Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.BZ

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.BZ

(crickets chirping)

(indistinct chatter)

- Father forbade me from seeing him.

He wasn't willing to admit that his daughter

was ready for courting.

So, we'd sneak out at night,

with my long winter cape and I'd put him under the cape.

(group applauds and laughs)

And in the morning we would leave the same way.

(group laughs)

A little music.

(violin plays and feet stamp) (clapping)

- I have something I'm a show you.

- This is quite the welcome, thank you.

I know you weren't happy about it but we were in love.

(folk music continues)

- A fathers is never ready to see his daughter leave.

But you shouldn't have took her to Diamond Island,

it's no place for my daughter.

- I have plenty of friends there, we were safe.

- Friends you say?

It's a den of thieves.

- Can I dare say, a few of those men you might have seen

when they were soldiers fighting for this great land,

much like you, Sam.

- We learned to do many things.

- I assure you she was safe.

Did you not have something to show me?

- Yes.

(folk music continues)

(footsteps crunching) (crickets chirping)

I've been looking for a plot of land

to build a cabin for you two.

There's a bit of land back here.

Let's go back to the party.

(ominous music)

(men grunting)

- Father, what are you doing?

(daughter gasps)

(gurgling)

(grunts) (ominous music continues)

(gasps)

- [Sam] It had to be done.

- Yes father, I will dispose of him.

(footsteps crunching)

- I won't be made a fool.

(folk music continues quietly)

(melancholy music)

(door clicks)

I have no idea when we shall return.

- Do not, you do not belong here.

I scarcely recognize the man I wed.

- That man stands before you

and that man shall always be that man.

Here,

or elsewhere.

- Father!

(melancholy music continues)

The law will be at our heels if we do not leave.

- There was a time when the law knew the difference,

between an outlaw,

and me.

(footsteps banging)

(horses clopping)

- [Little Harpe] Thus began Samuel Mason's life of crime,

along with my big brother and I,

he was to become the most notorious of those land pirates

who stalk the Natchez Trace.

Yet this was not the first blood

that flowed along that passageway and the ones like it,

twas there since men cut paths, through the wilderness.

(soft folk music)

(crickets chirping)

(footsteps crunching)

- I implore you Mr Langford, please, reconsider.

All but a God-fearing man would be tempted robbery

upon finding such a well-to-do gentlemen like yourself,

traveling the wilderness trace alone at night.

- I really must make haste sir,

if I'm to meet my associate at our predetermined time.

- To live to meet your associate,

you should remain and wait for other travelers.

Do not travel alone.

- I really must go.

- Then at least wait until the light of day

and remain until morning.

- I have a bad feeling of your leaving now sir,

it is foolhardy.

Please listen to my father and delay until morning.

(clock jangles)

(sighs)

- As you wish.

But I will leave at first light and postpone no longer.

- Put Mr. Langford's horse away safe.

- Gladly father.

(woman singing indistinctly=)

- May we water our animal mister?

- Oh, I, I'm not the proprietor of this establishment but,

I do believe the water's welcome to all who come and go.

You have a delightful voice ma'am.

- Well, that's nice of you to say, mister.

- Thomas Langford ma'am.

(footsteps banging)

They've stopped for water, with your permission of course.

- Yes, by all means.

Those boiled eggs are just about ready,

if you're ready for them.

I made up some extras for you to take on the road

with you too.

- Yes, thank you.

I'll be along momentarily.

- Can we get some eggs too?

I'm famished.

- And pay with what?

No, you're gonna wait.

- I'll kill us something along the trail.

We'll eat then.

- How'm I s'posed to grow this thing in me

if I'm only eating for one?

I need to eat for two.

- We only got the one meal yesterday.

I'm starving, and if I'm starving then this baby

is starving too.

- I said we'll eat later!

And we will!

- Please, excuse my boldness sir but,

I couldn't help in overhearing your predicament.

May I invite you all to join me for breakfast, as my guest?

That is, if you are agreeable?

(ominous music)

We've all fallen on hard times at one point or another

in our lives.

Well there's, there's no shame in taking a helping hand

from those more, more fortunate when ones offered.

It would be my pleasure sir, please.

- Do you imply, mister,

that I can't take care of my own family.

- No, no, not at all.

I'm merely a lonely traveler,

craving some company and some conversation,

nothing more.

And if I can help some fine folk like you,

that have fallen upon hard times in the process well,

that will make me the happier still.

I intended no offense sir.

Please, allow me this, this small indulgence.

Join me.

- I do not need, nor accept charity.

- What my brother is trying to say,

Mr. Langford,

is we will breakfast with you,

but we wanna earn that meal.

We'll do something for you in return.

I see that you're traveling alone.

Perhaps we could accompany you,

provide escort for you?

Where did you say you were going?

- Toward Crab Orchard.

- As are we.

So here's what's gonna happen, Mr. Langford.

We will partake, of your very generous hospitality.

And then by way of recompense,

we'll travel with you to Crab Orchard.

My brother and I ensuring safe passage for us all.

You see,

as loyalist soldiers,

we've done our fair share of fighting and killing,

when it was required.

It would be an ill-fated decision for any highwaymen

to accost us, on the wilderness road.

- Did you say you were loyalist?

To the crown?

- To the crown, you heard that well.

- Gentlemen, we have an agreement.

Let us fill our bellies.

(footsteps banging)

(footsteps crunching)

(footsteps banging)

Would you be so kind as to serve up those surplus eggs

you prepared for me,

for my new friends and traveling companions?

I will no longer be traveling unaccompanied

you will be pleased to know.

- And if it's conversation you're after Mr. Langford,

then sit right 'cause Sally can talk the hind legs

off a donkey.

(laughing)

- May I?

