(Guard approaches with sentinel.)
Sent. Halt! who comes there?
Guard. Friend.
Sent. Advance, friend, and give the countersign.
(Guard gives the countersign in whisper; Kilroy takes sentinel's place. The relieved sentinel falls behind guard and marches off.)
Major. Any orders, colonel?
Col. No, major, go amongst the men if you will, and speak words of encouragement; I shall be my old self to-morrow. (Potts salutes, and exit past Kilroy, who salutes. Colonel enters tent and writes at table. Kilroy, pacing to and fro, suddenly starts and lowers musket.)
Kil. Halt! who comes there? (No answer; paces again.) Plague take it! only the wind. (Pete appears, crawling on hands and knees.)
Kil. Halt! who comes there? Advance, and give the countersign.
Pete (rising and coming forward). 'Deed I can't sign nuffin, massa.