I am Harry James' son, and will act as becomes my name and quality.
Harry, Michael and the Captain are already there. Best, flaming in red regimentals, a big a monster as ever led a grenadier company. The party are laughing together.
RODERICK
(to Captain Grogan)
I hope to spoil this sport, and trust to see this sword of mine in that big bully's body.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
Oh, it's with pistols we fight. You are no match for Best with the sword.
RODERICK
I'll match any man with the sword.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
But swords are today impossible; Captain Best is -- is lame. He knocked his knee against the swinging park gate last night, as he was riding home, and can scarce move it now.
RODERICK
Not against Castle Dugan gate, that has been off the hinges these ten years.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
It must have been some other gate.
They alight from their horses, and join and salute the other gentlemen.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
I have just explained to Mister James that Captain Best is lame, and that swords are impossible.
HARRY
Oh, yes! Dead lame.
Harry comes up to shake Roderick by the hand, while Captain Best takes off his hat, and turns extremely red.
HARRY
And very lucky for you, Roderick, my boy. You were a dead man else, for he is a devil of a fellow -- isn't he, Grogan?
CAPTAIN GROGAN
A regular Turk. I never yet knew the man who stood to Captain Best.
HARRY
Hang the business. I hate it. I'm ashamed of it. Say you're sorry, Roderick. You can easily say that.
CAPTAIN BEST
If the young feller will go to Dublin, as proposed...
RODERICK
I'm not sorry -- I'll not apologize -- and I'll as soon go to Dublin as to hell!
Grogan takes him aside.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
Look here, Roderick, my boy; this is silly business. The girl will marry Best, mark my words; and as sure as she does, you'll forget her. You are but a boy. Best is willing to consider you as such. Dublin's a fine place, and if you have a mind to take a ride thither and see the town for a month, here are twenty guineas at your service. Make Best an apology, and be off.
RODERICK
A man of honor dies, but never apologizes. I'll see the captain hanged before I apologize.
HARRY
(with a laugh to Grogan)
There's nothing else for it. Take your ground, Grogan -- twelve paces, I suppose?
CAPTAIN BEST
(in a big voice)
Ten, sir, and make them short ones, do you hear, Captain Grogan?
HARRY
Don't bully, Mr. Best. Here are the pistols.
(with some emotion to Roderick)
God bless you, my boy; and when I count three, fire.
RODERICK
This is not one of my pistols.
HARRY
They are all right, never fear. It's one of mine. Yours will serve, if they are needed, for the next round.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
Roderick, fire at his neck -- hit him there under the gorget; see how the fool shows himself open.
Michael, who has not spoken a word, Harry, and the Captain retire to one side, and Harry gives the signal.
It is slowly given, and Roderick has the leisure to cover his man well.
Captain Best changes color and trembles as the numbers are given.
At "three" both pistols go off. Best gives a most horrible groan, staggers backwards and falls.
THE SECONDS
(crying out)
He's down! He's down!
Running towards him, Harry lifts him up Michael takes his head.
MICHAEL
He's hit here, in the neck.
Laying open his coat, blood is seen gurgling from under his gorget.
HARRY
How is it with you?
The unfortunate man does not answer, but when the support of Harry's arm is withdrawn from his back, groans once more and falls backwards.
MICHAEL
(with a scowl)
The young fellow has begun well. You had better ride off, young sir, before the police are up. They had wind of the business before we left Kilwangan.
RODERICK
Is he quite dead?
MICHAEL
Quite dead.
CAPTAIN GROGAN
Then the world's rid of a coward. It's all over with him, Roddy -- he doesn't stir.
He gives the huge prostrate body a scornful kick with his foot.
HARRY
We are not cowards, Grogan, whatever he was! Let's get the boy off as quick as we may. Your man shall go for a cart, and take away the body of this unhappy gentleman. This has been a sad day's work for our family, Roderick James, and you have robbed us of fifteen-hundred a-year.
RODERICK
It was Dorothy did it.
Roderick takes the ribbons she gave him out of his waistcoat, and the letter, and flings them down on the body of Captain Best.
RODERICK
There! Take her those ribbons. She'll know what they mean; that's all that's left of her of two lovers she had and ruined.
MICHAEL
And now, in Heaven's name, get the youngster out of the way.
HARRY
I'll go with you. They mount up and gallop off.
Upon seeing Roderick and Harry ride up, his mother, who has been waiting outside, rushes to her son with wild screams of joy. He dismounts, and she kisses and embraces him.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I need not tell you how great was my mother's pride and exultation when she heard from Harry's lips the account of my behavior at the duel.
Still much excitement and hustle and bustle.
HARRY
The boy must go into hiding, for a short time anyway. Dublin is the best place for him to go, and there wait until matters are blown over.
MOTHER
Dublin? But the poor lad has never been away from home. He will be as safe here as in Dublin.
HARRY
I wish that were true, Auntie dear, but I'm afraid the bailiffs may already be on their way from Kilwangan.
His mother is rushing about and packing a valise. Harry sits on the bed.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Harry persisted in the necessity of instant departure, in which argument, as I was anxious to see the world, I must confess, I sided with him; and my mother was brought to see that, in our small house, in the midst of a village, escape would be impossible, and capture would be impossible to avoid.
His mother takes out a stocking from her escritoire, and gives Roderick twenty golden guineas.
MOTHER
(gravely)
Roderick, my darling, my wild boy, I have forebodings that our separation is to be a long one. I spent most of all night consulting the cards regarding your fate in the duel, and all signs betoke a separation. Here is twenty guineas -- all that I have in the world and I want you to keep your father's sword and pistols, which you have known to use so like a man.