j JESSIE BROWN; OR, j Ii1THE RELEI OT" ITUC NOW. gt.K'Ina laf, iar gu4 e'-mi ~gj1 BY DION BOURCICAULT. A deseription of the Costume-Cast of the Characters-Entrances and lExits — Relative Positions of the Performers on the Stage, and the whole of the Stage Business. II This Play forms No. 203 of French's Edition of the Standard Drama. NEW YORK: SA M U E L F R E NC HiF No. 122 NASSAU STREET, UP STAIRS. sold at BermNoNe's _ BOOKSTOARE, 49 96th Avel %. Y. *LONDON ASSURANCE, a Comedy in 5 acts, - - - - London, 1841 \ *XIRISH HEIRESS, a Comedy in 5 acts, - - - London, 1S42'*A LOVER BY YPROXY, a Farce in 1 act, - - - - London, 1842 *ALMA MATER, a Comedy in 3 acts, - - - London, 1842 *CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE, a Farce in 1 act, - - London, *i5-THE BASTILE, a Drama in 1 act, - - - - - - London, 1842 *:THE OLD GUARD, a Drama in 1 act, - - - - - London, 143.XWOMAN, a Tragedy in 5 acts, - - - - - - London, 1843 VICTOR- ANiD HORTENSE, a Drama in 2 acts, - - - London, 1843 LOVE IN A SACR, a Fare in 1 act, - - - London, 1843 " LOLAH, a Drama In 2 acts, London, 1843 USED UP, a Comedy in 2 acts, London, 1844 *OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEARTS, a Comedy in 5 acts,- - London, 1844 DION CAESAR DE BAZAN, a Drama in 3 acts, - - - - London, 1844 r A MATCH FOR A KING, a Comedy in 2 acts, London, 1844 MOTHER AND SON,' a Drama in 3 acts, - - - - - London, 1844 FOX AND GOOSE, an Operetta in 1 act, - - - - London, 1814'1L TAYING A GHOST, a Farce inl act, London, 1844 A A CONFIDENCE, a Comedy in 1 act, - - - - - London, 1S45 | fTHIE OLD SCHOOL, a Comedy in 2 acts, - - - - - London, 1S45 j FOUND OUT AT HOME, a Comedy in3 acts, - - - London, 1845 TiiE WATER CURE, an Operetta in 1 act, - - - - London, 1845 *SHIAKISPEARE IN LOVE, 1 act, - - - - London, 1846 *LOVE AND MONEY, a Comedy in 5 acts, - - - - London, 1847 *THE WILLOW COPSE, a Drama in 5 acts, - - - - London, 1848 *THE KNIGH-IT OF ARVA, a Comic Drama in 2 acts, - - - London, 1848 *SALAiMANDIINE, a Ballet, - - - - - London, 1849 GERALDA, a Comic Drama in 3 acts, - - - - ondon, 1850 THi E INVISIBLE HUSBAND, a Comic Drama in 3 acts, - - London, 1850 *A RADICAL CURE, a Farce in 1 act, - - - - London, 1850 *LOVE IN A MIAZE, a Comedy in 5 acts, - - - London, 1811 SEXTUS THE FIFTH, a Dramar in 5 acts, - - - - London, 1851 [Contfinucd on thisdpage of coves.] t{1i~~~~~~~~Avcz - FORMIING THE REPERTOIRE OF Mi ISS AGNES ROBERTSON, No. VI. THE R] IELIE]F OF LUCKiNOW. 3. briaim, itt Zlre ctt54 (FOUNDED ON AN EPISODE IN THE INDIAN REBELLION.) BY AUTTIOR OF London Assurance, Old HIeads and Young' Ilearts, The Irisll Heiress, fUsed Up, Tile Corsican Brothers, Love andIl Money, Tlhe Willow Copse, The Life of an Actress, The Phantom, Andy Blake, The Chameleon, Yietor and Hortense, Genevieve, hle Young Actress, Louis tile Eleventh, The Knight of Arva, Faust and MIarguerite, Janet Pride, George D'Arville, The Poor of' New York, 3elphogor, Napoleon's Old Guard, Love in a Maze, Almna MIater, A Lover by Proxy, DorI Cosar de B azan, The Invisible.usband, Sixtus the Fifth, The Prima Donna, Bluebelle, The Cat Changed into a Woman, Una, The Fox Hunt, &c., &ec., &e. Ratered accorEding to Act of Congress, il the year One Thousand lightl 1-lledrecl and liFty iigit, by DION BOURCICAULT, ill the Clerk's Oflice of tle D)istrict (Court of the United States for thle Soutileln District of New York. NEW YORK: S A M U I3E 1 F t11 E N C 11, 122 NASSAU STREE1T, (UP S'rAIEiS., CAST OF CHARACTERtS.-t[JEsSIi Bxow-.J WFallack's Theatre, 185/.S TiHE NtAlA SAHIB, Rajah of Bithoor, Mr. Bourcicaulto ACHIET, his Vakeel, Al - Ir H. B. Phillips. RANDAL MCGREGOR, Officers in the Eng- iMr. Lester. GEOnDIE McGREGOR, lish Service, 1 Mr. A. H, Davenport. REV. DAVID BLOUNT, Chaplain 32nd Regiment, Mr. W. R. Blake. SWEENIE, a Private, 32d Regiment, - Mr, T. B. Johnston, CASSIDY, a Corporal, 32d Regiment, Mr. Sloan. Soldiers, Ilighlande)rs, Sepoys, and Hindoo Servants. JESSIm BRoWtN, a Scotch Girl, - - Miss Agnes Robertson, AMY~ CAAIBELL,, -.I Mrs. Hoey. CHARLIE and EvCIE, her Children, - - Misses Reeves. ALICE, - - - - - Mrs. Allen. MAaY, - llMrs. H. B. Phillips, Ladies and Child'-ren. The Scene is laid at Lucknow, in the Province of Oude, in India~ Time-The Summer of 1W57, An Act supplemental to an Act eentitled "An Act to amend the severcal acts respeotinsg Copyright," approved February third, eighteen hundred and thirty-orae. Be it enacted by t/e esenate and Htouse of r2epresentatives of the United Stateg of Asnerica in Congress assembled. That any copyright hereafter granted under tho lasns of the United States to the author or proprietor of any dramatic composition, designed or suited for public representation, shall be deemed and taken to confer lpon the said author or proprietor, his heirs or assigns, along with the sole right to print and publish the said composition, the sole right also to act, perform, or represent the Came, or cause it to be acted, performed, or represented, on any stage or public place during the whole period for which the copyright is obtained; and ally 7malager, actor, or other person acting, pesforming or representing the said composition, without or against the consent of the said author or proprietor, his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages to be sued for and recovered by action on tho case or other equivalent remedy, with costs of suit in any court of the United States, such damages in all cases to be rated and assessed at such sum riot less than one hlundred dollars for the first, and fifty dollars for every subsequent performa.me, as to the court having cognizance thereof shall appear to be just: Providec,nevertheless, That nothing herein enacted shall impair any right to act, perform, or, represent a dramatic composition as aforesaid, which right may have;been acquired, or shall in future be acquired by any manager, actor, or other person previous to thle seeurinlg of the copyright for the said composition, or to restrict in any way thle right of such at.thor to process in equity in any court of the United States for the better and further enforcement of his rights. APPROVED, August 18, 1856. NoTIc. -Any manager permitting this work to be performed in his theatre, without the written permission of the Author, is liable to a penalty of not less than oNe HUNDRED dollars for each performancein conformity with the new Copyright Act as above. JESSIE BROWN. ACT I. SCENE I. —The Eterior of the Bungalo of Mrs. Campbell-Lucknow in the distance. Table laid on n. u. side,'nder a tree, with viands upon it. Native servants'in attendance. MusIC.-Einter GEORDIE McGREGOR, with ALICE and MARY. Eanter ACHMET from] the house. Geor. Here we are at last. What can induce Mrs. Cainpbell to live a mile from Luccknow? Alice. You are a pretty soldier-you cannot march a mile without a murmur. Geor. On my own native hills in bonnie Scotland, with my hound by my side, I have walked a dozen miles before breakfast; but under this Indian sunMIary. And with only a pretty girl by your sideAlice. Say two pretty girls. Don't be bashful, Maryr-include me. Ente MaiRS. CAMPBELL. Geor. Oh, Mrs. Campbell, look here! I am besieged-Delhi is nothing to the condition I shall be in if you don't relieve me. Alice. Mrs. Campbell, please, he won't tell us which of us he is in love with. Jlhrs. C. I will tell you: with neither. He is in love with his new uniform; he only received his commission two months ago, and every officer is for six months in love with himself. Geor. After that I'll take a glass of rangaree. aMrs. C. Where's Randal l JESSIM 13BROW,. (Geo,'. My fiery brother, the McGregor-as Jessie will insist on call. ing him —is, as usual, inspecting his men. lir-s. C. Jessie is right; for your brother, Randal McGregor, is the noblest man thlat ever breathed the Scottish air and made it purer. But tell me',what news from Delhi. [They sit. Geor. Oh, the siege continues; but it will be taken, of course-these black rascals are imere scum. [ACHMET, who is serving GEORDIE, looks round. Alice. There is one who disagrees with you on that point. Geor. Does he 1 Ach. No, sahib, Allah Akbar! it is so-we are scum. Lady, in Hindoostan there are ore hundred millions such as I am, and there -are one hundred thousand such as you; yet for a century you have had your foot on our necks; we are to you a thousand to onea thousand black necks to one white foot. God is just, and Mohammed is his prophet. We are scum! Geor. I can't answer for the truth of your calculation, but I agree in the sentiment-you are scum. [Dr-inks. Ach. Sometimes the scum rises. Geor. Yes, Dusky, and when it does, the pot boils over and puts the fire out; so the scum extinguishes the element that made it rise. Ach. I cannot reason with a European. Geor. No, nor fight with one; by your own calculation it takes one thousand of you to do either one or the other. [LKit ACIHMIET. IiMrs. C. Beware of that man, Geordie; I did not like the expression of his face as you spoke. Geer. Balh! there is virtue enough in one red-coat to put a whole army of them to flight..Mlus. C. Have you ever been in battle? Geor. Never. But when I'm on parade, and hear the drums and see the uniforms, I feel like the very devil. Alice. There is no chance of the war coming here-is there? Geor. Not the slightest. London itself is not more peaceable than yonder city of Lucknow; the native regiments here are faithful as dogs. You need not fear danger. Mrs. C. The rebellion is still far, But when I think of the atrocities already perpetrated by the Sepoys-when I think of my two little children-oh, why do 1 remain here in the midst of such scenes of horror. Geor. Because you are in love with my brother Randal; the feelings of the mother urge you to go and the feelings of the woman command you to stay' M14rs. C. [Rising.] Geordie, there is more truth than kindness in what you say. Geor. [iHolds he)r.] Stay, Amy, I'm a thoughtless fool. Mlrs. C. Yet you wrong me a little-I was betrothed -to Randal. We quarreled, as lovers will, and parted. In that moment of anger I accepted the hand of Colonel Campbell. Geor. At