Original subtitles

Come on, close 'em up.

Keep your eyes open, Major.

Where's he goin', Charlie?

Oh, he's goin' down the road to pick up a small wagon train

that's join' us... About six wagons.

He also said he was gonna try to trade for some fresh horses,

and I think I should have gone with him.

Charlie. Yeah?

You know the Major's a man of rare judgment.

He thinks you're too valuable here to leave the train.

I guess you're right,

but anyway, if he does trade for the fresh horses,

how is he gonna get 'em back here by himself?

Charlie, how do you think that that rancher he's gonna trade with

will get these tired old horses back to his place?

Why, he'll send somebody along, naturally.

Oh, I see what you mean.

You know, you're gettin' smarter all the time.

You're startin' to answer your own questions now.

Hmm.

Flint, looks like we got company.

Hey now!

Well now, that's a piece of luck.

If that wagon train hadn't stopped,

we might not have caught up with 'em for two or three days.

I wonder what's holdin' 'em up.

Miss Sadler, I didn't know you were carryin' that kind of money.

I wouldn't have it now if you did.

Why, you do me an injustice.

What kind of a man do you think I am?

I know exactly what kind of a man you are.

That's why I hired you.

Now, you can either get on your saddle horse back there and ride out...

or you can stay on and drive for me...

and you can earn the rest of this.

Yeah?

How can I earn it?

There's a man in one of those wagons out there.

He's got something that belongs to me...

and I mean to get it back.

You want him killed?

Yah!

You and Charlie circle up. I'll, uh, I'll go talk to him.

All right.

Well, you heard what he said. Circle 'em up.

Listen, I don't take orders from everybody. Ahh.

What a valuable man I am, didn't you?

Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa now! Whoa now!

You the wagon master of this outfit?

Well, I am until Major Adams gets back. I'm Flint McCullough.

Hi. HI.

My name's Tracy Sadler.

My pleasure, ma'am.

This is my driver... Cadge Waldo.

Mr. McCullough, I'd like to join your train.

Well, I'm sure the Major would be glad to have you, ma'am.

Well then, if you'd just tell me what your fee is, I'd like to pay you now.

Well, there's no hurry about the money.

I'll drop by later tonight and pick it up.

No, that's all right. I'd just as soon pay you now.

There isn't time. Why don't you pull your wagon into line before

the train tightens up.

Thanks. Yah!

Whoa now!

Where'd you run off to?

I just been lookin' around.

I found out one thing. We're gonna be stuck here for several days.

That suits me just fine.

It'll make it a lot easier to find him.

Who we lookin' for?

His name's Forest. Fletcher Forest.

Fletcher Forest. That's right. That's the fella we're after.

Fletcher Forest.

Good. Makes it easy.

All I'll have to do is ask for him.

No, I don't want anybody to know I even know his name!

Oh, no, you're right. You're right.

Later when he gets killed,

people will wanna know why I was askin' for him.

What does he look like?

I don't know what he looks like.

You don't know what he looks like?

Well, I don't know. He's a man about 60, 61. I'm not sure.

He's 60, 61. His name is Fletcher Forest.

That's right, and he'll be traveling with his son.

All, right. Now, how old's his son? Twelve.

Well, isn't that enough for you to go on, Cadge?

I just don't want you to let anybody know you're looking for him.

Now just go out and find him!

All right, all right. I'll find him.

Fletcher Forest.

Hi. Uh, I just joined the train.

My wagon's up the line. My name's Cadge Waldo.

Jameson. Henry Jameson. Won't you sit down?

No, no, I can't stay, Mr. Jameson.

I got some business down the line,

but I'm glad to know you, and I'll see you later.

All right. Swell.

How you gettin' along, Miss Sadler?

Oh, Mr. McCullough, you've come for your money.

No, not necessarily.

I'll get it for you.

Well, wait a minute.

I'm gonna throw a hoedown tonight

to sorta get the folks' minds off the fact

that they won't be travelin' for a few days,

and I thought maybe,

well, I could offer myself as an escort,

sorta help you get acquainted.

Well, I'm sorry. I'll get your money.

My name's Anderson.

