Teller's Camp (2023)

[bunniefuu]

(reel whirring)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music continues)

[Thomas] I heard it told

by a woman over in Murphy

that when a grown man in New York

saw an elephant for the first time,

his entire view of the world

changed in that one moment.

That's how it was in '48

when they found that

gold at Sutter's Mill.

They tried to keep it quiet,

but word got out, and it

struck men like a fever.

300,000 people rushed to California.

Henry Angel was the smart one

because he sold 'em all supplies.

Whether a man knew how to prospect or not,

he'd still need to buy a

tent from Angel's Camp.

Now Big John would tell ya

that gold is where you find it,

but he's only good for digging.

He likes that rot-gut

whiskey, so what's he know?

(bottle thudding)

But people come from all over the world

to stake their claim,

and men that were brought up to worship

and fear our Lord will lie,

steal, and k*ll to possess it.

Because when ya see the

elephant, everything changes.

(dramatic music)

(fire crackling)

(tools clanking)

(footsteps plodding)

Bust that up, Sammie.

See what we got in there.

Right away, boss man.

William Teller.

It's been a long time.

- It has been.

- Come on over here.

Make yourself comfortable.

- Now-

- Did you want

something to drink?

- No, I'm-

Mr. Danko, get Mr.

Teller a whiskey, please.

I don't need a drink.

He says you've got news

about our prospects.

Now we have got to square up our papers.

I had that town barrister

draw up the agreement here.

So now this is the deed

to the I-Rig Trail mining claim,

number 477 up in the north region.

Is that what we're calling it now?

Mm-hmm, mm.

She's a beauty.

You just, uh, you know,

you can just, uh, sign

on the Xes at the bottom there.

I don't sign an X.

Now I know how to sign a W.

And I also know how to cross a T.

As you well know, my

wife's a learned woman.

Yes, I do, William.

How is Katelyn?

Never have to teach again. (laughs)

[Eustus] Well, do give her my regards.

That I will.

William, let me summarize

what's just been signed here.

This states that O'Leary Mining, me,

now owns 100% of the claim

because the former partner, you,

have agreed to a full and complete payout

for the sum of $100.

(bag thudding)

(tools clanking)

(tense music)

What?

Well, I figured you'd want it in gold

for old times' sake.

Damn you, no.

Wasn't our agreement.

Let me see that paper.

Well, you're not gonna make

a scene, now are ya, William?

No, I'm not gonna make a scene.

I'm wanna see that paper again.

Mr. Danko will take you on back to town.

Mr. Danko, take Mr. William

back to town please.

I wanna see that paper.

(birds chirping)

I wanna see that paper.

(feet shuffling)

(tense music continues)

(saliva sputtering)

That was not our agreement.

(grass rasping)

(spade rasping)

(Kate humming)

(Kate coughing)

(gentle music)

(Kate exhales)

(bag thudding)

(gold clinking)

- $100?

- Yes.

And it's your signature?

He made you sign it without me reading it?

Yes.

Doesn't even cover half the deed.

Yes.

You had said we'd be rich,

wouldn't have to work again.

I know, Kate.

Worst possible news we could hear.

Well, no, it's not the worst.

What?

Dr. O'Brien came by yesterday.

(Kate sighing)

(birds chirping)

He says I have something

that can't be fixed.

Well, that's a lie.

He does not know how strong you are.

(hand thudding)

(William sighs)

My God.

You're sick, and you're comforting me.

(horse snorting)

Hep, hep.

(hooves clopping)

Look at this

Veins of gold.

(gentle piano music)

(cup clinking)

(hooves clopping)

(horse neighing)

Well, here comes trouble.

(footsteps plodding)

You ain't no baron.

You are a liar, and you, sir, are a cheat.

That is what you are.

Have a cup of tea, William.

I am part of that.

(paper rustling)

This? I don't think so.

This is brand new.

And since you and I have

resolved our legal entanglements

over the previous claim we once shared,

I really don't think there's

anything more to talk-

I want what's coming to

me, and I want it right now.

Uh, that can be arranged, William.

(door clattering)

Mr. Teller, I don't always

agree with my father either,

but he doesn't deserve to die

today, and neither do you.

You're just about half

right on that, girl.

Now you best think

about what comes next.

I'll count to three before I sh**t.

One.

(tense music)

Two.

(g*n clanking)

Back up.

Now.

(footsteps plodding)

You know that mean blood you got

from your mother's gonna

get you k*lled, hmm?

Same as her.

(dog barking)

(body thudding)

(foot thudding)

(dog barking)

Get yourself on back inside.

(footsteps plodding)

(tense music continues)

(foot thudding)

(William groaning)

(William coughs)

Good day, Mr. Teller.

(dog barking)

(hat rustling)

(William breathing heavily)

(Chenoa singing in indigenous language)

(Kate coughing)

Breathe in.

Am I on fire?

Breathe in.

You know I will watch over him.

Thomas?

