The Kentuckian

How long now, Pa? How many more days?

We ain't much more than started.

Is there troublemakers around here too?

Don't you fret about that Fromes family, son.

We're not really running from them, are we, Pa?

Us?

We're traipsing along like natural men.

We got other things to do. We gotta get to Texas.

I can't hardly wait. Are you certain sure we won't stay long in Humility?

Long enough to say how do you do to your Uncle Zack and Aunt Sophie.

Could I count the money again?

- You sure there's enough? - Certain sure.

Enough for the steamboat with a mite left over for seed.

10 and 10 is 20, and 20 more's 40.

Old Faro's getting hot. Just listen to him sing.

- What's 20 onto 115? - 135.

Hush, boy. Faro's making music.

Fox doubled on him.

Same as before, Pa. 215.

Are you expecting it to multiply?

Give it here. We'll blow the dog in.

Let me try it again, Pa.

Time you can blow it, I figure you'll be growed up.

- He heard you. - Why, sure he did.

Old Gabriel himself will want to borrow this horn on Judgment Day.

You better lie down now. Your ma will be asking why I don't bed you down.

Won't you tell me something more about Texas?

It's a place for the likes of us. No people there much. No neighbors to crowd you.

Only wild game to see and to shoot at.

When you take a breath, it's got a clean taste, like nobody never used it before.

Man, oh, man!

Smart music, Faro.

That's the way Texas is, they say, and that's the way for us.

It ain't we don't like people. We like room more.

Room to stretch in. Room to see and hunt.

Where you set foot, no foot's been set before.

That's what ails Kentucky. A man can't move without he nudges a neighbor.

Here, Faro! Heel!

Get him.

- You there, call your dog off. - He didn't start it.

I've a good mind to arrest you. Resisting an officer, breach of the peace.

- It's ready. They can eat now. - Can't you wait a minute?

- What are you doing here in Prideville? - Passing through.

Let's have your name.

Elias Wakefield.

Some of you Wakefields just killed Mose Fromes over east.

- Weren't me. - No?

Then you won't mind lying in jail whilst we find out.

- You coming peaceable? - I ain't coming.

Get him, men! I'm deputizing you!

Please eat. Your pa would want you to eat.

I bet he will eat.

We was going to Texas.

Texas, now? That's a far piece. So far I can't think it's there.

Bet it's nice.

There's buffalo.

- Sure enough buffalo? - Galore. And deer too.

- And foxes for your hound? - More varmints than you can count.

I swear!

The air has a clean taste to it. The people don't crowd you.

No bound girls there, I reckon. What they call indentures.

No lone woman either.

- What, Hannah? - Nothing. I was just dreaming.

I was free once.

I've heard the hounds making music and the horn to blow them in.

And you know that no one was on hill or hollow but some free wild thing.

That's Texas!

Now you eat.

Stop poking and get the food on!

- Who said you could feed him? - He's just a boy.

Talk back when your time is up!

You seem to forget you're still bound out to me.

Now get them vittles in there!

Now, you eat.

Soon as we can we'll take a plate to your pa.

Psst!

Psst!

John, give him a drink on me.

Where's he at?

Glad you showed up, boys. I almost knowed your granddaddy.

Him that got killed first and so set the two families feuding.

Cry, ye young 'uns, cry, sweethearts,

when the feuding shooting starts.

And weep, you widows in lone homes

when a Wakefield beats a Fromes.

He asked where he was at.

He's here all right. I got him safe and sound.

- It's your chance to get even. - Got him in the jailhouse?

- Else where'd you have him? - You can't touch him there.

The law would know you'd done it.

You've got to think of my position.

Let's not push, boys. Let's have a drink. Let's have a drink and talk.

Obliged for the vittles. And for tending to my boy.

You rest easy, Little Eli. We won't miss that boat.

- Pa? - Well?

Her name's Hannah, Pa.

Pa, could a lone woman go to Texas?

If she was man enough to stand it. Why?

I mean her. With us.

No. We was just talking outlandish.

Nothing against you, miss, but he forgets...

I couldn't get away even if I wanted to.

- As we're friends... - As we are?

A constable's pay is mighty small.

- It's pay he wants. - A little something between friends.

- Just let him out, friend. - Or we can wait for that jail door to open.

- We're good at waiting. - For a Wakefield.

No appreciation at all. I've done 'em my last favor.

Won't buy a drink, won't buy a bed.

Just waiting.

We fooled you, Hannah! We sure fooled you!

- Morning. - Good morning.

Faro! Faro!

It's Faro!

Pa said you'd come back first chance you got. He said you'd nose us out.

Stay right there!

You're arrested again, Wakefield, and this time not for nothing.

- What for? - Enticing a female indenture away.

He didn't. I came of my own free will.

- That's for the court. - I'll teach you to be high-headed.

You thought you were so smart, Wakefield. But it was me that was smart.

I knew the dog would tail you. Them Fromeses didn't.

- Fromeses? - They was after you.

I didn't let on. I was afeared you'd fight them.

- Come on! - Hold on.

Stand back!

Can't a man do something?

Sure. If you had more than a buckeye in your pocket, you could buy her free.

- How much would it come to? - Higher than you ever counted.

- 200 dollars. - And my costs too. Now move!

Pa! That's our Texas money.

I'll go back. I'll work hard.

You keep your Texas money, Eli.

Son, you got a proper say in this.

I don't want her to go back to him.

Do you stand with me?

I stand with you.

You're plumb wore out, Hannah.

Seems like all I want to do is to leave things behind.

We'll stay the night here.

- Come another day or so, we'll all be safe. - Safe for sure?

Mountain people like the Fromeses stick close to their own briar patch.

It galls me some, though, to think I run.

I wouldn't call it running, even leaving Texas out.

He ain't got much, Little Eli.

Just Faro and me.

Been half an orphan all his life, which is why I made tracks.

Couldn't stand to think he'd be a whole one.

You're a good man, Eli Wakefield.

Don't let anything come between.

That's your Uncle Zack.

I'll find out where your Uncle Zack lives.

Never say die!

Begging your pardon.

- A miss! - I ought to cut that buckskin off of you!

- I just wanted to ask... - Anything you want can wait!

Well, son, you had enough?

What do you want?

Begging your pardon, but could you tell me where Zack Wakefield lives?

That your wife?

No.

You looking for work?

Wakefield doesn't hire any women.

I could use one here, though.

She don't want no work. I asked you a civil question.

You going to tell me where Zack Wakefield lives?

Wakefield's a particular man.

No use asking here. Thank you, sir.

Second place north, on the left.

If he'll let you in.

Howdy, Zack. We got here.

Elias!

Praise the Lord!

You're a sight for sore eyes.

- This your young 'un? - There's three of us.

There's three of you. Come on in!

- Sophie! Elias is here! - In a shake!

You wouldn't remember your Uncle Zack. Shake hands.

- How are you, boy? - This here is Hannah.

- How do, miss? - How do you do?

- We've brought something for you. - Oh?

- For your innards. - Oh!

That's nice! Mighty nice!

But you got no business spending your money on fancies.

Take off your duds. Sit down, y'all.

Well, Elias!

And here's Little Eli all grown up almost!

That hair's pretty enough for a girl.

You must have lost your shears, you and your pa both.

This is Hannah, Sophie.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Hannah? - She come with us.

Oh. I didn't get the last name.

- Hannah Bolen. - Pa freed her with our Texas money.

It cost 200 dollars.

A bound girl?

We're all going to Texas.

I see.

You got to take things for what they are.

Pity you didn't train that hound, Little Eli.