the seine of Sebastopol Randal became your husband's most devoted friend, and watched over him like a brother. JESSIE BROWN. AMrs. C. Oh! it was a noble reproof to my falseheo']. Geor. And at the charge of the Ilighlanders, whan Campbell was struck down mortally wounded, and the command devolved on my brother, Randal carried him in his arms, at the hcad of the regiment. into the Redan, so that none of the glory of that day should be lost to his rival. -Mrs. C. Should I not be unfaithful to my dead Lusband if I did not love Randal McGregor as I do? [JEssIE, outside, sings. Maryy. Hush, listen! [ Ge.rdie goes up. Alice. What is that? Geordie. What is it? why it is a sprig of heather from the Highland moors. It is a slogan on the Scotch pipes that nature has put into the prettiest throat that ever had an arm round it. It is the pet of the regiment. It ig Jessie Brown. ills. C. Yes,'tis Jessie, here she comes up the hill with her two lQvers. Alice. Two lovers! That's extra allowance. Geor. She might have eight hundred if she liked, for that is the strength of the 78th Regiment, and there's not a man in it that would not stake his life for a blink of her blue eye. iMrs. C. Jessie is a good girl, as honest and true as steel. She is betrothed to Sweenie Jones, a private in the 32d. Geor. An ugly, wiry little fellow, but a smart soldier and as brave as a terrier. Ml's. C. But she is also followed by a soft, good-natured Irish corporal named Cassidy, the bosom friend of Sweenie, and to see these two men so devoted to each other, and yet so fond of the same girl, is a picture too like my own history not to fill me with interest and emotion. [Music.-Scotch air —very piano. Geor. She belongs to our clan. Alice. Here she comes. Mllrs. C. And here come my darling ones. Entter SWEENIE, ca'rrying CHARLIE on his back, and CAssIDY carrying EFFIE on his shoulder. Char. Wo, hossey! come up. [SWEETNIE tries to salute GEORDIE. CASSIDY salutes him. Effie. [Beating-CAssIDY with her parasol.] Go along, hossy. Char. Oh, Sweenie, you'll have me down, hold me up, sir. Enter JESSIE. —MJUSic ceases. Jessie. Dinna ye hear the bairn, ye lout, hau'd him up. Sweent. How can I when I must salute my officer? Jessie. Ee, sirs, its maister Geordie-gude day, leddies-ee, ma certie, how braw a chiel he is in his red coat, and his gou'd lace. There's McGregor in every inch of him. Ee why wasn't I the Queen of Scotland to make a king of him. Geor. Don't be a fool, Jessie, you talk just as you did when we were children. JESSIE BROWN. Jessie. And wha shouldn't I, Geordie, then, in the clays of auld lang syne, when we played together on the craigs o' Duncleuch, you aye used to kiss me when we met and parted-you do so now when there is nane to see-are you ashamed of those days when we were children, Geordie l I'm not. Geor. No, Jessie, and I'll kiss you now if Sweenie does not mind. Sween. No, your honor, if Jessie says all right, so it is. Cas. We give our consint. Alice. [ Vexed.] Jessie has three lovers instead of two, it seems. Jes. Eh! [Aside.] Yon lassie loo's him, I spier it in the blink o' her e'e. She is fashed wiV him for kissin' me. Geor. [Aside.] Alice is furious. [Aloud.] Come, Jessie, for auld lang syne. Jes. [Snatching CHARLIE fr'om Swr.ENIE-aside to SWEENIE.] Say ye nae like it. Sween.. [Puzzled.] Eh,-What! Hold your honor; I ax pardon, butJes. Sweenie's jealous. Cas. We are chokin' wid it, plase your honor. iMrs. C. [who with MARY has'watched this scene, and understood Jessie's motives, advances.] Go along, all of you, take your sweethearts into the kitchen.;,,Jessie, leave the children here. Jes.'Tention 32nd! fa' in. Recht fess.-March! [Exit Sweenie and Cassidy, following her word of command. ~Mrs. C. [Laughing.] There girls, there's a pair of lovers reduced to discipline! Alice. Yet people say that now-a-days the chivailry has left the Officers and is to be found in the ranks. MJrs. C. No, Alice-Jessie is beloved, because all men worship what is brave, gentle, and good, because she shrinks from hurting another's feelings, even in jest, as she did yours just now. Jes. Nae, my leddy —I knaw nout o' what yer spierin at. Mrs. C. Then talte that blush away. [JESSIE runs out, stops and ~returns timidly to ALICE. Jes. [in a low voice.] Ye are nae angry wi' puir Jessie. Alice. [Turns and th~rows her arms ~roulnd her neckc and kisses her.] No. [Jessie niuns off. Mfrs. C. Now, Geordie, you can take Jessie's kiss where she has left it, and I am sure you will hurt nobody's feelings. Alice. Oh, Amy. [ Geordie crosses to Alice. Mirs. C. Come girls, take Geordlie in, I would be alone. [Music, exit GEOR1IE, ALICE and MARY. lMrs. C. Randal is coming, I cannot hear his footstep, but it falls on my heart, he is beyond my senses, but love, that heavenly essence, gives me a feeling finer than sense, and I know that my lover comes.'Tis the air he breathes, that conveys his presence to me, as it flutters through my heart, Enter RANDAL McGREGOR. RJan. Amy. Ars, C. Ah, I knew it. ,IESSiE BROWN., 7 (hlar. Oh, dere's Randal. affie, No, Charlie, me first, kiss Eflie first. [They rtin to him. Ran. There, that will do, run along, go Charlie, go Effle, you tease me. [The Children shrink back. MHr's. C. Come away dears, you are tired, Randal. Ran. No, but the sight of those children pains me. rblis. C. They remindc you that I have been unfaithful-oh Randal, do not visit the fault of the mother upon these innocent children. Ranr. Amy, your repentance wonnds me, and your memory of hat fault is a reproach to my love. Oh, let it be buried in the grave of your noble h.usband. Jil's. C. Forgive me. Ran. Charlie, come here, Eftire, come. tile kisses them.] Amy, I have bad news, the rebels are at Cawvnpore, not fifty miles from hence, and a report has just arrived, that tells of horrors committed on our countrymen, their wives. their children, that makes my blood freeze and my heart groan. Mris. C. Rndal, Randal, are we in -danger here, t;my children, are they safe. Ranz. Hush, one cry of alarm, one look of fear, and we are lost. Of our regiments in Lt:cknow, four will nmutiny, one only will remain faithful, to-night you must leave this place. AJI:s. C. Is peril so near. Enter two native servants,'who remove the service. Rc,. Hush. [Sings as he dan ces, CHARTAE. There is nae luck aboot the hoose. There is nlue luck at all, &c. [.AJrs. CaRmpbell leans, trembling, over the child at her side. Exeunt Natives. AIMrs. C. They are gone. Ran. Regain your courage, think of these children. AIrs. C. Randal, you exaggerate the danger; look around you-all is at peace, the people are kind and gentle-not a look of anger or of hate in any face; our servants are devoted to us. Ran. Fatal security! Yonder country to you seems in repose-to me it seems like a sleeping tiger. Death is humming in the air. You say your servants are faithful-there is one of them watching us now-we are watched-don't turn-a tall black fellow in a crimson turban. i/rs. C. Achmet. Ran. Listen, without betraying any emotion. At midnight I shall bring down 50 men-be ready to start without delay; take nothing with you-make no preparation. Mrls. C. Why cannot we fly now, at once? Ran. Because your own servants would assassinate you, and join the army. [Nright begins. Jills. A. May they not do so ere to-night. Ran. No; I gave Cassidy and Sweenie leave to come here, and sent Geordie on-that makes three, and you have only 30 servants; the natives dare not attack at such odds. JESSIE BROcWEno irs. C. Does Geordlie know our peril? Ran. No; nor is it necessary, until the hour arrives. He is young, and might lack coolness..-Mrs. C. Why do you suspect my household of treachery? Ban. [Drawing out a paper.] Do you know the Rajah of Bithoor? JMrs. C. Nana Sahib-I saw him at Benares, at the feast of Mohammedah, a year ago. I might not have recollected him, but he followed me with so a strange gaze that he almost terrified me. Ran. Do you understand Hincloostanee? - ft-s. C. No. Ran. I do. [.ds he reads, AcumIET glides on behind, and creeps to his shoulder.] This letter was intercepted at Secunderah, to-day. Listen as I translate: "A My faithful Achmet-to-night, at one hour after the set of moon, I shall be at the Martiniere with 500 men; when the Feringhee woman is in my Zenana, to you I give a lac of rupees. Destroy the children-they are giaours. Nana Sahib." [ACHtmfET raises a knife over RANDAL, JMrls. C. My children! [A1eisic. Sees AcHMET and utters a cry; AcEMET drops his knife,'tums tp and leaps over the pacrapet. RANDAL turns, drawns a pistol and fires at hict as he disappears. Rle-ezt.o GEORDIE, ALICE, MARY, JESSIE, SWEENIE, and CASSIDY. Ran. Do not be alarmed.'Twas only-a jackal; I fired and scared him away. Cas. A jackal is it-then, be jabers, here he comes back againand on his hind legs. Enta- BLOUNT, swith his hat smeashed..ail. lMr. Biount i Ran. The Chaplain of our Regiment. Cas. His Riverence! BloZunt. Good evening, my friends. May I suggest that the next time you throw a fellow six foot high out of an upper window, you would intimate your views to peaceable persons below. Cas. A jackal, six foot high! Geor. Are you hurt, sir? B'lmnt. No' fortunately I received the thing on my head-from whence it bounded off, and rolled down the hill-side into the jungle. Ran. Return to the house, all of you. [Eyxeunt all but Mnts. CAMPBELLMr. Blount, stay! one word-you are a clergyman-but once you were, I believe, an officer in Her Majesty's Carbineers. EBlount. I quitted the army from conscientious scruples. Ran. Are you a coward? Blaount. A coward! I think not-that is-well-no; for when I read the accounts of these atrocities, I feel in me an emotion that is evil, very evil-a sinful desire to smash the heads of these wretches, who butcher women and infants. I know the feeling is horrible; I ought to forgive and pray for them. I have bound the devil in me, but he leaks out. Ran. If you saw these little ones in peril, would you fight? llount. Fight! young man-my dear Randal —I kill human beings I a clergyman destroy lives! what do you take me for? Ran. I take you for a brave man. You were born