BRIGHTLY. When he attempts to return, he will be arrested by the enemy, with the proofs of his business on his person! A court-martial, an execution, and the end! (_Zina in agony._) ZINA. My God, what shall I do? BRIGHTLY. Nothing. (_Zina drops on her knees._) ZINA. Oh, what will you ask of me, and I will never cause you trouble again? BRIGHTLY. I make no conditions when I control! ZINA. If I have ever loved anything, it has been lost to me. (_Sinking down, sobbing._) BRIGHTLY. Of what use are you to me now? I have taken insult after insult from _him_, until I have reached the last. If this fails, I will kill him! ZINA. (_Springing up._) Then I will tell him the infamous traitor that you are. BRIGHTLY. (_Dashing forward to strike her._) You will? ZINA. (_Defending with stiletto._) Stand off, you cowardly cur! BRIGHTLY. (_Springing back and drawing bowie knife._) Ah ha, revolt? ZINA. Aye, revolt! BRIGHTLY. Before this, I had determined to kill you. (_Rolling up cuffs, &c._) ZINA. Who strikes a woman is a coward! BRIGHTLY. You have earned your right to the knife now, and you shall have it. ZINA. I have worked for you since I could walk, and never played. You have beat and starved me in return, after I had done the best I could. BRIGHTLY. Rant, for this shall be your last time! ZINA. Your brutal strength loves best to beat the helpless. But while I live I will defend myself! BRIGHTLY. Before my arm—like a breath of heedless air. ZINA. This shall be the last with me. My hands have earned the right to be free, and now I will be, or you shall kill me! BRIGHTLY. This knife shall answer that! ZINA. Aye, it shall be to the death for one. But you shall see how a puny girl shall fight a brutal coward, in defence of her life and honor! BRIGHTLY. Your snarling lout shall not protect you this time. ZINA. (_Despair._) God help me and save Master D’Arneaux! BRIGHTLY. (_Quickly._) He has already passed the guard! (_Zina starts, chokes, staggers, drops her stiletto and faints. B. rushes towards her._) I will end these insults here. (_A shot from the L. strikes his arm. He whirls round and dashes out at R., as Hez. rushes in at L., saying:_) HEZEKIAH. Gosh all hemlock! That’s twice we missed that critter in the same place. Here I been catawaulin’ round here for four days, and I hain’t took but thirteen scalps. But I wonder if we didn’t wade inter them critters yesterday. There is more cannon balls wasted down in that ar’ medder than you can stow inter our meetin’ house. Hannah Doolittle! Wan’t there some glory got loose in that fite! There was more halleluyer in four minnits than you could twist out er two hundred and fifty comeouter camp meetings. Jewlyus Jehosafat! I jest as lives died as not! When we scooted that rebel meat, I felt prouder’n Sal Screwton when she got her fust bussel. (_Meantime, enter Gen. Halcom, L._) HALCOM. Well? HEZEKIAH. (_Turning, surprised, cocking his gun._) Gosh all Jewpiter! I thought it was Jeff Davis!