The Scout Library, No. 4

Scouting Games

by Sir Robert S. S. Baden-Powell

Author of "Scouting for Boys," "Yarns for Boy Scouts,"
"Boy Scouts Beyond the Seas," etc.

Sixth Edition

Table of Contents

• CHAPTER XIII -- DISPLAYS
  • 1. THE "MERCURY" DISPLAY. From The Scout, October 9, 1909, 2. GOOD TURNS, 3. THE TREASURE CAMP. By P. W. Everett, 4. HOW LIVINGSTONE WAS FOUND, 5. THE DIAMOND THIEF, 6. PLAY THE GAME - A POEM By HENRY NEWBOLT, 7. TABLEAU OF THE STORMING O

CHAPTER XIII -- DISPLAYS

1. THE "MERCURY" DISPLAY. From The Scout, October 9, 1909.

This, as an example, is what we arranged for our display on the Hamble River, where we had the use of the Training Ship Mercury, as well as suitable ground ashore.

PART I. - AFLOAT.

The Mercury is at sea, becalmed in the tropics ; the crew indulge in water sports (swimming races, walking the greasy pole, riding hobby horses, diving, water polo, life-saving exhibition). A whale is sighted. Boats away. Whale hunt. Ship on fire. Fire stations. Ship abandoned. Raft built and towed by boats.

PART II. - ASHORE.

A Red Indian encampment, teepees, and fires, with a few Indians in charge. Distant singing. Red Indians in warpaint enter and break off to their fires and tents. Look-out men posted. Camp sports, marksmanship with bows and arrows or javelins, bang the bear, cock fighting, etc. Look-out man reports distant ship on fire. Excitement. Chief calls the braves together into a big circle and gives an excited address in gibberish. War dance and Ingonyama chorus. A second look-out man reports enemy coming ashore. Indians strike tents, retreat into the woods, leaving Scouts and rear-guard to watch and gradually to retire as enemy approach. Boats and raft effect a landing. Set up tents and shelters. Light fires, cook food (exhibition of camp cooking of bird in clay, bread twisted on club, etc., matmaking). Sentries posted. Signalling. Camp games (boxing, jumping, tug-of-war). Alarm smoke signal by look-out men. - Camp prepared for defense. Tents dropped. Fires extinguished. Scouts form in two ranks, front rank kneeling, to receive charge, one party meantime having gone out and taken cover to ambush the enemy. Enter Red Indians crawling, till collected in sufficient strength. They then rise and charge the camp. On coming near the defenders they suddenly find themselves counter-attacked by the ambuscade on their flank. They at once recognize that they have been out-scouted. Halt, hands up, making the Scout sign. This is responded to by the whites. They fraternize. Shake hands. Form up in a great semi-circle and sing " There's a King in the Land To-day " (from " King of Cadonia God Save the King.

2. GOOD TURNS.

HORSE AND CART.

Enter heavily loaded cart, driver out of temper with the horse which is covered with lather (soap suds). Scouts go to its relief. Loosen hamerein, give bucket of water, wipe off sweat, give the horse hay. At the same time give driver tea and food. He reclines comfortably enjoying it, while horse eats. Then driver rises, lights pipe with burning stick handed by a Scout from the fire, and goes on his way, patting the horse. Scouts meantime sprinkle sand in front of horse to make the road less slippery, and man the wheels and help the cart off.

WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

The Scouts continue resting after the cart has gone. Enter woman carrying a baby and dragging a crying child by the hand. Scouts give her tea. Then one takes the baby in his arms, another takes the child astride on his back and the mother follows them, but she goes very feebly. The other Scouts watch her for a bit. Then two run forward, and making a cross-wrist seat carry her out sitting between them.

MAKING HURDLES FOR FARMERS.

(A lot of whippy brushwood, a dozen upright stakes, bill hooks, mallet, etc., are required.) Scouts under Patrol-leader's direction plant a row of 3 foot stakes 18 inches apart and weave the withies in and out of these to make wattle-hurdles. Other Scouts with hoe go weeding. Old farmer comes in and sees what he thinks are boys up to mischief on his ground, tiptoes out again and fetches whip. Steals quickly up behind the group, but when about to attack he sees what they are doing. Patrol- leader (in dumb show) explains that they are hoeing his weeds and mending his fences and chopping firewood for him. Old farmer (in dumb show) says: " Do you mean, you are doing all this for me ?" "Yes." He goes off mightily pleased and comes back with a basket of apples (or other good things) and offers them to the boys, but the Patrol-leader (again dumb show) thanks him but says they do not require any reward. The farmer, much surprised, says : " Well, I'm blowed ! " (in dumb show), and then insists on giving something to each Scout, which they then grinningly accept and eat. And as he toddles off again they sing "Be Prepared" chorus to him to show that they are pleased.

THE FOUNDLING.

(For this a rough perambulator made out of an old box and four small wheels must be prepared beforehand. These should be packed inside the box at first, as the Scouts have to put it together, pretending to build it.)

SCOUTS Resting. Enter, all alone, a little child who has lost her way: as she wanders about the scouts look at her and one gets up and calls to her and finally goes to her and leads her in to the others. They make a pet of her, give her food, and with hammer, etc., set to work to make the perambulator. When it is finished the distracted mother enters, looking everywhere for her child, and at last finds her among the Scouts. Great Delight. The Scouts put the child into perambulator and the mother goes off gratefully waving to them and dragging the perambulator.

