 Proudly we hail! From New York City where the American stage begins, here is another program with a cast of outstanding players. Public service time has been made available by the station for your Army and your Air Force to bring you this story as Proudly we hail the courage of Patriots. Our story is entitled The Invisible Chain. It's a true story of courage and intrigue during historic times of the American Revolution. Our first act curtain will rise in just a moment, but first... Here is a message for you young women. There's a future for you in Air Force Blue. Yes, an important future in the exciting places of the world. Today the WAF, Women in the Air Force, is rapidly expanding to keep pace with our defense needs. If you are between the ages of 18 and 34 and can qualify, enlist in the WAF, women in the Air Force and join the many patriotic American women who are serving their country on the Air Force team. Visit your United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Station. Have a talk with a recruiting sergeant and learn all of the facts today. And now your Army and your Air Force present the Proudly we hail production, The Invisible Chain. Shortly after dark the Lugger put out between the islands with the winds strong from the southeast and the tide on the Ebb. She sailed on a long reach, cutting a white frothy track across the sound. But it was a track no hunter could follow, for the sea quickly smoothed it over and the darkness blotted it out. Two hours before midnight, the small sailboat, its sail tightly furled, slipped into a deserted cove above Sitokin on the north shore of Long Island. The night was black and the wind had a bone in its teeth. What of the fish in the sea? All would be independent. Evening, Caleb. You made it in good time. This wind holds the dues well in return. Run into any picket boats? An area one. Corporal Junior advises me that the information in these dispatches is most vital. Hand them over. We have them away. Now you can find your way in this darkness as beyond me. Each to zone. Ain't I your job, I, June founder? If neither of us do that, we'd both dance a jig at the end of the news. We'll watch for your signal. Here, give me your hand. The two men met as they had been doing for over a month, and as they would continue to do for months to come. In October 1778, Abraham Woodhull and Caleb Brewster were engaged in a dangerous and unsung occupation for the cause of independence. They were important members in our country's first intelligence corps. They belonged to the chain Major Benjamin Talmage had forged and linked around and through the British Hell City of New York. The place where General Clinton and his officers formulated their strategy on the conduct of the war against the colonies. Sit down, David. Orderly. Send in the dispatch rider. You're looking well. You won't bother you? No, not really, Major. I can tell when it's going to rain. Well, at least, come in, Thad. Thad, I want these papers delivered to General Washington just as quickly as they can reach them. You'll find them at Middlebrook. Report back here to me as soon as you come in. Good luck. Talk at his fellow. That's too busy doing to talk. And chewing. Yes, and chewing. Well, David, I've got a job for you, if you feel up to it. It is a fiddle, Major. You understand how the system in New York works? I think so. A man who calls himself Culper Jr. picks up information in the city and passes it on to a man who calls himself Culper Sr. on Long Island. And he hands it over to a boatman from Connecticut. Who hands it over to you? That's close enough. Now, of course, Culper Jr. has a number of sources of information. Should any one of them fall into British hands, they could expose Culper Jr. It's a risk, big risk, he's had to take. This morning, we learned that one of his most important informants was suspected on Wednesday past. They caught him? Not yet, as far as we know. Luckily, he was given some warning and managed to evade capture. He's gone to Earth somewhere in the city. You think if they find him, he'll expose Culper Jr.? Diggs might to save his own neck. As long as Diggs remains in New York, he's a threat to our most important link in the chain. And you want me to go find him and bring him out? If he hasn't been captured already, yes. If he has been captured, Culper Jr. will know and have left the city. What am I to pose as? A loyalist? The most loyal loyalist that ever drank a toast to George III have arranged everything. You have but to give me your answer. And remember, David, you're under no obligation to undertake this task. It's extremely dangerous. And should you succeed, there'll be no thanks from anyone. For General Washington and myself. Well, I'd say that was thanks enough. It was called the neutral ground and it lay between the outposts of the two armies. It was a vast, thickly wooded, little-inhabited no-man's land, covering roughly the area between White Plains to the north and King's Bridge to the south. It was an area infested with brigands and gangs of tufts whose only loyalty was to their pocketbook. Here, cavalry patrols of the opposing armies kept restless watch over one another and now and again clashed in short, grim conflict. The