 The DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry presents the cavalcade of America. Tonight's play, one came through. Tonight's star, Wendell Corey. Bells told mournfully in Boston on the first day of June, the year 1774. By active parliament, in direct reprisal for the Boston Tea Party, the thriving little port was closed, shut down indefinitely, cut off from the sea lanes by a grim squadron of British warships in the harbor, by batteries that commanded every approach by land. In a matter of weeks, Boston is like a ghost town. The shops empty, wharves deserted, town meetings forbidden. The only sound, a steady tramp of British patrols. From the window of his shop on Fleet Street, William Dawes, a tanner, watches the approach of a company of Redcoats. Peter. Peter. We're out to have visitors. Some of the British are headed this way. They march well enough, that they do, with an air like they were a company of the King's Nobles. Go on, hold them, Dawes. I'm William Dawes. I'm Colonel Smith of the King's Regiment. By order of General Gage, I'm to search these premises. Search away. Corporal, look in the back. Inside McCready. Sir. Upstairs. Yes, sir. Two of you men come with me. You there. You! Me? Stand up. It's a difficult procedure for a man of my advanced years, with that you insist. Who are you? It's Peter Gadsden, my clerk. Let him out, sir. Peter Gadsden. Quirk. What are you doing with that knife? Whittling. Whittling what? Whittling a wattle. A what? Not a what, a wattle. What the devil's a wattle? A wattle is what a whittle a whittles. Now, some whittles aren't sure what they whittle, but when I whittle, I always whittle wattles. Don't you? What's your tongue? A feat I have never been able to accomplish. My nose obstructs the view. Colonel, is it in order to ask why you invaded my shop, and just what are you looking for? You're an officer of the militia, Dawes. I'm major of the ancient and honorable artillery company of Boston, that I am. I've orders from General Gage to search these premises for firearms. All I have is my musket. You're welcome enough to it. Where's the cannon? The what? The brass cannon your company exercises with. Where have you got it hidden? Oh, the cannon. Peter, and you recall where we've got the cannon. Well, now let me see, the cannon. Now, will you believe me, Mr. Dawes, I do think I've misplaced that cannon. It's very absent-minded, I've become. Nothing upstairs, sir. Nothing found in the back, sir. Oh, very well. Dawes, sir, this is an order. The cannon is to be delivered to the arsenal by noon today. It'll go hard on you and the rest of your crew of rebels if it isn't produced. You understand? I understand. The next time I come, I may forget my natural, gentle disposition. I hope I make my meaning clear. Oh, yes. Very clear. Good day, then. Come in. Off go the peacocks and parade. Let's go, Peter. Go. Go where? To schoolhouse, where you've got the cannon hidden. All right, all right, your attention please. And now, with the permission of you young gentlemen, we will explore for a moment the properties of gerunds. Quiet, please. A gerund is a word like noun. The word gerund is derived from the Latin ghetto, meaning to carry on. School dismissed? Dismissed, I said. It's you, Dawes. Come in. Come ahead, boys. The cannon's hidden in the woodbox, Yanda. Do the British know we have the cannon here? No, but they'd find it soon enough. The gage would rip the town apart to get his hands on it, you can be sure. We'll have to move it to a hiding place outside of town. It's too heavy to carry around. We've got a wagon outside. Come along, lend a hand. Take the wood off the top. You'll have to lift the cannon out. Peter, stand by the door and keep watch. Get a firm hold now, boys. Ready? Ready. Lift. Look out, it's slipping. Don't get hold. It's too heavy. Look out. Dawes, your hand. Never mind. Lift it. Lift it. Get your hand. I'm all right. You men get the cannon out in the wagon. Peter, you know where to take it. Aye. When you have it safe, come and tell me at home. I'd better have Hetty book off this hand. William, just bathing your hand this way. It's not doing much good, darling. It looks all inflamed. You're going to have to have it attended to by a doctor. You can't, Hetty. I went to the doctor. There'd be questions. How did it happen? Why did it happen? You don't know who you can trust these days. If the word got to General Gage, I had part in getting our cannon out of Boston. There'd be a pecker trouble. I know, dear, but... Shh. I see who it is. Don't let anybody in, but