Читать книгу Class-Room Plays from Canadian History - Alexander Maitland Stephen - Страница 4

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[Illustration: “The Skraelings are attacking the ship!”]

Characters:	Properties:
	Lief, son of Eric		Table
	Olaf, his friend		Two Stools
	Thorlief	}	Norsemen
	Oscar
	A Norse Soldier
	An Indian

Scene: The interior of Lief’s house upon the shores of North America. Doors C. and L. Two stools near a wooden table R.

Lief, standing in the doorway C., is shading his eyes with his hand while he looks anxiously for sign of the exploring party which has been sent into the forest. Turning away from the door, he goes to the table and raps loudly upon it with the hilt of his dagger. Olaf enters from L.

Lief.It is near to sundown. Hast thou had any tidings from our men?

Olaf.Not yet. However, they should soon be within sight. They have heard thy command.

Lief.It may seem to them very childish when I say, “Be indoors before nightfall!” Yet, when we leave for Iceland, I shall need them all to man our ship. The Skraelings are many in number and I do not trust them. Like wolves, they would fall upon us under cover of darkness.

Olaf.When shall we leave for Iceland, Lief?

Lief.Olaf, I know well that thy heart longs for the brown slopes of Laki, and for the snug little harbour where the yellow-haired girls are mending the nets; but here too there is a goodly land. I have half a mind to build me a stronger house and to live here for the remainder of my days. What say you?

Olaf.[Quickly.] Never! Not while the sea calls to me! It says, “Come!” and I go. That is the way of a viking.

Lief.It is my way too! Sometimes I long for a home. Then the sun shines on the sparkling waves, and almost I can see the white sails glittering overhead and can hear the song of the white spume when it is cleft by the prow of my ship.

Olaf.I know. You would never be happy, Lief, if you settled down in this wild land.

Lief.It may be that thou art wiser than I, my friend. I can remember my grandfather going out to sea upon his last voyage. He lay dead upon the deck of his ship. Men, with torches, set it afire, and it drifted, carrying him into the sunset. Then I, a mere child, cried out, “Some day, I shall follow the track of the sun, and I shall find thee again!” The gods knew. I have sailed to westward, following the sun, farther than any man has ever dared to go.

[A noise is heard without. Olaf steps quickly to the door, goes out, and then returns, holding an Indian firmly by the arm.

Olaf.One of these miserable Skraelings! Their feet are padded, like those of a fox. Doubtless he had thoughts of plunder. Shall I give him a beating?

Lief.[Draws his dagger. The Indian makes a gesture as if begging for mercy.] Scum! I am not going to kill you, though. Nay! He will make us some sport, when our men return. [Fiercely, to the Indian.] Sit down! [The Indian collapses and squats, stolidly watching the Norsemen.] Strange creatures, these! Children of Darkness they must be, if one judges from the colour of the skin. It may be that hunger prompted him to steal. Well, we shall have him to feast with us to-night. [He stands as if listening.] Ah, I hear our men returning!

[He goes to the door and throws his arms out in a gesture of welcome.

Thorlief and Oscar enter.

Welcome! Welcome!

Thorlief.We thank you, Sire. It is going to be a stormy night. I sent our men to bring the ship into a more sheltered cove. I trust that I have met your wishes in this.

Lief.Ah, that was the wise thing to do! Well! You have news of the country to tell me? Is it not a place of wonders?

Oscar.We have found it so. We found abundance of the grapes which you brought home yesterday. The trees are covered with vines, and fruit enough abides there to make a river of wine. Our men have taken a deer as well.

Lief.A land of sunshine and richness! I shall call it Vineland. I have even thought that I would come to dwell in it, but Olaf checked my desire. Come, let us to the feast! This Skraeling [turning to the Indian] will be with us to-night. I have a mind to feed the starveling until he bursts. [The Indian rises and gesticulates to convey the idea that he is giving all the surrounding land to Lief.] What can his meaning be?

Thorlief.I take it, Sire, that he would give the land to thee in return for his liberty.

Lief.Ho! I shall take his offer while he is in my power. He has spoken. If we can dwell here in peace, unmolested by these creatures, why should we not enjoy this land of plenty?

Olaf.Because we are not tillers of the soil. We belong to the sea.

Lief.[Stubbornly.] Again! Oh, thou wouldst thwart my will? If I give the command, here thou shalt stay.

Olaf.[Quietly.] Aye, if it is thy command. Shall I place the Skraeling in the seat of honour, at the head of the feast? If we are to remain here, we should learn the manners of the country. In time, we may even turn red to match the colour of our little friend.

Lief.[Crossly, seating himself on a stool.] Thou hast ever been a tough piece of oak to bend. Aye! Proceed! Cross me! Thou art a kill-joy. We talk of feasting. Thy wry mouth will spoil my appetite.

Olaf.I do not wish to quarrel.

Lief.It would suit my mood, if thou art willing. I grow weary of this loafing. My sword is covered with rust.

Olaf.Yet, a moment since, the talk was of settling down to become a landsman and a husbandman. Dost thou remember the day when I saved thee from drowning in Lake Myvatn? We were lads then, my Captain. Spluttering, with thy mouth filled by water, I heard thee say, “Olaf, if I come to die, let it be in clean brine! I like not the taste of mud.”

Lief.[Rising, with a smile on his lips.] Aye! I am in a queer temper to-night. Let us go to the wine! Feasting or fighting, I am happy. To-morrow I shall lead the exploring party. We may chance on some adventure then.

[Noise without. A Norseman bursts into the room. In the confusion the Indian slips out through the door C.

Norseman.Make haste! The Skraelings are attacking the ship!

Lief.[In a loud voice.] To arms! [He turns to look for the Indian.] The serpent! How easily he deceived me! To the ship! We can fight there. On land, we are at the mercy of children and savages.

[All rush out, leaving Lief and Olaf. Lief is fastening on his sword and helmet.

Olaf.[Waiting at the door for his chief.] I hear the thunder of the surf upon the shore. The clouds are dark as the wrath of Odin. It will be a night of wind and storm.

Lief.Let us go down to the sea. Forgive me, Olaf! You know that the land is not for me. To-morrow we set sail for Iceland.

[Arm in arm they go out through the door C.