Original subtitles

♪

♪

Headed for Elgin, friend?

Looks that way, doesn't it?

Road you were on goes right by Elgin.

Yeah, well, this trail's about seven or eight miles shorter.

Still I don't think I'd recommend it, friend.

- Really? - Big hunting party up ahead.

We wouldn't want a stranger getting himself hurt.

I appreciate it.

After a week in the saddle, this trail suits me fine.

All right, go ahead. It's your neck.

Much obliged.

Whoa.

Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!

You eagle eyes see any horns on these horses?!

What you gotta do, paint signs on the livestock

in this valley?!

Come here. Come here.

Here we go.

Whoa.

Hold it right there.

Now don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.

You're a little hungry, huh? Well, I got plenty of food.

You take what you need.

What are you, Kiowa?

Shoshone?

Don't be afraid.

I'm not one of the hunters.

I'm not after you.

♪

What do I gotta do to make you understand?

I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm not one of the hunters.

I'm trying to keep you from getting shot.

I think we both can use a drink of water, huh?

Man: Toby!

You like shooting up the scenery, Toby?

He's hiding down there somewhere, Mr. Gustaveson.

I've got both ends of this place covered.

No use wasting cartridges

until you get a clean sight on your target.

What do we do when it gets dark?

I think...

this will flush that animal out in the open.

What's the matter, none of you got a match?

Just never hunted anything with dynamite before.

I think it's only fitting and proper.

That powder belonged to my brother.

Now, space yourselves out, and one at a time, Toby.

There's 20 rifles on the opposite ridge.

All we have to do is keep him running.

First-class sportsmen, your friends.

Better get out of here.

You don't hear it, do you?

You don't hear anything.

Hah, come on.

What are you doing here, mister?

I'm trying to stay alive.

We're looking for an Indian. Have you seen him?

One Indian?

You sure you got enough equipment?

I asked you a simple question, son.

Well, I've been shot at and bombed,

and nobody's been civil enough to tell me why.

We're wasting our time here, Mr. Gustaveson.

Slow down, Toby, I'm sure this stranger

would cooperate if he understood.

We're hunting the Indian for a brutal, senseless murder.

Are you positive you got the right Indian?

Any mistake would be kind of permanent.

No mistake, son.

My brother identified the murderer

just before he died.

Most of the ranchers know what he looks like.

Been carrying off their sheep and chickens

for quite a while now.

Which one of you's the Sheriff?

We don't need the law to hunt a rabid animal.

But you do for a human being.

Human being?

Do you know how my brother was killed?

With an ax. His own ax.

You can see why I'm gonna have to insist

on an answer to my question.

He's only a boy.

Where is he?

Down below, hiding near the creek bed.

Maybe you'd better come along with us,

- show us the way. - No thanks.

There's a deer trail leading down to him.

Let's go.

♪

There's no reward, least not yet.

I'm not a bounty hunter, Sheriff.

Then why did you bring him in?

Now what chance would he have against 20 rifles?

Well, it might of been kinder.

Quick and clean is the best way with wild animals.

So he's deaf, there may be nothing wrong with his mind.

- You a doctor? - I work at Shiloh Ranch.

That's a long ways from Elgin.

I was up north scouting a trail

for a cattle drive later this month.

You got any more questions, Sheriff, I'll be at the hotel.

You may get a bed, and then again, you may not.

You know, Burt Gustaveson was about the most loved

and respected man in this piece of territory.

I met his friendly brother.

Then don't expect too much from this town, Tate.

All I expect is a fair trial for this boy.

I don't think anybody figured

that Indian was gonna live to trial.

Including you?

Burt was my best friend.

He is gonna get a fair trial, isn't he, Sheriff?

Room and board is all he gets from me, mister.

Trials are up to Judge Fitzroy.

Come on.

Move it.

Where can I find Judge Fitzroy?

During business hours,

the mercantile and dry goods store.

I can smell water 30 or 40 feet deep.

My willer stick points it right out.

It's a God-given gift. Look around you.

It's gonna be another dry year,

and you're worried about your cattle dying,

your forage drying up and blowing away.

Well, I'm willing to share my divine gift

with you forsaken people for a small price.

Hey, mister!

You've heard of water witchers, ain't ya?

People with the gift?

Wouldn't you like cool, fresh water on your property?

I can find freshets, deep wells, underground rivers.

If there's water anywhere, I'll find it

with just this simple willer stick.

When that turns over and points to the ground

with enough power to twist the bark in my hands,

I'll guarantee you there's water right there.

