1780 (2025) Movie Script
1
(footsteps in grass rustling)
(soft ominous music)
(soldier panting)
(footsteps in grass rustling)
(muskets fire)
- Advance!
(ominous music continues)
Advance!
(soldier shouting muffling)
Go west!
(musket fires)
- Come on, there, there, fire!
(musket fires)
One more, get him!
Advance, move forward!
You two, check that barn!
You, check those houses!
Find the bastard!
(footsteps in grass rustling)
(soft ominous music continues)
(musket fires)
(dramatic bluegrass music)
(dramatic bluegrass music)
Old Abraham who
raised his hands
And on this very day
For his children left
the Promised Land
In search of heaven's way
They kick and scream
like wayward sons
That always wanted to sleep
And dream away
these evil days
In hopes that God can't see
Yeah
Their chains upon
The children, oh the
chains upon the children
Yeah
Their chains upon
The children
Yeah, their chain
Do you hear the lion roar
Wake the sleeper
Stand with me,
we'll fight the war
Wake the sleeper
Let no man bring me harm
I bare the marks of Jesus
(musket fires)
Let no man bring me harm
'Cause I bare
the marks of God
Do you hear the lion roar
(muskets firing)
Wake the sleeper
Stand with me,
we'll fight the war
Wake the sleeper
I said do you
hear the lion roar
Wake the sleeper
Come on and stand with
me, we'll fight the war
Wake the sleeper
Let no man bring me harm
Hey
I bare the marks of Jesus
Let no man bring me harm
I bare the marks of the Lord
(canons bang)
(ax knocks)
(kid grunts)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(ax knocks)
(kid grunts)
(kid grunting)
(footsteps in grass rustling)
- Move.
(man grunts)
Not like this.
Up, like that.
Here.
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(log knocks)
(ax tapping)
(log crunches)
(kids grunting)
Go check the traps.
Miles.
Instinct's you go at
'em with your arms.
If you enlist your legs
too, they'll open easier.
(ax slams)
(soft music)
(ax taps)
(log pieces thuds)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(soft music)
(ax slams)
(man grunts)
(stream rustling)
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(metal trap creaks)
(metal trap creaking)
(metal trap slams)
(Miles exclaims)
(soft ominous music)
(Miles softly groans)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soft ominous music continues)
(shoes shuffling)
- They out there?
- I can't see 'em.
- That don't mean
they ain't out there.
Hell, we ain't men if
we don't stand to now.
- This ain't about being men.
This here's about staying alive.
- We got most a minute or two
in our pockets to
set some formation.
- You might as well
have us on leashes.
- That's why needed Joe too.
We do that, we shift the odds,
level the sides, two a piece.
- Listen to yourself.
- They don't know these
lands like I know.
10 minutes to them's
an hour to us.
- That ain't true
and you called it.
The kid knows the land,
better than you at that.
- Then we lay the boy
triggin', every round on him.
(soft muffled bell tolling)
(soft bell tolling rising)
- That ain't true neither.
Kid ain't nothin'
to the officer.
He's the type to
follow us to doomsday.
- We can't just sit here
waiting to get plucked.
Initiative's on us.
- So be it, I'll follow you.
- Follow me? Why am I leading?
- You're faster.
- You're as close
to God's cursed
as a horse's ass, you know that?
(musket clicks)
We go together.
- You go first.
- Second allegiance is likely
to take a bullet as a lead.
- Then it ain't
make no difference
if you go first now, does it?
- Bloody Hobson's choice.
- Shh!
- There's a dead maple there,
just before the
path dipped sharp.
Now, if you stow
yourself behind-
(musket fires)
- Gah!
- Bloody hell!
- Fall in line!
(ominous music)
(shoes in leaves crunching)
(musket fires)
(ominous music)
(soft chilling beat strikes)
(musket fires)
(ominous music continues)
(distorting music rising)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
(soldier thuds)
(wounded soldier
loudly groaning)
(musket fires)
(wounded soldier coughs)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
(wounded soldier groaning)
(kick thwacks)
(wounded soldier grunts)
(wounded soldier groaning)
Come on, give it here.
Give it here, (grunts) hey.
(ominous music continues)
- [Wounded Soldier]
Please, I beg you.
(soft intense music)
(bayonet stabs)
(wounded soldier yelps)
(bayonet stabbing)
(soft intense music continues)
(ominous music)
(bayonet stabs)
(soldier spits)
(ominous music continues)
(birds chirping)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping continues)
(stream rustling continues)
- This nay be one I recognize.
Took one in the shoulder, yeah.
(stream rustling continues)
Boots are damp, meaning he
crossed before succumbing.
You fish his pockets prior?
- No.
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soldier's belongings shuffling)
What are his chances?
- He don't last
through the night.
- So we gonna leave him?
- It's decided
business either way.
Exposure will do its work.
We'll bury him proper
after he slips off.
That's the best we can offer.
There's no reward
for helping dead men.
(soft music)
(sighs) Just like your
mother, hold this.
This whole affair's hollow
if we don't pluck
that bullet first.
(man grunts)
(man grunts)
- Um, furthest north
is a cloche named Jan.
Now, his grounds and the savages
are nearly a single piece,
but he maneuvers the
apostles better than most
and they treat him like some
trusted Trojan up there.
- How far north is this man
you're gammoning on about?
- Well, Jan's camp is
two-days journey northwest.
It's shorter in
spring and summer,
but that's only if
it ain't stormin'.
- Now, our quarry is
much closer than that.
- Well, understood.
That's why we're steering
to Honore's place
on account of his
track being nearest.
I was only venturing to give
you as expansive a vista
of our veil as I could so
that you too could see it
in your mind's eye with
the clarity that I have.
- Well, thank you.
- Why any men would forego women
and drink to make his way
in the world selling rodents
for buttons is beyond me.
- Ah, it ain't so untethered
to civility out here,
least doesn't have to be.
I mean, some of these
cliques, why, they,
they only get to
market once a year.
But that prerogative's theirs.
See, for myself, I make it to
town nearly once every month.
And as for drink and clinkin'-
- Oh please, enough.
- I make my mark every time
I spank landfall. (chuckles)
- Be about ye long.
(young soldier laughs)
- Tate!
Now, about this trapper's
dealings at town,
you say he takes what?
Abrasive trips a year at best?
Seems ill-conceived to sit
on one's merchandise
half a year's length,
prices fluctuating as they do
with the continued conflict.
- Well, I can't comment on
that with any certainty.
I always saw that as what
he found preferential.
- I'm trying to gauge
how his past affiliations
might dictate who he visits
or conspires with
whilst in town,
and if those sympathies persist.
- Well, how one man could
look into another's eyes
and know what's in his heart,
well, if I could do that,
I'd be the mushroom to envy.
No, it was Honore's wife who'd
you be seeing in the sits.
And even more so in bumper
years, she was esteemed.
I mean, even saying that could
be taken as a top upon her,
she was loved so great.
It's a shame what happened.
She had a hand in your
plucking, didn't she, Isaac?
- I was told so.
- You'd be about the right age.
What are ya, 14?
- 16, sir, 17 this December.
- Aye, he's most a full pup.
- Well, 16, that-
that rings true.
- So in the end, what happened
to this trapper's rib?
- Please, enough with
the gossip, Wallace.
- All due respect, Lieutenant,
we're yoked to this tantivy pig
and whenever opportunity arises
to give an office,
he cheeses it.
- Well, that ain't my
intent, I can assure you.
Now, as for this particular
trapper's wife...
(light orchestral music)
(Honore grunting)
- Stowe these.
Fetch your mother's
tools from up top.
(light orchestral music)
(soldier gasps)
Hold on.
(light orchestral
music continues)
(soldier groans)
(light orchestral music)
(soldier exclaims)
Dammit.
I said lemon balm,
this is witch hazel.
- Where are my bags?
- Nevermind!
- Hey, let me go.
- That time has passed.
I need you to hold his legs.
- What you- what
you putting on here?
(groans) What you putting in me?
(kick thumps)
(kid grunts)
(soldier slams)
(soldier groans)
- Are you hurt?
(soldier softly breathing)
Is this registering?
(soldier wheezes)
I am trying to help you out
but if you buck or
even glance askew
in the direction
of my son again,
I'll lay Cain upon Abel
until you can't take it.
- Thank you.
- Thank him.
I would've left you
for a beast's diet.
(soldier coughing)
- [Soldier] You got a name?
- The name's Miles.
- Thank you, Miles.
Don't need to lay on
my feet, I'll stay put.
You know how long
I was down for?
What- (screams) what
hour is it? (groans)
- [Honore] Just settle.
- I was being pursued.
- By who?
- [Soldier] Queen's rangers.
(birds chirping)
(soft intense music)
(soldier grunting)
You, uh, hide my
musket somewhere
in case I turn hostile?
(soldier groans)
- Papa.
Papa! Papa!
- What-
- He's bleeding still.
- [Soldier] Where's my Bess?
- [Miles] He's
bleeding still, Papa!
- Why the hunt?
Are you a wig?
Are you a patriot?
- 1st Pennsylvania Rifles.
(soldier groans)
- You have no more chance than
a cat in hell without claws
I let you go before
I take that out.
(soldier grunts)
(soft intense music)
Bite down.
(soldier screaming)
(flesh squelching)
(soldier screaming)
(soldier grunting)
(soldier spits)
(soldier grunting)
- Did you two take my musket?
(Honore gags)
- They were the only
two bags that were with you.
- You understand that found,
my gun will be the dropped cog
that leads the
English straight here.
- I'm sewing tantivy.
You know how many were tailing?
- Three. (breathing heavily)
My name's Abner Cross.
- Honore Laurent.
- Got a chip myself,
a boy like you.
- I didn't see no one.
- No, he's in the city.
- [Miles] In Kittatinny?
- London.
You and he could be a set.
Same, uh, same height,
same age, I would guess.
(Abner groans)
Well, as it is,
(groans) I thank you both.
And on behalf of-
(soft ominous music)
- [Honore] Yeah.
- Is he dead?
- What'd he say he lost, a Bess?
He didn't mention
nothing other, did he?
Huh?
- Is he dead?
- Make sure he drinks
water when he wakes.
That was our
(indistinct) to cry.
(Miles sniffling)
(soft music)
He marked, and you
marked as well.
