Yearling, The (1946)

[bunniefuu]

Lake George, Florida,

April 1878.

I came across this lake once,

some years ago,

in a little mail boat

that brought me home

after fighting in the w*r

with the Yankees.

Came down this broad river

going back into the wilderness,

away from civilization,

looking for a place to settle,

a place to live...

Back into the scrub country.

It got Wilder as I got deeper

into the woods.

I liked it.

Vegetation was denser--

the trees had to struggle

for a breath of air.

Even Wilder here as I got back

closer to the sources,

to the beginning of things,

further away


from towns and wars.

And then I left the river,

went right

into the woods themselves.

And here was the scrub country.

Not many people lived here then,

just a few pioneers.

I found myself a wonderful wife

in a little village nearby,

and between us,

out of this

rolling sea of trees,

we cleared and cultivated

a little piece

of half-fertile ground

we call islands,

like this one.

That was many years ago,

but we still live here.

We've had our hardships

and our happinesses.

This is our home.

It's called Baxter's island.

That's my name, penny Baxter.

Here's where we live--

me, my wife Ory,

and our little boy Jody.

Jody!

Jody!

Hey, co*n.

Them's mighty pretty


little fellas you got.

Jody!

You want Jody, Ma?

Where's that boy at?

Oh, I reckon

he's around somewheres.

Most likely

gallivanting somewheres

where it don't do

nobody a mite of good.

What he's doing is something

that's got to be done.

I need some water!

We'll bring you some, Ma.

When did you get

back from logging?

Just getting back now.

Hello, Pa.

Hello, Jody.

Gets late mighty quick, Pa.

Afore you know it.

Well, that's April for you.

Where you been?

To the Glen.

I lay down,

and 'fore I knew it,

I was asleep.

Come on, Caesar.

Some honeybees was here,

and I aimed to follow them

and find the bee tree.

You find it?

Dogged if I didn't forget

to look for 'em till now.

Ah, tell the truth, Jody,

and shame the devil.

Weren't that bee tree

a fine excuse

to go ramblin', too?

A notion taken me

to go a-ramblin', too.

That's what I figured.

On my way back,

I was saying to myself,

there's Ma, now,

busy in the house,

and there's Jody,

hoeing in the corn field

all by hisself,

and that hoe's a-gettin' heavier

every minute.

I expect he's thinking,

"on a fine spring day like this,

I ought to go ramblin'."

That the way you figured?

That's the way I figured, Pa.

But your Ma don't

hold with ramblin'.

Most womenfolks can't

see for their lives

how a man loves so to ramble.

I never let on you wasn't here.

I said, "oh, reckon

he's around somewheres."

Us menfolks has got

to stick together

in the name of peace.

Yes, Pa.

Pa!

Yes, boy?

I seen a sight today

down at the Glen--

a mammy co*n with 2 babies.

They was the prettiest

little fellas

you ever seen.

c*ons is pretty.

Pa, you think it's worth

speaking to Ma about it?

Them little fellas was so pretty

that if I should snare me

one of 'em for a pet,

I bet even Ma would love it.

Your Ma ain't gonna go

loving no c*ons.

You reckon she'd get mad

if I was to mention it?

What do you reckon?

You two home at last?

Yes, Ma.

I reckon she would.

But I wish I had me something

to pet and play with.

Pa, you said menfolks

has got to stick together

in the name of peace.

That's right, boy.

Well, I were thinking,

if you was to speak to Ma

about that little co*n--

no, thank you.

Thank you kindly.

I ain't aiming to die

afore my time.

Now, come on. Now, you best

get down to the sinkhole

and bring your Ma some water.

Yes, Pa.

Hey, old Ma!

I like you, Ma.

Hmm. You and the rest

of the stock

get mighty loving

when I got a dish in my hand.

That's the way

you're the prettiest.

That ain't sweet 'tater pone,

is it, Ma?

It's sweet 'tater pone.

It's sweet 'tater pone!

Pa! A big old buck watered

down at the Glen today.

I seed it--

when was you down at the Glen?

Today, Ma.

So that's it.

And me a-callin' and a-callin'.

You gettin' slick as a Clay road

in the rain.

I fooled you, Ma!

I fooled you!

Say it, Ma.

I got to fool you once!

You fooled me.

Evenin', Ma.

And you just as bad as the boy.

You both gettin' mighty sly.

Now sit down afore the pone

steams off to nothing.

Dear lord, thanks again

for the vittles. Amen.

I declare,

that's a mighty

skimpity blessing,

seems to me.

I always get hungry

when I go logging.

The lord will know what I mean.

Ma...Ma, I seed a thing today.

Well, must I hear it,

or must I live in ignorance?

'Twere only a big old frog.

A big old frog, eh?

A big old frog!

Hmm.

Mighty interesting.

Good night, Pa.

Good night, boy.

Good night, Ma.

Good night.

Pa.

Pa!

What is it, boy?

Does a co*n always

wash everything

before he eats it?

Does he, Pa?

That's right, boy.

Now go to sleep.

If'n a co*n always

washes everything

before he eats it,

he must be

a pretty clean animal,

eh, Pa?

Oh, c*ons is clean.

Now lie down, boy.

I guess a co*n

takes care of hisself

pretty well,

don't he, Pa?

Well, most animals take care

of themselves, boy.

Now get to bed.

What's all this talk

about c*ons?

Don't know, Ma.

Did I tell you I seen

an old co*n today, Pa?

Yes, you told me.

Now go to sleep, boy!

Did I tell you she had

a couple of babies?

Yes, you told me that, too.

I bet if Ma had seen one of

them little old baby c*ons,

she'd have loved it to death.

Jody, we ain't a-gonna have

no c*ons around here.

What about a little baby

bear cub, then,

if'n I should one, or a possum?

I'd love to have a baby fox

or a baby panther.

Jody!

But, Ma, I just gotta have me

something for a pet.

We got milk a-plenty.

What you mean,

we got milk a-plenty?

There ain't a extra drop

from sun to sun.

It could have mine!

Now, don't tell me again

it can have yours.

You're spindly

enough as it 'tis.

How you think

we can spare rations

for some critter

whereas all we can do

is keep our own bellies full?

But I just want

something all my own,

something to follow me

and be mine...

Something with dependence to it.

Well, you'll not

find that nowheres--

not in the animal world,

nor in the world of man.

Going on 12 and still wanting

some kind of a play Dolly.

Your Pa was doing

his man's share of work

time he was your age.

Now stop pestering

and get to bed

afore I take a brush to you.

Yes'm.

Good night.

Good night, Pa.

Night, son.

Seems like you get

mighty hard on the boy

at times, Ory.

Then let him tend to work.

Always running off,

always wanting to bring

some pesky critter

into the house.

Well, a boy ain't

a boy too long.

Leave him kick up

his heels a little now.

The day will come

he won't even want to.

Ory, I've seen our boy

stand agaze and breathless

at the wonderment

of the bird and the critter,

wind and rain,

and the sun and the moon,

just like I stood

when I was a boy in the forest.

Don't be afraid

to love the boy, Ory.

I'll put up the stock.

What's the matter, Pa?

Your Ma's gone down

to the burying grounds, son.

Oh, Pa, a couple

of old buck deer

were in our burying

grounds today.

I seed their tracks.

The gate was broke,

and little Ory

and little David's markers

were knocked down.

