Good-bye, My Lady (1956) - full transcript

["When Your Boy Becomes A Man"
by Morris Erby]

* When your boy becomes a man

* It's a glad thing

* You've done the job
that you've set out to do *

* You helped the lad to grow

* Taught him all you know

* 'Most everything
that's him is you *

* The starch in his stance

* The power in his glance

* The way he smiles

* Or doesn't smile



* The things
that make him glad *

* The things that make him mad

* All the things
that make him your child *

* When your boy becomes a man

* It's a sad

* Glad thing *

[crickets chirping]

[animal whimpering]

[laughing]

[animal whimpering]

[animal squealing]

[animal growling]

Uncle Jesse.

- It's you, Skeeter?
- 'Heard it again, uncle Jesse.'



Imagination.

Nothing like a boy's imagination
and him growing.

But I hear it again.
Heard it as plain as day.

This side of the river.

[grunting]

Heard it over yonder.

Like a ghost laughin'.

Only it wasn't scary.

That ain't no way to
tote an axe.

Way to go with a shotgun.
Wished I had me a shotgun.

(Skeeter)
Yes, siree, bobtail.
Little old renegade.

[animal whimpering]

Yonder up ahead,
just like you said,

Dead ahead.
And plain as day.

Downwind from us now.

Smell us sure.

Might as well rest a bit.

Uncle Jesse.

Yeah.

Did I ever have a mama?

Of course you did, boy.

Wasn't no finer woman in all
Mississippi than your mama.

And hair like that foxfire
across river, I told you that.

Never told me
about my papa.

Rain's heading in.

It's coming quick.

Do I ask Mr. Cash
down the store?

I reckon he'd tell me.

Knows something about
everything. Mr. Cash does.

That so?

Don't like him.

So, reckon I won't ask him.

Loves a nickel more than
a goat loves a gourd vine

Mr. Cash does.

Skeeter, don't you go to
running down old Cash

like everybody else do.

It weren't for Cash, you'd be
at the orphanage these 12 years.

I'd be a demon to tell you.

Reckon the cabin will be getting
too small for you to recline.

Maybe the swamp, too.

You run into the wind and be
flyin' off one of these days.

Everybody was
at your mama's funeral

from nigh, except me,
and Papa.

Me being her only brother,
I fetched you here.

And folks got to talking.

See, it ain't fittin'
and right for..

...an old coward
Jesse Jackson rear boy.

Got no call to low-rate
yourself, Uncle Jesse.

Then old Cash put a stop
to that orphanage talk.

"That boy is the swamp's proud,
he says.

"Oh, Jesse is
a swamp hickory.

"They belong together,
just like seed and the burrow.

"Leave 'em be",
said old Cash.

Mr. Cash said that?

Sometimes,
I wonder though

do I did you right?

You learn a young ones a heap
of things at the orphanage.

I know a mess of things.

Read and I can write.
Go to school, don't I?

Do, the road be
passable, you go.

You learn me to grab a snake by
the tail and snap off it's head.

They learn you that
in an orphanage?

Reckon not.

They learn you how to catch
a gator and sell the hide?

- Reckon not.
- Or how to hunt bee gums?

And cut a Cypress knee
so it'll sell good.

They learn you why that river
makes that singing sound..

...when the moon's
just right?

Be John Brown.

Wonder what they do learn
young ones at the orphanage.

[wind howling]

Wind's shifting.

My papa's name is Claude?

Same as me?

Yeah. I never could
go with that name.

I always called you Skeeter.

You want that I should
call you Claude?

Rightly fine name, Skeeter.

[laughing]

That's it!

Great day in the mornin'.
Come on.

Wonder what it is.

Dog.

Lickin' itself like a cat.

Don't know a dog lick itself.

That dog do.

[laughing]

Can't no dog laugh.

That dog can.

It smells us.

Can't nothin' smell that far.

[melodic music]

I'll be John Brown.

It smelled us.

Can't nothin' smell that far.
But that thing did.

Whatcha think, Uncle Jesse?

Just ain't natural.
Like a dog crossed with a cat.

And dogs and cats
ain't supposed to cross.

Like I told you,
sorta figured on catchin' it.

How do you aim to catch
something that can smell a mile

and run like grease lightning?

Might as well go home.

[music continues]

I aim to ask
old Cash about this.

Sharp as a brighter,
old Cash is.

Sorta hate to let
Mr. Cash in on it.

Let us have that sow for 23.75.

Been carryin' this,
from now a year.

Here.

Some day I'm gonna walk
right in to his store

and put every last bit of that
money right on the counter.

Then maybe I'll get me
some score bar teeth.

$65. Whoo!

It's a heap of money.

And there's only cheap
'lil buggers at that.

[melodic music]

Could I have a cup of coffee,
uncle Jesse?

Coffee ain't good for young
ones. Makes the skin yellow.

How big do I gotta be,
till I get a cup of coffee?

Oh, rightly bigger.

Not big like in arms
and legs but...

sorta growed up inside.

'Like a few hickory nuts?'

Reckon not.

You know, it's rightly nice
sittin' here by the fire.

Me and you.

Wanna catch that
swamp stranger myself.

Mr. Cash will try and hunt it
down and maybe kill it.

Me and Cash won't kill it,
unless it jumps us.

Get a few of his dogs,
come sun-up and run it

and see what it is.

I'll be along?

You'll be along.

Did I laugh at your story?
I'm rightly sorry.

You said you heard it,
I had no call to laugh at you.

[chuckling]

You know, there's one
thing in the world

I like better than
hickory nuts.

That's more hickory nuts.

Get me them roebuckers I'm gonna
eat a plate of hickory nuts

And enough roastiness
to kill a goat.

Might get them roebuckers with a
couple of gold teeth in 'em.

You know, I seen a fellow once
had six gold teeth.

Phew!

Say, bein' as you're
going to the store

better pick up some bakin'
powder and salt and things.

Want we should
make a list?

I'll remember.

You'll make it out,
or want me to do it?

You need to practice.

Bakin' powder.

Never can remember
how it spells.

B-A, bay..

'...K-I-N, kin.'

Bakin'.

(Jesse)
'Well, yeah,
Bakin's plain as day.'

'Shouldn't have
to write it twice.'

Don't put down powder.
That's a jaw-breaker.

Salt.

Lard.

Flour.

Tobaccy.

Put down chocolate drops.

Chocolate drops?

Don't think much
of chocolate drops.

Now, take gum drops.

I mean, I rightly
like gum drops.

Me too, all of us like gum
drops. Put down gum drops.

Whoo!

List this long, old Cash's is
gonna want a quart of wood.

I'll cut it before
you get back.

- I'm getting sleepy.
- Go to sleep then.

