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Title: The Story Of Nathan Hale
Author: Henry Fisk Carlton [
More Titles by Carlton]
HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR
The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.
The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.
When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you each have a copy of the book in your hands. All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. In this way you will have the fun of living through some of the great moments of history.
HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE PLAY
There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word (in) means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while (off) indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions (off, coming in) are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words (mob) or (crowd noise) you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance.
Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.
THE STORY OF NATHAN HALE
DRAMATIC HOURS IN REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY
CAST
CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE
CAPTAIN WILLIAM HULL
GENERAL WASHINGTON
BOS'N
LIEUTENANT POND
SIMON CARTER
LIEUTENANT DREW [BRITISH]
MRS. CHICHESTER
CAPTAIN MONTRESSOR
PROVOST MARSHAL CUNNINGHAM
ANNOUNCER
We present here the story of the famous Revolutionary hero and martyr, Nathan Hale. For the first scene of our sketch, let us go to General Washington's headquarters in New York City. It is early September of the year 1776. In the Orderly room, outside of General Washington's private office, sits Captain William Hull, a member of the General's staff. Another officer comes through the door, Captain Hull glances toward the newcomer, jumps up, and exclaims--
HULL
Nathan Hale! As sure as I'm alive!
HALE
William Hull! Well, well, this is a surprise!
HULL
And you're a Captain! My congratulations, Nathan.
HALE
I might say the same to you, William!
HULL
What regiment are you in?
HALE
Knowlton's Rangers. And you?
HULL
Well, as you see, I'm on the General's staff. I envy you!
Knowlton's Rangers, eh? Ah! There you have some chance
for adventure! Some chance to distinguish yourself, while I--
HALE
Why, what's wrong with a staff appointment?
I'd be honored if it were offered to me.
HULL
Yes, so was I. That's why I'm here. I was a lieutenant
of artillery when General Washington asked me to join
his staff. I jumped at the chance--
HALE
Who wouldn't?
HULL
I wouldn't, again! Why, all I've done for two months is
write letters, sit at a desk, answer questions, and run
errands! It's no duty for a man who craves action!
HALE
Yes, William, you have always been a fire eater.
HULL
Well, I eat no fire here, I can tell you.
Now will you trade jobs with me?
HALE
If General Washington asks me to--I'll do it--though you
haven't made it sound like a very attractive job, William.
HULL
Perhaps I've overdone it, Nathan--
HALE
[laughing]
No use trying to crawl out of it now, William.
HULL
But you--you're more used to this sort of thing than I am.
You're a schoolmaster--used to books and quills and letter writing.
HALE
That's true enough. You never had much love for books--as
I remember it you were rather a trial to the dominie back
home--by the way, what do you hear from South Coventry?
HULL
Not much--almost every man in the town enlisted.
HALE
Yes, I keep running across South Coventry men everywhere
I go. It's a little town, but it has certainly done its
duty well in this war.
HULL
If others had done as well,
we wouldn't be in such dire straits now!
HALE
Things do look pretty black for us.
HULL
Black! They couldn't be blacker!
HALE
Have you any idea what the General's next move will be?
HULL
No!--and what's more, I don't think he knows.
It all depends on General Howe's movements,
and what those will be nobody knows.
HALE
Is General Washington in his office now?
HULL
Yes. Did you come to see him?
HALE
I was ordered to report to him.
HULL
And here I've been keeping you out here--that shows what a
good staff officer I am! I'll announce you at once.
[knock]
WASHINGTON
[off]
Yes, come in.
HULL
Sir, Captain Hale of Knowlton's Rangers awaits your pleasure.
WASHINGTON
[off]
Ask him to come in at once, Captain.
HULL
Yes, sir.
[closer]
General Washington will see you now, Captain Hale.
HALE
Thank you.
HULL
[low]
I'll wait out here for you. Come right in here!
[door closes]
HALE
Captain Hale reports as ordered, sir.
WASHINGTON
Come in, Captain--come in!
HALE
Thank you, sir.
WASHINGTON
Will you sit here?
HALE
Thank you, sir.
WASHINGTON
Colonel Knowlton informs me that you and your company have been
assigned to cover the North Shore line of Long Island Sound.
HALE
Yes, sir!
