The Project Gutenberg eBook of Caesar Rodney's Ride, by Henry Fisk Carlton.

BY

HENRY FISK CARLTON

Edited by CLAIRE T. ZYVE, Ph.D.
Fox Meadow School, Scarsdale, New York

HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR

The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.

The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.

When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you will each have a copy of the book in your hands. All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. In this way you will have the fun of living through some of the great moments of history.

HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE PLAY

There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word [ in ] means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while [ off ] indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions [ off, coming in ] are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words [ mob ] or [ crowd noise ] you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance.

Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.

CAESAR RODNEY'S RIDE

CAST

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
JOHN HANCOCK
JOHN RUTLEDGE
THOMAS MCKEEN
URIAH CLARKE
CAESAR RODNEY
PRUDENCE RODNEY
TOM
VOICES

ANNOUNCER

On July 1, 1776, the Continental Congress of the American Colonies faced one of the most important crises this country has ever passed through. Upon what happened that night depended the fate of the resolution before Congress which declared that: "These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." This was known as the Lee Resolution, the fate of which was to be decided by one of the most famous rides in history—Caesar Rodney's ride.

Let us begin our story on the morning of July 1, 1776, in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia. For nearly three hours the Lee Resolution has been the subject of furious debate. The members are all excited, anxious, overwrought. The debate has become bitter, for some of the members are unalterably opposed to independence. It is about noon when Dr. Franklin rises to address the Chair: [Pg 2]

I have sat uneasily, sir, during the furious debate, hoping that the storm would subside, and the bright sun of reason would shine upon us through the parting clouds. But, sir, I am fearful that the storm is gathering with new fury, and that we may be blown too far from our course to steer safely into harbor. Perhaps, sir, we should end this debate which seems to bid fair to wreck our unity. I move you, sir, that we lay the Lee Resolution on the table.

No, no, bring it to a vote!
Yes, lay it on the table!
Let's vote on it now!
Have it over with! [ etc. ]

I believe, sir, with Dr. Franklin, that the debate has lasted too long; but, sir, I am hopeful that with only a little more [Pg 3] delay we may secure unanimous action on the most important question which has ever been before this body. With Dr. Franklin's permission, I suggest an amendment, sir, that the resolution be laid upon the table until tomorrow morning. [ murmurs and comments ]

Mr. President, I have only one desire in this matter, and that is to see this body united and of one mind. If in the peace of a quiet July afternoon and the tranquillity of a night's rest we can find that bond which will unite us and hold us together, I say, yes—I accept Mr. Rutledge's amendment. Let us vote upon the Lee Resolution tomorrow morning.

Before putting Mr. Rutledge's motion to adjourn, I wish to caution all the members to the greatest secrecy. Whatever the outcome of our deliberation, we can only cause harm to ourselves and to our country by divulging what has been done here. The motion to adjourn is before the Congress. Those favoring?

Contrary minded?—Carried! [ sound of gavel ] Congress is adjourned until nine o'clock tomorrow morning.

It can't be done!
It's useless!
We can never get them to vote with us!
We must be united!
We can never unite on independence!
We must bring this thing about!
Will you join me?
We have no power to vote. [ etc. ]

I don't know, Dr. Franklin, but I've invited them to my lodging to dine with me and talk over the question.

Good, good! Often an excellent meal and a taste of fine wine carry more conviction than hours of argument. As I see it now, we must swing South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Delaware into line before tomorrow morning.

And I'll take care of Pennsylvania. I think I'll try your strategy—I'll invite the delegation to dinner.

Why, certainly. [ coming in ] Well, Dr. Franklin, we had a stormy session this morning.

None, I'm afraid. Dr. Reed and I are the only delegates here—and he is as unalterably opposed to independence as I am in favor of it. The vote of Delaware won't count. [Pg 7]

What about getting another favoring delegate here by tomorrow? Could you do that?

Well, Doctor, I'm afraid it's out of the question. Caesar Rodney favors the resolution, I know, but he's at home in Dover, Delaware.

Well, that's not impossible. We have until nine o'clock tomorrow morning—it's now—let's see—just a little after twelve—that's nearly twenty-one hours.

Perhaps he's better by now. Write him a letter—send it by the postrider—urge upon him the enormous importance of his getting here by tomorrow morning.

Do, Mr. McKeen, for we must have unanimous action on this question! We must hang together on this, or we'll all hang separately!

ANNOUNCER

So McKeen hurried to the postrider's stable. Now the postrider was to the people of Revolutionary days what the telegraph or the telephone is to us today. He carried messages at a very rapid rate, for those days, by changing horses every ten or fifteen miles.

As McKeen came up to the post stable, he saw the stableman sitting on a bench, hard at work cleaning a saddle.

I'm right sorry, sir, but thar ain't nawthin' I kin do about et. Come back this evenin' and I kin hev a man fer ye, but not before.

