Original subtitles

It's customary to think of the hardships endured by early settlers in terms of

their fierce struggle to survive against the elements and hostile Indians.

But in truth, they faced other lesser known but often more deadly dangers.

The terrible emptiness of isolation, compounded by the primitive state of

medical knowledge among those pitifully few doctors who were available.

And for widows with children who were obliged to live without the help and

protection of a man, The problems were often devastating.

Thinks she can just sashay in here and sponge off of what has taken me a half a

lifetime to build up river?

We was here first, wasn't we?

Built us a very long before that fool Clanton she brought out moved in, set up

shop, and tried to run us out of business.

Well, it ain't fair.

It ain't right.

Not under God's laws or nobody else's.

Why don't we just burn her out?

Oh, and get it over with instead of all this pussyfoot. Man, don't they seize to

a body's home.

Nor a raw hand to nobody.

Especially a woman.

What's rightfully mine is mine, and I'll have it.

But a body's got to stay within his own principles.

Or he ain't worth a bucket of beans.

Think you can get them on home from here?

No chore, Uncle Zeb.

The chore was in getting them, and they've been got.

Besides, they're broke to saddle.

When can I tell Aunt Molly to expect you two back?

As soon as you get the fence on the East Meadow painted.

Isn't that your job, Luke?

Where's your charity, little brother?

Nowhere near the East Meadow.

A couple of weeks' work, we'll be heading back.

I'll see you then, Uncle Zeb.

Luke, don't forget that fence now.

Oh, I won't.

I'll remember to remind you as soon as you get back.

Gosh, you take it easy, boy.

Give me a little room here, ma 'am.

Please hurry.

Before it gets took by the current.

It'll break up, sure.

Got it.

I don't know.

Too much pull.

Too much current.

too drunk.

Thanks again, Willie.

Had it been for you, we would have lost that ferry for sure.

Beth,

get on back to the house now, Willie.

You're soaked.

Got to get out of that nightshirt before you catch your death. Go on.

Obliged for the help.

Must have worn through, huh?

Time don't have that kind of edge.

Only thing does is a bowie.

You saying you think somebody cut your line?

I was just thinking.

A man by the name of Eli Kelsey's got a ferry operation up River Waves.

Pat's trying to buy me out. Been pressing me to pack up and get for some

now.

That's what he done to Phineas Clanton, the man who owned this place before I

come along.

Shattered over him like a vulture's wing.

That's the whole river itself.

There's business aplenty here for two, but he don't see it that way.

But I'm not going.

You figure on getting your horses across river, you better get on to the Kelsey

Ferry. It's about five miles up river.

I'll do that, ma 'am.

Thanks again for helping us.

I sure am sorry about your ferry, ma 'am.

Hey, Pa, can we take a breather? The sun is chilling me.

When I say, we got a smokehouse to build.

Missy there has been fixing our heads and washing our riggins without a word

complaining since the day I took her in.

You ought to be tail -tuck and shamed, boy.

Now you get back to cleaning that wood.

Well, I'll give you a reason to wish you never stopped.

The least you could do is have him stuck so me and Esau can have a drink.

For Pete's sake.

He always listens to you.

That the, uh, Kelsey ferry over there?

Way be to Kelsey's.

Nice looking animals you got there.

Thank you. I gotta get them across that river.

Tried to cross them on the ferry downriver, but it's sort of busted up.

That a fact?

Yeah. That lady who runs it said somebody upriver cut her cable.

And what are you saying?

Just that it's a shame somebody'd pick on a defenseless woman that way.

You accusing us of something?

Never said such.

Of course, unless there's more than one Kelsey family up this way, it would seem

to narrow down the odds some.

Don't you think?

Just who do you think you are, boy?

Just somebody who wants to ferry a couple of horses across river.

The only place a smart mouth like you is going is back the way he come.

You got gall coming in here and spouting off like you're knowing everything

there is to know about what is.

But what you don't know... is that long before you was anything but unworked

clay in the hands of God, I was setting myself against the raw elements of his

creation.

A building that they're ferry, so as I could make a decent living for my

I worked like a Chinaman clearing this land and fought like an engine to keep

it, to make it work.

Even lost my wife to it.

I've done everything but give birth to this river.

Lady says there's enough business for two fairies, but you got no right. You

git. Before reason denies my Christian conscience the power of restraint.

I'll do that.

Well,

don't just stand there like hung meat.

Get that timber ready.

Hey, Salt.

Them's Appaloosa stallions, ain't they?

