WASHINGTON (puzzled).  What cause is there to fight for?

RED ROWAN.  That I do not know.  But here ’tis clearly written.  And you will win.  Your name will be on all men’s tongues.  ’Tis a long road, and all up hill.  But at the summit—­triumph!  Remember that.  Upon the summit is triumph.

WASHINGTON (half-soberly).  And for the rest?

RED ROWAN. 
You’ll be upon a farmstead with great, rolling acres.

WASHINGTON. 
Forest or farmstead, I care not which.  That part is true enough,
Mistress Rowan.  There was a time when I wished to go to sea; but now I
hope to spend my life at Ferry Farm.

RED ROWAN
(rising). 
Part of it will be spent far otherwise.  Remember that I told you.

WASHINGTON
(courteously).  Aye, I’ll remember, tho’ ’tis but a jest.

RED ROWAN (pausing).  Aye, a jest wrought of gipsy magic.  I wish you well, Master Washington, and I thank you for your hospitality.

FRONTIERSMAN’S VOICE
(calling from right). 
Rowan!

RED ROWAN
(answering). 
I’m coming, father. (To Washington.) Remember, Master Washington, that
I told you.

[Exit Rowan, quickly and lightly.

WASHINGTON
(smiling to himself). 
Remember!  Why, ’tis the merest jest.

CAREY
(from background). 
Time’s up, George!  There’s wondrous sport.  Are you not coming?

WASHINGTON (to Carey).  Aye, I am coming. (To himself.) But the merest jest!  “To fight in a great cause—!” “A long hill, and a hard, and at the summit—­triumph!” (Shaking off the spell the words have cast on him).  The lads would laugh, did I but tell them! (Calls, in answer to impatient steps, and crackling of leaves in background.) I come!

[He makes his exit into background, running blithely, and the play ends.

COSTUMES

GEORGE WASHINGTON.  Frontiersman’s suit, modeled on Indian lines.  The suit is tan-colored, supposedly made of dressed deerskin.  The breeches and tunic are fringed, Indian fashion.  There is neither paint nor beading upon the suits.  Moccasins.  The other lads wear suits of the same kind.  The material can be cotton khaki.  The moccasins can be made of the same, and beaded.

RED ROWAN.  Dress of leaf-brown homespun made rather short, and quite plain, open at the neck, the sleeves coming to the elbow.  A cloak of vivid scarlet, gathered in simple folds at neck, and falling to the ankles.  Both dress and cloak may be made of cambric, using the unglazed side.  Tan stockings.  Moccasins.  The latter may be made of cotton khaki, and beaded.

DANIEL BOONE:  PATRIOT

CHARACTERS

DANIEL BOONE, a pioneer. 
ROGER KENTON, a lad
ALLAN RIGDON, another
BLAIZE PRITCHARD, a trapper
EDWARD BRYAN
JAMES COLBY
BLACK FISH, an Indian Chief
HAWK EYE, a young Indian Brave
EAGLE’S FEATHER, another
Other Pioneers, Trappers, Indians