COL. How old are you? PETE (_scratching head_). Dunno, 'specs I'se purty old; I'se had heaps of fun. COL. Where did you come from? PETE (_points across river_). Ober dere. Powerful hard time I'se had too, massa. I'se runned away. COL. Why did you come here? PETE. Ole massa, he sold my brudder, an' I jest feared he'd make me gwine too. An' I knowed der Union men was heaps good to de poor niggers, an' I tought p'raps yer might tell me whar my mammy is. COL. No, Pete, my boy, I don't know where your mammy is. (_Puts hand on_ PETE'S _shoulder_.) What are you going to do? PETE (_scratching head_). Dunno! (_Thinks a moment, then looks brightly into_ COLONEL'S _face_.) 'Specs I should jes lub to stay wid you. COL. (_seating himself on stool, outside tent_). Stay with me? What could you do? PETE. I can brack yer boots, massa. An' oh, massa Colonel, I do so lub a horse! Let me take care ob yours. I can handle 'em, massa, if dey be eber so debblesome. Please jes try me; an' I do eberyting yer axes me, sho's yer born. COL. I havn't a horse, Pete; but you look like a pretty good boy. I think I can trust you. Yes, I will give you a trial. PETE. Yer really means it? (COLONEL _nods assent_.) Ki-yi! (_Turns somersaults._) COL. Ha, ha! I'll make you my bodyguard. PETE (_perplexed_). I ain't got no uniform, massa; 'specs I needs a sword for dat. COL. That is a ragged coat you have on for this time of year. (_Goes into tent and brings out old army coat with gold stripes and buttons_). Here, put this on. You won't grow to it this year (_laughs_), but it is better than nothing. PETE (_delighted; changes coat and walks about, admiring himself_). I jes wish my ole mammy see me now, she'd be proud, she'd be. COL. Pete, you are to take good care of everything that belongs to me; and some day, when the war is over, we will go North and try to find your mammy. PETE. Has you a mammy, Massa Colonel? COL. No, Pete; she died long ago; but a dear wife and sister are praying for a safe return. PETE. Massa Colonel, I'll do jes de bery bes I knows. COL. Well said, Pete. Now go into my tent and put it in order. PETE. All right, massa. (_Salutes and enters tent; enter_ POTTS _and_ BIJAH.) COL. Ah, major! Whom have we here? POTTS (_salutes_). Bijah Bright, the standard-bearer of your regiment.(BIJAH _salutes_.) COL. A grave duty, Mr. Bright. May it not be trodden beneath your feet. BIJAH. Wal, I guess not, colonel: not while this right arm is strong. Jest feel that muscle. COL. Ha, ha! There's no doubt about that, or your heart either. BIJAH. Only one corner reserved; the rest belongs to my country. COL. And may I ask who possesses so great a treasure? BIJAH. Why, don't you know? My Polly, your Polly. COL. My Polly? Ah, I see. You mean Polly Primrose. Mr. Bright, you are to be congratulated; she's a treasure. BIJAH. Don't be in a hurry with good wishes, sir. She's on the wing, and my shot has not yet brought her down.