but we'll steer by your chart, for I never knew one seaman to betray another. [Exeunt RUFFIANS. Sir Geo. Then they have been pressed--I can't blame them so much for running away.

John. Yes, Sir George would certainly hang them. Sir Geo. I woud'n't, they shall eat beef, and drink the king's health-run and tell them so-stop, I'll tell them myself.

John. Why, now you are yourself, and a kind, good gentleman, as you used to be.

Sir Geo. Since these idle rogues are inclined to return to their duty, they shan't want sea store-take them this money-but hold-I'll meet them myself, and advise them as I would my children.

[Exeunt severally.

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 moreOh, here comes Abrawang.

Enter SIR GEORGE.

Sir Geo. Now to relieve these foolish seagullsthey 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 man

ners.

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 Geo. Ah, boys!

2d Ruff. You'd have our lives, now we'll have yours.

I'll

[Presents the piece at SIR GEORGE; ROVER ad-
vances quick, and knocks it out of his hand.
[They run off.
[Pursues them.

Rover. Rascals!

Sir Geo. [Takes up the other piece.] My brave lad!

Enter JOHN DORY.

John. No, you shan't.

Sir Geo. The rogues will--

John. Never mind the rogues—

[Going.

[Holding him.

[Noise of fighting without—a piece let off. Sir Geo. 'Sblood! 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 Geo. Though he'd fight me himself—
John. Sure, we all know you'd fight the devil.
Sir Geo. 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.

SCENE III.

A Room in BANKS's Cottage.

Enter FARMER GAMMON, BANKS, and SIM,-SIM writing, and crying.

F. Gam. Boy, go on with the inventory.

Sim. How unlucky! Feyther to lay hold of me, when I wanted to practise my part.

[Aside. Banks. This proceeding is very severe, to lay an execution on my wretched trifling goods when I thought

F. Gam. Ay, you know you've gone up to the big house with your complaint-her ladyship's steward, to be sure, has made me give back your cottage and farm; but your goods I seize for my rent.

Banks. Only leave me a very few necessaries-by the goodness of my neighbours, I may soon redeem what the law has put into your hands.

F. Gam. The affair is now in my lawyer's hands, and plaintiff and defendant chattering about it, is all smoke.

Sim. Feyther, don't be so cruel to Mr. Banks.

F. Gam. I'll mark what I may want to keep for myself. Stay here, and see that not a pin's worth be removed without my knowledge.

[To SIM.

[Exit.

Sim. I'll be domn'd, if I'll be your watch dog, to bite the poor, that I won't. Mr. Lanks, as feyther intends to put up your goods at auction, if you could but get a friend to buy the choice of them for you again. Sister Jane has got steward to advance her a quarter's wages, and when I've gone to sell corn for feyther, besides presents, I've made a market penny

5

now and then.

little helps.

Here-it's not much! but every

[Takes out a small leather purse, and offers it to BANKS.

Banks. I thank you, my goodnatured boy; but keep your money.

Sim. Last summer, you saved me from being drowned in black pool, if you'll not take this, ecod, in there I'll directly fling it, and let old Nick save it from being drowned, an he can. [Going. Banks. My kind lad, then I'll not hurt your feeling, by opposing your liberality.

[Takes it. Sim. He! he! he! you've now given my heart such a pleasure as I never felt, nor I'm sure feyther afore

me.

Banks. But, Sim, whatever may be his opinion of worldly prudence, still remember he's your parent. Sim. I will-" One elbow chair, one claw table." [Exit, writing, and BANKS.

Enter AMELIA.

Amelia. The confusion into which Lady Amaranth's family is thrown by the sudden departure, and apprehended danger of her young cousin, must have prevented her ladyship from giving that attention to our affairs, that I'm sure was her inclination. If I can but prevail on my brother too, to accept her protection-I can't enjoy the delights of her ladyships' hospitable mansion, and leave him here still subject to the insults of his churlish neighbours-Heavens ! who's this? [Retires.

Enter ROVER hastily, his hair and dress much disordered.

Rover. What a race! [Panting.] I've at last got from the blood hounds! Ah, if old Abrawang had but