The way you described it, I think it would be beautiful.

Yes?

I'm looking for Judge Fitzroy.

Court business or dry goods?

It's court.

Excuse me.

Uh-huh?

- Are you Judge Fitzroy? - Yes.

Judge, under Wyoming law,

shouldn't capital offenses be tried by a circuit court?

Only if a local court waives jurisdiction,

unless of course a federal law is broken.

What if the charge is murder?

Well, murder only becomes a federal crime

if a federal officer is killed.

You got an Indian boy in your jail.

Will you waive jurisdiction on him?

Are you a lawyer, young fella?

No, sir, I'm not.

Then you must be the one who brought him in.

I just want to see that his legal rights are protected.

That animal will get everything that's coming to him.

How do you know he's guilty? Could've been self-defense.

I knew Burt Gustaveson.

He could've drew a gun on the boy.

My uncle never carried a gun in his life.

The day that he was killed, he was trying to deepen

an old dried-up stream-bed

so that the ranchers would have more water next year.

While the other ranchers were worried about a drought,

my uncle was doing something about it,

and not because anybody asked him to, either.

He just always was helping people

because that's the kind of man that he was!

Miss Gustaveson. Karen!

You just cost me a cash sale.

Well, now that's almost as important

as that Indian boy's life.

He'll get a just and fair hearing in my court.

Then you won't mind if it's a jury trial.

Not at all, no problem rounding up 12 local citizens.

Who's the best lawyer in town?

We've only got one, Alex Newell.

His office is right next to the hotel.

You don't really think he's innocent, do you?

I don't know.

Maybe nobody knows for sure except that boy.

Mr. Tate, you just admitted

the boy came at you with the same ax.

Out of panic.

He thought I wanted to kill him, too.

First you have to prove to the court

that the boy is capable of thinking.

Mr. Newell, Indians are wards of the federal government.

Doesn't that mean he has to be tried by a federal judge?

It only applies to Indians living on a reservation.

Indian Act section 38.

You seem to know a bit about law.

Not enough, Mr. Newell.

That's why I came to you. I want you to defend the boy.

Sorry, I can't do that.

Well, I suppose Mr. Gustaveson was your best friend, too.

No, but this town pays me a yearly fee

to prosecute all criminal cases.

It's my job to convict him.

Well, then where can I find a defense attorney?

Here's a list of all the attorneys

in this section of the territory.

The nearest one is three days ride from Elgin.

You may keep the list.

Thanks.

Thank you for telling me the boy had the ax.

I may call on you to testify.

District Court 7, Elgin Township is now in session.

Will the fellas I picked for jury duty move over here?

We are here to arraign and try one John Doe Indian.

Sheriff, bring in the prisoner.

Boyd, turn him around, have him face the court.

John Doe, you are accused of the willful murder

of Burtram Gustaveson

on or about the Saturday morning last.

How do you plead?

How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?

Judge, anybody can see the kid's a deaf mute.

He doesn't even know what you're doing to him.

Well, do you have any suggestions, Mr. Tate,

as to how the court can communicate

with that wild animal?

No, I don't, but I do know he has a legal right

to have somebody to speak for him.

Meaning yourself.

No, but I'm asking for a postponement

to find a defense attorney for the boy.

Mr. Tate, no attorney in his right mind

would ride all the way to Elgin to defend something like that.

All I'm asking is time to try.

I don't see that justice would be served

by dragging this thing out.

These people have businesses to run.

Maybe it's better he didn't hear that.

He'll never know his life wasn't worth this court's time.

And when you hang him, at least he'll die

thinking he's a human being.

Fitzroy, are you gonna let this stranger run your court?

Now, we pay you for justice, and in my brother's name,

I'm gonna see we have it.

Mr. Gustaveson, with all due respect

for the deep emotions aroused by this tragedy,

this is a court of law.

My rulings must be based only on legal statutes.

Judge Fitzroy, may I say something?

I don't see why not, Karen, everybody else is.

I don't think that the court has a choice.

The Sixth Amendment is one of those laws,

and I believe that it states that the accused

shall have the right of counsel for his defense.

The court is not denying him that right.

I'm willing to offer anyone in town

to represent this murderer.

Now if any citizen wants to step forward

and assume that responsibility, step forward.

All right, now let's get on with it.

Your Honor, the prosecution has to agree with Mr. Tate.

Mr. Newell, didn't you hear my ruling?

Then the prosecution makes a motion for postponement

so that it may better prepare its case.

Well, that's a different cut of cloth.

