Ma?
p*stol.
p*stol, okay.
Here you go.
Sit, John.
I can't get up.
You'll have to tend the house
until your father returns
from Washington.
Momma, how can I...
You have to keep the fire going.
When will Pa be back?
Fetch water first thing
in the morning.
And you have to sh**t something,
John, not too big.
Something you can drag home.
You boys can't starve
waiting on help to come.
Okay.
John, don't stray too far
from the cabin.
Savages.
If the savages come,
you don't surrender.
You fight till the end, boys.
Are the Injuns coming?
No.
No, we're just talking.
I... I don't want
the Injuns here.
It'll be alright,
my little lion.
Is Daddy gonna be here
before they come?
Family is the most important
thing in the world
to your Daddy.
He'll be home soon, I promise.
Get to the chores now, boys.
Okay. Let's go.
I mean, look at the water.
It's clean, warm, sweet.
Hey.
I said I needed three traps.
This look like three traps
to you?
Come on.
Pull now.
How long are you gonna stay?
Alright, come on.
Get on, boy. Go on.
Hey Gabe,
we got some for you.
Did you get
all them traps washed?
Yes, ma'am.
You remembered who
to give them to, didn't you?
Yes, ma'am.
Well, then.
It must be time for breakfast.
Caleb!
Do you have the count
on Davis Bridger yet?
I counted as far back
as the past month.
And?
Are my suspicions well-founded?
It seems that
Mr. Bridger's haul
is about half of the other men.
Huh.
All right.
Ooh.
Mr. Powell, what's the matter?
You skimmed right past
the greetings
and straight to what's wrong?
Hmm.
Guilty conscience, Bridger?
I ain't done nothing.
That may well be the case.
Or you could be stashing pelts
in order to sell them yourself
at the trading post down
in Alabama.
I ain't stashing nothing,
Mr. Powell.
I swear it!
Give back the pelts now
and you can work out the winter.
Every pelt I have is
in your smokehouse.
Well, then,
you leave me no choice.
On behalf of
the Northern Fur Trading Company
I hereby terminate your contract
on suspicion of thievery.
Wait! Wait!
As per your contract
with the Northern Fur Company,
I am ordering the repossession
of all tools, supplies,
and personal effects granted you
under your trapper's agreement.
Unhand that musket, sir.
It is the property
of Northern Fur.
You can't just leave me out
here with no horse.
You can collect
your paltry earnings
at season's end.
No boots, no horse, no musket.
Damn you, Caleb,
I'll die out here!
I'll die out here, I tell you.
If, in the pure extermination
of them, you find fault,
I won't judge your character.
No.
So much blood has been shed
in the procurement
of an independence that remains
daily under duress.
It burdens me.
Profound veracity
of the forces aligned against us
remain of critical concern.
Now this colony is not certain
to survive, gentlemen.
In the face
of an entire continent
of native brutes propped up
by European monarchies.
And we must have one purpose.
And one purpose only.
The swift and thorough removal
of the Natives.
That would take an act
of Congress.
I intend to introduce a bill
in the fourteenth
Continental Congress.
The Federalists have
a vice grip on the House
and Senate.
The Indian Removal Act
must be passed.
And it is with your pledge
that I will bring the will
of the people to this Congress.
I have drafted a Proclamation
detailing the intent
of the Indian Removal Act.
And I ask that you will fix
your signatures as a pledge
to return to Tennessee
and gather up as much support
as you possibly can
for this effort.
I, Andrew Jackson,
pledge my support and efforts
to the enactment of this bill.
I, Martin Van Buren,
pledge my supports and efforts
to the enactment of this bill.
Help me carve a nation
from these savage lands.
I, James Polk,
pledge my support and efforts
to the enactment of this bill.
I, Davy Crockett,
pledge my support and efforts
to the enactment of this bill.
A message, sir!
Bring it round then.
For a Mr. Davy Crockett, sir.
I am Crockett.
And from whom, please?
A Mrs. Polly Crockett.
Mr. Crockett?
Sir?
You'll have to pardon me.
My wife has fallen ill.
In its greatest time of need,
you would turn your back
on your nation?
You know the depth of
my loyalties.
But we will want you
on the Senate floor.
Your presence will go a long
way to display
the enormous public support
that it has.
I will sign this pledge.
But I will not turn my back
on my family.
Good day, gentlemen.
Davy, I've fallen ill.
I've become bedridden
with fever,
the sweats, and a cough
that shakes me to my soul.
I fear the boys will be left
to fend for themselves.
You must come home to us, Davy,
before it's too late.
Yours truly, Polly Crockett.
Aah!
Sorry, old boy.
But you'd never outrun 'em.
Did you catch anything?