- Day-bust is still a ways off.
- Aim to.

[blowing loudly]

[instrumental music]

Goodnight, boy.

'Night, Uncle Jesse.'

Say your prayers?

Sayed 'em when
you said goodnight.

'Ought to get on your knees
to say your prayers.

You don't get
on your knees.

And so...I say mine
laying here in bed.

Suits me and the Lord.

'Whatcha you pray for,
Uncle Jesse?'

'Them roebuckers?'

Mostly.

Well, can I pray for that
shotgun? I might get it?

'Might.'

Well, can I pray I might catch
that thing in the swamp?

I might catch it?

'Might.'

Do I pray for both?

What about that?

That's too much prayin'.

It helps folks get
themselves in a mess.

Talkin' to the Lord
is something you do easy.

So, don't never
crowd him, boy.

[engine idling]

[dog barking]

Call that a quart of wood?
You said you'd have a quart.

It wouldn't cut hot butter.

Skeeter, how come it cut so
much wood with such a dull saw?

'You owe me a quart of wood.'

You'll get your wood, but a man
ought to be ashamed

putting off a no good saw
on a fellow.

Skeeter, there ain't nothing
wrong with that saw now, is it?

Brought your dogs,
didn't you, Mr. Cash?

'Course I did. Jesse told me you
jumped something in the swamp.

Ain't no telling
what it is.

Your dogs
will get it.

'Best dogs in the county,
Mr. Cash.'

Jesse, go get your gun.

Lets get going,
I'll get my wood later.

Get them groceries,
Uncle Jesse?

Sure, he did.

Best list
I ever seen, boy.

Only you
messed up baking.

It's B-A-K-I-N-G.

'Spell it.'

B-A-K-I-N-G.

Now, don't forget it.

'Cause I ain't gonna
be tellin' you again.

You messed up flour too,
but we get to that later.

How about tobaccy?
That's a jaw-breaker.

Had it right.

[bolts rattling]

Come here, boy.

Come on.

[dog baying]

What's his name,
Mr. Cash?

Gabe. Fastest dog
in the country.

He'll catch that thing.

Hurt it?

'More likely not,
just tree it.'

It won't have a chance
against them hog-dogs.

You're not gonna turn 'em
loose less than you have to.

Ain't that so, Mr. Cash?

I aim to see
what that thing is.

If Ol' Gabe can't catch it,
Ol' Bark and Bello here will.

'They'd kill a bear,
if they jump him.'

But that thing
ain't big much.

'Size don't count, Skeeter.'

But it ain't hurt nothin'.
Them dogs will kill it.

If y'all telling the truth,
I aim to have that thing.

Don't bark, laughs.

Licks itself like a cat.

Skeeter, if I have to run it
all the way to Mobil

I aim to have it.

Here, Gabe.

[Gabe barking]

Gabe catches it.

Soon as he hits
the trail, he'll bait-ho!

Come on, Bello.
Come on.

Come on, Bello.

Come on.

[dogs barking]

Easy now.
Hold it, Bark.

[Gabe barking]

Here's where we seen it, Cash.
Right over yonder.

Sittin' on that log-walk.

Licking itself, just like
a cat, and laughin'.

[Gabe barking]

Never knowed him to take so
long, something's wrong.

He's messed up.

That thing's
just another dog.

Gabe ain't used
to huntin' dogs.

Might as well go on home,
that thing's long gone.

[Gabe barking]

Got it.

He's got somethin'.

[barking continues]

That thing's runnin' hard. Gabe
ain't even about to tree it.

[Bello and Bark barking]

Yonder it is.

It outrun Gabe.

Be John dog running braggit.

[barking continues]

Go get him, Gabe.
Bello's comin' in.

[dogs barking and snarling]

Keep that
head low, Bello.

[barking continues]

- Get off! Get off!
- 'Bello, get off him.'

'Get off him, Bello, Gabe."

'Come on, boy.'

- Come on.
- He got away.

Bark, Bello, you slab-sided
devil, shut up.

Outrun Ol' Gabe.

Jumped my hog dogs,
both of them.

The dog did out-done it!

I'm gonna tell you something.

Anytime a thing can outrun my
Gabe and whoop my hog dogs

I ain't messin' with it,
it's got a right to live.

I know when I'm whooped.

I'm goin' home.

I ain't gonna say nothin' about
that little thing out yonder.

Somebody's liable
to hunt it down.

- Come on, here.
- I'm gladly obliged.

Thought'll be like it's mine,
me seen it first.

Don't you say nothin'
about that

little ol' thing
out-running Gabe.

And whoopin' my hog dogs.
Come on, boy.

[slow instrumental music]

Maybe you won't
need me tomorrow.

Them corns gotta be cut,
but I reckon I can do it myself.

Well, I'd like to go out
and get that thing.

By yourself?

Yes, sir.

Maybe you're aimin'
to whittle it up.

No, sir.

I aim to take food out
in the swamp and just wait.

Got a feelin' that thing
wants us, as much as I want it.

Like a little coffee?

I'd like a little coffee.

[coffee trickling]

Put some cream in it.

You drink yours black.

Well, that's different.
I'm grown up.

That's enough.

[spoon clanking]

Pretty good coffee.

Yes, sir.
That's pretty good coffee.

How do the elements look?

Rainsy, up there.

[door closing]

It ain't gonna rain.

It's a mighty fine day.

One of the good Lord's best,
I reckon.

You see, he worked hard
on this one.

Tuckered hisself out, maybe.
But he made it just right.

- Well, I'll be gone.
- 'I'll be around

Takes after his mamma,
thank the good Lord.

His papa's hidden.

Walks like his papa too but..

...takes after his mamma.

[water gurgling]

[birds chirping]

[motor whirring]

[snoring]

[squirrel chattering]

* Who came to the river
and couldn't get across *

* Pay five dollars
for an old blind horse *

* Wouldn't go ahead
nor he wouldn't stand still *

* So he went up and down
like an old sawmill *

* Went out to milk
and didn't know how *

* Milked the goat
instead of the cow *

* Monkey sittin'
on a pile of straw *

* Winkin' at..

[instrumental music]

How come you're slippin' up
on me like this?

Why don't you come here?

Don't run away.
Now, come on!

Come back here!

Don't run away,
little ol' puppy dog!

Ain't going to hurt you.

Wouldn't hurt you for nothin'.

Please don't run away,
little ol' girl dog.

Got no cause to tremble,
little ol' puppy dog.

He ain't nothin'
but a little ol' dog.

Little old girl dog.

[instrumental music]

She's cryin'.

Be John dog if
she ain't cryin'.

Never seen no dog
that could cry before.

[dog barking]

Now, you're laughin'.