You give yourself
a clear hundred.
If he ain't woken
by that full term,
and don't loiter
about it neither
on account of your good nature.
You take a slice of
meat and some vegetables
and you head for
the southern cave
and sleep there overnight.
- What do I do with-
- Psst!
I will retrieve
you in the morning.
If you clear that same hundred
and he's awoke but
still in his altitudes,
then you do the prescribed
same with him left behind.
- Meet at the cave
with the vittles?
- Yes.
But if at the end of
that file he's awoke
and has his wits, then,
only then, you, not him you.
You, you made the
choice to stow him
while not knowing that stowing
him on our premises means
we have to look the lion in
the mouth playing Daniel.
Okay, I'm going to
retrieve this Bess.
If I return and
I'm with company,
namely these lobsters,
I'll call out to
you to ready a meal.
I don't care if you do
or not, it's all daft.
It's a cipher that
if you're still here
and have this bloke hidden,
you prepare yourself a mask.
(soft music)
- One, two,
three, four...
Five, six...
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(stream rustling)
(water sloshing)
(birds chirping continues)
- Tread gingerly, Thomas.
I just lay new
traps this morning.
You ain't a rat's
tail away from one.
(Thomas grunting)
- [Thomas] Set.
- I see you're silent
now, my friend.
Near seconds ago,
you had tongue enough
for two sets of teeth.
- (laughs) The good
book has no prohibitions
that I recall against
helping strangers in need.
- 'Cept those strangers claim
not only to be the masters
of the house but masters
of you and me both.
And you're leading them
all over God's green earth
like a cat's uncle begging
to save his groats.
- I make it my business to
make every man my friend.
- That's not business, Thomas.
That's cowardice.
- (chuckles) Acting the
friend to three armed rangers
who come knocking on my
door ain't cowardice,
Honore, it's common sense.
They're hoping to
ferret out some
bum they think bolted
into our woods.
Now, I told them that
there's a thousand
and one footpads
here, and the only way
that he lands at
one of our doors is
if he aimed for it
from the beginning.
- So you led them
straight to me.
- I was their initial
find, your door followed.
Look, it's not personal,
it's arithmetic.
Look, once they
copped your place,
I'll head 'em over to
Dagen's and after that,
they'll lose interest and
they'll head back to town.
- You played the hedge whore
for them free of
charge, didn't you?
- Well, you want me to agitate
these three for what gain?
They just wanna turn over
your place once, that's all.
No quarters or provisions.
But maybe when they
know about you,
they'll treat you a
little differently.
Lieutenant Roberts, may
I present Honore Laurent.
- So this is Laurent.
Lieutenant Henry Roberts.
- Are we acquainted?
Or do I only have
the good Thomas here
to thank for this introduction?
- Well, they're in
search of some blagger
that just up and hop the twig.
- Are they now?
I think he's made
himself as much
of a shoved trunk as you.
- I want as least
disruption around here
and I know you do too.
Having some bull cow on the run
with these gentlemen in race,
it just ain't good for anything.
- He would measure
about your height,
no discipline whatsoever,
carrying two bags and a musket.
- Hm.
I would have seen him.
Been about all morning.
What he hatch to
warrant this parade?
- Oh, they say he's
a real shag bag.
- He'd be the type to
play least in sight.
- You're the youngest
Mercer boy, James.
- Isaac.
- Isaac, that's right.
Look at you.
Spit outta your father's mouth.
Now does he, still looking
after the fattest cors in town?
- He's dead, sir.
And so is James.
One of those cors didn't
like their politics.
Your rebels did the rest.
- My rebels?
I'm- I'm sorry.
I didn't hear.
Haven't seen your man.
He didn't come this way.
- Trail says otherwise.
(soft intense music)
- I insist we search your cabin.
Not that I think that
you'd be stowing him,
but if you'd been out all
morning as you say you have,
I'd hate for you to
come home in the evening
and find a dark man's budge
we could have scuttled off
to the gallows in the afternoon.
- You won't find me disgruntled.
- As I said he would,
despite his passionate history,
reason would trump and
he dug the jibber for ya.
(soft intense music)
(ominous music)
- You always allow yourself
this leisurely pace?
- I do quite prefer
it to running.
(ominous music continues)
- What did you tell
them about my history?
- Everything I know.
Trust that young Mercer
was rowin' the same boat,
and all that was
left for me to do was
to smile and nod in agreement.
- [Wallace] The
trail stops here.
(ominous music continues)
(soft intense music)
(soft intense music continues)
- [Roberts] Make what
you can of the tracks
while we search the cabin.
- Alright.
- Alright, Lieutenant.
(soft intense music continues)
(shoes shuffling)
(soft intense music continues)
- [Honore] Miles!
Ready some belly timber.
- You'll stay mum for that.
- You're not hungry?
(door clattering)
Wait!
- I told you about
the boy, didn't I?
I told 'em!
(birds chirping)
- Miles, back inside.
Unless he's been granted some
unmentioned authority by you,
he's not welcome inside.
- None, no authority
by me at all.
- Can't believe the indignity.
Well, you needn't keep me out
like I'm some curtailed mongrel.
(ominous music)
(fire crackling)
(ominous music continues)
- When did you enlist?
- [Honore] Pardon?
- I was told you served
with Virginia's 4th.
- [Honore] I heard
you might have.
- Was that incorrect?
- [Honore] No.
(birds chirping)
- When did you enlist?
- [Honore] '75.
- Hm, so you were
under Bradfield?
(Roberts chuckles)
Bradfield, Bradfield
had a sense for...
For battle that
few do. (chuckling)
Hm, '75.
Means you saw Brandywine.
- [Honore] I did.
- And Virginia's 4th, let's see,
that would've placed you at
Chadds Ford, at the close.
Deep in the rebels' left flank.
(Mercer clears throat)
(glass shatters)
- [Mercer] Sorry.
- Search the grounds.
(glass clinking)
Come on.
(ominous music)
I was at the Ford as
well, under Williams.
Hm.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
Hm.
I'd say circumstances,
painted as they are,
we may have exchanged
a round or two then.
Perhaps even at Charleston.
- [Honore] One could only hope.
- Hm.
Your father fought
the bloodiest battle
a September's ever known.
Did he ever tell
you the stories of
how the rebels limped
off until next Sunday?
- Let's talk when refrained
from under this roof.
- My father fought to
the day he was taken.
And even then, he
couldn't be held.
Escaped from the Jersey-
- Stowe your ways!
And plant them.
(ominous music continues)
- Escaped from the
Jersey, he did?
Now that is interesting.
Seems the boy
have a token for your
campaigning, doesn't he?
- British didn't come
away unscathed neither
is how I remember Brandywine.
600 dead.
Only a handful of
those Hessians.
Anyone I heard paints it
Britain paid blood for blood.
- [Mercer] Ain't out here.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
- Bloody on both sides, true.
- What I recall
are the rebels calling out
to brave old George
as he turned his back,
and then calling out for
mercy as we set upon them.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
Hm?
Hm.
- He ain't out there, got
venison in the smoker.
My gut's beginning to
think my throat's cut.
I'm a go fetch Wallace.
- You will stay where you are.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
- You find anything?
- Other than your mother's gig?
(Thomas chuckles)
Nothing.
- Stop you're flickering,
no need to be coarse.
- Aye, you're right.
There's no need.
- You're milking
a pigeon out here.
You've all gone stone deaf.
That 'scape dal of yours
has gotta put 20,000 paces
from you and he and
the rest of the world.
And- and anyway, it's not
in these trapper's nature,
Honore being the most exemplar,
to open their door for anyone,
and certainly not some
sad trimmed fella.
- You're like a dumb
sheep sac, ain't ya?
Either work through these
crackling southlands with me
or you can go back to your
precious trappers and sublet.
I ain't gonna suffer ya.
(ominous music)
(fire crackling)
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
- This house, it
wouldn't still cling
to any unhealthy enmity
towards the crown, would it?
- No.
- I am talking to the child!
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
- No, sir.
- Did you see a
man scamper through
whilst your father
was out this morning?
- No, sir.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
- He would've paid for your
silence, and heavily at that.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
If he comes this evening,
I would not chance
confrontation.
You'll come straight down
and fetch me, understood?
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
(fire crackling continues)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(birds chirping)
(fire crackling)
(door creaking)
(fire crackling continues)
- Got venison in there.
Cut was choice.
Not really though.
(birds chirping)
(pitchfork thuds)
(birds chirping continues)
- That trapper is no clump.
- No, sir.
- And you say there
was no bad blood
between your father and he?
- Not that I recall.
I wadn't more than
batling though.
- Now more than ever, I
suspect something is afoot.
19 parts to 20,
our man stayed here
in Norbert Hill, that I bet on.
- So all is said.
- You search in here yet?
- [Wallace] Does it look it?
- Well, there's a deer
trail not far from here.
I can take you all through
there to Van Dagen's
once all of your
troopers finish-
(ominous music)
Well, nuns don't work on Sunday.
(ominous music continues)
- Well done, Thomas.
Shines like a shit in
barn door, don't it?
- Honore.
- No, he ain't, when a man's
boots tramp a path north,
guess where you'll
find him, north.
- No, but, Honore ain't
one to welcome any.
- You don't know what
our shot said to him.
Or paid him at that.
- Paid? Honore?
No, he ain't cut that way.
Honore's not a man you buy.
- Every man's for sale once
the rag gets thick enough.
Even you.
What offer he slide your way?
- What? Me?
No. No!
- Well, it's quite
a palpable exchange.
He was crossing that
stream back there.
What did he offer you, hm?
- That is a gross misreading.
- Words only get read
how they're written.
- Honore and I have a history
which we were just
combing through.
- See that ain't neither here,
and that ain't neither there.
- Well look, you
know, I think I better
hightail it on back to town.
They know my face there and I,
I could probably rustle
up some extra hands
now that we know we're dealing
with not just one
good shot, but two.
- Where?
- Uh...
- Where dealing with?
Didn't see no one make
you part of our knot.
- I wasn't talking about myself.
I was talking about helping you,
finding help for you.
- Oh.
- That's what I
was talking about.
- I don't need help for
what I'm doing here.
- Yeah, and what's that?
- Securing myself a ram caught.