I'm gonna go fetch
some more firewood.
We gotta catch a rabbit
tomorrow, John.
Our father...
John, can I talk to God?
Okay,
but make it quick this time.
God, please help our momma
get better real quick.
And make daddy get here
as soon as he can.
Please give John the strength
for taking care of us,
the house, and the animals
until daddy gets here.
And please keep us safe
from the English
and the Indians.
- Our father...
- Our father...
- ...who art in heaven...
- ...who art in heaven...
- ...hallowed be thy name...
- ...hallowed be thy name...
- ...thy kingdom come...
- ...thy kingdom come...
- ...thy will be done...
- ...thy will be done...
- on earth as it is in heaven.
- On earth as it is in heaven.
- Give us this day...
- Give us this day...
- ...our daily bread.
- ...our daily bread.
- And forgive us...
- And forgive us...
-...our trespasses...
- ...as we forgive...
- ...as we forgive...
- those who trespass against us.
- Those who trespass against us.
-Lead us not into temptation,
-Lead us not into temptation,
- ...but deliver us from evil.
- ...but deliver us from evil.
- For thine is the kingdom...
- For thine is the kingdom...
- ...the power...
- ...the power...
- ...and the glory forever.
- ...and the glory forever.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Can I swing the a* this time?
You like your toes?
Then, no.
One.
Two.
Three!
Alright.
Grab the hammer,
I'll grab the wedge.
Easy, boy.
That's it.
Good boy.
Good boy.
Easy.
Easy.
Where are we headed?
I reckon we'll have some luck
over by the river.
But we ain't supposed
to go that far by ourselves.
Yeah,
but momma hasn't been out
of bed in a week
and daddy's not here yet.
We have to go where the food is.
Alright, get low.
Let's go.
John, you missed!
There's no way I missed.
He run off yet?
Hurry!
Still there.
He sure must want whatever
he's digging for.
Let's go.
Doesn't look like it's been
here too long.
Daddy said don't ever take
anything
from another man's trap.
It's stealing.
I'm not gonna starve
to death over a pelt.
After we clean it,
we can bring the pelt back
and leave
for the trapper to find.
Deal?
Let's hurry, though.
You have a good rest, fella?
Whoa there.
Whoa.
Whoa there.
You're gonna need a break soon.
See them mountains?
Once we get over them,
it's a straight path
to the cabin.
No more than two days' ride.
So far from your territory?
And alone?
Stop!
Oh, it stinks.
I think it's ruined, William.
We got to try.
If the trappers...
How will they ever know it's us?
Let's just return it
the best we can.
After we eat.
Yep, there...
There she is.
Emptied by a hand
that I swear not mine.
It was just like this
when I came upon it.
I... I swear to it.
I know it was Oldman.
You needn't fear reprisal
from me.
You've done the right thing
bringing it
to my attention right away.
You go back on your route now.
And uh, consider this
reconciled with me
and the company.
Thank you, Caleb.
We've got some tracking to do.
You sure you want
to go tracking with that storm
moving in, boss?
Well, if there's a storm
moving in,
we better get going,
because the storm will wipe away
the tracks, won't it?
Yeah.
Little feet.
Maybe a Squaw?
Or maybe a younger savage,
looking to impress his tribe
with a k*ll?
It's not savages.
No, no.
The shoe prints.
They're cowhide, not buckskin.
Uh, colonial children.
There's two of 'em?
Aye.
And one of 'em's using
a musket as a walking stick.
May the Universe provide me
the chance to repay you.
I figured you'd be back.
You miss me, boy?
You alright?
Trail leads here.
Looks like that fire's
about out.
Scant smoke coming
from the chimney.
But we don't go in hostile.
Looks more like
a neglected homestead
than a den of thieves.
Northern Fur Trading Company!
Open the door.
What's the matter, John?
Is it the savages?
Is it the savages?
I can hear you inside.
Open this door
or we'll be forced
to kick it down.
Didn't your daddy teach you
not to pull the trigger before
you're sure of your sh*t?
Get away from momma!
Hey, calm down!
Calm down!
Hey!
What's wrong with the woman?
She's sick is all.
Where's your daddy?
The cupboards are bare,
the paddock hasn't been
tended to in weeks,
and whoever chopped that
firewood wasn't a grown man.
How long has he been gone?
Uh, a couple weeks.
Sit.
And the woman?
She's been sick about a week.
But for the last few days,
she took a turn for the worse.
Could be yellow fever.
Or worse, whooping cough.
Is he coming back?
He'll be here any minute.
You better run!
I think I'll take me chances.
What do you want, mister?
I am seeking compensation
and justice
for stolen beaver pelts.
Uh, I don't know nothing
about that.