Well, now, your Ma

wouldn't like that.

I was obliged to right 'em.

Pa, one of them markers

had something writ on it,

but it's getting kind of dim.

I can't make it out no more.

That's Ezra Jr.'s.

He never seen the light of day.

You mean he died right off

when he was born?

That's right, son.

Ma never talks

about him, does she?

No.

Are they part

of Ma's raring, Pa?

So you figured that out

all by yourself,

did you, son?

I were just wondering.

I'm proud you're

beginning to look round

for the reason of things,

figuring out what makes

people rare sometimes

and they don't really mean it.

Your Ma is

a wonderful woman, Jody.

Yes, Pa.

When we come out here years ago,

she was that pretty and

full of the fun of life.

She was a thing to see.

This place was just

a wilderness then,

but your Ma thought

it were beautiful.

She pitched in and worked

as hard as I did,

right alongside of me.

We made it a kind of game,

clearing this here

place we got--

the two of us together,

out here in the wilderness.

A man couldn't have had

a better wife.

And then, when we lost

the children,

one after t'other...

Well...

'Tain't easy for a woman

to have her young'uns

taken away from her

like that, son.

It does something to her.

Makes something inside

her close up tight,

so if it happens again,

she ain't gonna let it

hurt her so much next time.

I were lucky, weren't I, Pa?

I'm 11 years old.

I'm a-way past the age of dying.

Ezry, what you two

doing in there?

You stop visiting.

It's time that boy got to sleep.

All right, Ma.

He's a-goin' to sleep.

Pa! Pa!

Pa! Pa! Pa!

Come look what's happened!

It's a calf and a shoat!

The barn door on the other end

was broke down!

Take it easy, boy.

But what happened, Pa?

What done it?

Bear. Big 'un.

Look there.

One toe's missing

on the right front paw--

old Slewfoot!

Old Slewfoot.

But none of the dogs

bayed him, Pa,

'less'n I didn't hear

for sleeping.

None of them bayed him.

He had the wind in his favor.

Don't think he didn't

know what he was doing.

We got to get him, Pa.

We just obliged to get him.

I'm daresome to break

the news to your Ma.

What happened?

What you two doin' in there?

What's the matter with you two?

I been calling and call--

bear?

It's old Slewfoot, Ma.

Old Slewfoot.

That dad-ratted,

no-account varmint,

k*lling, just k*lling,

and not even eating

what he kills!

I hate that!

Last year, it was our brood sow.

And them dogs asleep

right out there

in the clearing!

There ain't a dog born

as smart as that bear, Ma.

They could have barked!

Anyways, we got meat

to eat for a while.

Meat now and none this winter.

You aiming to get

after that bear?

I'm aiming to get

after him right now.

Pa, can I go with you this time?

Can I, Pa?

Hunting bears is

man's work, boy.

I can do it.

I know I can.

Well, don't look to me for mercy

do the going get rough.

Oh, no, Pa.

No, Pa.

You ain't taking him!

He's got to learn sometime.

Jody, turn the new dog loose

whilst I hang the stock.

Ma, you get my g*n and rations.

Wise old scaper's

changing his direction.

He's likely heading

for the saw-grass ponds.

If'n that's his notion,

we can maybe slip round

and give him a surprise.

You sure can figure

what a critter will do.

Well, you belong to figure, son.

A wild critter's

quicker than a man

and a heap stronger,

but a man's got

a mite more sense.

He can't outrun a bear,

but he's a sorry hunter

if he can't outstudy him.

Old Slewfoot k*lled

a man once, didn't he, Pa?

So they say, boy.

Your g*n loaded, Pa?

I reckon we're

getting old Slewfoot

pretty tired out, Pa.

You won't feel so tired

old Slewfoot raise up

in front of you.

Come on.

Looks like

that bear's got itself

a ticket to Jacksonville.

Pa...You'll not be scared

when we come up with him, Pa?

Not 'less'n

things go mighty wrong.

I don't reckon

you'll be scared, son.

No, sir. No, Pa.

Pa, if I was to be scared,

must I climb a tree?

Yes, son.

Even you ain't scared,

it's a good place

to watch the ruckus from.

Come on, boy.

Don't go getting

faintified on me.

I feared it.

The thicket.

They're getting close, boy.

Maybe you'd best

wait here after all.

No, Pa.

I ain't scared.

Just keep behind me, then.

Easy, girl. Easy!

Do you reckon he's in there, Pa?

He's in there, boy.

All right, Julie, get him!

He's coming, Pa, he's coming!

No, he ain't, boy.

He's a-goin'!

Perk! Get, perk!

Perk!

Pa, the new dog's running away!

Now, Pa!

Pa, what's the matter?

Now, boy!

You hurt, Pa?

You hurt?

What happened?

Backfired.

Julie! Rip!

Rip! Here, rip!

Rip! Here, rip!

This confounded worthless g*n!

It's Julie, Pa.

She'll be all right, boy.

We'll make a hammock

out of my coat

and carry her home.

There, Julie.

Her breathing's still short.

I reckon she's lost

a mite of blood.

Where you taking her?

Jody's room.

I'll not be popping in

and out of bed all night

a-wakin' you.

Good night, Ma.

Good night.

She'll live, won't she, Pa?

Huh? I'm certain she will, son.

I'm bedding her here.

You'd best sleep with me, Pa.

That's what I'm

figuring on doing,

if'n you'll have me.

I'll have you, Pa.

Now, don't go

visiting all night.

Get to sleep.

Yes, Ma.

What makes you so wakeful, son?

I can't stop walking.

We went a fur piece.

How you like going after bear?

Well, I like thinking about it.

I know.

I like the tracking

and the trailing,

seeing the saplings broke down.

But the fighting's

right fearsome,

ain't it, son?

It's mighty fearsome.

It's got to be.

It's a hard law,

but it's the law--

k*ll or go hungry.

I was right proud

the way you come

along with me, son.

Thanks, Pa.

You cold, son?

I reckon, Pa.

Move over a mite.

I'll warm you.

Well, it's get me a new g*n

or court trouble.

How you aim to get a new g*n?

Where's the money coming from?

Well, Ma, I'm just

aiming to trade

that there new dog

of ours for one.

You said he were no-account.

He ain't much good

on a bear hunt,

that's a fact,

but you know as good as I do

them forresters

is fools for dogs.

Ezry Baxter, you go tradin'

with them thieving rascals,

you do good to come home

with your britches.

They're a reckless, no-account,

black-hearted lot.

Lower than a doodlebug,

every one of them.

Fodderwing ain't.

Fodderwing's my friend.

A fine friend.

Crazy as a loon.

He ain't crazy, Ma.

He's just...

Different.

Anyways, that's where

me and Jody's a-headin'.

Get that worthless dog

untied, Jody.

Will you want a tote lunch?

Why, I'd not insult

my neighbors that-a-way.

What you thinking, son?

I ain't thinking.

Just a-feelin' the sun

and listening to the birds

and looking round?

That's what I'm doing, Pa.

That's right, son.

You glad you going

to see fodderwing?

I like fodderwing.

Well, I guess he can't

do you no harm

if'n you don't take

his talk too serious.

Fodderwing wouldn't

want to do nobody no harm.

He ain't crazy like Ma said

he is at all, Pa.

Well, he ain't to blame

for hatching out peculiar.

