Original subtitles

[Music]

The naval press gang is on its way under

orders from the garrison at Dover to

take every man they can lay hands upon.

Hide if you love your

wives your freedom.

[Music]

The world is a carousel of

color. Wonderful. Wonderful color.

[Music]

Walt Disney

presents

the world of color.

[Music]

From Walt Disney's Wonderful World of

Color, we bring you the story of the

scarecrow of Romney Marsh.

[Music]

and now your host, Walt Disney.

Books of adventure, suspense, and

mystery always have a special appeal for

me when they're about real people or

based on the life of a real person. Like

these books by the English author

Russell Thorndikeke. The hero of all the

Thorndikeke stories is one of the

strangest characters who ever lived, a

real life Dr. Jackekal and Mr. Hyde. He

lived in England nearly 200 years ago.

By day he was a respected member of his

community and by night he was the

greatest smuggler in the whole country.

But like Robin Hood, although he was a

thorn in the side of law and order, he

was a hero to the ordinary folk of his

time because whatever he made as a

smuggler, he gave away to the poor and

the needy. This is where he operated all

along this coast here, better known to

us today as the White Cliffs of Dover.

He was smuggling in cargos from France,

Belgium, and Holland. And in this part

of England, even today, they still talk

about the scarecrow smuggling gang. Now,

his nickname came from the disguise he

wore. And only two of all the men he led

knew who he really was. They wore

disguises, too. Something like this.

This is called Hellbite. And this one,

Kuru.

Now, there have been verses and songs

written about this scarecrow leader,

like the one we have for you now, which

sets the stage for our first story.

[Music]

Scarecrow,

scarecrow. The soldiers of the king

feared his name.

Scarecrow. On the southern coast of

England, there's a legend people tell of

days long ago when the great scarecrow

would ride from the jaws of hell and

laugh with a fish

yell with his clothes all torn and

tattered through the black of night.

He'd ride from the marsh to the coast

like a demon ghost. He'd show his face

then hide and he'd laugh till he split

his side.

Scarecrow, scarecrow,

scarecrow. The soldiers of the king

feared his name.

Scarecrow, scarecrow, scarecrow,

scarecrow.

The country folk all loved him just the

same.

Scarecrow.

He would always help the farmer. When

there was no gold to bring, he'd find a

way for the poor to pay the taxes of the

king.

Scarecrow, every man would

sing. So the king told all his soldiers,

"Hang him high or hang him low." But

never return till the day I learn he's

gone in flames below. Or you'll

hang with a great

scarecrow. Scarecrow.

Scarecrow, scarecrow, scarecrow.

The soldiers of the king feared his

name. Scarecrow, scarecrow, scarecrow,

scarecrow.

The country folk all love him just the

same.

Scarecrow,

scarecrow, scarecrow.

[Music]

Yeah.

[Music]

Load up and away, lads. We'll tweak King

George's nose. Hurry, hurry or I lose

the tide. Come on. He gives me the

chudders. Do what he says.

Keep your eyes stretched to the revenue,

men will stretch our necks. Nothing from

the castle, Scarecrow. All

clear. That's Mr. Skro. Your payment,

Captain.

Horseman on the zero. Scarecrow, excise

men. Dance the lights and go. You all

know your orders. I'll spike my girl.

You follow me.

[Music]

It's him. The

[Laughter]

scarecrow after

[Music]

him. Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Heat.

[Music]

Heat. Heat. Heat.

[Music]

There's nobody hiding in here, sir. We

headed them this way. They must be

around somewhere.

They vanished. What are they? Ghosts?

Oh, no. They were real enough, sir. But

where the devil are they? Search the

place again.

[Music]

All right,

men. We'll give it

up. There's nobody here.

[Music]

They've

gone. They're miles away from where our

lad should be by

now. Light the

lantern. It's the reward for your

capture thereafter, sir. Not the

contrabad we landed.

John, give us 5 minutes start. If you

don't hear any shooting, then you two

can go on your way.

[Music]

When's our next run? Thursday night. The

orders will go out tonight. How? By my

lord bishop's coach. His poor lordship.

How hate it if only he knew. 5 minutes,

John. Remember. Good night, Master John.

Good night, sir.

Lord, I can't understand why you'd allow

riffreff like this in your coach.

Christian charity knows no social

barriers, my dear general. The man

seemed ill and tired and asked my help.

General Pew's right though, Malone. You

take

chances and the marsh abounds with the

gentlemen at nights. Gentlemen? Well,

that's what they call the smugglers in

these parts, sir. Pack of scoundrels. I

give them gentlemen.

I have my briefing here from the war

office and customs and exiles. The plans

to smash these gentlemen, my lord.

Well, the whole countryside protects

them, general. Their friends are

everywhere. I don't envy your task.

Well, I relish it. The law enforcement's

been too slack down here. You'll see a

change. I promise

[Music]

[Music]

you, take the card out and hurry

yourselves. Rest of you into the house.

[Music]

escers.

[Music]

Thursday's our next run,

lads. 15 pack ponies

and 20 men. No firearms to be carried.

All right, and all with that. The excise

men will be armed. Why shouldn't we be?

Because if they kill one of us, that

ain't murder under the law. But if you

kill one of them, you hang a hang. A

kicker is right. Only he goes armed.

Except when there's something special

on. Yeah, well, he doesn't trust us,

that's all. Who says? Well, who's ever

even spoken to him? If he trusted us,

he'd tell us who he is. With that price

on his head, so you can whisper his name

in the inn and some other loud mouth can

spread the word and put a rope around

his neck. Ah, he shares the booty with

his equal, don't he? Bless him. We were

poor as mist till he came. You too, Ben

Davis. Right. The first time in your

life that your farm ain't behind with

the taxes. And there's his doing. All

right. All right. I'm his man like you,

aren't I? It's just that

I come on home. Good night, Mother

Heatherway. Good night.

Hold there in the king's name. Whoa.

What's this? Where are we stopping?

We're looking for a sir. General, sir.

Well, what are you looking for,

Sergeant? An escape prisoner, sir.

Convicted for preaching treason. Was to

be hanged at Dober in the morning, but

he he got away, sir. Treason? Yeah. An

American from the colonies. My lord,

you was there.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

There he

is. Over there. Bushes.

[Music]

[Applause]

Go on, get

[Music]

[Applause]

up. I'm trying to be coral, but he can't

be far away. Try over

there. Come on, get up.

[Music]

Two of you take the

street. Up. Come on.

[Music]

[Applause]

Hey

[Applause]

[Music]

guys, Mr. The Bracken Bridge.

[Music]

No sign of him, Mr. Brackenbury. No,

sir.

The impertinent rogue. Sergeant,

continue the search, sir.

Forward.

[Music]

Help me. I'm hurry. Help me.

Who's after you, lad? The excise men

soldiers. Soldiers out there.

They're always had indecent

people. Lad, you look bleeding.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

You must go to one I think can help

you. The vicar of dimurch, Dr. Sin.

Sin? That's a strange name for a vicor.

Mother, he has a heart of gold as Dr.

Sin. Mild and gentle as a dove, lad. He

won't hand me over to the law. Not if

you ask him for sanctuary. He won't. Not

Dr. Sin. Say I sent you.

I'll tell you the way to go to avoid the

road.

Here you are, Vic.

[Music]

68 kegs of

brandy, 19

bales of silk. Captain Deaquire, on

Thursday, it's the Dutchman's turn to

deliver. Doing well, Sexton, why do you

go on taking these chances, Vicar?

You're not getting rich on it. And since

they don't know, the parish don't thank

you. Or they can live and clothe

themselves and their children and pay

the taxes in a countryside bled white by

the king's parliament which represents

them and which buys and sells votes as

if they were dealing in cattle. You

can't change the way of the world, Vic.

No. Unjust laws can be altered as well

as made by men. There's a new spirit in

the world, Nick. Taxed out of existence,

robbed of their independence by the

king's government. The people must fight

back how they can. Men can't beat

armies, sir. Ideas can. Faith can move

mountains. What we're doing here is just

a pin prick. But a thousand pin pricks

put together will

[Music]

you stranger? Gently lips.