Don't you?
Do you know the value
of a beaver pelt?
Hmm?
Of course, you do.
It's the currency
of the land around here,
isn't it?
Sorry we took your beaver,
mister.
But we were starving to death.
To death?
Well, what he means is...
I know what he means, boy!
I have to wonder,
how long have you been feeding
from the great North Fur
Trading Company traps?
Hmm?
I have a shortfall in pelts
from the trappers around here
that amounts to dozens.
I swear, it was our first time
we ever done it, mister.
Mm-hmm.
Tend to want to believe you,
but you are thieves,
are you not?
Just this once.
Hmm.
And I'm sure you'll agree,
a thief can never be trusted.
Ever!
Correct?
Have you any coin money?
Paper money?
No, sir.
Oh, well, then.
Those pelts fetch me $7.50
in New York City.
$7.50?
That's a month's pay
for basic farm work.
Now you multiply that
by two dozen,
that's almost $200 you owe me.
We told you we ain't got
no money, mister.
Hmm, I know.
Show me your hands.
Ah, good.
They're calloused.
Boss, we uh, run back soon?
No, it's... it's dry
and warm in here.
We'll go back to camp tomorrow.
Don't take your eyes
off those two.
You take the first watch.
Make them squat
on a bucket if you have to.
Oh.
Hey, Caleb?
Hey uh, I was getting kind
of hungry, wondering if you are.
Eh?
Oh, I'm done.
Alright.
Come home to us
before it's too late.
Hey, boss.
Seen someone in the trees.
Huh.
Your watch is over.
Get some rest before we head
back to camp.
Hello!
The surprise!
Huh, yeah.
My... my apologies, Caleb.
When you didn't come back
to camp...
It's alright, Oldman.
Oh, your presence here
is quite convenient, in fact.
How's... how's that, sir?
Well, we have some spoils
to bring back
and two new camp hands.
This will be your only chance.
You have to make
a run for it, boys.
Don't stop till you get
across the valley.
Should be there by dusk.
Stay out of sight.
Trust no one
until reach Elizabeth Patton.
She'll make sure you get back
to your daddy.
Don't look back.
You just keep running.
Now go and stand by the door.
And remember...
...boys, I'll always love you.
Get out of my house.
Ah!
You three, go after those kids
and bring 'em back.
And don't break any bones.
They owe me labor.
Are you two imbeciles
quite finished?
What? What?
She had a musket.
Ah!
Why are you doing this?
For King, Country,
and the great North West Fur
Trading Company.
Your family owes us a debt.
And by law, I am entitled
to collect it
by any means available.
I am sure glad to see you, boys.
What's happening here, boys?
Where are you off to
in such a hurry?
We're running away.
Running away?
From who?
They're running from us.
Put your hands up.
So, you are the father then?
I am.
What's going on here?
A small legal matter that needs
resolving, is all.
Legal matter?
What sort?
These two boys are thieves.
They stole more
than two dozen pelts
from the traps
of the great North West Fur
Trading Company.
Impossible.
They're not thieves.
They have admitted as much, sir.
I have witnesses.
Is this true, boys?
We only took one, daddy,
I swear it.
We were starving
and momma can't get out of bed.
There you have it.
An admission,
heard with your own ears.
Surely I can provide
restitution for the pelt.
25 pelts.
They admit to only one.
We have had more than two dozen
pelts gone missing this fall.
These two boys are thieves
and liars.
We can only deduce that
they are the culprits
for the full count.
That's preposterous!
Is it?
You have heard their admission.
The actual pelt found
smoldering in your fireplace.
The remnants of many pelts found
throughout your property,
and frankly, sir,
the prolonged absence
of a guardian,
amounts to sufficient evidence.
I make a declaration
of monies owed.
Do you have $200, sir?
Of course not.
I demand restitution
in the form of peonage.
Peonage?
You'd labor these two innocents
as camp hands
over a beaver pelt?
For how long do you propose?
The market value
is two years' labor, each.
Now, hold on!
There is no way I will allow
this travesty of justice!
Oh, I feel certain you will.
I will be their surrogate.
I will work off the debt
or pay it!
And what will happen
to these poor boys
and their sickly mother
with you gone for four years?
You may have a legal right,
but justness is on our side!
Justness does not take sides.
Don't take 'em!
I'll catch 50 beaver for you!
If I let you and your family go,
I have no guarantee that I will
ever see you again.
You would destroy my family
for $200?
You would raise thieves rather
than hold them to account?
They were just hungry children!
Yes.
And when they have paid
their debts,
they'll have their whole lives
to look forward to.
They will never survive
two years in your camp!
Then perhaps you should have
raised stronger boys.
Burn the cabin!
