Original subtitles

1840. America's lifeline is the sea.

Railroads are almost unknown.

Only the great sailing ships

linked the busy states of new england...

With the rich Mississippi valley.

The sea, and the sea alone,

makes America one nation.

But along this Lane of commerce,

lie the shark-like teeth of the Florida keys,

where savage hurricanes come screaming out of the Caribbean,

to drive tall ships under the destroying shoals.

Here, storm-riding men in frail schooners,

the salvage masters of key west,

stand guard beside America's lifeline.

They reap the harvest of the wild wind,

fighting the hurricanes to save lives

and cargo from the wrecked vessels.

But tales of great salvage profits

have drawn reckless men to this dangerous harvest,

spawn of the seven seas.

So, among Florida's heroic salvage masters,

appear lawless captains,

who plot to destroy for their own profit...

The great ships they are pledged to save.

America's very future on the sea is being fought for

beside the roaring reefs of key west.

You men! Lash captain Stuart to the mizzen fife rail!

Breakers off the starboard bow!

Lay forward and rig a preventer stay.

I'll take the wheel.

Get goin'! Go on!

Breakers dead ahead!

I ain't through. I'm gonna take out another ship.

Why, you're still a young man.

Hark! Hark, ye!

- Who's hollering? - I don't know.

Quiet. It sounds to me like...

- Wreck ashore! - Wreck ashore, men!

Sam! Loose your forestay'l and your mains'l and stand by, Sam!

You better move fast, cap'n Phil,

or cutler'll beat us out of our share again.

I'll be there. You single up.

You get the boss. We'll be ready.

Anyone know where they took the bottom?

She won't live long in that seal

claiborne men, 'board!

- What vessel struck? - Don't know.

She'll soon be breakin' up.

- What reef? - Claiborne men, look alive!

Be careful, pa.

And bring me back a nice piece of black silk...

For a Sunday dress.

Ahoy, loxi!

Loxi!

Loxi claiborne, you come right down from that widow's walk.

You'll blow away up there, cousin loxi.

Can you sight her, loxi?

She's on sambo key, driven hard!

What ship?

Looks like the jubilee of the devereaux line.

She's breakin' up fast, too.

Jubilee! Why her cargo's dead rich!

Come on, gal!

- I'm worried about the crew. - Crew?

Consarn it! Ain't no money salvaging the crew!

Loxi, you're not going out to that rig!

Mercy! Stay covered.

Bring along my petty skirt, drusilla honey.

- Loxi, once and for all... - I'm not goin' anyplace hardly.

Maum Maria, help me rig for wreckin'.

Now, miss loxi, you know what way

yo' mama think about you goin' out to them wrecks!

Tryin' to make a lady outta her

is keepin' me wore to a shadow.

- Gimme my sea boots. - Yo' mama say...

Loxi, I forbid you!

The cutlers won't pick the bones

of this wreck if I can help it.

- How you gonna stop 'em? - We'll be broke if I don't.

What's drusilla going to tell the family

about you when she gets back to Havana?

We can't run a salvage business without salvage.

Cousin loxi, I think you're so brave goin' out to that wreck.

Brave! Fiddle-de-Dee! She'm just pigheaded!

If only your father were alive!

Throw me that sou'wester, drusilla.

If father were alive, I wouldn't be runnin' the salvage business.

Loxi!

Loxi!

Loxil you fouled your anchor?

Land o' goshen! Crank on, will ya?

I'm coming, cap'n Phil.

Loxi, I worry every time you go a-wreckin'.

The hurricane's all over, mommy.

You mama say you ain't goin'!

Maybe we better let her go.

Jd oh, the Nellie b's your packet j

j and you're far away from home j&

jd and it breaks your back to tack it &

larboard, half a pint!

J haul away just the same as me j

j for you're nothin' but a packet rat j

tail onto that foresheet and trim 'er.

Aye, cap'n Phil.

J aboard the Nellie b &

j bread and water for your supper j&

j when you board the Nellie b... &

the moro's fallen astern, cap'n Phil!

We'll speak the wreck ahead of 'em all!

Wreck ho!

Where away?

Dead ahead on sambo key.

J and your blood runs down her scuppers j

j in the briny shiny... j

There she lies!

The falcon's lyin' close by.

The cutler brothers are there before us.

Them fo'c'sle rats must've known.

No man alive can foretell a wreck,

'lessin' he plans it hisself.

We'll get no part of her rich cargo.

Cutler and his brother are boardin' her now.

Come on! Get aboard!

Hey, king, look there.

Put a shot across the bow of the claiborne.

Yeah! We salvage this wreck.

- Aye, aye, sir! - Ready.

Turn your pipe into that touch hole.

Can't even shoot straight!

Ram that pirate! Ram her, cap'n Phil!

And sink us both? Land o' love, gal!

Heave to. Lower the dory.

- Aye, sir. - Aye, sir.

Ho-ho-ho. That stopped 'em.

Get to work on that cargo, Dan.

You falcon men, break open that hatch!

I'm in command here.

Cap'n Stuart's taking a little rest.

We got hurt men aboard!

We'll move 'em later.

- You'll move 'em now. - My brother said later!

We're going to save this cargo for you, boys,

whether you like it or not.

Foward!

Have any trouble with the skipper?

He never knew what hit him.

I'm expectin' a fat bit for this, Mr. cutler.

You'll be taken care of, widgeon.

Here.

Sign this.

Pull 'er close! Hang on, loxi.

Ahoy, cutler!

We demand salvage shares in this vessel.

I'm takin' charge of the cargo!

You take the crew!

Ain't no pay for that, ye benighted blowfish!

Take 'em anyway. He'd let 'em drown.

Alright!

Jump into the mizzen and rig the cro'Jack yard.

- Aye, aye, Dan. - Make it lively!

Get off me, you filthy...

Quick! Give me an oar!

Oh, the poor little fella!

Grab it! There's a squid out there!

Grab it! Grab it!

Oh! Oh, poor fella.

Here, take him.

- Set me aboard that hulk! - Now, loxi!

Now, loxi!

Has the water got to that cargo?

Who pitched that monkey into the sea?

Get off this deck, or there'll be two of 'em in the sea.

You weaselin' crimp!

I'll coil your rope for you.

Over the side, men!

What we'll do? Walk?

The claiborne's waitin' to take you.

- Who's that? - The skipper.

You better get him off before we start swinging cargo.

Get your men off this ship!

Larboard your helm! Larboard your...

Don't fret your head till it's in one piece again.

Widgeon! Where's that...

Take it easy! The salvage boats are standing by.

Lie still. They're taking off the crew now.

Who are you? What are you doin' here?

I'll be here just as long as you need me.

I hope that'll be a... long time.

Bringin' the man in here, that's charity.

But bringin' the ape, that's obnoxious!

Fifty percent.

Why, that's piracy!

It's legal. Your mate signed it.

The jubilee was 15 months at sea.

You salvaged her cargo in a few hours,

and want 50%!

And get it.

If your owners break you, come to me.

I'll show you how to own your own ship in a year.

Yes, and hang in two!

I brung your duffle.

Where would any of your cargos be

if it weren't for me and my ships?

Maybe still afloat.

What do you mean, you little culch?

- I'll bust you in the... - No.

The door's right over there, Mr. cutler.

And it's open.

You're not a good loser, miss loxi.

Not to you, Mr. cutler.

Here, drink this.

If your owners do break you, capt. Stuart, look me up.

Smokin' in the house! Pfew!

Now go on, drink it.

I swan to man, that feller'd sink his own grandmother

salvage the gold in her teeth.

You're not saying he pushed that reef

in front of my ship, are you?

No, no, I'm sayin' he's a bad yankee.

I'm a good one.

Where'd you get that mate widgeon?

We took him on in Havana.

Ah, I see.

If I thought that wreck was planned,

I'd make a tops'll outta cutler's hide!

Well, you hark to me, Sonny.

The ten years I've been at key west,

sailin' master for the claiborne family,

I have seen 'em go broke flatter than the shadow of a clam.

Same as all the other honest salvage masters.

Run out by thieves and cutthroats and that...

And that shark cutler's their boss.

No more bilge talk. You up anchor and let him rest.

What you need is some nourishment.

Pfew! Smell like burnin' hair!

Wheel

you fold that right back!

Yes, quite a ladies' man, ain't he?

I'm afraid bananas is only used to fo'c'sles.

Is, uh, this your room?

Yes. Does it bother you being in a lady's bedroom?

- Drusilla's in the guest room. - Bother me?

Took me a long time to be sure I wasn't in heaven.

She ain't no angel!

Here! Come down from there!

Ooh!

