WEBVTT 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:23.839 Come in. Welcome. I meet you, Marshall. Join 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:28.600 me in a journey over a strange terrain. A terrain 00:00:28.600 --> 00:00:31.789 filled with terror. and clouded by suspense. 00:00:32.409 --> 00:00:37.369 And ask, ask yourself, how long is a minute? 00:00:38.490 --> 00:00:43.149 What is eternity? And learn, perhaps, that one 00:00:43.149 --> 00:00:57.829 can be as long as the other. What you got in 00:00:57.829 --> 00:01:00.939 that wagon? Nothing. Nothing at all, sir. What 00:01:00.939 --> 00:01:04.019 do you mean nothing? Nothing but hay. Is that 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:09.159 so? Let's find out. You men, fix bayonets. Now 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:11.620 let's take a minute. Just one little minute and 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:16.859 find out. Fiddle like that hay. Trust. That's 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:21.700 it. Up and down, all the way across. That's it. 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:26.840 Anybody get his blade of big red? Keep it up. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:31.769 We'll just take a minute. That's it, that's it, 00:01:31.930 --> 00:01:35.790 that's fine. All right, man, that's enough. Now, 00:01:35.810 --> 00:01:48.010 Mr. Farmer, it's on your way. Mr. Forrester, 00:01:49.230 --> 00:01:55.030 Mr. Forrester, are you all right? Mr. Forrester! 00:02:04.170 --> 00:02:07.549 Our mystery drama an occurrence at Old Creek 00:02:07.549 --> 00:02:10.750 Bridge was adapted from the story by Ambrose 00:02:10.750 --> 00:02:13.789 Bierce Especially for the mystery theater by 00:02:13.789 --> 00:02:18.629 Sam Dan and stars William Prince I'll be back 00:02:18.629 --> 00:02:30.370 shortly with act one They're going to hang Peyton 00:02:30.370 --> 00:02:34.740 Forrester hang him by the neck until he is dead. 00:02:35.620 --> 00:02:38.219 Hang him high from the top of the Owl Creek Bridge, 00:02:38.539 --> 00:02:41.960 50 feet above the rushing torrent, which is now 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:45.520 raging in full flood. Peyton Forrester stands 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:48.960 on a single fragile plank. The rope is already 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:52.800 around his neck. 30 feet of slack neatly coiled 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:56.419 beside his boots. But this is not a lynching, 00:02:56.639 --> 00:03:00.199 nor even an ordinary execution. This is a formal 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:04.289 military ceremony. Peyton Forrester is a rebel, 00:03:04.550 --> 00:03:07.289 literally a southern civilian, and he has been 00:03:07.289 --> 00:03:09.750 captured by the Union Army in the fall of this 00:03:09.750 --> 00:03:14.090 year of 1863, as he tried to sabotage the Owl 00:03:14.090 --> 00:03:17.349 Creek railroad bridge, and now he must pay the 00:03:17.349 --> 00:03:21.150 price. Actually, the only distress evident in 00:03:21.150 --> 00:03:24.050 the entire scene seems to be manifested by a 00:03:24.050 --> 00:03:27.370 young soldier, who with his corporal is stationed 00:03:27.370 --> 00:03:30.530 some 10 feet from Peyton Forrester, where they 00:03:30.530 --> 00:03:38.310 serve solemnly. as his guards. Corporal? Just 00:03:38.310 --> 00:03:43.430 stand steady, boy. As you stand steady. I'm gonna 00:03:43.430 --> 00:03:46.909 be sick. No, you ain't, woody boy. No, you ain't. 00:03:47.330 --> 00:03:49.550 Now, this thing will be over in less than a minute. 00:03:50.550 --> 00:03:54.330 See? Corporal? See? Sergeant Smith getting the 00:03:54.330 --> 00:03:57.189 board ready. I don't want to know it. I don't 00:03:57.189 --> 00:03:59.870 want to know. Just you take some deep breaths, 00:04:00.189 --> 00:04:04.550 son. You're gonna be alright. Like I said, he's 00:04:04.550 --> 00:04:07.509 positionin' the board that's supportin' the plank 00:04:07.509 --> 00:04:10.849 that Johnny Reb is standin' on. I said I don't 00:04:10.849 --> 00:04:13.710 wanna look! Now nobody says you gotta look, Woody 00:04:13.710 --> 00:04:18.350 Boy. Only it's a pity to miss a good hangin'. 00:04:18.350 --> 00:04:21.069 How many do you expect to see in your lifetime? 00:04:21.649 --> 00:04:25.269 I don't wanna see none. This one here. This is 00:04:25.269 --> 00:04:29.069 a prime hangin'. So much of the time you get 00:04:29.069 --> 00:04:32.550 to see cutthroats and riffraff and lowlifes. 00:04:33.069 --> 00:04:38.410 But here, you got a gentleman. Corporal? Yeah, 00:04:38.470 --> 00:04:45.769 boy? The prisoner. What about the prisoner? What 00:04:45.769 --> 00:04:50.529 do you suppose the prisoner is thinking about 00:04:50.529 --> 00:04:56.620 right now? What indeed am I thinking about? I'm 00:04:56.620 --> 00:05:00.459 thinking that the water I see below me has been 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:05.519 turned to gold by the early sun. Cold. Golden. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:10.600 The same golden tint I see in Millicent's hair. 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:15.500 I'm thinking of Millicent. Millicent. Golden 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:20.480 Millicent. And I hear... I hear the very last 00:05:20.480 --> 00:05:26.930 word she spoke to me. It seems... ages. Centuries 00:05:26.930 --> 00:05:32.670 ago. Is it true? Can... it be true that... it 00:05:32.670 --> 00:05:38.029 was only last night? Peyton? Yes, Mellison Toppy? 00:05:38.110 --> 00:05:40.050 Now, young Robbie told me he was here. Robbie? 00:05:40.589 --> 00:05:42.350 I thought he was raiding Yankee supply lines. 00:05:42.550 --> 00:05:46.329 He was. He's back. He's safe now. Bless him. 00:05:46.389 --> 00:05:49.089 But he needs a host. We can have anything he 00:05:49.089 --> 00:05:53.420 wants. Bring him in here. Fine. Why do you keep 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:56.360 him waiting? Now you and I must talk first, Peyton. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:58.579 You mean one of the true heroes of our country 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:00.740 must be kept cooling his heels while you and 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.939 I... Oh, he's not exactly cooling his heels, 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:05.639 Peyton. He's busy having his first decent meal 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:07.759 and waiting. But I want to see him this minute. 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:10.339 After all, he hasn't much time to spend here. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:12.680 Must be in a rush to get home, see his folks. 00:06:12.759 --> 00:06:16.540 He's not headed home. He's not? No, he's off 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:19.160 on a mission. What do you mean? Well, it has 00:06:19.160 --> 00:06:21.939 something to do with blowing up a bridge someplace. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:25.560 Well, then he needs help. Peyton, I was afraid. 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:27.420 I've been sitting here doing nothing for almost 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:29.759 three years. Now, that's not true. You've been 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.899 raising food and you've been growing copper. 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:34.220 Well, better men have been getting killed. Now, 00:06:34.399 --> 00:06:37.279 what you're doing is more important. It's safer 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:39.600 and easier. Well, is it not your fault the doctors 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:42.279 say you're unfit to serve? I'm fitting up to 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:44.980 help Robbie Tompkins blow up a bridge. Oh, Peyton, 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:48.199 darling. No, no, no, honey. You know, I can't 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:51.139 shirk if there's a job to be done. You've got 00:06:51.139 --> 00:06:55.459 your job. No, honey It's not enough don't go 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:58.699 What are we arguing about? He hasn't even asked 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:02.579 me. He'll ask you Peyton. He'll ask you I've 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:05.959 got no choice, please Please listen to me. You've 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:09.779 always been a man of honor now be a man of common 00:07:09.779 --> 00:07:14.300 sense What's that supposed to mean? Peyton the 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:19.420 war is over What are you saying? We had been 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:22.779 bled quiet at Gettysburg. The war has just begun. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:26.000 Patent for six months, maybe a year. There'll 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.240 be more slaughter, but it'll be for nothing. 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:31.540 The war is over. Don't say that. But it's the 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:34.699 truth. Millicent, don't you believe anymore? 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:39.360 I believe we need a miracle. Then we'll have 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:43.439 a miracle. We'll work harder. We'll fight harder. 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:47.819 We'll pray harder. You'll see. You'll have that 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:51.699 miracle. You, Mr. Peyton Forster! Robbie, Robbie, 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:55.500 you young scoundrel! You come in here this minute! 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:58.079 Oh, Peyton, Peyton, you are a sight for sore! 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.959 Tell me, tell me how you outsmarted the Yankees. 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.899 You tell me everything. Later, later, right now 00:08:02.899 --> 00:08:04.899 I need all the darkness I can get. Hey, what's 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:07.939 this about a bridge? The railroad bridge at Owl 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:10.459 Creek. But the Yankees hit Owl Creek already? 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.939 That bridge must be destroyed, Peyton. One little 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:17.040 barrel of gunpowder? One of the truss? On this 00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:19.459 side of the river? I figured you'd know the exact 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:22.079 spot, and I've got the gunpowder too. Fuses, 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:25.399 all we need. Payton! Payton! Jeff Stewart's cattle 00:08:25.399 --> 00:08:27.600 is here. Darling, by the time we explain it to 00:08:27.600 --> 00:08:29.920 General Stewart, we could turn that whole entire 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:32.340 bridge into burnt matchsticks. Now, now, Robbie. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:34.740 Yes, sir. Now, you go round the back. Get yourself 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.940 a horse. You should leave in five minutes. Yes, 00:08:36.940 --> 00:08:40.419 sir! Hey, honey, you know I have no choice. I 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:42.360 hear the Yankee general has issued an order. 00:08:42.570 --> 00:08:45.570 Any civilian caught interfering with the railroad, 00:08:45.730 --> 00:08:48.789 the bridges, the tunnels, the trains... ...will 00:08:48.789 --> 00:08:51.830 be hanged! I know, Millicent. We do the same. 00:08:52.169 --> 00:08:57.009 I beg you not! And you know what I must do. But 00:08:57.009 --> 00:09:00.889 you have children! Am I the only father in the 00:09:00.889 --> 00:09:05.090 South? Then I won't let you go! Millicent! Please, 00:09:06.110 --> 00:09:12.309 help me. What can I do to... Pray for me. Pray... 00:09:12.269 --> 00:09:24.950 for the miracle. Robbie, up yonder, the bridge. 00:09:25.230 --> 00:09:26.889 We must be right in the middle of the Yankee 00:09:26.889 --> 00:09:30.429 camp, Peyton. Keep low to the ground. They will 00:09:30.429 --> 00:09:33.509 see us. So I said to Mama, I promise I ain't 00:09:33.509 --> 00:09:36.450 gonna check up with any bad women. I hope wouldn't 00:09:36.450 --> 00:09:39.529 you get your promise. Well, I ain't had a chance 00:09:39.529 --> 00:09:41.870 to test it one way or the other so far, Corporal. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:45.620 To tell the truth, Woody, actually there ain't 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:49.879 no such thing as a bad woman. That should be 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:53.240 a corporal. Maybe five, six men. Let's move to 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:58.860 the right. No. Hey, Corporal? You hear something 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:02.240 out there? Son, you start seeing Johnny Rebs 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.980 behind every tree and we won't get a wink of 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:07.419 sleep. But I'm sure I heard... This fence is 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:10.120 supposed to be pulling guard, Woody, out there. 