Come on, let's go home.
Me and you.

Come on.

[motor whirring]

[snoring]

(Skeeter)
'Uncle Jesse, I got it.
I got it, Uncle Jesse!'

[motor whirring faster]

[saw screeching]

I got it.
I told you I'd get it!

Well, now, I do declare.

That ain't nothing
but a little old dog.

Little old girl dog.

Does she ought to be barking
and growlin', she just laughs.

- Do tell.
- It's so.

Wonder how she'd
get around here.

Don't know, Uncle Jesse.
But I found her. She's mine.

Hey, that dog's been around
folks. She belongs to somebody.

Belongs to me, I found her.

Yeah. That dog's
a fern dog.

Maybe it's a Yankee dog.
You know how funny Yankees are.

I don't know much about Yankees,
thank the good Lord.

But that dog's been around
folks. Don't belong around here.

It does now.
Got me a dog, Uncle Jessie.

You sure have, boy.

What you aim to call her?

Ain't thought about it.

Maybe, Dicksie.

Half the dogs in this swamp's
named Dicksie.

How about Pal?

That ain't nothing
to brag on, either.

All the dogs ain't named
Dicksie's named Pal.

- And what about Trey?
- How come you think of Trey?

I used to know a song about
a dog named Trey.

"Old Dog Trey."

That'll be John Brown.
How come you think of Trey?

You used to sing that song
when I was a little boy.

That's how come.

Well, now I do declare.
You remember that, huh?

Well, that's a fair name
but it's for a boy dog.

Now, look.
I don't want to butt in.

You found her,
she's yours to name.

I want that you should
help me name her.

Well, how about...Gertrude?

- Gertrude?
- That's a pretty name.

No, I don't think
much of it myself.

I reckoned you wouldn't.

Knew a lady
named Gertrude once.

Way back long before
you got here.

She had pansy eyes and..

...was pure as just a God.

She punied up and died
a long time ago.

- We'll name her Gertrude.
- Not unless you want to.

But that dog is a lady
just like Gertrude was.

Keeps herself
as clean as a coon.

Why, she don't
even smell like a dog.

She's a pure G lady.

Then let's call her "Lady".

How that sound? Lady.

You got it. Now, there's
a virgin name. Huh, Lady?

We got us a dog. Ain't we,
Uncle Jessie? Ain't we, Lady?

Well, I don't aim
for nobody to take my dog.

I have found her
and she is mine.

[instrumental music]

Hear me, Uncle Jessie? Ain't
nobody goin' to take my dog.

I hear, Jamie. Ain't nobody
gonna take your dog.

Come on,
lets get some sleep.

I've got to get that
wood cut tomorrow.

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

[Lady whimpering]

Water rat!

Ain't you got good sense?

Don't go runnin' into
the water after things.

Snake or gator will grab ya.

Didn't go to hurt
your feelings.

Didn't want you
to go get killed.

Just doin' it for
your own good.

Now you are gonna stay
right here and wait for me.

It's buttermilk day and I gotta
go over to the Watsons'.

You ain't going.
Now, stay there.

Stay.

[Lady whimpering]

Lay down, stay right there.

None of that bawlin' neither.

You gotta learn when I mean
business and I mean business.

Now lay down.

Lay down. Now stay there.

Stay there.

'Hi, Skeeter.'

- 'Hi.'
- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

- Hi, Skeeter.
- Hi, Skeeter.

- Hi Skeeter.
- Hi Skeeter.

- Hi, Skeeter.
- Hi, Skeeter.

- 'Hi Skeeter, hi.'
- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

- 'Hi, Skeeter.'
- 'Hi, Skeeter.'

How do ya'll Bonnie do?
About time you got here.

Come in and visit a while.

Ain't go long, just get
my buttermilk and head on back.

Thanking you just the same.

'What you gawkin' at?'

'Think you never seen
a white boy before.'

Scat! Scat, all of you.

And you, too.

[chuckling]

How come Jesse Jackson
don't cut your hair?

- Aims to, one of these days.
- Come on in the house.

Got a pitcher of sweet milk
just waiting.

Boys like you need sweet milk.

Don't like sweet milk.
Like coffee myself.

Coffee?

You mean to stand there
and tell me Jesse Jackson

lets a young one
like you drink coffee?

All I want.

Had me a big cup just before
I left the house.

He ought to be shot
with a wash tub.

Where's Gates?

Oh, he is out yonder somewhere.

You ask him about coffee.

Jesse Jackson, ain't worth
the salt to take the field.

And toolings at
the fans slot.

Howdy, Skeeter. How you been?

(Skeeter)
Pretty good. And you?

Ain't complaining.

Everything alright
at over your place?

- What makes you say that?
- 'Something's eatin' you.'

Nothing much.

Just me and Uncle Jesse had
a talk last night about dogs.

Know anything about dogs, Gates?

What's on your mind?

Uncle Jesse says that
almost any kind of a dog

can be trained to hunt birds.

I say that only bird dogs
can hunt birds.

'I'm on your
Uncle Jesse's side.'

You can train a dog
to do 'most anything.

Except maybe..

'...laugh, cry, things like
that, and talkin'.'

I'll tell Uncle Jesse
that you said he was right.

This little talk
Uncle Jesse and me had..

...no words, no hard feelings.
Just talk, you know how it goes.

You drop by anytime
you're over this way.

Much obliged.

Just happened to think, Gates.

Been hearing anything funny
over in the swamp lately?

Like a haunted laughing?

Not a thing.

[rooster crowing]

Heard anything about anybody
losin' a dog or something?

Not a thing, Claude.

[car horn]

Howdy, Cash.
Come for your wood?

Wouldn't do me
no good if I did.

The trouble is, you sold me a
saw that ain't worth a hooray.

Work myself to a frazzle tryin'
to keep it sharp and oiled.

And then it does itself up for
little old sticks of stove wood.

Come here, Lady. Come here.

Leave it alone, Lady. Going to
make a bird dog out of you.

Sure as the Lord
made little apples.

You can't go chasin' rats
or coons and stuff like that.

Here me?

[Lady whimpering]

Cut that out, Lady.

That'll learn you to
mess with rats.

Stop that bawlin'.

Now stay there.

Tell you the truth, Cash.
We already got us a dog.

The boy..
Shh.

[chuckling]

Oh no, so that's it.

'That's the thing that out run
Gabe and jumped my hog dogs.'

Mornin', Mr. Cash.

How do you like my dog?

Well it's a..

It's a dog alright, I..

I ain't never seen nothing
like it but it's a dog.

'Rat runner, huh?'

'Cash told me that he is
going to stick around'

'so I told him you
caught that thing.'

