Come in. Welcome. I meet you, Marshall. Join
me in a journey over a strange terrain. A terrain
filled with terror. and clouded by suspense.
And ask, ask yourself, how long is a minute?
What is eternity? And learn, perhaps, that one
can be as long as the other. What you got in
that wagon? Nothing. Nothing at all, sir. What
do you mean nothing? Nothing but hay. Is that
so? Let's find out. You men, fix bayonets. Now
let's take a minute. Just one little minute and
find out. Fiddle like that hay. Trust. That's
it. Up and down, all the way across. That's it.
Anybody get his blade of big red? Keep it up.
We'll just take a minute. That's it, that's it,
that's fine. All right, man, that's enough. Now,
Mr. Farmer, it's on your way. Mr. Forrester,
Mr. Forrester, are you all right? Mr. Forrester!
Our mystery drama an occurrence at Old Creek
Bridge was adapted from the story by Ambrose
Bierce Especially for the mystery theater by
Sam Dan and stars William Prince I'll be back
shortly with act one They're going to hang Peyton
Forrester hang him by the neck until he is dead.
Hang him high from the top of the Owl Creek Bridge,
50 feet above the rushing torrent, which is now
raging in full flood. Peyton Forrester stands
on a single fragile plank. The rope is already
around his neck. 30 feet of slack neatly coiled
beside his boots. But this is not a lynching,
nor even an ordinary execution. This is a formal
military ceremony. Peyton Forrester is a rebel,
literally a southern civilian, and he has been
captured by the Union Army in the fall of this
year of 1863, as he tried to sabotage the Owl
Creek railroad bridge, and now he must pay the
price. Actually, the only distress evident in
the entire scene seems to be manifested by a
young soldier, who with his corporal is stationed
some 10 feet from Peyton Forrester, where they
serve solemnly. as his guards. Corporal? Just
stand steady, boy. As you stand steady. I'm gonna
be sick. No, you ain't, woody boy. No, you ain't.
Now, this thing will be over in less than a minute.
See? Corporal? See? Sergeant Smith getting the
board ready. I don't want to know it. I don't
want to know. Just you take some deep breaths,
son. You're gonna be alright. Like I said, he's
positionin' the board that's supportin' the plank
that Johnny Reb is standin' on. I said I don't
wanna look! Now nobody says you gotta look, Woody
Boy. Only it's a pity to miss a good hangin'.
How many do you expect to see in your lifetime?
I don't wanna see none. This one here. This is
a prime hangin'. So much of the time you get
to see cutthroats and riffraff and lowlifes.
But here, you got a gentleman. Corporal? Yeah,
boy? The prisoner. What about the prisoner? What
do you suppose the prisoner is thinking about
right now? What indeed am I thinking about? I'm
thinking that the water I see below me has been
turned to gold by the early sun. Cold. Golden.
The same golden tint I see in Millicent's hair.
I'm thinking of Millicent. Millicent. Golden
Millicent. And I hear... I hear the very last
word she spoke to me. It seems... ages. Centuries
ago. Is it true? Can... it be true that... it
was only last night? Peyton? Yes, Mellison Toppy?
Now, young Robbie told me he was here. Robbie?
I thought he was raiding Yankee supply lines.
He was. He's back. He's safe now. Bless him.
But he needs a host. We can have anything he
wants. Bring him in here. Fine. Why do you keep
him waiting? Now you and I must talk first, Peyton.
You mean one of the true heroes of our country
must be kept cooling his heels while you and
I... Oh, he's not exactly cooling his heels,
Peyton. He's busy having his first decent meal
and waiting. But I want to see him this minute.
After all, he hasn't much time to spend here.
Must be in a rush to get home, see his folks.
He's not headed home. He's not? No, he's off
on a mission. What do you mean? Well, it has
something to do with blowing up a bridge someplace.
Well, then he needs help. Peyton, I was afraid.
I've been sitting here doing nothing for almost
three years. Now, that's not true. You've been
raising food and you've been growing copper.
Well, better men have been getting killed. Now,
what you're doing is more important. It's safer
and easier. Well, is it not your fault the doctors
say you're unfit to serve? I'm fitting up to
help Robbie Tompkins blow up a bridge. Oh, Peyton,
darling. No, no, no, honey. You know, I can't
shirk if there's a job to be done. You've got
your job. No, honey It's not enough don't go
What are we arguing about? He hasn't even asked
me. He'll ask you Peyton. He'll ask you I've
got no choice, please Please listen to me. You've
always been a man of honor now be a man of common
sense What's that supposed to mean? Peyton the
war is over What are you saying? We had been
bled quiet at Gettysburg. The war has just begun.