Bring a mighty fair price, that pair.

Mighty fair price?

Can't get too far tonight.

Oh, not too far.

Maybe to Johnson Place.

Maybe.

Morning, Kara.

Maybe I should go back and ride in again.

You can ride back and stay there for all I care.

Well, look, can we talk about this?

If your mood has anything to do with me, I'd sure like to know exactly what I've

done.

Nothing.

That's just it. Absolutely nothing.

Are you sheriff of this county or aren't you?

That's what the badge says.

Well, the badge is only as good as the man that wears it.

Does this warm, neighborly greeting have anything to do with that sign?

If you were doing your job, you'd know it has to do with that.

If you spent as much time on your duty as you do chasing every widow in this

county, maybe the law would get served every once in a while.

Shame on you.

You know damn well and good I ain't looked at another woman since you moved

here.

Problem is, all interest seems to be on my part.

Sheriff Penner, we have been all over this before.

You're a nice man, and I guess in spite of what I said, you're a good sheriff.

There's no place in my life for you or anyone else.

You're just gonna have to accept that.

Are you trying to make me believe that your living out here with Willie alone

enough? That you never feel a need? My needs, Sheriff Pinter, are none of your

affair.

Willie takes all of my time.

He just wouldn't understand if he had to share me with someone else.

I don't think you're giving Willie enough credit.

But, uh...

Reckon this ain't the morning to talk about that.

Is it the Kelsey's again?

Yes. They cut the ferry loose last night. It's just a miracle it didn't go

the rapids.

But you didn't see him do it? No.

I know. You can't do anything without evidence.

But it's so unfair.

Was there much damage?

Enough.

Cable will have to be spliced.

It'll be a week before it'll be in service again.

Let me take a look at it.

Give your ride back.

I will walk.

Thank you, Sheriff Pitter.

Yes, ma 'am.

back, Willie. Share a dinner?

No.

Boy was a pretty horse.

Ma

'am?

Willie? Hi.

Couldn't cross your animals upriver?

Oh, I came at them a little hard about busting up your ferry.

Old man Kelsey lit into me, and, well, here I am.

Afraid you'll have trouble getting across on my ferry, too, Mr... McCahan.

But you can call me Josh.

Josh?

Ain't no more workable than it was this morning.

Afraid it's gonna be a few days before it's mended proper.

You can cross downriver, but it's a real far way away.

How far?

A good two days' ride.

Then there's no guarantee. If the river's high, it just ain't passable.

I reckon it'd be more than a chore to have to swim them across here.

Be dangerous, too. There's a quicksand to the other side of the shallows.

Hard to see before you're in it.

Yeah.

Come help me fix the ferry. You can stay till it's running again.

Won't charge you nothing to cross your horses.

Well, reckon it'd be easier than trying to take them downstream.

Got yourself a deal, ma 'am.

Except you don't hardly know where I'm gonna bed you.

The house isn't very big enough for me and Willie.

Any place would be fine to lay down.

Been in the saddle long enough to claim a groat out of it.

I'll share my room with him, Ma.

Can't he sleep in my room?

Please?

Oh, I reckon so.

Thanks. You'll like staying in my room Josh the way the morning light comes

through the window so pretty and all

Gosh

They're awful

pretty I can't argue that where'd you find them north of here up in the high

plains?

We got a corral right there. You can keep them in

Ain't much of a corral, but it'd be big enough to keep him in tow.

Much obliged, ma 'am.

Can I help him take him over, Ma?

No, Willie.

He could get hurt.

Oh, he can't get hurt, ma 'am.

Those horses are gentlebroke.

Can I?

You just be careful.

Come on, Josh.

Thanks.

Come on. Come on.

This is it, Josh.

This is my room.

All mine.

It's real nice, Willie.

I like to lie here in bed and listen to sounds at night.

Lots of things are up and about at night, Josh.

Coons and owls.

And little things that scratch in the leaves.

You can't always see them.

But I know they're there.

I figure God watches out for them. Because Ma says he wouldn't take time to

anything he didn't love.

Makes sense, Willie.

I want to show you what I like to do even more than listen to the sound of

night.

I like to whittle things.

All kinds of things.

This kind of wood.

It's real hard to find, but it shines up real pretty.

There's a bird in there, Josh.

A bird?

Yeah.

Just got to let it out, is all.

I got lots of woodlands in and out back.

Why do you hide them?

Because my mom won't let me have a knife.

But I got one.

Found it down by the river where some drummers were camped.

