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Chapter-27

-- The Great MacFin --
(An English Crumpet Western)

ACT V

$SCENE VIII
[Another part of the field outside the ranch house]

[Enter MacFin]

MacFin
Why should I play the Hollywood fool, and die With m'own pistol to m'head?

Hell, Whiles' I still live, I'll fight!

[Enter Horace]

Horace
Turn around, you dog of Hell! This is it!

MacFin
Of all men, you are the only one I didn't want to see here: Git outta here, Horace, I don't want to kill you too.

The blood of your wife and child are mine.

Horace
I have nothing to say: m'six-shooter will do all m'talk'un:

There is nothing I can say that will make you worse than you are.

Draw !!!

[they draw their pistols]

MacFin
You can't win, Horace: No matter what you do, No matter how straight you shoot, you can't hit me or make me bleed: You might as well thrown down you pistols; I bear a charmed life.

The spooks said that I can't be kill't by "one born of woman."

Horace
Fergit you charm life, MacFin; Didn't yer Devil Tell you, that Horace was ripp'd from his mother's womb, not born of nature.

MacFin
Damn you fer telling me this!

I won't be captured and treated as a criminal But I have no hope. I'll not fight with thee.

Horace
The give up coward! So that all can see that you *are* a coward We'll put you head on a painted pole for folk to come see, "the monster."

... the sign will read, "Here is your Great MacFin."

MacFin
I will not give up, or kiss the ground before young Arthur's feet, And then be strung up by common folk.

Yes, it happened-the forest walked and you weren't born of women,

Yet I will try the last act. Here Shoot! Horace, And damn'd be him that first runs!

[They All Git Out, fighting. Sounds of Alarm]

[Retreat. Flourish. Enter, with drum and colours, Arthur, McFlabs, ROSS, the other Thanes, and cowpokes]

Arthur
I only wish my friends to be safe.

McFlabs
Yes, but Today, Some must die: and yet, for those friends I see, a great day-that they have bought with their blood.

Arthur
Horace is missing.

ROSS
Your son, boss, was a hero: few of ours, died, whar he lead them and fought He lived until he became a man; and just as soon, he died like a man.

McFlabs
Then he is dead?

ROSS
Yes, they brought him in from the field: But your cause of sorrow Must not be measured by his worth, for then It will hath no end.

McFlabs
Was he shot in the front?

ROSS
Yes, in the front.

McFlabs
Then, he is God's own man! Had I as many sons as I have hairs on my head, I would not wish them, a lesser death: He has become his own monument.

Arthur He's worth more sorrow, Later, that I will spend for him.

McFlabs
He's worth no more They say he parted well, and paid his score: God be with him!

Look here come good news!

[Re-enter Horace, with MacFin's head]

Horace
Hail, Owner!

Looka what we found!

Your ranch is returned:

All around the folks are celebrating Tomorrow, we're a'gonna have a fiesta lot'sa food, drink and great speeches.

I hear the Indians are a'gonna put on a special dance for you.

Hail, Owner of the Midnight Ranch!

ALL Hail, Owner of the Midnight Ranch!

[Flourish]

Arthur [To All]
I'll not wait long to calculate your devotion to this fight a'fore I reckon what I owe each of you. I'll be square with you: My farmers, sheepherds, Indians and cowboys; Some of you will be new foremans, and some of you will be new hands to tend this ranch-as the first hired by this new owner of the Midnight Ranch

There's alot more t'do. We'll be planting new crops in time and Those that left this mountain and valley will be called home.

Those had to git outta fast-will be got back, also;

That dead butcher, MacFin and his fiend-queen are gone! Who'd a'thought, that she'd a kill't herself with her own violent hand?

The grace of God be done!

I will pay thee proudly in measure, time and place: So, thanks-once and for all- and to each one of you, We invite ya'all to t'morrow's feast.

Yahoo!

[Then They All Git Out]

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