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 THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT 
 
 H 2)rama 
 
 XX 
 
 • W. D. ROX 
 
SAM DAVIS: 
 
 THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 y£l S)rama. 
 
 BY W. D. FOX. 
 
 
 All acting rights reserved. Any person or persons presenting this 
 drama without the authority of the author ivill be prosecuted to the law^s 
 fullest extent. 
 
 Nashville, Tenn.: 
 
 Publishing House op the M. E. Church, South. 
 
 Barbee & Smith, Agents. 
 
 1896. 
 

 NOTE. 
 
 Any "Confederate Camp" or Any Society of "Daughters 
 OF the Confederacy " or Any Bivouac of " Sons of Confederate 
 Veterans" Who May Be Desirous of Presenting This Play 
 FOR Some Beneficent or Other Cause Will Be Privileged to 
 Do So at a Reasonable Price by Conferring with W. D. Fox, 
 
 MURFREESBORO, TeNN. 
 
 Copyright, 1896, by W. D. Fox. 
 
 (2) 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 To her, whose changeless absence wrought such dole, 
 And empty made the life of him bereft; 
 To her, whose fleet and timeless exit left 
 His heart deranged and orbitless his soul, 
 These faulty lines are dedicate. What toll 
 Of plaudits or of blame the reader pays 
 Are owed the laggard hours of those days 
 Her 'parture left unfilled. Not Vergil's scroll 
 Nor parchment of the Grecian Rhapsodist, 
 Not Milton's feet nor Shakespeare's deathless verse 
 Holds language meet her virtues to rehearse ; 
 
 And yet, though dearth of skill and words exist. 
 The author shall not scruple to essay 
 To twine this chaplet, wither though it may. 
 Murfreesboro, September 17, 1896. 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 CONFEDERATES. 
 
 Sam Davis A Confederate Scout. 
 
 Capt. E. Coleman Commander of Coleman's Scouts. 
 
 Philip Burke A Scout. 
 
 OTHER SCOUTS. 
 
 Claudia Burke Elder Sister to Philip Burke. 
 
 Esther Burke Younger Sister to Philip Burke. 
 
 FEDERALS. 
 
 Gen. G. M. Dodge Commanding Federal Brigade. 
 
 Capt. Caspar Horne, 
 Col. Madison Miller, 
 Lieut. Col. T. W. Gaines, 
 Maj. J. D. Lathrop, 
 Capt. Armstrong, 
 Capt. Chickasaw, 
 Chaplain Young, 
 Soldiers. j 
 
 NEGROES. 
 
 Gaius Slave to the Burkes. 
 
 JuDE Friend to Gaius. 
 
 Melissa Wife to Gaius. 
 
 Four Boys Sons to Gaius. 
 
 , Of Dodge's Brigade. 
 
 Place.— In and near Pulaski. Tme.— November, 1863. 
 (4) 
 
SAM DAVIS: 
 
 THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 A TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Scene 1. — The Burke homestead, near Pulaski. 
 Enter Claudia and Esther Burke. 
 
 Esther. I would not wanton with his snit, my dear; 
 There is no need to shame his self-respect 
 Or chide his dignity. He is a man 
 Of worthy type, although no Southerner. 
 I would not play him harshly; bid him go 
 In kindly fashion, if determ'nedly. 
 
 Claudia, There is no need for cautious homilies. 
 You are too tender toward his wooing, sister. 
 I do but practice him i' th' warring art, 
 Using pert Cupid as his adversary — 
 Besides, I need him in a certain matter 
 Whereof you're ignorant; I'd tell it you. 
 But your meek conscience would not like it, 
 And would most peevishly beg me to stay. 
 
 Esther. Perhaps your own cries you the same ap- 
 peal, 
 That you're so well acquainted with mine's moods. 
 
 Claudia. No; never mine; mine is no nervous 
 sickling. 
 
 Esther. What is your purpose with the Union Cap- 
 tain? 
 
 (5) 
 
b SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Claudia. The future liolds tlie answer. 
 
 Esther. Do you love him? 
 
 Claudia. To you that query wants a "Nay" for an- 
 swer; 
 To him, it might be different. 
 
 Esther. Be warned, 
 
 Good Claudia, and attempt no trifling pranks. 
 These troublous times call for no careless deeds; 
 We must be guarded even in our thoughts. 
 We are engirded by a zealous foe, 
 One that will watch us with no lax espial 
 To turn our slightest trespass to our hurt. 
 
 Claudia. I feel o'ermuch our close enslavement 
 here; 
 I know how keenly we are spied upon 
 By those who hold us not in their affection. 
 I know how weak and very profitless 
 Are we that dally in inaction here 
 While yond upon the fields of ruthless battle 
 Our val'rous armies war for their just rights. 
 
 Esther. We that are stayed by circumstance of sex, 
 We cannot hope to fill a manly part: 
 What would you do.? 
 
 Claudia. I know not what I'd do! 
 
 I ache to be of worth in this wild strife; 
 Yet when I look upon my womanish apparel 
 And note my feeble thews, I nigh desi)air. 
 I was not meant to be a woman, Esther; 
 I lack the docileness of will and temper, 
 The weakling soul and dull torpidity. 
 
 Esther. Shame to you, Claudia, to rail your kind 
 With such unjust reproach! You may find use; 
 Some fair occasion may intrude itself 
 Where even you may act a helpful role. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEKATE SCOUT. 7 
 
 Claudia. May that time come with headlong 
 promptitude ! 
 Esther, I have a settled end in mind; 
 I had not thought to make it known to you, 
 For fear you'd counsel counter to my aim; 
 And yet I would you knew my purpose, sister. 
 
 Esther. Then tell it me. 
 
 Claudia. That I shall do, but mark, 
 
 I shall not listen to your contraries; 
 My spirit will o'erride all opposites! 
 You'll promise me my will and yours, my dear, 
 Shall not be disputants? 
 
 Esther. I promise you. 
 
 Claudia. I learn that Gen'ral Bragg has it in 
 thought 
 To make a hasty passage through this section. 
 And has sent scouts among the enemy 
 To learn concerning all their force and movements — 
 From Captain Home I shall obtain such knowledge. 
 
 Esther. He would not be a traitor, Claudia. 
 
 Claudia. I 'd teach him quite a gentler name for 's 
 action. 
 
 Esther. What other name? 
 
 Claudia. Forbear your further questions — 
 
 I shall accomplish it. 
 
 Esther. What plan have you 
 
 Whereby you may transmit what you may learn 
 Into the friendly camp? 
 
 Claudia. Through these same couriers 
 
 I mentioned briefly since: I shall to them 
 Succeed in sending whatsoe'er I glean. 
 Dear Esther, these are loyal men and brave 
 That dare the chances of such per'lous duty! 
 
8 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 
 
 Many will fall before their aim is compassed; 
 And, Esther, there is one among their number 
 Whose safety touches even you and me. 
 
 Esther. Our brother, Claudia ? 
 
 Claudia. No, no; not he. 
 
 'Tis one we knew two years or less ago, 
 When we were schoolgirls there at Nashville, 
 Where often at our uncle's bounteous home 
 We met this noble youth. 
 
 Esther. Not Samuel Davis? 
 
 Claudia. Yes, even he. 
 
 Esther. This work were then well i3laced. 
 
 A nobler, braver man is yet unborn. 
 
 A knock. 
 Come. 
 
 Enter Gaius. 
 
 AVell, what is it, Uncle Gaius? 
 
 Gaius. Yo'ng mistises, dar's er genterman at de do' 
 whut 'quires fur Miss Claudyer. 
 
 Claudia. Do you know him. Uncle Gaius? 
 
 Gaius. I does n' prezackly know his entitlement. 
 Mis' Claudyer, but yit his face 'pears mos' similus. 
 He's dat yo'ng Yankee whut's been heah so num'ous 
 ob late. 
 
 Claudia. Captain Home? Then you invited him 
 within ? 
 
 Gaius. I reclined to 'vite him in ca'se I doesn' lak 
 to resociate my yo'ng mistises wid sich er genterman 
 widout dier pretik'ler reman's. 
 
 Esther. But he's a gentleman, Uncle Gaius. 
 
 Gaius. Has I state' dat he aint? I says "sich er 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 9 
 
 genterman." He w'ars de wrong color ob imicorD, 
 Miss Esther, to be comin' to reverse wid you all. 
 
 Claudia. But you have been told every time he has 
 come to admit him. Why do you keep him outside 
 until you come to us? 
 
 Gains. Ca'se I wants ter come an' see if you isn' 
 change yo' min'. On sich er recasion as dis er change 
 ob min' 'u'd be pacerfyin'. 'Sides, it 'pear lak he lak 
 fur you to change yo' min*, Miss Claudyer. 
 
 Claudia. You anger me, Gains! Go at once and 
 show him in here, and tell him that I will be down in 
 a very few minutes. 
 
 Gains. Dem wus orders. lEocU. 
 
 Claudia. Will you remain till my return, my dear? 
 I shall be gone the briefest moment. 
 
 Esther. No; 
 
 I do not care to meet him at this time. [Exeunt severally. 
 
 Reenter Gaius, showing in Capt. Horne. 
 Gains Tek dis cheer, sah. 
 
 Home. Thank you, sir. 
 
 Gaius. Has you any furder reman's ob me, sah? 
 
 Horne. Yes, if you will, you may advise Miss 
 Claudia of my presence. 
 
 Gaius. She's been 'vised, sah. [Going. 
 
 Horne. Here! 
 
 Gaius. Well, sah. 
 
 Horne. Why is it that you always refuse to let me 
 in when I visit here? 
 
 Gaius. Now, you wants a fa'r answer to dat ques- 
 tion? 
 
10 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOU'f. 
 
 Home. I do. 
 
 Gains, Den you will 'sense my abruption if I says 
 I doesn' lack yo' clo'es. 
 
 Home, Don't like my clothes? 
 
 Gains. Dat's jes whut I resarved, sah. 
 
 Home. What's the matter with my clothes? 
 
 Gains. Dey's ob de wrong color, sah. 
 
 Home. Why, you sable old fool, I'm wearing them 
 on your account. 
 
 Gains. Dat'll do to w'isper to de moon, Marster; but 
 hit don' fotch Gains. 
 
 Home. Why, don't you know that we are fighting 
 to free you? 
 
 Gains. To free me? Now, look heah, Marster, who 
 does I 'long ter? 
 
 Home. You should belong to yourself. I suppose, 
 though, that you belong to Col. Burke. 
 
 Gains. He's a w'ite man, ain't he? 
 
 Home. Yes; what of that? 
 
 Gains, You's a w'ite man, ain't yer? 
 
 Home. Yes, but — 
 
 Gains. Den dat recludes de figgerment. De Colo- 
 nel, he' s a w'ite man; you's a w'ite man. De Colo- 
 nel's got sumpen you isn', an' you doesn' wan' de 
 Colonel to hab it. You says to de Colonel: " Tu'n dat 
 loose!" De Colonel say: " Damn 'f I do!" Den 
 you redebbers to mek de Colonel tu'n loose, an' you 
 two gits into er muss. Whar does I come in? You 
 bofe is w'ite men; dat am de tail-eend ob de tale. 
 
 Home. What do you mean by that? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 11 
 
 Gains, Wy, you bofe is w'ite men; I isn'. De fox 
 an' de liar' don' eat at de same table in Marsychusy 
 any mo' dan dey does in Tennessee. You bofe is ob 
 de same c'ar'ter an' de darky am not, darfo' de latter 
 am alius de latter. 
 
 Home. Do you not want to be free? 
 
 Gains. Free? I is free. I gits all I can eat and 
 w'ar free; I gits a home free; fac', sab, I gits all I 
 wants free. Can yo' kin' ob freedum beat dat? I'd 
 rudder hab free vittles dan a free man, eb'ry time. 
 
 Home. You are an idiot. 
 
 Gains, Den I ouglitn' ter be free, an' you isn' 
 oberly wise to redebber to mek me dat way. Wut 
 de debble you sta'ved-out w'ite trash wan' to come 
 down heah an' raise a rumpus wid us fur? You is 
 gwine ter git de bery hide larruped off'n yer. \_Aside.'] 
 Lawd! Hit's er good thing de Colonel ain't heah; 
 he'd bresh de bery life out'n me for talkin' to a gues' 
 dat way. 
 
 Enter Claudia. 
 
 'Scuse me! [Exit. 
 
 Home. iRising.'] Good afternoon, my dear Miss 
 Claudia. 
 That pompous slave is most impervious. 
 
 Claudia. He irks me oft till I am angered with him; 
 Yet his intent is always to our interest, 
 So we endeavor to endure his capers. 
 
 Home. Are all your slaves as arrogant as he? 
 
 Claudia, No, no; although in many cases, sir. 
 Our stations seem exchanged with our slaves. 
 
 Home. Miss Claudia, I come again to harass you 
 With my dull pleadings. You will pardon me 
 If I annoy you with my zealous wooing. 
 I much deplore the chance that makes us foes; 
 
12 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Myself would readily forget this fact, 
 For, of all truth, I am no foe of yours. 
 
 Claudia, Still you are so to all that I hold dear. 
 
 Home. I hold no enmity against them, truly. 
 'Tis but the accident of war that makes it; 
 This will be of but brief duration, surely. 
 
 Claudia. Why say you that? 
 
 Home. I cannot think it lasting. 
 
 Claudia. Then one or t'other of the sides must fail. 
 Which do you think 'twill be? 
 
 Home, I cannot say. 
 
 Claudia. This fatal strife has been afoot two years. 
 From out the plenitude of your full arms 
 Your generals have gathered regiments 
 With which they've brutally o'errun our land; 
 We're scant of numbers with your hordes compared, 
 But our armies war for justice solely, 
 And doubtless God will shield our rightful cause 
 And grant to us quick victory. 
 
 Home. I, too. 
 
 Am oft lukewarm enough of zeal to wish 
 The end may come, no matter who the victors. 
 But need this war affect your private feelings? 
 Miss Claudia, forget this bickering, 
 This outside wrangle. What is it to you? 
 You are a woman, and this manly discord 
 Should weigh but lightly in your thoughts. 
 
 Claudia. You, Captain Home, know not of what 
 you speak. 
 I am a woman, sir, yet what imports it? 
 As living coals behind the forger's hearth 
 Do fire to active heat the stubborn iron. 
 So woman, whensoe'er 'tis opportune. 
 When righteous strife steals off the bounden service 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 13 
 
 Of father, brother, or a£ plighted lover, 
 Should aye inflame and fire his cooling spirit. 
 I am a wotnan, yet would be a man. 
 That I might fling my little strength and courage 
 Into this fatal conflict. 
 
 Home. I honor you, 
 
 Miss Claudia, for such loyal words, and much 
 I do commend your fervor. Pray you, leave 
 This most disturbing, sanguine theme of war. 
 
 Claudia, It is and must be my persistent topic. 
 What right have you, or any of your cause. 
 To say we shall not hold as lawful chattels 
 These slaves of ours? What further right than I 
 To say my neighbor shall not own his horse? 
 These slaves are ours, bought with our hard-earned 
 
 means. 
 And they're but robbers who would take them from us. 
 
 Home. You are too harsh in your denunciation; 
 You do mistake right grievously the motives 
 That urge the action of our President. 
 But pass this heavy subject, dear Miss Claudia, 
 And bend your ear to what I'd say to you. 
 I know the story comes to you e'en as 
 The oft-repeated lesson to the schoolboy, 
 Most tedious and dull to him that listens; 
 I cannot vary it, nor give it different wording; 
 My ev'ry thought runs to the theme: "I love you." 
 
 Claudia. What would you do, since with big sen- 
 tences 
 You do avow your spacious love for me. 
 What would you do t' attain to your desire 
 And have me to your life companionship ? 
 
 Home. What would I do? Why, anything I'd do 
 That was within the pale of honesty. 
 
 Claudia. And if it showed a hint of knavery? 
 
 Home. Then I would not deserve you if I did it. 
 
14 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 
 
 Claudia. Suppose to me it wore not sucli a raiment, 
 And came not to the eye of any other? 
 
 Home. I could not hide it from myself, Miss 
 Claudia. 
 
 Claudia. But surely you could ward your own close 
 secrets. 
 However, Captain Home, I did but try you; 
 Still, there's a task I fervently desire 
 Some friend to undertake. You are my friend, 
 But far from friendly to the cause I favor. 
 I am in want of one I know to be 
 In love with both myself and with my cause, 
 And none could love me loving not my cause. 
 You're not the man. I beg you to depart 
 And come no more into my home and presence. 
 I bear no rancor toward you. Captain Home; 
 In truth, I bear you but the kindliest feeling. 
 And I must not too frequent look upon you 
 For fear — I beg you, sir, to go at once. 
 