man who traveled this area alone, whether armed or not, was to say the least foolhardy. Spur! Spur that! He's getting away! Left out in Trombridge! Yes, sir. Lights fading fast. Best be getting back. Bring the droop. Hark! Down there, sir! There he is! Digging! After him! Droop! Ordered! Now, sir, I suppose you'll tell me who you are and what's your business. Well, first, Captain, let me thank you for saving my neck another five minutes and they'd have had me. Glad to be of service. You must be a stranger to this territory or else they're bloody fool for riding it alone. Yes, who were they? Brigands, thieves, murderers. Much safer being chased by rebel cavalry. Had them after you, too, eh? Yes, I came through the lines west of White Plains. One of their pickets spotted me. They chased me all the way to Scarsdale. Surprised they didn't catch you. Juicy good men. Rebels, sir, riff-raff the off-scourings of the gutter. Maybe so. Fight them, learn respect. May go in rags. Fight like devils. Crafty. I'm surprised to hear an English officer say so. Surprised myself. Who are you, sir? My name is David Gray. I'm from Newport. I bring news from friends there for Major Delancey. Major Delancey expects you. Not exactly, but he'll be glad of the news I bring. We'll see. You don't trust me, Captain. Don't know you from Adam. Maybe a rebel spy. Trust no one, Delancey. I guess I can't blame you for that. Though I blush for shame at the thought. The bookshop stood on what is now the corner of Broadway and Pell Street. It was a fashionable store and its young proprietor Robert Townsend was accepted and liked by British officers and loyalist sympathizers alike. Townsend mingled freely with them, visited the nearby coffee houses in their company and joined them at the Royal Theatre on John Street, where current news from London was bandied about. There was nothing strange or suspicious about David Gray, late of Newport, visiting the bookshop shortly after his arrival in the city. Good evening, sir. Can I help you? Yes, I'm looking for a somewhat rare addition. Major Littleton said that you might possibly have it. Major Littleton? Yes. It's kind of him to send you here. I hope I have it for you. What's the title? Dr. Pegasus' Revelations. In the Latin. I was just locking up for the night. Possible I may have the copy you desire in the back room. Go right through there. I'll join you in a moment. Thank you. I was beginning to think you'd never come. It's been a touch and go. How did you manage? I brought reports from Newport to Delancey. Major Townsend had intercepted their original messenger. I've taken his part. They trust you? As far as I can tell. Do you know where Diggs is hiding? Diggs told me if he ever had a run for it, there were three places he might go. Once I locate him, what's our best plan? You must try to get to Cetoket and Culper Senior. He can hide you both until a boat can be sent. Now, if you will hold that end of the map, I'll show you. Then we can try to make a plan. The tavern stood boxed in by a row of rundown buildings little more than shanties. It was a poor foul-smelling neighborhood and after dark, a man must be on his guard. The tavern was frequented by British and Hessian soldiery, press gangs and a host of other unsavory characters. It was no place for a gentleman of fashion to stick his neck. Else he loses it. But a man wearing a black patch over his eye, a dirty black coat to match it in battered tricorne to cover his unkempt hair, was accepted into this raucous company without notice. What'll it be? I'm your fat-bellied pirate. I'll see the color of your money first, one eye. I'll see the color of your blood if you're not cautious. Yeah, that satisfy you? Oh, smuggling must be profitable these days. I'll leave all of your blathering and bring me rum. What'll it be? Dram, pint? The bottle, you adorapated jack and apes. Yeah. Prime West Indian comes off a privateer, not a weak past. And I hope she had jokes. Not bad. Not as bad for a pesto such as this. If it's not to your liking, drink elsewhere. Privateer wouldn't be the loafer, would she? Might be? Why? I got me a score to settle with one of her crew. That's why, if it's any of your business... Her hands lay too, here, off to snuggle. Ah, you don't tell me. You know, a yellow-livered round-bellied cove calls himself... Diggs. Diggs, is it? Diggs, is it you're not deep? He ain't been in tonight. Lucky for him. If you should see him before I do, tell him I'll call Benz. He's been asking after his elf. And tell him when I get my hands on him, it'll take a quick turn for the work. I'll do that. Stand easy until after I close. What's your pleasure, mates? Diggs. I've been sent to try and get him out. What's on the corner of Broadway and Pell Street? Bookshop. Who's the proprietor? Robert Townsend. Does he have another name? Paul Virginia. Oh, man. You don't know how close you came to having your innards blown at your back. So they sent you to get him out. Or nearly, it wouldn't be too hard a task. I know they've got a careful watch out for you. That's not what I mean. When they caught on to him, he came here and I've kept him hidden since then. And tied up. What do you mean? You were right when you said