a warrior, but your more gentle nature refused to war against any creatures but the wicked, and you could not shed blood except in the cause of humanity. Don't deny it; you retired from the army and became curate of a poor Scotch village near my home; from your lips I first learned what, war was. Blount. I portrayed its horrors, its wickedness. Ran. I only saw its glory; I only saw your face lighted with the animation of the charge-you fired my soul and made me what I aram Blount. God forgive me; I ruined the boy. Ran. I entered the army-you followed me. Blount. Did I not promise your dying father to watch over you? and here's how I did it. Ran. Listen, my dear old tutor. You are brave and cool, and to you alone I can confide the defence of this house to-night. Blount. To me-good gracious! Ran. You will be surrounded by Nana Sahib's troops; his design is to murder all its inmates except Amy, whom he destines for his Zenana. Blouznt. The demon I May his infernal spirit roast in-what am I saying! May a merciful Father forgive him! This is horrible. Ban. At midnight summon all the household, and start for the city, I- will precede you and gather a guard, and hasten back to meet you. - lirs. C. Do you go alone? Ran. My horse is at the foot of the hill, picketed in the copse; once on his back, I am in Lucknow. Farewell. [Music. Embraces Mns. C. Jlrs. C. Oh, Randal, shall we ever meet again? Ran. We sleep to-night in yonder city or in Heaven, [Exit RANDAL. Blount. Stop, Randal, my dear boy; I can't do it. He is gonewhat shall I do? Mercy on me! what arms are there in tha house? AIrs. C. Two double guns, a rifle, my late husband's swords and a brace of pistols. Blount. A clergyman-a minister of peace-what will become of me! Have you any powder? jirs. C. A small keg of cartridges? Blo/nt. These poor children! I tremble in every limb. Have you any caps? AIrs. C. A box or two. Blount. The old devil is kicking in me-my blood beats hot. Get thee behind me, Satan! Oh! if I could only see these deluded murderers, to speak with them, to prepare their erring souls, before I sent them to ask for that mercy in Heaven which, by the way, they never show on earth. [iMusic.] My respected and dear friend, we are engaged in a wicked deed-I feel it-come, let us see your ammunition. [ Exezct. 1o JESSIE BRxOWXb SCENEI II.- verandah attached to the house. Night. Enter SWEEMIE and CAssIDY. CGas. Whisht! Sweenie, come here —spake lowl D'ye see that wood beyant? there's fifty black divils hidin' in it, and here's one of their raping hooks I found in the grass. Sween. Rebels here! CGas. I was watchin' the Capting-; as he hurried down they crept afther him. He has come to grief, Swoenie, for yonder is the road to Lucknow, and his horse has not passed down it yet. Oh, wurra, wurra, what will we do? Sween. Give me that sabre; stop here, Cassidy, I will creep down and see what is going on below; don't say a word to frighten the women, but if I don't come back in ten minutes, conclude I'm dead; then, in with ye, barricade the doors, and tell Master Geordie. - Gas. Sweenie, avich, let me go. Oh, murdher! you'll be killed and Jessie wil never forgive me for not goin' in your place. Sween. Cassidy, if the rebels are here in force, I shall fall; and as the savage spare neither women nor children, I'll see ye both in Heaven before morning, so I won't say good night. [Exit. Cas. God speed ye, Sweenie, an keep ye. Enter JESSIE. kTes. Who is that? Cassidy! Gas. Meself, darlin. [Distant shot. Jes. What s that! Cas. [Aside.] Its murdherin' the Captain they are, I dar'nt tell her. [Aloud] That, that was Sweenie, sure he's gone down beyant, may be, that is by accident, his swoord went off on half cock. Jes. His sword! Enter GEORDIE. Geor. Jessie, come here; eh, who's that-Cassidy? Cas. [Aside.] What'll I do at all, if if he knew that Sweenie was gone to get killed for his brother. Geor. Go in, Cassidy, leave us. Gas. I'm off, your honor. [Goinq.] Five minutes are gone, I'll creep afther Sweenie. If I had a bagginit, or a taste ov a twig itself, but I've nothin' in my hand but my fist. [Exit. Jes. Did ye ca' me. Geor. Come here, you little puss, now you shall give me that kiss I did not get this afternoon. Jes. Geordie you have been drinking. Geor. And if I have. Wine lets out the truth, Jessie, and the truth is-I love you. Jes. Ee! dinna ye always loov me? Geor. No, I love you as you deserve to be loved, and I can't bear to see such a pretty girl as you have grown throw yourself away on those common soldiers, like Sweenie and his comrades. Jes. Oh, Geordie, Sweenie loves you-he would die for you or Randal ecor. DOh, devil take Sweenie! all our mess say you are too good for him. You are the prettiest girl in Lucknow. J;s. Let us gang awa in, Geordie dear. Geor. [Taking her in his armns.] No, you sh;anlt —-come, don't be foolish, Je.ssie. Could you not be happy with me-don't you like an officer better than a vulgar, common soldier. Jes. Oh, Geordie 1 oh, Geordie! [Buriees herfce in zher hands. Geor. Look up, Jessie. JIs. I canna, I canna. Geor. Why can't you look up into my face? Jcs. I'm lukin far awa-far awa, upon craigs of Dancleuch' Itis in the days of auld tang sync, and the arm of wee Geordie McGregor is round the body of Jessie Brown, for he is saving her life in the sea. Na, don't tak yer arm awa, Geordie dear. I m lukin still. Geordie is a laddie noo, and he chases the deer on the craigs of Duncleuch; beside him is poor Sweenie-poor faithful Sweenie, that follows the MlcGregor like a dog; Geordie drives a stag to bay; the beastie'rushes on him and therows him doon-. anither miniit and Geordie will na see Jessie mair-but Sweenie's dirk is quicker than that minit I the brute fell clead, but not before he gored poor Sweenie sorely. We watched by'his bedside; d'ye mind the time, Geordie? your arm was rdund me then-na, dinna tak it awa noo. Geor. Oh, Jessie! oh, Jessie! Jes. Luk up, Geordie. Geor. I canlnot.,Tes. Why canna ye luk.p into my face? Geor. Because I'm looking far away, far away into the days of auld Iang syne, and they make me ashamed of what I am. Jes. The bluid of shame never crossed the brow of a McGregor, Na! na! you may kiss me now; but listen, Geordie; whisper[Sings. Should auld acquaintance be fol;got And never brought to mind, Should auld acquaintance be forgot And the days of auld lang syne. For auld lang sync, my dear, For auld lang syne, Then tak a kiss of kindness yet For auld lang syne. [Exeunt. SCENE IIT.- Thae ZIsterior of the Bungalo. A room serving foi' a nursery -large openings at the back discover a distant view of Lucknozw, brilliant with lights. MaRs. CAMPBzELL discover d. CHARLIE and EFFIE, ALICE and MARY. 1Mrs. C. No, 1 shall not undress the children. Take Effie with you, Alice. Alice. Poor child, she is almost asleep now. Char. nMamma, I want to go to bed. Where is Jessie? 12 JleTO5l1;BROWN. Eleter JEssIE. Jes. Here, my precious one. [Exit ALICE and MARY, with EsFIe. 3Mrs. C. Place him in his cot; do not remove his clothes. [ Walksl up and down. Aside.] I have calmed the agitation of the poor old chaplain, but my own overpowers me. Char. Jessie, sing me Charlie; you are not tired, are you? Jes. Nae, darling; I'm never tired o' teaching ye the airs o' Scotland. [Sings a verse of" Charlie is my Darling." I-rs. C. Can I entrust the secret to this girl? [Aloud.] Jessie I Jes. Aweel, my lady. -AIrs.( U There's danger neePa. Don't start, don't cry. To-night this house is to be surrounded by the rebels-our murder is planned, but so is our escape. Jes. [Rising.] It canna be; wha tauld ye this? Airs. C. Randal McGregor. Jes. Then it's true. Airs. C. Hush! five hundred men will attack -us:.es. Mercy on us! what will become of us? JIrs. C. Randal has promised to rescue'us. Jes. [Resuming her calmness.] The McGregor has said it; dinna ye fash yersel —gin he said it, he'll do it. [Returns to the cot. lirs. C. Go, Jessie, see to the fastenings of all the doors, but show no fearl, excite no suspicion. Jessie. I hae no fear. Has not the McGregor gi'en his word to coom back? He'l tak it up, and under his claymore there can nae fear. [Exit hastily.-.Music. Airs. C. This girl gives me a lesson in courage-what reliance, what noble confidence she has in Randal-how calm she turned, when she heard he had given his word to secure our escape. [NANA SxnIs ancd AcaHIE T appear at the wvindow, on the balcony. ACHMET points to MRS. CAMIsPBELL. The NaNa enters the chamber. AcnHsImr disappears. What is the hour? [Goes sup and looks at her watch.] It is now past eleven. Randal must have reached the city by this tima —it is time to prepare. [She turns and sees the NANs beside her.] Mercy! JVanaez. Be silent-you know me. JAirs. C. The Nana Sahib. Noeans. The officer who intercepted my letter to Achmet, is my prisoner. My men are now surrounding your park. Escape is hopeless. AMrs. C. [.Iside.] Randal taken prisoner! then we are lost. Nana. Listen! I saw you at Benares-your soul entered through my eyes into my heart, and thrust out my own. I followed you, until like the sun you passed away where I could follow no more; I went to Bithoor, and my wives offended your soul in me. I gave them riches and sent them away —my Zenana is cold-I am there alone; it awaits the form to which the soul here belongs. A/irs. C'. You would murder my children and dishonor their mother. JrEssE - BROWxN, 3 Niana. Your children shall be mine, princes of the Mahratta; follow me and no blood shall flow. I will withdraw my men. Lucknow shall be spared, and peace restored. Airs. C. England would spurn the peace bought thus with the honor of one of her people. Noana. [Approaching the bed.] This is your child? JMrs. C. ily child. Nana. [Draws has yataghan.] No cry! or this steel is in his throat I Chiar. Mamma, oh, dear mamma, help me. AIs. C. -lush, Charlie, my own one, don't cry, hush. Oh, Rajab Sahib, spare my child; i yes, I consent. Enter JessrE. I will follow you-spare[JEssrE snatches the knifefrom the NANA, and stabbing him with it suddenly. Jes. Drop that bairn, ye black deevil! [NANA staggers a moment and drops the child, whonz JESSIE catches to her breast. ilana. Tehanum possess ye-mine then ye shall be by force-none under this roof but you, shall see to-morrow's sun. [Distant shots-cries within-ACUMET appears. NANA and ACHaMET draw their scimeters and leap over the balcony. Enter GEORDIE, ALICE, and MARY. Gear. What shots were those? Alice. What has happened? — Airs. C. The Nana Sahib with five hundred rebels, besiege us in this house. Randal is their prisoner. Randal who promised to rescue us..Jes. Prisoner or free, the McGregor will keep his word. ~ hrs. C. The impassibility of that girl drives me mad. Enter CASsIDY, runningy. Cas. He's comin' thunder and turf, he's fightin' like a cat wid tin legs and fifteen claws on aich fut. Alice. Who? Cas. The Captain; Sweenie is fightin' beside him. [Shots outside.] Hurroo! they're at it. [Runs stp, GEORDIE folloVs to verandah at back. Geor. Theye they are in the copse. Cas. Where's a gun, oh a gun for the love o' God. Jes. Itere is one. [Shots. Cas. Hoo! there goes a bullet through my leg. [GEORDIE staggers back very pale. JEssIE runs sup with the emn.] The devils see us in the light here, and they're pepperin' us handsome.Jes. Look, Cassidy, look! there's a big fellow makin' for Sweenie, quick. [GCASSIDY fires. Cas. Hoo! fTes. Here they come —quick by this ladder. S14 JESSIE ORVOWN. Enter SWEENI', and then IihNDAXL. JESsIE conies down and soothe CHARLIE and EFFIE, Ran. Cast down that ladder, Cassidy, and stand to your arms Cas. Ay, your honor. 