]

Well, Nathan, what news?

HALE

I've got a job.

HULL

On the staff?

HALE

No. I'm afraid it's more hazardous than that.

HULL

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?

HALE

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

HULL [_whistles_]

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

HALE

Perhaps.

HULL

How are you going about it?

HALE

There's only one sure way of doing it.

HULL

Yes--and what's that?

HALE

I'll go myself into the enemy lines.

HULL

In disguise?

HALE

Of course.

HULL

That may involve serious consequences, Nathan.

HALE

I know it, but I think it's my duty.

HULL

Listen, Nathan. Let me go instead. It's more in my line.

HALE

No, William. The General has assigned me to the duty.

HULL

But he didn't order you to act the spy, did he?

HALE

No.

HULL

And he doesn't expect you to.

HALE

He expects me to get Howe's plans.

HULL

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

HALE

I'm afraid not, William.

HULL

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!

HALE

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.

HULL

Let me go with you, at least!

HALE

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!

HULL

But--

HALE

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

HULL

Oh, very well. Have it your way. When do we start?

HALE

Early tomorrow morning.

HULL

I'll get permission to accompany you at once.

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.