JOEL. Hush up, Andy! The nearest men ain't two rods away. You'll wake 'em. Pitch it low.
ANDREW. Don't be alarmed. I'm coward enough.
JOEL. 'Course, though, there ain't much danger. I'm sentinel this end, and the sergeant has the tip at t'other. Besides, you may call it the reg'lar thing. There's been two thousand deserters already in this tuppenny-ha'penny war, and none on 'em the worse off. When a man don't get his pay for nine months—well, he ups and takes his vacation. Why not? When Nell joins us, we'll hike up the Niagara, cross over to Tonawanda, and take our breakfast in Buffalo. By that time the boys here will be marchin' away toward Lundy's Lane.
ANDREW. [Walks back and forth, shivering.] I'm afraid.
JOEL. 'Fraid? Bosh!
ANDREW. I'm afraid to face——
JOEL. Face what? We won't get caught.
ANDREW. Your sister—my wife.
JOEL. Nell! Why, ain't she comin' here just a-purpose to get you? Ain't there reason enough, Lord knows? Ain't you made up your mind to light out home anyhow?
ANDREW. Yes. That's just what she'll never forgive me for. In her heart she'll never think of me the same. For she knows as well as I what pledge I'll be breaking—what sacred pledge.