WASHINGTON
Well, Captain Hale, I am seriously in need of exact
information which you may be able to secure.
HALE
What is that, sir?
WASHINGTON
Lord Howe's plans!
HALE
Yes, sir!
WASHINGTON
Can you get them?
HALE
I can try, sir.
WASHINGTON
You don't seem daunted by the magnitude of the undertaking.
HALE
It is an order, sir.
WASHINGTON
Well, my boy, no man knows better than
I the impossibility of some orders.
HALE
But, sir--
WASHINGTON
I hope, though, that this is not impossible. I have to
have the information. The safety of my whole army depends
upon it. I must know particularly where General Howe
intends to strike next.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
If he comes across the East River, we can protect
ourselves and keep out of his way. But if he comes
across Long Island Sound--do you realize what that
may mean to us?
HALE
Yes, sir. He can cut off our retreat.
WASHINGTON
Exactly! So that's what I must know.
HALE
I'll find out for you, sir.
WASHINGTON
Good! Now, Captain, you may go about your task in any way you see fit. I suggest two or three alternatives. First, you may tempt one of the enemy or a Tory who has access to the British lines, with a sum of money. You may draw on me for whatever is necessary.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Or you might make a sally across the Sound, capture
a prisoner or two, and secure bits of information.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
Or, though I hate to suggest it, you might go yourself
in disguise to the British lines, but that should be only
in a last desperate effort.
HALE
I understand, sir.
WASHINGTON
Or if you could get in touch with certain persons on Long
Island who have been of service to us before--let's see
--there is a shoemaker in Jamaica--what is his name--oh,
here it is--Simon Carter.
HALE
Simon Carter. Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
If you can find any way to get in touch with him--
HALE
I'll find a way, sir.
WASHINGTON
The password is "Liberty" used twice in your first
sentence to him.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WASHINGTON
I don't know what he can do for you, but he is trustworthy
and he may have some information.
HALE
I'll see him, sir.
WASHINGTON
Now, Captain, I don't want you to go yourself unless it is absolutely necessary. But I must have General Howe's plans as soon as possible.
HALE
Yes, sir. I understand. I'll see that you get them, sir.
WASHINGTON
Good! I believe you will, Captain. Good day.
HALE
Good day, sir.
[door closes]
HULL
[coming in]
Well, Nathan, what news?
HALE
I've got a job.
HULL
On the staff?
HALE
No. I'm afraid it's more hazardous than that.
HULL
You're lucky! A hazardous job! Say, what I wouldn't give
to be in your shoes! What is it? Are you at liberty to tell?
HALE
Of course I'll tell you, William.
I'm to discover General Howe's plan of action.
HULL
[whistles]
I should say you had drawn a hazardous assignment!
I'd call it a labor of Hercules!
HALE
Perhaps.
HULL
How are you going about it?
HALE
There's only one sure way of doing it.
HULL
Yes--and what's that?
HALE
I'll go myself into the enemy lines.
HULL
In disguise?
HALE
Of course.
HULL
That may involve serious consequences, Nathan.
HALE
I know it, but I think it's my duty.
HULL
Listen, Nathan. Let me go instead. It's more in my line.
HALE
No, William. The General has assigned me to the duty.
HULL
But he didn't order you to act the spy, did he?
HALE
No.
HULL
And he doesn't expect you to.
HALE
He expects me to get Howe's plans.
HULL
Look here--if I get permission to leave here, won't you
let me go in your place?
HALE
I'm afraid not, William.
HULL
Listen to reason! You have a father and mother; you're engaged to be married. If by chance you were captured--well, I hate to think of it. But I'm alone in the world, it wouldn't make any difference what happened to me. Let me go!
HALE
It's no use, William. I appreciate your sentiment; but General Washington has given me a duty to perform, and I'd be a poor kind of soldier if I turned it over to anyone else simply because it involved danger.
HULL
Let me go with you, at least!
HALE
Well, if you can get permission, I'd be glad to have
you go part of the way with me--though I must go into
the enemy lines alone!
HULL
But--
HALE
I insist on that! There is added risk in two of
us trying to work under disguise.
HULL
Oh, very well. Have it your way. When do we start?
HALE
Early tomorrow morning.
HULL
I'll get permission to accompany you at once.
