OREGON TRAIL

Original Story for Screen based on novel by

Winnifred Reeve.

By

A-1

SEQUENCE A

FADE IN: An Indian Village. The Village itself is revealed in a state of destitution and misery. Against the skyline appear four fiery columns of smoke, and at the same time is heard the arousing beat of Indian drums. This is the Indian summons to a counsel. There is a stir in the village and the Indians are seen leaving their tents and wigwams. Like a swarm of shadows they plod and push dumbly along toward a hill slope. A-2 A-2 On the crest of the hill a young Indian chief stands silhouetted against the sky. His arms are extended, his face is passionate and exalted. Below him, on the slope of the hill, is the great congregation of silent Indians. The young chief addresses them. His words are greeted by savage cheers. Through the clamoring throngs a very old chief pushes his way to the fore until he comes alongside the young chief on the brow of the hill. He raises his hands to command silence. A-3 A-3 The old chief tries to raise his voice above the roar. The young chief places his arm about the old chief’s shoulders and commands silence - old age must be respected. A-3-A A-3-A The Indians take up the cry. They begin to circle, screaming and shouting and yelling, as they move in a savage war dance. FADE OUT.

SEQUENCE B

FADE IN A trail winding around the side of a precipitous canyon wall. Two riders are loping along. Their outfit consists of their horses, surefooted, swift and tough Indian ponies, and two pack mules, in charge of an Indian who plods along behind. The older of the two men is Ren Bullock. He is tall, long-legged, with hair the color of corn-shuck and a long lean body. His eyes are clear and his face tanned. He has a look of intelligence and honesty and is as strong as a young ox. He is a Missourian. His speech is slow and drawling. He hesitates before speaking as if weighing his words. He never hurries, yet, at the right moment, seems literally to spring like lightning into vivid action and life. His companion is of a totally different type. A happy go lucky, light-hearted, carless, pleasure-loving and likeable young chap with a natural quality of refinement about him. He goes by the name of Thad Jones. The two men are close pals, and partners. As they ride along, Ren sitting loosely ahorse, and looking out silently before him and Thad whirling his lariat and whistling the night begins to fall softly around them. The wind sings in the pine tops and through the canyon walls. A silvery sunlight, a glow of fading red still lingers in the sky. Ren points vaguely. B-2. B-2. Thad laughs. It is natural for him to laugh. Ren nods understandingly. The shadows deepen about them. They top the brow of a hill and draw rein to look down across a great sweep of plain. There, in a wide valley below them, the flares of a score of campfires are seen. B-3 B-3 Sound of music and singing comes floating upon the air. Ren gives him a good humored thump on the back. They turn their horses’ heads and move off. THE IMMIGRANT ENCAMPMENT This is a large field or plain on the outskirts of the town of Independence (now a part of Kansas City). Here a host of immigrants, hunters, trappers, voyageurs, traders, gamblers, adventurers, missionaries, teachers, farmers, as well as the rag tag and bobtail and outcasts of the frontier B-4.B-4. town have gathered from all parts of the country to keep a rendezvous at the starting off place for the Oregon trail. Vehicles of all manner and kind form an immense circle about a central point. The flares of campfires, stream up, flooding the place with a mellow light, illuminating the faces of these hardy adventurers and pioneers. In a way this scene should parallel the Indian scene in as much as the immigrants are addressed by their commander in chief Colonel Blair Appleton. The Colonel is a man of striking appearance, six feet four, stalwart and strong in spite of his sixty-five years. His glance is keen and piercing from under beetling brows. His carriage is military yet his whole personality emanates a fine graciousness and cheer. B-5. B-5. The camera pans around the circle of faces of the pioneers. Nearly every man and woman there is inspired by hope and the desire to reach the “Promised Land.” Their commander’s words evoke the wildest enthusiasm and excitement and he is cheered to the echo. We show Colonel Appleton’s own wagon. This is an especially fine covered wagon, practically a moving household. Standing up on the back step of the wagon looking out over the heads of the engrossed crowd is the Colonel’s pretty daughter, Sally Lou. She is thrilled and excited and does not hesitate to join in the applause for her father. From behind Sally comes out of the wagon Mandy, an old black nurse and nanny. Nanny beams at the loudly clapping Sally Lou but her attention is distracted by a less pleasing object. From around the side of the wagon a tall black boy with a bullet head and rolling eyes comes slouching lazily to the fore, a bucket in his hand which spills and shakes as Mose moves along. Just as he comes under where Sally is standing Mose puts his thumb and fore-finger into his mouth and lets out a most unearthly whistle. Mandy casts one enraged glance at Mose and then reaching her left foot she gives him a hard prod on the head knocking him over and the pail of water spilling as he falls. SALOON AND DANCE HALL This is the town of Independence. The atmosphere of the place is smoky and sultry. B-6.B-6. rough men of all sorts and kind are about the place gambling, making love to the girls, drinking and lining the bar. Hands full of silver are thrown or slapped down upon the bar. All comers are treated regardless. The fiddles scrape and the music rises above the discordant murmurs and imprecations. Buxom girls of all colors spin out upon the floor. They are grabbed by the men, whooping with delight, and they thumping or spinning with them across the floor. Near fights or real ones are precipitated and averted. One black eyed girl - she is known as Black Eyed Susan is the center of a group of men all clamoring to dance or drink with her. Sue has large, bold, roving eyes. Everyone is asking her where Bull is and she says he’s somewhere in town. One fellow says; “Well don’t tell on me”! He pinches her on the backside and gives her a good smack on the lips. Susan though she laughs gives him a push. In one of the rooms of the saloon, Bull Doreen and his men are also discussing the Immigrants. Bull is a huge, brutal looking customer. He wears a red flannel shirt and buckskin breeches. His knife is stuck in his belt, his gun on his hip. In the saloon, some commotion and stir is occasioned by the arrival of the two young scouts Ren and Thad. They are popular and well known, and their entrance is greeted with whoops. The young fellows goodnaturedly set up the drinks for the crowd. B-8. B-8. Bull and his men have also come into the saloon, and at a signal from Bull Susan speeds to his side. He gives her some orders, and she nods and hurries to obey him. Susan insinuates her way through the crowd till she manages to come alongside Thad and slips her hand through his arm. Thad has had a couple of drinks and is in high good humor. He looks down his shoulder and meets Susan’s black seductive eyes. Ren, leaning against the bar, with a couple of girls interposing between him and his partner. Ren gives a wry squint across at the pair, and then as the bartender puts another drink before Thad, and as Thad picks it up, Ren reaches a long arm across and takes the glass from his hand. His action is good humored, but firm. There is a squall of protest. And so forth. Susan is hanging tight onto Thad, and her body is pressed against him. Thad’s glance shifts from his pal to Sue. he feels a bit sheepish. Ren slowly turns, and still leaning up against the bar he looks with a queer, quizzical slowly sizing up glance at Bull Dorien. B-10. B-10. Bull glares. Ren grins. His grin is not without a touch of boyish malice. Almost lazily and reluctantly he slouches a bit nearer to the black browed Bull. Bull’s glance goes by Ren. his eyes bore like gimlets into Susan’s. Hers reflect their momentary