(Cash)
'But you didn't
tell me much.'

Never seen such
shut mouthed folks about a dog.

What you two up to?
Aim to hide her?

Can't hide a dog.

Good lookin' dog too.

- She does alright.
- Does she sure enough laugh?

Plain as day, cries too.

[laughing]

That's the beatenest thing
I ever heard of.

What is she good for?
Just rats?

Hunt anything.

Aim to make a bird dog out
of her, don't we Uncle Jesse?

Can't nothin' stop
us from tryin'.

Mr. Cash, you know what kind
of a dog I found myself?

I ain't even beginnin'
to about to know.

Well, you know anything about
anybody losin' a dog?

Ain't nobody around
here lost that dog.

I know one thing though.

'Boy just found himself a dog.'

Finders keepers too,
ain't it, Cash?

Finders keepers.

That the way things is
around here.

Got somethin' to
show both of you.

Come on, boy.

Come on, boy.
Come on, boy.

Here, come on.
Come on out here, boy.

[Jesse barking]

- What's his name?
- Mallard Fillmore.

Sir?

I said Mallard Fillmore.
That's his name.

What you doing namin' a good dog
a crazy name like that?

Tryin' to be funny?

Ain't you ever heard
of Mallard Fillmore?

I have been around
here all my life.

Never hear no such name
from man, boy, dog or goat.

Horse or mule neither.

Mallard Fillmore was
the President of United States.

Never heard of him.

Must not have mattered much.
So, I never heard of him.

Nobody ever named nothin'
after Mallard Fillmore.

- Lot of name to call a dog.
- Well, I aim to call him Mill.

But he is registered
Mallard Fillmore.

Registered? I ain't never seen
a registered dog before.

Ain't leavin' are you?

Reckon your uncle
Jesse will tell you

how come I drove
out here with my dog.

Reckon you oughta tell him,
Cash.

I reckon I will.

It's my place to tell him.

I brought Mill over
here figurin'

you and Jesse might
look after him.

Work him for me.

Figured something like that.

You all didn't aim to keep
that dog around the store.

- He needs workin'.
- But you got a dog.

Never knowed you'd found
a dog till I came out here.

Got room for two dogs.

I'd feed him good and take him
to the swamp every day.

No. I reckon not.

Why don't you come right out
and say it, Mister Cash?

My dog ain't good enough
to run with yours.

Now you actin' like I lower
rated your dog, and I ain't.

It's just that Mill's a very
fine bird dog and there ain't

no telling what yours is.

He runs rats.

If my dog runs with yours, he's
liable of learning bad habits.

I can't take a chance.
My dog's in the book.

Paid a $100 for him.

Your dogs in the book
and mine came from the swamp.

- Well, I aim to keep mine.
- I know how you feel.

I reckon I'll take my dog,
over to Watsons' and..

...let Gates look after him.

Just tell Gates, I said to keep
your dog away from mine.

And I'll keep my dog
away from yours.

You tell Gates,
we both said that.

'Come on, Lady, heel.'

'Heel Lady, come on Lady. Heel.'

Heel Lady, come on.

Might as well get
used to that rope.

Ain't no other way to learn you.

Now, heel. Come on.
Come on, Lady.

Heel. Come on Lady.

Heel Lady.

Can't learn nothing,
sittin' on your tail.

Now, heel. Come on.

Now heel, Lady. Now heel.
Come on, heel.

Come on, Lady.

Reckon we made a bird dog
outta one end of you.

We got ya off
that swamp walk.

Come on, Lady.

Heel. Heel, Lady.

Heel, Lady.

Heel.

[instrumental music]

Heel, Lady.

Reckon that's enough for now.

Innit, middle sun?

Can't no dog learn to heel a bit
faster than you done, Lady.

Maybe you've been
trained before.

You got another master, Lady?

Wish I could make
you understand.

My heart went yonder, it's just
that I love you so badly much.

Bird dogs take
a heap of trainin'.

Come on, Lady.

Come on, Lady.

My legs are plum wore out.

How about you, Lady?

Wish that I had me a shotgun.

Little old 20 gauge.

Me and you and a shotgun.

Yes siree, Bob Dale.

Lady, come back here.

Here Lady, Lady come back.

[bird twittering]

(Skeeter)
'Chicken killer, you killed
one of Gates' hens.'

'Ain't you got good sense?'

'Folks in the swamp will
shoot a chicken killin' dog.'

Better, nobody find out
you killed that chicken.

Not even, Uncle Jesse.

Gates will miss
his big dominecker.

Sure as the Lord
made little apples.

No, Lady.
Lay down, stay there.

[animal screeching]

Ain't no use in whippin' you.
Ain't scared of a whippin'.

First rat you jumped,
you didn't know better.

Now you done it a second time.

Only way is to shame you good.

[instrumental music]

Maybe she was just hungry.

Maybe that's how come
she did like she did.

Rat dog. It ain't no
two ways about it.

You got a rat dog
on your hand.

Maybe she'll learn better.

It's hard to break a rat dog.

Might even be a chicken dog.

Can't believe the rat on.

Let her get a good bait of it.

- How long?
- All night.

Maybe, tomorrow too.

What do you think?

Hmm.

Dead rat ain't a rightly nice
thing around the house.

Like I told ya..

...maybe she was just hungry.

Any dog will go after
a rat if he's hungry.

Do she be hungry,
how come she don't eat?

Need a little stove wood.

Plenty in the box.

Won't hurt none to fill it.

[instrumental music]

Pink feathers,
chicken feathers.

Do you know
you killed a chicken?

Got yourself a chicken killer
as well as a rat dog.

[footsteps]

[door slams]

Can of bacon drippings
is too full.

I gave her a little bit of it.

Grease make her hide slick.

Good for the natures too.

Now is that right,
Uncle Jesse?

Me trying to learn
my dog to do right..

...and you up
and give her bacon grease.

Is that right?

You'd reckon not.

Didn't mean to butt in.

Felt sort of sorry for her.

Hungry, hiding under the bed.

Dead rat around her neck.

It's alright.

Just as long as
I didn't do it.

She's got to know I won't
stand for no messin' around.

Like me to read to you?

Yeah, I'd like
a little readin'.

Can't think of nothin'
I'd like any better right now.

Except maybe..

...some roasting ears
or something like that.

I should read
about the spaceman?

Let's have one about cowboys.

You know me.

You know how I...naturally
caught in the cowboys.

"Gun smoke at the Chuck Wagon."

Sure sounds like
a good 'un donut, Uncle Jesse.

Oh!

Hope it don't have
too many big words in it.

Big words sure ruin a story.

(Skeeter)
'"Lead flew like hailstones
around the chuck wagon.'