ANNOUNCER
So early the next morning Hull and Hale started out together. They went into Connecticut and began looking for some means of crossing the Sound to the North Shore of Long Island. When they arrived near Norwalk they heard that an American gunboat was lying offshore. They determined to row out to it as soon as night came.
Our next scene is just after dark. Nathan Hale has put on his disguise, while William Hull has found a rowboat, and now draws up to the shore where Nathan is waiting for him.
HALE
Hello, William, that you?
HULL
It's me, right enough. Come on, climb in.
HALE
All right. Hold her there while I get aboard.
HULL
Easy, you'll have to jump for it!
This is as close as I can come with this old tub.
HALE
Steady now! Here I come--all right! I didn't even get my feet wet!
HULL
Let me take a good look at your disguise. Hm--brown
homespun suit--yes--that's a poor enough fit even
for a penniless schoolmaster. And that hat!
Yes, it'll disguise you all right.
HALE
I hope so. Give me an oar, I'll help you pull to the gunboat.
HULL
Here you are.
[rattle of oar in oarlock]
All ready?
HALE
Pull away,
[noise of regular rattle of oars in the lock
and the swish of water continuing]
HULL
Where are you going first, Nathan?
HALE
I don't know. I'll have to let circumstances direct me.
HULL
Are you going directly to that shoemaker
the General referred you to?
HALE
No, not directly.
I'll see what I can do without any help at first.
HULL
You better change your mind and let me go with you.
HALE
It's no use, William. I won't change my mind.
HULL
You always were stubborn, Nathan.
HALE
Perhaps. There's the gunboat, William!
HULL
Sure that's it?
HALE
No doubt of it.
HULL
Shall I hail them?
HALE
Let's pull in a little closer.
HULL
All right, pull away. There's no light aboard.
HALE
No--there wouldn't be. These waters are alive with British boats.
HULL
There! That's close enough! Give 'em a call now!
HALE
Ahoy, there!
BOS'N
[distance]
Ahoy! Look sharp there! Don't come any closer!
Who are you, and what do you want?
HALE
I want to speak to your Captain.
BOS'N
Who are you?
HALE
An officer of the Continental army!
BOS'N
Stand by--I'll report you.
HALE
[low]
All right, William, as soon as I go aboard, row back
to shore, and wait ten days for me. If I've not returned
by then, go back and report me as lost.
HULL
Now, listen, Nathan! I've come this far with you, let me go--
HALE
We've settled all that, William, not once but several times.
HULL
Oh, all right.
POND
[distance]
Ahoy, there! What's wanted?
HALE
I wish to come aboard, sir, with your permission.
POND
Hello, there, your voice sounds familiar.
You don't by any chance happen to be Captain Hale?
HALE
Yes, indeed. I'm Captain Hale.
But you have the advantage of me, sir--
POND
Come aboard, come aboard, Captain. Don't you remember
Lieutenant Pond? I was in your regiment at the siege of Boston.
HALE
Of course, I do, Pond. I'm glad to hear your voice.
POND
Come aboard, Captain, I'll lower a ladder for you.
HALE
Thank you.
POND
Bos'n!
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir!
POND
Lower the ladder for Captain Hale!
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir!
[gives orders for lowering ladder]
HALE
[during the confusion]
Good-by, William. I'll try to be back in a week.
HULL
Good luck to you, Nathan.
HALE
If by any chance I fail to return, will you see that
my uniform and other effects are sent to my family?
HULL
Of course I will, Nathan.
POND
Come aboard, Captain Hale!
POND
[coming in]
Here you are, careful now!
Give me your hand and watch yourself--there!
HALE
Thank you.
POND
What kind of an outfit do you call that you've got on!
I'd never have known you if I hadn't heard your voice.
HALE
That's good, Pond!
POND
Good, why?
HALE
Because I'm bound for the enemy lines.
POND
What? Not on spy duty, I hope?
HALE
Exactly. Will you give me passage to Long Island,
and land me in some secluded spot?
POND
Why--yes--if you wish it.
HALE
You can do it without endangering yourself or your boat?
POND
There'll be no difficulty about landing you. There is,
however, a British man-of-war, the Halifax, in
these waters. We have to watch out for her. But it's
dark enough tonight to be perfectly safe.
