Scene 5 The Niagara River — A Ferry
Ferryman, fastening his small boat.
Ferryman, [advancing, takes out his watch.] I swan, if it ain’t one o’clock. I thought it was dinner time. Now there’s no one here, I’ll go to dinner, and if any body comes, they can wait until I return. I’ll go at once.
[Exit, L.
Enter Mr. White, R., with an umbrella.
Mr. White. I wonder where that ferryman is? I want to cross to Canada. It seems a little showery, or else the mist from the Falls is growing thicker.
[Takes out his sketch-book and pencils,—sketches.
Enter Cane Pedlar, R.
Pedlar. Want a good cane to-day, sir? Here’s one from Goat Island,—very good, sir,—straight and neat,—only one dollar. I’ve a wife and nine small children,—youngest is nursing, and the oldest only three years old. Here’s a cane from Table Rock, sir. Please buy one! I’ve had no breakfast to-day. My wife’s got the rheumatics, and the children’s got the measles. Come, sir, do buy a cane! I’ve a lame shoulder, and can’t work.
Mr. White. Will you stop your confounded talk, and let me alone? Don’t you see that I am sketching? You’ve spoiled a beautiful scene for me, with your nonsense.
Enter 2d Pedlar, R.
2d Pedlar. Want any bead bags, or money purses? These are all real Ingen bags, made by the Black Hawk Ingens. Here’s a pretty bag, sir, only 75 cents. Here’s a money purse, 50 cents. Please, sir, buy something! My wife’s got the fever and ague, and the house is full of children, and they’re all sick. Come, sir, do help a worthy man!
Mr. White. Will you hold your tongue? You’ve spoiled some of the finest pictures in the world. Don’t you see that I am sketching?
[Exit Pedlars, R., grumbling.
I am glad those fellows have gone; now I’ll go a little further up the shore, and see if I can find another boat. I want to get over.
[Exit, L.
Enter Dr. Gaines, Scragg, and an Officer.
Officer. I don’t think that your slaves have crossed yet, and my officers will watch the shore below here, while we stroll up the river. If I once get my hands on them, all the Abolitionists in the State shall not take them from me.
Dr. G. I hope they have not got over, for I would not lose them for two thousand dollars, especially the gal.
Enter 1st Pedlar.
Pedlar. Wish to get a good cane, sir? This stick was cut on the very spot where Sam Patch jumped over the falls. Only fifty cents. I have a sick wife and thirteen children. Please buy a cane; I ain’t had no dinner.
Officer. Get out of the way! Gentlemen, we’ll go up the shore.
[Exit, L.
Enter Cato, R.
Cato. I is loss fum de cumpny, but dis is de ferry, and I spec dey’ll soon come. But didn’t we have a good time las’ night in Buffalo? Dem dar Buffalo gals make my heart flutter, dat dey did. But, tanks be to de Lord, I is got religion. I got it las’ night in de meetin.’ Before I got religion, I was a great sinner; I got drunk, an’ took de name of de Lord in vain. But now I is a conwerted man; I is bound for hebben; I toats de witness in my bosom; I feel dat my name is rote in de book of life. But dem niggers in de Vine Street Church las’ night shout an’ make sich a fuss, dey give me de headache. But, tank de Lord, I is got religion, an’ now I’ll be a preacher, and den dey’ll call me de Rev. Alexander Washinton Napoleon Pompey Cæsar. Now I’ll preach and pull teef, bofe at de same time. Oh, how I wish I had Hannah wid me! Cuss ole massa, fer ef it warn’t for him, I could have my wife wid me. Ef I hadn’t religion, I’d say “Damn ole massa!” but as I is a religious man, an’ belongs to de church, I won’t say no sich a thing. But who is dat I see comin’? Oh, it’s a whole heap of people. Good Lord! what is de matter?
Enter Glen and Melinda, L., followed by Officers.
Glen. Let them come; I am ready for them. He that lays hands on me or my wife shall feel the weight of this club.
Melinda. Oh, Glen, let’s die here, rather than again go into slavery.
Officer. I am the United States Marshal. I have a warrant from the Commissioner to take you, and bring you before him. I command assistance.
Enter Dr. Gaines, Scragg, and Officer, R.
Dr. Gaines. Here they are. Down with the villain! down with him! but don’t hurt the gal!
Enter Mr. White, R.
Mr. White. Why, bless me! these are the slaveholding fellows. I’ll fight for freedom!
[Takes hold of his umbrella with both hands.—The fight commences, in which Glen, Cato, Dr. Gaines, Scragg, White, and the Officers, take part.—Ferryman enters, and runs to his boat.—Dr. Gaines, Scragg and the Officers are knocked down, Glen, Melinda and Cato jump into the boat, and as it leaves the shore and floats away, Glen and Cato wave their hats, and shout loudly for freedom.—Curtain falls.
The End