Chapter 5

reveille. Sentinels on duty before the tents._

_LENOX enters from the tent on the right, GENERAL and ADELA from the left._

LENOX. Good morning, general; you are "stirring with the lark"--and you also, Adela.

GENERAL. The times require the utmost vigilance, Lenox: the enemy cannot escape a battle now, and we must be prepared at all points to meet him. Decision and energy cannot fail to promote success.

ADELA. And what is to become of me, father, in the battle? Am I to ride the old trooper again, and run the risk of having the tip of my nose carried away by a musket ball, and left on the field of battle in all my glory?

GENERAL. You shall be taken care of, dear Adela; we will place you in the rear, among the baggage-wagons.

ADELA. And if they should be captured, I become also a prisoner, and probably a prize to some gallant Indian chief, who will make me his squaw, and teach me to kill deer. O delightful thought!

[_Bugles sound._

GENERAL. The troops are under arms, and approaching.

[_Quick march--the GENERAL, LENOX and ADELA pass to the left, and stand near the tent; the troops advance; CHRISTINE is among them, dressed in uniform; they pass round the stage in regular order, then form the line two deep; CHRISTINE is in front on the right, and keeps her eye fixed anxiously on LENOX; drum beats the roll; the troops come to an order, and then proceed through the manual by the tap of drum, and finally to a present; the GENERAL, LENOX, and other officers advance, and pass through the line in review; the flags wave, and the band strikes up "Hail Columbia."_]

GENERAL. Well--everything is right. And now, soldiers, to your posts; remember, discipline, subordination, courage, and country, and victory will be ours. [_GENERAL, LENOX and ADELA, enter the tent to the left. The troops march off. CHRISTINE and a SOLDIER, headed by a CORPORAL, return to relieve guard at each tent. Port arms and whisper the countersign. CHRISTINE is placed before the tent on the right, her comrade on the left. CORPORAL retires with the two relieved sentries. After a pause, she beckons to her comrade._]

CHRISTINE. Hist--comrade!

SOLDIER. Well, what is it?

CHRISTINE. Will you exchange places? There is no difference--and the sun will be too powerful for me presently. Look, here is a dollar.

SOLDIER. With all my heart. [_They cross quickly, the SOLDIER receives the money--CHRISTINE now paces before the tent into which LENOX, ADELA and the GENERAL have retired._]

CHRISTINE. Could I but see the false, perfidious LENOX, and upbraid him with his cruelty! [_She is in great uneasiness, pauses occasionally, and looks into the tent--her comrade is watching her. LENOX sings within._]

Shall the pleasures of life unknown fade away, In viewing those charms so lovely and gay? Shall the heart which has breath'd forth rapturous flame, Be hid from the world and unsought for by fame?

Thus spoke the fond Roscoe to Scylla the fair, As he gaz'd on her charms, with a love-soothing care: Hear now the last wish, that fondly I sigh, I'll conquer in love, or in battle I'll die.

He girded his armour and flew to the field, Determin'd while life flow'd never to yield; The foe was subdued, but death's cruel dart Was aim'd at the valiant and fond Roscoe's heart:

But the blow was defeated--he lived to enjoy The sight of his Scylla, no longer so coy, And his laurels fresh bloom'd, as she smil'd on the youth, And gave her fair hand in reward for his truth.

CHRISTINE. Ha, that false voice! I can no longer bear it! [_Throws down her gun, and is about entering the tent, when her comrade, who has been attentively regarding her movements, rushes over and seizes her._]

SOLDIER. Where are you going?

CHRISTINE. Unhand me this instant! [_Struggles._

SOLDIER. Guards, there!

_Enter an OFFICER with SOLDIERS, who attempts to seize CHRISTINE--she draws her sword and stands on the defensive, and after some resistance, escapes._

OFFICER. Pursue him quickly! [_SOLDIERS pursue._

SOLDIER. He crosses the bridge.

OFFICER. The sentinels will reach him with their guns.

[_Muskets discharged._

SOLDIER. They have him--he is not hurt.

_GENERAL, ADELA and LENOX rush from the tent._

GENERAL. What means this confusion?

2ND OFFICER. The sentinel who was placed here on duty, attempted, for some desperate purpose, to enter your tent; but being discovered, he refused to surrender, drew his sword on me and the guard, and, after some resistance, has been disarmed and secured.

LENOX. Good heavens! What object could he have had?

2ND OFFICER. I know not--but he is a new recruit, probably a spy from the enemy.

GENERAL. It must be so--see that a court martial be called to try him, and bring the result to me without delay. If he is guilty, a dreadful example shall be made of him. Begone.

[_Exeunt GENERAL, SOLDIERS, &c._