HALE
Good! Can we go at once?
POND
Yes, sir.
[calling]
Bos'n!
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir!
POND
Get the ship under way for Long Island!
Bring her into that secluded cove near Huntington!
You know the place.
BOS'N
Aye, aye, sir!
[calling]
All hands on deck! Man the windlass! Weigh anchor!
[etc.]
[mob, setting sails, etc.]
POND
Well, Captain Hale. This is new business for you, isn't it?
HALE
Yes, I've been transferred to Knowlton's Rangers.
Our business is to get information. And I am under
orders to secure some information that I can get in no other way.
POND
Hm. It's not a sweet business.
HALE
It's in my country's service! It seems that you, too,
Lieutenant Pond, are in a new business.
How long have you been in the navy?
POND
Two weeks.
HALE
I'm glad I found you here--I might have had some
difficulty in convincing a stranger that I was
really an officer in the Continental army.
POND
That's true enough. You look--well--more like a
country schoolmaster than anything else.
HALE
That's what I hope to pass for.
POND
How long will you be on Long Island?
HALE
I shall try to be through my business in a week.
I wonder if you would meet me at the same place
you are going to leave me--say, a week from tonight?
POND
I'll send a small boat ashore for you,
soon after dark a week from tonight.
HALE
Good! I'll be there--unless--
POND
Yes?
HALE
Unless I am unexpectedly detained.
POND
Oh, sir--we won't even think of that!
ANNOUNCER
Our next scene is several days later, at the little shop of
the shoemaker, Simon Carter, in Jamaica. Simon is sitting
on his stool, hammering away at a half-finished boot, when
he hears a knock at his door.
[knock]
SIMON
Come in, come in, the door ain't locked! Come on in!
HALE
Is this the shop of Simon Carter, the shoemaker?
SIMON
It is, no less!
HALE
Are you at liberty today--at liberty to do a little work for me?
SIMON
Close the door!
HALE
There.
[door closes]
SIMON
[low]
Now--sir--I'll do what I can fer ye--in the cause of liberty.
What is it?
HALE
[low]
Have you any information for the General?
SIMON
Aye--a plenty!
HALE
Can you give it to me?
SIMON
It's all written out--careful.
HALE
Good! Give it to me.
SIMON
Jest a minute. Don't them boots of yours need new soles?
HALE
Why, I don't know. I think they'll do.
SIMON
Never! Ye must have new soles!
HALE
Why?
SIMON
See here? This here sole?
HALE
Yes?
SIMON
Well, listen--come close--
HALE
Yes?
SIMON
The sole is split--the notes are inside it!
HALE
Good! That's an excellent idea!
SIMON
Slickest thing ye ever see. And it's my own idea!
HALE
I wonder if you could hide some notes I've gathered in the same way?
SIMON
O' course I could. I'll resole both boots. Give me yer notes.
HALE
Here they are.
[rattle of paper]
SIMON
Pshaw, now--what kind o' writin' is this?
HALE
It's Latin. I thought if they were discovered on me--
SIMON
O' course--no soldier--that is, no redcoat could read that furrin writin'. Well, I'll put it where they'll never find it. Here--right in this sole. Now sit down there and pull yer boots off an' I'll fix 'em up fer ye.
HALE
Good! It's an excellent hiding place. Here you are.
SIMON
Yer a schoolmaster, I take it from the looks o' ye?
HALE
That's what I've been passing for.
SIMON
Now, where's that awl?
Oh, here it is. And what name be ye usin' hereabouts?
HALE
Call me Master Nathan.
[knock]
SIMON
Oh, someone at the door.
HALE
Had I better hide?
SIMON
No, no! 'tis better that ye sit right over there in the dark corner.
Ye look innocent enough. Come in!
DREW
[coming in]
Good morning, Simon.
SIMON
Good morrow to ye, Lieutenant Drew!
I've got yer boots all finished fer ye.
DREW
Right! You're hard at work, I see.
SIMON
Always hard at work, Lieutenant.
Here are yer boots. I'll wrap them up fer ye.
DREW
[low]
Who's that gentleman over there?
SIMON
[low]
A customer--I'm fixin' his boots.
DREW
Know him?