What's your first name, sonny?

That's it. Anderson. Last name's Charles.

Anderson Charles.

You got that backwards, ain't ya?

I don't think so.

WOMAN: Anderson, you ain't done your chores yet.

Well, I guess you're right.

That ought to take care of it.

Well, that takes care of one thing.

You sure you won't change your mind about tonight?

No, I'm sorry. Thank you very much. I'm afraid I won't.

Well, if you change your mind, you just give a holler.

Get it clean.

Now there's a boy looks to me like he's thinkin' about huntin' buffalo.

How 'bout it, David? Hi, Mr. McCullough.

Well, come on, you're thinkin' about something.

Yeah, I was just thinkin' about bein' back home again.

Most boys think this trip west

is kind of an excitin' adventure.

I liked it out there. I didn't wanna leave.

MAN: Just wait till you get to California, son.

You'll like it there a whole lot better.

Hi, Pa.

Hi, Mr. Forest.

Where you been?

Oh, up line a ways,

tradin' lies with another cattleman.

Never would let me out of his sight.

Been that way since he was a tot.

David, suppose you go and see if you can get us some more firewood, will you?

Sure, Pa. Excuse me.

I say, Flint, you don't think there's any chance

of our bein' held up more than two or three days here, do you?

Oh, I don't think so.

I hope not.

Is something botherin' you?

Well, no, just the boy, that's all.

He won't get as homesick travelin' as he will sittin'.

I see. You know, Mr. Forest, I've seen lots of fathers on this train.

Some of them treat their boys like they were work horses.

Others don't seem to know they're alive.

I think it's nice the, well, the regard that you and David have for each other.

Well, thanks for sayin' that, Flint.

I just hope I don't spoil him too much.

I don't think so. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from the Major.

I appreciate it.

Miss Sadler. Yeah?

Miss Sadler.

Yes?

I shook hands with more people

than a politician runnin' for office.

Did you find him?

I went all the way around this dad-blamed circle

in the wrong direction.

Answer me, Cadge. Did you find him?

Yes, ma'am, I found him.

Where?

Second wagon ahead.

Can you imagine a fool thing like that...

Me not findin' him till the next to the last wagon?

Is the boy with him?

Yeah, the boy's with him, and his name's David.

I heard him talkin'.

David.

Now, Miss Sadler, I think I've worked hard enough

just findin' Forest to earn the money you promised me.

Now, why don't I slip over there tonight

and kill him and have the whole thing...

You do nothin' until you're told!

I'll take care of that kid, too, and it won't cost you a cent.

Don't you touch him!

You leave that boy alone, you understand me?

I didn't think you'd care what happened to that kid.

I'm gonna do his pa in anyhow.

That's not his pa.

But I thought you said...

That's not his pa!

I ought to know...

I'm his mother.

Danged if I can figure you out, ma'am.

You've been so het up about catchin' up with this Forest fella

for runnin' away with your son.

Well, now that you've found him,

you don't even wanna take a look at him.

I can't, Cadge.

I can't.

I'm scared.

Scared? Of what?

Forest?

I'll take care of him.

It's not Forest.

It's the time I've spent waiting for this moment.

Twelve years...

in prison.

In prison?

That's right.

Twelve years waiting for the moment

when I first set eyes on him,

and now it's here, and I don't know what to do.

I'm scared.

I just can't run up to him and throw my arms around him,

tell him he belongs to me.

He's so close, and I can't touch him.

Can't call him by his name, and he can't call me by mine.

Or maybe he'll never want to.

♪

Ahh.

Cadge.

Cadge!

Yes, ma'am?

Get yourself cleaned up.

Cleaned up? What for?

We're goin' to the dance. Change your clothes.

Dance?

Haven't you got anything to change into?

The only clothes I got!

Otherwise, I would've washed them long ago.

Well, all right then, just comb your hair and clean your face.

Get washed?

Yes.

I'm ready, Miss Sadler.

Are you?

I'll be there in a minute.

I never did see a woman yet who could make it on time.

♪

Yeah, I want mine straight, Mr. Prescott. Thanks.

Got room for a couple more thirsty men, Flint?