Your ma won't let you have a woodland knife?

She's afraid I'll hurt myself.

But I don't.

Not ever.

You won't tell, will you?

Oh, no.

No, I won't tell, Willie.

I almost forgot.

My pa always taught us to never leave a loaded gun around.

It's what my ma says, too.

Gosh, that sure is a pretty rifle.

All I got is an old squirrel gun.

Ma let me have it because it was busted.

But I fixed it.

There's just a little springy thing inside that was broke.

I think I fixed it.

I'm not sure because I don't have any bullets.

Anyway, I pretend it works.

When I go out at night hunting for wood.

So that I don't get scared.

Why do you go out at night?

Because that's the only time I can.

Ma won't let me go far from the house.

So I sneak out.

I don't know if that's a good idea, Willie.

You could run into a bear or a cougar out there.

It's not all little creatures that scratch in the leaves.

And a gun without bullets isn't going to do you much good.

Wishing I had a real gun.

Wouldn't want to shoot anything.

Just like to have it with me.

Willie, do you think it's a good idea to keep all these secrets from your

mother? I have to.

You have to?

If I tell her, she won't let me do anything.

I'm growing up, Josh.

I'm as big as you are.

And everybody as big as me and you has got a gun.

I see what you mean.

No, Josh. You gotta sleep in my bed, because you're the visitor.

No, I can't let you do that, will I?

I'm so tired, I think I could sleep on a fence post.

I'm glad you're here.

Ain't nobody ever been in my room before.

Not ever.

It's real nice of you to share it with me, Willie.

Good night.

Night, Josh.

Dear God, this is Willie Johnson thanking you for all the

good things, especially my mom.

Please watch over our ferry so it won't get broke no more.

Amen. Oh, thanks for my friend Josh.

Amen.

Oh, Bear's gonna scare Willie Johnson tonight.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. What if that kid did take them stallions on downriver he saw?

That's just different, brother.

Look at him take them.

Look at him and tell me they couldn't dip the Lord himself in the mystery.

But what are we going to tell Paul when we come home toping them two stallions?

We don't have to bring them home. We just keep them fenced in in canyons

of here.

Sell them when we get the chance.

Come on.

He's got a gun.

He shot you.

That kid shot you. Well, help me to my heart.

We got to get out of here before Johnson runs up and at us too.

I got this.

Mrs. Johnson.

Josh took the bullet to have his rifle because he didn't want to load a gun

around. I took one.

I didn't mean no harm.

Why did you fire the gun, Willie?

Everything was wild.

The wind was banging the trees.

I heard strange voices.

I tripped over these.

Mrs. Johnson. Oh, I'm as much a blame as you are.

I gave Willie the gun because it wouldn't fire. I never dreamed he could

I understand.

What in the world was he doing out here at this time of night?

Gun or no gun?

Well, he did say he thought he heard some voices.

Well, it's his imagination, Josh. This wind's making enough noise to sound like

a whole congregation.

Whoa, chilly out here.

Come along. I think we could both use a cup of tea.

My husband died when Willie was only two years old.

Must have been hard.

There were times.

But then my having to raise Willie on my own, staying close to him night and

day, got me to knowing my boy better than most mothers do their own.

I know what's best for him.

I'm sure you do, but... But what?

Willie isn't exactly helpless, is he?

I mean, he did take that gun apart.

Fixed the hammer spring.

Yes, he's sometimes surprisingly good with his hands.

Then I suppose any reasonably bright seven -year -old could have done the

thing.

I should have thought of that.

I didn't. That's what scares me.

I don't understand.

Oh, it's difficult. You try to be alert every second, but no matter how hard you

try, you make mistakes.

Like tonight, Willie could have hurt himself. Seriously. Or you.

Willie'd never hurt anybody.

Of course he wouldn't.

Willie wouldn't hurt a field mouse if it was eating his last crust of bread.

He's so gentle and loving.

Makes you want to cry.

But you can't take anything for granted with Willie.

Because, you see, there's another side to him.

He's sometimes secretive, as little boys often are.

Like not telling me he fixed that gun, because he knew I wouldn't like that.

Going out in the dark without my permission.

It must be painful for you.

Painful?

Oh, Josh.

How can I make you understand?

I've got to be one of the luckiest women on the face of the earth to have in my

keeping a boy like Willie.

A boy free of meanness and greed and lust and hypocrisy.

He'll never grow into any of those things like the rest of us will.

Already have.

Because in that growing shape of man is a little boy who'll always be a boy.

