id="pgepubid00007">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.

PRUDENCE

Well, I'm mighty glad you weren't there today to vote for it.

RODNEY

Why?

PRUDENCE

You'd just have put a rope around your neck.

RODNEY

My dear, I've done that long ago. [knocking] See who's at the door, dear.

PRUDENCE

All right. [knocking] Yes, yes, I'm coming. [door opens]

URIAH [off]

Does Caesar Rodney dwell here?

PRUDENCE

Yes, what's wanted?

URIAH

Kin I see him, ma'm?

PRUDENCE

He's just out of a sick bed and not very strong.

URIAH

Et's very important, ma'm.

RODNEY [calling]

Ask him to come in, Prudence.

PRUDENCE

Well, just a minute—and don't excite him. Right in this way.

URIAH

Be ye Caesar Rodney?

RODNEY

Yes.

URIAH

Here's a letter fer ye.

RODNEY

A letter—where from?

URIAH

Philadelphia. I fetched et all the way since noon today.

RODNEY

Indeed! [sound of tearing paper]

PRUDENCE

Now, Caesar, do you think you ought to read that?

RODNEY

Why not?

PRUDENCE

It might be something exciting—something you oughtn't to read—it might upset you—let me read it first!

RODNEY

Oh, nonsense! [rattle of paper]

PRUDENCE

I do wish people could leave a sick man alone—always bothering you!

RODNEY

Quiet! What's this—what's this? They haven't voted on the Lee Resolution yet! They need me! Prudence, my riding boots!

PRUDENCE

Your riding boots! Have you gone crazy, Caesar?

RODNEY

Don't stand and argue! Please get my boots—there isn't a moment to lose! I've got to be in Philadelphia before nine o'clock tomorrow morning!

PRUDENCE

You can't go! It'll kill you!

RODNEY

Where's my riding coat? Hurry up—get my boots!

PRUDENCE

You shan't go—I won't let you!

RODNEY

I've got to go—I'm needed. If you won't get the boots, I will!

PRUDENCE

Oh, please, sir, whoever you are—

URIAH

I'm Uriah Clarke, ma'm—at yer service.

PRUDENCE

Please, please, don't let him go! He can't stand it—he's too weak. He's been terribly ill—the physician told him he must rest—he could never stand a trip like that!

URIAH

But, ma'm, he's got to git thar. And I give my word thet I'd hev him thar tomorrow mornin'.

PRUDENCE

Your word—what's your word to a man's life!

URIAH

What's a man's life to the life of his country!

RODNEY [coming in]

All right, I'm ready—let's start!

PRUDENCE

Caesar!

RODNEY

Good-bye, Prudence.

PRUDENCE

If I can't persuade you to give up this mad—

RODNEY

You can't, my dear—

PRUDENCE

Good-bye, and God be with you. [door opens]

URIAH

Here ye be, sir—this is yer hoss.

RODNEY

You'll have to give me a hand up—I'm a little weak.

URIAH

All right, sir. [sound of mounting horses] Ready?

RODNEY

Ready!

URIAH

Then we're off. [horses' hoofs, Prudence's fading "Good-bye, good-bye!"]

ANNOUNCER

And so out into the July night rode Caesar Rodney and the postrider, bound for Philadelphia eighty miles away—an hour—two hours—past the first remount station—it is nearing eleven o'clock. [sound of horses' hoofs and thunder]

RODNEY

Is that thunder?

URIAH

Cal'ate thet's what 'tis.

RODNEY

I hope it doesn't rain.

URIAH

'Twon't help us none ef et does.

RODNEY

I don't see how we can ever make it if it starts raining.

URIAH

We got to make et—rain or no rain. I give my word of honor to Mr. McKeen. Git along, boy—tch—tch.

RODNEY

It's sprinkling.

URIAH

I felt et. [another peal of thunder closer] [sound of rain and wind]

RODNEY

I guess it's on us.

URIAH

Here—draw up yer hoss!

RODNEY

What for?

URIAH

Never mind—do what I say! Whoa, boy, whoa! Here, put on my greatcoat!

RODNEY

Oh, no, no!

URIAH

Ye need et. Do as I say. Ye been ill, and I ain't a-goin' to hev ye catchin' yer death o' cold—here ye be—now put et on.

RODNEY [giving in]

But—but what will you do—Uriah?

URIAH

I'm rugged—I don't need et. [exchanging coat]

RODNEY

Really, you oughtn't to do this.

URIAH

I'm a-doin' et—thar ye be! [another