Dr.

Sim Mother Haway sent me.

There are troops out searching for me.

Why? What have you done?

You're an American, are you not? Yes,

sir.

I've been branded a

traitor and sentenced to death for

preaching

sedition. You should know this because I

ask for sanctuary. Sedition?

That's what King George calls our wish

for freedom and independence. Yes. I

can't deny you a sanctuary, Mr. Bates.

Simon Bates, sir. Mr. Bates, but it

would not be safe for either of us to

hide you here. You'll give me up? No.

Mips, take him to Mrs. Wag's Inn. My

sexon will know what to say to her.

She'll hide you till the coast is clear.

You say nothing.

Then take this, sir. I stole it in my

escape. Stole it? Why? I thought to get

it to someone here about a man I heard

about in prison. I think they call him

the scarecrow.

It concerns

him. I was going to trade it to him in

the hope that he'd help me in return.

For all I hear, I don't think you'll

find him. Many have tried and failed,

Mr. B. Ah, he's like the devil himself,

they say. Riding the marshes like a

ghost. He comes and goes, they say.

Nobody knows where. deal with this if I

can, but you must go and quickly. Thank

you, sir. And God bless you. Quickly.

General

Pew, dispatch of troops. Subjugate the

whole marsh area, whatever means

necessary.

Well, well, well.

I'm giving you fair warning, sir.

Thomas, and if you're justice of the

peace in these parts, you want to see

justice carried out. Mine or any other.

And it hasn't been up to now, has it?

Eh, are you telling me my duty, sir? I'm

a blunt man. I say what's in my mind.

You're the law here, and the law is

being flouted. Revolutionaries and

smugglers walking the roads. Wasn't I

robbed last night? Not 10 miles from

here in your district, in your parish.

Parson. Very well. Then you wait and see

my justice.

I don't care for your manner,

sir. There's a definition of a gentleman

that says he's one who never wittingly

gives offense. And what do you think of

that, sir?

Huh? And my definition of a good

soldier, sir, not having had my

commission bought for me by a gentleman

a father, but having made me own way in

the army, is one who achieves his aim

and gets

results in the end justifies the means.

Father,

General, and what means do you intend to

use, sir? My son John, General,

then know that everybody has a price,

young man. And for the price of freedom

from the harrying of my troops, someone

will come forward in the end and inform

against this smuggling fellow, this

scarecrow, as he calls himself. And I'll

not only be using troops either. What

then, General, I must warn you. I'm

afraid that the men of this parish are

sturdy, independent folk. They uh do not

frighten easily. They're women. Women,

sir. Women? You'll frighten women? I'll

do whatever I think fit to achieve my

purpose here. I think the women will

talk when they start to lose their men

folk. The Navy needs sailors and I've

asked for the press gangs whose job it

is to get them to come and help

themselves here in the king's name and

none too gently. General Pew of this

Kate. Press gangs. Don't dare mention

those blackards in this house. In fact,

sir, I've had all your talk I can

stomach. Good

idea, Sir Thomas.

Well, what have I said wrong? My brother

was press ganged into the Navy, sir.

Clubbed, insensible, and dragged away to

sea on his 18th birthday four years ago.

And no word from him since. Now, can you

understand my father's feelings? I can,

Miss Banks. Believe me. The Navy needs

men and must get them hide can, Mr.

Bracken. Do you deny that? No, sir. Then

hold your tongue.

Thank you for your hospitality. If I

upset your father, I'm sorry for it, but

I'm under orders and orders are written

to be obeyed. Madam, Dr. Sin, Master

Banks, good

day. Your men of the Marshes have asked

for rough treatment, and that's what

they're going to get. The naval press

gangs are on their way.

[Applause]

[Music]

Good farming country,

eh? And on a Wednesday, not a man jacked

to be seen at

work. Why not? Come on, lad. Step

lively. You're in the Royal Navy. Wake

up. There's Dim Church spy ahead. Quick

march.

[Music]

[Music]

My

home

[Music]

need

fresh gang

on the

[Music]

Amen. The reason for this special

midweek service is this. Having talked

with our squire and landlords, Thomas, a

two-day public holiday has been declared

in honor of the birthday of our beloved

King

George. Furthermore,

[Applause]

[Music]

He vanished like a ghost.

The

Scarecrow. I order every able-bodied man

to leave the town immediately and hide

himself in the marshes. The naval press

gang is on its way under orders from the

garrison at Dover to take every man they

can lay hands upon. Hide if you love

your

wives, your freedom. What authority has

this man among you to give such order?

Stop. Listen to me.

Stop them. Let it be on their

conscience. I command no man.

[Music]

I

love

your way.

church on a Wednesday. Old men women.

Ain't there a man here under 60? There's

some trick going on. Don't you know

where we was coming, Chief?

Bless God Almighty, Father, Son, the

Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain

with you

always. Amen.

Comely

lasses

children and no men except those with

one foot in a

grave. You know who we are here to press

men for King George's

Navy. Just a minute, my pretty. Where's

your man and yours? And yours? hiding

behind your skirts. Well, they got to

come out sometime and when they do,

leave these people in peace, you loud

mouth with your threats. You go beyond

the law. Oh, no I don't. I've got a free

hand here from the Navy and General Pew

himself. Describe every man jack in this

place. And that's enough. You hear? One

of you. Any one of you that's living on

smugglers gold comes forward and tells

us where we can lay our hands on the man

you call a scarecrow. This is my church,

Petty Officer Stubborn.

You know me, Reverend. Oh yes, I've seen

you at the Assai courts when you've

offered service aboard ship instead of

prison to the the guilty. You'll find no

one for your purpose here. It best be on

your way. I I sir to the inn. We're

dropping anchor here a

[Music]

while. A,000 in gold, my

pretties. That's a reward.

for

information. It's yours for the

getting or we'll take your

men our way and it won't be

gentle. That's our

orders and your choice.

You insulent dog. I sir, that's me.

Come back here. Uh, let them go, Sir

Thomas.

A pass and milk on water. Half a man.

Turn the other cheek, boy.

[Music]

Follow them. Keep your eyes and ears

open to everything they do.

[Music]

[Applause]

I stop all this noise.

Stop all this noise and get your big

boat off my table.

I'll pay the reckoning for the damage

you do. The king, my beauty. Good King

George. So, don't you worry.

Come on. What about some more brandy?

Get out of it. How you can afford to

stop brandy like this, Mrs. If I didn't

know. What do you mean? Friends with a

gentleman, eh? Maybe some of them would

like to go to sea. Those that don't

swing on the end of General Pew's

gallows lads,

you touch me, you oath, and next time

I'll split your head.

We should have you in the Navy, Ms.

All right. All

right, let's take it nice and easy, eh?

Shipmates, all the ladies liable to

clean our shops. So, uh, nice and easy,

eh? Good day to one and all.

Mrs.

Waggy, Mrs.

You

will we find some ablebodied men in

these parts? Oh, there ain't none,

sailor. Do you suppose I'd be a widow

for 2 years if there was?

You folks is either born old or die

young here. Unhealthy place, matey. And

it's going to get unhealthier when I

This is why you come quick. My wife's in

labor now. Harry, please.

Well, well, a man at

last. Here's one likely land for the

Navy.

Run, Rachel.

[Music]

All right, ship mates. Time up. We see

what we can coax out of him. Go to his

wife,

Mrs. Leave this to

me. Don't

argue. Yes. Go to his wife.

and tell her she better talk to us if he

don't or she won't be seeing him for a

long long time.

[Applause]

You hit him too hard, sailor. You won't

get no talking out of him. But I'll talk

to you cuz I knows what you want to

know. Talking?

Close the door, boy. Let's keep it all

between friends, eh?

You want to know about Scarecrow, don't

you? You want to get your hands on him,

don't you? Well, better you than me,

sailor. Talk. Go on. Oh, I hope I hope I

hope you catch him. I hope you'll catch

him. I haven't always been bent and

stunted like this, matey. He's done

that. He just stared at me. It was like

I've been struck by lightning. I seen

him up on the marsh on a big gray horse.

