Hutchinson gazette., 1901-07-04

putllOllV' Ahio w hhS" HN''
familiar records Of his life at the time
when the call to arms was lrst heard
In addition to his other gifts and
graces he was handsome, vigorous and
athletic, all in an extraordinary de-
gree. II he had lived In our day he
might have pulled the stroke oar at
New London, or pitched for the college
nine.
The officers we're conyerslng in a
group. No one had as yet spoken the
decisive word. Colonel Knowlton ap-
pealed to n French sergeant, an old
soldier OF former wars, and asked him
to volunteer.
mo, no." said he. II am ready to
fight the British at any place and time,
but | do not feel willing to 90 among
them to be hung UP like a dog"
Captain Hale Joined the group Of
officers. lie said to Colonel Knowl-
ton:
IT 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
i to dissuade him.
II think" said Hale, II owe to my
country the accomplishment of an OBJ
feet so important. am fully sensible
OF the consequences OF discovery and
capture in such situation. But for n
year l 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. MS 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 very wise
remark upon him, to the effect that he
was too good looking" to go as a spy.
He could not deceive. Some scrubby
fellow ought to have gone" At Nor
walk he assumed the disguise OF a
Dutch schoolmaster, putting on a suit
OF plain brown clothes and round,
broad-brimmed hat. He had no diff
Guilty in crossing the Sound, since he
bore an order from General Washing
ton which placed at his disposal all
the vessels belonging to Congress. For
several days everything appears to
have gone we'll with him, and there is
reason to believe that he passed
through the entire British army with
out detection or even exciting suspi-
cion.
Finding, the British had crossed to
New York, he followed them. He made
his way back to Long Island, and near
ly reached the point opposite Norwalk
where he hand originally landed. Rem
dered, perhaps, too bold by success, he
went into a well-known and popular
tavern, entered into conversation with
the guests and made himself very
agreeable. The tradition is that he
made himself too agreeable A man
present. suspectlng or knowing that
no was not the character he had as
sumed, quietly left the room, commun-
icated his suspicious to the captain OF
British ship anchored near. who dis
patched a boats crew to capture and
bring on board the agreeable stranger
His true character was Immediately re-
vealed. Drawings Of some Of the Brit
ish works, with notes in Latin, were
found hidden In the soles of his shoes
Nor did he attempt to deceive his cap
tors, and the English captain, lament.
ing, as he said, that 80 fine fellow
had fallen into his power" sent him
TO New York In one Of his boats. and
with him the fatal proofs that he was
a spy.
September 2lst was the day on which
he reached New York--the day Of the
great nre which laid one-third Of the