The court will grant a five-day postponement

on one condition, Mr. Tate,

that if you fail to find an attorney,

you agree to represent the defendant.

I'm not qualified.

Well, you haven't done too badly so far. Agreed?

I agree.

Court is adjourned till Monday morning, 9:00

That shirt's a little big on him.

I'm afraid he won't have it long.

You take care of him, hear?

I will.

Miss Gustaveson.

Any luck?

No.

Looks like the judge was right.

No one was willing to even take the ride out here

for what I could pay.

Well, the judge isn't always right, you know.

Take a look at these.

Looks like the boy won't have anybody.

No one 'cept you.

Seems you're the only one left.

How can I help?

I don't even know his name, where he comes from, anything.

Well, you might ride out to Shoshone reservation

and talk to chief Totanka.

He might be able to tell you something.

I'll give it a try in the morning.

Nice beef you got there.

We are learning.

Someday, my people must live by the new ways.

Are you chief Totanka?

I am called Spotted Hand.

Maybe you can tell me if the Shoshone

have had a runaway, a boy about 16?

Many have left the reservation.

Well, this one can't talk.

He is no longer of this tribe.

Well, he needs help.

I thought the Shoshone

always took care of their helpless ones.

The Shoshone do not see crazy

and hide them away from the family.

It is our law not to punish them

but to keep them from the cold and hunger,

for they are children touched by the great Spirit.

Is the white man's law better?

Well, I hope we're learning, too.

Can you tell me when the boy ran away?

He did not run from here.

It was the will of our tribal council.

Then he was sent away from the reservation?

He would strike the other children.

When he grew tall and strong, no one was safe from his anger.

Many were hurt. It was forbidden to bind him.

Yet the tribal council is the protector of our people.

When he was among us for 15 summers,

they took him far away to the high rocks

and gave him three days food.

He was left there to die?

High above the tall trees and in the face of the Spirit

because he could not call out and ask to be taken.

Well, he's still one of your people.

He needs your protection.

To the Shoshone, he no longer exists.

Not even chief Totanka

could the change the will of our council.

Can you at least tell me the boy's name?

Know the white man's name for your boy?

They call him the animal.

I want to see the boy.

No visitors.

I'm not a visitor.

You're looking at the defense counsel.

I'd like to conference with my client.

Well, if we're going by the rules,

then you have to put your gun belt on my desk.

Wait here, I'll put the cuffs on.

What're you doing? Let him alone.

Listen, you may be able to tell Fitzroy

how to run his court.

Nobody tells me how to run my jail.

Look at him, he thinks you're gonna hurt him.

All right, counselor, you can have your conference.

Inside.

All right, nobody's gonna hurt you.

I brought you something.

It may be stale, but it's all they had.

Go on.

I gotta make you understand. I want to help you.

But now you gotta help me.

There was an ax.

An ax?

An ax.

Uh... chop wood.

Wood.

Sheriff, can I have some paper and a pencil?

Uh, what for?

I'm trying to get through to him somehow.

Maybe if I draw him some pictures, he'll understand.

Thanks, Sheriff.

Ax.

You again. Don't you ever give up?

What are you doing with him?

I want him to examine the boy.

I'm not gonna do no such thing, not that killer.

Now do I have to get a court order?

You might as well do what he says, Doc.

Or else none of us gonna get any peace around here.

Well, I'll look in if you can get his jaws apart.

Well. Nice set of teeth.

There.

Vocal cords are unremarkable.

No, there's no obvious reason

why the boy can't talk if he has a mind to.

How can we check his hearing?

Well, I'm gonna get around to that right now

with this tuning fork.

You see any reaction in his eyes?

No.

Well, now, I'll...

put this right up against

the mastoid bone behind his ear.

Maybe he'll hear some of the vibration.

You know, sound is vibration in air.

You know that, don't you?

That bone will carry the sound right to the inner ear.

Put that right there.

You didn't strike it that time.

Well, no, you have to get him used to the feel of it first.

Come on now.

Otherwise, we couldn't judge

his reaction to the... To the sound.

It's all right now.

It's all right. It's all right.

What do you think?

Well, it just might be that there's nothing wrong

with the boy's mind or his... his voice.

Could be that having never heard a human voice

makes it right difficult to learn to talk.

How can we tell for sure?

We can't.

Doctor, I have heard that some deaf people

have been taught to speak.

Well, Mr. Tate, that'd take quite some time,

and this... this boy's got a very short life expectancy.

I do seem to remember that the local schoolteacher

did work with some deaf children

when she was a student at some fancy Eastern college.

