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diff --git a/old/60425-0.txt b/old/60425-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c9386ee..0000000 --- a/old/60425-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3787 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Zina: the Slave Girl or Which the Traitor?, by -A. Thompson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Zina: the Slave Girl or Which the Traitor? - A Drama in Four Acts - -Author: A. Thompson - -Release Date: October 5, 2019 [EBook #60425] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZINA: THE SLAVE GIRL *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, hekula03, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by the Library of Congress) - - - - - - - - - - ZINA: THE SLAVE GIRL - OR - WHICH THE TRAITOR? - - - _A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS._ - - - BY DR. A. THOMPSON, OF LOWELL, MASS. - - -[Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by AUGUSTIN -THOMPSON, of Lowell, Mass., in the office of the Librarian of Congress, -at Washington, D. C.] - - - LOWELL, MASS.: - COURIER PRESS: MARDEN AND ROWELL. - 1882. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ZINA: THE SLAVE GIRL. - - - - - CAST OF CHARACTERS. - - - GEN. FRANCIS HALCOM. An exile. - KEELE BRIGHTLY. Slavetrader, gambler, and guerilla chief. - MARTELLE D’ARNEAUX. A true type of the old Southern chivalry. - MERALD MYERS. A gambler, duellist, and slavetrader. - GEN. W. T. SHERMAN. Commanding the Union Army of the Cumberland. - GEN. J. B. HOOD. Commanding Rebel Army of the Tennessee. - HEZEKIAH GOFERUM. A striking illustration of what the back towns can - produce in a case of emergency. - BARNEY O’FLANAGAN. An adopted citizen, who sticks by his friends. - COL. J. H. GILDAY. Of the Rebel Army. - ORDERLIES, SOLDIERS, ETC. - - ZINA: THE SLAVE GIRL. Property of Keele Brightly. - SALLY RIDEOUT. The girl with a farm of her own, who dotes on Hezekiah, - and sings to keep her disposition level. - - - - - ZINA: - - THE SLAVE GIRL. - - - - - ACT I. - - -SCENE 1.—_Streets of Mobile._ D’ARNEAUX _discovered looking over some -papers R. Enter_ ZINA _L, carrying a heavy carpet-bag_. D’A. _recognizes -her_. - -D’ARNEAUX. Ah! your master and myself seem to be of one mind today. I -did not see you on the train. When do you return? - -ZINA. When master has drank enough and played his money away. - -D’A. Zina, you have been weeping. Some more abuse? - -ZINA. Oh, please don’t ask me anything, master. - -D’A. Zina, do you like your master? - -ZINA. Please don’t ask me to say. - -D’A. Now, my little one, do you think you would be happier if you should -come to live at our cottage? - -ZINA. Oh, I should be so glad, Master D’Arneaux; but I can not think of -that, it is so impossible! - -D’A. My mother seems so happy when you come over to sing to her. - -ZINA. I pity her so much; she is so helpless and lonely since Nelly -died. - -D’A. Zina, you could be a daughter to my mother. - -ZINA. She seems to stop mourning for Nelly when I sing to her, and her -face lights up with the old smile as it used to do, when I used to come -over to learn to read and sing. - -D’A. If I should buy you off your master, how would you like it? - -ZINA. Oh, please, Master D’Arneaux, don’t give me a hope like that! When -disappointment comes it makes me feel so bad. - -D’A. Now, why would you be glad to come with us? - -ZINA. You have been so kind to me. Oh, if you will buy me, I will work -so hard for you! - -D’A. Are you not happy in your old home? - -ZINA (_looking about_). Please don’t tell master! but I get so tired—My -life is so hopeless, and the driver beats me so hard— - -D’A. Why do they do that? I always see you at work. - -ZINA. Because I hid in the swamp when he was trying to sell me to some -brutal traders from the coast. Oh, please buy me, Master D’Arneaux! I -will work for you day and night and eat the poor food after the other -hands. - -D’A. But you have seemed to be so much attached to your master, I had -hardly dared to broach the matter of adding your pretty face and good -heart to the family of my mother. - -ZINA. Oh, please do not say what I tell you! they would whip me so. I -force myself to appear happy and contented, to please master. He is so -cross when he finds me crying. Oh, he drinks so much! You will not tell -him what I have said? (_Falls on her knees, sobbing._) I am so fearful -of a worse fate than that. - -D’A. Have they dared to insult you while you are but a child? - -ZINA. Oh, please buy me, Master D’Arneaux, I am so _miserable_ now. - -D’A. Zina, your honor is more sacred than your life, and you have the -right to defend it to the death, even against your master (_handing -stiletto_). Take this knife and kill the miscreant who would insult you. - -ZINA (_kissing and hugging it to her bosom_). Oh, I am so helpless alone -with them. - -D’A. Zina, you were not born to be a slave. God has not put the stamp of -that race in your angel face. Your brain is sharper than your master’s. -Think! at fourteen you read as well as the best at the plantation. In -music you are a prodigy. - -ZINA. Oh, Master D’Arneaux, you are always so kind to me. Heaven is good -to your help when it gives so good a master. - -D’A. It is Heaven, too, that gives _you_ so much of sympathy and -goddness. - -ZINA. I have thought I was so bad, Master D’Arneaux. - -D’A. Why did you think that, my little one? - -ZINA. The driver says, only the wicked are unhappy. Oh, it is so hard -for me to be good. - -D’A. You make a very grave mistake, Zina. The best people that have -lived have been full of tears. - -ZINA. I feel so much better when I can cry. - -D’A. So did you cry when our Nelly died, yet you had done no wrong. - -ZINA (_hesitatingly_). She was such a sister to me, when I was only a -miserable slave. She learned me to sing and your mother learned me to -read— - -D’A. And you have repaid my poor, helpless old mother with so many -beautiful songs— - -ZINA. How else can I pay her for all that makes sunshine for my -miserable life? - -D’A. Zina, you are a noble girl. Too good and pure for labor among the -coarse field hands. Heaven never made you for this. Your brain and voice -came from Him who gives such gifts for a nobler purpose. To scatter -happiness as He scatters beautiful wild flowers in the uninviting nooks -of the earth. - -ZINA. Oh, I do not know what to say, Master D’Arneaux, you are so good -to me. (_Zina rises._) If you buy me, may I have a little bed of -flowers? I will take care of them when there is no work to do. - -D’A. All the flowers you please, little one, where you like, and your -own time to work in them. - -ZINA. Oh, I am so glad! I forget all my misery and unhappiness when I am -doing that. - -D’A. It is an evidence of a pure and noble heart to love the beautiful. - -ZINA. Please don’t tell master, but he stamps on my flowers and tells me -to waste my time in the cotton field. Oh! I try so hard to please him, -that he won’t order the driver to beat me! - -D’A. He is a brutal dog! - -ZINA. Please don’t say so to him. He will know I have been saying -something to you (_taking bag and goes to R_). Oh, I must go now! He is -so angry when I am gone too long. - -D’A. But he knows you are after the baggage? - -ZINA. And he knows I have had time to go and get back (_dropping on -knees_). Oh, please buy me, Master D’Arneaux, I am so unhappy now! I -will work so hard to get your money back. - -D’A. (_Brushing hair from forehead._) Dry the tears, little one, I will -see what I can do for you. - -ZINA. Oh, you will try, won’t you, Master D’Arneaux? I am so fearful -that I shall be sold to some traders tomorrow. (_Seizes and passionately -kisses D’A.’s hand, Zina rises slowly, covering face, then hurries out -R._) - -D’A. I _will_ try (_looking after her_)! That was a rash promise. What -if he shall demand more than I have? That would sweep my mother’s -comforts away (_overcome_). My God! Can it be right that such innocence -should be given to the mercy of such brutes? If this system is divine, -it is _not_ divine that devils should own or handle it. If in the coming -conflict I shall fall, what next? Poor Cora, when I told her my duty was -at the front, and I trusted my mother to her care, that look of agony I -shall never forget, as she gathered her babies to her heart and said: -“Master, I could always be a slave for you, but if you are killed, what -will become of my baby boys?” It has rung in my ears like the knell of -hope, _forever_ since. Poor woman! They shall never send your children -to the auction block to pay a debt for me. If from shame I left her then -without an answer, she shall have it today from the best of my manhood. -I will free my people before I go. The land and cottage will keep my -mother—Ah, I had forgotten Brightly’s mortgage! My death may send my -mother to the poor-house (_thinking_). The proceeds of my last crop will -clear this, or buy the girl. Heaven help me to do right! (_Exit R._) - - -SCENE 2. _Cafe in Hotel Leon, Mobile._ MYERS _and_ BRIGHTLY _are -discovered seated at a card table L. Bar rear centre._ - -BRIGHTLY. A fact, as said old Bob, “Cotton is king,” and a truer boast -never was made. - -MYERS. Some idle slush that happens to suit the vanity of the cotton -growers. Our roosters always strut the loudest. - -BRIGHTLY. Why not? If two hundred millions’ worth of cotton never -crossed the sea, how long would you have to hunt for a gold coin on the -Atlantic seaboard? - -MYERS. What of your gold mines? - -BRIGHTLY. A drop, only. Shut off the cotton production and how would we -carry on a foreign trade? - -MYERS. Exchange your cereals. Again,—if you had nothing to buy with, you -wouldn’t buy. No matter how much you produce here, you are forced to -part with it to feed your always famished vanity. Before California, -your cotton, cereals and meat went. Now it is California as well! Mark -this: If thrown on your own resources, without a particle of foreign -importation, you would be infinitely better off, because it would give -an impetus to the development of your natural resources, so -unparalleled. - -BRIGHTLY. Come to natural resources, how came New York and New England -with their wealth, and how would your pauper labor obtain their cheap -clothing? - -MYERS. Egypt can raise cotton enough for the world. Thrift, hard labor -and plenty of brains will make anybody what he needs. - -BRIGHTLY. Of course, even if the business was basswood, hams and Peter -Funk jewelry. - -MYERS. It is not to your credit that they find a susceptible market -here. - -BRIGHTLY. Why, Myers, we run the rest of this country as middlemen. We -have tolerated the leeches a hundred years. Now we propose to shut down. - -MYERS. When you will spoil the whole. (_Enter Hood R._) It takes brains -to run a country like this, and the south haven’t got the material. - -HOOD. Indeed! - -MYERS. Yes, sir; indeed. It is one thing to raise cotton and another -thing to make it valuable. You never had sense enough in the south to -utilize it. If you have, where are your mills? The south is loaded with -water-power. The brains of the country are in New England and the middle -states. Kick those friends in the face and where are you? England, you -say? They would hold the same relation to you at once. What do you gain? -An enemy on the border. I owe allegiance to the British crown, but I -like your country. It will be my future home. - -BRIGHTLY. I was going to say—that I was afraid this country couldn’t do -without ye. - -MYERS. Sum the south and its institutions, and what is it? Planters who -know nothing but to buy and work a nigger. A large element whose highest -ambition is hog, hominy, a horse race and whiskey enough for the -present. Politicians, who discover nothing but that the north is -leeching its living from the south and stealing its niggers. - -BRIGHTLY. How much would it cost to get two or three Johnny Bulls like -you to come over and run this machine? - -MYERS. Sarcasm don’t answer argument. It takes a variety of people and -interests to make a country like this. I have travelled it all over. -It’s a big thing. Believe me, gentlemen, when I say that you require New -England for its manufacturing push, the west for its bread and meat, the -south for its cotton and sugar. Kick out one and you spoil the whole. - -BRIGHTLY. Myers, you should have chosen the law instead of Faro and -speckelatin in niggers. - -MYERS. Why? - -BRIGHTLY. You got so much cheek, and you can twist a lie so it will look -like a fact. - -MYERS. Now don’t insult me! - -BRIGHTLY. Oh, get out! You are as sensitive as a Yankee nigger stealer. -(_Enter D’Arneaux R._) - -D’A. Good morning, gentlemen. Brightly, please say to my mother, -pressing business calls me to Charleston, at once. - -BRIGHTLY. The devil! What is up now? - -D’A. The last dispatches announce that the bombardment of Sumter has -commenced. - -BRIGHTLY. Jest as I expected. - -D’A. I enter the army tonight, Capt. Hood, may I expect to enter under -your command? - -HOOD. Sorry, but my company is full. Everything is full. - -BRIGHTLY. Why not stick to the Regulators? You got a commission there? - -D’A. Then I will return to Creelsboro tonight, take leave of my mother -in the morning, then hie for the frontier. - -BRIGHTLY. What’s your rush? I can’t get ready as soon as that! - -D’A. The state owns the right to my head and arm now. A quick blow, and -an honorable, bloodless peace. - -HOOD. Well said, my boy. We fight our own countrymen, whose ancestors -stood shoulder to shoulder with ours for the first independence. The -first shot makes me shudder, for I cannot see the end. - -D’A. War is cruel, and I have hoped against hope that it would not come. - -HOOD. I like your sentiments, my boy. May I hope a bullet may never find -you. But the north will fight. It is the exasperation wrought by cruel -pictures of the wrong we have carried as best we could, through the -first century of the Republic. - -BRIGHTLY. Now, gentlemen, don’t get melancholy. Yankees won’t fight. -They are by instinct thieves and shopkeepers. I will bet you my best -nigger you can’t hire one to cross the line. - -MYERS. I have travelled in that country some, and I will meet your wager -and go you one better, that you smell as much Yankee gunpowder the next -year as you can take care of. - -BRIGHTLY. (_Pointing to Myers, laughing._) It’s chronic, Johnny Bull! - -HOOD. Did I understand you that you are an Englishman? - -MYERS. An Australian, sir, on a spec, plying between Mobile and Havana. -Got anything to sell? - -HOOD. Your line of trade? - -MYERS. I prefer handsome women. - -D’A. And when he is tired of them, they are turned over to another -master in the auction yards of Havana. - -MYERS. Exactly. I made $700 on the last one. - -HOOD. It remains for Old and New England to furnish the men, that have -loaded the south with its most ignominious reputation. (_Myers springs -to his feet._) - -MYERS. Do you insult the legitimate business of your country? - -HOOD. The absolute freedom the Republic confers upon you has never -legalized a crime against humanity. - -MYERS. What say you, sir? - -HOOD. When this country opens its doors to the citizens of another -state, it expects no insults to its hospitality! - -MYERS. Do you fight, sir? - -HOOD. I do, sir, most assuredly. - -D’A. You can take your choice, sir. - -MYERS (_to D’Arneaux_). I have no quarrel with you, sir. (_To Hood._) -You will hear from me in the morning. Your profession, sir? - -HOOD. It is honorable, sir. Be assured that I feel the degradation of -the match as much as yourself. - -MYERS. This squabble with the free states has seemed to convey the idea -to every scrub in the south that he must carry the honor of his own -section on his own little back. - -D’A. Squabble? - -MYERS. Well, what else? Neither section has an army, or a respectable -ship of war. There are not ten thousand men in the country that know a -right-shoulder shift from a present. This is a fanatical mob broke -loose. - -BRIGHTLY. Myers, it is cruelty to a lunatic to fight you. - -MYERS. Nothing collapses the vanity of a ponderous presumption so quick -as a ridiculous fact. - -BRIGHTLY (_to Hood and D’Arneaux_). Oh, he knows it all. (_To Myers._) -Look here. I knew of a Johnny Bull once that had the conceit taken out -of him by a little nation that made a navy out of its little coasting -schooners. It lays hard on Johnny’s stomach to this day. - -HOOD. Whatever the merits of this quarrel may be, John Bull will soon -observe that it don’t take three years to make a soldier on this side of -the water. - -MYERS. Come, Brightly, as you and I have not quarrelled, let us have a -whack at the national game. (_Deals cards—they play._) - -BRIGHTLY. Myers, you are the sauciest devil in