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
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
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
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.