_George._ [L.] Yelping hound--take that. [_Rushes on_ M'Closky--M'Closky _draws his knife._] _Scud._ [_Darts between them._] Hold on, George Peyton--stand back. This is your own house; we are under your uncle's roof; recollect yourself. And, strangers, ain't we forgetting there's a lady present. [_The knives disappear._] If we can't behave like Christians, let's try and act like gentlemen. Go on, Colonel. _Lafouche._ He didn't ought to bid against a lady. _M'Closky._ O, that's it, is it? Then I'd like to hire a lady to go to auction and buy my hands. _Point._ Gentlemen, I believe none of us have two feelings about the conduct of that man; but he has the law on his side--we may regret, but we must respect it. Mr. M'Closky has bid twenty-five thousand dollars for the Octoroon. Is there any other bid? For the first time, twenty-five thousand--last time! [_Brings hammer down._] To Jacob M'Closky, the Octoroon girl, Zoe, twenty-five thousand dollars. [_Tableaux._] END OF ACT THIRD. Act IV Scene.--_The Wharf, The Steamer "Magnolia" alongside,_ L.; _a bluff rock,_ R. U. E. Ratts _discovered, superintending the loading of ship. Enter_ Lafouche _and_ Jackson, L. _Jackson._ How long before we start, captain? _Ratts._ Just as soon as we put this cotton on board. _Enter_ Pete, _with lantern, and_ Scudder, _with note book,_ R. _Scud._ One hundred and forty-nine bales. Can you take any more? _Ratts._ Not a bale. I've got engaged eight hundred bales at the next landing, and one hundred hogsheads of sugar at Patten's Slide--that'll take my guards under--hurry up thar. _Voice._ [_Outside._] Wood's aboard. _Ratts._ All aboard then. _Enter_ M'Closky, R. _Scud._ Sign that receipt, captain, and save me going up to the clerk. _M'Closky._ See here--there's a small freight of turpentine in the fore hold there, and one of the barrels leaks; a spark from your engines might set the ship on fire, and you'd go with it. _Ratts._ You be darned! Go and try it, if you've a mind to. _Lafouche._ Captain, you've loaded up here until the boat is sunk so deep in the mud she won't float. _Ratts._ [_Calls off._] Wood up thar, you Polio--hang on to the safety valve--guess she'll crawl off on her paddles. [_Shouts heard,_ R.] _Jackson._ What's the matter? _Enter_ Solon, R. _Solon._ We got him! _Scud._ Who? _Solon._ The Injiun! _Scud._ Wahnotee? Where is he? D'ye call running away from a fellow catching him? _Ratts._ Here he comes. _Omnes._ Where? Where? _Enter_ Wahnotee, R.; _they are all about to rush on him._ _Scud._ Hold on! stan' round thar! no violence--the critter don't know what we mean. _Jackson._ Let him answer for the boy, then. _M'Closky._ Down with him--lynch him. _Omnes._ Lynch him! [_Exit_ Lafouche, R. _Scud._ Stan' back, I say I I'll nip the first that lays a finger on Him. Pete, speak to the red-skin. _Pete._ Whar's Paul, Wahnotee? What's come ob de child? _Wahnotee._ Paul wunce--Paul pangeuk. _Pete._ Pangeuk--dead.