D’A. (_Drawing._) This result is your own seeking! (_As they attempt to fight, Hood dashes in L. U. E. and intercepts._) HOOD. Hold! Is there not blood enough wasted already? (_Both attempt to speak._) Not a word, gentlemen! There is a chance for your sanguinary extravagance at the front. D’Arneaux, an hour since you volunteered for the enemy’s lines. Do you serve the army by quarrels with ruffians? Attend to your business, or leave it with better hands. Now, too! (_Neither move._) I command here! (_Both leave slowly. Brightly L., D’A. R._) So do the ruffianly elements divide my strength, and ruin the efficiency of the army. Half the pickets are drunk or asleep. I am not surprised that the federals push their advance to our very camp fires. (_Hez. creeps on very cautiously at L. U. E., cocking gun at port._) HEZEKIAH. How de dew? (_Hood starts and turns. Both eye each other a moment in silence._) HOOD. Well? HEZEKIAH. I s’pose your my meat. HOOD. Can you direct me to the federal headquarters, sir? HEZEKIAH. (_Looking at Hood a moment._) I’ll be darned if ye hain’t got me. Old Tecump keeps his office on top of his old white horse most of the time. HOOD. (_Pointing R._) I think, sir, in this direction. HEZEKIAH. Don’t you go there! Johnnies are thicker in them woods than lunatics in a crazy house. Jest popped one on ’em, less ’n half an hour ago. HOOD. I have some valuable information for the federal commander. HEZEKIAH. You git out! Is old Hood got shot? HOOD. Not to my knowledge. HEZEKIAH. I bin wantin’ to light on that old critter’s kerrin for over a month. If I get a bead on him, Old Secesh is goin’ ter have a fewneral. HOOD. I am very anxious, sir, and no time to lose. HEZEKIAH. I bin whoopin’ on that line since daylight. I’m hungrier than a Floridy allagater. HOOD. (_Turning to leave._) I must be moving. Good day, sir. HEZEKIAH. Say! Ye hain’t got nothin’ in yer pocket ter scald a feller’s in’ards, have ye? HOOD. I regret, sir, that I cannot accommodate you. Good day, sir. (_Attempts to leave R._) HEZEKIAH. If ye stick to me, I’ll get ye there when the relief comes. When the old general sees you with me, he’ll do the square thing by ye. I know old Tecump just as well as I do you. He and I have spilt some fluid since we come down on this racket. He’s five trumps and four aces in a lone hand every time you hit him. HOOD. You observe I am in the disguise of a rebel general, to avoid their pickets. HEZEKIAH. I wonder if I don’t know skim milk when I see it? HOOD. If I should be seen in the company of a Yankee, I should be shot at sight. HEZEKIAH. Wal, I guess yer head is level on that. HOOD. (_About to leave—R._) Good day, sir. HEZEKIAH. Say, I don’t s’pose you’ve got any tobacker in yer trowsis, have ye? HOOD. (_Producing it._) Certainly, sir. HEZEKIAH. Jest give us a chaw. (_Hood complies._) My stomach is as holler as a collapsed balloon. (_Bites off a chew, and returns plug._) ’Bliged at ye.