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:12.850 Hold it, Robbie. There's a century between us 00:10:12.850 --> 00:10:16.850 and the bridge. Yeah, I see it this way We have 00:10:16.850 --> 00:10:18.850 to get rid of him. I'll do it. He doesn't know 00:10:18.850 --> 00:10:27.649 we're here as he walks past. I'll jump in He 00:10:27.649 --> 00:10:31.350 is dead pay Let's go set the king in place Like 00:10:31.350 --> 00:10:34.710 the fuse or dive into the water swim for it. 00:10:34.710 --> 00:10:39.830 Hey, it's time to relieve Spencer. Hey, man Monion 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:44.259 Woody will stand guard. Hurry, Robbie. Spencer! 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:47.720 Corporal, I hear somebody out there. Everybody, 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:50.620 grab your weapons on the double right. Give me 00:10:50.620 --> 00:10:56.940 the fuse, Robbie. There they are! I'm hit. I'm 00:10:56.940 --> 00:10:59.759 hit. Robbie, let me... No, no runs were taken. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:11.379 I'm sorry. We can take them alive! What's he 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:14.879 thinking about, Corporal? Waiting there for the 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:19.000 rope to snap. What must he be thinking about? 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:21.580 What would any man be thinking about, Woody? 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:27.519 The wife? The kids? I wish we hadn't caught him 00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:31.779 last night. It was our duty. It would have been 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:34.019 so much better if we'd have shot him like his 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:40.700 pal. You hear that, Woody? What? I... I hear 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:45.039 nothing. Nothing. That's exactly it. Nothing. 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:48.779 Sergeant Smith has just finished positioning 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:52.519 his board. He has got it in a state now where 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:56.740 one more blow releases the plank Peyton Forrester 00:11:56.740 --> 00:12:02.399 is standing on. And then, down he goes. Kill 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.419 the ropesnaps. I don't want to hear it. Look, 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:10.299 the Captain knows Sergeant Smith is ready. When 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:16.539 he raises Then lowers his sword Sergeant Smith 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:20.759 is gonna give that board one whack And that's 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:28.600 it And Forreston knows it He can see it What 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:34.860 must that man be thinking about I'm no longer 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:40.049 thinking son, I'm praying Praying for a miracle. 00:12:41.470 --> 00:12:45.470 I'm praying the rope is going to snap and break. 00:12:46.470 --> 00:12:50.549 I'll get my hands free. I'll fall into the river 00:12:50.549 --> 00:12:54.049 and get carried away swiftly away from here to 00:12:54.049 --> 00:12:58.450 safety. That's what I'm doing, son. I'm praying. 00:12:59.669 --> 00:13:02.629 Praying for the miracle. Just in medicine is 00:13:02.629 --> 00:13:05.049 praying. Just your praying through what I've 00:13:05.049 --> 00:13:07.610 been told by your voice, son. You don't want 00:13:07.610 --> 00:13:13.100 me to die this way. With all of us praying, has 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:19.379 to be a miracle. Has to be. Oh dear lord. The 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:23.419 captain, he's raising his saber, he... Woody, 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:27.759 you don't have to look. He's bringing it down. 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:32.039 Goodbye, Johnny Reb. Corporal, look! The rope! 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:38.539 The rope! Snap! It broke! Is it broke? Is it 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:44.440 broke? It's a miracle! It's a miracle! It's free! 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:48.200 Hold your head up! It's getting free! Come up 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:53.600 for air! It's getting it! Hold it loose! It's 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:58.159 free! It's free! Air! Air! In the air! Air! Air! 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.419 There he is! Move him down the screen! Captain, 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:27.679 there he is! A miracle. Perhaps if you want something 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:31.360 strongly enough and pray hard enough, the rope 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:34.919 can break, the rifles can miss, and you will 00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:38.320 not drown in the raging torrent. Miracles do 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:42.820 happen. Have we had one here? We may find out 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:56.940 when I return shortly with Act Two. It is late 00:14:56.940 --> 00:15:01.500 in the year 1863. Peyton Forrester, a southern 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:04.700 civilian, has attempted to sabotage the railroad 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:07.860 bridge high across Owl Creek. He's been caught 00:15:07.860 --> 00:15:11.220 by the Union Army. and hanged from the bridge. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:16.220 No, not quite. As his living body hurtled downward, 00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:19.379 the rope that was supposed to snap and break 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:24.220 his neck instead broke. Peyton has fallen unharmed 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:27.919 into the stream. A squad of soldiers is in rapid 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:33.580 but futile pursuit. It's a miracle! A miracle! 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:37.500 You can't shoot a miracle! Spread the alarm! 