Voice Outside. Rip Van Winkle. [The laugh being repeated, Rip again awakes.
Rip. Desmohl bin ich gawiss net letz. Es hut beim bettle shpooks odder ebbas-a-so doh im dem barrick, un ich hob now kæ druppa doh for se ob halta!
Swaggrino. [Without L. H.] Rip Van Winkle! Rip Van Winkle!
Rip. Rip Van Winkle! Sell is mich, yaw, besure is ’s mich.
[Music.—Swaggrino, the grotesque dwarf, enters L. H., bending beneath the weight of a large cask which he bears on his shoulder. He pauses, examines Rip, then invites him to assist him in placing the cask on the ground, which Rip complies with.
Rip. Hole mich der dihenker wann des awer now net ’n coryose tzwæ bainich creddoor is—wass is ’s, anyhow?
Music.—Swaggrino pointing to the cask, entreats Rip’s assistance, in bearing it up the mountain.
Rip. Hetsht garn os ich der helf? Ferwass husht mer sell net grawd uf amohl g’sawt? Well, well, ich will ’m don helfa, for so’n load we sell is tzu feel for so’n klanes olts menly we des doh.
[Music.—Dwarf assists in placing cask on Rip’s shoulder—a loud laugh is heard—Rip is alarmed, but Dwarf signs him to proceed and be of good courage—leads way up rocks R.—another peal of laughter, and Rip hastily follows him.