Original subtitles

Oh, Mr. Scott, I'll let her just to write her for you by special messenger.

You go on in, Dan, I'll be along in a moment.

And it's apparent wherever you look, primitive, unlettered people with barbaric manners.

No idea how to serve food, no appreciation of wine or clothes or...

Now there's an excellent example of what I'm speaking about.

The perfect primitive.

No knowledge of the finer things in life and no desire to learn about them.

He lives in the wilderness by his wits like an animal.

Young man.

Living in the wilderness does one thing that sharpens your sense of hearing.

Like an animal.

I'm so sorry I had no intention of offending you, I can assure you.

Oh, you're here.

Good.

Dan, I'd like you to meet my son, David.

I already have in the manner of speaking.

I see.

Well, there's no sense putting it off any longer.

This is the favor, Dan.

I want you to take him.

Take him to live with you in Boonsboro.

Well, I said there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for you that you ask and I meant what I said.

And I said, I wouldn't hold you to it.

So you turn me down and I'll understand.

And David, have anything to say about this?

Oh, of course.

I am of age.

I wouldn't be here if I hadn't agreed.

You realize, of course, you'll be living in the wilderness with us primitives, with none of the finer things.

I'm not trying to get out of anything.

I just think David ought to know what he's getting into.

Me thinks you doth protest too much, Mr. Boons.

I see.

Well, then I reckon that settles it, doesn't it?

Oh, Daniel's boom was a man.

Yes, a big man.

With a knife like me, he could install as a month was he.

Daniel's boom was a man.

Yes, a big man.

He was brave, he was fearless and as tough as a mighty old tree.

From the coon skin cap on the top of old van to the heel of his raw high chew.

The ripenest, rawr and the spindest man the frontier ever knew.

Daniel's boom was a man.

Yes, a big man.

And he fought for America to make all Americans free.

But if the one is doing what is being done, the more you're watching.

Now that it's all settled, Bill, do you mind telling me why you wanted David to come and live with you?

How that it's all settled? No.

David, as you can see, is a fop.

An over-educated dandy who's never had to earn a dollar in his life.

Forgive me, Father, but it's not possible to be over-educated.

On the contrary, you're the living proof that it's quite possible for a man to spend so much of his time

becoming over-educated in useless things that he's had no chance to learn any useful ones.

He's never had to raise a blister on his hand or a drop of sweat on his brow from honest labor.

You were the one who suggested I go to Europe to get the best education possible. You even chose the school.

That's true, but I...

And I made the most of it. I had no opportunity for honest labor and I didn't need it then or now.

Mr. Boone, in my opinion, this whole idea is a scandalous waste of time, yours and mine.

But he has agreed to humor me.

Have you any notion in particular of what you want him to learn?

Yes. I want him to earn the things he now takes so lightly for granted.

I want him to learn what it's like to bend his back over a pick and shovel,

to fell trees and cut and shape them for a house, to walk a sixty-mile trap line in rain and snow,

to shoot his food and skin it for the clothes on his back.

I want him to learn what life is all about.

Yes, but you see, Father, that is not what my life is going to be about.

I don't intend to ignore twelve years of education. I mean to use them.

I think your father has a point, David. I think maybe your education could stand a little, Phil and I.

There is nothing that cannot be learned from books, Mr. Boone.

Well, now I doubt that. And I don't think you could find any book that says that.

Besides, this conversation is quite academic. I have agreed to give up several months just to keep my father happy.

Do you think that's long enough, Dan?

Well, you can learn a lot in a short time if you want to, and nothing in a long time. I think it's up to David.

Oh, now, Mr. Boone, it's up to you.

You see, I am just an empty vessel waiting for you to pour some of your precious knowledge into me.

I even intend to humor you, for the reason.

Unfortunately for me, of course, I shouldn't be seeing such delightful creatures as you two where I'm going.

We'll miss you. Don't be gone to.

Well, I'll try very hard. I assure you, darling.

Well, she seems ready for the frontier.

Seems pretty well set up for a young man spent the last twelve years living in the Lathol jungle.

Dan, I don't want you to hold back. Treat him as you would any other young man.

Don't be afraid to. Well, make it as difficult as you think necessary.

With Henry's. Of course, I'll leave that up to you.

He's made of good stuff, I'm sure of it.

Mr. Boone, if you're ready, I'm sure I am.

Well, what is that?

Paint, brushes, canvas, sketch pads, and charcoal.

David, fancy's himself an artist.

Oh, correction, Father. I am an artist and a very good one.

Well, I'm sure you are, David, but, uh...

