Original subtitles

♪

FLINT: Major Adams had sent me out ahead of the train to scout fresh meat,

but the prospects didn't seem too good.

I'd ridden the region many times, and I knew it to be dry and barren.

But suddenly I found myself at the top of a hill I didn't know at all,

looking down into a small green valley...

A hidden paradise in the wilderness.

I started down the mountain towards it,

on my way into one of the strangest little worlds I have ever entered.

♪ Mama's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin' ♪

♪ Mama's little baby loves shortnin' bread ♪

Cora Belle, those weeds

are growin' faster than you're pulling 'em.

Mary Belle, your daddy's watching the way you're planting...

Those furrows are not straight.

I'm hot! Well, your daddy's hot, too.

♪ Mama's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin' ♪

♪ Mama's... ♪ What you got there, Junior?

Mama wants this mixed in with the mash for the horses.

Where is Mrs. Macabbee?

She's out back curing the hams.

Oh! Nobody can cure hams like your mama can.

Giddyup, Dan. Come on, boy.

You're doing fine, Sally Belle!

Lily Belle,

that plow is not gonna plow without a little elbow grease.

Scat! Come on, Dan!

I don't know what these girls would do without their daddy.

Injuns! Take for cover!

Injuns!

That's far enough, mister!

Now, can't you read, or don't you believe in signs?

My name's McCullough. My horse seems to have gone a little bit lame on me.

Besides, I wanted to buy some cattle.

I thought you might have some for sale.

I haven't got any cattle! Now git!

Well, could I rest my horse a while?

No, you can't!

I'm sorry I intruded.

All clear!

All clear!

Mrs. Macabbee.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Macabbee.

How many attacked us this time?

Oh, of course, you can't never be too sure about Indians...

For every one you see,

there's liable to be three or four you don't see.

Daddy, you're just the bravest man in the whole world!

Lily Belle, you'll turn your daddy's head.

Facin' all those Indians all by yourself!

Oh, it was nothing, Sally Belle.

Any gentleman would have done the same.

Any Southern gentleman.

Southern, of course.

That goes without saying, Mrs. Macabbee.

I can handle a gun. I should have been beside you.

You were beside Daddy in spirit, Junior.

I hate being boarded up with the women and children.

I wish Dad would let you stay outside and be shot!

Now, is that any way to talk to your sister?

She hates me! She does not.

I do too!

Do Daddy's ears hear right?

Are those his little angels?

Mrs. Macabbee, speak to your daughters.

GIRL: Daddy! Daddy!

Oh, my goodness, I almost misplaced another one again.

Cora Belle, Daddy's sorry.

Did you save me any bodies, Daddy?

Oh, now, Daddy's little angels don't want any old dead Indians.

Yes, I do.

No, Daddy knows better.

You didn't kill any Indians.

How do you know? You never do.

Well, I suppose I do shoot to miss.

I'd just as soon scare 'em.

Well, I'm just not a killer at heart.

Why don't your Indians have tomahawks and arrows

like other people's Indians?

How do you know what other people's Indians have got?

You have never met any other people,

and you have never met any other people's Indians.

I never met any of yours, either.

Mrs. Macabbee, will you deal with your daughter?

Cora Belle, that was very naughty.

Oh, my goodness.

Every time I look at your hair I could just weep.

If I ever catch you with another pair of scissors in your hand...

Mama, do you believe in Daddy's Indians?

Why, of course.

Sure enough? Sure enough.

I've been on this earth seven years now...

Wouldn't you think once in seven years we'd get one body?

You wouldn't like it if we did.

Now you go tell Daddy you're sorry.

You hurt his feelings.

Shouldn't I wait until I'm sorry?

When a gentleman gets his feathers ruffled,

a Southern lady always smoothes 'em down.

Sometimes I wish I was a Northern lady.

Cora Belle Macabbee, that's treason!

Someday I'd like to see a magazine

that was printed after I was born.

Lily Belle, how wicked!

I brought that Godey's Lady Book here as a bride!

Well, don't you think it's time we had a new issue?

Lily Belle, you are raising your voice.

I'm sorry, Mama, I guess I better go chop some wood a while.

Put on your gloves! Yes, ma'am.

Mama, how come Lily Belle's always chopping wood?