All right, Mr. Clarke, I've got to have a postrider to carry a very important message to Dover, Delaware, to get a man back here from Dover by nine o'clock tomorrow morning.

Eighty mile thar and eighty mile back—why, pshaw, sir, we couldn't do thet under a whole day—even ef we hed a rider to send out right now—which we ain't.

Law, sir, I ain't rode a trip like thet fer years. It 'ud more than likely kill me.

Ye couldn't pay me, sir—not fer thet ride. I know thet road like a book—bad, slow, hard on hoss flesh when ye take it easy. I'd stave up half my hosses—not to mention myself, sir, and I hev a mind fer myself, too.

Wal', sir, I'm a Son of Liberty, and et's my sworn duty to go whar I'm wanted fer liberty, and ef thet's et—

Thar won't be no price! I'll git yer man to Philadelphia tomorrow mornin' ef I hev to carry him myself. Who's yer man?

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—

Now, Caesar, you just mustn't overtax your strength—remember this is only the second day you've been out of bed.

July first. Why, today the Lee Resolution was to come up for final action! Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't there!

It's the most important motion that's come before the Continental Congress in the two years Congress has been sitting. [Pg 13]

Of course. It's the only thing left for us. We've got to declare our independence.

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

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

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!

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! [Pg 16]

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

Then we're off. [ horses' hoofs, Prudence's fading "Good-bye, good-bye!" ] [Pg 17]

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 ]

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

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.

I'm a-doin' et—thar ye be! [ another clap of thunder and storm noises ] She's a-comin' down now! Come on, follow me! Giddap, boy!

ANNOUNCER

And on into the storm they rode. Another hour—another change of horses. It is after midnight and they come upon a stretch of good road—

Then let's step along a mite and make up some of thet time we lost in the storm.

Giddap, boy! [ beat of horses' hoofs increases ] [ to himself ] Fifty mile. We got to make et, boy—we got to make et—come on—tch—tch—come on—and don't ye make a misstep.

Hey! Whoa, thar—whoa, thar—stand still thar, boy! Thar—I got ye! [ calling ] Where are ye, Mr. Rodney? What happened? Be ye hurt?

Here—hold the hosses, will ye—let me see thet saddle! Ah-ha!—Girth broken!

Not another word—climb aboard, thar. [ sound of getting Rodney on horse ] All right, boy, stand still. Thar we be! Go along with ye!

ANNOUNCER

And now five miles farther into the next remount station. Rodney and Uriah clatter up to the stable and find the stable closed, with everything dark. [Pg 21]

Whoa, boy! Hm—cal'ate they've all gone to bed. Wal', we'll fetch 'em out. Hold the hosses a minute!

I'll git thet lazy stableman out! Here's where he lives. Hey! Wake up! [ knocking ]

Wake up—come on out here. [ knocking ] Come on—we want a pair of hosses—wake up thar.

Oh, hello, Tom. I'm in a big hurry—come on—saddle me a couple of yer best hosses!

There's nothin' in the stable but two hosses thet come in so tuckered out they couldn't hardly eat their corn—ye'll hev to go on with the hosses ye got—less'n ye want to wait until mornin'.

We got to—I give my word. If ye can't give me a hoss, let me hev a saddle. We broke a saddle girth.

All right, Uriah—I'll git ye a saddle! Come on—but ye'll never make Philadelphia by mornin'! Not with the roads the way they be!

Come on—give me a hand—git et on this hoss! [ sound of putting saddle on ] [Pg 23]

I'll bet ye a hat and a new pair o' boots—come on, boy! [ sound of horses' hoofs ]

ANNOUNCER

Come on, boy—come on in—'tain't goin' ter hurt ye! Come on—giddap! [ sound of splashing water—roar of stream rises ] [Pg 25]

Go on—swim fer et! Go et, boy! Hold on tight, Mr. Rodney! Go et, boy—go et! [ sound of water recedes a little—we hear horses' hoofs on solid ground ]

Wal'! Thar we be! Made et slicker'n a greased griddle! You all right, Mr. Rodney?

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—

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

I trust, Mr. Rutledge, your dinner of last evening was as productive of good results as mine. [Pg 29]

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 ]

Come on, gentlemen, we must go in! It's nine o'clock. The session will open in a moment. [Pg 30]

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

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!

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

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

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 ] [Pg 31]

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 ]

Here, Rodney, take my arm—I seldom have a chance to support young and vigorous men now, but I insist on this!

My congratulations, Rodney—you've ridden to a great victory! Before another hour is passed a new nation will be born! [ members cheer ]

Mr. Clarke, I want to thank you. I was almost afraid you wouldn't get him here in time.

ANNOUNCER

And so Rodney, with his mud-spattered clothes, booted and spurred as he had ridden, went into the meeting of Congress and secured the adherence of Delaware to the Lee Resolution. When Congress was called to order and the vote taken, every Colony voted for independence, and, as New York did not vote at all, there was not a dissenting voice in the victory!

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