(Col. turns to enter tent; New. appears at extreme L., and watches Gibbs; Gibbs sees New., stops a moment, then follows Col., aims at him, turns quickly, and fires at New. Pete, who has followed Gibbs, springs upon his back, and grasps him soon as shot is fired. New. is wounded in wrist. Gibbs swings Pete around and knocks him senseless with butt of gun. Potts and Bijah seize Gibbs; Col. turns as shot is fired; Soldiers appear; stage grows light; Kil. runs to Pete and raises head.)
New. (holding wrist). The traitor! I'll pay him well for this.
Col. What does this mean? Treason in the camp?
New. It means, colonel, that this man attempted your life. I overheard his plotting and came to warn you. He missed fire, and my wrist caught the shot.
Col. Where is the sentinel?
Kil. (points at Gibbs). Faith, and there he is.
Col. So, sir, placed here on honor to guard your colonel's life, you turn traitor. Speak, man, why have you done this? (Gibbs remains silent.)
Col. (goes to Pete). Poor little fellow! You have killed him.
Kil. If yees plaze, colonel, his sinses are only knocked out of him.
Col. (to Gibbs). Man, why are you silent?