The Story of Nathan Hale - novelonlinefull.com
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Halt under the tree!
VOICE
Guard, halt!
CUNNINGHAM
Put the prisoner on the ladder!
HALE
It isn't necessary, sir--I can climb the ladder.
CUNNINGHAM
All right then, get up there. Put the halter around his neck, and blindfold him.
HALE
I can do that, too, sir.
CUNNINGHAM
All right, then, do it! And if you have any further statement or confession to make, now is the time to do it.
HALE
I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
CUNNINGHAM
Humph! Now, guard, when I give the word, kick the ladder and let the rebel swing. Are you ready?
VOICE
Ready.
CUNNINGHAM
Steady--now! [_noise of ladder, gasp, etc._] [_pause_] So let all spies, rebels, and traitors swing! March the guard off!
VOICE
Guard--fall in! Quick step--[_etc._]
MONTRESSOR [_to himself_]
Poor fellow--and he's hardly more than a boy.
CUNNINGHAM
And now, Captain Montressor, I'll trouble you for those letters.
MONTRESSOR
Here they are, Marshal.
CUNNINGHAM
Ah--[_sound of tearing paper_]
MONTRESSOR
What are you doing, sir? Stop it! Don't tear those letters up!
CUNNINGHAM
I've already done it, Captain.
MONTRESSOR
What did you do that for? They were intrusted to me for delivery.
CUNNINGHAM
Well--they won't be delivered! The rebels shall never know they had a man who could die with such firmness!
ANNOUNCER
The next day, however, Captain Montressor carried the news to the American lines under a white flag and repeated to Hale's companions those words--which have come down to us: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country!"
