e necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio,
talking in front of a microphone. The word [_in_] means that the
character is standing close to the microphone, while [_off_] indicates
that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the
directions [_off, coming in_] are given, the person speaking is away
from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words
[_mob_] or [_crowd noise_] you will understand mean the sound of many
people talking in the distance.

Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so
the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women
would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems
to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches
sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is
often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.

CAESAR RODNEY'S RIDE

_CAST_

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
JOHN HANCOCK
JOHN RUTLEDGE
THOMAS MCKEEN
URIAH CLARKE
CAESAR RODNEY
PRUDENCE RODNEY
TOM
VOICES

ANNOUNCER

On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress of the American Colonies faced
one of the most important crises this country has ever passed through.
Upon what happened that night depended the fate of the resolution before
Congress which declared that: "These United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from
all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection
between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally
dissolved." This was known as the Lee Resolution, the fate of which was
to be decided by one of the most famous rides in history--Caesar
Rodney's ride.

Let us begin our story on the morning of July 1, 1776, in the
Continental Congress at Philadelphia. For nearly three hours the Lee
Resolution has been the subject of furious debate. The members are all
excited, anxious, overwrought. The debate has become bitter, for some of
the members are unalterably opposed to independence. It is about noon
when Dr. Franklin rises to address the Chair:

FRANKLIN

Mr. President--

HANCOCK

Dr. Franklin.

FRANKLIN

I have sat uneasily, sir, during the furious debate, hoping that the
storm would subside, and the bright sun of reason would shine upon us
through the parting clouds. But, sir, I am fearful that the storm is
gathering with new fury, and th