This will clean you good,

dark thoughts and bad feelings you have.

My people use this.

- That's nice.

Remember, you told me

about the night he was born,

(thunder rumbling)

The lightning, thunder

beings shaking the sky.

He knows why he's here.

He came in with a strong spirit.

Sacred spirits of the

north, east, south, west,

(Chenoa inhaling)

Watch over her on her journey,

in a good way.

(Kate coughing)

Katelyn,

(Indigenous chanting) William,

(Indigenous chanting) Thomas.

[Thomas] You don't have to whisper.

I can hear what you're saying.

We didn't mean to

disturb your endeavor, son.

What are you drawing there?

My dying mother and the poltergeist

who's come to take her.

[Pastor] Maybe we should

say a prayer instead.

Maybe we should have taken her

to that doctor in San Francisco.

He'd want money that we don't have.

So what Indian smoke

signals is all she's worth?

Thomas.

Thomas, sit with your mother.

(cup clanking)

(thunder rumbling)

(footsteps plodding)

(pensive music)

Mm, who's there?

(horse neighing)

It's me, Mother.

It's Thomas.

My Thomas.

Ah, my beautiful boy.

(birds chirping)

Be strong.

Be strong like an oak.

I want you to find a good woman.

I want you to marry someone you can love,

and you put down roots, okay?

Promise me.

Promise.

I do.

(Kate coughing)

(pensive music continues)

Behold, I shall tell you a mystery.

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall all be changed in a moment,

in the twinkling of an

eye at the last trumpet

when the perishable puts

on the imperishable,

and the mortal puts on immortality.

Then shall come to pass

the saying that is written.

Death is swallowed up in victory.

Oh, death, where is your victory?

Oh, death.

Where is your sting?

And the night will be no more.

They will need no light from lamp or sun,

for the Lord God will be their light,

and they will reign forever and ever.

None will be able to separate

us from the love of God

we feel in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen.

(crickets chirping)

If you can be as quiet as the eagle

and listen to the wind,

you will meet again.

(footsteps plodding)

(door clattering)

(William sobbing)

Is she gone?

Her spirit.

Not long.

(William inhaling)

I'm sorry.

(William sobbing)

I'll see you again.

I will.

(gentle music)

But I'm gonna miss you.

(William sobbing)

(g*n clanking)

[Thomas] Mother's not even

in the grave, and look at you.

[William] The baron has asked me

to go immediately right after the funeral.

I'm not saying I like it.

I can't even find the words.

I'm not asking you to find the words.

Just pack the horses.

Big John told me that when Eustus heard

about my wife's death, he

sent all of his workers home.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

(bottle thudding)

(chair rasping)

(liquid sloshing)

No one worked harder than William.

He was up before sunrise.

(brooding music)

He was, he was digging

from morning to night.

And through his own

decision-making process,

he ended up right back where

he started, with nothing,

absolutely nothing.

(cigar crackling)

(g*nsh*t blasting)

(William gasping)

And that just absolutely

(g*nsh*t blasting)

k*lled Katelyn.

And she deserved better than that.

There was one night, I

don't remember exactly when,

and I'd had a few drinks, so I, I don't,

it was in the back of a,

it was in the back of a, a saloon.

Everything was all foggy.

And I thought I heard Katelyn

say that she loved me.

Everything was, like, spinning

around 'cause of the drink.

And I thought she said, "I love you.

I love you, Eustus."

But it probably wasn't Katelyn.

Probably one of the

other girls at the bar.

She thought that she

saw something in William

that she couldn't see in me,

and he k*lled her.

He didn't pull a trigger or

anything, but he k*lled her.

He k*lled her because he was never,

ever who she thought he was.

To ask only how we

can serve him further.

In the name of Jesus,

we offer this prayer.

Amen.

May your spirit shine

like the great central sun.

May the ancestors greet you

with love into the next world.

(birds chirping)

(somber music)

(Chenoa speaking indigenous language)

You fought real good, Kate.

I was proud

to stand with you all these years

and raise the boy.

I...

will take care

of him

the way we talked about.

Thank you, pastor.

God bless you.

(birds squawking)

You too, Thomas.

[William] Thank you.

(Zhi Yong speaking in foreign language)

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you.

(birds chirping)

Goddammit.

(Eustus inhaling)

(pensive music)

(liquid sloshing)

(glass thudding)

(g*n clanking)

(Eustus breathing heavily)

(g*n clanking)

(crickets chirping)

(fire crackling)

No, you don't, William.

It's your turn to die.

(hooves clopping)

(horse neighing)

(footsteps plodding)

(hat thudding)

(bats screeching)

There's been a break-in at the house.

Who was there?

Sadie.

[Eustus] Where were you, Sammie?

[Sammie] I was shoeing the horses

like you told me to, boss man.

You were shoeing the horses?

Yes, sir, shoeing the horses.

(grass rustling)

(tense music)

You have no idea what they took?