Well, we've got a long trek in front of us, and since you're new to the frontier, you may just find it difficult to propel yourself.

Mr. Boone, I agreed to subject myself to this puberty right to prove my manhood according to my father's anti-deluvian notions.

But I did not agree to waste all of my time. I will not forgo my art, not even for two months.

And nothing that you can say or do will force me to do so.

All right. There are some things a man has to learn the hard way.

Oh, my badge of courage and virility.

What do you might find it? It might come in handy before we get to where we're going.

See you in about two months.

Without fail.

Goodbye, son. Dan Boone's the best man I know.

Follow his lead and you can't go wrong.

I follow my own lead, Father, and I haven't gone wrong yet.

I'll see you.

Why are we stopping?

You get a chance to catch your breath.

Oh, no.

We'll carry on until you're ready to rest.

MUSIC

Now why are we stopping?

Because I'm ready for a breather and a little food.

Bad.

Taking pity on the tenderfoot.

You've been choosing the most difficult route

possible, haven't you?

And the shortest.

Trying to break my spirit.

Make me more tractable to training

as they do with wild horses.

Well, not exactly.

You got to get blisters before you can grow calluses.

Sometimes the hardest way is the easiest way in the long run.

Now tell me, Mr. Booth, is that part

of your home span philosophy?

That's what you want to call it, but it's a fact.

David?

I'd heard that you pioneers sometimes eat horse meat,

but I didn't know you ate the harness too.

It's horrible.

Well, you may not like it, but it's nourishing.

We can't afford to shoot any fresh meat

as long as we're in Shawnee country.

That's very amusing, Mr. Booth.

You know, you need can try to inflame my imagination

with fantasies of all the dangers lurking ahead of me

in the wilderness.

I've made my commitment to study before the feet of the Aristotle

of the frontier, and I intend to live up to it

without any of your childish attempts to frighten me.

You sure use a lot of words, David?

I'm so sorry.

Are you having difficulty following my conversation?

No.

No, I'm getting the general idea.

I sure would hate to have you help for me, though,

if I was drowning.

Well, then I'll make it very simple for you.

I don't believe that there's an Indian with 100 miles of here.

It takes in a lot of territory.

You'd still have me believe that we're in danger,

wouldn't you, Mr. Booth?

Well, I'm forward with your childish pretense.

I've had enough of it.

Well, you're entitled, David.

You're pretty good at humor, people.

So just for now, why don't you humor me?

And let's haul out of here.

Oh, man.

Oh.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

I'm going to get you.

Well, there it is.

Your trap line.

It's been part of every year in that valley.

The sight of my voyage backward in time to find the skills made obsolete by the advance of civilization.

That's a good thing. Some of us still know how to trap.

Otherwise, how would you civilize folk by your first?

Touche, Mr. Boone.

I admit to being curious, David.

About why I agreed to subject myself to this nonsense?

Since you seem to feel that way about it.

Well, perhaps I don't want to be cut out of my father's will.

You see, he's become a very rich man.

I haven't had crossed my mind, but I don't think that's the real reason.

All right. It's rather simple, really.

My father's been very good to me, and although he's a little misguided in this, he means well.

Miss Guided, do you think you're smart enough to pass judgment on him?

He's still rather a child, isn't he?

Is he?

Well, now, does a mature man still cling to romantic notions of his youth?

Bill Scott is as much a man as I've ever known.

And what he remembers and wants for you is an appreciation of life that can only be learned by experience.

Speaking of experience, I better teach you how to use that rifle.

See this pine cone? It could save your life.

Did I say I was going to teach you how to shoot?

Ah. You see, I forgot to tell you, Mr. Boone. I attended Sandhurst for a while.

Oh, now in case you're not familiar with it.

It's a military college. Now, is there anything else you forgot to tell me?

Mr. Boone.

I'm afraid I haven't been quite honest with you.

You see, when my father first proposed this wild experiment,

I decided that I would shorten my apprenticeship by doing some research.

Now, I will grant you. There aren't many textbooks available on trapping beaver, hunting bear,

building cabins and other skills related to a wilderness.

But I must confess that I have managed to digest the ones that I could find quite thoroughly.

And I think that you will find me very knowledgeable on any project that we might decide to undertake.

That's very interesting, David.

Thank you.

Of course I've realized it does sound a bit smug, doesn't it?

But, well, look, I could give you a pointer on the way.

I mean, there's nothing like practical experience now, is there?

It does come in handy now and then.

What is it?

You're showing me, I reckon.

Oh, Mr. Boone, I don't see any Indians.

Come on, David.