fear. Thad, as his pal moves toward Bull, half starts to follow. The bartender has set another glass before Susan. She lifts it first toward her own lips and then coaxingly toward his. Thad holds back a moment; but the liquor and Susan’s eyes are too much for the weak Thad. he swallows, licks and smacks his lips. Another glass slid across the bar. Thad glances at it wistfully out of the tail of his eye. Susan lifts it to his lips. He holds back a moment, and then, his eyes on Susan he downs it. Susan plucks at his sleeve. She puts her lips against his ear and whispers. Thad’s drowsy eyes glean with awakening desire, for Susan’s body is pressed against his. He swallows, his head nodding. They move off. Ren does not see them go. Elbow on bar, his back against it, Ren’s wry glance is on Bull. Bull shifts his tobacco, spits, waits for the smiling Ren to speak. Ren says not a word. B-11 B-11 Ren pushes back his wide hat, scratches his head thoughtfully. Bull slouches nearer to him. He lowers his voice to a husky whisper. Ren considers this, screwing up his eyes thoughtfully. B-12 B-12 Ren raises his eyes wide with apparent surprise and unholy joy. Ren’s manner is guileless and friendly. His eye now lifts unquestioningly. He lets the other do the talking. Ren appears to be impressed. He stops abruptly and smiles at Bull. B-14 B-14 He glances toward where Thad had been, and straightens up. He moves away, strolling lazily along, good-naturedly pushing aside the girls that come around him, or pausing to joke, throwing a handful of silver on the bar and treating all hands except himself, and “drifting” off gradually till he comes to a door, giving upon an alley way and exits. Once outside, his careless lazy manner changes. He is alert, as he looks swiftly about him. With a hand to the side of his mouth he gives forth a peculiar whistle three times. At first there is no response. Ren whistles again. From a room at the far end of the alley, where a dim light shows comes somewhat waveringly Thad’s answering whistle. Ren wheels about, and is off in the direction from which the whistle has come. THE IMMIGRANT ENCAMPMENT The camp presents a cheerful appearance. Groups of cattle, horse and other stock are grazing on the prairie hardby, while the numerous white tents, the wagon covers and the flares and glow of the brightly burning campfires give almost the appearance of a village, or a homelike community. The music of the fiddle and guitar are heard, and around B-15B-15 the Colonel’s wagon, a number of young folks are gathered, some of them dancing a gay measure on the greensward. Sitting by the fires, on the steps of their wagons, on boxes, or camp stools, the older people look on indulgently. Gayest of all the young people and the most sought after is Sally Lou, laughing as she dances, and having her hands full keeping pace among the young blades of the party already contesting for her favor. Over the brow of a hill, that lies between the encampment and the town of Independence, a party of horsemen are seen. They ride down toward the Immigrant camp, dismount outside the circle and come into the enclosure. They are Bull Dorien and a couple of his men. Bull inquires who is in charge of the expedition and is directed to Colonel Appleton. Bull’s manner is all affability as he holds out his hand to the Colonel and explains that he is a trader and trapper in the Oregon country; that he is returning there the following day and thought possibly he could be of some assistance to the train -- perhaps the Immigrants could use a couple of fine guides. Colonel Appleton thanks him but replies that they have already arranged to apply two well known scouts - Ren Bullock and Thad Jones. The two men have been highly recommended by the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver with whom the Colonel has been in correspondence and he has been informed that they know every inch of the country and are absolutely reliable. B-16.B-16. Bull whistles. Bull pretends to hesitate and shakes his head as if worried. This statement causes immense excitement among the Immigrants, who are crowding about the Colonel’s wagon. Sally runs up beside her father and takes his arm. Everyone around is talking at once, and the word soon spreads right and left through the camp that their guides are on a drunk. The Immigrants are opposed to trusting their fortunes to a couple of drunkards. While the matter is being heatedly debated and argued, a curious little cavalcade rides into the encampment. Sitting straight and easy in the saddle is Ren Bullock. He is leading B-17.B-17. another horse across which is the dead drunk Thad, clumsily concealed by a great burlap spread. He brings his horse to a stop, puts back his wide hat and scratches his head as if puzzled. As he raises his voice the Immigrants turn and look toward him. Red rides right into the circle. Colonel Appleton steps forward. He bows a bit stiffly. Ren looks down at him from his place on his horse, and then quite by chance his glance goes beyond the Colonel, and he sees Sally Lou. Sally is standing by her father’s side. She is watching the new arrival with tense interest. For a moment the two young people look at each other, and then with an embarrassed motion, Ren awkwardly removes his big hat and dismounts. He stands between the two horses, holding their heads by the reins. He has not heard a word of Colonel Appleton’s dignified explanation, to the effect that he has been elected commander in chief; that there are three divisions each with its individual captain, and that every man in the outfit has been assigned to some special duty. He pauses to ask Ren who he is and what he wants. Ren replies; “I’m your guide, sir.” During the foregoing a certain inquiring spinster has been suspiciously looking at the burden on the other horse’s back. She has edged near to it, and has begun to lift the B-18.B-18. burlap, when her hand touches something and she emits a squeal of terror. The spinster looks at him in suspicion. She edges over to the Colonel and says in a hollow whisper; Bull, who had kept in the background, gives the wink to one of his men. The latter is a skinny, foxy little one-eyed man named Lefty. Left [[sic Lefty]] slips over and pulls the burlap from the sprawled over figure, revealing Thad, lying face downward, his head dangling over one side of the horse, his legs on the other. There are screams from some of the women. The Immigrants by now are thoroughly opposed to being guided by such a disreputable pair. Colonel Appleton tells Ren that the deal is off. Ren is disposed to argue the matter. He and his pardner have come all the way from the Williamette Valley to take on the job. They are good guides -- none better in the country. What’s more the Immigrants will have a hard time finding guides who know the Oregon Trail. Col. Appleton tells him they have already engaged other men, and he indicates Lefty and Pete. Ren stares at the two men, and then his glance rests on Bull. A wry smile twists his features, He throws his leg over his horse’s back, and moves off. He barely reached the side of the encampment when he is hailed by a curious looking man, who comes running after him. Ren pulls up, and looks down at the bespectacled little man, with rifle slung on his shoulder, and helmet on his head, a portfolio under his arm, and his pockets bulging with various articles. Ren’s face lights with a friendly grin. B-20 B-20 They are moving along toward Diggins’s wagon. They are now at Diggins’s wagon. Diggons is proudly opening the flap and has crawled into the wagon but Ren does not follow him. Ren has made the delightful discovery that the next wagon to Diggons is none other than the Appleton wagon, on the steps of which sits Sally Lou. Ren stands perfectly still, smiling at Sally. Sally, forgetting herself, starts to return the smile and then her face becomes very cool as she tosses her head and looks over the head of Ren as if he were not there at all. B-21. B-21. She stands up. Out of the tail of her eye she manages to see that the young man is still standing looking at her and then Sally goes inside. Ren gives a big blissful sigh and turns to Diggins’s wagon.

