KERCHIVAL. Confound Jack! That infernal horse was always in my way!

GERTRUDE. [_With her arm about her horse's neck._] My darling old
fellow! Is he not beautiful, Kerchival? They have taken good care of
him. How soft his coat is!

KERCHIVAL. Benson, explain this!

BENSON. I was instructed to show this horse and his leader through the
lines, sir.

KERCHIVAL. What are your orders, my man? [_Moving up, the_ TROOPER
_hands him a paper. He moves a few steps down, reading it._

GERTRUDE. You are to be mine again, Jack, mine! [_Resting her cheek
against the horse's head and patting it._] The Colonel has promised it
to me.

KERCHIVAL. Ah! [_With a start, as he reads the paper._ GERTRUDE
_raises her head and looks at him._] This is General Sheridan's horse,
on his way to Winchester, for the use of the General when he returns
from Washington.

GERTRUDE. General Sheridan's horse? He is mine!

KERCHIVAL. I have no authority to detain him. He must go on.

GERTRUDE. I have hold of Jack's bridle, and you may order your men to
take out their sabres and cut my hand off.