You might give that a try.

Thanks, Doctor.

Boyd?!

Come get me out of here!

Can I speak with you, ma'am?

I know how you must feel about me, Miss Gustaveson,

but I need your help.

Well, if it's about that Indian boy,

I can't help you.

Then why did you speak up for him in court?

It's one thing, Mr. Tate, to expect a fair trial.

That's common decency.

But it's quite another to actually help the man

who killed my own uncle escape justice.

What kind of justice would it be

to convict that boy without hearing his side?

You said that he can't talk.

Well, that doesn't mean we can ignore his side of it.

Is he to be guilty because he's deaf

or because his defense counsel is too ignorant to help?

I thought he was rather ably represented

at the arraignment, Mr. Tate.

Well, it was you that quoted book and verse

of the law to that judge.

It was you that got him that postponement.

Well...

a teacher can't help remembering things.

Did you attend law school?

I got my schooling in territorial prison.

I liked to have read the print right off those law books.

But it didn't get my sentence reduced one day.

Is that why you've taken such an interest in the boy?

I know what it's like

having everyone think you're a crazy killer,

to feel ignorant and alone and facing a know-it-all judge

not knowing what to do or to say,

just standing there being frightened.

But at least I could talk back,

even if nobody believed me.

Were you guilty?

Yes, I was.

Not in the way they said, but all the same, I was.

You're asking me to go against my own family.

All I'm asking you to do is help a boy who may be innocent,

help a boy who maybe shouldn't have to go to prison.

You don't know what it's like. You have to be there.

It's bad enough for any normal man,

but for him, a boy who can't even hear or talk...

They call him an animal now.

In prison, he'll be an animal

locked up in a cage for the rest of his life.

Help me find a way to reach his mind,

teach him a word.

All I want you to do is get that boy to stand up in court

and tell them one way or another.

Let him stand up like a thinking being.

Let them stand up and defend himself,

even with a nod of his head.

Let him be a man...

instead of...

instead of what they call him.

I wish my class had heard that.

Counselor...

Would you accept a junior member into your firm?

Why don't you just take up residence here?

Time was when shaving was a private ritual.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Newell left some books for you.

And Doc Housman said you wanted this.

Well, thanks.

You're welcome.

Music?

It's an idea I got from Dr. Housman.

He can hear this, in a way, through the bones in his head.

Come on, son.

The way you can train a wild colt

is you gotta get his attention.

What if one touch meant "yes"?

- And two meant "no." - He might respond to sound.

Smile, nod your head yes. Let him know yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Again.

Yes, yes. Please, yes, yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

No.

No. No.

No.

No... no.

How's he doing?

I don't know, sometimes I feel like he...

Just keep trying.

No. No.

No.

No.

No.

No.

Tate, I think he's doing something.

Try yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Tate, he's doing it, he's doing it!

Good boy, good boy.

We got to give him a name.

Adam.

Why that one?

It's from Milton.

"And the angel ended, and in Adam's ear

so charmingly left his voice that he awhile

thought him still speaking, still stood fix'd to hear."

All right. Adam.

Good.

Tate.

I think he wants the tuning fork.

I wouldn't lie to you

about a thing like that, Mr. Gustaveson.

They went in there together, huh?

Far as I know, they're still in the jailhouse.

- Was Boyd there? - In and out.

Looks like he just seemed to give them the run of the place.

My brother isn't even cold in his grave,

and already Tate has half this town weeping

for that... That murdering animal.

- We could burn it down. - Burn what down?

- The jailhouse. - Oh, forget it, Dolby.

That $20-a-month Sheriff is liable to take it personally,

drop a load of 12 gauge in your vest.

We got three of your hands on the jury.

That's not enough for a hanging verdict.

Could whittle the odds down some.

The odds. 12 to 0 would suit me better.

Dolby...

you tell all those jurors

that if anyone votes not guilty on Monday,

they may never see Tuesday, not in Elgin.

What's that?

Well, I wanna try and show him some more pictures.

Maybe this time, he'll understand.

Is that supposed to be Adam leaving the reservation?

I get paid for punching cows, not art drawing.

You're full of surprises, Tate.

In fact...

I think you're dangerous.

To who?

To me.

You had so much faith in Adam.

And you cared enough about him to take on the whole town.

A woman doesn't expect to find that in a man.

She hopes, but...

You know I spent 10 years behind bars.

Maybe you ought to know why.

Tate, credit me with a little faith, too.

I've watched you, and that's all I need to know.