We got enough wood now to last us till we die.

Lily Belle, don't chop all that wood. Leave some for me.

Come on, girls, we'll have our lessons.

On an empty stomach?

Mary Belle, you better get your mind off your stomach and on your waistline.

Oh, Mama, this is all so silly.

No young men will ever come here.

Oh, yes they will.

And we're not gonna be caught unprepared when they do.

Cora Belle! Anna Belle!

Lesson time!

All right, Mary Belle, Sally Belle, come on now.

Take your places.

I was shoveling manure.

Well, it'll keep.

Come on now, in line, please.

Now.

Close your eyes.

That's it.

You are just entering Judge Beauregard's ballroom.

A hundred violins are playing a Viennese waltz.

Good evening, Miss Mary Belle.

My goodness, if you aren't a picture!

Good evening, Judge Beauregard.

Isn't it a heavenly night?

Did you ever see such a moon?

Just smell the fragrance of the jasmine and magnolias.

May I present my nephew, Mr. Archibald Beauregard?

Mr. Archibald Beauregard,

I've heard so much about you.

I've been just longing to meet you.

Now take his arm.

Now lower your head just a little more.

Now smile up at him through your lashes.

Oh, very nice!

That'll give Mr. Archibald Beauregard something to think about.

Anna Belle, here's Judge Beauregard.

Oh, Anna Belle.

There isn't any old Judge Beauregard,

and I don't like him anyhow!

There is too.

He was your grandfather's great friend.

I don't care! I hate him!

Junior's gonna have to have private lessons.

BOTH: Good evening, Judge Beauregard.

Isn't it a heavenly night?

Did you ever see such a moon?

And just smell the fragrance of the jasmine and magnolias.

Oh...

Oh, how lovely!

Well, that's all for now. We'll continue our lessons tomorrow.

Mama, was there really an Archibald Beauregard?

Well, indeed there was.

He was tall and handsome,

with dark red hair and nut-brown eyes.

He threatened to kill himself when I married your daddy.

I didn't know he was old like Daddy.

But he isn't old.

He was twenty-two the last time I saw him.

And twenty-two is what he's remained to me, and always will.

That's why I passed him on to you girls.

Corn pone should be just the thing with chitlins and beans.

It isn't fair to keep the girls holed up in this wretched little place.

You mean Paradise Valley?

They don't know what a town is like,

or any other house.

And my goodness gracious, they've never even seen a young man.

They're related to every human being they know.

No wonder they're getting mopier by the day.

Mrs. Macabbee, you're upsetting me.

My cornbread will not be fit to eat.

I think it's time the girls went home to Vidalia

to their granddaddy. Vidalia?!

Are you out of your Southern mind?

Who's gonna keep this place up?

I got all I can do to do the cooking around here!

We'll manage.

Now, you know that I gotta stay in the shade.

I can't stand strong sun.

And you know that I can.

Mrs. Macabbee, I'm beginning to feel poorly.

I think I'll go out and lay down in the hammock.

You and the girls better eat without me.

Just as you say.

I said I'm feeling poorly, Mrs. Macabbee.

Well, that's entirely up to you.

Humph!

Good evening.

Here.

There.

Now, I told you to get.

You also told me you didn't have any cattle.

And you were yelling "Indian," and everybody knows

Mister, you're gonna make me shoot you.

Yeah, 'fraid so. You figure on running the price of cattle up?

Well, I've only got five cows, and I need 'em.

Now, will you please go?

Why are you so anxious for me to leave?

That's my business.

Well, game's mighty scarce in these parts,

and I gotta get me some fresh meat for the wagon train.

They'll be coming through here the first of the week.

What you trying to do... Ruin this country?

Ha ha ha ha! No, settle it.

Mr. Macabbee, do I hear you talking to someone out there?

I'm talking to myself. Now, you get back in the house.

Mr. Macabbee, you are raising your voice.

Now look what you've done! Good evening, ma'am.

I'm dreaming.

I'll wake up in a minute. I didn't really hear a man's voice.

My name is Flint McCullough.

He just come, and he just leavin'.

Well, she never did that before.

Psst. Psst.

Mr. McCullough, you don't know what it means to us

to have a visitor from the outside world.

Tell us, how's President Polk?

