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._)