BLIND MAN. Enter a lot of urchins jeering at a blind man who is feeling the way with his stick. Boys knock his hat off and kick his stick away. The Scouts run to his rescue, drive off the boys, and hunt them till they capture them. They tie each prisoner's wrists together with a neckerchief, push his elbows well back and pass a staff through both elbows, and behind his back, thus trussing him. Meanwhile one Scout (or two) help the blind man to find his hat and stick and then lead him off and put him on his way. Patrol-leader then acts as if addressing the prisoners. He explains to them about being Scouts, whose duty it is, instead of bullying people, to help them in every way. The prisoners then want to become Scouts. They are promptly unbound. They make the sign and take the oath. The other Scouts all shake hands with them. Fall in. All march off together singing " Ingonyama."

3. THE TREASURE CAMP. By P. W. Everett.

Two patrols of Scouts represent explorers in a strange country returning from an expedition, and bringing treasure down to the coast. They camp for the night, and place box containing treasure at the back of their tent. Two sentries in overcoats are on guard, one on either side of the camp. Other Scouts light fire, prepare evening meal, and finally roll themselves up in their coats and turn in The sentry on guard at rear of camp notices the bushes move, and goes to investigate. A Scout, dressed to represent native thief, rises to his feet and confronts him, raising a spear. As the sentry prepares to defend himself, two more natives creep up behind him, throwing a thick cloth over his head and binding his hands and feet. One of the natives puts on sentry's hat and overcoat and stealthily approaches back of tent, while the other two thieves take bound sentry into hiding. The first thief reaches tent and extracts box without being discovered. He is laboriously dragging it towards cover where his two pals are hiding when the other sentry becomes suspicious of his movements, an alarm is raised, the Scouts are roused and come running up, and the thief with the treasure is captured. They also find the gagged sentry, and bring him into camp and revive him. Meanwhile the other two thieves have made off across country. The prisoner is bound and a guard set over him. After a short interval the prisoner asks for water, which the guard goes to fetch. While he is gone the sentry is overpowered by the two other thieves, who have crept up again to find out the fate of their comrade. They set him free, and all three go off.

Almost immediately the Scouts find what has happened, and a party sets off on the trail of the thieves. One of the Scouts is seen to fall, evidently shot. A second Scout signals to camp for assistance, while the rest of the party continue tracking the thieves. Meanwhile the injured Scout is carried into camp on a stretcher and his wounds attended to. After an interval the rest of the party return, bringing back in triumph the three captured thieves securely bound. There has evidently been a terrific fight, as one of the Scouts has his arm in a sling, another a bandaged foot, one of the thieves a bandaged head, but can walk, while a second is unconscious and is carried by one of the Scouts. The party reach camp, and the victorious Scouts dance their famous war dance round the captured thieves. The camp is then struck, and the whole party depart, the thieves under escort.

4. HOW LIVINGSTONE WAS FOUND.

Scene : JUNGLE IN CENTRAL AFRICA.

(Enter savage warriors escorting their chief, drumming and singing the chant of their tribe. At the center of the stage they form up round the chief in a semicircle. Native Scout runs in, R., bows down to the King, and speaks excitedly.)

SCOUT Sir, a white jackal is within hail. A white man approaches near to thee.

CHIEF Has he with him a multitude of men ? They tell me white men never come singly. They come in hordes like locusts, bearing with them noise-making weapons that spit fire and sting men to death.

SCOUT No, sir; he is alone, save that he has with him two natives to show the way and to bear his baggage.

CHIEF What brings him here ?

SCOUT I know not, lord; but he gave me this token as a sign of peace towards you.
(Hands small wooden cross to chief.)

SCOUT (turns and cries). But see, my lord, he comes without waiting your permission.

(Enter LIVINGSTONE, followed by two natives carrying bundles of bedding, clothing and food on their heads.)

LIVINGSTONE (stops, R., raises his right hand, and cries). Hail, O chief!

CHIEF (aside to his attendants). So this is a white man who does not kneel or even bow to me; tell him, one of you, that such is not our custom.

(A native crosses to LIVINGSTONE and whispers to him, and imitates bowing, etc., to show him what to do.)

LIVINGSTONE (aloud). No, I bow not to any native man. I salute him to show that my right hand is not armed, and that I recognize him as a man, but I kneel only to God.
(Walks up to CHIEF and shakes him by the hand.)
Good-day to you; I am glad to meet you and your people.

CHIEF (replies). All hail, white man.

LIVINGSTONE. I see you - have my token there. It means " good-will and peace between us." That cross has four arms, like the human race, for there are four great divisions of man-the whites in Europe, the blacks in Africa, the red in America, and the yellow in Asia; but human beings all of them, forming the four branches of one great family. The whites are better off than either the black, the red, or the yellow, because they have the knowledge and the love of God, which raises them above the rest.

CHIEF But what do you here all alone, or have you more behind you, that you boldly come thus into my land and presence ? Know you not that, with one signal to my men, I could have you killed at any moment ?

LIVINGSTONE What matters that ? You cannot kill what is within me that is, my soul. My body you could kill, 'tis true, but my soul you cannot touch-it goes back to God above, who lent it to this body while on the earth. You will not kill me, for I have come to do you good-to tell you that you, too, have got a soul.

CHIEF What, one like yours that will not die, although I die ? I wish I had. Can you perhaps bestow one on me ?

LIVINGSTONE No; God Himself has done that long ago. It only needs that you should develop it by working well for God.

CHIEF Good sir, this seems a wondrous matter that you show to me. Sit down and rest you here many days, and teach me all this thing. On slaves! (Natives run forward.) Fetch hither food for this good man, and clean a hut and place his goods within. Feed, too, his men and let them rest.

(Natives spread blankets on The ground. CHIEF sits in the center, LIVINGSTONE near and hall facing him. Natives squat all round.)

CHIEF Now tell me more of whence you came and why you came, and whither you go from hence.