Peter. All right, William. Peter, come in. Thank you, ma'am. I got it tucked in safe and quiet, William. Good. You mean-looking hand you got. And he won't go to a doctor, Peter. Please make him, girl. I told you, Hetty. It's not right to take the chance. One-armed man won't be doing much good when the trouble starts, William. Hetty's right. You need doctoring. Now come on. I've got the wagon outside. We'll go see Doc Warren. Warren, who's he? Good man. Whittle's rattles in his spare time. They're a nasty wound. How'd you get it, Doc? Mashed it. So I see. But how? I don't reckon it matters, any. Hold still now. This may hurt a bit. You all right? Yeah. All right. Block and tackle would have made the job easier. We're not saying. Things like this happen from lack of organization, like of planning. I don't know what you're talking about. Bandage too tight? No. Knowing you've had to lift the cannon out of the wood box in the school room, you should have had enough foresight to bring along block and tackle. What cannon? Secret of fellow, aren't you? I stick to what's my business, even though others may do differently. I agree with you, Doc. You do stick to business. You know how to keep your mouth shut. You're the man I want. The man you want? The what? I don't use that arm for a week. Now, unless you have other plans, I'd like you to come along with me. May I ask where? Certainly you may ask where. To meet John Hancock and Sam Adams. This may appear a bit melodramatic to you, Mr. Dawes, but it is required of all who join our enterprise. I will ask you to put your hand upon this Bible. All right, Mr. Hancock. Do you solemnly swear, William Dawes, to keep all that you hear and learn in the presence of the gentlemen assembled, secret unto yourself and speak of it to none others? I do solemnly so swear. Good. You know Mr. Sam Adams. Only by reputation. How do you do, Mr. Adams? How do you do? Sam, I think we owe a vote of thanks to Dr. Warren for bringing us this gentleman. I'm sure we do. Are you experienced in the saddle, Mr. Dawes? Not just for short, John's mind you. But can you take a hard ride and a long one? I... Good. Now we come to the point of our meeting. Once General Gage has his position consolidated here in Boston, his objective must be to put down the resistance movement in the countryside around. He knows the militia have arms and powders stored in towns all around Boston. So his next move will be to try to get to our military stores and that must be prevented. We've taken all the precautions we can. Our main supplies are now at Concord. Gage will be after them as soon as he finds out and he'll find out soon enough. The Minutemen between here and Concord have been alerted. All they need is a word of warning that the British are out. And they'll mass all along the road between Boston and Concord. That's going to be your job, Dawes. To spread the warning. To get the word to Concord. That the regulars are on the way. Like it's not the British will seal off all the roads leading out of Boston, won't they? They'll be needing to move in secret. You'll have to out with them. That's your mission. And I take it gladly. Your orders will come from none but members of this committee. Myself, Adams or Warren. From no one else. I understand. Then let us shake your hand and wish you luck. Don't understand it. Why do you suddenly want me to go to Worcester with the children? Boston won't be safe when the trouble starts. Well, then won't you come with us? I can't do it, Eddie. Why not? Now, please don't ask questions. Haven't I a right to ask questions? Ah, you have, but believe me, Darlin, I don't have the right to answer them. Now let's get to the packing. I want you and the children safe and Worcester by this time tomorrow. Look, I was able to catch you before you got to the shop. What's the trouble? I've been in Worcester getting, uh, Eddie and the children set with the kinfolk. I figured you'd come by this road and you'll return. Red coats are in the shop. Waiting for you. Seems like this Colonel Smith is a might put out at not finding the cannon. He swears he's going to arrest you on sight. It's a nice kettle of fish. You'll come and stay with me. I couldn't do that, Peter. Only in danger, you and your family. You're staying with me. That's orders. Orders? Uh, flew me to you from Dark Warren. Oh. Seems like he figures your voice just ain't powerful enough to reach to Conkert from a dungeon in Boston Jail. But, uh, what am I supposed to do? Nothing. Just wait for word from Warren. Oh, maybe weeks, months. Uh-huh, maybe. I'll