HAVERILL.  What of Lieutenant Bedloe, Sergeant?

BARKET.  Sayreously wounded, and in the hands of the inimy!

HAVERILL. [Sighing.] A—­h.

BARKET. [Coming down stone steps.] It is reported that Captain
Heartsease was shot dead at his side.

KERCHIVAL.  Heartsease dead!

LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS. [Reading signals.]
Twelve—­Twenty-two—­Eleven.

BARKET.  Begorra!  I forgot the Sintinil entirely, but he didn’t forget me. [Holding his left arm.

HAVERILL.  Colonel West!  We must make every possible sacrifice for the immediate exchange of Lieutenant Bedloe, if he is still living.  It is due to him.  Colonel Robert Ellingham is a prisoner in this camp; offer him his own exchange for young Bedloe.

KERCHIVAL.  He will accept, of course.  I will ride to the front with him myself, General, and show him through the lines.

HAVERILL.  At once! [KERCHIVAL crosses front and exit on veranda. HAVERILL crosses.] Can you follow the despatch, Captain?

LOCKWOOD.  Perfectly; everything is here

HAVERILL.  Well!

LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS.  Eleven—­Twenty-two—­One—­Twelve.

LOCKWOOD. [From book.] “General Longstreet is coming with—­”

HAVERILL.  Longstreet!

LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS.  One—­Twenty-one.

LOCKWOOD.  “With eighteen thousand men.”

LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS.  Two—­Eleven—­Twenty-two.

LOCKWOOD.  “Sheridan is away!”

HAVERILL.  They have discovered his absence!

LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS.  Two—­Twenty-two—­Eleven—­One—­Twelve—­One.

LOCKWOOD.  “We will crush the Union Army before he can return.”

HAVERILL.  Signal that despatch from here to our Station at Front Royal. [Pointing.] Tell them to send it after General Sheridan—­and ride for their lives. [LOCKWOOD hurries out.] Major Burton!  We will ride to General Wright’s headquarters at once—­our horses! [Noise of a struggle without.

BARKET. [Looking.] What the devil is the row out there? [Exit.  Also one of the STAFF OFFICERS.

HAVERILL. [Looking off.] What is this?  Colonel West wounded!

Enter KERCHIVAL WEST, his coat thrown open, with ELLINGHAM, BARKET assisting.

ELLINGHAM.  Steady, Kerchival, old boy!  You should have let us carry you.

KERCHIVAL.  Nonsense, old fellow!  It’s a mere touch with the point of the knife.  I—­I’m faint—­with the loss of a little blood—­that’s all.  Bob!—­I—­[Reels suddenly and is caught by ELLINGHAM as he sinks to the ground, insensible.

ELLINGHAM.  Kerchival! [Kneeling at his side.

HAVERILL.  Go for the surgeon! [To STAFF OFFICER, who goes out quickly on veranda.] How did this happen? [Enter CORPORAL DUNN and GUARD, with THORNTON. He is in his shirt sleeves and disheveled, his arms folded.  They march down.] Captain Thornton!