Mr. Boone, aren't you being a bit ridiculous?

This is no time to stand around and argue.

Now, Mr. Boone, I think this is one of your backward jokes.

It is not a joke.

And I don't intend to be a victim of it.

David?

I pass here.

Short time ago.

I'm going to go back to the

next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

I'm going to go back to the next one.

Let's go back to the next one now.

Catch up in the future.

We rock up pretty good.

I'm going to get out of here, Sean.

He's magnificent, the most impressive specimen you think he posed for me.

Long knife.

You might trade you even a little at his time for your scalp.

What if they're on the warpath? Why do they have a woman with them?

Long knife comes to be the son of a shoney chief.

When he left his father's tribe, he left with a handful of followers.

Might be he's looking for a new place to light.

What did they disagree about?

About killing pale faces. The old chief was dead set against him.

Not Mr. Bill.

Well, I think I owe you an apology. About the Indians, I mean.

Well, I reckon it makes us even. How will you want for hitting you, but there won't any time to argue?

Well, under the circumstances, I accept it.

Let's go.

You forgive a rather obvious question, Mr. Boo.

I mean, a very short time ago, we were running for our very lives from angry savages, and yet now you sit terribly calmly, building enormous fire and cook some fish.

Well, I mean, is there some sort of an unspoken truth that takes effect at sundown?

That's pretty good, David. That's not exactly the way it is.

A human sanctuary? How curious.

Well, you see, long knife's father's a chief, and he owns this land.

They had a falling out in the long knife's war and never set foot in this territory again.

Could you draw me a map of it?

Well, not even a good artist could do that. Here, let's see.

Thank you.

I've tasted trout in the finest restaurants in London, Paris, and Switzerland. It never tasted like this before.

Well, catching it yourself adds a special flavor.

That and eating out in the open. I defer to you on one thing, Mr. Boo. There are things that cannot be learned from books.

Well, I reckon it would be hard to write down the taste of fresh caught trout.

I must confess that despite my preconceived conclusions, I admire you, Mr. Boo.

That is, of course, in the way that you relate to your environment, limited, though, dear.

But I don't understand why a man of your obvious capabilities would choose to spend his life in this wilderness.

Well, that's just another difference of opinion, David. I never considered spending my life out here a waste.

Man against the elements, the primordial battle for survival. That's a rather limited use of the abilities God gave us surely.

Not against, David. Learning to live with nature, to make the most of what God has given us.

Well, of course, you could refer to using those terms. But the very fact that it can all be learned in a matter of a few weeks doesn't add up to much of a challenge, does it?

Well, I'm still learning, but then, of course, I never had a chance to read those fancy books of yours.

Well, you pick up a few minor things. Nothing very important.

But, you see, I've learned enough, since I've been out here, Mr. Booan, to be able to exist on my own if I so choose.

Aren't you forgetting all you knew before you got here?

Well, they help, of course. But what I'm really speaking of is the practical application of that knowledge.

I haven't seen any demonstration to that yet.

Ah, but you're my instructor. I'm here to learn from you, remember?

In other words, you didn't want to show me up.

Putting it rather bluntly, but yes, you're right.

You know, David, I've known a couple of young cubs like you, and they've all had real, outsized opinions of themselves.

But compared to you, they've all been shy and retiring.

I hate force modesty, Mr. Booan.

I'm surprised you even know how to pronounce it.

And if I were a betting man, I'd place a sizable wager that I could reach Boonsboro from here all on my own, even though I've never been there before.

If I weren't a friend of your father's, I'd take you up on that.

You'd lose the bet.

I doubt it. And you'd be apt to lose your life.

Mr. Booan, that sounds like a challenge.

No, just friendly advice.

A word to the wise?

Which the wise would heed.

Yeah.

David, are you all right?

Oh.

Oh, my stuff.

I know he'd been poisoned.

There's you, David.

Chum.

Chum.

Chum.

Chum.

Chum.

How do you feel?

It's all the same for you. I think I'd like to die. Right here.

You almost did.

Aren't you going to say I told you so?

No, I figure you feel bad enough already. We've got to keep moving.

You're a nighttime navigator and took us right back into long-nast territory, and he just might have picked up our trail again.

Mr. Booan, I don't know how much help I'm going to be. I'm afraid.

Well, it doesn't matter.

Just don't try using that gun.

Welcome to our camp long nights. I've been sort of expecting you.

I have a difficult trail to follow.

You're not quite difficult enough. Now that you've found us, what can I do for you?

This is your friend.

This is the son of a friend.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

This is your friend.