Patent for six months, maybe a year. There'll
be more slaughter, but it'll be for nothing.
The war is over. Don't say that. But it's the
truth. Millicent, don't you believe anymore?
I believe we need a miracle. Then we'll have
a miracle. We'll work harder. We'll fight harder.
We'll pray harder. You'll see. You'll have that
miracle. You, Mr. Peyton Forster! Robbie, Robbie,
you young scoundrel! You come in here this minute!
Oh, Peyton, Peyton, you are a sight for sore!
Tell me, tell me how you outsmarted the Yankees.
You tell me everything. Later, later, right now
I need all the darkness I can get. Hey, what's
this about a bridge? The railroad bridge at Owl
Creek. But the Yankees hit Owl Creek already?
That bridge must be destroyed, Peyton. One little
barrel of gunpowder? One of the truss? On this
side of the river? I figured you'd know the exact
spot, and I've got the gunpowder too. Fuses,
all we need. Payton! Payton! Jeff Stewart's cattle
is here. Darling, by the time we explain it to
General Stewart, we could turn that whole entire
bridge into burnt matchsticks. Now, now, Robbie.
Yes, sir. Now, you go round the back. Get yourself
a horse. You should leave in five minutes. Yes,
sir! Hey, honey, you know I have no choice. I
hear the Yankee general has issued an order.
Any civilian caught interfering with the railroad,
the bridges, the tunnels, the trains... ...will
be hanged! I know, Millicent. We do the same.
I beg you not! And you know what I must do. But
you have children! Am I the only father in the
South? Then I won't let you go! Millicent! Please,
help me. What can I do to... Pray for me. Pray...
for the miracle. Robbie, up yonder, the bridge.
We must be right in the middle of the Yankee
camp, Peyton. Keep low to the ground. They will
see us. So I said to Mama, I promise I ain't
gonna check up with any bad women. I hope wouldn't
you get your promise. Well, I ain't had a chance
to test it one way or the other so far, Corporal.
To tell the truth, Woody, actually there ain't
no such thing as a bad woman. That should be
a corporal. Maybe five, six men. Let's move to
the right. No. Hey, Corporal? You hear something
out there? Son, you start seeing Johnny Rebs
behind every tree and we won't get a wink of
sleep. But I'm sure I heard... This fence is
supposed to be pulling guard, Woody, out there.
Hold it, Robbie. There's a century between us
and the bridge. Yeah, I see it this way We have
to get rid of him. I'll do it. He doesn't know
we're here as he walks past. I'll jump in He
is dead pay Let's go set the king in place Like
the fuse or dive into the water swim for it.
Hey, it's time to relieve Spencer. Hey, man Monion
Woody will stand guard. Hurry, Robbie. Spencer!
Corporal, I hear somebody out there. Everybody,
grab your weapons on the double right. Give me
the fuse, Robbie. There they are! I'm hit. I'm
hit. Robbie, let me... No, no runs were taken.
I'm sorry. We can take them alive! What's he
thinking about, Corporal? Waiting there for the
rope to snap. What must he be thinking about?
What would any man be thinking about, Woody?
The wife? The kids? I wish we hadn't caught him
last night. It was our duty. It would have been
so much better if we'd have shot him like his
pal. You hear that, Woody? What? I... I hear
nothing. Nothing. That's exactly it. Nothing.
Sergeant Smith has just finished positioning
his board. He has got it in a state now where
one more blow releases the plank Peyton Forrester
is standing on. And then, down he goes. Kill
the ropesnaps. I don't want to hear it. Look,
the Captain knows Sergeant Smith is ready. When
he raises Then lowers his sword Sergeant Smith
is gonna give that board one whack And that's
it And Forreston knows it He can see it What
must that man be thinking about I'm no longer
thinking son, I'm praying Praying for a miracle.
I'm praying the rope is going to snap and break.
I'll get my hands free. I'll fall into the river
and get carried away swiftly away from here to
safety. That's what I'm doing, son. I'm praying.
Praying for the miracle. Just in medicine is
praying. Just your praying through what I've
been told by your voice, son. You don't want
me to die this way. With all of us praying, has
to be a miracle. Has to be. Oh dear lord. The
captain, he's raising his saber, he... Woody,
you don't have to look. He's bringing it down.
Goodbye, Johnny Reb. Corporal, look! The rope!
