CHAPTER XIII 



NATHAN HALE 



'I regret That I Have But One Life to Lose for My Country" — Capt. Hale, 

 the Patriot, Scholar and Soldier, Whose Mission Brought Him Death 

 But Spread His Name on the Living Pages of History. 



|HE "LOCUSTS" was another famous Revolutionary 

 dwelling which stood upon the Faile property near 

 Hunt's Point Road. It is said that Nathan Hale stopped 

 here over night while reconnoitering in the neighbor- 

 hood at the time the British were crossing at Hell Gate 

 and Washington had moved his troops to Harlem Heights. It 

 was shortly after this incident that Capt. Hale started on his ex- 

 pediton as spy. 



The story of Hale's heroic death, and the memorable words 

 he uttered when he was standing on the fatal ladder, will ever re- 

 main an inspiration to American hearts. 



Hale was only twenty-one years old when he died. He was 

 born in Coventry, Connecticut, June 6, 1755, and was the sixth 

 child of a family of twelve. He entered Yale College in 1770 and 

 was graduated with the highest honors three years later. After 

 leaving college he became a teacher in New London, Connecticut, 

 intending eventually to enter the ministry. Hardly had his career 

 begun when tidings arrived of the outbreak at Lexington. His 

 spirit was fired, and at a mass meeting of his townspeople in 

 Minery's Tavern, he dedicated his life to the cause of American 

 liberty. 



"Let us march immediately, and not lay down our arms until 

 we have gained our independence !" he said in most ardent tones. 

 Before the meeting closed, a company had been formed, and at 

 daybreak it was on its way to Boston. 



It was during the siege of Boston that Hale displayed his 

 great ability as a leader. In consideration of the services rendered 

 there, he was commissioned a Captain. 



During the summer of 1776, the American army suffered most. 



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