1Mrs. 0. Ohl, Randal, you have escaped! Jes. I told you the McGregor would keep his word. Ran. I was taken prisoner, by about fifty men, who lie just this side of the bridge, their main force is still beyond the river, they are led by some Rajah of rank. JMrs. C. By the Nana Sahib in person, he was here. Alice. Here! Mirs. C. He came by that ladder, and fled when wounded by Jessie. Jes. Na! the deevii had a steel jacket on, the blow slipped awa. Ran. Nana Sahib, then the whole force of the rebels is in the neighborhood —Lucknow is threatened —the garrison will be taken by surprise, where is Geordie? Geor. Here, Iandal. [Advancing. Ran. How pale you are, are you wounded? Geor. No-it is nothing. Ran. A scratch I suppose. Geordie, a dispatch must be carried to the city i I will write it, and you must bear it. Alrs. C. But can Geordie escape thro' the lines of the enemy who surround us. Death must be nearly certain. lRan. Death is nearly certain, and therefore I pick my own brother for the service; besides, he is an officer, and claims the post of danger as his right. Do you forget the name we bear? Alice, return to the interior of the house. Come, Amy, give me paper and ink. Geordie, while I am gone, see to your arms. [Exeunt all but GEORDIE and JESSIE. Geor. Death-he said that death is nearly certain. Yes. How pale he is! Geordie, speak-are you hurt? Geor. Oh, Jessie! Jes. I saw ye flench from the shots-you came back white as snaw. You tremble-what is it, Geordie dear?-tell me. Geor. I can:t, Jessie. My tongue fails me-as my limbs do-oh, Jessie-I feel I cannot face the fire. Jes. What say ye? Geor. I am a coward. [Falls in a chair. Jes. Na! [Runs to himnt.] Hush, dearie; there's nae drop of coward bluid in the McGregor-tak' time, Geordie. Geor. I cannot help it, Jessie; the passion of fear is on me-I cannot stir. ores. Oh, my heart! oh, my heart! My Geordie, think of what Randal will say if he sees ye so-his ain brither —his ainly one! Think, dearie, there are women here-and bairns, puir helpless things -and if ye flench noo, they will be killed! Geor. I know it-[hides his face and his hands]-but I am paralyzed..Tes. Think of the auld mither at hame, Geordie-the proud one that nursed ye, Geordie-the leddy that awaits her twa boys cumin' back fra' the wars —what! will ye bring yer mither back a blighted name? JESSIE BRowV. 15 Oh, hae courage, for her sake!-oh, for mine, Geordie I [Throws her anim around him.] Oh, why canna' I gang beside ye, to show ye how to bleed for the auld braes o' Scotland? Enter 13LOUNT.. Wha's there? —gang awa'-oh,'tis the minister. Blount. Is he wounded? my poor boy, is he hurt? jes. Oh, sir, help him; his heart fails-it is his frst fight, and he flenches. Geor. This terrible sense of fear which paralyzes me will pass away. 1Tis a spasm —it cannot be that my father's son, my brother's brother, can be so miserable, so contemptible a thing as this I Blournt. The boy has conscientious scruples, like me. Geor. No, no; to you-to you alone, companions of my childhood, let me confessBlount. No, don't; you sha'n't say a word-you don't understand; I know all-first powder smells sick; but after you see a few men fall, that goes off. Jes, Yes, it clears awa'. Blount. Take your lip between your teeth and choose your man. Jes. Think o' the bairnes they've slaughtered in cauld bluid. Blount. Don't trust to pistols —I always preferred steel, it's more reliable and doesn't miss fire; use the point —it kills ten when the blade throws open your guard, and only wounds one. God forgive me! I am teaching this boy how to murder. Re-enter RAnsDAL, with the order, followed by SWEENIE. Ran. Here is the dispatch. Where is my brother? Jes. He is here, but stay a wee. [Aside.] Oh, what can we do? Ran. How's this? what has happened? Jes. Naething. [Aside] He blenches, he canna' do it. [Aloud.] Randal, I have asked Geordie a favor, and he has granted me. That order, winna' the soldier that bears it safe to the General get advancement? Ran. My brother will win a brevet rank of lieutenant. Jes. Na; your brither is rich and can buy his rank, but my Sweenie is puir, and Geordie has consented to let Sweenie tak' his place and win his sergeant's stripes. Sween. Oh Master Geordie! do you so? God bless ye! there's not a prouder boy in the Queen's uniform to-night than I am! Geor. Jessie! Jessie! Jes. Dinna' speak. Blount. [Aside.] She puts her own lover in the jaws of death! God bless her! God bless her! Ran. It is better so-I have other work for Geordie. Quick then, Sweenie; at the copse, near the brook, my horse is tied to a tree. Can you ride? Sween. I can hold on. Ran. This letter to the General. I will defend this house till he comes to relieve us, or we are buried under its ruins. The alarm X16 C)JESSIE BROWN. guns which will be fired from the fort when your news is known will apprise us that you are safe in Lucknow, and have escaped. We can both see the flash and hear them from here. Away with you.. Jes. God be wi' ye, Sweenie. God be win ye laddie. [Throws her arms round him. Sween. I'll deserve ye this time, Jessie; ye'll be proud of me, dead or alive. [Goes iup. JEssIE flls on her knees. Blount. What are you about? you are not going by that road, you will be seen. Sween. I know it-they'll fire —tis ten to one they'll miss me; but I'll fall into the garden as if I was shot, and while they are thinking' me stiff,'ll be creepin' down to the horse and off to Lucknow. Ran. Well, let me see you try it. Jes. Oh! my loov I'tis for Geordie's sake. [RANNDAL and SWEENIE go into the balcony. -irs. C. But why should Randal go-? Blo/mnt. To lead his man, habit..[A shot. SWREENIE falls over. —. cry from JESSIE, Ran. [After watchi~ng, returnzs.]'Tis all right, he has escaped. Jes. But he may be wounded'? Ran. I think not, unless there were two bullets. I have got one here. [Cakes qff his cap —his temple is bloody..lrs. U. Randal! Ran. Tut! we have other things to do. [Draws out a handkerchief, presses his forehead; and replaces his cap.] Now, Amy, to work, there are but three of us here, Geordie, Cassidy, and I. Blount. You may say four! I will lay aside my conscientious scruples, and like my namesake, David, I will strike the Philistines. Roan. You have three native servants, who, I think may be trusted. There are not more than fifty Sepoys on this side of the bridge-now if we can destroy that bridge, we shall divide our foes and hold our own or a few hours. Blaunt. There's a keg of powder down stairs, I'll take it down under my arm, and blow up the bridge. This enterprise is bloodless, it suits me exactly. Ran. You propose with your form to creep down unobserved, you would be cut to pieces. B/lount. But if the piece of me that held the keg got there, I might accomplish the good deed. [Aside.] I'm afraid he will send Geordie. Ran. Geordie, quick, you and I will see to this. Geor I am ready. [Rises. RIiNDAL embraces AMY. Jes. tie's ganging, look, look, he goes bravely, the McGregor bluid is in his cheek, the dark fire is lechted. Geor. Bless you, Jessie. [Aside to her.] Sweenie has not been sacrificed in vain. I'll not belie your love, Jessie, farewell. [Exit GEORD5E and RANDAL. Jes. Ie's gane, lie's gane, baith gane-and Sweenie-and my courage has gane too. Enter ALsCE, MARY, and the children. A.lice. All is quiet. JESSIE BROwN% 17 Blount. That's a bad sign. But let us extinguish the lights, they serve the enemy. [He puts out the candle. Stage dark.].-i rs. 6. Oh, Heaven protect us in this dark hour of peril, preserve my poor little children. B'loist. Amen?