The Southern Cross Part 16

Third Soldier. I wonder if you'll get me a drink of water. The bucket's been dry since noon.

Bill. That's a lie! Always water there.

Third Soldier. You can see for yourself it's empty.

Bill. What do drink so d.a.m.ned much for, then?

Third Soldier. Will you get me the water, please?

Bill. No I aint going ter get yer no water. Go on ter sleep. What do you think I am, a n.i.g.g.e.r paid to wait on you?

Third Soldier. If I told you what I thought, you'd put the bracelets on me and throw me in the pit.

Bill. Well, watch you don't go there anyway.

Third Soldier. For G.o.d's sake!

Bill. Shut up!

[Exit into hall.

Third Soldier. Seven hours!

[Enter Carter. He is very pale and worn looking. He is without his coat; his clothes ragged and soiled.

Carter (looking up). What's the trouble?

Third Soldier. Nothing. No water, that's all.

Carter. I've got a little in a cup near the window. Take it.

Third Soldier (hesitates). Don't you want it?

Carter. No. But, say, will you do something for me?

Third Soldier. Won't I, though.

Carter. And keep quiet about it?

Third Soldier. Yes.

Carter. That fellow Cabell in there is a friend of mine. He's got something to tell me, but the warden watches you like a hawk. Send him in here and keep the others there.

[Exit soldier.

I can't make it out. He was captured alone. Uncle escaped. Then why not he? They were together. He's got to tell me, for I--

[Enter Gordon.

Shut the door!

Gordon (looking quickly around). We are alone. What time is it?

Carter. A little after eleven.

Gordon. There's time! There's time!

Carter. What do you mean?

Gordon (come nearer). We're going to escape.

Carter (breathless). Escape! How?

Gordon. I've tried all day to get a word with you but that warden watches too close. We're going to get out of this--You first. Remember, you have got the information.

Carter. All of it. But what's your plan?

Gordon. Before they brought me here I got word with your uncle and told him where we'd be. 'Twas a shot in the air, but it struck all right. I told them they would take us to the prison here at Columbus.

Now underneath this floor there is a big drain pipe very near the brick work and on this night at twelve o'clock, a man sent here by Morgan was coming up the drain and tunnel up to us (here the prison clock strikes the half-hour). Ah! The bell! One. The half hour. Now if the man shall come we can be waiting. This is the room. Ah, if he should fail.

Carter. Can you save any of the others, shall we tell them?

Gordon. What time does the warden come on his last rounds?

Carter. Usually about twelve.

Gordon. Twelve. The very hour!

Carter. He may be late.

Gordon. We'll have to chance it.

Carter. How will we know when he comes up the drain?

Gordon. I told your uncle to have him dig until he came to the brick work, then we can tear up the floor and go down to him.

Carter. How is it you were captured and not Uncle Phil. I don't understand?

Gordon. Some carelessness of mine. But that don't matter. We're going to escape.

Carter. But it does matter. Tell me how it was. You said you got word to him at one time and then you said he did not know of your arrest. Now tell me straight, how were you captured.

Gordon (on his guard). Why I was scouting around for information--They took me--That was all--I went too near the camp--the moon was bright--The sentry saw me--I was not careful.

Carter (closer). You told me you were taken in my uncle's home.

Gordon. I ran there to escape. They followed me--they came in after me. I had no chance.