 Home. I shall not go! There is no need for it! 
 I dare to hope you are not fain to look 
 With total apathy upon my suit. 
 Do I misjudge, or do you hold me hateful? 
 
 Claudia. You would misjudge if you should think 
 I hate you. 
 I will deal fairly with you, Captain Home: 
 There is one thing, did you accomplish for me, 
 Your bounty should be named by your own tongue, 
 E'en though the naming did embrace myself. 
 
 Home. There are few things that I would leave 
 undone 
 If their accomplishment would make you mine 
 I cannot reck' what you would have me do. 
 But I have stable faith you would not quest 
 What I may not unblushingly attempt; 
 Yet, should I err, and should you make demand 
 That was not full accordant with my conscience, 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 15 
 
 I still would undertake it, solacing my soul 
 
 With thought you had become my fitting comate 
 
 By urging me to work dishonesty. 
 
 You are to me all that is good or evil, 
 
 For I do love you with my utmost power 
 
 And heartily w^ould sell my very honor 
 
 If you, and only you, were purchaser. 
 
 I say you this not that 1 have a thought 
 
 You would desire of me aught odious, 
 
 But mere to show my eagerness to win you 
 
 And to what straits I would pursue the wish. 
 
 Claudia, The high esteem you put upon my worth 
 Is pleasing, but I would you held me lesser. 
 What I would ask would test your strength of love. 
 
 Home, I burn to have you put me to the proof. 
 
 Claudia. Since I have pondered somewhat on the 
 matter 
 I deem it better that we let it pass. 
 
 Home. What do you mean by that? Was it an art 
 To try my loyalty? 
 
 Claudia. It was not such; 
 
 It was and is a thing that you might do 
 And win me to your having, yet a thing 
 That haply might to you wear on its front 
 A shameful aspect. 
 
 Home. What is it? 
 
 Claudia. Would you know? 
 
 Home. I would. 
 
 Claudia. Why so? 
 
 Home. Not curiously; tell me. 
 
 Claudia. Then hear me: Gen'ral Bragg — but pledge 
 me first 
 You'll not repeat what I shall speak to you. 
 
16 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Home, I grant the warrant. 
 
 Claudia. Bragg intends a movement 
 
 Through Tennessee — he's now at Mission Eidge — 
 He is desirous to possess the knowledge 
 Of how and where his enemies are trenched 
 And of what number is their strength composed. 
 I have the means by which to send such knowledge, 
 Could I obtain it. One that holds such rank 
 And post of vantage as yourself could easy 
 Procure the needed information. 
 
 Home. That? 
 
 Surely you know such thing were treasonous! 
 
 Claudia. You, sir, may name it as you most prefer; 
 Still, this I would have done, and I am yours. 
 
 Home. What? This? You do not mean — 
 Claudia. Why do I not? 
 
 Home. Then by my soul, you shrink in my es- 
 teem! 
 I loved you, woman, even to my limit; 
 But you have used the quickest way to quell it! 
 What? Would you make of me a shameless traitor? 
 Throw o'er my life a cloak of foul dishonor? 
 Daub my fair name with vilest treachery? 
 Rob me of all that I was dolt enough 
 To think alone befitted me to win you? 
 
 Claudia, But you forget that none except yourself 
 Can be at fault if you should do this thing. 
 
 Home. Do you not ask it of me? 
 
 Claudia. No, indeed! 
 
 I have but told you how you might be owner 
 Of her you vowed you would do much to claim ; 
 'Tis you must stain yourself if there be stains. 
 
 Home. You are not worth the love I gave to you. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 17 
 
 Claudia. Place not too steep a value on your love. 
 But this is of slight moment, Captain Home: 
 I am a Southern woman, love the South 
 And will do all I may to speed its cause. 
 My father and my brother wear the gray, 
 And none can censure me that I am fervent 
 In hoping the success of their just arms. 
 That which I seek of you is trivial; 
 To your meek soul my offer came, no doubt, 
 Like splash of icy water to the flesh, 
 But thinking on 't will lessen its effect. 
 The deed that you might do could not be known 
 To any save myself and this one other 
 That would be sent to take what you would give. 
 
 Home. Miss Claudia, is there no other course? 
 Must I to own you come to you a traitor? 
 Would you not quail the closing of the bargain 
 If I should fall and seek you in this manner? 
 Would — do you love me ? 
 
 Claudia. I have said I'd wed you. 
 
 Home. That is no answer! Do you love me? 
 
 Claudia. No; 
 
 Yet I could love you if you wooed me rightly. 
 
 Home. You are not what I thought you, if to win 
 you 
 I must begrime my chastity of name. 
 I have been proud to think myself a beggar 
 In perfidy and treason, yet it seems 
 I must have store of these commodities 
 To barter at the counter of your love. 
 Miss Claudia, fix some other testament. 
 
 Claudia. There is no other. Let us close this mat- 
 ter. 
 You say you will not do it; then, no more. 
 I had not thought th' affair would end like this; 
 Still I would urge no man to cross his will, 
 2 
 
18 SAM DAVIS : THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 It were indelicate in me to iDress this, 
 Because 't would seem that I did beg a master 
 Whose lack of willingness made me immodest — 
 So, good-bye, Caspar Home. [Going. 
 
 Home. No! woman, no! 
 
 I am a knave damned to the vilest shame, 
 A knack and toy to your hypnotic will 
 And what I do is but a madman's doing; 
 But I shall claim you ere another month! 
 A woman's beauty should inspire to virtue, 
 But here it does drag down to deviltry. 
 What pledge have I you would make good your 
 promise ? 
 
 Claudia. Is there a doubt that I should keep my 
 pledge? 
 
 Home. A doubt? Herefrom the world is heaped 
 with doubt! 
 I would not trust myself, since I am traitor; 
 Nor you, since you have made me such a thing; 
 Nor any else since I've lost faith in you. 
 I must have earnest you will keep your word. 
 
 Claudia. I'll swear it to you. 
 
 Home. That is insufficient. 
 
 Bring me some witness to our verbal bond. 
 Or else your signature to written contract. 
 
 Claudia, You are too zealous in your doubting, sir! 
 I have no scruples 'gainst the signing; none. 
 I do not like your palpable distrust! 
 
 Home. And yet my word would need be yoked 
 about 
 With sureties as thick upon its front 
 As gewgaws on a savage Afric's neck 
 Before I'd trust it in a future test. 
 
 Claudia. Here is my father's desk, with ink and pen; 
 Shape you the bond into what form you will. 
 
 She walks hij; he goes to desk. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 19 
 
 Home. There is no paper here; wait, what is this? 
 A blank note only — nothing more it seems — 
 Still, I will make this do. 
 
 Sits and writes hurriedly. 
 
 Claudia, [Adde as he nrites.'] I win the combat, 
 But nowise feel a glow of victory, 
 For I have drabbled here a manly souL 
 
 Home. [Rising.] Kead yon as I have written; mark 
 the wording. 
 
 Claudia. [Reads.] "Pulaski, Tenn., Nov. 16, '63. 
 On demand I promise to pay to 
 
 Caspar Home in marriage 
 
 Myself 
 
 For certain service to the Confederacy." 
 
 Home. It needs naught but your name affixed. 
 
 Claudia. [Sits.'] ^ ^ ^ Then, sir. 
 
 It shall not liaA^e a tedious awaiting. 
 [Rising.] 'Tis 'written. If there be aught further 
 
 lacked 
 Before you willing undertake the labor, 
 I pray you that you name it. I need nothing 
 But your bald word as full assurance, sir; 
 Since you demand a fuller gage of me, 
 I readily do give it. 'Tis a business deal 
 Wherein we both do get our equal share. 
 
 Home. It is to you a trifling deal of business ; 
 To me it is the loss of honesty. 
 Of righteous life and dear integrity. 
 The love of woman leads me to a feat 
 No other motive could have reached by half. 
 Like to a thief that stabs a man to heart 
 That he may own the jewel that he wears, 
 Yet by his deed destroys enjoyment of it. 
 So have I done to death my conscience' peace 
 To win a woman to my ownership. 
 Since I have killed all self-love by my action. 
 So fiercer will I cling to you and love you. 
 
20 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 I will not ask of you one loving favor 
 
 Until this covenant is 'filled completely; 
 
 When that is done, and you are bonded mine, 
 
 My chiefest aim will be to make you love 
 
 The traitor whom you now can but despise. 
 
 Think only that I do the South this service 
 
 And keep but hate for those that war against you; 
 
 There solely is a ground for condonation 
 
 Of my most damned, malefic falsity! [Exeunt. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 Scene 1. — Near Lynnville. Outposts of camp of Coleman^ s scouts. 
 Burke on duty as picket. 
 
 Burke. This is a chafing duty and a lonesome; 
 I'm wont to love a bit of solitude, 
 But here, in truth, I'm cloyed and surfeited. 
 I measure out the time with tedious tramp. 
 The while my restive thoughts do race awild 
 And circle seemingly the world about. 
 To-day come up to me fair memories 
 Of days when Peace, like to a happy mother 
 Crooning sweet melodies to crowing offspring. 
 Watched o'er the well-contented Southern home. 
 Enter Davis. 
 
 Halt! 
 
 Davis. Davis. 
 
 Burke. Which way, Sam? 
 
 Davis. Ta camp. 
 
 Burke. To camp? 
 
 Be merciful; the camp is gross with mirth. 
 Lag here and kill this dread monotony 
 That frets and so diseases my contentment; 
 For, earnestly, I'm ill at heart, my friend. 
 How think you of this endless strife and discord? 
 
 Davis. How think I of it? Why, I think 'tis well. 
 
 Burke. What will w^e gain if we are conquerors? 
 What will our foes have won if they are winners? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 21 
 
 Davis. What vagrant mood is galling yon to-day? 
 You prate amiss. What brings such thoughts to you? 
 You were, I thought, as ardent in our cause 
 As any man that marched beneath our colors. 
 Is such fit speech from one of Coleman's scouts? 
 
 Burke. Perhaps my lonely guard has v/rought 
 upon me; 
 But, Sam, I've grown impatient for the end. 
 Take you ourselves: upon the verge of manhood. 
 We would be masters of our time and deeds 
 Had we the fortune that is owed to us; 
 We would be toiling full of zealous ardor 
 To gain some place among the honorous. 
 As 'tis, we live with naught before our lives 
 But chance of dangers and disastrous conflicts. 
 With dull expectancy of death that hangs 
 About the neck of our anticipations. 
 I feel as though my life, which was ambitious 
 In other course than this calam'tous war. 
 Were parched e'en in the sprouting of its growth. 
 I have no wish to be accounted fervid 
 In the pursuit of fellow-creatures' lives. 
 
 Davis. You have grown heavy in your musings, 
 friend. 
 You are not minded that a soldier's craft. 
 Although, perchance, unfitting coil whereon 
 Your thread of life might easily be wound. 
 May be another's solest instrument. 
 Peace breeds the poet and the mouthy statesman. 
 Yet would the poet's verse be stale and vapid 
 Did not grim war and warrior's heroism 
 Make sounding themes whereon to hang his rhyme; 
 The statesman too would lapse to idleness 
 Did not the broils of nations feed his genius. 
 Impartial time apportions rightfully. 
 For me, I am unapt for aught but battles; 
 Until this struggle came I was as nothing, 
 A dreamy boy that moved in bygone days. 
 
22 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 I drew my pleasures from the narrative 
 
 Of swashing Wade and clam'rous tournament. 
 
 I longed to shift my life to years of yore 
 
 And dwell within an age when manly strength 
 
 Paired with a manly soul, and they as knight 
 
 And his esquire were ever vigilant 
 
 To rush to prop some honorable cause. 
 
 When came the rumor of this mortal contest, 
 
 Boy as I was, I ached to join the quarrel; 
 
 At last when surly war had flung his gauntlet 
 
 Full in the face of peace I lagged no longer. 
 
 My parents fought my will with stubborn zeal, 
 
 But I o'ermatched their arguments and reasons. 
 
 Afire with love for our fair Southland's cause. 
 
 And deathless in my hope to aid her arms, 
 
 I stayed not till I was a 'vowed defender; 
 
 And yet with all my eagerness I have done nothing. 
 
 Burke. But, Sam, what is the summing of it all? 
 Suppose me one that burns with martial fever: 
 I fling my life amid the blare and bloodshed; 
 I 'quit me well. Another battle's on: 
 Again I throw my furious zeal before the foe, 
 And in the falling of an eyelash I am smitten — 
 I sink to earth — am trod uj)on— no more — 
 Mayhap I have some token that a comrade knows. 
 And this begets me decent burial; 
 Perchance I fill a grave o'er which the weeds 
 And brooding grasses solely bow in sorrow. 
 
 Davis. And haply, too, your early fall were best; 
 There is such thing as living past our worth. 
 Think on the trait'rous Arnold: had he fallen 
 On Quebec's heights, his fame had lived with Time. 
 I cannot understand your mood, good Philip; 
 You look too darkly oil the matter, truly. 
 Like mine, your thoughts to-day are on your home; 
 You're lovesick for the homely fireside 
 Where helpless womanhood doth weep in gloom. 
 We are but boys, my friend, though we bear guns 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 23 
 
 And bluster mannishly among our fellows. 
 
 A thought of home draws with 't a childish tear, 
 
 And oft the tear is herald to a sob 
 
 That swells our hearts beyond their limitations — 
 
 Let me take up your post of duty here 
 
 "While you go mingle with the roUickers 
 
 Who now are making merry at the camjD. 
 
 When you have shed yourself of morbidness, 
 
 And soothed your gloom with pleasant raillery, . 
 
 Then will I yield to you your place again. 
 
 Burke. I thank you, Davis, for your kindliness, 
 But I must not throw off my cares on you — 
 But Gracious Maker! what approaches yonder? 
 
 Davis, A negro, is it not? 
 
 Gains. {Without.'] I say, marster, marster, p'int dat 
 gun anudder d'rection. I is de Lawd's an'inted. 
 
 Burke. I'd swear I knew that voice. Gains! 
 
 Enter Gaius, attired as a preacher, long coat, high collar, and bear- 
 ing Bible. 
 
 Gains, Bress Gawd! Is dat you, Marse Philip? I 
 sholy is pacified to see yer. I is, bress Gawd! You 
 looks well, Marse Philip. 
 
 Burke. What's the matter, Gaius? Why are you 
 here? Why are you rigged out in this manner? Is 
 anything wrong at home? 
 
 Gaius. Lawdy, Marse Philip, you is wuss dan a 
 kittikism. You axes is dar sumpen wrong at home? 
 Dar's sumpen wrong ebrywhar' — but yo' folkses is 
 well, Marse Philip. Phew! I's we'ied, an's got ter 
 res' fo' I can fabulate any furder wid you. [».] 
 Marse Philip, how fur is dis fum de city of P'laski? 
 
 Burke. About fifteen miles, I think. 
 
 Gaius. Sho, boy! Now, go 'way! I's walked seb- 
 enty sence 'istiddy. Howsomebber, you means as de 
 crow fly, Marse Philip? 
 
24 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Burke. No, as he walks. 
 
 Gains. Dat's tomfooliD', Marse Philip! It 'u'd tek 
 er crow er inont' ter walk dem hunnerd miles. 
 IRecognizes Davis.'] Hi, boy! Ain't dis Marse Sam? 
 You is p'intedly growed sence I last seed yer, yo'ng 
 marster, 
 
 Davis. I have, Uncle Gains, since you knew the 
 bashful boy that used to visit at Mr. Burke's. Times 
 have changed, old man, from what they were when 
 you and I used to meet there at Nashville. But how 
 are your young ladies. Uncle Gains? 
 
 Gains. Dey is fa'rly well ; yit, lem'me reform 
 you, yo'ng marsters, de debbil'll be ter pay ef dis 
 ting goes much furder. 
 
 Burke. What do you mean? 
 
 Gaius. Dar's a Yanky cap'n keeps junin' 'round 
 dar at home, an' he kinder keeps my teef on aidge. 
 
 Davis. What's he doing there? 
 
 Gains. Co'tin' ob Miss Claudyer. 
 
 Davis. O! Miss Claudia? 
 
 Gaius. Dat's what I resarved; Miss Claudia; not 
 Miss Esther, Marse Sam; not de yo'nges' ob 'em— 
 but, Gawd lub you, Marse Philip! How's de Colo- 
 nel? I trus'es he's well. 
 
 Burke. I hope so. Here, you have rattled away 
 long enough now! 
 What are you doing here? Have you no letter nor 
 message ? 
 
 Gaius. I has, sah. 
 
 Burke. Then turn it over to me quickly! 
 
 Gaius. It's not for you, Marse Philip. 
 
 Burke. For whom, then, is it? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 25 
 
 Gains, For Cap'n Coleman. 
 
 Burke. Who sent tlie message? Where is it? 
 Give it to me ! 
 