I guess he was

the second settin'.

We're there, Pa.

I can see smoke coming

out of the chimney.

Here, perk.

Here, perk.

Come on, boy.

Come on.

Is he hurted?

Nope.

Then what are we toting him for?

Oh, I just don't want

anything to happen to him,

that's all.

Well, boy...

Sounds like we're here.

You ain't got no call

to say that!

I know who it was.

It was major.

I seen it myself!

Don't you go sayin' that!

Was either major

or Lem's old Sophie.

You say it was Sophie

and I'll bust you wide-open.

Shut up! You're worse

than the dogs.

If it weren't so hot,

I'd flail every one

of you myself.

You hear what your Pa says?

Now, you shut your noise!

Look out there, Ma.

You're gonna hurt somebody

one of these days.

Why, look a-there!

It safe for a fella to get down?

If it ain't old penny Baxter.

Howdy, penny. What's

the matter with your dog?

Get down and come on in.

Fodderwing will be

right glad to see you, Jody.

You gonna get down

off that there horse

or we gotta help you?

Bring the horse

right in with you.

How's your old woman, penny?

Ain't complainin' none.

Hey, buck.

How's your corn coming?

Corn's good.

I ain't never seen

such a corn-raiser

as old penny Baxter.

You good-for-nothin' scapers

don't know what corn is.

Hey!

Hey.

I got me a new baby co*n.

A co*n? Let's go see him, huh?

My eagle died.

He was too wild to pen.

I'd never catch me nothin'

with wings again.

Why?

If'n you had wings,

what would you do?

You'd fly with them,

wouldn't you?

You wouldn't never

come down again,

would you?

I reckon not.

Nothing that has wings

should ever come down again.

You never did try

to fly again, did you?

I tried to fly too young.

That's push.

You remember him.

Hey, push.

Hey!

They won't raise no young 'uns.

Lem says they's brothers.

Here's the co*n.

Here, racket.

Ain't he a thing?

If'n I should

get me another one,

you can have one, too.

I--I'd be proud to have one,

but Ma won't let me

keep nothin'.

Oliver said he'd bring me

a monkey from the south seas,

but Ma said

she had enough monkeys

around the place as it 'tis.

She meant Pa and me.

Where is Oliver now?

Sailing somewheres on the sea.

I'd never go to sea.

They ain't got no

animals on the sea.

I might go to sea someday,

if'n I could go with Oliver.

Oliver's my friend.

I got 3 friends--

Oliver and Pa and you.

I got lots of friends.

He's eating me!

He ain't hungry.

He just wants to be

doing something.

He likes you, Jody.

Guess so.

He sleeps with me.

I sleep up there now.

Buck made it for me.

If'n you can stay the night,

you can sleep up there with me.

Do you like to sleep up there?

You see things at night

and hear things.

What?

All the things

that's scared of the daytime.

I seen a deer and a wolf

playing together.

You couldn't have seen that.

They's enemies.

That's what folks tell you.

And I seen the Spaniards

riding on big black horses.

They's tall and dark

and has shiny helmets.

But there ain't

no Spaniards left.

They all gone, like the Indians.

They's here.

You listen to me.

The next time you go

to your sinkhole--

you know that big magnolia

with the dogwood round it?

Well, just you look behind it,

and there's always a Spaniard

on a big black horse

riding past that magnolia.

Guess we'd better go in.

Well, Jody and me

set out after them dogs.

That bear took them

across the south scrub,

along the saw-grass ponds,

and through the thicket,

and finally right to

the edge of Juniper creek,

where they caught up with him.

Tarnation!

Get on with it!

This here dog go with them?

Yes, he went along.

Do he track good?

Do he hold the bear at bay?

No. He's mighty sorry.

That's the sorriest bear dog

I ever owned or followed.

Got itself lame, huh?

No. No, he ain't lame,

as I know.

Well, then, what you

holding him so careful for?

Keep him out of the jaws

of them bloodhounds of your'n

if they should come in.

Valuable, huh?

Shut up, Lem!

Get on with the story!

Well, there he was,

right smack at the edge

of Juniper creek,

and rarin' up on his hind legs.

Well, I'm just

goin' to sh**t him,

and old Julie gets him

by the throat.

Finally he pushes her off,

and I get a chance

to sh**t at him,

and what happens?

What?

Get on with it!

My g*n wouldn't sh**t.

Tried it again and again,

but she just won't sh**t,

and there I am--

old Julie's getting k*lled

and rip's getting slashed,

and this dog no good,

and my old muzzleloading

shotgun no good,

and I'm in a pure fix.

Quit that there

stopping all the time.

Tell us what happened?

Just as I try the g*n

for the last time,

she hangfires on me--

knocks me down, and there I am.

That makes old Slewfoot

decide he's had enough.

He turns,

he starts for the creek,

swims to the other side,

and the last we seen of him,

he's heading for

no man knows where.

I'd've give a gallon of whiskey

to have been there!

That bear's too smart

for his own good.

I'd choke him to death.

That old Slewfoot is something.

You're a liar, penny Baxter.

Ain't no man ever said that

of me afore, Lem.

Just 2 dogs don't make a bear

like old Slewfoot

turn tail and run.

How come you never once

mentioned

this dog you got here?

Now, don't press me, Lem.

I done told you,

the dog is worthless.

I notice he come out

in mighty good shape.

Not a mark on him, is there?

No, no, there's nary a mark.

Takes a might clever dog

to fight a bear

and not get no scratch on him.

Ah, he's no good, Lem.

I wouldn't want you to get

no idea of trading for him,

because you'd get fooled

and cheated.

Simmer down, Lem.

If'n penny don't want to trade,

they ain't nothing

say he got to.

Where's your manners, Lem,

drinking all that jug?

Where's your'n,

not giving company a chance

to wet their whistles

afore dinner?

Pa, you got the most sense

for such a old buzzard.

It don't take no sense

to crave liquor.

Give it here.

Pour me a noggin in the cup,

and you can all set down.

If I'd a-known you was a-comin',

I'd have cooked

something fittin'.

All this here looks fine

enough for the governor.

I reckon you folks

give thanks, penny.

Pa, it won't hurt you none

to ask blessing

for once in your life.

Oh, lord...

Oh, lord...

We...We...

Oh, lord,

thou has seen fit

to bless our sinnin' souls

and...And bellies with...

With, uh...

With, uh...

With...

Good vittles again.

Amen.

Thanks, penny.

Amen.

I want two things, penny Baxter.

I want to be in at the

death of old Slewfoot,

and I want that there dog.

Mind what you do, Lem.

When I want a thing, I get it.

Right from England.

No muzzleloading.

Fill your own shells.

Easy as spittin'.

Stick your shells in,

breech her, c*ck her,

and you're ready for anything.

2 shots,

as true as the eagle flies.

Now, take the g*n for him,

or by thunder, I'll--

well, I-- I don't figure

to get myself m*rder*d

in my tracks,

if that's the way

it stands, Lem.

I...Uh...

Well, you got to promise

not to beat

the puddin' out of me

after you hunted him.

Shake.

You scapers got

enough covers up there?

Yes, Ma.

Yes'm.

Good night.

Night.

Night, Ma.

Night.

And then what happened?

'Twere a bright, sunny day,

like this'n we just had.

And you went right to

the edge of the roof?