Well, I don't know why not, Mr. Forest,

but, David, I think you'd be happier down there with the apple cider.

Oh, boy.

I'll take mine out of the bottle.

Oh, here we go.

Oh, there he is.

The man on the left talkin' to McCullough.

I don't see the boy, though.

May I join you?

Well now, if I didn't know better,

I'd say that Miss Tracy Sadler changed her mind.

Well, am I still welcome? Is it all right?

Only if you'll dance with me.

Well then, it's all right, isn't it?

Thank you. I just got to thinking maybe you're right.

I joined your train. I should get out and meet some of my neighbors.

There's no time like the present.

Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet our new member of our train.

Miss Tracy Sadler.

ALL: Hi.

This is Mr. Stevens. How do you do.

Mr. Prescott. How do you do.

That's Mr. Jones. How do you do.

Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox.

And Mr. Forest. You certainly out to know him.

He's in the wagon that's two ahead of yours.

How do you do. Oh, how do you do.

I think I remember seeing you.

You're traveling with the young boy, aren't you?

You mean my friend David.

He's down there having a cider-drinking contest.

Oh, no, thank you.

I think I'd be considered more of a lady if I join the cider group.

All right. All right, I'll get you some.

Why are you fellas so quiet, huh?

Oh, that's fine. Thank you.

There you are.

Well now, aren't you gonna tell me what your names are?

My name is David, ma'am. David Forest.

Hello, David.

I saw you.

You're right behind Barrett's wagon,

and they're right behind us.

Uh, yes, that's right.

I just said hello to your grandfather.

Oh, he's not my grandfather, Miss Sadler. He's my father.

Oh, well, for heaven's sakes.

Now don't you dare tell him I made such a silly mistake, will you.

Not silly, Miss Sadler. It's a common mistake.

Now if you'll excuse us.

Well, I didn't mean anything.

We don't have to go yet, do we, Dad?

I'm afraid we do, son.

Just a minute.

Good-bye, Miss Sadler. I'm glad I met you.

I'm glad I met you, too, David.

You see, I turn my back for a minute,

and you begin to pay attention to another man,

but I'm happy to say he's just a little too old for you.

Pa.

Yes, son?

Why don't you like women talking to me?

Now, you've never heard me say such a thing, did you, boy?

No, you never exactly said that,

but you said we don't need one living with us.

Well, we don't, do we?

Have we got along pretty good so far without 'em?

Sure we have, Pa, but what's wrong with them?

Well, maybe there isn't anything wrong with them exactly.

Let's just say your pa is selfish,

wants to have you all to himself.

That's why we had to come home so early tonight?

Because Miss Sadler was talking to me?

Say, how come you to be asking such questions all of a sudden?

You never did before.

I like Miss Sadler. She's kind of different.

Well, what do you mean, different?

Well, when I shook hands with her,

they were as soft as a kitten's neck,

and she smelled good, too.

Well, let's get some sleep now.

We'll talk about this later.

Nobody in the world will ever know how happy I am tonight.

Well, you've been quite a surprise to me.

What do you mean?

Well, when I met you today,

you were distant, I might even say unfriendly.

Tonight you've been charming, I might even say radiant.

Naturally, I'm curious about the change.

Well, let's just say I'm... I'm grateful for your company.

Can we leave it at that?

Yes, we can,

but if you decide you wanna talk about it sometime,

I'd like to be the one.

Good night, Mr. McCullough.

Good night.

Son.

Yeah, Pa?

You up so early?

Couldn't sleep anymore. Tried not to wake you up.

Well, that's all right.

Tell you what, David, poke up the fire,

and I'll get up and make you some flapjacks.

Hey, that'll be great!

Hello, David.

Good morning, Miss Sadler.

You're up early, aren't you?

Yes, ma'am.

Do you always get up this early?

Uh, no, ma'am.

Neither do I.

I couldn't sleep last night.

I had to go down to the creek and get some fresh water.

Yes, I saw you, and, well...

And what, David?

You're strong for 12 years old.

How'd you know I was 12?

I just guessed.

I can do that for you.

Your fire was almost out, Miss Sadler.