'"The pots and pans rang out
like a shootin' gallery.'

"And then the wind died away
and there was stillness.

"And gambling Dan lay dead
with his broc..

"...brocaded vest turnin' red
over his black heart.

"Calgo blew the smoke out
of his hot six-shooters

"and jammed them
back on his hips.

"Then he whistled to his mustang
waiting in the dry gulch.

[whistles]

""Let's drift, partner,"
he said softly.

"I'm ready now.""

The end, Uncle Jesse.

Sure was a good one.

Cracker Jack.

[instrumental music]

Wonder how come ol' Cash didn't
name that dog Buffalo Bill.

Now, there's a name,
there's a name.

But Millard Fillmore?

Said your prayers?

Sayin' them.

[instrumental music]

Here, Lady.
Come here, Lady.

Learned that dog to heel yet?

She's a huntin' fool.

Whatcha mean huntin'?

You standin' here tellin me
that's a huntin' dog?

I'm standing here telling you
she pints anything.

She's doing rightly good
so far, Mister Cash.

Well, just this morning
I took her out and she cast.

(Cash)
What do you mean cast?

Well, just like I told you.
She cast this morning.

I'm from Missouri.

You got to show me.

Come on, Lady.
Heel, heel.

- Mind's good.
- You ain't seen nothin'.

Me and the boy
will show you a dog.

[chuckles]

(Skeeter)
Remember, Lady.
Like you did this morning.

Hup, Lady, birds!

I'll be John Brown. Castin'
a show as I'm standin' here.

Covering the field
like a

Beats all,
castin' like a bird dog.

Hound from pup to papa,
but castin' like a bird dog.

She's workin' fast.

We'll lose her
if we don't move on.

Never seen
nothin' prettier.

Acts like she's huntin',
but will she hunt birds?

Ain't sayin'. Ain't tried
to learn her to hunt birds.

Not yet.

[cicadas chirping]

Now, there's Gates.

What he's up to
this side of the river?

Howdy.

Uncle Jesse.

Chicken dog.

She's pointin' chickens.

She got birds.

You're crazy.
She's pointin' chickens.

She got birds.

I'm standing here
telling you she got birds.

It's chickens, Uncle Jesse.

Ain't no use
in sayin' it ain't.

That dog's pointin' chickens.

Go to your dog, boy.
Flush them birds.

Get her off that point. She'll
stand there till judgment day.

She's telling you
she's got birds

and you got to believe her!

[instrumental music]

[birds fluttering]

Great day in the mornin'.

My little old dog,
my little old dog.

Damn birds, casted,
pointed and held.

I told you she ate birds.

Seen it myself.

Me standin' right there
and seen it.

(Skeeter)
My little old dog.
my little old dog.

A hunter born, a hunter bred.
Can you shoot over?

Ain't tried.

Can't shoot quail until a cool
spell hits.

That'll be two,
almost three months.

Knowed she had birds.

Said right out loud
she had birds.

And she had em'.

(Gates)
Sure was a sight.

What them chickens doin'
over yonder?

Them your Dominickers, Gates?

They're mine.

Found a tree leaning
across the river

and got on this side.

How many get across?

(Gates)
'Seven.'

Find em' all?

Yeah, I found em' all.

I lost seven,
and I found seven.

Sure enough?
I'm rightly glad.

Good seeing you, Gates.
Drop by if your over our way.

(Gates)
Sure will, Claude.

Let's go, Skeeter.

Get a pencil and a tablet.
You folks gotta have supplies.

Yes, she...
knowed she had birds.

Spoke right out.
She had em'.

Supplies!

"Yes, sir", said old Cash.

"Jesse Jackson puts down
one of the best lists

"I've ever seen.

"In this order, he's one of the
best orders I ever filled.

"I'm gonna frame this list,
and hang it right

"on the registry", he says.
"Be John Brown, if I ain't.

"Why an order like this
is fittin' for a big house

"or a revival meeting", he said.

Oh, Uncle Jesse. Sure enough,
is that what he said?

Mm, said it right out loud and
the Evan folks heard him too.

Reginald folks will know
who's got credit around here

and who puts
down the best list.

Just look at
all that good stuff.

- Fed the dog?
- Yes, sir.

Gave her the last piece of that
old meat and pork and beans.

Give her some more. Give her
a hunk of that fresh meat there.

You and me is gonna
have us a can of peaches.

This has been a day.
Whoo.

(male narrator)
Dark days came
in steaming heat.

And the moon was red

and there was a ring around it.

The boy wrapped wire
around a stick

and taught his dog to fetch.

And when she bit hard,
she learnt better.

And then he got bird feathers

and tied them to a pine cone.

And she learnt to retrieve it
without crushing the feathers.

He worked her every day

while Uncle Jesse cut
Cypress knees in the swamp.

(Uncle Jesse)
I'll be John Brown.

She picked that thing up
just like she had a toothache.

Beats all, get out,
don't it?

Yeah, mouth's gettin'
rightly soft.

Why don't I cut awhile?

Cash said he could use all
the cypress knees we could cut.

You work the dog,
I'll do the cutting.

Hokes and Moby
must be plum crazy

paying out good money
for something like this.

It's mostly tourist folks
who buy 'em.

We had a tourist here
once, a Yankee

who got bit by a snake.
Snake died.

It's a fact.
She laughs all the time now.

Just laughs like
she's doin' what she likes.

Runnin' and huntin'
and having herself a time.

I do declare.

[raining]

[instrumental music]

Cream?

Cream.

That's enough.

Soon as it chills up,
'em birds are fittin'

aim to shoot over em',
break it to the gun.

Then shoot me and you
a massive partridge.

Huh, Lady?

(male narrator)
And thus it was.

And one day was like the next

and the red moon wasted,
and the circle went away.

And autumn crept
down from the north

and brought the dry winds
that blew the clouds high.

And the ducks began flying.

And all night they passed
high against the moon.

The swamp shook some
of her leaves from her back

and dressed down
for the winter.

And then the trees
were naked and stark.

And waved their hard,
bare arms toward the river

that was belly full
and swelling yellow.

[engine revving]

Looks like he's
got old Mill along.

Up to something
bringin' his dog over here.

[car door shuts]

- Brought old Mill along.
- We was just saying it.

- It sure is a pretty day.
- Never seen one prettier.

Bobwhites whistlin'
through the broom straw.

Nice nip in the air.

Thought I'd come see ya'll,
bring my dog with me.

You are as welcome.

Yes. Don't see
why they can't run together.

Mine and yourn.

You had your say
a while back, Cash.

Now what you sayin'?

Sayin' I was wrong
that's what I'm sayin'.

Keepin' mine on the other side
of the river.

Even Gates said I was wrong.