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:43.799 He's escaped. I've got to get to Jim Stewart. 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:50.000 I've got to. If we destroy the bridge, the whole 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:53.340 Yankee army and this side will be cut off. No 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:57.580 supplies, no ammunition. I've got to get to Jim 00:15:57.580 --> 00:16:09.200 Stewart. Please, ma 'am. I won't yet. I've got 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:11.399 a rifle aimed at your head. I mean you no harm. 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:15.379 I need your help. I'm Peyton Forrester. Peyton 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:19.799 Forrester? I know you're just a second. I've 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:23.740 still got this gun aimed at your... Good Lord. 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:28.320 It is Mr. Forrester. Come in. Come inside. I'm 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:31.279 Sally Watson. The ganks are after me. Just a 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:33.039 bite of bread and a glass of water. I... Have 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:35.820 to keep moving. Peter Forrester, the man the 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:38.779 Yankees couldn't kill. I have to hurry. You have 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.759 to rest. No, there's not time. But you're gonna 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:44.899 drop. Sit down, sir. Sit for a minute. Just for 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:46.620 a minute. Now, I've got a piece of meat here 00:16:46.620 --> 00:16:49.200 and I'll eat it with some beer. No, I don't have 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:52.740 time. You just read. There's a storm coming up. 00:16:53.559 --> 00:16:56.659 A storm? You can hear the wind. I don't hear 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:58.700 nothing. Can't you hear the whistle of the wind? 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:01.539 The whole Yankee arm is out looking for you, 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:04.259 Mr. Fowler. Where's General Jeff Stewart? I reckon 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:06.660 he's a good ten miles southwest. I've got to 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.740 get to Stewart. Now first, you have something 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:11.319 to eat. How far the Yankees come since last night? 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.539 Well, I hear they're past Tuckersburg. Well, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:17.720 then that means they've already reached my place. 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:21.359 I can't just sit here. Jeff has something to 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:24.839 eat. You have to do enough traveling. Look, down 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:27.500 the road. I can't get before. And it's headed 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:30.319 this way. Better not be found here. You have 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:32.960 to hide. Where? In the cellar. No, no, no. It's 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.500 the first place they go. It's your only chance. 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:37.940 If they find me here, you'll be shot for sheltering 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:40.740 a fugitive. They won't shoot a woman. The least 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:42.299 they'll do is burn your house down. Why, you 00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:44.380 just let them. Well, my only chance is to run 00:17:44.380 --> 00:17:46.519 for it. Get out the back way. I'll help them 00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:48.799 out for you. Hurry. Hurry before they see you. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:52.720 Bye, Miss Watson. Goodbye, Mr. Forrester. Let's 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:55.549 search that house, man. Now you men out there, 00:17:55.769 --> 00:17:57.750 that's far enough! This stuff where you are, 00:17:57.869 --> 00:18:00.630 it is private property! We mean you no harm, 00:18:00.650 --> 00:18:03.349 lady. We're looking for a fugitive. Well, I ain't 00:18:03.349 --> 00:18:06.470 seen none. We're obliged to search your house, 00:18:06.769 --> 00:18:09.069 ma 'am. You just stand where you are. I know 00:18:09.069 --> 00:18:11.609 how to use this rifle. That's another thing, 00:18:11.869 --> 00:18:14.670 ma 'am. Civilians ain't supposed to have weapons. 00:18:15.349 --> 00:18:17.490 You'll have to hand that over. You want this 00:18:17.490 --> 00:18:21.390 rifle? You just come and get it. Now ma 'am, 00:18:21.630 --> 00:18:53.970 be reasonable. Nobody has to get hurt. Look out, 00:18:54.089 --> 00:19:04.009 corporal! I'm sorry, ma 'am. I'm awful sorry. 00:19:06.569 --> 00:19:13.470 Mr. Forrest. Frank Forrest. He'll never get you, 00:19:13.490 --> 00:19:30.009 sir. Nobody can ever catch you. John Rayburn! 00:19:33.769 --> 00:19:37.329 Mr. Forrest! The Yankees are after me. You don't 00:19:37.329 --> 00:19:39.230 have to worry about the Yankees, Mr. Forrest. 00:19:39.529 --> 00:19:42.769 They can't kill you. Nobody, nothing can kill 00:19:42.769 --> 00:19:44.970 you. Let me hide in your wagon. Underneath your 00:19:44.970 --> 00:19:47.809 load of hay. Yankees are still down along the 00:19:47.809 --> 00:19:51.690 scene, but they're headed this way. Soon a storm 00:19:51.690 --> 00:19:54.309 will drive them back to camp. For what storm? 00:19:54.910 --> 00:19:58.410 Can't you hear the storm? The wind! Oh, sure. 00:19:58.779 --> 00:20:01.160 But they'll have to come this way. They must 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:03.220 have seen me, Raver. Get underneath the hay, 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:05.480 Mr. Forrester. Get underneath quicker and lightning. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:09.940 Hey, you all set, Mr. Forrester? Next chance. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:12.980 I broke down, banded your leg and poke edge. 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:21.460 Get up! There's just no sign of him, Corporal. 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:25.200 All right. Rest of you men, let's head back. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:28.890 I guess he got away, huh, Corporal? Well, not 00:20:28.890 --> 00:20:32.029 for long. He's still a good ways from the rebel 00:20:32.029 --> 00:20:35.369 lines. We got men sweeping every square inch 00:20:35.369 --> 00:20:40.289 of the ground. What's that? Well, since you come 00:20:40.289 --> 00:20:42.410 from the city, Corporal, that's a hay wagon. 00:20:42.630 --> 00:20:46.849 Yeah? Well, we'll see about that. Hey, you! What 00:20:46.849 --> 00:20:54.369 you got on that wagon? Guess I got me a load 00:20:54.369 --> 00:20:58.000 of hay. What else? Well, nothing else. Nothing 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:02.900 else, huh? You sure? You're sure there's nothing 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:06.039 living in that load? Well, there might be one 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:08.380 or two field mice. Sometimes they get pitched 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:11.299 in with the hay. Field mice, eh? Yeah, maybe. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:15.380 Maybe not. Well, let's see. Let's see about everything. 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:22.559 You men, fix bayonets. Now, let us ventilate 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:26.930 that hay a little bit. Rust! That's it. Up and 00:21:26.930 --> 00:21:29.849 down. All the way across. Come on now. Put a 00:21:29.849 --> 00:21:32.769 little muckle in there. That's not how I taught 00:21:32.769 --> 00:21:36.930 you to use a bayonet. Right. Right. That's it. 00:21:37.609 --> 00:21:41.029 Everybody's doing just fine. Anybody got himself 00:21:41.029 --> 00:21:46.130 a little red on his blade? No? Well, maybe there's 00:21:46.130 --> 00:21:48.630 just hay in there after all. All right, man. 00:21:48.769 --> 00:21:53.509 All right. That's enough. See? Bayonets good 00:21:53.509 --> 00:21:55.930 for something else beside roastin' potatoes. 00:21:57.230 --> 00:22:01.289 What's your name, Rebel? Zeke Rayburn. Mr. Rayburn? 00:22:02.750 --> 00:22:06.150 Go your way. Go in peace. You're a fortunate 00:22:06.150 --> 00:22:19.650 man. Indeed you are. Get up! Get up! Mr. Forster! 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:24.559 Mr. Forrester, are you all right? Mr. Forrester, 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:32.359 it's all right to come out now. Yes. Yes, I'm 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:35.319 all right. Had a bayonet. Thrust through my coat. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:39.160 That was all. The Lord be praised, Mr. Forrester. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:42.940 The Lord be praised. You'd better get your load 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:46.839 in before the storm hits, Reverend. What storm, 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:51.019 Mr. Forrester? But don't you hear it? Hear what? 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:55.660 The wind. Can't you hear it whistle past your 00:22:55.660 --> 00:23:00.900 ears? No, no sir. It must be my imagination. 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:05.299 We're lucky there was infantry soldiers. What 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:09.299 do you mean? There was cavalry. They might have 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:11.279 decided to take the hay for their own horses 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:15.299 and it would have been all over for you. How 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:18.420 far is it? Tower lines? It's no more than a mile 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:21.279 and a half. Here's where we start running into 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:24.480 patrols. You'd be better off on foot. At least 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:26.799 you'd have trees and bushes for cover. You're 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:33.900 right. Thank you, Ribbon. I'm grateful. That's 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:35.700 all of us who want to be grateful to you, Mr. 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:39.240 Forrester. Everybody's talking about it. It's 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:44.039 like a miracle. Yes, Ribbon. It is. Now, you 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:46.539 keep to the line of trees on your left. You follow 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:49.339 them into a little ravine. And on the other side 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:52.940 is Jim Stewart's cavalry. Goodbye, Raven. Goodbye, 00:23:53.119 --> 00:24:02.519 Mr. Forrester. Forrester? Forrester, don't be 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:07.339 scared. Who? Who are you? Lieutenant Burns with 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:10.619 Stewart's cavalry. What? There's a Yankee troop 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:13.619 up ahead. You scared one of the sentries. Last 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:16.660 till just for a minute. What? What are you doing 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:19.460 here? Well, some of us come out to look for you. 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:21.859 I figure you'd be headed this way. What then? 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:26.460 I'm saved? Saved? Well, we've got to get home 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:28.920 first, but that's nothing. I've got a squad in 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:31.480 back of me. When I give the signal, they'll open 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:34.279 fire. And while everybody's shooting, you and 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:41.160 I'll sneak away. Are you ready? Ready. Now! Let's 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:51.230 go, partner. Let's go! Peyton Forrester. General 00:24:51.230 --> 00:24:55.029 Stewart. Mr. Forrester, let me shake your hand. 00:24:55.730 --> 00:24:58.210 Word of your exploit has spread through the entire 00:24:58.210 --> 00:25:02.009 South. Sir, I can only say I prayed for a miracle. 00:25:02.049 --> 00:25:05.450 And we needed it. It's been a dark year for us. 00:25:05.789 --> 00:25:08.690 But now, men, women throughout the country are 00:25:08.690 --> 00:25:11.730 taking heart once more. Thank you, sir. You had 00:25:11.730 --> 00:25:14.390 to make your way through an entire Union army 00:25:14.390 --> 00:25:17.670 to get here. I had help, sir. Loyal Southerners 00:25:17.670 --> 00:25:21.480 fed me. Sheltered me and even fought for me. 