Steady now! Here I come--all right! I didn't even get my feet wet!

HULL

Let me take a good look at your disguise. Hm--brown homespun suit--yes--that's a poor enough fit even for a penniless schoolmaster.

And that hat! Yes, it'll disguise you all right.

HALE

I hope so. Give me an oar, I'll help you pull to the gunboat.

HULL

Here you are. [_rattle of oar in oarlock_] All ready?

HALE

Pull away, [_noise of regular rattle of oars in the lock and the swish of water continuing_]

HULL

Where are you going first, Nathan?

HALE

I don't know. I'll have to let circ.u.mstances direct me.

HULL

Are you going directly to that shoemaker the General referred you to?

HALE

No, not directly. I'll see what I can do without any help at first.

HULL

You better change your mind and let me go with you.

HALE

It's no use, William. I won't change my mind.

HULL

You always were stubborn, Nathan.

HALE

Perhaps. There's the gunboat, William!

HULL

Sure that's it?

HALE

No doubt of it.

HULL

Shall I hail them?

HALE

Let's pull in a little closer.

HULL

All right, pull away. There's no light aboard.

HALE

No--there wouldn't be. These waters are alive with British boats.

HULL

There! That's close enough! Give 'em a call now!

HALE

Ahoy, there!

BOS'N [_distance_]

Ahoy! Look sharp there! Don't come any closer! Who are you, and what do you want?

HALE

I want to speak to your Captain.

BOS'N

Who are you?

HALE

An officer of the Continental army!