Well, I brought you some more drawing paper, Tate.

Ah, thanks.

Let's give it a try.

You.

Adam.

You.

You. Adam.

Right.

He understands.

Maybe.

Let's try another one.

You.

Adam.

They left you on a mountaintop.

♪

Tate, why would they do that to him?

Adam fought the other Shoshone children.

They probably laughed at him,

and that's the only way he could talk back.

You, Adam.

Did you hit the man with the ax?

He... he doesn't understand. He doesn't.

Yes, he does, Karen.

Ask him again.

Adam, did...

Did you kill the man with the ax?

Tate, I'm sorry.

I know how much you wanted to help him.

I wanted to help him, too.

We still don't know if it was murder.

Adam could've acted in self-defense.

Tate, don't you ever give up?

Well, they could've had a misunderstanding or a quarrel.

My uncle wouldn't fight with a deaf boy.

No, Tate, I'm sorry, he's guilty.

He admitted it.

All right, say it was true murder,

but isn't that boy still entitled to a defense?

Yes, he is, but not from me.

I lived up to my part of the bargain,

but I can't be expected to defend the man

- who killed my own uncle! - All right, all right.

What was that little quote of yours?

The accused shall have the right to counsel for his defense?

Does that say he has to be proven innocent first?

No, it doesn't, and I may be wrong, too,

because I loved my uncle,

and I know the kind of man he was.

If family loyalty is prejudice to you, Tate,

then I'm prejudiced, and I'm proud of it.

Looks like you been locked out, Tate.

Anyhow, there's no reason for a big trial now.

Is there?

Boyd Dewey told his wife what happened last night.

And she went out and told the whole town.

You know, about that animal admitting his guilt.

Guess you'll be leaving Elgin now.

Don't bet on it.

Saddle up, Tate. You're riding out.

Ain't gonna be no fancy trial.

I promise you the biggest, fanciest trial

this little old town of Elgin's ever seen.

Newell?

Good evening, Mr. Gustaveson

What's going on over at the jail?

I saw you talking to my daughter.

Oh, Karen wanted to borrow some of my books.

Uncommonly generous, Mr. Prosecutor.

Only a professional courtesy.

No doubt.

Professionally speaking, Alex,

that animal got any real chance of getting off?

If Tate pleads not guilty by reason of insanity,

I'm not sure.

We all know that's a crazy Indian in there.

That's what I mean.

Tate! Where have you been?

I've been looking every place. What happened to your face?

Just some small-town hospitality.

I see you picked up a souvenir.

You want to press charges?

Uh-huh, against the whole town.

New rules, Tate.

You have do your conferring outside the cell,

but he stays inside.

Why?

It's not safe. You proved he's a killer.

Dolby, were gonna save the taxpayers

an expensive trial.

The Sheriff, he's gonna be busy tonight.

I predict a fistfight is gonna break out in the saloon.

There's going to be some shooting, too,

that'll be heard from one end of this town to the other.

No gun-play at the jail.

But you know what happens when you open an animal's cage?

He runs, Dolby.

Take it easy, boy, I ain't gonna hurt you.

Two choices, Tate.

A quick answer or a short prayer.

Where's the Indian?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Now you're down to one.

Tate. Tate, Adam's gone! The door was...

First-rate timing, Miss Gustaveson.

Sheriff, you've gotta believe us, there isn't time.

I admire your style and all,

but I think you'd better go home to your pa.

That mob out there isn't gonna believe Tate either!

Move. Move.

He's mine.

But I'll need a posse to track that Indian.

Just all volunteer.

I want you to get your horses and your supplies

and meet me at the jail in five minutes ready to ride.

Listen, the longer we stand here jawing,

the bigger head start he's gonna get, let's go.

Toby, maybe that animal got through here.

Just keep watching.

We got every road and trail covered.

Yeah.

Well, maybe he ain't coming through here at all.

Shut up, will you?

He'll never come this way if he hears you jawing.

He can't.

He's a stone deaf, remember?

Well, shut up anyway!

See anything?

Whoever he is, he's riding Indian style.

Toby?

Toby, where are ya?

Answer me! He can't hear us!

Toby?

Toby!

Well, Boyd, I think you can figure this out for yourself.

Well, looks like I'll have to get myself a bigger jail.

- The tuning fork. - Give it to him.

No, Adam, tell us about the murder.

Tell us about the ax.

Sheriff, I thought you promised me some privacy with my client.

Just so long as you follow the rules, counselor.

Adam, tell us. About the ax.

