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
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]