C-0

SEQUENCE C

The Immigrant train is now on its way. The long line of wagons, horses, mules, herds of cattle and other stock move like an army in review. Wide-horned oxen yoked eight to a wagon. These wagons moving households in which the family life is carried on. Hickory shirted teamsters roaring “Whoos” or cursing the oxen. Singing, shouting niggers;² corn-crackers in homespun and high boots “gee-hawing” their mule teams. Teamsters, cracking eight foot bull whips and squirting yellow tobacco juice from bulging jaws; wagons milling in their dust. Some of the owners of the outfits driving in light springed wagons; other ahorse. Men plodding afoot at the side of each wagon. Healthy children, rosy faces, peering from the wagons. Buxom damsels in sunbonnets and cotton dresses on the front seats of the wagon, beside the driver, or driving themselves. Others riding horseback, with a youngster or two behind them. Some of the women knitting and sewing as the wagons move along. Others idly strumming on banjo or guitar. In the rear of the caravan the droves of cattle and an endless army of mules. Immediately following the guides, at the head of the long parade comes the fine covered wagon of the Commander in Chief, Col. Appleton. It is driven by the drowsy Mose, and C-1.C-1. sitting beside Mose is Sally Lou. Occasionally Sally Lou takes the reins in her own competent hands, and once she orders the sleepy Mose off the wagon, and the latter tags on afoot, yawning. Riding alongside the Appleton wagon on a fine Kentucky horse is the Colonel. He looks very splendid and important and Sally is proud of her father. Occasionally the Colonel forgets his dignity, in so far as to ride to the tail of the wagon, from whence Mandy’s big black hand issues with some favorite edible or delicacy. The Colonel bites into a luscious doughnut or piece of Johnny cake. Then he clears his throat wipes the crumbs from his vest, straightens up in his saddle and looking very stern and serious, canterse down the line of wagons, on a military tour of inspection. Travelling over a hill trail comes the little train in charge of Thad and Ren. the two young guides are on horseback, but Prof. Diggins sits on the front seat of the prairie schooner, and ever and anon almost gives the driver heart failure, as he leaps agilely out in search of some particular specimen in flora or to examine, on the edge of some sleep precipice, certain rock formations. Once the little professor gets out of the wagon and slides down a cliff to examine some bright specimens he had seen through his field glasses. He seems to have a charmed life, and by clinging to stumps and roots, actually returns with his portfolio of pressed flowers still under his arm and his hand clutching the specimens he went after. Ren and Thad who have dismounted, assist him to the top, but are in no mood to listen to his excited rhapsodies over his find. Ren picks up his field glasses. As he looks off across the skyline, great clouds of dust or sand seem to be arising. Ren puts the glasses to his eyes, and focuses them. On the lower trail the Immigrant train is coming into sight. Ren watches intently, but his glass moves along the line till it picks out and stays turned on the first wagon of the train. Then he sighs and smiles. C-3 C-3 Ren hands the glasses to Thad. Thad focuses them upon the first wagon. The girl in the driver’s seat turns her face so that he sees it clearly - she is Sally Lou Appleton. The glasses almost drop from Thad’s hands, his lips are quivering, his face has turned pale. Ren gives him a sharp look then he smiles. Thad does not reply. His glance shifts nervously about. C-4 He turns around in his saddle and gives a beaming look at Thad. Twilight is falling. The western sky is like a sea of Mother of Pearl. The inescapable charm of the desert pervades the land. The caravan of the Immigrants is seen rising and dipping along its course, men, wagons, horses, mules, cattle. Occasionally voices rise and can be heard over a vast distance because of the clearness of the air. Men speak to their horses; shout to each other. The crack of whips is heard. Someone whistles. There is the sound of the clear notes of a bugle, calling for a halt. The train has reached a suitable place for encampment. Now a movement that is almost military ensues. The train is wheeling into three circles, the leading wagons circling along individual tracks, till an almost perfect formation results. As each wagon is brought into position, with their tongues turned toward the center, the teams are unjoked. The cattle turnout out to graze. Horses are hobbled. The men fall to work making fires and setting up the rude tents for the night, while the teamsters and mule boys take care of their charges. The women, both in the wagons, and on the ground prepare the evening meal. Ren is disclosed riding toward the camp. He goes directly to the first wagon, dismounts and stands hesitatingly C-5.C-5. outside for a moment. As he hesitates, Sally Lou’s voice inside, calls out; There is silence for a moment. Inside the wagon, Sally Lou, who has been setting the table, pauses as she looks at Mandy busy at the stove. She opens the flap at back and stands looking down at Ren. The latter removes his hat and tries to appear at his ease. Sally gives him a very severe look however. She is about to go inside, when Ren makes an impulsive movement toward her. C-6 C-6 Colonel Appleton, who has been on a tour of inspection over the camp, rides up and dismounts. He does not immediately recognize Ren, and Sally for the moment forgets that she has told Ren that all has gone well with them. She asks anxiously; She stops, recalling Ren. Her father too looks at the young man inquiringly. C-7. C-7. Appleton frowns now. He glares grouchily, and then moves to go into the wagon bellowing: C-8. C-8. Sally Lou steals a ruseful glance from her father to Ren. Ren looks at Sally. He smiles. Sally starts to return the smile and then tries to look very dignified and haughty. Ren mounts his horse and rides off. She runs up steps of wagon and exits inside. She appears a few minutes later in the front of the wagon where Mose is dozing . She gives him a shake. C-9. C-9. She shows him a generous portion of a chicken and a big piece of cornbread. They are rolled up in a snowy napkin. Mose’s eyes roll, and he swallows. The more Mose looks at the chicken the wider awake he becomes. He takes the napkin with its precious contents from Miss Sally, jumps down from the wagon and is off. We show Mose. ahead of him, loping slowly and disconsolately along is Ren. Mose’s nostrils dilate. He slackens his pace. Mose lifts the chicken to his nose - sniffs. He begins to go slower and slower. Now he licks his lips. His eyes shift and roll. He stops. He turns back a bit of the napkin, and succumbs to temptation. He takes first a nibble, and then a bigger bite. Finally he swallows the whole of the meal.

D-1

SEQUENCE D

A series of dissolve shots should mark the passage and reveal the gradual deterioration of the Immigrant train. D-2. D-2. Mosquitoes and flies and gnats and ants swarmed in clouds about them. Rattlesnakes and rats got into their wagons. Axels give way. Tops of poorly built wagons were blown off. After a vicious sandstorm, when for hours the cutting blasts of hot sand beat back the travellers, filling their nostrils, burning their eyes, with alkali dust, the morale of the train is so affected that a faction arises demanding that they give up the expedition and return. Delegations wait upon the Commander, and when Appleton refuses to accede to their demands, large groups of the Immigrants begin to desert in growing numbers, carrying away with them, not only their own stock and supplies but quite often the property belonging to the others. Miles over a desert country - no water. A long trek and at last a pool of water. Thirstily the Immigrants dip their cups into the water only to find it alive with squirming tadpoles.

