The Southern Cross Part 15

Winth. Ah!

Evans (by the table with the paper). Colonel, look at this paper.

As I'm alive, I think it is a trick! The ink is hardly dry. What if she meant it for a signal?

Char. A signal! So that's it, you dog! You think I led him into his surrender; you think it is because I am afraid, and that is why I gave the paper up to you! A signal, then! If that is so, then every thing I do must seem a signal. I go up to him so (she goes to Gordon); I take his hands and look into his eyes; I say to him: Well done; you are a hero, even though you fail, I throw the curtains back and tell you, you can search the place: there's no more you can find; he is the last. And if I take this bowl and crash it at your feet, as I do now, you think that, too, a signal; and with this candle in my hand (she s.n.a.t.c.hes up candlestick), instead of lighting you throughout the house, I rush up to the window here and crash it through the gla.s.s, as I do now, and cry to you: Come on! Come on! You call them all my signals?

[She dashes out of the room and down the hall, as

THE CURTAIN FALLS.

ACT III.

The prison at Columbus. A large, bare room, built of gray stone.

At the back and to the left a door with heavy iron bars leading to the whitewashed corridor, where a lantern is hanging. A smaller door on right leading to another room of the prison. High up in the wall (Left) is a window with iron bars across it. At the back are two straw mattresses, with old army blankets on them. To the right a pile of straw which has evidently served as a bed. On each side of the stage there is a rough wooden bench. It is 11 o'clock on the night of May 22nd. The moon shines brightly in at the window. The prison clock slowly strikes the hour as the curtain rises. A soldier dressed in a torn white shirt and trousers of Confederate gray, lies asleep on the straw. Two soldiers lie stretched on the floor at front of stage (Right), two others walking restlessly about, while another is reading by the stump of a candle stuck in a bottle.

First Soldier. Has he been in for the last time to-night?

[He lifts a bit of candle on the floor and puts it near them.

Second Soldier. I reckon not. I haven't heard the big door close outside.

First Soldier. I say, let's play a game of checkers. We can hide it if he comes.

Second Soldier. How'll we play--what with?

First Soldier. Just you watch here. (Takes a bit of chalk out of his pocket and marks off a checker board on the floor. How's that? He'll never see it.

Second Soldier. We'll use bits of straw for men. Here--

[He breaks bits of straw and they begin to play.

Third Soldier (reading). I say, what time is it?

First Soldier (playing). Just struck eleven. (To Second Soldier)--Here, I jump that man.

Third Soldier. Well, my light goes out. I've got to have some for to-morrow.

[He comes over and begins to watch the game.

Second Soldier. Here, crown that man.

First Soldier (laughing). With what?

Third Soldier. Say, boys, want a treat? I got a midnight supper here.

First Soldier. Midnight h.e.l.l!

Third Soldier. Look here!

[Goes to straw (Right), takes out a crust of bread and a small parcel done up in paper.

Second Soldier. There, the game's mine!

First Soldier (looks up, laughing). Where's your midnight spread?

Third Soldier. Ever eat any rat? Best thing going.

First Soldier. Where'd you catch him?

Third Soldier. In my bed. Got him roasted, too. Here--

[Gives them pieces of rat and breaks the bread.

First Soldier (his mouth full). Bully! Wish I'd catch one. I'm such a good mouser, there ain't many left around here.

Second Soldier. Say, where's that young fellow, Hillary?

[Looks around.

Third Soldier. In the parlor, talking to company. This is his at home day.

[They all laugh.

First Soldier. He's pretty blue, I reckon. There's talk of hanging him for a spy. They didn't find no papers--only reason they sent him here.

Third Soldier. Who's the fellow came in last night?

First Soldier. Caybel, Cabell, or some such name. Had a close call, too. Don't know yet he's safe. He didn't let on, but I think he's a friend of Hillary. Both captured at the same place. Been trying to talk to him all day, but Old Hill watches pretty close when a new one comes in (Bill's voice outside, singing a s.n.a.t.c.h of a song). Watch out!

Hide the sc.r.a.ps; here's Bill.

[They cover the remains of feast and checker board, and the sound of a key is heard in the door. Enter Bill, the turnkey.

He is a gruff old fellow of about sixty, powerfully built, with a cold, hard face. He carries an old fashioned lantern and a bunch of keys.

Bill (holding up lantern, looking about). Here, you all, get up from there: go to bed. What do you think this is--a pleasure resort? (the men rise to their feet, facing him with sullen faces). Go in thar, you hear (he pushes them roughly to the door (Right). Wars them others?

First Soldier. In there.

Bill. Who else?

First Soldier. Three others.

Bill (wakes up men sleeping, shaking them roughly; then goes to door (Right), holds up lantern, looking in). Go on ter sleep. Don't you set round here all night.

[He holds door open and the soldiers pa.s.s in. As the Third Soldier pa.s.ses, he stops.