The Story of Nathan Hale - LightNovelsOnl.com
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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
Here you are, sir.
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_]
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 a.s.sistance 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
