BIJAH. How can we look out for the colonel? We can't always be at his side, or he will suspect something. He must not be warned, his health won't stand that. That small specimen of black humanity calls himself the colonel's guard; body-guard, he means. Now, why can't he be warned of the colonel's danger, and I'll trust him for the rest? He's mightily taken with the colonel, and you know what a darky's devotion is. POTTS. Bijah, you're a trump! If that is a specimen of your stock of ideas, you are a valuable man. Pete, come here. (PETE _runs out of tent_.) POTTS. Come here; we wish to talk with you. PETE. I's all ready, sar; bof years wide open. BIJAH. That's all right. Keep your mouth shut. POTTS. You like the colonel pretty well, don't you? PETE. Like him, massa? Deed I does. He's heaps good ter me. Look at des yer cloe's. POTTS. You can pay him back for them, if you will. PETE (_putting hands in pockets; turns them wrong side out; looks at them dolefully, then at_ POTTS). Please, massa, I can't gib yer nuffin. POTTS (_patting_ PETE _on back_). I don't mean money. PETE. Does yer mean I can do somefin for him? BIJAH. Yes, that's jest the pint. PETE. Deed, I'd just like dat. Does yer know what he's gwine ter do for me? When dis yer war is ober he's gwine to help me find my mammy. Don't yer tink I 'specs him for dat? POTTS. Gad, you're a lucky fellow to find such a friend as that. I wish the colonel would help me find a sweetheart. PETE (_grinning_). 'Specs for such a fine-lookin gennleman as you is, massa, de colonel would not have to work bery hard. POTTS. Thank you, Pete. That's praise worth having. BIJAH. I say, Pete, there's some one in this world, that _doesn't_ love the colonel: you must take good care of him. One of these fine days some one will try to shoot him. PETE. Shoot massa Colonel? Not if Pete can help it. BIJAH. Mind, you keep both eyes wide open. (_Exit_ BIJAH _through trees_.) PETE. Deed I will, massa. POTTS. Pete, my boy, the colonel is one of my dearest friends. I promised his wife that I would take good care of him, but I may be called away at any moment. I commend him to your care. And remember, the trust is a sacred one. (_Exit_ POTTS.) PETE (_salutes; wipes eyes on sleeves, and stands looking after him_). I'll do de bes I knows. Golly, 'specs I didn't jine de army for nuffin. (_Goes into tent; brings out pail and exits_ R. _through the trees for water. Enter_ POLLY, _wearing cloak and poke bonnet, with basket covered with napkin on arm, leading_ DOR., _disguised as an old lady; bonnet with veil over face_.) POLLY (_out of breath_). My gracious! thankful enough, I am, that we are out of sight of those horrid soldiers. One of them tried to kiss me. Ugh! it makes me shiver to think of it. Miss Dorothy, here we are at last. DOR. (_raising veil_). Indeed, I am thankful too. I am so tired. (_Looks about._) Where are we, Polly?