I went to the edge of the roof.

And then you jumped?

I jumped way out in the air.

What did it feel like?

When I was jumping,

it felt just like I were flying,

for a minute--

just like a bird,

and then it went kind of dark.

'Twere dark for quite a time.

Was you bad hurted?

I reckon.

It should have worked.

I were too young.

Someday I'll fly.

I'll just fly on and on.

It'll be easier than walking.

Walking ain't easy for me

since I tried to fly.

Guess near about

everything like to fly.

Birds fly...

Birds and angels.

You know what the end

of the world's like, Jody?

What?

It's empty and dark

with only clouds to ride on...

But the clouds

is sunny and soft,

and you just float on them

and go nowheres.

And all the animals

has little bright clouds

to ride on.

Racket will have a little one

just alongside of mine.

And you know what, Jody?

Sometimes, as you're

drifting along,

you just sort of drift

right inside another cloud,

and you'll be on that one,

and we'll lie there

and talk together,

just like we're talking now.

And you know what, Jody?

What?

Clouds are really

just the backs of angels

who are flying around up there

looking after things.

They'll look after you,

too, Jody,

till you're ready to fly.

How you know that?

I just know.

Could be.

Yeah. Could be.

Pa! Pa! Pa!

I can see him, Pa,

I can see him!

An old Spaniard riding along.

Fodderwing said

I could spy him here.

That's nice.

What'd he say he seed?

A Spaniard.

What Spaniard?

I don't know.

Hmm.

There, now.

I was scared this wouldn't

stand another washing.

What else you got

that's cool to wear?

Nothing, excusing

my wedding dress.

That black alpaca is nice.

That went to pieces

3 years ago--

went to pure rags

doing work just like this.

Toting washing to a sinkhole

half a mile from the house,

toting water to wash in,

toting water to cook in--

you'll get your well

one day, Ory,

and right outside your door.

I'll believe it when I see it.

After all these years

of waiting,

I'll take no stock in it.

Ory, I think me and Jody

will make us a trip to Volusia.

Yeah.

I got some trading I want to do.

Ain't it exciting

just to see it, Pa?

Yes, I must say, once in a while

it's a pleasure to see a town.

Get along, Caesar.

It'll be right nice

seeing your sweetheart

again, won't it?

Pa, you know I ain't

got no sweetheart.

You ain't going back on eulalie

after I seed you holding hands

at the doin's last Christmas?

I was not holding hands.

It was a game they was playing.

If you say that again,

Pa, I'll just die.

All right.

Just wanted to get it straight.

Hello there, Mr. ranger!

Hello, Mr. ranger.

Who's there?

Customers.

Hi there, penny Baxter.

Hiya, Jody.

Hello, Mr. ranger.

I was just getting

all set to noon.

You stay right where you are.

Sorry we woke you up.

Ha ha ha!

'Tain't nothing.

I'll catch up with it later.

Well...

Looky there who's in town.

Hiya, fellas!

How'd that there dog

I swapped you come out?

Say that again, penny.

I said how'd you come out

with that sorry dog

I traded you?

We ain't laughin' none about it.

You ain't mad about it?

I ain't sayin' what I am.

You'd best keep out

of Lem's way.

Lem in town with you fellers?

He's with us,

but he's out courtin'

that twink weatherby of his'n.

She's Oliver's girl.

Just don't let Lem

hear you say that, young'un.

I'm right sorry

Lem feels that way

about the trade.

You just told him the truth.

My words was straight.

My intentions was as crooked

as the ocklawaha river.

Yes, sir, the steamboat captain

has been asking

about you, Mr. Baxter.

Says these city folks

traveling up and down the river

is just hollering for venison.

What's next?

Uh...2 boxes 12-Gauge

brass shell cases.

2 boxes 12-Gauge

brass shell cases.

Yes, sir, just hollering

for it, he says,

and it ain't half

as good as pork.

Now, you and me, we know it.

What's next?

Uh...One pain curer.

One pain curer.

Yes, sir, as I says

to my nephew,

I says, "Oliver,

you're just as well--"

Oliver in town?

Oliver?!

Oliver back?

Where'd he go to this long time?

To hear him tell,

he's traveled the seven seas.

You reckon he saw

any whales this time, Pa?

Where is he?

Where's Oliver?

The sailor?

He's out with his gal,

twink weatherby.

But millwheel said

she's Lem's girl.

Never mind, Jody.

Don't you bother

your head about that.

Well, that just about

completes it.

You figure that up.

I'm looking to have

a little cash left over--

aiming to buy tobacky seed

for the spring

for a money crop,

and with that money, I'm aiming

to buy brick and mortar

so as we can have a well

right outside our very door.

What do you think

of that, Mr. Boyles?

That'll be fine for Mrs. Baxter.

What's this here stuff?

Black alpacky, ain't it?

Yeah, that's what it is.

That's what I thought.

Appears to me I sold Mrs. Baxter

a dress length of that alpacky

long about 4 or 5 summers back.

Huh?

That's pretty.

Young man,

you don't come in

to trade very often,

so I'll treat you

to a dime's worth

of anything you have

a notion for.

I reckon that mouth organ's

worth more than a dime.

Well, yes,

but it's been here a long while.

Take it and welcome.

Well, now, that's unusual kind.

Thank you, sir.

There's your gal now, Jody.

Pa...

It's eulalie,

come out special

just to see you.

Pa...

Now, go say how-do to her.

Go on.

Your boy's got

manners, Mr. Baxter.

Oh, he's right smart

of a comfort.

Aah!

He hit me with a potato!

Jody, you put that down!

What's got into you?

How come you

do shame me like that?

Now, you go up

and excuse yourself.

Jody!

Right smart lot of

spunk your boy's got,

Mr. Baxter.

Thank you, Mr. Boyles.

We'll be back later

for our things.

Pa, Pa, quick!

They k*lling Oliver!

He's fighting Lem

and all the forresters together!

They k*lling him!

Then whose girl

is twink weatherby--

Lem's or Oliver's?

I guess they can't decide.

Then who are we fighting for?

For whoever's taking a licking--

that'll be Oliver.

But the forresters

is our friends, too.

Who's judging this fight?

We're judging it.

If it takes 3 men to whip one,

I say the one man's the best.

Hello, Oliver, welcome home.

Oliver!

Jody!

Oh! Am I glad to see you,

old landlubber, you.

I brought you back

a present from China.

Saw a lot of whales, too.

Oliver!

I got no mind

to k*ll you, penny Baxter,

but I'll smash you

flatter'n a Skeeter

you don't get out of my way.

We'd have fought him

one at a time,

but he led right in.

I'll fight any man anywhere

what says what Lem

said about my gal.

Then I'll say it again.

I ain't seen a fight

as good as this for months.

Reckon I'll get in it, too.

Coming?

Might as well.

Jody, get out of this!

Get off, you little--

I'm back, Ma.

What happened to you?

We got in a fight.

Who did?

Me and Pa

and the forresters and Oliver.

They was beating him bad.

They couldn't decide whether

Oliver's girl was Lem's or--

now, ain't that just fine?

Where's your Pa?

Ahem.

I'm here.

Well, ain't that just fine.

Now, did I make

a good trade, Ma?

That makes

near $5.00 we got saved,

and you know what

that money's going for?