-they come! I see white figures in the garden. Jes. My Sweenie, have they killed my poor Sweenie, oh this suspense is worse than death. Blount. The house is surrounded, the whole collection is here. -Mrs. C. Cassidy, fire, why don't you fire on them. Cas. [Looking in.] Plase yer honor ma'am, them savages is like birds —firin7 frightens frightens them away, and if we coax them here awhile, sure they won't be seeing afther the Captain Randal. Blount. Good heart, noble heart. oh Merciful Father in Heaven, it is a pity such good people should die. HIave pity on us, have pity on these weak ones, and upon these little ones. Jes. Oh! protect my puir Sweenie; don't let his bluid lie on my hands —don't break puir Jessie's heart. [A distant explosion..Mlusic. Cas. [Entering.] D'ye hear that? It's the bridge! the devils are skelping back again to see what kind of hell is behind'em. [Sounds of conflict. Blount. They are coming! I hear Randal's voice. Ran. Cassidy! Cassidy! Cas. That's me! here I am, your honor. Hoo! [Leaps over the balcony and disappears. Blount. The door, the door is fast inside. [Runs out, R. v..Tes. No alarm guns from the city! the time is passed; no sign that he has escaped, and I sent him, I sent him. Oh, Sweenie, Sweenie! Mrs. C. They come-they are safe. Enter RANDAL, bearing GEORDIE in his arms. Rcan. See to the doors. Alice. HEe is dead! Jes. Dead! wha's dead? [Sees GEoRDIE, and utters a scream of grief and horror.] Geordie, what have ye done? ye have killed the bairn. Stand awa, a' o' ye. Geordie, Geordie, look to me. Oh! I did it-I killed him-only for me he wad nae have gane. Geordie! [She kisses hisface.] Speak to me, dear! Oh, I shall go mad, Geordie, if ye dae not answer me-if ye do not lunk to me. [GEOR)IE raises himself at this moment. A flash of a gun is seen from the distant city. Ran Ha! the alarm gun from the city. [A second gun is heard. Geor. Jessie, Jessie, do you hear those guns? Sweenie has escaped, and after a', Geordie is not a coward. lae faints. END OF ACT I. 18 JESSIE BROWN. ACT II. SCENE I. —The interior of a IIindoo Temple in Lucknow. JESSIE chained, L. H., to a pillar. GEORDIE is lying on a pallet, a. i., chained also. Hindoo Guards at the back. ACEMET, R. C. A.Divan, L. C. Stage sombre. Mlsaic. Gcor. [Awaking.] Where am I? Oh, these chains, those dark walls, those darker faces —I am a prisoner-why did I awake?.Tes. Geordie, dear, you are better now, the fever has left ye. Geor. Jessie, are you there? come near me. Jes. I can't, dearie, the savages have tied me like a dog to the wall. Geor. What place is this? Jes. It's a church where they worship the deevil. Geor. How long have I been here. Jes. For six lang weeks. Geor. Does the Residency still hold out against the rebels? Je:. I dinna ken. I have been here a' the time. Geor. Were you taken prisoner when I fell into their hands? Jes. Na! but when we heard that you were dying here, for want of Christian help, I cam' across to nurse ye. Geor. My poor girl! But they will murder you; they show no mercy for age or sex. Jes. I knaw it; here is the Calcutta news. It is fu' o' the bluidy wark the Nana Sahib made at Cawnporeo Enter NANA. Ee! talk o' the deevilNana. Sahib, open your ears. Your countrymen are dogs. They still lie howling in the Residency —they dare not come forth-InshallahGeor. They look for aid. Nana. Their hearts lie, and hope will not feed them; their food is out, they cannot live on air. Jes. Ye mistak'! they are living on an air noo, and is ca'd, " the Campbells are coomin'." And oh, could I but hear one screel of the pibroch-could I see the wavin' o' the bonnie tartan, and the braw line o' the shinin' steel, l'd na gie ye twa minits, but ye'd find the deevil before ye could say " Cawnpore.'" LNana. Woman, be silent, read your printed words, and leave men to speak with men. [To GEORDIE.] Your countrymen are in our hands. Beneath this mosque, even below our feet, we have a mine, it passes beneath the fort commanded by the Sahib, your brother, Behold, the powder is laid, the match is ready; we can destroy him utterly, his fort once taken, the Residency is ours. Bismillah! have I defiled my tongue with lies? Geor. The R Adan fort is the key to our position. JESSIE BROWN. 19 Nana. Enough blood has been shed-let him yield —his men shall go forth unharmed, we will pour the oil of mercy on their wounds. Jos. [Reading the paper.] And under these conditions Cawnpore was surrendered; the garrison marched out, and entered the boats provided for their safe transport. Nana. You say your countrymen still look for aid, but they know not that the Sahib Havelock was defeated by my troops. From Lahore to Alahabad, Hindoostan is ours; you shall write these things that they may know; they will believe yonr word, and they will yield. lnshallah! they shall go forth safely; we will show mercyon my head be it. Jes. [Reads.] No sooner were the boats containing the troops, the women and children, in the midst of the stream than the enemy opened a murderous fire, and a work of slaughter began. Nana. What woman is that? what writing has she in her hand? tear it away! [AcRmET tears the paper from JESSIE.] What says the pen there? Jes. [Rising.] I'll tell ye in broad Scotch. It says that you have taught baith women and children to fecht, for you have found something that they fear more than death.,lch. What's that? Jes. The mercy of Nana Sahib! Nanna. Let my ferooshees come here. Entger two Hindoos. Take that woman and let her die. Geor. Stay, Rajah, you would not kill that poor child. [At a signalfrom ACHMET, two cords descendfromn the roof. NJ'ana. You would have her life? Give me the letter to your brother; she herself shall bear it to the Redan fort. [They unbind JESSIE. Geor. That letter will not serve you. You do not know Randal McGregor-he will die, but will never yield. Nanza. Be it so. [Rising.] Achmet, hew away the right hands of these prisoners, and let their bodies swing from the heights of this mosque..lch. On my head be it. Jes. Geordie, Geordie! Geor. No, Nana, do not give me the death of a dog. Spare that poor child. JVNana. Stifle the howling of that hound. Jes. Geordie, farlweel, Geordie! Geor. Hold! what would you have me do? Nana. [Returning.] Do you see yonder ropes? they ascend to the minaret of this mosque. [To AcuMET.] Prepare the means in yonder room to write. [E.xit AcHMET.] Behold! write as I have said or give your neck to the cord. Choose-I have spoken. Jes. Ay, but you have spoken to a McGregor! [They unbind GEORDIE. Re-enter ACmaIET. 20 JESEIE BR(AnW'h. aGor. [Aside.] One day more-aid may come. Havelock, Outram, cannot be far. Jes. [Aside.] He hesitates-if he pens that letter a' is lost again, yet if I speak, the deevils will murder me. Geor. [Pdside.] She shall not die. [Enters, R;..,followed by AcH.MET. Stage dark. Jes. [Looking off, n. H.] He will do't, to save, my life, he will write down his infamy; nae if I bear it to the fort, I can tear it up on the way, but then they will kill him after a', and I ainly can be saved. Yonder he sits, he tak's the pen —his hand shakes, but still he writes, he writes, oh, what are the words? words of infamy, that will gae hame, and fill the faces of a' the Christian world wi' shame. Oh, could I reach his heart, I could stay his hand, but that black Beelzebub is wi' him. Eh I hand a wee, I'll speak to him. [Sings. 6Oh, why left I my hame,1" &c. [lAfterfirst verse.] He stops, his head fa's in his hand, tears, tears, he minds me, he minds me. [She falls on her knees. [She sings the 2rnd verse.] He knows what I mean! [A portion of the floor gives way, and falls in. Ah! [Starts back.] What is that? [ Cassidy puts his head through the orifice. Cas. Pooh! what a dust. Cheu! [Sneezes.] That was a big pinch of snuff anyway. Jes. Wha's that?'Tis Cassidy's voice. Cas. I'll call Sweenie i [Sweeenie's head appears throzugh the orifice, beside Cassidy's. Jes. Sweenie! Cas. Sweenie! Sween. What's the matter? Cas. Matther! Bedad there's an echo here that spakes first-a Hindoo echo that takes the words out av yer mouth. Jes. Hush,'tis I, Jessie. Sween. Jessie! CGas. Hoo! garry owen yer sowl!:H[urroo! Jes. Hush! gae down quick, they are coomin'. [Cassidy and Sweenie disappear, Jessie draws the nitsmud or turkish carpet of the Divan oer the orefice. Enter ACHsmET with a light. JESSIE Sings, "My boy Tammie!" with affected senconcern. ACRaMEI examines the place, holds the light to her face, and goes out. JEssIE with. draws the carpet. jes. Hush, silence, whesper. [SwEENIE and CAssIDY re-appear. Cas. Where the divil are weat all. des. This is a mosque, they ca' it. It is my prison and Geordie's. How did you get here? Sseeen. We were working in the counter mine, ordered by the Captain, when we struck right into the mine, prepared by the rebels J~EsSIE BRIOWN. 21 to blow us up, we removed their powder, of which we were running short, and then Cassidy and I took a stroll along their mine, to see the country. Ca.s. The road was mighty dirty, but the view at the end of it. is worth the walk. Jes. Then this passage goes under ground to the fort. Car. Bedad, Sweenie, we niver thought of that I it comes this way, but I don't know if it goes back the same. fIes. D'ye see you ropes danglin' there, they are ready for me and Geordie. Twa hours mair, and ye'd been too late, down wi' ye nuoo, don't stir, until I tell ye. Cas. We'll be as dumb as oysthers. [They disappear, JESSIE replaces the carpet. Pe-enter the NxNax. Drins without. Re-enter ACIIMET. Sepoys enter at back. idch. A flag of truce from the fort. Eynter RANXDAL and BLOUNT. Jes. The McGregor! Rand. You are the Nana? NVana. I am he, Rand. I command the Redan fort. I come to offer you an exchange of prisoners. We have taken sixty of your men. NV'ana. They are in your hand, Inshallah! Mohammed Allah! Death is their portion. To each man his fate. [Exit ACHMErT. Rand. We light our foes, we do not murder them. Blount. Stay, Randal, don't be so fiery, let me speak to the Rajah, Salam, Aleikoom! Nana. Allah, Resoul Allah! speak! There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his prophet. Bl/ount. There I can't agree with you, and I shall feel pleased to discuss that question at any time your leisure may permit. I am a minister of peace and a herald of mercy. Let me touch your heart. Our Heavenly Father, whom you call Allah, has given you rule and power over men; you have used it so cruelly, that all the world will shudder at your deeds of blood. This girl came here on a mission of mercy, she is not your prisoner; in every religion, and of all time, the weakness of woman protects her life, and makes her safety sacred. Nana. The shepherds from the hills of the Himmelayah came to me and they said, Behold the tigers come out of the jungle and prey upon our flocks, and we fear. Which hearing, I arose; I sought the lair of the noble beast. I found there the tigress and her cubs. I slew them, until they died; but, lo, the tiger came, but did he whine and weep, saying, Sahib, you have done evil, my mate and my little ones are sacred, their weakness should protect them? Blount. Are we tigers? Nana. The tiger was placed here by Allah; he eats for his hunger, and kills that he may