(Thomas grunting)
(log thwacking)
(Thomas panting)
(ominous music)
(musket thwacks)
(Thomas groans)
Not no more than what's
already on the field.
(bayonet stabbing)
(bayonet stabbing)
(birds chirping)
(Abner coughing)
- I owe you a fiddler's
pay for this. (grunts)
(birds chirping)
- Lieutenant.
- Where did you find that?
- Stag that's not far from
where the trapper met us.
20 paces at best.
- Where'd Thomas get off to?
- I sent him back
for reinforcements.
- For one man and a child?
Come here, Wallace and
I will take the trapper.
You take the boy.
As soon as we have them held,
we will rip that
place apart until we-
- Needn't waste the effort.
First sight we put
our heart on the boy,
the father will turn.
- Even in war,
compassion has a place
and you get there
by way of restraint.
Let's go.
- Damned if I were
to hand you over,
watch that toy
crack cart you off.
- [Miles] Papa?
- Wallace, take
the extra musket.
I want you to get a position
on the window and the
front door, right?
Let's move out.
Check these hay bales as we go.
(cicadas buzzing)
(soft tense violin music)
- Go in the corner.
How many you got left?
- Uh, 12.
- Lest the full leather?
- Mm-hm.
(soft tense violin
music continues)
(Abner breathing heavily)
(soft tense violin
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(musket fires)
(soldier screams)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
- Mercer!
(soft tense music)
Mercer, he's down.
- Quick!
- Come on.
(Wallace grunts)
Come on.
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(soldiers breathing heavily)
You'll hang for this, Honore!
(Abner breathing heavily)
- [Honore] Prop up this end.
Miles, find the
greenest slug you can.
(Abner breathing heavily)
- We don't need a plan?
- There ain't much of one.
Keep 'em at bay.
On the first chance
you get you run.
- That's the lot of it?
(Abner sighs)
(Roberts grunts)
- Aye yai yai, okay.
All right, I'll have you back
to the best health nutrition.
- Don't just hang
arse there, reload!
(Wallace breathing heavily)
- I see the bugger.
(Roberts and Wallace grunting)
Look, this is going
to hurt, alright.
- Alright, get in me. (laughs)
- Come on.
Good, good, good, you're good.
Good, very good.
- Hey.
(Miles softly grunting)
See any anybody?
- Alright.
(Wallace grunts)
Well done, soldier.
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(Wallace laughing)
- Like old revenge
against murder.
- Aye, I feel it. (chuckling)
(Mercer exhales)
- Papa, they're all bunched
around the one you popped
near the stag you
shot at, the palisade.
- Fetch me a dry jar.
- [Miles] Here it is!
- This is going to fester if
we don't get you off the field.
- Just come on, Lieutenant!
I ain't budging, not
from some gunshot.
You finished?!
- [Mercer] Yes.
- You have grit,
I'll give you that.
Alright, now,
we might as well be
spitting at the walls.
We need to pick at the
chinks in their armor.
- The windows?
- And the door.
Alright, you stay here.
We'll position
ourselves up front
and when our fire
pushes them back,
you shoot anyone who crosses
that window, understood?
- Yeah, give me a shot, give-
- Except the child, understood?
Understood?
- Understood.
- You stay with me.
(soft tense music)
- Shite.
- What?
- They're moving.
- Retreating?
- Not with their hand.
(soft tense music continues)
- Alright, Mercer!
Go take position
by the front door.
(soft tense music continues)
- Barricade the door!
The door!
(Abner grunts)
Miles, no, back
upstairs, back upstairs.
Back into the loft, go,
go, go, go, go, go, go!
(hay rustling)
(soft tense music)
(Honore and Abner grunting)
Look, take this, take this.
(Roberts grunts)
(distant musket fires)
(musket fires)
(Honore grunts)
(Honore and Abner grunting)
(glass shatters)
- Get up.
(distant musket fires)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
- You'll hang for this, Honore!
(soft tense music)
(Honore grunts)
(distant musket fire)
- [Abner] Honore!
(musket fires)
(distant musket fires)
(musket inside fires)
- Shit!
(musket fires)
(Honore grunts)
Honore!
- I'm still here,
I'm still here,
get a shot at him.
(soft tense music)
(distant musket fires)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
(musket fires)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] You're taking
more holes than them.
- We got no hope
we don't fire back.
- [Honore] End it,
I'd rather bullets
and a barricade than neither.
(Abner grunts)
(barrel clattering)
(Wallace breathing heavily)
- What if Thomas doesn't return?
I could go back to town
and get reinforcements.
- Your courage that poorly?
I'm the one plugged.
- I could get there and
make it back by nightfall.
- It's too late for that,
lest we keep this whole affair
as intimate as it is now,
even thicker even.
- What does that mean?
(soft tense violin music)
(Honore grunts)
- (grunts) Let's see
too that first chance.
- [Honore] You any hurt?
- [Miles] No, Papa.
- Okay, good job.
(Abner and Honore loudly grunt)
(ominous music)
- Stay clear of the
door and windows, hey!
Those are shots the
rangers will take.
- [Miles] Okay.
(Honore grunts)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] I don't
see 'em, shit.
- They're just
beyond the wood line.
You can't keep your
ear from that too long.
Run with this barricade.
It chops more than it
keeps in the house.
(Abner grunts)
(Abner breathing heavily)
- He don't shoot?
I didn't mean to disrespect,
but he'd be the first I
met ever, boy or girl,
live out past the
roughmens and not shoot.
- 'Cause he ain't
call this place home
no more than two months time.
He and I just been
reunited after years.
- What, he offer the city
apprentice to some goodman?
(chuckles) I- I- I can see him
behind a lawyer's stool
speaking gallop pod.
He's clever enough, that kid.
- As it goes,
his impasse begs our action.
- We set fire to the place,
set the cabin ablaze,
surrender or burn.
- Perhaps for a lesser race.
We have a fortification
to breach, not burn.
Mercer, where are
they most protected?
- The, the door, and the walls.
They're as thick as any.
- Correct.
- They've manned each
of those windows.
- True, but what's not?
- I don't know.
- What's not protected?
- I don't know.
- What about your son?
(Abner grunts)
He shoot?
- Oh, George shoots.
George rides.
George reads Latin.
George, uh...
George is a dab in any exercise
his grandfather digs up for him.
It's my mother's father,
mind you, not my own.
- [Honore] Wife's English?
- I'm English, from
Bilsington, near Kent.
Scrubbed the bloody
tongue when we landed,
mostly as a top to
my father-in-law.
When the war started,
I broke one way,
my wife and her father's
money broke the other.
The hunch he was.
Took my wife and
son back to England,
left me with freedom,
liberty, and empty pockets.
- There are our
worst-met fellows.
- It's your interest
to bleed till doomsday?
Gimme those instruments.
(grunts) It's your
father's go ahead.
- Here.
(Abner grunts)
- One, two, three!
(Honore screams)
- Right there.
We cause a diversion,
smoke out that window,
and they won't know
what's going on.
We'll set the
diversion, let's go.
(soft tense music)
(musket fires)
(musket fires)
(glass shatters)
(Honore grunts)
- Shite!
(Abner groans)
- Come on. (grunting)
Sit down.
(soft tense music)
(Honore grunting)
(bayonet clangs)
(Honore grunting)
(glass shatters)
(distant musket fires)
(glass clinks)
(musket fires)
(glass shatters)
(soft tense music)
(Roberts screaming)
(Roberts grunts)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] They
smashed the smokehouse.
- The smokery, why?
- To manufacture cover?
- [Abner] How long
will this last?
- I don't know,
maybe 10 minutes.
I laid those logs days ago.
- You said first
chance, this is it.
We take your canoe,
get it to the water,
stave it off.
(musket fires)
- Watch out!
(musket fires)
Miles, stay put.
(Abner grunts)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] Roberts
is dapper for this.
The smoke hurts them
(distant muskets fire)
as much as it helps them.
(bulls thwacks)
(Abner grunts)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
- The best they pull out
of this is tit for tat.
Pinning us down,
firing above the shelf.
What do they get?
- What do they get?
(grunts) We ain't budging.
- We weren't beginning with.
(distant muskets fire)
- They can get close-
(glass shatters)
(Honore grunts)
(distant muskets firing)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
They can get closer now.
- Not with effect.
They have no time to position
and less time to aim
running up to the wind.
And worse, they have to show
themselves to get a shot in.
Consider it.
Nightfall, their
advantage becomes ours.
They can't shoot
what they can't see.
And I know the land.
They don't need no church work.
It's in their best interest
to come at us full speed.
- Which they been.
- Self-imposed is my point.
We have a remaining
seven stray shots,
plus a full second purse.
That puts us at close to
50 rounds, maybe more.
That will buy us moonlight.
Could be they're
sending for fresh blood,
using the smoke to
gain 'em some distance.
- No, they have
all they need here.
This fling ain't sensible.
- Some plays ain't.
- [Honore] Cussed
across Robert's nature.
- You're a clean
strategist, you are.
- Not if I can't see it.
- You must have had
Washington's ear
in your days back with the 4th.
Your boy shone when he
spoke of you in Brandywine.
I didn't have to see it
to know it, I heard it.
If you took one of
your bear pelts,
strung it over your
shoulder like Hercules,
your son wouldn't whisper bow.
- Well, I ain't not hero,
spite of what he thinks.
I never told that story he told.
His mama did.
I didn't save nobody
that September,
lest you include myself.
I could have plucked any
one of 'em off the ground.
But they would've slowed me.
And the British, they
were right there,
15 paces back, firing
at us as we ran.
(soft ominous music)
(soldiers screaming muffling)
(muskets firing muffling)
(soft ominous music continues)
(Honore breathing heavily)
(distant muskets
firing muffling)
Heroes don't house
memories like that.
- But you didn't desert neither.
You kept on fighting.
That's what soldiers do.
- And what did that earn me?
I was off playing war when
my wife needed me the most.
And not heeding
her dying request,
I shipped Miles off to my prick
of a brother and his wife.
For what?
To take another belly full
from the British at Charleston.
Meanwhilst, my brother
digs himself further
and deeper into debt,
leaves his wife,
who was rearing Miles penniless.
(soft ominous music)
Sells my boy to shave
fractions off his forgeries.