Tobacky seed--

enough tobacky seed

so's we can have

a fine money crop next spring,

and every bit of money

we get from that

is going into bricks and mortar

so's you can have your new well

right outside your door.

Well, I declare.

I just can't imagine it--

washing right on my own place,

having all the water

I need right here,

not even caring

if some slops over

now and then.

Being able to waste

a whole bucket

of nice, cold water

just to cool myself with.

I declare, it will

be such a blessing,

it won't seem natural.

I bet you ain't bought

half the things I ordered.

I never knowed a man yet

that could be trusted to...

Where's my paregoric?

Where's my--

now, if that ain't

just like a man!

Throwing away money

on such as this.

I declare, men ain't got

no more sense than...

How much did this cost?

You just tell me how much money

you wasted on such foolishness.

The next time

you go to Volusia, I'll--

how much did this cost?

She's a-rarin', Pa.

Don't she like it?

She likes it, boy.

Giddyup.

Fodderwing claims

he can talk to vultures.

Well, they wouldn't have

much I'd want to hear.

Maybe if'n you was to tame one,

it might make a pretty nice pet.

Whoa, Caesar.

Whoa.

Well, Ma,

been admiring

our fine crop of corn?

I ain't admiring nothin'.

You know why them hogs

didn't come in last night?

Why?

They were stole.

Stole?

They was baited.

Look here.

I was getting ti-ti leaves

on the other side

of the sinkhole,

and I seed corn scattered

and hog tracks 'side it.

They come and took 'em.

Who had, Ma?

That ain't hard to guess.

Them fine friends of yours.

Forresters?

Them black-hearted,

thieving--

Jody, fetch me my g*n.

Lookit, Pa!

So that's what they done--

trapped them.

They had a cart, Pa.

And that track leads

plain as anything

right to the forresters.

Dogged if I can understand

cold-out meanness.

Well, boy,

we're obliged to follow.

Lem said he'd sh**t you

if we come around.

I'd rather let him

keep the hogs.

And go without meat?

How you expect

we're going to live

if'n we don't protect

our rations?

You want to beg off going?

I reckon not, Pa.

I reckon I'll go with you.

All right, then.

If there's trouble

waiting for you,

you'd just as good

go to meet it.

Pa!

Get back!

Watch the dogs!

Pa!

He got me, boy.

He's a big'un.

Get the g*n.

Pa, it's a Doe!

You do as I tell you now.

Take your knife

and open up her belly.

What am I to do?

Cut out the liver and the heart.

Maybe we got a chance

this-a-way. Hurry, boy!

Hurry, boy!

Pa, you'll bleed to death!

I'd rather bleed

to death than swell.

I seed a man die.

I can feel it draw.

Do it hurt, Pa?

Like a hot knife.

Give me the heart, boy.

Pa, the Doe's got a Fawn.

Sorry, boy.

I can't help it.

Now, listen, boy,

I got to make for home.

I hate to ask it of you,

but you get on

to the forresters.

Get one of them to

ride to the branch

for doc Wilson.

It's my only chance.

Can you do it?

I can do it, Pa.

Call out to them quick

sayin' I'm snakebit

afore they chunk something

at you, maybe sh**t.

I can do it!

Just keep out of Lem's way.

Better get one of them

to take this road

to our place and pick me up

in case I can't make it.

And hurry, boy.

You'll make it, Pa!

You hear me?

You're obliged to make it!

Fodderwing!

Fodderwing!

What do you want,

you little varmint?

Pa. Pa, he's snakebit.

What kind of snake?

A rattler--

A big'un!

Where'd it get him?

In the arm.

Is it swellin'?

It's bad swelled already.

Please ride for doc Wilson.

Please ride for him quick.

Please! Please!

I'll ride for him.

I sure thank you, millwheel.

Spare your thanks.

I'd help a dog was snakebit.

I'll ride and pick up penny.

Walking's bad for a man

that's snakebit.

Pa. Oh, Pa.

Old death got to

wait a while on me.

Pa...

Doc. Hey, doc!

Hmm? What?

Look at Pa.

Lord of the jaybirds,

he made it.

He's dead.

Not by a longshot.

He's pulled through.

You sound like you're sorry.

I could sleep for a week.

That's just what

I want you to do.

Pa...

Well, he sure ain't pretty,

but by thunder, he's alive.

I woke up fixing

to go help bury him.

How he done it without whiskey,

I don't know.

How come you'd be

out of it, doc?

I was finishing my last jug

when you rode up.

How was I to know

somebody was to go

and get snakebit?

Thank you, Ma'am.

Jody, you finished?

Take this warm milk in

to your Pa,

and mind you,

don't spill none of it.

Now, did I have me

a real good snort,

I'd be pretty nigh satisfied.

'Twere a near thing, Pa.

You all right now, though.

That's right.

I'm proud the way

you kept your head

and done what was needed.

What's the matter, boy?

Pa, you recollect

that Doe you shot?

Can't never forget her.

Most likely she saved your life,

didn't she, Pa?

She saved me.

That's certain.

Pa, you recollect

that little Fawn she had?

Yes, boy?

Most likely it's mighty scared

and lonesome and hungry.

I reckon so.

It might be out there yet,

not knowing which way to go.

Might be.

It won't take much

to raise it, Pa.

It'll soon get to where

it can make out

on leaves and acorns.

Dogged if you don't

figure the farthest

of any young'un I ever knowed.

We taken its mammy,

and it weren't no ways to blame.

It don't seem grateful

to let it starve, do it?

Pa, Pa, you figure

I ought to go out

and see can I find him?

And tote it here?

Tote it here and raise it.

Pa...

Boy, you got me hemmed in.

You tell your Ma I said

you was to go get it.

Hey, Pa.

Hey, doves!

It's me.

It's me--Jody.

Well...

I'm proud you found him.

He weren't scared of me.

He was laying right

where his mammy

made his bed.

Look, Ma.

I found him.

So I see.

It'll take milk

for a long while.

I don't know as I'd

have give my consent

if I'd knowed it was so young.

He ain't so young.

Is he, Pa?

Ory, I got one thing to say,

and then I'll have

no more talk about it.

The little Fawn's

as welcome

in this house as Jody.

It's his'n, and we'll raise it

without grudgement

of milk or meal.

You got me to answer to

do I ever hear you

quarreling about it.

This is Jody's Fawn,

just like Julie's my dog.

I only said it 'twas young.

All right.

So it 'tis.

Now, don't you bother

about him at all, Ma.

I'll tend to every little thing

that needs tending to.

He won't be a mite

of trouble to you.

Ha ha ha!

Fooled you!

Hey, wait for me!

Come on!

Come on!

Come on.

I'll race you!

Hey, Ma, you want

to see him butt?

Lookit, Ma.

Did you see him, Ma?

I seed him.

Look at him this-a-way, Ma.

Ain't his eyes pretty?

They can see mischief too far.

Well, ain't he got

a cute foolish tail?

Lookit, Ma!

All deer's tails look the same.

You want to pet him,

Ma? You can.

I ain't petting no fawns.

Got to get a name for him, Pa.

I've studied and I've studied,

and I can't think of one

that's good enough for him.

Appears to me you think

more of that Fawn

than you think of your Pa.

Oh, Pa...

But I just got to.

I've got to get

something special.

Why don't you call him rover?

Ma, rover's a dog's name.

