SCENE II.
Reading edition
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.