SIMON
Never set eyes on him before.
DREW
Unless I'm much mistaken,
I've seen him before--but I can't place him.
SIMON
Eh? Here's yer boots, Lieutenant.
An' come around again when ye have need of a good shoemaker.
DREW
Thank you. I'm going to speak to him.
[louder]
Good morning, sir.
HALE
Good morning, sir.
DREW
Haven't we met somewhere?
HALE
I think you're mistaken, Mr.--
DREW
Drew--Drew--Lieutenant on His Majesty's gunboat,
the Halifax. Are you a stranger hereabouts?
HALE
Yes, sir.
DREW
Do you live on the Island?
HALE
Why--ah--yes, sir.
DREW
Where?
HALE
Ah--er--near--Huntington.
DREW
Ah yes--well, no doubt I've seen you over there.
I'm often at Huntington.
HALE
Yes, sir, no doubt.
DREW
[jovially]
Perhaps you know that delightfully charming
lady who keeps the tavern--Mrs. Chichester?
HALE
Slightly--only slightly.
DREW
Hm! You should know her--a delightful soul.
Well, good day--good day, Simon.
SIMON
Good day, Lieutenant.
[door closes]
HALE
Now, where have I met that man?
SIMON
Then ye have met him? He wasn't mistaken?
HALE
I've seen him somewhere--but I can't place him.
SIMON
Well--as long as he can't place you, yer safe,
but git out o' this town as soon as ye can.
HALE
I will.
SIMON
Are ye from Huntington?
HALE
Never there in my life,
except late at night when I landed on the Island.
SIMON
Well, I'll git the boots fixed for ye--then git out fast!
No use runnin' any risks.
HALE
You're right, Simon.
I shall take every care not to run into that man again.
ANNOUNCER
Our next scene is a few days later. It is evening.
Darkness is just falling. Mrs. Chichester, the
keeper of the Huntington Tavern, is bustling about
her kitchen, when Lieutenant Drew enters the back door.
DREW
Good evening, Mrs. Chichester.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Good evenin' to ye, Lieutenant Drew.
And what are ye doin' comin' into my kitchen, I'd like to know?
DREW
Your tavern room's crowded,
and I thought perhaps you'd serve me here.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Indeed, I'll do nothing of the kind.
There's room enough in the tavern room.
DREW
But I'll have no chance to talk to you out there.
And I'd as soon not eat as be deprived of your company.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Go along with ye! Come on out here into the tavern
room or ye'll not git a bite to eat.
DREW
Your word is law--I can only obey.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Through this door--here.
DREW
Oh, very well--wait--
MRS. CHICHESTER
Now what's the matter?
DREW
Close the door, Mrs. Chichester!
Did you take particular notice of the man
sitting alone in the corner?
MRS. CHICHESTER
The nice-lookin' young feller in the brown suit?
DREW
That's the one. Do you know him?
MRS. CHICHESTER
Never set eyes on him before.
DREW
Then he's not from Huntington.
MRS. CHICHESTER
He is not! I know every young blood hereabouts.
An' he's not a native here, I kin warrant ye that.
DREW
I have it!
MRS. CHICHESTER
What--don't scare a body to death! What have ye got?
DREW
I know where I've seen him! He's a rebel.
MRS. CHICHESTER
A rebel! Indeed! In my tavern? I'll go throw him out!
DREW
No! No! We must make certain first. But I think he's an officer in the rebel army. Some months ago I was captured near Boston. I escaped later. But while I was a prisoner, I saw this fellow--unless I'm much mistaken. I saw him again the other day in Jamaica, at the shoemaker's; and now--look at him--here through the crack in the door!
MRS. CHICHESTER
He's lookin' fer somethin'--out the winder.
DREW
He's watching the shore of the cove!
MRS. CHICHESTER
Lookin' fer a boat to fetch him away, I'll warrant ye!
DREW
Exactly! Now, Mrs. Chichester,
let's set a trap for him. Will you help me?
MRS. CHICHESTER
I will that!
A rebel--and like as not a spy--in my tavern!
DREW
Go in to him, engage him in conversation, then look out
the window and remark that you see a small boat landing.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Aye, I'll do it.
DREW
If he starts up, I'll know he's my man.
MRS. CHICHESTER
And then?