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:24.819 We're gonna win this war Forester I've never 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:28.299 been as convinced of it as I am now. I see new 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:31.960 spirit in all my men and it's all due to you. 00:25:32.140 --> 00:25:41.240 I I only did my duty sir and well No No, I can't 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:46.140 say I did my duty. I failed you fail. Yes, sir. 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:50.630 I I didn't accomplish my mission. Robbie Thumpkins 00:25:50.630 --> 00:25:54.269 and I set out to destroy the Owl Creek Bridge. 00:25:55.569 --> 00:26:00.329 Robbie's dead, and the bridge still stands. The 00:26:00.329 --> 00:26:03.410 explosion was not strong enough. The bridge must 00:26:03.410 --> 00:26:05.970 be destroyed. But I don't have the men. But you 00:26:05.970 --> 00:26:11.150 don't need men. Oh, it's strange. What's strange? 00:26:11.349 --> 00:26:16.549 The wind feels like a storm and yet... And yet 00:26:16.549 --> 00:26:20.049 the trees are still. Why do you say I don't need 00:26:20.049 --> 00:26:24.309 men to take Owl Creek Bridge? The wind. Why is 00:26:24.309 --> 00:26:26.849 the wind howling like that? Why don't I need 00:26:26.849 --> 00:26:30.450 men, Forrester? Because I'm not talking about 00:26:30.450 --> 00:26:34.650 an assault. Just give me one volunteer and we'll 00:26:34.650 --> 00:26:36.990 accomplish what Robbie and I set out to do last 00:26:36.990 --> 00:26:39.190 time. You'll never get near the bridge. General, 00:26:39.690 --> 00:26:41.869 the Federals have at least three divisions this 00:26:41.869 --> 00:26:44.690 side of Owl Creek. If we destroy the bridge... 00:26:44.829 --> 00:26:47.849 We cut their only supply line. We have them in 00:26:47.849 --> 00:26:50.849 a trap. You think you can do it? It's part of 00:26:50.849 --> 00:26:54.849 the miracle. The bridge, it was meant to be destroyed. 00:26:55.470 --> 00:26:58.910 That's why I was saved. So I could try it again. 00:26:59.390 --> 00:27:08.710 And this time, succeed. One miracle, evidently, 00:27:08.710 --> 00:27:11.910 is not enough. What Peyton Forrester is asking 00:27:11.910 --> 00:27:16.269 for is another. And why not? If it's a question 00:27:16.269 --> 00:27:19.130 of knowing how to ask, certainly Peyton Forrester 00:27:19.130 --> 00:27:22.309 has discovered the secret. However, it's also 00:27:22.309 --> 00:27:26.630 possible to run out of miracles. We will be enlightened 00:27:26.630 --> 00:27:40.970 when I return shortly with Act Three. The first 00:27:40.970 --> 00:27:43.650 time Peyton Forrester tried to destroy the Owl 00:27:43.650 --> 00:27:46.829 Creek Bridge, the Union Army caught him and tried 00:27:46.829 --> 00:27:50.230 to hang him. But Peyton prayed for a miracle, 00:27:50.789 --> 00:27:53.890 and somehow the rope broke at just the right 00:27:53.890 --> 00:27:56.750 moment, and he fell into the river unharmed. 00:27:57.390 --> 00:28:00.230 He has made his way to General Jeb Stuart, who 00:28:00.230 --> 00:28:03.009 has given him the gunpowder to try it again. 00:28:04.309 --> 00:28:06.349 I'm your volunteer, Mr. Forrester. Lieutenant 00:28:06.349 --> 00:28:09.490 Burns. You realize this mission must be performed 00:28:09.490 --> 00:28:12.230 in civilian clothes. Oh, I'm aware of that. And 00:28:12.230 --> 00:28:15.369 you know the penalty if we're caught? Same penalty 00:28:15.369 --> 00:28:17.549 we exact from the Union spies that are caught, 00:28:17.609 --> 00:28:19.529 Mr. Forrester. We'll need the powder and the 00:28:19.529 --> 00:28:22.329 fuses. And I'll need some hair to make a false 00:28:22.329 --> 00:28:24.930 beard and mustache. What's that, sir? I should 00:28:24.930 --> 00:28:27.670 have a white shirt. And so should you, incidentally. 00:28:27.990 --> 00:28:31.430 Why, sir? Burns, do you know anything about medicine? 00:28:31.950 --> 00:28:35.450 No, sir. Yes, you do, Burns. You're our doctor. 00:28:36.029 --> 00:28:39.359 Me? We're both. Medical men. You see, my face 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:42.980 is well known. I'll need disguise. I need a way 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:45.980 to march up to that bridge as bold as brass. 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:48.380 But how, sir? I told you, there'll be a pair 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:50.400 of medical doctors. But who's going to believe 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:53.500 them? Everybody! Why shouldn't they? We'll even 00:28:53.500 --> 00:29:12.380 have the proper papers. Millicent. Oh, Peyton. 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:16.980 Oh, it's you. If the disguise can fool my own 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:19.779 wife. Darling, Yankee soldiers patrol through 00:29:19.779 --> 00:29:22.799 here all the time. Oh, I know, I know. Oh, you're 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:26.359 alive. I prayed so hard. We prayed for the miracle, 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:28.859 Millicent. Now, I want to see you more than anything 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:31.660 in all the world. But why are you back this way? 00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:34.400 Darling, the whole Union only is after you. You 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:36.980 should be hiding. I haven't completed my mission. 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:41.170 Peyton. The Yankees mustn't find you here! Millicent, 00:29:41.490 --> 00:29:47.569 I... Honey, honey... What is it, Peyton? My neck... 00:29:47.569 --> 00:29:49.630 Something seems to be rubbing against my neck. 00:29:49.750 --> 00:29:52.349 It's something stiff, something sharp. You're 00:29:52.349 --> 00:29:56.150 not well. You're not well, darling. It was such 00:29:56.150 --> 00:29:59.450 a horrible experience. You're real. No, no, no, 00:29:59.450 --> 00:30:01.170 no, no. I'm all right. I need an eight straight. 00:30:01.650 --> 00:30:04.769 I came home. I saw you. I'm all right. I'm all 00:30:04.769 --> 00:30:07.230 right now. Peyton, you're not listening to me. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:11.420 Payton, what is it? Listen to the wind, Millicent. 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:18.480 The wind. How it whistles and screams. Payton, 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:24.119 I'm frightened. And now I must go. Hide. Hide, 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:26.799 Payton. I'll hide with you. Our creek bridge 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:29.519 still stands. Everyone knows you've gone now. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:31.859 I must go back to the bridge. I won't let you. 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:34.980 I won't let you go. Please, listen to me, Millicent. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:38.579 No, no more. that endless senseless killing. 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:42.319 What's the good of it? Millicent, we're fighting 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:46.759 for our homes. We've lost Payton. We've lost... 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:50.279 I prayed, Millicent. I stood on that bridge and 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.680 that barrel plank with a thick rough rope around 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:55.940 my neck. I can still feel it scratch and burn 00:30:55.940 --> 00:31:00.680 my skin and I prayed. I prayed, let there be 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:05.490 a miracle. Save me this time. Save me so I can 00:31:05.490 --> 00:31:09.950 come back and do it right. Destroy the bridge. 00:31:10.650 --> 00:31:14.490 The war is lost, Peter. Destroy the bridge and 00:31:14.490 --> 00:31:18.049 we can capture an entire Union army. Tell me 00:31:18.049 --> 00:31:22.769 the supplies, food, ammunition. Destroy the bridge 00:31:22.769 --> 00:31:25.690 and we can win the war. That little place we 00:31:25.690 --> 00:31:28.130 have big in the woods? No one ever goes there. 00:31:28.490 --> 00:31:31.549 You can hide there and be safe there. I was saved 00:31:31.549 --> 00:31:34.259 from the news. So I could go back and destroy 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:37.119 the bridge. Why did you come back to talk to 00:31:37.119 --> 00:31:39.880 me? I had to come see you. I had to see you. 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:44.039 Peyton, if you love me. Because I love you. And 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:48.000 the children. And this house. And our land and 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:53.819 the country. It's all tied together. Darling, 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:57.660 I never knew how truly golden the highlights 00:31:57.660 --> 00:32:03.670 are in your hair. Did I saw the water in the 00:32:03.670 --> 00:32:08.029 morning sunlight? Stay, Peyton. Stay here. Don't 00:32:08.029 --> 00:32:17.109 ask me. Don't ask me again. Am I weak? Please, 00:32:17.450 --> 00:32:22.329 don't ask me again. Millicent, I must get to 00:32:22.329 --> 00:32:26.569 the bridge before the storm. Storm? What storm? 00:32:26.569 --> 00:32:30.779 The wind. Don't you hear the wind, Helen? The 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:46.079 house was shrieks. There was no no Mr. Forrester, 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:48.380 what is it? Shouldn't we stop for a rest sir? 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:51.420 No time the horse your face. They could use a 00:32:51.420 --> 00:32:54.799 breather You have to get there before the storm 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:59.339 sir. There's no sign of a storm. Oh I can feel 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:03.079 it I can feel it coming. The wind's getting stronger. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:08.279 The wind, sir? It's so gale, but I... Uh -oh, 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:11.859 look. There, up ahead. That's the Yankee picket. 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:14.680 All right. Well, sir, let's turn off the road 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:18.220 before they see us. But, Lieutenant Burns, they 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:24.039 want them to see us. Now, are we gone? Act calm. 00:33:24.099 --> 00:33:28.200 Yes, sir. Remember, you're a doctor. Yes, sir. 00:33:28.730 --> 00:33:31.750 I'll try to remember. Any casual? Any natural? 00:33:32.029 --> 00:33:34.549 But, uh, but suppose, uh... Suppose? Suppose 00:33:34.549 --> 00:33:37.549 what? Well, suppose they decide to search our 00:33:37.549 --> 00:33:41.650 bag. Oh, no. Not even today. These are our medical 00:33:41.650 --> 00:33:44.269 supplies and equipment, remember? Yes, sir. I 00:33:44.269 --> 00:33:48.470 hope so. Now, uh, veterans, just try to look 00:33:48.470 --> 00:33:52.529 dignified. Yes, sir. But, uh, look wise. You 00:33:52.529 --> 00:33:54.869 know, just like a doctor. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. 00:33:55.329 --> 00:34:02.730 I, I, uh, I'm trying. Strange. What, sir? The 00:34:02.730 --> 00:34:08.809 wind. Gale. What happened to it? I don't know 00:34:08.809 --> 00:34:12.789 what you're talking about, sir. The wind. It 00:34:12.789 --> 00:34:16.210 sounded like a hurricane. And you can't be deaf, 00:34:16.449 --> 00:34:18.710 can you? No, sir, but I didn't hear anything. 00:34:18.710 --> 00:34:23.590 And now, for some reason, it suddenly died away. 00:34:24.110 --> 00:34:30.119 Gone. Yes, sir. So still. Oh, yes, it is, sir. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:35.739 It certainly is. Except I'm so worthless, sir. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:39.079 Oh, there's nothing to be afraid of, Burns. Nothing 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:45.199 except something scratching my neck and biting 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:48.260 at my throat. Well, it's too cold for mosquitoes, 00:34:48.519 --> 00:34:52.639 sir. Something's starting to press at it. Press 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:58.329 on my throat? Sir, are you all right? What happened 00:34:58.329 --> 00:35:06.349 to that wind? Well, and who might you two gentlemen 00:35:06.349 --> 00:35:10.110 be? Corporal, I'm Dr. Jones. My friend here is 00:35:10.110 --> 00:35:14.909 Dr. Burns. Your friend got a voice? Of course, 00:35:15.010 --> 00:35:17.670 Corporal. And why don't he answer for himself? 