- Sit wherever you like.

- I didn't wanna sit between you and your wife, sir.

That would be impolite.

Although I am having a bit of trouble

discerning who here belongs to who is all.

(fork bangs)

- I don't belong,

to no man

and for a certainty to know,

one thing,

(laughs)

you see when I'm with a man,

it's because I choose to be.

And if he ain't keeping me satisfied,

(blows kiss)

well then, I simply find myself,

a man that will.

- And this big hunk o' man?

He belongs to me, mostly.

- And this big fella, is mine.

(all laughing)

(eggs clattering)

- So tell me Mr. Langford, are you married?

- [Big Harpe] I must forewarn you Mr Langford,

we will be making frequent stops along the way.

(birds cheeping)

(crickets chirping) (soft music)

- [Captain Ballenger] I may not know yet the name

of his poor murdered soul,

but I presume to know the names of those that killed him.

The brothers Macajah and Wiley Harpe.

They are Tories, loyalists, murderers,

devoid of conscience and of mercy,

and without motive.

These men are named as suspects in the murders

of several persons of late.

The most recent being that of one of their accusers,

a man named Johnson from Jefferson County.

He with others captured the Harpes in the act of stealing

horses, gutted, and his cavity filled with stones

to weigh him down.

If it were not for his remains being disturbed

by the fast flowing water,

his body would never have risen to the surface

and been discovered.

I speculate that many more have met this same fate

at the hands of the Harpe brothers.

But of them, we may never know.

- The killing of Johnson has awakened a blood lust

in these men.

And the citizens of Tennessee and Kentucky

live in fear of them.

Settlers in all sections of the Middle West

are rightly afraid.

- Captain Ballenger, these outrageous acts must cease

and these men brought to justice

as a matter of great urgency.

- I agree wholeheartedly Mr. Blaine

- Then take as many men as are willing,

and go hunt them down.

(chair banging)

And Ballenger, act swiftly, before the trail grows cold.

- Yes, sir.

I'll gather men and provisions and depart post haste.

(sighs) (soft music)

I wish we had more men.

Underestimate the malevolence of these people

to your own peril sir,

they will give no quarter.

Sneak round and come in from behind.

When I see you're in position,

I will ride in from the front.

(gun cocks)

(foliage rustling)

(Sally humming)

- Killed with his own blade.

It would have been less painful, if he'd kept it sharp.

(dramatic music)

(horse trotting)

- You're under arrest.

(dramatic music continues)

Hold your guard, sir!

(dramatic music continues)

- Hey that's mine!

- Is that so? Mr. Langford?

- [Sally] Well I found it, therefore it's mine.

- Who the hell are you?

- Captain Ballenger, you're under arrest.

- I'm Micajah Harpe,

some call me Big.

- And I'm Little.

- I know who you are.

(dramatic music continues)

(footsteps crunching)

Strip these men and search their belongings.

(Little Harpe grunts)

Put this one in iron's.

Rope will suffice for the others.

(dramatic music continues)

(irons jangling)

(Ptui)

- Step forward and have your piece of me if you dare!

Fight me!

I'll brawl with any one of ya, just step on up!

What about you?!

Maybe you big boy, come on!

Defeat me and I'll submit myself to the courts

and the noose without further protest!

That's what you want int it!

If I lose, you can pass your own judgment on me!

But if I win, I win our freedom!

Are there any two men and all of Kentucky

who'd face me together?

(laughing)

No cowards!

Get back behind the skirts of your women and stay there,

before I don't give you a choice in the matter!

Cowards, the lot of ya!

(hammer banging) (Big Harpe grunts)

(crickets chirping)

(soft music)

- You there,

jailer,

fetch some water so she can clean that wound.

That was no request.

You choose to dislike us.

But you hardly knows us.

That is not a very shrewd decision.

We will not be incarcerated forever.

You do understand that, don't you?

My brother and I, we may not be spared the noose,

but these women will.

In a matter of time, they will regain their liberty

and seek vengeance upon our persecutors

and their families, who will be burned alive,

in the beds where they sleep.

Now,

Biegler,

do you wish that upon you and yours

over a simple bowl of water?

John Bigler isn't it?

Everyone knows the jailer of Danville.

Don't be so scared John,

we can still be friends.

Shall we begin again?

Now fetch some water,

my new friend.

(water gurgles)

(crickets chirping)

(Biegler grunting)

- [Biegler] Don't hurt me!

- Why would I hurt you, John?

We're friends aren't we?

I appreciate my friends.

And I think you and I are going to be very good friends,

don't you?

- [Biegler] Yes sir.

Real good friends.

(soft music continues)

- How were they able to escape

right under your nose, Biegler?

Were you sleeping?

- No, sir.

I don't know how they, how they got out.

Maybe they had somebody helping them from the outside.

- [Blaine] And why do you remain here?

- As we have insisted all along sir,

we are not with these men by choice,

but under duress.

- Those women are liars Mr. Blaine.

Allow them to stay here and deliver their evil spawn,

I guarantee the moment they're released,

they'll go back to their old ways.

- You still hold that they're accomplices

in those murders Captain?

- I do sir, and I'll prove it.

Permit me to follow 'em on their release.

I wager they'll lead me right back to their

murderous husbands.

Why, they only remain now because of the inconvenience

of being with child.

- Ladies,

you had the opportunity to escape today

and chose to remain.

When you are released, you will be free of these men

and free to start over as you please,

I urge you to make the most of that opportunity.

(footsteps crunching)

- Whatever your sins were, they've been accounted for.

The Lord has forgiven you, now go and sin no more.

- These few clothes and supplies should be sufficient

to help you get back on your feet.

To start afresh and follow the path of the righteousness.

- Thank you both, you are too kind.

