chest. Others have china, pictures, rugs, some furniture
and ornaments. These they throw roughly on the ground.
Nearly all are eating. They throw the chest lid back and
lift out the silver, quarreling loudly for its possession.

Cupid. Fo' Gaud, ef de ain't got de silber!

[Horses hoofs are heard, but the men are too engrossed to notice.

[Enter hurriedly from the lane Col. Stephen Winthrop and Maurice
Hopkins. Winthrop is a handsome, soldierly young man of
about twenty-five. He wears the regular U.S. uniform of
Colonel. Hopkins is younger and somewhat smaller than
Winthrop, though a handsome, manly-looking fellow. They
rush in among the men, beating them over the backs with
sabers.

Winthrop (in great anger). You damned cowards! Get out! Every one
of you shall be court-martialed.

Hopkins. Fine soldiers, you dogs! You'll pay for this.

[The soldiers stand in frightened groups.

Winth. I was detained. Who's in command?

Hop. Corporal Evans.

[Evans salutes.