I needn't tell you,
those were some hellish,
foreign things I
had to do to break
that boy outta servitude.
He weren't working for
no lawyer in the city.
My boy was mopping whorehouse
floors when I found him.
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
That's why when you told me
you fought for the
Pennsylvania 1st,
I couldn't turn you over.
You're my forlorn
hope to finally
doing something right
in this damn war.
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
(object taps wall)
(object knocks wall)
(object taps wall)
- God, no!
- Shh! Shh-shh!
Stay low, stay low.
(object taps)
(object knocks)
(object taps)
(object knocks)
(object thwacks)
(object taps)
It will take them a better part
of the day to hack through.
- So what, this is
just bait we swallow?
(ax thwacks)
- With the smoke clearing,
let's get a watch
on all their waters.
(ax thwacks)
I don't know its end,
but this was the gambit
Roberts were setting all along.
(ax knocks)
(ax taps)
(ax knocks)
(ax slams)
- [Miles] What's happening?
(ax slams)
- They're hewing a hole.
Miles, I need you
on that back wall
marking every movement you can.
First sight of
anything, you sing out.
Stay low.
(ax thwacks)
(ax knocks)
(soft intense music)
(ax knocks)
(ax knocks)
(ax thwacks)
Where's is the lieutenant?
Where's Roberts?
- That's their trump.
(axe thwacks)
He ain't over here.
- Miles, you have the
lieutenant on your side?
(ax thwacks)
- [Miles] The one you know just
threw a musket up on the roof.
But I ain't hear it land.
- Miles!
- He's on the roof!
- Get down!
(musket fires)
He's on the-
(musket fires)
(soft ominous music)
(musket fires)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
(Abner grunts)
(Abner grunting)
(window frame clatters)
(arrow whips)
(Roberts grunts)
(soft ominous music)
- Fight another day, boy.
(Roberts grunting)
(Miles grunting)
(Roberts grunts)
(musket thwacks)
(Miles exclaims)
(Honore grunting)
(musket thwacks)
(Honore grunts)
(Abner and Roberts grunting)
(Abner and Roberts grunting)
(punch thwacks)
(Roberts grunts)
(Abner and Roberts grunting)
(Honore grunts)
(punch thwacks)
(Abner, Roberts,
and Honore grunting)
- But God's nails, I swear
I'll open his throat!
Lay your weapons down.
Lay your weapons down!
- Shoot this rebel now!
Surrender you-
(musket fires)
(Roberts gurgling)
- [Honore] Drop your weapons!
Drop them!
Draw your weapons down, down!
- Hey, stand to!
(soft music)
- Arithmetic's a bunter
tonight, ain't she?
You get one shot on account
your ammunition's spent.
You kill me, he kills you.
You kill him, I
reload and I kill you.
No nickel-and-changing
those odds.
You're scared and pumping.
Aye. Maybe.
But you ain't shot yet.
- You'll be the first
to know when I do
- My father and you
were cater-cousins.
Your wife birthed me.
- I kill you, you'll know
that Mercer here
kills me true enough.
What's denying I kill him?
I don't pluck a charge
load before you.
- Sir, please.
- Not a damn thing.
Put one in him.
(soft tense violin music)
- You gone daft?
He's gonna shoot us!
- (spits) Aye.
He's gonna show you,
as you might bet as long after.
- Quite the act.
- 'Blige him, Honore.
- Ain't no act, Honore
here's got it all laid out.
No surprises, some even odds.
It all seems just to me.
- [Honore] Lower that musket.
- But I still don't comprehend
as if the whole of your hand
rests upon shooting
Mercer here first
while you continue to aim at me,
allowing him distinct advantage.
(ceiling shuffles)
(shoes thud)
(rod clacks)
(Mercer grunts)
(Wallace's musket clattering)
(Mercer grunts)
- Throw your weapons down!
(Mercer panting)
Drop it!
(soft tense music)
(bayonet clinking)
(musket clatters)
- No doubt there's an
offer he's fed you.
- [Honore] Open
your mouth again,
I'll make it look like your
mama fed you with a fire shovel.
(soft tense music)
(Honore and Abner grunting)
(Honore grunts)
(bank notes rustling)
(paper crinkling)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
- Mercer, how much you lose
when the rebels carved
up your father's estate?
- We fell far.
- Aye.
How much is your pay now?
Expense.
- One pound, two shilling.
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(Wallace spits)
- Mercer, you know how
much is in that purse
is enough,
enough that you'll never be
starved or cramped again.
(soft tense violin music)
- They're gonna hang us.
- Eh, they ain't hanging no one.
- [Mercer] You shot him.
- Shut your trap
and reload, Mercer.
This ain't knocked off yet.
Did you hear what
that trapper said?
He doesn't know about
the bit in the bag.
He still thinks
Abner's a round dealer.
- They're gonna hang us when
they unpack the incident.
- Aye, and how would they?
You tell 'em there was treason.
Now reload.
It's gonna come to
loggerheads in that soon.
- You hadn't any intention of
returning that money, did you?
That's why you shot Roberts.
- Roberts were
standing dead already.
Are you right?
Ribbon's too thick to hand back.
Need to put the thoughts
of your father aside.
Think on what he
would want for you.
Not what you promised his ghost.
- We-
- Raise your rifle, Mercer.
You wait until the shot's clean.
(soft tense violin music)
Think he'd want you to
keep fighting this war?
Slogging it through
another winter coming?
Or take a regular share
of what's in that purse
and rebuild what the
world took from you?
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
Atta boy, Mercer.
(soft tense violin music)
- I know this hand.
This is my brother's hand.
(soft tense violin
music continues)
My brother wrote this.
When he draw you this?
- Outside Kittatinny.
- He in Kittatinny now?
- Was, Roberts shot
him on our way.
- He was leading you here.
And I was to play the fool
again for my brother's locks.
That was the scheme?
- No, no!
He- he wanted to help you.
We were coming to share
a cut of what we made.
- Cut?
Look at you spin.
My brother only cut men out.
- You lie, your
brother loved you.
He felt guilty
about it all, he...
He loved your son, he loved him.
Your uncle Samuel
loved you, Miles.
He, he would spin
blabs of your exploits.
(punch thwacks)
(Abner grunts)
(soft tense music)
- Did you really
fight for the 1st?
- Enlisted the day my wife left.
I lasted three month.
Didn't know how
cold it would be.
Bloody wind followed
us everywhere.
I, I wadn't made for
winter, I never was.
But I still had
something to prove
to my wife and her
father's money.
So when I met your brother
in the mumpers hall, I bit.
(coughing) I guess no
one gets to play the hero
he sets out to be.
(musket fires)
(bullet thwacks)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
(Honore grunts)
- No!
(Abner grunting)
(Abner groans)
Papa!
Papa, please.
Don't go, don't go.
Please (sobbing) Papa.
Please (sobbing) please.
- The only stakes
ever born are men.
You're strong enough.
You recollect what
your mama picked you,
the first time she held you.
(Abner breathing heavily)
(Abner grunting)
You go.
- No!
- Go.
- No. (sobbing)
- Go.
- Hey, hey-
- No. (sobbing)
- Hey.
- Go.
- Come on.
- No, please.
- Come on.
I'll look to you now.
Come on.
- No. (sobbing)
Come on, you clump.
Your father's a dead man.
- (sobbing) No.
- We only have a few more
seconds before they reload.
- Come on, come on.
- No! (sobbing)
- Let's go, come on.
- I'm not budging!
- Come on!
(Honore grunts)
(Abner screams)
Gully!
(screams)
I would've stood
Moses for your boy!
(musket fires)
- Miles is not going with you.
(musket fires)
(Abner thuds)
Listen to me, listen.
Cross the stream.
They'll think your
aim is Pittsburgh.
But go to Philadelphia instead.
No one knows you there.
(soft music)
You'll be your own man.
With that money, you'll
have the means to.
- No, please.
- Go.
Go.
- Please, no!
- Go.
- No. (sobbing)
(hand slaps)
- Go.
Go.
(soft music)
Go.
(Miles sobbing)
Go. Go!
(Miles sobbing)
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
(soft music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
Cross the stream,
and you're free.
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
Go! Go!
(soft music)
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(soft violin music)
(soft tense violin music)
- Aye.
(soft violin music)
(soft violin music continues)
(door creaking)
(soft tense violin music)
(musket fires)
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(fire crackling)
(fire crackling continues)
Aye, Mercer, it's
in here somewhere.
(fire crackling continues)
(birds chirping)
(fire crackling continues)
- I don't see the boy.
You suppose he bolted
during the fight?
- Aye.
(knife stabs)
(Mercer breathing heavily)
(flesh squelching)
(knife stabs)
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(fire crackling continues)
(flesh squelching)
(knife stabs)
(Mercer groans)
(Mercer panting)
(Mercer breathing heavily)
(Mercer's musket clinks)
(Mercer breathes softly)
(fire crackling continues)
(Mercer breathing softly)
(fire crackling continues)
(distant birds chirping)
(Mercer breathing softly)
(fire crackling continues)
All still plummy.
(fire crackling continues)
(distant birds chirping)
(fire crackling continues)
Come on now.
(distant birds chirping)
(fire crackling continues)
(roof shuffling)
(soft ominous music)
(object on roof clatters)
(musket fires)
(soft tense violin music)
(fire crackling)
(Miles breathing heavily)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(flames whipping)
(soft tense music)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense music continues)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense violin music)
(water sloshing)
(animal trap crunches)
(Miles screams)
(Miles screaming)
(birds chirping)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense music)
(stream rustling continues)
(birds chirping continues)
(soft music)
(bayonet clinking)
(soft music)
(soft tense music rising)
(Miles grunts)
(Wallace grunts)
(Wallace screaming)
(Wallace grunting)
(Wallace screaming muffling)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense violin music)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soft violin music)
(birds chirping)
(soft violin music)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft tense music)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense violin music)
(soft tense music)
(soft tense violin music)
(soft tense music)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(softer tense music)
(softer tense music continues)
(softer tense music continues)
(softer tense music continues)
(no audio)
(footsteps in grass rustling)
(soft ominous music)
(soldier panting)
(footsteps in grass rustling)
(muskets fire)
- Advance!
(ominous music continues)
Advance!
(soldier shouting muffling)
Go west!