DREW
Tell him you're mistaken. The darkness deluded you.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Yes?
DREW
A small boat from my ship, the Halifax, is waiting
for me round the point. I'll bring it around with my crew
and we'll apprehend him.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Good. Wait here--I'll go in now.
[door opens, laughter and talk swell up]
MRS. CHICHESTER
I hope, sir, ye found the roast beef to yer liking.
HALE
Yes, thank you, madam.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Can I help ye to anything else, sir?
HALE
I think not, thank you.
MRS. CHICHESTER
I'm sorry we have such poor fare, sir, but the times are
hard, what with the comin' and goin' of the troops;
and the rebels cleaned out the place when they were here.
HALE
I've fared very well, Madam.
MRS. CHICHESTER
Oh look--there in the cove! D'ye see a small boat
comin' into shore? I wonder what it can be doin' here?
HALE
Oh, indeed! I'm afraid I'll have to go, Madam!
Let me pay my reckoning.
MRS. CHICHESTER
There--I guess my eyes deceived me. It's not a boat at all.
HALE
Ah!
MRS. CHICHESTER
What was that you said? Your reckoning?
But sir, you've had no sweetmeat.
Come, sit down, I'll bring ye a bit o' pastry.
HALE
But--
MRS. CHICHESTER
I'll take it much amiss if ye refuse me.
HALE
Thank you, Madam--I'll wait--bring your sweetmeat.
ANNOUNCER
As soon as Hale finished his meal at the tavern, he went to the shore of the cove to await the boat that he expected. After some time he heard the splash of oars. So sure was he that this was his boat that he stood up and called.
HALE
Hello, Pond, here I am! Right here!
DREW
Stand fast, put your hands up!
HALE
What--what's the meaning of this?
Sir, I am a peaceable schoolmaster,
you have no cause to apprehend me!
DREW
We'll soon see. Strike a light! Search him!
VOICE
Aye, aye, sir--here's your light.
DREW
Well, sir, I thought I'd seen you before.
Now I know I have! I've placed you at last!
You are an officer in the rebel army!
HALE
I tell you, sir, I am a poor schoolmaster!
DREW
We'll soon see. Find anything in his pockets?
VOICE
Not a thing, sir.
DREW
Rip his jacket to pieces, look in the lining and the seams!
VOICE
Yes, sir.
[sound of tearing cloth]
HALE
Why am I suffering this indignity?
DREW
Anything there?
VOICE
Not a thing, sir.
DREW
Strip him--tear every piece of clothing to pieces!
VOICE
Aye, aye, sir.
HALE
I trust this is giving you some pleasure.
DREW
We're enjoying ourselves, aren't we, boys?
ALL
Aye, aye, sir.
VOICE
Here, sir--a piece o' paper.
DREW
Let's see it--ha--receipt for lodgings.
Is that the best you can do?
VOICE
That's all there is, sir.
HALE
Perhaps, sir, now that you have ruined my clothes,
you'll let me go.
DREW
I will not! I'll find where you've hidden
your notes if I have to rip your skin off!
HALE
I am helpless, sir. But you must be satisfied that I have
nothing on me. Can't you conclude your sport and let me go?
DREW
Look here, men--what about his boots?
VOICE
Nothing in them, sir.
DREW
He was having them resoled the other day!
Ho, I'll wager that's where they are!
Give me your knife, Bos'n!
VOICE
Here you are, sir.
DREW
Hm! There--ah, ha! I thought so! Papers--papers--I thought
as much--bring the light nearer! Hm--what's this?
Some foreign tongue--Ah! Latin. Who would have expected
a rebel to know Latin?
HALE
I am a schoolmaster, sir.
DREW
Aye, and a spy as well--as these notes prove.
HALE
Can you read them?
DREW
My Latin is a little rusty, but I can make out the
tenor of them. Hm--disposition of troops--probable
movements of army--yes, that will do! What have you
to say to that, my fine rebel?
HALE
Nothing.
DREW
You don't need to. We've evidence enough to hang you
as it is. Bring him along, men!
[mob noise]
ANNOUNCER
So Hale was taken aboard the Halifax and delivered late the same night to General Howe, who, without the formality of a trial, turned him over to the Provost Marshal, William Cunningham, for execution the next day.