yellow-livered. He's green with fear and he grows more so every day. Were I to turn him loose, he'd run for the British and tell them all he knows to keep the rope off his neck. Oh, that's bad. Not only Culper Jr. would go, but I'd go too. All right, let's have a talk with him. Talk will do little good, I warrant. I had my mind made up if you hadn't come tonight. There wouldn't have been any digs on the morrow. It's the safest and the quickest way all around. We've got too much at stake to take a risk on the likes of him. You are listening to the proudly we hail production, The Invisible Change. Our story will continue in just a moment after this important message. You know times have certainly changed. Just a few short years ago, women were completely left out of this man's world. Today, however, in more and more instances, women are proving that they can assume the role of skill technicians. A case in point is aviation. Today in our rapidly expanding Air Force, women are taking their places as photographers, control tower operators, cryptographers and dispatchers. And these are but a few of the vital services now being performed by the women in the Air Force. If you are between the ages of 18 and 34 and can qualify, visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today. You are listening to Proudly We Hail and now we present the second act of The Invisible Chain. New York City in the days of the revolution had a population between 18 and 20,000. The main portion of its inhabitants lived on the lower part of Manhattan. And a large portion of the island was either wooded or farmland. The British headquarters at Beekman Mansion was located at what is now 51st Street and 1st Avenue. As the British had captured the city in 1776, by the fall of 1778 they were completely acquainted with its topography, much of its citizenry and perhaps most importantly its avenues for arrival and departure. They also held all land and waterways in the immediate vicinity of the island. And so to get off Manhattan without a proper pass was an extremely difficult and dangerous job. British sentries were alert, suspicious and constantly on their guard against any illicit movement either into or out of New York. Now listen to me, Diggs, for the last time I risked my neck to come here and find you. Either you're going to get hold of yourself and agree to try to get away with me or your host here is going to put a bullet in your head. I tell you, you can't get out. Don't tell me anything. Oh, I waste time with him. He'll only get all of us caught. Be still. Diggs, there's no one who suspects me. I'm thought to be an ardent loyalist. He will probably offer me a job shortly, but I can't afford to wait around until he does. Now, sooner or later, someone is going to recognize me or someone is going to come from Newport who knows the man I'm supposed to be. That means our time is short and we've got to work fast. Have you always worn that beard? The beard, the beard. Have you always worn one? Get a saving bowl. I'll show you how to change a man's looks. Now boil me for a codfish. If I didn't know it was me, I wouldn't believe it was me. It's fair astonishing. Well, it shows what a little hair dye and grease paint will do. I'll wager when I get rid of these trappings. You'll not recognize me, either. I look like a dandy. After a bath, you'll look like my valet. I don't follow you so good. You're going to follow me back to my lodging. No, no. Now look, you silly fool. You can't recognize yourself. What makes you think anyone else will recognize you? You're coming with me and you'll do as I say or I'll put a bullet through you. Can't you walk any faster? You've got to get to my lodgings before daylight. I'm doing my best. I can't. Hold. What is it? Hessions. Two squads of them. They're surrounding the house on the corner. Wait. Keep back, man. I knew it. I knew it. Now they're... Shut your face. Turn around and start walking. Slowly. Slowly, I said. What are you going to do now? Get back to the tavern if we're lucky. They found me out sooner than I expected. It's all the money I can spare. Will it buy us a boat? I'll do my best. The lobster bags keep sharp watch over everything that floats. Well, I just want the boat, not a boatman. Have it left under the docks as close by as possible. You're going to try and get across to Brooklyn? Only way now. Bad sess to it. Pity they found out so soon. Luck will hope it changes for the better. If there's a fog tonight, you might make it. Then pray for a fog. Follow the street to its end. Diggs knows the way. The boat is under the long wharf. There'll be a century there about, so be on your guard. No time to thank you. Don't even know your name. No need for names. Causes are more important. Good luck. Thank you. Come on, Diggs. Keep out of you when we're done. When he reaches the far end of his post, he'll take the corner of the wharf and slide down that piling. Into the water? Of course into the water. Hold onto the piling and I'll join you as soon as he's reached the other end of his wharf. Get ready. This wharf is cold. We'll freeze if you breath. You see the boat? There ain't any boat. We've been tricked. Keep your voice down, you fool. Under the wharf, you'll