E-2

SEQUENCE E

Indian drums. Three hundred Indians beating their drums, singing and shouting and circling in a savage war dance. Their dresses simulate wild buffalo and wolves. Their padding feet seem to become louder with every step. As they circle, their women and old men and children, squatting on the ground, wail and screech. Suddenly from over the hill resound other wild war whoops. A crowd of horsemen appear and ride full speed toward the circling Indians. Another tribe has come to join. As they ride, each warrior sings his war song. They are in war regalic, antelope skins and eagle feathers, and around their tunics they carry the scalps of the enemies. On their backs are bows and arrows, and some carry long lances. Their advent is greeted with savage zeal and joy. They join the circling warriors, themselves forming an outer circle on horse.

F-1

SEQUENCE F.

A thickly wooded glen. Here we find encamped, Ren and his outfit. It is midday, and their horses are saddled; their mules yoked to the wagon, yet they are not moving. The delay is caused by the absence of Diggins who has wandered off, in his usual way. Ren is a bit uneasy, and sends his Indian off to look for Diggins. There will be dialogue here between Ren and Thad bringing out that they are now in Indian territory, and have been about three months on the trail. The train had left in mid-July. It is now mid-September. Ren, a thorough woodsman, and knowing the country well, has taken excellent care of his outfit. They show no signs of hardship. Thad is bored. We cut to another part of the woods, and show the wandering Diggins. Magnifying glass in hand he is absorbedly peering through it at some specimen. Watching him from behind the interlacing shrubbery is and Indian. He drops on his knees, crawls a few paces on the ground, kneels up, takes his quiver and bow and aims. The arrow comes in and barely grazes the cheek of the abstracted and absorbed Diggins. The latter merely blinks makes an absent motion with his hand and continues to examine F-2.F-2. specimen. The Indian in the woods has been joined by others -- five of them. They are creeping silently and stealthily toward the unconscious Diggins. Now they are on their feet, in a semicircle behind him. One of them brings his two hands down on Diggins shoulders, and the latter is swung around. One of the knocks the helmet off Diggins head which is revealed as practically bald, save for a tuft of hair in front. Startled, but not terrified, the little scientist looks up at the Indians, and then guilelessly smiles. The Indians are puzzled. Diggins makes a confident, friendly motion, and says he’ll show them something very remarkable. He holds the magnifying glass over an ant. It becomes enormously enlarged under the glass. The Indians are astonished. They look under the glass - start to touch it and then draw back, afraid. Diggins, pleased with their interest, shows them his other treasures - the portfolio of pressed flowers; the microscope, etc. The Indians are really amazed. They look at Diggins with respect. Undoubtedly he is a magic man and these are his talismans and charms. Diggins traps the heat from the sun with his magnifying glass and burns the hand of first one then another Indian. The Indians are divided between fleeing or taking the magic man. Diggins decides for them. He is extremely interested in the Indians and has set his glasses more firmly on his nose to study them. Making signs to them, he suggests that he F-3.F-3. would like to accompany them. One of the Indians speaks English and interprets. The others nod vigorously. They are now very friendly. The leader takes off his moccasins. Diggins asks what this means, and the interpreter replies: So pleased is Diggins to hear this, and anxious to study the Indians at close quarters in their own village and wigwams, that he takes out a real treasure, in the shape of a gold watch. This he dangles by the chain before the chief, holds it to his ear and presents it to him. Then stooping he takes off his own shoes. The Indians raise their hands, circle him in a dance of peace. During the foregoing, Ren’s Indian is seen watching from behind a screen of bushes. REN’S CAMP F-4. F-4. The drums seem to be coming louder. Ren turns about sharply. Thad, who has been stretched out on the ground half asleep, raises himself on his elbow. F-5. F-5. He speaks to the Indian. He decides to dispatch him with a message to Hudson’s Bay at Fort Vancouver, asking them to send down boats and supplies so that the Immigrants may make the passage down the Columbia River unmolested and safely. Leaving Thad in charge of the outfit, Ren rides off to scout the neighborhood for signs of Indians and a possible truce of Diggins. Bowlegs, mounted on Thad’s horse, is off to the Hudson’s Bay Fort. Thad left alone is in a bad humor and sulky.

G-1

SEQUENCE G

Dawn is breaking over the Snake River. It discloses the Immigrant encampment at the base of a great canyon wall. Of the 2000 souls that had left Independence, but two hundred remain. The bugle summons everyone to the morning council. Col. Appleton, calls the roll of his people. There is a brief summing up of the resources of the train, and then the old Colonel breaks some painful news. During the night, their two guides have deserted the train, taking with them the best of the mules and raiding the supply wagons. Riding through a thickly wooded mountain trail, Ren stops suddenly, as he sees coming up over the circuitous canyon route the two guides, Lefty and Pete. They are driving a number of mules and are riding Appleton’s Kentucky horses. Ren dismounts. From behind a giant rock, thickly overgrown with brush, Ren watches the men as they come up around the circling trail, passing one by one over the peak G-2.G-2. of the foothill. For a moment Ren, puzzled, and at the same time having his suspicions aroused, pauses, and then he follows. When the last mule goes over the crest and dips down to the other side, Ren realizes that he is taking a chance if he follows, as he will be clearly seen from below. So he takes a perilous trail around the edge of the cliff that comes out presently into the same canyon for which the guides are making. He sees, then, camped in a glen halfway down the mountain, near the falls, the company of trappers and others who had left the Immigrant train with Bull Dorien. After watching the camp for a few moments, Ren remounts and rides back along the trail over which he had come. Ren returns to his camp. He sees no sign of Thad. Giving his customary whistle, he receives no reply. A survey of the wagon and the hobbled mules show, everything more or less shipshape, though one mule is missing. Again he sends out the three whistle signals that the two men are accustomed to give. No reply. Ren whistles again, and this time, there is an answering shout, but not of the sort he had expected. It sounds as if someone were hollering with hands to mouth. It is not an Indian call. G-3. G-3. While Ren looks about him puzzled the Immigrant Posse ride into sight and dismount. Ren hears their story, and his own face becomes as grim as theirs. It is now getting toward sundown. The men of the posse are weary. Their horses are watered and turned out, hobbled to graze. Ren builds a fire, and soon has bacon and potatoes sizzling over it. The Immigrants eat ravenously. Ren learns that for days the entire train has been on rations. BULL’S CAMP The flares from the campfires light the circle of rough faces. It is about ten o’clock at night. Sprawled on the ground, is Thad. he is half drunk and tossing dice with a number of men. Prominent in the circle about the fire are the two guides from the Immigrant train. They are talking to Bull, who grunts with approval. Occasionally the men guffaw and slap their sides. There are about a dozen or more men in the outfit - some of them from the original train, hunters, trappers, voyageurs and others, as well as Bull’s own run sellers. Suddenly three whistles are heard from out the bush. Thad lifts his head and half unconsciously he replies to the whistles. Bull starts up; From outside the circles comes the answer from a quiet drawling voice, as Ren lazily strolls toward the fire. Thad has partly recovered from his fright, and his shaking hand reaches for the booze. Bull whirls around and sees the coolly smiling Ren. Ren has come up at the back of Thad and, as if by accident, his knee knocks the drink from Thad’s hand. The latter looks about him uneasily. Bull strides over till he is facing Ben. Thad squirms miserably as Ren’s keen glance rests on him a moment. Thad crouches back. As if unaware of the menacing movement toward him, Ren turns around and his eyes sweep the circle. A sardonic smile breaks over his face, as his glance becomes fixed on the two guides. G-6. G-6. Bull pulls off his hat and sends it sailing into the dark. He peels his buckskin shirt over his head and flings it to the ground. The group fall back, making a wide circle, their excited faces lighted by the camp fire flares. Ren, who out of the tail of his eye, has watched the action of the other, but has made no stir, suddenly takes a step forward and drives in with a right swing. Bull ducks back, tries to run in and catches Ren’s left with the side of his head. He falls a dozen feet away, but comes up spluttering and cursing, with blood trickling down the side of his face. He circles the other warily. Bull is bigger and a gorilla for strength, though Ren is half a head taller and strong as a young oz. He waits for Bull with knees and hands lifted. Bull spits curses, and calls him vile names challenging him to come on. Ren has a slight smile on his face - a cool, amused look, and his left eyebrow lifts quizzically. The infuriated Bull springs suddenly, driving with a lifted knee and hard left. Ren sidesteps and gives him a terrific jolt in the belly. The blow lands with a G-7G-7 great thud. Bull stops in his tracks, while Ren throws a long right at his mouth that splits it open. Bull sits down, spitting blood and nearly mad with rage. The crowd is yelling and roaring. From out of the darkness and shadows of the encircling woods, step the Immigrants, their guns cocked. Involuntarily hands are up. Lefty and Pete are nearly petrified with terror. Pete makes a dive for freedom but finds an iron grip upon his neck, as he is jerked back. Lefty, shaking and stuttering tries to explain that they’d only come for a visit and to get some help for the train. The Immigrants say nothing. They are doing their work competently. While a couple of them round up the lost mules, hobbled hardby; place packs of supplies upon their backs, others keep their guns cocked on the company, while the group about the now screaming, squealing guides deliberately place nooses about their necks, and prepare to hand them then and there within sight of the camp. The men are hanged in the presence of the entire camp. The little company of Immigrants and Ren, with their mules and supplies, are leaving. Several of the hunters are returning with them. They prefer to cast their fate again with the Immigrant train rather than continue with Bull’s outfit. Ren is on his horse. He looks dead serious; almost sad, as he throws a last look at the now almost deserted camp. A figure comes staggering toward him. It is Thad. He reaches down a long arm and helps Thad onto the saddle of one of the horses on which the late guides had ridden. The little cavalcade is off.

