Hezekiah. You darn sneakin’ dog, you!
Halcom. Your own life!
Sherman. (To Hez.) Remove the prisoner! See to it that he is well ironed. I will deal with him tomorrow!
Hezekiah. (To Sherman.) Say, General, if it don’t make no difference to you, I’d like ter make this critter inter a stuffed pirate for Barnum’s circus.
Sherman. I said remove him, and I hold you responsible if he escapes!
Hezekiah. Jess you say. It’s your fewneral! (To Brightly.) Now you travil, or I’ll let daylight through them rotten ribs er yourn so quick, you’ll think your struck with all the litenin’ the Lord’s got the use on. Git! (Exit Brightly L. Turns at entrance to give H. and S. a look of contempt.)
Sherman. If he escapes my bullet this time, it will be from the intervention of heaven! (Enter Orderly, front, and salutes.)
Orderly. Gen. Howard orders me to report that Hood has withdrawn behind the river.
Sherman. Our opportunity is lost! There are other spies in the camp! Tell Howard to move to the bank of the river, and await orders. (To Halcom.) Cross a heavy reconnoisance at Herrick’s ford, and report as soon as possible. (Halcom salutes and retires R. Sherman L. U. E. Enter Barney R. U. E. passing along.)
Barney. Bad luck to this haythen country. I’m killed from every stone and stump in it. I don’t like rebellyions! If yer killed with nobody to get a pension for it, where’s the luck in it? (Enter Hez. behind, cautiously.)