PETE (_shaking_). Golly, my hair just frozen stiff; bof my knees powerful confectionate. Dey's plotting mischief, dey is. An' if Pete don't keep bof eyes wide open, dere will be trouble in de camp. (_Hides behind tree._) (_Enter_ MAJOR _and_ BIJAH.) POTTS. Newcomb is about the camp. I fear mischief is brewing. BIJAH. I'd jest like to see the sport. I wonder who he is working this time. MAJOR (_goes to_ COL.'S _tent; salutes_). All right for the night, colonel? COL. (_raising head from hand_). Yes, major; good-night. MAJOR. Good-night. (_Salutes._) BIJAH (_looking through trees in flat_, L.). Major, look there! I'll bet you a fiver, that's Newcomb. POTTS (_looking over_ BIJAH'S _shoulder_). You're right. Let us hide and watch him. (_Both hide in trees_, L.; _drum-call for lights out; stage darkens_; COL. _puts out candle and stands in doorway_.) COL. I wonder where that snowball of mine is? Pete! Pete! PETE (_runs across stage_). Here I is (_salutes_), massa! COL. What are you doing at this time of night? PETE. I's watchin' somefin, massa. I heard a crackling in der bushes; 'specs it possum. Yer don't mind if I looks, massa? COL. No; only don't stray away too far. PETE. 'Deed I won't, Massa Colonel. (_Salutes, and resumes watch._) BIJAH. You bet he scents the game. COL. (_crosses stage, goes up back; stands looking at river._) I wonder why it is my thoughts are all of Roger to-night. Poor Ruth! how heavy her heart is; and I spoke words which did not lighten the burden. Down deep in my heart I cannot think him guilty. Yet Newcomb is so sure,—and Newcomb knows. (_To_ SENTINEL.) Everything all right? GIBBS (_salutes_). All right, sir. (COL. _turns to enter tent_; NEW. _appears at extreme_ L., _and watches_ GIBBS; GIBBS _sees_ NEW., _stops a moment, then follows_ COL., _aims at him, turns quickly, and fires at_ NEW. PETE, _who has followed_ GIBBS, _springs upon his back, and grasps him soon as shot is fired_. NEW. _is wounded in wrist_. GIBBS _swings_ PETE _around and knocks him senseless with butt of gun_. POTTS _and_ BIJAH _seize_ GIBBS; COL. _turns as shot is fired_; SOLDIERS _appear; stage grows light_; KIL. _runs to_ PETE _and raises head_.) NEW. (_holding wrist_). The traitor! I'll pay him well for this. COL. What does this mean? Treason in the camp? NEW. It means, colonel, that this man attempted your life. I overheard his plotting and came to warn you. He missed fire, and my wrist caught the shot. COL. Where is the sentinel? KIL. (_points at_ GIBBS). Faith, and there he is. COL. So, sir, placed here on honor to guard your colonel's life, you turn traitor. Speak, man, why have you done this? (GIBBS _remains silent_.) COL. (_goes to_ PETE). Poor little fellow! You have killed him. KIL. If yees plaze, colonel, his sinses are only knocked out of him. COL. (_to_ GIBBS). Man, why are you silent? NEW. He is too great a coward to defend himself. He dare not speak. (_Music._)