Original subtitles

Yeah.

That's my mark.

Yo,

man. This

Jericho,

he something special to you? Who? The man who wrote these words.

Oh, he was my teacher.

I boarded with him, and Sally couldn't take care of me.

Only the brave know how to forgive.

Carwood never forgave. It is not in his nature.

Sounds like a special man. I'd like to meet him someday.

Yeah, well, I ain't too sure he'd be too tickled meeting you.

What's wrong with me?

Nothing, if he ain't on the receiving end of that .44 of yours.

Jericho Taylor didn't hold much for those that lived by the sword.

Must be God-fearing.

And you got a pill.

Rider coming!

Hold on! Hold on there!

What's wrong?

I don't want you making this run.

Why not?

I just heard things are heating up around Fort Sumter. Well, last I heard,

Sumter was in South Carolina, Teaspoon. That's 2,000 miles away.

If this firecracker blows, it's gonna be like it was next door.

From now on, I don't want you crossing the Missouri line.

Why?

You know why.

Missouri's a slave state.

I was just there last month, Teaspoon. Last month was years ago.

War's coming on faster than an angry bull.

I don't want it to plow you under.

Jimmy, you're up.

Either you let me carry my weight around here like everybody else, or I'm moving

on. Son, under these conditions, you ain't like everybody else.

Thanks for reminding me.

I guess I was wrong about you. Oh, wait a minute. I'll go with no one. That way,

if anything happens, I can cover. I don't need no ten-cent hero to back me

up.

How about a two-by-four upside the head, knock some sense into that skull of

yours?

What are you so riled up about anyway? It's only a ride. If I have to explain

it, you wouldn't understand.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no

evil, for thou art with me.

Thy rod, thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my name.

Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup wonderful.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Amen. Amen.

Goodness and mercy.

The right and left hand of God.

Yes, yes. Those two virtues we are especially in need of today.

as we reach out to help these brave souls behind me. Brothers and sisters

who have thrown off their chains and crossed over the River Jordan, who will

be first to offer them shelter?

Remember, blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Someone, please.

Robert?

Thomas, not me.

I don't know those people matter.

They ain't no blood of mine. We're all God's children. Then let God take care

of them.

I ain't risking all that I got on strangers.

Not again.

Would you risk your soul?

For my wife and kids?

Yeah. I'd risk my soul.

All I'm asking is for a night or two at the most. A few hours is all it took to

do the walkers in. You forget that?

Strung them up.

Strung them up for hiding runaways.

Right in front of their kids.

And he's right.

Why should we go on risking our lives for any more outsiders?

Because it's the right thing to do. Right's got nothing to do with it.

We got our own to protect.

It's time we stop acting like runaways and start thinking like the free men we

is. Free.

What makes you think you're free? I've been free more than 20 years. You know

it, Jericho.

Free from harm's way is not the same thing as being free. Can't you see that?

This ain't school, Mr. Taylor.

Why don't you just say that, teach and talk for the children, and let us take

care of what's got to be done?

I don't believe what I'm hearing.

Have you all forgotten what it feels like?

Thomas, don't you remember what it felt like seeing your mother dragged off?

Robert, what about your sisters and brothers?

I ain't never seen my sisters or brothers.

Exactly.

Don't you understand that none of us can be free, none of us, until we're all

free.

You want to protect your children?

Then make this a world where they won't fear their mothers being dragged off and

sold. You want to give your children something to remember you by, then give

them a family tree with all of their roots intact.

Take these people in tonight.

Not to protect them just for today, but to protect ourselves against tomorrow.

Helping these runaways is not... just the right thing to do it's the wisest

thing to do there is no greater wisdom than

kindness if there's one thing i've learned over the 30 years

of teaching you and your children that you are a kind and giving

parish

Don't fail me now.

He's Jericho Taylor, the schoolmaster.

Your teacher's right.

You all listen up and do as you're told. Ain't nobody gonna get hurt.

We're just here to get our property. That's all. This is the church, not the

general store. You got no property here.

That there is my mark.

It's my property.

You just gonna stand there and do nothing? He's doing his job.

He's upholding the law.

I said chain him up, get him out of here.

No man would change about the ankle of his fellow man without a last.

Finding the other hand fastened about his own neck.

Boy, you an uppity nigga, ain't you?

Take this and this.

Now, just a minute, Barnes.

The law says... The law says I got a right to what's mine and to hang anybody

who tries to take it away from me.

It's just real lucky for Mr. Taylor here. I ain't in a hanging mood today.

Y'all better take this and... That one right there!