see what I can find. We'll have to paddle across. This flitty tub isn't fit for driftwood. No, it's a boat of sorts. It floats and with luck it'll take us where we want to go. Come on now, sit up forward. Keep your eyes and your ears peeled. How are you going to get out from under this dock without the lobster back seeing us? It's not a cat. As long as she stays off the wharf, you won't see us. I'll paddle till we're clear. Now sit tight, man. Easy, old Diggs. We should be getting close. Yeah, I can't see a foot in this fog. Still. Have you ever heard ship spells before? She's right on top of us. Now ship your oar. I'll paddle the rest of the way. We've got to find a place to hide. It's getting right and I'm fair done in. Once we get through their lines, we can find cover. We've had the luck of the devil already. We'll be seeing sure in this light. No, not if we stick to the valley. The fog will protect us. I tell you, we shall. Listen. Ladies trogoons, a whole Persian troop of them. Run. Hold on. Come on. Run and they will see us. Get down by those bushes and lie still. But they'll see us. They're going to see us. Now you'll lie still. Looks like we'll lie here tonight. You'd better go cautiously, yetaways. I suppose you think I should be beholden to you. Getting me out of that mess and all. Well, I ain't hitting me like that not so much as a buy your leave. If I hadn't hit you, sir, you might have received a more permanent injury at the end of a road. Well, there was no reason for any of... What's all this? Stand easier. I'll let daylight through you. Who the devil are you and what are you doing here? Get that musket out of my face. Well, you listen to Mr. Einmite. Get your ends into the air and turn around. Please, we ain't done nothing. We ain't done nothing. We're sticking a stroll in the moonlight, that's all, eh? Well, we'll just take a stroll back... Run! Corporal of the... Always be your right house. Just don't ask so many questions and forget you've ever seen this place. Two friends from the city. Culper Jr. sends his regard. Come in quickly. Well, you look like you've had a time of it. You're Abraham Woodhull. I'm David Gray. This is Diggs. And they've turned the whole countryside upside down looking for you. Oh, yes, we know. Have they come here? Not as yet. They're making a very thorough search every house. They may come here tomorrow. How soon can we be taken across the sound? Tomorrow night. Weather permitting. You have a place for us to hide in the meantime? I have a place. We'll hope if the British foxes stop by, they won't nose you out. Sound like they're taking the house apart, stick by stick? They'll find a sure. Well, stop your sniffling till they do. Watch down there behind that crack door. Watch down there. Well, that's where I hide rebel agents. I will indeed. Sergeant, give me that torch. What are those? Potatoes in the bag, cider in the barrels. Would you care for a dram, Captain? Thank you, no. What's behind those barrels? Oh, just the wall. That was a good place for a man to hide. Let's have the tops off. Take the tops off them, but, sir, that'll ruin the cider. If you think I've got somebody hidden in them, turn the spigot on each one, you'll see. All right, all right, all right. I think you should know, sir, that I'm a loyal subject of the king. Well, if he had turned on the spigot, I think I'd have run right out of it. Oh, amen to that. The day Tyron's men searched the talkat in the surrounding area for two men thought to be spies against the crown. Judge Strong's wife hung a black petticoat and three white handkerchiefs on her clothesline. With the aid of a telescope, Abraham Woodhull, Adios Culper Sr., studied Mrs. Strong's laundry and read in it an important message. Kayla Brewster coming tonight will put in at Hans Cove. Mr. Woodhull, we owe you our lives. Hanson's men, we're all in this together. My regards to major tellmage. Ain't never this talkie tired, sir, dear. Biggs, you've Mr. Brewster a hand. Well, goodbye, Mr. Woodhull. Goodbye, David. Dawn should find you safely in Connecticut. Through David Gray's coolness and daring, the weak link in the chain was successfully removed. And until the cessation of hostilities, the chain continued to function, playing a little known totally unsung but vital part in the progress of our war for independence. The most important message for young women listening to this radio program. If you are between the ages of 18 and 34 and qualify, you can prove that this is a woman's world, too. How? By enlisting in the web, women in the Air Force. By joining right now when you're needed most and when the opportunities for advancement are greatest, you'll be serving your country well and yourself, too. So do your part in keeping America strong. Visit your local United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Station and enlist in the web, women in the Air Force. Do it now. This has been another program on Proudly We Hail, presented transcribed in cooperation with this station by the United States Army and the United States Air Force Recruiting Service. This is Kenneth Fanghart speaking and inviting you to tune in this same station next week for another interesting story on Proudly We Hail.