HOOD. Captain Brightly, return the prisoner to the cabin. He will be allowed fifteen minutes to prepare. You will then call a squad of men, and see to it that he is shot to the death. HALCOM. Gen. Hood, I request that I may die by the hand of a brave and honorable man. HOOD. So I have decreed! HALCOM. His hands are tainted with the murder of defenceless women. BRIGHTLY. ’Tis false! HALCOM. So is he a coward! Twice I have thrown my knife at his feet to defend himself against my empty hands, and he has refused! BRIGHTLY. (_To Hood._) Do you believe the falsehoods of a traitor? HALCOM. Then be it so now! HOOD. (_To Brightly._) Well? BRIGHTLY. I will not risk a life that may be of use to my country, in a duel with a man who has been condemned to death for treason. HOOD. Well said, sir! Sentinel, remand the prisoner. (_Exit Hood, R. Sentinel points to the cabin. Halcom goes slowly, as if to enter. Halts at door and turns._) HALCOM. Keele Brightly, the chances of war have favored you. I am the last of my family. My mother’s ashes are still unavenged. I have had faith in God. Justice may come at last from other hands than mine. (_Turns and enters the cabin, and falls on one knee. Sentinel locks the door. Brightly leaves R. As he disappears, Sentinel resumes his beat, and Zina shows around L. end of cabin, and taps lightly to attract Halcom’s attention. He hastens to listen._) ZINA. (_Peering between the logs._) It is I, Zina, come to save you. There is a bar behind the door. Bar the door on the inside, and make no noise. Then return quickly. HALCOM. God bless your brave little heart! (_Bars the door, and returns to listen._) ZINA. This cabin is close to the river. Your friends are on the other side. The walls are too strong to be broken. I will climb to the roof, tear off some boards, throw a rope over a limb, and drop it through the opening. On this, ascend to the roof quickly. The river is too deep to ford. A log is lodged on the shore in rear of the cabin. With the rope, swing yourself astride this. Pull a rope fastened to the other shore, and it will soon land you with your friends on the other side. If you are fired upon from this side, throw yourself into the water and cling to the log. HALCOM. But what chance of escape is there for yourself? ZINA. Don’t fear for me. HALCOM. I will not accept my life, even, at the slightest risk to your own. ZINA. Do not hesitate. If you do, you are lost. HALCOM. Tell me, on honor, is there any danger for yourself? (_Enter Brightly, with squad of men, for execution, R._) ZINA. On my honor, I shall be safe. Watch for the rope. I join you at your own camp. (_Zina springs to rear of cabin, and ascends to roof, while Brightly is saying_)—