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  Act 1 Scene 3  
     
     
    In the woods late at night outside a rock  quarry near Harper's Ferry August 1859.
    Dangerfield Newbee, dressed in rags, springs from behind a rock protecting John Brown. He has heard a twig break in the woods.  Frederick is walking from the isle in the audience.
     
  Newbee Who goes there? (Newbee shows a knife) (spot is on him alone)
  Brown (In stage whisper) Ask for the password
  Newbee Password Please
  Douglass (Still in the shadow) God hates slavery
  Brown (He comes out from behind the rock) God command us to end this abomination.
    (The two men embrace)
  Brown Mr. Newbee make your way to Samantha. She should working at the tavern. See if she has any more men for us to meet tomorrow.
  Newbee

Hope you will join us Mr. Fred.(Newbee puts away his knife and salutes Brown)  (He exits stage right)
  Douglass I haven't even taken off my coat or heard your plan and your recruits are on me.  
  Brown Bears to honey.
  Douglass What is his story?
  Brown Dangerfield's wife was sold down the river. She got killed running away. The bounty hunters let the dogs rip her to pieces and maul her to death. He's like me now - he's recruiting  - he's a single minded avenger.
  Douglass So how is your wife Mary and the children?
  Brown Mary doesn't understand why I have to be here yet.  She cried bitterly when our son Oliver decided to join me.  The happy days of North Elba seem so far away.  Promise me Frederick that you will return my bones back to that Eden . 
  Douglass I promise, if it is in my power.  Why are we talking about  your death?
  Brown I am old - almost 60 years and I want to be able to rest in peace.
  Douglass Do you keep in touch with any of the farmers you worked with at North Elba?
  Brown You never met Watson - he's with me now.  He still has a thick white yankee accent but he has scouted out Harper's Ferry for me.  You must be tired and hungry.  You know that Boston trip got me enough money to buy me a farm house. Come with me to the farm.  The troops need a boast in morale. I promise you a safe good night's sleep and warm meals before we work on the details.
  Douglass I think I'll be safer staying here tonight.  It's not like I haven't slept under the Northern Star before. 
  Brown Still as stubborn as ever.
  Douglass That's funny coming from you.  (Frederick gestures to heaven with his hands outstretched and addresses his words upward) The avenging angel of stubbornness admonishes me for being stubborn. 
  Brown Feels like a storm may be coming - just trying to keep you dry.  I have to get back soon. I was getting worried that you were captured. I thought you would get here much earlier.  I spent the time reading my Bible.
  Douglass I was being cautious. Is it true what they say about you that you know every verse by heart?
  Brown A bit of an exaggeration - I am learning what it means to live it.
  Douglass We need you to stay alive.  Now is not the time for martyrs. We need a plan that will work. History is strewn with failures.
  Brown What is needed now is action - plans are like those clouds up there (point's to the distant storm clouds). The rumble does nothing it is the lightning striking the parched forest that starts the conflagration.
  Douglass (Douglass is surveying the countryside - opens up his coat and tears at lining).I never realized it before but you are surrounded on all sides by mountains. Do you want the news and maps to help you decide what to do? Might help with an escape route.
  Brown I know you want to tell me the news - and I definitely need the maps - so fire away. Gerritt's kept me up with money and some guns but I need your insights.   The timetable is set.  One aimed gun does more to purge us from the sin of slavery than 1000 speeches by milk toast abolitionists like Mr. Loyd Garrison.
  Douglass Here is  Seward's speech  (A gesture is made to reach inside his coat). I believe this an important contribution to our cause. His "Irrepressible Conflict" points out that the 2nd Revolution has already begun. He does have more faith in the new Republican Party than I do but it would be good for you to use them and force them to take up our principles. I have been assured that  Seward will not splinter Republicans. The nod will go to Abe Lincoln. The Democratic Party are evenly split between Stephen Douglas and Breckenridge.  (Slow deliberate sarcastic tone) So King Massa James Buchanan's reign is dead.
  Brown Still they are all politicians - not a moral bone among them to chew on. 
  Douglass Did you know the bounty on your head has doubled? You ought to be honored but you still are a marked man. You know as I do that they are not above sending assassins.
  Brown I am honored but they cannot stop a Prairie Fire. Maybe other abolitionist are finally getting the point - they can't yield to slavery by making nice speeches to themselves. The only way to break down the Southern Wall of Silence is to arm slaves so they can shoot their masters.
  Douglass Allow me to update you on this point.  The abolitionist are getting some backbone.  They are not trying to censor me anymore.   I have even echoed your words that slavery can only be ended with bloodshed. It is inevitable but we need to bring along more than slaves to fight with us.
  Brown You know I try to be a religious man. I admire any prediction that freedom is inevitability, Seward may have too much faith that political gentlemen will somehow curb the slave holders? It's getting too late for us sort everything out now - You've given me some food for thought.   Can I have some food sent if you are still serious about staying under the stars. 
  Douglass You are probably right about the storm, I can stop by my quaker friend Brother Moran, he will put me up for the night.  When do you want to meet to lay out your plans?
  Brown Tomorrow at 8 AM.  God - it's good to see you Frederick you would be such a help to the cause.
  Douglass That's fine Samson.
  Brown Samson huh? Mary is not any Delilah - she's not with me now but after bearing me 13 children she's no traitor either.
  Douglass I understand that.That is what James Redpath called you in the interviews you gave him.  He meant that you will bring down the temple of the plantocracy. He was quite impressed with how you treated ex-slaves as equals in your home in North Elba. He also called you Moses, Joshua and even alluded that you are a Christ-like zealot seeking martyrdom.
  Brown I am just a messenger - Frederick, God spoke to me in this very forest. He told me to wage this fight. You know how much I hate violence but we agree that slavery can only be ended in bloodshed. Somebody has to stand up and purge this plague.  Now I am the one making speeches.  Goodnight Frederick.
  Douglass God keep you safe John - I will see you tomorrow.