SET SCENE: _The rough-hewn log cabin of Tom Lincoln is seen in the center surrounded by the forest wilderness of Southern Indiana, 1820._ _The cabin door is cut in level with the ground. There is no shutter to the door and no window to the cabin._ _Right and Left of the door opening are rude benches of split logs. On the walls are stretched a coon and a small bear, squirrel and muskrat skins. In the foreground on the right is seen an old-fashioned wash pot set on three stones. Near the wash pot is fixed in the ground a pole, on the top of which are hung six gourds cut for martin swallows to nest in. Beside it are a rude bench and two wash tubs. On the left is a crude settee made of a split log with legs set in augur holes and a rough back made of saplings. An old-fashioned doctor's saddle-bags hang across the back of the settee. The trees are walnut, beech and oak--undergrowth of dogwood, sumac and wild grapevines. These vines, festooned over the cabin, give a sinister impression. A creek winds down through the hills behind the cabin._ AT RISE: SARAH _is seen softly tiptoeing toward the cabin door. She pauses, listens and slowly peeps inside. She listens again and then slips away and calls_. SARAH Abe! Abe! [SARAH _goes back to the door and peeps in and runs to the gate._] Abe----! Ma's awake now! [_She returns to the door, peeps in again and runs once more to the gate._] Abe----! He's feelin' her pulse! Come on in--don't stay out there in the woods.... [ABE _enters slowly._] ABE What does he say? SARAH He ain't said nothin' yet. ABE He's a dumb doctor, anyhow. I couldn't get him to say a word comin', last night. SARAH Well, he's here now, and there's his saddle-bags full of medicine. You've been ridin' all night--you look terrible tired! Go to bed and sleep a little---- ABE I can't--while Ma's so sick--I'm afraid to go to sleep---- SARAH Why----? ABE You know why--Sarah---- SARAH Ah, she ain't goin' to die now. She's talkin' to the doctor--lie down just a little while and get to sleep before the sun comes up or ye can't sleep---- [_Pleading._] --come on---- ABE No--I'm scared--the plague's killin' folks every day--and nobody knows what to do for 'em---- [_The_ DOCTOR _and_ TOM _enter from the cabin and come down slowly--the_ DOCTOR _seems to be debating his course of action._] [_Eagerly to_ DOCTOR.] You can do somethin' for her, Doctor? DOCTOR [_Hesitates._] Yes--Get me a clean towel and a bowl---- ABE Run, SARAH--quick---- SARAH [_Running to cabin._] Yes--I'll get 'em----