Hezekiah. Makes me sick, cos it’s all goin’ for nothin’. (Makes a bad face, as if to cry.)
Barney. Ah-r, don’t be doin’ that. Thim blackguards will be sayin’ yer a Yankee coward.
Hezekiah. The man that can’t grind out some grief at leavin’ a gal like that, ain’t got brains enough to know what he’s losin’.
Barney. Indade! Isn’t Biddy Maloney as fine a gal as she, barrin’ the fitin’? (Door opens at R., and Keele Brightly enters, followed by D’Arneaux and guard, one of whom proceeds to iron D’A. to the same ring with Hez. and Barney.)
Brightly. (Looking about and at prisoners.) As incomprehensible as ever. The guard drugged and disarmed, and the prisoners unmolested. Corporal, place a guard of twenty men around this building, and you have my orders to shoot any person, man or woman, approaching it without authority. I have placed a barrel of powder beneath, with a fuse attached, leading out under the door. If the Yankees attack us before daybreak, fire the fuse, or kill the prisoners, and join your regiment at once. (Guard leaves with Corporal, R. Brightly lingers to see all is secure, then leaves R.)
Hezekiah. (To Barney.) Bet ye tew dollars this old machine is about gin out. They’re killin’ their own.
Barney. (To Hez.) Is he a Gineral? (D’A. hangs head.)
Hezekiah. (To D’A.) Say! Yer couldn’t tell a feller who’s gittin’ licked outside, could ye? (D’A. gives them no attention.)
Barney. (To D’A.) You don’t be talkin’?
Hezekiah. (To D’A.) Talk is cheap, and I thought I’d give ye a chance on what ye had the most on.