When? Where on the marsh? Where he meets

his men? on Thursday nights below Jibet

Corner by the gallows. He's a fiend

sailor. He's a devil. Jibbit Corner, you

say? Ah, Thursdays, you

say? Yeah, that lad. You You won't tell

no one I told you, sailor, or my life

won't be worth a tinker's curse. But

you'll you'll split a golden pound if

you take him. If there's is no if about

it, my

you keep your mouth shut. Oh, I I ship

mate. I told you to keep your eyes and

your ears open. You appear to have

opened your mouths. Well, the orders

have already gone out for the rendevous

at Jibet Corner tomorrow. They can

hardly be changed. Yeah, I was confused,

sir. Stubbard had already threatened the

lad's wife that unless he talked. Yes.

Yes. His wife. That's an added danger.

With the newborn baby and her husband

already taken, she might well talk. Who

can blame her? What are you going to do,

sir? I I don't know yet. First things

first. There's a smuggling run tomorrow

and then you set me a fine problem. I am

sorry, sir. Well, isn't Mrs. Hadley's

problem more important? She's lost her

husband. You would only lose a shipment.

Well, don't you care about her? I don't

lose my head. I keep it on my shoulders.

And I suggest that you do the

same. I better start using mine now. You

inform? Well, we'll all meet tomorrow

night as arranged at Jubet

Corner. But uh listen carefully.

[Music]

[Laughter]

[Applause]

The Clipper was right. He is a

ghost. It's flesh and blood and it can

bleed.

after them.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Blindfold them. You'll hang for this you

dog with the king's men. The king's

vultures

[Music]

sailor. Bring the powder monkey forward.

You, my brave lad, are to be released

and led blindfold from here to take this

letter to General Pew at Dover. The

other bullies are to remain prisoners

here.

Off you go with

him. We'll go too. Ungag the

prisoners. You have bread and water.

Bread without the weevil bug. Water that

is pure. Better than you give the

prisoners you drag aboard ship to serve

the king. You dog. If I had you and your

gang aboard ship, I'd have you beaten

till you die.

I've seen that, too.

[Applause]

Can shout as much as you like. You're

miles from anyone to hear you.

[Applause]

Deliver the man Hadley the press gang

took to the beach at Smuggler's Cove

tonight at 8:00 and I will exchange my

prisoners for him. Refuse me and the

king's service will be short of six

dogs. Does this madman think he can

blackmail a crown me? You seen him? Yes,

sir. He's a devil, sir. He'll kill Petty

Officer Stubbard for sure and all of us.

Hold your tongue. Take him away.

I'll hang three men of dimurch for every

life this madman takes. That won't bring

the press gang back to life, sir.

No. And I'm answerable to the admiral

for the bungling

fools. Blackmail and ransom. Is it

in the king exchanging prisoners with a

road?

Very well. I'll agree.

You'll agree, sir. Oh, yes.

I'll agree. Why not?

[Music]

Sir, do you really think the general

will take Joe Hadley there tonight?

We'll see. If my signal comes, you take

your orders from Mips and do your part.

Please take care tonight, sir. General

Pew's no fool. Don't worry. You go with

Mips and join Sam and the others.

There's Mips now.

Scarecrow, what are you doing here? Who

are you? A volunteer scarecrow. I

brought him. Why? To help you with your

plan. What do you know of my plan? Only

what I heard Mr. Mips here tell a man at

the inn. Loud mouth. Well, it was only

Sam and me, Scarecrow. And it's just as

well he did overhear us. We need someone

to man that boat we've got. There's a

revenue cutter lying just off the shore.

So, I volunteered. But you're not one of

my men. No, but I've been cooped up,

hidden at that end for so long, I'm half

off my head with boredom. Whoever sails

that boat past the cutter to the beach

risks a hangy if he's taken. Well, I'm

condemned to hang already, so why not

me? Sounds fair. Very well. Come with

me, Sexton. Go about your business.

You stubborn fool. You'll soon see you

might just as well have talked and saved

yourself a beating.

Are the other men posted on all the

escape routes? Yes, sir. Ah, there must

be no mistakes tonight, Mr. Brackenbury.

And I want this man, this scarecrow

taken alive.

Yes, sir.

Untie him. He doesn't need to be bound

like that. But sir, the general. Untie

him, sir.

[Music]

the revenue cutters covering the sea

escape.

Now bring it to the

wind. Fear fallen by my eyes. When the

scarecrow delivers the six naval

hostages in exchange for the man Hadley,

he'll bring an escort at least as strong

and we'll take the lot. What if the

scarecrow himself doesn't come, sir?

We'll hang the men we take publicly

tomorrow unless he surrenders himself.

Two can play at the blackmail game.

Tricks, is it, General? Let Hadley go

free or I'll blow your sergeant's brains

out. You're free to go, Hadley.

Run, man. hide in the marshes.

But sir, I know what I'm doing. We have

him

[Music]

now. Surrender in the king's name.

[Music]

We have you surrounded.

Give yourself up.

General, we're shooting, you fool. Front

break.

Ready. Aim.

[Music]

Put a shot across

[Music]

B. Cease firing. Get out from him, you

fool. Follow me.

[Music]

I'll get bait off with you two

[Music]

quick way

there. Come on.

Put your back.

Halt. Now heave those barrels over the

side and roll them up on the beach where

it's high and dry.

Oh,

we have the contraband anyway, sir. Last

the contraband. The scoundrel's clear.

He tricked us lied to me. We haven't

even got his hostages.

Well, you tricked him, sir. Tricked him?

I'm the law.

The General Pew.

[Music]

[Laughter]

[Music]

On this program, we bring you part two

of our story which has a strange hero

with an even stranger name. Sin s y n,

not s i n. Dr. Sin, whose alias was the

scarecrow. He was a real life character

who lived in England during the reign of

King George III just before the American

colonies struggle for independence. At

that time, life for the ordinary people

of England was hard. Taxation was heavy.

There was a great deal of poverty. Our

hero here lived a double life. A

respectable clergyman by day and a

smuggler by night. He became a legend, a

hero, and a friend to the poor needy.

For years, the king's army and navy

tried to catch him or to force those who

followed him to reveal his identity. In

our story, you'll see how this strange

man, the scarecrow, matched his wits

against all the king's horses and all

the king's men.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

I tell you, I will not tolerate your

troops burning cottages on my land. Why

not? Because the people here are my

people, General Pew. My family have been

squires of Dim Church for 200 years. I'm

acting under orders that you're under,

too, to maintain the law. You're justice

of the peace. Peace? Yes. And you've

brought war here. This is a war against

time. Offering a reward for the capture

of the scarecrow fellow who leads this

rebel has been useless. Yes. And so will

be burning. Terrorizing. My people hate

you. All right.

I'll make a bargain with you. I'll call

off my men if you'll help me try another

way. Yes. Well, now then.

The marsh people share equally the

proceeds of these smuggling runs. That's

the story, is it not? So, you're the

squire here. Who among your tenants has

been behind in his rents and then paid

up recently? Suddenly, inexplicably,

perhaps. Well,

yes, I see what you're getting at. I'll

go through my accounts. Yes, do that.

Give me the names and get the fellas

around to your house for questioning.

They won't suspect anything if you ask

them there. Then you leave them to me.

There's one that comes to mind. You

might make a start with him. Mhm. A

difficult fellow. Dad, farmer to a

widowerower with two sons and an old

mother he treats none too well. Ramsley

is the name. Right. He'll do for one.

Send for him.

Very well.

You'll be around at my house tomorrow

morning. And stop this burning. Do you

hear? Yes, sir. Sir.

[Music]

Come in,

sir. Thomas, send for me. Joe Ramsley.

This way.

I'll show him in, William. Hello,

Ramsley. Morning, Master

John. What does Sir Thomas want to see

me for? I don't know. It isn't my father

anyway. Come on.

Come in.

Joe Rensley, sir.

Morning,

sir. Joseph Ransley, North Farm,

Bunnington.

You're not much of a farmer, are

you? Three years of bad harvests, a

sheep flocked down to 60 head. It's poor

land, sir. I do my best. But you stayed

on it. You got 6 months behind with your

rent and suddenly paid it. You've been

paying it ever since. Yes, sir. Well, I

how

I've been selling off some of my sheep,

sir.