The rope! Snap! It broke! Is it broke? Is it
broke? It's a miracle! It's a miracle! It's free!
Hold your head up! It's getting free! Come up
for air! It's getting it! Hold it loose! It's
free! It's free! Air! Air! In the air! Air! Air!
There he is! Move him down the screen! Captain,
there he is! A miracle. Perhaps if you want something
strongly enough and pray hard enough, the rope
can break, the rifles can miss, and you will
not drown in the raging torrent. Miracles do
happen. Have we had one here? We may find out
when I return shortly with Act Two. It is late
in the year 1863. Peyton Forrester, a southern
civilian, has attempted to sabotage the railroad
bridge high across Owl Creek. He's been caught
by the Union Army. and hanged from the bridge.
No, not quite. As his living body hurtled downward,
the rope that was supposed to snap and break
his neck instead broke. Peyton has fallen unharmed
into the stream. A squad of soldiers is in rapid
but futile pursuit. It's a miracle! A miracle!
You can't shoot a miracle! Spread the alarm!
He's escaped. I've got to get to Jim Stewart.
I've got to. If we destroy the bridge, the whole
Yankee army and this side will be cut off. No
supplies, no ammunition. I've got to get to Jim
Stewart. Please, ma 'am. I won't yet. I've got
a rifle aimed at your head. I mean you no harm.
I need your help. I'm Peyton Forrester. Peyton
Forrester? I know you're just a second. I've
still got this gun aimed at your... Good Lord.
It is Mr. Forrester. Come in. Come inside. I'm
Sally Watson. The ganks are after me. Just a
bite of bread and a glass of water. I... Have
to keep moving. Peter Forrester, the man the
Yankees couldn't kill. I have to hurry. You have
to rest. No, there's not time. But you're gonna
drop. Sit down, sir. Sit for a minute. Just for
a minute. Now, I've got a piece of meat here
and I'll eat it with some beer. No, I don't have
time. You just read. There's a storm coming up.
A storm? You can hear the wind. I don't hear
nothing. Can't you hear the whistle of the wind?
The whole Yankee arm is out looking for you,
Mr. Fowler. Where's General Jeff Stewart? I reckon
he's a good ten miles southwest. I've got to
get to Stewart. Now first, you have something
to eat. How far the Yankees come since last night?
Well, I hear they're past Tuckersburg. Well,
then that means they've already reached my place.
I can't just sit here. Jeff has something to
eat. You have to do enough traveling. Look, down
the road. I can't get before. And it's headed
this way. Better not be found here. You have
to hide. Where? In the cellar. No, no, no. It's
the first place they go. It's your only chance.
If they find me here, you'll be shot for sheltering
a fugitive. They won't shoot a woman. The least
they'll do is burn your house down. Why, you
just let them. Well, my only chance is to run
for it. Get out the back way. I'll help them
out for you. Hurry. Hurry before they see you.
Bye, Miss Watson. Goodbye, Mr. Forrester. Let's
search that house, man. Now you men out there,
that's far enough! This stuff where you are,
it is private property! We mean you no harm,
lady. We're looking for a fugitive. Well, I ain't
seen none. We're obliged to search your house,
ma 'am. You just stand where you are. I know
how to use this rifle. That's another thing,
ma 'am. Civilians ain't supposed to have weapons.
You'll have to hand that over. You want this
rifle? You just come and get it. Now ma 'am,
be reasonable. Nobody has to get hurt. Look out,
corporal! I'm sorry, ma 'am. I'm awful sorry.
Mr. Forrest. Frank Forrest. He'll never get you,
sir. Nobody can ever catch you. John Rayburn!
Mr. Forrest! The Yankees are after me. You don't
have to worry about the Yankees, Mr. Forrest.
They can't kill you. Nobody, nothing can kill
you. Let me hide in your wagon. Underneath your
load of hay. Yankees are still down along the
scene, but they're headed this way. Soon a storm
will drive them back to camp. For what storm?
Can't you hear the storm? The wind! Oh, sure.
But they'll have to come this way. They must
have seen me, Raver. Get underneath the hay,
Mr. Forrester. Get underneath quicker and lightning.
Hey, you all set, Mr. Forrester? Next chance.
I broke down, banded your leg and poke edge.
Get up! There's just no sign of him, Corporal.
All right. Rest of you men, let's head back.
I guess he got away, huh, Corporal? Well, not
for long. He's still a good ways from the rebel
lines. We got men sweeping every square inch
of the ground. What's that? Well, since you come
from the city, Corporal, that's a hay wagon.