Being the innocent that he is, he has to be protected so he doesn't hurt himself

or anyone else.

Because he doesn't understand life.

Well, he's very lucky to have a mother like you.

up and shot me, Paul.

He's always right, Paul.

And for no cause.

We figured we would ride on down river to that Johnson woman's place to have a

talk with her about moving on and all.

Seeing as how her staying's grinding on you.

No blame. Well, I've tried to talk with her before and it's never done no good.

That's because you always ended up yelling at her.

We figured that if we were to maybe reason with her, gentle like, that she'd

things different.

But... But, Pa, when we were still a good piece from her place on that road,

that Willie just come out of the woods and he looked wild, Pa.

Crazy. He just opened a shot of ether right off the horse.

Yeah, the plum devil took, Pa.

I begged him not to shoot me.

Next thing I know, he blowed a hole in my leg.

Pa, and then he pointed a finger at me.

Said he'd get me next.

Eli, you gotta do something about that Johnson kid.

You just gotta.

Ain't they caused you enough trouble as it is already?

What do you want, Mr. Kelsey?

I want you to get that boy out here.

Willie? You got another?

Why do you want to see Willie?

Because he shot Esau.

What?

What proof you got of that?

Proof that my boy's got a bullet hole in his leg.

You trying to tell me you didn't hear no gunshot last night?

My boy's word is proof enough.

Not considering that kid you got stashed around here.

Now, are you gonna get him out to your woman where I can see him? Or if you

don't, I'm gonna drag him out.

You ease up, Mr. Kelsey.

Willie's... Willie's shy. He doesn't like to talk to people.

He's gonna talk to me.

You got no call here.

I got no call.

That moonstruck loon come at my boys like something out of a witch's brew.

Near made graveyard meat out of one of them.

Put a hole in his leg he could stick your finger in and threaten to kill the

other.

And you got the nerve to tell me that I got no call?

What were your boys doing down here last night anyway?

They come down here to talk to Mrs. Johnson.

If it's any of your business...

They came down here just to talk?

You got your ears in your pocket, boy.

Talk is what I said, and talk is what I meant.

And Esau Nye got himself killed for it.

Now, are you going to send that boy out, or do I have to?

Why'd you shoot my boy, Willie?

They tell me you come out of last night like a hound with a fits.

I did.

I mean, I... I mean, I didn't mean... You telling me you didn't fire no rifle

last night?

Last night, Mr.

Kelsey and I... He stumbled over something and the gun went off.

It was an accident.

Willie's a good boy.

I wouldn't shoot anybody on purpose.

I wouldn't. I didn't think.

Didn't want to hurt anybody, Mr. Kelsey.

That boy is a damn liar.

Look at him.

Hiding behind that dumb look like a sinner behind a prayer book.

Go on back to the house, Willie. Go on.

I ain't letting this pass, woman.

When one of my boys drags himself home like he saw.

More in the arms of the grim reaper than in mine.

That's when I draw a hard line.

Most men would often hang a boy like Willie for doing what he's done right on

the spot.

You can count yourself lucky that I ain't gonna do that.

But I am seeing to it that he pays hard for what he's done.

I'm gonna have a little talk with your friend, the sheriff.

He's always jawing at me about abusing you.

Maybe this time he'll see who's really to blame.

Before we can get any more work done on that ferry, we're going to be needing

some supplies.

Nails, lumber and such.

Needs a trip to town.

You mind the chore, Josh?

No chore.

Hitch up the wagon, get what we need.

It's near half day's ride.

Sure be obliged.

Yeah, I was thinking.

I'd do Willie some good if I could take him to town with me.

Town? Oh, I'll keep an eye on him, Mrs. Johnson. Can I go, Ma?

I'll be good, I promise.

Look after him, Josh.

I will, ma 'am.

Look after him close. Don't let him out of your sight.

You've got to look proper.

your hair and tucking your shirt ain't been to a stack of buildings in a long

time josh can't hardly wait now you're to stay with josh do what he tells you

don't touch nothing stay out of trouble and out of folks way i will ma

you mind proper and josh can buy you some jelly beans at the sweet

shop

You're doing fine, Willie. Real fine.

Now ease up on the reins a little bit.

That's it.

God, how all stuff together folks can get. Yeah.

Those little boys.

Sure look like they're having a good time playing that horse water. Well, in

weather like this, they gotta be the smartest ones in town.

Ma lets me swim when she's got the time to watch me.