Mobile. - -MYERS. Why? - -BRIGHTLY. Because you are the best shot, I suppose. - -MYERS. Then Mobile tolerates me, does it? - -HOOD. It does. - -MYERS. Then suppose it should choose to do otherwise? - -HOOD. Some citizen would wring your nose and kick you out. (_Myers -springs to his feet, Brightly between._) - -BRIGHTLY. Hold on, gentlemen. There’s time enough to settle this hash in -the morning. (_Pushes Myers to his chair._) Deal the cards. - -MYERS. These gentlemen insist on being insultingly snappish. - -HOOD. This is a slave state, sir, but not an auction room. I desire you -to understand the strength of my contempt for yourself and the business -that gives you a dishonorable living. - -MYERS. If you should ever cross the water, do you think anything in the -line of Royalty would be able to obtain any condescension from you? - -HOOD. I associate with nothing but gentlemen, sir. - -MYERS. And I suppose you fight nothing but gentlemen, sir? - -HOOD. I sometimes kick a ruffian! - -MYERS (_suppressed rage_). Indeed! We will see how hard you kick, in the -morning. Say, Brightly. Now you are off for the army, sell me that -little red-cheeked jade I saw carrying your baggage to the depot. - -BRIGHTLY (_catching a look from D’A._). No siree! That girl is the -smartest piece of meat in the whole of Tennessee! I brought her up from -a baby. Why, she can sing like an Opera, and read—wal, she does all the -readin’ and letter writin’ on the plantation. (_Hood and D’A. -converse—R._) - -MYERS. I s’pose that all goes for talk! - -BRIGHTLY. Why, bless your heart, there ain’t a nigger or white woman in -Creelsboro’ that wouldn’t die for her! She’s one er the institutions of -that place. - -MYERS. Worth about a thousand more, I suppose, on account of that! Never -saw a Tennessee trader that didn’t have sixteen or seventeen hundred -dollars’ worth of extra virtues in his particular nigger! - -BRIGHTLY. On er bright, and no blowin’! - -MYERS. Oh the south is full of them! - -BRIGHTLY. Then go and buy ’em. - -MYERS. Brightly, I don’t know why, but I have just taken a liking to -that little romp. She is pretty and fresh as a new picture. Say, she -hasn’t been married? - -BRIGHTLY. Not a bit of it. She’s only jest sixteen. - -MYERS. Say, I will give twelve hundred for her, because you and I are -old friends. - -BRIGHTLY. No, yer don’t! - -MYERS. Fifteen? - -BRIGHTLY. It’s no use talkin’! If I should sell that little brat, there -would be hell to pay in Creelsboro’ for two years. - -MYERS. Now look here, Brightly; when I take a liking I am willing to pay -for it. I am going to make you an offer you won’t refuse—twenty-five -hundred! - -BRIGHTLY. You had better wait and see if you get by Hood in the morning. - -MYERS. I shall kill him at the first shot. - -BRIGHTLY. But he fires once, himself. - -MYERS. He will die too soon for that. I have never found it necessary to -fire twice. The other man always forgets to finish his business. - -BRIGHTLY. Why, Myers, you hain’t no more idea of what there is in that -gal, than you have of kingdom come. (_Blows a whistle, and Zina dashes -in R, looking inquiringly._) Ain’t that jest the handsomest piece of -furnicher ye ever looked at? - -MYERS. Beautiful! - -BRIGHTLY. Now I jest want you to hear her sing. Now, little one, hoe in. -Do yer handsomest, and I’ll give yer four days off. - -ZINA. Oh please, master, I feel so bad today. (_Falling on her knees and -covering her face._) - -BRIGHTLY (_Rising and drawing a whip from under his coat._) Ah ha! Sulks -again? Niggers don’t say won’t to me. - -ZINA. Please don’t make me sing, master, today. (_Falls on face -sobbing._) - -BRIGHTLY (_interrupting_). Ah, you won’t, hey? Then I will give you -something to sulk for. (_Advances towards her, and D’Arneaux steps -between. They look each other in the face a moment. Brightly goes to -seat again._) The young one ain’t well today. - -MYERS. Well, three thousand. - -BRIGHTLY. (_Catching a look from D’Arneaux._) I’ll tell ye tomorrow. - -MYERS. I’ll bet ye five hundred on this hand without lookin’. (_D’A. -raises Zina up to knees. She clings to D’A.’s hands—face hid._) - -BRIGHTLY. All right. My chance is as good as your’n, then. Show! - -MYERS (_as both show_). Got ye! This is a matter of pure luck, and may -as well be done blindfolded. Do you know I lost fifteen thousand dollars -once in Havana at one sitting? - -BRIGHTLY. Enough to make me rich! (_Rests face on hands._) - -MYERS. I was teetotally cleaned out. I put up my breastpin and won. When -I got up, I was five thousand dollars better off than I was when I -commenced. Try it again? - -BRIGHTLY. I have just about enough left to get me home again. (_Turns -away._) - -MYERS. Borrow? - -BRIGHTLY. (_To D’A._) D’Arneaux, lend me a thousand dollars. - -D’A. I shall be obliged to use all I have tomorrow. I would play no -more. - -MYERS. I want him to win back part of this, so we can part with good -feeling. - -D’A. Then give it to him, and have done with it! - -BRIGHTLY. I refuse a gift from any one! - -MYERS. Any gentleman would say that. - -D’A. Then return what you have won dishonestly. - -MYERS (_springing to his feet_). This is the second time you have -insulted me tonight, without provocation. - -D’A. _Gentlemen_ resent the first insult! - -MYERS. Can I expect to see you at “Bayou Sara” with your friend in the -morning? - -D’A. You can, sir! I prefer to meet you first myself. - -MYERS. It is immaterial to me. - -BRIGHTLY. Now, gentlemen, this quarrel is for nothing. - -D’A. He has insulted the hospitality of my country. He must carry his -life in his hands for that! - -MYERS. Do your boasting after the fight. Brightly, I lend you five -hundred to continue the game. I want to go out from here with one -friend. - -BRIGHTLY. Jest as you say (_they seat at table_). I am going to get ye -this time. You dealt last (_deals cards_). - -MYERS. Will bet you the even $500, and show as before. - -BRIGHTLY. Playin’ is all luck, anyway. - -MYERS. Do you go it? - -BRIGHTLY. Yes. What have ye got (_both show_)? - -MYERS. Sorry, Brightly. I was hoping you would win this. Nevertheless, -luck will come somewhere. Say, I will bet you thirty-five hundred -against the girl? - -BRIGHTLY. No, I won’t! (_D’A. and Zina, excited, gather nearer._) - -MYERS. That would give you a chance to win 2000 more than you had when -you commenced. Try it again. - -BRIGHTLY. (_Hesitating, finally brings his fist down on the table._) -Done! - -ZINA. Oh, master. (_Zina drops on her knees and bows her head on -Brightly, sobbing. Brightly throws her off._) - -D’A. (_Dashing forward and flinging his pocket-book on the table._) No, -by heaven, you shall not! There are eighteen hundred dollars. It is all -I have. Take it and say the girl is free. Then _waste_ the money if you -like. - -MYERS. (_To Brightly._) Do you take this scoundrel through the country -as guardian for your property, because you are unfit to handle it -yourself? - -BRIGHTLY. What I own I control. Deal the cards! It is $3500 or the girl! - -MYERS. Thirty-five hundred dollars or the girl. Show (_both show_.) You -have lost again! - -D’A. And you have won dishonestly! - -MYERS. You lie! (_Zina half rises in terror._) - -D’A. Take that money and let the girl go free. - -MYERS. Who are you (_rises and confronts_)? - -D’A. What are you? - -MYERS. Well, say it. - -D’A. A gambler with the honor of a thief. - -MYERS. In the morning you shall swallow that. - -D’A. A libertine without an honorable thought! - -MYERS. This shall be your last croak! - -D’A. A ruffian, whose business it is to send— - -MYERS. Have done— - -D’A. Beauty and virtue to the auction block for prostitution! (_Myers -strikes D’Arneaux and is struck in return._) - -MYERS. I will not wait for morning to settle this. (_Flings off hat, -draws knife. Zina rises in terror._) - -D’A. It shall be as you choose (_dashing to bar and seizing a knife_). -And the freedom of this helpless girl shall be the issue! - -BRIGHTLY. (_Dashing between._) Hold on, gentlemen! - -D’A. Stand aside, sir! This is a question of manhood you are unfit to -decide. (_Myers dashes by Brightly and attacks D’A. They fight. Myers is -killed L. at once. D’A. drops his knife and stands aghast at his work. -Turning suddenly to R._) It is a poltroon who would not fight from such -a provocation. (_Zina drops on her knees sobbing._) - -D’A. (_To Brightly._) The result of this duel ends your control as -master here. (_Zina falls on face sobbing._) - -BRIGHTLY. When did I give papers to convey her? - -D’A. I sought the quarrel that has ended that miscreant’s life, because -he has lived in vandalism on the ruins of helpless innocence! - -BRIGHTLY. What is that to me? - -D’A. By every sense of even a gambler’s honor, this child is free. If -you deny that, it shall be the last time the law shall protect your -infamy. Peril her liberty and honor again if you dare, and you shall -answer to me. (_Curtain._) - - - - - ACT II. - - -SCENE 1. _Landscape. Whole stage. Gen. Halcom discovered, R, looking -away with field-glass. Soldiers “en picket,” rear._ - -_Enter Barney L. U. E., looking badly as if from a drunken debauch._ - -1st SOLDIER and SOLDIERS. Guardhouse! Guardhouse! - -BARNEY. (_Stopping, &c._) Close up them holes in your face; the flies -may get inside and blow you. - -1st SOL., &c. Pull up yer trowsers, they are wearing out your heels. -(_Soldiers laugh. Barney enraged._) - -BARNEY. I will have that thafe killed that got so many idiots down here. - -1st SOL. Turn off the gas or your head will collapse. - -BARNEY. (_Throwing off hat and coat, L._) Come out here with them -idiots. Come out! Come out! (_Spanks his hand on floor._) - -1st SOL. Ah-r, Barney, get out, we were only in fun. - -BARNEY. Go away wid you for a thafe and blackguard ye are. - -1st SOL. Come, Barney, let’s have a drink and make up. (_Soldier -produces bottle. Barney looks incredulous, as if expecting some -imposition. He approaches very slowly._) - -BARNEY. And you have no sickness in it? - -1st SOL. Ah-r, what do you take us for? (_Barney takes bottle and -attempts to drink. Finds it empty. Flings it out L. Spanks his hand on -the floor. Soldiers laugh very loud._) - -BARNEY. Come out! Come out, you thafe er the worruld! I’ll bat your dam -head off you. Come out! (_Gen. Halcom turns, looks at them a moment. -Barney subsides, and as he puts on coat and hat, turns often to see if -Hal. is looking at him. Enter Orderly L. U. E._) - -ORDERLY. (_To Gen. Hal._) A note, sir, from the commander-in-chief. - -HALCOM. One moment (_reads note_). Say to the commander-in-chief that -the enemy are massing on our immediate front. (_Orderly salutes and -retires L. U. E._) The picket will report to chief of brigade guard. -(_Pickets retire. L. U. E. Halcom follows slowly. Soon a squad of rebel -soldiers enter R. with Keele. Brightly peering cautiously. D’A. shows R. -U. E. A picket fires out L. U. E. A return shot and he falls. Three -other shots and rebels retire R., but soon come slowly back._) - -BRIGHTLY. Some of those Yankees have learned to shoot since this fight -began. (_To men._) Take that body behind the hill and bury it. (_Rebel -soldiers drag the body out R._) - -D’A. (_Approaching, handing Brightly a note._) An order from the -commander. - -BRIGHTLY. (_Reads and throws it down._) I take no orders from any one. - -D’A. Are you a soldier or brigand? - -BRIGHTLY. Either you please. - -D’A. The laws of every nation compel allegiance to the country that -gives its protection. - -BRIGHTLY. Protection, did you say? - -D’A. Aye, protection! - -BRIGHTLY. When this confederacy finds itself able to stand alone, it may -assume impudence enough to ask my allegiance on account of the -protection it can give. - -D’A. As did the colonies in the first insurrection, this government -holds the inhabitants of its territory subject to the military -conscription. - -BRIGHTLY. Its object, an asylum for broken down political beats. - -D’A. A separation from the free states! - -BRIGHTLY. Which I oppose. - -D’A. Then, sir, you are a traitor. - -BRIGHTLY. Be careful, young man; you are not robust enough to use such -talk with a man. I fight to repel Yankee intrusion upon our domestic -affairs. - -D’A. A patriotism that simply asks protection for your pocket. - -BRIGHTLY. Whose reaches farther? - -D’A. Who has no pride in a magnificent nationality, would simply root -his way through the world like a hog, for the benefit of his stomach. - -BRIGHTLY. Well, who gets, or cares for more? - -D’A. He whose ambition leaps the instinct of the animal, to achieve -honor, magnificence and power. - -BRIGHTLY. You had that before and the north paid the bills. This is -simply a domestic fight. - -D’A. For the liberty and honor of the south. - -BRIGHTLY. Liberty and honor? The world very properly forgot both when -the crusade ended. A country hampered with slavery and the arrogance of -wealth, prating of liberty and honor! - -D’A. Well, you have graduated at a school that can say even more. - -BRIGHTLY. Honor is a bag of gas for the mouth. A presumptuous idea -manufactured for the occasion. - -D’A. Well? - -BRIGHTLY. While driving a sharp bargain for a soul and body in a black -hide, or speculating on deceptive conclusions, did you ever feel it? - -D’A. I have done neither. - -BRIGHTLY. I spoke of the custom of the country you defend. - -D’A. Well? - -BRIGHTLY. What is liberty? An unwanted, useless thing, stamped upon in -every prosperous part of the country. Even the old cradle of our fabled -liberty rocks for the benefit of the capitalist, who starves his -brainless neighbor for the benefit of his vanity. I do not disagree with -him. From the beginning, custom, law and tradition have said, it is to -him that can. In nature, the large fish eat the smaller. The same of the -birds and beasts. The _world_ is a slave pen. Statutes never made a man -free. Take in the boasted freedom and civilization of New England, are -her working people more free than ours? Does the working man dare assert -the rights of a freeman there? The hypocrisy of this presumption is -manifest everywhere. The rich demand the servile submission of the poor, -and they give it or starve! Be frank. Say that you fight to control for -your pocket and stomach. Unite with the slaveholders of the north and -shed no more aristocratic blood. Say he that works for another is a -slave, and I am with you. - -D’A. Are you done? - -BRIGHTLY. For the present. - -D’A. For the last three years the regulators have lived a life of -brigandage for your benefit. They now demand that you shall receive your -orders from the department commander. - -BRIGHTLY. Ah, indeed! Then they propose that the tail shall wag the dog. - -D’A. The last trap to which you led cost half the command. Take your -orders from the proper source, or they refuse to follow you farther. - -BRIGHTLY. This is treason! - -D’A. In this instance, it is to him that can. - -BRIGHTLY. Then they would command? - -D’A. Or be commanded for a less purposeless object. - -BRIGHTLY. How long since these brainless brutes set themselves up to -direct the intellectual part of this campaign? - -D’A. Since they have learned that they are without a competent leader. - -BRIGHTLY. Are they not thieves and drunkards by instinct? - -D’A. I will convey the insult to the troops. - -BRIGHTLY. And as much to yourself! - -D’A. When the country has used my life to its satisfaction, I will -resent that in a proper manner. For the present it shall help to make -the nation. - -BRIGHTLY. A nation? What are nations? The synonym of two neighbors who -fight across a fence over the scratch of a hen. Their dogs assume the -dangerous roles. If the leaders of this breakup were compelled to -shoulder a rifle and take themselves to the front, there would be no -war. Instead, that Christian concession they call the “Peace Congress,” -would come to the front so quick, it would excite your admiration, and -its present auxiliaries would still live to swallow insults, instead of -sneaking behind the servile hounds they push to the front. - -D’A. And the brave and honorable Brigand Chief, whose chivalrous ilk -forbids such dishonor, would still steal on his helpless enemy at night, -though it wore a petticoat, in sightless slumber, and compel the knife -and torch to hide his cowardice! - -BRIGHTLY. (_Drawing knife._) I will not wait for the birth of a nation -to settle that insult! - -D’A. (_Drawing._) This result is your own seeking! (_As they attempt to -fight, Hood dashes in L. U. E. and intercepts._) - -HOOD. Hold! Is there not blood enough wasted already? (_Both attempt to -speak._) Not a word, gentlemen! There is a chance for your sanguinary -extravagance at the front. D’Arneaux, an hour since you volunteered for -the enemy’s lines. Do you serve the army by quarrels with ruffians? -Attend to your