This blamed hoss has pulled up lame. RODNEY Oh, too bad! URIAH Mebbe he's jest got a stone in his shoe--I'll take a look! Here, boy--lift up yer foot! Come on--let me look at et! Thar! No, 'tain't a stone. RODNEY Can't he carry you any farther? URIAH No. He can't hardly hobble. I cal'ate ye better go on without me, Mr. Rodney, while I lead this hoss into the next remount station. RODNEY I--I'm a little afraid to try it alone. URIAH Oh, ye kin make et all right--the hosses know the road. RODNEY I know--the horses can make it--but I don't know that I can. URIAH Gittin' wore out? RODNEY I'm afraid so. URIAH Wal', ye got to git to Philadelphia--I give my word. RODNEY All right--I'll go on--I'll try to make it. URIAH Look here--et's six or seven mile to the next remount station--I tell ye what I'll do--I'll tie this lame hoss here--and thet hoss of your'n will hev to carry double thet far! RODNEY I guess that's the best thing. URIAH Let me hev thet stirrup-- RODNEY You all ready? URIAH Let him go. RODNEY Tch--tch--giddap! [_sound of horses' hoofs_] ANNOUNCER And now let us leave the two riders and their heroic effort against enormous odds to reach Philadelphia in time to make the decision for independence unanimous. Our next scene is on the steps of the State House, the morning of July 2, 1776. The hour for assembling Congress is drawing near. Thomas McKeen of Delaware is standing on the steps anxiously waiting and watching for Caesar Rodney. Dr. Franklin rides up in his carriage and steps out. MCKEEN Good morning, Dr. Franklin. FRANKLIN Good morning, good morning, my boy. Has Rodney come? MCKEEN Not yet. I've been waiting for an hour. FRANKLIN Oh, I hope he gets here. MCKEEN It is a long, hard ride. FRANKLIN This morning our action must be unanimous and final! One dissenting colony and we'll be defeated! MCKEEN How is it with Pennsylvania? FRANKLIN I was able to persuade Dickinson and Morris--we can count on Pennsylvania. MCKEEN You must have given them a good dinner, Doctor. FRANKLIN And good advice. [_chuckles_] Oh, here comes Rutledge. MCKEEN I hope he's convinced his colleagues from South Carolina. FRANKLIN Good morning, Mr. Rutledge. RUTLEDGE Good morning, Doctor--good morning, McKeen. FRANKLIN I trust, Mr. Rutledge, your dinner of last evening was as productive of good results as mine. RUTLEDGE You can count on South Carolina. FRANKLIN Great news, sir! MCKEEN Good! RUTLEDGE The members are beginning to assemble. ALL [_growing from one voice to many_]