Colonel Knowlton informs me that you and your company have been a.s.signed to cover the North Sh.o.r.e line of Long Island Sound.

HALE

Yes, sir!

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Well, Captain Hale, I am seriously in need of exact information which you may be able to secure.

HALE

What is that, sir?

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Lord Howe's plans!

HALE

Yes, sir!

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Can you get them?

HALE

I can try, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

You don't seem daunted by the magnitude of the undertaking.

HALE

It is an order, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Well, my boy, no man knows better than I the impossibility of some orders.

HALE

But, sir--

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

I hope, though, that this is not impossible. I have to have the information. The safety of my whole army depends upon it. I must know particularly where General Howe intends to strike next.

HALE

Yes, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

If he comes across the East River, we can protect ourselves and keep out of his way. But if he comes across Long Island Sound--do you realize what that may mean to us?

HALE

Yes, sir. He can cut off our retreat.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Exactly! So that's what I must know.

HALE

I'll find out for you, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Good! Now, Captain, you may go about your task in any way you see fit.

I suggest two or three alternatives. First, you may tempt one of the enemy or a Tory who has access to the British lines, with a sum of money. You may draw on me for whatever is necessary.

HALE

Yes, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Or you might make a sally across the Sound, capture a prisoner or two, and secure bits of information.

HALE

Yes, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Or, though I hate to suggest it, you might go yourself in disguise to the British lines, but that should be only in a last desperate effort.

HALE

I understand, sir.

WAs.h.i.+NGTON

Or if you could get in touch with certain persons on Long Island who have been of service to us before--let's see--there is a shoemaker in Jamaica--what is his name--oh, here it is--Simon Carter.

HALE