President Polk? How long have you folks been here?

Well, Mr. Macabbee brought me here

twenty years ago as a bride,

and I haven't been out of this valley since.

And the girls haven't been out at all.

Well, I'm afraid that President Polk is long gone, ma'am.

Since him there's been President Zachary Taylor,

Franklin Pierce, Millard Fillmore, James Buchanan...

Abraham Lincoln, of course, Andrew Johnson,

there's been the Civil War... Civil War?!

Eleven states seceded from the Union. How wicked!

I've always said those Yankees were unstable.

What Yankee states left the Union, Mr. McCullough?

The Yankees states of Virginia, North Carolina,

South Carolina,

Texas, Arkansas,

Georgia, Alabama,

Florida, and Louisiana.

The whole South!

Out of the Union?

Even Vidalia, Louisiana?

Yankee lies! Yankee lies!

By gad, this time you have gone too far!

Come on, girls, we'll throw this Yankee off our land!

Who are you calling a Yankee?

He means you, Mr. McCullough.

Well, he can't mean me, honey,

'cause I was born in Virginia.

I knew it the minute I laid eyes on you.

He doesn't sound very Southern to me.

He isn't Louisiana Southern, he's Virginia Southern.

You forgot how Virginia Southern sounds.

Mr. McCullough, Mr. Macabbee apologizes.

I accept Mr. Macabbee's apology.

Well, now, don't strain yourself.

No strain at all, sir.

I don't want to be out of the Union.

Well, you're not out anymore, dear,

you're all back in.

And I guess you were pretty luck to be someplace

where the war couldn't touch you.

Is your name really sure enough Flint McCullough?

That's what they tell me. Why?

I been thinking maybe it was Archibald Beauregard.

Archibald Beauregard!

That I should live to hear that name uttered

by my own child, under my own roof!

Who's Archibald Beauregard?

He tried to marry Mrs. Macabbee!

Oh, well, I wasn't Mrs. Macabbee then.

Archibald Beauregard was the most handsome man that ever lived.

Mrs. Macabbee!

Have I been harboring that snake Archibald Beauregard

in my bosom all these years?

Yes, dark red hair and nut-brown eyes.

This is an outrage!

I am shocked to my Southern marrow!

Mr. McCullough, come with me.

Excuse me, ladies.

This whole family turns me positively pea-green! You're all love sick!

Anna Belle, that is more than enough.

I don't know how I got related to any of you!

He's out there!

Come on, boy, let's see what your problem is.

Dark red hair... he didn't have dark red hair!

He had black hair,

and it grew clear down to his eyebrows!

Why, I could lick him with one hand tied behind my back

and both feet in a barrel!

Say, that animal sure is lame.

He's not gonna be much good for traveling,

for a couple of days, anyway.

Junior will fix him up with some liniment.

That's all I need, saddled with Archibald Beauregard!

Well, I'm not Archibald Beauregard.

You've got a lot of hair.

Why are you so touchy about that?

You'll get touchy too when you start showing streaks of scalp.

If it'll make you feel any better, I'll shave my head.

This valley was a paradise till you come riding in here

with your nut-brown eyes!

I'll have you know that you have shook the foundation of a marriage

that has been happy for over 20 years!

You know, I might have to kill you before I'm through.

I don't think you could kill a fly.

Well, I'll admit I'm a devout coward,

but I will summon up from some reservoir

whatever courage it takes

to put you out of your Virginia creepin' existence.

I'm sorry I barged in. I really am.

And as soon as the horse can travel, I'll get out.

How's that?

You can sleep in the hammock. Now, good night.

Good night.

Oh, Mama!

Lily Belle, you are going to have to learn

to talk to a young man sometime.

Hello, Lily Belle.

Isn't it a heavenly night?

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.

Did you ever see such a moon?

Just smell the fragrance of the jasmine and magnolias.

Jasmine and magnolias?

Looks like roses to me.

Oh, well, that's... That's just a figure of speech.

Well...

Well, good night. Don't go.

Stay. Sit down and talk for a spell.

I don't have anything to talk to you about.

I haven't done anything or been anywhere or seen anything.

Well, that's not quite true now, is it?

I mean, you've lived for 17 years

and you've learned to do a great many things

that most women never learn.