Be rightly proud to have
your dog run along side mine.

Great day in the mornin'

You are good
to run with old Mill.

What you mean... good?

Means she'll learn
from him.

That's one reason why I brought
him out. To help you out.

That's rightly nice.

How's her hard mouth?

Been able to do
anything about it?

Sit.

Sit.

Sit.
Now, stay.

Stay.

Go pick it up.
Go pick it up.

Go on, Lady,
pick it up.

Bring it here.

Okay, Lady,
bring it here.

Come on.

Mouth soft as eiderdown.

She won't lose birds
when real hunting time comes.

Your dog do that, Cash?
Your dog ain't toed?

That's the trouble with you,
Jesse, always wasting things

like eggs and such.

It ain't wasted.
Me and the boy can eat it.

Hup, Mill. Birds,
birds, Mill. Hup, Mill!

- Quick, ain't he?
- Quick, alright.

And merry hale, too.

Hup, Lady, birds!

She ain't casting,
she just runnin'.

It's her way.

She run herself out.

Bet she'll be all the way
to Mobil pretty soon.

Better slow her down if you aim
to make a bird dog out of her.

- She's on her point.
- What you mean"point"?

Because she ain't casting.

If she's standing still,
then she's got birds.

Yeah, like the boy said,
she's got a point.

You call that a point?
That's a squat.

- She's got birds.
- Where's she got birds?

That clearin' is
as slick as a skillet.

Over yonder,
by that old stump.

- That's where our birds are.
- Now, wait a minute.

It's 50, 60 yards,
that old stump.

Ain't no dog can
smell that far.

He ran right by her.

Ought to honor the point
and backed her up.

She ain't on no point,
or old Mill would honor.

She ain't got no birds
and old Mill's still casting.

Now, there is a point.

He ran right by her.

Didn't honor a point,
didn't back her up.

Your dog's pointin', alright,
as pretty as I've ever seen

but where are the birds?

The birds are there,
I'll flush 'em.

I wish the season was on
and I had my gun.

- Old Mill's got a covey.
- Sure has, Lady's covey.

Don't stand there saying my dog
sneaked another dog's covey.

Keep your shirt on,
I ain't low-rating your dog.

I'm just tellin'
he can't smell like Lady can.

My dog is a bird dog.
That thing of yours is a hound.

Are you going crazy?

There's quail by that stump. The
boy's dog find 'em first.

Mill can't smell as good as Lady
can. That's why he ran by her.

Got where he could smell
the birds and went on the point.

Pointin' the same birds
Lady's been pointin' all along.

Prove it. You throwed your bait,
back it up or back down.

But I saw--

You're tootin' for the sow and
for groceries you done toked.

I'm layin' the sow again,
double what I owe ya.

Fish and cut bait, Evans.

I'm puttin' the sow on the line
and I'm telling you

that boy's dog's got no
covey of birds over there.

Not that distance.
You go flush them birds.

If she comes off
that point--

You go flush them.

It's right where Lady's been
tellin' to stay on right along.

Come on, now.

Whoo!

Great day in the mornin'!

My little old puppy dog.

[dog panting]

I'm goin' home.
You got yourself a sow, Jesse.

- No hard feelings, Cash.
- No hard feelings.

I'm goin' home.

Stop by our place and have
a cup of coffee, maybe.

No. I'll be goin' home.

When I see a hound dog
that laughs

and points birds
50 yards away

I've had enough.

Don't believe it.

The dog ain't been born that
can smell birds at 50 yards.

- It points quail at 50 yards.
- Heard about it.

Of course, you can't believe
them swampers.

I might drive up there and have
myself a look. Wanna come along?

I wouldn't miss it for all
the catfish in Pascagoula River.

It might be nice to bring
a massive duck with us..

...to show we meant
to be neighborly.

[gunshots]

(Jesse)
'Folks, I was sittin'
right here in this rocker.

'I'm tellin' you the boy found
this dog in the swamp.'

She can't bark at all,
just laughs.

The beatenest thing
you've ever seen.

'Folks come from north,
east, south, and west'

'to see this dog
you're lookin' at.'

Ain't been so much talk here
since the big freeze of '17.

I'll be obliged if you folks
put your name in the book there.

Daddy says I make the best
pickaninny doughnuts ever.

He wouldn't let me come along
unless I baked you'll some.

I'm rightly obliged, ma'am.
Thank you.

[car engine starting]

Lady. Come here, Lady.

The way folks
been feedin' ya

no wonder you won't eat bacon
ribbons and oatmeal no more.

[car approaching]

Better get set, Uncle Jesse.
Here come some more.

[children shouting]

- Alright, children, come on.
- Come on.

- Follow mama over there.
- Hurry up. Come on.

Come on, son, get out there.
Come on children.

Just don't believe it.

Now, folks, I'm sittin'
right here in this rocker

and I'm tellin' you the boy
found that dog in the swa..

Where's the boy?

He's out in the ridges,
doin' a little convincing.

- What's on your mind?
- Just dropped by.

I'd like to have a look
at the magazines I gave ya.

Help yourself.

What's on your mind, Cash?
What's eatin' ya?

Nothin's eatin' me,
I...just dropped by.

You ain't foolin' nobody,
something eatin' you bad.

This is it.

Quit beatin'
around the stump.

Fella come out from Mobile
last week to sell me some stuff.

Heard folks in the store talkin'
about that dog of Skeeters.

Everybody's talkin'
about her.

He come back this mornin'.
Showed me an ad in the magazine.

Here it is.

It's rightly nice of you to show
me just like I could read.

I ain't enjoyin' this, Jesse.

I want you to know that.

You, plain as day, ain't.
I'm listenin'.

What's it say?

It's about a breed of dog.

A..

A Basenji. Live in Africa.

You don't say.

One of the oldest breeds
there is, Jesse.

Goes way back before

Our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.

Way back before Moses, even.

That old, huh?

Older than that.

Still a few of 'em
left in Africa.

Best huntin' dog there is.

Lady?

- She's got birds.
- Funniest point I've ever seen.

It's Lady, Jesse.

Sure as shootin',
she's one of them dogs.

Do she live in Africa?
What's she doin' way over here?

Workin' up to it,
don't shove me.

I ain't shovin' you.

'"Lost...Basenji female'

'"Lost...Basenji female'
'"in the vicinity
of Pascagoula swamp'

'"in the vicinity
of Pascagoula swamp'

"in Mississippi.'

'"White blaze on chest
and...white collar.'

"Answers to the name of
I...Isis of the Blue Nile.

"Old Brook Kennels.

"Old Lyme, Connecticut.

"Liberal reward for..

...recovery."

Pretty name.

Isis of the Blue Nile.

