HAVERILL. They have discovered his absence!

LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS. Two--Twenty-two--Eleven--One--Twelve--One.

LOCKWOOD. "We will crush the Union Army before he can return."

HAVERILL. Signal that despatch from here to our Station at Front
Royal. [_Pointing._] Tell them to send it after General Sheridan--and
ride for their lives. [LOCKWOOD _hurries out._] Major Burton! We will
ride to General Wright's headquarters at once--our horses! [_Noise of
a struggle without._

BARKET. [_Looking._] What the devil is the row out there? [_Exit. Also
one of the_ STAFF OFFICERS.

HAVERILL. [_Looking off._] What is this? Colonel West wounded!

_Enter_ KERCHIVAL WEST, _his coat thrown open, with_ ELLINGHAM, BARKET
_assisting._

ELLINGHAM. Steady, Kerchival, old boy! You should have let us carry
you.

KERCHIVAL. Nonsense, old fellow! It's a mere touch with the point of
the knife. I--I'm faint--with the loss of a little blood--that's all.
Bob!--I--[_Reels suddenly and is caught by_ ELLINGHAM _as he sinks to
the ground, insensible._

ELLINGHAM. Kerchival! [_Kneeling at his side._