What?

Most women don't plow the fields

and most women don't do the butchering

and most women don't harvest the crops.

They don't? No.

My daddy says they do.

Well, your daddy has his own special way of looking at things.

Well, what do the women do that you know?

Some of them sew, some of them,

and some of them cook

and some of them, uh...

some of them do the washing.

Some of them. It all depends on their circumstances

or... or their profession.

But you girls have learned to do lots of things

that women never learn to do.

What kind of a social is this?!

We were just listening to Mr. McCullough and Lily Belle.

Now, only Yankees snoop.

You get to bed, both of you. Now get!

It's all my fault.

I thought it would be good training for 'em.

They have so few opportunities to learn.

Snoopers are lower than skunks.

Come on, girls, to bed.

Time for bed, Mr. Macabbee.

You better save your strength.

You have to get breakfast in the morning.

That's the way.

Isn't that Mr. McCullough a nice man?

I've heard quite enough about him, thank you.

He's made such a difference in this house.

Don't you feel it, Jess?

Mrs. Macabbee, I have to get some sleep.

I have to watch the girls plant the fields tomorrow.

Well, I'll go see that they're all tucked in.

I hope they're happy.

I certainly am not.

Why, Lily Belle. What's wrong?

Oh, Mama, I'm so confused and miserable.

I feel emotionally all thumbs.

Did you ever feel like this?

Of course.

That's a comfort. Why is it a comfort?

I supposed it's an assurance that you'll recover.

Yesterday I was so positive about everything.

How can you feel so positive one day and so unpositive the next?

Mama, I keep wishing he'd kiss me,

and I know I'd just die if he did.

I'm a nervous wreck!

Oh, I feel so melancholy and miserable and sad.

I know.

Isn't it fun?

Where's Sally?

I don't know. Isn't she in her bed?

Sally! Why aren't you asleep?

"To sleep... to sleep, perchance to dream.

Ah, there's the rub."

William Shakespeare, 1542.

Darling, don't you feel well?

I feel terrible.

I feel like I have a toothache and no tooth to put it in.

Oh, you're experiencing first love, Sally...

The April time of life,

the beginning of dreams.

It comes only once.

And once is quite enough for anybody to have to go through it.

Come on, now, darling. To sleep.

To sleep, perchance to dream.

What's the matter, honey?

Everybody's changing.

Why did he have to come?

We all have to grow up, Junior.

Before we're ready?

I'm afraid we're never ready, honey.

Mommy, Mommy!

What is it, dear?

I don't want to secede!

We didn't secede. The North seceded.

Ya just can't trust those Yankees.

When I grow up I'm gonna kill 'em all dead and scalp 'em.

Well! In that case, I think we'd all better get some sleep!

ALL: Good night.

Mrs. Macabbee...

are you sorry you didn't take Archibald Beauregard?

You know, Mr. Macabbee...

a man can have too much hair.

You know, sometimes I wonder how it is

that you always know just the right thing to say.

You're a very satisfactory woman, Mrs. Macabbee.

Why, Mr. Macabbee!

A compliment from you, after all these years.

Well, I have been some shook up since McCullough joined us.

I guess a little shakin' up is good for all of us.

Yeah, I guess we do owe that fella somethin'.

I'll tell you what.

I'll let him take his choice of our daughters.

He can marry whichever one he hankers to.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Macabbee!

I was hoping against hope you'd say that.

I'll tell him the good news in the morning.

My son-in-law...

I hope he's handy around the house.

- You decided what?! - Have another cup of coffee.

Now, don't give him any more. He needs a clear head.

Look, I must have heard you people wrong.

I guess we knocked you clear off your rocker, didn't we?

All our girls have had a very good bringing-up.

Of course, Lily Belle, being the eldest,

has had the most bringing-up.

Now, Mother, we said that we weren't gonna say anything

that would influence his choice.

I just mean that Lily Belle could run a house better than Cora Belle.

Well, I don't think it's fair to run down Cora Belle.

I'm not running her down; we have to make allowances.

She's only seven.

Well, if he wants Cora Belle... Oh, I don't want Cora Belle.

Well, there. Cora Belle's eliminated, anyhow.

Well, don't be hasty in your choice.