Well, call him Joe, then.

Ma! Joe Baxter?

Sounds like a man.

The boy's right.

He's got to get him

a special name.

You know who'd get me

a good name for him, Pa?

Who's that, boy?

Fodderwing.

Fodderwing's ailing, buck said.

Oh, but he'd just love to see

my little Fawn,

and he gives wonderful names.

He'll get you a name.

He's got a ear for such things,

the way some folks got

an ear for fiddle music.

Can I, Ma? Can I?

All I know is,

my voice don't mean

nothing around here.

Oh, Ma.

Jody!

What?

You got to quit sleeping

with that Fawn.

Just don't you be

impatient, now.

You think you're mighty biggity

'cause you can get into bed

without having to undress.

Get over.

I want to explain

something to you.

Pretty soon, we're going

over to see fodderwing,

and he's gonna give you a name.

You're gonna like fodderwing.

And I want you to behave

real manly in front of him

so's he'll take to you.

You and me and...

You hear that?

That's a wolf.

Do you ever hear

a noise like that,

you get in the house

as quick as you can.

Do you hear any noises

that is animals,

you just start

running and bleating

so's I'll hear you.

You listening to me?

Huh?

I don't know what ails Ma.

You smell just fine.

Come on.

This here's where

fodderwing lives.

Stand still.

Look nice so fodderwing

will put a name to you.

Fodderwing always

shows me his pets.

Now I've got

something to show him.

Come on.

Fodderwing!

Fodderwing!

Maybe they's all asleep.

Fodderwing, it's Jody.

I got me something.

Come to see fodderwing.

Come to show him my Fawn.

I come special.

He's dead.

But I come to see him.

You come too late.

I'd have fetched you

if there'd have been time.

There wasn't time enough

to fetch old doc.

One minute he was breathing,

and the next minute

he just wasn't,

like as if you'd

blowed out a candle.

You can come look at him.

I lost my boy--

my poor crookedy boy.

He'll not hear,

but speak to him.

Hey.

I knowed you'd hate it fearful.

I wished he could

have seen your Fawn.

I told him about it.

He talked a lot about it.

He said, "Jody's

got him a brother."

That's how come we to be here.

I come for fodderwing

to name him.

He did name him.

He said, "a Fawn has

a little white flag.

"His tail is a little

white flag.

If I had a Fawn,

I'd name him flag."

He said, "flag the Fawn

is what I'd call him."

Flag.

Flag the Fawn.

Penny, you've had

a Christian raising.

We'd be proud

that you say something.

O lord, almighty god,

it ain't for us

ignorant mortals to say

what's right and what's wrong.

If it was any one of us

to be doing it,

we'd not have made this poor boy

into a cr*pple.

But, lord, in a way of speaking,

you made it up to him.

You give him a way

with the wild critters.

You give him a sort of wisdom,

made him knowing and gentle.

And now you've seen fit

to take him

where being crookedy

in mind or limb don't matter.

But, lord,

it pleasures us to think

now you've straightened out

them legs.

It pleasures us to think on him

walking around

as easy as anyone.

And, lord,

give him a few redbirds

and maybe a squirrel or a co*n

to keep him company

like he had here.

All of us is somehow lonesome,

and we know

he'll not be lonesome

do he have them little

wild things around him,

if it ain't asking too much

to put a few varmints in heaven.

Thy will be done.

Amen.

What's all this?

You can't leave them out

in a storm like this.

They'd get blowed

clean off the place, Ma.

You keep them out of my way.

Why didn't you let in the cow

and old Caesar

and have everything to suit you?

We could let in old Slewfoot

if'n we could find him.

Pa, when are we gonna hunt

old Slewfoot again?

Jody, you're wet to the skin.

What you thinking of?

I've got to dry flag.

Look how good he shines up.

Get out of them wet clothes.

Ain't it nice here

in the wind and the rain

and us in here safe and cozy?

That's right, son.

Maybe we'll be able to tell

a few tales tonight.

How'd you like that, Jody?

Hey, Pa!

Maybe your Ma

will tell us a tale.

Hey, Ma?

I might.

Hey, Ma!

Well, uncle miles looked

at them 2 bear cubs

and he says, "I'm going

to catch me one of them,"

so he did,

but he didn't have

nothing to tote it in.

Uncle miles, being from Georgia,

had on long underdrawers.

So he taken them off,

tied knots in the legs,

and made him a sack.

Now, he put'n the cub in it,

and just as he's reaching

for his britches

to put 'em on again,

here comes a-woofin'

and a-crashin',

and that she-bear come

out of the thicket

right at him.

Jody, boy, fetch me

my pipe, son.

Oh, Pa.

What you grinning at?

Oh, nothing.

I look all right?

You look just dandy, sweetheart.

Thank you, boy.

Well, sir, he take him

down through the swamp

and dropped the cub,

and the old mammy,

she gathered it up

drawers and all,

but she's so close

behind uncle miles,

she stepped on a vine,

and it tripped him

and throwed him flat

amongst the thorns and brambles.

Now, aunt moll

was a kind of

muddle-minded woman,

and she never could make out

how he come home

without his drawers

on a cold day

and his bottom scratched.

But uncle miles always said

that weren't nothing

to the puzzling

that mammy bear must have done

over them drawers on her cub.

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Oh, Pa, you got all them tales

in your mind

and don't tell them.

I ain't much for dogs,

but there was a dog once

I'd taken a notion to.

She had the prettiest coat.

I said to the feller owned her,

"when she finds pups,

I'd like one."

He says, "well, you're welcome,

but you ain't got

no way of hunting."

I wasn't yet married to your Pa.

"A hound will die," he says,

"if it ain't hunted."

"Is she a hound?" Says I.

He says, "yes'm."

I said, "then I sure

don't want one,

for a hound will suck eggs."

Well...

Well, now,

that's a mighty

exciting tale, Ma.

You got any more like that'un?

I might.

You reckon it's

fixing to do damage?

Rotted.

Most of them rotted--

our whole crop.

Keep turning them

so's they all get

a mite of heat.

Most of these beans is moldy.

6 days of rain.

We'd just as good

to quit fighting

and lay down and die!

Well, job taken

worse punishment.

That's right.

Find the good in it!

Get out of that,

you dad-ratted varmint!

Ma! Ma, don't hit him again!

That ends it!

That critter gives me

no peace day or night.

He can't come in this house

no time, never no more!

He's just hungry, Ma.

He ain't had much.

You lock him up in the barn!

If he gets in my way

once again--

leave off, the both of you!

Ain't it enough to have

trouble pouring on us

out of the skies

without the family quarreling?

Has a man got to die

to find peace?

What's happening now?

Seems like...

Shh!

Pa! It stopped!

Ma, it seems like

at times a body gets

struck down so low,

ain't a power on earth

can ever bring him up again.

Seems like something

inside him dies

so he don't even

want to get up again.

But he does.

Ain't much of a world

left for us, Ory,

but it's all we got.

Let's be thankful

we got any world at all.

Here comes the sun.

Hey, Ma!

Look at this day!

If I was dead,

I'd sit up and notice

on a day like this.

Just right for corn,

just right for okry,

just right for tobacky,

cowpeas, 'taters, Greens.

Hey, Ma! We got us

a planting Pa, ain't we?

Hear him tell it,

you'd think he's fixing

to plant the world.

