Life wasn’t easy when I was a boy.
It was ten years after The Great American War.
My Pa was one of the lucky men who returned.
But he came back a different kind of man.
Some of the wounds still evident.
The rest buried in his soul.
Got worse when mama died from a fever.
We were alone.
Pa even said ‘God must’ve forgotten about us.’
But he was always a man of his word.
He kept his promise to a dying soldier.
That’s how miss Haddie and Grace
came to stay with us.
That changed everything.
But his kindness wasn’t much appreciated
by the towns’ folk.
Including my Grandpa.
Course, Pa wasn’t one to pay no mind to what others thought.
When he knew what was right.
And that’s about when things got interesting.
- Lieutenant!
Let's go!
- Fire!
- Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
- Aim, fire!
- Pa's back!
What'd you get?
- Did you get your chores finished?
- Gracie doesn't have to.
- Gracie ain't my boy, do as you're told.
- Gracie!
Get on over here and help me with these clothes.
- Yes, mama!
- No luck with the traps?
- Luck ain't never smiled at me.
- Guess not.
- Whoa!
Look at that!
- Isn't that a lion?
- Yes!
- I hope we get to see it. - Kids, let's go.
- Are we gonna see the circus?
- Probably.
- I hope we see a double horse.
- Hey, Pa.
You think we'll see grandpa today?
- It's Sunday already?
- Now Gracie, stay close, don't run off.
You hear me?
- Yes, mama.
- Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her.
- Putting a lot of eyes on her.
- Grandpa wants me to go to school there.
- Your grandpa wants a lot of things.
You don't need none of that here schoolin'.
- You don't need any of that here schoolin'.
- Alright kids, line up, line up, one by one.
Here we go.
What is whispered in the wind gets carried to the trees.
- Oh, they can't hear us from here.
- What you're saying doesn't need words.
Alright, alright, here we go.
- Pa, can we go inside?
- Yeah.
- You kids behave.
- We will.
- What kind of candy do you like?
- I hear the new schoolteacher's alright.
- It all starts with what they hear at home.
- Well, and what they see with their own eyes.
Thank you.
- I saw that.
- Emmett, can I have a word with you?
Emmett!
- Candy?
Um, lemon,
cherry.
- What's that one?
- Good morning, Miss Haddie.
It's good to see you.
- Thank you.
- I see you got a list all ready for me.
- I sure do.
- I'll bet you two would love some of my new maple candy.
- Can we, mom?
- No harm in a few.
- Okay.
- I think we've got everything you want.
I'll get it all together for you.
- Thank you.
- Now, Emmett, don't be mule-headed!
Listen!
Look, the word says that if any man
doesn't provide for his relatives,
especially members of his household,
that he has denied the faith
and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Pardon my ignorance, Reverend.
But isn't it Saint James that says pure religion
is to take care of the widows and
the orphans in their affliction?
- And to keep himself undefiled by the world.
Emmett,
them Negroes living up under your roof--
- Haddie and Grace!
That's their names, Edmund.
Use 'em.
- People are talking, Emmett, the whole town is talking!
You've got a single woman of color
living in sin with my former son-in-law.
- The only sin being committed here
is bearing a false witness.
- My daughter would be heartbroken
to see what come of her family.
- Don't you dare
use my wife's memory to spread your ignorance!
She knew more about loving her enemies than you ever will.
- You can twist the words of God
around to suit yourself, Emmett!
He'll be the one to judge you in the end.
- You know, that old boy tried to steal my pig.
- Go get some tobacco from the store.
- Why me?
- I think there's something wrong with it.
- 'Cause I say so, that's why.
- He was screaming like a wild man.
- You don't say?
- Yeah, had to catch him with my rope.
But when I did, did I ever lay a whooping on him.
I think the dog even felt sorry for him.
- Emmett Murphy.
- Jacob.
- Good to see you lad.
- You, too.
- Where's that old geezer, McKinney?
- Yeah, he's taken ill a little bit,
but I came by to get his black medicine to go.
- Alright, be right back.
- You know, I hear that southern
black barley's the best medicine for you.
Better than red, yellow.
- It's fresh as the morning dew.
- And any fine white-necked boil.
- What do I owe you?
- What you got there, lad?
Fair trade.
- What you think, Mr. Murphy?
It's that black bourbon keeps you so healthy, isn't it?
- That be enough ribbing, Cal!
What's your real business here, boy?
- Apologies.
I reckon I have to retract that last statement.
Appears it can't be all that good for you.
It seems it makes you go deaf.
You hear me?
I said, it makes you go deaf.
- It's not worth it, lad.
- Told you it made him deaf.
- Can we help you?
- Need some tobacco.
So, you must be that Negro they're all talking about.
- I don't know what you mean.
- Pretty.
I see why he likes you.
You know, I almost had time with
one of your kind down in Virginia.
Look at this tasty little chocolate.
- Don't touch her!
- Hey, why don't you just take
your tobacco, pay up and leave!
- What if I'm not done shopping?
- You're done shopping!
Now listen, I can either ask you to walk out
of here real nicely, or I'll throw you out!
- You ain't the law around here.
- Wrong answer!
- Don't start what you can't finish, old man!