Take all the time you need. Take a couple of hours.

Look, if I've said anything that's given you people

the wrong impression, well, I'm sorry.

No, no, no. Not at all.

I wasn't very friendly when you came in, and I want to make up for it.

Well, why don't we just forget it?

Just let bygones be bygones.

I insist! It's a matter of Southern hospitality.

Yeah, but this is overdoing the hospitality.

Perhaps Mr. McCullough doesn't want to marry any of the girls.

Oh, nonsense! Where could he get a better selection?

But your girls, they don't want to marry me.

Why, they're females. They're not supposed to know what they want.

They think you're the most wonderful man they've ever seen.

Yeah, but I'm the only man they've ever seen!

Well, don't knock that, lad. You can't suffer by comparison.

Don't you want them to sort of shop around?

Mr. McCullough, are you trying to throw over my five daughters?

I'm in no position to get married.

I spend half of my life traveling.

A man reaches an age when he oughta have roots and family ties,

and it's time you were settling down. You people can't be serious.

Why can't we? Because I'm traveling through, not settling down!

You are settling down!

You're not riding out of here

leaving five broken hearts crying their eyes out!

Now, you're a-pickin' one of my girls,

you're marryin', and you're stayin'!

I'm having a nightmare.

Now, look, maybe Mr. McCullough

isn't in love with any of our girls.

He's stubborn, that's what he is,

just Virginia stubborn!

Well, I'm Louisiana stubborn,

and Louisiana stubborn is just as stubborn

as Virginia stubborn any day in the week!

More stubborn!

Nobody asked you to come into Macabbee Valley.

You come barging in here under your own Southern steam.

Well, you're here, and we gotta make the best of it.

But from now on, we include you.

Now, which one of my daughters are you figurin' on marrying,

Mr. McCullough?

I'm getting out of here.

Don't crowd me, Mr. McCullough,

because I'm a wildcat when I'm crowded!

Hold onto your temper, Mr. Macabbee.

You're gonna have another one of your tension headaches!

I've already got a tension headache!

Well, what's it gonna be, Mr. McCullough?

Am I a prisoner?

That's entirely up to you.

Well, I'm waiting for your answer.

Indians?!

Indians!

No, you just made me a prisoner.

Now I've gotta make you a trustee. Come on!

Girls! Underground!

Underground!

Here are your horses, Daddy!

No trespassing! No trespassing on this property!

Well, howdy. We're your neighbors. We just come to say hello.

Stay where you are.

My name is Jed Culpepper. This is my oldest boy Jim. Howdy.

I got five more like him back at the house.

Different sizes, of course.

We don't live but five miles from here.

Just down the stream, a little beyond the rapids.

Five miles? You're practically breathing down our necks.

Well, we've been living here for ten years.

We never knowed till yesterday that we had neighbors.

A couple of them Paiute Indians told us you as located up here.

Come on, Pa. We ain't wanted around here.

Just you hold on.

Mister, if you ever do get lonely, come by.

We'd be mighty glad to have you.

That goes for you too, son.

And remember, it don't always pay to keep too much to yourself...

You might get a little... you know?

Come on.

Why didn't you invite them in

and introduce them to Mrs. Macabbee and the girls?

Why? Why? He's got six boys and you've got five girls!

It's almost a mathematical equation!

You watch your language.

Why don't you call him back before it's too late?

You slipped by me, but nobody else

is getting into Paradise Valley

as long as I got my shootin' arm.

You're doing that to make sure those Culpeppers never come back, aren't you?

No, I'm doing it for the girls.

The little ones are disappointed

if I don't at least shoot at the Indians.

Well, as long as you're gonna be in the family,

I might as well let you in on the family secrets.

Come on.

All clear, girls! All clear!

Did you bring any bodies?

If you find any tomahawks, save 'em for me!

There's never any tomahawks!

I must say, these Indian raids never last very long.

How many Indians were there, Daddy?

Oh... it was a small reconnaissance party.

It didn't amount to much.

We heard a lot of firing.

Well, I did manage to wing one or two.

Did Mr. McCullough get any?

Oh, yeah, he winged one or two, too.

You are the two bravest men in the whole world.

Oh, it was nothin'. Was it, Flint?

Nothin'. Absolutely nothing.

