The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Story of Nathan Hale, by Henry Fisk Carlton.

BY

HENRY FISK CARLTON

Edited by CLAIRE T. ZYVE, Ph.D.
Fox Meadow School, Scarsdale, New York

HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR

The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.

The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.

When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you each have a copy of the book in your hands. All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. In this way you will have the fun of living through some of the great moments of history.

HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE PLAY

There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word (in) means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while (off) indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions (off, coming in) are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words (mob) or (crowd noise) you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance.

Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.

THE STORY OF NATHAN HALE

CAST

CAPTAIN NATHAN HALE
CAPTAIN WILLIAM HULL
GENERAL WASHINGTON
BOS'N
LIEUTENANT POND
SIMON CARTER
LIEUTENANT DREW [BRITISH]
MRS. CHICHESTER
CAPTAIN MONTRESSOR
PROVOST MARSHAL CUNNINGHAM

ANNOUNCER

We 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—

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—

Why, what's wrong with a staff appointment? I'd be honored if it were offered to me.

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—

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!

Well, I eat no fire here, I can tell you. Now will you trade jobs with me?[Pg 3]

If General Washington asks me to—I'll do it—though you haven't made it sound like a very attractive job, William.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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]

Colonel Knowlton informs me that you and your company have been assigned to cover the North Shore line of Long Island Sound.

Well, Captain Hale, I am seriously in need of exact information which you may be able to secure.

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.

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?

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[Pg 7] to the British lines, with a sum of money. You may draw on me for whatever is necessary.

Or you might make a sally across the Sound, capture a prisoner or two, and secure bits of information.

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.

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.

I don't know what he can do for you, but he is trustworthy and he may have some information.

Now, Captain, I don't want you to go yourself unless it is absolutely necessary. But I must have General Howe's plans as soon as possible.

You're lucky! A hazardous job! Say, what I wouldn't give to be in your shoes! What is it? Are you at liberty to tell?

Of course I'll tell you, William. I'm to discover General Howe's plan of action.[Pg 9]

I should say you had drawn a hazardous assignment! I'd call it a labor of Hercules!

Look here—if I get permission to leave here, won't you let me go in your place?

Listen to reason! You have a father and mother; you're engaged to be married. If by chance you were captured—well, I hate to think of it. But I'm alone in the world, it wouldn't make any difference what happened to me. Let me go!

It's no use, William. I appreciate your sentiment; but General Washington has given me a duty to perform, and I'd be a poor kind of soldier if I turned it over to anyone else simply because it involved danger.

Well, if you can get permission, I'd be glad to have you go part of the way with me—though I must go into the enemy lines alone!

I insist on that! There is added risk in two of us trying to work under disguise.[Pg 11]

ANNOUNCER

So early the next morning Hull and Hale started out together. They went into Connecticut and began looking for some means of crossing the Sound to the North Shore of Long Island. When they arrived near Norwalk they heard that an American gunboat was lying offshore. They determined to row out to it as soon as night came.

Our next scene is just after dark. Nathan Hale has put on his disguise, while William Hull has found a rowboat, and now draws up to the shore where Nathan is waiting for him.

Easy, you'll have to jump for it! This is as close as I can come with this old tub.

Let me take a good look at your disguise. Hm—brown homespun suit—yes—that's a poor enough fit even for a penniless schoolmaster. And that hat! Yes, it'll disguise you all right.

Pull away, [noise of regular rattle of oars in the lock and the swish of water continuing]

Ahoy! Look sharp there! Don't come any closer! Who are you, and what do you want?

All right, William, as soon as I go aboard, row back to shore, and wait ten days for me. If I've not returned by then, go back and report me as lost.

Hello, there, your voice sounds familiar. You don't by any chance happen to be Captain Hale?

Come aboard, come aboard, Captain. Don't you remember Lieutenant Pond? I was in your regiment at the siege of Boston.

If by any chance I fail to return, will you see that my uniform and other effects are sent to my family?

What kind of an outfit do you call that you've got on! I'd never have known you if I hadn't heard your voice.[Pg 16]

Exactly. Will you give me passage to Long Island, and land me in some secluded spot?

There'll be no difficulty about landing you. There is, however, a British man-of-war, the Halifax, in these waters. We have to watch out for her. But it's dark enough tonight to be perfectly safe.

Get the ship under way for Long Island! Bring her into that secluded cove near Huntington! You know the place.[Pg 17]

Aye, aye, sir! [calling] All hands on deck! Man the windlass! Weigh anchor! [etc.] [mob, setting sails, etc.]

Yes, I've been transferred to Knowlton's Rangers. Our business is to get information. And I am under orders to secure some information that I can get in no other way.

It's in my country's service! It seems that you, too, Lieutenant Pond, are in a new business. How long have you been in the navy?