H... how many sugars?

Three.

Loxi!

Oh, I feel like a hulk putting you through so much trouble.

Oh, shucks!

You stop lookin" at me and eat your dinner.

Well, I was just remembering where I saw you before.

Under a sou'wester?

No.

You sort of came out of that storm

like one of mother Carey's chickens,

only you were good luck for me.

- Loxi! - Your mama's callin!

Maum Maria, see he cleans his plate.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

You got no call to hurry. He ain't goin' nowheres.

Ooh! Shoo! Scat!

I's feedin' this one.

He's mighty handsome, cousin loxi.

A man like that'd rather lose his life than his ship.

Why do you all hate Mr. cutler so?

'Cause he needs hangin' a little.

Cousin loxi?

His brother's different, isn't he?

Different front name, that's all.

What are you studyin' about Dan cutler for?

Oh, I'm not! Really, I'm not.

I thought girls raised in Havana never even

looked at men till they were married to them.

- Drusilla, is loxi there? - I'm coming, mommy.

I'll be up in a minute.

Dan!

Dan!

What do you want?

Oh!

Hello, you lovely little carrot top!

Oh, Dan, I was so afraid.

I'm afraid every time I take you in my arms.

Why?

Because I wanna crush the life out of you.

When I'm in your arms

I don't care what they say about you.

I'll love you always, Dan.

Always.

J gonna lay down this heavy load 7

j by and by by and by j

j gonna lay down this heavy load 7

j by and by by and by j

j time will come when my troubles are gone j

j no more totin' these sacks o' corn jj

you left your spyglass at our house.

Loxi!

I was, uh, coming over to thank your mother...

Mother's making a heap of to-do about you and me.

They're plannin' to ship me off to visit aunt henrietta!

I got my orders too.

I sail tonight on the arcturus.

A month at sea, and then Charleston.

Charleston!

For a showdown with Steve tolliver.

You'll be in Charleston?

Why, that's where aunt henrietta...

Oh, uh, who's Steve tolliver?

He drips lace, and leads the Charleston quadrilles.

What?

He's sea lawyer for devereaux and company.

He loves me about as much as the devil loves holy water.

But he doesn't sound very dangerous.

Well, he wouldn't be...

Except he holds a power of influence

with old commodore devereaux.

But commodore devereaux's fair and square.

He's fair and square, but old.

If you keep doin' that, I'm gonna fall right into them.

Tryin' to frighten me?

You know, loxi, there's only

three things I want out of life.

One is to command the Southern cross... steam.

Oh, steam!

Don't turn up your pretty nose at steam.

It's the future of the seas,

when calms and gales and fog won't mean a thing.

And with the Southern cross under me,

I'd get my second wish,

because the man who commands in steam...

Will be the head of devereaux and company someday.

Will you have to wear stovepipe hat, Jack?

Well, Steve tolliver looks alright in one.

He means to be head of the company himself.

I was the one man in his way.

Now that I've lost the jubilee,

he'll crack down with everything he's got to break me.

Break you? That's a man-sized job.

I promise you, he won't do it.

I found something in these keys worth fighting for.

Nights on watch, I'll see you like this, loxi,

with your hair catchin' fire in the sunset,

and that look in your eyes ten fathoms deep.

What was the third thing you wanted, Jack?

Think I'm gonna say you, don't you?

Aren't you?

- Yes. - Jack...

You're in my blood, loxi, same as the sea.

I'm comin' back for you.

You don't have to come back.

I'll be waiting for you in Charleston.

They're not going to break you, Jack,

and you're gonna have the Southern cross.

You startin' to tell my future?

It's our future, Jack.

Of course commodore devereaux, you need

a mighty experienced captain to navigate

a fine ship like the Southern cross,

steam and all that.

That ain't got no elegance.

You's in Charleston.

Ladies don't tell gentlemen. They asks them.

It was really you I came up to see, commodore devereaux.

- All the way from key west. - There's Mrs. mottram's house.

Aunt henrietta's waitin' on the porch.

Button that mitten!

Oh, do you suppose it'll work?

Do you suppose he'll listen about capt. Jack?

Of course, child!

Only just don't leave your right hand

know what your left feet is doin'.

J "twill bring me back one golden hour j

j through many j

& through many a weary year j

j I may not to the world impart j

- 'Lizbeth. - Henrietta.

This is mighty pleasant.

This is my little niece loxi from key west.

And this is her cousin, drusilla.

What lovely girls!

- Mrs. mottram, I think... - Shh.

Ivy is singing.

J but for the little faded flower &

j but oh how fondly dear j

which do you think is commodore devereaux?

Well, he must be here.

But I never saw a less seagoin' run of shad in my whole life!

Shh.

& through many a weary year j

Lovely, Ivy. So tender.

I want you to meet loxi claiborne, drusilla alston.

This is our own Ivy devereaux.

Commodore devereaux's daughter!

Charleston must seem quite different to you

after the wild life of key west.

I can see you two will be the best of friends.

- This is captain carruthers. - Charmed.

Oh, and, miss loxi claiborne, Mr. Steven tolliver.

Come with me, drusilla.

I want you to meet some of our Charleston beaux.

Charmed, miss loxi.

Oh, uh, this is, uh, romulus.

Miss loxi claiborne, Mr. romulus tolliver.

Charmed, miss loxi.

Speaks pointedly good english, don't you think?

Considering his mother spoke nothing but Gaelic.

I saw it. I saw your lips move.

Mm, she's lovely, isn't she?

Oh, what a wonderful pair of performin' dogs.

I've heard a lot about Steve tolliver.

- Oh? - In key west.

Well, we're, uh... We're flattered.

You're jumpin' at conclusions, Mr. tolliver.

Now, who's been telling you stories about Steve?

One of the finest men I ever met, capt. Jack Stuart.

Oh, that's rather a sore subject with romulus.

You see, capt. Stuart sat on romulus once.

And he weighs 200 pounds.

Ivy, I'd be happy if you'd introduce me to your father.

I'm sorry. My father's not here.

Commodore is very ill.

His doctor won't allow him out of the house.

Then who runs the devereaux company?

I do, lady, with a little help from Steve.

- You run it? - Loxi, dear!

Your aunt speaks of nothing but those charming

Florida ballads you sing so well.

- Won't you, uh... - Oh, I couldn't!

Why, I just couldn't!

Romulus and I are very partial to sentiment.

Attention, everybody!

Attention, everybody, please!

Miss claiborne is going to sing one of those

sweet ballads of key west.

Steve and I would love to hear one of those

soft moonlight-on-the-sea songs.

Perhaps, a breath of key west would be refreshin'...

To all of us.

J oh the Nellie b's your packet j

j when you're far away from home &

jd and it breaks your back to tack it &

j o'er briny, shiny foam j

j but heave ho, haul away just the same as me j

j for you're just another packet rat j

j aboard the Nellie b &

j bread and water for your suppers j&

j when you board the Nellie b j

j and your blood runs from her scuppers j

jd in the briny shiny sea j

j but heave ho, haul away just the same as me j

j for you're just another packet rat j

j aboard the Nellie b &

j oh her mate he'll talk so civil &

jd but he'll Rob ya in your sleep j

j there's no uglier a devil in the briny, shiny deep j

j but heave ho, haul away... j

is that Elizabeth's idea of a sweet ballad?

Mighty salty!

J for you're just another packet rat j;

j aboard the Nellie b &

do you, uh, sing too?

J for that galley growlin' crew j

j for the bos'n is a dirty son of a... j

jd shiny, briny blue &

j so heave ho, haul away just the same as me j

j for you're just another packet rat j;

j aboard the Nellie b &

j oh... oo»

loxi, please...

Come, Barbara.

She has a lovely voice, but, uh...

But, auntie, there's still 20 more verses.

- Oh, my goodness! - I'd love to hear them all.

How could you know such a song?

I learned it from a pirate friend.

With rings in his ears?

In his nose.

Tsk, tsk. I'm afraid loxi is a little peu exalte.

I find her exaltation most charming.

May I hear the rest of the song soon?

I hope so.

Mmm, mmm, mmm!

It's just hopeless.

Makin' a lady out of you is just hopeless!

Drusilla, I can do it, I can do everything

I came here to do.

Cousin loxi, you're playin' with gun powder!

I don't need commodore devereaux.

I don't need anybody.

'Cause I can wrap that Steve tolliver

around my little finger.

And I'm gonna do it.

J oh, who's gonna row my honey? J

j who's gonna row my honey? J

j yes, who's gonna row my honey j

j when I'm gone away? J

j and who's gonna be your true love? J

j who's gonna be... j

that's the third time they've been together this week!