 Gains. Marse Philip, you is too ha'sh and cor- 
 rup' in yo' rema'ks. Dar is a heap might be said 
 'bout my bein' heah, but Cap'n Coleman am de pus- 
 son ter tek my missage. I is er soldier ob de 'Fed- 
 'racy. 
 
 Davis. Did you have any trouble in getting here, 
 Uncle Gains? 
 
 Gains. Trufe am, boy, I isn' had nothin' 'cep' 't 
 wus trouble. I lef home 'istiddy ebenin'. I sca'se- 
 ly got to de line fence whut provides de Colonel's 
 plantation fum Marse Roberson's when one of dese 
 consumptions Yankys toch er bennet neaf my ribs 
 an' ax me whar wus I gwine. I 'spon' in de 
 langwedge of dis book: " I's gwine 'bout my mars- 
 ter's business." Dat wusn' 'zackly de trufe, 'ca'se 
 I wus gwine 'bout my yo'ng misteses' business. 
 An' dat sassy Yanky 'peahed ter know 'twusn' so, 
 fer he resarved mos' onpolitelike : " Yo' marster ain' 
 got no business out dis way. Gimme de countin'- 
 sign," den he say. I did'n know whut no countin'- 
 sign wus, but I helt up bofe my ban's and say: "Dese 
 whut I do my countin' wid." Den he say: "Whar's 
 yo' pass, ole man ? " Wid dat I raise up my Tester- 
 ment an' say : " Dis am my pass, sah." He tuk de book, 
 he did, and den ax: "Whar you gwine wid dis?" I 
 'spon' dat I wus gwine out in de country some fo' miles 
 ter preach er cullod pusson's fun'al. He axes me, den, 
 in er sorter don'-keer way: "How long's de nigger 
 been daid? " An' I say: " 'Bout seben mont's." Wid 
 dat he drap de book an' look at me kinder' mazedlak, 
 an' axes : " Does dese damn rebels hate to gib you 
 up so bad dat dey jes' keep you lyin' round daid for 
 er yeah 'r so, hopin' ter fin' some use fer you?" I 
 'splain dat de cullud pusson 'd been bu'ied, but dat 
 de fun'al had'n' been preach'. After 'zaminin' an' 
 
26 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 sarcliin' all erbout me, lie at cle las' lemme go, and I's 
 been rambleatin' ebery sence redeberin' to fin' de 
 'Fed'rate ahmy. I's less we'ied now, Marse Philip, 
 an' I 'spec's I better hab er interfew wid de Cap'n. 
 Wliar kin I see liim? 
 
 Burke. Down at the camp. Come, follow me 
 there. [Going. 
 
 Gaius. Marse Philip? 
 
 Burke. Well. 
 
 Gaius. Is de Colonel, Marse Eenbin, down dar? 
 
 Burke. Why? 
 
 Gaius. 'Ca'se dis coat whnt I has on — you knows 
 dis coat, Marse Philip. 
 
 Burke, It looks like my father's best coat. 
 
 Gaius. Den de coat am not 'ceitful, for it is de 
 Colonel's bes' coat, and I'd rudder he'd not kotch 
 me spo'tin' in it. You know, Marse Philip, he 
 mout not understan', an' you know de Colonel nebber 
 gibs you long to splain in. Marse Philip, do you 
 think dat de Colonel 'd understan' ? " 
 
 Burke. No, and I don't understand. You black 
 rascal ! You had best not be joking about this mat- 
 ter! 
 
 Gaius, Marse Philip, I rises to er p'int ob disor- 
 der. You has no jus' rights ter use sich ha'sh re- 
 ma'ks ter me. I is on business for de Ted'racy, 
 lis 
 
 Burke. Well, Why don't you blurt it out? 
 
 Gaius. It am sec'et business, Marse Philip. 'Sides, 
 you owes respec' to my unicorn. 
 
 Burke, Where is it? 
 
 Gaius. Dese gray ha'rs, sah. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEKATE SCOUT. 27 
 
 Davis, He has you there, Philip. 
 
 Burke, Come, let's get to Capt. Coleman's camp. 
 
 \_Exeunt. 
 
 Scene 2. — Coleman's Camp. Soldiers in the background engaged 
 in divers occupations and pastimes. Coleman in foreground, apart 
 from others. Picket patrolling betiveen. 
 
 Soldiers' Song. 
 
 To-night our hearts are cumbered ; 
 
 Our souls are grave and drear ; 
 Perchance our days are numbered, 
 
 Our deaths, mayhap, are near ; 
 And yet we will not grieve us. 
 But bid our gloom to leave us. 
 And with a song relieve ns 
 Of our woe. 
 
 For to-night we" banish tears ; 
 
 For to-night we still our sorrow; 
 For to-night we stifle fears, 
 
 Yet what of the morrow. 
 The doubtful morrow? 
 
 To-night we dream of mothers, 
 
 Of home and loved ones there, 
 While each his heartache smothers 
 
 Beneath a careless air, 
 And sings in mimic gladness 
 To calm his waxing sadness. 
 And 0, the searing madness 
 
 And the woe! 
 
 To-night we banish tears 
 
 While mock glee we borrow ; 
 For to-night we stifle fears, 
 
 Still, what of to-morrow, 
 The fatal morrow ? 
 
 Coleman. This war drags on its dire, destructive 
 course, 
 Sapping the people's substance as it passes. 
 I feel that we do fight a failing battle, 
 And God's decrees are 'gainst the Southern arms. 
 There is too much of faint-heart slothfulness 
 Among the headers of our soldiery. 
 Bragg is too backward in his martial movements; 
 
28 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 He will not put his projects to the test, 
 
 But would chain up all doubt before he ventures. 
 
 He that dares little, little doth achieve : 
 
 Sagacity and tedious calculation 
 
 May win in lesser, tamer business 
 
 But war demands quick planning and performance. 
 
 I^nter Burke and Gaius. 
 
 Burke. Captain, this is a fam'ly slave of ours: 
 He comes to fetch some secret message hither, 
 And will impart it unto none save you. 
 With thought 'twere haply of some pithy moment 
 I brought the man in haste. 
 
 Coleman. What is his name? 
 
 Burke. His name is Gaius. 
 
 Coleman. Well, old man, what is it? 
 
 Gaius. Marse Cap'n, dis 'munication am 'portant, 
 an' I wus charged to gib hit to you by yo'se'f. 
 
 Coleman. You do not mistrust your young master, 
 do you? 
 
 Gains, Dese is jubous times, Marse Cap'n, an' we 
 has ter be monst'ous keerful who we trus'es. 
 
 Burke. Here ! You old fool ! 
 
 Gaius. Marse Cap'n, I repeals to yo' perfection 
 fum insult, sah. 
 
 Coleman. It's all right, Gaius; let us have your 
 message. 
 
 Gains. Jes' es you says, Marse Cap'n; jes' es you 
 says. 
 
 Deliberately removes his coat and vest; then takes off his high collar 
 and hands it to Coleman. 
 
 De missage am dar; right on de widin side of dat 
 collar. Dat scuffy Yanky neber worminated on look- 
 in' dar. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 29 
 
 Coleman. [Reads.} " Desired information can be ob- 
 tained. Send your trustiest messenger. His situa- 
 tion will be dangerous. A Federal officer promises 
 procurement of plans. Send at once, direct to me. 
 
 Claudia Bueke." 
 Burke, did your sister write this missive? 
 
 Burke. It is my sister's writing, sir. 
 
 Coleman. Then, good! 
 
 I've been expectant of this news for days; 
 Its coming means dispersion of our men. 
 My preparations now are fully liedged 
 And but await the chance to fly to action. 
 To you I will unclose my purposes 
 And leave unto your care delivery 
 To ev'ry man his duty. Gains, go; 
 Get you your supper from the soldiers. [Exit Gaius. 
 Our situation here grows perilous: 
 A part of Sherman's army even now 
 Is camped at Shelbyville. The enemy 
 Are shifting all their idler regiments 
 From Nashville to McMinnville. Gen'ral Dodge 
 Is strung from Lynnville to Pulaski. Now, mark : 
 Tell Roberts he must start at nine to-night 
 AVith messages to Bragg. Charge Moore to haste 
 His course toward Fayetteville at earliest morning; 
 And say to Greig that Athens, Alabama, 
 Is meant to be his foremost scene of work. 
 The others of our men, and I, myself, 
 Will loiter hereabout some little while 
 With hope to capture tidings of some weight. 
 TeU me — this is the twentieth of the month — 
 To-day one week let all that are behind 
 Meet me at dawn of day upon the road 
 That leads without Pulaski on the South — 
 Three miles below the town is found the spot; 
 From there we will attempt to reach our lines. 
 Sufficient for the present; you may go. 
 Dispatch young Davis me promptly. [Exit Burke. 
 
30 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 
 
 Though fate is full of scowls and scoffings, 
 She seems half bent to help our strong desires. 
 Of all the brave men in my company 
 I know not one more faithful than this boy 
 To whom I would ascribe this grievous duty. 
 And it shall not be driv'n u^jon the youth; 
 If his stout heart grows fearful of the task, 
 He shall be freed of such a per'lous work. 
 
 Enter Davis. 
 
 My boy, you know not why I sent for you? 
 
 Davis. No, Captain, and I do not question you. 
 
 Colefnan. I have a duty for you, and a grave one. 
 
 Davis. I'm ready for it, sir. 
 
 Coleman. First let me say 
 
 What is the task; I know your readiness. 
 I have received a secret notice; it 
 Was sent by friends there at Pulaski. 
 The message states that, waiting for us there. 
 Is an account in full of all the arms 
 And Fed'ral forces 'twixt us and Kentucky, 
 And, too, the number of their military. 
 Could we but send a loyal courier 
 To bear this needed information thence, 
 We would be gainers of a strong advantage. 
 
 Davis. When shall I start, sir? 
 
 Enter Burke behind; acts dumb-show to soldiers. 
 
 Coleman. Be not heedless, Sam. 
 
 The dangers lying 'tween this point and that 
 Are of the gravest character; in truth. 
 Each step that way would add a newer peril 
 Until at last you would be hemmed and girded 
 With eager dangers. This must be achieved; 
 I deem it nigh the pale of possibility, 
 Nor know on which extreme would fall the outcome. 
 It is most needy of accomplishment; 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 31 
 
 If there is here a man that cau o'ercome it, 
 
 Then he is now before me. Think yon none 
 
 That I wonkl fondle you to jeopardize 
 
 Your life. You, Davis, are a youth in years 
 
 But old in bravery and martial wit, 
 
 And my applause is winded by your merit. 
 
 I would not rank you less than heretofore 
 
 Should you quail back from this prodigious service 
 
 And tell me that you beg relinquishment 
 
 Of such a task. Oft have I given duty 
 
 Which you have zealously performed, but none 
 
 That pairs in magnitude with this, my friend. 
 
 Think well upon the matter; when your mind 
 
 Is stayed upon some course bespeak it to me. 
 
 Davis. Captain, there is no need for further thought. 
 My idea of a soldier's duty, sir. 
 Is that to him naught is impossible 
 That should be done. For you to say to me, 
 "Here is a work would benefit our cause," 
 Means that I shall attempt it^ 'even if 
 It seem as useless as to make endeavor 
 To climb to heaven by a steeple chase — 
 My service to the South is not by purchase. 
 
 Coleman. I give you honor, boy, for such bold 
 words. 
 And I'd account myself a favored leader 
 Had I but one such soldier in my ranks. 
 
 Davis. I ask no praise for doing what I should; 
 I shall begin my march this evening, sir. 
 And hope to bring all wished-for knowledge thence. 
 If I should not return rest with assurance 
 Fate were an enemy to my desires. 
 
 Ihe soldiers behind assume an alert and expectant manner. 
 
 Coleman. Your hand, my boy — God speed and guard 
 your life! 
 And may you compass what you seek to do! 
 This is your charge: Proceed straight to Pulaski; 
 
32 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Gain Colonel Burke's home — for it is liis daughter 
 Who sends this message. She will bring you to 
 This man who will divulge his army's secrets. 
 Secure from him all likely information 
 It's possible for you to get; but mark, 
 The name of your informant must remain 
 In your sole keeping; death and fatal torture 
 Must not enforce you to reveal his name. 
 
 Enter picket hurriedly. 
 Picket. Away to horse! The Federals are there! 
 
 Pointing. 
 
 Coleman. Have they yet sighted us? 
 
 Picket I think not, sir. 
 
 Coleman. Then quietly mount each. Avoid the 
 pike! 
 Ride well upon the grass! Keep it in mind 
 AVhere we shall meet. Let none forget his duty. 
 
 During remainder of scene scouts are one by one withdrawing. 
 
 [To Davis.] Remember you and fail not. First you must 
 Prepare yourself to miss the watchful eyes 
 Of prying enemies; invest yourself 
 In fit disguise. 
 
 Davis. No, Captain, no; not that; 
 
 In all else I will heartily obey you; 
 But 'tis not as a spy I'd do this thing. 
 
 Coleman. Why, how is that? 
 
 Davis. As I am now, a soldier 
 
 Who has not blushed to wear this well-worn gray, 
 So shall I seek to work out your commands. 
 I would not doff this suit of tattered gray 
 For the habiliments of proudest monarch. 
 I go not as a spy, but as a scout 
 Charged with th' achievement of a patriot's duty, 
 A true Confederate within, without! [Exeunt. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 33 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene I. — Dodge's headquarters at Pulaski. Table with maps, pa- 
 pers, etc., strewn upon it. Gen. Dodge, Col. Miller, Capt. Home, 
 and others seated. 
 
 Dodge. Our plans are here in full. We'll crush the 
 foe 
 So speedily they scarce will know 'tis done. 
 Our forces are in trim for valid work. 
 Like a devouring flame or whelming flood 
 We're creeping steadily upon our foemen, 
 And shortly we will rout them utterly. 
 At Chattanooga lies all future action. 
 The enemy are massing at that point 
 And our strength is headed thitherward. 
 Note here; our whole procedure is outlined 
 Upon these maps. 
 
 Home, What of our numbers, Gen'ral? 
 
 Dodge. They are detailed upon this lesser sheet. 
 Oar force, full count, amounts to eighty thousand. 
 Grant's aim is to dislodge his adversary, 
 Intrenched on Missionary Ridge. This feat 
 Is at the charge of Sherman. Burnside's army 
 Is now encamped at Knoxville, and I hear 
 That Longstreet has been sent to drive him thence; 
 This weakens our oi^ponents vitally. 
 Bragg' s front will be attacked within five days — 
 About the twenty-third. Here is a letter 
 That came to-day from Gen'ral Sheridan; 
 He gives in full the Federals' designs. 
 He speaks with confidence of quick success 
 Unto the Union arms. The enemy 
 Are close beset near Chattanooga 
 And will be driven backward to the sea. 
 
 Home. What of yourself? Will you be ordered 
 forward? 
 
 Dodge. I learn not so. Our southward march is 
 over. 
 3 
 
34 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 The war cloud is being rifted in our fore 
 
 And Peace, like cloud-freed sun, will burst upon us. 
 
 Enter Jude. 
 
 Jude. [Awkward salute.'] Supper's done sarbed, mars- 
 ters. 
 
 Dodge. Home, thrust those papers in yon drawer. 
 We may not use them after our return, 
 But it were well that they be kept together. 
 
 Exeunt all except Jude. 
 
 Jnde. De Cap'n nebber looked at me when he put 
 dem writin's erway. Wonner whut he wants wid 'em. 
 Yit, 'tain' none oh my consun. He pay me fer to git 
 dem papers an' not fer to ax merse'f fool axin's. 
 
 Goes to drawer and j)ulls out majJS and papers. 
 
 De Cap'n gwine p'ruse dese writin's for hisse'f. He 
 say ter me, he did: "Judas, I wants you to percuor 
 dem papers whut de Gen'al hes in his office. You 
 watch whar 1 puts 'em, an' you git 'em an' tek 'em to 
 yo' cab'n an' fotcli 'em ter me ter-night. Hit'i\ he'p 
 you git yo' freedum, an' 'sides, I'll pay you fer yo' 
 wuk." Wonner whut he gwine pay me. 
 
 Some of the papers fall from his hands. 
 
 Dey's pow'ful onruly. I'll jes' wrop dese little fellers 
 widinside of dis big 'un. Bress Gawd! 'Peah lak 
 dem sogers wus mekin' pickchers ob strings and 
 mobbles! Mighty crooked strings dey wus, too ! 
 Guess dey meks dese nonsenses ter pass de time er- 
 way. Do' mek no diffunce whut dey fix 'em fer, I 
 gw^ine tu'n 'em ober to de Cap'n. [Exit. 
 
 Scene 2. — Pulaski. Col. Burke^s residence. 
 Enter Claudia and Esther Burke. 
 
