Our next scene is just after dark. Nathan Hale has put on his disguise,
while William Hull has found a rowboat, and now draws up to the shore
where Nathan is waiting for him.

HALE

Hello, William, that you?

HULL

It's me, right enough. Come on, climb in.

HALE

All right. Hold her there while I get aboard.

HULL

Easy, you'll have to jump for it! This is as close as I can come with
this old tub.

HALE

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 circumstances 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!

BOS'N

Stand by--I'll report you.

HALE [_low_]

All right, William, as soon as I go aboard, row back to shore, and wait
ten days for me. If I've not returned by then, go back and report me as
lost.

HULL

Now, listen, Nathan! I've come this far with you, let me go--

HALE

We've settled all that, William, not once but several times.

HULL

Oh, all right.

POND [_distance_]

Ahoy, there! What's wanted?

HALE

I wish to come aboard, sir, with your permission.

POND

Hel