RUTH. Major, watch over him and bring him back to me.
DOR. Good-by, major; don't forget the sacred trust imposed upon you. Care for them both. (_Exit_ MAJOR.)
DOR. Ruth, dear, be brave. Roger will be near Gordon, I know. He has suffered much, but he will forget his own wrongs. We have faith in him and know him to be steadfast and true. Some time the world will know it. Keep hope alive in your heart, and believe with me, that Roger will some day make that shot in the back rebound, and the traitor will meet his just deserts.
(_Tableau._ RUTH _in_ DOROTHY'S _arms_. POLLY _at window waving handkerchief_.)
SCENE I.—_Encampment of Union troops at Harrison's Landing one week later; time, noon. View of James River at back._ COLONEL GRAHAM'S _tent_, L.C., _opening facing audience. Trees_ R. _and_ L.; _fallen log_ R. _Campstool outside tent; inside, table, stools, couch. In one corner, banjo; old army coat, hanging. Sentinel pacing at back. Soldiers grouped about; wooden table_ C., _at which are seated soldiers playing cards_. KILROY _on log_ R.; BIJAH BRIGHT _standing back of table. Soldiers laugh as curtain is raised._
BIJAH. Wal, that's a true story, and don't you forget it.
KILROY. Faith, it's an injy rubber memory yees have any way. An' divil a bit does it trouble yees to stretch it. Be jabers! it makes me dhry to listen to yees. (_Drinks from canteen, then looks at watch._) Shure, it's toime I was on watch. (_Exits_ R.)
(_Enter_ COLONEL GRAHAM _and_ MAJOR POTTS. _Soldiers rise, salute, and disperse._)
BIJAH (_down front_). Ha, ha! I've given them chaff enough for one day. It will give them something to talk about and keep them out of mischief. (_Exit_ R.; COLONEL GRAHAM _seats himself on stool outside tent_.)
COL. Ah, major, already new life fills my veins; to know that I am with my men again. That seven days' fight is over at last; poor fellows! how many have answered their last call, and lie with white faces upturned to the sky; only the heavy dew for a winding-sheet; while the wounded are waiting for transports to take them back to Washington.
POTTS. Those were hard days, colonel; but we _must_ succeed in the end. When we have gained the victory, some of those brave fellows, whose souls are as white as their faces, will, if they can look down upon their country, rejoice that they gave their lives for so glorious a cause.