- Old man?
- Gerald!
- What?
I asked him to leave nicely.
- Where'd you learn to tussle like that?
- Learned a long time ago.
Folk like that, their bark's usually worse than their bite.
You okay?
- Thank you.
- Now you folks don't get into town--
- The old shopkeep's gone mad.
- Here, a little something extra.
- Thanks.
- That Negro and her kid are over there.
I'm just fooling around.
He got the jump on me.
- Pa, that man, he was trying to hurt Grace.
I stopped him like this, but then--
- Okay, see you.
- That's one big Negro sympathizing
family you've got, Murphy.
- Get everybody in the wagon.
- But, Pa.
- Just do it.
- You know, Murphy, folks around
these parts say you're some kind of hero.
Word is, you killed you a dozen gray coats.
- Those gray coats were men.
Killing them made me no hero.
- Sounds like a hero to me.
Came back with a medal and a pretty Negro
to replace his dead miss--
- Whoa, whoa, whoa!
- Who wants to die a hero today?
You?
- Enough!
Go on now, Emmett.
Go on, boy.
- Pa was fighting with them!
- Wait, what?
- He pulled the gun out--
- Slow down, baby, what?
- He had a gun and this other guy
pulled a knife, the guy from the shop.
- Where, who?
- Haddie, get them kids on that wagon.
- Let's go, baby.
- Emmett!
Emmett!
- What?
- If you're gonna act like a heathen,
would you let that boy come to live with me?
You ain't fit to be a father!
- Get over, boy.
- You hit Grandpa!
- Not hard enough.
- He's a preacher!
- Best he start acting like one.
- Alright.
- Bye, Grandpa!
- Hate to see your family be separating for them Negroes.
- Well, the Lord knows I accept all kinds.
- Probably be best if they never
showed up in the first place, huh?
- Well, you can't fix that now.
- Well now, every problem got a fixin'.
Now, we all good Christian folk.
We ain't gonna hurt nobody.
- Of course, not.
Just gonna set things right is all.
Send 'em back on down south where they--
- Fit in better.
More of their kind to mix with.
- And there is a nice, easy,
quiet-like way to get it done, too.
- Just like magic.
- You boys looking for trouble?
I got something for you.
How many cheeks you got to turn, preacher?
- Mama, what's a Negro lover?
- Here you go, honey.
Thank you, honey.
- Henry.
- Yeah?
- A man finishes his chores before supper, right?
Think you can take care of old Jasmine for me?
- Yes, sir.
I've seen you do it a hundred times.
- Does handling yourself like a man include fisticuffs?
- My mother had done passed, Haddie.
- What'd you do this time, Murphy?
- Something I reckon I'll regret.
How you doing?
- Good, good.
- So what, you trade in old Martha?
- I had to retire, she's pulling
an apple cart in Battle Creek now.
She's happier.
Oh, Miss Haddie, lookin' as purty as ever.
- Thank you, Ben.
- Hi, Mr. Benjamin.
- Well, look at how much you've grown, Gracie.
You know what?
Sit on down here.
I got a present for the prettiest
little girl this side of Lake Michigan.
And it just happens to be underneath this here hat.
You wanna see what it is?
I'm just kidding with you.
This here claw belonged to Chawmouth Charlie.
He was the meanest and the orneriest
bear in all of Michigan.
Well, one time he snuck up on old Benjamin
when I was trying to take one of my very rare baths.
He thought he was gonna make a meal out of me.
But I grabbed hold of his little claw and I ripped it off!
Sent him off into the woods,
he was crying like a wounded mule.
Now, see, I give this here claw to you.
- Thank you, Mr. Benjamin.
- Oh, you're so welcome.
You know, the natives say that anybody has
that claw there will be protected from the evil spirits
because they're all afraid of Chawmouth Charlie.
- What natives say that?
- Where's my manners?
This here is Hester Thickett.
She's one of the finest trackers I've ever
had the pleasure of traveling with.
She's a half-native.
The good part, the quiet part,
the one that don't interrupt my stories.
- What tribe?
- Ojibwe, my mother.
My father was...
Like you.
- Well.
I forgot how it goes, but any friend of Benji's
is a friend of ours so, welcome to my home.
- Emmett.
- Almost forgot Uncle Kinney's medicine.
- Can I interest anyone in a
little bite of rattlesnake juice?
- Emmett, where's that boy at?
- He's out tending horses.
- Lord, what's Grandpa's problem with Haddie and Grace?
Don't you teach that we're all your creation?
Why can't he see that?
I know his heart still hurts, from losing Mama to illness.
If you could help to heal his heart,
I'd appreciate that.
- Now Hester and I, we found this one up in
the northern parts of Michigan right there.
- The logging trade is strong here.
They say a squirrel can go from
one end of the state to the other
without ever touching the ground.
- Until the logging trade gets too strong.
- There he is!
- Mr. Lily!
- Aw, you know better than that, call me Ben.
- Mr. Ben.
- By the way, this here is Hester Thickett.
- Hello, Miss Thickett.
- Just Hester.
- So I heard you was out tending the horses.
- Yes, sir, all by myself.
- Well, I think that might deserve a little bit of a gift.