LIVINGSTONE I am but an ordinary man, and years ago, when but a little boy, I worked at spinning cotton in a great big mill in Scotland, far away across the seas. But in the long, dark evenings after work I loved to read from books, which you poor natives do not understand as yet, and in these books were told me all the wonders of the plants and flowers, the birds and beasts, and foreign lands, that made me want to wander. So I came across the seas a long voyage in a ship, on which I learnt about the stars, and what their places are up in the heavens. Then, when I reached this land, I wandered across the deserts and forests of the South. I saw its mountains and its vales, its running rivers, and the mighty falls of water called " the Smoke that Sounds (native name for the Victoria Falls). Then, as I roamed across the land, I saw the plants and beasts which I had read about. (Laughs.) Too close I saw the beasts, for one-a lion-once caught me and .near mauled me to the death. See here his marks upon my arm. But, like all Scouts, I had learnt well the art of curing wounds, and so I made a cure by cooking leaves and making thus some bandages.

CHIEF What, canst thou also cure the sick and wounded?

LIVINGSTONE Of course I can.

CHIEF (to attendants). Then bring me quick my injured son, Lompolo.

LIVINGSTONE (continuing). And everywhere across the land I found men like yourselves, kind-hearted and willing to receive me, and I seldom departed without leaving them more peaceful and more happy for the thought that they had souls within them that would never die, but only live according to the good they did, as I will shortly show to you ; but here comes your son.

(Enter LOMPOLO, being supported. He has a bad wound on his arm. He sinks down, and Livingstone takes off covering, puts on fresh medicine, and bandages him, talking all the time.)

LIVINGSTONE This is not the right dressing; I Will give you better. There, that will do you good' (and so on).

(While he is busy with the patient a noise is heard without. A native runs in and kneels to the Chief.)

NATIVE Oh, chief, another white man comes, with hordes of native men armed with spears and guns. They threaten that if you will not come forth to meet them they will do us harm such as we shall not easily forget.

(Enter STANLEY. About to go up to the CHIEF, but sees LIVINGSTONE, at work on LOMPOLO. Stops short, strides up to LIVINGSTONE, takes off cap, and says- )

STANLEY Dr. Livingstone, I presume.

(LIVINGSTONE rises, stares for a moment, and then shakes hands with him.)

STANLEY To think we have met at last. For months have I been seeking you, hoping and fearing alternately-for it seemed as though I should never find you. You moved with so small an escort that it is difficult to trace your journeys.

LIVINGSTONE I am glad to meet you. You are the first white Man I have seen for months. At the same time I do not know why you should wish to find me; but if there is aught you wish me to do-why, let me do it to the best of my ability.

STANLEY perhaps you do not know that all your countrymen are hanging on your fate, and want you safely home, and I have been sent to find you and bring you back to your home and native land.

LIVINGSTONE But what is it they want of me? I do not see how my help can be of use to them, when it is of use here. What is it they want of me ?

STANLEY Naught but to see you back again. You have been lost to them for years. They know your work, they love you for it, and would even see you home again.

LIVINGSTONE I have but one home, and that is

STANLEY No, but I have been sent to bring you forth from this-to bring you back to Scotland and your own people once more.

LIVINGSTONE I fail to understand it. You, too, whom I have never known before, Who are you ?

STANLEY I am a Celt, like yourself; for you are a Scotsman. I was born in Wales. My name was Rowlands, but I went to sea, and as a cabin boy I reached America, and there, from office stool, I worked my way up till my employer took me as his son and gave his name to me-Stanley. I took to literary work, became a journalist, and as such have been sent to view this country and to search for you. I have been searching for you for this many months, until at last I began to fear that you were a "Will-o'-the-Wisp" who never would be found.

LIVINGSTONE Well, now you have found me, go you back to those who sent you, tell them I am well and happy, but am busy here.

STANLEY (astonished). But will you not come back home with me ?

LIVINGSTONE My home is where my work is-my work is here, so here is my home.

STANLEY And is that all you have to say ?

LIVINGSTONE Yes, that is all. If you will eat and rest I shall be glad. If you will not, then all I can say is farewell. I must go to work upon this injured boy.

(He turns and goes back to LOMPOLO, after shaking hands with STANLEY. STANLEY wheels about and departs. The sick boy is raised by the natives and carried out, attended by LIVINGSTONE and followed by the Chief.)

5. THE DIAMOND THIEF.

A party of prospectors have been out into the wild country in South Africa, and have found a magnificent diamond. They are now making their way back to civilization with it. Horse-sickness has killed off their horses, and so they are doing their journey on foot, carrying their blankets, food, and cooking-pots.

As the heat of the day comes on they camp for a time, meaning to push on again at night. They rig up blanket tents and light fires and cook their food, weave mattresses, sing songs of home, play cards, etc. The diamond is taken out of the sardine tin in which it is kept for all to look at and admire. It is then put carefully back. The box is placed out in the open where it can be seen, and one man is told off as sentry to guard it. The remainder have their food, and then gradually lie down to sleep.

When the camp is all still the sentry gets tired of standing, and presently sits down and begins to nod. While he is dozing the diamond thief sneaks into sight, creeps near to the camp, and crouches, watching the sleeping man; when the sentry wakes up for a moment with a start the thief crouches flat. Eventually the sentry reclines and goes to sleep. Inch by inch the chief creeps up, till he stealthily removes the sentry's gun (or pistol) out of his reach ; then he swiftly glides up to the diamond box, seizes it, and steals quietly away without being discovered, dodges about, walks backwards, and wipes out his tracks as he goes in order to confuse pursuers.

