SCENE IV.

THE CHURCHYARD.

_Enter CORPORAL CATCHUP and Soldiers._

CORP. Silence! Silence! halt! advance bending down and with your bayonets presented. Comrades, this is a glorious day, and if we catch the Pretender we shall have little cause to grieve that we arrived a day too late for the Battle of Culloden. What were the deeds of the Duke of Cumberland to ours? He but wounded the fox, we catch him by the nose. We shall be made Aldermen, every man of us. Take ground behind those bushes; keep silence. I hear a voice in the vault. On your lives be silent--be steady!

DARESBY. [_In the vault._] I can find no one, yet here is a bed prepared. What a strange place to make an hospital of! [_Emerging from the vault._] Perhaps the poor fellow has got frightened and delirious ...

CORP. Stand!

DARESBY. Ah, here is my Patient. So you have got the cholera, my Friend!

CORP. No, unless that’s one of your titles. Surrender or die!

DARESBY. He must be in a high fever! Be calm, my good man, I will render you all the assistance in my power.

CORP. You will, will you?

DARESBY. Come with me to the house, come. This is no place for a person in your state.

CORP. Well, if this arn’t droll! he’s trying to humbug me.

DARESBY. You may catch your death of cold.

CORP. I’ll catch nothing but you. Come along, Sir, offer no resistance, for it’s of no use. I’m sorry for you, but I’ve a duty to perform, and a reward to get.

DARESBY. What do you mean, fellow? Stand off!

CORP. Ho! guards there! [_DARESBY is surrounded._]

DARESBY. This is some error. By whose warrant do you dare to apprehend one of his Majesty’s subjects?

CORP. No use in all that deception, Sir: all’s discovered now.

DARESBY. What’s discovered, fellow, what deception? Who dares use such terms to me! You shall answer for your conduct, Sir; this shall not be passed over, I’ll warrant you.

CORP. I hope not, Sir.

DARESBY. This is not to be endured. By whose orders do you presume to place me under arrest?

CORP. We are under the orders of Colonel Stumply.

DARESBY. I must see the Colonel instantly. He shall give me an explanation of this extraordinary affair. Take me to him directly.

CORP. All in good time, Sir. Stickum, have you handcuffs with you?

DARESBY. Handcuffs, villain!

STICKUM. No.

CORP. Keep your hand on his collar, then. Soldiers, present bayonets. Let him attempt to escape, and he dies.

DARESBY. With what effrontery ...

CORP. Move on, Sir, if you please. [_To the Soldiers._] Keep your eye on him. If he but raise his hand or turn his head--fire! [_Exeunt._]