Got you a bona fide trapper hat.
Oh!
- Thank you, Mr. Ben! - Looks good on you, don't it?
- That's nice, Ben.
Did you finish blanketing the team?
- Yes, sir, Pa, just like you always do.
I watered, fed and brushed them down.
- Sounds like Henry might have earned
himself a sip of the rattlesnake.
- Maybe in a couple years.
- I was raised on it, look how I done turned out.
- Yeah, I know, I know.
- How about some cider?
- Yes.
- Here you go.
- It's good.
- How about a smoke off the old pipe?
- Don't push it, son.
- Who's hungry?
Alright.
- Mmm, Miss Haddie.
- Ah-ah!
Dear Lord, we thank you for all
the blessings you bring to us, old and new.
We ask that you protect and keep us in your mercy.
- Miss Haddie, that there was some of
the best vittles that we've had in many a moon.
You see Hester here, yeah, she can track 'em,
she can hunt 'em, she can kill 'em,
but she sure can't cook 'em.
- I don't cook.
- She don't make these fine of fixings every day.
Huh, Emmett?
- No, she sure doesn't.
- Well, we haven't had a decent meal
since we stopped through at Fort Mackinaw.
Speaking of that, I saw Captain Sellers.
He wanted me to pass along to you that
if you had an inkling to come back and train
some of the troops, he'd pay you real well.
- Yeah, well, my soldiering days are over, Ben.
- Yeah, the Captain did tell some
horrific tales about that war.
- I uh, I'm gonna go.
- You alright?
- Good, goodnight.
- Don't fret it, I got it.
- Did I say something wrong?
- She's not one for war stories.
- John!
Fall back!
Good seeing you again, Ben.
It was nice meeting you, too.
- Thank you, Emmett, for your hospitality
and letting Hester and I board here.
- Anytime.
- You know, you really should think about
that offer that Captain Sellers gave you.
The war's over, Emmett.
- Safe travels.
- Alright, come on.
- Bye, Mr. Benjamin, bye Miss Hester!
- Bye!
You young 'uns be good,
don't be giving your parents no trouble now.
- We won't!
- Sky don't look good.
- Early snow?
- It's like that dream I had again last night.
- Dream?
- I saw a great serpent of steel
spewing smoke and fire.
And the gates, the gates of hell opened from its belly.
And the angel of death came from a far away land.
- Steel serpents?
Gates of hell?
What'd I tell you about drinking
snakebite juice and reading Revelation before bed?
Whoa.
- Can we go fishing at the creek?
- We told ma we would help bring in supper.
- Hmm, okay.
But, after 10 crawlers bring it on home.
- We will.
- Just watch after Grace, okay?
Oh, it's coming.
- Alright, boys, train's coming today.
Time to collect the outgoing mail.
- You're really gonna love these northern parts.
Probably remind you of your home land.
- My home is where the money is.
- Do you think this bear claw will scare bad spirits away?
- I don't know.
- What about the mean folk in town who don't like us?
- I reckon they're just scared of you.
'Cause you blend in at night.
That's what Tommy Fagan said.
- If God make us not fear the darkness,
then why does our own people still be afraid of dark colors?
- Maybe he just reads too many of those
scary Bible stories, like Uncle McKinney.
Do you believe his dream is real?
- Well, I had me a dream, too.
After that lesson Ma gave us about
the Israelites suffering from Egypt,
God told me he would spare us from the angel of death.
Just like them folk who believe in the blood of them lambs.
- He told you that?
- He showed me that.
- I think that fish just stole my last crawler.
We best be getting home.
- Dang it!
Now what are we gonna do?
- It's okay, boys, I got it.
He's mine. - Don't be an idiot.
- He's mine.
- Maybe this works in our favor.
- We can't let it crash, we won't have no buyer.
- Hey, Joe!
- Guess it's stuck.
- Get over here.
You run along up them tracks and warn the train.
Meet us on the trail to the hunting shack.
We gotta get that cargo by nightfall.
- Brake, brake!
- Emmett, the kids!
- They shouldn't be anywhere near them tracks.
- But what if they crossed the river again?
- Don't worry, I'm going.
Just wait here in case they beat me home.
- What was that?
- I don't know.
It sounded like a...
Let's get home quick.
- Looks like we blew a rod.
A few more seconds we would have been derailed.
- How long until it can be fixed?
- Well, we sent word into town, help is on the way.
You best go check on your animals.
- Hey kids, you look lost.
- Come on, Grace, we're almost home!
Grace?
- Henry, what happened?
- These guys with guns, they were chasing us--
- Where's Grace?
- I don't know, we running and I lost her!
- Okay, alright, calm down, calm down,
come on, come on, come here, come here.
- She's gone!
- Did they take Grace?
- I don't know.
- How many were there?
- I don't know, maybe five or...
- What'd they look like?
Think.
Henry, focus!
What did they look like?
- I think they were the guys from Jacob's shop.
- Alright, grab your poles, let's go.
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on.
- What you see?
- A train.
- Well, is it moving or is it stopped?
- Stopped.
- What do you want to do?
You wanna check it out?
Why your eyes got that glassy look to 'em?
