SCENE II.

_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._