The Southern Cross Part 13

Fair. (coming to her arms). I meant to tell you mother--but, oh!

I was afraid. The old days seemed so far away, and I so weak and foolis.h.!.+ And then he went into the army and came down here in arms against his people! The night you went to George, he asked me, and--I told a lie! I said I did not love him. But to-night, with the wild chance of saving Carter (she looks up into her mother's face and smiles), I told the truth!

Mrs. S. (softly kissing her). And it was best. My heart's own child! Your only happiness was there.

Char. (who has stood by the window listening). Best! What do we know about things that are best? And love and truth--what do we know of these? Are they not torn from us, trampled down, ground beneath our feet? And happiness--is it for us? Ah! no, no. For, are not our hearts crushed down in the cold black earth that covers those we love? What is there in this life for us? We are grown old before our time. Ah! in G.o.d's name, don't speak of love or happiness when it is such a mockery to us and those we love!

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

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

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

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

[Enter Cupid, hurriedly.

Cupid. Mistis, dey's comin'! dey's comin'!--Marster and Mars Gordon.

Mrs. S. Where?

Cupid. Rite out dar, in de hall.

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

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

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

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

Char. They took him! Carter's captured!

Col. S. What!

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

Gordon. How was he taken?

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

Col. S. Great G.o.d! and he had papers! Did they find any?

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

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

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

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

Fair. Where will they take him?

Gordon. Where? (thinking). That's it. Where will they take him.

His release. He had no papers on him. He'll not be shot down as a spy.

Columbus; the prison there (slowly). Morgan's got to have that news.

Escape; what is there else. Colonel, I must have a word with you in private (he turns to the others). You'll leave us for a moment. Here, Bev, have the best horse saddled for Col. Stuart. Take him to the far end of the orchard, fasten him to the big sycamore tree. You know the place.

Bev. Yes.

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

[Exit Bev.

Col. S. What is your plan?

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

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

[They exit.

Col. S. Now, what your plan?

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

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

Gordon. Carter will be taken to Columbus; the prison is not a long trip from here. They'll send him with a guard on the first train.

There's nothing else (he comes nearer, speaking very intently). The prison at Columbus; we must tunnel it!

Col. S. Ah, I see. But how; how will we get the word to him?

Gordon. Leave that to me. For G.o.d's sake let me have my way in this! I tell you there's not one other chance; we've got to put this through. You have been to the prison there. Now, under the long room where all the boys are kept, there is a big drain pipe; it's opening is two hundred yards down the river (slowly measuring his words). Ten days from now--that will be the 22nd--employ a man to crawl up the pipe until he is exactly underneath the prison; this at midnight of the 22nd. Tell him to dig straight up until he strikes the brick work of the floor.

Then Carter will have word and he will tunnel out to meet him.

Col. S. But how can he get word? Don't you see that unless some one is there to tell him, the plan will never work.

Gordon. I tell you he shall know. I cannot tell you now, but he shall know. Do not question me, but if ever you or General Morgan trusted me, put me to the test and trust me now. Get them to hide you--anywhere--the garden's best--where you can see this window. They'll search the house first, and when you hear a signal (a pause) the breaking of that window, go to your horse and ride for your life and mine.

Col. S. But you, boy; what will you--

Gordon. Oh, trust me, sir; I tell you trust me. I shall be all right. Go on before it is too late and let them hide you.

[Enter Bev.

Bev. The horse is there. You know the tree, father; you can find it.

Col. S. I'll take you at your word (he clasps his hand). At midnight of the 22nd.