ir?

WASHINGTON

He seems to be well bound. I think I'll have no trouble.

CORPORAL

Yes, sir. Very good, sir. Come on, men. We'll wait outside, sir.

WASHINGTON (_loud_)

Well, Honeyman. We've got you at last, eh?

HONEYMAN (_loud_)

I demand to be set free. Ye'll all answer to yer King fer this. (_door
shuts_)

WASHINGTON (_low_)

What news?

HONEYMAN

Across the river in Trenton there ain't but a thousand Hessians.

WASHINGTON

Who's commanding?

HONEYMAN

Colonel Rall, and he ain't none too keerful--no patrols up er down the
river--nobody at all north of him, and six miles to the nearest post on
the south of him.

WASHINGTON

Excellent--excellent! We can do it! I'll order the attack tomorrow
night! We'll trap them! We'll fight for once instead of retreat--we'll--

HONEYMAN

Beggin' yer pardon, sir.

WASHINGTON

Well?

HONEYMAN

If yer figgerin' on attackin', the time is Christmas night!

WASHINGTON

Why?

HONEYMAN

On Christmas the Hessians are goin' to git a big issue o' heavy wine,
an' wal'--General--ye know soldiers--I don't have to say no more!

WASHINGTON

Good! Christmas night! Yes that's it! Has Colonel Rall taken any
precautions against surprise?

HONEYMAN

Nary a one that I could see. He ain't a mite o' use fer you er yer
soldiers. Ragamuffins he called 'em.

WASHINGTON

Ragamuffins? Yes, they are, poor fellows, but Honeyman, we'll
see--perhaps ragamuffins can fight when they're given the chance--and
with this information, you have given us our chance!

HONEYMAN

Wal', sir, I thought ye'd like to know.

WASHINGTON

Now, shall I turn you lose, Honeyman?

HONEYMAN

No, General, I figger ye'd better treat me like a prisoner er I can't be
any more use to ye.

WASHINGTON

True, very well then. I'll have you put in the guardhouse and contrive
to have you escape.

HONEYMAN

Yes, sir.

WASHINGTON (_calling_)

Oh, Orderly!

VOICE (_off_)

Yes, sir.

WASHINGTON

Tell the Corporal who's waiting out there to come in and take his
prisoner to the guardhouse.

ORDERLY

Yes, sir--Corporal, come take charge of your prisoner.

CORPORAL (_off, coming in_)

Come on, men! Fall in around the prisoner--and look sharp that he
doesn't try anything--forward march! (_sound of feet receding_)

WASHINGTON (_to himself_)

Christmas night! Trenton--God be with us!

ANNOUNCER

That night, by some unexplained accident, John Honeyman escaped from t