Sir Thomas never questioned it, sir. No.

Well, I do. I don't think you're serious

sheep, Ransley. I think you're a

smuggler.

Smuggler? I'm an honest man, sir. Yes.

You suddenly raised money from selling

sheep? Where? To whom? Prove it with

dates and bills of sale.

I don't keep no bill, sir. Don't try

lying to me, Ramsey. You're paid with

smuggler's gold. You know who I'm after.

The man who leads you pays you off. I

don't know what you mean, sir. Oh, yes,

you do. And I'll give you a simple

choice. I'll throw you into jail on

suspicion, and I'll keep you there for

questioning until you rot. Finish. Or

you'll turn King's evidence. Tell me all

you know about the Scarecrow smuggling

gang, their movements, where they meet,

and when. Nobody know you talk, Renley,

but it's you or them. I don't know

nothing, sir. I swear I don't know.

They're under arrest. No. No. Wait.

Wait.

Well,

I said I don't know nothing, sir, and I

don't. But I may be able to find out,

sir. I try if you'd give me a little

time, sir. I'll give you 48 hours.

You'll either come forward with the

names of the men you know to be in this

madman's gang, these so-called gentlemen

of the marshes, or you can rot in jail.

Got 48 hours, Rans. You understand? Now,

get out. Yes, sir.

I'll find out all I can, sir.

You're better.

That's what I heard, sir. And one trade

is enough to get you hanged. The rest of

us as well. And as a shipment due from

France tomorrow, uh, General Pew is

staying at your father's, you say. Your

head's really in the lion's mouth, isn't

it? Oh, they don't notice me, sir.

You're going to let me ride with you

tomorrow night, aren't you? No, I'm

afraid not. It's too risky. I don't see

why. I said no. And you'll obey orders.

Your task is to keep your eyes on

General Pew.

What about Ransley, sir? He's under

orders for tomorrow's run. Ransley is

one of my men and has to be protected.

I'm going to Bunnington this afternoon.

See what frame of mind he's in.

[Music]

Afternoon, you vigor. Afternoon, George.

Brought some things for your

grandmother. Oh, I'll tell you, sir.

It's all right.

Granny, the vicar's here to see you.

Is uh your father about to? He's around

the back, sir. I'll tell him your own.

Thank you.

[Music]

Hello, Mrs. Ransley. Nice to see you

getting about again. Thank you, Vicer.

I've uh I've brought something to cheer

you up. Oh, Vicer, you shouldn't. and to

come all this way. I have a big parish,

Mrs. Ransley. Not as big as your heart,

Vicker. You're too kind. Well, how are

you, Joe? And the boys looking after you

properly? Joe, my stepson looks after

himself, sir. He don't care for nobody

else. Oh, that can't be true.

Whatever comforts we have here, sir. Me

and the boys is no thanks to him. It's

because of the

You won't say I told you. I'm not

supposed to tell nobody. I'm a secret as

the grave, Mrs. Ramsley. You know that.

It's because of the scarecrow and his

smugglers that we ain't in debt no more.

And Joe's one of them. I know it.

Surely not that villain. He's no

villain, sir. To us poor folk. Believe

me, sir, if it weren't for him, there's

many hereabouts would

starve. Joe would betray the scarecrow

himself. I heard him today telling the

boys, making them agree to what he's

going to do. They're afraid of him, sir.

And I'm

Well, Vic, you wanted to see me?

Just say good day to you, Ransley. And I

I brought these few things for your

mother.

Stepmother. Time for your rest.

Upstairs.

Yes, Joe. Yes, Joe. Yes, I'm going. I'm

going. Can I get you a glass of brandy

before you go, Vicer? I thank you. Yes,

you may. Indeed. Oh, Vicar. I want Take

care of yourself, Mrs. Rinsley. Thank

you, sir. I'll call again. God bless

you, sir. And you, Mrs. Rley.

Well,

oh, very generous with the brandy, my

friend, at the price it is today.

Ah, it's a bigger price than you think.

I regret to say that a great deal of it

in this parish has been smuggled in by

some misguided men under the leadership

of this uh this scarecrow fellow. I

don't know about

that. Scarecrow.

Scarecrow. Why don't nobody talk about

somebody else? I'm surprised that among

all the men who work for him, none has

betrayed him yet. Ah, cuz many of them

are scared of him. That's why.

Otherwise, they would betray him.

I don't know. I don't even find

out. There's many men don't want to

spend the rest of their lives in this

part. Some have no choice.

But there's ways and means of getting

away. Don't you forget that. I've got

plans. Well, never

mind. Thank you for calling, Vicer. Good

health.

Well, I must get on my rods. I have a

busy afternoon ahead of me. So,

I Good day to you, Rans. Good day to

you.

And goodbye.

[Music]

I got another horse wholesome cart, Dad.

Good. Leave it in the barn gym. You,

George, load everything we can take on

our cart and you help him take it up to

the old O house at no. I'll meet you

there. D, what you planning? I'll tell

you when we get to the O house. Go on,

hurry.

[Music]

Come on, George. Get on with

it. Now, when we get the Bonington share

of the contraband tomorrow night, we'll

bring it back here and then we'll store

our stuff on top of it and then clear

out. Clear out? Yeah, clear out. I got

it. Away from here and the scarecrow,

General Pew, the lot. We'll sell the

brandy bit by bit on the way to London.

Then we can go where we want. But the

scarecrow will find out. Now, we'll be

well on our way before he does. And with

money in our pockets. Dad, you can't do

this. Shut up. I tell you, I got to or

else Pew will have me in jail. Come on,

get on with it.

What are you going to do now, sir? Make

an example of Bransley that will teach

the others a lesson they won't forget in

a hurry. Mutiny among the Scarecrow's

men is a worse danger than the soldiers

are. Will you have to postpone

tomorrow's run then? Oh, no. That cargo

from France is too valuable for that.

Yes, but if Ramsley thieves part of it,

he'll make the scarecrow look a fool to

all the rest.

The government has sent an army to

protect us. The army shall protect us.

That's where you come in, John.

Um,

[Music]

I general, there's There's something

else I could do. Why are you scaring?

I'm sorry, Kate. I was thinking about

the general. He dislikes me and he

thinks I'm a fool. But he thinks

everybody's a fool except

himself. Why let it bother you? I think

you're the nicest man I ever met.

Kate, if only I had a chance to do

something to make him sit up and take

notice. Mr.

Can I talk to you a minute?

I have something to tell you, sir. Where

have you been? He's always disappearing

for hours on air. Please, quiet. I was

down at the harbor working on my boat,

and I heard some men talking about a

smuggling run this week. Where and when?

Tomorrow night. They didn't say where

the cargo would be landed, only where

they'd be taking their part of it. It's

a cargo of Brandy. And where are they

taking it? to No Hill O House. They said

I could show you the place on a map.

Why? There's a there's enough cover

there for you to hide your soldiers and

catch the Scarecrow's men red-handed.

The Scarecrow? These were his men? From

the way they spoke of him, I don't know

who they were. I' I've never seen them

before. This is wonderful. Will you

report it to the general? No. And don't

you either. I'll take care of this

myself. All right. But you won't let

anybody know that I told you what I

heard, sir. The scarecrow's men would

kill me. I'll draw you a map and take it

to your room.

It's true, Philip. They would kill him.

They're desperate men. Kate, this is the

chance I've been waiting for.

I'm sorry.

[Music]

Help. Unload.

Okay, hold on

for your captain. So the gates out

first.

Scanel Davis, this is the Romney village

chair. Take the marsh road eastward.

Hurry. Right load, Sam waste. This load

is for Dim Church,

sir. Grantly, your load is for the

people of

Bonington. Here we go,

lads.

[Music]

Any move on. George, hurry up.

Now load our gear. Come on. We no time

to waste.

What are you going to do about Granny D?

Nothing. Leave her. She'll be in the

way. Yeah, but Come on, get on with him.

Hold the king's dead.

[Music]

Lunch. Hold me.

[Music]

Hold your fire.