I wouldn't know, but your desk was open,

and there were maps everywhere.

Stop right there, Sammie.

Whoever done this ought to

be tied down and skinned alive.

You know what they done stole, boss man?

I know what they stole.

Well, what are you gonna do about it?

Lock the door, Sammie.

Yes, sir, boss man.

(door clattering and squeaking)

[Thomas] We should build a fire.

Nah, barely got cover here.

Bottom of a valley

people could see us for miles.

What kind of people?

Indians, I suppose.

The Nisenan Maidu?

I read, Father.

Suppose you do.

What'd you read about the Nisenan?

Only that there used

to be a lot more of 'em.

(saddlebags creaking)

[William] Well, where are you going?

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping)

(gentle music)

(locket clinking)

(rod rasping)

(footsteps plodding)

They're beautiful, Thomas.

Picked 'em just for you.

Your mother must have a green thumb.

Does your father know we're here?

I'm fittin' to go sh**t.

Wanna give it a go?

Have you ever fired one of these before?

I can't say I have.

Well, there's a first

time for everything.

(Thomas grunting)

Okay, no, like this.

(g*n clanking)

(hand smacking)

(footsteps plodding)

How much further today?

(horse whisking)

We can stop here if you like.

Sooner we get there,

stake a claim or whatever you need to do,

the sooner I can start

a life of my own, right?

You want me to grab the reins.

Let's keep moving.

(equipment clanking)

(crickets chirping)

(fire crackling)

(spoon rasping)

You want the rest of this?

No, sir.

(cup clanking)

Look, Son.

(pan clattering)

There's nothing more we could a done.

It happened too fast.

(mellow harmonica music)

(mellow harmonica music continues)

What is that?

It's a harmonica.

(harmonica clanking)

(harmonica resonating)

(fire crackling)

(owl hooting)

(pensive music)

(mellow harmonica music)

(Sadie laughing)

(door clattering and squeaking)

You asked me to look

into a matter, Baron,

discreetly, you said.

As you suspected, your daughter has come

under the spell of an undesirable.

(crickets chirping)

(tense music)

Undesirable, huh?

Did he touch her?

- Baron.

- Did he touch her?

[Danko] It's possible.

(owl hooting)

(tense music continues)

All right.

I can send her to my

sister's back in Ohio.

(Eustus exhaling)

Well, who is the son

of a b*tch, Mr. Danko?

You're dying to tell me.

The Teller boy, Thomas.

Well, that family has tried

my patience one time too many.

[Danko] What are your orders, Baron?

(crickets chirping)

(fire crackling)

Is that it?

A minute ago you didn't

even want the extra helping.

I wasn't hungry then.

Growing boy.

I've been on this horse

that has no use for me

for days on end, and it

makes me wanna eat something.

I thought you liked Stick.

You could a brought Spooky if you wanted.

Stick's fine.

I mean, I did the math

again, divide the food we have

by the amount of days we

might need it. (laughs)

We have plenty.

(pan clattering)

Go on and have an extra helping,

get our strength up, strong ride tomorrow,

put us within a stone's throw.

I see anything moving tomorrow,

I'm gonna sh**t it and eat it.

(pan clattering)

You, a g*n?

(gentle music)

(equipment clanking)

(hooves clopping)

(horse whickering)

Well, is it, or isn't it?

[William] I think it is.

(horse whickering)

You need me to read that for ya?

It's just a map I drew.

Don't say nothing.

Know better up there.

That's it.

Thomas, down below,

that's the claim.

(William laughs)

You'll play that 'Monica tonight.

Let's go.

(hooves clopping)

(majestic music)

I say we put the tent right there.

(footsteps plodding)

It's perfect.

(equipment clanking)

Now we just need to find

some black sand, quartz,

we're in business.

(stones clattering)

That's it.

Don't be afraid of it.

(water sloshing)

Come on. Shake it, shake it.

Clean water in there, get that dirt out.

(tool thudding)

(birds chirping)

[CG] I know that, darling.

(Loretta laughing)

Why don't you

just take it off?

- Mm, CG.

That's right, that's right.

[Sammie] CG!

[Loretta] Who is that?

(pots clanging)

Just put it on.

How'd you know where I was?

Big John, he said you owe him 2.50

that he done loaned you on...

(pot clanging)

Who you got in there?

That ain't none of your mind.

It ain't that tasty new

redheaded wh*re, is it?

What brings you here?

Baron wants to talk to you,

and he said to bring your knife.

[CG] Uh, who?

Baron O'Leary.

You tell Eustus I'll speak

with him in the morning.

Get on it.

- This can't wait.

- It can wait.

- He wants you for a k*lling.

Your lack of discretion is unwanted.

Well, the Baron's here just the same.

Where?

How you doing, fellas?

Hope I'm not disturbing you boys.

Howdy, ma'am.

[Loretta] Mm.

CG, how you been? Good to see you.