Well, what if...

J yes, who's gonna be your true love j

j when I'm gone away? J

j when I'm gone away? J

and then what happened?

Well, there she'd gone telling everyone the bonnet

had just come off the packet from France when they...

- Pull up, Caesar. - What you stopping for, Ivy?

I declare! They're together again!

- That's the 13th time! - Mm-mmm!

- Go on, Caesar. - Yes, miss Ivy. Giddap.

They're lovely. Like ships in the water, aren't they?

Yes, lovely.

Steve, there's something I most specially

want to talk to you about.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Romulus generally does that.

I'm a little worried about romulus.

He's been a changed dog ever since the mottram tea.

J you're just another packet rat aboard the Nellie b &

oh, quit it, Steve.

Now this is important. It's about the Southern cross.

What I have to say is much more important

than the Southern cross.

But she's the newest ship in the line.

Yes, I know. And she's steam and all.

But she's hardly fitted for a honeymoon.

Honeymoon?

Oh, b... but, Steve, you don't mean that...

Yes, I do, loxi.

When you walked into Mrs. mottram's tea party,

it was like all the winds of the Caribbean...

And... well, t was shipwrecked at once.

But, Steve, I... My whole life is key west.

This is another world to me.

There's only one world, loxi,

inhabited by two people.

I spoke to your aunt last night.

Mr. tolliver.

Mr. tolliver.

Here's trouble on horseback.

Mr. tolliver!

Mr. tolliver, sir. Pardon, ma'am.

You're wanted at the countin' house at once, sir.

Commodore devereaux's already on his way there.

Commodore devereaux?

- Has Dr. jepson gone insane? - Yes, sir.

He asks you to come at once, Mr. tolliver.

But I thought commodore devereaux was gravely ill.

He is, ma'am.

But the moment he heard

capt. Jack Stuart had landed,

Dr. jepson said no mortal means

could keep the commodore at home.

Oh, Steve, couldn't you spare just a moment

to hear what I was gonna say about the Southern cross?

I see the commodore isn't the only one

interested in capt. Stuart's arrival.

I'll take your horse, Bixby. You return in the carriage.

Yes, sir.

Romulus will escort you home, loxi.

But I want most of your dances at Mrs. mottram's ball tonight.

Good day, Mr. Stephen.

Steve, the commodore has been so disturbed

by the wrecks at key west, I've twice had to bleed him.

- Capt. Stuart with him? - He is.

And I fear the commodore will have a stroke.

Don't talk to me of barratry when you've got no proof!

In short, sir,

you were not only unconscious when your ship struck,

but you don't even know what hit you.

I've already said, sir...

I'm not interested in excuses!

I'm interested in performance.

Take up the model of your command, sir.

Put her in rotten row.

Put her with the rest of the fine ships

that you and your kind have sent to rot on the bottom.

And take your eyes off the Southern cross.

We don't want her turned into kindlin"!

Commodore, you can cat-haul me both ways, but...

Choke your luff! Get out, man! Wait outside.

- But I'm only asking as... - I said outside!

Commodore devereaux, really, you mustn't.

Here. Drink this.

I'm... I'm alright, doctor.

That'll do you a world of good.

Here, here.

D... don't coddle me! I'm no derelict.

Oh, you look as strong as a bull, sir.

Now, why don't you come down the first thing next week...

That barrating Jack Stuart has cost us...

It wasn't Jack Stuart who cost us the jubilee, sir.

It was those Florida reefs.

Am I to remove the reefs,

or the captains who can't miss 'em?

Well, perhaps you should remove the key west pirate wreckers

who swarm those reefs like a school of killer whales.

And get rid of the man who's behind them all, king cutler.

Are we to go out of business 'cause we can't hang cutler?

Only he got 50% of the jubilee's cargo.

Cutler or no cutler, I'll get my ships through!

- If it have to hire and fire... - Commodore! Please!

Don't coddle me. Don't coddle me.

Gentlemen, I asked lieutenant farragut

to sit with us today

hoping the United States Navy may give us protection

against cutler and his kind.

We need some sort of protection.

Better than one ship a week is piling up on those reefs.

At a cost of five million dollars a year.

Yes, sir, and more.

Gentlemen...

The Navy is more anxious than you are

to blast those vultures out of the keys.

Good!

But you present no evidence against this man cutler!

Give us proof of deliberate wrecking.

- We'll do the rest. - Proof?

No one dares testify against cutler.

We sent men down there to find witnesses.

- What became of them? - I don't know, sir.

But I suggest that you send one man more.

- Who, for instance? - Well, me, for instance.

You?

Why, tolliver, you wouldn't last 15 minutes

in that pirate's nest.

You're a lawyer, not a gunboat.

But the gunboats won't come until we get proof.

Gunboats or no gunboats,

if we don't stop that gang mighty soon

the American flag won't be at many mastheads.

But I don't favor losing a good sea lawyer.

- Thank you. - I know cutler, Steve.

Why, you wouldn't stand any more chance

than a rat in a tar barrel.

Confound it, if they kill him...

He's not the man for the job.

That's very aptly put, sir.

Perhaps Jack Stuart could sail south with me.

The Southern cross is refitting at Havana. If you'll recall...

You'd give the Southern cross

to the man who just lost us the jubilee?

Gentlemen, we're in business!

Captain Stuart has increased

the earnings of every vessel he's commanded.

Twice he's weathered typhoons in the China sea.

And he's broken the record from rio to Martinique.

I personally don't like him,

but he gets the most out of a ship.

Mmm, and then throws it away on a Florida reef.

I expect to get proof that cutler, not Stuart,

wrecked the jubilee.

Hmph! You expect!

Don't you?

Ormsby, order capt. Stuart to proceed to key west immediately

as mate of the pelican.

There he'll be set ashore without pay, to await orders.

But that's unfair!

Ooh, you'll have his papers

in your pocket.

If you find proof that clears him,

give him the Southern cross.

You're a great ol' sea lion. I'll tell him.

You... you... you'll do nothing of the sort.

Let him sweat on the beach, and see how he takes it.

And my personal opinion of you is that you're a young fool.

Uh, thank you, sir.

You'll never leave key west alive.

Oh, but I have to.

You see, I expect to be married.

- Well. - What's her name?

Gentlemen.

You'd better hurry before you start to key west.

Who's the lucky girl, Steve?

I'm so sorry about your nice sea captain. Father told me.

Too bad!

Loxi, he's waitin' for ya by the round window

in the vestibule. Jack!

And he looks like a thundercloud.

Capt. Carruthers, would you want to do somethin' for me?

Command me, miss loxi.

Excuse me for a minute,

will you, please?

Jack. Oh, Jack!

I watched for your ship every single day.

That dress makes you sparkle like sun on water.

Jack, tell me. How did it go with the commodore?

I think they've got me busted flatter than a haddock.

But your new command!

Aren't they going to give you the, the...

The Southern cross?

Might as well be dry-docked on the moon.

They put me on the pelican.

The pelican!

They're askin' you to command that old pig boat?

Command?

I'm second mate.

Second mate! Why, of all the...

We sail within the hour for key west.

They're beaching me there till I... dry-rot.

No, Jack.

Nobody's going to break us up that easy.

That's what he's tryin' to do.

He? Who?

You just wait here for a minute, will you, please?

Mr. tolliver's bitten off just a little bit more

than he's going to be able to chew.

Now observe closely this harmless-looking little object.

Just look here what Steve's got.

- What is it? A toothpick? - No, they call them matches.

Matches. What are they for?

I'll show you. Carruthers, loan me the sole of your boot.

Goodness gracious!

Mr. tolliver, they're terrifyin'!

- Well, I'm hanged. - Do another, Steve.

I'd adore to do one, Steve.

Cousin Steve, you do get the quaintest things.

They'll never be popular, tolliver. Too dangerous.

- This is ours, I believe. - Yes...

May I claim this, miss Thomas?

- May I have the honor? - I'd love it.

I was just comin' to beg you for this dance.

I'd like to speak to you out on the balcony.

- Like Romeo and Juliet? - Not exactly!

Henrietta, do you allow your niece

to wander off unchaperoned?

Oh, my dear.

I've been just bubbling over with excitement all day.

Mr. tolliver's asked for loxi's hand.

Ettie, loxi and Mr. tolliver!

Oh, my goodness! That is news!

Engaged? Stephen?

To that little savage from key west?

Well, she's a pretty little savage.

Moonlight and magnolias.

Just fits what I want to say to you.

Steve, what you've done

is the most cowardly thing I've heard of.

Coming to the races tomorrow, Ms. loxi?

Oh, I hope your filly wins, colonel ogier.

