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
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
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!