(hand thudding)

You know it ain't that I

don't wish to speak with ya.

But, uh, as I was explaining to Sammie-

He's got that new redheaded

wh*re inside his shack.

I disapprove of the word wh*re.

g*dd*mn, I wanna see her naked.

What's this about?

I'm offering a reward, CG,

two criminals.

- Reward?

- $500 gold.

Each.

Dead or alive?

Just slow down, we'll

discuss that later.

When?

We'll discuss it when we ride,

CG.

- Who, who?

Mr. Danko, Sammie here.

I ain't riding with Danko.

There is something truly

wrong with that boy.

What's wrong with Mr. Danko?

(CG laughing)

What's so funny?

You got another offer, CG, or not?

I ain't riding with Sammie neither.

Why the hell not?

[CG] You know why not.

[Sammie] The hell with you CG.

[CG] Don't make me educate you.

What the hell does that mean?

What the hell are you laughing at?

What's he laughing at?

I think he's calling

you ignorant, Sammie.

Is that what that means?

Oh, is that what that means?

Is that what that means?

Is that what that means?

(CG laughing)

Hell with you, CG.

Hey, hey, don't go in there.

What the hell do you care?

She's just another wh*re.

Hey, darling.

What, what, what the hell?

Loretta, is that you?

Woman, where are your-

What do you expect me

- f*cking clothes?

- To do, Sammie,

you dumb lump of coal.

- You, you gave me

a sacred vow.

I ought to f*cking k*ll you,

(items clattering)

I ought to k*ll you.

(hand smacking)

g*dd*mn backstabbing mother-

(g*nshots blasting)

(body rasping)

(footsteps plodding)

(CG grunts)

Claim jumper. (laughs)

See you in hell.

(stones clattering)

(water sloshing)

(shovel rasping)

(water sloshing)

(stones rasping)

(tool thudding)

(birds chirping)

(stones clattering)

(water sloshing)

(pan clanging)

(birds chirping)

(water sloshing)

(pensive music)

(Thomas exhaling)

(tool thudding)

(rocks clattering)

(water sloshing)

(stones rasping)

(suspenseful music)

(pan clattering)

(birds chirping)

(teeth clanking)

(gentle music)

Ah-hoo-whoo.

Yahoo.

(thunder rumbling)

(footsteps plodding)

(pensive music)

(tool thudding)

(William grunting)

(Kate coughing)

I figured you'd want it in gold.

(tool rasping)

(Kate coughing)

(tool continues rasping)

(water sloshing)

How is Katelyn?

(Kate coughing)

[Pastor] We mourn the

loss of Kate Anne Teller.

(thunder rumbling)

For old times' sake.

(toll rasping)

You know you might be right

about the Lord after all.

(laughs) What do you mean?

The Lord loves us.

The Lord is our shepherd.

(Thomas exhales)

Fill the other one.

But what about our supplies?

This is gold, boy.

Take it all, every single one of 'em.

- Whoo.

- Every single one.

(thunder rumbling)

Son, people are gonna

treat us differently.

(Thomas laughing)

You think old Henry Angel's

got a nice tent store?

(Thomas laughing)

We're gonna buy all those stores.

[Thomas] Whoo-hoo.

Teller's Camp.

That's the name of our

town, Teller's Camp.

(crickets chirping)

[Thomas] So Baron gets half.

(animal howling)

Why would you say that?

I mean, he's your partner, right?

So, what, split it down the middle?

(brooding music)

(body thudding)

(foot thudding)

(William grunting)

(William coughs)

Pa.

Sorry, was thinking of something else.

(nugget thudding)

Hey, if you don't wanna

tell me how it works

with the Baron, I don't care,

none of my business.

We worked out an arrangement.

(nuggets clattering)

God.

(water sloshing)

(birds chirping)

(horse neighing)

Sh, sh, sh, sh.

(hooves clopping)

(equipment clattering)

Shendy.

Stick.

(William grunting)

God has done this to me, Thomas.

God did not come down

here and steal our horses.

What more must you take?

- Pa.

- [William] We need to bury it.

(body thudding)

(William grunting)

- Pa.

- [William] We need to bury it.

I'm all right, I'm all right.

(William grunting)

(footsteps plodding)

(pack clattering)

Give me the other one.

(packs clattering)

(leaves rustling)

[Thomas] Well, horses

have tracks, right?

(leaves rustling)

All right, listen to me.

Right now, we have to find those horses.

(William screaming)

We won't make it without them.

Come on, let's go.

(insects and birds chirping)

Here, look, that way.

- That thing ready to fire?

- Sure is.

[Thomas] The way you sh**t,

maybe I oughta carry it.

Is that a fact?

- Actually, yes, it is.

[William] You think you

could k*ll a man, do ya?

Maybe not.

But I can probably sh**t a horse thief,

I'll go first.

If someone tries to

sh**t me, don't let 'em.

Who'd do this?

(body thudding)

(William grunting)

Indians covering their tracks.

