$%#&7####!##8914###0.

###

!"#$%#&7:; $%#&7####!###

!"#$%#&'#(#&& $%#&'####!###<8,)=##0.

alone while we interrogate the prisoner. MAN 4. Well just keep an eye out that he dont escape. SAM. Your assistance is appreciated (they sit at the table and Sam pushes his bowl of stew over to the kid, who eats). JIM. Whered you learn all those numbers and legal talk? SAM. I made them up. I been thinking about becoming a lawyer. JIM. We been mustered out. We dont have jurisdiction over this kid. Were civilians now. SAM. I was hoping they wouldnt read those papers (to the boy) Whats your name? NATE. Nathan Jackson. SAM. How old are you? NATE. Sixteen. SAM. So, you a deserter? NATE. Naw. He caught me in the barn with his daughter. Beat the tar out of me. Said he doubted he could kill me and get away with itbut if he couldnt do it one way, hed do it another. He concocted that story about me being a deserter. I gure he was hoping a mob would do it for him. SAM. What about the girl? NATE. It didnt get as far as he fears. What are you going to do with me? SAM. Follow me (they start for their room but Buck steps in). BUCK. Where you going with him? SAM. Im taking him to our room. Tomorrow well start for Nashville. BUCK. How do I know youll take him there? SAM. Sir, as a veteran of this war I have less sympathy for him than you do. I have every intention of seeing him hanged. I offer you two items of proof. The rst is, if you can afford to leave your family and your crops in the eld, I would welcome your company. This is the second proof (he turns to Nate) You cowardly son of a bitch I hope to see you hang (he backhands Nate, then turns to Buck). Where do you stand now sir? BUCK. I cant afford to leave my farm. But it looks like I can trust you. SAM. Sir, I wont betray your trust. Ive got friends who died at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and at the terrible Battle of Camargo whose trust I will not betray either. BUCK. Camargo? SAM. News is coming. Were in the vanguard. Another great victory for ole Rough and Ready. BUCK. That man should be president of the United States. SAM. I hear hes already opened his campaign. BUCK. (to Nate) I hope you get what you deserve boy (Buck backs away). SAM. (whispering to Nate) Sorry I had to do that. Here comes more of the show (tossing him down the hall) Get along you son of a bitch! Scene 17 (Their room, late at night, storm outside. All asleep. Camila sits by a window. Nate, on the oor, is having a nightmare). NATE. waterdont give himhes gut shotoh dear God hes thirstyfor Gods sakehe wants water

$%#&&#>1+29?

&6

#!)#*+,#*,)-#.)/#0+11#!2,345