Well, who taught you to swim?

Ma did. Just like she taught me how to write my name.

Here. She didn't want me living by a river without knowing how to swim.

That's a good idea.

What kind of critter is that?

It's called a monkey.

A monkey?

Yeah. It comes from a faraway place called Africa.

You see that man making the music there?

He's called an organ grinder.

He pumps the box.

And the monkey puts on a show.

Ain't never seen anything like that in my whole life.

Come on, Willie. Better come with me.

Oh, can't I stay and watch the monkey, Josh?

No.

Please? I won't get any trouble, I promise.

You gotta promise me you'll stay in the wagon till I come back.

Now, you won't move?

I won't, Josh. I promise.

All right.

It's that crazy kid.

What's that? That one I was telling you all about.

Crazy kid what shot my brother.

It's okay.

I ain't gonna hurt you.

He's gonna kill that monkey.

I ain't gonna hurt your little monkey.

That monkey alone!

Hey.

You left that animal alone.

What are you doing in town, Willie?

Run out of things up at your place to shoot out?

I wasn't gonna hurt the monkey.

He just... Yeah, sure.

Same way you wasn't trying to hurt my brother when you blasted him halfway to

glory.

You're just prone for trouble, ain't you, Willie?

I'll call the sheriff on you.

Let's get him!

Come on up, Landon.

Willie!

Willie!

We know he's in there, so you might as well just come on out.

Leave him be.

You know, it seems I run into you everywhere I go.

As much your fault as mine.

Warnings just roll right off your ears like water off a duck's back, don't

I don't treat drivel with much importance.

I never have.

Why?

What's up, John?

Touch it up.

Drop it.

You heard me, Kelsey. Drop it.

Time you boys were going home and cooling off, don't you think?

Getting all worked up like this can get you in a heap of trouble.

Now get out of here.

All of you.

Sheriff, that loony shot my brother.

And you better do something about it before he up and kills somebody.

You all right, Willie?

Yes, sir.

You won't tell my ma, will you?

Who are you, son?

My name's Joshua Cahan.

Joshua Cahan?

Well, you're the one that helped Cora catch a ferry.

She said you'd left.

No, I tried to.

Kelsey wouldn't let me cross the river.

Well, he's not exactly in the best mood these days.

He came in to see me.

He said Willie shot one of his boys.

Were you there when it happened?

Only afterwards.

I heard the shot go off.

I went out there and Willie was holding the gun.

I think he fell and it went off.

What do you think?

I believe him, Sheriff.

The trouble is with Willie, you can't ever be sure what really happened.

Take him on home.

If there's any more trouble, Eli's in an ugly mood.

This ruckus isn't going to help.

What are you going to do, Sheriff?

I don't know.

Eli is demanding that Willie be put away.

You won't do that?

I can do it.

Decision's got to be made by Judge Root.

Take him home.

Yes, sir.

Come on, Willie. Let's go home.

Bye, Sheriff.

Bye, Willie.

You're mad at me, aren't you, Josh?

Sorry for all the trouble I caused.

Getting all banged up and all.

I told you to wait in the wagon.

Why didn't you, Willie?

Why?

Why can't you ever do what you're told?

I tried so hard, Josh.

I really try hard.

Willie.

I'm sorry.

All right.

Will you forgive me?

You mean you're not mad at me?

No, I'm not mad at you.

I know I should have listened to you, Mrs. Johnson.

But I just thought... Well,

it wasn't Willie's fault what happened yesterday.

It just happened.

What happened happened because Willie's Willie.

Well, it wouldn't have if I hadn't left him in the wagon alone yesterday.

Oh, Josh. I appreciate what you're trying to do for me.

Believe me, I do, but you've got to understand what I told you.

Willie's not like other people.

If I let him try to do what other people do, he only gets hurt by it one way or

the other.

Why do you think I came out here to this place on the edge of the world?

I'm a 36 -year -old woman.

You think I don't have feelings and desires?

I do.

But I came out here because...

Willie couldn't live around folks in the town.

He was laughed at and teased by the children.

Stared at by everybody else.

Maybe it was just that town.

Maybe in another. There were others.

Everywhere we went, it was the same.

Willie tried to do what he'd seen other folks do, but he couldn't.

He'd get into more trouble than he could get himself out of. At school, on the

street, everywhere.

He just couldn't help himself.

Well, you saw him the other day when he tried to help pull in the ferry.

You know, if you keep a bird in a cage all its life, it'll never learn to fly

proper.

Never have a chance to be.

