s it? She says she'll see
us damned first.

KERCHIVAL. A lady, Barket?

BARKET. Well! she didn't use thim exact words. That's the way I
understand her emphasis. Ivery time she looks at me, I feel like
getting under a boom-proof. She was dashing through the woods on a
gray horse, sur; and we had the divil's own chase. But we came up wid
her, at last, down by the bend in Oak Run. Just at that moment we saw
the figure of a Confederate officer, disappearing among the trays on
the ither side.

KERCHIVAL. A--h!

BARKET. Two of us rayturned wid the girl; and the rist wint after the
officer. Nothing has been heard of thim yet.

KERCHIVAL. Have you found any despatches on the prisoner?

BARKET. Well!--yer honour, I'm a bachelor, meself; and I'm not familar
with the jayography of the sex. We byes are in mortal terror for fear
somebody might order us to go on an exploring expedition.

KERCHIVAL. Tell them to send the prisoner here, Barket, and hurry to
Buckton's Ford yourself, at once.

BARKET. As fast as me horse can carry me, sir, and it's a good one.
[_Exit._

KERCHIVAL. I'd rather deal with half the Confederate Army than with
one woman, but I must question her. They captured her down by the Bend
in Oak Run. [_Taking out map; looks at it._] I see. She had just
met, or was about to meet, a Confederate officer at that point. It
is evident that she was either taking him a despatch or was there to
receive one. Oak Run. [CORPORAL DUNN _and Two_ SOLDIERS _enter, with_
GERTRUDE _as a prisoner. They stop;_ KERCHIVAL _sits studying map._
GERTRUDE _glances at him and marches down with head erect; stops, with
her back to him._

CORPORAL DUNN. The prisoner, Colonel West!

KERCHIVAL. Ah! Very well, Corporal; you can go. [_Rising; he motions
the_ GUARD _to retire._ CORPORAL DUNN _gives the necessary orders and
exit with_ GUARD.] Be seated, madam. [GERTRUDE _draws up, folding
her arms and planting her foot, spitefully._ KERCHIVAL _shrugs his
shoulder. Aside._] I wish they'd capture a tigress for me, or some
other female animal that I know how to manage better than I do a
woman. [_Aloud._] I am very sorry, madam, but, of course, my duty as
a military officer is paramount to all other considerations. You have
been captured within the lines of this army, and under circumstances
which lead me to think that you have important despatches upon your
person. I trust that you will give me whatever you have at once. I
shall be exceedingl