eat. Did Allah send the Briton here to make us slaves, to clutch us beneath his lion's paw, and to devour the land. 22 SE&SIT I3 rOWV, Inshallah! The voiceless word of God has swept over the peopled and it Eays, Sufferers, arise, ye shall be free I Ran. Freedom was never won by murder, for God has never armed the hand of an assassin. Nana. What, dogs, are you to judge the ways of Allah? Enter ACHMET with a letter. Has the English prisoner written as I have said? Ach.'Tis done! Jes. Na. it canna be I'Nana. The officer, your brother, knowing the folly of further resis. tance, writes here to you Sahib, and counsels you to yield. Jes. Oh, I dar' na luk at Randal. Rand. [Striding up to NANA.] YOU lie! 3lount. Randal, forbear, perhaps Geordie has been misled, deceived? Rand. Deceit can make a man a fool, but not a coward. yEnter GEORDIE. Geor. Randal! Rand. Stand back! Lieutenant McGregor! the Rajah of Bithoor declares that in this letter to me, you have counseled to surrender. [.z pause.] You are silent. Geoar. Randal, you will forgive me when you know all, but now and here, I dare not speak. _ama. The proud brow of the Englishman, our tyrant, can be bowed down with shame. Achmet, read the letter. Geor. No, no, not here..ich. I cannot; it's in a foreign tongue. Blount. [Looking over it.]'Tis in Gaelic, the native tongue of Scotland; I do not understand it. Jes. Eh! I do; let me see. There's nae words in Gaelic that would serve a coward's tongue. Let me see. [lMlusic. She reads low.] Eh; sirs, it is pure Gaelic, and rins so. [To NANA.] Open yer lugs, ye deevil, for here's porridge for ye, hotter than ye can sup it, maybe. [Reads.] To Captain Randal McGregor, Her Majesty's 78th Highlanders: My dearest brother, the Nana Sahib has doomed me to the death of a dog. My execution will take place at seven o'clock; you can spare our mother that grief, and me that disgrace. Jessie will point out to you the window of my prison-it looks over the Redan fort, and is within gun-shot of our men. As the clock strikes six, I will be at that window; draw out a firing party, and let them send three honest volleys through my heart. God bless you; give my love to Alice and Mary; remember me to all the fellows of our mess-let them give me a parting cheer when I fall. Your affectionate brother, Geordie McGregor. Ran. Geordie, my brother! my own brother! Geor. Randal! Blount. [Bursting into an ecstacy of delight.] I can resist no longer. [Shouts.] God save the Queen! [Embiraces JESsIE. NANA goes up with ACHMET. Ran. What guns are those? JESSIE 31OWS. CO -Aana, My artillery cover the advance of the faithful on the Redan fort. Bind these men. Your hours are numbered. Ran. Traitor! we are protected by a flag of truce. Nana. Your flag of truce shall be your winding sheet. Swing their bodies, to the Minaret. As the hour strikes seven let it be done. [The Hindoos seize RANDAL, GEORDME and JESSIE.] Let the old man go, that he may bear witness over all the earth, and strike white with terror the hearts of England, when they hear the vengeance of Nana $ahib. [Exit. Blount. Don't! Hang me too, hang me! I:ll be hung, if I die for it. Ach. Slaves, see the Nana's order done, on your heads be it. On the stroke of seven, draw the ropes! my duty calls me to the mine. The mine below your countrymen. In five minutes the match will be lighted, and from above you will be able to see your soldiers blown to the skies. [Exit ACd1MET. Tlhe Hindoos having bound RAuDAL, GEONDIE and JESSIE exeunt. Tes. [Calling.] Sweenie, Cassidy, quick. [CASSIDY throws back the carpet. Cas. Here I am! [Jippears in the orifice.] I'm nearly choked wid keepin' the fight in me. [Jumps up. Blount. Where do you come from? Cas. From the mine, alanna! Sweenie has run down below to look afther the naygur, that's gone to blow us up, he's got a word or two to say to him. Ran. Quick? cut these cords. the executioners hold the other end, outside, and at the stroke of seven, they will run us up. [CAssIDY cuts the cords, aided by BLOUNT. Geor. Free! [Embraces JESSIE..Szueen. [At the orifice.] Come along, it's no use kicking. Ran. Sweenie! Sween. All right your honor. [Salutes Randal.] I've got a Hindoo Guy Fawkes, matches and lantern all complete. Cas. Come up asy, darlint. [SWEENIE and CASSIDY pull ACHMET, gagged and bound, thro' the orifice. Ran. Secure that fellow, so that he may not give the alarm. CGas. Never fear, Captain. [ Guns outside. Ran. The attack has commenced! To the Redan, Geordie, to the Redan. [GEORDIE and RANDAL disappear down the orifice. Blount. Sweenie, spare that man, shed no blood boys, do you hear me. Cas. All right, yer riverence..lount. Bind him fast, but let him live. [Ite descends. Sween. Here is a rope, tie him with this. [ACHMET struggles and tries to speak, they throw him down. Cas. He's as lively as a cock salmon. Hould quiet ye divil, he's tryin' to spake. Je.s. [Aside.] That rope, they dinna ken what it is there for. Cas. Tie him tight, and for fear he'd get the gag out and cry smurdher, giv the rope a hitch round his neck. 2' JESSIE BROWiqN. Jes. Stop, release him, that cord is held by the executioners outside, and at the stroke of seven. [The great clock of the mosque strikes.] Ah, mercy. Cas. What is it? [The body of ACNHMET is suddenly carried up, and disappears above through the roof. CASSIDY and SWEENIE look amazed. JEssIE utters a cry, and falls, hiding her face. END OF ACT II. A CT III. SCENE I.-Yhe Redan, a fort commanding a certain part of the City af Lucklnosw, and forming an outpost work, near the Residency. A breast work of gabions, fascines, and other military appliances embrace the stage. Throutgh embrasures, fourpieces of artillery are placed, one of them is diso mounted, as if by a cannon ball. In the distance is seen the encanmpment of the rebel Sepoys, aned three forts sinmilarly constructed to the Redan, alnd mlounted with artillery. /The scene generally bears marks of a severe attack, both of musketry and cannonade. Grozps of ladies with children, wounded soldiers, on guard, and some asleep. C(ASSIDY smoking a pipe, sits beside JESSIE, wcho is asleep, her head resting oas his knapsack, aced his grey coat spread over her. SWEENIE, with his head bouzsd and wounded, leans on his musket. MRS. CAIMPBELL and her two childrern on the L. H., a grey, cold iight thrown over the scene, indicates the dawsn of day. GEORDIE at the back is lookeeig tlhrouegh a field glass, examining the position of the enesmy. Jrs. C. Geordie. what can you see? Geor. I can see the road to Alumbagh, from whence we expect relief, but there is no sign of troops there. IMrs. C. Day after clay we hope, until hope itself dies away-for three long months we have resisted. Charlie. Mamma, I am hungry. Airs. C. God help you my poor child. Geor. [Tothe men.] Lads, here's a little child starving, is there a crust among ye? Sween. [Salating.] Not a crumb, your honor, except it's in Phil Regan's kit, he died an hour ago. There he lies. [Points off, R. Geor. Search and see. [Exit SWEENIE. Enter RANDAL. Rand. What news of the night? Geor. Nine men dead of their wounds. Six gone into the hospital. RAnd. Inglis is hemmed in-can scarcely hold his'own, like us, can scarcely sustain himself from hour to hour. If the columns of General Havelock's force do not appear to-day, we must make Lucknow our permanent residence, Geordie: Gacor. You! mean that you will die at this post 9 JESSIE nsow. 245 [SWEENiE re-enters with a morsel of bread, and hands it to MRS. CAMiPBELL. She gives it to CHARLIE, who is going to eat it, but hesitates, breaks it in half amid -places one half of it in, the hand of EFFIs, who still sleeps, then the child eats. Mrs. C. How is Jessie? [GonRDIE kneels beside JESSIE. Sween. She sleeps, but the long weeks of suffering has worn her spirit out at last. Rand. Poor Jessie, has she too lost her spirits? Cas. Lost her sperrits! Bedad, yer honor, the biggest keg of whist key will give out at last if ye go dhrawin' at it every minit, an' afther Jessie cain' back, she tuk no rest, night or day, what wid nurse tendin' the woundid men, an' comfortin' the wimmin an' childer, an' lookin', an' kaping up the sperrit of the boys at the guns. When the hunger was in her mouth, she'd always have a song in id about the ould counthry that warrumin'd our hearts, or a gay word to throw us in passin' that ud fetch the tear into our eyes. Lost her sperrits, Oh, achone I them sperrits was brewed in heaven above, they nivir touched the head but the heart of a man could get dhrunk upon lem. Airs. C. Poor Jessie I she has been in a state of restless excitement through all the siege, and has fallen away visibly during the last few days. A constant fever consumes her, and her mind wanders occasionally, when recollections of home seem powerfully present to her( Overcome by fatigue, she has lain there since midnight, wrapped in her plaid. Poor child it is strange, Randal, to see those rough men watch over her with the tenderness and grief of a mother over r a sick child. _Enter BLOUNT. Blount. No news of relief? Ran. None yet, but our fort here is cut off from the Residency, and Colonel Iiglis may have dispatches. Bloszut. Cheer up, lads, there's a good time coming. The old folks at home will long remember the defense of Lucknow, and every man here will be a hero in his own native village. Cas. Except me, your riverence, divil native village I've got. I was born under a haystaYk, me father and mother had crossed to England for the harvest. Me mother died of me, and me father bruk his heart wid dhrinkin', so when they sent me home to Ireland, my relations would'nt own me, bekase I was an Englishman. Blount. My good Cassidy, hearts like yours are never without a home, while there is goodness in earth and room in Heaven! Cas. I'm content, sir! if Jessie was not sick, and I'd an ounce o' baccy, I would'nt call the Queen me uncle. [He draws the coat over Jessie. Geor. Here's the rations for the day. [Enter a Sergeant, svith a tin vessel containing the food. Ra'n. Now, lads, there's no bugle to call ye to breakfast, so fall in and fall to. This is the last of our