Sheriff Pitter.

Eli Kelsey.

I guess you know why we're here, Cora.

It's about the shooting.

Judge Root ordered Doc Baker here to examine Willie.

Cora, I'd give my right arm.

There's nothing I can do.

You get Willie?

Hello, Willie.

I'm Dr. Baker.

I'm not going to harm you, Willie.

Just want to ask you a few questions about the shooting.

Everything was all mixed up that night.

And wild.

Limbs were banging, and the wind sounded like voices.

I see.

I think perhaps it'd be best if I talked to Willie in the house, Mrs. Johnson.

You see the way that Willie was acting when we rode up?

How he kind of sneaked away guilty -like.

Acted sort of scared and skitterish.

What the hell do you expect?

I would like to see Willie's room, Mrs. Johnson.

Close door, please.

It's Willie's carving knife.

Likes to whittle things.

Why does he hide it?

He doesn't want his mother to know he has the knife.

She's afraid he might hurt himself.

Afraid he might hurt himself with a knife? And she permitted him to have a

rifle?

That was just an old squirrel gun.

It was broken.

It wouldn't shoot.

But if I'm correctly informed, it did shoot.

Yeah.

Willie fixed it.

His mother didn't know.

He's got a knife he conceals from his mother, and he made a broken gun into a

lethal weapon without telling her.

Doctor, now, I know this sounds bad, but you've got to understand.

Willie has nothing.

He has no friends.

No one ever comes around here, so he likes to whittle.

Now, the gun, well, I kind of think that's a symbol of...

If you'd be kind enough to step aside for a moment, Mr. Johnson.

I'm not going to hurt you, son.

Willie.

Yeah? Willie, stand on one leg for me, would you please?

Huh?

I asked you to stand on one leg.

Stop your left foot. Stop it three times.

Stop my...

Why

do you want me to do these things?

Because I want to help you, Willie.

Doc, do you have to do this to him?

I assure you, young man, I know what I'm doing.

Willie, what do you like to do best?

I like to... What did you

start to say, Willie?

Nothing.

I told you.

He likes to make wood carvings.

You like guns, Willie?

You like to shoot guns, Willie?

Do you like knives, Willie?

Do you like to hurt things?

Why would I want to hurt things?

I was hoping you could tell me.

Ever get mad, Willie?

Are you upset now, Willie?

You feel like hurting somebody, Willie?

Have you ever thought of killing anyone, Willie?

If that weren't a sample of someone who's crazy in the head, I don't know.

That's just what he looked like coming after us, Pa.

Something out of a bad dream.

enough to put anyone in rage.

Weather does affect moods and tempers, the way people think, what some people

do. You're saying you don't think that loony kid... All I'm saying, Mr. Kelsey,

is that it's god -awful hot.

This kind of situation takes a lot of hard thinking.

There's a lot at stake here.

You're damn right there is.

My family. Hold on, Eli.

I want to check a couple of medical books.

Think it over.

Think it over?

What do you mean, think it over? Can't you see that boy is... Get out, Eli.

Get out of my house and off my land.

You're forgetting whose river that is.

Whose river?

I said get out.

You've been asked to leave, Mr. Kelsey.

Boy's right, Eli.

What's more to be said will be the ducks to say.

Once he's coming to mind do it You just make sure you do some proper

thinking doc

I'll

be a little time in the decide

I'm a doctor.

I want what's best for your son.

I'd say she's as good as new, Mrs. Johnson.

Guess now I'll have to get around to getting those horses home as soon as we

find out what the doctor decided about Willie.

I don't know, Duke.

Josh is going away.

What's the matter with Willie, Mrs. Johnson?

My guess is he's afraid you'll be leaving now that the ferry's finished.

I think Willie's not up to saying goodbye to you, Josh.

I know how you feel, Willie.

Saying goodbye isn't easy.

Even when the time comes when they gotta be said.

Especially when it's somebody you like a lot.

The way I like you, and I hope you like me.

I like you better than anybody else in the whole world, Josh.

Except Ma.

I'm not leaving yet, Willie.

Honest, I'm not.

But even when I do, my having to leave here doesn't mean I can't swing by every

now and then and visit.

Really, Josh?

You can come by and visit sometime?

You bet.

Hey, look.

There's Sheriff Pinner, Josh.

I like him, too.

It's like he's come for another visit.

Yeah. I think he likes my mom.

Hi, Sheriff.

Willie.

Willie, run in the house and get Sheriff a glass of cider.