I'd purely love to.

Come on, boy.

We gonna do all that planting,

we best keep busy.

Now, you see,

when these here tobacky

plants come up,

we won't have to

tote water no more.

Ma's gonna have a well,

right outside her door.

Pa give us a lot

of chores today.

There.

Now we're all done.

Come on. You sit in the doorway.

Hey, Pa.

Was that Jody already?

What if it was?

Now stand still.

You'll bust one of these seams.

Stand still, I tell you.

You want I should spoil it?

I done all the hoeing

you told me to do, Pa.

All right, all right.

And I got the tobacky

plants watered.

That's good, boy.

Anything else I should do, Pa?

I guess not.

That's sure mighty pretty, Pa.

I'll pretty you

with a piece of fat wood!

You get out of here!

Can I bring flag in

to see how pretty it looks?

You gonna get a--

stand still!

You said you'd be through

afore he got home.

Jody's got to learn someday

how dresses is made.

Well, not on me, he don't.

'Sides, I'm getting feverish.

Well, fight it a minute

and turn around.

How you think I'm

gonna get this done

in time for the wedding

if'n you don't stand still?

What wedding, Ma?

Who's getting married?

Oliver's getting married.

Oliver?

And that ain't

the worst of it, boy.

They're going to Boston to live.

You mean we ain't gonna

see Oliver no more?

No, I'm afraid not, boy.

Now, tomorrow, I'm going

to Oliver's wedding.

After they're married,

they're going off

to Boston to live.

So we'll be kind of alone.

You got to take care

of yourself while I'm away.

You got to be good.

You understand?

I've been doing some figuring.

You're getting kind of big.

Now, I don't care for girls,

and I don't never aim

to get married,

but when you get

a little bigger,

maybe you're gonna want a Doe.

So someday I'm fixing

to build a house

down by the Glen,

and I'm gonna get you a Doe.

We're all gonna live there

together by the Glen.

Would you like that? Huh?

Me living with you?

See? I'm gonna

take care of you fine.

Now good night.

It's right nice seeing

a lot of people again

and all the buildings

and stores.

My, how it's growed.

That that house

never used to be there.

That house been built

over a year, Ma.

Ma don't get out enough.

I don't, and that's the truth.

How do you do?

Why, how do, Mrs. Saunders?

How do, Mrs. Saunders?

She won't recollect me.

How do you do, Mrs. Baxter?

Howdy do?

Well, I declare.

Well, best get going.

Bye, penny.

Jody and me will

miss you, Oliver.

You miss me enough

to come down to Boston

to visit?

I'll come visit you, Oliver.

I want to thank you

for sticking by me in the fight.

I'll never forget you.

Not even down in the China sea.

Good-bye, eulalie.

Be a good, sweet little gal

and maybe look after

Jody for me, huh?

Bye, Mrs. Baxter.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, Jody.

Shall I kiss you good-bye, Jody?

Well, I guess it

wouldn't hurt nothing.

Come on.

You'll miss the boat!

Come on, honey.

We'll miss the boat.

Bye!

Bye!

Bye!

Bye!

Bye, twink!

Bye, Oliver!

Bye, twink!

Bye! Bye, Oliver!

Bye, twink!

Bye, twink!

I don't like folks going away.

It's like they was dying,

the way fodderwing done.

That's life, boy--

getting and losing.

Losing and getting.

I'm glad I got flag.

Ha ha ha!

Flag! Flag, stop that.

Oh, flag!

You'll knock this milk over.

He missed me, Pa.

Old flag sure

missed me yesterday.

He just tags after me

like a dog.

Just like your old--

what's happened, Pa?

We've been saving a long time

to get enough extra

to set out them tobacky seeds,

ain't we, boy?

It 'tweren't flag done it, Pa.

'Tweren't flag.

'Twere flag.

That won't do no good, boy.

He's ruined half the crop.

But flag didn't mean it, Pa.

Ma, listen.

Flag didn't mean it, Ma.

Listen, Ma! Ma!

Ma! Pa.

She figured at last

she was gonna get her well dug.

That's why she don't

feel like talking.

But flag didn't mean it, Pa.

I don't figure

he done it malicious.

He was just

racing back and forth,

and it was something to jump on.

What you looking at him

that-a-way for, Pa?

He's a yearling now, for sure.

You think a heap of him,

don't you, boy?

Why, sure.

Yes, you're a pair

of yearlings now.

It grieves me.

What did you do that for?

You're a yearling now.

You're growed up.

You got to be good.

I can do that, Pa.

I know just how.

No, we'll do it together, boy.

There's a good few

he ain't touched, Pa.

You think we still got enough

to get Ma her well dug?

I'm afraid not, boy.

But I got a little idea.

What do you say we

clear out that field

down behind the garden.

There's a few big stumps there.

If'n we can get them

out pretty soon,

we might plant

ourselves some cotton.

Pa!

A money crop,

so's your Ma can

still get her well.

Hey, Pa, we can do it!

We can do it!

Git up, Caesar.

Go on, git up!

Git up. Go on,

git up, git up.

Git up, Caesar.

Git up.

Git up. Git up.

Git up, Caesar.

Git up, git up.

This is the last one, Pa.

Where do you figure

we best dig Ma her well?

We best get this field of cotton

afore we figure on that.

Now, git up, Caesar!

Go on!

Git up, now!

Git up!

What's the matter, Pa?

It's all right.

I'll be all right in a minute.

I reckon I strained myself.

I'll get Ma.

No!

I'll be all right.

Unhitch Caesar.

I'll ride him in.

You don't never know

when to quit.

If you had a mite of sense...

You more than likely

ruptured yourself.

Please to hush, Ory.

Is it easier, Pa?

Oh, it feels mighty good

laying down this way.

Hardly feel it at all.

You're obliged to take it easy

for a spell.

I reckon.

If it so happens

that I ain't out of bed

for a few days,

you think you can take charge

of things around here?

I can take charge, Pa.

You know what belongs

to be done.

The cowpeas will need hoeing.

I'd best watch the corn

for cutworms, and--

you know as good as I do,

you've got to keep that yearling

out of the field.

I'll keep him out, Pa.

That's fine.

You keep him out...

Religious.

Yes, sir.

I'll just take charge

of everything.

You best get to bed now.

You've got a lot to do tomorrow.

You get a good sleep, too, Pa.

Got to get your strength back.

All right, son.

Good night, Pa.

Good night, son.

Your Pa asleep?

He's getting asleep.

You best get to bed, too, Ma.

What's that?

I said, you best get to bed.

Now, Mr. impudent bigmouth,

you just get to your room.

Yes, Ma'am.

Some people getting mighty

important around here.

Yes'm.

Good night.

Good night.

Lookit, Pa.

These here is for your supper.

And I only wasted 2 shots.

That's mighty fine, son.

I'm taking charge,

all right, ain't I, Pa?

Everything's coming along

just fine.

The corn is the best

I ever seed, and--

what's the matter, Pa?

When did you see

the corn last, Jody?

Yesterday.

It were fine.

It's pretty near an inch high.

Your Ma here says...

She says something has et it.

Et the corn?

She says nigh about

the whole crop is gone.

But that ain't right.

Yesterday it was all right.

It appears like

something must have et it

during the night.

Flag ain't et it, Ma.

Flag et it.

No, Ma, he couldn't have.