Our next scene is in the apple orchard of the Beekman estate on Manhattan. Hale has been marched out for his execution. He is standing under guard, near the tent of Captain John Montressor, who, as our scene opens, comes out of his tent, sees Hale, and speaks to him.
MONTRESSOR
Sir, I regret to see such a fine appearing
young man in this situation.
HALE
You are kind to say so, sir.
MONTRESSOR
May I ask your name and rank?
HALE
I am Captain Nathan Hale, of the Colonial army.
MONTRESSOR
May I introduce myself? I am Captain John Montressor.
Can I be of any assistance to you?
HALE
I should be deeply grateful, sir, if I could write a few
lines to friends and relatives before I meet my fate.
MONTRESSOR
Will you come into my tent?
HALE
If my guard--
MONTRESSOR
I'll tend to the guard.
HALE
Thank you.
MONTRESSOR
You'll find quills, ink, and paper on my field desk.
HALE
[going]
Thank you, sir.
VOICE
I say, halt there--where are you going?
MONTRESSOR
Never mind, Corporal! I'll be responsible for the prisoner.
VOICE
Very good, Captain, but the Provost Marshal won't like it!
I can tell you that.
MONTRESSOR
I'll take all the blame. The Provost Marshal never
likes anything, so that's no matter. Here, put this
crown in your pocket.
VOICE
Right enough, sir. Thank you.
MONTRESSOR
Do you know anything about the prisoner?
VOICE
No, sir. Ah, sir! Here comes the Provost Marshal!
MONTRESSOR
Let me talk to him.
CUNNINGHAM
[coming up]
Where's the prisoner?
Guard! Where's the prisoner?
MONTRESSOR
Just at this moment, sir,
he is writing a few notes in my tent.
CUNNINGHAM
Bring him out here!
MONTRESSOR
I'll get him, sir, if I may be allowed.
CUNNINGHAM
Go ahead, get him.
MONTRESSOR
[off]
I'm sorry, Captain Hale, but the Marshal is waiting
for you--have you finished your letters?
HALE
[off]
Not quite, sir.
MONTRESSOR
[calling]
He hasn't finished his letters, sir.
CUNNINGHAM
Fetch him along--he's written enough.
MONTRESSOR
I'm sorry, Captain.
HALE
Of course I'll come. May I ask you to deliver these
letters at your first opportunity?
MONTRESSOR
Surely.
CUNNINGHAM
Guard, fall in around the prisoner.
VOICE
Guard, fall in--'ten--shun! Quick step--march!
[marching]
CUNNINGHAM
Halt under the tree!
VOICE
Guard, halt!
CUNNINGHAM
Put the prisoner on the ladder!
HALE
It isn't necessary, sir--I can climb the ladder.
CUNNINGHAM
All right then, get up there. Put the halter
around his neck, and blindfold him.
HALE
I can do that, too, sir.
CUNNINGHAM
All right, then, do it! And if you have any further
statement or confession to make, now is the time to do it.
HALE
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
CUNNINGHAM
Humph! Now, guard, when I give the word,
kick the ladder and let the rebel swing. Are you ready?
VOICE
Ready.
CUNNINGHAM
Steady--now!
[noise of ladder, gasp, etc.]
[pause]
So let all spies, rebels,
and traitors swing! March the guard off!
VOICE
Guard--fall in! Quick step
--[etc.]
MONTRESSOR
[to himself]
Poor fellow--and he's hardly more than a boy.
CUNNINGHAM
And now, Captain Montressor,
I'll trouble you for those letters.
MONTRESSOR
Here they are, Marshal.
CUNNINGHAM
Ah
--[sound of tearing paper]
MONTRESSOR
What are you doing, sir? Stop it! Don't tear those letters up!
CUNNINGHAM
I've already done it, Captain.
MONTRESSOR
What did you do that for? They were intrusted to me for delivery.
CUNNINGHAM
Well--they won't be delivered! The rebels shall never
know they had a man who could die with such firmness!
ANNOUNCER
The next day, however, Captain Montressor carried the news to the American lines under a white flag and repeated to Hale's companions those words--which have come down to us: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!"
[The end]
Henry Fisk Carlton's play: The Story Of Nathan Hale
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