- Bound to, bound to! - Ha ha ha.

It's vicious, and low and cruel.

You're very desirable when you're angry.

You think you're mighty clever, don't you?

Putting Jack off on an old tub, and beaching him in key west...

Easy now, what really happened...

What really happened was that you saw I loved Jack Stuart!

No, I didn't see that.

Oh, yes, you did. And you're right.

I do love him and I'm gonna marry him.

And you're stabbing him in the back...

That's enough!

In the first place, you're not in love with him.

And in the second, I intend to marry you myself.

Well... well, upon my word.

No! Upon my word!

Do you think after knowing one real man like Jack Stuart,

just one, that a girl would even look at

a Hamby-pamby popinjay like you?

For the past month or more, you haven't seemed

well... well, if I played up to you,

it was so you wouldn't break Jack, that's all.

So you'd give him command of the Southern cross,

ahd no other reason!

I see.

What are you taking your gloves off for?

I take it you prefer the rough ways of your key west pirates.

I, uh, I'll be leaving now.

Well, I'm sorry to delay you,

but there's something you need very badly.

Don't you put your hands on me!

Oh! Steve, stop it!

How dare you? Stop it, I say!

Let me go. Let me go!

Let me up! Why you!

Oh.

You sorry, insufferable nincompoop!

Oh, if I only had a horsewhip.

Excuse me, please.

Loxi, dear child, we've just heard. I'm so happy for you.

- Congratulations, Ms. loxi. - That's nice of you.

- We just heard, loxi. - When's the wedding?

You're a very lucky girl, loxi.

Charleston will be green with envy.

I shall be a good loser, Ms. loxi,

and offer Steve my congratulations.

Mighty clever of you, tolliver.

Oh, thank you very much, George.

- You're shot with luck. - Thank you, sir.

You're certainly full of surprises, Steve.

Yes, I'm a little surprised myself.

- Oh, Steve, it's so romantic. - Yes, isn't it?

Ohh, Stephen!

Steve's such a fine catch.

Steve? Why...

Oh! Why...

Please. Please, everyone, listen.

I haven't any idea how all this started,

but it isn't true what you've heard.

You've, you've all been very kind

to me here in Charleston.

But there's a rumor going around this room

that must be stopped right now!

I can't. I won't have my name linked with a...

You've been very gracious to me

congratulating me on my engagement to be married,

and wishing me so much happiness.

I thank you all for it.

Why, what's come over the child?

Why, I never in all my born days!

Yes, I am going to be married.

But I'm gonna marry a real man.

A man that can ride out a sou'wester and clew up a tops'l!

Not a lace-ruffled bullying jaybird like...

Like...

Jack!

Jack!

Loxi, how could...

Somebody get some water.

The skipper will marry us before we sail.

Steve's well rid of her.

Look at Steve tolliver's face.

That's a hard pill for Steve to swallow.

He won't swallow it. Not if I know Steve!

Lively with those wedges!

Put your weight into it, you bilge rats!

Skipper. Miss claiborne.

- How do you do? - Miss claiborne.

But maum Maria isn't here with my things yet.

I'm sorry, we haven't time...

Not the tops'l halliards! The ga'n's'l lift!

You... you, you lumps of hardtack weevil!

Join hands!

Excuse me, ma'am. Uh, join hands.

Blood of the devil! What're you doing up there?

You mangy hunks! Grab that halliard!

Come on, youl

heave! Heave!

Let's get on with it, skipper.

But, b... but we're on the wrong side.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here..."

It's foul at the block! Did you never walk a footrope before?

"I require...

"I require and charge you both..."

- Skip that part. - Alright.

Jack, do you take this woman for your lawful wedded wife?

- I do. - And, uh...

- What's her name? - Loxi.

Loxi, loxi, do you take this man for your lawful wedded husband

and do you solemnly...

Suffering shadrack, what's that?

Say, looks like a runaway!

Reckon he's boarding us?

By jinks! That's what he's doing.

Let go your fore back spring!

Say, ain't that mister...

Shut up and get back to work!

- Somebody's coming aboard! - Stop yawing and finish off.

Loxi, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?

No! She does not.

We've got no need of a lawyer.

I be strivin' to get underway, Mr. tolliver.

- I'll take you home now, loxi. - Get off this ship!

Hey, men! Look at that!

Hey, Jake, somebody's fighting.

I've taken all I'm gonna take from you.

Not quite.

Ain't she a hell-cat?

Say, what's he doing?

You can't go around bullyraggin'!

Put me down! Jack!

Are you crazy, Stuart? He's the owner!

Jack! Jack!

Watch out, mate, he'll hogtie you!

Spit in his eye, mate!

Hey, look at that one.

Jack!

Oh!

There you are.

Shall I set her back, Mr. tolliver?

- No, keep underway. - Aye, sir.

I'll come to key west on another ship.

Don't touch me!

Put your hand on my shoulder and relax.

Heave ho the forestays'l. Heave ho!

You coward! You irresponsible ruffian.

The water's warm, isn't it?

What right do you think you've got

to keep me from sailing with my husband?

He's not your husband. You didn't say "I do."

What? Well, it will right now. Jack, I...

- Jack! - Oh, come now.

Charleston packet sure got quality folks aboard this trip.

Let her drop.

- Load it on. - Give her more slack.

Steady now.

Stand by the stern line.

That's him, there with the lapdog.

Oh, my goodness, where's drusilla?

I'll go find her. I ain't got nothin' to do!

There she is, with two red pennants and her top riggin'.

- Loxi dear! - Mommy! Hello, mommy.

We'll come ashore as soon as we find drusilla.

Dan.

Oh, Dan!

Dan, be careful!

Wear this for me tonight.

I reckon I didn't see what I just seen.

Come along, child.

Cap'n Phil, I brought you the most won...

Where's Jack Stuart, cap'n Phil?

He's out on a divin' job.

Be back tonight if his hat don't leak.

Oh, drusilla! Wherever have you been? What a lovely shawl!

That's the only thing I ain't been asked to carry.

Cap'n Phil!

Have you enjoyed your trip, Mr. tolliver?

Uh, yes, very pleasant indeed.

- Oh, cap'n Phil! - Well, sir, I want to know.

Here, here. It's an epidemic.

Those double tops'ls get at least two knots more out of her.

Hurry with the cargo, boys.

Easy. Easy there.

- She handles much easier, too. - You see?

I can see Charleston in the cut of your jib.

Hold it.

Steve, look out! Jump!

- Oh! - Don't faint, child!

I's as white as a sheet myself.

Well, romulus, we have arrived.

Clear the gangplank. Keep calm.

That molasses came near being flavored with tolliver.

Steve! Steve, are you hurt?

Why, romulus, we've made an impression at last.

I was only worried about the dog.

Well, we're both very grateful.

Look after the dog, cap'n Phil.

Yes...

That was a close call, my friend.

Let me congratulate you.

Oh! Uh, Mr. tolliver, this here's Mr. king cutler.

You two men maybe heard 'bout one another.

Oh, tolliver! Well, well.

As one lawyer to another, let me welcome you to key west.

Thank you, that was quite a welcome.

I saw it. Unpardonable.

Yes. Terrible waste of molasses.

I didn't know you practiced law, Mr. cutler,

although I've, I've heard of your other practices.

Well, it is gratifying to know that our services

to ships in distress have not gone unnoticed.

Unnoticed?

I'm sure every ship owner in the world

would like to repay you for your, your efforts.

- Can I take you to the inn? - Why...

You might go in, but you'll never come out.

You have many talents, Mr. tolliver.

I hope I can make your visit to the keys interesting.

I'm sure you'll do you best, Mr. cutler. Good day.

Good day.

Take good care of him, philpott.

Yeh, yeh.

Take it away.

Give me a little more line.

You happen to know some nice quiet nook

where I can sleep without any molasses?

Nook? Well, I guess maybe we can find a cranny somewhere for you.

Better leave word who to notify in case there's any suddenness.

Come on.

- It's port, ya shellback. - That's larboard to me.

When I say it's port, it's port.

You the mate of the whaler tyfib?

- That's right. - Still need men?

Yeah. They're scarcer than feathers on a frog.

- How long you going for? - That's up to the whales.

- About three years. - Shut up.

I'll sell ya a couple of men.

What's the matter with 'em?

One's an able seaman.

The other will do any legal work you might have.

Legal work? You mean, like boilin' blubber?

When do I get 'em?

Tonight. Widgeon'll tell you where.

- How much? - $12 a head.

We'll pay when we pick 'em up. Hope they both got arms.

- Legal work! - Shut up!

Widgeon, you and the lamb find out where tolliver puts up.