Yeah? Well, we'll see about that. Hey, you! What
you got on that wagon? Guess I got me a load
of hay. What else? Well, nothing else. Nothing
else, huh? You sure? You're sure there's nothing
living in that load? Well, there might be one
or two field mice. Sometimes they get pitched
in with the hay. Field mice, eh? Yeah, maybe.
Maybe not. Well, let's see. Let's see about everything.
You men, fix bayonets. Now, let us ventilate
that hay a little bit. Rust! That's it. Up and
down. All the way across. Come on now. Put a
little muckle in there. That's not how I taught
you to use a bayonet. Right. Right. That's it.
Everybody's doing just fine. Anybody got himself
a little red on his blade? No? Well, maybe there's
just hay in there after all. All right, man.
All right. That's enough. See? Bayonets good
for something else beside roastin' potatoes.
What's your name, Rebel? Zeke Rayburn. Mr. Rayburn?
Go your way. Go in peace. You're a fortunate
man. Indeed you are. Get up! Get up! Mr. Forster!
Mr. Forrester, are you all right? Mr. Forrester,
it's all right to come out now. Yes. Yes, I'm
all right. Had a bayonet. Thrust through my coat.
That was all. The Lord be praised, Mr. Forrester.
The Lord be praised. You'd better get your load
in before the storm hits, Reverend. What storm,
Mr. Forrester? But don't you hear it? Hear what?
The wind. Can't you hear it whistle past your
ears? No, no sir. It must be my imagination.
We're lucky there was infantry soldiers. What
do you mean? There was cavalry. They might have
decided to take the hay for their own horses
and it would have been all over for you. How
far is it? Tower lines? It's no more than a mile
and a half. Here's where we start running into
patrols. You'd be better off on foot. At least
you'd have trees and bushes for cover. You're
right. Thank you, Ribbon. I'm grateful. That's
all of us who want to be grateful to you, Mr.
Forrester. Everybody's talking about it. It's
like a miracle. Yes, Ribbon. It is. Now, you
keep to the line of trees on your left. You follow
them into a little ravine. And on the other side
is Jim Stewart's cavalry. Goodbye, Raven. Goodbye,
Mr. Forrester. Forrester? Forrester, don't be
scared. Who? Who are you? Lieutenant Burns with
Stewart's cavalry. What? There's a Yankee troop
up ahead. You scared one of the sentries. Last
till just for a minute. What? What are you doing
here? Well, some of us come out to look for you.
I figure you'd be headed this way. What then?
I'm saved? Saved? Well, we've got to get home
first, but that's nothing. I've got a squad in
back of me. When I give the signal, they'll open
fire. And while everybody's shooting, you and
I'll sneak away. Are you ready? Ready. Now! Let's
go, partner. Let's go! Peyton Forrester. General
Stewart. Mr. Forrester, let me shake your hand.
Word of your exploit has spread through the entire
South. Sir, I can only say I prayed for a miracle.
And we needed it. It's been a dark year for us.
But now, men, women throughout the country are
taking heart once more. Thank you, sir. You had
to make your way through an entire Union army
to get here. I had help, sir. Loyal Southerners
fed me. Sheltered me and even fought for me.
We're gonna win this war Forester I've never
been as convinced of it as I am now. I see new
spirit in all my men and it's all due to you.
I I only did my duty sir and well No No, I can't
say I did my duty. I failed you fail. Yes, sir.
I I didn't accomplish my mission. Robbie Thumpkins
and I set out to destroy the Owl Creek Bridge.
Robbie's dead, and the bridge still stands. The
explosion was not strong enough. The bridge must
be destroyed. But I don't have the men. But you
don't need men. Oh, it's strange. What's strange?
The wind feels like a storm and yet... And yet
the trees are still. Why do you say I don't need
men to take Owl Creek Bridge? The wind. Why is
the wind howling like that? Why don't I need
men, Forrester? Because I'm not talking about
an assault. Just give me one volunteer and we'll
accomplish what Robbie and I set out to do last
time. You'll never get near the bridge. General,
the Federals have at least three divisions this
side of Owl Creek. If we destroy the bridge...
We cut their only supply line. We have them in
a trap. You think you can do it? It's part of
the miracle. The bridge, it was meant to be destroyed.
That's why I was saved. So I could try it again.