The leader wakes with a yawn, and, looking round, starts when he sees there is no sentry standing about. He springs up, rushes to the sleeping sentry, shakes him up, and asks him where is the diamond. Sentry wakes up confused and scared. Remainder wake and crowd angrily -together, threatening and questioning the sentry. Then one suddenly sees the footprints of the thief ; he follows in jerks of a few paces along the trail ; the rest follow and help to pick it up, first one and then another finding it, till they go off the scene. The leader is about to follow them when he stops and waves them onward, and then turns back to the sentry, who is standing stupefied. He hands him a pistol, and hints to him that, having ruined his friends by his faithlessness, he may as well shoot himself. The leader then turns to follow the rest, looking about for them. A shout is heard in the distance just as the guilty sentry is putting the pistol to his head. The leader stops him from shooting himself, and both stand listening to shouts in the distance.

Remainder of the men return, bringing in with them the thief and the diamond all safe. They then sit round in a semi-circle, the leader on a mound or box in the center, with the diamond in front of him. The thief, standing with arms bound, is tried and condemned to be shot. He goes away a few paces and sits down with his back to the rest and thinks over his past life. They try the sentry, and condemn him as a punishment for his carelessness to shoot the thief. All get up. They start to dig a grave. When ready the thief is made to stand up, his eyes are bound. The sentry takes a pistol and shoots him. Remainder then bring a blanket and lift the dead man into it and carry him to the grave-to the opposite side from the audience, so that every one can see the "body" lowered into the grave. They then withdraw the blanket, fill in the grave, and trample the earth down. All shake hands with the sentry to show that they forgive him. Finally they pack up camp and continue their journey with the diamond. Or another alternative is to hang the thief on a tree and to leave him hanging.

At the foot of the tree which is to form the gallows dig a small trench beforehand; carefully conceal it with grass, etc., and hide in it a dummy figure made to look as much as possible like the Scout who is to be hanged. When the prisoner is taken to execution, make him lie down to be pinioned close to this trench. .,While the scouts are busy round him in binding him and putting on the noose, they of course substitute the dummy for the real boy, who then slides into the ditch and hides there.

N.B.-The grave is managed thus. A hole must be previously prepared near to the edge of the arena. Then a tunnel is made by which the " corpse " can creep out of the grave and get away underground. This is done by digging a trench and roofing it with boards or hurdles and covering it over with earth and turf again, so that the audience will not notice it. The grave, too, Is made in the same way, but shallower and partly filled up with sods ; the diggers remove the top earth, then, hidden by the rest crowding round, they remove the board and pile up the sods on the surface. As soon as the " corpse " is lowered into the grave he creeps away down the tunnel, and so goes off the scene. The diggers throw in some earth, jump down and trample it, then pile up the sods on top till they make a nice-looking grave. The whole thing wants careful rehearsing beforehand, but is most effective when well done, especially if accompanied by sympathetic music. It is a good display for an open-air show to attract a crowd when raising funds for your troop.

6. PLAY THE GAME - A POEM By HENRY NEWBOLT.

RECITATION.

There's a breathless hush in the close to-night

Ten to make and the match to win

A bumping pitch and a blinding light,

An hour to play, and the last man in.

And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat.

Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,

But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote

[Action : The captain steps up to the batsman, puts his hand on his shoulder, and says to him urgently-]

"Play up! Play up ! And play the game !"

Scene II. - Tableau. Soldiers in a hard-fought fight retreating-a young officer among them.

RECITATION.

The sand of the desert is sodden red-

Red with the wreck of the square that broke

The gatling's jammed and the colonel dead,

And the regiment blind with dust and smoke.

The river of death has brimmed its banks,

And England's far and Honor a name,

But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks-

[Action : The young officer stands forward, pointing his sword to the enemy, and the retreating soldiers turn ready to charge with him as he cries-]

"Play up ! Play up ! And play the game !"

Scene III. - A procession of all kinds of men, old ones at the head, middle-aged in center, young ones behind-soldiers, sailors, lawyers, workmen, footballers, etc., etc.-Scotch, Irish, English, Colonial-all linked hand in hand.

RECITATION.
This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the school is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.

This they all with joyful mind
And Bear through life Eke a torch in flame,br> falling fling to the host behind-
[Action: The leader flings out a Union Jack and calls to the rest-]
"Play up! Play up! And play the game !"

[One in the center then calls back to the juniors:]
"Play up! Play up! And play the game!"
[The smallest of the juniors steps forward and cries to the audience]
"PLAY up! PLAY up! AND PLAY THE GAME!"

7. TABLEAU OF THE STORMING OF DELHI.

Lord Roberts, in Forty-one Years in India, describes how the Kashmir Gate of Delhi was captured by the British troops during the Mutiny. Lieutenants Home and Salkeld, with eight sappers and a bugler of the 52nd Regiment, went forward to blow the gate open for the column to get into Delhi. The enemy were apparently so astounded at the audacity of this proceeding that for a minute or two they offered but slight resistance. They soon, however, discovered how small the party was and the object for which it had come, and forthwith opened a deadly fire upon the gallant little band from the top of the gateway, from the city wall, and through the open wicket.

The bridge over the ditch in front of the gateway had been destroyed, and it was with some difficulty that the single beam which remained could be crossed. Home, with the men carrying the powder bags, got over first. As the bags were being attached to the gate Sergeant Carmichael was killed, and Havildar (native Sergeant) Madhoo wounded. The rest then slipped into the ditch to allow the firing party, which had come up under Salkeld, to carry out its share of the duty. While endeavoring to fire the charge Salkeld was shot through the leg and arm, and handed the slow match to Corporal Burgess. Burgess succeeded in his task, but fell mortally wounded as he did so. As soon as the explosion took place, Bugler Hawthorne sounded the regimental call of the 52nd as a signal to the attacking column to advance. In this way the troops got in through the Kashmir Gate, and Delhi was taken. Lieutenant Home was unfortunately killed within a few weeks by an accidental explosion of a mine he was firing, otherwise he would have received the V.C.