business, or leave it with better hands. Now, too! -(_Neither move._) I command here! (_Both leave slowly. Brightly L., D’A. -R._) So do the ruffianly elements divide my strength, and ruin the -efficiency of the army. Half the pickets are drunk or asleep. I am not -surprised that the federals push their advance to our very camp fires. -(_Hez. creeps on very cautiously at L. U. E., cocking gun at port._) - -HEZEKIAH. How de dew? (_Hood starts and turns. Both eye each other a -moment in silence._) - -HOOD. Well? - -HEZEKIAH. I s’pose your my meat. - -HOOD. Can you direct me to the federal headquarters, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. (_Looking at Hood a moment._) I’ll be darned if ye hain’t got -me. Old Tecump keeps his office on top of his old white horse most of -the time. - -HOOD. (_Pointing R._) I think, sir, in this direction. - -HEZEKIAH. Don’t you go there! Johnnies are thicker in them woods than -lunatics in a crazy house. Jest popped one on ’em, less ’n half an hour -ago. - -HOOD. I have some valuable information for the federal commander. - -HEZEKIAH. You git out! Is old Hood got shot? - -HOOD. Not to my knowledge. - -HEZEKIAH. I bin wantin’ to light on that old critter’s kerrin for over a -month. If I get a bead on him, Old Secesh is goin’ ter have a fewneral. - -HOOD. I am very anxious, sir, and no time to lose. - -HEZEKIAH. I bin whoopin’ on that line since daylight. I’m hungrier than -a Floridy allagater. - -HOOD. (_Turning to leave._) I must be moving. Good day, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. Say! Ye hain’t got nothin’ in yer pocket ter scald a feller’s -in’ards, have ye? - -HOOD. I regret, sir, that I cannot accommodate you. Good day, sir. -(_Attempts to leave R._) - -HEZEKIAH. If ye stick to me, I’ll get ye there when the relief comes. -When the old general sees you with me, he’ll do the square thing by ye. -I know old Tecump just as well as I do you. He and I have spilt some -fluid since we come down on this racket. He’s five trumps and four aces -in a lone hand every time you hit him. - -HOOD. You observe I am in the disguise of a rebel general, to avoid -their pickets. - -HEZEKIAH. I wonder if I don’t know skim milk when I see it? - -HOOD. If I should be seen in the company of a Yankee, I should be shot -at sight. - -HEZEKIAH. Wal, I guess yer head is level on that. - -HOOD. (_About to leave—R._) Good day, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. Say, I don’t s’pose you’ve got any tobacker in yer trowsis, -have ye? - -HOOD. (_Producing it._) Certainly, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. Jest give us a chaw. (_Hood complies._) My stomach is as -holler as a collapsed balloon. (_Bites off a chew, and returns plug._) -’Bliged at ye. - -HOOD. (_Turning to go._) Good day, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. Say? You jest keep your eye peeled, or them Johnnies will get -your hair. (_Exit Hood—R._) That’s a darn nice old critter. But I don’t -think he’s so bright as some folks, or else he wouldn’t be caterwaulin’ -round here on the picket line alone. He don’t know nothin’ about war! -I’ll be darned if I don’t think I’ve got stuck some myself. Down east, -you can foller the tellegraff poles. They hain’t got scarcely any on ’em -in this heathen country. This is about the meanest place I ever -travelled in. If I hain’t eat my peck of dirt 250 times since I hit this -land er snakes, you can chaw my ear. I hain’t had a good square wash for -over two years. My hide would raise pertaters stouter than a down-east -cut-down. (_Shot from R., and his hat flies into L. wings._) Gosh all -Jewpiter, if that critter hasn’t spil’t my best hat. (_Chasing it out L. -Other shots, and two rebel soldiers creep on R. A shot from L.; one -falls, and the other retreats. Hez. comes on L._) There ain’t no two -Johnnies can drive me. (_Feels of the dead rebel._) Bet ye tew dollars -and a half that critter won’t get well. (_Exit L. slowly, looking back -often. Brightly creeps on from R._) - -BRIGHTLY. Those Yankee pickets will shoot the rear guard through the -camp yet. (_Looking out, R._) Come here. (_Enter Zina, hatless and -ragged._) I have spotted you. If you attempt to escape again, I will -shoot you at sight! What are you skulking around here for? - -ZINA. I was lost; I did not know where I was going. - -BRIGHTLY. You lie! Why do you follow my lieutenant’s footsteps so much -like a cur? You are my property. Not a dog. What do you hope for? That -he will buy you? He can never do that. Not if his house was solid gold, -and he offered me all he had. White niggers are hard to manage, but I am -the man that never failed on one yet. Look at me! (_Zina looks at him in -terror._) If you speak to him again, I will flog your hide off. - -ZINA. Oh, he is all the friend I have in the wide world. - -BRIGHTLY. Who feeds your hungry maw and rags your lousy hide? - -ZINA. When my heart is almost breaking, and I beg for God to let me die, -the kind words he speaks make me hope again so much— - -BRIGHTLY. In love, hey? A nigger, a field hand, in love with a -gentleman! At least, he passes himself off for one. Within twelve hours, -I will take the pimp out of his proud strut. - -ZINA. Oh, I am such a miserable slave to love so good a master as he. He -is too noble to do a wrong to any one. - -BRIGHTLY. While he has dogged my footsteps when I leave the camp with -you, and has twice incited you to escape? - -ZINA. Heaven is my witness, he _did_ not do that. - -BRIGHTLY. I will have an end of this! Today he volunteered to enter the -enemy’s camp as a spy—ostensibly as a deserter. He will be betrayed! - -ZINA. Do with me as you will, and I will never complain; but he is -innocent. - -BRIGHTLY. When he attempts to return, he will be arrested by the enemy, -with the proofs of his business on his person! A court-martial, an -execution, and the end! (_Zina in agony._) - -ZINA. My God, what shall I do? - -BRIGHTLY. Nothing. (_Zina drops on her knees._) - -ZINA. Oh, what will you ask of me, and I will never cause you trouble -again? - -BRIGHTLY. I make no conditions when I control! - -ZINA. If I have ever loved anything, it has been lost to me. (_Sinking -down, sobbing._) - -BRIGHTLY. Of what use are you to me now? I have taken insult after -insult from _him_, until I have reached the last. If this fails, I will -kill him! - -ZINA. (_Springing up._) Then I will tell him the infamous traitor that -you are. - -BRIGHTLY. (_Dashing forward to strike her._) You will? - -ZINA. (_Defending with stiletto._) Stand off, you cowardly cur! - -BRIGHTLY. (_Springing back and drawing bowie knife._) Ah ha, revolt? - -ZINA. Aye, revolt! - -BRIGHTLY. Before this, I had determined to kill you. (_Rolling up cuffs, -&c._) - -ZINA. Who strikes a woman is a coward! - -BRIGHTLY. You have earned your right to the knife now, and you shall -have it. - -ZINA. I have worked for you since I could walk, and never played. You -have beat and starved me in return, after I had done the best I could. - -BRIGHTLY. Rant, for this shall be your last time! - -ZINA. Your brutal strength loves best to beat the helpless. But while I -live I will defend myself! - -BRIGHTLY. Before my arm—like a breath of heedless air. - -ZINA. This shall be the last with me. My hands have earned the right to -be free, and now I will be, or you shall kill me! - -BRIGHTLY. This knife shall answer that! - -ZINA. Aye, it shall be to the death for one. But you shall see how a -puny girl shall fight a brutal coward, in defence of her life and honor! - -BRIGHTLY. Your snarling lout shall not protect you this time. - -ZINA. (_Despair._) God help me and save Master D’Arneaux! - -BRIGHTLY. (_Quickly._) He has already passed the guard! (_Zina starts, -chokes, staggers, drops her stiletto and faints. B. rushes towards -her._) I will end these insults here. (_A shot from the L. strikes his -arm. He whirls round and dashes out at R., as Hez. rushes in at L., -saying:_) - -HEZEKIAH. Gosh all hemlock! That’s twice we missed that critter in the -same place. Here I been catawaulin’ round here for four days, and I -hain’t took but thirteen scalps. But I wonder if we didn’t wade inter -them critters yesterday. There is more cannon balls wasted down in that -ar’ medder than you can stow inter our meetin’ house. Hannah Doolittle! -Wan’t there some glory got loose in that fite! There was more halleluyer -in four minnits than you could twist out er two hundred and fifty -comeouter camp meetings. Jewlyus Jehosafat! I jest as lives died as not! -When we scooted that rebel meat, I felt prouder’n Sal Screwton when she -got her fust bussel. (_Meantime, enter Gen. Halcom, L._) - -HALCOM. Well? - -HEZEKIAH. (_Turning, surprised, cocking his gun._) Gosh all Jewpiter! I -thought it was Jeff Davis! - -HALCOM. What have you found? - -HEZEKIAH. Guess them critters have gone a fishin’. Hain’t had a houter -of a pop for half an hour, except one, as I hope ter holler. (_Halcom -discovers Zina._) - -HALCOM. What is this, Hezekiah? - -HEZEKIAH. Wall, I’ll be darned if ye hain’t got me. Do ye s’pose they -lay out round here nights? - -HALCOM. (_Looking closely._) She sleeps. (_Tries to wake her and -fails._) She is unconscious. (_Turns her face towards himself, starts._) - -HEZEKIAH. Hain’t she handsome? - -HALCOM. She is indeed beautiful! The child is sick, and perhaps -starving. Give me your canteen. (_Bathes her face._) Call some of the -pickets. (_Bathes still. Hez. goes out L. U. E., and soon returns with -Barney and a stretcher._) - -BARNEY. Indade now. Do thim blackguards murder beautiful little girruls -like that? - -HALCOM. The child is seriously sick. Take her to my surgeon, and say it -is my desire that every effort shall be made in her behalf. Handle her -carefully. (_Hez. and Bar. put her on the stretcher, raise her tenderly, -and bear her out at L. U. E._) Poor child! She is the victim of -brutality, or the hardships of the front have nearly killed her. -(_Hesitates._) So much like my mother’s face! (_Bows head. Enter Sherman -R. U. E., in heavy military cloak._) - -SHERMAN. Well, Halcom, have the blues got you again? (_Darken stage -gradually._) - -HALCOM. General, you must not remain here! We are within rifle range of -the enemy’s pickets. It is exceedingly dangerous. - -SHERMAN. It is growing too dark for sharpshooters to operate. - -HALCOM. The country cannot afford to have you exposed. - -SHERMAN. Pray, why not? - -HALCOM. We are engaged in a desperate march to the sea. The army is too -far from its base to exist without a competent leader. If you should -fall, what next? - -SHERMAN. Half my men, sir, are fit to command. - -HALCOM. General, you are too sanguine of the capabilities of others. I -repeat again, you _must_ be careful. The safety of the army demands it. - -SHERMAN. Halcom, you are too anxious for the safety of every one but -yourself. The army has a common impression that you are the most daring, -reckless officer at the front. - -HALCOM. It matters but little if I fall. - -SHERMAN. Why, my dear sir, your life— - -HALCOM. Is worth nothing for myself. If it please heaven that I live to -see a full and earnest liberty here, with all the stars of the old flag -still lingering there, it matters little what becomes of me. - -SHERMAN. Halcom, I never see you smile! There is some terrible -misfortune hidden behind your sad, melancholy face, you have never yet -revealed. Desperate; rash; impetuous; you have won your double stars at -twenty-eight. A brilliant military dash that thrills the army; and you -fell back so quietly to the seclusion of your quarters, and never seem -to hope or look for reward. But for this, your life has been a blank to -me. - -HALCOM. There is nothing in the history of my family I could wish to -conceal. - -SHERMAN. I have looked in vain for its justification, while I have -observed in you a seeming too sanguinary hate of our misguided -countrymen. - -HALCOM. I have sometimes thought that I may be insane from the wrongs I -have suffered from the men who lead this revolt. Not thirty leagues from -here I first saw the light. My family came of the Huguenot emigrants -that settled in the Carolinas. As the rush of population swept towards -the west my ancestors found a home in the wilds of Tennessee. My father -inherited twenty thousand acres in the Cumberland Valley. Our home was -happy. My angel mother was a friend to the helpless and wronged. At -twelve years of age I kissed her the last good bye (_hesitating_), and -left to educate myself in the free schools of New England. My father was -no traitor to the principles of right and justice. Accused of no overt -act, he had the right to advocate his convictions, and these were so -born and educated in right, infamy had no manly response. The knife and -torch of the assassin met his appeal to the honor of his adversaries. -One day a dispatch came to me. I hurriedly broke the seal. They had all -perished by the hand of the assassin. Five weeks later I awoke from the -delirium of a fever that has never left my brain. (_Shows Sherman a -picture._) My mother. She was so good and beautiful. - -SHERMAN. She was, indeed, beautiful (_returns it_). - -HALCOM. Kneeling in my New England home, with her sweet face looking -from that picture into my own, I swore that my hand should never stay, -until it should find the life of her assassin. - -SHERMAN. Such revenge is honorable. - -HALCOM. An infant sister was born during my absence— - -SHERMAN. She still lives? - -HALCOM. Her ashes mingle with the others in the ruins of our old home. - -SHERMAN. Only the class that can buy and sell human hearts and -affections can produce such villains. - -HALCOM. Fifteen years since I have made my annual pilgrimage to the -desolate spot where I was born. A tablet to their memory survives until -I leave. Often in disguise I have entered the councils of my enemies. -Seven of the fiends I have looked in the face, while my hands clutched -their throats till the last gurgle of life had been gone an hour. The -chief still survives. I have tracked him through the gambling hells and -slave yards of the southern cities, till I have found him in command of -a guerilla force in this department. Twice I have seemed to annihilate -them, but he has never appeared among the slain. - -SHERMAN. Be careful, Halcom. You must not peril your life for so -worthless an object. Your military fame is the property of the country. -You peril this for a chance at a dog. When your division assaults the -works of the enemy tomorrow, I urge it as a claim of your country, that -you shall not needlessly expose yourself. - -HALCOM. So much will I as becomes a soldier who would defend his country -from such assassins. If I fall, let me sleep in my old home in the soil -of Tennessee, whose honor I have tried to defend against the cowards who -have dragged her into this infamous revolt. - -SHERMAN. (_Taking his hand._) Well said, my boy. You will not fall. God -will protect the brave hearts that are to save the home he has made for -the poor. I have gazed in wonder and surprise so many times on the brave -fellows that sprang so wildly to the front, before the echoes of -Sumter’s cannon had hardly died away among the free hills of the north. -Half of them fit to be governors or presidents! What a people have -sprung from the little squad that first planted civil liberty on old -Plymouth Rock. Brave old New England! How quickly her sword leaped from -the scabbard when slavery struck at this. How the offshoots of her brain -throb and flash across the prairies of the great west. How her freedom -and little church spires cling to the hills as her civilization marches -for the western sea! It is God’s advance guard leading the way to a -larger and freer home for the poor. Think, Halcom, of the glory that is -coming. The star is in the west now. Fifty years hence a hundred -millions of free and prosperous people will offer thanksgiving to heaven -for this, your sword shall help so much to win. - -HALCOM. It is indeed beautiful to contemplate. But there are bitter cups -for many to drain before that glory comes. I hope for nothing. My family -are gone. When my heart reaches out for my kindred, it remembers only -that the assassin has left nothing to love but the ashes of the old -home. - -SHERMAN. Let us pursue this painful subject no longer. Go and sleep now. -Howard tells me you are watching forever. - -HALCOM. You will expect us to carry the left redoubts at daybreak? - -SHERMAN. If heaven wills. - -HALCOM. The men will do all you may expect. Listen for my cannon at -daybreak. - -SHERMAN. At daybreak? - -HALCOM. At daybreak. (_Hal. salutes and retires R. U. E._) - -SHERMAN. The bravest and most honorable man I ever saw! So young to -command. (_Turns to leave L.U.E., meets Hez. entering._) - -HEZEKIAH. Hold on there, you old gunpowder guzzler, you come here and -give me the password or I’ll blow you out er water. I will, by jingo! - -SHERMAN. (_To rear centre slowly._) Atlanta. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Scratching head and thinking._) I’ll be darned ter Moses ef -I don’t think that is the password arter all. My memory wants joggin, -wuss ’n Ike Acorn’s cabbages that was planted in a sandbank coz ’twas -easy hoin’. - -SHERMAN. Are you on the regular picket tonight? - -HEZEKIAH. I’ll be darned if ye hain’t got me. I bin catawaulin round -here all day ter get a pop at some er them Johnnies, and Barney brings -out the provender. - -SHERMAN. Do you know the general-in-chief, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. Well, I should think I ought ter. He and I have drinked over a -barrel together since this rumpus come up. - -SHERMAN. How do you like the service, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. Now you’ve hit me where I bile over. When the fightin’ fust -commenced, I thought I wan’t no great shakes er gettin’ shot for -thirteen dollars a month, till one day one er them bumbshells come along -and peeled the whole hind eend of my trowsers off. That made me madder -than a kicked hornet. I just got a bead on my old shooter, and I let her -sliver right into um. I shouldn’t wonder if I killed thirty or forty er -them darn skunks. I had four fingers and a half in that gun. - -SHERMAN. Quite a good beginning, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. Ye see when I get my dander up something has got to come, or -bust. How long do you suppose the old general is goin’ ter keep us out -here killin’ them critters? I’d jest like ter give him a piece er my -brains on that. - -SHERMAN. Well, sir, what would you do to make the machine work faster? - -HEZEKIAH. Well, I should pizen their grub. You tell him that and I -shouldn’t wonder ef he’d dew it. They say he’s a dam rough old critter; -but he can spile more Jersey pizen than any other critter this side er -sundown. Say, how long have you been in this machine? - -SHERMAN. About thirty years, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. You git out! Why you must be chock full er bullets by this -time. I spose you’d feel kinder lonesome if ye didn’t have two or three -pounds on ’em in ye all the time. I like ter had the daylights knocked -out er me yesterday. One er them bumbshells struck a tree jest over my -head, when I was fodderin’ up, and it sp’ilt forty cents’ worth er -vittles for me in less than two minnits. If that bumbshell had hit jest -seventeen inches lower, Sal. Rideout would er bin out jest my figger -exactly. I quit eatin’ then, and went inter my tent to fix up my shirt -collar, so if I got shot, I would lay out handsome, and who do you -s’pose I see crawlin’ under the back er the general’s tent, when the -guard wan’t lookin’? - -SHERMAN. I have not the least idea, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. A dam sneakin’ skunk of a rebel, with a knife in his mouth. -When I got in there, he tried ter hide under the general’s bunk. The way -I placed that old hob-nailed cowhide under the lower eend er his jacket, -would er upset a meetin’-house. I’ll be darned if that critter didn’t up -and snap a pistol right in my face. I jest laid down my gun, and if I -didn’t plow and harrer his anatomy, you can dig me out for a hog’s -trough, and kiss me for his mother. - -SHERMAN. What became of the man, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. I jist wasted him all over half an acre, fore he got away. -(_Hez. suddenly stops and presses his hand on his belly, doubling up._) - -SHERMAN. What is the matter, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. It’s my old colic comin’ agin. I got ter go and git a gin -sling. (_Dashes his gun in Sherman’s hands, knocking him half down._) -Jest hold my old shooter. (_Dashes out at L._) - -SHERMAN. Hold on, sir. Here! Halt, you scoundrel! (_Recovering his -feet._) Gone? Confound that idiot. I will have him court-martialed for -leaving his post. (_Thinking._) Then I should be shown up for allowing -the fool to impose upon me. The general of the army on guard! I shall be -the laughing stock of the whole army. I’ll wage my commission that he -made that to get off for a drink. I’ll scare the idiot out of his senses -when he returns. Here he comes. Halt, sir! Stand there till I call the -officer of the guard. Move if you dare, sir, and you are a dead man! -(_Hez. walks up and takes the gun away, saying—_) - -HEZEKIAH. You git out. If you don’t know me, you’re the biggest puddin’ -head in the country! - -SHERMAN. You are the most impudent scoundrel I ever met. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Handing money._) Here’s a quarter for ye. Now you go home -and put that knowledge box er your’n under a gardeen, or somebody’ll -shoot you for a stray mule. - -SHERMAN. You are an idiot, sir! - -HEZEKIAH. (_Throwing hat, coat and gun down, L._) I don’t take that from -nobody. - -SHERMAN. Hold on, sir! What are you going to do? - -HEZEKIAH. Goin’ ter trample on your constitushun about four minnits. -(_Turns to attack, and meets Sherman’s revolver._) Lay down that -shooter, I’ll give ye four dollars. - -SHERMAN. I am a gentleman, sir, no ruffian. - -HEZEKIAH. Glad ye told me, I shouldn’t er known it. - -SHERMAN. You want to fight, sir, do you? You shall have all you desire, -sir! - -HEZEKIAH. Then peel and prong round here. - -SHERMAN. I will meet you here at sunset, tomorrow, sir, for a duel. -Arms, broadaxes! Then I will kill you, sir, like a dog. - -HEZEKIAH. How much do you weigh when you’re all bloated up? - -SHERMAN. I am known as the worst man in the west, sir! - -HEZEKIAH. Nobody would look at ye and dispute it. If I looked as bad as -you do, I’d hold my breath till I died. I chawed up twenty-seven men -once, with a common axe. When I wade in with a broadaxe—wall, you get -your friends to come down and hunt up the corpse in about fourteen -seconds after they say time. - -SHERMAN. Do you stop to bury your dead, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. Now you git out. (_Picking up coat._) If the old general -should come along and find me talkin’ to you, he’d raise all possess -about it. - -SHERMAN. (_Turning to R. to leave._) Remember, sir, tomorrow at sunset. -I trust that you are no coward that will waste my time, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. Don’t you fret. Fore I get through with ye, you’ll think a -meetin’-house has fell down on ye. (_Exit Sherman, R. Hez. puts on his -clothes._) Spose that critter will come, or was he blowin’? I don’t -think I’m healthy! I ain’t no ’count with a broadaxe! (_Enter Sally, R. -U. E., in male attire, face covered by a wide-rimmed hat._) Hello, -there, you padded up young scallawag! What are you catawaulin’ after, -out here? - -SALLY. (_Aside._) He won’t know me. - -HEZEKIAH. Come putty near shootin’ you for a stray calf. Bin more -corpses carried off er this beat since I bin on, than a hoss can haul. - -SALLY. (_Approaching sideways, with hat over her eyes._) Come putty near -shootin’, did ye? You gaunt, hamstrung old spavin! - -HEZEKIAH. You’d er bin a corpse now, if I hadn’t took you for a mule. - -SALLY. I would, hey? You old collapse, you! - -HEZEKIAH. If you should strain hard, do you spose you could tell whose -fool has broke loose? - -SALLY. That is an insult I won’t swallow! - -HEZEKIAH. Who told ye too? - -SALLY. (_Bristling up._) I will have blood for that! Blood, sir! R. R. -(_As Hez. turns to L. she dashes out R. and hides._) - -HEZEKIAH. If I don’t (_turns to L. to throw off hat and coat._) collapse -your constertushun, I hope I may rot. (_Turning, he finds she has -disappeared._) There’ll be two or three fewnerals round here bime by. -(_Looks out L. U. E._) There comes a Johnny! (_Hides, L. Brightly enters -cautiously, L. U. E. As he works along towards R. U. E., Hez. creeps up -behind, and pounces on him, throwing him down. They tussle all about the -rear of the stage. Enter Barney, L. and dances about to get in the -fight, as scene closes._) - - -SCENE 2. _Landscape and Wood. Centre._ - -(_Enter Sherman and Halcom, at L. U. E., and go to R._) - -SHERMAN. I am about to attempt the capture of Atlanta by a flank -movement. I wish you to throw your Division forward and occupy that -ridge on the right of the railway. I have ordered twelve batteries to -protect you from an enfilade. The position, you see, covers the line of -his communications. The successful accomplishment of this will probably -compel Hood to evacuate his strong positions and fall back. I give you -the position of honor because you do not fail. - -HALCOM. Thank you! - -SHERMAN. Once clear of this line of entrenchments, we have them in the -open country before us. (_Enter Hez. L. U. E._) - -HEZEKIAH. Say, General. We have just took the darndest, rantankerest -piece er rebel meat you ever put your eyes on. He’s got more red pepper -in his constertewshun than a Boston wholesale grocery store. He’s wus’n -them hyennys in Barnum’s circus! Had ter tie the darn critter ter keep -him from chawin’ up everybody. Don’t ye know, that critter had cheek -enough ter walk right over my beat, jest as if I want there. I jest laid -down my gun, and if I didn’t hop onter his kerrin, you can chaw my ear. - -SHERMAN. Did you notice his rank, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. Wal, I did think he was a little rank when I got through with -him. - -SHERMAN. I mean, sir, did you notice if he was an officer? - -HEZEKIAH. I never thought ter ask him ’bout that. He tumbled so fast. I -had ter hump ter keep up. Why, he’s the same feller I see trying ter -crawl under Frank’s tent. - -SHERMAN. Who is Frank, sir? - -HEZEKIAH. Jehosafat! Don’t you know Frank? - -SHERMAN. I think not, sir. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Pulling Halcom to the front._) There is jest the handsomest -piece er furnicher this side er sundown. - -SHERMAN. Why, you rascal, that is General Halcom. - -HEZEKIAH. You git out! That’s our Frank. - -SHERMAN. Look here, sir, you were on guard last night. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Looking at Sherman, and then aside._) Jewrusalem! That was -the old Gineral I run into last night. Now I’ve gone and spilt the apple -sass all over the best table cloth. (_Turns and grasps Sherman’s -hands._) How de dew? I know’d that was you last night, all the time. -Ain’t I the wust blackguard you ever run into? - -SHERMAN. Bring in that prisoner, sir. I will deal with you when there is -less business on hand. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Attempting to leave._) Jess you say. I spose you boss this -cahoot. (_Turns back._) Say, you keep your eye peeled. He’s a darn pizen -critter. He may try to get your guzzle. (_Exit Hez. L._) - -SHERMAN. Is that man insane or a fool? - -HALCOM. Neither. He is one of the rough diamonds of the army: the very -first man I enlisted in the old Bay State. Brave as a lion, and keen as -a razor. - -SHERMAN. Why, the rascal would have thrashed me blind last night, but -for my revolver. - -HALCOM. Indeed! His patriotism drifts only in the rudeness of its native -channel. I put up with his familiarities, because he cannot understand -the necessity for military etiquette. (_Crosses to L. front. Enter Hez. -and Barney, L. U. E., driving Brightly ahead of them, hands bound behind -him._) - -HEZEKIAH. (_To Sherman._) Name it and you can have it. - -SHERMAN. (_To Hez._) Untie his hands. (_Hez. unties, &c._) Sir, I hear -that you have been arrested as a spy. - -BRIGHTLY. I am a prisoner of war. - -SHERMAN. Now I remember—you have once before been convicted of spying, -and escaped. (_Halcom crosses to R. turns, when both start from -recognition._) - -HALCOM. The assassin of my family! - -BRIGHTLY. Of whom do you speak? - -HALCOM. Yourself, coward! - -BRIGHTLY. Then you may consider yourself a liar! - -HALCOM. (_To Sherman._) During the last fifteen years, I have hunted -this brute through the slave yards and gambling hells of the south. Now -he shall answer to me. You shall meet me with the favorite weapon of -your cowardice. - -BRIGHTLY. I am unarmed. - -HALCOM. (_Throwing his knife at Brightly’s feet._) So am I. - -BRIGHTLY. (_To Sherman._) Am I to be murdered while a helpless prisoner? - -HALCOM. Take the knife, coward! (_Holding up his empty hands._) My -mother was helpless! - -SHERMAN. (_Stepping between and taking hold of Halcom’s arm._) Not now, -Halcom. The military law shall accomplish all you desire. (_Brightly -seizes the knife from the floor, and dashes like lightning forward to -stab Sherman in the back. Hez. seizes him instantly, wrests the knife -from him, and flings him to L._) - -HEZEKIAH. You darn sneakin’ dog, you! - -HALCOM. Your own life! - -SHERMAN. (_To Hez._) Remove the prisoner! See to it that he is well -ironed. I will deal with him tomorrow! - -HEZEKIAH. (_To Sherman._) Say, General, if it don’t make no difference -to you, I’d like ter make this critter inter a stuffed pirate for -Barnum’s circus. - -SHERMAN. I said remove him, and I hold you responsible if he escapes! - -HEZEKIAH. Jess you say. It’s your fewneral! (_To Brightly._) Now you -travil, or I’ll let daylight through them rotten ribs er yourn so quick, -you’ll think your struck with all the litenin’ the Lord’s got the use -on. Git! (_Exit Brightly L. Turns at entrance to give H. and S. a look -of contempt._) - -SHERMAN. If he escapes my bullet this time, it will be from the -intervention of heaven! (_Enter Orderly, front, and salutes._) - -ORDERLY. Gen. Howard orders me to report that Hood has withdrawn behind -the river. - -SHERMAN. Our opportunity is lost! There are other spies in the camp! -Tell Howard to move to the bank of the river, and await orders. (_To -Halcom._) Cross a heavy reconnoisance at Herrick’s ford, and report as -soon as possible. (_Halcom salutes and retires R. Sherman L. U. E. Enter -Barney R. U. E. passing along._) - -BARNEY. Bad luck to this haythen country. I’m killed from every stone -and stump in it. I don’t like rebellyions! If yer killed with nobody to -get a pension for it, where’s the luck in it? (_Enter Hez. behind, -cautiously._) - -HEZEKIAH. (_In a stentorian voice._) Move, and I kill you! (_Barney -motionless._) Drop that gun! (_Drops it._) Hands up! (_Holds up hands._) -Right about! (_As Barney turns, Hez. breaks down in loud laughter._) - -BARNEY. Don’t you do that again; I might kill you sometime. - -HEZEKIAH. Scartest man I ever looked at! - -BARNEY. No sir— - -HEZEKIAH. I see the bristles risin’ up the whole length er your back! - -BARNEY. No sir. I was playin’ wid yer. - -HEZEKIAH. Say, Barney, wasn’t ye scart? - -BARNEY. I might be narvous a little. