CAPT. Be quiet, ladies. (exeunt Captain and 2d Officer.)
MARQ. (determinedly, to 1st Officer.) What can we do?
FATH. P. (hysterically.) Put on more sail!
1st OFF. We are using all we dare now. (exit.)
1st NUN. I knew we wouldn’t be spared.
MAR. (in awe.) Oh hush, sister.
M. AUG. We are in God’s hands. (noises and excited voices heard without.)
FATH P. What’s that? (enter 2d Officer.)
2d OFF. Prepare yourselves. They are here. (Marquis goes to Mariana; leads her away; exeunt nuns and lady passengers; the men draw their swords and exeunt to the defense, except father Poularde, who follows the ladies; fighting; the clash of swords heard without; enter Pedro, forcing his way in in a hand fight; he has blood on his face, which has trickled down from a cut on his head; he is followed by Manuel and the Creole’s crew; exit Manuel in search of Mariana.)
PED. (after felling the Captain.) Mate.