8. THE S.A.C.

SCENE: A Native Kraal or village of beehive straw huts at the back. A lot of native warriors strolling or sitting about. The Chief, a fine big savage in war paint, enters at right with one or two Indians or headmen. Warriors all spring together to salute him, right hand held aloft, and all shout " Bayate." The Chief then compares himself with a lion and the whites with jackals, and announces that some of the tribe have captured a party of whites, and he calls them forward. Enter more savages at right, leading white prisoners, two or three men, women and children. The men wounded and bloodstained. They huddle at R.C. (right center) back of stage. Warriors yell excitedly, pick up their assagais, dance war dance round prisoners, and then rush to kill them, but are stopped by the Chief at L.C. (left center) shouting: " Stay-kill them not. Not yet. I have a better use for them than that," and explains that he will invite the Government at Pretoria to ransom them with gold. When the gold is received he will release them, that his men may then kill them. Warriors shout in acclamation, crowd round the Chief (at left center) and bow down to him, kissing his feet or the ground he walks on. In the midst of the hubbub a South African Constabulary trooper appears (at right), dismounts and stands. Warriors cringe away at left behind their Chief, staring at the trooper angrily.

TROOPER: "How now, dogs, what is this" ( He walks towards the Chief and says: ) "Chief Sikomo, I am a messenger of the Great White King."

Warriors shift back (at left) a pace or two, leaving the Chief standing alone (at left center). The Trooper suddenly draws two pistols and puts one to the head of the Chief and with the other covers the warriors. To them he says,

TROOPER: "Your Chief is a dead man if you move a finger to his rescue. As for you, Warriors, turn about: if any man shows his face this way it will bring a bullet to his heart. Now each man drop his weapons, (they do so) and now walk."

(Warriors turn facing away from the trooper.)

TROOPER: (to the white prisoners). " Now, good people, get you on your road again. You are safe."

They hurry off (at right).

TROOPER: " Now, Warriors, your Chief goes with me or he falls dead here."
(To the CHIEF). "It will be well for you to come in peace with me. I am going to bring you in, alive or dead. I don't much care which-that rests with you. So Warriors, to your Kraals else Sikomo dies. "

(WARRIORS exit at left.) To Sikomo : )

TROOPER: Now, will you go ?

Sikomo half turns to call his warriors, but trooper threatens with pistol. The Chief with a gesture of despair turns and moves off (at right) followed by the trooper with pistol, and looking back to guard against an attack by the warriors.

9. POCAHONTAS; or, THE CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.

ENTER: A band of Red Indians, scooting. The leading scout suddenly signals to the others to halt and hide, and remains himself keenly looking ahead. The PATROL LEADER creeps nearer to him, and they speak in a loud whisper.

EAGLE'S WING (Patrol Leader). Ho, Silver Fox, What dost thou see?

SILVER FOX (the leading Scout). My leader, I saw but just now a strange figure ahead-but for the moment I see it not. There was an Indian, one of the hated Assock tribe, and close by him was a being who looked like a man yet not a man. He wore no feathers, no war paint. But his body was all hidden in skins or cloths, and his head was covered with a huge kind of protector. He had, it is true, two arms and legs, but his face was of a horrible color-not bronze like ours, but an awful white, like that of a dead man, and half covered with a bush of hair.

EAGLE'S WING It must be either a medicine man or devil.

SILVER FOX (still gazing ahead). Look there, he moves !

(PATROL LEADER springs forward and crouches near SILVER Fox.)

Close to yonder birch tree. What is it he carries ? A heavy shining staff of iron. See, he is pointing at those ducks with it. Ah !

(Report of gun in the distance.)

EAGLE'S WING Scouts I There is the devil before us. He spits fire and smoke from an iron staff.

SILVER FOX Aye, and see how the birds fall dead before hint.

EAGLE'S WING Yes, he is a very devil. What a prize for us if we can kill him and take his scalp.

SCOUTS Nay, nay. He is a devil. He will kill us !

SILVER FOX Yes, that is true. There is a saying, "Let dogs that sleep lie sleeping, then they harm you not. Let us leave this devil so he harm us not.

SCOUTS Aye, aye.

EAGLE'S WING Scouts, What woman's talk is this? Are ye no longer scouts and warriors when ye see a foe ? The worse the foe the greater the glory of defeating him. Are four Sioux scouts afraid of one, even though he be the devil himself ? Begone to your lodges, but never call yourselves warriors more. Ye be dogs I Ours but to harbor such thoughts. For me I am going to have that scalp - devil or no devil, I am going to have that scalp !

SILVER FOX Pardon, my leader I am no cur. Any man I will fight, but a witch or the devil is more than I had thought on. But if you mean to face him, why, then, so do I.

SCOUTS Ay, and so do all of us.

EAGLE'S WING 'Tis well, my Scouts. But soft, he is coming this way. What luck! Better than scalping him, we will catch him alive, and present him living to our King. Hide. Hide yourselves. Lie close around his path, and, when I give the call, then rush upon him and secure him.

(All hide, R.)

(Enter CAPT. JOHN SMITH, L., accompanied by Indian guide, who is tied to SMITH'S left arm by his wrist by means of a garter - colored tape.)