[Music]

Court has heard the evidence against

these wretched men. They were caught

red-handed with 20 kegs of contraband

spirit in their possession, defrauding

his majesty's revenue. They have no

defense.

I demand that an example should be made

of them as a warning to all men and to

their infamous leader. I demand that

they suffer the extreme

penalty of the law.

Unless

Unless, as I am instructed by General

Pew, the here and

now confide the name of their leader

called the Scarecrow. In which case, the

crown will not press for their death by

hand. I don't know who the Scarecrow is.

I tell you, I don't know. Nobody knows.

But you've seen him, spoken to him only

to get orders when he called a meeting.

I haven't Where does he hold his

meetings? Tell me that. Different places

are different every

time. On the beach, on the marsh, in

somebody's

barn. Why protect him now? He betrayed

you. Who is the man Ramsley? I don't

know, sir. Or else I'd tell the

court. I don't want to swing for the

likes of him.

Silence in court. That concludes the

case for the prosecution.

Joseph

Ransley, George Ransley, James Ransley.

The court is left with no alternative.

But I or leave your worship. I I've just

returned home and I found this note. Um

it's a threat, sir, and I I do not care

for threats. What's it?

H if the Reverend Dr. Sin speaks for the

prisoners on trial, he will answer to

the scarecrow with his own life.

Who would want to threaten you, Parson?

Were you about to speak for these

ruffians in the dock? How do you know

that? Oh, well, General, words get

spread, I suppose. I I had mentioned to

my sex my uh a point of law that had

occurred to me regarding this case. And

uh Mips is not averse to an audience at

the inn where many people spend their

evenings.

What point of law, Vicer? Well, one

which, if you will allow me, would

certainly save these unhappy prisoners

from punishment. Were it proved true? I

object to this interruption, your

worship. The crown demands, if you

please, Mr. Frank.

What is this point of law that occurred

to you, Vic? Well, well, sir, uh, would

this arch smuggler, knowing that the

prisoners were false to him, as

undoubtedly he did, would he waste 20

kegs of expensive spirit to bait his

trap?

I I wondered if the contents of the kegs

have been examined.

If indeed they contain contraband, then

of course the prisoners must stand

condemned. But should they not be

examined first?

Has council for the crown any objection

to this? No.

No, of course not. Beetle,

can't open the cage.

General, I trust I can rely on the

protection of your troops for coming

forward after this threat to my safety.

Of course. Of course.

Well, be your worship. The kegs are

filled with sea water. Every one we've

tried. Sea water. Sea water.

There is no law in England that can hang

a man or even imprison him for carrying

kegs of water.

The case is

dismissed. The prisoners ran can go

free.

You incompetent.

I thought you were a fool and now I know

you are. You bungled this whole

business. Yes, general. Trying to take

the law into your own hands. Get out of

my sight. Report back to Dover Castle.

Thank you, Victor. Thank you for what

you've done. You've escaped the law,

Randley. But your scarecrow leader won't

let you escape him, nor any of his men

who know you for a traitor if you stay

in this district. You best get away as

far as you

can. You got off this hook, but you're

still on mine, Renley. You have till

tonight. That's all.

[Music]

Keep close watch on Rans. Off you go.

And you can watch Mr. Frank, the

prosecutor.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

[Music]

There we go.

Jerry, please. Rum for me, Mrs. Wag,

please.

This case you came down for must have

been a great disappointment to you, sir.

And who might you be? Me, sir? Uh, Mr.

Mip sir is sexton vger carpenter and

undertaker and what is more right-hand

man in matters spiritual and otherwise

to the vicar Dr. Sin indeed you seem to

mind every kind of business except your

own. Oh that's very good

sir. Very good.

If you want to know anything about

anyone in these parts, I'm the man to

come to. And being a servant of the

church, the sole of discretion and on

the side of the law.

Well, I suppose you'll be on your way

back to London tomorrow now that your

business here is over. Perhaps it isn't,

Mr. Mips. Perhaps it isn't.

Allow me, sir. It's an honor for

me. Thank you. You're very good health,

sir.

Yes. I felt for you in the court today.

Did

you

Well, and your very good health, too.

You say you're on the side of the law,

Sexton. Well, naturally, I am, sir. The

law was thwarted today. You'll realize

that ah that Ransley is a villain's a

villain that is a wicked miscarriage of

justice.

How far away does this Ramsley live? But

ours ride on a good horse, sir. Can you

get me a good horse without all the

world knowing? Tonight.

Tonight, sir? Why tonight? Can you get

me a good horse, Sexton? Yes, yes, yes,

yes. I can I can get that for you, sir.

But um mom's the word, eh?

I'll meet you at the fork in the sea

road in half an hour. I'll have the

horse for you there.

[Music]

Right. Oh,

well, time for home and bed. Good night,

Mrs. Waggot. Night, sir.

[Music]

Oh, it's you. Eh,

what do you want with me? To talk to

you.

The prosecutor's just gone in. I know. I

followed him. Here. Are all the answers

there? No, only him. The boys have run

away and the old lady's gone. How can we

hear what's going on? Well, this door

leads to the

kitchen. I'm getting out of here. Run

away. Where you going to

run? This scarecrow fellow or his

followers will stop you going. Unless

you stop them first. Your life isn't

worth that unless I help you, which I

won't do without you help me.

You can't touch me now.

You can't try me twice for the same

offense. You were acquitted by a trick.

You didn't know there was water in those

kegs.

The scarecrow knew it ransly. And if he

knew that, he knows you plan to run.

I've got a

room. Not only from him and the

others. General Pew's after me, too.

General

Pew. Put me in jail.

Unless I turn King's evidence.

You tell me what I want to know, and

I'll offer you something much better

than that.

What do you mean? The reward for your

leader,

Ransling. Give me the names of the rest

of your gang so that I can bring them to

trial. Uh, and get me throat cut for

certain. You'll get it cut if you stay.

And if you run.

Oh, leave me alone, can't you? Listen to

me. The Department of Revenue will

protect you if you talk. I can't talk.

They won't even know it was you. And

even if they did, you'll be a 100 miles

away with enough money to start another

life.

They'll kill me for sure. They won't

know.

You won't even have to appear in court.

Your written statement is all I need.

And the signal system and the hiding

places for your loot.

That'll do you no

good. I don't know who the scarecrow is.

He'll come forward when we've hanged a

few of his men. Or someone will give him

up. You leave that to me.

[Music]

Give me some names.

Ransley, you owe him nothing. And you

can buy your freedom.

You the

scarecrow. General

[Music]

Pew. You're driving me out of my head.

Talk and there'll be 999 more like this.

[Music]

The reward, you

fool. Keep out of General Pew's way.

Bring your list of names to me. 20 will

do. I'll meet you this time tomorrow

night at the castle ruins, and you can

have the rest. Then you will be safe.

Safe from General Pew because you'll

have done your duty and safe from all

the rest as

well. Fail me and you are finished.

[Music]

Nobody will know.

Nobody.

[Music]

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

Come. Come in.

Well, Mr.

Prosecutor, what do you want at this

hour? I thought you left on the London

Mail Cage. I'll leave when my business

here is finished.

You called me incompetent after today's

fiasco. I've come to tell you that I'll

make you eat those words. You have, have

you? And how will you make me do that?

by bringing to justice enough of the

smugglers here to smash the scarecrow

gang and probably catch him too. Just

like that, eh? Well, well, well. And

when will this hall take place, may I

ask? This time tomorrow night.

I want to make sure you will be here to

help me. Help you? How? Supply me with

an armed escort when I go to round up

these criminals. I don't imagine they'll

come along without a struggle. General,

what have you found out, lawyer? Have a

squadron of your troops ready standing

by at the old monastery tomorrow night

at this hour. And I'll tell you then.

I'll show you. General. Tomorrow night

at this

hour. Farewell. I'll ride with the

troops myself. Thank you. Good night to

general. Mr. Fran,

I hope this time you've not bitten off

more than you can chew. It's a good

thing there are more brains in my

profession than the evidence would seem

to show there are in yours. Good night

again.