And this time, succeed. One miracle, evidently,
is not enough. What Peyton Forrester is asking
for is another. And why not? If it's a question
of knowing how to ask, certainly Peyton Forrester
has discovered the secret. However, it's also
possible to run out of miracles. We will be enlightened
when I return shortly with Act Three. The first
time Peyton Forrester tried to destroy the Owl
Creek Bridge, the Union Army caught him and tried
to hang him. But Peyton prayed for a miracle,
and somehow the rope broke at just the right
moment, and he fell into the river unharmed.
He has made his way to General Jeb Stuart, who
has given him the gunpowder to try it again.
I'm your volunteer, Mr. Forrester. Lieutenant
Burns. You realize this mission must be performed
in civilian clothes. Oh, I'm aware of that. And
you know the penalty if we're caught? Same penalty
we exact from the Union spies that are caught,
Mr. Forrester. We'll need the powder and the
fuses. And I'll need some hair to make a false
beard and mustache. What's that, sir? I should
have a white shirt. And so should you, incidentally.
Why, sir? Burns, do you know anything about medicine?
No, sir. Yes, you do, Burns. You're our doctor.
Me? We're both. Medical men. You see, my face
is well known. I'll need disguise. I need a way
to march up to that bridge as bold as brass.
But how, sir? I told you, there'll be a pair
of medical doctors. But who's going to believe
them? Everybody! Why shouldn't they? We'll even
have the proper papers. Millicent. Oh, Peyton.
Oh, it's you. If the disguise can fool my own
wife. Darling, Yankee soldiers patrol through
here all the time. Oh, I know, I know. Oh, you're
alive. I prayed so hard. We prayed for the miracle,
Millicent. Now, I want to see you more than anything
in all the world. But why are you back this way?
Darling, the whole Union only is after you. You
should be hiding. I haven't completed my mission.
Peyton. The Yankees mustn't find you here! Millicent,
I... Honey, honey... What is it, Peyton? My neck...
Something seems to be rubbing against my neck.
It's something stiff, something sharp. You're
not well. You're not well, darling. It was such
a horrible experience. You're real. No, no, no,
no, no. I'm all right. I need an eight straight.
I came home. I saw you. I'm all right. I'm all
right now. Peyton, you're not listening to me.
Payton, what is it? Listen to the wind, Millicent.
The wind. How it whistles and screams. Payton,
I'm frightened. And now I must go. Hide. Hide,
Payton. I'll hide with you. Our creek bridge
still stands. Everyone knows you've gone now.
I must go back to the bridge. I won't let you.
I won't let you go. Please, listen to me, Millicent.
No, no more. that endless senseless killing.
What's the good of it? Millicent, we're fighting
for our homes. We've lost Payton. We've lost...
I prayed, Millicent. I stood on that bridge and
that barrel plank with a thick rough rope around
my neck. I can still feel it scratch and burn
my skin and I prayed. I prayed, let there be
a miracle. Save me this time. Save me so I can
come back and do it right. Destroy the bridge.
The war is lost, Peter. Destroy the bridge and
we can capture an entire Union army. Tell me
the supplies, food, ammunition. Destroy the bridge
and we can win the war. That little place we
have big in the woods? No one ever goes there.
You can hide there and be safe there. I was saved
from the news. So I could go back and destroy
the bridge. Why did you come back to talk to
me? I had to come see you. I had to see you.
Peyton, if you love me. Because I love you. And
the children. And this house. And our land and
the country. It's all tied together. Darling,
I never knew how truly golden the highlights
are in your hair. Did I saw the water in the
morning sunlight? Stay, Peyton. Stay here. Don't
ask me. Don't ask me again. Am I weak? Please,
don't ask me again. Millicent, I must get to
the bridge before the storm. Storm? What storm?
The wind. Don't you hear the wind, Helen? The
house was shrieks. There was no no Mr. Forrester,
what is it? Shouldn't we stop for a rest sir?
No time the horse your face. They could use a
breather You have to get there before the storm
sir. There's no sign of a storm. Oh I can feel
it I can feel it coming. The wind's getting stronger.
The wind, sir? It's so gale, but I... Uh -oh,
look. There, up ahead. That's the Yankee picket.
All right. Well, sir, let's turn off the road
before they see us. But, Lieutenant Burns, they
want them to see us. Now, are we gone? Act calm.
Yes, sir. Remember, you're a doctor. Yes, sir.
I'll try to remember. Any casual? Any natural?