H-1

SEQUENCE H

The Immigrant camp on the banks of the Snake River. The Immigrants are in a state of tense anxiety. Their men, three days gone, have not yet returned. Their chuck is reduced to the lowest ebb. A line of men, women and children, are passing with tin plates and tin cups before a chuck wagon. Sally is passing out the meagre rations. Inside the wagon Mandy discovers that they have come practically to the end of their supplies. She warns Sally to hand out the stuff sparingly and to be sure and keep enough for her father and herself. Some human stuff here, of Sally going among the women and children, cheering them up, and assuring them their men will be back soon with the lost chuck. We cut to the top of the steep canyon wall. Crouched down behind a boulder we see three Indians. One of them has just shot an arrow into the Immigrant camp directly below them. Dissolve to two of the Immigrant sentries. They are patrolling the encampment. The first one comes around the side of the cliff. An Indian leaps on him from behind. We see the hand of the Indian grasping the sentry’s hair, and we know the hideous scalping operation is in force. The second sentry has patrolled a portion of his beat H-2.H-2. and has paused to listen to some unaccustomed sound. He starts to move on, when we see the shadow of an Indian cast before him. For a moment he is petrified with fear. Then he leaps forward but not before an Indian knife plunges into his back. He whirls around. A death struggle ensues between Indian and white man. The white man is the victor. Fearfully wounded he nonetheless leaps over the cliff to the river bank. Staggering to his feet he tries to run to warn the Immigrants; but his life is ebbing. He plunges face downward; tries to rise again; holds himself up by his two hands on the ground and gives forth his last cry; Five or six scenes to show the Indians. Huge lines of them are topping the knolls and hills and seem to be plunging and charging down toward the River. As they come their savage yells and war whoops rise above the beating of their drums and the pounding of their horse’s feet. The Immigrant Train. It is strung out in a long line on the River bank. The custom was to form the wagon in a circle. This cannot be done in the narrow space, for on one side are the towering walls of the canyon, and on the other the river. Women and children are under the wagons. The men are behind barricades at the front and the rear and the side of the train. To advance upon them the Indians must H-3.H-3. come from either side of the trail. They are met with a fusilade of shots. The Indians failing to charge the train, on account of its position, have been examining ⁴ the top of the boulder lined canyon walls. They discover that it is possible to uproot some of the stupendous boulders and roll them down upon the train below. While covering their purpose with a continual barrage of firing, yells and shouts and the beating of war drums, numbers of them work to shatter the top part of the natural wall of stone. Open up on an Iris long shot. Away in the distance in center of the Iris can be seen a black dot, moving rapidly toward the camera. The black dot dissolves itself into Ren Bullock riding at the head of the Immigrants and hunters. They seem to be plunging literally into the camera. The Indians have nearly achieved their purpose. A colossal boulder is about to be loosened . It hangs, trembling on the edge of the cliff, above the camp of the all unconscious Immigrant train. Drunk with war fever, the Indians begin a monster war dance, circling and tramping in front of the great boulder, raising their lances to the skies, yellign and chanting and shouting, while their war drums are pounded. They do not see H-4.H-4. the company of horsemen coming down from the higher hills, and forming into a regulation battle line behind a natural rock wall. Ren and the Immigrant posse have arrived. Suddenly multiple shots bark out. Half a dozen Indians throw up their arms and drop. The others from the sheer momentum of their war dance tramp over them. More Indians fall. Pandemonium and fright seize the Indians. The shots are coming from the opposite direction of the Immigrant camp. They cannot see their new antagonists. Screeching wildly they flee. Ren and the others fire after them, and more fall. Others slip down the sides of their horses bellies, and ride off, clining by the bare heels. In the camp below, the Immigrants begin to realize that help has come to them from an unexpected source. With the panic stricken flight of the Indians, the Immigrants come out from behind their wagons. They scan the cliffs above. They are half mad with apprehension. They scan the trail on either side of the camp, and then presently they hear a sound that changes their fears and apprehensions to wild joy. The clear sound of a bugle is heard, followed by three shots. The Immigrants know what that means. Their men are coming back. Half beside themselves with relief and joy the entire camp sweep down to meet the oncoming little company of horsemen. H-5.H-5. Ren is riding at the head of the troop. Thad is next to him, and the Immigrants, hunters and traders follow. In the rear of the horsemen, a long file of mules and horses, some of them with heavy packs upon their backs are being driven along. Crying, laughing, cheering, the Immigrants can scarcely wait for their people to reach the camp. They surge all around the posse, dragging the men literally from the saddles, embracing and kissing and heaping blessings on them. One excited woman runs from one man to the other kissing each in turn. Col. Appleton is shaking hands with each and every one of them. The men are telling him of the fate of the other guides; but that now they have real scouts to take charge of the expedition. The Col. turns to thank and shake the hands of the scouts. Thad, who has ridden along behind Ren, has drawn his horse to an abrupt stop. He sees whom Ren is looking at. Over the heads of the Immigrants Ren is looking at Sally Lou, whose eyes are luminous. When Thad sees Sally Lou he is powerfully moved and startled. His glance goes swiftly about; he sees Mandy, and coming directly toward him Col. Appleton. Thad’s hand unconsciously goes to the beard that has grown on his face. He tugs his big hat down over his face and half turns away, as Col. Appleton strides up to him, his hand held out. Thad does not give the Colonel a chance to say much, for with a rough rejoinder, he turns to speak to H-6H-6. one of the men. Col. Appleton looks at him uncertainly, as though puzzled and then a woman runs up to the Colonel and cries hysterically; She indicates where moving slowly toward the camp Sally Lou and Ren are walking. They seem to be oblivious to everyone else there. Sally Lou is looking up at Ren. and Ren is looking down at Sally. They both start to speak at once, and stop and laugh. Then after a moment Sally says; H-7. H-7. Sally stops abruptly. She begins to realize that Mose had eaten the chicken himself. She is very angry. Colonel Appleton comes into the scene, and Sally turns to him. Colonel Appleton holds out his hand. The two men shake. H-8. H-8. Sally runs off to where the men and women are beginning the preparations for a meal. The men are building the fires. The women tearing food out of the bags, and shipping stuff on the frying pans and thrusting them over the blazes. The incident of the crossing of the Snake River. The wagons are all fastened together in one long H-9.H-9. string; the strongest in the lead. The women and children and weaker and older men are also in the wagons. As soon as the teams were in position, Ren ties a rope around his waist, and starting his horse into the current, swims over to the other side. Other follow, until a number of the men are on the opposite side of the river. When they have force enough to pull the rope, the lead team is started in. all are drawn over safely. As soon as the leading teams are able to get a foothold all is well. Guided by the strong arms of the men pulling the rope, the weaker ones are helped and drawn along. They have barely reached the opposite side of the river when the Indians come swooping down in overwhelming numbers, around the trail on to the beach, where but recently the Immigrant train had been. On the opposite side of the river, the Immigrants have begun to cut a trail through the thick brush.

