JOHN TALBOT (catching BUTLER’S throat).  A plague choke you!

HUGH TALBOT (stepping between JOHN TALBOT and BUTLER).  Ha’ done,
Jack!  Ha’ done!  What more, Myles Butler?

BUTLER.  Tell us whither you go, when you turn your back on us that shall die at Cashala—­you that come walking under the rebel flag—­that swore to bring us aid—­and have not brought it!  Tell us whither you go now!

HUGH TALBOT.  Well, I’m a shade doubtful, Myles, my lad, though hopeful of the best.

BUTLER.  ’Tis to Cromwell you go—­you that have made your peace with him—­that have sold us—­

DRISCOLL.  Captain!  A’ God’s name, what is it that you’re meaning?

HUGH TALBOT.  I mean that you shall hold the Bridge of
Cashala—­whatever happen to you—­whatever happen to me—­

FENTON.  To you?  Captain Talbot!

HUGH TALBOT.  I am going unto Cromwell—­as you said, Myles.  I gave my promise.

DRISCOLL.  Your promise?

JOHN TALBOT.  We—­have been very blind.  So—­they made you prisoner?

HUGH TALBOT.  Aye, Jack.  When I tried to cut my way through to bring you aid.  And they granted me this half hour on my parole to come unto you.

JOHN TALBOT.  To come—­

HUGH TALBOT.  To counsel you to surrender.  And I have given you counsel.  Hold the bridge!  Hold it!  Whatever they do!

DRISCOLL.  Captain!  Captain Talbot!  God of Heaven!  If you go back—­’tis killed you’ll be among them!

HUGH TALBOT.  A little sooner than you lads?  Aye, true!

FENTON.  They cannot!  Even Cromwell—­

HUGH TALBOT.  Tut, tut, Dick!  It’s little ye know of Cromwell.

JOHN TALBOT.  Then—­you mean—­

HUGH TALBOT.  An you surrender Cashala, we may all six pass free. 
An you hold Cashala, they will hang me, here before your eyes.

(DRISCOLL gives a rattling cry.)

BUTLER.  God forgive me!

HUGH TALBOT.  You have your orders.  Hold the bridge!

(Turns to door.)

JOHN TALBOT (barring his way).  No, no!  You shan’t go forth!

FENTON.  God’s mercy, no!

HUGH TALBOT.  Are you stark crazed?

FENTON.  You shall stay with us.

JOHN TALBOT.  What’s your pledged word to men that know not honor?

HUGH TALBOT.  My word.  Unbar the door, Jack.  Why, lad, we’re traveling the same road.

FENTON.  God!  But we’ll give them a good fight at the last. (Goes to the shot-window.) Take up your musket, Kit.

NEWCOMBB.  But I—­Captain!  When you are gone, I—­I—­

HUGH TALBOT.  I’ll not be far.  You’ll hold the bridge?

JOHN TALBOT.  Aye, sir.

BUTLER.  We’ve powder enough—­you said it, sir,—­laid there at the stairhead, to blow the bridge to hell.

HUGH TALBOT.  Aye, Myles, you’ve hit it!

(Holds out his hand.)