Mr. Offity!

Crazy sneaking up on me like that?

I'd have killed you, for God's sake. Not likely.

Unless I'd have keeled over from laughing.

Very funny.

What are you doing out here, anyway?

Didn't Teaspoon tell you to stay clear of these parts?

I don't work for the Pony Express no more.

Ah, sure you do.

No, I don't. Didn't you hear me quit?

I did.

About as well as the time you heard me quit.

Yeah.

Sorry about that 10-cent hero business.

It's all right.

Boy, it's kind of funny, though.

I guess I'll have to apologize to Teaspoon when I get back, huh?

Yeah, eating some crow wouldn't hurt either.

Mind if I ride with your ways?

What the hell's so important in Missouri that you risk your life going there?

Who said anything about Missouri?

I'm headed to a little town across the border.

Markham Parish, Kansas.

Kansas? Yeah.

It's Kansas. It's got to do with Missouri.

Well, last I heard, it was on the way, lest they moved it.

That's where I saw my daddy's silver saddle before I met you.

The storekeeper said he'd hold it for me till I got back.

Figured I'd stop there on my way to Saddle Falls.

All this fuss over a saddle?

Huh?

My daddy's saddle.

You know, I bet you might have had the right idea with that 2x4.

Sir, what can I get for you?

You can get a bowl of chili and a bottle of... A bottle of sarsaparilla.

Nice to be remembered.

You're hard to forget. Last time you were here, you shot the place up. You

and that Negro friend of yours.

You gonna sign up for the big game?

What game is that?

Poker. Week from today.

Oh, sorry. I'm just stopped long enough for lunch.

Oh, that's a shame.

I figured a young fella like you could use a silver saddle like that.

You know, the man running the game said that saddle used to belong to a Negro.

Can you believe that? A Negro?

You said you would hold it for me until I came back. I said I'd give you 30

days.

So? Time was up last week.

Look, Noah, you ain't been around lately.

Things have got a lot worse since Kansas went free.

You got any idea just how much money I lost just because I'm still doing

business with the Cullards?

Who'd you sell it to?

Didn't give a name.

Did they say where they were headed?

You should have got here on time, Noah.

You should have known I'd be back.

If I were you, I'd be more upset about what they'd done to your teacher friend.

You don't know?

Rider coming in.

Looks like Jimmy.

Maybe somebody's on his tail or he's just happy to see us.

Get your horse, Jimmy.

Where's Noah? I haven't seen him since he lit out of here all riled up.

I still don't understand what's so important about that saddle.

Life's full of changes, Lou.

Sometimes you need something to hold on to to help you remember where you came

from.

Like my mama's wedding ring.

I've been down a lot in my life, but never so low that I'd part with it.

Jimmy, you say you saw it in Saddle Falls?

Yeah. Why?

Just curious.

back like to kansas you can't just sit here waiting for him might be in trouble

big states um when you know where to look

i'm going to now

how did i know you was gonna say that

louise you got a moment

sure you been to Saddle Falls?

What?

Keep your voice down.

I was just wondering if you wanted to come with me is all.

To Saddle Falls?

Yeah. I never could pass up a good card game.

Rachel!

Looking for something?

Thomas?

Something wrong, Jimmy?

It's Kansas.

I thought you grew up here.

I did.

Now,

you said the tournament's over?

Oh, yes, ma'am. Well, can you tell me who won?

That man right over there.

Mr. Higgins.

Rachel?

It's been a long time, Jamie.

Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Rachel Flynn.

It's Dunn.

It's Rachel Dunn.

Rachel Dunn.

Quite possibly the best lady card player west of the Mississippi.

Certainly the best looking.

Gentlemen. The last I saw you, you just about cleaned out the house in Fort

Sutter. Must have been the spring of 56.

San Francisco, winner of 57.

I hear congratulations are in order. You won a silver saddle.

Well, it wasn't much of a challenge, really.

Matter of fact, we've got a better game going now. Excuse me, Mr. Higgins.

The game?

Yes, yes, of course. Thank you, Andrew.

My man, Andrew, he's a bit of a mother hen at times, but he does bring me luck.

So I see.

Well, I'll let you get back to your game. Perhaps you'd care to join us.

Maybe later.

I think I'll freshen up a bit first.

Gentlemen.

If you'll excuse me.

You hear that, fella?

There is something wrong here.

What?

There are two kinds of men who make their living with a deck of cards. The

talkers and the players.

So? So I know J.D. Higgins.

And if there's one thing he's not, it's a player.

Maybe he learned.

Maybe someday I'll stand at the trough with the rest of the boys.

