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!"