- The manitou is coming.
- Come on, Hester, not the manitou stuff again.
- Ben.
- What?
- The almighty has saved us many times.
- Yeah, well let's hope he don't need to save us today.
- Manitou.
- I think I just manitou'd in my buckskins.
- Where's Gracie?
- It's okay, I'll find her.
- Find her?
Well, what's that mean, is she lost?
Where is she, what happened?
- There were running from the noise,
they got separated is all.
- Henry, you were supposed to be looking after her!
What happened?
- Boy, go get my gear.
- Emmett, where are you going?
- I'm getting help.
- Who's gonna help us?
- The sheriff.
- The sheriff?
The law ain't never done nothing to serve
our kind except with ropes and chains!
I'm going with you, you ain't leaving--
- Haddie!
Now listen, you're gonna have to trust me this time.
We're not all like that.
- Pa, I wanted to fight those guys.
I wanted to be strong, like you, but...
I was afraid.
- It's okay.
We're all afraid right now, Henry.
Kinney, you get my gun?
I can ride with you.
- I want you to stay here.
Don't be entertaining any strangers, you hear?
Henry.
Be brave, boy.
I'm gonna bring her home.
- Friends you can go on a few more hours,
a few more days and God will spare your life
and then it'll all be over.
And the moment when we could all be
called up yonder is fast approaching.
But there is salvation for those that follow
the word and live the Christian path.
But for sinners, but for fornicators,
but for heathens, there is only judgment that awaits you.
Now, we all know folks like that
even in our own communities.
- Pardon me, preacher,
but the Sheriff needs the floor right now.
- It's really not the time, Freemont.
- Pardon the interruption of your service, Preacher.
- Well, surely we can wait for the benediction of the Lord.
- It seems the circus train has had a bit of a situation.
We're gonna need some hired hands to assist with
the wounded and clear the tracks of debris
and search for the missing.
- The missing what?
- Well, the word is there may be some
circus animals that's gotten on the loose.
- Hey, I've always wanted one of those tiger claw necklaces.
- Yeah, I'll take an elephant tusk, please.
- Listen up.
I don't want any stealing, no shenanigans with the circus.
If I catch any one of you taking anything,
I mean even an extra long look at the bearded lady,
I'll have you in chains.
Is that understood?
Alright.
Whoever's willing, join me outside.
- Morning, everyone.
I see you've formed a rescue party.
Much appreciated.
- It's a search party.
The circus train has a bit of a situation.
You're welcome to join us.
- No, no, I need some help from the law
to track down some men who nabbed
one of them kids down the east county line.
- Is it your boy?
- No, it's the girl.
Now, I know I ain't been a member of
this church for some time, but I can't imagine
the good book has changed any since then.
There's a missing child out there
and some no-gooder's are fixing to harm her.
We can't turn our back on the innocent
and let the wicked have their way.
I don't care what color she is!
- Now, don't go calling the churchgoers hypocrites, Emmett.
It's just that the Sheriff here has engaged
the services of these men to protect
the railroad company and to protect this town
from some ungodly creatures that might have escaped.
Now, I'm sure the fine Sheriff here can
oblige your concerns in a timely fashion.
Right, Sheriff?
- Of course, soon as we get this crisis under control
I'll send some men to take care of your matter.
Are you sure she hasn't just run out on her chores?
Them pickaninnies are known to do that.
- Will anyone help me?
You whitewashed stones.
May God judge you unkind.
- Sir?
I'll help you find your girl.
I once heard her singing in the store
and I thought she sounded quite lovely.
- Don't pay no mind to those townsfolk, Emmett.
There ain't a tracker amongst them.
- Where's your horse?
- Beasts got it.
- Beasts?
Chawmouth Charlie?
- It was no bear.
- What's your move, Murphy?
- Let's open the ball.
- I like the sound of that.
- So, tell me more about your missing pet.
- Well, she's big, she's strong and she is always hungry.
- So am I.
- She doesn't like men.
- I'll wager she don't like lead between the eyes, either.
- No, no, she's no good to me dead.
$300 dollars for anyone who brings her to me unharmed.
Not a penny if you bring me a fur rug.
Understood?
- Alright, here's how we're gonna do this.
Two groups, one to draw, one to push.
- There were four.
Men.
Two little ones.
The tracks ran there.
- My pail.
- Emmett.
- What is it?
There's only one end to this now.
I know this ain't your fight.
So no hard feelings if you wanna go boil your shirt.
- I ain't got too many true friends, Emmett.
You know I ain't ever ran from a fight.
- I don't boil shirts.
- Alright, then.
- A man's got to know the woods, Henry;
trapping, fishing, hunting, all that woodsy stuff.
The wilds of Michigan is a strange and wonderful place.
Now this is the gun powder.
It's the most important part of the operation.
This is the other most important part, the killing part.
It goes in here.
- Did Pa kill a lot of people?
- Well, that was a long time ago.
- Would he kill again?
If someone did something bad to Grace?
Do you think Pa loves Miss Haddie?
- I reckon that he is, uh...
Now, the idea here
is to hold it hard up against your shoulder.
Hands here and here.
- I know that people of color don't usually marry our kind.