I was hoping to bid farewell to Mr. Biegler, our jailer,

he was most kind to us during our incarceration but,

I haven't seen him for some weeks now.

- Mr. Biegler, I'm told, bought some land, took up farming.

- Well, then let the Lord bless him.

- Yes, yes.

(soft music)

- [Little Harpe] The women disappeared down river.

Captain Ballenger pursued them for days to no avail.

And he was finally forced to concede defeat.

Knowing they had surely been reunited with Big and I.

- Dammit!

- [Little Harpe] But he would not be the last to follow

our bloody trail.

There would be many more.

(soft music continues)

- They're close.

I can smell 'em.

(screaming and wailing)

(branches snapping)

Where y'all going? (wailing continues)

(sighing)

Well I'll be damned.

(dramatic music)

(grass rustling)

(dramatic music continues)

(violin playing) (indistinct chatter)

- That's far enough, mister.

- Sir, I mean you no harm.

- That so?

- My name is Henry Skaggs,

I'm a long hunter out of Kentucky and I need your help.

I'm hunting the Harpe brothers.

- All on your own.

- So you have heard of 'em.

- Come, have something to drink.

- Mister I don't think you heard me.

- Oh, I heard you and that's why I'm offering

you something to drink and that's all.

- Look around you.

I see women and children.

If we choose do nothing, they could be next.

- I see the same as you Mr. Skaggs, women, children,

and just a few able men,

now does that look like a posse to you?

- The Harpes are animals, with the right number of people

we can put them down, for good.

- Mr. Skaggs we're not soldiers here, just simple folk.

- Look, I understand your want and your need

to keep your people and families safe.

But are any of you truly safe with the Harpes on the loose?

- My sister and her husband were supposed to be here

three weeks ago.

I fear the worst.

- You owe it to your people and you to your family to help.

Don't let their fate be determined by our inaction.

- Mr. Skaggs, we can't help and that's final.

Now my offer of food and drink still stands.

- So you would fill your belly,

while they cut open others.

- That's enough, be on your way.

- I shall.

For your sake I hope he's made the right choice.

(violin starts playing)

- I know a man you might ask for help.

His name's Trabue.

He was once a- - A Colonel.

He live in these parts?

- In a cabin.

Just a mile or so east off the road.

- Thanks.

Perhaps your sister will find her way to you.

- Thank you.

And God speed.

(footsteps crunching)

- Hold it right there!

Unless you want some lead in your gut.

- Good afternoon, Colonel.

- Well I'll be damned.

Henry Skaggs, set that long rifle down

and come up here and pour yourself a drink.

- Think I'll do just that.

(laughs)

- Well, well,

what brings you out this way?

(soft music)

- Well Colonel,

just not many men in these parts with your

talent for fighting.

- No.

- At least hear me out.

- [Trabue] No, Mr. Skaggs,

I am done.

I got my boy here and

I'll be damned if I'm gonna go out there

and die on the trail chasing God knows what.

- I understand Colonel, really I do,

but I can't just stand by while innocents are robbed,

torn asunder.

These are ordinary folk Colonel.

They're not soldiers.

- Are the stories true?

- [Henry] About the Harpes?

- Yes.

- Yes.

Every damn bit of it.

Every man, woman, and child,

they are the meaning of horror Colonel.

Bodies found cut open, filled with rocks

and thrown in the river.

Whole families found murdered with their heads bashed in.

- Damn,

I can't do it Henry, I really can't.

I got my boy John here and

he's just not ready to be on his own yet.

- Well,

I had hope.

I just can't seem to keep a group of men together

long enough to catch these bastards.

We get close and they turn tail and run.

- You will find 'em Henry.

Evil always finds its end at the hands of good men.

(dog wailing)

- Colonel?

- [Colonel] Shh.

(ominous music)

That's Jasper.

- Who's Jasper?

- Jasper's my boys dog, they travel everywhere together.

(Jasper wailing)

- Something aint right.

- Oh hell!

Jasper!

Skaggs, take him up to the house.

John!

John!

Answer me boy!

- Goodbye little fella.

- John!

John!

(ominous music continues) (branches snapping)

Help!

John!

John, John, John.

(screaming)

(dramatic music)

(Trabue breathes heavily)

I'm in.

- Colonel?

- I said I'm in.

You help me bury my son,

and we'll kill these sons of bitches.

(dramatic music continues)

(gunshot bangs)

- [Little Harpe] Now with Trabue at his side,

Skaggs was able to convince a lot more

to do the right thing.

(gunshots popping)

A group of regulators was formed.

(gunshot pops)

They set out and scoured the land.

(gunshot pops)

Rounding up and putting so many outlaws to justice

in the name of old judge lynch.

The regulators searched high and low, far and wide,

(gunshot pops)

hung and shot many.

(gunshot pops)

Some died that maybe shouldn't have,

but the territory was made safer for the families,

for the travelers.

The Colonel and Skaggs searched everywhere

they could for us.

But as fate would have it,

the death of young John would not be avenged by his father.

Yes, we would meet our end eventually,

but not at the hands of Trabue and his courageous companion.

I suppose it is inevitable that all roads lead to one place.

And so it happens the wilderness road

brought us all together.

All of us bad men, at Cave In Rock.

- This thing any good?

- It ain't never failed me before,

least not 'til this morning. - Hey!

That gun didn't fall asleep on the watch.

(soft music) (grass rustling)

Moses, what you bring them here for?

- Just here waiting on their husbands.

- Husbands?

(footsteps crunching)

(sighing)

Thomas, take the prisoners to the cave.

- Come on.

- Keep 'em tied up tight.

Figure out what to do with 'em later.

Hey Billy,

you finish up over there.

Yeah it must be them.

