SCENE II.—_Same as Scene I. Evening._ KILROY _has been relieved;

lights across the river; table removed from the stage_, C.

PETE (_discovered lighting candle in_ COLONEL'S _tent_). Golly, I feels powerful big, I does, wid dis yer coat ob de colonel's. 'Specs some time, dey will mistook us, and I gets all de salutes. (_Comes out of tent._) Dey will 'proach me dis yer fashion. (_Imitates_ ORDERLY _and salutes_.) Massa Colonel. (_Imitates_ COLONEL.) Yas, sar. (_Imitates_ ORDERLY.) A 'spatch from de general. (_Imitates._) Very well, sar. (_Salutes; walks about with dignity; enter_ KILROY.)

KIL. Faith, and if it ain't the shmall heathen we saved from the other soide. Luk at the shtyle of him,—parading about wid the colonel's shtripes and buttons. Whist, honey, phat are yees doing wid that coat?

PETE (_turning_). I's habin' heaps of fun, I is. Massa Colonel gib me dis yer coat, an' I's playin' wid my 'magination, an' tinks I'se de colonel.

KIL. Playin' wid phat is it? The nixt thing you know, it may be powder phat's playin' wid you.

PETE. Does yer 'member, sah, when I comed across de line?

KIL. Will, indade I does. A foine specimen yees were. Shure, for a minit, I thought it was the divil himself, coming to give me a surprise party.

PETE (_grins_). Den yer don't trabel wid him all de time, massa?

KIL. Oh, yer shpalpeen! (_Strikes at_ PETE, _who dodges, turns a somersault, and exit past sentinel_.)

KIL. A shmart one, by the powers! Travel with the divil is it? Faith, and he goes it so fast, niver a bit cud I kape up wid him. If that shmall imp don't show more respict to his betthers, a shmall chance he'll get to travel with any one.

(_Exit_ KIL., R.; GUARD _approaches with change of sentinel_.)

SENT. Halt! Who comes there?

GUARD. Friend.

SENT. Advance, friend, and give the countersign.

(GUARD _gives it_; GIBBS _stands as sentinel; relieved_ SENTINEL _marches off behind_ GUARD.)

GIBBS. I wonder if Newcomb is on the watch. Yes; here he comes. Too clever to miss the game.

(_Enter_ COL. _and_ NEW.; GIBBS _salutes_ COL.; NEW. _looks at_ GIBBS, _and starts_.)

COL. What's the matter, Newcomb? Not nervous, are you?

NEW. It's nothing. Thought I saw a shadow. Do you have any of those black devils hanging about here?

COL. Yes, occasionally one; but they never give us any trouble. One little fellow crossed the line to-day, and he was so bright and clever,—wanted to stay here with me; so I have set him to work, and I expect he will take excellent care of me. I admire the devotion of that race; treat them kindly, and you are always sure of plenty of friends.

NEW. I prefer a higher type of humanity for associates.

COL. What a pity, Newcomb, that two such warm friends as we should not have heart for the same cause! However, some day you will be of my opinion, I hope.

(COL. _sits at table inside tent_; NEW. _on stool at opening_.)

NEW. Hardly that, yet. Whatever the end may be, I trust we shall still be good comrades.

COL. That sentiment I echo with my whole heart. But tell me, Newcomb, do you ever hear anything of Roger Carruth?

(GIBBS _listens at side of tent_.)

NEW. Never. He won't show himself in this part of the country again.

COL. You are sure that you have evidence of his guilt? I would not misjudge the boy for all the world; I am too fond of him for that.

NEW. Why should I, his friend and yours, seek to turn you against him?

GIBBS (_aside_). Why, indeed!

COL. I cannot understand it—so true and honorable, always. Some fearful temptation must have stood in his way.

NEW. Evil will show itself. If the seed is there, time will surely make it grow.

COL. No, no, Newcomb; don't say that. Why, man, would you have me think for a moment that it was more than a sudden pitfall?

NEW. The evidence grows stronger and stronger against him.

COL. Oh, Newcomb, this is so hard to bear! (_Covers face with hands_; GIBBS _returns to place and resumes march_.)

NEW. (_rises_). Never mind, old fellow. (_Places hand on_ COL.'S _arm_.) You have some friends left who have not played the knave.

COL. (_rising; holds out hand_). True, Newcomb; I have much to thank you for. This kindly interest in my welfare, I trust the time will come when I can repay it.

NEW. Don't worry about that. (_Looks at watch._) It is almost time for taps.

COL. Won't you stay and smoke with me?

NEW. Not to-night. Early hours are prescribed for you. Good-night.

COL. Good-night.

(NEW. _goes up stage_; COL. _enters tent; enter_ PETE, R.; _sees_ NEW. _talking with_ GIBBS.)

PETE. I wonder if he lubs de colonel. 'Specs I jes listen to der comversation. (_Creeps behind tree near_ GIBBS.)