I don't see why.
I love Miss Haddie and Grace just fine.
- Well, a lot of folks don't see it that way.
Now, line your eye up with these points.
- Do you?
- Well, yeah, of course, that's how you shoot it.
- No.
Do you think that Pa and Miss Haddie can love each other?
- Well, I think love is like these here aiming sights.
When the two line up together the bullet sees its way
to the target whether it's painted red, white, or blue.
- I don't know why Grandpa can't see that.
- He hasn't been right since your mama passed.
- Can I take a try?
- You know, there's an old poem about love.
It goes like this:
roses are red,
violets are blue,
the beauty of it all,
are nothing like--
This here's no toy!
This is a weapon.
Haddie's gonna throw a fit, she hates guns.
- Grace!
Where are you, sweetie?
Grace!
Come home, baby.
God, please save my child!
You can't let this happen!
You took John from me in the worst way!
And I tried to understand, but I didn't give up the faith.
But not my baby girl.
There's enough hate towards us here!
We can't survive yours, too!
Please, Lord, see me like you saw Hagar.
Spare me that much now, please, please.
Please, God!
- What was that?
- That didn't sound good.
That didn't sound good!
- It came from up ahead.
- Stay alert, boys.
- It sounds like we got it scared.
Let's spread out, but stay within sight.
We'll push it to the north.
- Let's go, chicken.
- I'm not!
- Let's go!
- This better be worth the $20 dollars.
- $20, I'm only getting $10!
- That's 'cause you ain't a good shot.
- Watch your mouth, Jack Fagan, I've been known to misfire.
Ever been shot in the back?
- No.
- Hello?
Miss?
- I'm losing money by the hour!
Get that thing fixed or I get a new mechanic!
- Afternoon, madame.
- What do you want?
- Well, I sure hope you're enjoying the lovely day.
The air is so crisp and the leaves are so...
- Carl, I'm surrounded by bad poets.
- You're a businesswoman.
We, too, like to engage in the mutually
beneficial transactions of the like.
- I don't need more vaudeville acts.
- Oh no, ma'am.
He ain't funny anyhow.
- No, we heard you may be looking
to buy a female entertainment act.
Of the,
the colored variety.
- What sort?
- Oh, she's the pretty girl type.
- Can she sing?
- Like a canary.
- I'll give you $200 dollars for her.
- Now, it's a mother-daughter act.
The two go together, you see.
- Yeah, yeah, like one of them duets.
- And it'd just be plain cruel to
take a mother from her daughter.
Have a heart, mademoiselle.
- I'm not French, you clowns.
I'm Romanian.
Call me Circus Chef.
- Sure, Chef.
- Did you just call her Chef? - I, too, was taken
from my home as a girl.
I was trained to dance in the opera.
I traveled the world.
Performed for kings and queens.
And finally I came to New York to dance.
But, I broke my leg.
Got job with the circus,
spent 10 years cleaning out animal cages.
I give you $300 dollars for them.
Not a penny more.
It costs money to feed the livestock.
- Well, it's a deal!
- I don't have all day, clowns.
- Yes, ma'am.
We have a deal.
- Miss Chef, it was sure nice to make your acquaintance.
- When axle is fixed we leave.
Don't be late.
Carl?
- Yeah?
- I need to send telegram immediately.
- Okay.
- She's been gone too long.
I need to go looking.
- David said to Solomon his son,
be strong and courageous, not afraid and discouraged.
For salvation is swift for those who--
- There's something out there, something wild!
I think I heard it, it's a beast like no other!
- The serpent, from my dream.
Oh, it's happening!
- Pa's gonna get her back, he promised.
- I've had enough heartache waiting on false promises.
- Henry, sometimes men have to make decisions
and what we gotta do now--
- But, Pa said that we have to
stay here and watch the house.
- Henry, please understand.
Just imagine little Gracie out
there all alone with that beast.
- But, she's not alone, the men have guns.
- What?
- Men?
What men?
- What do you reckon, Emmett?
Two grab the horns and one go around and pull the tail?
- No, we need to know where Grace is.
I don't wanna risk a stray shot.
- I will go.
Best choice.
- Why is that?
- Most quiet.
- Yeah, she is.
- I don't wanna hear it, alright?
I don't wanna hear it.
This time you just let me do the talking.
You nearly ruined the whole thing with the circus woman.
- I'm the one who got the deal.
- Two knocks and one bump, Cal.
You said two knock and one bump,
that's what you said. - Get away, boy,
it's almost payday.
We got one more passenger to pick up.
- That Circus Chef, she won't take the kid without her mom.
- What?
Now that could get dangerous.
- Preacher gonna owe us.
Preacher gonna owe us.
- Talked her up on price, too.
That means $20 whole dollars for each you.
- Finally teach that Emmett Murphy a lesson.
- Now, we're only there to take the Negro.
- Of course, whatever else happens in the mix,
well, that's part of the deal.
- You never know what could happen in the mix.
Huh, Sally?
- Did you hear anything about the train?
- No, but I think it's a good thing we haven't.
I'd be more concerned if there
was a lot of talk around town.
- Good evening, Reverend.
What can we do for you?