H-1

SEQUENCE I

Four or five scenes of the Immigrants cutting the trail through the dense woods bordering the river. As the men cut the passage, the lumbering wagons, drawn by the wide horned oxen, and the long train of pack mules, follow slowly. Work stops only with the setting of the sun. Then camp is made for the night. THE ENCAMPMENT There is a redness still in the husky, though it is long past sunset. The river runs along one side like a streak of dancing quicksilver. On the other are the deep mysterious woods, from whose depths come occasionally the call of wild things. I-2 I-2 Stretched or crouched upon the ground by the camp fires, the tired Immigrants are resting. Some of the younger ones are singing. OUTSIDE THE APPLETON WAGON Ren stands uncertainty, twisting his hat in his hand and looking longingly at the door of the wagon. Finally he summons the courage to knock. There is a somewhat startled around within as if someone inside has cried out something and then quickly muffled the sound. Then the flap door is pushed aside, and Sally Lou stands lookin down at Ren. Sally Lou is breathing swiftly, almost as if she were frightened about something. She looks back and then closes the flap behind her. She hesitates a moment and then sits down on the step of the wagon. The moonlight is on Sally’s hair turning its darkness to a glorified bronze. Ren feels a dryness in his throat. He does not know how to begin. Sally looks at him curiously, but her eyes are starry and luminous. Ren points to the tumbling stream. Ren is finding it more difficult than he had thought. Sally laughs. Her laughter is tender, with a teasing quality to it. She leans a bit nearer to the young man, and her lovely young face so close to his own fills him with a panic of ecstasy. His words rush on: Sally bent still lower. One little hand steals out, almost as if seeking his. It wavers on his shoulder a I-4I-4. moment and then rests on his arm. Ren feels as if he were in heaven. Ren’s hands unclinch. His voice is husky. He finds he has no control of his actions. He reaches up, lifts her clear down from the step of the wagon and holds her in his arms. Closer and closer. And closer and closer Sally clings to him; her face upturned, her eyes and lips inviting his that closed upon her own. Presently, gently, Sally, her hands on his shoulders holds him back from her. 1-5. I-5. They go into an embrace again, from which they are brought to earth by the sound of coughing of someone in the wagon. Sally breaks away. She is now the prey to nervousness and fear. Sally goes into the tent. Ren, like one in a blissful dream moves away, but turns and stands in the shadows, just looking toward where Sally had gone into the wagon. I-6. I-6. Suddenly he tenses. His gaze becomes fixed. The flap door of the Appleton wagon has been pushed aside and Sally followed by Thad Jones comes out of the wagon. They pause a moment on the step. Then Sally speaks; They kiss. Thad jumps down from steps of wagon and runs out of scene. Sally turns and goes into wagon. Ren, who has witnessed the scene between Sally and his pardner partner, stands for a moment as if rooted to the spot. His world seems to be tumbling about him; his dreams shattered his illusions destroyed. He makes a passionate, almost savage motion toward the wagon. Then he stops short. His I-7I-7 hands cinch. His head drops between his shoulders. He moves away with a shambling, almost staggering gait. The following morning. The first pale steaks of the rising sun are seen in the sky. There is the murmur and stir of small live things in the bush. The camp is still wrapped in silence and slumber, for it is but four o’clock in the morning. As the scene proceeds, the light of morning spreads, and over the horizon the sun raises an inquiring ruddy eye. At first, only the shadowy outline of tent and wagon top are visible in the grey dawn. The we see to one side of the camp a man with a horse, which he is saddling, tightening the cinch, and throwing heavy saddle bags on either side. On the ground is other travelling gear, and he kneels on one knee to sort and pack then. The man is Ren Bullock. He wears a white blanket coat (for it is now October) a broad felt hat, moccasins and deer skin trousers. His knife is stuck in his belt. Bullet pouch and powder horn are hanging at side. A rifle rests on high pummel of his saddle in front of him; for he is now a-horse. Suddenly from the Appleton wagon, Sally appears. She pauses a moment, and then comes running toward where Ren is on his horse. Ren is sitting very still and straight. His wide grey I-8.I-8. eyes are dead ahead. His thoughts are bitter. To hell with everything! His fists are clinched so tightly that the reins feel hard against his palms. Sally, breathless with the long run, her hair flying about her, comes into the scene. She stands by his saddle, looking up at him appealingly. Ren gives one look at her, and then again he looks dead ahead. Ren does not answer. Ren cannot answer. Sally, puzzled, troubled, peers up at him. The dawn is breaking all around them. Ren’s face seems carved like a statue, so unmoving and stern is it. Sally’s little hand goes up, rests upon that clinched pair on the pummel. Ren’s face contorts.His voice is almost loud. It is harsh. His heel presses sharply against his horse’s flank. Before Sally can comprehend, he is off at a stiff canter. I-9.I-9. she stands for a moment startled, shocked, and then she starts running after the now flying horse. As she runs she calls; She tries to make her voice carry, by putting her hands to her mouth, and she keeps on calling, frantically; Her voice breaks in a hysterical gasp. The sunrise is wide over the heavens now. Over a bit of rising ground, the flying horseman is seen for a moment, and then disappears from sight.

