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-- HULL Nathan Hale! As sure as I'm alive! HALE William Hull! Well, well, this is a surprise! HULL And you're a Captain! My congratulations, Nathan. HALE I might say the same to you, William! HULL What regiment are you in? HALE Knowlton's Rangers. And you? HULL 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-- HALE Why, what's wrong with a staff appointment? I'd be honored if it were offered to me. HULL 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-- HALE Who wouldn't? HULL 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! HALE Yes, William, you have always been a fire eater. HULL Well, I eat no fire here, I can tell you. Now will you trade jobs with me? HALE If General Washington asks me to--I'll do it--though you haven't made it sound like a very attractive job, William. HULL Perhaps I've overdone it, Nathan-- HALE [_laughing_] No use trying to crawl out of it now, William. HULL 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. HALE 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? HULL Not much--almost every man in the town enlisted. HALE 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. HULL If others had done as well, we wouldn't be in such dire straits now! HALE Things do look pretty black for us. HULL Black! They couldn't be blacker! HALE Have you any idea what the General's next move will be? HULL 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. HALE Is General Washington in his office now? HULL Yes. Did you come to see him? HALE I was ordered to report to him. HULL 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_] WASHINGTON [_off_] Yes, come in. HULL Sir, Captain Hale of Knowlton's Rangers awaits your pleasure. WASHINGTON [_off_] Ask him to come in at once, Captain.