Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-07-04

patriotic. This we know from the
familiar records of his life at the time
when the call to arms was first heard.
In addition to his other gifts and
graces, he was handsome, vigorous and
athletic, all in an extraordinary de-
gree. If he had lived in our day he
might have pulled the stroke oar at
New London or pitched for the college
nine.
The officers were Conversing in q
group. No one had as yet spoken the
decisive word. Colonel Knowlton ap-
pealed to a French sergeant, an old
soldier of former wars, and asked him
to volunteer.
NO, no." said he, Il am ready to
fight the British at any place and time,
but | do not feel willing to go among
them to be hung up like a dog"
Captain Hale Joined the group Of
officers. He said 10 Colonel Knowl-
tea:
Il will undertake it."
Some Of his best friends remon-
strated. One of them, afterwards the
famous Gen. William Hull, then a cap
tain in Washington's army, has re-
corded Hale's reply to his own attempt
to dissuade him.
IL think" said Hale, Il owe to my
country the accomplishment of an OBJ
ject so important. | IN fully sensible
of the consequences OF discovery n
capture in such a situation. But for a
year have been attached TO the army,
and have not rendered any material
service, while receiving a compensa-
ton for which | make no return. l
wish to be useful. and every kind OF
service necessary for the public good
becomes honorable by being neces-
sary."
He spoke, rs General Hull remem-
bered. with earnestness and decision.
as one who had considered the mat
ter well, and had made up his mind.
Having received his instructions, he
travelled fifty miles along the SOUND as
far as Norwalk, in Connecticut. One
who saw him there made a very wise
remark upon him. to the effect that he
was too good looking" TO go as a spy
He could not deceive. Some scruOOy
fellow ought to have gone Al o
walk he assumed the disguise or a
Dutch schoolmaster, putting on a suit
NJ nlain brown clothes and a round,
broad-brimmed hat. He had no dlnn-
Guilty in crossing the Sound, since ne
hore an order from General Washing
ton which placed at his disposal all
the vessels belonging to Congress. For
several days everything appears 10
have gone well with him, and there IS
reason to believe that he passed
brough the entire British army with
ont detection or even exciting suSpl-
cion.
Finding the British Rad crossed 10
New York, he followed them. he maze
his way back to Long Island ana near
" reached the point opposite Norwaih
where he hand originally landed heh-
dered. perhaps. too bold by success ne
went into a well-known n popular
tavern. entered into conversation Win
the puests and made himself very
agreeable. The tradition is that ne
made himself too agreeable A man
present, suspecting or knowing thd'
he was not the character ne nau aS-
sumed, quietly left the room commun,
icated his suspicious to the captain VI
a British ship anchored near VINO us,
matched a boats crew 70 capture anu
hiring on board the agreeable
His true character was immeoia'eiy ie
vealed. Drawings of some OF the nrit-
isb works. with notes IN Lauh' "et'
found hidden in the soles OF his SHOES
Nor did he attempt to deceive ms cap
tors, and the English captain lament.
ing as he said, that 80 nne d ieiio"
hsd fallen into his power" sent MN
70 New York In one of his boats ana
with him the fatal proofs that he was
sentember 21st was the day on when
ia reached. New York-the Gay o. inc
rreat are which laid one-third OF 'he