Take four horn-fisted galley growlers,

and pay him a little visit.

That Charleston lawyer's the most dangerous man

they've ever sent down here.

But the lamb will know how to tame him.

Mm.

I wish your mama had-a sent for you

before I got all your clothes unpacked, miss drusilla.

Maum Maria, what are the voodoo drums beating for tonight?

Long about dusk, I seed somethin'.

Couldn't be in this world, nor the next.

Oh, fiddlesticks!

"Tweren't no fiddlesticks!

It was shaped like miss drusilla,

and it was traipsin' along the edge of the jungle with a demon!

Only the demon make hisself look like Dan cutler.

Oh... but that's ridiculous.

Oh, 'course, miss drusilla. The drums do that.

Drusilla, look me in the eyes.

Oh, loxi, I wish I didn't have to go back to Havana tomorrow.

Are you meeting Dan cutler on the sly? Are you?

Oh, drusilla, honey, he's...

You love Jack, and you ran away to marry him.

Well, I love Dan.

And I'm gonna marry him, even if I have to run away, too.

Drusilla, darling,

I'm a pretty poor one to be giving advice.

But you go on back to Havana

and ask your mother about it first.

Land o' mercy!

I wish you'd inherited a talking dog

'stead of this scratchin" ape!

Mr. tolliver's not likely to make me his heir.

Hear them drums? Maybe he gonna be needin' an heir by mornin'.

What have you heard?

All I know's what the darkies say.

I suppose Steve tolliver's in more trouble.

Yes'm. But this here's his last trouble.

What about Steve? What is it you know?

The lamb is gettin' him off of cap'n Phil's old sponge boat.

- And sellin' him to a whaler. - A whaler?

Maybe they get cap'n Phil too if they catch him alive.

But that's terrible! We've got to warn them!

Who you mean... we?

I ain't goin' out into no voodoo night!

Nor none of the other darkies neither.

You scared cats! I'll go myself.

- No, child. - Get me a lantern, maum Maria.

Your mama'd sell me if she knowed!

Cousin loxi, you can't!

Lend me a shawl, will you, drusilla honey?

- Not that one. - Why?

Here. But I thought you didn't like Steve tolliver.

It's cap'n Phil I'm thinking about!

- Jack. - There she is, parson.

She is pretty.

- Loxi! - Jack!

Full rigged and with a masthead light. What's your course?

You always turn up when I need you most.

I've been out on a diving job

and I brought along the parson to finish that...

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. gillham, but Jack's gotta go

right down to cap'n Phil's old boat.

- Steve's in trouble. - Steve? Steve tolliver?

Now, don't get your mule streak up.

Cutler's selling Steve to a whaler.

Well, what do you care what happens to him?

Oh, you ninny! This is no time to be jealous.

But I brought along the parson to finish...

But there's no time for Parsons now.

Will you go or not?

Sure...

I'll go.

No, Jack, I don't trust you. I'm going with you.

I don't care what he's done.

He doesn't deserve what cutler'll do to him.

Sorry, parson. I want a church wedding anyway.

Someone's movin' out to it now.

Feller come now.

Muffle the rest of them tholes.

Yes, sir, this here old soup ladle here belongs to me.

I hired it out to a feller to fish for sponges.

What in tarnation can a man do with a sponge?

- Ya can't eat it. - No, they haven't much flavor.

- What happened to the man? - Went broke, of course.

- What's that? - Maybe seagulls.

If they're seagulls, they're wearin' boots.

Take that side. Chinkapin, cover the light!

Ow!

Here, take this.

- Cap'n Phil! Steve! - That's loxi.

Cap'n Phil, I've been havin' conniptions about you. They...

Loxi, you shouldn't've come down here.

No? Of course, it's no concern of mine,

but cutler's got you booked

for a three years' cruise aboard a whaler.

My, this old tub sure needs a brush of paint, capt. Phil.

- You mean a Shanghai? - So she says.

Well, it's got so a man ain't safe in his own grave.

What sort of a fool are you, bringing her down here?

I'm under my own orders.

Nobody but an iron-headed sap

would make her witness to a Shanghai attempt.

Well, I have just about time to jam that down your throat.

There's no time for fighting now!

Look at that dog. Look at that dog.

- I don't want no killing. - Hmm?

Can't get a dime for no dead men.

Get loxi out through the galley skylight.

- No, I can fight. - Loxi, don't argue!

I'm gettin' outta here!

- Got a gun? - No.

Now, get in there. I swear...

You come gentle, or we got bust your bones.

Widgeon! Why you double-crossin' carrion shark!

That's your mate of the jubilee?

Yes! And workin' with cutler.

You! You!

- Don't let him get away! - Let go of me!

Get down after 'em!

Put up your hooks there,

my friends.

You boys just cool your heels there for a minute.

Ain't nothing down below. Few sponges.

You don't want... that knife!

Get off of Mel

don't go 'way. Don't back up.

You stinkin' swab!

Let's keep it short.

Devil fire!

You crawlin' crab!

- Thanks. - I'm savin' you for myself!

- Let me go! - Get him, get him!

Watch that fellow with the club.

- Why don't you shoot? - I can't, loxi.

I'm scared of hittin' one of our men.

- Quit shovin'! - Quit missin'!

Don't get up or I'll empty this pepperbox in you.

Oh! Blisterin' blazes!

Cap'n Phil, are you alright?

Yes, I'm alright.

Only I want my legs two inches longer...

No, you don't!

Drop that, and get your hands up.

How can I get my hands up, you wall-eyed ding-busted...

Come outta there, consarn ya!

Get your hands up! Over against the mast.

Come on, you crabs! Make 'em fast.

You're goin', too, bright eyes. You've seen too much.

I hope this cures you of traipsin' around.

You've been pullin' strings all your life, Mr. lawyer.

Why don't you pull one now?

I might net myself a lot of trouble

shut your clam traps.

You boys'll like whalin'...

If you can stand the stink!

Hey, look out!

Hold the net down!

Jack, behind you, look!

Steve, look!

Steve, do something!

Here goes!

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

Roll out of there now. Keep your noses to the deck.

Pass a line around this octopus, will ya?

You don't like lamb, do you?

Neither do I.

- Does it hurt? - Yes!

You make a lovely good samaritan.

Didn't you scare yourself fightin' like that?

Your sailor boy brought you to a right lively party.

- Yeah? Well... - Now.

Wildcats could sure take fightin' lessons from you, Jack.

- Sorry widgeon got away. - Soam I.

Widgeon bein' here with cutler's men ought to prove

to your old Charleston stiff-necks

that Jack didn't wreck the jubilee.

Well, I'm one stiff-neck it satisfies.

Ahoy, widgeon!

Who's there?

Whaler tyfib comin' for the men ya promised.

- Well, you can take your... - Shut up.

All clear!

- Why you cuttle-head! - Leave it to me, will you?

Leave it to me. You and loxi get below.

Come on, Jack.

Come alongside.

Toss oars.

- Where's widgeon? - He's drunk.

Boat oars.

Cutler promised some able seamen.

- Well, we got five. - Five?

Great day in the morning!

- Where are they? - Right there.

Fella'll be glad to know them sponges finally come in handy.

They'll probably have quite a flavor

'fore you boys get where you're goin'.

Pretty, ain't they? Go get 'em.

Wait a minute! How much?

How much? Cutler said $12 a head.

- Fifteen. - Hold on. He said $12.

Take 'em or leave 'em.

At such prices they're scarcely worth the pickin'.

You're a pirate and a thief, but it's a deal.

Bear a hand there.

You've got to give the devil his due. He's clever.

Clever enough to want you.

- It's only $55. - I know it.

Heave 'em over. Head and scale.

Don't break them oars!

This walrus weighs as much as a ton!

I swan to man, his feet's the biggest things

I ever seen without lungs.

Glad I ain't payin' for that one by the pound.

Well, if he gets rough, tap him with this.

He's singing to ya, lumpy.

Singin' like a seal.

Heave him over.

Jack, that paper has your name on it.

What?

- What is it? - I don't know.

Maybe it's a love letter.

You're talking

through your crow's nest.

He's chewin' on that sponge something awful.

He'll be chewin' salt pork tomorrow.

Heave him over.

Jack, it's your appointment!

The Southern cross.

Jack, you're captain!

That's what it is, alright, but...

Stow him in the bow, lumpy.

No, wait!

Here's ten for yourself to remember us by.

Well, you ain't no pinchgut.

Shove off. Lay into it.

Don't unloosen 'em till you're out to sea.

They're a little mite tough.

They'll be tender before they get back.

There, but for the grace of loxi, go I.

She's a great girl, philpott.