This is the son of a friend.

That's my picture. How did he get it?

I suspect we found it wherever you left.

Did you make that drawing?

Yes, I did.

Good.

You come with us.

You make your pardon?

You'll come with us.

What do they want with me?

I don't know, but it wouldn't be up too much with me.

Oh, this is ridiculous. They can't just abduct me like this.

Long night, the son of my friend and I came in peace.

Boom.

Don't make me shed your blood.

A tribal artist has died.

I need someone to take his place.

I need someone to paint the signs when we bury our dead.

I see.

Without these things, your braves grow restless.

You think of rejoining your father's tribe.

This will not happen.

He will come with us. He'll be one of us.

Oh, not just a minute.

Long night, if you just can't force a man to become a member of your tribe.

We have ways.

But I'm responsible for him. I can't let you take him.

I've brought a woman.

There's a greed to be given in trade.

A good of our people.

I have a woman long night, if you know that.

You as a slave.

Slave for the father of this one.

She will untie you when the son goes down.

Do not fall or burn.

Or you will die.

Mr. Boom, you cannot allow this to happen.

I don't seem to have much to say about it.

Well, contact my father. Perhaps he can...

I'll do that.

But don't you do anything foolish. Have patience.

Do you understand that, David?

I think I do.

Thanks.

How you can go back to your own people?

I cannot. I belong to you.

Nobody belongs to anybody. No offense intended.

But I cannot go back. I've been given in trade.

It's a matter of honor for me and for a long night.

You got a point.

You are my slave.

You got to do what I tell you.

Fine.

You come along with me.

You may rest now.

If the painting finishes.

Oh, no, it will require several more sittings.

You have great magic in your brush.

It's not a question of magic. It's a question of being taught.

A question of training.

Where did you learn such magic?

In a school, across the ocean.

The ocean?

Across the big water. Far from here.

Yes, well, anyway, that's where I learned to paint.

This painting gives me strong medicine.

Stronger than that of my father.

I will become the chief of all Ashani.

Oh, I think you're attaching a little more power to this painting than really exists.

And this painting is done. You will teach me the magic.

Oh, I'm afraid I can't stay that long.

You will stay. You will become a blood brother to the Shani.

My people will become your people.

Now, I'm sure you intend that as a great compliment and I am deeply flattered.

But I don't really think I'm worthy of such an honor.

And the plain truth of the matter is, I have no desire to become your brother.

To become a Shani is a great honor.

Oh, I'm sure it is, only.

You dared insult our ancestors?

No, I don't wish to insult.

You paint again.

Yes.

If you'd like to rejoin your people, won't you?

I cannot.

To wait things stand, you belong to me.

And as long as you belong to me, you're the baby. Do you understand?

Yes.

Come along with me.

Good.

Oh, you're tired of holding that pose?

Then we shall finish the painting tomorrow.

Now you become one of us.

What?

Ready for the ceremony.

Oh, why don't we just finish the painting?

I've...

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You know, since long, I figured that you're a fair and great from David.

I think it's when you arrived at David's fair and great for you.

I don't understand.

I just wouldn't want long to come to a conclusion that you'd go along with me in this.

Oh, I...

I...

I...

I have read several books about the more common Indian rituals.

Am I permitted to ask which one of these I'm subjected to?

Is it the hot knives or the raw hide thongs?

You'll learn for yourself.

This is a test of your manhood.

Your fittings to become a blood brother.

Look, you don't understand. I don't wish to insult you, but...

You don't choose to be our brother.

You choose to be our enemy.

What if... what if I don't measure up?

Supposing I'm not strong enough, not brave enough to survive the ceremony.

That would be very bad.

Tell me, is it a customary part of your ceremony to be tied up like this?

Does it not question a man's courage?

Soon you'll be untied to run the gauntlet.

Run the gauntlet.

It's our first ritual. Sensors but eight of us.

You will be allowed to run it twice.

Drink.

What is it? It's a wine of courage.

Yes, but what's in it?

Oh, many things.

Many special things now, drink.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

Many special things now, drink.

Pair yourself now. The ceremony will begin.

There!

Start here!

There's a man in your trip!

I'm going to be a

dangerous one, Mr. Boone.

Let's get out of here.

Won't they follow us if we run?

They'll kill us if we stay here.

Save your breath, run the river just up ahead.

My pants your page I left from a long nice camera. I must go back for the work risk in your life for all we can take another

Route back, but I've got to have them you don't understand if they catch you again

They're gonna kill you and what's more important. They're gonna kill me to mr.