00:35:18.070 --> 00:35:21.829 He's my assistant. Is that true? Are you Dr. 00:35:22.050 --> 00:35:25.630 Burns? Oh, oh yes, Corporal. Well, let's see 00:35:25.630 --> 00:35:28.360 what we got here. We've got one gentleman who 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:31.860 claims to be Dr. Jones, another who says he's 00:35:31.860 --> 00:35:34.800 Dr. Burns. Corporal, if you don't mind, we happen 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:38.260 to be on an errand of mercy. Is that so? Well, 00:35:38.260 --> 00:35:41.059 tell me about it. Now, we have permission from 00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:46.780 your General Grant to... to... Something wrong, 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:52.139 Doctor? Oh, Corporal, I just seem to have something 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:54.940 in my throat. You were saying you had permission 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:59.369 from the General to... To do what? Would you 00:35:59.369 --> 00:36:02.369 to visit some of our wounded prisoners? You do, 00:36:02.369 --> 00:36:07.670 huh? Yes Here is the safe conduct mine and dr. 00:36:07.889 --> 00:36:15.369 Burns Woody Bring the lantern Hold this up See 00:36:15.369 --> 00:36:18.570 what it says what a year you're better at reading 00:36:18.570 --> 00:36:25.369 than I am The bearer of this safe conduct is 00:36:25.369 --> 00:36:29.460 to be permitted free passage within the lines 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:35.420 controlled by Union forces in order to perform 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:41.280 medical errands of mercy. Signed U .S. Grant, 00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:44.019 Lieutenant General. That's what it says, Woody. 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:47.840 That's what it says, Corporal. Hand them back 00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:53.559 to Patriot. Woody. Woody. What is it, Corporal? 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:59.570 What are you looking at, Woody? What are you 00:36:59.570 --> 00:37:05.230 staring at the doctor for? I'm not... Do you 00:37:05.230 --> 00:37:14.250 know him from someplace? No. I mean, where would 00:37:14.250 --> 00:37:18.969 I know him from? Well, doctors, be on your way. 00:37:19.690 --> 00:37:27.409 Thank you, Corporal. Magnificent. I can only 00:37:27.409 --> 00:37:31.230 say, sir, that you were magnificent. We have 00:37:31.230 --> 00:37:34.329 to get to the bridge, quickly. I could never 00:37:34.329 --> 00:37:37.010 have handled it that way, sir. Hurry! The bridge 00:37:37.010 --> 00:37:41.530 is just up ahead, sir. I... I... I'm beginning 00:37:41.530 --> 00:37:43.449 to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning 00:37:43.449 --> 00:37:43.610 to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning 00:37:43.610 --> 00:37:44.130 to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning 00:37:44.130 --> 00:37:44.590 to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning 00:37:44.590 --> 00:37:46.730 to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning 00:37:46.730 --> 00:37:51.230 to feel... I'm beginning to feel... I'm beginning 00:37:51.230 --> 00:37:56.139 to feel... Here's the bridge, sir. Easy, boy. 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:58.480 A little slower. Now, where do you want to plant 00:37:58.480 --> 00:38:01.840 the charge? Charge. Where do you want to plant 00:38:01.840 --> 00:38:05.699 the powder? We have to plant the powder. We have 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:10.119 to plant it. Here, here. Right, right around. 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:13.420 Here, here. Stop. Stop the horses. Yes, sir. 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:20.280 You're very ill. No, no. No. Something's choking 00:38:20.280 --> 00:38:47.150 me. No. Why is it so dark? What do you want me 00:38:47.150 --> 00:38:55.150 to do sir? Lay the fuse out? I know sir. Something's 00:38:55.150 --> 00:38:57.690 choking me. Get life out of me. I've got him, 00:38:57.909 --> 00:39:01.550 son. I've got him. Strike a match. Strike a match. 00:39:01.989 --> 00:39:04.789 Oh, I can't breathe. We're going to do it, Mr. 00:39:04.909 --> 00:39:07.329 Forrester. We're going to bring it on. My head. 00:39:07.329 --> 00:39:11.010 My head. Nothing can stop us now. First, something's 00:39:11.010 --> 00:39:14.389 choking me. This one's ready. And now, I'm choking. 00:39:16.050 --> 00:39:21.190 Choking. All right. I love me. The whole sky 00:39:21.190 --> 00:39:27.980 is on fire. Everything. It's all a pain. She's 00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:31.539 lit sir, she's lit! She's gonna go sir, she's 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:33.719 gonna go! Now jump, jump in the water, jump for 00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:38.820 your life! I can't stand the pain! My head is 00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:55.920 gonna explode! There she goes! Is it over? It's 00:39:55.920 --> 00:40:03.800 over, Woody. It's all over. I saw him drop. I 00:40:03.800 --> 00:40:08.619 closed my eyes. I couldn't bear to see the rest. 00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:14.599 Well, it's all right, Woody. Corporal, that drop 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:17.360 through the air, that drop at 30 feet before 00:40:17.360 --> 00:40:25.010 the rope snapped tight? What do you suppose he 00:40:25.010 --> 00:40:27.750 must have been thinking? It only took a couple 00:40:27.750 --> 00:40:31.889 of seconds. I don't suppose he had time to think 00:40:31.889 --> 00:40:42.909 about nothing. Peyton Forrester was dead. His 00:40:42.909 --> 00:40:46.769 body, the neck broken, was swinging gently from 00:40:46.769 --> 00:40:49.769 side to side, suspended from a timber of the 00:40:49.769 --> 00:40:54.059 Owl Creek Bridge. swinging gently, swaying gently, 00:40:54.579 --> 00:40:57.800 turning and twisting gently in the fresh, cool 00:40:57.800 --> 00:41:01.739 morning breeze above the gold -tinted water of 00:41:01.739 --> 00:41:16.900 the river below. I'll be back shortly. All this 00:41:16.900 --> 00:41:20.349 happened more than a hundred years ago. And everyone 00:41:20.349 --> 00:41:23.210 whose life was touched by that witch, everyone, 00:41:23.710 --> 00:41:26.710 rebel and yank alike, prayed for the greatest 00:41:26.710 --> 00:41:30.030 of all miracles. They prayed that one way or 00:41:30.030 --> 00:41:33.650 another, this would be the last cruel act in 00:41:33.650 --> 00:41:36.610 the last cruel war Americans would ever know. 00:41:37.429 --> 00:41:41.989 Proof that prayer is still urgently needed. Our 00:41:41.989 --> 00:41:44.570 cast included William Prince, Mildred Clinton, 00:41:44.889 --> 00:41:47.690 Jack Grimes, Leon Janney, and William Redfield. 00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:50.599 The entire production is under the direction 00:41:50.599 --> 00:41:54.659 of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall inviting 00:41:54.659 --> 00:41:57.619 you to return to our mystery theater for another 00:41:57.619 --> 00:42:03.639 adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant 00:42:03.639 --> 00:42:04.619 dreams.