 | Uncle Tom's Cabin |  |
SCENE V
Rough Chamber. Enter Legree, followed by Sambo.
Go and send Cassy to me.
SAMBO:
Yes, mas'r. (Exit.)
LEGREE:
Curse the woman! she's got a temper worse than the devil; I shall
do her an injury one of these days, if she isn't careful. (Re-enter Sambo,
frightened.)
What's the matter with you, you black scoundrel?
SAMBO:
S'help me, mas'r, she isn't dere.
LEGREE:
I suppose she's about the house somewhere?
SAMBO:
No, she isn't, mas'r; I's been all over de house and I can't find
nothing of her nor Emmeline.
LEGREE:
Bolted, by the Lord! Call out the dogs! saddle my horse. Stop! are
you sure they really have gone?
SAMBO:
Yes, mas'r; I's been in every room 'cept the haunted garret and dey
wouldn't go dere.
LEGREE:
I have it! Now, Sambo, you jest go and walk that Tom up here,
right away! (Exit Sambo.)
The old cuss is at the bottom of this yer whole matter;
and I'll have it out of his infernal black hide, or I'll know the reason why! I hate
him—I hate him! And isn't he mine? Can't I do what I like with him? Who's to
hinder, I wonder? (Tom is dragged on by Sambo and Quimbo, Legree grimly
confronting Tom.)
Well, Tom, do you know I've made up my mind to kill you?
TOM:
It's very likely, Mas'r.
LEGREE:
I—have—done—just—that—thing, Tom, unless you'll tell me what
do you know about these yer gals? (Tom is silent.)
D'ye hear? Speak!
TOM:
I han't got anything to tell, mas'r.
LEGREE:
Do you dare to tell me, you old black rascal, you don't know?
Speak! Do you know anything?
TOM:
I know, mas'r; but I can't tell anything. I can die!
LEGREE:
Hark ye, Tom! ye think, 'cause I have let you off before, I don't mean
what I say; but, this time, I have made up my mind, and counted the cost.
You've always stood it out agin me; now, I'll conquer ye or kill ye! one or
t'other. I'll count every drop of blood there is in you, and take 'em, one by one,
'till ye give up!
[Description: 916EAF. Page 132.]
Mas'r, if you was sick, or in trouble, or dying, and I could save you, I'd
give you my heart's blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old
body would save your precious soul, I'd give 'em freely. Do the worst you can,
my troubles will be over soon; but if you don't repent yours won't never end.
(Legree strikes Tom down with the butt of his whip.)
How do you like that?
SAMBO:
He's most gone, mas'r!
TOM:
(Rises feebly on his hands.)
There an't no more you can do. I forgive
you with all my soul. (Sinks back, and is carried off by Sambo and Quimbo.)
LEGREE:
I believe he's done for finally. Well, his mouth is shut up at last—
that's one comfort. (Enter George Shelby, Marks and Cute.)
Strangers! Well
what do you want?
GEORGE:
I understand that you bought in New Orleans a negro named
Tom?
LEGREE:
Yes, I did buy such a fellow, and a devil of a bargain I had of it,
too! I believe he's trying to die, but I don't know as he'll make it out.
GEORGE:
Where is he? Let me see him?
SAMBO:
Dere he is. (Points to Tom).
LEGREE:
How dare you speak? (Drives Sambo and Quimbo off. George exits.)
CUTE:
Now's the time to nab him.
MARKS:
How are you, Mr. Legree?
LEGREE:
What the devil brought you here?
MARKS:
This little bit of paper. I arrest you for the murder of Mr. St.
Clare. What do you say to that?
LEGREE:
This is my answer! (Makes a blow at Marks, who dodges, and Cute
receives the blow—he cries out and runs off, Marks fires at Legree, and follows
Cute.)
I am hit!—the game's up! (Falls dead. Quimbo and Sambo return and
carry him off laughing.)
(George Shelby enters, supporting Tom. Music. They advance to front and Tom
falls.)
Oh! dear Uncle Tom! do wake—do speak once more! look up!
Here's Master George—your own little Master George. Don't you know me?
TOM:
(Opening his eyes and speaking in a feeble tone.)
Mas'r George! Bless de
Lord! it's all I wanted! They hav'n't forgot me! It warms my soul; it does my old
heart good! Now I shall die content!
GEORGE:
You shan't die! you mustn't die, nor think of it. I have come to
buy you, and take you home.
TOM:
Oh, Mas'r George, you're too late. The Lord has bought me, and is
going to take me home.
GEORGE:
Oh! don't die. It will kill me—it will break my heart to think what
you have suffered, poor, poor fellow!
TOM:
Don't call me, poor fellow! I have been poor fellow; but that's all past and
gone now. I'm right in the door, going into glory! Oh, Mas'r George! Heaven
has come! I've got the victory, the Lord has given it to me! Glory be to His
name! (Dies.)
[Description: 916EAF. Page 133.]
(Solemn music. George covers Uncle Tom with his cloak, and kneels over him.
Clouds work on and conceal them, and then work off.)
| Uncle Tom's Cabin | |