Halcom. The assassin of my family!
Brightly. Of whom do you speak?
Halcom. Yourself, coward!
Brightly. Then you may consider yourself a liar!
Halcom. (To Sherman.) During the last fifteen years, I have hunted this brute through the slave yards and gambling hells of the south. Now he shall answer to me. You shall meet me with the favorite weapon of your cowardice.
Brightly. I am unarmed.
Halcom. (Throwing his knife at Brightly’s feet.) So am I.
Brightly. (To Sherman.) Am I to be murdered while a helpless prisoner?
Halcom. Take the knife, coward! (Holding up his empty hands.) My mother was helpless!
Sherman. (Stepping between and taking hold of Halcom’s arm.) Not now, Halcom. The military law shall accomplish all you desire. (Brightly seizes the knife from the floor, and dashes like lightning forward to stab Sherman in the back. Hez. seizes him instantly, wrests the knife from him, and flings him to L.)