SMITH How now, my untruthful friend ? You have just told me that there are no Indians in this part of the country, and here are footmarks of several quite fresh, and see where the grass quite newly trod down is still giving out juice. They must be quite close by. Lucky that I have thee tied to me, else could you run away and leave me guideless; but whatever befalls us now we share the risks together. How like you that, my red cock-sparrow ?

(An arrow whizzes past.)

Ha! They're not far off. Behold, they come, but they'll find one Briton is stouter stuff than the foes that they're accustomed to.

(The Red Indians are heard shouting their war cries without. Arrows fly past. John SMITH fires, loads, and fires again, talking all the time, while his native guide crouches back alarmed.)

SMITH (laughing). Ha! ha ! They like not my rifle- fire. They run, the dogs I Another bites the dust. (Patting his rifle.) Well done, thou trusty Bess-thou art a good lass, There! Have at them again. (Fires.) Good; another falls I But now they rally and come on again - their leader gives them heart. Well, and we will give them lead.

(Fires again. To his guide, who is very frightened.)

Cheer up. Gadzooks, but I like their leader-that last ball struck him, still he fainteth not. He leads them on again. By my head! but we shall yet have a decent fight of it. Aid me, St. George, and let me show what stuff an Englishman is made of.

(As he presses forward the guide in his fear slips down and accidentally drags SMITH down with him.)

How now-fool You have undone me.

(Indians rush in from all sides, spring on to SMITH, and after a severe struggle capture him and bind his arms behind his back. He stands panting and smiling. The Indians stand back on either side while EAGLE'S WING - with one arm bleeding-addresses him.)

EAGLE'S WING So, devil, we have thee caught at last. Four good warriors hast thou sent to their happy hunting-grounds, but our turn has come and we have thee fast-a prize for kings-and for our King.

SMITH Well, 'twas a good fight, and you deserve to win for facing rifle-fire, which you had never seen before. I should like to shake you by the hand had I a hand free to do it with. But by St. George, had it not been for this white-livered knave who dragged me down, there would have been more of you to join your hunting-party down below. But who is this who comes ?

(Scouts' chorus heard, without, "Ingonyama," etc. Scouts all raise their hands and join in the chorus, looking off to R.)

(Enter KING POWHATTAN, R., with his chiefs and warriors.)

KING How now! Eagle's Wing, what have you here ?

EAGLE'S WING My lord, we have just fought and foiled a very devil. We killed him not in order that you, our liege, might have him to see and question and to kill yourself. (Brings gun.) He used the lightning and the thunder of Heaven with this engine, so that he killeth those he hateth. Four of us he yonder stricken dead therewith. He is a very devil.

KING (to SMITH.) SO What be you ? Devil or witch or Indian painted white What do you here ?

SMITH Hail, King ! I am no witch nor devil-nothing but a man-an Englishman, which is something more than a mere man. I came across the seas. Five moons it took me; so far away my country is. But here I am, and where I am there follow others. And we come to tell you of a greater King, than thou. Our King who is now to be your king also.

KING (very angry). What ! a greater King than I ? Knave, how dare you, whether devil or no-how dare thou speak like this ? Aye, I have heard of these white folk. Art not afraid ?

SMITH Nay. I have faced the seas and storms, the anger of the elements, beside which the rage of men is very small. (Laughing.) Forget not-I am an Englishman-an Englishman knows not fear.

KING Ho! Say you so ? We'll soon put that beyond all question by a proof.

(Draws dagger, rushes on SMITH with a yell, as if to stab him, and stops the knife only as it touches SMITH's breast. SMITH does not flinch.)

Ah !

SMITH A joke was it. (Laughs.) By St. George, I thought you meant to kill me.

(Enter PRINCESS POCAHONTAS (the KING'S DAUGHTER. R. Aside.)

POCAHONTAS What is this strange being ? A man, yet not a red man. He has a noble look. Alas! that he should fall into my father's power, for he will surely slay him.

KING (to SMITH). And thou wert, not afraid ?

SMITH Nay. Why should I be ? I have long ago thought out how to meet my fate. Death and I have looked at each other face to face before now, and death has a kindly smile for any one who has never willfully done ill to a fellow creature ; to such an one he is no longer a dreaded demon, but a kindly host.

KING Well! he'll have a guest before long now; for since you say he is a friend of yours it proves that you are, as my people first told me, some kind of witch or devil yourself. Therefore, it will be well for the land that we do slay thee. Besides, I have not seen a man's red blood for many days, and I am tired of the blood of the Assocks.

(POCAHONTAS shrinks down, holding her ears.)

I shall dearly like to see bow looks the blood of a white half-man half-devil. But first I want to see him cower, and squeal for mercy; for therein lies the joy of killing.

(Calls to his Warriors.) Ho ! there I Stretch out this devil on the ground, and let him learn that death is not the joy he thinks it is.

(They drag SMITH down, and lay him on his back on the ground, c. One holds his feet, but the rest, finding that he does not struggle, stand back ; two prepare to use their battle-axes on him, while the rest dance weird dances, singing Ingonyama chorus round him. The executioners make false blows at his head-but he never flinches.)

POCAHONTAS (kneeling beside the KING, R.), Oh ! King-I have not often asked for gifts from you-and now I pray you, on my bended knee, to grant me this request. I have no slave to guard me when I walk abroad. It is not seemly that I take a young brave of our tribe, and the old ones are so very old and slow. Now here is a slave of whom one may be proud-one strange to see yet strong and great and brave. Ah I give him to thy child instead of unto death.

KING Nay I nay I my child. If you like not the scene, withdraw, for he shall die. 'Tis sport for me to see how long he lasts before he cries for mercy. And when he does he dies. (To WARRIORS.) Now stand him up, and try some new device to make him quail.

