SCENE--Nano's dungeon--a circular cavern, hollowed out by Nature and cut out by man in the solid rock under the Government house. The enclosed space is narrow but lofty, cylindrical in form. A cut-in flight of steps leads from the floor in rear to a trapdoor above. The high wall glistens with moisture. A small bench is at right. A lantern stands on one of the lower steps. In the middle of the floor stands a soldier, thick-set, brutal-looking, his sleeves rolled up over his muscular arms. He is blowing with a bellows on a charcoal brazier, glowing red-hot, in which are thrust several irons. On the wall in the rear, his toes barely touching the floor, Nano hangs with his arms outstretched over his head, the wrists bound by chains to iron sockets in the rock. His head hangs on one side as if he were in a state of semi-consciousness. His body is thin and wasted.
The trap-door is opened and a circular patch of gray light falls on the stairs. This is obscured as someone descends. It is Juan. He shuts the trap-door behind him and comes down. He stops when he is opposite Nano's head, and, leaning over, stares at the savage's face. The latter opens his eyes. His head stiffens proudly erect on his shoulders. He and Juan stare into each other's eyes. Juan drops his guiltily, turns away and descends to the floor, where the soldier is standing at attention.
JUAN--(harshly) Has he spoken?
SOLDIER--Not one word, sir.
JUAN--Then you have not obeyed--
SOLDIER--(indicates the irons in the fire) I have tried every trick I know--but he's made of iron.
JUAN--(looks up at Nano with intense hatred) Dog! (Then he turns to the soldier.) Go and keep guard above.
SOLDIER--Yes, sir. (He bends down to pick up the brazier.)
JUAN--(harshly) No.
SOLDIER--(with a glance at him--understandingly) Yes, sir. (He goes up the stairs, opens the trap-door and disappears, letting it fall shut behind him. Juan sinks on the stone bench at right and stares up at Nano, who looks back at him with unflinching defiance. A pause.)
JUAN--(his eyes now fixed dully on the floor--half-aloud to himself) Diego did not lie. The storm is gathering. (with bitter hopelessness) What matter? I could pray that it might be a deluge annihilating mankind--but for Beatriz. (He groans, then raises his eyes again to Nano.) Why do you look at me? I can never read your eyes. They see in another world. What are you? Flesh, but not our flesh. Earth. I come after--or before--but lost, blind in a world where my eyes deflect on surfaces. What values give you your loan of life? Answer! I must know the terms in which to make appeal! (The savage is silent, motionless. A pause. Then Juan, as if suddenly reminded, jumps to his feet in a frenzy of impatience.) Answer me, dog! I must find the will to act--or be dishonored!
NANO--(solemnly--in a faint voice) The Gods are angry.
JUAN--(with wild joy) You speak! At last! Nano, why have you kept dumb while I implored--?
NANO--The Gods have stopped your ears.
JUAN--(going on obsessed, regardless) Juan Ponce de Leon--to torture a helpless captive! Why did you bring me to such shame? Why would you not answer my question?
NANO--(with contempt) My tongue grew weary. For a moon I answered every day.
JUAN--(fiercely) But you lied! Tell me the truth now! Where is the fountain?
NANO--(indifferently, shutting his eyes) Only the Gods know.
JUAN--The same lie! You told me at first that men of your former tribe knew! You must know! This is your revenge--for the death of your wives and children! Must I swear to you again they were killed in spite of my strict orders? Come! Forget them! I will give you your choice of all your women on the island--your freedom--I will petition the King to honor you--give you back your lands--anything if you will answer me! (Nano remains silent. Juan utters a furious cry and, rushing to the brazier, takes a red-hot coal with the tongs and holds it before the Indian's eyes.) Dog! I will burn that scorn from your eyes! (The Indian stares at the hot iron immovably. Juan lets it fall to the floor with a desperate groan of misery.) Pardon! Forgiveness in Christ's name! It is you who torture me! Nano, I burn to hell! I love! (He suddenly stops, chilled to despair by the implacable isolation in the savage's face. He throws himself down on the bench in an apathy. Finally he slowly draws his sword and speaks in a dead voice.) Either you speak or you die. I swear it.