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._)