Come on, let's get a room here.

We may be staying a while.

Yeah, I'll see you, man.

How's that?

Seven?

A court has to draw a crowd like this, runaway slave trial.

At least they're getting a trial.

My father belonged to the indigenous committee.

Got himself killed for the trouble.

You see all the good that it did?

He must have believed in what he was doing.

It seems like people ought to take care of their own before they try to go about

saving the world.

You better make some time. I got a feeling Noah's gonna be needing all the

help he can get.

What are you doing here? I'm coming to get you out. Can you travel?

Yeah.

Okay.

Come on, let's go.

What about the others?

Mr. Taylor, we all try to get out of here and ain't nobody gonna make it.

Sorry.

Hey, what's going on in there?

Come on, let's go.

Shoot him, damn it! Shoot him!

Behold, a vision approaches.

J.D., gentlemen, mind if I sit in?

Rachel. For you to grace our humble game with your beauty would truly be an

honor. If my colleagues are agreed.

Andrew, pull up a chair for the lady. Yes, sir.

Decided to be for the slaughterhouse.

Noah, about what happened last night.

Couldn't help myself.

I know.

One murder makes a villain.

And millions a hero.

Always the teacher.

Big day for reunions, huh?

I can't think of a thing that tingles my spine more than seeing a free Negro back

in the chain.

Except swinging from a rope.

Lordy, no.

Ain't no profit in that.

It's a load off my mind, Barnes. Massive bombs, boy!

You ain't in Sweetwater no more.

Don't look like Kansas, neither.

That's right.

Life's different down here.

We respect the natural order of things.

I mean... I'm a master.

You're a slave.

Get it?

That mean I got a choice?

Yeah, you always got a choice, boy.

Lord knows I'd hate to suffer the financial loss, but if need be... I'll

kill you.

So do us both a favor. Learn your place.

Before my buyers get here.

If I didn't know you better, I'd swear you were drawing for an inside straight.

It's gonna cost you to find out.

I'll take that chance.

See what you got.

Not so fast.

I got one over here, my future fancy.

All right, now shut up, you two. Now, something's a bump.

Now, listen here.

He's older, but he's well-bred.

He's a teacher back in Kansas.

I don't know.

In my experience, when them kind get book-learning, all sorts of hell breaks

out. Oh, he's got good manners, too.

He knows how to set a table.

I suppose we could use another house, boy.

There we are.

Take off your shirt and let's have a look.

Don't do it. I thought I told you to mind your manners.

Now, you do as the gentleman says.

Don't do it!

Listen, here's still a little bit uppity, but he'll learn.

You take off the shirt.

It ain't my day.

If you run short, I'd be happy to extend you a loan.

And in return?

A night of your pleasures.

You can't afford it. Deal.

Smoking's a nasty habit, J.D. You really ought to give it up. No, I just need

some water. Andrew, would you get some for me, please?

Excuse me, Mr. Higgins.

Water, Andrew.

Now.

My good luck charm.

Sometimes he sticks a little too close.

May I please have a glass of water?

Can't you see I got my hands full, boy?

Educating niggers as to the importance of discipline is... Oh, it's, uh...

Well, it's tiresome work.

Now, since your problem seems to be an excess of pride, I will spare you the

indignity of punishment.

I'm gonna let your friend here have it instead.

You leave him alone.

You wanna hurt somebody, you hurt me.

You'd like that, wouldn't you?

But it don't work that way.

The way I figure it...

I'll whoop you.

I'll make you stronger.

I'll whoop him.

I'll make you think.

Get on him.

That's enough.

From here on in, every time you step out of line, some other darky's gonna take a

beating.

And you'll do the choosing.

Looks like it's just you and me.

Oh, my heart may be heavy.

Lamb's got no wool.

My pot may be empty.

But the old house is full of deuces and fives.

Mr. Higgins, that gentleman you were waiting on, he has arrived.

He's waiting in your room, sir.

Rachel?

Gentlemen, if you would excuse me.

This shouldn't take long.

Don't you ever pull a stunt like that on me again.

But I was on a roll. The only roll you've ever been on is in the gutter,

where I found you.

I'm sorry, I just... I know what you were thinking, and I know what you were

thinking with.

Save it for the whores.

Clean yourself up.

We've got a job to do.

We're gonna need some help, kid.

Let's go.

Hello, Celinda.

It's been a long time.

What are you doing here?

I got to talk to the vigilance committee. It's very important.

Please, I know I got no right showing up, but I got a friend who's in trouble,

and you're the only one who can help.

