Tch—tch—giddap! Come on, boy!

ANNOUNCER

And now two hours later just as the first streaks of dawn begin to brighten the eastern sky our two riders are pushing their horses over a piece of rough, stony road. Suddenly Uriah pulls up his horse—

URIAH

Whoa, thar, boy! Ah, you've done et now!

RODNEY [off a little]

Whoa! What's happened now, Uriah?

URIAH

Wal', blamed ef I didn't think thet everything had happened to us thet could happen!

RODNEY [coming in]

What's wrong now? Why are you dismounting?

URIAH

This blamed hoss has pulled up lame.

RODNEY

Oh, too bad!

URIAH

Mebbe he's jest got a stone in his shoe—I'll take a look! Here, boy—lift up yer foot! Come on—let me look at et! Thar! No, 'tain't a stone.

RODNEY

Can't he carry you any farther?

URIAH

No. He can't hardly hobble. I cal'ate ye better go on without me, Mr. Rodney, while I lead this hoss into the next remount station.

RODNEY

I—I'm a little afraid to try it alone.

URIAH

Oh, ye kin make et all right—the hosses know the road.

RODNEY

I know—the horses can make it—but I don't know that I can.

URIAH

Gittin' wore out?

RODNEY

I'm afraid so.

URIAH

Wal', ye got to git to Philadelphia—I give my word.

RODNEY

All right—I'll go on—I'll try to make it.

URIAH

Look here—et's six or seven mile to the next remount station—I tell ye what I'll do—I'll tie this lame hoss here—and thet hoss of your'n will hev to carry double thet far!

RODNEY

I guess that's the best thing.

URIAH

Let me hev thet stirrup—

RODNEY

You all ready?

URIAH

Let him go.

RODNEY

Tch—tch—giddap! [sound of horses' hoofs]

ANNOUNCER

And now let us leave the two riders and their heroic effort against enormous odds to reach Philadelphia in time to make the decision for independence unanimous. Our next scene is on the steps of the State House, the morning of July 2, 1776. The hour for assembling Congress is drawing near. Thomas McKeen of Delaware is standing on the steps anxiously waiting and watching for Caesar Rodney. Dr. Franklin rides up in his carriage and steps out.

MCKEEN

Good morning, Dr. Franklin.

FRANKLIN

Good morning, good morning, my boy. Has Rodney come?

MCKEEN

Not yet. I've been waiting for an hour.

FRANKLIN

Oh, I hope he gets here.

MCKEEN

It is a long, hard ride.

FRANKLIN

This morning our action must be unanimous and final! One dissenting colony and we'll be defeated!

MCKEEN

How is it with Pennsylvania?

FRANKLIN

I was able to persuade Dickinson and Morris—we can count on Pennsylvania.

MCKEEN

You must have given them a good dinner, Doctor.

FRANKLIN

And good advice. [chuckles] Oh, here comes Rutledge.

MCKEEN

I hope he's convinced his colleagues from South Carolina.

FRANKLIN

Good morning, Mr. Rutledge.

RUTLEDGE

Good morning, Doctor—good morning, McKeen.

FRANKLIN

I trust, Mr. Rutledge, your dinner of last evening was as productive of good results as mine.

RUTLEDGE

You can count on South Carolina.

FRANKLIN

Great news, sir!

MCKEEN

Good!

RUTLEDGE

The members are beginning to assemble.

ALL [growing from one voice to many]

Good morning.
How do you do, Doctor?
Good morning, Mr. McKeen.
What news this morning?
Has Rodney come?
How will Pennsylvania vote, Doctor?
Good morning, Mr. Hancock.
Good morning, Dr. Franklin. A fine day, isn't it?
How is it with New Hampshire?
New Hampshire is unanimous, sir.
Good morning, gentlemen.
The hour of assembling is nearly here.
Shall we go in, gentlemen?
How do you do, Dr. Franklin?
Has New York been heard from?
Can we swing Delaware, Mr. McKeen?
Well, it's nearly nine o'clock.
There's no question about it, Mr. Livingston.
No, no, I don't believe we can go so far.
Yes, but we have no alternative. [etc.]
[this thins out but does not stop entirely]

VOICE [calling]

Come on, gentlemen, we must go in! It's nine o'clock. The session will open in a moment.

MCKEEN

Doctor, ask the members to delay—hold them a few minutes—don't let a quorum assemble.

FRANKLIN

Yes, yes! [louder] Gentlemen, just a moment.

ALL

Yes, Doctor, what is it?
What do you want, Dr. Franklin? [etc.]

FRANKLIN

Wait—wait a moment—don't go in just yet—come—do you mind standing here with us—no—perhaps—Mr. Adams, take several members and go up Market Street!

VOICE

Yes, certainly, Doctor—why?

FRANKLIN

Don't ask me why! We must delay the opening of the meeting. Come back in a quarter of an hour!

VOICE

Of course, sir.

FRANKLIN

And Livingston, keep the members here on the steps in conversation—don't let them go in.

VOICE

Certainly, Doctor.

FRANKLIN

Oh, Jefferson, you are always too prompt! My boy, be late this morning—stroll about the Square! Take some of your friends with you—sh—don't ask me why—I might incriminate myself! It's a beautiful morning for a stroll—you need the air, my boy—you need— [sound of horses' hoofs off, growing louder]

MCKEEN

Oh, Doctor, look!

FRANKLIN

Eh? What?

MCKEEN

Two horsemen coming up Market Street!

FRANKLIN

Is it by any chance—

MCKEEN

Yes, yes, it's Rodney—Rodney and the postrider—they're coming!

FRANKLIN

Good, good! This is a glorious day!

ALL

Here comes Rodney of Delaware!
Good! That swings Delaware into line!
It looks like unanimous action!
Rodney, Rodney—good work!
[horses' hoofs close, and stop]

URIAH [calling]

Wal', here we be, Mr. McKeen.

MCKEEN

Good! You're just in time!

RODNEY

They haven't voted yet?

MCKEEN

No, no, the session is just assembling. Come, dismount!

RODNEY

You'll have to give me a hand.

URIAH

Here—I'll help ye. [sound of dismounting]

RODNEY

I—I can hardly stand.

FRANKLIN

Here, Rodney,