mr. Scragg?
_Scragg._ Oh! sir, he jumped out of the window; he’s gone. Oh! my head;
he’s cracked my skull. Oh, dear me, I’m kilt! Oh! oh! oh!
_Enter SLAVES, R._
_Dr. G._ Go, Dolly, and wash Mr. Scragg’s head with some whiskey, and
bind it up. Go at once. And Bob, you run over to Mr. Hall, and tell him
to come with his hounds; we must go after the rascal.
[_Exit all except the DOCTOR, R._
This will never do. When I catch the scoundrel, I’ll make an example of
him; I’ll whip him to death. Ah! here comes my wife. I wonder what she
comes now for? I must put on a sober face, for she looks angry.
_Enter MRS. GAINES, L._
Ah! my dear, I am glad you’ve come, I’ve been so lonesome without you.
Oh! Sarah, I don’t know what I should do if the Lord should take you home
to heaven. I don’t think that I should be able to live without you.
_Mrs. G._ Dr. Gaines, you ought to be ashamed to sit there and talk in
that way. You know very well that if the Lord should call me home to
glory to-night, you’d jump for joy. But you need not think that I am
going to leave this world before you. No; with the help of the Lord, I’ll
stay here to foil you in your meanness. I’ve been on your track, and a
dirty track it is, too. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. See what
promises you made me before we were married; and this is the way you keep
your word. When I married you, every body said that it was a pity that a
woman of my sweet temper should be linked to such a man as you.
[_She weeps and wrings her hands._
_Dr. G._ Come, my dear, don’t make a fool of yourself. Come, let’s go to
supper, and a strong cup of tea will help your head.
_Mrs. G._ Tea help my head! tea won’t help my head. You’re a brute of a
man; I always knew I was a fool for marrying you. There was Mr. Comstock,
he wanted me, and he loved me, and he said I was an angel, so he did; and
he loved me, and he was rich; and mother always said that he loved me
more than you, for when he used to kiss me, he always squeezed my hand.
You never did such a thing in your life.
[_She weeps and wrings her hands._
_Dr. G._ Come, my dear, don’t act so foolish.
_Mrs. G._ Yes; every thing I do is foolish. You’re a brute of a man; I
won’t live with you any longer. I’ll leave you—that I will. I’ll go and
see a lawyer, and get a divorce from you—so I will.
_Dr. G._ Well, Sarah, if you want a divorce, you had better engage Mr.
Barker. He’s the best lawyer in town; and if you want some money to
facilitate the business, I’ll draw a check for you.
_Mrs. G._ So you want me to get a divorce, do you? Well, I won’t have a
divorce; no, I’ll never leave you, as long as the Lord spares me.
[_Exit MRS. GAINES, R._
_Scene 3._—FOREST AT NIGHT—LARGE TREE.
_Enter MELINDA, L._
_Melinda._ This is indeed a dark night to be out and alone on this road.
But I must find my husband, I must. Poor Glen! if he only knew that
I was here, and could get to me, he would. What a curse slavery is!
It separates husbands from their wives, and tears mothers from their
helpless offspring, and blights all our hopes for this world. I must try
to reach Muddy Creek before daylight, and seek out my husband. What’s
that I hear?—footsteps? I’ll get behind this tree.
_Enter GLEN, R._
_Glen._ It is so dark, I’m afraid I’ve missed the road. Still, this must
be the right way to the poplar farm. And if Bob told me the truth, when
he said that Melinda was at the poplar farm, I will soon be with her; and
if I once get her in my arms, it will be a strong man that shall take her
from me. Aye, a dozen strong men shall not be able to wrest her from my
arms.
[_Melinda rushes from behind the tree._
_Melinda._ Oh, Glen! It is my husband,—it is!
_Glen._ Melinda! Melinda! it is, it is. Oh God! I thank Thee for this
manifestation of Thy kindness. Come, come, Melinda, we must go at once
to Canada. I escaped from the overseer, whom Dr. Gaines sent to flog me.
Yes, I struck him over the head with his own club, and I made the wine
flow freely; yes, I pounded his old skillet well for him, and then jumped
out of the window. It was a leap for freedom. Yes, Melinda, it was a leap
for freedom. I’ve said “master” for the last time. I am free; I’m bound
for Canada. Come, let’s be off, at once, for the negro dogs will be put
upon our track. Let us once get beyond the Ohio river, and all will be
right.
[_Exit R._