He's been bein' good.

He wouldn't eat the corn.

He ain't never et nothing

he shouldn't have.

Go and see!

And that settles it.

That deer has got to go!

It were flag.

I reckon.

Yes, sir.

But he won't ever

do it again, Pa.

I'm a-gonna punish him.

I'll whip him.

I'll whip him with a stick, Pa.

He ain't never been

whipped before, Pa,

but I could do it--

you don't think whipping's

gonna help nothing?

Th-then I'll pen him up, Pa.

We got no earthly place

to pen up a wild thing

like that.

Then--then I'll halter him.

I'll tie him by the legs

and let him kick

and plunge and then--

now wait a minute, boy.

Just listen to me.

Yes, sir. Yes, Pa.

I'm listening.

What's happened is powerful bad.

You know that.

Yes, sir.

But your Ma and me

has come to an agreement.

We're gonna have

a try at a remedy.

I take it you're willing

to work extra hard

to fix things?

Oh, Pa, I'd just do anything!

I'll work like

you never seed, Pa.

I'll do anything you say!

All right, all right.

First you go down to the crib

and get whatever corn

we got left.

Then you plant it,

just like we done before.

Then you start to work

and build our fence up high.

When you get it higher

than you can reach,

I hope I'll be able to

help you by that time.

But you got to get it all up

before the corn

starts showing again!

And maybe that way we're safe.

You understand, boy?

You can depend on me, Pa.

Soon as I get the corn planted,

you're gonna get shut

in the barn

till the fence is up.

Whoa. Whoa.

Jody.

I'm proud to see you

working so hard, boy.

But even the yearling,

as much as you think of her,

ain't worth killin'

yourself over.

I ain't killin' myself, Pa.

I ain't killin' myself.

I'd give a year of my life to be

where I could

help you with this.

I can do it all right, Pa.

I can do it.

We done it, Ma!

We done it!

Hey, Ma!

Well, never mind squeezing

the life out of me.

I sure thank you

for helping me, Ma.

I never figured

you had it in you

to work this-a-way.

I declare, it looks as if

we're going to have

a crop after all.

And a fence, Ma!

Ain't it wonderful?

Well...Let's go and tell

your Pa we're done.

He'll be mighty proud.

Jody.

Come here...

Close to me.

You know we depend

on our crops to live.

Don't we?

Yes, sir.

We can't go on

having them destroyed,

one after the other.

No, sir.

And you know there ain't

a way in the world

to keep that wild yearling

from destroying them.

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry.

I can't never

tell you how sorry.

But all's been done

was possible.

Take the yearling

out in the woods

and tie him and sh**t him.

Pa.

Pa.

You got to go away, flag.

You got to go away

and never come back.

You're growed up now.

You got to go out

and find yourself a Doe.

Can't all live together

like I planned.

You've been bad...

Without meaning to be.

You can make out by yourself,

can't you?

You'll be all right.

You're smart.

Besides, I don't--

don't care for you no more.

You ain't cute like you

used to be when you was little.

That's right.

You go now.

Ain't nobody got any use

for you around here anymore!

Go on, you hear me?

You go!

There ain't nothin' more

I can do to save you!

Go on!

You're gonna get k*lled

you stay around here!

Get out

afore I have to sh**t you!

And don't you never come back!

Don't you never!

How come you not to do

what I told you?

I couldn't.

I just couldn't, Pa.

Tell your Ma to come here.

Go to your room

and shut the door.

Yes, sir.

Pa says you're to go to him.

Ohh!

I didn't mean

to hurt the critter.

I can't sh**t straight.

You know I can't!

Flag!

Jody!

You got to finish him, boy.

You got to put him

out of his torment.

You done it on purpose!

You always hated him!

You went back on me!

You told her to do it!

I hate you!

I hope you die!

I hope I never see you again!

It's me, flag.

It's me...

Jody.

Jody!

Jody!

Flag...

Flag.

Ma. I'm hungry, Ma.

I'm hungry.

What's out there?

Something ahead.

What is it?

Reverse engines!

Lower away the aft boat!

Wonder what he was

doing on the river.

Skinny little runt, ain't he?

Try him on something to eat.

He ain't come to yet.

I'll get him some soup.

Pa.

Pa!

Take it easy, kid.

He's feverish, ain't he?

He's waking up.

Well, young'un,

what's the matter?

We about run you

down in the dark.

You hungry, boy?

Hungry?

Hey there.

Not--

Not too fast.

Ory?

It's me.

It's Jody.

Jody.

Come close.

Boy, we near about give you out.

You all right?

You all right.

You ain't dead

and a-gone.

You all right.

Glory be.

I had to come home.

Why, sure you did.

I ain't meant what I said,

about hating you.

Why, sure you ain't.

When I was a child,

I spake as a child.

Where's Ma?

She drove the wagon

down to doc Wilson's.

Your Ma's been searching

for you for 3 days.

She ain't done nothing else.

She'll be mighty glad

you're home.

Jody, I'd be proud to know

where you been.

I've been on the river.

I aimed to go to Boston.

I see.

Were you hungry?

I didn't get nothing

to eat for 3 days.

I'm sorry you had

to learn it that-a-way.

And now you know.

Old starvation--

he's got a face meaner

than old Slewfoot.

It's fearful.

Sit, boy.

You figured I went back on you.

That's why you dunner away.

Son, there's a thing

every man's got to know.

Maybe you know it already.

'Twa'n't only me.

'Twa'n't only your yearling deer

having to be destroyed.

Boy, life goes back on you.

Yes, sir.

I reckon.

Now, you've seed how things go

in the world of men.

Every man wants life

to be a fine thing, and easy.

Well, 'tis fine, son...

Powerful fine,

but 'tain't easy.

I wanted life

to be easy for you,

easier than it 'twas for me.

A man's heart aches

seeing his young'uns

face the world,

knowing they got to get

their insides tore out

the way his was tore.

I wanted to spare you

as long as I could.

I wanted you to frolic

with your yearling.

I knowed the lonesomeness

be easy for you.

But every man's lonesome.

What's he to do then?

What's he to do

when he gets knocked down?

Why, take it

for his share and go on.

I'm ashamed I run off.

You're near enough growed

to do your choosing, Jody.

Maybe you'd crave

to go to sea, like Oliver,

but I'd be proud

did you choose to live here

and farm the clearing.

I'd be proud to see the day

you got a well dug

so's no woman here

would be obliged

to do her washing

on the seepage hillside.

You willing?

I'm willing.

Shake.

It's food and drink

to have you home, boy.

Now go to bed and get your rest.

I'll sit here

and wait for your Ma.

Yes, sir.

Good night.

Good night, Pa.

I'll start the corn

early in the morning, Pa.

Yes, boy.

We'll make it, Pa.

We'll make out.

Yes, boy.

Come spring,

we'll even go hunting

old Slewfoot.

Yes, boy.

Good night, Pa.

Good night, my son.

He's done come back, Ezry.

He's done come back different.

He's taken the punishment.

He ain't a yearling no longer.

Ezry...

I thought I'd lost them all.

Ory.

Ory.

He's done come home.

I'll go in and see him.

Go on, Ma.

Hello, Ma.

Hello, son.

You home and safe.

Yes, Ma.

I'm grateful.

Now you get to sleep.

Night, son.

Night, Ma.