 Esther. You say he yielded to you in this matter; 
 That he consented to obtain the papers? 
 
 Claudia. Undoubtedly he did. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 35 
 
 Esther. It is past credit! 
 
 I thought him, over all, an honest man. 
 
 Claudia. Such is no test of honesty, my dear. 
 He did no more than what his destiny 
 Had mapped he should do. He is but a man, 
 With manly tendencies and inclinations. 
 He says he loves — does more — he swears he loves, 
 And could you see his passion play upon him 
 You w^ould not doubt his tongue spoke verity. 
 He does no more than I myself would do 
 If like reward were offered for my labor. 
 The strongest motive that can stir a man — 
 Or woman either — is his human love. 
 Give me the man that truly loves, my dear. 
 And if there be one thing he can deny 
 The one on whom he stays his adoration, 
 And I will show in him another man 
 Who can withstand with adamantine firmness 
 Th' attack of ev'ry human sentiment. 
 This man loves me as I do love another 
 To win whose love I'd fling away myself 
 And all that tamer natures hold as dearest! 
 
 Esther. Nay, nay; you talk without your reason's 
 leave. 
 I knew not, sister, that you dreamt of love. 
 
 Claudia. 'T is wonder that you knew not of it, Es- 
 ther. 
 It is a marvel that no slipping word 
 Or heedless action of mine own has told you. 
 You are a woman, Esther, who can love 
 And in your modesty of habitude 
 Could easy screen it from your nighest friend; 
 But I— I have not in me that fine patience 
 And ductileness of sjDirit that withholds 
 And circumscribes my native heat of blood. 
 
 Esther. Yet, loving not this man, loving another. 
 You traffic with and sell yourself to him 
 On no more cause than fatuous patriotism? 
 
36 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Had you no thought upon the date of reck'ning? 
 Your promise out, you needs must marry him. 
 Had you no count of that? 
 
 Claudia. Yes, Esther, yes; 
 
 But only in a dim, unsettled way. 
 I felt that fate would shunt that worst extreme. 
 I could but think the haps of rav'nous war 
 Would rid me of such ultimate result. 
 Treason, like Murder, is a faulty actor 
 And cannot long pretend as Innocence. 
 Therein lay all the hope of my escape. 
 
 Esther. Claudia, who is this other that you love? 
 
 Claudia. Ask not of him, my sister. 
 
 Esther. Tell me, Claudia. 
 
 Claudia. No, Esther. Yet, perhaps, some day I 
 shall. 
 
 Esther. Is he Sam Davis? 
 
 Claudia. Were it he, my dear, 
 
 I could not store my love in fitter garner. 
 But, pray, what vagrant fancy hinted him? 
 He's but a boy, a shaveling of a man; 
 And women's hearts like mine yearn after men 
 Who show as men. 
 
 Esther. He shows as much a man 
 
 As any could be cited. 
 
 Claudia. Charier, my dear; 
 
 Such prompt retort may tell more than you would. 
 Were I besought too near, I might not vouch 
 There are not some of my close family 
 Who do not hate him. 
 
 Enter Gaius. 
 
 Gains ! 
 
 Gaius. Hi! Yo'ng misteses, I is back erg' in. An' 
 I is had er jub'lee time, too, yo'ng misteses. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 37 
 
 Claudia. What have you done, Gains? Tell me 
 quickly, Gains. Did yon get to Capt. Coleman's 
 camp? 
 
 Gains. Didlgitdar? Sart'inldid. Foun' Cap'n 
 Coleman, Marse Philip, Marse Sam, an' de whole 
 Ted'rate ahmy. An' lemme refo'm yon, yo'ng mis- 
 teses, de 'Fed' rate ahmy am pow'fnl small. Jes' no 
 mo' dan er han'f '1 ob sogers. Min', I nebber demented 
 on dat fac' to Marse Philip, nnr Marse Sam, fur I re- 
 jec's ob hu'tin' anybody's feelin's, but it am de gawsp'l 
 trufe, dey ahmy am monst'ons 'significant! 
 
 Clatidia. But what have you done? 
 
 Gaiiis. Hit am all right. Miss Claudyer; I fotch 
 him wid me. 
 
 Esther. Who, Uncle Gains? Philip? 
 
 Gains. No; Marse Sam Davis. I knows you rec- 
 ermembers him, Miss Esther, doesn' you? He's de 
 fines' repeahin' yo'ng soger in de whole 'Fed'rate 
 ahmy. He's growed sence he was dar at Nashville; 
 he's growed mos' dis way, howsomebber. 
 Extending his arms from his sides. 
 
 Claudia. Where is he, Gaius? 
 
 Gains. Out dar in dis darky's cab'n. 
 
 Esther. Bring him here. Uncle Gaius. 
 
 Claudia. Be careful, Gaius. See that no one sees 
 you enter. Are you sure no one knows you are here ? 
 
 Gaius. Yes, Miss Claudyer, we is been mo' keerf'ler 
 dan keerf'l could be. Dese is keerf'l times, yo'ng 
 misteses, an' dis darky resis' dat he ain' no fool. 
 
 Claudia. Then go and prove it. [^^*^ Gaius. 
 
 Esther. I would it were some other that had come! 
 I tremble in a ravishment of dread 
 
38 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Lest lie were seen. What would be done with him 
 If he were snared while here? 
 
 Claudia. Ask not of that; 
 
 He shall be kei^t in safety. 
 
 Esther. Still, I fear! 
 
 sister, would they kill him ? Strike him down 
 As though he were some beast, and not their kind? 
 They'd not dare kill him, would they, Claudia? 
 
 Claudia. Esther, be not so uselessly dismayed. 
 You do betray more trepidation than 
 
 1 thought was in a family of Burkes. 
 
 Reenter Gaius with Davis. 
 
 Gains. Here's Marse Sam, yo'ng misteses. 
 
 Davis. This is a joyous ending to my journey. 
 I'm overglad to greet you both again. 
 
 Claudia. It pains us that this bloody season, sir. 
 And your own hazardous employment, too, 
 Filch from our meeting such large scope of pleasure. 
 
 Daris. Let not my danger occupy your care — 
 And you. Miss Esther? How you look yourself! 
 Two years have wrought their changes otherwhere. 
 But not a day has set its alteration 
 Upon your face. 
 
 Claudia. {Aside.] He makes no note of mine. 
 
 Esther. 1 cannot speak in sim'lar terms of you; 
 You have grown broader, stronger than you were. 
 
 Davis. Despite war's scant provision for her slaves, 
 I have gained breadth. 
 
 Claudia. Gaius, watch the outer door 
 
 And see that no one comes upon us here. [Exit Gaius. 
 
 Davis. An apt precaution that. Miss Claudia; 
 My pleasure had allowed my care to doze 
 And all my vigilance was playing truant. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 39 
 
 Claudia. iAside.1 Not truant, but the lover. Leave 
 it so 
 Since Esther is receiver of his love. 
 \_Aloud.'\ Tell us, how got you thro' the foeman's lines? 
 
 Davis. Old Gains was the causer of success: 
 He did engage the picket with much clamor 
 As he recounted with a boundless zeal 
 How he had journeyed for so many miles 
 That he might preach a buried mortal's soul 
 From out hot hell into a blissful heaven. 
 His tale was of such humorous ingredients 
 It filled the guard with utter merriment 
 And while he bent and groaned in stifled mirth 
 I slipped unnoted past. 
 
 Esther. Good, loyal Gains! 
 
 Claudia. Esther, keep you our guest in company 
 While I make sure approach is barred to any 
 Who would enhance the danger of his stay. [Going. 
 
 Davis. Miss Claudia, my errand cries for haste- 
 If that I came for is at hand and ready 
 'Twere best that my delay be of the briefest. 
 
 Claudia. There is no chance that you depart to- 
 night. 
 My portion of the work is incomplete, 
 And will be 'till to-morrow night at closest. 
 Content yourself with us; you shall be safe. 
 
 Davis. A world of danger could not mar my stay. 
 
 [Exit Claudia. 
 Esther, I pray your heart be as unchanged 
 As that pure beauty of your comely face. 
 Kemember you that night two years ago, 
 When I, a merest boy, aroused and eager. 
 Was drawn to hasten to my country's need? 
 But how I first sought you, and while war's din 
 Was clanging in my ear, I begged of you 
 The precious favor of your love? 
 
40 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFLDEEATE SCOUT. 
 
 Esther, I do; 
 
 And as we gaged our dual loyalty 
 The battle's thund'rous volume pealed afar 
 Like some resounding, deep-toned wedding march; 
 Its mighty notes close welded our fond hearts, 
 And numbed the dread of coming separation. 
 
 Davis. Sweet Esther, I have loved you since that 
 parting. 
 The thought of you has been my constant goad. 
 I did no thing, I undertook no duty. 
 But you were mingled in its execution. 
 My dreams of you have spurred the lagging march; 
 When soul and body, fagged, still struggled on 
 Almost at point of mutual surrender. 
 Your parting words would steal into my ear 
 And urge me to the uttermost endeavor. 
 The gelid winds of winter lost their chill. 
 And summer breezes seemed the gentler more 
 When I would muse upon your loving words. 
 Like tortured soul of faithful devotee 
 Who suffers persecution, blows, and death, 
 Yet through it all keeps heavenward its hope, 
 So, through the haps and hazards of the battle 
 My doting spirit forward yearned to you. 
 This brief reward will much elate my courage 
 And stay me for all coming jeopardies. 
 
 Esther. Do you so much love me, unworthy me? 
 
 Davis. None could thus minimize your worth save 
 you. 
 Love you? Sweet one, that was an idle question; 
 Yet I would answer it: My ardent worship 
 Strives not to show itself in outward pageant 
 Of kisses hot and johysical embrace. 
 But in my eye and in the stubborn words 
 That my fond heart would drive upon my tongue. 
 It reaches far below all smooth expression. 
 And in its silence shows such adoration 
 As speechless Persian rose to nightingale. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 41 
 
 Esther. To hear such words from you makes over- 
 plain 
 How e'en one hour of joy is full compeer 
 To months of gloom. And yet how lowering 
 When that glad hour is spent! Sam, must you go? 
 May we not ward you in a strict concealment 
 Until some crisis lulls this bitter warfare? 
 
 Davis. Forget not, dear, I came upon a charge 
 That lacks fulfillment. 
 
 Esther. Yes, I know, I know, 
 
 And would not ask you to forego your duty. 
 I will not drag the speculative future 
 Into the present, lest it fright my pleasure. 
 
 Davis. Esther, who is this man, this renegade, 
 From whom we shall obtain the Fed'ral plans? 
 
 Esther. T cannot say, except he is a man 
 That bears no forecast of his treachery 
 Upon his face. 
 
 Davis. I do contemn the coward. 
 
 Albeit I never yet have seen his face. 
 I fain would shun a meeting with the man 
 Lest I be driven to affront him deeply. 
 Becnter Claudia, unobserved. 
 What is the price at which he sells his honor? 
 
 Claudia. [Aside.] His query gets material response. 
 [Aloud.] It is not safe you still remain below; 
 You must upstairs, perhaps e'en to the garret. 
 We know not who may be an enemy. 
 Some meddling gadabout may peer within. 
 And, mischief-bent, probe out our dearest secret. 
 [To Davis.] Come with me; Esther, keep you watch 
 without. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene 3. — Gaius^s Cabin. Enter Melissa, gaily dressed. 
 
 Melissa. It tek dat ole darkey a monst'ous long 
 time ter git hisse'f ready fur dat pahty. Gains! 
 Gaius! 
 
42 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 
 
 Gams. [Poking head within.'] Don' git SO onpatieilt, 
 'oman! I jus laks mer w'ite ves' an' mer razor. 
 
 Melissa. Wlmt fur you gwine tek dat razor? 
 
 Gains. Now, dat's er fool question. What fur you 
 'oman folkses tek yo' smellin' salts? A razor am 
 er nigger's nerve tonic. Dar is sarcumstanders wliar 
 in de lieat ob discusliion er razor am de bes' agri- 
 fier a man can git. Dat razor goes, er I stays ter 
 home. 
 
 Melissa. Hurry yo'se'f, den, nigger. {Gaius ivithdraws.] 
 If dat man mek me miss dat pahty, I'll mek him 
 griebe fur de day he ma'ied me. [^ ioud ImocL] Don' 
 knock down dat do'. Whoebber you is, come in. 
 Enter Jude ivitJi banjo. 
 
 Jude. How is you, Miss M'lissy? 
 
 Melissa. Sho', Jude! Wliut fur you bang on dat 
 do' dat way? You knows you is welcome. 
 
 Jude. Dat so, Miss M'lissv, but I nebber protrudes 
 on de pribacy ob er lady. I nebber furgits dat 
 some day I may be er genterman — dat is, if dese Yan- 
 kys don' git whupped. Whar's Gains? 
 
 Melissa. In de naix room. 
 
 J((de. Is you all gwine down to Miss Kinkhead's 
 pahty ? 
 
 Melissa. We is, if dat lazy darky ebber gits hisse'f 
 ready. 
 
 Jude. Is yo' boys gwine wid you? 
 
 Melissa. Dey sho is. Dat crowd ob niggers '11 
 fa'rly bile ter hab dem boys sing fur 'em. 
 
 Jude. Call 'em in heah, Miss M'lissy. 
 
 Melissa. Shack! Shad! Nigger! You boys come 
 heah ! 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 43 
 
 Jude. Whar'd you git dem names, Miss M'lissy? 
 
 Melissa. Dem's Bible names, Jude ; named fur 
 dem three Jewrusalemites whut wus flung inter de 
 lion's den fur callin' ole Noey bal' headed. \_Enter four 
 little negroes.'] Jude wants ter heah you boys sing. Git 
 yo'se'ves in chune w'ile I stirs up dat slofeful daddy 
 ob yo's. [F^xit, 
 
 SONG: "Black Mammy, Aunt Chloe." 
 
 Air: "Be Home Early To night." 
 
 My memory turns to the days of the past 
 
 Ere war brought its change and regret ; 
 Th' old homestead beloved and the pleasures it held 
 
 Are things I can never forget. 
 My father's bent form and my mother's sweet voice 
 Come back from the years long ago ; 
 But dearer than aught 
 That awakens my thought 
 Is the face of " Black Mammy," Aunt Chloe. 
 
 CJiorus. 
 
 0, 1 loved old " Black Mammy," Aunt Chloe; 
 O, I loved old " Black Mammy/' Aunt Chloe. 
 Though black was her visage, her heart was not so; 
 0, 1 loved my " Black Mammy," Aunt Chloe. 
 
 When childish companions aggrieved me with hurts 
 
 Or pained me with taunts or with jeers ; 
 When mother rebuked me for mischievous deeds 
 
 Or father reproved me to tears ; 
 When ailments of youth made me fretful and cross 
 And wearied my heart with their woe, 
 In my need for relief 
 Did I carry my grief 
 To the breast of " Black Mammy," Aunt Chloe. 
 
 But fled are the times and the pleasures of yore 
 
 And I far away from their joy ; 
 The serious thoughts of the work-laden man 
 
 Have crushed out the innocent boy; 
 And yet, though my years should attain to fourscore 
 And my senses be feebled and slow] 
 I feel that my mind 
 In its chambers would find 
 The face of " Black Mammy," Aunt Chloe. 
 
44 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Gains. [Entenng.] Heah! Come on now! Le'sgitter 
 dat pahty! 
 
 Passes over and exit, followed by Melissa, Jude, and boys. 
 
 Scene 4. — The Burke Residence. 
 
 Enter Claudia Bueke and Horne. 
 
 Claudia. I do not like your moody discontent. 
 Did I once give my will to any purpose, 
 I'd not estoi3 to argue with my conscience. 
 
 Home. But I cannot subdue my scruples, wholly. 
 
 Claudia. Why do you let your mind be busy thus? 
 'Tis easy, seems to me, to quell misgivings. 
 Say to your mind: " On this side lies the labor. 
 On th' other is the wages for the work; 
 So: is the guerdon equal to the task?" 
 Would you renounce the bargain you have made? 
 
 Horne. No, Claudia, no. 
 
 Claudia. Then silence your sick qualms, 
 
 The show of which makes harsher my own task. 
 I have no more to give than that I've offered. 
 
 Home. 'Tis ample, that — but see you not my fear? 
 I hold you in my closest, fondest love, 
 And would do naught that put in jeopardy 
 My chance of wedding you. This deed I shrink from; 
 Yet you, whose good opinion I would own. 
 Beg me take up the work with fast assurance 
 That it accords with your desire in full. 
 I feel you would not ask of me an action 
 The doing which by me would irk your pleasure — 
 I have borne out your huge request entirely 
 And have with me to-night the wanted papers — 
 As yet my treason has not grown to fact. 
 And still is left me time for drawing back. 
 