We've lost it completely.

(hat rustling)

Yes.

Where do you think we are?

Ah, my reckoning,

maybe a few miles from camp.

River should be down that way.

I don't want to die out here

in the middle of g*dd*mn nowhere.

Oh, don't use the Lord's name

in vain, Thomas.

- Well,

that's what you care about?

[William] The mercy of the Lord

may be the only thing that saves us.

Sorry, Lord.

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping)

(Thomas gulping)

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping)

(blanket rustling)

(William laughing)

Here it is.

(packs clattering)

(William exhaling)

(William laughing)

And I never wanna come back here again.

(birds chirping)

Follow this about five miles south,

get to the river, follow that home.

Hopefully, won't be tracked.

(hands smacking)

Oh, Lord, please grant your

providence to my boy and me

we have a safe journey home.

If we make it, we will

use this gold to do good.

(water sloshing)

(gentle music)

(water continues sloshing)

(gentle music continues)

Take your boots off.

Rest your feet.

Go up this next creek, set

up the tent for the night.

A while longer.

[Thomas] You don't know.

You do?

(water sloshing)

(gentle music continues)

(William groaning)

(dramatic music)

(packs clattering)

(water sloshing)

(William groaning)

(birds chirping)

Think you're gonna be able to walk?

Do I have a choice?

(hands smacking)

(animals howling)

We're gonna need to leave our tent.

We're gonna need to save our rounds

in case we run into those Indians.

(hand thudding)

(crickets chirping)

What if they're not Indians?

(animals howling)

Who else

would only steal our horses?

[CG] You know, I think I just about got

all this figured out.

[Eustus] What do you got figured out?

[CG] Why you wanna participate

in the k*lling of these two men.

[Eustus] You don't need to know that.

[CG] Well, a man do have

a right to his privacy.

I agree, but you and I,

we've entered into this

sacred pact amongst ourselves.

[Eustus] Sacred pact, huh?

[CG] Well, we just k*lled a man,

and then we covered up that deed,

and it don't matter if

he had it coming or not,

which leads us back to

our original discussion

and why you feel the need

to spill the blood from

these two ne'er-do-wells.

(pack clattering)

(pensive music)

(shovel clanging)

(g*n clanking)

(birds squawking)

We have a single round now?

That's it?

We only have what's left in the g*n.

They got everything else.

Because you put the

rest of our ammunition

outside the tent.

Won't do any good to

blame me now, Thomas.

Well, it'll make me feel better.

We're nothing but pack mules.

There's one difference.

Pack mules usually get fed better.

You mind?

(pensive music continues)

(boot rasping)

You think it's infected?

Well, if it's not,

probably will be soon.

Lord is testing me, Thomas.

Lord has nothing to do with this, Pa.

You're wrong. He knows

how much I want this gold.

Giving me a choice.

You wanna leave it?

Rather cut this foot off.

(birds squawking)

[Eustus] You talking about, CG?

I'm just a miner looking out for my claim.

What I'm talking about is a wealthy

and respected man in these parts

willfully taking part in multiple murders.

These old boys must have

done something real personal.

To get you all riled

up (laughs) like this.

You just do the job, CG.

Just do the job, will you?

(CG laughing)

Friendly conversation,

that's part of my job, too.

Now let's say, hang on to that,

let's say we come across

these two desperados,

and we each have to take one.

In an ideal situation,

which would you prefer to

confront, father or son?

What the hell kind

of question is that?

- It's a question.

Just answer the question.

Give me the father.

Capture or k*ll?

They're not mutually exclusive, CG.

You can capture 'em and then k*ll 'em.

Right.

So you do want to exact

some revenge from this man?

Revenge doesn't quite

describe the feeling.

(birds squawking)

(pensive music)

[CG] And that's where the son comes in.

[Eustus] What do you mean by that?

[CG] If k*lling a man

don't make it even with him,

well, then you just k*ll his son.

(crickets chirping)

(fire crackling)

(owl hooting)

(brooding music)

Thomas, I know my father,

and he's ready to have you k*lled.

Well, I'll talk to him.

I'll, I'll tell him I'm,

we're to be married.

Why, Thomas Teller, are

you asking me to marry you?

Well, if I did, if I

was, what would you say?

I'd tell you to leave town

and to stay away just long

enough for him to calm down.

And then you come and find me.

I'll give you my answer then.

Here, take this.

Learn me a song when you come back.

Promise I will.

(birds squawking)

(pensive music)

(grass rustling)

Tell me the truth and don't lie.

Are we lost?

Just keep going south by east.

Dear Lord, please take my father.

He's a liar and a cheat.

And when I die, he'll be a m*rder*r, too.

Thomas, don't.

The Lord has taken your wife.

He's taken your gold, and

He is gonna take you, too.

He hates you, and so do I.

(fist thudding)

(dramatic music)

(Thomas screaming)

(fist thudding)

(Thomas grunting)

(William gasping)

g*dd*mn you.

