Captain Kauvar!--Of what is he accused? CARRAC. Treachery to France! He has worn the colours of the Royal Cause. GOUJON. We arrested him as Rochejacquelein. CARRAC. Whom he has aided to escape. KLEBER. A terrible charge! The punishment is instant death.--Captain Kauvar, what have you to say? PAUL. But little.--I led last night the band of men who mined the Faubourg and cleared the road for our army to advance. KLEBER. A desperate undertaking, crowned with great success!--We gave you all up as dead. PAUL. We should have been, but for the clemency of Rochejacquelein. He spared my men, and put me on parole. He could have shot us all, but by letting him escape I saved the band of patriots to whom our army owes its victory to-day. [_All cheer_. KLEBER. Captain Kauvar, you did right! [_The_ MOB _cheer_. CARRAC. Citizens, the watchword sent from Robespierre to Vendée was this: "Death without mercy to the Aristocrats." [_Pointing at the_ DUKE.] Here is one, at least; I claim him for the guillotine. MOB. Aye--to the guillotine! To the guillotine! KLEBER. [_As the_ MOB _rush on the_ DUKE.] Halt! [_The_ MOB _fall back_.] Citizens, I bring you glorious news! These despatches have just reached me on the field. They come from the National Convention at the Capitol of France. Listen! [_Reads_.] "The tyrant Robespierre has been guillotined. The reign of terror is at an end. Proclaim amnesty, mercy, and fraternity to all Frenchmen in Vendée." [_All cheer_. CARRAC. Robespierre dead! What will the people do without the guillotine? PAUL. Drive anarchists and Carracs out of France! BOURDOTTE. Aye! Away with him! Away with him! [_Rushing on_ CARRAC, _the_ MOB _nearly tear him to pieces as they bear him away_. SCARLOTTE. [_Fighting the_ MOB.] Ingrates--traitors--dogs--ye shall not harm him--back! back! back! [_Exit, facing the_ MOB, _and trying to save_ CARRAC. JEAN. [_Bounding in from panel, speaks to_ PAUL.] You see I have returned! DUKE. And the General? JEAN. Has escaped to England, [_Pointing to_ PAUL.] thanks to him. KLEBER. [_Taking a cross from his own breast, and advancing to_ PAUL.] Captain Kauvar, you risked almost certain death to purchase victory for France. In the name of the Republic, I decorate you for heroic courage on the field! [_He places the cross on_ PAUL'S _breast. All cheer_. DUKE. [_Extending his hand to_ PAUL.] My son!-- [PAUL _clasps it_. DIANE. At last, thank God, dear France is free of tyrants. PAUL. Liberty is wed to Justice, and Anarchy is ended! CURTAIN. _End of the Play_. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Paul Kauvar; or, Anarchy, by Steele Mackaye