[Music]

Ransley will sell us all. You can be

sure of that. Selling the freedom, even

the lives of 20 of his fellow marshmen

won't bother him. We should stop him

now. Get rid of him, sir. There'll be

plenty willing to do it. Remember he's

planning to hand over to the law. I have

a better plan. One that will teach a

lesson to all would be traitors and to

King George's revenue men who offer

blood money.

[Music]

Ramsley.

Friends,

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Laughter]

[Music]

[Music]

Archer.

[Music]

Why you pull me like this? I ain't done

nothing. Tie me, Cash. I'll fight any

two of you.

What's wrong with you? You're my

mates. I'm one of you. I I No, Rley.

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

This court is now in

session. Uncover the second prison's

eyes so that he can see the scarecrow's

justice. your pack of scoundrels. In the

king's name, I demand that you release

me. Gag

him. Now, the indictment against the

first prisoner, Joseph Ransley. You

stand charged with treachery. How say

you guilty or not guilty?

I ain't at you, none scarecrow. Guilty

or not guilty?

Not guilty, cashier.

First witness.

Curry. I the undeigned witness the

accused Rley's conversation with the

prosecutor for his majesty's department

of customs and exiles on the night of

the 16th. during which conversation the

said Ransley agreed to turn King's

evidence against the rest of us

assembled here.

Further, the accused agreed to hand over

20 names of men in our organization and

to sell this list for cold to prosecute

a flag. It's a lie. I ain't even spoken

to him except in the court that time.

The parson got me off. You're lying,

Wley. You are often told to betray your

friend. This gold

taken from prosecutor Frag who came to

keep his bargain with

you. Next witness hell

spite. IM assigned witness the second

prisoner prosecute a frag in the company

of MIPS. The section of dimurch at the

fork in the sea road. I followed the

said frag across the marsh to the

accused cottage. This are the light half

the 60 lies. It's all lies.

Stand

down. And now my deposition. Lensley.

On the last run of my gentlemen, you

attempted to steal from us were caught

and put on trial. Didn't you none? But I

was acquitted through the intercession

of a person who disobeyed my

instructions not to interfere. I'll deal

with him later. You told the prosecutor

at your trial that you would betray me

if you

could in spite of the oath you made with

me. The oath that every man here has

taken.

If a man thinks he's going to be hanged

and his son's with him, he'll say

anything. What kind of man will sell his

friends to the hangman for gold?

Ransley,

I ain't done that. I never intended to.

No. Empty his

pockets. Here are the names he would

sell.

Perhaps your names are among them. You

were taking that note to the prisoner

flag tonight.

All right,

Kher, you think you own us all? You were

going to kill me. You drove me slims

away and the army was after me. Chief,

liar, traitor, convicted by your own

words.

Gentlemen of the jury, how say you? Is

the prisoner guilty or not guilty?

Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

[Applause]

Guilty it

is. And this court sentences you to die

accordingly. You dog, you're not fit to

live. What are you going to do?

Oh no. Gag him, hell spite. No.

[Music]

And spare us seeing him die a coward as

well as a traitor. You curl you cover

the

[Music]

[Music]

lanterns. Uncover the lanterns.

[Music]

Justice is done. Show end all men who

will betray the scarecrow and the people

of the masses.

[Music]

Tell you, give my gentlemen the king's

gold. Share it among you. And remember

the scarecrow's justice. Now go

quickly. Let him down.

[Music]

[Music]

I thought his eyes fainted. I was afraid

he'd come too while Frank was still

here.

Bradley.

Oh, no. No.

You're dead, friendly. Dead to all the

men of the marsh who would otherwise

kill you. I give you 1 hour to cross the

county line and away from here.

Otherwise, you'll really die. You're

dead. Run for your life.

[Music]

Is the coffin ready? Nice. I finished it

yesterday.

Laughter. Sexton. Have you no respect

for the

[Music]

[Applause]

[Music]

dead? Drive on. Drive on.

[Music]

Well, sir, as you said, so end all

traitors. And the scarecrow's men still

ride the marshes. Can nobody stop the

villain? They'll still try, sir. Don't

worry. They'll still try. Look.

[Music]

A save some space in your graveyard,

Parson, for the scarecrow, because I

swear to you, he'll be

there and soon.

Good luck to you, General. And take care

with that pearl you have.

Forward.

[Music]

On this program, we bring you the third

and concluded adventure of the most

wanted man in England 200 years ago. He

had two names, two identities. One of

them, he was Dr. Sin, Vicor of Dim

Church Parish. In the other, he was

known only by his nickname, the

Scarecrow.

And under this alias, he led the

greatest smuggling gang in the

country all around here on the southeast

coast of England where he lived. They

still talk about him in some of the old

ins there today. And you can see rooms

he hid or slept in and the parish church

where he preached his vicor. In those

days, ordinary folk found life very,

very hard. They were poor and the laws

of the land were harsh. So because this

strange character, the scarecrow, robbed

the government of revenue to help the

poor, he became a hero and a legend. And

all the forces of law and order that

tried to stop him were outwitted so

often that even the king himself

intervened personally to try and put an

end to the scarecrow.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

I sent for

you so you could explain to me there's

enormous loss in

revenue. Your orders work with stamp out

smuggling. Yet in the weeks you've been

down there, it's grown

worse. Well, sir, well, the whole

countryside protects the smugglers and

their leader, your majesty. They see him

as a benefactor. Protects. Protects. My

home secretary bombards me with figures

of the drop in excise duties. I have to

listen to sly jokes at my expense, at my

army's

expense. Cartoons appear in the public

press, showing me dancing like a puppet

on strengths held by this fellow they

called the

scarecrow. I send you extra troops at

what happens. Nothing.

Nothing. I'm making a fool of yourself.

You make a fool of me.

I'm doing my best, sir. But as I said,

your best is not good enough, General.

You let this scoundrel slip through your

fingers, didn't you?

Well, sir.

Well, I did everything in my

silence. I should relieve you of your

command, perhaps. Hey. Hey, sir. If

you'll give me a little more time. Time.

time. I have a war in France. Rumors of

insurrection in America. I must give you

time. More money. More men to deal with

a pack of smuggling yokers in my own

country. Your incompetent lacks,

General. I'll stamp out this business,

your majesty. I give you my word. Just

one month,

sir. I'll give you one

month. The War Office said that you were

a hard man, General. Well, I be hard.

You hear me? Eh, be

hard. I'll go back to your command and

use your

brains. There's a new spirit in the

world, Mixon. Taxed out of existence,

robbed of their independence by the

king's government. The people must fight

back how they can. Men can't beat

armies, sir. Ideas can. Faith can move

mountains. What we're doing here is just

a pin prick, but a thousand pin pricks

put together will

[Music]

you stranger? Gently lips.

Dr.

S. Mother Haway sent me, sir. There are

troops out searching for me. Why? What

have you done?

[Music]

You're an American, are you not? Yes,

sir. I've been branded a traitor and

sentenced to death for preaching

sedition. You should know this because I

ask for sanctuary. Sedition?

That's what King George calls our wish

for freedom and independence. Yes. I

can't deny you a sanctuary, Mr. Bates.

Simon Bates, sir. Mr. Bates, but it

would not be safe for either of us to

hide you here. You'll give me up?

No. Mips, take him to Mrs. Waggets in my

Sexton will know what to say to her.

She'll hide you till the coast is clear.

You say nothing.

[Music]

Oh, hang it all, Vic. You'd think I

might beat you once in a while. He's as

clever as a fox. Do you play it,

General? No, I haven't got the patience

for games. But you hunt the fox, though,

don't you, sir?

Well, General Puser squadron searching

the marchers, cooperating with the naval

pickets. I know. I know. All the press

gang men who jump ship at do have been

recaptured, sir. Good. Except one. What?

A man was seen heading for dim church an

hour ago, but we lost him. Permission to

carry out house to house search, sir?

Yes, sir. Every house, you understand,

and thoroughly spare no

one. This is the chance I've been

waiting for to turn this place inside

out. I don't wonder a deserter would

head this way. Why, General? Because

your people here are lawless themselves.

They shield his scarecrow and his

smugglers, don't they? You have no proof

of that. They do. And if I find one of

them, any of them hiding a deserter,

there'll be some hanging here.