(musket fires)
- Come on, there, there, fire!
(musket fires)
One more, get him!
Advance, move forward!
You two, check that barn!
You, check those houses!
Find the bastard!
(footsteps in grass rustling)
(soft ominous music continues)
(musket fires)
(dramatic bluegrass music)
(dramatic bluegrass music)
Old Abraham who
raised his hands
And on this very day
For his children left
the Promised Land
In search of heaven's way
They kick and scream
like wayward sons
That always wanted to sleep
And dream away
these evil days
In hopes that God can't see
Yeah
Their chains upon
The children, oh the
chains upon the children
Yeah
Their chains upon
The children
Yeah, their chain
Do you hear the lion roar
Wake the sleeper
Stand with me,
we'll fight the war
Wake the sleeper
Let no man bring me harm
I bare the marks of Jesus
(musket fires)
Let no man bring me harm
'Cause I bare
the marks of God
Do you hear the lion roar
(muskets firing)
Wake the sleeper
Stand with me,
we'll fight the war
Wake the sleeper
I said do you
hear the lion roar
Wake the sleeper
Come on and stand with
me, we'll fight the war
Wake the sleeper
Let no man bring me harm
Hey
I bare the marks of Jesus
Let no man bring me harm
I bare the marks of the Lord
(canons bang)
(ax knocks)
(kid grunts)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(ax knocks)
(kid grunts)
(kid grunting)
(footsteps in grass rustling)
- Move.
(man grunts)
Not like this.
Up, like that.
Here.
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(log knocks)
(ax tapping)
(log crunches)
(kids grunting)
Go check the traps.
Miles.
Instinct's you go at
'em with your arms.
If you enlist your legs
too, they'll open easier.
(ax slams)
(soft music)
(ax taps)
(log pieces thuds)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(soft music)
(ax slams)
(man grunts)
(stream rustling)
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(metal trap creaks)
(metal trap creaking)
(metal trap slams)
(Miles exclaims)
(soft ominous music)
(Miles softly groans)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soft ominous music continues)
(shoes shuffling)
- They out there?
- I can't see 'em.
- That don't mean
they ain't out there.
Hell, we ain't men if
we don't stand to now.
- This ain't about being men.
This here's about staying alive.
- We got most a minute or two
in our pockets to
set some formation.
- You might as well
have us on leashes.
- That's why needed Joe too.
We do that, we shift the odds,
level the sides, two a piece.
- Listen to yourself.
- They don't know these
lands like I know.
10 minutes to them's
an hour to us.
- That ain't true
and you called it.
The kid knows the land,
better than you at that.
- Then we lay the boy
triggin', every round on him.
(soft muffled bell tolling)
(soft bell tolling rising)
- That ain't true neither.
Kid ain't nothin'
to the officer.
He's the type to
follow us to doomsday.
- We can't just sit here
waiting to get plucked.
Initiative's on us.
- So be it, I'll follow you.
- Follow me? Why am I leading?
- You're faster.
- You're as close
to God's cursed
as a horse's ass, you know that?
(musket clicks)
We go together.
- You go first.
- Second allegiance is likely
to take a bullet as a lead.
- Then it ain't
make no difference
if you go first now, does it?
- Bloody Hobson's choice.
- Shh!
- There's a dead maple there,
just before the
path dipped sharp.
Now, if you stow
yourself behind-
(musket fires)
- Gah!
- Bloody hell!
- Fall in line!
(ominous music)
(shoes in leaves crunching)
(musket fires)
(ominous music)
(soft chilling beat strikes)
(musket fires)
(ominous music continues)
(distorting music rising)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
(soldier thuds)
(wounded soldier
loudly groaning)
(musket fires)
(wounded soldier coughs)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
(wounded soldier groaning)
(kick thwacks)
(wounded soldier grunts)
(wounded soldier groaning)
Come on, give it here.
Give it here, (grunts) hey.
(ominous music continues)
- [Wounded Soldier]
Please, I beg you.
(soft intense music)
(bayonet stabs)
(wounded soldier yelps)
(bayonet stabbing)
(soft intense music continues)
(ominous music)
(bayonet stabs)
(soldier spits)
(ominous music continues)
(birds chirping)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping continues)
(stream rustling continues)
- This nay be one I recognize.
Took one in the shoulder, yeah.
(stream rustling continues)
Boots are damp, meaning he
crossed before succumbing.
You fish his pockets prior?
- No.
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soldier's belongings shuffling)
What are his chances?
- He don't last
through the night.
- So we gonna leave him?
- It's decided
business either way.
Exposure will do its work.
We'll bury him proper
after he slips off.
That's the best we can offer.
There's no reward
for helping dead men.
(soft music)
(sighs) Just like your
mother, hold this.
This whole affair's hollow
if we don't pluck
that bullet first.
(man grunts)
(man grunts)
- Um, furthest north
is a cloche named Jan.
Now, his grounds and the savages
are nearly a single piece,
but he maneuvers the
apostles better than most
and they treat him like some
trusted Trojan up there.
- How far north is this man
you're gammoning on about?
- Well, Jan's camp is
two-days journey northwest.
It's shorter in
spring and summer,
but that's only if
it ain't stormin'.
- Now, our quarry is
much closer than that.
- Well, understood.
That's why we're steering
to Honore's place
on account of his
track being nearest.
I was only venturing to give
you as expansive a vista
of our veil as I could so
that you too could see it
in your mind's eye with
the clarity that I have.
- Well, thank you.
- Why any men would forego women
and drink to make his way
in the world selling rodents
for buttons is beyond me.
- Ah, it ain't so untethered
to civility out here,
least doesn't have to be.
I mean, some of these
cliques, why, they,
they only get to
market once a year.
But that prerogative's theirs.
See, for myself, I make it to
town nearly once every month.
And as for drink and clinkin'-
- Oh please, enough.
- I make my mark every time
I spank landfall. (chuckles)
- Be about ye long.
(young soldier laughs)
- Tate!
Now, about this trapper's
dealings at town,
you say he takes what?
Abrasive trips a year at best?
Seems ill-conceived to sit
on one's merchandise
half a year's length,
prices fluctuating as they do
with the continued conflict.
- Well, I can't comment on
that with any certainty.
I always saw that as what
he found preferential.
- I'm trying to gauge
how his past affiliations
might dictate who he visits
or conspires with
whilst in town,
and if those sympathies persist.
- Well, how one man could
look into another's eyes
and know what's in his heart,
well, if I could do that,
I'd be the mushroom to envy.
No, it was Honore's wife who'd
you be seeing in the sits.
And even more so in bumper
years, she was esteemed.
I mean, even saying that could
be taken as a top upon her,
she was loved so great.
It's a shame what happened.
She had a hand in your
plucking, didn't she, Isaac?
- I was told so.
- You'd be about the right age.
What are ya, 14?
- 16, sir, 17 this December.
- Aye, he's most a full pup.
- Well, 16, that-
that rings true.
- So in the end, what happened
to this trapper's rib?
- Please, enough with
the gossip, Wallace.
- All due respect, Lieutenant,
we're yoked to this tantivy pig
and whenever opportunity arises
to give an office,
he cheeses it.
- Well, that ain't my
intent, I can assure you.
Now, as for this particular
trapper's wife...
(light orchestral music)
(Honore grunting)
- Stowe these.
Fetch your mother's
tools from up top.
(light orchestral music)
(soldier gasps)
Hold on.
(light orchestral
music continues)
(soldier groans)
(light orchestral music)
(soldier exclaims)
Dammit.
I said lemon balm,
this is witch hazel.
- Where are my bags?
- Nevermind!
- Hey, let me go.
- That time has passed.
I need you to hold his legs.
- What you- what
you putting on here?
(groans) What you putting in me?
(kick thumps)
(kid grunts)
(soldier slams)
(soldier groans)
- Are you hurt?
(soldier softly breathing)
Is this registering?
(soldier wheezes)
I am trying to help you out
but if you buck or
even glance askew
in the direction
of my son again,
I'll lay Cain upon Abel
until you can't take it.
- Thank you.
- Thank him.
I would've left you
for a beast's diet.
(soldier coughing)
- [Soldier] You got a name?
- The name's Miles.
- Thank you, Miles.
Don't need to lay on
my feet, I'll stay put.
You know how long
I was down for?
What- (screams) what
hour is it? (groans)
- [Honore] Just settle.
- I was being pursued.
- By who?
- [Soldier] Queen's rangers.
(birds chirping)
(soft intense music)
(soldier grunting)
You, uh, hide my
musket somewhere
in case I turn hostile?
(soldier groans)
- Papa.
Papa! Papa!
- What-
- He's bleeding still.
- [Soldier] Where's my Bess?
- [Miles] He's
bleeding still, Papa!
- Why the hunt?
Are you a wig?
Are you a patriot?
- 1st Pennsylvania Rifles.
(soldier groans)
- You have no more chance than
a cat in hell without claws
I let you go before
I take that out.
(soldier grunts)
(soft intense music)
Bite down.
(soldier screaming)
(flesh squelching)
(soldier screaming)
(soldier grunting)
(soldier spits)
(soldier grunting)
- Did you two take my musket?
(Honore gags)
- They were the only
two bags that were with you.
- You understand that found,
my gun will be the dropped cog
that leads the
English straight here.
- I'm sewing tantivy.
You know how many were tailing?
- Three. (breathing heavily)
My name's Abner Cross.
- Honore Laurent.
- Got a chip myself,
a boy like you.
- I didn't see no one.
- No, he's in the city.
- [Miles] In Kittatinny?
- London.
You and he could be a set.
Same, uh, same height,
same age, I would guess.
(Abner groans)
Well, as it is,
(groans) I thank you both.
And on behalf of-
(soft ominous music)
- [Honore] Yeah.
- Is he dead?
- What'd he say he lost, a Bess?
He didn't mention
nothing other, did he?
Huh?
- Is he dead?
- Make sure he drinks
water when he wakes.
That was our
(indistinct) to cry.
(Miles sniffling)
(soft music)
He marked, and you
marked as well.
You give yourself
a clear hundred.
If he ain't woken
by that full term,
and don't loiter
about it neither
on account of your good nature.
You take a slice of
meat and some vegetables
and you head for
the southern cave
and sleep there overnight.
- What do I do with-
- Psst!
