It might be something exciting--something you oughtn't to read--it might upset you--let me read it first! RODNEY Oh, nonsense! [_rattle of paper_] PRUDENCE I do wish people could leave a sick man alone--always bothering you! RODNEY Quiet! What's this--what's this? They haven't voted on the Lee Resolution yet! They need me! Prudence, my riding boots! PRUDENCE Your riding boots! Have you gone crazy, Caesar? RODNEY Don't stand and argue! Please get my boots--there isn't a moment to lose! I've got to be in Philadelphia before nine o'clock tomorrow morning! PRUDENCE You can't go! It'll kill you! RODNEY Where's my riding coat? Hurry up--get my boots! PRUDENCE You shan't go--I won't let you! RODNEY I've got to go--I'm needed. If you won't get the boots, I will! PRUDENCE Oh, please, sir, whoever you are-- URIAH I'm Uriah Clarke, ma'm--at yer service. PRUDENCE Please, please, don't let him go! He can't stand it--he's too weak. He's been terribly ill--the physician told him he must rest--he could never stand a trip like that! URIAH But, ma'm, he's got to git thar. And I give my word thet I'd hev him thar tomorrow mornin'. PRUDENCE Your word--what's your word to a man's life! URIAH What's a man's life to the life of his country! RODNEY [_coming in_] All right, I'm ready--let's start! PRUDENCE Caesar! RODNEY Good-bye, Prudence. PRUDENCE If I can't persuade you to give up this mad-- RODNEY You can't, my dear-- PRUDENCE Good-bye, and God be with you. [_door opens_] URIAH Here ye be, sir--this is yer hoss. RODNEY You'll have to give me a hand up--I'm a little weak. URIAH All right, sir. [_sound of mounting horses_] Ready? RODNEY Ready! URIAH Then we're off. [_horses' hoofs, Prudence's fading "Good-bye, good-bye!"_] ANNOUNCER And so out into the July night rode Caesar Rodney and the postrider, bound for Philadelphia eighty miles away--an hour--two hours--past the first remount station--it is nearing eleven o'clock. [_sound of horses' hoofs and thunder_] RODNEY Is that thunder? URIAH Cal'ate thet's what 'tis. RODNEY I hope it doesn't rain. URIAH 'Twon't help us none ef et does. RODNEY I don't see how we can ever make it if it starts raining. URIAH We got to make et--rain or no rain. I give my word of honor to Mr. McKeen. Git along, boy--tch--tch. RODNEY It's sprinkling. URIAH I felt et. [_another peal of thunder closer_] [_sound of rain and wind_] RODNEY I guess it's on us. URIAH Here--draw up yer hoss! RODNEY What for? URIAH Never mind--do what I say! Whoa, boy, whoa! Here, put on my greatcoat! RODNEY Oh, no, no! URIAH Ye need et. Do as I say. Ye been ill, and I ain't a-goin' to hev ye catchin' yer death o' cold--here ye be--now put et on. RODNEY [_giving in_] But--but what will you do--Uriah? URIAH I'm rugged--I don't need et. [_exchanging coat_] RODNEY Really, you oughtn't to do this. URIAH