Never heard a name like that.

What's that got to do with it?

They're talking
about the boy's dog.

I know it.
Knowed it right off.

Just wanted to put off
thinking about it.

[gunshot]

Holds her point
like she's deaf.

Yeah.

But is it 50 yards
to where them birds was?

One, two..

You mean, don't tell the boy?

You mean, you aim to tell him?

He'll find out.

With all these folks
flocking around here

somebody will hear
about it and tell him

with the reward and all.

It's your load.

I'll towed it.

But if it was me,
I wouldn't tell him.

That dog is the only thing
that boy ever had

that he could call his.

No, I wouldn't tell him.

That's you Cash and I am me.

You know how to run a store
and train bird dogs

but me...I gotta raise the 'un.

So I'll tell him.

Like I said..

...it's your load.

Like I said, I towed it.

Sixty, sixty one,
sixty two, sixty three.

Fifty yards is nothing.

That little dog of yours
pointed them quail at 63 yards!

How do you want your eggs?

I'll chop up some ham in little
bitty pieces so you can chew it.

Something eating you,
Uncle Jesse?

[sighs]

Something I gotta
tell you about.

Lady?

There's an ad in here
about a lost dog.

Isis of the Blue Nile.

It's a funny name.

(Skeeter)
'But they call her
Blue for short.'

He's talking about Lady.

I never heard
of a dog like that.

- Bas-Bas..
- Basenji.

Just never heard
of a dog like that.

He come from Africa.

- How do you know?
- Cash told me.

Sure hated to tell me.

Then how come he told you?

Oh, I...sort of trapped him.

Gotta get that ham chopped.

It's Lady, alright.

Ain't saying it ain't.

Just saying I never heard
of a dog like that.

Dogs like that have been
in Africa a long time.

Long before, uh

Our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.

Before Moses, even.

How do you know?

Cash told me.

How does he know?

Someone from Mobile
told him.

If she belongs in Africa,
then what's she doing over here?

Somebody brought her over.
Maybe, them folks in the ad.

Brought her over here
and got lost.

It's about the way
it happened.

Well, I found her.

I found her
and "finders keepers."

That's the way the saying goes
and some folks holds to it.

How do you hold?

I ain't holding. You are
the one who's doing the holding.

Wouldn't know how
to do, Uncle Jesse.

What you think?
I don't know what to do.

I don't rightly know.

Might keep still like
nothing never happened.

Then, again, there's a heap
of folks who knows about it.

Somebody might put
two and two together.

It's all a set reward.

- Mr. Cash?
- Never in this world.

Cash loves money as good as
the next man but not that good.

But whichever way you jump,
I'm jumping with you.

You mean if I keep it, then
it's...it's alright with you?

They can bring the high sheriff,
the governor even

don't make no difference.

If that's the way
you want it

ain't nobody taking
no dog away from no one.

Then I'm going to keep her.

Then if that's the way
it's to be..

...let's get
them ham and eggs.

More likely, them folks
apparently forgot all about her.

It's an old magazine.

She's been lost
a long time.

Put on some oatmeal too.

No one around here
much reads magazines

except for Mr. Cash and Gates
so I'm going to keep her.

You said that once, there's no
use to keep talking about it.

[crying]
I ain't hungry.

You ought to eat.

[slow music]

Isis of the Blue Nile?

You know it.

You know it, alright.

Know it but you don't like it.

He'll find out.

Can't help but find out.

You'll never be mine anymore.

My little old puppy dog.
Poor little old puppy dog.

[crying]

You'd like a cup of coffee?

We got to do it,
Uncle Jesse.

Well, it's like I said,
you're doing the holding.

It's your load,
you got to towed it.

I aim to tow it.

Just don't know how to get
in touch with them folks

way up yonder and all.

Hm, you should
write them a letter.

It'll take too long.

Wanna get shut of it.

Since I got to do it,
I wanna do it quick.

Well, maybe send
them a telegram.

No, don't know how
to send one.

Me neither,
but Cash would know.

Don't want Mr. Cash in it.

Don't be hard on Cash,
he couldn't help it.

Gates would know.

Gates knows about
things like that.

- I'm going over to see Gates.
- Right now?

Right now.

You stay here, Lady.

Dirty damn crazies!

Not one crash and ditch.

[whining]

You telling them
you found her, Claude?

I got to. She ain't mine.

I'm bound to tell them.

We aim to send a telegram

but me and the boy
ain't never sent one.

How you do it?

I'm going into
Pascagoula tomorrow.

I'll send it for you
if you want me to.

Just walk in, big as you
please, and tell them

you aim to send a telegram for
Jesse Jackson and his nephew..

...about a dog.

What you gonna tell them?

That their Basenji has
been found and where it is.

That's all.

Wait a minute, Gates.
You knew about Lady.

Knew all along.

What makes you say that?

The way you said
the name right off.

Easy as you please. You didn't
even stare at the magazine.

Basenji?

You know'd about that dog?

In a way, I did, I suppose.

Since you put it that way.

I knew right off, it was
a Basenji and mighty valuable.

Mr. Evans didn't know about it,
I didn't know about it.

How come you know'd about it?

Well, I heard it
down in the swamps

about the same time
you folks did, Mr. Jesse.

A dog that couldn't bark,
a dog that laughed.

- So I read up on it.
- You tried to catch her?

Yes, sir.

I knew she's worth
a lot of money.

Why didn't you tell me, Gates?

How come you let me play
all along like she was mine?

I just did, that's all.

I was down at the spring
the day you found her.

I put out baits, but she
wouldn't come to me.

(Gates)
'I saw her go to you.'

'And that's all there is to it.'

Should have told me.

Wouldn't have been so hard
to give her up...at first.

I wish now that I had.

But I just couldn't
tell you, Claude.

'You had yourself a dog'

'and I just couldn't
throw you.'

[slow music]

I don't want Claude mad at me
but I just couldn't tell him.

He'll get over it.
You done right.

He'll get over it.

I never saw anybody
aching so hard, Mr. Jesse.

(Jesse)
'It's mighty pretty writing,
I can tell that.'

'But with my glasses busted, I
can't read nothing that close.'

My name's Grover,
Mr. Jackson

from the Old Brook Kennel
in Connecticut.

As soon as we got your telegram,
I flew down to Mobile.

- Rode in an airplane, did you?
- Yes, sir.

Well, now, ain't
that something.

Uh, is the dog here?

It'll be back directly.
Boy's out walking her somewhere.

- Is she in good shape?
- 'Fit as ever.'

How is she eating?

Same as us. Oatmeal, bacon fat,
and things like that.

A valuable dog like Isis
should have meat once a day.

Why, now, I do declare!
Meat every day, huh?