All women with babies,

traveling with no men.

- Maybe they were just passing through.

We could ask 'em.

- No, y'all stay away from 'em.

This place,

used to be for men like us.

Honorable outlaws.

Now there are too far and few between,

like those filthy ass Harpes.

They show up, regulators ain't too far behind.

- Where are we going?

- I don't know, wherever they ain't.

- [Woman] I knew you'd come.

- [Big Harpe] Of course we came.

If I said, we'd come, we come.

(ominous music)

- I'll be leaving at dawn.

And you, you feel safe to stay, feel free to stay.

But Thomas,

you fetch the prisoners at sun up,

they ain't going with us.

We gotta figure a place to drop 'em.

(ominous music continues)

(footsteps banging)

- I can't find 'em?

- Dammit Thomas!

I told you to tie 'em tight!

(screaming)

(bodies thud)

(manic laughing)

- [Mason] Shit, what the hell happened here?

- Holy shit! I bet y'all aint never seen

nothing like that before.

(manic laughing)

- Yeah! No one has.

(manic laughing)

- What the hell?

(laughing continues)

Did you see 'em go splat?! (laughing)

Come on boys, you know a joke when you see one don't ya?

- You need to pack up your women and leave here!

- Well brother, I guess we've overstayed our welcome.

Though we've only been here a day.

- No room at the inn says the innkeeper.

- No room?

Every highwayman and bandit within a hundred miles

has been run out of here by them regulators

looking to string you two up.

- Pack your women up and go.

And clean that Goddamn mess of a man and woman up

you made down there!

(laughing)

(ominous music)

- See ya later.

(soft music)

- This was just starting to feel like home.

- Well, it won't be once those trigger happy farmers

come looking for the Harpes.

South to the trace we go.

(soft music continues)

(soft folk music)

(baby wailing) (water sploshing)

(soft folk music continues) (baby wailing)

(footsteps crunching)

- What's all this?

- It's too somber to be a hanging.

(footsteps crunching) Where you going?

There's too much of a crowd!

The women are waiting for us!

(footsteps crunching)

- Brothers and sisters,

I welcome you today into the presence of the Lord.

He is here, - [Crowd] Amen.

here with us all right now.

And his message is,

he loves you, loves you all.

And he wants you to sin, no more.

Refrain from drink and loose women.

Refrain from casting a covetous eye on your neighbor.

Refrain from cussing

and taking his name,

in vain.

- [Crowd] Amen, Amen.

- If he loved us so much,

he'd send more loose women not ask us to refrain.

- Shush.

- He loves you, loves you like a mother.

Aint nothing you done, aint nothing you could ever do,

could make him give up,

on loving you.

- Well, in that case I guess he's gonna forgive

all the evil things we done.

(branches snap)

- And he wants you to know this love.

Isn't that right Lord?

(trumpet blowing)

I hear it!

The trumpet of Gabriel calling!

Do your hear it brothers and sisters?!

(trumpet blowing)

Do you hear it calling?!

(trumpet blowing)

(rock bangs)

(man grunts)

- Ha, ha, ha, charlatan!

False prophet!

- Now, brothers and sisters, please.

(grass rustling)

- He fooled us all!

- Lets get him!

(grass rustling)

- Look what I done, brother.

(crickets chirping)

So I throws the rock and it hits the tree

right beside his head and he comes tumbling down

to the ground and the horn right after him.

(all laughing)

Oh, if you could see the faces of the crowd,

when the trumpet hit the ground.

(all laughing)

- Keep them damn things quiet!

Can't a man get no peace in his own camp?

(babies crying)

- Brother, imagine those sheep thinking the Lord himself

had come down to some muddy Kentucky field

just because a backwoods preacher had called for it.

(all laughing) (baby crying)

- I said quiet dammit!

One of them regulator's gonna hear them things screaming!

And we all gonna hang for it.

(babies crying)

(crickets chirping) (baby crying)

- Come on, if that were to happen,

you could just repent and call on the Angel Gabriel

and he would come down and lift you up into the heavens.

- Argh!

(dramatic music)

(baby crying)

(baby thuds)

(dramatic music intensifies)

(breathes heavily)

- I killed your child.

What are you gonna do about it?

- What's mine is yours brother.

What's mine,

is yours.

- Yeah, it's good to see preachers around these parts.

A few weeks ago, the horse preacher, Eli,

he was found to be a charlatan.

He was using a boy in a tree to be the Angel Gabriel.

- Sacrilege!

- Yeah.

And it's a shame our country's become so godless

and needs our preachers to be so heavily armed.

- These weapons were gifted to us.

- His blessing.

- You can't be too careful in these parts.

I hear, the Harpes are coming this way.

- As have I,

no doubt to ambush their sworn enemy Colonel Trabue.

I hear he's gathering regulators on account

of what they've done to his boy.

And they aim to have them Harpe brothers hanged.

- Terrible that we've heard tell.

Perhaps we should pay Colonel Trabue a visit?

- Yes.

- Pray for him.

- That would be good.

I apologize for the meager meal gentlemen,

there's not much venison as I haven't been hunting

in the past few weeks.

I seem to have run out of powder

and it's in short supply out here.

- Out of powder?

- No gentlemen, I possibly couldn't.

- Nonsense.

We're taking the last of a man's meat.

At least we can do is give him the powder

to catch something else.

- Bless you, brothers.

It seems you have more experience at this that I.

Would you like to say grace?

- Let us pray.

Oh Lord, we are much obliged for this food we have here.

May it give us the sustenance to carry on your work.

(stiffled laugh)

May the gunpowder, we lent this man

give him a successful hunt

and may Colonel Trabue,

find the Harpes

and bring those evil bastards to justice.

Amen.

- Amen.