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Pulling bottle._) S’pose we have a little nerve powder. -(_Hands bottle to Barney._) - -BARNEY. I was always a friend to that! Here’s to George Washington and -Danny O’Connell. The two boys ye can’t make afraid or ashamed of the -country that giv em their first pertaties. (_Drinks, and hands bottle to -Hez._) - -HEZEKIAH. Here’s tew Pardunk and the gal that’s waitin’ for me, and a -chain litenin’ diet to the darn sneakin’ skunk of a rebel that would -spit on the bird that’s goin’ to roost with impewnity all over North and -South Ameriky. (_Drinks; Barney looks about cautiously. Set guns against -tree, R. U. E._) - -BARNEY. I would like it if there was no corporals. - -HEZEKIAH. How much guard-house do ye s’pose you’ve had Barney, since we -left Pardunk? - -BARNEY. I should guess fifteen months. And thim blackguards are the -spalpeens that bother me like that. - -HEZEKIAH. What did ye come out here for, Barney? - -BARNEY. For a pinsion! - -HEZEKIAH. Gittin’ rich, wasn’t ye? - -BARNEY. To be sure I was. Wasn’t I ingaged to Biddy Maloney? Didn’t she -have a peanut store on the sidewalk and a suit of rooms in Tim -Sullivan’s cellar? Didn’t she fail four times in one summer and pay ten -cints? Ah’r, the smart girl she is! With a gal like that, what is the -need er workin’? - -HEZEKIAH. Say, Barney, how would you like to be a Jigadier Brindle? - -BARNEY. What, one er them fellers with brass things on ’em? - -HEZEKIAH. Yes. - -BARNEY. I have ambishun like that. Then I could go to the hospittle when -the whiskey makes me sick, and be kapin’ out of the fight. (_Trying to -see something on Barney’s back, when Barney turns back to the audience. -As he does, Hez. says—_) - -HEZEKIAH. Ye know how to protect yer rear. (_Lifts Barney’s coat tail, -and exhibits a black patch as large as a chair bottom, sewed on Barney’s -seat._) - -BARNEY. (_Swelling with rage._) I do that! I’m a jintleman! No -blackguard! I poke no fun to make a laugh on a jintleman! Whin a -blackguard attacks me reputation, I don’t care what he says! When he -puts his dirty hands on my karrackter, I will resint it like a man! I’m -an Irishman, and me honor’s me own! I have no cheap words with a -blackguard without the iddication of a jintleman! I am no thafe to be -spit upon! Come out! Come out! (_Motioning towards R. U. E._) Come out! -(_Hez. hands a bottle towards him. Barney catches sight of it as he -says—_) Come—(_Breaks down in a broad grin._) What kind er wather is -that? - -HEZEKIAH. Medicine for fits. (_Barney drinks._) Old Deacon Jones took -about a quart er that once, by mistake. Said he thought the whole -neighborhood was a jewsharp, and he was playin’ on it. - -BARNEY. ’Pon my word! - -HEZEKIAH. Know’d of a feller in Shadagy, that was brought up on that. - -BARNEY. That same? - -HEZEKIAH. Yes sir. - -BARNEY. How long was he doin’ that? - -HEZEKIAH. He grow’d so long they couldn’t tax him when he was -twenty-one. - -BARNEY. How was the blackguard gettin’ by that? - -HEZEKIAH. They considered the most of him was out er the county. (_Sally -enters R. in male attire. Steps between them and their guns. Draws -pistol._) - -SALLY. Cowards! (_Both turn in dismay and take in situation._) - -BARNEY. The blackguard! - -SALLY. Prisoners of war, only to die! - -HEZEKIAH. (_Throwing off coat._) Not if this piece er meat knows itself! -(_Turns and meets Sally’s revolver._) - -SALLY. Halt! (_Hez. stops._) - -HEZEKIAH. Darn your picter! - -SALLY. I prefer to take you alive, that you may have the honor to die -under the majesty of the law, for connivance with the spies of the -enemy! - -BARNEY. (_Looking at Hez._) The thafe! - -HEZEKIAH. Who said that? - -SALLY. The angels were lookin’! - -HEZEKIAH. You tell him he’s a liar! - -BARNEY. (_To Hez._) It’s some poor thing that’s crazy from bein’ insane. - -HEZEKIAH. Yes, we know’ you’re a big ingin. (_Offers her a bottle._) -Have some firewater? (_Sally takes and pockets bottle._) - -SALLY. So has the dignity of my mission been insulted: you shall die -now! Cowards, you have two minutes to live! Take off your hats and -coats. (_Both comply._) It were unworthy for you to die in the Union -blue! One minute more! (_Holds her watch in her hand._) - -BARNEY. Stop! Will you take two months pay? - -SALLY. How long shall I be insulted thus? - -HEZEKIAH. Have you ever bin a father or mother? - -BARNEY. Yes sir. Have you bin that? - -SALLY. I’ll hear no more! (_Looking at watch._) Five seconds more! Now -your hour has come! (_Points pistol. Both duck and dodge._) Die, -cowards, die! (_Both dash up in L. U. E. Sally follows as if to shoot. -Both put up their legs and hands as if to ward off. Sally breaks down -laughing, and throws off her hat._) - -HEZEKIAH. (_Recognizing._) Jewniper hallelewyer! - -BARNEY. The blackguard? - -HEZEKIAH. Jerewserlim swipes! Where did you bile up from? - -BARNEY. (_Seizing his gun._) I shall bust with contimpt! (_Goes out L. -U. E. in a rage._) - -HEZEKIAH. Gosh all Jewpiter! I thought you was old Hood. Come here and -let me see if you hain’t a ghost! (_Dashes into Hez. arms._) All here, -by beeswax! (_Kisses her._) - -SALLY. (_Pulling out note book._) Look er that! I’m war correspondent of -the Pordunk Cultivater. - -HEZEKIAH. You git out! Where ye get them close? - -SALLY. Hez., after you went away, I couldn’t eat nor sleep for fourteen -weeks. - -HEZEKIAH. You don’t? - -SALLY. Fact! Then my best hen and the old cat died, and I jest thought I -should go crazy. Then Bill Larkins ’listed for a sutler, and I was mad -all over. After you left, that scallawag was preachin’ treason all the -time, till he found he could be a sutler. He’s bin _ravin’_ for rebel -blood ever since. A man jest told me that Bill bought a bad barrel er -vinnegar for half a dollar—made it into eighteen barrels er cider, and -sold it all out to the regiment for ten cents a glass! - -HEZEKIAH. I thought I smelt vinegar awful strong when I was over there -t’other day! - -SALLY. You jest wait for the next Pordunk Cultivater! If I don’t chaw -him up! - -HEZEKIAH. You jest wait till I get home and light on him again! - -SALLY. Ye see when Bill Larkins done that, I said I would get some men’s -clothes and ’list myself! When it come round ter bein’ examined by the -doctor, I had ter back out. Then I jest went and hired out on the -Perdunk Cultivater. - -HEZEKIAH. Sal, I never’s so proud on ye ’fore in my life. Yer jest -handsum! - -SALLY. Now you get out, Hez. You’re soapin? - -HEZEKIAH. On’er bright? - -SALLY. Oh, yer ought ter see me in my new dress, Hez. I had it made -after you left. Oh, my! It’s got a tail to it more’n four feet long! -Pashe Milliken made it. She got the pattern of Butrick in Boston. It’s a -stunner! Got a flummux all over the hind part of it. But Pashe beat me -on one thing, though. - -HEZEKIAH. How’d she do that? - -SALLY. Ye see they have to put in somethin’ behind here, to make ’em -swell. Pashe told me it was stuffin’. One day I heard a crumplin’, and I -ripped open the linen to see what it was. Don’t yer think, that hump was -swell’d up with old Pordunk Cultivators! - -HEZEKIAH. You git out! - -SALLY. When I get home, I’m jest goin’ ter lay fer her. - -HEZEKIAH. Say, Sal. I s’pose ye got that dress ter git married in, -didn’t ye? - -SALLY. Ye don’t s’pose I’d spread like that jest for a go-ter-meetin’ -dress, do ye? - -HEZEKIAH. Cost six dollars? - -SALLY. Six dollars! It cost eight, beside the pattern; that was one er -the best ones Butrick had. - -HEZEKIAH. You get out! - -SALLY. Oh, wan’t Hannah Doolittle jealous! Such a tail draggin’ in the -street. She said she wouldn’t have one if it was give to her. Her pink -caliker cost ninety cents. - -HEZEKIAH. Say, Sal. I bin lonesomer than a stray ghost, I ain’t seen you -for so long. Tell us all about what’s goin’ on ter home. Has Ike -Spaulding shingled his woodshed yet? What’s come of Preposterous Perkins -and Mercy Ann Stubbs? S’pose they’ve got a whole family by this time. - -SALLY. (_Covering her face._) Now, Hez., ain’t you ’shamed er yourself! - -HEZEKIAH. Has Suke Peabody and old Inkhorn tied up yet? - -SALLY. Course they have. - -HEZEKIAH. Suke don’t care any more for that old mummy, than she does for -our old farrer cow. She jest wants ter get her fingers in on his money, -then she’ll pizen him ter death in less’n a week. If she don’t she’s got -more endurance than a mule. - -SALLY. Ain’t he soft on her, though? - -HEZEKIAH. Soft? You can stab him with a cat’s tail, and not ruffle a -feather. (_A shot from R._) Jehosafat! Them Johnnies are comin’. Let’s -get out. (_Attempts to push her out, L._) - -SALLY. (_Drawing knife and revolver._) Hold on, Hez. Let me get a lick -at them fellers. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Pushing her out L._) You get out! You do no nothin’ about -war. (_Disappears L. Enter rebel soldiers R, and cross to L. Exit all -L._) - - -SCENE 3. _Night. Ordinary room, back. Window L, rear._ KEELE BRIGHTLY -_disc. chained rear centre, covered with a large blanket that reaches to -the floor_. BARNEY _R, on guard. Stage dark._ - -BARNEY. It’s the devil will pick your bones for you in the mornin’. -Shoot him at daylight, sez the gineral, and he’ll be doin’ it too. Do -you mind that! (_Brightly hangs his head in silence._) Now don’t be -blubberin’ about it. It won’t do ye any good. They’ are goin’ ter make -y’er bones inter rattles for them nagurs, and that’s the most good that -could come of ye. - -BRIGHTLY. Fool! - -BARNEY. (_Laying down hat and gun._) Don’t you talk back to me, or I’ll -bat you! You thafe er the wurruld! (_Enter Gen. Halcom, R. U. E._) - -HALCOM. Keele Brightly, your last hour is close at hand. I have not -intruded myself to torture you with recriminations. I yield my right to -the law of military necessity. I come because I have been moved to pity -by that heart-broken child lying at the outer guard, begging so -piteously to see the last man she ought to love or respect. I have at -last obtained permission for her to see you, immediately preceding your -execution. I have come to ask you to forget the brute, and give her one -kind word before you die. All night long and yesterday, through the rain -and cold, shelterless, and refusing food, she sat by the door, waiting -for your coming. Her piteous pleadings for your worthless life, when the -General returned from the front, would have melted a heart of stone. How -have you repaid her life of devotion? She has never known father or -mother. A generous heart must love something! Within an hour she will be -out in the world, worse than an orphan. Who is she? She was not born a -slave. You sought a groundless revenge. Are you not satisfied? My -mother’s face lives in hers! (_Breaks down._) If any one of my family -live—looking God in the face—speak! Have you nothing to say? - -BRIGHTLY. Nothing! - -HALCOM. May God have mercy on you who never had any, when it was so easy -to give. (_Exit Halcom, R, looking back twice, as if expecting B. to -relent._) - -BARNEY. (_To Brightly._) Did you mind that talkin’? (_B. silent._) Hey? -Jist one hour, says the Gineral, and you will be an orfin. If you make -yourself a dam fool like that, you may be two orfins! (_Zina dashes in -at R. U. E._) - -ZINA. Master D’Arneaux! (_Drops on her knee._) - -BRIGHTLY. (_Turned away._) Sh—do not recognize me. (_Giving his hand -behind, as Barney paces to R._) Are there any means of escape? - -ZINA. (_Shying key into Brightly’s hands._) This will unfasten your -irons. I have removed the outer fastening on the window. It will open at -your touch. When the back of the guard is turned, unlock your irons. The -river runs close by. You are safe if you reach the other side. When I -seize the guard, spring through the window and make for the river. (_B. -drops on his knees as if in meditation. Zina kneels and leans her head -on his shoulder. As Barney turns to R, she springs on his back like a -tiger, locking her arm across his throat, strangles him. Meantime she -and Barney speak simultaneously. Brightly unlocks fetters._) - -BARNEY. Lave hold er there, ye whilp! Lave go, or by me mother— - -ZINA. The river! The river! (_Barney and Zina struggle, while Brightly -is unfastening his fetters. During the struggle, Barney’s gun goes off, -as Brightly disappears through the window. When the gun goes off, and -Zina sees Brightly clear, she falls on her face sobbing, and Barney -dashes out L. U. E., in pursuit. Curtain._) - - - - - ACT III. - - -SCENE 1. _Landscape or wood back._ (_Enter Barney, L. U. E., peering -cautiously._) - -BARNEY. It’s to the river he would! The blackguard! ’Pon my word, I’ll -bat that thafe! Now didn’t that little girrul be doing that well! The -illegant little baste! And it’s so decavin where the little darlin’ -found the kay! It was killed she was intirely, whin she found out it was -me she was chokin’. ’Pon my word, it is a thafe of a clown that wouldn’t -be proud to be choked by a pretty little girrul like that. She jist -cried as if she was killed. I told her she should choke me to death, and -I would find no fault. (_A sudden start as if a noise. Looking about._) -Ah’r, so ye would do that. (_Looking out L. U. E._) ’Pon my word, that -cow! (_Turning to look cautiously out R._) Let me see, (_cogitating_), -it was meself that would surround the blackguard, when Hezekiah would -bat the thafe when he would come round by them cook-houses. (_Enter -Brightly, L. U. E., stealthily. Dis. Barney; halts; draws a knife from -his bootleg. Creeps stealthily towards Barney, as Hez. enters behind -him; throws off hat, coat, gun, seizes a stone, and follows Brightly, -with the evident intention of knocking his head off. Meantime Barney is -saying_)— - -BARNEY. Let me say that agin, and I won’t be forgetin’ it. It is I, -meself, that will surround thim cook-houses, while the blackguard will -bat Hezekiah, and its to the river says he—(_Arriving close up to -Barney, Brightly prepares to stab him. As he is about to do so, Hez. -flings the stone at his head with all his might. It grazes the top of -Brightly’s head, knocks his hat off, strikes Barney in the back, and -knocks him on his knees. Brightly dashes out R. U. E. Hez. kicks at him, -misses, then pursues. Barney springs up and with shut eyes, strikes -wildly towards his supposed assailant with both hands. He stops, looks -about and sees nothing. Supposing his assailant to be concealed very -near, he drops on one knee, spanks his hand on the floor._) - -BARNEY. Come out wid yer! Come out, come out! I’ll bat your dam head off -you! Come out! (_Gets no response; gets gun and hat hastily, and -hurrying out L. U. E., saying,_) I will hunt two years for that thafe! -(_Enter Halcom, R. saying_) - -HALCOM. A most marvelous escape! The poor child is excused in supposing -she was saving her friend. (_Enter Zina, L, trembling with fear. Drops -on her knees sobbing._) Your offence is forgotten. - -ZINA. Oh, sir, I did not mean to do wrong. Please say you do not hate me -for that. - -HALCOM. I do not. Your heroic impulsiveness for one you believed to be -your friend, excites only my admiration, though so disastrous to you, as -well as myself. - -ZINA. Oh, I try so hard to do right. (_Sobbing._) - -HALCOM. Do not feel so bad; the past can never be helped. - -ZINA. Though he is so bad, I ought to love my master. Perhaps, when the -war is over, I can do something to make him a better man. Oh, you will -not think bad of me, I have so little to love. (_Sobbing._) - -HALCOM. Zina, why do you try to love the man who holds your life in a -bondage more hateful than death? Who has returned your devotion with -nothing but misery, destitution, and the most servile submission. Who -would sell your soul and body to dishonor, without one pang of regret. -An assassin, thief, coward, ruffian; who blights virtue and crushes the -honest aspirations and civil rights of all he touches. - -ZINA. Oh please, master, do not speak like that. - -HALCOM. You have no master but God. - -ZINA. Oh, I do not know what to do. - -HALCOM. There is some dark mystery covers your early life. You are not -of the race whose brain and life have been crushed in the ignorance of -slavery since this Republic began. Something tells me your life was born -in wrong. The brain of the Anglo-Saxon—the white skin of another -nation—the quick intelligence and sublime conceptions of the northern -blood, betray the lie that binds you to a life like this. - -ZINA. Oh, I do not know what I am. - -HALCOM. But God says through your angel face, and the heavenly music in -your soul, that your life was not born for this. - -ZINA. Oh, my life is so hopeless— - -HALCOM. Do you remember your mother? - -ZINA. I had no mother. - -HALCOM. No mother? - -ZINA. I grew up among the hands; I know nothing more. - -HALCOM. You had but one master? - -ZINA. Master Brightly is all I have ever known. - -HALCOM. They have told you nothing of your origin? - -ZINA. Nothing. - -HALCOM. You have no little keepsake in memory of the past! - -ZINA. Nothing. - -HALCOM. (_Breaking down._) My God! There is a history here the earth -must have. Give it to me, and I will be content. (_Drops head._) - -ZINA. (_Rising and looking at him earnestly._) Mistress D’Arneaux has -told me of a good God in heaven who gave us the beautiful earth and -flowers, who loves even the broken hearts of the poor and helpless, -whose hand leads always to happiness and truth, whose justice is as the -rocks and mountain cliffs of our old home, that are never moved. But -this is not for the slave, for master beats his hands so cruelly when -they have tried to do the best they could. - -HALCOM. It is not the fault of heaven that men are bad. As justice lives -for all, so is there a counterpoise of wrong. - -ZINA. Oh, my master has told me nothing of what you say. - -HALCOM. Away back in the almost hidden past, there lived a man whose -mission was to substitute love for brutality. He laid down his life for -this. The same wrong that renders your life hopeless, crushed his. -Almost 1900 years have passed since then, but the silent hand of the -dead still lives in the better civilization of the north. - -ZINA. Oh, I have thought so much, and looked in hope for better days to -come, but it has been so hopeless. (_Halcom looks earnestly at her._) - -HALCOM. How would you like to come with me? - -ZINA. Oh, you have been so good to me—but—but Master D’Arneaux will buy -me when the war is done. Oh, his hands are so happy— - -HALCOM. You are right, my little one. Master D’Arneaux is a better man -than I. - -ZINA. Oh no, I did not mean that. But—but I know Master D’Arneaux so -well. If it wasn’t that I know Master D’Arneaux so well, I—I would go -with you. - -HALCOM. Right, right. - -ZINA. Did—did you have a mother? - -HALCOM. A long time ago. (_Turns away._) - -ZINA. Master D’Arneaux had a mother, and he is