(POCAHONTAS shrinks back. They raise SMITH, and he strands boldly lacing them.)

KING Death now comes to thee, and thou hast no chance of escaping him. Art thou not now afraid of him ?

SMITH Nay. Why should I be? We men are born not for ourselves but as a help to others ; and if we act thus loyally we know our God will have us in His care both now and after death.

KING But after death you're dead ?

SMITH Not so. A Christian lives again.

KING (to SMITH.) Well now your hour has come. I know not what has brought you to this land, but you shall know that witch or no, your spell can have no power on me; and you will die, and I shall smile to see you die.

SMITH What brought me here was duty to my King and God and countrymen; to spread his powerful sway over all the earth, that you and yours may know of God, that trade may spread to carry peace and wealth through- out the world. If you accept these views all will be well; if you accept them not then do your worst, but use your haste; our mission is to clean the world I Kill me, but that will not avail, for where I fail a thousand more will come. Know this, O Savage King, a Briton's word is trusted over all the world ; his first care is for others-not himself; he sticks to friend through thick and thin ; he's loyal to his King. And though you threat with death or pains, he'll do his duty to the end.

KING (springs angrily forward). I'll hear no more. You offer terms to me, the King ! Down, dog, upon your knees, and meet the death you feign to smile at.

(To WARRIORS.) Strike, strike, and smash this vermin from my path.

(PRINCESS POCAHONTAS, who has been cowering in the back- ground, runs forward and places herself close in front of CAPT. JOHN SMITH, so as to protect him from the WARRIORS, who are preparing, R. and BACK, to rush at him with their spears and axes.)

POCAHONTAS Hold ! Warriors -I am your Princess, and to get at him you have to kill me first. (To KING.) O King-I call you no more Father." O King, your rule has been a time of blood and murder. I was too young to think before, but now I know that all your works are cruel, bad, not just.

(WARRIORS lower their weapons, and whisper among themselves, as if saying: " Yes. She's quite right.")

And I have been obedient as your child till now. But now my eyes are opened, and I see that as King you are neither just nor kind towards your tribe or other men. To bring it home to you, I swear that if you slay this man you also slay your daughter! For I'll not leave him thus to die alone. (To WARRIORS.) Now, braves, come on and do your work. (They hang back.) How now-you never feared an enemy, so why fear me ?

EAGLE'S WING (bowing). Nay, sweet Princess, it may not be. We care not what of men we kill in fighting for our land, but this we cannot do to raise a hand against a woman, and she our own Princess.

KING (furious). How now I What talk is this ? Ye speak as though you had no King and no commands. Slay on strike true, and spare not man nor maid, for she no longer is a child of mine.

(Braves still hesitate.)

Ye will not ? Dogs, wouldst have me do it for myself? I will, and, what is more, I'll slay you, Eagle's Wing, for this, and you too

(Enter a warrior SCOUT, L., who rushes up to the KING and kneels while shots are heard outside.)

SCOUT O King ! There be more white devils over there. They're pressing on, and none can stand against them.

KING (to WARRIORS). Stand firm, and kill these devils as they come. To every brave who takes a white man's scalp I'll give the noblest feather for his head. Stand firm! Bend well your bows.

(While the KING and WARRIORS are looking Off L. towards the fight, POCAHONTAS takes SMITH R., draws a dagger and Cuts JOHN SMITH's arms loose. He shakes hands with her. Taking the dagger, he rushes to the KING, and seizing his hair with one hand, and threatening him with the dagger with the other, he leads him C.)

SMITH Now yield thee, King, as prisoner, or I will send thee quick to other hunting-grounds. (To WARRIORS, who rush forward to rescue the KING.) Nay, stand you there: another step, and lo, your King will die. (A pause. All stand quite still.) I will not harm if he lists to me.

(Leads KING to front, C., and then lets go his hold of him. WARRIORS remain at back. Distant noise of fighting, cries and shots heard all the time. WARRIORS keep looking off to see how the fight is going on.)

(SMITH standing L., facing KING, C. POCAHONTAS, R., WARRIORS, back.)

SMITH If you would live in peace, your only way is now to join with us. Our God is stronger than your idols, and our King is king of many tribes far greater and more powerful than your own. But if you join with us your wicked ways must cease ; no more to kill your people for no crime, no more to steal their goods or beasts, no more to make them slaves against their will. Beneath the British flag all men are free.

(WARRIORS whisper among themselves. SMITH turns to them.)

What say you ? Will you join and serve our King, and live in peace, or will you go on being slaves of cruel chiefs, to live a life of fear and poverty

EAGLE'S WING Nay. We should like to join you well, but we have always been faithful to our King, and what he says, why that is what we'll do.

SMITH You're right in being faithful to your King. Now, King, what say you ? Will you join our mighty King with all your braves, or will you face his power and be destroyed ?

KING (sullenly). You talk as though you were a king yourself and conqueror, instead of but a prisoner in my hands. You must be mad or very brave, since I could kill thee at one stroke.

SMITH Well, mad or brave, it matters not; but there are others just as mad or brave out there, who even now (points O.# L.) are pressing back your men; and were your men to kill off all of us, a thousand more will come for each one killed, and in the end you too would meet your fate. Know this, that Britain, once she puts her hand to the plough for doing noble work, does not withdraw, but presses on till peace and justice are set up, and cruel wrongs redressed. You would yourself remain as King among your people, but beneath the friendly wing of Britain's world-wide power.

KING (to WARRIORS). My braves! I never asked your will before; but ye have heard what this brave man has said. What think ye ? Should we yield or fight this white man's power ?

EAGLE'S WING My King, we all say "yield," and join this mighty power, whereby we shall ourselves be strong.