Steve tolliver, I think you're most

contemptible man I ever met!

What's the matter? Did I sell them too cheap?

Who's gonna command the Southern cross, Mr. tolliver?

Oh.

How long have you been carryin' this?

Since I left Charleston.

Well! When were you gonna give it to him?

When I got ready.

Commodore devereaux gave you

that appointment to give to Jack.

Why didn't you give it to him?

I had my reasons.

And I know what they were, too.

You'd stoop to anything.

Yes!

Yes!

Land o' love!

Come on, loxi.

I'll row you home before I call on Mr. cutler.

Yes, sir, these sponges is wonderful.

Pleasant dreams, my friend. You've had a busy day.

I'll just take these. They might blow away.

Oh, loxi.

But I don't know what happened. I had to swim most a mile.

You cuttle-headed fool. Why didn't you drown?

Well, them two swabs is horn-fisted, Mr. cutler.

- Jack Stuart just hove in. - Stuart?

Out of sight, widgeon.

- Where's widgeon? - Who?

Oh, that gooseneck who was your mate on the jubilee.

That water didn't rain in here.

State your business, capt. Stuart.

I was aboard that sponge boat tonight

when widgeon brought your men on that crimpin' job.

My men?

That's all the proof the government needs

on who sunk the jubilee.

Well?

No more 50% salvage, Mr. cutler...

But a room in a penitentiary where you and your hatchet men

can be cozy as Fiddler crabs on a marsh bank!

You haven't got enough sand in your craw

to stand in front of me alone.

Clear the room.

You ain't gonna fight him alone, are you, king?

I said, get out!

They'll find you on a marsh bank someday.

I didn't think you had it in you.

I've been looking a long time for a man

who's exactly your size of fool.

You'll need some more fools.

Five of your bullyboys have shipped aboard

a whaler for three years in tolliver's place.

He sold them?

Well, what do you know! He's got brains, that fella.

Some of 'em are loose in his head right now.

What's the matter? Don't you like your new boss?

Boss? Tolliver won't boss the devereaux line.

I've got command of the Southern cross right here in my pocket.

Yes? I've got something here that says different.

A sloop"s just put in with dispatches from Charleston.

I pulled this one off the bulletin board.

Oh, I'm not here to chew blubber.

So long as commodore devereaux's house flag

is on the sea, I'll answer to him.

Then you'll answer to the grave.

Commodore devereaux is dead.

Pour yourself a drink.

You're lyin'.

Read it yourself.

Steve tolliver's the new head of devereaux and company.

Tolliver's the man you're sailing for,

if you ever sail again.

But you won't.

You stood on your last quarterdeck.

But you know that better than I.

Tolliver won't let even a lobster crate take you aboard.

I tried to get rid of him for you.

I'd have had him three years a hell ship, lost and forgotten.

But you made a fine picture of yourself tonight!

Fought like ten men, didn't you?

Smashed up the toughest men I could send, didn't you?

Saved your fancy friend so he could be your boss.

And what for?

So you could pound your brains

out on a rum keg on the beach!

What did you come here for?

To smash up the only friend you've got.

And that... claiborne girl.

She'll stick with you on the beach.

You'll sleep on the beach and scratch for food,

but she'll sew your filthy rags together,

if you ask her to.

Only you won't ask her to.

You're slow in the head, but you're more of a man than that.

Steve tolliver will marry her after a while.

She'll be raising his kids while you're...

Shut up about her!

Or I'll tear that jaw out of your face.

You don't have to lie down, you know.

They need 10,000 blacks in the Mississippi basin.

Black men bring a dollar a pound.

I'll put you back on the quarterdeck of a ship.

You take her to the gold coast, load her with black ivory.

In two years, you'll own your ship.

In ten, you'll own a fleet.

Your own house flag on seven seas.

- Too slow. - Slow?

With the job I'm offering you?

The devil with that job.

I've got a job for you.

Do you know what cargo the Southern cross carries?

Teak, ivory, spices, silks, indigo. Why?

I'll show you how to get rich in one night.

Get your wreckers out to meet me at Satan shoal.

I'm gonna pile up the Southern cross.

Now you've caught the wind! Half a million!

But listen to me.

Tolliver won't leave you in command

of the Southern cross for ten minutes

when he hears of this.

My schooner will take you to Havana tonight.

And I've got just the mate you need.

Widgeon, come out here.

Yes, Mr. cutler.

Hiya, cap'n Stuart.

But I'll be back! I'll be back on the very first ship.

I'll go with you and make sure.

Oh, no, Dan, you mustn't.

I can manage mother much better alone.

If they try to keep you in Havana, I'll bust that town...

I'm coming back to you, Dan.

Cross my heart, I will.

I don't care what loxi says,

and I don't care what anybody thinks.

I'm comin' back... On the very first ship.

Two hundred ceroons of bengal indigo at 125, down ten.

Twelve hundred and fifty pieces nanking silk

at 398 the pound...

Look at that board now.

Raw silk has gone to blue blazes.

At 440, down seven.

And there goes ivory, down another seven.

Yes, looks like first call for panic.

Teak, silk, ivory, indigo.

Well, a wreck always sends prices down

of whatever cargo she's carryin'.

Right. Except there's been no wreck.

That's the cargo of the Southern cross.

Southern cross can't have wrecked, Mr. tolliver.

She's safe in Havana.

Then somebody knows she will wreck.

- And she sails before dawn. - Yes, yes.

Cap'n Stuart in command.

What's the fastest vessel in port?

- Claiborne. - Then get your crew aboard.

Hey, you're forgetting who owns her.

- Loxi won't charter to you. - Then commandeer.

I've got to stop the Southern cross at Havana.

Well, sir, come morning, we'll have such a fog

as a man can't cut with a crosscut saw.

Yes, we'll need a new door on the lazaret.

How far have we come?

Well, we left sand key about four miles astern.

We come about 15 miles.

- Let her out. - Eh?

Yeah. Let her out, he says.

Let her out, Jake!

And run for your life!

Get out of my way!

How dare you let him steal my schooner!

- Now, loxi... - Stand by to come about!

Hard alee! Bring her up.

- Hard alee it is. - Get forward. I'll take over.

Aye, sir.

This is piracy, kidnapping. Stand away from that wheel.

Loxi, when we found you aboard, I begged you to go ashore.

I wouldn't go ashore because I knew what he was about.

You've done everything you could to down Jack Stuart.

I'm acting under federal authority.

Racing to Havana to break him?

You believe in Jack above all things on earth, don't you?

- I'll always believe in him. - Come here, loxi.

I'll never forgive you for helpin'.

Honey, you got to know the truth.

Jack made a deal with cutler.

He's gonna wreck the Southern cross.

Cap'n Phil, have you been drinkin'?

Well, we'll put that to one side.

I'd rather be drowned dead than hurt you, loxi.

Did Jack tell you that himself?

No, he didn't.

I wouldn't believe it even if he had.

Steve.

- Won't you put back? - No.

I'm sorry I'm the one who has to do this to you,

but it doesn't matter what you believe.

Jack Stuart will not sail in command of the Southern cross.

But that's ruin!

Don't smash his life just because your pride's hurt.

How will he ever get another command?

He'll never command as much as a mud scow

in this world or the next

once I reach Havana.

Then you'll never reach Havana.

Come about or I'll part the halliards.

No, loxi, you'll wreck her!

- You crazy little wildcat! - Will you put back?

Not while she floats.

The gaff jaws are smashed!

Get a lashing on this sail!

I reckon you won't stop the Southern cross

from my ship, Mr. tolliver.

Jump aloft! Get a line on this gaff.

No, loxi. You'll jibe her. Don't part that line.

What's the damage?

Well, we'll drift for six or seven hours

while we jury rig and rebend.

Six or seven hours?

Down with your jibs and stays'l.

If the Southern cross goes down...

The Southern cross isn't going down, Mr. tolliver,

cap'n Stuart's in command.

Hey, Sam, lay on those downhauls.

Case 52, nanking silk.

Lay that starboard side.

Widgeon, stow the rest of that oil in the orlop.

Aye, sir.

I told you, drusilla, we carry no passengers.

Please, Jack, you've just got to take me.

It's like life and death to me.

I can't take you. Believe me.

Now, you go on back to your mother and stop begging.

When you get that stuff stowed, batten down.

Jack, you ought to understand and help me

because you love loxi

and she wants to be with you,

just like I want to be with Dan.

Please, Jack, I...

I'm running away from home to marry him.

Will you go ashore or do I put you off?

All ashore. Get goin'. Batten down here.

Aye, sir.

She's all singled up, sir.

- Stand by, forward. - Aye, aye, sir.

