SCENE V. (_Inside the Tobacco House._)

HARROLD

They’re walking toward us.

BOOTH

Do as I command.

BAKER

(_Outside._) Come out of there.

BOSTON CORBETT

(_Outside._) Lieutenant, they can pick The whole of us through cracks with their carbines. Old Garrett says they’re armed.

(_He goes back of the tobacco house._)

BAKER

Come out of there. Five minutes to come out, then I set fire To the tobacco house.

BOOTH

(_Inside._)

Who are you? What do you want?

BAKER

(_Outside._)

We want you. And we know you. Come, you are Booth, assassin of the President. Surrender arms. Come out!

BOOTH

(_Inside_.)

I want a little time to think about it.

(_A silence._)

BAKER

(_Outside._)

Well, now come out.

BOOTH

(_Inside._)

You are a brave man, captain, I believe, Honorable too. I am a cripple, have One leg, the other broken. Yet no less If you will take your men a hundred yards From the door of the tobacco house, I’ll come Out as you command and fight you all.

BAKER

(_Outside._)

I have not come to fight, but capture you.

BOOTH

(_Inside._)

Give me a chance for life. I’ll better terms. If you will take your men off fifty yards I’ll come out, fight you all, till I am killed, Or kill you all.

BAKER

(_Outside._)

No!

BOOTH

(_Inside._)

You are a coward, sir, Denying to a brave man chance for life.

HARROLD

(_Inside_.)

They’ve set the house afire! Now, let me out!

(_The house burns._)

BOOTH

(_Inside._)

You hellish coward, would you leave me now? Go! Go! and leave me. It would be dishonor To die with such a coward. Let this man Come out of here!

BAKER

(_Outside._)

All right! Hand out his arms And come.

BOOTH

(_Inside amid flames._)

A coward goes to cowards.

(_The flames are coming up around Booth._)

(_He stands on a crutch, pale and defiant._)