Boone. I'm sorry. I must have my pants

Mr. Boone you struck me again. That's right I did again. All right sir this time I insist on satisfaction

I'll give you a chance but this is not the time or place long-naps behind us and if we fight here

He's the only one that's gonna get any satisfaction out of it very well I will

wait a more propitious time I'm sure glad to hear that now let's get out

you stay here

quite a turn for what set of tracks up in the grass like I did oh look why don't I just hide

somewhere and perhaps you could lead them away I want to make you the quarry for my own safety I

don't want to see you killed on my account besides you can out distance them alone

what you do like I ask don't you think long that can tell the difference between two sets of tracks in one

yes I should have thought of that

now step exactly back in your tracks keep your weight on your heels it'll look like you were going

forward

it's very convincing though do you think long knife will be taken in by the

deception better hope so come on

left the water here tracks lead up to the dry grass boom is smart knows that I sworn

ever to set foot on my father's land again it will take refuge there your father's land right there

you forgo this way rest will go this way search for him across the water

who knows like the Fox lead the hunt one way and go another go now we waste time

mr. boom how much further do we have to go too far from

to travel at this place love naps a lot smarter than I gave him credit for

these fallness like a hound after a raccoon at least there's only four gives us a

chance a chance sooner later they're going to catch up with us so we'll pick

the time of the place

thank you David for saving my scalp well that works both ways doesn't it now if

you let me have your knife what do you want with my knife well we're gonna

scout them aren't we don't tell me you've read a book on how to lift a scalp yes I

do and it gave very explicit directions you see you hold the fall lock of the

victim with your left hand and you make an incision just at the hairline on the

forehead well David don't you think we could just tie him up somehow won't hold

him for long we'll be long enough to get out of here oh well I suppose that

decisions up to you mr. boom but I must tell you I'm very disappointed in you

mr. boom I'll be traveling in the wrong direction well we have been for several

hours why well it's a long way around but it sure saved our hides how take

a look

they're stopping

the boundary line we've made it into neutral territory does that mean we're

safe another day's travel we ought to be in Boonsboro

all right mr. bone here and now here and now mr. boom why don't you take a

little time and get your breath oh I am sufficiently recovered thank you

besides it will help to balance the advantage of my obvious youth I mean to

be very fair about this you see oh what's gonna balance my advantage in size my

superior skill mr. boom I hate to do this but my cold demand satisfaction I say

well what if I tell you I don't know how to fight your style that's exactly what

I'm counting on mr. Boone it's no good trying to talk your way out of it I

insist on teaching you a lesson would it make any difference if I told you I

don't want to fight you well you are quite willing before when you struck me

without warning but you know why I did that David mr. Boone I have no intention

of changing my mind we will fight until one of us is unable to rise to his feet

what a waste when we have so far to travel why don't I just apologize and

we'll let it go at that don't patronize me mr. Boone you defend yourself you will

see that brute force is no match for the science of fisticuffs science mr. Boone

the wave of the future well I reckon so David but we're not in the future yet

I see David hasn't changed oh you mean the painting I hope you give up that

nonsense but I suppose it was too much to ask I spent the better part of 20

your spoiling him I couldn't expect a few short months to make any difference

would be expecting too much wouldn't it well at least I made the effort still

it wasn't very fair of me to wish him off on you and Dan David hello father it's

good to see you boy you look wonderful son you know pretty good

yourself and all dressed up in buckskins that's something I thought I'd never

see yes well I found out they wear a little better than satins and lace what

are you doing with that bear skin he shot it I help him skin it out we're gonna

make a run from all father I'd like you to meet Israel boom pleasure to meet you

sir how do you do Israel mean David or hunt and partners Bill Dan she's done a

wonderful job with him thank you thank me for David saved pause life to fight with

the Indians he saved your life that's right where's your luggage oh it's at

the tavern well nonsense you're gonna stay here with us nothing I'd like better

Dan but I have to be on board a ship for Boston in a week how soon can you be

ready to leave son well father I I hate to leave a job how finished a job we're

building a cabin I take a while to finish but then the trapping season will start

you mean you want to stay here well at least through the winter anyway it's

pointless to learn something and then not put it to use isn't it I think you're

serious I am but what about your painting your education well I can use that

education somebody should be writing a history of the frontier one day this

will all be gone father you can help me you send me some supplies from Salem and

I can keep track of it on canvas too you haven't said anything Dan well I

reckon you know what I'm bound to say I think it's a fine idea besides David said

he'd teach me how to paint that'll take a while I knew it was too good to be true

you better watch him Dan you'll be making a dandy out of Israel too

you

you