- Amen.

Enjoy.

- [Little Harpe] While we masqueraded as men of the cloth,

some believed we were the incarnation of the devil himself.

No justice of man could bring our end

and soon it was on only prayer that men depended.

(rain clattering) (thunder rumbling)

(baby gurgling)

(thunder rumbling)

(rain clattering)

- I've got food for ya.

- The brothers will be coming by tonight.

They'll need food and a place to sleep.

- Must they?

- It's part of the arrangement.

- What do I do if the baby cries and keeps 'em awake?

- Keep the baby quiet.

(thunder rumbling)

And keep your mouth shut, no names.

- Are you headed out?

Is your home open for a night's rest

and a meal and shelter from the storm?

- If you're paying?

- Of course.

(coins clatter)

- Fix him some supper.

Gonna be moving on at first light. Mr. Love.

- Thank you for your hospitality.

- This is a fine meal.

You had a good raising,

I can tell by the taste of your food.

- I've never heard such a thing.

- It's been long told that you can read a woman's raising

by the richness of her flavors.

- My daddy was a carpenter and a dreamer.

We were gonna live on the banks of the Mississippi river.

- Savages?

- Mm, mm.

Our flatboat ran aground.

I had been terrified, ever since we got on that river,

whole time I just kept thinking about

my Blue Ridge Mountains.

Wonder why they weren't enough for him.

We were following Colonel Donaldson.

He got in the current and he couldn't get back to help us.

I saw what they did to my mom and daddy.

I've never seen so much blood.

Me and a couple of others got away.

I don't recall much else after that.

Except when Moses found me.

I remember when he got me.

- And the others?

- I don't know.

(sighs)

My favorite time of year on the mountain is winter.

Snow is so beautiful.

It's pure white and the way the sun'll hit it.

Take your breath away.

- This is a beautiful country.

Perhaps one day it's people will match its splendor.

(baby gurgles)

(door knocking)

(door clicking)

(ominous music)

- Preacher.

- Bless you ma'am.

- William Love.

- I'm Jamieson Crenshaw.

This is my,

brother in Christ, Malachi Johnson.

- Are we late for dinner?

(ominous music continues)

(crockery rattles)

- Let us pray.

Our father who art in heaven,

we give thanks for this meal prepared

by the hands of your child.

And we also give thanks for this fellowship

of like-minded followers.

We pray your hand of protection over our lives.

As we defend ourselves against the devil incarnate

that roams this country.

Amen.

- Amen.

- You're getting quite good at that brother.

- [Big Harpe] What news of the Harpes?

- They hadn't been seen but in a few days,

but Squire McBee had visitors a few nights past,

his dogs kept them at bay.

Could have been savages but McBee swears he could feel

the Harpes in his bones.

Claims that he could smell evil.

- Squire McBee was lucky.

His good dogs were a distraction.

- Don't confuse luck,

with the deliverance of our father's grace.

It is his hand alone that saves us.

- Indeed.

- What brings you to the trace?

- The Lord leads us where he needs us.

- You'll only find carnage behind the Harpes.

It don't matter.

Go west or, or go back east.

They'll kill you for your guns alone.

- I hear they'll kill you for less.

- Thank you for the meal, I'd like to wash up.

Get some rest.

- Mr. Love is up in the loft, there's room in the barn.

- No, no, no, I won't hear of it.

It's not safe.

I'll be parting ways at dawn and any ways,

there's enough room up there for all three of us.

- Mr. Love, you have such a generous spirit.

You shall be blessed.

(loud snoring)

(loud snoring continues)

(loud snoring continues)

(loud snoring continues) (lips smacking)

(ominous music)

(axe thuds)

(baby giggling)

(baby crying)

- Coffee?

- I didn't hear Mr. Love leave?

- Oh, he departed. (baby wailing)

A long time ago.

(baby crying continues) - Shush, shush.

- Just let her cry ma'am.

It's only natural she makes a sound like that.

- It is a cold morning.

Shall I keep the fire going?

- Yeah.

(baby crying)

- You look just like my little one.

(baby crying) - Shush, shush, shush.

(wood bangs)

(ominous music)

(baby crying)

(fire crackling intensely)

(somber music)

- We seen the smoke and come a-running!

- I won't stop until they're dead.

- I've seen enough death and enough blood.

Let the law take them.

- Like hell I will!

- It can't be!

- I'm going to get my horse.

Y'all be ready.

- They'll kill us all.

- You're either with me, or you're dead McBee.

- Dammit to hell!

- We've used all the firepower I can get.

But I get to kill, both of them.

(lively folk music)

(horses trotting)

(lively folk music continues)

(baby crying)

- Lets get moving.

- Let us stay here,

you can come back for us later.

- Doesn't seem like you care too much for us these days.

- We can't go on. (baby crying)

- You going barefoot?

I'm not gonna hurt you.

(gasping)

(dramatic music)

(baby crying)

(dramatic music intensifies)

- Where'd they go? (babies crying)

- You're never gonna catch them!

- Easy Stegall!

- The bodies of my wife and child

were too hot for me to touch!

- Watch out for that tomahawk

or it's gonna end up stuck in your back!

(laughing)

(thuds)

- Are you gonna (indistinct) stitches?

(babies wailing)

(dramatic music)

- Dammit!

- Here, take mine!

Kill the bastard!

(dramatic music continues)

(gasping)

(gunshot bangs)

(grunts)

(grunting continues)

(grunting)

- Hey, I know this man.

He gave me his powder.

You shot him with it.

- He's still breathing.

- Well not for long.

- Hello Moses.

- If he dies, let him die,

if not deliver him to Danville.

- Wake up!

I want you conscious when I cut your head.

- Water.

- Moses! Ain't what you seen enough?

