STRAN. (going.) To the little green Jesuit (hic) immediately above the plantation city. (exit; enter Darblee.)
DAR. (bustling about.) Deplorable that I have such scant time in which to prepare. (confidentially and gleefully.) A great man is to be here in a little while—Jean Lafitte!
LAF. You don’t mean it!
DAR. I do and I can show you no greater appreciation of the service you rendered me than to ask you to stay and catch a glimpse of him.
LAF. Thanks.
DAR. I’ll wager you any money that the attacks on American vessels will cease now.
LAF. Why?
DAR. Because Lafitte has come home; because none of them is brave enough to cope against him; no, nor all of them put together.
LAF. You are a follower of Lafitte?
DAR. (startled into consciousness.) I? You little know me. Powerful as Lafitte is and great and flattering as have been the advances he has made to me, I yet withstand him, humble though I seem.