hin
its own body the seeds of death? The rights of a state must somewhere
yield to the supreme power of a nation. The Negro will make a brave
soldier, and he can save the South. Will you use him?

DAVIS

I'll consider your suggestion, General, but I can't see it--I can't see
it now. I won't detain you longer.

[GENERAL LEE _salutes and exits_--DAVIS _goes to the opposite
door--opens it and calls._]

I am ready, gentlemen.

[OULD, BENJAMIN _and_ VAUGHAN _reenter._]

BENJAMIN

You have decided?

DAVIS

Yes.

[_He sits and writes a pass._]

It is probably a bad business for us----

BENJAMIN

There can be no doubt about that, sir----

DAVIS

But it would alienate many of our Northern friends if we held these
men. I have decided to let them go. Give them this pass.

[_Hands pass to_ OULD.]

Show them through the hospitals and Libby Prison and conduct them back
to General Grant's lines.

OULD

You have acted wisely, sir.

BENJAMIN

[_With deep feeling to_ VAUGHAN.]

He has made exactly the blunder I feared----

VAUGHAN

[_With elation._]

We'll hope for the best, sir! With the twist I'll give the news----

CURTAIN

SCENE II

SET SCENE: _The same as Acts I and II, except that a small table has
been placed down center on the side near Lincoln's desk. A telegraph
instrument has been installed on this table._

AT RISE: _At rise, the audience sees only_ LINCOLN _and_ OPERATOR, _the
lights gradually rise until full day shows the entire room. It is the
morning of September 3, 1864._

LINCOLN

[_Bending over the key._]

Try to get Atlanta again, my boy.

[_The_ OPERATOR _tries again and again to get Atlanta._]

OPERATOR

It's no use, sir----

LINCOLN

We don't seem to have any luck, do we? My messenger should have reached
Sherman! He must be there now. He must be there--he can't be lost!

[_Laughs forlornly._]

Two whole days I've listened to that thing click----

[_The_ OPERATOR _calls Atlanta, with a peculiar loud call._]

Is that the word Atlanta you're clicking off?

OPERATOR

Ye