- Preacher.
- I'm really sorry to bother you at this hour,
but I was hoping to get a spoon
of that elixir for my stomach.
- Jerky's a little spicy, is it?
- Well, it's either that or my sleepless nights.
- The preaching has been good, Edmund.
You don't need to fret over that.
- I truly thank you, Opal.
But I'm not sure it's helping anyone.
You see, it's this disunity that I'm bothered by.
Even in my own flesh and blood.
- Do you remember when Gerald first came to town?
- Yeah, I surely do.
- Yeah, I believe you called me a merciless redcoat.
Oh, and a tea drinking colonizer.
- Well, now, I was a bit impetuous as a younger man.
- Oh no, a lot of people felt the same way about him.
- Yes, but you know, given time,
you proved us all wrong, Gerald.
You're a wonderful man.
- Reverend, a lot of people that
are different can be disliked because
of unfounded fear or lack of knowledge.
But given time to know their true heart,
well, they can turn out to be wonderful people.
- Given a chance, given some time,
they can prove us all wrong.
- Now, Reverend, I was gonna bring over
some extra edibles for the parsonage tomorrow,
but I think tonight's better timing.
Oh, and,
for the stomach.
- Gerald, Opal, I thank you, kindly.
- Goodnight, Reverend.
- Good evening.
- There's four.
- Grace?
- Didn't see her.
- Where they going?
- It don't matter.
Odds just turned in our favor.
- Odds were always in our favor.
- Go, go on!
- Ben.
- Find Gracie!
Manitou, you wanna dance?
- Remember me?
- Uh-huh.
- Where's Grace?
Where's the girl?
- What girl?
- Grace!
Grace?
Oh, Grace.
Are you okay?
They didn't hurt you?
Are you okay?
- I'm sorry, Mr. Emmett!
I tried to run real fast, but I just--
- It's okay, it's not your fault.
You understand that, right?
- Is Henry okay?
They said they said they were gonna kill him.
- Henry's fine.
He's with your mama.
- It wasn't my idea!
Now, I didn't wanna hurt no one.
Ow! - They're after Mama!
I heard them say it, they were gonna sell us for money!
- Just shut your mouth!
- We gotta go.
- No.
It's danger out there.
We can't take her with us.
- You're right.
You stay here with her, I'm going after those men.
I won't let 'em take Haddie and I won't
let 'em hurt any more of my family.
If I don't make it back tonight,
you wait for dawn and you go straight to town.
Grace, remember those pretty songs you used to sing?
You remember them?
I need you to sing one of them, okay?
I'm gonna be back for you, I won't leave you alone.
You understand me?
You believe me?
Okay, don't be afraid, okay?
I'll come back for you.
♪ Jesus, give the weary ♪
♪ Calm and sweet repose ♪
♪ With Thy tend'rest blessings ♪
♪ As my eyelids close ♪
♪ Through the long night-watches ♪
♪ May Thine angels spread ♪
♪ Their white wings above me ♪
♪ Watching round my bed ♪
- Friend, hey, hey.
I owe you my life.
- Well, I'll hold you to it.
- Yeah.
You're gonna make it.
What's this?
What you got?
- Find them.
Take care of them.
- Yeah, I will.
- You're the only one I can trust.
Promise me.
- I promise.
I promise.
You're gonna make it out of here, though.
You're gonna make it out of here.
I promise you that.
Alright, you stay strong.
You're gonna, you're gonna make it.
I look like a fool!
Is that what you want?
I can't save 'em.
I can't save 'em!
But you can.
You!
You can!
And I need you.
I need, I need you, I need you now.
Please help me.
Please help me and this poor miserable...
We need your help.
God,
forgive me.
Forgive me for my wrongs, for all my wrongs.
- Emmett!
- Benji!
Benji!
Good to see you.
- Sure as rain, Emmett.
Sure as rain.
- I thought you were done for.
- Old Benji ain't going off that easy.
- Where's it at now?
- I reckon it's close.
- How'd you get up here?
- Chawmouth Charlie clawing that poor feller down there.
Me and that cat, we got up close and tussled.
I cut it real good, then he put
the bite on me real good, look.
- Oh!
- That's alright.
I said, don't touch it, look at it, don't touch it!
Anyways, that other feller climbed up
and put a rope around it.
That cat didn't take none kindly to it.
Turned around and went after him.
I used that time to shimmy up here.
After he was finished with him he ran off.
I've seen him come back a couple times and check.
Emmett, that cat ain't hungry.
It ain't killing to eat, it's killing to kill.
I don't know, maybe Hester was right.
Maybe it's some sort of spirit manitou
or whatever she was talking about.
- Well, we got some humankind to fight first.
- Is Grace?
- Yeah, she's okay.
- You know, one of the important things is to keep
your rifle oiled down so that you don't get down
in the woods and it's rusted up and it won't fire.
So you gotta keep, you gotta keep it nice and oiled.
- She'll be okay, Miss Haddie.
She has Chawmouth Charlie's claw.
- I don't know how much good that'll do.
- Well, she also had a dream.
- About the great serpent?
- No.
Well, that God's gonna save us
from the angel of death.
- She said that?
What about Emmett?