J-1

SEQUENCE J

This is about a month later. The immigrants have literally out and hewed their way around the Cascades, from the Upper to the Lower, and now they are halted at the Columbia River, for lack of boats. Their situation is a desperate one. They dare not attempt the passage of the Columbia, with its treacherous rapids and whirlpools merely by the prairie schooners (wagons) and they are hard at work constructing rafts and a canoe, hewn out of the trunk of a giant tree. The canoe is to go ahead of the train, and scout down the river, to discover whether it is navigable. A steady rain, which has been falling for days, has turned to snow, bringing with it penetrating chill and cold. A cutting wind comes out of the North, driving all the women and children and the weaker and older men to the wagon for shelter. Sally is not to be daunted so easily. She stays with the workmen, herself wielding a hammer. Thad, no longer the lighthearted youth who had sung on the trail, but feeling the heavy burden of responsibility on his young shoulders, urges her to go with the women. Sally shakes her head. J-2. J-2. She breaks off, her eyes filling. Thad goes on hammering. They are both at work on one end of a raft, in process of building. Thad shakes his head and continues to hammer. Farther down the Columbia River. A good sized steamboat is moving up the river. Her upper deck is covered with sacks and boxes filled with blankets, arms and munitions, bales containing merchandise, medicines, meal, pork, dried flesh and other provisions, and its hold is crammed with supplies for the Immigrants. It is a Hudson’s Bay vessel, and Ren Bullock is on deck at the rail with the captain. Ren points to the banks of the river, where groups of Indians are standing, excitedly gesticulating. Ren does not believe they are friendly. The Captain assures him that they have nothing to fear from the Indians. J-3. J-3. As the boat moves along, more and more Indians seem to be gathering along the banks. Their drums are beating. War dances are enacted. The Indians are yelling; Parties of the Indians ride off disappearing from the banks of the river, and reappearing on higher land, still following the river.

K-1

SEQUENCE K

FADE IN: On a heavy mist and fog. At first it is hard to see anything, but we hear the sound of the wind blowing, the ripple of waters, the sough of the waves. Through the mist the outlines of a canoe is seen, with three people in it. One of the men, Thad, is wielding an oar. He is to the fore of the unwieldy little craft that the Immigrants have made. The other man seems crouched down, and Sally Lou is also wielding an oar. Her head is wrapped in a small shawl, tied under the chin. Thad looks back, sees Sally and speaks sharply: The other man takes the oar. He is a middle-aged, painfully thin and undernourished immigrant. Though he tries conscientiously to work the oar, it nearly tears him to pieces. Sally kneels in the boat, her shoulders slightly hunched. There is no sound for a while , but the waves beating against the boat, and the whistling wind, blowing. They seem to be alone on the river. It is lighting up, but the drizzling rain has turned to sleet. After awhile, Sally asks: K-2. K-2. The boat drifts on. The wind is dying down. The overcast skies gradually lighten. Suddenly an exclamation escapes Sally. She almost stands up in the canoe in her excitement. Thad tries to steady the boat and calls out sharply: In a very long shot we see at a great distance, what looks like the shadowy outline of a ship. The Immigrant in the back of the boat stops paddling. His eyes seem to be starting from his head, as he too peers through the mist of the early day. Then he shouts: K-3. K-3. The oar drops from his hands and into the river. He kneels in the bottom of the boat raising his hands in prayer, and half singing, half praying, he rocks in an ecstasy. He has gone temporarily out of his mind. Thad, too, sees the vessel. His care now is all for the little craft with its one paddle oar, and he has his hands full steadying it, for they are in a rough part of the river. Medium long shot of the ship. Ren is pacing its deck, restlessly. Suddenly he stands stock still, his hands gripping the rail. From somewhere up the river, he hears a whistle. It is repeated three times. Three clear, familiar notes. For a moment Ren cannot believe he hears aright. His first reaction is one of powerful joy and exhilaration. His next - he remembers the last time he had seen his pal. Sally Lou raising her face to kiss him goodbye. Ren’s face hardens. He stares out before him. Again the three long whistling notes. The man by the rail remains unmoving, but a curious change is breaking over his face. Something soft, tender, gentle, makes it as fine as the face of a mother. He leans forward. He purses his lips. Three times he sends back that whistling signal. Then, K-4.K-4. as if springing to electrical life he rushes toward the Captain. A few minutes later everything is activity aboard the vessel. Full steam is put on. As the ship proceeds, the sunshine breaks through the clouds, and in the glow far up the stream, tossing upon⁷ the turbulent water, the descry the canoe. There is the business of taking Thad, Sally and the Immigrant aboard. Though cold and wet through, Sally’s eyes are luminous with happiness. The Captain, much concerned that a girl should have been exposed to such hardship and weather, begs her to go immediately to the cabin, but Sally is looking past the captain at the now sombre and stern Ren. Though he has helped them aboard he is standing back. Thad holds out his hand to him, and after a moment, Ren, without a word grasps it. The two men silently shake. Then Thad’s hand clasps the other on the shoulder. Thad starts to explain how they came to be on the river, and to tell about the plans of the Immigrants, but Sally comes up K-5.K-5. beside him. She tries to entrap Ren’s glance, but Ren is afraid to look at her. Now Ren can no longer avoid looking at her, for Sally has put one little hand on either of his arms, and her face is directly under his. Ren takes this big. So big that Sally catches her breath as she laughs. Ren gulps. Waves of contrition are rolling over him of remorse; of powerful joy. He longs to take Sally in his arms; he wants to cry like a child. His voice is hoarse; K-6. K-6. Sally, looking at him, catches her breath in a laugh that breaks, and suddenly her eyes fill with tears -- tears of a long hurt, and of utter physical strain and exhaustion. She sways. With an incoherent murmur Ren takes her into his arms. Further up the river a fleet of Indian canoes are coming. Each canoe contains about eighteen men, dressed in skins and sea otter, their hair powdered with the white dawn of birds and their faces befogged with paint. The Chief occupies a place in the middle boat and is distinguished by his high cap, ornamented with a tuft of eagle feathers. As they come down the river they beat time against the gunwale of the boat with their paddles. They are chanting a war song, and at the end of each verse, they point with extended arms to the North and the South. There is no yelling or whooping; just the monotonous chanting, triumphant and bold. There are probably two hundred braves in the canoes, as well as the squaws who shriek in accompaniment, beating their hands together fiercely. K-7. K-7. On board the Hudson’s Bay ship. In the cabin Sally and Thad and the Immigrant are having their first meal since they set out in their crude canoe. Across the table from Sally sits Ren, his elbows on the table, his chin in his hands. He looks only at Sally, and his gaze is tender, devouring, adoring. A sort of shuddering motion of the boat, and then it stops. A couple of the ship’s men run past. The Captain’s voice is heard shouting orders. There is the clink of chains, etc. Ren has started up. He is about to go on deck, when the Captain comes to the door. Off - the voices of the Indians can be heard. Ren looks at the Captain; the latter, an old pilot of the Columbia says that they are probably to have some visitors. He exits on deck followed by Ren. Thad starts to go also, but Ren bids him remain with Sally; Thad walks about restlessly, moodily. He is apprehensive and worried. The Indian canoes are now parading in a circle around the ship. The Captain and Ren are at the rail. The K-8.K-8. Captain points out that these are Cayuse Indians, friendly to the whites. However, they are standing up in their canoes, their hands raised the peace sign. One of the Indians, who speaks English, calls out that a delegation of the chiefs would like to come aboard to trade buffalo hides for brass metals and knives. The Captain, pleased, in spite of Ren’s uneasiness and suspicion, tells them to come aboard, and soon about fourteen of the braves climb aboard. All unsuspecting the captain examines their buffalo hides, and gives them in exchange the desired brass buttons and knives. Suddenly one of them lets out a terrifying war whoop. This is immediately echoed by the others, while an answering roar comes from the men in the canoes below. They rush upon the whites. The clerk is stabbed in the back. The Captain, sitting on the taffrail is clubbed and falls overboard, there to be knifed by the Indians in the canoes . One big burly sailor fights for his life with his bare fists, before he is clubbed and stabbed to death. Ren, his gun spitting fire leaps for the companionway and reaches the cabin. There he and Thad and the other men barricade themselves in. The Indians pour down the passage way . Ren and Thad cut holes for their firearms in the walls of the cabin, and pour out a withering fire of shot, that has deadly effect . K-9. K-9. Leaving their dead and wounded, the Indians flee back up the companionway. It is now dusK, and the thin snow storm has become a dense one. The Indians scuttle across the deck, and go over the rail making for their canoes. IN THE CABIN Sally is asleep. The Immigrant too is stretched out on the floor, dead to the world. Ren lights a ship’s lantern. He sets it on the table. In this flickering light he and Thad sit opposite each other. For a long time no word is spoken. Then: Thad’s head drops on his arms on the table. Ren reaches across and pats him on the head. Thad gives him a singularly boyish look at that. K-10 K-10 Thad swallows. While the men have been speaking the shadows have been steadily deepening. Thad gets up, paces. Ren sits at table, his fine young face lighted by the lantern. He speaks quietly; K-11 K-11 Thad sits. Ren gives him an intent look. He lowers his voice as he slightly leans across the table, fixing the other with his steady regard. On the couch, ⁸ Sally stirs. Her eyes half open. At first she listens almost unconsciously; and then with tense interest and fear. Ren lowers his voice. K-12. K-12. Ren nods. Sally is now sitting up. Thad is staring at Ren, his eyes widening with horror as he comprehends what Ren intends to do. K-13 K-13 Both men have started to their feet. Suddenly Sally screams. She comes screaming in between them. She cannot speak. She can only cry. She clings to Ren. She clings to Thad. She keeps crying and sobbing. Ren, holding her in his arms, looks across at Thad. His face is stern, grave. Sally clings to him. K-14 K-14 He soothes her. After awhile, he gently puts a heavy coat about her. He shakes the Immigrant awake. They all go out through the dark passage and up the companionway to the deck. The men release the boat. It is a big roomy boat, seaworthy, and well-provisioned and stocked for an emergency. There is also in the rear a place for shelter and it is propelled both by oars and sail.