(grass rustling)

(birds chirping)

(William coughing)

You're right.

I am a liar.

Baron's not my partner.

(Thomas sighs and groans)

I came out here to steal from him.

Guess that makes me a thief, too.

Well, if it makes you feel any better,

I'm also a liar.

Sadie.

- Who's Sadie?

- Sadie O'Leary.

I'm in love with her.

Between the two of us, we

told a pretty big pack of lies.

(Thomas laughs)

Something we need to take care of.

May as well do it here.

(shovel rasping)

(dirt thudding)

Whoo, it's looking pretty good.

Sorry, Son, but it needs to be deep.

Someone could find it.

Rains could wash it up, animals.

You just don't know.

Oh, I'm gonna take a break then.

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping)

(Thomas exhaling)

When we get outta here,

I'll start my own apothecary,

stock it with the finest medicines,

bring 'em in from the East,

New York City, I expect.

What about you?

Ah, I think I'll go out back

and pick those strawberries,

eat 'em one by one, taking my time.

Play that Monica again?

I like the way that sounds.

(laughs) I thought you

were worried about Indians.

Not up here.

Besides, they don't

much like evil spirits.

Might frighten 'em away.

(mellow harmonica music)

(mellow harmonica music continues)

(gentle music)

(birds continue chirping)

Promise me.

(birds chirping)

[Chenoa] If you can

be as quiet as the eagle

and listen to the wind,

you will meet again.

(shovel rasping)

(pack thudding)

It's deep enough they

can use it to bury us.

(footsteps plodding)

(birds continue chirping)

(Thomas grunting)

Uh, hold on, Son.

[Thomas] What?

Something to remember our experience by.

(nugget thudding)

(birds continue chirping)

(pensive music)

[CG] I worked with this old boy

rustling ponies out of Colorado.

And I told him, I told him from the start

that if he ever crossed me,

I would cut his tongue out sure as hell

Well, he did not take me at my word,

and he run off with a couple

of my ponies, so I hunted him.

Took me a couple days.

But I caught up with him, and

I made good on my promise.

Turns out, though, uh,

he was a biter. (laughs)

Ah, I do enjoy proving a point.

[Eustus] Let me ask you something, CG.

- What's that?

- How many people

have you k*lled?

What, during w*r time?

No, I'm not talking about w*r.

I'm talking about personal wise.

People that done you wrong.

How many of them did you k*ll?

Uh, well, seven, seven men, two women.

There's a good story,

nine that done me wrong.

Nine that done you wrong,

and out of these nine that done you wrong,

how many of them did you t*rture?

(liquid sloshing)

(birds chirping)

[CG] But I could see it.

What do you see, CG?

I see that you are a man

who personally wants to

t*rture this man to death.

[Eustus] It's a simple job, CG.

Stop trying to pretend that you understand

my motivations.

- Simple job.

Simple job.

- Okay?

Simple job.

Simple job is a round in the head.

That's a simple job.

You want more than a round.

You come out here for pleasure.

I don't take enjoyment out of this.

The hell you don't.

You not only wanna k*ll this man.

You wanna carve him up.

And then you want his

son done up the same way.

[Eustus] Sometimes I want the son more.

You know, Eustus, uh,

I used to know a man

who used to love to carve

the eyes outta Indians.

He'd say it made 'em

blind in the afterlife.

You remind me of that man.

Stop trying to figure me out, CG.

I figure, I wager.

It was all about a woman.

There's never been a woman born

worth shedding a tear over.

You understand what I'm saying, CG?

There's not a woman that's ever been born

that would make me shed a tear.

Teller and I claimed the first

stakes in these parts in '48.

And he was a good partner at the time.

He mined from morning to night.

He had your back.

He used to divvy up our diggings

into two different piles.

He let me choose between the two.

And I'll be damned if he couldn't smell

that noble metal wherever it was hid.

But guess what.

His luck run out as luck tends to do.

It was him that was making

the foolish investments.

It was him that was trusting people

he had no business trusting.

(g*nsh*t blasting)

It was him gambling

and carrying on.

And it wasn't long before

he was back to nothing.

And that's what k*lled his wife.

He got paid fair and square,

and I took that claim,

and I made something outta myself.

And now he's jealous of my success.

He's jealous, dying of jealousy

'cause I'm on top of the

world, and he's nothing.

He feels like he's been cheated.

He feels like he's been owed something.

He wants something that he don't got.

He smelled that gold, and he

wants more, and I get that.

I understand that. That's human nature.

But I am not going to abide thievery.

You understand me, CG?

I'm not gonna abide thievery.

Nope, nope, I, I expect you won't.

(owl hooting)

(birds chirping)

- Let me ask you something.

- What's that?

What's your favorite

way to dispose of a body?

Well,

I tell ya.

b*ttlefield.

On a b*ttlefield, every

m*rder*d man looks just

like another dumb patriot.