He's out there all alone.
What?
- Well, we've just been noticing your feelings.
- Well, stop noticing!
There's no, I feel for all of you just the same.
- Well, don't worry about Emmett.
The townfolk's probably out there, too.
- That don't comfort me none.
- Can you walk?
- Not straight, not for very far.
I'd be a sitting duck.
That cat, it ain't like anything I've seen before.
I mean, it's mean and ornery and...
- You said he tried to rope it?
- Yeah.
- The thing's fixing to swallow you
and this kid comes with a rope?
Something ain't sitting right.
- I'm telling you she ran this way!
- I heard that God awful screaming, we're close.
- Shut your yapping, we've got a dancing demon to catch!
- The Sheriff.
- It's Bertram!
He's eaten alive.
- No,
it's a kill bite.
- Oh, you think he's dead?
Did the bloody corpse tip you off?
- Michael's been to an animal school in New York City.
- I've seen a bear rip a deer apart
in my backyard, got the same schooling.
- That's no bear.
He wasn't eating.
A bear would have tore him apart.
That bite right there, it's clean to the jugular.
One claw into the back.
- What are you saying?
- The beast is feline.
- Feline?
Is that French for money?
- From the cat family, you imbecile.
- Don't you curse my kin!
- Touch my boy and see what happens!
- Get off me! - Go on, old man!
One less share of the bounty.
- Enough already!
- Bounty?
- Stop shouting like a dinner bell!
- Emmett, that cat is coming back.
When it does you go, head for home.
- Alright.
Everyone's gettin' a fair share.
- That's not what Jack said.
Jack said he's gettin' $20 dollars!
- 20!
- Can't you keep your mouth shut?
- You told me $10 dollars and a beer!
- Well, some men are better hunters than others
and my boy here is the educated type.
- His fancy East coast schooling don't mean nothing!
- You mean, anything.
- Enough, be quiet, get your stuff!
- We're just out here as decoys anyway, ain't we Sheriff?
- What's he talking about, Sheriff?
- I heard you hired them Canter boys
to nab the Negro mama and sell her
down the river with the circus.
Ain't that right?
- We gotta get them!
- Easy now, everybody put your guns down.
We're all in this for the same thing.
So there ain't no use in telling tales.
- You ain't just ratting us again, are you Jack?
- Who you calling rat?
- Can you make it?
- I'll be at Christmas.
- No, it's true, ain't it?
We're just out here to cover for your deal!
- What was that?
- Everyone relax.
You're all getting a raise, three dollars each.
- Shut up!
It's out there.
- I ain't tolerating no more disrespect!
- Put it down, Sheriff.
- I'm seeing something, boys.
- Go, go, get!
- Henry, I'm gonna go get some more wood.
You two stay put.
- It's his birthday, isn't it?
I heard Pa say it.
He says Mr. John was the bravest man he ever knew.
- Once he set his mind on something there was no changing.
- Are you talking about Pa?
- I guess I could say that about either of them.
- I'm glad that,
since he had to go to heaven,
we could have you for our family.
I know Pa feels the same.
- Henry!
Henry, hold back the door!
- Wait!
- What?
- We got you surrounded!
All we want is the missus.
And we'll leave in peace.
Trade the old man for the Negro.
- Hold still!
- Or else we'll kill him and bust in anyway.
Come on, Emmett.
Don't be stupid.
You don't wanna die for some Negro affairs.
I'm gonna count to 10.
One.
Two.
Three.
Woo, four!
Five.
Where's Emmett, old man?
That sounded like the scared shooting of a woman.
- You better reload quick 'cause we're coming in there!
- Six!
- It's okay, Miss Haddie.
- Seven.
- We just have to believe.
♪ It is well ♪
♪ With my soul ♪ - Eight!
♪ With my soul ♪
♪ It is well ♪
- Nine.
♪ With my soul ♪
- Ten, Mike, ten!
- What was that?
- What?
- Run!
- Let me in, there's something out here!
Let me in, there's something out here, please!
Please, let me in, please!
- It's the demon serpent from hell!
- Wait!
We've been attacked by the beast!
Most everyone's been killed.
- Yes, we know.
- We should get the girl home.
- No, it's not safe.
We wait till sun up.
- Alright.
- You, you sit there.
- Alright.
You're right, you're right.
We should wait this out.
I've been meaning to put him away.
You know, it ain't right what people are doing.
How they're treating them colored folk.
It ain't right.
You did good.
We can get some sleep now.
It's okay.
We'll take her home in the morning.
- I should go out there.
- No, wait.
They might still be out there.
- Whoa, whoa it's me!
- Pa?
Pa, you're okay!
I knew you'd be back!
I knew you'd be okay.
I knew it.
- Where's Gracie?
- She's fine, she's with Hester.
What happened here?
- You said she was just lost!
- I know, hey, hey!
- Where is she?
And don't lie to me again!
- I won't!
She's fine.
She's with Hester holed up in the shack right now.
We have more Kennah clan to worry about.
There's another group that may be headed our way.
And there's that killer out there.
- She's okay, though, she's not hurt?
- No, no she's fine, I held her in my arms.
- What about Mr. Benji?