And here we've been feeding her
the same sort of stuff we eat.

You might as well come up
and sit a while.

I'm anxious to get
back to Mobile.

I can get a plane
back home tonight.

I don't wanna hurry you but I've
come a long way for that dog.

You sure have.

What did you say
your name was?

- Grover.
- First or last?

Last. My name's Walden Grover.

Was he a president too?

[slow music]

- If the reward isn't large--
- Reward?

- Done forgot about that.
- Alright.

I don't own the kennel,
I only work for it, Mr. Jackson.

But I've been authorized
to pay you a 50 dollar reward.

- That's a lot of money.
- I ain't saying it ain't.

I'll pay you as soon
as I get the dog.

I don't want trouble,
but legally..

Trouble?

...the dog belongs to us.

You ain't gonna have
no trouble, Mr. Grover.

As soon as the boy gets back,
well, you'll get your dog.

No offence.

I just thought you might not
want to give up the dog.

We don't, but she's yours.

Naturally, I hate to take
a dog away from a boy.

Now, hold on a minute.

Ain't nobody taking
nothing away from nobody.

The boy found your dog,
and she's yours.

But there ain't nobody taking
nothing away from nobody.

I didn't mean it that way.

You know, I don't like this
anymore than you do.

This bozo is a bit touchy.

Come on in and we'll have us
a cup of coffee.

Ain't no sense in us having
a set-to out here

about this thing, is it?

Okay.

Ain't never seen no pants
like them before, Mr. Grover.

[slow music]

Ain't much but it's ours,
mine and the boy's.

I've never been inside
a house like this before.

It'll do.

It's sort of crowded though.

Figure on adding
another room for the boy.

He needs another room.

Is that where he sleeps?

Him and the dog.

You know how it is
with a boy and a dog.

Yes, I know.

Trouble with boys is...
they grow up.

[slow music]

You just drive back down the
road to Mr. Alfie Evans' store.

Tell the old cashier, a friend
of mine, and wait there.

Me and the dog and the boy will
be in as soon as he gets back.

(Grover)
If that's the way you want it,
that's the way we'll do it.

[car engine starts]

[crying]

Some folks say that old
Jesse Jackson ain't no account.

But I say it depends
on how you look at things.

If he said he'd bring that
dog in, they'll bring him in.

So why don't you sit down,
take that load off your feet?

Wait a minute,
here they come now.

Jesse, this here is Mr. Grover.
You two done met.

Howdy, but we ain't shook.

This is Claude.

Sorry, I was late.

Didn't know you'd
get here so soon.

Here's your dog.

You've taken good care
of her, Claude.

She looks good.

She's a bit touchy right now.

Washed her down at the bayou.

She didn't like it.

I'm sorry about this, son.

In a way, I wish we'd never
found out about her.

Know'd all along
I couldn't keep her.

So, that's alright.

Know'd something would happen.

Here's your reward.
You can count it.

- Ain't no use of that.
- It's a lot of money.

It's a lot of dog.

That's more that fifty dollars.

It's a hundred dollars.

The dog's worth
every dime of it.

I suppose, you'd be
breeding her.

Yeah, that's right.

I was just thinking,
with all that money

maybe Skeeter could buy
one of her puppies.

Don't want one of her puppies.

Then I'd always
be thinking of her.

If she's going..

...then I want her to go..

...and not always
to be thinking of her.

I was going to say
I'd write you

and let you know
how she was doing.

But I won't do that, son.

'I know how you feel.'

Ah, I wanna
get back to Mobile.

Better get going, I guess.

Blue, Blue.
Come on, Blue.

Come on, Blue.

'Blue...Blue.'

'Blue.'

'Come on, Blue.'

Lead her out to the truck,
would you, son?

Ain't I done enough, mister?
Brung my dog in.

Why I should be the one to take
her out and send her away?

You're right,
you've done enough.

You paid me fair.

I'll take her out.
Come on, Lady.

I hope Lady don't
cut up none.

The boy's aching, I hope she
don't make it no tougher on him.

Things can get here so tough
and no tougher.

And Mr. Grover's aching too.

I always heard Yankees
are hard and uppity

but he ain't, he'll do.

He's alright,
if you know him.

Oh, some are hard and uppity
and some ain't.

That's the way Yankees are.
They can't help it.

I know myself a lotta
mighty good Yankees.

There ain't no use
in overdoing it, Cash.

There ain't no use
in stretching it.

Come on, Lady.

[Lady whining]

Lady, don't cry.

Lady, don't cry.

[Lady whining]

[whining continues]

Don't cry, Lady.

Goodbye, my Lady.

[whining continues]

[whining continues]

[slow music]

They'll take good
care of her, Skeeter.

She's a very valuable dog.

I reckon so.

We'll be going back home
whenever you're ready.

I had myself a dog.

You can always say
you had yourself a dog.

(Cash)
'Gates was in
early this morning.'

'Me and him figured we might
send ol' Mill out to your place'

'and let you
look after him for me.'

- I'll pay good.
- I reckon not.

We had us a dog.

But I'll look
after him, Uncle Jesse.

Be good to have
ol' Mill around.

And I'll do all the work.

I figured you didn't want
another dog around.

I like ol' Mill.

He barks and everything,
like I'm used to.

Lady will be better off
way up yonder.

Yankees feed dogs
meat every day.

That's what the man
told Uncle Jesse.

Gates will bring him
over in the morning if..

...your Uncle Jesse
don't mind.

I don't mind.
Whatever the boy wants.

The man said it was
a hundred dollars.

That's what it is,
a hundred dollars.

How much 'em Roebuckers cost
for Uncle Jesse?

Good 'uns will ruin
that hundred.

There's cheaper ones
but good 'uns come high.

Now, wait a minute.
We won't do that.

You heard the boy.

He told me to order
'em Roebuckers, it's his money.

That's what I said, Uncle. Told
him to order 'em Roebuckers.

I don't want 'em that bad.

Been talkin' about
roastin' ears and hickory nuts

and things like that
but I didn't mean it.

- I'm doin' alright.
- I want the best ones.

If it takes every cent
of that $100

I want the best ones there is.

You'll get good 'uns,
I'll order 'em tonight.

More than likely,
there'll be enough left over

for a downpayment
on the 20-gauge.

That's what I want..

...if there's enough left over.

Little old 20-gauge.

Me and..

...and ol' Mill
hunting some birds.

I figure you'll might
like some coffee

before you start back home.

There's a nip in the air.

I'd rightly like
a cup of coffee.

Drink mine black.

Think about Claude.

Drinks his black, too.

Claude does.
Black and stout.

* When your boy
becomes a man *

* It's a sad

* Glad thing *