 Claudia. You little know the way to woo a woman. 
 She is not won by hesitating methods. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEllATE SCOUT. 45 
 
 She loves more readily the willful man 
 Who, when he once has chose a fix^d course, 
 No mattei' whe'er it lead to good or evil. 
 Does not lag back in doubt and wavering. 
 
 Home. I thank you that you've taught me how to 
 woo you. 
 Nor will I chide you for the lesson's cost. 
 'Twas but the doubt if I were pleasing you 
 That made me ill at peace and hesitant. 
 When comes this courier from your friends? 
 
 Claudia. I have expected him a day or more. 
 
 Home. Of course you know not who the man may 
 be? 
 
 Claudia. I do; I know him well. 
 
 Home. What is his name? 
 
 Claudia. 'Tis Davis. 
 
 Home. Can we trust him? 
 
 Claudia, Fully, wholly; 
 
 He is a man that knows no guile or craft. 
 He's but a youth, a year or two my senior. 
 Before the outbreak of this cruel struggle 
 He was a student at a Nashville college. 
 And was a welcome guest within the home 
 Of my good uncle, where my sister and myself, 
 Schoolgirls, were boarders. He was often there. 
 I never knew a nobler or a truer man; 
 He was my pattern of a manly hero. 
 
 Home. You are no miser with your terms of praise. 
 
 Claudia. I give not half the measure of the man. 
 The South in him has doughtiest champion 
 Who will not falter in his fealty 
 But will be stanch to ev'ry trust imposed. 
 
 Home. Do you not know that while you laud this 
 youth 
 You mock and ridicule my treachery? 
 
46 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Say you such things to show me how abhorrent 
 
 To you is such a caitiff as myself? 
 
 Would you impel me to annul my purpose? 
 
 A man has lost the base of moral effort 
 
 When he blots out his self-respect; that only 
 
 Demarcates him from soulless, brutish beasts. 
 
 He that contemns himself is more despised 
 
 Than he that has a universe's scorn, 
 
 And yet stands favored in his own esteem. 
 
 Claudia. Forgive me, Captain Home; bear with 
 my moods; 
 It has been years since I had seen this boy; 
 I then was but a romance-smitten girl 
 That saw in ev'ry comely man a hero. 
 I spoke of him as of some old-time picture 
 That brought back memories of yesterdays 
 That know not of the serious to-days. 
 
 Home. Cannot to-days be bright as former ones? 
 
 Claudia. If 'twere not for this terror-breeding war 
 And its attendant woes, perchance they might. 
 
 Home. Will you be happy when you've married 
 me? 
 
 Claudia. Will you endeavor so to have me be? 
 
 Home. Yes; on my very life and soul, I will! 
 
 Claudia. With such hot zeal, I cannot think you'd 
 fail. 
 
 Home. You know the thing most lacking ere you 
 are so? 
 
 Claudia. That I should love yoa? Yes, I fully 
 know it. 
 
 Home. Will 't ever be? 
 
 Claudia. Why are you doubtful ever? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 47 
 
 Home. Because, it seems I've picked the errant 
 way 
 By which to travel to your inmost heart. 
 
 Claudia. Would you not love me though I loved 
 not you? 
 
 Home. What do I now? 
 
 Claudia. Well, would you marry me. 
 
 Knowing I loved you not? 
 
 Home. Bi'ay, what thing else 
 
 Has "toled" me to this point? My ev'ry act 
 Of recent time will answer your inquiry. 
 Have I not bartered my integrity 
 For your unloving self? Have I not placed 
 Your worth beyond that of my country? Look you 
 And mark the coward shifting of my eye, 
 From which has fled the glow of honesty. 
 I cannot hope to keep ev'n your respect, 
 And yet you shall be mine. I have your word 
 Besides what else I have more binding on you. 
 
 Claudia. Fear not but I shall keep the covenant. 
 
 Home. The breaking of it 'tokens death t' us both. 
 
 Claudia. You do not threat me? 
 
 Home. No! God witness me! 
 
 'Tis not a threat, but an unerring truth. 
 Such is the measure of my mighty passion 
 That death, both yours and mine, were needs achieved 
 Ere I could tame my furious, love-mad soul. 
 My better self rebukes in me such utterance, 
 But hint of losing you kills the reproof. 
 My course has been one long-drawn misadventure : 
 I look back o'er my traversed field of life. 
 And find no flower but the crushed Adonis; 
 But in the untrod landscape of the future 
 I yearn for fairer and more fragrant blooms. 
 
48 SAM DAYIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Claudia. Think you tliat flowers o£ such longed-for 
 sweetness 
 Can spring from soil so sterile of nutrition? 
 What pleasing drink can well from crime-befouled 
 And turbid source? 
 
 Home. Time clears the foulest stream : 
 
 The dregs and sediment will seek the bottom; 
 And, tho' they're there, it needs a fresh derangement 
 To drive them to the surface. No stream courses 
 From source to sea unsullied. 
 
 Claudia. Captain Home, 
 
 The time is here when you fulfill your contract; 
 You're ready? 
 
 Home. I am ready; but you mean 
 
 The time is near, not that it has arrived? 
 
 Claudia. Suppose I mean the other? That the hour 
 Is even here? 
 
 Home. I'd meet it readily. 
 
 Claudia. Th' expected courier is here. 
 
 Home. But you — 
 
 Claudia. I know I led you to infer not so, 
 And I did so that I might first determine 
 If you still held to your pronounced intent. 
 
 Home. I make no murmur at your patent doubt; 
 Bring you the man. 
 
 Claudia. Await me but a moment. {Exitl 
 
 Home. Since it must be, the respite of a day, 
 A week, a month, would lessen not the deed. 
 But my sick thoughts would build its magnitude. 
 The sooner done the speedier its survival. 
 My state seems like some debt- vexed trafiicker's, 
 Who daily sees his ruin nearer hasting; 
 Knowing it must be, he despairs, and begs 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 49 
 
 The quick approach of worldly failure. • 
 The guardian stone that did inclose my honor 
 From my soul's entrance has been rolled away, 
 And now 'tis honor's empty sepulcher. 
 
 Re'mter Claudia ivitli Davis. 
 
 Claudia. This, Captain Home, is Mr. Samuel Da- 
 vis. 
 
 Home. No need for courtesies betwixt us two. 
 You know for what you come; likewise do I; 
 The things you seek are here. {Drmving out papers. 
 
 Davis. Then give them me. 
 
 Home. I shall, but you must first avouch an oath 
 My name shall never pass your lips. 
 
 Davis. I swear — 
 
 And yet I shall not; I will give my word; 
 That only should sufiice this present case. 
 
 Home. Nay, you must swear. 
 
 Davis. A simple i^romise, sir, 
 
 Is as obliging on an honest man 
 As vows kiss-stamped upon the holy Bible; 
 But, since you urge the giving of the oath, 
 I swear your name shall never 'scape my mouth. 
 
 Home. I thank you, sir. [Gives pcq^crs. 
 
 Davis. Your thanks are useless, sir. 
 
 I shall not plead of you a counter pledge. 
 For witnessing the doing of this act 
 Constrains me to prejudge your promises. 
 
 Home. Forbear your strictures. It concerns not 
 you 
 Whatever be my course. 
 
 Davis. I yearn to know 
 
 What price could move a man to such an action. 
 4 
 
50 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Home. Sir, you are pert! 
 
 Davis. And you, sir, what are you? 
 
 My very spirit seethes within my bosom 
 When I do front a traitor! 
 
 Home. [Claudia starts between.'] Spare such speech; 
 There is a lady present. 
 
 Davis. And her presence, sir, 
 
 Saves you the hearing of uncomely truths. 
 
 Home. I have no quar'l with you. Becalm your 
 spleen, 
 Which finds a causeless outbreak. [Sits. 
 
 Davis. Suffer me 
 
 To say your company is lacking elsewhere. 
 
 Home. [Rising.'] Sir, you are copious of offensive 
 speech ! 
 I will not brook renewal of your rudeness! 
 You have o'er topped your bounds. 
 
 Davis. There are no bounds 
 
 An honest man is called to cede to traitors! 
 
 Home. You are a fool! A brash-brained simple- 
 ton! 
 A repetition of your epithet. 
 And I will kill you as it leaves your tongue! 
 
 Davis, You are a traitor, sir. [Home draivs Ids sword. 
 
 Unsheathe your weapon! 
 The sight of it shall not estay my speech! 
 Strike if you will; I shall not ward the blow! 
 
 Home puts u}:) sword. 
 I feel myself some tinctured with your treason 
 Since I possess the fruitage of your sin. 
 God pity you and pardon your offense. 
 Which stands conspicuous and boldly lettered 
 Within the cumbrous catalogue of crimes — 
 The price? What was the price of such a deed? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 51 
 
 Can jewels or the clink of suasive gold 
 Buy men of honor? Tell me, man, your price. 
 Where is that thing in all the round of treasures 
 Can peer a man's integrity? Your price? 
 
 Home. Since you so burn to know, my price is 
 there ! [Pointing to Claudia. Exeunt. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene 1. — Gaius^ Cabin. GaiuSy Melissa, and Jude, the last ivith a 
 
 banjo. 
 
 Gains. Jude, I's- monst'ous 'joiced dat you is come 
 ober to-night; an' I is furdermo' pow'ful glad dat 
 you fotch yo' banjer wid you. Er banjer am de 
 meloniouses' implement ob pledger dat dar is. Ain' 
 dat so? 
 
 Jude. Hit jes' is! 
 
 Gains. An' er banjer widout er nigger to menage 
 it am jes' nowhar. Ain' dat de trufe? 
 
 Jude. Hit jes' is! 
 
 Gains. A w'ite man don' stan' no show whutsome- 
 ebber wid er banjer. De nigger am de banjer's true 
 lub. Hit's jes' lak you teks er sutin gal whose lub- 
 ber you isn'. You talks wid her an' mirates ober 
 her lubliness; you spresses yo' refraction in de mos' 
 sweetnin' tums, and all dat, but she don' spon. She 
 jes' sets col' an' diffunt lak: 'ca'se why, you isn' her 
 true lub. Dat's de way wid er w'ite man an' er ban- 
 jer. 
 
 Jude. Hit sho is dat! 
 
 Gains. M'lissy, isn' I right 'bout dat? 
 
 Melissa. You is, Gains; you sut'inly is. 
 
62 SAM DAYIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Gains. All' dat dismembers me ob ernudder thawt. 
 Yon tek M'lissy an' me; we is liusban' and wife. 
 We is to one ernndder jes' lak de strings ob er ban- 
 jer is to de head. She am de strings an' I is de 
 head. Yon sees dat, doesn't you? I meks merse'f 
 cl'ar? 
 
 Jude. Not altergedder so. 
 
 Gains. Hit's jes' dis way, Jude. Slie am de strings 
 an' I is de head. One am natcherly rebliged to hab 
 de udder. Jes' so. Whut 'u'd de strings be widout 
 de head? Jes' strings, dat's all. Whut 'u'd de head 
 be widout de strings ? Jes' er head, dat's all. Dar- 
 fo', de head need de strings an' de strings need de 
 head; or, to spress hit in diffunt turns, dey bofe is 
 got ter hab bofe. Darfo' put 'em bofe tergedder, an' 
 dar you is: de sweet an' melonious chunes ob ma'ied 
 bliss! 
 
 Jude. You is right! Youshois! 
 
 Gains. Fu'dermo', I meks de 'oman out'n de 
 strings; 'ca'se why, she mos' usury mek all de noise 
 in de fambly, while de man jes stan' an' tek it. Dat's 
 whut de head do. 
 
 Melissa. Jes' heah dat nigger! Hit 'pear lak he de 
 strings, now! 
 
 Jude. Hit do look dat way, Miss M'lissy. 
 
 Gains. W'en er w'ite man gits holt ob er banjer 
 hit alius min' me ob er fambly rookus. Dem strings 
 an' dat head don' git 'long tergedder er bit. De 
 strings dey git fretted an' de head jes' kotches de 
 debbil. Dar is udder i)'ints erbout er banjer dat is 
 similus to ma'ied folkses, but I rejec's ter 'faberlate 
 on 'em jes' now; 'ca'se why, I wants ter heah dat in- 
 sterment ob yo's, Jude. Gimme dat chune whut I 
 laks so much. 
 
 Jude plays and sings. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 53 
 
 SLAVE DAYS. 
 Tune: Dixie. 
 
 I's pinin' fur dem slave da5^s; 
 
 Back dar my min' do wander; 
 I's pinin' fur dem slave days ; 
 On dem my thoughts do ponder. 
 In all dis vas' creation 
 I gits no consolation 
 Like musin' on dem slave times ob long ago. 
 
 Chorus. 
 
 I's pinin' fur dem slave days, 
 
 I's pinin' fur dem slave days ; 
 Fur freedum am notwhut I thought 't 'u'd be; 
 
 My life am sad an' cheerless, 
 
 My eyes am dry an' tearless ; 
 I's longin' fur dem slave days fo' I wus free. 
 
 Ole Marster's daid an' bu'ied ; 
 
 Ole Miss done cross de ribber, 
 An' dis ole darkey's moun'in, 
 No mo' he'll see 'em ebber. 
 I's yearnin' fur dey orders 
 To seek de hebenly borders, 
 I's pinin' fur to follow whar dey may go. 
 
 Dese darkeys heah 'round me 
 'Pears ob anudder breedin'; 
 Dey well can do widout me, 
 Am' dem I is'n' needin'; 
 I's longin' fur de message 
 Ter tek de hebenly passage, 
 Dar whar my folks is gone I wants to go. 
 
 Gains. Watermillions am no reproach ter clat. I'd 
 rudder be repa'r'd ter finger dem strings dat way 
 dan ter be de presendent. 
 
 Jiide. Wicli presendent 
 
 Gains. Dar ain' but one presendent; dat's Presen- 
 dent Davis. 
 
 Jude. Lawd! lie ain' no presendent. 
 
 Gains. You is grabely mistook. What am de den? 
 
 Jude. He's er axerdent. 
 
54 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Gains. Wliut de diffunce? 
 
 Jude. Why, de diffunce am mighty cl'ar. Er pres- 
 endent am one whut am one at de presen' time, 
 an' er axerdent am one whut am jes' axin' ter be one 
 at de presen' time, an' one dat may be one some 
 time, an' den ag'in may nebber hap'n ter be at all. 
 Marse Linkim am de presendent, an' Marse Davis am 
 de axerdent. 
 
 Melissa. Gains, is it Marse Sam Davis whut is de 
 axerdent? 
 
 Gains makes signs of caution to Melissa which are unobserved by her, 
 but which do not escape Jude. 
 
 Jude. V^side.l Dat's de yo'ng man whut Gaias alius 
 talkin' 'bout seem' dar at Nashville, an' lakin' so 
 much. 
 
 Melissa. I gwine ax Marse Sam Davis in de mawn- 
 in' if he am de axerdent ob de Fed'racy. 
 
 Gains. [Making signs.} Shet up, 'oman. 
 
 Jnde. [Aside.'] I wonners whut dat mean. 
 
 Melissa. Gains, you is pow'ful brash dis ebenin'. 
 Whut de matter wid you? Ain' I got er right ter 
 ax Marse Sam Da — 
 
 Gains. 'Oman, I'll mash yo' mouf ef you does'n 
 hesh lip. 
 
 Jude. [Aside.] She gwine ax Marse Sam Davis in 
 de mawnin'. 
 
 Melissa. You's er fool. I ain' gwine hesh. I ain' 
 sed nuffin. 
 
 Gains. 'Pear lak I healis dem yo'ng bucks t'arin' 
 'roun' dar in de naix room. M'lissy, mek 'em 
 come in lieah an' sing w'ile Jude picks de banjer. 
 [Aside.] I wonners e£ dat nigger respec' sumpen. He 
 'pear pow'ful 'spicious. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 55 
 
 Melissa. Better let dem boys be, Gaius. 'Sides, I 
 wants ter know — 
 
 Gaius. You go fotcli 'em in lieali remejitly! 
 
 [Exit Melissa. 
 
 Jude. iAside.'] Gains look pow'ful 'stnrbed. Sum- 
 pen ain' right somewhar. 
 
 Gains. [ Aside.'] Whoebber said dat de Lawd made 
 'oman out 'n er rib was all wrong; 'case why, I 
 b'lieves she wus made ontirely ob tongue. 
 
 Reenter Melissa.. 
 
 Melissa. Whut fur does you rejec' ter my axin' 
 Marse Sam — 
 
 Gaius. 'Oman, go, fotch dem boys heah. lExit Me- 
 lissa.'] lAside.] Banjer strings ! Banjer strings ! 
 Gawd! How dey jes' keeps twangin' on dat one 
 chune ! 
 