- I killed my brother (indistinct) in a fit of rage,

it's my only regret.

He didn't deserve to die like that.

(grunting)

You're a goddamn rough butcher!

(indistinct) be damned!

(dramatic music) (Big Harpe gurgling)

(dramatic music)

- [Little Harpe] There they left his head as a marker

for all to see,

as a warning to all of our kind.

Susan, Betsy and Sally went on to live normal lives,

almost as if their past was only a nightmare.

And of the one who got away.

I vanished from sight.

But would soon return along another road.

The Natchez Trace.

(dramatic music)

- You know who that is?

That's the remains of a villainous outlaw.

Some called him Big Harpe.

They placed his skull there two years ago,

as a warning to other outlaws, like myself.

Do you know who I am?

- Yes, sir.

You're Captain Samuel Mason.

- [Mason] Captain?

- Fought for our independence.

- Not many remember so.

You are one John Swaney.

In charge of carrying the mail from Natchez to Nashville,

dangerous journey for a man to be making

every two weeks.

- Yes sir.

- Big Harpe,

he was no outlaw though, no not him.

He was a savage and a brute,

no regard the life of man, woman or child.

He'd slay anyone that got in his path.

Hell! He was more savage than the savages!

- As many times as I've been through these woods,

I've never noticed.

I slept under that very tree not very long ago,

to find rest under the remains of such a man.

- No harm'll come to you.

I'm here to find out about what you've heard

on your travels.

- They say sir, that you're a gentlemen robber.

(laughs)

- Well that I am, a gentlemen and a robber.

Mr. Swaney, I think you can do better than that.

- I'm not sure what news I may have

that would be any value to ya.

- All word is a value to someone.

Where would that leave you?

I'm betting you're privy to a lot more information

than you know.

If word tells it, I've been associated with

the likes of him.

- Sir there's been some talk.

- Well go on.

- There's a tale that there was a traveler passing through

Natchez, an older woman there stitched $600

into clothes he was wearing.

He was found robbed, killed just a few days later.

- What does that have to do with me?

- Well in (indistinct), they say you're men

are the ones that did it.

Some say they saw your men in the area when it happened.

Some say your gang has taken up the traditions

of the Harpes, killing, not slaughtering like them.

- A damn lie!

Goddamn lie!

I don't kill for the sake of killing,

not like those despicable sons of Tories!

I don't kill no one, but I can't account for the actions

of each and every one of my men.

Rarely and under the duress of the circumstances,

my men may not have been given the choice,

but to be compared to the brutality of a filthy Harpe.

- Nobody who's met you thinks so, nobody sir.

If I may speak true, it's just rumors

to try to turn the people against you.

- Swaney,

I asked and you told me, that's fair.

I will call on you from time to time,

for now carry on your route,

but tell no one that we spoke.

And sleep sound, knowing that you have no fear

from me or my men.

That sir, I will guarantee.

- Captain!

The rivers are swollen up north.

There'll be heading this way.

It'll just be a matter of time, maybe a week.

If I were you I'd stick to the higher ground.

(soft music)

(cicadas clicking)

(grass rustling)

- We thought they was coming back,

when we heard you getting close, bit jumpy I guess

after last night.

- What happened?

- We was ambushed.

There were six of 'em, but you could tell that

the old man was in charge.

- Mason?

- Yeah sir, that's the name he used.

- Was anybody wounded?

- No sir, not a soul.

- The old man, he only let 'em take half our food.

- They took a couple of pack horses

and most of our weapons

and God only knows what else.

- They took my only pants.

(all laughing)

What? You lot think you have britches big enough to fit?

(laughing)

What are we gonna to do?

We need our supplies.

- I can spread the word at the next settlement,

but it'll be a day before somebody can get here, if then.

Robbers will be gone two counties by then.

I think the only thing for y'all to do is

form up and go after 'em.

They're not gonna use anything that they don't need.

(grass rustling)

- All right.

- Yes.

(laughing)

I've found my pants!

- All right!

- Gentlemen, you best collect your assets, move on.

(grass rustling)

Never look back, see me again.

(laughing)

(folk music)

- Captain Mason, Thomas,

it's splendid to see you both again.

I trusted you were thirsty.

- The last few months been good?

- They most certainly have, there are now more people

moving to and through Natchez than ever before.

- With good fortune, comes concern for caution.

Thomas said we shouldn't show our faces

when we ride into town today.

And after seeing some of the looks as we rode in,

I believe him to be right.

- Sir, I do have some urgent news for you.

There's a Colonel Baker in town who was stirring

the governor against you, he is rushing him to make a

proclamation for your arrest.

I'm distressed to say I only heard this moments before

your arrival.

There's no word as to when he may do this.

But a reward of $900 for your capture was mentioned.

- He's just mad because he let an old military man

get the best of him.

(laughing)

The best thing he can do, is accept defeat and move on.

Alas, traitor he will always be.

And he didn't even attempt to raise his pistol against me.

Just stood there, shaking,

embarrassing himself in front of his men.

- I know the type.

I must say I'm concerned that posting up a reward

may bring trouble against you sooner rather than later.

- Anthony, I think we need to cut this conversation short,

continue at a later time.

- Mr. Glass, it is always a pleasure.

- Madame Aberjais, that pleasure is mine alone.

Please may I introduce you to Captain Samuel Mason

and his son, Thomas Mason.

- It's a pleasure to meet such, gentlemen.

And so well known for it, if the talk around here is true.

Why don't you come see me down near the hill

and unburden yourself of those gentlemanly ways.

- Well I may have a wife.

She is distant in many ways.

- Oh Mr Mason, there's no need for such

unnecessary revelations.

- Madam,

as much as I would love to enjoy

your exquisite company,

our time here will not permit.