Planks off.

Helm amidships.

Hold fast, aft! Let go of your forward line!

Slow astern.

- No bottom, sir. - We missed it by a split hair.

I wasn't gonna say nothing to you, folks,

but we might nigh have drifted on Satan shoal.

That's the worst pack of reefs around here anywheres.

Should have anchored hours ago.

Yes, in 400 fathom!

That horn's drivin' me crazy.

Nearer all the time, but never gets here!

- Hour after hour! - One hour.

I never heard a horn like that.

Sounds like something out of the bottom of the sea.

Probably a hand-pumped horn worked by a crank.

Yes. Pumping his own wind, too, likely.

Oh, I know it's steam!

Well, suppose it is the Southern cross?

Jack knows what he's doin'. He can pick a channel.

But it isn't. It's the saturn, or some other paddle coaster.

Eh, I suppose you know whose conch that is, eh?

- That's cutler's falcon. - Yes.

You don't need to smell the bait

to know somebody's going fishing.

The steamer's safe. She's got power!

Wind or no wind, she's not drifting around helpless

like a cracker box, like us.

No bottom, sir.

Go on, say it.

We'd be in Havana except for what I did.

Well, I'm glad I did it and I'd do it again!

Because with all my heart I believe in him.

Yeah.

Hark, ye.

Hark, ye!

Can you see her?

You'll be seein' her soon enough.

Sound your sea horn, Sam!

Any minute now.

- More steam. - Aye, sir.

Drive her!

That'll be the falcon's signal.

- Sounded to me like... - Heave the lead!

Heave it is, sir.

More steam you want?

She's shakin' her caulks out now.

- You, salt meat. - Yessuh?

Check the forward well. She must be makin' water.

Yessuh.

Jughead, get over there!

There she rises.

Layin' straight for the reef.

The Southern cross.

No. No, no, no, it can't be.

Oh, Steve.

Give me that horn, Sam!

It's goin' astride!

Jack! Jack!

Hard astern, Jack!

The reef.

The reef!

You're going to strike!

Pretty work, she's plastered on the reef

like a herring on a biscuit.

- Man the lifeboats! - Aye, aye, sir.

She's down by the head.

- She's a killed ship. - Yeah.

There ain't nothing left but to get her people off.

There's one thing left.

Arrest the man who murdered his own command.

- Stand by your boat tackle! - Aye, aye, cap'n Phil.

Look after her.

- Lower away! - Aye, aye, sir.

Cap'n Phil.

Cap'n Phil, why didn't he kill me instead?

And the night before you took command of the Southern cross

did you or did you not talk to king cutler?

This same man who is how conducting your defense.

Objection, your honor.

Mr. cutler is defending capt. Stuart, not himself.

Your honor, before this case is finished,

I propose to throw the shadow of the gallows

over many in this room.

The witness may answer.

Sure, I talked to king cutler. So have you.

Capt. Stuart, there are other able skippers

with ships in rotten row

but you were the first to stand in defense

of the pirate wreckers that haunt these keys.

I don't ask what unendurable circumstance drove you

to join these men whom you must despise.

But I will ask the court for leniency in your behalf

if you will join with me in the destruction of these rats.

Tell us who was behind the wrecking of the Southern cross.

I'm not hiding behind anybody, tolliver.

If you're trying to hang cutler, hang 'im for some other wreck.

Nobody gave any orders on the Southern cross but me.

You admit giving the order that drove that ship at top speed

through thick fog to sure destruction?

I was her skipper.

And who was your first mate?

Matthias widgeon.

The same man who was first mate of the wrecked jubilee?

Yes.

Your witness, Mr. cutler.

No questions.

That's all.

Call cap'n Phillip philpott.

Cap'n philpott, please.

Adinarin, how did you finally get home last night?

You go back to the house and look after mother.

Just when they're a-getting heated up.

Hm.

You were an eyewitness to the wreck

of the Southern cross?

How would you judge her speed?

Why, she come thrashing through the fog there,

fit to bust her ballast.

How long have you known capt. Stuart?

Ever since cutler wrecked the jubilee.

I object to this scandalous attack!

Strike out the answer.

In your opinion,

could that wreck have been anything but deliberate?

- Object! - Sustain.

It was a typical king cutler job.

I said sustain!

I heard you, will. Jehoshaphat.

I'm only answerin' the man's questions.

- Silence! - Your withess.

- No questions. - No questions?

Man get up here for nothin'.

I ask you to remember that a man is on trial here

for the gravest offence known to the sea.

Except that no loss of life is shown,

this man, if guilty, might well hang.

- Proceed. - I thank your honor.

We admit the defendant's error,

but you cannot convict a captain for bad seamanship.

Your honor, we will show that

behind the bad seamanship lay a criminal conspiracy.

And will you also show why you were waiting beside the reef

when the Southern cross went down?

Your honor, if this man is to go on as prosecutor

the strange part which he himself has played

in this disaster cannot be ignored.

Why were you waiting beside the reef

that sank the Southern cross?

It's in the testimony that Mr. tolliver's vessel

fell becalmed.

Becalmed when the wind held till dawn?

He tells us he sailed all night,

yet he was only 15 miles on his course.

Why? He dares not answer.

Because the only living man who could have foretold that wreck

is the man who planned it!

Cap'n Phil.

Gentlemen.

There are a thousand ways by which conniving men

may profit by the wrecking of their own ships.

And there stands a Charleston sea lawyer who knows them all.

He swindled his underwriters!

He swindled you

as he lay at Satan shoal to gut the cargo of a ship

he himself had wrecked!

That cargo ain't been touched.

Only because no diver will go down.

That ship hangs on the reef by a hair.

Your honor, I demand an answer.

Why was Stephen tolliver at that reef?

Mr. tolliver, will you answer?

I will not.

Of course he won't answer.

He can't!

If you please, judge Marvin.

I can tell you why Mr. tolliver won't answer that question.

Ms. claiborne cannot testify unless she is called.

Mr. tolliver, do you wish Ms. claiborne

sworn as your withess?

I do not.

But he's chargin' Steve with somethin' he didn't do.

Your honor, there is nothing to be gained by calling her.

I call miss claiborne

as a witness for the court.

The reason the claiborne didn't reach Havana

was that I disabled her.

You disabled her?

I parted the main beak halliards

with a wreckin' axe.

Why?

Because I had faith in Jack Stuart.

Didn't Mr. tolliver tell you that he believed Stuart

would wreck the Southern cross?

Yes, sir, he did.

Ms. claiborne had every reason not to believe me.

This is incredible.

Have you any questions, Mr. tolliver?

- None. - I certainly have.

So, miss claiborne, you disabled this vessel?

Virtually knocked her apart with your own little hands

while a full crew of able seamen stood 'round

sucking their teeth.

No, gentlemen.

What you have heard is a girl

caught hopelessly between two men

who have fought over her as dogs fight over a bone.

Your honor, I object to this...

Sustained.

Didn't you play these men

one against the other,

encouraging each in turn?

Isn't that why they're both hopelessly entangled

in this disaster?

I won't answer that.

Isn't that why you're now trying to undo what you've done

by taking some part of Stephen tolliver's guilt

to yourself?

Judge Marvin, we're not here to crucify this woman

who's not even on trial.

No, we're here to learn the facts,

and they're deadly plain.

Now we can understand this vicious persecution of a man

whose only crime is that he stands between tolliver

and that girl.

Your honor, when this case is over,

the court may bring me to trial on Mr. cutler's charges

if it so desires.

But the government's case against Jack Stuart is not over.

For years we've tried to find one witness

who would turn against this pirate ring.

That witness has been found.

I ask the court's leave to call a man who,

to save his own neck from the halter

has made full confession.

Matthias widgeon.

Granted. Step down, miss claiborne.

- Did widgeon talk? - Yes.

He talked.

Call Matthias widgeon, mate of the Southern cross.

- Call Matthias widgeon. - Widgeon!

Come on...

Sheriff! Sheriff! Widgeon is dead!

Sheriff, widgeon is dead!

Doctor, in your opinion,

how long has widgeon been dead?

Less than half an hour, your honor.

Maybe good riddance.

Your honor, this case must be recessed for full investigation.

I can hardly recess in lieu of a witness

who can never appear.

But if federal council wishes to withdraw...

Withdraw?

But, your honor, America's very life

depends upon the sea!

This case goes far beyond the fate of one man

who betrayed his own command.

We must know whether any group of men

can endanger the safety of our seas

by preying upon American commerce.

The government's witness has been murdered

but we elect to proceed.

Just a minute!

I agree that he was murdered,

silenced for what he knew.