But, uh, but suppose, uh... Suppose? Suppose
what? Well, suppose they decide to search our
bag. Oh, no. Not even today. These are our medical
supplies and equipment, remember? Yes, sir. I
hope so. Now, uh, veterans, just try to look
dignified. Yes, sir. But, uh, look wise. You
know, just like a doctor. Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
I, I, uh, I'm trying. Strange. What, sir? The
wind. Gale. What happened to it? I don't know
what you're talking about, sir. The wind. It
sounded like a hurricane. And you can't be deaf,
can you? No, sir, but I didn't hear anything.
And now, for some reason, it suddenly died away.
Gone. Yes, sir. So still. Oh, yes, it is, sir.
It certainly is. Except I'm so worthless, sir.
Oh, there's nothing to be afraid of, Burns. Nothing
except something scratching my neck and biting
at my throat. Well, it's too cold for mosquitoes,
sir. Something's starting to press at it. Press
on my throat? Sir, are you all right? What happened
to that wind? Well, and who might you two gentlemen
be? Corporal, I'm Dr. Jones. My friend here is
Dr. Burns. Your friend got a voice? Of course,
Corporal. And why don't he answer for himself?
He's my assistant. Is that true? Are you Dr.
Burns? Oh, oh yes, Corporal. Well, let's see
what we got here. We've got one gentleman who
claims to be Dr. Jones, another who says he's
Dr. Burns. Corporal, if you don't mind, we happen
to be on an errand of mercy. Is that so? Well,
tell me about it. Now, we have permission from
your General Grant to... to... Something wrong,
Doctor? Oh, Corporal, I just seem to have something
in my throat. You were saying you had permission
from the General to... To do what? Would you
to visit some of our wounded prisoners? You do,
huh? Yes Here is the safe conduct mine and dr.
Burns Woody Bring the lantern Hold this up See
what it says what a year you're better at reading
than I am The bearer of this safe conduct is
to be permitted free passage within the lines
controlled by Union forces in order to perform
medical errands of mercy. Signed U .S. Grant,
Lieutenant General. That's what it says, Woody.
That's what it says, Corporal. Hand them back
to Patriot. Woody. Woody. What is it, Corporal?
What are you looking at, Woody? What are you
staring at the doctor for? I'm not... Do you
know him from someplace? No. I mean, where would
I know him from? Well, doctors, be on your way.
Thank you, Corporal. Magnificent. I can only
say, sir, that you were magnificent. We have
to get to the bridge, quickly. I could never
have handled it that way, sir. Hurry! The bridge
is just up ahead, sir. I... I... I'm beginning
to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning
to feel... Here's the bridge, sir. Easy, boy.
A little slower. Now, where do you want to plant
the charge? Charge. Where do you want to plant
the powder? We have to plant the powder. We have
to plant it. Here, here. Right, right around.
Here, here. Stop. Stop the horses. Yes, sir.
You're very ill. No, no. No. Something's choking
me. No. Why is it so dark? What do you want me
to do sir? Lay the fuse out? I know sir. Something's
choking me. Get life out of me. I've got him,
son. I've got him. Strike a match. Strike a match.
Oh, I can't breathe. We're going to do it, Mr.
Forrester. We're going to bring it on. My head.
My head. Nothing can stop us now. First, something's
choking me. This one's ready. And now, I'm choking.
Choking. All right. I love me. The whole sky
is on fire. Everything. It's all a pain. She's
lit sir, she's lit! She's gonna go sir, she's
gonna go! Now jump, jump in the water, jump for
your life! I can't stand the pain! My head is
gonna explode! There she goes! Is it over? It's
over, Woody. It's all over. I saw him drop. I
closed my eyes. I couldn't bear to see the rest.
Well, it's all right, Woody. Corporal, that drop
through the air, that drop at 30 feet before
the rope snapped tight? What do you suppose he
must have been thinking? It only took a couple
of seconds. I don't suppose he had time to think
about nothing. Peyton Forrester was dead. His
body, the neck broken, was swinging gently from
side to side, suspended from a timber of the
Owl Creek Bridge. swinging gently, swaying gently,
turning and twisting gently in the fresh, cool
morning breeze above the gold -tinted water of
the river below. I'll be back shortly. All this
happened more than a hundred years ago. And everyone
whose life was touched by that witch, everyone,
rebel and yank alike, prayed for the greatest
of all miracles. They prayed that one way or
another, this would be the last cruel act in
the last cruel war Americans would ever know.
Proof that prayer is still urgently needed. Our
cast included William Prince, Mildred Clinton,
Jack Grimes, Leon Janney, and William Redfield.
The entire production is under the direction
of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall inviting
you to return to our mystery theater for another
adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant
dreams.