food, so make it go as far as you can. [ The food is divided amongst the men. They form a group and speak.] As soon as the sun is up, we shall have warm work. So buckle 26 JESSIE -BROWNt your belts tight. [A distart gun.] There goes a how dclye do from the rebels. Szueen. [Advancing and saluting.] Please your honor, the men wants to know very respectfully sir, please if this here ration is the last of our food, what's the children and ladies a' goin' to have sarved out. lan. That is a mutinous question, sir, fall in your ranks. Siweens. Ax your pardon, please sir-the men won't eat their rations till they know. They say they wouldl'nt fight no how sir, anyways comfortable, if they ain't allowed to share all fair with the women and the little'uns..AIll the men. Share alike! Share alike I Iaon. Silence in the ranks! fall in, my good lads. Listen: for 80 clays we have held this fort against fifty thousand rebels-from week to week our numbers have been thinned off, until we alone remain a few hours more, and General Havelock may arrive, [agun,] but those few hours will be terrible. The rebel Sepoys grown desperate by repulse, will try to overwhelm us with their whole force. [A gunz.] To preserve the loss of these weak ones, you must have strength to repel this attack. You are starving-the food you eat is their protection. Sweeen. Please, Captain, the men say they'd feel worse after such a meal. lRan. Do as you will, there is a Captain above who commands your hearts. Break ranks. llhe me1n hasten to the various groups of women and children, and divide their rations with them. Blouznt. The Lord is with us. His spirit is amongst us? Geoar. [To BLOUNTT.] Will you not eat, sir? [Offering hinefood. Blount. How can I, boy? my heart is in my mouth, I have food enough in that. [To the grozips.] Stay, my dear ones! the food is poor, but let us not forget Him who gave it. [Each persa'i arrests his hand at the moment of eating'.] God bless us, and give'us strength in this dark hour of our lives! [Jessie wakes. Jes. I'm cauld-I'm verra cauld. Cas. Cowld, darlin! sure it's September, and as hot as blazes-the Lord be praised. idss. C. Jessie, are you better? [Jessie looks round eaqserly. Jes. I maun get my father's breakfast; the gude man will be bock soon frae the field. Cas. What is she talking about? Sween. Eat, Jessie dear-we have kept your ration till you awoke. Jes. Eat! na-ah! [rejects the bread] dinna ye see? there's bluid upon it! Gas. Blood! Geor. Jessie! AMrs. C. Jessie? [Crosses hastily to her.] Jessie, you are ill. Look at me-speak to me-do you not know me? [Kinzeels beside her. Jes. Knaw ye! knaw ye! Nae, but I ken a bonnie song-a song of Scotland-it's made o' heather and bluebells. woven in a tartan, and it is so gladsome that it maks me weep. JESSIE BiROWN 2,irs C. Randal, Randal, her senses have gone-her mind wanders. C,iTar. Jessie, my own Jessie! don't look so. Oes. We'll gang hame. Coom to me —what's yer name? Char. Charlie Fergus Campbell.,/es. Then ye'ar Scotch-Scotch to the core of the heart. Listen. LSings, "In winter, when the rain rained cauld," &e. i8weeiz. Jessie, Jessie dear? dont you know me? Sweenie. Jes. Sweenie! where is he? He'll be outside the Byre, doon by the gates. After melkin the coos, I'll coom t'ye my lad. I'11 steal away to the trystin, Sweenie. Fear nought. [Sings. "Oh, whistle and I'll come to yer, my lad." &c. Ranz. Do not weep, Amy. She is happier so-and if we fail in repulsing the rebels to-day, or if we are not relieved by sundown, her madness will be a blessin-g-she will be insensible to her fate..M'is. C. Has the last hour come, Randal? [Three guns are teard in quick succession. Rani Hark! the batteries are opening their fire. -F all in, men. Geordid, repel any advance by the left. I will hold the front. Cas. [Who has been looking over the back.} Plase your honor, here come the black divils-theyIre upon us.!ain. Steady men, no hurry.-Sweep them down.-Forward! [Exit a.u.E. wit/h men. Music. Exit GEORDIE L. with men. Sounds of musketriy-casznon outside-driems. Blount. To your knees!-to your knees!-and pray! —this hour may be our last. Oh, it my scruples did not weigh so heavily upon me, I could strike for my country. [Takes out a book. Jes. [ Who has been recovering her senses, as she listens to the confltict, at first with surprise, then with azuakeuning comprehension.] Ah! I mind it all-I am awak! where's Sweenie? Blount. Let me read aloud to you, the words of peace and comfort. [Jessie t7rns and sees the heads of some of the Sepoys at the embrasures, two of them arie tryinyg to escalade the breastwork.] Look! look! they come I [The womesi utter a cry of dismay. Blount. The enemy! [Pockets the book, and seizes a gtun rammer.] In the name of the Lord and of Gideon! [HIe advances to the back. The two wounded soleiers rise, and crawl to the guns. JEssIm r-uns to a bombshell, that lies, L. H., ai7d findi.ng CASSIDY'S pipe where he has thrown it still alight, she lights the ftse, aisd carries it wit/l great dikiculty to the breastwork, topplving it over. Bloeunt standinyg o the disabled gun, deals ponderoues blowss right and left, wvith the rammer, and kcnocks over the Sepoys as they appealr. The two wosundCed soldiers, JESSIE, ALICE.a-nd MRs. CAMPBELL, drawo out the other gun, load it, and run it isv agaisi. The bomb is heard to explode outside,followzed by cries and huzrrahs. MRs. CAMPBELL applies a port fire to the gun, and fires it. Another shout. JESSIE leaps oZ the gui. The children bring hand grenades, and roll in a cannon ball. ANDAXL and GEORDIE se-appear, B. and L., leading back their men, some wounded. Grouzps areformed. The ladies tear their dresses andc make bazndaes for -the wounded soldiers. 28 JESSIE BROWN. Rand. Well done, bravely done! The enemy is repulsed, it was hot work. Blount. Hot! It was terrible! I'm afraid I have killed somebody. I fear I have sent a sinner to his last account up there. [Points up. Gas. [Taking his armss and makizng him point it down.] No, that's the way they wint. Bedad but ye made that shillelah dance like over their heads-they wint down by dozens-it was illegant. Blount. I'll have to answer for this hereafter. Cai-s. Oh, make yer mind asy! Damn the question ye'll ivir be axed about it. Geor. Who sent that bomb, it fell into their advancing column and exploded with terrible effect? Mrs. CA'Twas Jessie. Sseeie.!'asd. F Jessie! G;eor. j [They look round, JESSIE is discovered crying bitterly, seated on teke breastwvorlc. They bri7ng her forward. Mrs. C. Jessie, what ails you? why do you weep? [To the rest.] I never saw her cry before. Alice. Dearest Jessie, are you wounded? Jes. Na, na, but I canna help it. The clouds in my brain are pourin' oot, an'-an'-an- [Falls into hysterics. Alice. She is weak, poor child, hunger and fear have killed her. Blouit. No! this spasm of tears relieves her overburthened brainshe will recover. AIrs. C. Leave her to Alice and me. Char. Jessie, dear, don't'ee cry, don't cry.. CJESSIE embrbaces the childrere, Rcand. [Y7kling BLOUNT aned GEORmDIE aside.] We have repulsed the first attack, but the enemy is too strong for us, they will try a second and a third-we have now only 20 men left —their next attack will succeed. Blouest. Gaods will be done. Let us thank Him that we are prepared to die. Yes, it is with joyful thankfulness that I say it. There is not one human being here, that,has not shewn a noble, beautiful and Christian spirit, except me. I have been led away. The shepherd has killed his flock. Rand. No, he has only driven the wolf away. Blount. Let us hope that it may be forgiven me. Now what shall we do. Geor. Alice, Amy, and Jessie, must they fall into the hands ol these wretches? Oh. Randal, remember Cawnpore! Bleunt. Let them decide. Let them know the worst, that the} may prepare to meet their fearful fate. Wanzd. I cannot speak it. I can face the enemy, but I cannot look into the pale faces of those women and tell them that my arm i> powerless to defend their honor and their lives. [Goes lip and seats hisnself dejectedly on a glen coarriqe. JESSIE BRaow. 29 Blount. This is my mission. I will speak to them; heaven inspires me with courage! Geordie, tell me when the last moment is come. [Sits, R. H., and takes out higs book.] Let me know when our death is near. TMrs. C. Her temples throb and burn. My poor Jessie, lie down awhile and rest your head in my lap. Geor. [Nesar Blousnt.] What are you reading? Blouzzt. [Looking up.] The prayers for the dead! [Geordie goes up, and leanzs o, the breastwork. The snen are reposing in gr'OzTS. Alice. How she trembles! her hands are icy cold. Mst. C. Jessie, are you cold? Jes. [Sings in a low voice.] "' In winter, when the rain rained cauld," &c. Alice. Her senses wander again. Jrs. C. Jessie, my dear Jessie! try to rest your wearied brain-try to sleep. Jes. Sleep! Aye, let me sleep awee-but you will awak me when my father cooms frae the ploughin'. iMrs. C. Yes, Jessie, when the gude man comes home, I will awake you. [Aside.] God help her! Jes. I'm his ainly bairn, and he loos me well. [Sings slowly the first few bars of "Robin Gray,"' as she falls to sleep. Geor. [Advancing to Blount.