And as it saddens me,

I do expect to see you very soon.

- Make sure he knows the way you would you?

I'd hate for him to get lost, when time permits, Captain.

(indistinct chatter)

(footsteps clatter)

- We should go.

- Let us take our leave through the back.

- Our horses are out front, take leave partner.

Shall we?

(ominous music)

(stalls clatter)

(whips cracking)

(whip cracking continues)

- Innocent!

(whips cracking)

Innocent!

- Ladies and gentlemen, I was on the jury.

If I had my say, they woulda hung,

those rampants, killers,

deserve to hang.

No pity for them!

(whips cracking)

- Liar!

You're lying!

(somber music)

You've just punished an innocent man!

And the next time I'm punished,

mark my words,

I'll be guilty as sin!

Haw! Haw!

(horses trotting)

I've been waiting two full days for you.

Comforted by the thought, of blowing off your head.

And what did my son and I ever do to harm you?

What gave you the right to proclaim that

we should hang for a crime we did not commit?

- Nothing gave me the right, if I was wrong it was only

because the Colonel and May were dead set you were

the ones that done it.

I was just following orders, please, please I beg you,

I have a wife and young 'uns.

- Get down on your knees, say your last prayers.

Take your hat off!

Do you talk to God with it on?

Pray I said!

- Oh heavenly Father, protect my helpless wife

and young 'uns, spare their lives and spare my life.

- Sir.

The satisfaction of splitting your skull,

it's not worth the sin I'd have to carry for eternity.

Let me say,

you might just be the last fortunate man I meet.

(ominous music)

(footsteps crunching)

- Mason.

(grunts)

(fire crackling)

(ominous music continues)

- Spotters confirmed that there was six of 'em.

So we mounted up and I lead out 14 men

feeling very confident that we was gonna kill 'em quickly

and get back to our mundane soldiering.

Well, when we got close,

I could see that we were flanked by hundreds on both sides.

The first group, let me pass

and before I could turn my horse around,

I could see my men dying right before my very eyes.

Tomahawks come raining down,

from more men than I could count.

I fell from my horse and I was crawling

through all the fury,

while being trampled by all the horses.

And unbeknownst to me,

Captain Ogle had rushed from the fort with 12 men of his own

ignorant to the numbers he was fixing to face.

But he caused a distraction,

which allowed me to crawl under a felled tree

and I laid there hiding until all the Indians fell.

Me and my 14 men,

had rode in to over 400 Indians

that was hiding in the corn,

in the grass,

just like ghosts.

Out of the 28 that faced the hundreds,

only five of us lived.

(footsteps crunching)

- Father, these two were making so much noise,

they didn't even hear me when I rode upon 'em

and I wasn't even trying to be that quiet.

This dark one here, had this one tied up,

stringing him behind his horse.

He said he wants to join us

and brought this bounty hunter as a token.

He's got a reward paper with your name on it.

- I ain't hunting nobody.

I promise you.

I swear to God.

Two days ago, I woke up with this man

standing over top of me with a knife.

And that son of a bitch, wouldn't give me no water,

he made me piss myself.

Now what kind of a man makes another man piss his self?

- Where'd you get the paper?

- I was given it to pass it along, sir,

I ain't no bounty hunter.

I ain't outfitted for it.

I was given that paper in Natchez just to pass along.

- Billy, go get that paper.

- Man that gave me it said he was gonna make sure

that paper was on every fence post between Nachez

and Nashville.

Sir, I'm just walking to Nashville to care for my mama.

God's word on that.

- Nights like tonight,

make me feel grateful

that I can reminisce here,

with my Patriots.

We are free men.

Living on free land, given to us by the good Lord above

and our very own blood.

We choose our own path.

The path that is different from the other crooks.

The real crooks wanna bend men at their will

by making up laws and writing proclamations.

The noble governor calls us pirates and robbers!

(laughing)

Well, hell, he's got us there!

(laughing)

They say that Samuel Mason is the leader of the Bandede.

Along with a man named,

Harpe.

Why, oh why, do they associate our good name

with such dishonorable heathens?

- How much are we worth Captain?

- $2,000.

For $2,000,

I think I'll find Little Harpe myself

and deliver his head to the governor.

Let this man, be gone,

so he can go take care of his mama.

He ain't gonna do us no harm.

- Thank you.

- And you,

you say you wanna join up?

- [Little Harpe] Yes, sir.

- What's your name?

- Setton sir,

John,

Setton.

(ominous music)

(dramatic music)

- [Little Harpe] And so I found myself in the company

of Samuel Mason's gang and on the run

from our own countrymen.

We made our way into Spanish territory.

(dramatic music)

(crickets chirping)

(crickets chirping loudly)

(twig cracks)

(footsteps crunching)

- I thought I heard somebody.

(door bangs)

- Who might be Samuel Mason?

- I am.

Who the hell are you?

- Captain Vasquez of the Spanish militia.

Mr. Mason, I place you under arrest.

- I have broke no law.

You have the wrong man!

- Your days of piracy have ended.

- You must prove these false lies.

I demand to face my accusers!

- You only have to face me.

- [Captain Vasquez] The magistrate.

- Some of you have no avenue for escaping the execution.

A few may have a path if you so choose to go.

There are accusations of activity from scoundrels

on the trails and the waterway.

There may be leniency for one, perhaps two.

If you're willing to testify.

(ominous music)

- I have been taken hostage by these men.

He has taken me hostage.

I've been afraid to speak,

but I've seen things, terrible things

of which I was not a participant.

(punch thuds)

I am John Setton, just a farmer fallen prey to these men.

As I told you before, they've taken me captive.

Samuel Mason,

he is an evil man.

I've heard them talk, all of them.

