Zina. Aye, it shall be to the death for one. But you shall see how a puny girl shall fight a brutal coward, in defence of her life and honor!
Brightly. Your snarling lout shall not protect you this time.
Zina. (Despair.) God help me and save Master D’Arneaux!
Brightly. (Quickly.) He has already passed the guard! (Zina starts, chokes, staggers, drops her stiletto and faints. B. rushes towards her.) I will end these insults here. (A shot from the L. strikes his arm. He whirls round and dashes out at R., as Hez. rushes in at L., saying:)
Hezekiah. Gosh all hemlock! That’s twice we missed that critter in the same place. Here I been catawaulin’ round here for four days, and I hain’t took but thirteen scalps. But I wonder if we didn’t wade inter them critters yesterday. There is more cannon balls wasted down in that ar’ medder than you can stow inter our meetin’ house. Hannah Doolittle! Wan’t there some glory got loose in that fite! There was more halleluyer in four minnits than you could twist out er two hundred and fifty comeouter camp meetings. Jewlyus Jehosafat! I jest as lives died as not! When we scooted that rebel meat, I felt prouder’n Sal Screwton when she got her fust bussel. (Meantime, enter Gen. Halcom, L.)
Halcom. Well?
Hezekiah. (Turning, surprised, cocking his gun.) Gosh all Jewpiter! I thought it was Jeff Davis!
Halcom. What have you found?
Hezekiah. Guess them critters have gone a fishin’. Hain’t had a houter of a pop for half an hour, except one, as I hope ter holler. (Halcom discovers Zina.)
Halcom. What is this, Hezekiah?