Chapter 1
Produced by Colin Bell, Joseph Cooper, Diane Monico, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
_DRAMATIC HOURS IN REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY_
The Story of Nathan Hale
BY HENRY FISK CARLTON
_Edited by_ CLAIRE T. ZYVE, Ph.D. Fox Meadow School, Scarsdale, New York
BUREAU OF PUBLICATIONS TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK CITY
_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
_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