 Jude. [ Aside.] Dars's sho sumpen behin' all dis, an' 
 I gwine fin' it out. iAloud.] What fur she keep 
 talkin' 'bout dat Marse Sam Davis ? 
 
 Gaius. Gawd knows. Dat nigger 'oman gwine 
 crazj^ Don' you mek no mention ob it on de out- 
 side, but dat 'oman ob mine is sholy toch heah. 
 [Pointing to head.] She gits in dem mewanderin's ob 
 min' bery of'n dese days. 
 
 Reenter Melissa with four boys. 
 
 Dar now, dar dem triflin' yo'ng bucks. Git out dat 
 banjer, Jude, an' let dese no 'count brats sing er song 
 or two. \.Boys sing.] You yo'ng rascals git ter bed now. 
 [Exeunt hoys.] Jnde, de Lawd sont me an' M'lissy er 
 obers'ply ob dem yo'ngsters. 
 
 Jude. Dey 'pears to be bery good boys. 
 
 Gaius. I s'poses dey's erbout es good es dey wus 
 meant ter be. 
 
56 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Jude. Well, I mus' be gittin' home. 
 
 Gains. Yo' visit pow'ful short ternight, Jude. 
 Well, come ober whenebber you gits time. 
 
 Jude, I mos' sut'inly gwine do dat, Gaius. [^AddeJ] 
 I gwine fin' out whut dem two niggers is got on dey 
 niin'. \_Stops to listen before exit. 
 
 Gaius. M'lissy, you is a fool. Yes, you is, you is 
 er fool, er rank ole fool! You done put 'spicions 
 in dat nigger's head, an' he gwine 'casion trouble. 
 Min' whut I tells you, he gwine 'casion trouble. 
 Marse Sam Davis am in danger. Don' you open yo' 
 mouf to me. You done put Marse Sam in danger 
 wid yo' long tongue. I gwine mek has' to de big 
 house and refo'm Marse Sam and de yo'ng leddies 
 dat dar gwine be trouble. Y"ou git ter dem onman- 
 nerly young bucks. [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene 2. — Col. Burke^s residence. 
 Enter Claudia Burke and Davis, the latter ready for departure. 
 
 Davis. You are a noble woman; one of those 
 Whose fast devotion to the Southern cause 
 Keeps hope within the breasts of us rough soldiers. 
 You women are the safe repositories 
 Wherefrom we struggling warriors draw our strength, 
 Our valor, and encouragement. 
 
 Claudia. Too fulsome 
 
 Are you in taling our slack worth. 
 
 Davis. Not so. 
 
 And you I do esteem among the noblest; 
 But you shall not make such a sacrifice 
 As you do contemplate. I shall await 
 Another coming of this faithless knave, 
 Replace these papers in his ownership, 
 Arm him with selfsame weapon as myself. 
 And, after charging him look to his safety. 
 Shall wrest them from his keeping; if not that. 
 My death shall be his license to retain them. 
 
SAM DAYIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 57 
 
 Claudia. No, no; you shall not do it. 
 Davis. Who shall hinder? 
 
 Claudia. Myself; you have no warrant to intrude 
 Your hindrance in this matter. 
 
 Davis. 'T would release 
 
 And rid you of your rigorous agreement. 
 
 Claudia. Freedom wears not such comely counte- 
 nance, 
 But I can easy lack of its possession; 
 So, let the matter be as I would have it — 
 Apprise me how our arms deport themselves. 
 
 Davis. The outlook yields small hope — we're sore 
 beset — 
 Our armies are hard taxed for full jDrovision. 
 Although our men keep up a cheerful seeming, 
 Despair is creeping to their inner hearts. 
 
 Claudia. Is Sherman bent toward Chattanooga now? 
 
 Davis. He is, and our brave soldiery are stung 
 With dull affright when they do think upon 
 Their women and their children, for they know 
 The pitiless and cruel temp'rament 
 Of Gen'ral Sherman. He has shown already 
 A want of mercy that strikes dread dismay 
 To ev'ry Southern soldier when he thinks 
 Upon his 'fenseless ones as likely prey 
 To fierce and devastating vandals. 
 My soul becomes prophetic when I dwell 
 In mind upon the fortunes of the future: 
 Should Bragg be ousted from his present stronghold. 
 Should he be beaten backward to the ocean, 
 And should there be no bulwark left to us 
 Betwixt our foemen and the sea, I chill 
 With awe and horror at the final outcome. 
 My inward sight appalls me with its pictures: 
 I see our homes made prey to savage flames; 
 I see our mothers, wives, and sisters, all, 
 
58 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 
 
 Abused by coarse and impious marauders; 
 I see our sacred churches and our schools, 
 Our hallowed monumental edifices, 
 Our grand remembrancers of 'parted greatness, 
 Our ev'ry cherished and beloved pile 
 Go down before their greedy vandalism. 
 Cities that stand in majesty and splendor, 
 Whose brilliant spires and lustrous cupolas 
 Entrap the wayward rays of Southern suns, 
 Will change their brightness to the hues of night. 
 Old men, too feeble for the bouts of battle, 
 Will fall beneath the hands of ruthless devils; 
 While children, innocent of warfare's meaning. 
 Will meet stern death with pleading little mouths 
 And heart-appalling pleas for pity. 
 
 Claudia, Stay ! 
 
 Enough! You mast begone, and haply you. 
 With what you have obtained, may aid our arms 
 And thus avert this most disastrous fate. 
 The probable events that you foreshadow 
 Make manifest my sacrifice is needed. 
 
 Enter Esther hastily. 
 
 Esther. Sam, you must go — there's danger in your 
 stay. 
 
 Davis. Where is the danger? 
 
 Esther. Gaius — he is there — 
 
 He says a slave but shortly left his cabin 
 With inkling of your presence in this house. 
 Make ready and be off! 
 
 Claudia. [To Esther.'] His overcoat. [Esther brings it.'] 
 Your papers, are they safe? 
 
 Davis. Within my boot. 
 
 Claudia. What else is not about you? 
 
 Davis. All is here. 
 
 Commotion without. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 59 
 
 Esther. Pray heaven, it be not they! 
 
 Claudia. Come! come with me! 
 
 Hurried commands without. 
 Davis. A moment — Esther, good-bye. 
 Esther grasps his arm. 
 
 Claudia. Loose him, Esther! 
 
 Haste! quick! come after me! [Going. 
 
 Heavy steps without. 
 
 Here! this way! come! 
 
 As they try to pass out they are met by soldiers. 
 
 First Soldier. Halt! Come no further! 
 
 Davis. [Drawing pistol.'] Back! Bar not my way! 
 
 Second Soldier. Up with your hands! You are sur- 
 rounded! 
 Claudia. [Stepping between Davis and soldiers.'} Quick! 
 The other door! 
 
 Davis turns, and is met by soldiers from opposite side. 
 Third Soldier. Down with your weapon! 
 
 Soldiers at his back rush upon him; he is overcome. 
 
 Esther. O gracious God, thy mercy ! [Rushes to Davis. 
 
 They will kill you? 
 Tell me they will not. 
 
 Davis. Aye, they will not, Esther; 
 
 I am a soldier of the Southern army. 
 Arrayed in uniform. I am no spy. 
 And only as a spy would they have grounds 
 Oi\ which to kill me. 
 
 Esther. I thank thee, Heaven! 
 
 First Soldier. Come! out of here! 
 
 Exeunt soldierfi with Davis, Esther following. 
 
60 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Claudia. O hateful I All for nothing! 
 
 Does it so end? My labors grounded thus? 
 The picture of my hopes, so near completion, 
 One erring stroke to turn into a daub? 
 The sculpture while being raised to 'ts pedestal 
 To slip the grasp and lie in reckless fragments? 
 Had I but urged him forth at proper chance! 
 I could not lose that stinted recompense, 
 One quarter-hour's close companionship; 
 But now, for that forbidden greediness, 
 Like lovelorn Orpheus' half-recovered spouse, 
 He has been snatched into Plutonic gloom. 
 
 Enter Horne hurriedly. 
 
 Had you a part in this? Speak! Give me answ^er! 
 
 Home. By heaven, no! What think you of me, 
 woman? 
 
 Claudia. I do contemn and loathe you! 
 
 Horne. So do I 
 
 Loathe and contemn myself. 
 
 Claudia. Why came you here 
 
 So nigh upon his ca^Dture, if it be 
 The capture were not of your own direction ? 
 
 Home. Peace, woman! You are daft! Arraign not 
 me 
 For his betrayal, for I knew not of it 
 Until I heard of it at Dodge's quarters. 
 You are unjust! 
 
 Claudia. Make no such charge on me! 
 What proof have I to think you did it not? 
 
 Horne. You have my word. 
 
 Claudia. A traitor's word! 
 
 Home. Woman, 
 
 You violate all fairness! Spare me that. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 61 
 
 Claudia. What have yoii si^ared to me? 
 
 Home. I've taken naught 
 
 That came not of your primal offering. 
 I am the thief, you the recipient, 
 And neither may condemn the other. 
 
 Claudia. What will they do with him ? 
 
 Home, I cannot tell. 
 
 Claudia, They will not kill him? 
 
 Home. It were hard to say. 
 
 Still, I think not. You'll pardon me my haste, 
 But I must go; perhaps I shall be needed. [Going. 
 Claudia [returning'], you do unfairly doubt my faith. 
 You only hold in pawn my honesty; 
 I never shall have means for its redemption, 
 Yet you should be the last to taunt my lack 
 And penury of honor. 
 
 Claudia. Quiet your reproof; 
 
 You did not know the mover of my doubt; 
 His capture poisons my anticipated draught. 
 Will you demand defrayment of my dues 
 When that I purchased proves unstable ware? 
 
 Home. I have fulfilled my portion of the compact, 
 And shall exact of you what's owed to me. 
 
 Claudia. So have it, sir. If I had but succeeded 
 And wrought the South such good as I designed, 
 'Twould have been full surcease for all ills else; 
 But here my failure is made doubly harsh, 
 In that I pay the price yet lose my purchase. 
 I shall not strive to shun my destiny, 
 But I shall be a sharp remembrancer 
 To keep your conscience ever cognizant 
 Of your despoiled and pillaged honesty! [Exeunt. 
 
 Scene 3. Dodgers Headquarters. Dodge, Gaines, and Horne 
 
 Bodge. This is a serious business. Colonel Gaines. 
 It is indeed a galling thought to me 
 
62 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEBATE SCOUT. 
 
 That tells me at my very elbow — aye, 
 Within my close official family — 
 There lurks a traitor. 
 
 Gaines. It is wonderful; 
 
 My wildest thought would never have alighted 
 Upon such vicious and disloyal deed. 
 
 Dodge. Who is the man? 
 
 Gaines. I've fagged my brain with guesses. 
 
 Dodge. Home, what is your conjecture? 
 
 Home. I have none, sir. 
 
 Dodge. I momently expect this youthful rebel. 
 I've sent for him that I may talk with him, 
 And, if his mind be probal to my questions, 
 I shall determine who the traitor is. 
 I'll give the man his life if he will tell; 
 E'en more, I'll give him passport to his lines. 
 
 Gaines. Such spacious price will purchase your 
 desire. 
 
 Dodge. I know not so — the boy is firm and stead- 
 fast. 
 
 Enter Guard with Davis. 
 
 Withdraw and guard the entrances. [Guard withdraw. 
 
 HoRNE offers to pass out. 
 
 No need 
 For your withdrawal, Captain Home. 
 HoRNE returns. 
 \_To Davis.'] ' Young man, ♦ 
 
 You know how vital is our charge against you; 
 You are a spy and — 
 
 Davis. You mistake the word; 
 
 I am no spy ! 
 
 Dodge. We will not quibble terms. 
 Enough to say that you were late possessed 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEBATE SCOUT. 63 
 
 Of informatiou that is dear to us; 
 Where you procured it I am fain to learn; 
 Will not you tell it me? 
 
 Davis. No, General Dodge. 
 
 Dodge. Doubtless you know your hazardous posi- 
 tion? 
 
 Davis. I do, and will accept what it entails. 
 
 Dodge. And if it should be death ? 
 
 Davis. I should not falter. 
 
 Dodge. Think on this thing, young man. Act not 
 in haste. 
 The man who gave these plans into your hands 
 Is near myself; your sacrifice to him 
 Would add but scant extent unto his safety. 
 I should uncover soon his trait' rous name. 
 And death would close his treacherous career. 
 You are too brave to die. When this strife ends 
 Such men as you are needed to upbuild 
 A newer generation. Him you shield 
 Should not be suffered to encumber earth. 
 
 HoRNE again offers to pass out. 
 Did not you hear my recent order, sir? 
 
 HoRNE returns. 
 [To Bavis.'] Give me his name. 
 
 Davis. I cannot do it, sir. 
 
 Dodge. That solely will preserve you your life. 
 
 • Davis. I feel that I will have to die, and soon, 
 But even death shall not enforce the name. 
 There is no earthly power can constrain 
 My utt'rance of the name that you would know. 
 I do not blame you for your course of action; 
 Doubtless you do esteem your strict behavior 
 Consonant with your duty as a soldier. 
 As for myself, I quail not from your sentence, 
 
64 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 For I believe I do but what my God 
 
 And mucli-loved country do require of me. 
 
 Dodge, Young man, I mucli regret the exigence 
 That orders me to act the seeming tyrant. 
 
 Showing papers. 
 This is a summons for a martial court; 
 The persons cited here are near at call. 
 Unless you open to my knowledge, sir, 
 The name of him was faithless to our cause, 
 I must convene at once this grave tribunal. 
 That it may make disposal of your case. 
 Knowing the grievous charge, and doubtless guilt, 
 They must adjudge for you a present death. 
 Your life hangs to the yielding of this name. 
 
 Davis. You have undoubted power, Gen'ral Dodge, 
 To make to-night my final destiny. 
 But I deny your right to sentence me 
 As though I were a spy. You can but mark 
 My uniform, which is a warranty 
 Of honest warfare. 
 
 Dodge. We'll not argue that. 
 
 I do admire your stubborn fealty. 
 And would do overmuch to spare your life; 
 But these harsh times call for our sharpest tempers. 
 And Pity must not mask herself as Justice. 
 I beg with hearty and unfeigned zeal 
 That you compel me not to seal your fate. 
 
 Davis. 'Tis bootless to prolong this conference; 
 I shall not grant what you demand of me. 
 'Tis nor respect nor love for him I shield 
 That ties me to the course I here pursue. 
 For I abhor and utterly contemn 
 The craven-souled poltroon who has betrayed you. 
 I hold him in my ultimate disgust! 
 He stands before the bar of my poor judgment 
 Charged with the very dregs of human vice! 
 I would not change my probable brief span 
 For an eternity of his cursed years! 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 65 
 
 Dodge. You will not give tlie name? 
 
 Davis. Again, sir, no! 
 
 Dodge. Here, Colonel Gaines, call in these men, 
 \_Gives papers] And presently court-martial this rash boy. 
 Yourself is one of the commission, sir, 
 And Captain Home another. [Exit Gaines. 
 
 Now, young sir. 
 You have elected what shall be your doom; 
 I do deplore your choice. 
 
 Davis. I thank you, sir. 
 
 For the pronouncement of your sympathy, 
 Yet I much fear your manifest regret 
 Comes of your failure to break through my will 
 Rather than of a wish to spare my life. 
 
 Dodge. You gravely wrong my sincere interest. 
 
 [Reenter Col. Gaines idth Col. Miller and others.'] 
 Gaines. Your order has been carried out in full; 
 The summoned officers and men are here. 
 
 Dodge. Proceed with promptness with your labors, 
 sirs. 
 Read first the order, Captain Home. 
 
 Home. [Reads.] "Headquarters Left Wing Sixteenth 
 A. C, Pulaski, Tenn., November 22, 1863. General 
 Order Number Seventy-two. A Military Commission 
 is hereby appointed to meet at Pulaski, Tenn., on the 
 23d inst., for the trial of Samuel Davis. Detail for 
 the Commission: 1. Col. Madison Miller, Eighteenth 
 Missouri Infantry Volunteers. 2. Lieut. CoL T. W. 
 Gaines, Fiftieth Missouri Volunteers. 3. Maj. J. D. 
 Lathrop, Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. 4. 
 Capt. Caspar Home, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volun- 
 teers, Judae Advocate. By order of Brig. Gen. G. 
 M. Dodge,^ J. W. Barnes, Lieut, and A. A. G." 
 
 Dodge. Read you at once the charge against th' ac- 
 cused. 
 5 
 
66 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Home. [Reads.] " It is charged that the prisoner, 
 Samuel Davis, in the service of the so-called Confed- 
 eracy, was apprehended on the night of November 
 22, 1863, having in his possession certain plans and 
 information concerning the position of the Federal 
 forces, and that therefore he is a spy." 
 