They're all murderers and thieves.

My only hope for survival was to pretend

as if I was one of them until I could escape.

Your arrival,

gives me only joy.

- What have you heard them speak of?

- You must protect me.

- He does not speak for me, for or against,

his hands are as red as anybody in this room!

- I have heard them speak of the river.

Having spies to board the boats and lure them ashore

where they wait.

And the women, they have women to wait by the roadside

and summon the passersby so that they may be robbed

and killed.

- All lies!

- Silence that man!

(slap thuds)

Why should I accept what you say is the truth?

Perhaps you're Samuel Mason out to save your own soul.

- Samuel Mason has already confessed to his identity.

Do you have the name of John Setton on your papers?

An innocent man would come forward.

I have nothing to hide.

- I don't know what was being said over there,

but rest assured he was only trying to save his own skin.

- Mr. Setton says you are the outlaw Samuel Mason.

- Yes sir, I am, but I am no outlaw.

My boy and I are farmers.

And that is none other than the man

named Wiley Harpe over there, better known as Little Harpe,

the last alive of the two brothers.

- I have heard of this man's reputation, as well as yours.

- I would say yes, but he's the one that's been doing

all the robbing and killing,

using good folks' names like mine

to deceive the authorities.

- What do you know of these crimes alleged?

- I do not know anything other than what I've heard.

I have not participated in any crimes.

- What of have taking Mr. Setton hostage?

- I took him in from April, only to be told

by a traveler his true name.

- A traveler?

- Yes, a traveler that was so scared to be seen with him,

that he left in haste.

- It would appear no one here knows how to speak the truth.

- You have no proof of any crime

that has been committed here.

You must release us

or there will be need for answers for what has happened

here today.

- Oh, you will be released,

to the authorities on the American side of the river.

They can have their way with you.

(footsteps crunching)

- This is an illegal extradition.

- The Americans will soon be here

and they will take you to Natchez.

- I was once a soldier, like you.

- You know what's gonna happen, when we get to Natchez.

Let's set aside our differences,

with our combined efforts, we can still escape.

- Even if it means my sudden death,

I will never join forces with the likes of you.

Bringing you into our company

is the second biggest mistake I've made.

- And the first?

- Leading us down this road.

(ominous music)

(footsteps crunching)

- Captain Vasquez,

I'm Captain Ballenger, I have papers for these men.

The rest of my men are watering the horses

around that bend in the river.

(ominous music continues)

- Yes, I've followed you all the way, Mr Harpe.

(ominous music)

(water glugging) (footsteps crunching)

- Hold up!

I'm thirsty.

- Keep 'um moving.

(gunshot bangs)

Stop! (gunshot bangs)

(Mason yelps)

(gunshot bangs) (Ballenger grunts)

(dramatic music)

(Ballenger grunts)

(dramatic music continues)

(water splashes)

(dramatic music continues)

- Harpe!

- What are you doing here?

- I got word they come fetch ya.

Figured I could be of some use.

I see you made your way into the Mason gang,

just like we planned.

- There was no plan for the Spanish bastards.

If it wasn't for them, I'd have Mason by now.

- We could make our way back up river, to Kentuck.

- I will collect the bounty.

He can't be far.

(ominous music)

- [Little Harpe] Mason!

I'm coming for you!

(ominous music continues)

(Mason breathes heavily)

- No.

Leave,

before they reach us.

- Not without you.

This began together and that's how it shall end.

- Go,

and live, as if it never began.

(footsteps crunching)

Go Thomas!

(footsteps crunching)

(ominous music continues)

(footsteps crunching)

I'm pleased you, came to my rescue.

- I had to make sure you were indeed dead.

- You didn't wanna, be looking at your shadows

for the rest of your life.

(gunshots booming)

- Harpe, we gotta get out of here.

(gunshot booming)

- I think they just killed your boy.

- They'll find you too.

(footsteps crunching)

- Not, before I kill you.

- Our time has come.

(gunshot bangs)

(gasping)

(crickets chirping) (water splashing)

- About another day to Nachez.

Hid me some fresh clothes, under the hill

before we turn 'em in.

- That stuff help keep the rot away?

- Them bounty hunters use it, collect their reward,

been known to keep slaughtered meat putrefied

for a week or more.

Otherwise you could pass off anyone's head as an outlaws

(laughing)

- Tis true, hell couple of days of rot

you could even say it was your own head.

- I reckon,

would be nice if they thought I was dead.

- Mm, mm, yep it's just too bad we don't have another,

we could collect on both.

- Too bad.

(ominous music)

I'm John Setton,

to whom do I inquire about a bounty?

- Bounty?

- What outlaw did you kill?

- Samuel Mason!

- But we received word he escaped the Spanish envoy.

- And I found him,

well what was left of him after the fight.

He was a formidable foe certainly,

but I did him in.

And,

I was able to snuff out the life

of one of his confederates.

Wiley Harpe!

I do not know much about this bandit,

but I do know that he goes by the name of Little Harpe

and he's as much a scoundrel as his older brother.

- That man is Little Harpe!

I knew him years ago when I was in Danville.

- She's right, that is a Little Harpe.

- My name is John Setton.

- He has a mark under his left breast,

a scar given to him by Captain Ballenger!

- [Little Harpe] Of course I was tried and found guilty

of multiple crimes.

They sentenced me to hang by the neck until dead.

(gasping and grunting)

Some of the towns folk cut me down and decapitated my body.

My head was placed on a pike,

a warning to others less they follow the ways

of these outlaw men.

(ominous music)

The rest of my body was buried

and then exhumed for some did not want it near town.

(ominous music continues)

I was finally laid along one of the many roads

where my kind and I made our way.

And that is where I still am today.

(lively folk music)