Come on, now, girls,

I want you to finish your chores early today.

This is gonna be a big night in someone's life.

Sally Belle, if Mr. McCullough chooses you,

it won't make any difference between us, will it?

Oh, no. And if he chooses you,

I'll love you just as much.

Do you want him to choose you, Sally Belle?

I don't know.

I'm scared that he will, and... scared that he won't.

I guess I feel the same way.

Do you think you're in love with him, Lily Belle?

Well, I like to think about him,

so I suppose I am.

I think about him all the time.

So do I.

I don't see how anybody can take so long gettin' dressed.

You will pretty soon when you're older.

I don't want to get older.

Why do you two suddenly have to be so old?

I hate your hair like that.

There. You look just like Mama on her way to a ball.

Hook me, will you, Junior?

We aren't goin' anyplace but the parlor.

I thought people got thin when they were in love.

You don't hush your mouth, I'm gonna wallop you

right across your Southern bottom.

You know something?

She doesn't even have a crush on Mr. McCullough.

I hate him! He's changed everybody!

He's ruined my whole life!

Such an awkward child.

Sometimes I think she'll never grow up.

Mr. McCullough.

I'm afraid that with the best intentions in the world

I've let you be put in a most awkward position.

Well, that's a weight off my mind.

It's a relief to hear you say that.

You rode into this valley from another world.

You're young and handsome.

And while I'm not making any excuses for myself,

I think any mother of five girls

just couldn't help but hope.

I'm very flattered,

and if I didn't live the life I live

or if I was ready to give up the life I'm living...

You see, I married for love,

and I want my girls to do the same.

And since I think love is the very best thing that life has to give any of us,

I would advise you to wait for love.

Have you really been happy in this valley?

Oh, very happy,

or I would have left here long ago.

I don't think Mr. Macabbee would have let you.

Mr. Macabbee is a Southern gentleman,

and a Southern gentleman always does what his lady wishes.

Of course, she may not always let him know that that's what he's doing,

but she has her ways of seeing that he does it.

And now I mustn't keep you any longer.

The girls are waiting to see who you've chosen.

Mr. Macabbee, I...

What am I gonna say?

Say something that won't hurt them.

They're so vulnerable right now.

You are their first love...

the very first young man any of them have ever even seen.

A woman forgets many things, Mr. McCullough,

but she never, ever forgets her first love.

I'll try.

It's a little out of my line, but...

I'll try.

Oh, thank you.

Well, girls, I'm faced with an impossible decision here.

I mean, each and every one of you

has so much to offer that...

well, I-I don't even know how I can begin.

I mean...

Lily Belle.

Lily Belle, you're not only very, very lovely,

you can plow a field, harvest a crop,

shear your own wool and spin it into yarn...

and end up with a gown as lovely as the one you have on.

And you have the bluest eyes.

Sally Belle...

You know, you can butcher a hog neater than anyone I've ever seen.

And you've got so much book-learnin'

behind those big, beautiful eyes of yours

that, well, I'd just have to run to keep up with you.

Junior...

Junior, one of these days

you're gonna undo this braid of yours

and comb out your hair.

And when you do, you'll be as pretty a girl

as a man would want to look at.

And you know, you're wonderful with livestock.

I was out looking at my horse, and his limp is completely gone,

and I know that I got you to thank for it.

So thank you.

Mary Belle.

Mary Belle, dear, you've got a green thumb.

I washed it.

Oh, honey, you can't wash that away.

That means that things just grow naturally for you.

And one day, you and your husband will be blessed with

all the good things that earth and life can bring to you.

I'll never wash my thumb again.

Cora Belle.

Cora Belle...

you have youth to offer,

devotion, loyalty,

you have an enquiring mind,

and somewhere in the world

there's a little boy growing up

and his mother is telling him that he has to search until he finds you.

How does she know about me?

Well, I don't know. It's just an instinct.

What's her name?

I don't know.

You know his name?

Nope.

Does he know mine?

Not yet.

Then how is he gonna find me?

Well, I can't answer that. I know you can't.

That little boy is just like my daddy's Indians: he isn't.

No, no, no, that's where you're wrong.

People could tell me those things when I was young,

but no more.

Cora Belle,

how one person finds the other person in the world

I guess is one of life's great mysteries.

