myself, sir, and I hev a mind fer myself,
too.

MCKEEN

Change riders--change your horses oftener--but make it you must!

URIAH

Not ef 'twas a matter of life and death, sir.

MCKEEN

It's more than that!

URIAH

Eh? What? What ye talkin' about?

MCKEEN

It's a matter of life and death for a nation--our country!

URIAH

Is et somethin' to do with Congress, sir?

MCKEEN

It is.

URIAH

Wal', sir, I'm a Son of Liberty, and et's my sworn duty to go whar I'm
wanted fer liberty, and ef thet's et--

MCKEEN

It is.

URIAH

Then I'll go.

MCKEEN

I'll pay your price.

URIAH

Thar won't be no price! I'll git yer man to Philadelphia tomorrow
mornin' ef I hev to carry him myself. Who's yer man?

MCKEEN

Caesar Rodney of Dover, Delaware. Here's a letter for him.

URIAH

Caesar Rodney--I'll fetch him!

MCKEEN

Good!

URIAH [_going_]

Hey, Jim! Throw a saddle on thet bay mare! [_orders fade out_]

ANNOUNCER

For our next scene let us look in at the home of Caesar Rodney in Dover,
Delaware. It is nearly eight o'clock on the evening of July 1, 1776.
Rodney, pale and drawn, with the languid air of a man but recently out
of a sick bed, is sitting in an easy chair. Mrs. Rodney is hovering over
him with a protecting anxiety--

PRUDENCE

You're sure you feel strong enough to sit up, Caesar?

RODNEY

Yes, yes, Prudence, I'm all right, I tell you.

PRUDENCE

You're sure you're not in any pain?

RODNEY

No, no, dear, I'm all right--just weak, that's all.

PRUDENCE

Now, Caesar, you just mustn't overtax your strength--remember this is
only the second day you've been out of bed.

RODNEY

Yes, dear.

PRUDENCE

And the physician said you mustn't overdo.

RODNEY

All right, dear. I wonder what's happening in Philadelphia.

PRUDENCE

You must get your mind off Congress. You mustn't worry.

RODNEY

I know, but--what date's today?

PRUDENCE

July first--why?

RODNEY

July first. Why, today the Lee Resolution was to come up for final
action! Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't there!

PRUDENCE

What's the Lee Resolution?

RODNEY

It's the most important motion that's come before the Continental
Congress in the two years Congress has been sitting.

PRUDENCE

What's it about?

RODNEY

Independence.

PRUDENCE

You mean to say they're even considering such a thing?

RODNEY

Of course. It's the only thing left for us. We've got to declare our
independence