Enter _PETE R. U. E., followed by BILLY._
=Billy.= Aren't we most there? (_peal of thunder_) I'm afeared it's a going to rain.
=Pete.= What ob dat? Can't we 'ford to git wet to be independent de rest ob our lives? (_looks round; places lantern up C._)
=Pete.= Ob course I do. We's mighty nigh de place.
=Billy.= You don't say so! Kin you see it? (_alarmed_)
=Pete.= (_looking off L. 2 E._) Yes, I do. (_flash of lightning, followed by loud clap of thunder_)
=Billy.= (_trembling violently and confused_) No--yes--Oh, Pete, let's go home.
=Pete.= Look dar! Dar! What's dat? (_points off L. 3 E. Lightning and loud peal of thunder_)
=Billy.= Whar? (_looks off L. 3 E. Drops spade, screams and starts running off R. 3 E. PETE catches him by coat tails. BILLY struggles violently to release himself_)
=Pete.= (_coaxingly_) Don't leab me, Billy. Nuffin, will hurt yo'.
=Billy.= (_frantic with fear_) Let go of me. Let go of me! (_turns on PETE and strikes him several blows rapidly. PETE falls and BILLY stumbles over him. Practice this scene well_)
=Pete.= (_springing to feet and assuming a pugilistic attitude. A thunder clap brings BILLY to feet, thoroughly frightened. Faces PETE who advances upon him enraged_) What did yo' do dat fo', eh? Say? What did yo' do dat fo'? (_dances in front of BILLY_)
=Pete.= Ob co'rse it were, an' I'se gwine ter lick yo' for it, too.
=Billy.= I thought it were a spirit. What did you see?
=Pete.= Why, de mound whar de money is hid. Yo's a big coward, an' I's a great mind to knock de stuffin' out ob yo'. (_advances upon BILLY with fists up_)
=Billy.= Don't Petey, please don't. I didn't hurt you. I'll not get scared again. Whar's the money? (_picks up spade_)
=Pete.= (_mollified, pointing to L. 3 E._) Thar! an' if yo' don't git to diggin' fo' it, I'll lam yo' so bad dat de Deacon won't know yo' when yo' git home. (_BILLY starts toward mound, manifesting great fear. When near it, a clap of thunder causes him to drop the spade again and shake violently. PETE grabs him by the arm. BILLY again picks up spade. PETE pushes him forward, talking as he does so_)
=Pete.= We'll be richer dan missus an' all her relations. I jus' bet dat dar's more money in dat pile dan all de Deacon's mules kin pull.