The Story of Nathan Hale - LightNovelsOnl.com
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Colonel Knowlton informs me that you and your company have been a.s.signed to cover the North Sh.o.r.e line of Long Island Sound.
HALE
Yes, sir!
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Well, Captain Hale, I am seriously in need of exact information which you may be able to secure.
HALE
What is that, sir?
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Lord Howe's plans!
HALE
Yes, sir!
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Can you get them?
HALE
I can try, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
You don't seem daunted by the magnitude of the undertaking.
HALE
It is an order, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Well, my boy, no man knows better than I the impossibility of some orders.
HALE
But, sir--
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
I hope, though, that this is not impossible. I have to have the information. The safety of my whole army depends upon it. I must know particularly where General Howe intends to strike next.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
If he comes across the East River, we can protect ourselves and keep out of his way. But if he comes across Long Island Sound--do you realize what that may mean to us?
HALE
Yes, sir. He can cut off our retreat.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Exactly! So that's what I must know.
HALE
I'll find out for you, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Good! Now, Captain, you may go about your task in any way you see fit.
I suggest two or three alternatives. First, you may tempt one of the enemy or a Tory who has access to the British lines, with a sum of money. You may draw on me for whatever is necessary.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Or you might make a sally across the Sound, capture a prisoner or two, and secure bits of information.
HALE
Yes, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Or, though I hate to suggest it, you might go yourself in disguise to the British lines, but that should be only in a last desperate effort.
HALE
I understand, sir.
WAs.h.i.+NGTON
Or if you could get in touch with certain persons on Long Island who have been of service to us before--let's see--there is a shoemaker in Jamaica--what is his name--oh, here it is--Simon Carter.
HALE
