" Then Gordon looks away off
towards the moon-lit window; his face is strangely bright;
he is almost smiling; he turns to Winthrop.
Gordon. If I had a thousand lives, I'd give each one of them in
turn for the Confederacy!
[As Gordon finishes speaking, the clock outside strikes one.
Winth. (starts as the clock strikes). You hear? Five hours more:
Then you must die! You hear it--you must die! No power on earth can save
you but yourself. Speak--for God's sake, speak! and let me take you home
to them a free man--
Gordon. And a coward?
Winth. No, not that. The chances on your side are even. You have
done all you could. Think of the old days when we lived down there, and
how we hunted and fished and played together. Think of the love that's
there for you. Think what your death would mean to them. Ah, speak out!
Think of their grief!
Gordon. Grief does not kill. They will not die. If they were
here, they'd say to me, each one of them: Be strong!
[Winthrop starts, then turns quickly away into the darkness
outside the square of moonlight, covering his face with
his hands. When he turns, his face is drawn and white.
Winth. (takes his hand, pressing it).
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