I think it's working.

He knows what we want him to tell us.

He's struggling with the ax, I think.

Good boy, Adam, running. Good.

Why does he keep repeating that?

Adam, no, the ax. Tell us about the...

Adam, the man with the ax.

Adam, Adam, the ax. Tell us about the ax.

Why does he keep repeating that?

Maybe it's something that happened on the reservation.

His mind works,

but we're just asking too much of him.

Adam knows exactly what he's trying to tell us.

He's holding something.

Two sticks?

A forked stick?

A willow stick. The water witcher.

Adam's been trying to tell us the water witcher saw it.

A witness, Karen, a witness!

But that old man's gone. He could be anywhere.

He's up in the hills. I saw him with his mule.

I'm going after him and bring him back.

Wait, Tate, what about the trial?

If I'm not back in time, you start.

You'll be his attorney.

Use all your quotations, anything, stall!

♪

Fair warning wasn't good enough for you, huh?

Tinker, I wanna talk to you!

Mite late for that, but don't take it personal.

You saw a murder two weeks ago,

an Indian boy and an old man!

Tinker, I want you to come back to Elgin,

tell the court what you saw.

There's a boy being tried for murder.

I didn't see a murder. It was only a fight!

Tinker, come back and tell the judge what you saw.

You go away and leave me alone, or I'm gonna bury you, mister!

Tinker...

if you don't come back...

I'm gonna have to shoot your mule.

You wouldn't do a thing like that now, would you,

to an old man?

That mule's all I got.

If I'd had me a repeater,

you'd have been noticeably heavier by now.

Ah, Tinker, get your mule, let's go.

Karen: And so the territory of Wyoming

was the first political unit to give women the vote.

Your Honor, this is a courtroom, not a schoolhouse.

Can't we do without her speech-making?

Your honor, I am only trying to show that with the vote

came other duties and responsibilities

for women and that therefore, as a woman,

there should be no discrimination against my acting

as substitute counsel for this boy

in the absence of Mr. Tate.

Miss Gustaveson...

I believe the court conceded that point to you

15 minutes ago.

Now... may we proceed?

In that case,

I would like to ask for a postponement.

Your Honor.

Fitzroy, can't you see she's stalling?

Quiet, order!

We shall have order in this court.

If you can't run this court, we'll get someone who can.

Mr. Gustaveson, please.

Your Honor, as substitute counsel,

I haven't had time to prepare my case.

- Surely the court would... - Please, Miss Gustaveson.

This court will not allow any more delays.

Now if you wish to remain counsel for this boy,

you will proceed with the defense.

Is that clear?

Yes.

All right.

Now how does the defendant plead?

Tate: Not guilty.

That man Gustaveson was fixing to blow up

an old stream-bed with blasting powder.

Well, he lights the fuse and runs back

when along comes this rag-tail Indian.

Well, Gustaveson shouts and shouts.

The boy was almost standing on the blasting powder.

Well, Gustaveson runs back

with the ax up in the air like he's gonna cut the fuse.

The Indian must have thought he was coming after him

'cause he grabbed the ax and hassled him fer it.

I guess they must have kicked the fuse out in the fight,

'cause the explosion never did go off,

but the ax fell and hit Gustaveson

on the side of the head.

Well, I could see Gustaveson was hurt,

but he got up and staggered away.

The boy sees me, he takes the ax

and lights out for the hills.

Tinker, why didn't you come into town and tell the Sheriff?

They was both up walking around last time I saw them.

I didn't know it was murder. All I saw was a fight.

And Burt Gustaveson tried to save the boy's life.

Only Adam didn't know it at the time.

Judge, this wasn't murder.

It was a hard, cruel accident.

The defense asks that the charges be dropped.

Alex, what do you say?

Prosecution concurs.

It's been a long time since I've had to apologize for anything.

I'm not sure I still know how to do it.

I know you won't forget what I tried to do to that boy.

But I want you to know...

I was wrong.

Anyway...

I'd like to thank you for what you did...

for stopping me.

How long will you be gone?

A month or so, long enough to get Adam started.

Will they really be able to teach him to talk?

I've seen them work miracles at the University.

Philadelphia's such a long way from home.

I suppose that when I get back, you'll be at Shiloh.

Yeah, I suppose.

My father put up most of the money

for Adam's schooling.

It was sort of his way of saying that he was sorry to the boy,

and I wish that one day,

you'd drop in and say thank you.

We have pretty good cattle around here when it rains.

Might even interest Shiloh.

I'll speak to the Colonel about it.

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