POCAHONTAS (kneeling to KING, R.). Once more I call thee father, and I pray, for all the wives and children of our tribe, that you will take this noble man's advice, and bring true peace at last into our land.

(Kisses KING'S hands and remains kneeling while he speaks.)

KING 'Tis well. Fair sir, we yield; and on our oath we swear allegiance to your King for aye and ever, weal or woe. We will be true.

(holding up right Hand in Scouts' sign).

WARRIORS (holding up right hand in Scouts' salute). We will be true.

SMITH (taking St. George's flag from under his coat, and tying it on to a Scout's staff, holds it allot).

Behold your flag, the flag of St. George and Merry England !

(WARRIORS salute and sing Ingonyama Chorus. Band plays " Rule Britannia ------ CURTAIN.)

DRESSES.

WARRIORS.

Band or tape round head, with plait of hair over ear, and four goose feathers with black tips. Naked body colored red brick dust color.

Trousers: light-colored if possible, with strips of colored rag and goose feathers stitched all down the outside seam of the leg. Bare feet. Bow and arrows and staff.

KING.

Like warriors, but with red blanket or shawl over one shoulder, and headdress made of linen band with goose feathers, some upright in it and continued down the back.

POCAHONTAS.

Headdress band of linen, with three upright goose feathers and two drooping on each side ; also a plait of hair over each shoulder. Brass curtain-rings tied with thread round each ear as earrings. Necklace of beads, also bracelets. A skirt. Colored short petticoat under it. Bare feet.

JOHN SMITH.

Big hat with pheasant's tail feathers. Beard and moustache and long hair of tow or crepe hair. Could all be stitched to hat if desired. Steel gorget or wide, soft linen collar ; long 'brown r yellow coat, with big belt. Bagging knickerbockers. Stockings. Shoes with big buckles. Old-fashioned flint-lock gun.

SCENERY.

Strips of brown paper, I ft. to I 1/2 ft. wide, and 2 ft. to 3 ft. wide at the bottom will represent trees if stuck up on the back wall, and marked with charcoal and chalk to represent rough bark.

10. KIDNAPPED.

Two tramps now make their way on the scene, Weary Willie and Tired Tim, and commence to beg from the man, who gives them a coin. They, however, want more, and threaten him, till he runs away. They notice the child and resolve to take him with them, and throwing a coat over his head, steal away with him. He, in the struggle, kicks off his boot, which is left on the ground. They disappear.

Enter red-faced farmer, who gets excited when he sees Scouts' tent and fire, and he yells for his man and demands explanations. Now enter patrol of Scouts, marching. Farmer goes up and abuses the Patrol-leader, and orders them to take themselves off, threatening to use his whip. The leader explains that the man had given permission, etc. Farmer roars out for " Garge."

" Garge " enters with white face and in terror, wringing his hands, and explains that the farmer's little son is missing, and he expects the tramps have taken him. Thereupon Patrol-leader steps up and offers to find and bring him back if the farmer wishes. He agrees, and they depart, farmer and man with them. They find as they go the shoe. This gives them the trail, and they disappear in the tramps' direction. (Bushes or trees will make this possible.)

Tramps enter with boy, sit down for meal, thrash the child, and then go to sleep. A Scout appears, discovers them, and goes back to report. The patrol works up to the tramps, surrounds them, and struggle ensues, the tramps being captured and led away prisoners, and the child placed on improvised stretcher and carried home, to farmer, who profusely thanks and wishes to reward them; but this is refused by leader, who says they will be more than satisfied if the farmer will permit them to use his (field for their camp, etc., and so exit.

11. SAVING LIFE

Scouts sitting at ease. Enter a runaway horse and cart 'the driver should be lying out of sight in the bottom of the cart, with opening made in the front of cart for reins to go through and for him to see out. A rope trailing from horse's bridle). Two Scouts rush out; one grasps the trailing rope and runs, hauling on it ; the other gets on to back of cart, climbs in and gets hold of the reins. Between them they stop the horse. They find the insensible driver in the cart ; Scouts lift him down and lay him on the ground ; one makes a pillow with coat to raise his head ; the other points out that his face is pale, he has fainted, therefore don't use a pillow -lower his head, press his eyebrows, and so bring him round. Help him into cart, one drives his horse, the other supporting him.

THE GARROTERS.

Scouts sitting at ease. Enter two villainous-looking ruffians who are evidently loitering about on the lookout for a victim to rob. The Scouts hide themselves and watch. Enter an old gentleman, well-to-do, smoking, twirling his stick. One villain walks humbly up to him asking him (in dumb show) to help him as he is out of work. The old gentleman listens to his story, but while be does so the second villain is sneaking round behind him with an empty sack in his hand ; he creeps nearer and nearer, and suddenly rushes and pulls the sack over the old gentle- man's head, while the other goes for his watch. But the Scouts rush in and springing on to the thieves throw them down, overpower them, and truss them with staves through their elbows and wrists tied with neckerchiefs.

Meantime one Scout has run (or biked) off for the police, who promptly arrive on the scene-take notes and march off the two villains. Old gentleman offers money from his purse which Patrol-leader refuses. He then gives cheque for the patrol, shakes hands, and walks off very happy amid the cheers of the Scouts.

POISONOUS FUMES.

While Scouts are sitting at ease they notice a bad smell of gas, jump up, hold noses, etc. Enter men one after another, staggering along, becoming overcome by gas, and falling insensible. Scouts tie handkerchiefs over mouth and nose ; go on all fours to the men ; tie ropes round their waists and heels and then in a bowline round about their own necks, and drag them out feet first-first laying out the men's coat tails under their heads to prevent them scraping along the ground.

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