tell you what, William. I'll keep the company. Well? Yeah, I should say, two of us together. We'll... I know, I know. We'll whittle wattles. That'll be real rousing fun. Return to Cavalcade of America, starring Wendell Corey as spring of 1775. Still in hiding, William Dawes waits for the word that'll send him speeding through the Massachusetts countryside, carrying the message that the British regulars are on the march towards Conkert. Suddenly, one night, he decides to try a desperate plan. We're going out tonight, Peter, two of us. Now, William, you know what'll happen if the British just lay eyes on you. We're going out. Hancock told me to plan my ride carefully. And I can't do that sitting here with you whittlin' wattles. Now, get a wagon ready. What for? To see if the British will appreciate some play acting. It's in my mind to give a prize performance. There's a sentry post up ahead. Now, remember, Peter, you just sit and keep your mouth closed tight. Try? As you say. Here, up there. Huh? Start your business. My name is... Timothy Willoughby. Your business? Well, I'm... I'm going to Cambridge. Well, start your business in Cambridge. Well, it's not business, really. It's my wife. Your wife? She's staying in Cambridge. Well, no travels permitted on this road. Oh, you've got to let me go through. My wife will never believe me if I'm delayed even so much as an hour. She's terrible strict with me. Ah, she is? Oh, well, I've got to be in the house by seven sharp. But I must or she'll... Oh, it'd be awful with me. Oh, you're an impet one for sure, aren't you? No. No, no, just peaceable soul. Oh, corporal, I happen to have a bottle of spirits. Now, I don't use it myself. Perhaps you'd like it. It's right here. Hmm, well... I'll be coming through this way most every week and, well, I just might always have some spirits with me if you know what I mean. Every week, you say? Oh, yes, every week. My wife's very strict. I must go to Cambridge every week. Oh, she... Well, one bottle's hardly enough for the four of us here on duty, you know. Now, isn't that strange? I happen to have another bottle. Oh, here too? Yeah. Well, right here. Hmm. Oh, rum. Jamaica rum. Pass on your wife. Thank you. Thank you. Get out now, get out. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Pardon my word. You're so convinced and you even got me feeling sorry for you. All right. We're set now, Peter. We'll ride through every week. They'll get to know us, expect us, and be glad to pass us. We've got the gate open. Now, when the time comes, nothing will stop us riding through. Now it's the light of April 18th, 1775. He must see William Dawes at once. Here quickly Dawes. I've been waiting months, Dr. Warren. Sleeping with my boots on. Good, good. Come inside to my study. You know, uh, this gentleman know each other? Of course, of course. I know Paul Revere. Glad to see you. How are your Dawes? Splendid. A Dawes. It looks like the regulars are set to move on Concord tonight. Tonight? You're sure, sir? We're almost positive. The regulars have been assembling all day at the bottom of the commons. Now we're not sure yet whether they intend to advance on Concord by way of Boston Neck or by boat across the Charles River to Charlestown and then on by way of Lexington. They've got plenty of boats to ferry them across. That's right. We've got to subterfuge. We have to be sure of the route they intend to take. And that's why I've asked Revere to take a hand in this. Now here's the plan and mark it carefully. We have Richard Devons over in Charlestown waiting for our signal. Signal? One lantern will be hung from the steeple of North Church if the regulars move by land. Two if they move by boat. Now Devons has to send word on to Hancock and Adams at Lexington as soon as he sees a signal. Well, what if the British spot the lanterns and haul them down before Devons gets to see them? Well, that's why you gentlemen are here. Just in case the signals fail, you'll carry the word to Lexington and Concord. Revere, you'll try to cross to Charlestown by boat. The summer set is anchored in midstream. It'll be a tight squeeze. Well, get across. You Dawes try to get through by land through Boston Neck. Now make no mistake. Redcoats have been sent ahead all along the road to make sure no messenger can spread the alarm before the regulars reach Concord. But you get through. I'll get through and so will I. Then you both best be off. Good luck Dawes. Good luck, Revere. I'll see you at Lexington when a ride to Concord together. Right now, Peter, this is the one time we've got to get by the Sentry Coast without trouble. Do you have the spirits? Four bottles. We're liberal tonight. It's an occasion. Let's go. William, look! Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's not the regular Sentry at the post. It's Smith. It's Colonel Smith. Or he'd recognize me on site. You stay back. I'll ride ahead and distract him. Then when you get my signal, ride like mad. I don't permit it on this road. Ah! I'm a bit Dave. Ride back. No one's permitted on this road. You'll have to talk louder. I said no. What's going on here? This man seems to be hard of hearing, sir. Oh, does he? Hold that lantern up. Let's have a look at him. Why, it's you. I've run out of bottles to riddle. Seize him! Get up there! Catch me first! Off to him! We crossroad every farmhouse. He spread the alarm. Sexton, you there on the street. Crumbs beat and the Minutemen swarmed along the roads leading towards Lexington and Concord. It was one in the morning when Dawes dashed up to the minister's house in Lexington. It's William Dawes. Dawes, come in. The regulars are out, Mr. Hancock. We know Revere is already here and Devon's got the signal from North Church. Oh, Revere. So you did get by the summer, sir. I tickled its turn with my oar as I rode by. How does it look from Boston to Lexington? The whole countryside has sprung alive, Mr. Adams. Good. Excellent. When do we start the Concord? Whenever you're ready. I'm ready now, sir. Then, by all means, be on your way. Reuters dashed through the light. Paul Revere and William Dawes. That big Elm. I see them. Take care now. He's not a soldier, I can see them. Under the tree! Who are you? Come out! Sam Prescott of Revere. Sam, what are you doing out at this hour? Caught in the prettiest miss in Lexington. If it's any concern of yours, who's with you? William Dawes, writer for the Provincial Committee of Safety. What's brewing tonight, Paul? For the past hour, all I've heard are signal drums and bells tolling in every church steeple. The regulars are on the march. They headed for Concord to get the militia arms and ammunition. So that's it. Listen, not more than ten minutes ago, a group of British officers rode past me. I heard them in time and hid behind some shrubs. How many? Four, at least. Well, they'll be waiting up ahead. Have an ambush for us, that you can be sure. Getting you two prime rebels would be a feather in there, Captain. That's it, would. But they'll not get both of us. Doors. Turn and ride back to Lexington. Go back. You're too valuable a property to be risked on the road tonight. It's only you, Warren, has to get dispatches out of Boston. You going ahead? Aye. Sam and I will walk into the Hornet's Nest. One of us will manage to get through to Concord. Going back, why, it's like turning my back on a rousin' good fight. Before this is over, doors, you'll have all the fightin' you can ask. Right now, your mission is to carry word from Warren to Hancock and Adams. There's no bigger task in the country. There it must have been. Have you heard from Peter? She's heard nothin', but Peter. I've been proudin' away to her all night. Peter, you get away from him. Oh, no. They got away from me. And lucky for them redcoats it was, too. Are the Minutemen gathering, William? Gathering. Heady, you should see them. On every road leading to Lexington and Concord. Every man and boy with a musket. And the women, too, heady. Carrying extra guns and food for their fightin' men. This is a night that'll long be remembered. There'll be fightin' then? From behind every stone wall and every tree. Ah, good, good. Peter. Hi, William. Put down your knife and take up your musket. There'll be no more whittlin' till we march the redcoats back from Concord right into the sea. In King's Chapel Cemetery in Boston, a little brass marker can be found on a plain, weather-beaten headstone. It reads, William Dawes, Patriot, Son of Liberty, and first messenger sent by Warren from Boston to Lexington on the light of April 18th, 1775, to warn Hancock and Adams of the coming of the British troops. Our thanks to Wendell Corey and to the DuPont Cavalcade players for tonight's true story. Tonight's DuPont Cavalcade was written by Irv Tunick. Original music was composed by Arden Cornwell conducted by Donald Boreys. The program was directed by John Zoller. The DuPont Cavalcade of America came to you from the Belasco Theater in New York City, and is sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. Makers of better things for better living through chemistry. You can perhaps listen to Red Skelton on NBC.