so good to his help. Do -you feel bad because I said that? - -HALCOM. Why, my little one? - -ZINA. You always look at me so strangely. Oh, I do not know what to say -to you then. - -H. Your face brings back to me so many memories of the past. - -ZINA. I am so sorry I made you feel so bad. Does your mother live in the -north? - -HALCOM. She is dead! - -ZINA. Oh I am so sorry she is dead. She must have been such a good -mother. - -HALCOM. She was indeed good, and beautiful as yourself. (_Advances, -kisses her forehead and turns away. Enter Sherman, L. U. E._) - -SHERMAN. What, that little rebel owl again? - -HALCOM. Prattling of the incongruous things of life, like the child she -is. - -SHERMAN. The jade! I suppose she would assist that scoundrel she calls -her master, if she could. - -HALCOM. She asks me to intercede with you, that she may go back to her -old home again. - -SHERMAN. And concoct some scheme of assassination with that brute who -has escaped. - -ZINA. Please let me go to my home. (_Drops on knee._) - -SHERMAN. (_Sharply._) You will remain. - -HALCOM. She is an innocent, artless child, General. - -SHERMAN. Artless? She is a devil! During her master’s escape, she held -the guard with the ferocity of a tiger, while he took his leisure to -leave. Had she been a man, I would have had her shot at once. Orderly, -here! (_Enter Orderly, L. U. E._) Take this girl to the care of the -guard again. Say to the officer in charge, it shall go bad if she is -allowed to stray again. (_Orderly seizes her arm roughly and leads her -away, L. U. E._) - -HALCOM. (_To Orderly._) Tenderly my boy. - -SHERMAN. In war, women are devils, and you can’t strike back. I can -confine all but their tongues. They shall rant the empty air with them. - -HAL. Certainly, General, her childish years must be harmless. - -SHERMAN. Do you shut your eyes to the fact that she is only here as a -spy? - -HALCOM. Why, she is a mere child, General. - -SHERMAN. A very old child, with fifty years of a woman’s cunning in her -head. - -HALCOM. Certainly you jest. - -SHERMAN. Female spies may remain in this camp without harm. If they -leave it, I am to blame for it. - -HALCOM. Why General, you see an enemy everywhere. - -SHERMAN. Young man, you seem to have an unusual interest in that girl. -Remember, this is war. No time for love and moonshine. - -HALCOM. Why, she is scarcely fifteen. - -SHERMAN. Old enough to absorb this love looney that distresses incipient -womanhood so much. (_Rapid firing at R. Both bring their field glasses -to bear, and look out._) - -HALCOM. A sortie in front of my division. (_Springs out R. Enter man -with field telegraph, L._) - -SHERMAN. Order five batteries from the Chief of Artillery to the ridge -on the right of the attack. Open at once. Tell Schofield to shift his -reserves to Howard’s support at once. (_Firing gradually increases._) -Here comes the Artillery! Halcom can never stop that charge! Tell -McClernard to double-quick. They will be overpowered. My God! The whole -rebel army is upon him! This is a surprise! What have the advance guard -been doing? A splendid charge, McClernard, on my honor. (_Enter Orderly -excitedly, R. U. E._) - -ORDERLY. Gen. Halcom is wounded and a prisoner! - -SHERMAN. Orderly, my horse! (_To Operator._) Order a double-quick -advance all along the line. Order Kilpatrick to attack their right with -all the cavalry. Tell Schofield the double stars to the first Brigadier -inside the enemy’s works. - -ORDERLY. (_Entering L. U. E._) Your horse, sir. - -OPERATOR. Orders all right, sir. - -SHERMAN. (_To Operator._) Now move to the hill on the right of the -attack. (_Sherman springs into the saddle and gallops off, R. Ord. and -Operator leave R. U. E. Firing recedes. Enter Barney, R. U. E., with -three old muskets strapped to his back, driving three rebel prisoners -ahead of him._) - -BARNEY. Hip now, or I blow thim heads off ye. (_Arriving in centre._) -Stop now. (_All halt._) Look at me. (_All turn their heads only._) Look -round with the whole of ye or I break thim necks off ye. (_All front._) -You don’t know much, do ye? I guess not. You don’t know any educashun, -do ye? Hey? I have heard about that. You don’t know’ any readin’ or -writin’, do you? Hey? I have heard about that. When Abe Linken tells -you, go home and behave yourself, you would fight about that, would ye? -You don’t know Abe Linken, I guess. He would bat the divil out of ye. He -told me to shoot any blackguards lookin’ as bad as ye. Do you mind that? -Have you got any bottles in your pockets? You h’aint? (_Prepares to -shoot, when all rush up, and each gives him a bottle._) Don’t you stop -like that again, or I bat you. You don’t know Bin Butler? I guess you -don’t. You better give four dollars you don’t. He would break your damn -heads off ye. (_Pointing L._) Walk that way now, or I blows the hell’s -blazes out of ye. (_Exit all, L., to Yankee Doodle. Enter Sally, R. U. -E., a big horse pistol in one hand, and a gigantic bowie knife in the -other, her male attire covered with a water-proof cloak._) - -SALLY. (_Feeling of her arms, &c._) I wonder if I’m broke anywhere. -Jints all workin’! Now hain’t I got a lounder for the Pordunk -Cultivater! Never got so excited in my life. Hez. is just inflated. He’s -struttin’ about the picket line askin’ ’em to send along somethin’ -bigger. (_A shot, R. Sally dashes to R. wings and listens._) Gorry! I -thought that was another fight. (_Sings._) - -Now that Zina don’t know which side she is on. But she’s a sharp sprout -though. Ye never know what she’s doin’ till she does it. Tried ter -interview her about her feller. She was the most surprised thing I ever -looked at. She don’t know nothin’ about courtin’. I wonder where her fun -comes in? She is the bluest thing out of a grave yard. By gorry, I ain’t -goin’ ter die till the time comes. I went over ter see her yesterday, -and she was down on the floor cryin’, and she didn’t know what for. The -old General thinks she’s got the devil in her. If she has, he’s an awful -mild one. Sometimes you could knock her down with a feather. The old -General don’t like women. He’s the first man er that kind I ever see. -Poor little Zina, she’s always in trouble. When she heard General Halcom -was took, she was jist crazy. In less’n two hours she was missing, and -the guard don’t know how. I’ll bet ye tew dollars that girl is off for a -fuss, or else things is deceivin’. If I was going ter give any advice, I -should say, that anything that weighs less than a ton, had better get -off the track. (_Firing away to R._) By gorry, there’s another fight. -(_Dashes off, R. U. E._) - - -SCENE 2. _Night._ Thunder storm rising. Flashes of lightning in the -distance. Heavy forest back. A river running through at rear, half -hidden among the trees. A flat-roofed log hut in rear centre. A hole cut -in the roof 2½ feet square, near front, and covered with short boards -nailed at one end, and so weakened by hewing that a woman’s strength -might be able to break them. A rope fastened overhead, where it would -dangle over rear of hut, then guyed to hang over the hole, and drawn up -out of sight. A door at R. end of hut, and bar behind it. (_Gen. Halcom -disc. asleep on the floor of the hut, wounded in the head. A rebel -sentry pacing outside the door._) - -(_Enter Gen. Hood, Keele Brightly, D’Arneaux, and others, R._) - -BRIGHTLY. General, I have called your attention to this matter at -midnight, because the circumstances admit of no delay. In yonder cabin a -Major General of the union army is confined as a prisoner of war. He -owes allegiance, and is a native of the state of Tennessee. As a traitor -to his native state, I would suggest that he be tried at once by a -drum-head court-martial, and shot as he deserves. - -HOOD. Why so urgent? - -BRIGHTLY. The federals are rapidly forcing our positions. He might be -recaptured. It would be a direful calamity if he should escape. - -HOOD. He is but one man against us. - -BRIGHTLY. A hundred men, sir. A devil, without restraint. It was his -division that first broke our lines at Lookout Mountain. That robbed us -of our victory at Chickamauga. His men are goaded to fight like devils, -while he plunges into the thickest of the fight, hewing his way through -the men as if they were dummies. - -D’A. Such bravery merits our consideration. - -HOOD. For a traitor? - -D’A. Yes, sir, for a traitor. Though he wears the traitor’s garb, he is -still one of the iron hearts of Tennessee. - -BRIGHTLY. It is this deference to treason that disheartens the army. The -south swarms with men who opposed secession. The coast clear, and they -will fight against us. To keep these traitors where they belong, the -patriotic men of the army demand an example. Refuse, and the foot of the -northern tyrant will be on our necks within the next year. As the -commander of the finest army in the south, I do not believe you will -disappoint them. - -HOOD. Let the prisoner be brought forth. - -BRIGHTLY. Sentinel, the Commander-in-Chief would speak with the prisoner -at once. (_Sentinel unlocks the door, and kicks Halcom to wake him. He -springs to his feet._) - -HALCOM. Well, what next? (_Sentinel points to the door, and Halcom -passes out, &c._) - -HOOD. You are a native of Tennessee? - -HALCOM. Well? - -HOOD. What do you mean by well? - -HALCOM. Interpret to suit yourself. - -HOOD. It has been represented that you are a traitor to your native -state. - -HALCOM. Undoubtedly. - -HOOD. Do you deny it? - -HALCOM. Who is my accuser? - -BRIGHTLY. I! - -HALCOM. An assassin and ravisher of defenceless women! - -BRIGHTLY. Liar! - -HALCOM. A coward, who covers his tracks with the knife and torch! - -BRIGHTLY. A traitor accuses me! - -HALCOM. A blatant ruffian, who fights only when no danger steps in his -way. (_Brightly draws to attack him. Hood steps between._) - -HOOD. Enough of this. - -HALCOM. Leave him to his way. - -HOOD. You were captured yesterday— - -HALCOM. While insensible from wounds. - -HOOD. While fighting against your native state. - -HALCOM. To save her honor. - -HOOD. By virtue of treason. - -HALCOM. Who are you that speaks of treason? - -HOOD. A soldier who never forgets his obligations to the soil that gave -him heritage. - -HALCOM. Whose sword is dishonored with blighted virtue and broken -hearts, bartered for gold in the shambles of the auction yards. - -HOOD. Keep your foul tongue civil, or I may forget myself. - -HALCOM. It is honorable to be a traitor, when allegiance would strangle -liberty—outrage virtue—rob the poor of the right to their miserable -earnings, and trample on the most sacred affections of the heart. - -HOOD. The defence of a hypocrite. - -HALCOM. Only cowards defend dishonor. (_Brightly draws, and attempts to -rush on him. D’A. dashes between._) - -D’A. The man is unarmed. - -BRIGHTLY. Which leaves him no right to convey an insult. - -HOOD. Call a court-martial at once. The military law shall settle this. -(_Brightly hurries out, R._) D’Arneaux, search his person for arms. -(_D’A. makes a fruitless search. Enter Brightly with a drum and -camp-stool, followed by a rebel officer._) Col. Gilday, you will act as -judge advocate. (_Gilday prepares for business._) Capt. Brightly, take -the stand. (_Sworn._) State to the court what you know of this man. - -BRIGHTLY. The prisoner’s name is Francis Halcom. He is a native of -Creelsboro’, Tennessee, on the Cumberland river. I have known the family -since my childhood. With the exception of three years in Massachusetts -for education, Creelsboro’ has always been his home. When Tennessee -withdrew from the confederation, he immediately went north, raised -troops, and has since led them on to pillage and murder in his native -state. Yesterday, he was captured with arms in his hands, fighting as -becomes a traitor. (_Steps aside._) - -HOOD. D’Arneaux, take the stand. (_Sworn._) Tell the court what you know -of this case. - -D’A. I am acquainted with all the facts related by Captain Brightly. In -addition, while the prisoner was absent in Massachusetts, his family was -assassinated, and home burned, on account of political differences. When -the war broke out, he was exiled for the same reason. - -HOOD. You would defend this murderer? - -D’A. Justice demands _all_ the facts. - -HOOD. Which palliate nothing. - -D’A. Had the assassin destroyed my family, and deprived me of my civil -rights in the name of the state, _I too would have been a traitor!_ - -HOOD. Leave your sword at my headquarters, and consider yourself under -arrest. Step aside. - -D’A. I wash my hands of this murder about to be consummated. - -HOOD. Go to your quarters, sir. I command here. (_D’A. leaves slowly. To -Halcom._) You have heard the evidence against you—what have you to say? - -HALCOM. Of what use is a defence in such a court as this? - -HOOD. The court will hear an excuse, even. - -HALCOM. The principal evidence is guilty of the murder of my family. - -BRIGHTLY. I demand that he shall be made to prove that. - -HALCOM. The closing of my life saves his. - -BRIGHTLY. I demand an end of this cant. - -HOOD. I will hold him responsible for every word he speaks. - -HALCOM. Who speaks of responsibility? The history of today is yet to be -written. When it is, a page will be given to the infamy of the leaders -of this revolt. Two thousand years of the world’s best civilization -tramples with disdain on the barbarisms for which you contend. Justice, -Christianity and manhood alike repudiate the dishonor your sword -sustains. What is treason? (_Pointing to B._) To defend my country -against such reptiles as that! - -BRIGHTLY. Will the court listen to this croaking liar longer? - -HOOD. Leave him to his falsehoods. They but invite the bullet still -more. - -HALCOM. Most wise judge! How evenly are the scales of justice balanced -in your court! How commendable are the tales that suit the judge! How -villainously disgusting are the defensive presumptions of the prisoner, -that might so basely impugn the intentions of the court! - -HOOD. Who hatches crime, will defend a lie! - -HALCOM. Who subverts justice, is a traitor to God! - -BRIGHTLY. Let the bullet settle this at once. - -HOOD. (_To the court._) Gentlemen of the court, you have heard the -evidence. Is the prisoner guilty? - -ALL. Aye, guilty! - -HOOD. Captain Brightly, return the prisoner to the cabin. He will be -allowed fifteen minutes to prepare. You will then call a squad of men, -and see to it that he is shot to the death. - -HALCOM. Gen. Hood, I request that I may die by the hand of a brave and -honorable man. - -HOOD. So I have decreed! - -HALCOM. His hands are tainted with the murder of defenceless women. - -BRIGHTLY. ’Tis false! - -HALCOM. So is he a coward! Twice I have thrown my knife at his feet to -defend himself against my empty hands, and he has refused! - -BRIGHTLY. (_To Hood._) Do you believe the falsehoods of a traitor? - -HALCOM. Then be it so now! - -HOOD. (_To Brightly._) Well? - -BRIGHTLY. I will not risk a life that may be of use to my country, in a -duel with a man who has been condemned to death for treason. - -HOOD. Well said, sir! Sentinel, remand the prisoner. (_Exit Hood, R. -Sentinel points to the cabin. Halcom goes slowly, as if to enter. Halts -at door and turns._) - -HALCOM. Keele Brightly, the chances of war have favored you. I am the -last of my family. My mother’s ashes are still unavenged. I have had -faith in God. Justice may come at last from other hands than mine. -(_Turns and enters the cabin, and falls on one knee. Sentinel locks the -door. Brightly leaves R. As he disappears, Sentinel resumes his beat, -and Zina shows around L. end of cabin, and taps lightly to attract -Halcom’s attention. He hastens to listen._) - -ZINA. (_Peering between the logs._) It is I, Zina, come to save you. -There is a bar behind the door. Bar the door on the inside, and make no -noise. Then return quickly. - -HALCOM. God bless your brave little heart! (_Bars the door, and returns -to listen._) - -ZINA. This cabin is close to the river. Your friends are on the other -side. The walls are too strong to be broken. I will climb to the roof, -tear off some boards, throw a rope over a limb, and drop it through the -opening. On this, ascend to the roof quickly. The river is too deep to -ford. A log is lodged on the shore in rear of the cabin. With the rope, -swing yourself astride this. Pull a rope fastened to the other shore, -and it will soon land you with your friends on the other side. If you -are fired upon from this side, throw yourself into the water and cling -to the log. - -HALCOM. But what chance of escape is there for yourself? - -ZINA. Don’t fear for me. - -HALCOM. I will not accept my life, even, at the slightest risk to your -own. - -ZINA. Do not hesitate. If you do, you are lost. - -HALCOM. Tell me, on honor, is there any danger