If you bank it with ashes at night,

it will be easier to get going in the morning.

Oh, I see.

I must have forgot last night.

I'll have it going in a minute, thought.

David, would you like to stay and have breakfast with me?

I'll bet you haven't eaten yet, have you?

Oh, golly, I forgot. I gotta go, Miss Sadler.

I was supposed to poke up the fire for Pa.

Well, you'll come back and visit me again, won't you?

Yes, Miss Sadler. I'd like to very much.

Bye now.

You won't forget?

Morning, Mr. Forest.

Sorry I'm late, Pa. Didn't mean to take so long.

That's all right, son.

I haven't made the batter yet, anyway.

You're gonna have a fight on your hands, ain't ya?

I thought you were asleep.

Old Cadge ain't never asleep when something's goin' on.

If you're aimin' to woo that boy away from Forest,

it ain't gonna be as easy as you think.

He likes me, Cadge.

Sure he likes you.

He likes Forest, too.

You try to come between 'em,

you're apt to find out just how much.

But then on the other hand...

if something was to, uh, happen to Forest,

I'd say it was the most natural thing in the world

for a boy to turn to his mother,

even if he didn't know her too well.

Well, Miss Sadler, it ain't the money no more.

I'll admit it was in the first place.

It's different now.

Last night when you told me about your boy,

waitin' 12 years for him,

well, I...

I can't put it into words exactly,

but, well, I'd like to help you,

and I hope you'll believe me.

Thank you, Cadge.

Well, there you are.

I'd about given you up.

You're not getting tired of my cooking, are you?

Oh, boy, fried chicken again!

It's your favorite.

I'm sorry I'm late, Tracy,

but I had some work to do for Pa.

Oh, I see.

Come on.

Were you really doin' chores for your pa, David?

Well, no.

I was waitin' for Pa to take his afternoon nap.

He just now went to sleep.

He doesn't seem to like me very much.

Oh, it isn't that he doesn't like you, Tracy.

It's just that he hasn't got much use for any women.

Well, what about your mom?

I don't know.

He never would say much about her.

I haven't even seen a picture of her.

Well, don't you ever wonder... what she looked like?

Oh, sure I do.

Sometimes... sometimes, I just try to imagine what she looked like.

And then what happens?

What do you think?

Well...

Come on, David.

Sometimes I wish she looked like you.

You may think I'm awful silly for saying that.

No, I don't think you're silly, David.

'Cause, you see, if I ever had a little boy,

I'd want him to look exactly like you.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.

Well, I'm not sorry.

That's just about the nicest thing you could have ever done.

Well, come on.

Let's eat this up before the ants beat us to it.

I wanna talk to you.

Why certainly, Mr. Forest.

Alone.

Well, what could we have to talk about that he couldn't hear?

We hardly know each other.

Suit yourself.

Would you like to sit down?

No, thank you.

You know, I've often thought it's a shame that you and I couldn't be better friends.

David and I are, you know.

That's why I'm here, Miss Sadler.

I must ask you to stop seeing him.

I have my reasons.

Well, I can't see what possible harm...

It's not for you to judge, Miss Sadler.

David is my son. I'm all he needs.

Well, I think you're wrong, Mr. Forest.

Is it so difficult for you to understand a simple request?

David is my son. You're little more than a stranger to him.

I've asked you to leave him alone.

That's my right, I believe.

Oh, yes, I understand about your rights, but I still don't see why...

Why are you so interested in my son?

Is it because you don't happen to have a child of your own?

That shouldn't be so difficult for a woman like you.

What do you mean, a woman like me?

I'd be very careful how I answered that, mister.

Who are you? What's your name?

You know what my name is.

Tracy Sadler.

Did you ever live in Philadelphia?

Have you ever been in prison?

You don't listen very good, mister.

If you're stupid enough to shoot, go ahead.

Flint McCullough will have a hangman's knot around your neck within an hour.

All right, Miss Sadler,

do you wanna tell me your real name?

She told you her real name.

It's Tracy Sadler.

Just stay away from my son.

Oh, Flint, have you seen David in the last few minutes?

No, I haven't. Is something wrong?

