ANNOUNCER
So Honeyman started down the river road, cracking his whip and swinging his halter. A couple of miles down the road, four Continental soldiers were in hiding. They had been sent out with instructions to pick up a prisoner, if possible, and bring him into Washington's headquarters for the purpose of securing information. As Honeyman drew near their place of hiding in the brush alongside the river road, the men heard the snapping of his whip. (crack of whip)
CORPORAL (low)
What's that?
SOLDIER
Don't know, sounds funny. See anything, Corporal?
CORPORAL
There, I see him! Huh, it's just a farmer crackin' his driving whip.
SOLDIER
Yah, I see him. What's he got in his other hand?
CORPORAL
Looks like a piece o' rope.
SOLDIER
A halter! Look, Corporal!
CORPORAL
Yep. A halter. Well, no use stoppin' him. Lie low. We want to get one o' them Hessians. By George, though, I'd like to have that whip.
SOLDIER
What for?
CORPORAL
To use on the Hessians we're goin' to git!
SOLDIER
You bet. Them mercenaries ought to be whipped out o' the country! Shootin's too good for 'em—we'd ought to—
CORPORAL
Sh! He's gettin' closer.
SOLDIER
CORPORAL
Yah? What about it? Keep quiet, I said!
SOLDIER
No! Listen, Corporal, we got to capture him.
CORPORAL
Why?
SOLDIER
The General issued orders about him.
CORPORAL
Who is he?
SOLDIER
Honeyman!
CORPORAL
Honeyman the Tory?
SOLDIER
That's who it is. Let's grab him.
CORPORAL
Men! (several voices respond) We're going to take this fellow. All right now—lie low—and when I give the signal, jump!
HONEYMAN (off, coming in)
So-o-o, boss—where's that dang critter gone to? I cal'ate mebbe—
CORPORAL
Halt! Get him boys!
HONEYMAN
Say! What's the matter—what ye doin'!
ALL
Come on! Grab him! Get hold of him there! Down with him! (etc.)
HONEYMAN (at same time)
Hey, you scoundrels! Git off me! Leave me be! I'm a peaceable man, ye ain't got no right to do this to me—git off me—git off—I say—hey, leave go my halter!
SOLDIERS
Well, ain't this nice, boys. He's brought along a rope for us to tie him up with, now ain't that thoughtful—here—leave go the rope.
HONEYMAN
Let me up—don't ye tie me up! I'm jest a farmer—out huntin' a stray cow!
CORPORAL
Stray cow, eh? Well, we was huntin' a stray coward! (laughter) Here give me that whip!
SOLDIER
Here ye are, Corporal! Well boys, take a look at him—this here's Honeyman the Tory. (all comment)
CORPORAL
All right, throw him into the boat! General Washington'll be right pleased to see ye, Mister Honeyman! Come along—oh, ye won't go, eh—well, fetch him, boys.
HONEYMAN
Leave me be! Stop it! The King's men'll make ye pay fer this.
ALL
Hey shut up—grab him Tom—stop that kickin', fetch him along. (etc.)