And I charge that widgeon drove that ship on the reef

in direct conspiracy with you!

You're off your course, cutler.

I told you he was a bad yankee.

You can sustain that too, will, if you've a mind to.

Certainly this poor, honest seaman had no knowledge of it.

Then why did he order his stokers driven under the whip?

- That has not been shown. - I'll show it now.

Call salt meat.

- Your name is salt meat? - Aye, aye, sir.

And you're a Barbados Freeman who served as stoker

aboard the Southern cross?

Aye, aye, sir.

You know capt. Stuart's voice, don't you?

I reckon I does.

Didn't you hear him order full speed?

- Objection! - Sustained!

You were in the stokehold at the time of the wreck, were you not?

No, sir. I was in the orlop.

- You were in the orlop? - Yes, sir.

That's where I was when the steamer,

she smashed against that reef

and I heard that dyin' scream.

You heard what?

When the reef tore out the heart of that ship,

she screamed like a woman.

You mean you heard tearing timbers, escaping steam.

Twenty years I know the sea

like I knows day from dark.

But I never heard no sound like that,

'cept when a woman die.

- Was there a woman aboard? - No, sir.

I think she go ashore before we sail.

Who?

The lady what talked to the cap'n.

A lady?

You know who she was?

No, sir.

What did she look like?

I don't rightly "recamember” how she was dressed,

but she was wrapped in a mighty pretty shawl.

- What kind of a shawl? - What color?

What kind of a shawl?

I don't know, but it was mighty pretty.

Kind of red and yellow.

Your honor, I request permission

to interrupt this testimony and recall Jack Stuart

to the stand.

Granted.

That's all, salt meat.

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Your honor, this ghost story has no bearing on the case.

No woman was rescued from that ship.

If one was aboard,

murder must be added to the charge of wrecking.

Did the Southern cross carry passengers?

No!

But a woman came aboard just before you cast off.

- What of it? She didn't sail. - You sure of that?

Who saw her leave? Did you?

I ordered her ashore.

- She might've stowed away. - She wouldn't have stowed away.

Then you knew her!

Yes. I knew her.

Oh, Jack.

Was it drusilla?

Yes.

It was drusilla.

Drusilla alston?

Yes.

Who screamed?

- Who screamed? - Keep your head, Dan.

Dan, keep out of this!

If that scream was drusilla, I'll tear the throat out of you.

- I tell you she wasn't on board. - You're lying.

- You didn't see her leave. - Dan, shut up, you fool!

Order! Order in this court!

I call Dan cutler to the stand.

Your honor, I object to the questioning of a man

who's out of his mind with grief and fear.

Overruled.

Dan cutler, take the stand.

You loved drusilla alston, didn't you?

Yes.

- She loved you? - Yes.

And you were going to be married?

Yes.

She promised to come back to you soon from Havana.

Didn't she?

- Yes. - On what ship?

The first one she could get.

And that happened to be the Southern cross.

I knew drusilla, Dan.

A sweet and lovely young girl.

And she must've begged you a 100 times to give up

the rotten business you and your brother are in.

- Objection. - Sustained.

We heard the falcon's call through the fog.

Your boat, Dan

waiting like a bird of prey for the Southern cross

which you knew would strike.

- Didn't you? - Don't answer that!

But you did not know that your sweetheart

was aboard that doomed ship.

- Did you? - Don't answer.

The lord moves in a mysterious way, Dan.

You didn't hear that scream, but it'll ring in your brain

through all eternity.

I don't believe she's down there.

We don't know, Dan.

But some woman is down there

under ten fathoms of green water

all alone in a dead ship

where the shark and the giant squid

swim through the dark shadows.

It wasn't the ship that screamed, Dan.

It was a woman.

Maybe drusilla.

- And you know the men who... - Don't answer.

Your honor, this...

They'd like to silence you

the way they silenced widgeon.

It isn't me they're afraid of, Dan.

It's you, because you know who is guilty.

If drusilla"s under that sea, I'll send the men

who put her there straight to hell.

Even your own brother?

Even my own brother.

All day we've heard the prosecution

present a mass of lying insinuations

based on evidence which cannot be shown.

Now I challenge Mr. tolliver to produce this evidence.

I challenge Mr. tolliver himself to dive to that sunken hull

to bring up the proof he claims is there.

Mr. cutler, such a dive is impossible.

If murder has been done, this court must know it.

I will undertake to find an experienced diver

to show Mr. tolliver the way.

I cannot order men to almost certain death.

You don't have to.

That dive is not impossible. I'll make it.

Mr. tolliver would be a madman to accept!

Perhaps, your honor, but I have no choice.

I move that this court be adjourned

to the wreck of the Southern cross.

Consarn it! You lost your reason?

Judge Marvin, you can't let them.

This court stands adjourned

to the wreck of the Southern cross.

My stars alive.

You men calculating to take all day with that rig?

I don't know, I can't get no air through the hose.

- Try taking your foot off it. - Yeah.

- Might help some. - Maybe so.

How soon you reckon that squall will hit?

Too soon.

Captain Stuart, the court warns you that

what you may find down there may well cost you your life.

Thanks.

If that girl is down there

come back alone.

Tolliver.

That far down,

light won't be much.

If she's there,

you'll see that red and yellow shawl.

That fool brother of mine will hang us all!

Does that tell you what to do down there?

Lubbock knows his business.

If the girl is there,

signal with your lifeline.

Two-one, two-one.

Tolliver's air hose will break at the pump.

Ready to lower away.

Jack, I'm afraid.

Here, take my sou'wester.

When the squall strikes,

it'll... take the curl out of your hair.

Whatever's down there, Jack,

don't add another crime to what we've done already.

I'll bring you a rainbow fish for breakfast.

Come on with that helmet!

Better keep one eye on that pump, man.

Yes, and the other one on cutler.

I see. I thought so.

Good luck, Steve.

Try and forgive me.

Forgive you?

Loxi, I...

Well, if I should happen to be late for supper,

just see that romulus doesn't overeat.

There's a squall coming up, Steve.

It won't give you many minutes.

Yes, and romulus doesn't like fish much, either.

Oh, Steve. Steve!

Bolt the faceplate home.

The wreck moved! It dropped another fathom!

He's signallin' for more line!

He's starting to signal.

Hold 'im down, Sam!

He never finished the signal.

Tie "im up!

Help! Help!

Help!

Help!

Help!

Both lifelines are fouled!

Yield slack! Yield slack!

- Look! Look! - Pay out! Pay out!

There's ink coming up from the hatches!

That there's from a giant squid.

Squid? Where?

Hold fast, men!

- Get them up! - It's a marejada!

- A marejada! - Get the men up!

- Get them up! - Cast off that hawser!

Cut that hawser! Cut that hawser!

All hands to the lifeline! Keep them pumps workin'!

A lifeline has carried away.

One of 'em's lost with the wreck!

- One's comin' up. - Who is it?

- Which one? - Can't tell yet.

Steady on them air pumps. Keep 'em goin'.

I can see a body!

Heave hol

easy now.

Don't smash him up against the hull.

Hey. Hey! I can see the steel helmet!

- That's tolliver. - Keep that hose clear!

- Steve. - They got tolliver.

Keep his head upright!

All hands, haul him in!

Lift him over now.

- Control his feet. - Careful, now. Careful.

Set him down.

- Faceplate ain't broke, is it? - No.

Steady does it, now.

Rub the back of his neck, Dave.

- Take off that belt, Sam. - Is he badly hurt?

Well, it looks to me like that squid tore him up a bit.

Where's...

Now you just take it easy there, son.

We're alright glad to see you. You just...

Just wait till you get your wind

before you tell us what happened.

Where's Jack Stuart? Did you get him up?

No, his lifeline parted.

He could've got away.

He stayed down to save my life.

It cost him his own.

Well, he went down with his ship.

Stevel

did you find...

Was drusilla...

That's the answer, alright.

Look at it, king.

- You did this. - Shut up, you fool!

That wreck was yours. You planned it.

You put her on the rocks the same as you did 100 others!

Shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you.

I'll shut up when I see you hung, and not before.

You won't see it.

He shot him!

Look out, king!

- Look out! He's shooting... - No! No!

Get back!

- He's done for. - Yeah.

Serves him right.

I sworn, that's the first time I ever known

that thing could shoot.

This is all my doing.

Tell drusilla...

I have a pretty shawl for her.

Drusilla loved him so.

What's the matter, dog? Is you busted?

No, ma'am. I's just shy.

J who's gonna be your true love j

they seem to be having a little trouble getting acquainted.

J who's gonna be your true love j

so did we.

Yes.

J when I'm gone away? J