[She sinks limply down upon the sofa, burying her face in her
hands.

[Mrs. S. kneels by the sofa, taking one hand in hers.

Mrs. S. My child, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow, look to Him who has given us, and who in His wisdom has taken away.  He has said, “O grave, where is thy victory!” Oh, dearest child, look up to Him!  He will give us again to the ones we love!

Char. (raising her face to hers).  And for His sake, I will.

[Enter Cupid, hurriedly.

Cupid.  Mistis, dey’s comin’! dey’s comin’!—­Marster and Mars Gordon.

Mrs. S. Where?

Cupid.  Rite out dar, in de hall.

[Enter Col.  S. and Gordon.  They are pale and very tired looking;
their clothes covered with dust.

Mrs. S. (quickly to Col.  S.).  Philip, are you safe!

Col.  S. We’ve found the location of the enemy.

Gordon (quickly).  Where is Carter?  He came here.

Char.  They took him!  Carter’s captured!

Col.  S. What!

Mrs. S. He was captured here in this room; he was disguised.

Gordon.  How was he taken?

Char.  Old Cupid did not know—­he brought Winthrop and Hopkins here.  He was discovered.  They carried him away.

Col.  S. Great God! and he had papers!  Did they find any?

Fair.  No, we burned the paper, but he knows all the plans of
Winthrop’s army.

Col.  S. What did he say?  Ah, if we only could have met him in time!

Char.  He told us very little, only the position of the camp.  But he knows all the plans and orders off by heart.  He stole the plans from Winthrop’s tent.  But they have taken him—­a spy!  I tell you, they have taken him.

Gordon.  We must not stay here a moment.  A party will come and search the place.

Fair.  Where will they take him?

Gordon.  Where? (thinking).  That’s it.  Where will they take him.  His release.  He had no papers on him.  He’ll not be shot down as a spy.  Columbus; the prison there (slowly).  Morgan’s got to have that news.  Escape; what is there else.  Colonel, I must have a word with you in private (he turns to the others).  You’ll leave us for a moment.  Here, Bev, have the best horse saddled for Col.  Stuart.  Take him to the far end of the orchard, fasten him to the big sycamore tree.  You know the place.

Bev.  Yes.

Gordon.  Go, quick!  Send Cupid with the horse and come back here.

[Exit Bev.

Col.  S. What is your plan?

Gordon.  You’ll see.  Mrs. Stuart, you Charlotte and Fair keep watch, and if you see the enemy, come back to us.

Char.  Here, mother, Fair; we must not lose a moment.

[They exit.

Col.  S. Now, what your plan?

Gordon.  Carter has the plans of Winthrop’s army.  These plans he must give Morgan.

Col.  S. But he is taken.  How boy; how can he get the plans to
Morgan?