I'm afraid so. What do you know about this Sadler woman?

Well, not that much. Why?

I think she's trying to steal David away from me.

Steal David? What would she wanna do that for?

Because I'm convinced she's his mother.

Tracy Sadler?

I gotta find him, Flint.

I'd appreciate it if you'd help me.

Come along, I'll tell you about it.

Mr. Forest, do you know what you're saying?

Where are we going, Tracy?

Oh, no place.

I... I just wanted to talk to you.

Sure.

What do we talk about?

Oh, you...

me...

Mr. Forest.

I sure do wish he'd get to know you.

I know he'd like you.

Well, has he ever said anything about me?

Hasn't said a word,

but I can tell he doesn't like me to see you.

I don't know why, though.

David, I have something to tell you...

and it's not gonna be easy for you to understand,

but I want you to try for me.

Will you do that?

Sure.

You see, your real pa died before you were born.

So then Mr. Forest raised you

like... like he was your pa and you were his son.

He didn't mean to lie to you or anything like that.

I guess he just wanted to make you feel like

you had a father just like everybody else.

I don't understand.

Oh, I know this is a lot to understand so quick,

but, see, you... you just had to know this sooner or later.

I don't believe it.

He's my pa, and you're making it all up!

Oh, no, David. I'm not making it all up.

It's true. I wouldn't lie to you.

Now please listen to me, David, please.

No!

David!

David.

I'm... I'm your mother.

My mother's dead.

Pa said so, and I believe him!

I believe my pa! He wouldn't lie to me!

No, David, please listen to me.

I'm... I am. I'm your mother.

David?

David, go back to the wagon and wait for me.

What have you been doing?

What did you say to my son?

He's not your son! I'm sick to death of hearing it!

I was right about you all along.

You've never been right about me.

You've never taken the trouble to be right about me.

You were already in prison before I knew my son was married.

Besides, what could I have learned the jury didn't?

You could have learned I was convicted on false evidence.

That's what you could've learned.

You served your time in prison.

You can't be convicted again.

So why don't you admit you murdered my son?

Get it off your conscience.

Because I didn't do it!

You probably planned to murder me next.

Your driver's already threatened my life.

All right, Mr. Forest. Just take it easy, will you?

What about it, Miss Sadler? Is what he says true?

My name's not Tracy Sadler.

My name's Grace Reno.

Or it was till I made the biggest mistake of my life...

Married David Forest.

The mistake was his. He's dead.

Maybe it was your mistakes that cost him his life.

You raised him. You spoiled him rotten.

It's easy for you to say what you want to now.

He's dead and can't defend himself.

Because I'm alive, that means I don't have the right to defend myself?

I don't wanna hear it.

Well, you're gonna hear it! Not from you!

All right, Forest. Get a hold of yourself.

You said your life's been threatened.

Well, as long as I'm runnin' the train, I wanna know why.

Now let her talk.

Well, I knew what kind of a man his son was when I married him,

but I loved him.

He didn't love me, and there was another girl.

I found out about her.

One night they were together, and I...

she came at me with a knife.

There was a terrible struggle,

and he... he separated us...

and he was killed.

But the knife was in her hand. It wasn't in mine.

The story she told sent me to prison for 12 years!

It took me all that time to find out who had my son.

You must have known the exact day they let me out

'cause when I came after you, you'd gone.

You just took my son and ran, and I want him back!

You weren't fit to take care of him when I got him,

and 12 years in or out of prison doesn't change that fact!

Oh, you can't say that!

Tracy!

Get a hold... I want my son!

Get a hold... Please!

Now get a hold of yourself.

Sorry. I'm sorry.

That's all right.

Now if you've got a hold of yourself, let's go find David.

He's got something to say about this.

Come on.

David! David!

He's not in my wagon either!

Well, he's probably wandered off to be by himself.

This is your fault! He was happy till you came along.

If anything happens to that boy, I don't know what I'm gonna do to you.

All right, you two, that's enough.

I'm sick of hearing you argue back and forth.

Arguing's not gonna find him, and it's not gonna help him.

Now why don't you two calm down,

and I'll go out and look for him.