- Short of w*r?

Fire, fire is always good.

Fire.

I like fire.

You can watch the, uh, the

skin, how it shrivels up.

Like the eyes.

Well, then here's a toast.

Here's to hatred beyond the grave.

(pensive music)

(Eustus snoring)

(g*n clanking)

(birds chirping)

(footsteps plodding)

(suspenseful music)

(Thomas gasping)

[William] You need to get a move on.

[Thomas] Me? What about us?

[William] We both know

I can't make it back.

[Thomas] No, I can't.

It won't be easy, but you can.

[William] No, I got

the hurt bad in my blood.

[Thomas] What, I'm just

supposed to leave you here?

[William] We're leaving together, Son.

We're going to a claim. Gotta move fast.

(hand thudding)

You'll pay me in gold?

(birds chirping)

(pensive music)

(birds continue chirping)

(suspenseful music)

(shovel clanking)

(footsteps plodding)

(suspenseful music continues)

(stone thudding)

(shovel rasping)

(shovel clanging)

(suspenseful music continues)

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping and squawking)

[William] Thomas.

(footsteps plodding)

(suspenseful music continues)

[Sadie] I'd tell you to get outta town

and to stay away just long

enough for him to calm down.

(birds squawking)

Mr. Teller.

I'll take the boy.

Are you sure?

If Teller's still alive,

you make his final minutes

as painful as possible.

If not, you can start that fire.

Hyuh.

(horse neighing)

(hooves clopping)

Godspeed.

(pensive music)

(knife rasping)

(knife rasping)

(stones clattering)

(birds chirping)

(William grunting)

(shovel rasping)

Hello.

Hello, Jesus, Mary, Joseph.

I, I, I, I, I, I ain't got no weapons.

God is my witness.

I'm unarmed. I'm unarmed.

Keep your distance.

Yes, sir, yes, sir.

(feet shuffling)

(birds squawking)

I was beginning to think

(thunder rumbling)

There weren't no, no

people in these parts.

I shoulda known the good Lord would place

a friendly face in my path.

Where are you headed?

Murphy, camp up north.

In a bit of a rush, though.

My boy fell ill.

Had a terrible, terrible cough.

My wife, too.

Oh, no, our faith in the good Lord

above will help us survive these

troubling, troubling times.

Well, I do believe you have found

the finest shade tree

in this valley. (laughs)

Name's William Teller.

Thomas J. Washington.

It surely is a pleasure.

Thomas is my boy's name.

Ain't that a wondrous coincidence.

Are you ill, William?

You, you seem to be burning up.

Cut my foot on a crick

bed, but I'll be all right.

My boy's on his way back

to Angel's Camp now.

He'll be back soon with help.

Does he have a horse?

No, you?

No, me and my, my

partner was south of here,

found some caverns along the foothills,

and I found a, a vein of gold

'bout as wide as my wrist.

Well, we bedded down that

night, and this bandit,

he come into our camp pistols drawn.

It was a young man.

He wore, uh, one of them

funny-looking top hats.

Oh, please, you don't have to do this.

Hey, I, I, I, I, I'm

sorry about Sadie, okay?

Real sorry.

If you care about that girl,

you'll tell me what I need to know.

Now, where is the gold?

My father has it.

He's already got a head start on you.

Liar.

(Thomas screaming)

Our father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on

earth as it is in heaven.

Oh, you keep on praying,

boy, like a good Christian.

God.

(birds squawking)

He loaded down his horse.

Then he just walked over to my partner,

and he cut his throat

like it were nothing.

Well, I ran into the woods

as fast as these old legs could carry me.

It's only by the grace of God

that I survived that night.

We lost our gear and horses, too.

Probably the same bandit.

Maybe that's why he didn't

bother with our gold.

Your, your gold?

Did he have a pale, clean

face, dark, curly hair.

Oh, my, my, that describes

him like a, like a portrait.

I know who you're talking about.

Now it was my intent to,

uh, just rest my bones here

for a spell and then

continue on with my travels.

But I, I, I don't like

leaving ya here like this,

alone and injured.

You need to get going.

I'll be all right.

How about I move you up to

that fallen tree up there?

That'll give you cover

for whatever might crawl

into this clearing here.

I can make it. You get going.

Are you sure?

Thank you, Thomas.

William, would you mind

if, if you prayed with me?

I'd be proud.

(birds chirping)

(CG panting)

Dear Lord, thank you.

(thunder rumbling)

Thank you for putting William in my path.

Please watch over us

and our dear sons in

this, this time of need.

And dear Lord, please watch

over my, my new good friend, William.

Protect him from the

vile, murderous heathen,

Eustus O'Leary.

(g*n clanking)

(thunder rumbling)

(birds squawking)

You work for Eustus?

He's a snake who can't be trusted.

Snakes are all right.

You just have to pay

'em the proper respect.

That's all.

Now what say you crawl on down there

and dig up them saddlebags?

