CHIRUCA (_eagerly seizing_ DRAKE _and directing his attention_). See! See! in the far distance that long line of beasts, and men straggling along the edge of a deep gorge, some labour up the mountain pass and see! (_with energy_) how others slide down rocks. Poor beasts like men, enslaved. (_Turning to_ DRAKE _who is much interested_). That is a reco—a transport of treasure, (_with triumph_). That treasure shall be yours! (DRAKE _looks at him with surprise_). I have sent a spy to dog their movements. He will meet us at the place of ambuscade to night! Let me see. (_He counts the number of the beasts forming the transport to himself_). Mules! Llamas! It is a great one! Tons of treasure! DRAKE. Noble Chiruca, you have fulfilled your promise. The Globe’s wide surface presents not such another sight. (_Aside._) The Atlantic seaboard I have already taxed for vengeance. My interest now lies here! (_He extends his hand towards the Pacific_). An inward impulse knits me to this ocean. The very sun upon its surface pours peculiar lustre. It waves seem gold—tinged with the loads they carry. They shall bear a nobler freight! Wondrous prospect. Two oceans that embrace the earth! But do I look with mortal eye on real things—or rapt in Prophet frenzy, gaze on vision? I feel my soul expand, o’er time and space, with energy divine and newborn hope. Two hostile fleets contend upon the flood, and dye its waters red for mastery. ’Tis Spain and England! The World! the prize between them! (_He looks up_). Give me, O Heaven, to sail that sea; proclaiming to every longitude thy law. That man is free. Down-trodden slave of Ignorance, look up, thy God is nigh! Look up and break thy fetters! Thy charter from on high, is Liberty. CHIRUCA (_he comes to_ DRAKE _who absorbed his own thoughts had wandered aside_). Friend Drake (DRAKE _is startled out of his reverie_). DRAKE. Pardon me, noble Chiruca, I was lost in deep reflection. CHIRUCA. Well, how like you our observatory? Our enemies know it not. Yet by land and sea their game is played before us. Nor is it new—our fathers chose it. Mark you this tree? It is of ancient growth and is our watch tower (_he leads_ DRAKE _towards it_). DRAKE. It looks as if ’twere planted at creation. When things were giants all! (_eight men are standing round it fathoming_). Measure the circumference, Moon. MOON (_pointing to the men for answer_). Eight fathom, good, General. CHIRUCA. There is an arbour in its branches which holds a dozen people. Let us ascend. (_He leads_ DRAKE _to the tree who examines it_). You see these steps cut in the trunk of yore? Follow me. (_The Indian ascends followed by_ DRAKE _and others_. _As they are seated in the arbour_, _they break into loud cheers above_, _taken up by those below_. _The Indians joining in it dancing and clashing their arms_.) MOON. Three cheers for the Queen! (_cheers_) OXENHAM. Confusion to Philip! (_cheers_)