Come on.
No one survives that.
He's done.
Polly.
Polly!
I knew you'd get here in time.
The boys?
They took 'em, Polly.
I couldn't stop 'em.
Who will protect 'em now?
Davy.
Davy?
Would you come sit with me,
Davy?
I've been standing here
wondering,
what in this world changes if...
I should have never accepted
Jackson's invitation
to Washington.
I couldn't help but wallow
in the false sense
of being important.
Jackson
and his Indian Removal Act.
I can't even protect my family
from civil men.
How am I gonna
help protect a nation
from the savages?
Davy.
I should have been here, Polly.
Davy.
The men who put profits,
self-interest,
nation-building above humanity,
they make one wonder,
who are the real savages?
They have taken our children,
Davy.
I will return them home to you,
my love.
Unbelievable.
How far ahead are they?
About two hours' ride.
Uh, maybe 20 minutes.
We lost time
crossing the rapids.
How many in the camp?
Must be 20 men.
Where will they keep the boys?
They'll be at the smokehouse
with Margaret.
Margaret?
She's the count keeper.
She looks after the books
for the trappers.
Settles up with the company
at the end of the year.
She watches after the youngins
in camp.
Smokehouse?
That's right.
Pull up your trousers.
If I leave you here untethered,
will I have to contend
with you again?
I reckon here's good a place
as any to take a nap.
It is at that.
Quit straggling, boy.
Come on.
You can walk
or you can be drugged.
Hey!
They got you tangled up good.
You need a hand
with them toddlers?
Come here.
Hey, come on!
Gonna give you some...
We'll need to break this one
of the urge for defiance.
Three lashes.
You heard me.
Done it now.
Harder!
You'll learn.
I have no quarrel with you,
old man.
Ah.
I ain't got no choice, mister.
You'll be alright
in the morning.
Caleb!
We were wondering
when we were gonna see you.
Help, Spike.
What's going on?
And get ready for a fight.
With who?
Why are we stopped down here?
This is where we're gonna
ambush him.
You sent three men after him.
Have you ever noticed
the lengths a man will go to
to protect his family?
He's just one man.
If I survive this,
I know you will find me.
Go.
An interesting way
to present arms, sir.
I knew you were coming.
I've come for my sons.
And here was me,
hoping for
a peaceful resolution.
You can't k*ll us all
with one musket ball.
You sh**t me,
they will k*ll your sons.
Why don't you set
that musket down?
And let's see if
we can resolve this peacefully.
Well, what's it to be, sir?
Hey, hey, what's going on?
You see that?
Hey, get back here.
Hey, you see that?
Them boys are lose.
Come on, we got work to do.
John!
William!
Work your way,
we'll leave you both.
Come on!
Come on!
All of this for nothing!
I will have my pound of flesh.
I will have
my recompense paid out
at the expense
of your thieving offspring.
And you know why?
Because the covenant
of the law protects my property.
Protects me
from the failed parentage
of derelicts like you.
The law is our barrier
against anarchy.
Without the law,
civility would be torn asunder,
set agape as we are overrun
by the savages.
We are all savages.
Don't let them
get off.
Get the horses out now!
You can't k*ll me, sir.
We... we are both civilized men.
You come for my boys again.
And you will know the taste
of a savage's blade.
Ah!
Oh, my babies.
Where's your daddy?
Dear Mr. Jackson,
as I have been,
by my signature,
affixed amongst the ardent
public supporters
of your proposed
Indian Removal Act,
I've lately become enlightened
during my arduous journey
from Washington D.C.
to my homestead in Tennessee.
The portrayal
of the hardships endured by
my family in
my absence are impossible
to impress upon you here,
but sufficient are
your own experiences as to
at least partially illustrate
the many dangers
that had befallen them.
I myself was tested mightily.
Rest at ease in knowing
we all came through it
somehow still endowed with
the gift of life.
Allow me, though,
to share the result of
my experiences.
I have decided to rescind
my support for your proposition.
And as I have been compelled
just recently to run
for the vacant congressional
seat in my district,
I forewarn you that you will
come to feel the weight of
my opposition more fully.
No doubt you will retreat into
your thoughts,
contemplating the profundity of
my reversal,
cursed with
the plaguing inquiry, "Why?
Why has Davy Crockett,
King of the Wild Frontier,
betrayed my loyalties
and now stands in opposition?"
Your answer is quite simple.
While the lands
are indeed savage,
somehow man need not be.
And the natives that
live among us are no more savage
than any of the rest of us.
Perhaps with all that stands
against the survival of man,
we can
at long last stand together.
Englishmen, Colonial,
and Native.
Ballad of Davy Crockett, The (2024)
Moderator: Maskath3