for yourself? (_Enter -Brightly, with squad of men, for execution, R._) - -ZINA. On my honor, I shall be safe. Watch for the rope. I join you at -your own camp. (_Zina springs to rear of cabin, and ascends to roof, -while Brightly is saying_)— - -BRIGHTLY. Sentinel, bring out the prisoner. (_Meantime Zina is tugging -to get off a board. Sentinel finds door fast._) Break down the door; -there is an attempt to escape! (_Rebs rush at door, one with an axe. -Zina gets off first board at word “escape.” Heavy firing, long roll, -L._) Some to the roof! Smash the door! (_Zina gets off second board at -word “door;” then fires at rebs climbing up sides, when they retreat. -Brightly to rebs retreating, sword drawn. Gets off third board._) Back -to the roof, cowards, or I will spit you like dogs. Get a log and crush -it! (_Meantime, she fires again, drives them back, and gets off fourth -board._) - -SOLDIER. (_Entering L. in haste._) The Yanks are bridging the river. - -BRIGHTLY. Fight them like hell! (_Fourth board drops; rebs crash in the -door. Zina screams, flings rope into tree, and drops it through hole. -Meantime shots inside cabin, and rebs tumble out door. Halcom climbs up -a rope to roof. Rebs climb cabin to catch him on roof. As H. arrives on -roof, Zina pushes him off rear into the water, and turns on the rebs._) - -ZINA. (_Drawing knife._) Back, you cowards, or I kill you this time! -(_Brightly dashes to R. rear. Curtain. Encore._) - -(_Curtain rises on last tableau, except Zina has seized the rope. -Suddenly she places her knife in her teeth, springs off rear, and swings -into the water. Brightly dashes off building to L._) - -SOLDIERS ON ROOF. (_Rising._) She is swimming the river! (_Brightly -seizes a rifle from a soldier, dashes round L., and, during a flash of -lightning, fires at her. D’Arneaux dashing in L., knocks the rifle -aside, too late. Brightly springs to R._) - -D’A. You have murdered that heroic girl! Take your knife, coward, for, -by heaven, one of us shall follow! - -BRIGHTLY. (_To soldiers._) Arrest that man for treason! (_Soldiers -surround D’A. with a cordon of bayonets, when he drops his knife and -hangs his head._) - -BRIGHTLY. I have waited for this! A court-martial and the bullet shall -end it! (_Curtain._) - - - - - ACT IV. - - -SCENE 1. _Night._ Heavy forest. Gen. Sherman disc. looking away to R. -Occasional flashes of lightning, and thunder in the distance. Occasional -picket firing, R. Staff, L. - -SHERMAN. A terrible storm! The men must be wet and hungry. Orderly! -(_Enter Ord. L. U. E._) Tell the commissary to hurry the hot coffee and -fresh food to the front at once. (_Ex. Ord. L. U. E._) I must cross the -river before daylight, or my opportunity is lost. Martel! (_Enter -Telegraph Operator, L. U. E._) Tell Schofield and Howard they must force -a passage of the river at four o’clock, at all hazards. (_Op. works -machine and waits._) Do they understand? - -OPERATOR. They do. (_Enter Halcom, R. U. E., coatless, hair dishevelled, -wounded._) - -SHERMAN. (_Rushing to grasp his hand._) In heaven’s name, Halcom, from -where do you come? - -HALCOM. The rebel camp. - -SHERMAN. How did you escape? (_Men offer clothing._) - -HALCOM. Ask God, and the angel sent to my relief. (_Declining clothes._) -Thank you, gentlemen, I need nothing now but a coat. - -SHERMAN. Ah! A woman at the bottom of it. (_Halcom watches out R._) I -sent word to Hood that if any harm came to you, I would retaliate on -every rebel officer in my charge. - -HALCOM. Thank you, General. But your communication would, doubtless, -have come too late. But for my escape, I should have been executed two -hours ago. - -SHERMAN. Your escapes are marvelous. By the way, I have orders from -Washington to advance you to the first vacancy among the corps -commanders. - -HALCOM. (_Dropping his head._) I had not expected that. - -SHERMAN. Why not? In this army, sir, the best man wins. - -HALCOM. I am a native and citizen of the south. - -SHERMAN. There are no lines for loyalty in this country. - -HALCOM. I am indebted to you for this. - -SHERMAN. You are indebted to your own right arm, sir. - -HALCOM. I have been but a simple soldier, no more entitled to -advancement than the private who takes the brunt of the fight in the -first line. - -SHERMAN. Halcom, some men are born to command—to lead a forlorn hope— - -HALCOM. Which I never have. - -SHERMAN. Indeed! When at Lookout Mountain the storm of rebel shot had -melted the first line, and the reserves were already wavering, and you -seized and dared them to follow their flag, rallying the broken ranks to -that wild charge that swept the rebel army from its entrenchments among -the clouds, it was a glory beside which the command of this army pales -into insignificance! - -HALCOM. Then the soldier shares equally with his commander! (_Watches -out R._) - -SHERMAN. But you have not told me of this marvelous escape. - -HALCOM. Ask me of something I cannot comprehend, and you have all I can -give. - -SHERMAN. It often acts like that. - -HALCOM. How? - -SHERMAN. Simple as any other phase of life. A storm at night. A handsome -cavalier, unjustly condemned, awaiting execution. A lovely maiden hovers -near. She drugs the guard, and sets the prisoner free. Bewildered by the -ecstasy of love in such a moment of excitement, both are lost in its -wild delirium. They wake to an utter incomprehensibility of all that has -passed. - -HALCOM. General, I am content if such chafing pleases you. But I am -weighted with an anxiety that will drive me mad. When I can know the -heroic girl is safe, who perhaps has sacrificed her life to save mine, I -can forget that I am a coward, and unfit to live! (_Crosses over to L._) - -SHERMAN. Ah! I am getting interested in this case. Who is this woman? -What do you fear? Where is she? I can hardly imagine a situation in this -country or in either army, that can be dangerous to a woman! - -HALCOM. No danger to a woman? They killed my mother when she was -helpless, and, with my sister, burned her in her own home. - -SHERMAN. Such men are devils! - -HALCOM. And so am I! Can you trace the maniac through Nashville, -Chickamauga, and over Lookout Mountain, to the banks of this river, and -not guess at the origin of the hell that is so fast consuming my life? - -SHERMAN. Treat it calmly, Halcom. It is something that can never be -mended. Leave the past to take care of itself. - -HALCOM. There are fires that refuse to be quenched. No one has struggled -more manfully than myself to forget this. When I would forget, memory -conjures up the scene in the old home! My mother’s helpless struggles -with the devils who crushed her innocent life! Of my sister burned -alive! My God! How can I forget this? - -SHERMAN. Tell me of your capture and escape. - -HALCOM. (_Hesitating._) My division was overwhelmed by the whole rebel -army. In the desperate struggle, I was left wounded and senseless on the -field of battle. I was discovered by my old enemy and conveyed to an old -hut on the banks of the Chattahoochee. After a parley with Hood and -others, I was tried by a drum-head court-martial for treason to my -native state, and sentenced to die fifteen minutes later. I was remanded -to the hut to await the preparations for my execution. I could see no -chance for escape, for Brightly had the details of my execution at his -own command. The rifles were already loading that were to send me to -eternity. I had sunk on my knees for the last prayer, when a tapping on -the logs outside, in rear of the hut, attracted my attention. I hastened -to listen. It was too dark to see. But through the crevices between the -logs, I learned that the little rebel owl who had escaped _your_ bullet, -because she was not a man, had come to effect my escape. - -SHERMAN. That child? Surely, I was only in jest. - -HALCOM. That heroic child had eluded your guard, swam the river at -midnight in the violence of that terrible thunder-storm, dragging a log -hitched to a rope that led to the friendly shore, that I might escape. - -SHERMAN. Impossible! - -HALCOM. I refused to save my life at the hazard of hers. She had planned -to escape with me. I heard the tramp of the soldiers detailed to take my -life. I heard her clambering to the roof of the hut; the orders to drag -me out to die; the sentinel try the barred door; the crack of the -breaking boards as she was making an opening for my escape; the crash of -the axe breaking the door; an order that sent the devils to the roof to -prevent my escape; the ring of her pistol as she drove them back to the -earth again. The door crashed in, and the devils were upon me; a rope -fell at my feet. With almost superhuman strength, I flung them back and -gained the roof. A crowd were clambering up the sides to destroy us. I -sprang forward to her defence. In an instant, she pushed me clear of the -hut, safely into the river. - -SHERMAN. _Did you leave her!_ - -HALCOM. The next flash of lightning revealed her on the roof, with her -knife drawn, holding the traitors at bay, that I might escape. I sprang -back for the shore. I heard a splash in the water. The next lightning -flash revealed her battling the rapids of the river to gain the other -shore. A shot from the rebel side, and all was dark again. I sprang -after her. Two hours I have frantically searched this bank of the river, -without avail. She has perished in the rapids of the river, or by that -coward shot from the rebel rifle, and I live like a coward! (_Zina -staggers in at R. U. E., as if unconscious of the presence of any one; -wounded in the left side of the head, often looking behind to see if she -is pursued. She staggers and is about to fall, when she is discovered by -Halcom, who springs forward, and catches her in his arms. Sherman tears -off his military cloak, and wraps it about her._) - -HALCOM. She has fainted. - -SHERMAN. And is wounded. (_They revive her._) - -ZINA. Please let me stay on this side of the river. - -SHERMAN. Let you stay on this side of the river! I will shoot any man -who attempts to prevent it! You shall command this army if you like. -(_Zina faints again._) - -HALCOM. The poor child is dying. - -SHERMAN. Not a bit of it. She is too smart to die! Take her to my -quarters. Orderly, here! (_Enter Ord. L. U. E.; with Halcom takes her -out, L. U. E._) Have my surgeon attend that girl, and tell him if he -lets her die, I will hang him an hour after. (_Exit Ord. L._) I am the -biggest ass in the service. If I ever abuse a woman again, I hope I may -be shot by an idiot! (_Exit L. Enter Barney and Hez. L. U. E._) - -BARNEY. Now whin I would be arrestin’ a blackguard like that, don’t you -be a botherin’ me. - -HEZEKIAH. Now you git out. I guess it was jest about as cheap for him -ter git away, as it would be for you to get a collapse in your real -estate. (_Set guns against tree, sit down and wipe perspiration, &c._) - -BARNEY. Now look in these two eyes of me. Didn’t ye be kickin’ that -blackguard whin I would be takin’ him? - -HEZEKIAH. I rayther kalkerlate you was on the pint er passin’ in yer -chips when I lit on that critter. - -BARNEY. Ah ha! I’m nobody, I s’pose. Was I? - -HEZEKIAH. I guess that feller was the most astonished piece er meat I -ever traveled over. I kalkerlate that when I lit on the other eend of -his corperation, he come to the conklusion that he was wrastlin’ with a -first-class earthquake. - -BARNEY. I don’t care about thim airthquakes. I want none er thim. My -reputashin is spit upon. - -HEZEKIAH. I reckon I never jumped onter anything in that line er critter -that wanted ter go home so bad as he did. - -BARNEY. Now look in me two eyes and be talkin’ honest about it, and no -braggin’. Didn’t ye be makin’ that blackguard get away when I would -arrest him? - -HEZEKIAH. Now, Irish, you just spill your gas in some other line er -preachin’, er else I’ll let him get your guzzle next time. (_Enter -Brightly and rebel soldiers, R. U. E., stealthily, seize the guns and -cover both._) - -BARNEY. Now whin I arrest a blackguard again, don’t you be botherin’ me. - -BRIGHTLY. Throw up your hands! (_Points gun at them._) - -BAR. (_Turning in surprise._) Stop that! That gun is loaded. - -HEZEKIAH. (_Throws off coat._) If I don’t make him drop that gun. -(_Turns and meets gun—subsides._) - -BRIGHTLY. Surrender, or I’ll kill you like a dog. - -HEZEKIAH. Don’t care ef I dew. - -BRIGHTLY., (_pointing R. U. E._) Step into line there. (_Both comply._) - -HEZEKIAH. Say? Got eny terbacker in yer trowsis? - -BRIGHTLY. Shut your mouth and march now, or I will see what virtue there -is in this gun. - -HEZEKIAH. (_March off R. U. E._) Don’t care if I dew. - - -SCENE 2. _Gen. Hood’s headquarters._ Gen. seated at table, rear centre. -D’Arneaux and two guards, L., facing R. - -HOOD. Lt. D’Arneaux, when you entered the military service, I believed -that you would soon wear the stars of a division commander. Instead, you -have presented us with the strange anomaly of patriot and traitor. While -to me you have presented a soul of honor, you have sought every -opportunity to strike your country a cowardly blow in the dark! - -D’A. And I deny the falsehood with my whole soul and life. - -HOOD. Under the circumstances, a denial is wholly unnecessary. You have -had a fair trial. No one regrets more than myself the military necessity -that compels me to sign the warrant for your execution. Your brilliant -military record is no excuse for disloyalty, and a most flagrant -treason. - -D’A. As I expect to meet God before the next sunset, that accusation is -doubly false, though it comes from your own lips! - -HOOD. There are a score of witnesses who saw you attempt the life of -your superior officer. (_D’A. hangs his head in silence._) If there had -never occurred another offence, the articles of war meet you with the -bullet. (_To guards._) Remove the prisoner to the care of the guard. -(_Ex. D’A. and guard, L._) Orderly! (_Enter rebel Orderly, L. U. E._) -Take this dispatch to Gen. McGruder. (_Exit Ord. with dispatch. Enter -Keele Brightly, L., salutes._) - -BRIGHTLY. I have the honor to report that I have captured two Yankees, -found lurking within our lines as spies. - -HOOD. Have them brought in. (_Brightly salutes and retires, L._) The -camp is swarming with them! It is utterly useless to attempt to prevent -it without recourse to the most severe measures! This careless -indifference of the guards allows a constant betrayal of my means of -defence. (_Enter Brightly, L., followed by Hez. and Barney, under -guard._) The guard will retire. (_Exit guard, R. Brightly observes R._) - -HEZEKIAH. (_Rushing up to shake hands with Hood._) How de dew, Gineral? -(_Hood refuses to shake. Hez. astonished._) Don’t blame ye a Hannah -Cook! Never felt so mean about anything afore in my life. You must think -I’m putty darn small pertaters, to let myself get roped in by a pair er -runts like them. (_Looks in Hood’s face a moment._) - -HOOD. Well, sir, what have you to say for spying? - -HEZEKIAH. Now you get out! Why I know you (_grabs Hood’s hand_) jest as -well as I do Abe Linkon. (_Hood tries to disengage his hand._) Why, you -are that old covey that I met down there in the woods, that wanted ter -know where the old man lived. (_Lets go his hand._) Don’t blame ye for -wantin’ ter give me the shake. Say? Got any terbacker in yer trowsis? - -HOOD. No, sir! - -HEZEKIAH. (_Confidentially._) Say, I never felt so disgraceful about -anything afore in my life. ’Tween you and I, let me have a chance ter -distribit their meat in a fair scratch, and I’ll give ye forty dollars. - -HOOD. (_To Brightly._) Who is this fellow? - -BRIGHTLY. His name is Goferum. - -HOOD. Goferum! What a name! - -HEZEKIAH. (_Dashing to L., and throwing off coat._) Jess you say. I want -you to understand that forty dollars is scarcer than fools are in this -country. (_Coat off, turns._) - -HOOD. (_To Brightly._) Seize the fool! (_Barney throws off coat, &c._) - -HEZEKIAH. You bet! (_As he dashes for Brightly, he meets a pistol, and -knocks it one side as it goes off. Clinches Brightly, throws him, and -proceeds to punch his ribs, and struggle around._) - -HOOD. (_Meantime._) Guards, ho! (_Barney dashes about for a fight._) - -BARNEY. (_To Hood._) Don’t you say guard-house to me, you grayback thafe -er the wurruld! - -HOOD. Guards, ho! Guards, ho! - -BARNEY. Come out er that! Come out, you thafe er the wurruld. Come out, -and I bat your dam head off you. Come out. (_Dashes forward, kicks table -over, clinches Hood, throws him, and proceeds to punch his ribs, as -guards rush in R., and overpower them._) - - -SCENE 3. _Landscape and wood front._ Enter Sally with pail, L., female -attire. - -SALLY. (_Looking about._) Now didn’t I wool that sargeant. I’ll bet he -hain’t got brains enough for a mule. It takes seven hundred er them -fellers to know as