The Southern Cross Part 6

[Enter Bev, Carter, George and Gordon. They run down into the yard.

Bev. What's the matter?

Cupid. I hears a bugle. It's de Yankees! For Gaud's sake, run--run, Marster: dey'll catch you sho!

Gordon. Listen! (The call is heard again, this time nearer).

They're Yankees, sure! Here--call Colonel Stuart, quick!

[Enter Col. and Mrs. Stuart, followed by Charlotte and Fair.

Charlotte wears a white dress trimmed with flowers, and looks extremely lovely.

Col. S. What is it?

George. The enemy! They're on the road!

Char. Cupid, the horses! Do you hear!

Bev. I'll get father's for him.

[Exit Bev and Cupid on the run.

Mrs. S. Run! Fly! You've not a moment!

Fair. The horses are saddled at the gate. There's Cupid with them.

Col. S. Go, boys, quick, to join the others. You must retreat--you are too few.

Gordon. We will not leave till you are ready.

Col. S. For G.o.d's sake, go! I'll come.

[Enter Bev on the run.

Bev. They're Yankees, sure! I saw the dust far down the road.

Col. S. (takes Mrs. S. in arms for a second; kisses her). G.o.d keep you!

[George is saying good-bye to Charlotte.

Char. Go on! go on! You must not stop for us. We are all safe.

G.o.d take you on to safety.

Gordon. We're all right; don't fear.

[They dash off (Left), Bev with them.

Bev (outside). I'll take care of them, father.

[The horses' hoofs are heard; they die away in the distance.

[Re-enter Bev.

Bev. They're off all right. They'll make the camp in twenty minutes.

Fair (clinging to Mrs. S.). Oh, mother, what can we do!

Mrs. S. Cupid, quick! You and Marthy get the silver; put it in the chest; bring me the key. (Exit Marthy and Cupid). We must be brave.

Try to detain them as long as possible; our boys may have more time.

[The bugle-call is heard very near, then the sound of horses'

hoofs growing louder.

Char. Is there nothing we can do to stop them? Stay, they'll come here to the house; we'll lock them out.

[Enter Marthy and Cupid.

Marthy. We grabbed up what we could an' shuved de ches' onder de baid.

[Gives key.

Mrs. S. Here, let me lock the door. (She locks the door; puts key in her pocket). We'll stand here on the porch. Now, children, keep close by me; they shall not harm you. If only we can keep them!

[They stand in a little group on the porch, Cupid with an ax, and he and Marthy behind the others.

A Man's Voice. Here, this way!

Another. Here's the house!

Another. Come on!

[Enter a party of Union soldiers headed by Corporal Evans, an insolent young fellow of about twenty-five. He has a very boisterous manner, giving his orders with a swagger.

Evans. Here's Southern hospitality for you. A party out to meet us (they all come forward, some crashing through the shrubs, breaking down the fence, some walk through flower beds. They come up to the porch). h.e.l.lo, ladies! (without removing his cap) Come on, boys!

[He starts up the steps; other soldiers have come on; some join the group near steps, others go around the house. Mrs. S.

takes a step forward, her head held very high.

Mrs. S. I beg your pardon, sir!

[Evans stops, then laughs in an insolent manner.

Evans. What are you doing out here on the front porch, anyway?

Mrs. S. I always receive my visitors at my front door.

Evans. Visitors, eh? Well, we'll make ourselves at home.

Mrs. S. You are are mistaken, sir!