I will retrieve
you in the morning.
If you clear that same hundred
and he's awoke but
still in his altitudes,
then you do the prescribed
same with him left behind.
- Meet at the cave
with the vittles?
- Yes.
But if at the end of
that file he's awoke
and has his wits, then,
only then, you, not him you.
You, you made the
choice to stow him
while not knowing that stowing
him on our premises means
we have to look the lion in
the mouth playing Daniel.
Okay, I'm going to
retrieve this Bess.
If I return and
I'm with company,
namely these lobsters,
I'll call out to
you to ready a meal.
I don't care if you do
or not, it's all daft.
It's a cipher that
if you're still here
and have this bloke hidden,
you prepare yourself a mask.
(soft music)
- One, two,
three, four...
Five, six...
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(stream rustling)
(water sloshing)
(birds chirping continues)
- Tread gingerly, Thomas.
I just lay new
traps this morning.
You ain't a rat's
tail away from one.
(Thomas grunting)
- [Thomas] Set.
- I see you're silent
now, my friend.
Near seconds ago,
you had tongue enough
for two sets of teeth.
- (laughs) The good
book has no prohibitions
that I recall against
helping strangers in need.
- 'Cept those strangers claim
not only to be the masters
of the house but masters
of you and me both.
And you're leading them
all over God's green earth
like a cat's uncle begging
to save his groats.
- I make it my business to
make every man my friend.
- That's not business, Thomas.
That's cowardice.
- (chuckles) Acting the
friend to three armed rangers
who come knocking on my
door ain't cowardice,
Honore, it's common sense.
They're hoping to
ferret out some
bum they think bolted
into our woods.
Now, I told them that
there's a thousand
and one footpads
here, and the only way
that he lands at
one of our doors is
if he aimed for it
from the beginning.
- So you led them
straight to me.
- I was their initial
find, your door followed.
Look, it's not personal,
it's arithmetic.
Look, once they
copped your place,
I'll head 'em over to
Dagen's and after that,
they'll lose interest and
they'll head back to town.
- You played the hedge whore
for them free of
charge, didn't you?
- Well, you want me to agitate
these three for what gain?
They just wanna turn over
your place once, that's all.
No quarters or provisions.
But maybe when they
know about you,
they'll treat you a
little differently.
Lieutenant Roberts, may
I present Honore Laurent.
- So this is Laurent.
Lieutenant Henry Roberts.
- Are we acquainted?
Or do I only have
the good Thomas here
to thank for this introduction?
- Well, they're in
search of some blagger
that just up and hop the twig.
- Are they now?
I think he's made
himself as much
of a shoved trunk as you.
- I want as least
disruption around here
and I know you do too.
Having some bull cow on the run
with these gentlemen in race,
it just ain't good for anything.
- He would measure
about your height,
no discipline whatsoever,
carrying two bags and a musket.
- Hm.
I would have seen him.
Been about all morning.
What he hatch to
warrant this parade?
- Oh, they say he's
a real shag bag.
- He'd be the type to
play least in sight.
- You're the youngest
Mercer boy, James.
- Isaac.
- Isaac, that's right.
Look at you.
Spit outta your father's mouth.
Now does he, still looking
after the fattest cors in town?
- He's dead, sir.
And so is James.
One of those cors didn't
like their politics.
Your rebels did the rest.
- My rebels?
I'm- I'm sorry.
I didn't hear.
Haven't seen your man.
He didn't come this way.
- Trail says otherwise.
(soft intense music)
- I insist we search your cabin.
Not that I think that
you'd be stowing him,
but if you'd been out all
morning as you say you have,
I'd hate for you to
come home in the evening
and find a dark man's budge
we could have scuttled off
to the gallows in the afternoon.
- You won't find me disgruntled.
- As I said he would,
despite his passionate history,
reason would trump and
he dug the jibber for ya.
(soft intense music)
(ominous music)
- You always allow yourself
this leisurely pace?
- I do quite prefer
it to running.
(ominous music continues)
- What did you tell
them about my history?
- Everything I know.
Trust that young Mercer
was rowin' the same boat,
and all that was
left for me to do was
to smile and nod in agreement.
- [Wallace] The
trail stops here.
(ominous music continues)
(soft intense music)
(soft intense music continues)
- [Roberts] Make what
you can of the tracks
while we search the cabin.
- Alright.
- Alright, Lieutenant.
(soft intense music continues)
(shoes shuffling)
(soft intense music continues)
- [Honore] Miles!
Ready some belly timber.
- You'll stay mum for that.
- You're not hungry?
(door clattering)
Wait!
- I told you about
the boy, didn't I?
I told 'em!
(birds chirping)
- Miles, back inside.
Unless he's been granted some
unmentioned authority by you,
he's not welcome inside.
- None, no authority
by me at all.
- Can't believe the indignity.
Well, you needn't keep me out
like I'm some curtailed mongrel.
(ominous music)
(fire crackling)
(ominous music continues)
- When did you enlist?
- [Honore] Pardon?
- I was told you served
with Virginia's 4th.
- [Honore] I heard
you might have.
- Was that incorrect?
- [Honore] No.
(birds chirping)
- When did you enlist?
- [Honore] '75.
- Hm, so you were
under Bradfield?
(Roberts chuckles)
Bradfield, Bradfield
had a sense for...
For battle that
few do. (chuckling)
Hm, '75.
Means you saw Brandywine.
- [Honore] I did.
- And Virginia's 4th, let's see,
that would've placed you at
Chadds Ford, at the close.
Deep in the rebels' left flank.
(Mercer clears throat)
(glass shatters)
- [Mercer] Sorry.
- Search the grounds.
(glass clinking)
Come on.
(ominous music)
I was at the Ford as
well, under Williams.
Hm.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
Hm.
I'd say circumstances,
painted as they are,
we may have exchanged
a round or two then.
Perhaps even at Charleston.
- [Honore] One could only hope.
- Hm.
Your father fought
the bloodiest battle
a September's ever known.
Did he ever tell
you the stories of
how the rebels limped
off until next Sunday?
- Let's talk when refrained
from under this roof.
- My father fought to
the day he was taken.
And even then, he
couldn't be held.
Escaped from the Jersey-
- Stowe your ways!
And plant them.
(ominous music continues)
- Escaped from the
Jersey, he did?
Now that is interesting.
Seems the boy
have a token for your
campaigning, doesn't he?
- British didn't come
away unscathed neither
is how I remember Brandywine.
600 dead.
Only a handful of
those Hessians.
Anyone I heard paints it
Britain paid blood for blood.
- [Mercer] Ain't out here.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
- Bloody on both sides, true.
- What I recall
are the rebels calling out
to brave old George
as he turned his back,
and then calling out for
mercy as we set upon them.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
Hm?
Hm.
- He ain't out there, got
venison in the smoker.
My gut's beginning to
think my throat's cut.
I'm a go fetch Wallace.
- You will stay where you are.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling)
- You find anything?
- Other than your mother's gig?
(Thomas chuckles)
Nothing.
- Stop you're flickering,
no need to be coarse.
- Aye, you're right.
There's no need.
- You're milking
a pigeon out here.
You've all gone stone deaf.
That 'scape dal of yours
has gotta put 20,000 paces
from you and he and
the rest of the world.
And- and anyway, it's not
in these trapper's nature,
Honore being the most exemplar,
to open their door for anyone,
and certainly not some
sad trimmed fella.
- You're like a dumb
sheep sac, ain't ya?
Either work through these
crackling southlands with me
or you can go back to your
precious trappers and sublet.
I ain't gonna suffer ya.
(ominous music)
(fire crackling)
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
- This house, it
wouldn't still cling
to any unhealthy enmity
towards the crown, would it?
- No.
- I am talking to the child!
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
- No, sir.
- Did you see a
man scamper through
whilst your father
was out this morning?
- No, sir.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
- He would've paid for your
silence, and heavily at that.
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
If he comes this evening,
I would not chance
confrontation.
You'll come straight down
and fetch me, understood?
(ominous music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
(fire crackling continues)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(birds chirping)
(fire crackling)
(door creaking)
(fire crackling continues)
- Got venison in there.
Cut was choice.
Not really though.
(birds chirping)
(pitchfork thuds)
(birds chirping continues)
- That trapper is no clump.
- No, sir.
- And you say there
was no bad blood
between your father and he?
- Not that I recall.
I wadn't more than
batling though.
- Now more than ever, I
suspect something is afoot.
19 parts to 20,
our man stayed here
in Norbert Hill, that I bet on.
- So all is said.
- You search in here yet?
- [Wallace] Does it look it?
- Well, there's a deer
trail not far from here.
I can take you all through
there to Van Dagen's
once all of your
troopers finish-
(ominous music)
Well, nuns don't work on Sunday.
(ominous music continues)
- Well done, Thomas.
Shines like a shit in
barn door, don't it?
- Honore.
- No, he ain't, when a man's
boots tramp a path north,
guess where you'll
find him, north.
- No, but, Honore ain't
one to welcome any.
- You don't know what
our shot said to him.
Or paid him at that.
- Paid? Honore?
No, he ain't cut that way.
Honore's not a man you buy.
- Every man's for sale once
the rag gets thick enough.
Even you.
What offer he slide your way?
- What? Me?
No. No!
- Well, it's quite
a palpable exchange.
He was crossing that
stream back there.
What did he offer you, hm?
- That is a gross misreading.
- Words only get read
how they're written.
- Honore and I have a history
which we were just
combing through.
- See that ain't neither here,
and that ain't neither there.
- Well look, you
know, I think I better
hightail it on back to town.
They know my face there and I,
I could probably rustle
up some extra hands
now that we know we're dealing
with not just one
good shot, but two.
- Where?
- Uh...
- Where dealing with?
Didn't see no one make
you part of our knot.
- I wasn't talking about myself.
I was talking about helping you,
finding help for you.
- Oh.
- That's what I
was talking about.
- I don't need help for
what I'm doing here.
- Yeah, and what's that?
- Securing myself a ram caught.
(Thomas grunting)
(log thwacking)
(Thomas panting)
(ominous music)
(musket thwacks)
(Thomas groans)
Not no more than what's
already on the field.