I'll go with you. I can go better alone, Mr. Forest.

Come on, Cadge.

David.

David.

Let me go! Leave me alone!

David, listen to me. I'm all alone.

I'm all alone, and I'm your friend.

I'm your friend.

What do you want?

I wanna kill you.

Whether I do or not depends upon what happens to Miss Sadler's son.

You're drunk.

Yeah, I'm drunk.

I've very drunk.

You wanna know why I'm drunk?

Listenin' to Miss Sadler cry.

And the more she cried, the more I drank,

and I reached my decision.

I reach some of my very best decisions when I'm drunk.

So you and me...

we're gettin' away from these wagons.

No, it's not that, David.

It's just that, well, your feelings have been hurt.

It's hard for you to understand how two people you love

could, well, that they could treat you this way,

but maybe you're not seeing their side either.

Did you ever think about that?

Look, you want them to understand you,

but you've got to make an effort to understand them.

You're the only thing that's gonna help.

The whole thing depends on you.

But why did my pa...

He's not your pa. He's your grandfather.

You've gotta accept that, David,

and once you have, then you have to ask yourself why he raised you as his son.

He did it to protect you from the fact that you were born in prison.

He could have told you about your parents.

He could have destroyed the idea of mother to you, but he didn't.

He wanted to protect you from that.

He's given you 12 years of happiness.

Is that something to blame him for, to punish him for?

Then why did Tracy tell me?

Everything would have been all right if she hadn't have come along.

Do you remember the night that you met her, there with the cider?

Have you any idea how hard it was for her

to politely shake your hand?

What she wanted to do was take you in her arms and tell you everything,

but she didn't.

She didn't until she thought she was gonna lose you.

David, love is a...

Love is a difficult thing to handle.

You're learnin' that pretty early,

but that's what you've got to understand... what hurt you is love.

You've got to understand that.

Well, what happens from now on is gonna depend on how well you understand that.

I think I'd like to go back to the wagon train now.

Mr. Forest.

Mr. Forest.

Ugh!

Cadge!

Cadge!

Next time you send someone to do your killin',

send a man, not a weasel.

Or better yet, do it yourself.

I'm sure you're more reliable.

Cadge, why did you do this?

I didn't like the misery he was causin' you.

I figured everybody would be better off without him.

You mean, you didn't send him?

I know it's my fault that David ran away.

If anything happens to him, that's my fault, too.

That I happen to love him, that's not my fault.

So you don't have to forgive me for what I've taken away from him,

but I don't care what you have to tell him to give it back to him.

Oh! Easy.

He's young. Maybe he'll forget.

See, I won't be around to remind him.

Go on back to the wagon, Cadge, and I'll clean that up.

Then I'll help you hitch the team.

Miss Sadler.

That story about my son's death...

I believe it.

There were two women in his life...

one, my wife, deserted him at birth...

the other I thought brought about his death.

That made it easy for me to fix the blame for what he was...

made it easier for me to justify taking your baby away from you.

I knew what my son was, knew it all along.

I spoiled him rotten.

Most fathers only get one chance.

Your son gave me the second.

Maybe you ought not to go now.

Here you go, David. Up.

There you are.

I'm sorry I grieved you.

I shouldn't have run away.

Yes, you should have.

That's exactly what you should have done.

There's something I gotta say to you,

and you might not like it but...

Before you start wastin' time talkin',

there's something you ought to know.

You see that wagon out yonder?

I gotta see Tracy.

That's what I had to tell you.

Then you better hurry, boy, 'cause that's her wagon.

She goin' away?

Why?

Well, maybe you better go and ask her.

Flint.

Well, hurry up. What are you waiting for?

Up.

You on? Hold on.

Whoa!

What are we stoppin' for?

There's somebody yellin' at us.

Mother!

David.

Why don't you go on by yourself, David.

There you go.

Oh, David, David!

Oh, Mother, there's something I gotta say to you,

and don't get mad.

No, I won't. What?

You're gonna have to tell Cadge to turn around and go back to the train.

Why?

Because we're all gonna travel together with...

With who?

With Grandpa.

Oh, David!

Come on, let's go.

Wagons, ho!