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CAPTAIN NATHAN HALECAPTAIN WILLIAM HULLGENERAL WASHINGTONBOS'NLIEUTENANT PONDSIMON CARTERLIEUTENANT DREW [BRITISH]MRS. CHICHESTERCAPTAIN MONTRESSORPROVOST MARSHAL CUNNINGHAM
ANNOUNCERWe 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....