I can't explain it to you,

any more than I can tell you, oh,

how the stars got up in the sky

or what makes the sun shine or why the wind blows.

It just happens.

And it'll happen to each and every one of you.

And when it does, you won't have to ask a single question.

You'll know.

Well all know now.

No, you don't. Not one of you, not yet.

My daddy says you have to marry one of us.

Well, your daddy's just gonna have to understand

that it's against the law to marry all of you...

and I can't choose between you.

Indians! Indians! Get in the cellar!

There aren't any Indians. There never were any Indians.

No Indians? Why, of course there are Indians!

M-McCullough, come out here!

These are real Indians!

That's a war party. We're in for trouble.

What'll we do? We'll need help.

One of us will have to ride for the Culpepper boys.

D-Do you think you can find their place?

I was pretty high-handed with them.

Yeah. I'll find it.

Real Indians!

What's the matter, Mr. Macabbee?

I'm having one of my tension headaches.

Ha ha!

Have the Indians gone? I didn't hear the bell!

I don't know, Mrs. Macabbee. I haven't looked.

Where's Mr. McCullough?

H-He's gone for help. Help?!

Where would he go for help? There isn't any help around here!

Oh, my goodness! They mean business, don't they?

I'll take charge, Mrs. Macabbee.

Don't you worry.

Ohh...

Lily, bring the smelling salts! Daddy's done it again!

What happened?

Indians, Papa!

India... Indians?

What am I doing here?

You were in shock, Jess.

I smell smoke.

The Indians are building a fire!

They're gonna burn us alive!

After they scalp us! Girls, don't upset your father.

You girls get below.

A Southern gentleman always takes care of his lady-folks.

You raised us Western, and we're with you,

shoulder-to-shoulder.

Don't give up the ship.

Captain James Mudford, Boston harbor, May, 1776.

Are they firing at... us?

I hope McCullough gets here soon.

Suppose he never comes back?

I hope McCullough gets here soon.

Mommy, I'm scared! I'm scared!

Now, you see, Cora Belle,

Mama always knew you didn't really want a dead Indian.

Papa, suppose Mr. McCullough never comes back?

Then like all true sons of Louisiana,

we will die on this foreign field with dignity and courage.

Daddy, look!

They're surrendering!

I don't want 'em to surrender. I want 'em to go away!

Don't look like we come to rescue the girls,

we come to rescue the Indians! You came to rescue me.

Cover me.

I come in friendship. Why do you shoot at me?

Friendship?

You keep your big, brave mouth shut,

and don't tell the girls.

Oh, you.

Lily Belle.

Lily Belle, about that little plan of your father's...

Plan, Mr. McCullough?

You mean you've forgotten already?

My daddy's always working on one little plan or another.

Sally Belle.

Oh, have you met Tom and Jack Culpepper, Mr. McCullough?

Oh, yes, indeed. We've already met.

Sally, your father said I was to choose...

Oh, don't choose me.

I'm just beginning to live, Mr. McCullough.

Well, then, I'm afraid that this is goodbye.

Goodbye, Mr. McCullough.

Do look us up whenever you're in the neighborhood.

Don't worry, I will.

I'm very anxious to see what goes on in this valley.

Well, you're really gonna leave us.

None of your daughters want me now.

Well, you don't act fast enough.

I don't know what's got into you Virginia boys.

Now, a Louisiana boy would have been married to one of 'em by now.

We're all gonna remember you.

Sorry not to have you in the family.

Thanks.

And thanks for all the Southern hospitality.

ALL: Goodbye!

Mr. McCullough!

Mr. McCullough!

What is it?

I'll marry you, Mr. McCullough... if you want me to.

Why, Junior.

You said I was good with livestock,

and I could take care of your horse,

and I can plant and harvest and butcher...

I can do all those things.

Wasn't it decided that each of you would wait

until you really fell in love?

I just don't know how anyone could be more in love.

Anna Belle, how old are you? Fourteen.

When you're seventeen, I'll come back through this valley,

and if you still feel the same way, we'll talk about it then.

How's that? All right.

And so I rode back to a world not quite so beautiful,

and left the small, perfect kingdom of Mr. Jess Macabbee

hidden in the wilderness.

♪