HALCOM. One moment (_reads note_). Say to the commander-in-chief that the enemy are massing on our immediate front. (_Orderly salutes and retires L. U. E._) The picket will report to chief of brigade guard. (_Pickets retire. L. U. E. Halcom follows slowly. Soon a squad of rebel soldiers enter R. with Keele. Brightly peering cautiously. D’A. shows R. U. E. A picket fires out L. U. E. A return shot and he falls. Three other shots and rebels retire R., but soon come slowly back._) BRIGHTLY. Some of those Yankees have learned to shoot since this fight began. (_To men._) Take that body behind the hill and bury it. (_Rebel soldiers drag the body out R._) D’A. (_Approaching, handing Brightly a note._) An order from the commander. BRIGHTLY. (_Reads and throws it down._) I take no orders from any one. D’A. Are you a soldier or brigand? BRIGHTLY. Either you please. D’A. The laws of every nation compel allegiance to the country that gives its protection. BRIGHTLY. Protection, did you say? D’A. Aye, protection! BRIGHTLY. When this confederacy finds itself able to stand alone, it may assume impudence enough to ask my allegiance on account of the protection it can give. D’A. As did the colonies in the first insurrection, this government holds the inhabitants of its territory subject to the military conscription. BRIGHTLY. Its object, an asylum for broken down political beats. D’A. A separation from the free states! BRIGHTLY. Which I oppose. D’A. Then, sir, you are a traitor. BRIGHTLY. Be careful, young man; you are not robust enough to use such talk with a man. I fight to repel Yankee intrusion upon our domestic affairs. D’A. A patriotism that simply asks protection for your pocket. BRIGHTLY. Whose reaches farther? D’A. Who has no pride in a magnificent nationality, would simply root his way through the world like a hog, for the benefit of his stomach. BRIGHTLY. Well, who gets, or cares for more? D’A. He whose ambition leaps the instinct of the animal, to achieve honor, magnificence and power. BRIGHTLY. You had that before and the north paid the bills. This is simply a domestic fight. D’A. For the liberty and honor of the south. BRIGHTLY. Liberty and honor? The world very properly forgot both when the crusade ended. A country hampered with slavery and the arrogance of wealth, prating of liberty and honor! D’A. Well, you have graduated at a school that can say even more. BRIGHTLY. Honor is a bag of gas for the mouth. A presumptuous idea manufactured for the occasion. D’A. Well? BRIGHTLY. While driving a sharp bargain for a soul and body in a black hide, or speculating on deceptive conclusions, did you ever feel it? D’A. I have done neither. BRIGHTLY. I spoke of the custom of the country you defend. D’A. Well?