 Dodge. Use expedition. Call the witnesses. 
 
 Home. J. D. Lamar. 
 
 First soldier takes the stand. 
 
 "What know yon of this case ? 
 Tell what you know with utmost brevity. 
 
 First Soldier. Last night at eight I was detailed by 
 Col. Gaines to take a squad of men and hasten to the 
 residence of Col. Burke and there capture a Confed- 
 erate spy. I obeyed the order, and the prisoner is 
 the man we captured. 
 
 Home. Were any papers found upon his person? 
 
 First Soldier. We found certain important maps 
 and plans upon him, besides a letter addressed to 
 Gen. Br:igg from one Capt. E. Coleman, of the Con- 
 federate service. 
 
 Home. What was the nature of these documents? 
 
 First Soldier. They were maps of the position of 
 our armies, letters detailing the number of our forces 
 and our plans of procedure. 
 
 Home. That will suffice; stand down. Call Andrew 
 Marr. 
 
 Dodge. There is no want for further witnesses; 
 The night grows old. Besides, the testimony 
 Of these that follow is but parallel 
 To what has just been giv'n. 
 
 Home. [Rising.'] But, General— 
 
 Dodge. Spare your dissent. Sum up the case in 
 haste. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEKATE SCOUT. 67 
 
 Home. iAside.'] This is but sham and semblance of 
 a trial — 
 
 God! that I were saved all further action! 
 [Aloud.'] Ah, General, I feel a sudden sickness. 
 And beg that you replace me with some other. 
 
 Dodge. There is no one at hand in lieu of you; 
 Be brief and curt; perhaps 'twill shortly pass. 
 
 Examines papers and ivrites. 
 
 Home. \_Aside.'] O piteous Christ! May I not shun 
 this thing? 
 Must I inveigh against this man? I, that 
 Am trebly guiltier than he, be his accuser? 
 Must I dwell on my crime and call it his? 
 Shall I be balance for his innocence 
 And seeming guilt to weigh up the result 
 And show by evidence which tips the beam ? 
 
 Dodge. Judge Advocate, we wait your further duty. 
 
 Home. You, gentlemen of the Commission know 
 How grave is the position that you fill, 
 And it is needful that you use no haste 
 In coming to the judgment that you render. 
 The time demands brief sentences of me; 
 The ofiice that engages my weak service 
 Is one that calls for fair and neutral action. 
 
 1 shall not i^ractice tortuous argument 
 
 For or against this man who stays your sentence. 
 
 He stands before you here alleged a spy. 
 
 Some traitor has betrayed our plans to him — 
 
 And here I pause a moment in my course 
 
 To say how damned and odious is he 
 
 That thus foreswore his manly loyalty. 
 
 Collated with the doings of this man, 
 
 How cursedly more guilty is the other! [Dodge arises. * 
 
 Compared with him this man looms out a god! 
 
 My tongue lags, panting for the words 
 
 That rightly tell the shameless deviltry 
 
 Of him, the false, perfidious miscreant. 
 
 Who thus made traffic of his country's cause! 
 
68 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Dodge. lAside to Home.'] Digress not to the other. 
 Close the business. 
 
 Home. The waning night asks curtness of my 
 speech; 
 Yet I would beg deliberation, sirs, 
 Ere you pronounce the fate of him accused. 
 Though true he came against our interests 
 And with intent to work our injury. 
 Yet he did come garbed in the uniform 
 Of the misguided force that war against us. 
 He is devout in his allegiance 
 To the rebellious — 
 
 Dodge. [Aside to Home.'] Pray, what moves you, man? 
 What need for you to touch upon such matters? 
 
 Home. lAside.] O God ! To stay this tragical pa- 
 rade. 
 And take my place where stands he innocent! 
 lAloud.] I've but a word to add to that I've said: 
 I would not hide the pris'ner's heavy fault 
 Behind laudations of his steady firmness 
 In so withholding from our eager ears 
 The name of him who has beduped our trust. 
 May God forgive the recreant infidel 
 Whose place is there instead of that brave boy! 
 
 Dodge. [Aside to Home.] Be done ! You do amaze 
 me with your rantings ! 
 Your speech is openly impertinent. 
 
 Home. I shall be done with but one statement 
 more : 
 This man is young, and shows of spacious worth. 
 His sole apparent fault is that strong fire. 
 With which he has endeavored to bear out 
 The duty set for his accomplishment. 
 The crime lies not with him, but with that other 
 Whose cursed action wills this consequence 
 To him who stands arraigned before you here. 
 I beg you, gentlemen, con well the case, 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 69 
 
 Lest after years condemn your present judgment. 
 I do beseech — 
 
 Dodge. [Aside to Home.'] Fool! Hold your witless 
 gabble ! 
 You seemingly forget your proper office. 
 Be done at once! 
 
 Home. The case, sirs, rests with you. 
 
 Bodge. [To Commission.] Lose little time in framing 
 your report. 
 
 The Commission confer. 
 \_To Home.] You suffered admiration for this boy 
 To overawe and cow your sense of fairness. 
 What need had you to sum his virtues up? 
 When duty cried for censure of his crime? 
 You cramped th' opinions of the judges, sir, 
 And haply warped their fair discrimination. 
 
 Home. I spoke but truth of him. 
 
 Dodge. But spoke too much. 
 
 The case demanded harsher treatment, sir. 
 You trod full softly on his trespasses, 
 But moved with thund'rous tramp upon his virtues. 
 
 Home. I pray you to excuse my errantry; 
 I was not well, and hardly could control 
 My utterance. 
 
 Dodge. I grant you the excuse. 
 
 Gaines. Gen'ral? 
 
 Dodge. Are you in readiness? 
 
 Gaines. We are. 
 
 Dodge. Bead your report. 
 
 Gaines. \_Reads.] "The Commission, finding the ac- 
 cused guilty as alleged, do therefore sentence him, 
 the said Samuel Davis, of Coleman's Scouts, in the 
 
70 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 service of the so-called Confederate States, to be 
 hanged by the neck until dead at such time and 
 place as the commanding general shall direct, two- 
 thirds of the Commission concurring in tlie sen- 
 tence." 
 
 Dodge. The verdict is in keeping with the guilt. 
 Give me the paper. 
 
 The paper is given; he sits and writes. 
 
 Davis. [Aside.'] God! what shameless death! [Aloud 
 to Home.'] I thank yoa for your kindly plea for me. 
 
 Home. ["To Davis.] I would it had effected your re- 
 lease. 
 
 Dodge. [Rises and reads.] " I hereby approve the sen- 
 tence of the Commission, and same shall be carried 
 out on Friday, November 27, 1863, between the hours 
 10 A.M. and 2 p.m." Young man, heard you the judg- 
 ment passed upon you? 
 
 Davis. I could not other. 
 
 Dodge. What concerning it? 
 
 Davis. I had not thought to die ingloriously. 
 Like some base thief or shameless murderer. 
 I hoped my harshest foe would yield me voice 
 In clioosing in what manner I might die. 
 I am a soldier, and I fain had died 
 A soldier's death. Your sentence reads not so. 
 I will not utter aught against my hangmen. 
 Yet I would say I envy not their office. 
 I'd liefer be myself than any here! 
 I feel no sore regret at meeting death! 
 My conscience sits atop my unblanched soul. 
 And bids me fearless to approach the end! [Exeunt. 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 Scene 1. — Dodgers Headquarters. Dodge and Home. 
 Dodge. I recognize the sense of what you say; 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 71 
 
 The trial was some hasty and informal, 
 Yet there was purpose in its brevity. 
 
 Home. May I inquire the purpose? 
 
 Dodge. , Certainly; 
 
 It was our aim to make the trial brief 
 And something lacking of accustomed fairness, 
 And, too, the doom was planned to be severe, 
 That we might simulate a want of mercy, 
 And thus inspire the man with hopelessness; 
 That only will impel the name of him 
 Who has debased himself with this foul treason. 
 
 Home. Judge you the youth will ever yield the 
 name? 
 
 Dodge. I think he will when once he 'comes re- 
 minded 
 The secret kept means doubtless death to him. 
 
 Home. The man will die ere he reveals the name. 
 
 Dodge. I think you err. The morning will decide. 
 But may I ask why you so heartily 
 Have sought to veer us to more clement judgment? 
 
 Home. 'Twas bare humanity. 
 
 Dodge. Humanity 
 
 Without some fellow-feeling scarce could lead 
 A man to plead o'ermuch for 's enemy. 
 
 Home. What else, think you, did prompt my 
 prayer for him? 
 
 Dodge. Why, approbation of the man's fixed firm- 
 ness, 
 Unmoved by prayer, threats, or soft persuasion; 
 I deemed 'twas that that moved you. 
 
 Home. ^^^ were right; 
 
 His stanch resolve is more than wonderous. 
 
72 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Dodge. Home, have you thought upon the meteless 
 guilt 
 And degradation of an act like this? 
 
 Home. I have, sir. 
 
 Bodge. Did you think that in our ranks 
 
 There was so base a man, so vile a villain, 
 As would have done this shameless, cursed deed? 
 As one who searches for some wanted thing, 
 And in his seeking puts to much disorder 
 The place where he employs his scrutiny, 
 So my exploring thoughts in their vain quest 
 Have put my mind in reckless disarray. 
 I cannot grasp the temper of the coward 
 Who would betray the cause he had espoused. 
 What would you name, had you appraisement of it. 
 As wages full for such nefarious feat? 
 
 Home. No wage could peer with what was gi'en 
 in change. 
 
 Dodge. Gold has been said to have seductive skill. 
 To numb the conscience and allay its warnings; 
 The din of clinking coin held Judas' soul 
 Unmindful of compunctuous appeals 
 What time he sold the safety of the Christ; 
 And yet my mind will not accept the thought 
 That such unworthy gain can drug a man 
 And filch of him his honor and fair virtue. 
 What current reason could excuse such action? 
 
 Home. Your query is too massive for response. 
 
 Dodge. And still there is an answer to it, 
 Else this ignoble thing were yet undone. 
 I would I had the craven in my presence! 
 I think if I could fix him in my eye, 
 As I do you, his coward soul would shift 
 And cringe as though in physical distress! 
 His dastard spirit, languid with affright, 
 Would shriek aghast as I should say to him 
 In stentor accents: *'You, you are the traitor!" 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 73 
 
 Home. iCowering.l No! no! 
 
 Dodge. I meant not to accuse you, man! 
 
 \_Aside.\ My God! He cannot be the traitor! He? 
 lAloud.'] Tell me! You — Caspar Home! — 
 
 Enter soldier hastily; salutes. 
 
 Well, what is it? 
 
 Soldier. Gen'ral, a squad of Eebel scouts at hand. 
 The guard at picket nine just fired upon them. 
 
 Dodge. What point holds picket nine? 
 
 Soldier. The eastern post. 
 
 Dodge. Go, Captain Home; engage your company 
 And use all speed to apprehend these scouts. 
 Report to me at once on your returning. 
 [To soldier.] Go with him. 
 
 Exeunt Hoene and soldier. 
 
 They grow bold; in truth they do. 
 But, how is this? He cannot be the man; 
 Yet how he cowered as if conscience-smit; 
 I should not have detailed him on this duty; 
 If he should be the traitor, he would flee 
 And cozen Justice of her due demands. 
 I will without and charge an ofiicer 
 To follow after and keep wind of him. [Exit. 
 
 Scene 2. — Within the Prison. Davis and Esther. 
 
 Davis. Why did you come, dear Esther. It w^as ill 
 For you to add this agony of mind 
 To your already ponderous distress. 
 
 Esther. Why did I come? Your question is un- 
 just; 
 I could not have remained aloof from you 
 When I well knew my presence were some comfort. 
 Sam, I have been to Gen'ral Dodge; have sobbed 
 My anguishefl prayers into his listless ears; 
 Have begged, as contrite suppliants beg of God 
 5* 
 
74 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 When hot despair arouses their entreaties, 
 That he forbear his cruel execution. 
 
 Davis. Yet he refused. 
 
 Esther. Too true! He did refuse; 
 
 He thrust me off with blunt denial; spoke 
 In piteous-seeming terms of stubborn duty 
 That forced his will to this unkindly course. 
 Sam, I shall go to him again. 
 
 Davis. For what? 
 
 Esther. I know the name for which he'd give your 
 life. 
 
 Davis. Well? 
 
 Esther. I shall go to him and tell it him. 
 
 Davis. Yet you have sworn you would not do it, 
 Esther. 
 
 Esther. I know it; but your life is worth far more 
 Than my integrity. 
 
 Davis. It is not so! 
 
 I do forbid you touch that theme again! 
 My life concerns you only to that measure 
 That's bounded by my love; save my life thus, 
 And you will lose my love. You own no right 
 To use unseemly means to ransom me. 
 You shall not play Calanthe to my ear; 
 I am as sternly bound as Damon's hostage, 
 And will as readily confront my death ! 
 Forgive me, Esther, my apparent curtness; 
 It pricks me hard to use such words with you, 
 But I will not attempt to scotch the course 
 Of this dread fate by hurling neath its tires 
 Mine own or your fair probity. No more. 
 What is the hour? , 
 
 Esther. 'Tis near the stroke of ten. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 75 
 
 Davis. The fatal hour! How I cling to life! 
 My soul hangs trembling on the hope 
 That he Vv^ill come between me and the gallows. 
 Christ! How that word sears and consumes my will! 
 What may come after were of slack account 
 When measured with the manner of my death! 
 He will not let me die. There still is left 
 Enough of good in his distempered soul 
 To bar him from such idle sufferance. 
 When I am called to undergo my sentence 
 He will cry out, proclaim himself the culprit, 
 And free me of such vile, despised death. 
 
 Goes to tvindow. 
 
 The scaffold! How the noise of saw and hamHfler 
 Do rasp and thump their horror to my heart! 
 
 Clock strikes. 
 
 Esther, I hear the striking of the clock, 
 And it hath sound as of a fun'ral knell. 
 
 Drum and Fife. 
 
 Listen, as though in mock'ry of its mood. 
 There comes the shrill-pitched piping of the fife, 
 And, blending with it, sounds the rattling clatter 
 Of kettledrum; and now 1 hear the even tramp 
 Of marching men. The hour is at hand! 
 Esther, I love you, and you love me, Esther? 
 
 Esther. You know how well. 
 
 Davis, It pains to say good-bye. 
 
 When good-bye means eternal severance. 
 Esther, grieve not for me when I am dead; 
 Let not my fall obscure your farther life; 
 Let the sad past sleep with the yesterdays; 
 Throw all your hopes upon the future's main. 
 And Time will drive the vessel of your life 
 Far from the gloomy shores of sad to-day. 
 
 Commotion uithout; commands given. 
 
76 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEBATE SCOUT. 
 
 Death's treble order comes to close my life; 
 His "Eeady, Aim," have passed his deadly lips, 
 And " Fire " hangs half uttered on his tongue — 
 I'm ready — Esther, God be with you, dear — 
 Esther? — What! kindly nature has relieved her. 
 
 Enter Capt. Armstrong, provost marshal. 
 Her senses are aswoon — Esther, good-bye — 
 A^msirong. The time is come. 
 
 Davis. I'm ready for it, sir. 
 
 Provost marshal handcuffs him. 
 See that she has some care before we go. 
 
 Armstrong. I'll send to her at once. Come, let us 
 forth. 
 
 Exeunt Davis and Armstrong; scene closes. 
 Scene 3. — Col. Burke's residence. Claudia at window. 
 
 Claudia. O gracious Heaven! The pity of it all! 
 A muffled din pervades the entire city; 
 Nature appears to vent but husky whispers 
 And goes about her tasks with deadened footfall. 
 All things seem at a pause with sense attent 
 To miss no feature of his execution! 
 One scanty half hour more, and then the end. 
 I cannot let him die when one brief sentence, 
 A spoken name, would signal his reprieve. 
 Can I not fetch myself to speak that name ? 
 I've sworn myself to silent secrecy; 
 I've bound myself unto a fix^d stake 
 And must abide in tortured ecstasy 
 While he, God's noblest man, is done to death! 
 Is there no circumstance, no apt provision, 
 In the stern canons of our human virtue 
 AVill license me t' infringe my given oath 
 And speed me to the rescue of this hero? 
 
 Enter Gaius in haste. 
 
 Gains. Miss Claudyer! 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 77 
 
 Claudia. Yes, Gains. 
 
 Gains. Dar's fo' or fi' sogers out dar wid ernudder 
 hurt one on er stretcher. Day ax me ter ax you if 
 dey can fotcli 'im in de house. 
 
 Claudia, Do you know who the wounded man is? 
 
 Gains. No, Miss Claudyer; I didn't cl'arly git er 
 look at 'is face. He 'peah fum his clo'es ter be one 
 ob dese Yanky o'ffcers. 
 