(bayonet stabbing)
(bayonet stabbing)
(birds chirping)
(Abner coughing)
- I owe you a fiddler's
pay for this. (grunts)
(birds chirping)
- Lieutenant.
- Where did you find that?
- Stag that's not far from
where the trapper met us.
20 paces at best.
- Where'd Thomas get off to?
- I sent him back
for reinforcements.
- For one man and a child?
Come here, Wallace and
I will take the trapper.
You take the boy.
As soon as we have them held,
we will rip that
place apart until we-
- Needn't waste the effort.
First sight we put
our heart on the boy,
the father will turn.
- Even in war,
compassion has a place
and you get there
by way of restraint.
Let's go.
- Damned if I were
to hand you over,
watch that toy
crack cart you off.
- [Miles] Papa?
- Wallace, take
the extra musket.
I want you to get a position
on the window and the
front door, right?
Let's move out.
Check these hay bales as we go.
(cicadas buzzing)
(soft tense violin music)
- Go in the corner.
How many you got left?
- Uh, 12.
- Lest the full leather?
- Mm-hm.
(soft tense violin
music continues)
(Abner breathing heavily)
(soft tense violin
music continues)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(musket fires)
(soldier screams)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
- Mercer!
(soft tense music)
Mercer, he's down.
- Quick!
- Come on.
(Wallace grunts)
Come on.
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(soldiers breathing heavily)
You'll hang for this, Honore!
(Abner breathing heavily)
- [Honore] Prop up this end.
Miles, find the
greenest slug you can.
(Abner breathing heavily)
- We don't need a plan?
- There ain't much of one.
Keep 'em at bay.
On the first chance
you get you run.
- That's the lot of it?
(Abner sighs)
(Roberts grunts)
- Aye yai yai, okay.
All right, I'll have you back
to the best health nutrition.
- Don't just hang
arse there, reload!
(Wallace breathing heavily)
- I see the bugger.
(Roberts and Wallace grunting)
Look, this is going
to hurt, alright.
- Alright, get in me. (laughs)
- Come on.
Good, good, good, you're good.
Good, very good.
- Hey.
(Miles softly grunting)
See any anybody?
- Alright.
(Wallace grunts)
Well done, soldier.
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(Wallace laughing)
- Like old revenge
against murder.
- Aye, I feel it. (chuckling)
(Mercer exhales)
- Papa, they're all bunched
around the one you popped
near the stag you
shot at, the palisade.
- Fetch me a dry jar.
- [Miles] Here it is!
- This is going to fester if
we don't get you off the field.
- Just come on, Lieutenant!
I ain't budging, not
from some gunshot.
You finished?!
- [Mercer] Yes.
- You have grit,
I'll give you that.
Alright, now,
we might as well be
spitting at the walls.
We need to pick at the
chinks in their armor.
- The windows?
- And the door.
Alright, you stay here.
We'll position
ourselves up front
and when our fire
pushes them back,
you shoot anyone who crosses
that window, understood?
- Yeah, give me a shot, give-
- Except the child, understood?
Understood?
- Understood.
- You stay with me.
(soft tense music)
- Shite.
- What?
- They're moving.
- Retreating?
- Not with their hand.
(soft tense music continues)
- Alright, Mercer!
Go take position
by the front door.
(soft tense music continues)
- Barricade the door!
The door!
(Abner grunts)
Miles, no, back
upstairs, back upstairs.
Back into the loft, go,
go, go, go, go, go, go!
(hay rustling)
(soft tense music)
(Honore and Abner grunting)
Look, take this, take this.
(Roberts grunts)
(distant musket fires)
(musket fires)
(Honore grunts)
(Honore and Abner grunting)
(glass shatters)
- Get up.
(distant musket fires)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
- You'll hang for this, Honore!
(soft tense music)
(Honore grunts)
(distant musket fire)
- [Abner] Honore!
(musket fires)
(distant musket fires)
(musket inside fires)
- Shit!
(musket fires)
(Honore grunts)
Honore!
- I'm still here,
I'm still here,
get a shot at him.
(soft tense music)
(distant musket fires)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
(musket fires)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] You're taking
more holes than them.
- We got no hope
we don't fire back.
- [Honore] End it,
I'd rather bullets
and a barricade than neither.
(Abner grunts)
(barrel clattering)
(Wallace breathing heavily)
- What if Thomas doesn't return?
I could go back to town
and get reinforcements.
- Your courage that poorly?
I'm the one plugged.
- I could get there and
make it back by nightfall.
- It's too late for that,
lest we keep this whole affair
as intimate as it is now,
even thicker even.
- What does that mean?
(soft tense violin music)
(Honore grunts)
- (grunts) Let's see
too that first chance.
- [Honore] You any hurt?
- [Miles] No, Papa.
- Okay, good job.
(Abner and Honore loudly grunt)
(ominous music)
- Stay clear of the
door and windows, hey!
Those are shots the
rangers will take.
- [Miles] Okay.
(Honore grunts)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] I don't
see 'em, shit.
- They're just
beyond the wood line.
You can't keep your
ear from that too long.
Run with this barricade.
It chops more than it
keeps in the house.
(Abner grunts)
(Abner breathing heavily)
- He don't shoot?
I didn't mean to disrespect,
but he'd be the first I
met ever, boy or girl,
live out past the
roughmens and not shoot.
- 'Cause he ain't
call this place home
no more than two months time.
He and I just been
reunited after years.
- What, he offer the city
apprentice to some goodman?
(chuckles) I- I- I can see him
behind a lawyer's stool
speaking gallop pod.
He's clever enough, that kid.
- As it goes,
his impasse begs our action.
- We set fire to the place,
set the cabin ablaze,
surrender or burn.
- Perhaps for a lesser race.
We have a fortification
to breach, not burn.
Mercer, where are
they most protected?
- The, the door, and the walls.
They're as thick as any.
- Correct.
- They've manned each
of those windows.
- True, but what's not?
- I don't know.
- What's not protected?
- I don't know.
- What about your son?
(Abner grunts)
He shoot?
- Oh, George shoots.
George rides.
George reads Latin.
George, uh...
George is a dab in any exercise
his grandfather digs up for him.
It's my mother's father,
mind you, not my own.
- [Honore] Wife's English?
- I'm English, from
Bilsington, near Kent.
Scrubbed the bloody
tongue when we landed,
mostly as a top to
my father-in-law.
When the war started,
I broke one way,
my wife and her father's
money broke the other.
The hunch he was.
Took my wife and
son back to England,
left me with freedom,
liberty, and empty pockets.
- There are our
worst-met fellows.
- It's your interest
to bleed till doomsday?
Gimme those instruments.
(grunts) It's your
father's go ahead.
- Here.
(Abner grunts)
- One, two, three!
(Honore screams)
- Right there.
We cause a diversion,
smoke out that window,
and they won't know
what's going on.
We'll set the
diversion, let's go.
(soft tense music)
(musket fires)
(musket fires)
(glass shatters)
(Honore grunts)
- Shite!
(Abner groans)
- Come on. (grunting)
Sit down.
(soft tense music)
(Honore grunting)
(bayonet clangs)
(Honore grunting)
(glass shatters)
(distant musket fires)
(glass clinks)
(musket fires)
(glass shatters)
(soft tense music)
(Roberts screaming)
(Roberts grunts)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] They
smashed the smokehouse.
- The smokery, why?
- To manufacture cover?
- [Abner] How long
will this last?
- I don't know,
maybe 10 minutes.
I laid those logs days ago.
- You said first
chance, this is it.
We take your canoe,
get it to the water,
stave it off.
(musket fires)
- Watch out!
(musket fires)
Miles, stay put.
(Abner grunts)
(soft tense music)
- [Honore] Roberts
is dapper for this.
The smoke hurts them
(distant muskets fire)
as much as it helps them.
(bulls thwacks)
(Abner grunts)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
- The best they pull out
of this is tit for tat.
Pinning us down,
firing above the shelf.
What do they get?
- What do they get?
(grunts) We ain't budging.
- We weren't beginning with.
(distant muskets fire)
- They can get close-
(glass shatters)
(Honore grunts)
(distant muskets firing)
(musket fires)
(Abner grunts)
They can get closer now.
- Not with effect.
They have no time to position
and less time to aim
running up to the wind.
And worse, they have to show
themselves to get a shot in.
Consider it.
Nightfall, their
advantage becomes ours.
They can't shoot
what they can't see.
And I know the land.
They don't need no church work.
It's in their best interest
to come at us full speed.
- Which they been.
- Self-imposed is my point.
We have a remaining
seven stray shots,
plus a full second purse.
That puts us at close to
50 rounds, maybe more.
That will buy us moonlight.
Could be they're
sending for fresh blood,
using the smoke to
gain 'em some distance.
- No, they have
all they need here.
This fling ain't sensible.
- Some plays ain't.
- [Honore] Cussed
across Robert's nature.
- You're a clean
strategist, you are.
- Not if I can't see it.
- You must have had
Washington's ear
in your days back with the 4th.
Your boy shone when he
spoke of you in Brandywine.
I didn't have to see it
to know it, I heard it.
If you took one of
your bear pelts,
strung it over your
shoulder like Hercules,
your son wouldn't whisper bow.
- Well, I ain't not hero,
spite of what he thinks.
I never told that story he told.
His mama did.
I didn't save nobody
that September,
lest you include myself.
I could have plucked any
one of 'em off the ground.
But they would've slowed me.
And the British, they
were right there,
15 paces back, firing
at us as we ran.
(soft ominous music)
(soldiers screaming muffling)
(muskets firing muffling)
(soft ominous music continues)
(Honore breathing heavily)
(distant muskets
firing muffling)
Heroes don't house
memories like that.
- But you didn't desert neither.
You kept on fighting.
That's what soldiers do.
- And what did that earn me?
I was off playing war when
my wife needed me the most.
And not heeding
her dying request,
I shipped Miles off to my prick
of a brother and his wife.
For what?
To take another belly full
from the British at Charleston.
Meanwhilst, my brother
digs himself further
and deeper into debt,
leaves his wife,
who was rearing Miles penniless.
(soft ominous music)
Sells my boy to shave
fractions off his forgeries.
I needn't tell you,
those were some hellish,
foreign things I
had to do to break
that boy outta servitude.
He weren't working for
no lawyer in the city.
My boy was mopping whorehouse
floors when I found him.
