So Honeyman started down the river road, cracking his whip and swinging his halter. A couple of miles down the road, four Continental soldiers were in hiding. They had been sent out with instructions to pick up a prisoner, if possible, and bring him into Washington's headquarters for the purpose of securing information. As Honeyman drew near their place of hiding in the brush alongside the river road, the men heard the snapping of his whip. (_crack of whip_) CORPORAL (_low_) What's that? SOLDIER Don't know, sounds funny. See anything, Corporal? CORPORAL There, I see him! Huh, it's just a farmer crackin' his driving whip. SOLDIER Yah, I see him. What's he got in his other hand? CORPORAL Looks like a piece o' rope. SOLDIER A halter! Look, Corporal! CORPORAL Yep. A halter. Well, no use stoppin' him. Lie low. We want to get one o' them Hessians. By George, though, I'd like to have that whip. SOLDIER What for? CORPORAL To use on the Hessians we're goin' to git! SOLDIER You bet. Them mercenaries ought to be whipped out o' the country! Shootin's too good for 'em--we'd ought to-- CORPORAL Sh! He's gettin' closer. SOLDIER Say! I know that fellow. CORPORAL Yah? What about it? Keep quiet, I said! SOLDIER No! Listen, Corporal, we got to capture him. CORPORAL Why? SOLDIER The General issued orders about him. CORPORAL Who is he? SOLDIER Honeyman! CORPORAL Honeyman the Tory? SOLDIER That's who it is. Let's grab him. CORPORAL Men! (_several voices respond_) We're going to take this fellow. All right now--lie low--and when I give the signal, jump! HONEYMAN (_off, coming in_) So-o-o, boss--where's that dang critter gone to? I cal'ate mebbe-- CORPORAL Halt! Get him boys! HONEYMAN Say! What's the matter--what ye doin'! ALL Come on! Grab him! Get hold of him there! Down with him! (_etc._) HONEYMAN (_at same time_) Hey, you scoundrels! Git off me! Leave me be! I'm a peaceable man, ye ain't got no right to do this to me--git off me--git off--I say--hey, leave go my halter! SOLDIERS Well, ain't this nice, boys. He's brought along a rope for us to tie him up with, now ain't that thoughtful--here--leave go the rope. HONEYMAN Let me up--don't ye tie me up! I'm jest a farmer--out huntin' a stray cow! CORPORAL Stray cow, eh? Well, we was huntin' a stray coward! (_laughter_) Here give me that whip! SOLDIER Here ye are, Corporal! Well boys, take a look at him--this here's Honeyman the Tory. (_all comment_) CORPORAL All right, throw him into the boat! General Washington'll be right pleased to see ye, Mister Honeyman! Come along--oh, ye won't go, eh--well, fetch him, boys. HONEYMAN Leave me be! Stop it! The King's men'll make ye pay fer this. ALL Hey shut up--grab him Tom--stop that kickin', fetch him along. (_etc._) ANNOUNCER