Col.  S. They’re cavalry, as sure as I’m living!

[Fair and Bev run to the gate and stand, eagerly looking down
the road.  The sound of horses’ hoofs (off Right) grows
louder and more distinct.

Bev (excited).  They’re some of our men, sure.  I see the gray!  Look, look, Fair!  They’re turning in the gate.  See, now, they’re in the avenue!

[Enter, hurriedly, Cupid (Left) by the road.

Cupid.  I hears dem hosses, I does sho.  I knows dat sorrel’s gallup fer as I kin hear hit; dat roan’s pace come to me fo’ she turn off de road.

Char.  George!  Oh, can it be George coming home?

Cupid.  Fo’ Gaud, ef it ain’t Mars George and Mars Carter and Mars
Gordon!

[The sound of horses is very near.

Mrs. S. Oh, George!  Is he really here?

Bev (gives cheer).  It’s our boys, sure as you’re born!

[Noise of horses’ feet stops.  Sound of voices:  “Whoa, boy!
whoa there!” Cupid runs off (Right), the others start
to the gate.

[Enter (Right) by the road, George Stuart, Carter Hillary and
Gordon Cabell.  George is a handsome young man of about
twenty three or four; tall, well built, and with a gay,
cheerful manner.  He rushes into his mother’s arms; she
holds him for a long embrace, while Fair and Bev clamor
for their turn.  Carter Hillary is a young fellow of about
twenty-one, Charlotte’s brother, somewhat smaller though
much like George in manner.  He rushes to Charlotte, who
throws her arms around his neck.  Gordon Cabell is a boy
of some twenty-five years, with a quiet, serious way about
him.  He stands slightly at the back during the meeting of
the others.  He then comes forward and greets all the people
in the scene, not forgetting the negroes.  All three wear
Confederate uniforms of different rank, and all are very
dirty and much spattered with old mud stains.  During
the following scene the sunlight begins to fade and the
twilight to gather.  After greeting all three young men with
a warm hand-shake and a hearty “Gaud bless you, honey,”
or “Gaud be praised, yous here,” Aunt Marthy exits into
the house.

Mrs. S. Oh, my boys!  My dear boys!  It is so good to have you here!

George.  And, father, how’s the leg—­nearly well again?

Col.  S. How have you boys come?  We had no idea you were even near us.

George.  We’ve only a short time.  My company is reconnoitering and is camped a mile down the road.  We must go on to-night.  Carter and Gordon are with us for a day or so.  They’re trying for some information Morgan has to have.

Carter.  We got word only yesterday that the Twelfth Massachusetts was ordered South.  Morgan thinks the report true and sent Gordon and myself to reconnoiter.

Col.  S. You think the Twelfth Massachusetts is coming to this part of the state?  How did he hear it? (Turns to Mrs S.) Stephen Winthrop is in command.