Well, right, Thomas. It's time I was

getting home. What about you, Victor?

I'll see you at the gate, sir.

General,

if they search every house, they'll find

Mr. Bates, the American rebel you're

hiding. We'll have to move him.

[Music]

If you're the deserter, we're here to

help, not harm

you. I'm Dr. Sin, Vicor of Dim Church.

Dr.

[Music]

Z. Can't believe it after all these

years. John, it's Harry, your brother.

I didn't recognize you either. You've

grown me so

much. And you with a

beard and you used to be fat. Should you

just come? I had to wait till it was

dark. Anyone here would know me. Harry,

come in the house. Well, father's there.

And well, I can't. There are soldiers

there. I saw them through the window.

Harry, you heard General Pew. They hang

deserters from the Navy. Harry is the

man they're looking for.

The Marshes are now under military law.

Sir, I have my authority from the king.

If you have any objection, complain to

him, sir. Not to

me. Thank you for dinner and good night.

Good night to you, sir.

Madam, Mr. Bracken,

General, won't you let Philillip stay a

little longer just as a favor to me,

please?

Farewell.

Speak to father now.

All right, Kate.

Could I talk to you a moment, sir? Huh?

Have I your permission to ask for Kate's

hand, sir?

No, sir. You have not. I understand that

your family regards you as independent

and rebellious, and they've cut you off.

Am I right?

Well, yes, sir. It's true. My father and

I and that you live on your army pay. I

might to know that you're not more

interested in Kate's fortune than her

hand.

As Kate's father, sir, you may consider

it your privilege to question my honor,

but I'm afraid I do not. Good night, Sir

Thomas.

Good night, Mr. Brackenry.

I'm leaving. There's nothing more to say

after that.

Isn't there something to say to me?

Father fights everybody. He only

respects those who fight him back. And

so do I. Aren't you going to fight for

me, Kate?

You know, when we're in port, we're

netted below decks like cattle, fed and

watered and penned and driven for the

slaughter. We

What's

this? Hello, father.

[Music]

Harry.

[Music]

Harry. It can't

be. It can't be

you. After all these years,

by I thought

you I thought you were dead. Only half

dead.

Father, you're looking. Why are you

here? Hiding like a criminal.

I am a criminal. Sir, Harry's the

deserter they're looking for. Sir

Thomas,

you deserted? Escaped. They took me by

force and I got away by force.

Four years of my life they've had. Want

to see the decorations I got in the

king's

service? I'm no longer going to be

treated like a

dog. My dear boy,

come over to the house. You look

starved. I am sir. You can't go to the

house, sir. Philip Brackenbury is still

there. I must get you away. Leave this

to me, Sir Thomas. I will ask no

questions. If you know nothing, then

you'll not have to lie when the Navy

comes searching.

I'll see you again,

boy. As soon as I can. Don't worry. My

sex and I will deal with this. Go with

your father, John.

[Music]

Good night, sir.

[Music]

Do you think he heard or saw anything? I

don't know, sir, but if he did, we'll

soon find out. So will Dr. Sin. I must

warn him to get Harry away at once.

[Music]

[Music]

My

family. Hundreds of years of pride and

privilege.

I wonder what they think of me

now. Running away like a stray dog.

Cover that ladder.

[Music]

All well, Ms. Yes, sir. John warned me

just in time. I got Mr. Bates here out

of the inn 5 minutes before the soldiers

came. Mr. Harry, I couldn't believe it

when I heard it's good to see you, sir.

Harry, this is Simon Bates from America.

He's hunted by the law, too. Mr. Banks,

how'd you do, Mr. Bates? Desert? No.

Preaching sedition. Freedom for the

colonies.

Next, tell them whether to go. Yes,

sir. Yes. Mr. Bates, you remember broken

barn in the Bonington Hills? Take Mr.

Harry with you and hide there till I

send word. Enter through the barn doors

and under the fourth beam, there's a

trap door leading to an underground

stable. An underground stable? That's

right. You'll be perfectly safe there.

We'll get food to you as you need it.

But whatever you do, keep undercover.

Mr. Mips, Dr. Sin, you're taking a big

risk. Sir, you and you're wasting time.

Come on. Off you go.

There are soldiers and pickets

everywhere, sir. How are you going to

get the two of them out? By the uh the

first ship that delivers for the scare.

You hope. Hope is brightest when it

dawns from fears.

[Music]

You men coming.

[Music]

In the king's name,

[Applause]

[Music]

watch this. We caught him and another

one beside. Sir, call off the search. We

have him.

That's Mr. Harry, Sir Thomas's son.

Who are you?

All

right. You'll find your tongue. I

promise

you. You got to be sorry. You might have

a bone to pair of

you. Take them both to do castle.

[Music]

They took him off in a cart, sir. Trust

like chickens to do. You

say that means pew. And it's just what

he wants. He'll know that Bates has been

harbored here, and he'll do everything

in his power to force him to say by

whom. That puts Mrs. Waggot in danger

and yourself. But you in worse danger,

sir. Yes, but it's my fault. Then

there's Harry and his family. Now, if

Brackenbury has discovered anything and

reports it, are you going to warn Sir

Thomas that Harry's been taken? No.

You'll find out soon

enough. I think I go to do see what I

can learn.

You'll either give me the information I

want here and

now or I'll hand you over to more

forcible

persuasion. I could have you hanged

today, both of you. Apart from your

stealing from me, you're already

condemned and you stand condemned a

deserter. But 10 king's evidence, I'll

spare your lives.

Who sheltered you all this

time? This scarecrow who flouts the law

down here?

No. And one of his

men must have

been. Answer me. No.

And why did you head for these parts?

Who did you think would hide you? This

scarecrow because he helped another

scoundrel escape the king's service?

Who are your friends

here? Talk and I'll exchange their lives

for yours.

Take him to the dungeons and see what

answers you can get by whatever means.

Yes, sir.

March the Vicor of Dip Chester, Dr. Sid.

[Music]

What do you want here, Pson? Um, my

duties, General. I'm chaplain to the

jail. I'm here to serve holy communion

to the prisoners. I normally report to

the garrison commander before I do so.

And Master Banks

to assist me, sir.

Well, it's not a duty I relish myself.

The stench in the dungeon is strong

enough to build another wall on. Our

duties are not always made

easy for any of us.

But the end justifies the means, eh?

Even when those means include torture.

General,

Mr. Brackenber is talking of those swine

who just left

to be tortured. They hold the key to

unlock the conspiracy of silence which

protects this scarecrow madman. And I

intend to get it. That's my duty. Tell

me one thing, sir. If they had told you

what they knew when you promised them

their lives, would you have kept your

side of the bargain?

Don't be a fool. Let it hang anyway.

Of course, sir. With your permission,

sir. I'll go to the dungeons now. Your

cell,

sir. I need an ally here. Wonder if I

found one.

[Music]

Wake up on your feet. Show some respect

to the chapter. You do

[Music]

dogs. Neil,

lift up your hearts. Hope

trust. Let us pray.

Open up. Nasal picket.

I leave reverence. I want six men. Come

on. Step lively if you don't want a rope

sent across your

face. Get him chained.

Press gang to poor devils. You're about

to board the lugger for HMS

Defiant. Wave your mates goodbye, you

dogs. We're going to make men of you.

[Music]

You obstinate dogs. We haven't finished

with you yet.

Here we are again, mate. Six less

marrows for you to feed. Much

God be with

you. And of mercy on

you. I am about to conduct a service

here, jailer. I should like to be alone

with the prisoners.

But it ain't safe. Your reverence, let

me be judge of that. Leave us.

[Music]

Harry, it didn't make us talk.

Hello,

Victor. We ran out of luck.

Get up,

John. Get

up. Rest of you need again.

And listen to me. Does the naval picket

come and go like that to take men to the

ships? Yes, sir. We never know when. I

see. Harry, Mr. Bates, I don't know by

what means, but somehow I'm going to get

you away from here before Q breaks your

spirit as well as your body. You'll

never break us, and we'll never talk.

There's no way out of here except in the

coffin. Not for us. There must be.