 Claudia, Have him brought in here at once. 
 Exit Gaius. 
 
 Poor man! Death has become so common to us 
 Its presence gets bare courtesy of comment. 
 He got his wound, no doubt, by accident. 
 Or in some broil, else in some private quarrel; 
 None of the foe is near enough for battle. 
 
 ^ Enter four soldiers with Horne on stretcher. 
 
 You! CaxDtain Horne? 
 
 Home. Yes, Claudia. 
 
 Claudia. You're hurt? 
 
 First Soldier. He must not talk; he's badly wound-> 
 ed, Miss. 
 
 Claudia. Place him upon this couch. Be gentle 
 with him. 
 How came he wounded? 
 
 First Soldier. By the enemy: 
 
 He was detailed to apprehend some scouts 
 The enemy had sent into our lines. 
 One desp'rate fellSw would not yield his weapon, 
 And in the stubborn struggle of his capture 
 He fired a shot into the Captain's shoulder. 
 
 Claudia. How serious is the hurt? 
 
 First Soldier. I cannot say; 
 
 'Tis in the lung; the blood has quit its flow, 
 
78 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 And if his wound be not deranged afresh 
 Tliere may be some strong chance for his survival. 
 We needs must leave him here an hour or so 
 Till we may make disposal of our pris'ners. 
 We'll stand a guard without to meet your call, 
 And will dispatch a surgeon in all haste. [Exeunt soldiers. 
 
 Home, Claudia, come here beside me. 
 
 Claudia. I am here. 
 
 Home. Claudia, my life has rounded up its days, 
 And this the last. 
 
 Claudia. You should not talk. 
 
 Home. No matter. 
 
 I'll do it quietly. 'Tis fitter so: 
 The future held but little brightness for me, 
 You were the only gleam I had before me. 
 And that was dimmed and even nigh eclipsed 
 By the black cloud of my dishonesty. 
 Fate has directed that the evil pact 
 Betwixt us two should not find consummation. 
 
 Claudia. You will not die. 
 
 Home. I reckon otherwise. 
 
 I shall not see the sunset of to-day. 
 
 Claudia. Are you so sure your death is quite so 
 near? 
 
 Home. I truly am. 
 
 Claudia. Then duty calls your action. 
 
 Home. What duty? 
 
 Claudia. The rescue of Sam Davis. 
 
 Home. I owe no further service to the man. 
 I have discharged all bounden obligations. 
 
 Claudia. Yet with one sentence you can save his 
 life. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEEATE SCOUT. 79 
 
 Home, That sentence shall not reach an utterance. 
 I did not place his life in jeopardy, 
 Nor shall I move one pace toward his succor. 
 
 Claudia. But, Capt. Home — 
 
 Home. Stay, Claudia; no more. 
 
 Claudia. Why should I stay? What profits it to 
 
 you 
 
 Since your life-coil is now nigh most unwound? 
 What boots it you refuse to do this thing? 
 Let me but write a line to Gen'ral Dodge, 
 And you append your signature unto it. 
 And this brave youth will 'scape the penalty. 
 
 Home. And publish to the world my falsity? 
 
 Claudia. What matters that? 'T would be none 
 short of right. 
 Your treason is a thing of fact, and what 
 Imports it now if all the world should know it? 
 To keep it hidden lessens not the treason; 
 Besides, this were some small amends therefor; 
 This would disperse the murky clouds and gloom 
 That hang about the sunset of your life. 
 
 Home. You ask too much. You wade beyond my 
 depth. 
 You do forget my claim is yet unpaid. 
 And I shall die in lack of that reward 
 That was the purchase price of my good name. 
 But let that be. You'll be the happier 
 That you had not to pay the stipend fixed. 
 
 Claudia. The time for action wanes full rapidly. 
 You, Captain Home, have sworn with daily vows 
 That you so loved me that there was no thing 
 You would not keenly labor to achieve 
 If its achievement did augment my pleasure; 
 Yet now you do deny what I most yearn for. 
 
 Home. My promises and wishes fheii were selfish; 
 I saw you at the end of ev'ry labor, 
 
80 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDEBATE SCOUT. 
 
 Now — now, there is no goad, no luring bribe, 
 And all my ardent eagerness is spent. 
 Why beg you for the safety of this man? 
 
 Claudia. Since you are frank with me, I'll be as 
 open; 
 Nothing there is more dear to my weak heart 
 Than is the life of him for whom I plead; 
 I've loved him since he was a merest boy, 
 And I a simple, unwakened schoolgirl. 
 
 Home, You love him? 
 
 Claudia. Yes. 
 
 Home. And told not me ? 
 
 Claudia. Ought I have done so? Did you ask of 
 me 
 Whether I loved another? I was fair 
 In all my dealing with you, Captain Home; 
 And now I come to you in humbleness 
 And pray you that you quit me of my oath. 
 Give me his life. Accede me his release. 
 Quick! for the mortal hour is at hand! 
 I have bare time to hasten to the scafPold. 
 Martial music. 
 
 I hear the deadly cortege on its progress! 
 I do beseech, sir, that you spare me him! 
 
 Home. Claudia, I cannot. Make no further prayers. 
 1 cannot blazon to the mouthy world 
 My guilt, my base, accursed treachery! 
 My comrades think me honest to our cause: 
 I could not have them to remember me 
 With meteless loathing and extreme despite. 
 Then what if, after all, I should not die? 
 They'd nourish me to strength, care closely for me. 
 Inspect with jealous eye my daily health. 
 So that they might atone my heinous sin 
 By hanging me. 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 81 
 
 Claudia. Yet you will let him liang? 
 
 And for your crime? 
 
 Home. I have no blame in that. 
 
 He dared the dangers of his enterprise; 
 In that I had no part nor due concern. 
 
 Distant drums. 
 
 Claudia. O God! Hear you the distant beat of 
 drums? 
 Will you lie here and know this murder done? 
 Give me release. Let me go to his rescue! 
 
 Home. Peace, woman! Ask no more of me! 
 
 Claudia. Then, so! 
 
 I'm done with pleading. Coward! craven! traitor! 
 My tongue can syllable no term so foal 
 As will define your unmatched loathsomeness! 
 Yile, vicious gull! Weak, nerveless puppet! 
 You knave of treachery and odium! 
 You thing of rent and shredded honor! 
 
 Home. You are creator of this prodigy. 
 
 Claudia. It is not so! The creature sprang full- 
 grown 
 From out the dormant baseness of your soul! 
 
 Drums. 
 
 O piteous Heaven!. Make lenient his heart. 
 
 Look! Caspar Home, I go to his relief! 
 
 I'll break my oath to you and save his life! [Going. 
 
 Home. And thus become the thing you so despise? 
 Go, and become a fitting fellow to myself ; 
 I'll live till your return to give you welcome. 
 
 Claudia. [Reiurns.] Absolve me from my vow ! Leave 
 me to go; 
 Give me the contract that I gave to you. 
 That I may make it witness to the truth. 
 And free this hero from a hempen noose. 
 6 
 
82 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Home. And put me in his stead? I say you no! 
 
 Claudia. It needs a new Promethean messenger 
 To bring some spark of heaven to your soul. 
 \_Clock strikes.] Q Christ! it is the hour of his death! 
 Give me that paper. 
 
 She excitedly attempts to find the contract. 
 
 Give it me! Be quick! 
 You will not let him die ! The hour has struck! 
 He must be saved! Give me the covenant! 
 
 Home. Claudia, keep back! You press upon my 
 wound! 
 
 Claudia. And you on mine! O pity! Let me go! 
 
 She attempts to go; he clutches her hand. 
 Home. You must not go! 
 
 Claudia. Devil nor God shall stay me! 
 
 She struggles to go; he to prevent her. 
 Pray God I be in time! Eelease me, sir! 
 
 In the fierce struggle he is pulled from the couch. 
 Home. My wound doth bleed anew! Claudia, I 
 
 sink»! 
 Leave me not now! I choke and grow afaint! 
 Tell not my crime! O God! the blood wells up! 
 The flood gates of my life are broke asunder! 
 Claudia, I die! Let my disgrace be kept! 
 Keep still the carping world in ignorance! [Dies. 
 
 Claudia. Forgive me, God, if I'm his murderer! 
 
 Searches his bosom and finds the contract. 
 O kindly Heaven! I pray there yet is time! 
 
 Exit hastily. 
 
 Scene 4. — At the scaffold. Soldiers in background and at sides. 
 Davis seated on bench in foreground. Capt. Armstrong and others 
 near. 
 Davis. Captain, how long, think you, have I to live? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 83 
 
 Armstrong. Bare fifteen minutes. 
 
 Davis, Brief, in truth, the time, 
 
 But amply long for me to bulge its bounds 
 "With a review of all my evil doings. 
 Howe'er, I will not muse upon such things. 
 For meager space is now accorded me 
 To make erasures in my tome of life. 
 The volume is full brief and badly writ. 
 But dull repentance shall expunge no blot 
 Nor interline one page with vain excuses. 
 As it is written, it is written so. 
 Captain, tell me the tidings from the front. 
 
 Armstrong. The latest battle is but two days old. 
 
 Davis. Where was it fought? 
 
 Armstrong. At Missionary Ridge. 
 
 Davis. And who the victors, sir? 
 
 Armstrong. Your enemies. 
 
 Davis. Recount to me some features of the con- 
 test. 
 Armstrong. My tongue cannot keep step with such 
 a theme. 
 Howbeit, I'll curtly tale some of its points: 
 Bragg showed a battle line twelve miles in length; 
 Our force outranked their foes by thirty thousand. 
 Toward the south there towered brawny Lookout, 
 While to the east loomed Missionary Ridge. 
 The bouts and skirmishes of the first two days 
 Are owed but terse and limited regard. 
 Upon the morning of the twenty-fifth 
 The broil began, and like mad ocean's billows 
 These seas of men advanced and made retreat, 
 Surged on anew and made a new retirement. 
 Until like waves upon the fretted main 
 Their very violence wore out their action; 
 With nightfall came the after-tempest peace 
 Athwart the fearful wreckage of the battle. 
 
84 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Davis. Poor Southland ! Pitiful your gloomy 
 plight! 
 Your sore-taxed strength doth swale beneath its odds 
 And scarce a twelve-month more ere you go down. 
 Thank God, I shall not witness your defeat! 
 I fain had learned far more auspicious news, 
 Yet had I so my mind had been so joyous 
 'T would have robbed death of comely gravity. 
 While now my humor suits my gruesome fall. 
 
 Armstrong. The final moment is at hand. 
 
 Davis. \_Rising.'] I'm ready. 
 
 Armstrong. Young man, you cannot know with 
 what regret 
 I do discharge the office put upon me. 
 Your post is much the choicer of the two, 
 And I myself would almost readier die 
 Than to fulfill this charge. 
 
 Davis. Eue not so deeply 
 
 The labor that is set for your performance. 
 My heart has no harsh feeling toward yourself. 
 You are a soldier, and but do your duty. 
 
 Armstrong. I thank you for your kind assurances — . 
 
 Sounds of approacliing hoof beats. 
 
 Who is it rides with such an eager haste? 
 Pray God he comes with pardon or reprieve! 
 
 Davis. I do not hope for either. 
 
 Armstrong. Yet, how welcome 
 
 Were either! 
 
 Davis. \_Aside.'\ True, O Christ! how true! 
 
 Enter Capt. Chickasaw hurriedly. 
 
 Chickasaw. Young sir, 
 
 I com-e from Gen'ral Dodge. 
 
 Davis. What is your message? 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 85 
 
 Chickasaw. He eagerly will grant you life and par- 
 don 
 If yon but name the traitor. 
 
 Davis. No! 
 
 Armstrong. Think, sir: 
 
 'Tis better that you yield to his request. 
 It is not yet too late. 
 
 Davis. It is too late! 
 
 ^ Armstrong. Look you upon yon lethal instrument; 
 It rises as a grim and fatal menace 
 To your young life. You should not die like this. 
 Accept the terms that Gen'ral Dodge here offers 
 And fly a death so alien to your merit. 
 
 Davis. If you've no more than that to proffer me, 
 It were as well that you desist at once. 
 Tell Gen'ral Dodge had I a thousand lives, 
 And the relinquishment of each should sear 
 And scorch my inmost soul with agony, 
 I'd lose them all before I'd name this man! 
 Thank him for his concernment for my life 
 And say I died with umbrage toward none 
 Who had an office in my taking-off. 
 
 Armstrong. [To Chickasaw.'] Bear back this message 
 to the General. [Exit Chickasaw. 
 
 [To Davis] Young man, you've cut asunder your sole 
 hope. 
 
 Davis. Let it so be. I know my situation : 
 I have not lightly chose this hated death. 
 Last night I wrote a letter to my mother. 
 And as I penned it, there, between the lines 
 Stood out the picture of my boyhood's home. 
 I saw each loved one in his proper place; 
 Barring but him who stands before you here 
 There was none missing from the homely hearth. 
 
86 SAM DAYIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Upon each face there dwelt a poignant woe: 
 The tidings of my death had reached their hearts. 
 This morning as I left my odious cell 
 There lay within it, reft of active sense, 
 She who is closer to my cumbered soul 
 Than ev'ry organ of my sentient being. 
 Those were the times for me to hesitate! 
 Conduct me to my fate, sir. 
 
 Armstrong leads him to the gibbet; the Chaplain precedes him up. 
 
 Armstrong, Chaplain, to your duty. 
 
 Chaplain, IPraijs.'] O Thou, the God of heaven and* 
 of earth. 
 Look on this scene with piteous concern. 
 Forgive the hard occasion that commands 
 This office to thy most reluctant servants. 
 O pardon Thou the sins and faults of him 
 Who stands to-day without thy massive gates 
 And knocks for entrance to Thy sinless domain. 
 We know, O God, that this our current deed 
 Will live in human annals till that hour 
 When thy last trump shall rouse th' immortal w^orld 
 To shake death's manacles from its cramped limbs, 
 E'en till the grave gives up its sheeted millions. 
 Until the desert yields its scattered bones, 
 Until stern ocean frees its shackled thralls 
 And bids them to Thine ultimate tribunal: 
 Therefore, O God, if that this deed be ill, 
 Eaise Thy protest, forbid its further course, 
 That we damn not our souls by its completion. 
 If 't be Thy will that presently he die 
 Into Thy hands we do commend his spirit. 
 
 Enter Dodge hastily. 
 
 Bodge. Withhold the execution! 
 
 Armstrong. Is he pardoned? 
 
 Dodge. Your answer lies with him, sir. \_To Davis.] I 
 have come 
 
SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 87 
 
 To offer you one last advantage, boy. 
 
 Give me this traitor's name, and you are free. 
 
 Davis. I am now free, but did I grant this name 
 I'd bind my conscience to a slavery 
 'Neath which 'twould sweat aud groan in endless serf- 
 dom. 
 You waste your words. 
 
 Bodge. This is the final tender: 
 
 Approaches scaffold closely. 
 
 I know this traitor; will you second me 
 If I do name him? 
 
 Davis. No! You would but guess. 
 
 Dodge. iAside to Davis.'] Bend down your ear. Is Cas- 
 par Home the man ? 
 
 Davis. lAside.] God! Does he know? But no! it 
 cannot be! 
 For if it were his terms were then fulfilled 
 And he would bid me from the scaffold. {Aloud.'] Sir, 
 I've spoke my last to you. 
 
 Dodge. Then, have it so! 
 
 I've done my uttermost to save your life; 
 You are your own sole executioner. 
 Here, Provost Marshal, order on the work. [Exit. 
 
 Armstrong. If you have more to say, let it be said. 
 
 Davis. [Handing trinkets to Chaplain.] Into your keej^- 
 ing do I place these trinkets: 
 Yonder, where join the branches of the Stone, 
 She dwells to whom I owe my short existence: 
 Send these to her and tell her of my death. 
 Tell her I ever tried to be the man 
 Her pride and longings begged I should be. 
 And that I died for that I thought my duty. 
 Tell her that through my ev'ry act has run 
 The current of her precepts and desires. 
 
88 SAM DAVIS: THE CONFEDERATE SCOUT. 
 
 Say that my life was offered me, but that 
 
 The price was not coequal with its value. 
 
 Say this to her, and whatsoever else 
 
 Your kindly sympathy may prompt you to. 
 
 I've done — Hangman, your duty next — Be sure — 
 
 He steps upon the trap; the trap is sprung. 
 
 Commotion without; enter Claudia Bueke. 
 
 Claudia. Merciful God! 'Tis over! Hateful spite, 
 That stayed my timely coming! Gracious Heaven! 
 Why could I not have saved his matchless life? 
 Davis and Dodge — the after years will yoke 
 These names in memory as martyr, tyrant — 
 O cruel chance! What more is left for me? 
 
 Swoo7is; curtain. 
 
 THE END. 
 

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