In films, spies(间谍) are lucky people. They are smart and adventurous(冒险的). But areal spy's-life is not that exciting. They must live a life of lies. Their work is dangerous and they may have to pay for it with their lives. American spy Nathan Hale (1755-1776) was one of these people.
Why does someone want to be a spy? Some do it for their country. Some for money. Some just love it. Nathan Hale became a spy for the first reason. He lived during the American Revolution (革命). He and his people fought the British army.
In 1774, Hale joined the American army. Before that, he was a schoolteacher. Two years later, he chose to be a spy. He had to get information from the British army. He went to the city where the British army was staying. He told them that he was a schoolteacher and wanted to find a new job. He tried to get information for the American army. Hale finally got something important and decided to go back. He hid some papers in his boots. He went to the riverbank and waited for a boat to pick him up. However, British soldiers caught Hale at the riverbank and found the papers in his boots. It turned out that as a young spy, Hale didn't have enough experience. He had told his secret to somebody else. But that person sold him out to the British army. Hale died on Sept 22, 1776. His final words were: "I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country." He died at the age of 21.
