BARKET runs in, up the slope.
BARKET. Colonel Wist! The devils have sprung out of the ground.
They're pouring over our lift flank like Noah's own flood. The Union
Army has started back for Winchester, on its way to the North Pole;
our own regiment, Colonel, is coming over the hill in full retrate.
KERCHIVAL. My own regiment! [Starting up.] Get my horse, Barket. [Turns.] Gertrude, my life! [Embraces GERTRUDE.
BARKET. Your horse, is it? I'm wid ye! There's a row at Finnegan's ball, and we're in it. [Springs to road, and out.
KERCHIVAL. [Turns away. Stops.] I am under arrest. [Retreat.
Fugitives begin to straggle across stage.
GERTRUDE. You must not go, Kerchival; it will kill you.
KERCHIVAL. Arrest be damned! [Starts up stage, raises his arms above his head with clenched fist, rising to full height.] Stand out of my way, you cowards! [They cower away from him as he rushes out among them. The stream of fugitives passing across stage swells in volume. GERTRUDE runs through them and up to the elevation, turning.
GERTRUDE. Men! Are you soldiers? Turn back! There is a leader for you! Turn back! Fight for your flag—and mine!—the flag my father died for! Turn back! [She looks out and turns front.] He has been marked for death already, and I—I can only pray. [Dropping to her knees.
The stream of fugitives continues, now over the elevation also. Rough and torn uniforms, bandaged arms and legs; some limping and supported by others, some dragging their muskets after them, others without muskets, others using them as crutches. Variety of uniforms, cavalry, infantry, etc.; flags draggled on the ground, the rattle of near musketry and roar of cannon continue; two or three wounded fugitives drop down beside the hedge. BENSON staggers in and drops upon rock or stump near post. Artillerists, rough, torn and wounded, drag and force a field-piece across. CORPORAL DUNN, wounded, staggers to the top of elevation. There is a lull in the sounds of the battle. Distant cheers are heard without.
CORPORAL DUNN. Listen, fellows! Stop! Listen! Sheridan! General Sheridan is coming! [Cheers from those on stage. GERTRUDE rises quickly. The wounded soldiers rise, looking over hedge. All on stage stop, looking eagerly. The cheers without come nearer, with shouts of "Sheridan! Sheridan!">[ The horse is down; he is worn out.