HALCOM. Ask God, and the angel sent to my relief. (_Declining clothes._) Thank you, gentlemen, I need nothing now but a coat. SHERMAN. Ah! A woman at the bottom of it. (_Halcom watches out R._) I sent word to Hood that if any harm came to you, I would retaliate on every rebel officer in my charge. HALCOM. Thank you, General. But your communication would, doubtless, have come too late. But for my escape, I should have been executed two hours ago. SHERMAN. Your escapes are marvelous. By the way, I have orders from Washington to advance you to the first vacancy among the corps commanders. HALCOM. (_Dropping his head._) I had not expected that. SHERMAN. Why not? In this army, sir, the best man wins. HALCOM. I am a native and citizen of the south. SHERMAN. There are no lines for loyalty in this country. HALCOM. I am indebted to you for this. SHERMAN. You are indebted to your own right arm, sir. HALCOM. I have been but a simple soldier, no more entitled to advancement than the private who takes the brunt of the fight in the first line. SHERMAN. Halcom, some men are born to command—to lead a forlorn hope— HALCOM. Which I never have. SHERMAN. Indeed! When at Lookout Mountain the storm of rebel shot had melted the first line, and the reserves were already wavering, and you seized and dared them to follow their flag, rallying the broken ranks to that wild charge that swept the rebel army from its entrenchments among the clouds, it was a glory beside which the command of this army pales into insignificance! HALCOM. Then the soldier shares equally with his commander! (_Watches out R._) SHERMAN. But you have not told me of this marvelous escape. HALCOM. Ask me of something I cannot comprehend, and you have all I can give. SHERMAN. It often acts like that. HALCOM. How? SHERMAN. Simple as any other phase of life. A storm at night. A handsome cavalier, unjustly condemned, awaiting execution. A lovely maiden hovers near. She drugs the guard, and sets the prisoner free. Bewildered by the ecstasy of love in such a moment of excitement, both are lost in its wild delirium. They wake to an utter incomprehensibility of all that has passed. HALCOM. General, I am content if such chafing pleases you. But I am weighted with an anxiety that will drive me mad. When I can know the heroic girl is safe, who perhaps has sacrificed her life to save mine, I can forget that I am a coward, and unfit to live! (_Crosses over to L._) SHERMAN. Ah! I am getting interested in this case. Who is this woman? What do you fear? Where is she? I can hardly imagine a situation in this country or in either army, that can be dangerous to a woman! HALCOM. No danger to a woman? They killed my mother when she was helpless, and, with my sister, burned her in her own home. SHERMAN. Such men are devils!