NEW. Well, are you ready for your work?

GIBBS. Yes, sir.

NEW. No chicken-hearted business about this. Is your aim a true one?

GIBBS. Yes; true as steel.

NEW. I can depend upon you?

GIBBS. You can, sir. I feel a special interest in the work to-night.

NEW. At what time?

GIBBS. After taps.

NEW. It will soon be here. (_Bugle-call for taps._)

GIBBS. That is the call. Ten minutes more; before the lights are out.

NEW. All right. Make your shot tell.

GIBBS. I will do my best, sir.

NEW. Good-night. (GIBBS _salutes_; NEW. _exit_.)

PETE (_shaking_). Golly, my hair just frozen stiff; bof my knees powerful confectionate. Dey's plotting mischief, dey is. An' if Pete don't keep bof eyes wide open, dere will be trouble in de camp. (_Hides behind tree._)

(_Enter_ MAJOR _and_ BIJAH.)

POTTS. Newcomb is about the camp. I fear mischief is brewing.

BIJAH. I'd jest like to see the sport. I wonder who he is working this time.

MAJOR (_goes to_ COL.'S _tent; salutes_). All right for the night, colonel?

COL. (_raising head from hand_). Yes, major; good-night.

MAJOR. Good-night. (_Salutes._)

BIJAH (_looking through trees in flat_, L.). Major, look there! I'll bet you a fiver, that's Newcomb.

POTTS (_looking over_ BIJAH'S _shoulder_). You're right. Let us hide and watch him. (_Both hide in trees_, L.; _drum-call for lights out; stage darkens_; COL. _puts out candle and stands in doorway_.)

COL. I wonder where that snowball of mine is? Pete! Pete!

PETE (_runs across stage_). Here I is (_salutes_), massa!

COL. What are you doing at this time of night?

PETE. I's watchin' somefin, massa. I heard a crackling in der bushes; 'specs it possum. Yer don't mind if I looks, massa?

COL. No; only don't stray away too far.

PETE. 'Deed I won't, Massa Colonel. (_Salutes, and resumes watch._)

BIJAH. You bet he scents the game.

COL. (_crosses stage, goes up back; stands looking at river._) I wonder why it is my thoughts are all of Roger to-night. Poor Ruth! how heavy her heart is; and I spoke words which did not lighten the burden. Down deep in my heart I cannot think him guilty. Yet Newcomb is so sure,—and Newcomb knows. (_To_ SENTINEL.) Everything all right?

GIBBS (_salutes_). All right, sir.

(COL. _turns to enter tent_; NEW. _appears at extreme_ L., _and watches_ GIBBS; GIBBS _sees_ NEW., _stops a moment, then follows_ COL., _aims at him, turns quickly, and fires at_ NEW. PETE, _who has followed_ GIBBS, _springs upon his back, and grasps him soon as shot is fired_. NEW. _is wounded in wrist_. GIBBS _swings_ PETE _around and knocks him senseless with butt of gun_. POTTS _and_ BIJAH _seize_ GIBBS; COL. _turns as shot is fired_; SOLDIERS _appear; stage grows light_; KIL. _runs to_ PETE _and raises head_.)

NEW. (_holding wrist_). The traitor! I'll pay him well for this.

COL. What does this mean? Treason in the camp?

NEW. It means, colonel, that this man attempted your life. I overheard his plotting and came to warn you. He missed fire, and my wrist caught the shot.

COL. Where is the sentinel?

KIL. (_points at_ GIBBS). Faith, and there he is.

COL. So, sir, placed here on honor to guard your colonel's life, you turn traitor. Speak, man, why have you done this? (GIBBS _remains silent_.)

COL. (_goes to_ PETE). Poor little fellow! You have killed him.

KIL. If yees plaze, colonel, his sinses are only knocked out of him.

COL. (_to_ GIBBS). Man, why are you silent?

NEW. He is too great a coward to defend himself. He dare not speak. (_Music._)

GIBBS. Dare not? Be careful, Newcomb; the game is not yet yours. You call me traitor: coward. Yet beneath the stars in heaven there is not one who wears, beneath his coat, a blacker heart than yours.

NEW. What do you mean? Who are you that dares to accuse me?

GIBBS (_right arm free_). One who has suffered much at your hands; who has borne with patience your taunts and slurs; who, knowing of the colonel's danger, tried to save his life. One whom you thought “as good as dead” stands before you. A victim of your treachery. (_Tears off whiskers and wig._) Roger Carruth.

(TABLEAU.—KIL., C., _kneeling and holding_ PETE'S _head on knees_; COL. _staggers back and leans against soldiers, who support him_; POTTS _and_ BIJAH _each holding one of_ ROGER'S _hands, looking at him_; ROGER _looking at_ NEW., _who stares at him horror-stricken_.)

CURTAIN.