Part 12 (1/2)

KERCHIVAL. You say a prisoner has been captured? Is it a spy?

BARKET. Worse--a petticoat.

KERCHIVAL. A female prisoner! [_Dropping into seat._

BARKET. I towld the byes your honour wouldn't thank us fer the catchin' of her. The worst of it is she's a lady; and what's worse still, it's a purty one.

KERCHIVAL. Tell Major Wilson, for me, to let her take the oath, and everything else she wants. The Government of the United States will send her an apology and a new bonnet.

BARKET. The young lady is to take the oath, is it? She says she'll see us d.a.m.ned first.

KERCHIVAL. A lady, Barket?

BARKET. Well! she didn't use thim exact words. That's the way I understand her emphasis. Ivery time she looks at me, I feel like getting under a boom-proof. She was das.h.i.+ng through the woods on a gray horse, sur; and we had the divil's own chase. But we came up wid her, at last, down by the bend in Oak Run. Just at that moment we saw the figure of a Confederate officer, disappearing among the trays on the ither side.

KERCHIVAL. A--h!

BARKET. Two of us rayturned wid the girl; and the rist wint after the officer. Nothing has been heard of thim yet.

KERCHIVAL. Have you found any despatches on the prisoner?

BARKET. Well!--yer honour, I'm a bachelor, meself; and I'm not familar with the jayography of the s.e.x. We byes are in mortal terror for fear somebody might order us to go on an exploring expedition.

KERCHIVAL. Tell them to send the prisoner here, Barket, and hurry to Buckton's Ford yourself, at once.

BARKET. As fast as me horse can carry me, sir, and it's a good one.

[_Exit._

KERCHIVAL. I'd rather deal with half the Confederate Army than with one woman, but I must question her. They captured her down by the Bend in Oak Run. [_Taking out map; looks at it._] I see. She had just met, or was about to meet, a Confederate officer at that point. It is evident that she was either taking him a despatch or was there to receive one. Oak Run. [CORPORAL DUNN _and Two_ SOLDIERS _enter, with_ GERTRUDE _as a prisoner. They stop;_ KERCHIVAL _sits studying map._ GERTRUDE _glances at him and marches down with head erect; stops, with her back to him._

CORPORAL DUNN. The prisoner, Colonel West!

KERCHIVAL. Ah! Very well, Corporal; you can go. [_Rising; he motions the_ GUARD _to retire._ CORPORAL DUNN _gives the necessary orders and exit with_ GUARD.] Be seated, madam. [GERTRUDE _draws up, folding her arms and planting her foot, spitefully._ KERCHIVAL _shrugs his shoulder. Aside._] I wish they'd capture a tigress for me, or some other female animal that I know how to manage better than I do a woman. [_Aloud._] I am very sorry, madam, but, of course, my duty as a military officer is paramount to all other considerations. You have been captured within the lines of this army, and under circ.u.mstances which lead me to think that you have important despatches upon your person. I trust that you will give me whatever you have at once. I shall be exceedingly sorry if you compel me to adopt the extreme--and the very disagreeable course--for both of us--of having--you--I--I hesitate even to use the word, madam--but military law is absolute--having you--

GERTRUDE. Searched! If you dare, Colonel West! [_Turning to him suddenly and drawing up to her full height._

KERCHIVAL. Gertrude Ellingham! [_Springs across to her, with his arms extended._] My dear Gertrude!

GERTRUDE. [_Turning her back upon him._] Not ”dear Gertrude” to you, sir!

KERCHIVAL. Not?--Oh! I forgot.

GERTRUDE. [_Coldly._] I am your prisoner.

KERCHIVAL. Yes. [_Drawing up firmly, with a change of manner._] We will return to the painful realities of war. I am very sorry that you have placed yourself in a position like this, and, believe me, Gertrude--[_With growing tenderness._]--I am still more sorry to be in such a position myself. [_Resting one hand on her arm, and his other arm about her waist._

GERTRUDE. [_After looking down at his hands._] You don't like the position? [_He starts back, drawing up with dignity._] Is that the paramount duty of a military officer?

KERCHIVAL. You will please hand me whatever despatches or other papers may be in your possession.