Be careful pouring it.

Never saw her.

Doctor Go so much without sleep or be so troubled.

What did the doctor say sheriff?

Yeah, he said He said

Willie should be committed to a county home

I'm sorry.

I'll have to take Willie in with me.

No.

You can't take Willie away from me.

You can't.

Not to a place like that.

Damn you.

Damn all of you. They had a long talk, Cora. The judge and Doc Payne had a real

long talk.

Don't tell me about talking.

It's a life we're talking about.

Willie's life.

You'll be looked after, Cora.

Careful.

Did you think with Willie out of the way, I'd be free for you? Come courting,

that it?

No, that's not true.

That's not true.

Cora, if there's anything that I could do to change...

Hold on, Sheriff.

Let me go after him. What are you saying?

I'm saying if Willie sees you, he's going to get scared and hide someplace

we'll never find him. Now, Willie trusts me.

I can talk to him. I'll find him. I'll get him to come back.

I'll give you first shot, son.

But listen tight.

If you don't get him back quick, I'll have to get him myself.

Eli learns about this, he's going to go after that boy with a gun.

I'll bring him back, ma 'am.

I'll bring him.

I don't know why we got to go to that Johnson woman's place, Pa.

Sheriff sent word that he'd be going over there to take Willie over to the

house anyway.

That's a sweet on Mrs. Johnson.

You saying you think he'll go soft and have second thoughts about taking

All I'm saying is I ain't taking no chances, that's all.

Hello, Willie.

You sure gave me a chase there.

Go away, Josh.

Leave me alone.

I wouldn't be a friend if I did.

We are still friends, aren't we?

I sure would like for you to come back with me, Willie.

I ain't going back, Josh.

Just so that I could get taken away.

It's getting late.

Looks like a storm is coming on.

I'm going back.

Sure wish you'd come with me, Willie.

I already told you, Josh.

I ain't going back.

Oh, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I can't make you come with me.

I gotta hand it to you, though.

You're a braver man than me.

I wouldn't want to stay out here at night alone.

Not with a storm brewing.

I ain't going back, Josh.

I ain't.

I'm not saying I blame you for running off.

Can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing if I'd been in your shoes.

But you know the sheriff is going to be out looking for you.

And if Eli Kelsey finds out you run off, he'll be out looking too.

Something I figured on.

Willie's run off and that McCain kid's helping him.

What you thinking about, Willie?

Nothing.

Except maybe why that doctor man asked me if I like to hurt things.

Reckon he was trying to help.

How?

Hard to explain.

Know I came to see me because I'm different from other folks

There

isn't anybody exactly like anybody else Willie

not in the whole world

Look, you're gonna have to come back with me.

You gotta.

Your ma's crying her heart out.

Hoping you're not hurt.

Scared to death you're not gonna come back.

Ma's crying?

About me?

She's hurting real bad, Willie.

About you being gone.

Figured you'd help that loony run off, did you, boy?

What are you talking about?

Well, if you don't know, you're more crooked in the head than your friend

Sheriff, no, you two are out here.

I don't have to answer to you, old man.

You don't, and you'll answer to this, mister.

Going back, Josh.

Going back to the ferry.

Don't shoot him, Mr. Kelsey.

Sheriff, the pinner's waiting, and I'm going back.

You're damn right you are.

Either straight up or straight out.

Don't make any mistakes to me.

Be foolish if you want me to try anything on the ride back.

Jacob, fetch the wagon.

It's all right, Willie.

It's all right.

Willie.

Honey.

Sheriff Bender's going to take you somewhere.

To a place that's kind of like a big house.

But you won't be alone there. There'll be others, folks to look after you.

And I can come visit you.

Because I fell down and the gun went off, I didn't mean to hurt

anybody.

I'm going to a big house, Josh.

Mom's going to visit me.

I know Willie.

You come too?

I'll try.

I'll be visiting you, Willie.

I'd like to be forever friends, Josh.

We'll be friends.

Forever and ever?

Forever and ever.

Cora.

I'll have to take him across.

Gonna see to it that one of my boys comes along with you, Sheriff.

Jacob.

Since Esau is still wearing them sticks.

Sure. Sure, Pa. I want to make sure that Willie there don't slip away again.

Between here and where you're supposed to take him you just make damn sure you

keep your hands off Willie Is that clear?

Mama?

Ma! Easy, Willie.

Mama!

Willie!

Thank you.

Why did you try and save my boy?

He was drowning.