much as a Yankee. When he was stealin’ the chickens -at that deserted house, I told him it warn’t fair to steal my chickens, -when I was givin’ his men coffee. Gorry, won’t they sleep some! Now Hez. -he has learned ter steal chickens since he come down here. You jest wait -and see me break him er that when I get him back to Pordunk! Now I -should like to see a man of mine stealin’ chickens, or runnin’ after -other wimen! Now wouldn’t there be the handsomest fuss Pordunk ever -looked at! (_Looking about._) I guess them fellers are snorin’ by this -time. (_Exit R., cautiously._) - - -SCENE 4. _Room covering whole stage._ Door at R. centre. Large box, R. -U. E. Hezekiah and Barney disc. rear centre, chained to a ring in the -floor. - -HEZEKIAH. I’ll bet ye tew dollars that feller come to the conclewshun -that he must er stole my gun from a whole regiment. - -BARNEY. And the grayback thafe at the table, that twitted me about the -guard-house. - -HEZEKIAH. Guess he thought he was goin’ through a fullin’ mill. - -BARNEY. The blackguard! (_Very sober._) - -HEZEKIAH. ’Drather give fifty dollars than ter had yer hit the old -General. - -BARNEY. How the divil should I know he was a general, without the two -brass things on ’im? - -HEZEKIAH. All them fellers az has ritin’ tools and tables in their -tents, is generals. - -BARNEY. Didn’t the sargeant tell me I was never to know one er thim -without the two brass things on him? - -HEZEKIAH. It don’t make no difference, now ye bin gone and done it. - -BARNEY. Didn’t he begin it, twittin’ me about the guard-house, the -thafe! - -HEZEKIAH. He was only callin’ the guard for help. - -BARNEY. The blackguard! Whin he was as big as I! And he called thim -three spalpeens a coort, when it takes more than two dozen to make one -er thim any day. (_Door opens R., rebel soldier enters and reads from a -paper._) - -SOLDIER. The General commanding orders that the two union prisoners, -O’Flanagan and Goferum, convicted of spying in the confederate camp, be -notified that they are to be shot at daylight. Per order General -commanding. (_Exit soldier, R. Barney and Hez. look at each other a -moment in silence._) - -BARNEY. He will do that? - -HEZEKIAH. That’s the kind of hairpin he is. - -BARNEY. The blackguard! - -HEZEKIAH. Wal, I guess I’ve airn’t the powder and shot. If my old -shooter hain’t tapped a hundred and fifty er them critters, you can jest -hope ter holler. - -BARNEY. I will get some lawyer to appeal that coort. - -HEZEKIAH. You get out! - -BARNEY. That was no coort. The constitution of Ameriky says nothing -about a coort like that. - -HEZEKIAH. It don’t make no difference. The shootin’ will come. They -don’t care for constitewshuns down here. - -BARNEY. I’ll have that thafe tried for murder if he does that. And I’ll -tell him that to his face, too. I don’t care who any man is that will do -an illagal thing like that. - -HEZEKIAH. They don’t stop for law down here. - -BARNEY. The more the shame for ’em. He will have the contimpt er the -wurruld upon ’im. - -HEZEKIAH. It wouldn’t do no good. They’ll bury you at daylight. (_Short -silence._) - -BARNEY. And there ain’t niver a praste to be had in this haythen country -at all. - -HEZEKIAH. Ye don’t need none. If I hain’t licked rebels enough ter get -ter heaven without a priest, they can jest kick me out. - -BARNEY. Havn’t I done that same meself? - -HEZEKIAH. So ye have, Barney, and this ain’t yer own country, neither. -If they don’t give ye two harps to my one, it ain’t doin’ the fair thing -by ye. - -BARNEY. Divil a bit do I care for a harp, if I can get out er this. -(_Door opens, and Sally appears with two carbines in her hands; -hesitates a moment._) - -HEZEKIAH. Now let me die. - -BARNEY. ’Pon my word. - -HEZEKIAH. Come here, and let me see if you ain’t a ghost. (_Sally lays -carbines behind the box and rushes to embrace Hez._) - -BARNEY. Give us a taste er that. - -HEZEKIAH. You git out. There ain’t enough ter go round. (_Sally tries to -unfasten irons._) - -BARNEY. Oh don’t you spread yourself. I have one er thim. (_Turns -away._) - -SAL. (_hunting round for axe._) Hain’t ye got no axe, Hez.? - -HEZEKIAH. ’Taint no use, Sal. Them irons can’t be broke. - -SALLY. You git out, Hez. You jest show me where they keep the axe. - -HEZEKIAH. They don’t leave no axes round here. If ye had one, ye’d get -up such a noise, old Hood and the whole coop would be down here -whoopin’. - -SALLY. I got the whole caboodle asleep with opium. - -HEZEKIAH. ’Taint no use, Sal. That Keele Brightly said we was spies, and -we’re goin ter get shot at daylight. (_Sally speechless with -astonishment._) - -BARNEY. The thafe. (_Sally drops on her knees sobbing._) - -SALLY. Oh what shall I do? - -HEZEKIAH. I know how’ yer heart is, Sal, but ye can’t do us no good. -Jest git out as fast as ye can, and save yourself. - -BARNEY. And tell Gineral Halcom about it, and divil a bit but he will -bat that spalpeen in the mornin’. - -SALLY. (_Springing to her feet and wiping eyes._) I have it. (_Dashes -for the door._) I know what I’ll do. - -HEZEKIAH. Say, Sal. (_She turns back._) Perhaps I shan’t never see ye -again. (_Sally falls on his breast sobbing._) Tell mother she ain’t got -nothin’ to be ashamed on about me, except I’m rough, and can’t talk so -fine as some folks. Now she is cheated out of her part er the farm, and -the old man is so mean. I don’t know what she _will_ do. I’ve sent her -all my wages and bounty. - -SALLY. Keep yer upper lip solid, Hez.; cos if yer lost to yer mother, -she can have a home with me as long as she lives. Good bye. I got to get -ye out, and I ain’t no time to lose. (_Dashes out at R. door._) - -BARNEY. ’Pon my word, that gal will knock the hell’s blazes out er thim -spalpeens, or I’m a thafe and a liar. - -HEZEKIAH. Ain’t she a rusher? - -BARNEY. ’Pon me word she is. Yer a lucky boy to have a gal like that. - -HEZEKIAH. Makes me sick, cos it’s all goin’ for nothin’. (_Makes a bad -face, as if to cry._) - -BARNEY. Ah-r, don’t be doin’ that. Thim blackguards will be sayin’ yer a -Yankee coward. - -HEZEKIAH. The man that can’t grind out some grief at leavin’ a gal like -that, ain’t got brains enough to know what he’s losin’. - -BARNEY. Indade! Isn’t Biddy Maloney as fine a gal as she, barrin’ the -fitin’? (_Door opens at R., and Keele Brightly enters, followed by -D’Arneaux and guard, one of whom proceeds to iron D’A. to the same ring -with Hez. and Barney._) - -BRIGHTLY. (_Looking about and at prisoners._) As incomprehensible as -ever. The guard drugged and disarmed, and the prisoners unmolested. -Corporal, place a guard of twenty men around this building, and you have -my orders to shoot any person, man or woman, approaching it without -authority. I have placed a barrel of powder beneath, with a fuse -attached, leading out under the door. If the Yankees attack us before -daybreak, fire the fuse, or kill the prisoners, and join your regiment -at once. (_Guard leaves with Corporal, R. Brightly lingers to see all is -secure, then leaves R._) - -HEZEKIAH. (_To Barney._) Bet ye tew dollars this old machine is about -gin out. They’re killin’ their own. - -BARNEY. (_To Hez._) Is he a Gineral? (_D’A. hangs head._) - -HEZEKIAH. (_To D’A._) Say! Yer couldn’t tell a feller who’s gittin’ -licked outside, could ye? (_D’A. gives them no attention._) - -BARNEY. (_To D’A._) You don’t be talkin’? - -HEZEKIAH. (_To D’A._) Talk is cheap, and I thought I’d give ye a chance -on what ye had the most on. - -BARNEY. Shoot thim at daylight, sez he. (_Makes a bad face as if about -to cry._) - -HEZEKIAH. Don’t be blubberin’, Barney. - -BARNEY. Don’t you see the daylight is comin’ through thim cracks there? - -HEZEKIAH. Let her come. It ain’t goin’ to last long. (_A board lifts up -at L. and Zina crawls up through._) - -D’A. Zina! - -HEZEKIAH. Now let me die! - -BARNEY. ’Pon my word! (_Zina motions quiet._) - -ZINA. The guard! Master D’Arneaux, how are you here? - -D’A. A victim of the falsehood of your master. - -ZINA. How? - -D’A. Convicted of treason by false testimony, and sentenced to die at -sunrise. - -ZINA. Oh this is so cowardly and _unjust_ to you, who have been so brave -and kind. Oh what _shall_ I do? - -D’A. You can do nothing, Zina. - -ZINA. I will go to the General and say it is _not_ true. - -D’A. You are but a poor slave girl. It would avail nothing. Zina, -through economy and speculations, I have become possessed of five -thousand dollars in gold. It is all buried beneath the roots of the old -cotton-wood that stands by the grave of our Nelly. No one but my mother -knows this. If, by the fortunes of war, I should fall, it would keep my -mother from want. If, when peace and independence come, and I should -live, to buy your freedom, when I had determined to offer you my heart, -hand, and the honor of a soldier. - -ZINA. Oh you _would_ not throw yourself away on a poor slave! You _do_ -not know what you say! - -D’A. This has been the nurtured ambition of my heart, since, with all -your native goodness, I saw your generous devotion to my helpless old -mother. - -ZINA. How _can_ you love a poor, degraded slave girl, who has _nothing_ -to offer but these miserable rags, and the memory that she came of the -hated race, so despised by all the world. (_Falls on her knees, covers -face._) - -D’A. As God loves goodness in the human heart—as manhood admires the -noble, unselfish woman, though her covering be undeserving rags—as the -heart plays captive to the most generous impulses of nature—as the honor -of a soldier reaches out to grasp its ideal, so do I offer my tribute of -love. Zina, all these dreams of the future die with me when the sun -rises over the eastern hills. Go out from here. Avoid the guard. Find -the money, and fly with my mother, where you can be free. Save my mother -from want, and I am content. Waste no time, or you too may be lost. - -ZINA. Oh I cannot be so cowardly as to leave you now! (_Rising._) - -D’A. Why did you come here, where there is nothing but danger? - -ZINA. (_Pointing to Hez. and Barney._) To save _these_ who have been so -good and kind to me. When my master had turned me away to starve, -_these_ men gave me their own food and blankets when the storm was cold -and pitiless. (_Shot R. Zina goes to R. door to listen._) - -D’A. (_To Hez. and Bar._) My hand, good fellows. One often sees that to -admire in an enemy. (_Shake all, Hez. grudgingly. Zina looks around the -room and discovers the carbines, places them on the box._) - -BARNEY. When I was first lookin’ at ye, didn’t I be knowin’ ye was no -blackguard. - -D’A. When the other world begins to lift its shadows to light us to the -other side, the animosities of this life should be forgotten. - -HEZEKIAH. (_To D’A._) Give me your hand again. I allus said I’d never -shake with a rebel, but I’ll take it all back. - -D’A. Zina, before I die, there is a secret in your history the -excitement of the hour had well nigh caused me to forget. It came to me -by accident. You were not born a slave! - -Z. Then who am I? - -D’A. A lost child of the Halcoms! - -ZINA. (_Falling on her knees and covering her face._) My brave, noble -brother! - -D’A. While confined, previous to my trial, I overheard conversation -between Brightly and one of his ruffian comrades, detailing your history -and a plan for your destruction. The reason—slavery is abrogated, and -you are one of the Halcoms. Seventeen years since, Brightly was the -leader of a band of Regulators, raised to protect the planters from the -abolitionists, who were running off their help. I was a member of that -company, though a mere boy. An old political grudge had existed between -Brightly and your father for many years. On a dark December night, -backed by a crowd of selected desperadoes, he murdered your father when -he was without means of defence, outraged and killed your mother,—then -fired the house. - -ZINA. (_Shuddering._) My poor mother! (_Sobbing._) - -D’A. Some of those men are now standing guard around this building. You -were then a helpless infant in the cradle. Old Milly, the nurse, escaped -with you to the wood. Two days after you were both kidnapped by -Brightly, taken to his plantation in Alabama, where he raised you as a -slave. At the time of the murder, your brother Frank, at the age of 12 -years, was educating in the free schools of New England. During the last -15 years he has not ceased to search for the murderer of his family. He -has no knowledge that you have been saved from the burning home. Within -the last three years, Brightly has repeatedly tried to sell you to -cotton planters on the coast. Only my vigilance and the color of your -skin have prevented it. It was Brightly’s hand that sent the bullet -after your life, on the night of your brother’s escape. If you are found -here, your life is lost. Go now. Day is breaking. God bless you. -Remember my mother. (_Distant rapid firing._) - -ZINA. (_Springing to her feet and listening,_) Hark! My brother is -coming! - -D’A. Escape while you can. Quick, or you will be lost! - -ZINA. (_Flings off turban._) I will defend you until his sword shall -save us! - -D’A. You cannot, you are a weak girl! (_Zina bars the door and slings -carbine on belt._) - -ZINA. So I can fight and die with you! (_Rebs. attack the door -furiously. Zina holds it._) - -D’A. This building is mined and you will be blown to atoms. (_Zina holds -the door._) - -ZINA. I have filled the powder with water! - -D’A. You will be killed. Conceal yourself beneath the floor. (_Rebs. -knock holes in middle of door with an axe._) - -HEZEKIAH. Yes, go, Zina. God bless yer brave little heart. - -BARNEY. Please go, little girl, ye can’t do us no good! (_Heavy, -increasing firing R. Blows on the door rapid and continuous. She holds -it._) - -D’A. You cannot defend us! (_Zina seizes carbine and, springing back, -exclaims:_) - -ZINA. I am a Halcom! This rifle shall avenge my mother’s life. -(_Confederates smash the door until they knock it to pieces. Then the -door breaks down and a crowd of rebels rush through, 5 rapid shots from -Zina and they retreat to outside, 3 men fall. She drops the old and -seizes another carbine as Brightly urges them back. Five more shots -throw them into a crowding confusion at the door, when she stops firing -from unloading. Brightly and six soldiers rush to left front. Zina draws -knife to defend prisoners._) - -BRIGHTLY. (_As he and soldiers dash to L._) Kill the prisoners. -(_Soldiers spring forward to bayonet them and are met by Zina._) - -ZINA. Who strikes the helpless is a coward! (_Soldiers hesitate, with -bayonets at her breast._) - -BRIGHTLY. You shall be food for my dogs! - -ZINA. Coward! Thief! Assassin of my mother! - -BRIGHTLY. So you bite the hand that fed you to life! - -ZINA. My hands have earned your bread and mine! - -BRIGHTLY. (_To soldiers._) Kill her! (_Halcom dashes in R. followed by -soldiers, who cover rebs._) - -HALCOM. Throw down your arms! (_Rebels drop arms and Zina rushes into -her brother’s arms saying:_) - -ZINA. My brother! - -HALCOM. I have long suspected this. My mother’s face lives in this girl -and in my memory seventeen years since as she begged for mercy from a -man who never felt it. - -BRIGHTLY. I am a prisoner of war. - -HALCOM. We have met, sir, for the last time. You shall fight women and -helpless prisoners no longer. - -BRIGHTLY. Then have done with your preaching and come on! (_Drops sword -and draws knife._) - -HALCOM. I will not keep you waiting long! You shall fight for your life -this time like an honorable man! - -BRIGHTLY. (_To reb. soldiers_) The psalm of a traitor who has stabbed -his country in the back! - -HALCOM. (_To prisoners and Union soldiers._) If this man passes my hands -safely he shall go free! (_Taking advantage while Halcom is speaking to -the Union prisoners, Brightly rushes forward to stab him in the back, -treacherously. Zina catches his purpose, drops on one knee, knocks his -hand up and drives her knife to the hilt in the ruffian’s heart. -Brightly staggers back and falls. Zina springs up, aghast at the result, -then drops knife, covering her face, says:—_) - -ZINA. My poor mother! (_Drops on her knees, then face, sobbing until -curtain falls._) - - - THE END. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. The stage directions were inconsistently formatted. Some were - italicized and some not. Also some were in parentheses and some in - square brackets. (As if the typesetter ran out of parentheses or - italics occassionally.) They were all altered to parentheses and - italics. - 2. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - 3. Retained anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as - printed. - 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zina: the Slave Girl or Which the -Traitor?, by A. 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