He comes to his senses (in both meanings) and repudiates his cronies before everyone joins in a hymn of reconciliation. Helson loses and his unconscious body is carried in a mock funeral march. Tiny and Slim proclaim their love as the fight continues. After Helson is mocked on all sides, Fido feigns sympathy, at which Moppet and Poppet sing a creed to the superior self-sufficiency of cats. He begins to feel exploited and his skills unacknowledged urged on by his cronies he decides to make a bid to challenge Bunyan’s leadership. While Bunyan is away Helson is put in charge of the camp. Inkslinger fills Bunyan in on what has happened during his absence, and they say their goodnights.īunyan establishes farmers on the land that has been cleared. Tiny goes off with Slim to help in the kitchen, much to Inkslinger’s regret. Inkslinger tells them to leave her alone: she is grieving for her dead mother. Inkslinger tells his life story before the Four Swedes hymn Tiny’s attractions and commend themselves to her. Bunyan returns to the camp accompanied by Tiny, who creates a great deal of interest among the men. Fortunately, Inkslinger replaces Sam and Ben with Hot Biscuit Slim, a cowboy who also happens to be an excellent cook. They leave in a huff and Inkslinger finds himself accused by the Four Swedes. Inkslinger bows to pressure from the lumberjacks and complains about Sam and Ben’s cooking which comprises a surfeit of soup and beans. The Second Ballad Interlude tells of the work of the camp, Bunyan’s marriage to Carrie, the birth of their daughter, Tiny, and Carrie’s death. A dog (Fido) and two cats (Moppet and Poppet) are also conscripted, in addition to Johnny Inkslinger, who eventually agrees to take on the position of book-keeper. Helson is duly appointed foreman, and Sam Sharkey and Ben Benny are employed as cooks. A telegram arrives from the King of Sweden who informs Bunyan that Hel Helson, the King’s best lumberjack, is on his way. Four Swedish candidates present themselves, but none is deemed suitable. He searches for a foreman to organise the work. Scene 1 A clearing in the forest on a spring morningīunyan has recruited a cosmopolitan team of lumberjacks. The First Ballad Interlude relates the birth and early life of Paul Bunyan, mythical logger of immense proportions. The moon promptly turns blue and the forest recognises that its pattern of life will alter. However, they console themselves with the thought that the moon never changes colour. At first the Old Trees are anxious, for Bunyan will eventually clear the forest to make way for civilisation. Three Wild Geese enter and prophesy the birth of Paul Bunyan at the next Blue Moon. A group of Young Trees rebel against the complacent, old-fashioned habits of the Old Trees.
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