You still think, Mr. Kelsey, that a boy like Willie would try to kill your sons

and risk his life to save one?

Doesn't make any sense to me.

There's just something not right here.

Jacob?

Something not right.

Suppose you tell me and everybody else here what it is.

Come on!

Jacob?

Just what is going on?

You got a lie to hide or something?

Pa?

Jacob and me, we... We lied to you, Pa.

What did you say, boy?

I lied about Willie.

About his coming at us to kill.

About his acting wild and such.

About everything.

You lied?

To go around the beating you'd have given us if we'd have told the truth.

You lied to me?

Yes, Paul.

What was it you done to lie about, Esau?

I asked you a question, boy!

Jacob and me took a fancy to Josh's Appaloosas.

We figured we'd take them and pen them up somewheres until we could sell them.

But then Willie come along and I guess he must have tripped over a stump like

said. The gun went off and...

Got me in a leg.

He didn't see us, Pa.

He didn't know we was anywhere around.

Pa's right, Pa.

It was an accident.

I know what we did was wrong, Pa, but... But we was afraid of you.

Afraid.

Afraid.

Afraid of your own Pa.

So afraid that you'd let an innocent boy be put away for life to save your own

shit? You wonder why they're afraid, Mr. Kelsey?

Look at yourself.

Look at what you're doing.

Anybody be afraid.

They lied because they knew you'd beat them both half to death if they told the

truth.

Well, they finally told the truth, and now you're ready to beat them again.

Does it make any sense?

Does it prove anything?

Listen to him, Eli.

He's speaking truth.

If you have at your boys now, I won't be around come morning.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Johnson.

And I'm deeply ashamed.

I still think the Ripper is mine.

But I guess the Kelsers have hurt you enough.

You won't have any more trouble with me or my sons from now on.

Guess there's only one important thing here.

Willie don't belong no place, except with his own mom.

I got something.

Can't go yet, Josh. I promise I'd have a surprise for you if you stayed long

enough.

It's your Appaloosas, Josh.

What's the matter, Josh?

Don't you like it?

I don't believe it.

I've never seen anything like it, Willie.

Something alive.

Willie, how did you carve?

With a knife.

I got it in my bed.

I'll give it back.

Don't cry, Ma.

Please, don't cry.

I'll take it away.

Oh, no, no.

No, Willie.

Beautiful. They're beautiful.

Why didn't you ever show them to me before?

Knew you'd be mad.

You knew I had a knife all this time.

Oh, Willie.

I'm not mad.

I'm proud.

How did you make them, Willie?

It was easy.

It was already in the wood.

Just had to whittle to where they were.

Like this big piece of wood these Appaloosas are in.

Just got to whittle them free of what's around them.

When I go hunting wood, I look for something I want to let out.

Something like a bird or a rabbit.

All pretty and fine.

Just waiting on me to let it out.

Ain't much of a chore because it's already there.

Just got to whittle to where it is.

No, Miss Johnson.

Willie always talked about letting things out of his carbon wood.

First night I stayed here, he mentioned it.

Freeing things.

We all need as much freedom as we can handle, Josh.

I guess Willie can handle a lot more than I ever gave him credit for.

Yes, ma 'am.

Bye, Miss Johnson.

Goodbye, Josh.

We're going to be sick.

Lucky for us, we found these berries before that bear did.

Remember last year, Jesse? There was hardly a bush left with a berry on it.

black! Who, the bear?

Hi,

Josh. Hello, Josh.

Howdy. Welcome home.

Well, thank you.

Well... You're just in time to help us pick some berries.

Well, that is only, of course, you'd like some of that cobbler we're going to

make.

Where's Zeb and Luke, Josh?

Oh, they had some business. They'll be along in a few days, I suspect.

Uh -huh. Well, what kept you so long?

Oh, this, that, and the other. Uh -huh. Well, to this, that, and the other, you

can add some broken fences.

Fence down in the East Meadows in bad need of a paint job. Of course, that'll

all be different now that you're home.

I figure I got me just a little bit of bargaining power here.

Bargaining?

I figure maybe, just maybe, I'll show you what I got here, providing.

Providing that?

Providing I don't have to paint the east meadow fence that Luke was supposed to

paint.

What have you got in there, anyhow?

Just take a look at it.

Pretty, isn't it?

Pretty isn't the word, Josh. Josh, that's beautiful.

Where did you get it?

From a boy named Willie.

A boy made this?

Oh, he must be a very special boy.

He is, Aunt Molly.

A very special boy.