[ The enemy are moving, sir-the time has come. Bloumt. [Closing the book.] I am ready. [Rises. Distant drum is hear'd, very low. Ran. The enemy! Fall in, men! [Eight men r ise, andformn with Swzeenie and Cassidy-Randal coumts them. Ran. Ten! ten men alone are fit for service-ten men to repulse a thousand! [Turns aside. Blouznt. My gentle friends-to you, weak in body but so strong in soul, I speak. It is fitting that you should know that the last hour has arrived. [Drums. A gun.] The last earthly hope is gone-let us address ourselves to heaven. Alice. Will these men desert us? Blount. In an hour not one of those men will be living. Mrs. C. But we shall be living. Oh, recollect Cawnpore! these children will be hacked to pieces before our eyes-ourselves reserved for worse than death, and then mutilated, tortured, butchered in cold blood. Randal, will you see this done-will you not preserve us from this fate. [Alice weeps on Geordie's breast. Ran. Amy, my heart is broken. What can we do? iHrs. C. Kill us. Put us to a merciful death ere you fall. Oh, Randal, do not turn away from me-think of the fate reserved for her you love. Oh, death, death! a thousand times death! You are going to die-take us with you, Randal; if you leave us here, you are accessories to our dishonor and our murder. Bloaunt. They come, they come-already they begin to ascend the hill. 30 JESSIE BROWN, Alice. Geordie. Airs. C. Quick, or it will be too late. Quick, Randal-oh, rememher we are cowards —we are women and we may not have the courage to kill ourselves. Ran. I cannot, Amy, I cannot. -Jlrs. C. Lend me your dirk, then. Rather than see my children mutilated, tortured, they shall die. God will forgive a mother when her children plead for her. Blount. They are here, Randal-they are here. Ran. Murderers! they come for their prey. [Dashing downl his bonnet.] Yes, I will tear it from their rage. Soldiers, one volley-your last-to free your countrywomen from the clutches of the demons. One volley to their noble and true hearts, and then give your steel to the enemy. Load. [The soldiers bite off the ends of their cartridges and load their muskets. The women cast themselves into each other's arms and form a group. Blosunt. [Begins to read the servicefor the dead.] In the midst of life we are in death. [A distant wail of the bagpipes is heard. JEssiE starts from her sleep. Ran. Shoulder arms. Ready! [Another wail of the pipes is heard. Tes. Ah! [Utters a cry.] Hark-hark-dinna ye hear it? dinna ye hear it? Ay! I'm no dreamin', it's the slogan of the Highlanders! we're saved-we're saved! [Throws herself on her knees.] Oh, thank God I whose mercy never fails the strong in heart, and those that trust in him. Rasn. Relief! no! it is impossible! [ Guns outside. Jes. I heard it! I heard it! Geor. Here comes the enemy! Jes. To the guns, men, to the guns! Courage! Hark! to the slogan.'Tis the slogan of the McGregor, the grandest of them a'o There's help at last. Help! d'ye hear me? help! Ran. There is no signal from the Residency. Jessie, your ears deceive you. Airs, C. She is mad! Jes. I am not daft, my Scotch ears can hear it far awa'. [Bagpipes sound nearer.] There again-there-will ye believe it noo-d'ye hear -d'ye hear? the Campbells are comin'! [The Bagpipes swell out louder, but still distant. Distant musketry is heard to roll. Shouts! Geor. See, the flag runs up at the Residency. jTis true. [ Cannonade. Ran. To arms! men! One charge more, and this time drive your steel down the throats of the murderous foe. [Musketry. Jes. Ha! they coom! they coom! yonder is the tartan. Oh! the bonnie Highland plaid. [She waives her tartan plaid.] You have nae forgotten us. [The pipes here change the air to " Should zluld Acquaintance be Fosgot." JESSIE BRtOW N.1 DWye hear! d'ye hear, " Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot," noo lads, here come the rebels. It will be yer last chance at them. [She leaps down. Ran. Steady lads! [The Sepoys appear at the back. All. Hurrah! ~They dash utp the breast work and after firing, club their guns and disappear fighting, dr'iving the Sepoys down. Shoutts and musketry and cannonade, grow foLrious. The back scenze is covered with a Q'ed glow; ex.plosion.s, as fromn minizes, are heard, throzugh all of -which the bagpipes continzvues, fnow ver'y lottd and zear. The Jindooes appear ighting, and d'riven in at the back. They fall over the breast aoorkc; RANDAL and the Ilighlanders, wit/h their p2iper, charge up the breastwork and crown it in every direction, bearing down, the Sepoys with the bayonet. GEORDIE and his men enter L. II. CASSIDY and SWEENEy from aR. H., withl others of the men, face those of the Sepoys, who are drive-n over by the Iighlanders. TABLEAU. NOTE FROua THE AuTuOR. —The powerful incident with which this drama concludes, incited me to construct the domestic fiction contained in the first and second acts. Its dramatic value I had seen tested by Mr. Everett, on an audience at the Academy of Music, rendered breathless and hysterical by the sweet power of his pathetic description. Yet the tasl of dramatising the subject might have been abandoned had I not possessed, in my own wife, a representative for the character of Jessie Brown, singularly adapted to its realization. 1ier Scottish blood warmed to the subject; her Scotch dialect, and her power of delineating Highland character, assured me that the central figure of my dramatic group would be faithfully rendered. I hope that in the treatment of this pretty subject, the reader may find I have not injured the beautiful sentiment of the original tale. DION BOURCICAULT. TuE following account is taken from the letters of a lady, one of the rescued on the 26th September, when Lucknow was relieved by the forces under Sir Colin Campbell: "Death stared us in the face. We were fully persuaded that in twenty-four hours all would be over. The engineers had said so, and all knew the worst. We women strove to encourage each other, and to perform the light duties which had been assigned to us, such as conveying orders to the batteries and supplying the men with provisions, especially cups of coffee, which we prepared day and night. I had gone out to try and make myself useful, in company with Jessie Brown. Poor Jessie had 32 JESSIE BROWN. been in a state of restless excitement all through the siege, and had fallen awav visibly within the last few days. A constant fever consumed her, and her mind wandered occasionally, especially on that day, when the recollections of home seemed powerfully present to her. At last, overcome with fatigue, she lay down on the ground, wrapped up in her plaid. I sat beside her, promising to awaken her when, as she said, "her father should return from the plougling." She at length fell into a prof'ound slumber, motionless and apparently breathless, her head resting in my lap. I myself' could no longer resist the inclination to sleep, in spite of the continual roar of cannon. Suddenly I was aroused by a wild, unearthly scream nlose to my ear; my companion stood upright beside me, her arms raised and her head bent lorward in the attitude of listening. A look of intense delight broke over her countenance, she grasped my hand, drew me towards her, and exclaimed, "Dinna ye hear it? dinna ye hear it? Ay, I'm no dreamln'; its the slogan o' the Iiglllanders! We're saved, we're saved! " Then, flinging herself on her knees, she thanked God with passionate fervor. I felt utterly bewildered; my English ears heard only the roar of artillery, and I thought my poor Jessie was still raving, but she darted to the batteries, and I heard her cry incessantly to the men, " Courage! hark to the slogan-to the Mtacgregor, the grandest of' them a'! IHere's help at last." To describe the effect of these words upon the soldiers would be impossible. For a moment they ceased firing, and every soul listened in intense anxiety. Gradually, however, there arose a murmur of bitter disappointment, and the wailing of the women who had flocked out began anew as the Colonel shook his,head. Our dull lowland ears heard nothing but the rattle of the musketry. A few moments more of this deathlike suspense, of this agonising hope, and Jessie, who had again sunk on the ground, sprang to her feet, and cried in a voice so clear and piercing that it was heard along the whole line-" Will ye no believe it noo? Tho:nslogan has ceased, indeed, but the Carrpbells are comin'. D'ye hear, d'ye hear?" At that moment we seemed indeed to hear the voice of God in the distance, when the bagpipes of the Highlanders brought us tidings of deliverance, for now there was no longer any doubt of the fact. That shrill, penetrating, ceaseless sound, which rose above all other sounds, would come neithelfrom the advance of the enemy nor from the work of the Sappers. No, it was indeed the blast of the Scottish bagpipes, now shrill and harsh, as threatening vengeance on the foe, then in softer tones, seeming to promise succor to their friends in need. Never surely was there such a scene as that which followed. Not a heart in the Residency of Lucknow but bowed itself before God. All, by one simultaneous impulse, fell upon their knees, and nothing was heard but bursting sobs and the murmured voice of prayer. Then all arose, and there rang out firom a thousand lips a great shout of joy which resounded far and wide, and lent new vigor to that blessed bagpipe. To our cheer of " God save the Queen I " they replied in the well-known strain that moves every Scot to tears." Should auld acquaintance be forgot," &c. After that nothing else made any impression on me. I scarcely remember what followed." THE END. THE GARDE MOBILE, a Farce in 1 act, - - - London, 1851 THE QUEEN OF SPADES, in 3 acts, London, 1851 THE CORSICAN BROTHERS, in 3 acts, London 1852 t *THIE VAMPIRE, in 3 acts, - London 1852 THE PRIMA ~DONNA, in 2 acts, London 1852 GENEVIEVE, in 3 acts, - - - - - - - London 1853 I THE YOUNG ACTRESS, in 1 act, - - - - New York 1853 THE FOX HUNT, in 5 acts, - - New York 1853 ANDY BLAKE, in 2 acts, - - - - - - - Boston 1854 FAUST AND MARGARET, in 3 acts, - - - - London 1854 LOUIS THE XI, in 5 acts, - - London 1854 4*APOLLO IN NEW YORK, in 2 acts, - New York 1855'JANET PRIDE, in 5 acts, London 1855 *TIIE CHAMELEON, in 1 act, - - - New Orleans 1855 *ITHE FAIRY STAR, in 1 act, - - - - Boston 1855 *THE LIFI'E OF AN ACTRESS, in 5 acts, - - - - New Orleans 1855 *THIE PHANTOM, in 2 acts, - - - - Philadelphia 1856 AZAEL, in 3 acts, - - - - New Orleans 1856 *UNA, in 2 acts, - - - - New Orleans 1856 i NOTHING IN IT, in 1 act, - - - Philadelphia 1856 BLUEBELLE, in 2 acts, - - New York 1856 THE CAT CHANGED INTO A WOMAN, in 1 act, - - Boston 1856 *GEORGE D'ARVILLE, in 5 acts, - - - London 1857 T-IE POOR OF NEW YORK, in 5 acts, - - - - - New York 1857 This list comprises the principal and most popular works of this Dramatist, those to which a star is prefixed are original, the rest are adaptations, translations, or altered from obsolete pieces. Upwards of sixty works by the same author, are not included in the above catalogue. I1 Alj