1
The war between the North and the South has started. The Yankees were coming. The army was leaving. What should she do? Where should she run?
Suddenly she thought of Rhett Butler and calmed down. She hated him, but he was strong and smart and he wasn’t afraid of the Yankees. He was still in town. And he had a horse and carriage, too. Oh, why hadn’t she thought of him before! He could take them all away from this terrible place, away from the Yankees!
She called her servant girl and said: “Prissy, find Rhett Buttler! Only he can help!” And Prissy ran away.
2
Scarlett was waiting on the porch for Rhett to come. It seemed hours before he came. At last, she saw him far up the road and rushed to greet him. Even in this situation, Rhett was very well and fashionably dressed and in the belt of his trousers he had 2 dueling pistols. His pockets were full with ammunition.
“Good evening,” he said, “I heard you were going to take a trip.”
“If you make any jokes, I will never speak to you again,” she said with trembling voice “I am scared to death and we haven’t got time to talk. We must get out of here.”
“At your service, Madam. But, where are you going?”
“I’m going home, to Tara! Oh, Rhett, we must hurry!”
“There, there, darling,” he said softly. “Don’t cry. You shall go home, my brave little girl. You shall go home. Don’t cry.”
3
The wagon was very small and the horse was not very fast. Scarlett’s teeth chattered, she was very cold and frightened.
“Hurry!” It was the only word in her mind. Hurry! Hurry!
“Soldiers,” said Rhett Butler and stopped the horse.
The group of soldiers came down Marietta Street, between the burning buildings. They looked very tired, many of them didn’t have boots and they had bad, torn clothes.
Ahead of them was a tunnel of fire where buildings were burning on both sides of the short, narrow street that led to the railroad. Rhett whipped the horse and they jumped into it. Scarlett thanked God for his presence. It was so good to have such a man near her.
4
“Oh, Rhett,” she whispered, “What would I have ever done without you? I’m so glad you aren’t in the army!”
He turned his head and looked at her strictly.
“We’re out of town now,” said Rhett shortly and stopped the horse, “and on the main road.”
“Hurry. Don’t stop!”
“Let the animal have a rest. The horse is tired”
Please, Rhett, let’s go home. The horse isn’t tired.”
“Just a minute. It’s only YOU who is going home. And I am leaving you.”
“Leaving us? Where-where are you going?”
“I am going, dear girl, with the army.”
Scarlett thought he was joking. But he wasn’t.
“Get out,” he ordered.
She was just looking at him. Rhett caught her under the arms and put on the ground beside him.
“I’m not asking you to understand or forgive me” he said “But our fair Southland needs every man. I love you so much, my dear Scarlett. But I must be going. I’m off to the war.”
And he kissed her.