Perfectly polished apples hung from apple trees in an orchard. They swung just slightly with the breeze and reflected the soft morning sun. Although the day fell on a Sunday, no church bells announced the Sabbath. This day did not make up a typical Sunday, for from afar, a light crimson blaze burned. One could almost smell the faint scent of blistering cinders coming from the town of New York. There buildings lay waste, demolished within the fire. Heatedly pacing back and forth, General Howe, of the British army, viewed the infuriating scene. Even though he had no proof, he believed that Nathan Hale, a disloyal colonist, caused the smoldering New York. Moreover, proof did exist that Hale spied on the British army.

General Howe had given the blonde headed rebel his sentence the day before. Stopping his pacing, General Howe, with a malicious smirk, glanced toward the gallows beneath one of the apple trees. Unless the fool Nathan Hale decided to become a British spy, his fate awaited him under that tree. Yet, an uncertainty prodded the General as a question toyed in his mind: "what would Hale do?" Would the young American rebel finally cave in and become a British spy? What if the American chose not to? Although General Howe considered this the less desirable option, still he would relish watching Nathan Hale cowardly beg for his life, Hale's tears mingling with dirt as he threw himself on the ground before the General.

With silent mirth, the General recollected the happenings of the previous day. For Britain, the day shone with glory and triumph. Nathan Hale had confessed freely to spying for the disobedient colonists. What fool! And the youth had the insolence to ask for a Bible and a clergyman! Bibles and clergymen should not be wasted on fools; Howe reaffirmed himself, as he glanced up again towards the gallows. Apparently the youth had no iota of wisdom. General Howe confidently guaranteed himself that the future actions of the youth would follow the same trend. Yet, the General still held doubt about what the youth would do. Eluding the British, American colonists proved their actions unpredictable.

Interrupting the General's thoughts, the resonance of footsteps vibrated down the orchard path. Coming around the bend marched a cluster of British soldiers, dressed splendidly in their bright red coats. General Howe's heart swelled with patriotism. Then the General caught sight of the man he anxiously awaited to see, Nathan Hale. Waves of abhorrence rose up in the General, and he bit his lip and raised his chin high in dignity as he waited to see the actions of the rebellious colonist.

Halting, the British soldiers assembled focused on Hale. General Howe waited as well, anticipating Hale's reactions as he had formulated earlier. Profound silence washed over the assembly of soldiers as Nathan Hale, his face set with determination, looked squarely at the General. "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," Nathan Hale stated calmly. Then to the utter shock of the British, twenty-one year old Nathan Hale strode to the gallows.