L-1

SEQUENCE L

FADE IN: It is still quite dark, though drawing toward morning. Occasionally the voice of the Immigrant rises in a gospel hymn. He sings like a madman. The others are all silent. Ren is at the helm. Sally is at his side, crouched close to him, her eyes never leaving his face. He bends to draw her wrap closer about her. She shakes her head dumbly. His arms are all she news. He holds her close. Her arms go around his neck. She says passionately: There is a long, deep pause. Then Ren in a hoarse, steady whisper, replies: In the stern of the boat, Thad peers at the two in front. There is something very tense about him - something tense and cautious. He crouches farther down in the shadow of the sail. L-2. L-2. The lovers are still in each other’s arms. Their faces are illuminated. Whatever may befall them, this moment is all their own. Half kneeling, half crouching , in the shade of the sail, Thad looks at them, and a smile breaks over the boy’s face making it singularly young and singularly poignant. Without a sound he swings over the side of the boat. He drops in the water. Sally stirs in Ren’s arms. They can see each other’s faces now, for it is becoming lighter. Suddenly Sally holds Ren back from her. A troubled look comes over her face--an expression of strange and almost psychic fear. Sally break away from Ren. She is still under some restless spell. She calls : L-3. L-3. He calls out roughly: But Thad does not answer. Ren moves back to the rear of the boat. Sally comes behind him. She is holding to the side of the boat and half crawling, half climbing, over the impediments, the ropes, etc. Ren, in a stunned silence, is staring down at the empty place where Thad had been. His voice sounds strange. He scarcely knows that it is he who is speaking. Ren places her on the seat, covers her gently, and then springs for the sail. A few words to the half cracked Immigrant to hoist the sail, which he cannot do, though he sits gibbering there, holding the rope. Ren swings the helm around. The boat turns, slanting, as the wind slaps at the sail. Then it steadies itself and we - FADE

M-1 M-1

SEQUENCE M.

We fade in on the Hudson’s Bay Vessel. It is still aground, and the waves are beating about it. It is about five o’clock in the morning! The boat is entirely surrounded by Indian canoes. But the canoes are empty. The Indians are swarming over the deck. Not merely a delegation, but the entire tribe. They are going through the bales and sacks and boxes. They are eating and drinking and wrapping the stuffs about them, and there is great jubilation among them. DISSOLVEto the powder magazine of the ship. Pressed up against the wall is Thad. He is listening to the Indians. Some of them are coming down into the hold. Thad shrinks back farther. There is a slight crackle as he lights the torch. CUT TO - The ship’s boat. It is coming along at considerable speed. Both Sally and Ren are at the helm, but they are not in each others’ arms. Their faces are white and lined with fear. They are looking dead ahead. Suddenly the air seems rent as by some tremendous shock. The roar of a monster explosion is heard from one end of the river to the other. Note: (If desired, show the blowing up of the ship)

N-1

SEQUENCE N

This shows the Immigrant train. Down the river, on rafts, on boxes, on crude boats, with a few of the prairie schooners, the Immigrants are coming down the river. No saga or iliad ever penned could do justice to their heroism, courage and valour; for despite their privations and sufferings, they are coming along on this, the last lap of their journey, their faces still radiant with hope. They are singing! Farther down the river, in their boat, Ren and Sally are seen coming. Sally’s face is illuminated - poignantly beautiful. Ren removes his hat. His head bows. FADE.