- I reckon he'll be okay.
He's as tough as a winter oak.
You boy,
you did good tonight.
I'll just work on your aim a bit.
Where's your uncle at?
- He was out there when--
You didn't see him out there?
- What did they want with Gracie?
Them men.
Did they?
- No, they didn't hurt her.
They, uh...
They was, they was just gonna trade you down the line.
Trying to make a buck.
- We ain't slaves no more!
John done fought and died for that!
- I know.
I was there.
- Why is it that God lets his people hate each other so?
Why are we so blind?
How is it that Preacher Collins can teach
the good book like he do and still
hold such hatred in his heart?
- I think,
I think there's a beast after every man's heart.
Like that one that's out there now.
And we keep our wounds from healing
by letting the pain fester.
And that beast just keeps coming.
Edmund wouldn't accept God's hand in Ellie's dying.
So he blamed me
and I did, too.
And now he sees you in this house with--
- Emmett, I ain't trying to replace Ellie.
I told you I'll go live someplace else.
- I'm not gonna trade his approval for doing what's right.
- Taking us in has made enemies of your own kin.
That ain't right.
- I made a promise.
When God takes something from you
he often gives you something else.
It may not look the same,
but I reckon it teaches you something.
And I've been trying to accept what he's given me.
My boy,
my land,
Grace
and you.
But I'm a slow learner.
- Looks like we're back in business!
We got some time to make up.
- I can't go no more.
- Come on, sack of potatoes!
I ain't missing my payday now!
- Did you find Uncle McKinney yet?
- Not yet.
We'll go check on the horses.
Why don't you fetch me a spade, son, alright?
- Gee, Willikers!
- Uncle McKinney!
- Don't bury me yet!
- Uncle McKinney!
How'd you get away?
- He was right on me, but I figured
these sickly bones ain't what he's looking for.
- Where you hurt?
- I'll live.
- Uncle McKinney, you're alive!
Can we go get Gracie now?
- Yes, ma'am.
- Why you got that silly look on your face?
- You survived!
- Well, yeah, but no thanks to you or any of my friends.
You leave me out here like a damsel
in distress and the cat tore up my leg.
You're supposed to have Grace.
- Grace!
- Hester Ann Thickett, did you lose that child?
- No.
- Uncle McKinney, don't you worry, now.
You rest here.
We'll be back soon with Gracie.
- Okay.
- They're back!
- Where's Grace?
- I'm sorry.
- Where's Grace?
- Your sheriff, he has turned.
The tracks-- - No, where is she?
- Head east from the shack.
- Where is she?
What happened, what's--
- Alright, listen, this is what we're gonna do.
- Not again!
- Henry, I need you to stay here
and guard the fort with the men, alright?
- I won't let you down, Pa.
- Hester, you're with me.
Haddie!
Haddie Jo!
Stop, would you?
- No!
This can't keep happening!
I can't take it anymore!
I need her, I need her!
- I know.
- I'm not losing my girl!
- Neither am I.
Neither am I.
- Let me go!
Or you'll be judged by the angel!
- Save your voodoo magic for the circus!
- Go!
Go!
Go.
- Lord, please give me strength.
I need to forgive.
- Whoa.
Miss Haddie.
I come to bring aid.
Is there anybody that needs help?
- This is half our deal.
- The other one couldn't make it.
She's worth just the same.
Sing!
Sing, I said!
- It's okay.
Sing for your mother.
♪ Swing low ♪
♪ Sweet chariot ♪
♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪
♪ Swing low ♪
♪ Sweet chariot ♪
♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪
- Well, she is lovely.
- Don't move!
- Don't be foolish, Emmett!
Your life ain't worth hers.
- You stay put, woman.
- Take it easy, okay?
I was only trying to help this poor orphan.
Give her a place to call her home.
- Her place is with her family!
So hand her over and no one gets hurt.
- It's too late for that, sonny.
- Mr. Emmett!
- She's your family?
- She's not your girl, Murphy!
- She is my girl.
Her and her mama belong with me!
- You ain't gonna shoot me.
You done lost the grit for killing.
- Maybe so.
Let's see if you got the grit.
- You have your money, Sheriff, let her go.
- You get out of here.
I'm gonna take care of this outlaw.
- Sing, Grace.
♪ I looked over Jordan ♪
♪ What did I see ♪
♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪
- Sing, Grace, go on.
♪ I saw a band of angels ♪
♪ Coming after me ♪
♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪
- Grace.
♪ If you get back to heaven ♪
♪ Before I do ♪
♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪
- What is this?
- You should know.
I send telegram to the governor.
It is against the law to sell emancipated slaves.
- Don't you turn on me!
- Who's the outlaw now, Sheriff?
Well, that's my cue.
Good day, sir.
And you, little lady.
You have wonderful voice.
I would be honored to have you on my freedom choir.
But I think your family will like
to have you a few more years, eh?
- Do I really belong with you?
- Of course, you do.
Let's go home.
When the Circus train left
We were all a little different.
The seeds of change were planted.
Fear of the unknown had brought us together.
It’s funny how the wild and mysterious can do that.
But that wasn’t the end of the story for us.
It was just the beginning.