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
That's why when you told me
you fought for the
Pennsylvania 1st,
I couldn't turn you over.
You're my forlorn
hope to finally
doing something right
in this damn war.
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
(object taps wall)
(object knocks wall)
(object taps wall)
- God, no!
- Shh! Shh-shh!
Stay low, stay low.
(object taps)
(object knocks)
(object taps)
(object knocks)
(object thwacks)
(object taps)
It will take them a better part
of the day to hack through.
- So what, this is
just bait we swallow?
(ax thwacks)
- With the smoke clearing,
let's get a watch
on all their waters.
(ax thwacks)
I don't know its end,
but this was the gambit
Roberts were setting all along.
(ax knocks)
(ax taps)
(ax knocks)
(ax slams)
- [Miles] What's happening?
(ax slams)
- They're hewing a hole.
Miles, I need you
on that back wall
marking every movement you can.
First sight of
anything, you sing out.
Stay low.
(ax thwacks)
(ax knocks)
(soft intense music)
(ax knocks)
(ax knocks)
(ax thwacks)
Where's is the lieutenant?
Where's Roberts?
- That's their trump.
(axe thwacks)
He ain't over here.
- Miles, you have the
lieutenant on your side?
(ax thwacks)
- [Miles] The one you know just
threw a musket up on the roof.
But I ain't hear it land.
- Miles!
- He's on the roof!
- Get down!
(musket fires)
He's on the-
(musket fires)
(soft ominous music)
(musket fires)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
(Abner grunts)
(Abner grunting)
(window frame clatters)
(arrow whips)
(Roberts grunts)
(soft ominous music)
- Fight another day, boy.
(Roberts grunting)
(Miles grunting)
(Roberts grunts)
(musket thwacks)
(Miles exclaims)
(Honore grunting)
(musket thwacks)
(Honore grunts)
(Abner and Roberts grunting)
(Abner and Roberts grunting)
(punch thwacks)
(Roberts grunts)
(Abner and Roberts grunting)
(Honore grunts)
(punch thwacks)
(Abner, Roberts,
and Honore grunting)
- But God's nails, I swear
I'll open his throat!
Lay your weapons down.
Lay your weapons down!
- Shoot this rebel now!
Surrender you-
(musket fires)
(Roberts gurgling)
- [Honore] Drop your weapons!
Drop them!
Draw your weapons down, down!
- Hey, stand to!
(soft music)
- Arithmetic's a bunter
tonight, ain't she?
You get one shot on account
your ammunition's spent.
You kill me, he kills you.
You kill him, I
reload and I kill you.
No nickel-and-changing
those odds.
You're scared and pumping.
Aye. Maybe.
But you ain't shot yet.
- You'll be the first
to know when I do
- My father and you
were cater-cousins.
Your wife birthed me.
- I kill you, you'll know
that Mercer here
kills me true enough.
What's denying I kill him?
I don't pluck a charge
load before you.
- Sir, please.
- Not a damn thing.
Put one in him.
(soft tense violin music)
- You gone daft?
He's gonna shoot us!
- (spits) Aye.
He's gonna show you,
as you might bet as long after.
- Quite the act.
- 'Blige him, Honore.
- Ain't no act, Honore
here's got it all laid out.
No surprises, some even odds.
It all seems just to me.
- [Honore] Lower that musket.
- But I still don't comprehend
as if the whole of your hand
rests upon shooting
Mercer here first
while you continue to aim at me,
allowing him distinct advantage.
(ceiling shuffles)
(shoes thud)
(rod clacks)
(Mercer grunts)
(Wallace's musket clattering)
(Mercer grunts)
- Throw your weapons down!
(Mercer panting)
Drop it!
(soft tense music)
(bayonet clinking)
(musket clatters)
- No doubt there's an
offer he's fed you.
- [Honore] Open
your mouth again,
I'll make it look like your
mama fed you with a fire shovel.
(soft tense music)
(Honore and Abner grunting)
(Honore grunts)
(bank notes rustling)
(paper crinkling)
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
- Mercer, how much you lose
when the rebels carved
up your father's estate?
- We fell far.
- Aye.
How much is your pay now?
Expense.
- One pound, two shilling.
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
(Wallace spits)
- Mercer, you know how
much is in that purse
is enough,
enough that you'll never be
starved or cramped again.
(soft tense violin music)
- They're gonna hang us.
- Eh, they ain't hanging no one.
- [Mercer] You shot him.
- Shut your trap
and reload, Mercer.
This ain't knocked off yet.
Did you hear what
that trapper said?
He doesn't know about
the bit in the bag.
He still thinks
Abner's a round dealer.
- They're gonna hang us when
they unpack the incident.
- Aye, and how would they?
You tell 'em there was treason.
Now reload.
It's gonna come to
loggerheads in that soon.
- You hadn't any intention of
returning that money, did you?
That's why you shot Roberts.
- Roberts were
standing dead already.
Are you right?
Ribbon's too thick to hand back.
Need to put the thoughts
of your father aside.
Think on what he
would want for you.
Not what you promised his ghost.
- We-
- Raise your rifle, Mercer.
You wait until the shot's clean.
(soft tense violin music)
Think he'd want you to
keep fighting this war?
Slogging it through
another winter coming?
Or take a regular share
of what's in that purse
and rebuild what the
world took from you?
(birds chirping)
(cicadas buzzing)
Atta boy, Mercer.
(soft tense violin music)
- I know this hand.
This is my brother's hand.
(soft tense violin
music continues)
My brother wrote this.
When he draw you this?
- Outside Kittatinny.
- He in Kittatinny now?
- Was, Roberts shot
him on our way.
- He was leading you here.
And I was to play the fool
again for my brother's locks.
That was the scheme?
- No, no!
He- he wanted to help you.
We were coming to share
a cut of what we made.
- Cut?
Look at you spin.
My brother only cut men out.
- You lie, your
brother loved you.
He felt guilty
about it all, he...
He loved your son, he loved him.
Your uncle Samuel
loved you, Miles.
He, he would spin
blabs of your exploits.
(punch thwacks)
(Abner grunts)
(soft tense music)
- Did you really
fight for the 1st?
- Enlisted the day my wife left.
I lasted three month.
Didn't know how
cold it would be.
Bloody wind followed
us everywhere.
I, I wadn't made for
winter, I never was.
But I still had
something to prove
to my wife and her
father's money.
So when I met your brother
in the mumpers hall, I bit.
(coughing) I guess no
one gets to play the hero
he sets out to be.
(musket fires)
(bullet thwacks)
(musket fires)
(flesh squelches)
(Honore grunts)
- No!
(Abner grunting)
(Abner groans)
Papa!
Papa, please.
Don't go, don't go.
Please (sobbing) Papa.
Please (sobbing) please.
- The only stakes
ever born are men.
You're strong enough.
You recollect what
your mama picked you,
the first time she held you.
(Abner breathing heavily)
(Abner grunting)
You go.
- No!
- Go.
- No. (sobbing)
- Go.
- Hey, hey-
- No. (sobbing)
- Hey.
- Go.
- Come on.
- No, please.
- Come on.
I'll look to you now.
Come on.
- No. (sobbing)
Come on, you clump.
Your father's a dead man.
- (sobbing) No.
- We only have a few more
seconds before they reload.
- Come on, come on.
- No! (sobbing)
- Let's go, come on.
- I'm not budging!
- Come on!
(Honore grunts)
(Abner screams)
Gully!
(screams)
I would've stood
Moses for your boy!
(musket fires)
- Miles is not going with you.
(musket fires)
(Abner thuds)
Listen to me, listen.
Cross the stream.
They'll think your
aim is Pittsburgh.
But go to Philadelphia instead.
No one knows you there.
(soft music)
You'll be your own man.
With that money, you'll
have the means to.
- No, please.
- Go.
Go.
- Please, no!
- Go.
- No. (sobbing)
(hand slaps)
- Go.
Go.
(soft music)
Go.
(Miles sobbing)
Go. Go!
(Miles sobbing)
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
(soft music continues)
(fire crackling continues)
Cross the stream,
and you're free.
(soft music)
(fire crackling)
Go! Go!
(soft music)
(soft music)
(birds chirping)
(soft violin music)
(soft tense violin music)
- Aye.
(soft violin music)
(soft violin music continues)
(door creaking)
(soft tense violin music)
(musket fires)
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(fire crackling)
(fire crackling continues)
Aye, Mercer, it's
in here somewhere.
(fire crackling continues)
(birds chirping)
(fire crackling continues)
- I don't see the boy.
You suppose he bolted
during the fight?
- Aye.
(knife stabs)
(Mercer breathing heavily)
(flesh squelching)
(knife stabs)
(Wallace breathing heavily)
(fire crackling continues)
(flesh squelching)
(knife stabs)
(Mercer groans)
(Mercer panting)
(Mercer breathing heavily)
(Mercer's musket clinks)
(Mercer breathes softly)
(fire crackling continues)
(Mercer breathing softly)
(fire crackling continues)
(distant birds chirping)
(Mercer breathing softly)
(fire crackling continues)
All still plummy.
(fire crackling continues)
(distant birds chirping)
(fire crackling continues)
Come on now.
(distant birds chirping)
(fire crackling continues)
(roof shuffling)
(soft ominous music)
(object on roof clatters)
(musket fires)
(soft tense violin music)
(fire crackling)
(Miles breathing heavily)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(flames whipping)
(soft tense music)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense music continues)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense violin music)
(water sloshing)
(animal trap crunches)
(Miles screams)
(Miles screaming)
(birds chirping)
(shoes on leaves crunching)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense music)
(stream rustling continues)
(birds chirping continues)
(soft music)
(bayonet clinking)
(soft music)
(soft tense music rising)
(Miles grunts)
(Wallace grunts)
(Wallace screaming)
(Wallace grunting)
(Wallace screaming muffling)
(birds chirping)
(soft tense violin music)
(stream rustling)
(birds chirping)
(soft violin music)
(birds chirping)
(soft violin music)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft violin music continues)
(soft tense music)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense violin music)
(soft tense music)
(soft tense violin music)
(soft tense music)
(soft tense music continues)
(soft tense music continues)
(softer tense music)
(softer tense music continues)
(softer tense music continues)
(softer tense music continues)
(no audio)