I don't know what you're talking about.

William, I was praying

that you would say

something to inspire me.

(footsteps plodding)

(hand smacking)

(body thudding)

Thank you for that.

(CG laughs)

Well, hell.

You come all the way up here,

and you didn't bring no r*fle?

(g*n clanking)

(CG sighs)

Well, there's just one round.

Was you expecting me?

No, no, you take that off.

Take that off. Come on.

(William groans)

(boot rasping)

Well, Lord, ain't you a mess?

(boot thudding)

You know it's too late to

cut this foot off, don't you?

(ominous music)

(CG sniffing and exhaling)

I ain't no doctor, but it's

too late for that leg, too.

Now I can take care of that

for you if you want me to.

I start right down there, and

then I tickle you right there.

Get a little feather

And tickle ya there.

I do believe you are the

unluckiest son of a b*tch

I ever knew.

Just k*ll me and be done with it.

Why would I do that, Bill?

Slow and steady, that wins a race.

What do you want?

I want the gold you

got buried down there

in your special tree.

Who are you, really?

Caleb Gordon Hawkins.

Folks, they call me CG.

Do you mind if I call you Bill?

Because, Bill, I have to

admit something to you.

I've been searching for you and your son

for a couple of days.

What for?

$1,000 in gold.

But that don't matter, not right now.

You see, I gotta look at

that girl, that, uh, Sadie.

(CG exhales)

Oh, my heavens,

but she do look as sweet as cherry pie.

But my guess, the Baron will

not abide by any suitors.

At least not until he's done

with her himself. (laughs)

That's why I come down here.

That's why I'm being

so polite, respectful,

downright friendly.

But make no mistake, Bill.

(thunder rumbling)

I will surely put a round in your belly

and you will painfully bleed to death

while you enjoy the lovely

view of this valley.

Am I clear?

Good, we got a common interest.

And I want you to crawl down

there (sniffs) on your belly,

and I want you to dig it up for me.

Oh, Lord, forgive me for my sins, Lord.

I just ask you to protect my son.

(sighs) I warn you, William.

Do not, do not test me.

[William] Forgive this man, Lord.

He knows not what he does.

God?

God, William, God ain't here.

It's just you, and it's me.

Stupid son of b*tch, I said

I want you to crawl down there,

and I want you to dig it up for me.

(knife rasping)

(body thudding)

(birds squawking)

(CG gasping)

Forgive me, Lord.

(knife rasping)

(birds squawking)

(William exhales)

(knife thudding)

(birds continue squawking)

(pensive music)

(scope clattering)

(birds chirping)

(footsteps plodding)

(William coughing)

(shovel rasping)

(William exhaling)

(horse whickering)

(tin cup thudding)

Up ahead.

(feet thudding)

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping)

(William grunting)

(suspenseful music)

(dramatic music)

Pa, run. It's Danko.

You take me to this

gold, and you can live.

Say another word, and you die right here.

(footsteps plodding)

(birds chirping)

I got your son here, Mr. Teller.

Now, we both want the same thing,

the gold.

(g*n clanking)

How about I put a round where

your eye is supposed to be?

That sounds mighty bloody.

Your boy said you had no rounds.

It ain't the first time he ever lied.

I got a round here.

Father, don't.

[William] Now!

(g*nsh*t blasting)

(Danko screaming)

(shovel thudding)

(Thomas grunting)

(bodies thudding)

(Thomas grunting)

(g*nshots blasting)

(Thomas screaming)

(birds chirping)

(pensive music)

(Thomas grunting)

You love this girl?

Sadie?

Yes.

She's like Mom was to you.

She's an angel.

You can't trust her father.

You both need to get as far

away from him as you can.

Only reason I came with you

is she said that her

father wanted to k*ll me

and I should leave town long

enough for him to forget me

and come back and go away with her.

When you find her, you marry her,

and you don't ever let

her leave your side.

You learn from my mistakes.

I will.

(birds chirping)

(somber music)

It's alright son,

we'll be together again.

[Thomas] My father wasn't perfect,

but he had a dream, a holy vision

that God intended for our family.

I intend to see that through.

We commend the spirits of William Teller

and his beloved Katelyn to the ages.

Let their love continue to exist

and inspire us for all eternity.

Amen.

[Thomas] Amen.

Losing two parents,

that's a, that's a terrible thing, Thomas.

That's a terrible thing.

(Chenoa humming)

Okay, Sadie, come on.

It's time to come home.

My home is with Thomas now.

Now, hold on now.

You see, this boy needs to account

for what his father took from me.

Man wasn't very smart, but he

had a knack for finding gold.

Isn't that right, Thomas?

(Thomas laughs)

I know you sent that man after us.

Out of respect of my

father going in the ground,

I'm not gonna k*ll you in front of Sadie,

but make whatever amends you can, sir,

for I will be seeing you again.

(birds chirping)

(pensive music)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)

(pensive music continues)