Sherman. Bring in that prisoner, sir. I will deal with you when there is less business on hand.
Hezekiah. (Attempting to leave.) Jess you say. I spose you boss this cahoot. (Turns back.) Say, you keep your eye peeled. He’s a darn pizen critter. He may try to get your guzzle. (Exit Hez. L.)
Sherman. Is that man insane or a fool?
Halcom. Neither. He is one of the rough diamonds of the army: the very first man I enlisted in the old Bay State. Brave as a lion, and keen as a razor.
Sherman. Why, the rascal would have thrashed me blind last night, but for my revolver.
Halcom. Indeed! His patriotism drifts only in the rudeness of its native channel. I put up with his familiarities, because he cannot understand the necessity for military etiquette. (Crosses to L. front. Enter Hez. and Barney, L. U. E., driving Brightly ahead of them, hands bound behind him.)
Hezekiah. (To Sherman.) Name it and you can have it.
Sherman. (To Hez.) Untie his hands. (Hez. unties, &c.) Sir, I hear that you have been arrested as a spy.
Brightly. I am a prisoner of war.
Sherman. Now I remember—you have once before been convicted of spying, and escaped. (Halcom crosses to R. turns, when both start from recognition.)