Who is it, Celinda?

Wow.

It isn't Wild Bill Hickok.

Haven't you caused this family enough pain?

Six years.

Not a word.

You didn't even show at your pa's funeral.

I couldn't, Nathan.

Why not?

Please, just let me come in.

My friend Noah, he's an Negro.

The slave traders just got him across state lines.

I'll kill him if I don't get him out.

Please.

In fact, the only reason that you're here right now is because your friend,

one man, fell into the clutches of slavery.

What?

What Brother Atkins is saying is, while the committee feels for what happened to

your friend, Barnes runs a legal slave operation in a slave state.

Not to mention the fact that his compound is heavily guarded.

Does that mean you're not going to help me? Our work here is too important. We

can't afford the risk of such visible action. I'm sorry.

I don't understand you people.

You stand up and you wave signs at the slave owner who crosses state lines to

bring back a fugitive, but you won't cross the line to bring out a free man?

You don't either.

Pathetic.

You're on the wrong side, boy.

How many times I got to tell you, you always serve from the right, the right,

the right.

The man here says he's looking for a job.

You look familiar. I ever seen you before?

Not that I recall.

Well, what makes you think you got the talent for this kind of work?

Talent? Mm-hmm.

Well, it's been my experience, and...

dealing with his kind, that all you need is a strong arm and a good whip.

Now, here's the whip.

Let's see that arm of yours.

What the hell are you doing here? Trying to figure a way of getting you out of

here. Get on with it. I ain't got all day.

Go on, do it.

I can't.

If you don't, you'll die for nothing.

Why are you dirty? I'll teach you to talk back to me.

Spit my face.

How much you think we get for dead niggers around here, huh?

Get him out of here.

Sorry. I guess I got carried away.

I still have the job.

After breakfast, we'll be working on the river.

Pays $2 a day.

Well, I'll just see you're 50 and raise you 100.

Mr. Higgins, I do believe that's more than I've got on hand.

Would you take a note?

I've already told you what I'd take.

Oh, yes.

A night of passionate abandon. How could I forget?

And what in exchange?

$100. Excuse me, Mr. Higgins.

Andrew, please.

J.D., you insult me. You really do.

Surely I'm worth more than $100.

Sir. Later, Andrew?

What did you have in mind?

Oh, I don't know.

I have always wanted a silver saddle.

That's worth far more than a hundred dollars.

All right, two nights then.

And this, to remember them by.

One hand, winner takes all.

You in?

I'll take two cards.

Excuse me.

Excuse me. Miss Rachel, you're hungry.

Oh! Oh!

ruined your suit it's all right oh i'm so sorry i feel i feel terrible about

this here let me it's all right no really i insist sir why don't you let

the boy help you andrew i'll be fine i'll be right back

Hello, Jimmy.

Nathan.

You mind if we ride along?

Not at all. Appreciate the company.

Mind if I ask what changed your mind?

Between you and me?

Mm-hmm.

Your sister.

Celinda? Yeah.

After you left the meeting, she busted in on us and said if your pa was still

alive that Barnes wouldn't even be in business.

She said we should all be ashamed of ourselves.

Women.

You clumsy!

Maybe he needs another beep.

I'll take care of this.

Go on.

Get up!

How you holding up?

Give me the gun. No.

Jimmy, I'll be back soon.

I ain't waiting any longer, kid. Give me the gun. No!

Now, let's get the other guard over here.

No, no, you don't look like you're feeling too well.

my friend barson's men will be here in a minute we got to get a move on go on

right

You cost me plenty, boy.

Should have killed you that first day.

Never did say proper goodbye.

Never understood what was so important that you had to die for it.

I guess I do now.

I just wanted you to know I'm sorry I held it against you.

Know that sky anywhere?

Kansas.

Kansas.

Sorry I let you down.

Barnes.

I read somewhere once that there are only three men worthy of respect.

The teacher, the soldier, and the poet.

To know, to kill, or to create.

I got a feeling that in times like these, we're gonna need as many teachers

as we can get.

It's gonna feel good to get off this horse.

I can still walk.

Feel better to have a nice hot bath.

Some of Rachel's stew.

Stew. Remember, you gotta eat some crow first.

Where is everybody?

Anybody here?

Probably went to town.

Hello, Jimmy?

Noah? Lou.

Hello, kid.

Not now. Everyone's watching.

Huh?

What's going on, Lou?

Nothing.

Just that.

You know, Rachel, I've been meaning to ask you, if them fellas were such good

cheats, how do you, uh... What?

Oh.

Dumb luck, I guess.