I'm glad I found you here—I might have had some difficulty in convincing a stranger that I was really an officer in the Continental army.

That's true enough. You look—well—more like a country schoolmaster than anything else.

I shall try to be through my business in a week. I wonder if you would meet me at the same place you are going to leave me—say, a week from tonight?[Pg 18]

ANNOUNCER

Our next scene is several days later, at the little shop of the shoemaker, Simon Carter, in Jamaica. Simon is sitting on his stool, hammering away at a half-finished boot, when he hears a knock at his door. [knock]

O' course—no soldier—that is, no redcoat could read that furrin writin'. Well, I'll put it where they'll never find it. Here—right in this sole. Now sit down there and pull yer boots off an' I'll fix 'em up fer ye.

No, no! 'tis better that ye sit right over there in the dark corner. Ye look innocent enough. Come in!

Eh? Here's yer boots, Lieutenant. An' come around again when ye have need of a good shoemaker.

Drew—Drew—Lieutenant on His Majesty's gunboat, the Halifax. Are you a stranger hereabouts?

Ah yes—well, no doubt I've seen you over there. I'm often at Huntington.[Pg 23]

Perhaps you know that delightfully charming lady who keeps the tavern—Mrs. Chichester?

Well—as long as he can't place you, yer safe, but git out o' this town as soon as ye can.

Never there in my life, except late at night when I landed on the Island.[Pg 24]

Well, I'll git the boots fixed for ye—then git out fast! No use runnin' any risks.

ANNOUNCER

Our next scene is a few days later. It is evening. Darkness is just falling. Mrs. Chichester, the keeper of the Huntington Tavern, is bustling about her kitchen, when Lieutenant Drew enters the back door.

Good evenin' to ye, Lieutenant Drew. And what are ye doin' comin' into my kitchen, I'd like to know?

But I'll have no chance to talk to you out there. And I'd as soon not eat as be deprived of your company.

Go along with ye! Come on out here into the tavern room or ye'll not git a bite to eat.

Close the door, Mrs. Chichester! Did you take particular notice of the man sitting alone in the corner?

He is not! I know every young blood hereabouts. An' he's not a native here, I kin warrant ye that.

No! No! We must make certain first. But I think he's an officer in the rebel army. Some months ago I was captured near Boston. I escaped later. But while I was a prisoner, I saw this fellow—unless I'm much mistaken. I saw him again the other day in Jamaica, at the shoemaker's; and now—look at him—here through the crack in the door!

Go in to him, engage him in conversation, then look out the window and remark that you see a small boat landing.

A small boat from my ship, the Halifax, is waiting for me round the point. I'll bring it around with my crew and we'll apprehend him.

I'm sorry we have such poor fare, sir, but the times are hard, what with the comin' and goin' of the troops; and the rebels cleaned out the place when they were here.

Oh look—there in the cove! D'ye see a small boat comin' into shore? I wonder what it can be doin' here?

What was that you said? Your reckoning? But sir, you've had no sweetmeat. Come, sit down, I'll bring ye a bit o' pastry.

ANNOUNCER

As soon as Hale finished his meal at the tavern, he went to the shore of the cove to await the boat that he expected. After some time he heard the splash of oars. So sure was he that this was his boat that he stood up and called.

What—what's the meaning of this? Sir, I am a peaceable schoolmaster, you have no cause to apprehend me!

Well, sir, I thought I'd seen you before. Now I know I have! I've placed you at last! You are an officer in the rebel army!

I will not! I'll find where you've hidden your notes if I have to rip your skin off!

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?

He was having them resoled the other day! Ho, I'll wager that's where they are! Give me your knife, Bos'n!

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?

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?

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.[Pg 32]

May I introduce myself? I am Captain John Montressor. Can I be of any assistance to you?

I should be deeply grateful, sir, if I could write a few lines to friends and relatives before I meet my fate.

I'll take all the blame. The Provost Marshal never likes anything, so that's no matter. Here, put this crown in your pocket.

I'm sorry, Captain Hale, but the Marshal is waiting for you—have you finished your letters?

Of course I'll come. May I ask you to deliver these letters at your first opportunity?

All right then, get up there. Put the halter around his neck, and blindfold him.

All right, then, do it! And if you have any further statement or confession to make, now is the time to do it.

Humph! Now, guard, when I give the word, kick the ladder and let the rebel swing. Are you ready?

Steady—now! [noise of ladder, gasp, etc.] [pause] So let all spies, rebels, and traitors swing! March the guard off!

Well—they won't be delivered! The rebels shall never know they had a man who could die with such firmness!

ANNOUNCER

The next day, however, Captain Montressor carried the news to the American lines under a white flag and repeated to Hale's companions those words—which have come down to us: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!"

Transcriber's Note:

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