Trust me all of you. Somehow I will get

you free. Free? Free sir? Not so long.

Repeat after me. Letth now thy servant

depart in peace. Letth now thy servant

depart in peace. For mine eyes have

beheld thy salvation. For mine eyes have

beheld thy salvation.

[Music]

I wanted to fly at them for what they

done to Harry. Poor Bates. You did very

well in there, John. Do you you really

think you you'll be able to help them

escape, sir?

I I don't know.

[Music]

I have an

idea. It's a wild gamble and outside

chance. Stand against the door,

boy.

[Music]

Pretty good though I say so myself.

Here it is, sir.

I hope it works. It's the

key to the whole plan. What is the plan,

sir? The scarecrow will tell you that

tonight. Get word to all our men.

There'll be a meeting at 10:00 tonight

at 5 Mile Barn. Tonight,

time is running out. Get on your way,

[Music]

Ms.

[Music]

Here they are.

All here. All were asked for.

The shipment due from Holland tomorrow

night. There's a change of plan. We will

not be taking the cargo. We shall take

the ship. I have business, export

business, not import to transact from

Dova.

There are some prisoners in the castle.

They have asked for my help. I intend to

release them. Release them. Scarecrow.

How? 12 men will board the Dutchman's

ship. Force him to sailor into St.

Margaret's Bay, this side of Dova. Heave

two there. Bring two boats ashore. Six

others will report to Hellbite. Mast at

Dim Church graveyard. 8:00. Sam Ben

Davis, you will be required to enter the

castle dungeon.

You will be led by the vicer of Dim

Church, Dr. Sin. The vicer? Why is that?

He's under my orders, too. He has no

choice. And the squire's son, John. I

have proof that they gave shelter to a

deserter from the Navy. This proof will

be given to General Pew. If they refuse

to help me with my plan, they will hang.

You mean you blackmail the vicar to keep

my word to those who asked for help? I

blackmailed the king himself. My plan is

set. Do you trust me? Nor of you. Or

will you stand forward now and say that

you're afraid?

I trust you, Scarecrow. I ain't afraid.

Not me, but the vicar. Leave Dr. Sin to

me. I have him like that. and the boy.

Tomorrow night, the scarecrow and his

gentlemen will tumb their noses at

General Pew and the king's injustice

beyond

[Music]

[Music]

time. Our orders are to get the press

gang uniforms.

Who are these men? Never you mine. Put

this on, young master.

[Music]

Now follow

me. You fair

lady now at land. We men at sea died. at

first would have

[Music]

Mrs. Wag will look after the drummer

boy.

[Music]

[Music]

Heat. Heat.

[Music]

[Music]

Right. Offer their uniforms, mates. And

don't tear them.

You're coming no harm, lad. Come on,

take off your uniform. Then tie the

buzzards up.

Upstairs,

Mrs. Upstairs.

No. Come on. Hurry up, lads.

[Music]

Who goes there?

[Music]

Naval picket for the press men in the

jail cell.

[Music]

I'll escort

them forward.

You wait outside the gate, powder

monkey.

[Music]

What are you trying to do, son?

Release the prisoners from injustice and

torture. Isn't that what you want?

How will you open the dungeon?

Even the vicor will hang dressed like

that if they catch us

[Music]

now. Anyway,

and it's time for me to do the rounds.

Sit down later for that. I'm late

already. Sit down. Your

deal. Yeah.

Come on. Your

deal. You didn't shuffle them cards very

well, did you? Yes, I did. You saw me.

It was a fair deal.

to you.

Maybe I think. All right. Take that grin

off your face. What's wrong?

[Music]

What was that?

I'm Dr.

S. Keep quiet. Do as you're told. We'll

get you away from

here. Will you be able to walk? You're

strong

enough. No noise.

We have to chain you together so that it

looks correct when you're crossing the

courtyard. So that one of you doesn't

make a break for it and spoil

everything.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

All

right.

Quickly,

quickly.

Nothing. Lots of trouble in the

fighting. Let's get on with the game.

All right,

then. I could get half the talk out of

them two prisoners you gave me to work

on as I get out of you. Wait a minute.

It's my trick. It's my trick. It's my

trick. It's mine. I play the king. It's

mine. And I played the king. No, you

didn't. You played the jack. No, I

didn't. Yes, you did. You played the

jack. Are you calling me a liar? You

played the jack.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Hulk. What's this?

Naval picket for the press men, sir.

[Music]

Straighten up you mangy dogs.

You're in the king's service now. Quick

march.

[Music]

What the

hell? Spite of the gentleman at your

service, squire. The gentleman. You

smuggling scandals. What you want at my

house? You, Squire, and your daughter.

Quite easy now. Squire. No honor in

servants. Well, my friend here will have

something to say. The scarecrow needs

you. The scarecrow to act as hostage

while he does a little business. Squire.

Come quiet. You'll not be armed. Make

trouble. I'll blow your brains out.

There's a carriage waiting in the lane.

Now, not a word, so no one gets hurt.

[Music]

I was told to bring you as far as here,

then leave you. God bless you all.

I have to leave you, Harry. You're a

brave boy. Give my love to father and to

Kate and say I wish I could have seen

them.

Hurry, John. Coming. Goodbye, Harry.

Good luck.

All right, now we'll move down onto the

beach further ahead. Their boat will

come in and pick you up.

[Music]

There's payment for some passengers here

to take to Holland. Passengers from

here. Scarecrow. You rogue. What do you

want my daughter and me? You'll thank me

before the night is out. Squire.

What the devil?

Here are your passengers. Dutchman.

Come on. Hurry. Hurry.

[Music]

Harry. Harry. You're free. How? What do

you say now, squire?

Kate, it's your brother.

Harry,

is it really you? Why? You've grown into

a beauty. Take them to Holland where

they can board a boat for America.

America? Take them off mine here. You're

an enemy waters, you smuggling rogue.

Time to go, Mr. Banks. My men will

escort you home, sir. Your servant, Mr.

Banks. Good luck. So short a time.

Goodbye, Harry. Take care. Write to us

remember. Goodbye. Hurry. Get aboard. A

new life gentlemen. The new world and

freedom very soon. Bong voyage.

[Music]

And you suspected nothing when you took

the picket to the dungeons? I had no

reason to, sir. Their papers were in

order. Ah, that they they they didn't

come to me with a key, sir.

Neither did you. But they had a key.

How?

Didn't that seem strange to you? No,

sir. I'm not familiar with jail

procedure. The men's actions seemed

normal and natural.

The desertter, the American, they had

the answer to everything I want through

them. I'd have smashed the smuggling

here. You fool. Why didn't you see them

or hear them taken if you were on duty?

Unless you are drunk or fighting. No.

No. Sir. Get out.

Yes.

Imposters walk into the castle and out

again with prisoners right under your

very nose. You saw them, sir. You were

at the gate when they marched

through. It's all in my report, sir.

Yes. Yes, it's all in your report. I

sent a copy to the admiral, sir, about

the deserters escape.

to the admiral and another copy to the

director of public prosecution. Sir, the

director of public prosecutions will

report to the king.

Thank you, Mr. Brackenbury. That was

very thorough of you. My duty, sir.

Duty.

Dismiss.

[Music]

General Pew was at the gate.

[Music]

Well, Sir Thomas, this is a strange

story you tell me. But scoundrel or no,

this scarecrow fellow freed Harry where

I couldn't and arranged for you to say

farewell. As Parson and squire, we must

hope for this capture. But uh tonight,

let's drink to him, shall we?

Well, I suppose so. We may see Harry

again sooner than you think. Both you

and I. I'm not staying in the army,

Kate. I can't after this. I'm resigning

my

[Music]

commission. And uh let's drink to the

young people, too. It's a good lad.

Right gate. You'll see.

Yes. Yes. Let's drink to

them. Phillip, Kate, and the scarecrow

fellow. Whoever and wherever you may be,

candle

scare,

[Music]

scarecrow soldiers of the

king.

Scarecrow, scarecrow,

scarecrow. The country folk loved him

just the same.

Scarecrow.

Scarecrow. Scarecrow.

[Music]