Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis (2022) - full transcript
Versions of Meriwether Lewis's 1809 death at a remote wilderness inn are imagined by his friend Alexander Wilson during a tense encounter with the only witness to the famed explorer's final night alive.
[birds chirping]
[wings flapping]
BOY: Four... three... two... one.
Ready or not, here I come.
[water pouring]
[thumping footsteps]
Get in the house.
Can I help you, sir?
Good afternoon, madam.
I'm Meriwether Lewis.
And I'm in need of...
[stammering] imme... imme...
Immediate accommodations.
[panting]
[muffled voices arguing]
[object shattering]
[gunshot]
MERIWETHER: Oh Lord!
["End of The Dream"
by Evanescence]
♪ I found a grave ♪
♪ Brushed off the face ♪
♪ Felt your light ♪
♪ And I remember
why I know ♪
♪ This place ♪
♪ I found a bird ♪
♪ Closing her eyes ♪
♪ One last time ♪
♪ And I wonder
if she dreamed ♪
♪ Like me ♪
♪ As much as it hurts ♪
Ain't it wonderful to feel? ♪♪
♪ So go on and break ♪
♪ Your wings ♪
♪ Follow your heart ♪
♪ 'Til it bleeds ♪
♪ As we run towards the end ♪
♪ Of the dream ♪
[dramatic music]
♪♪♪
[birds chirping]
[gunshot]
It's a mocking bird.
It's a fine specimen, I'd say.
We'll sketch the old boy tonight
if we can get
to where we're goin'.
[chickens clucking]
[chicken clucking ends abruptly]
Is this Grinder's Stand?
Yes, it is.
Do I know you?
ALEXANDER:
I don't think so, ma'am.
My name is Alexander Wilson.
I've ridden
here from Philadelphia.
I'm an ornithologist.
That is, I study birds.
I've been commissioned
by the government
of the United States
to survey
for new species along this way.
From Cumberland Gap
down to New Orleans.
That's a chicken.
That's an easy one,
even without the head.
You must be the Grinders then.
That there's my husband, Robert.
He owns this stand.
ALEXANDER: I guess
you'd be Priscilla.
Do we know you?
No, sir. But you did
know a good friend of mine.
Or at least you met
his acquaintance briefly.
I'll explain.
I've been sent
here specifically to stop
at your stand along
the way to speak with you both
about an event that
happened here two years ago.
A most terrible one, I'm afraid.
I've been sent to speak with you
about the death
of Meriwether Lewis.
He shot himself.
I know it may
be difficult to recall
the details of such
a horrific occurrence, ma'am.
I understand.
But if you could give
your own accounting of the death
of my friend, I'll
take your words unedited back
to my superior, who only
sent me on this inquiry because
he himself was a good
friend to the late governor.
Your superior.
Who might that be?
The President.
The president?
Aye, ma'am.
Is your guest room available?
It's been a long ride.
I'll be sure to retire here
this evening after we speak.
If you can accommodate me,
I can pay in coin.
Take the room there.
Wilson. Alexander Wilson.
We'll tend to your horse.
We'll bring your things inside.
I'll be
starting a supper shortly.
- We're having...
- Chicken.
I can see that.
I know my birds.
Right there.
ALEXANDER: Thank you.
I have some drawings
to tend to before supper.
[fire crackling]
It was delicious.
I certainly wasn't
expecting sweet potatoes.
My mother
makes a sweet potato dish,
but I think I'm free to say,
as I'm 500 miles
from home, yours is better.
Sincerest compliments, ma'am.
Delectable.
Thank you.
You had some
question you wanted to ask.
If you don't mind,
I'll hold on that inquiry,
the one we spoke of earlier,
'til the boy's been put to bed.
Don't you
think that's best, Mr. Grinder?
Get on to bed, boy.
First off,
I wasn't here when it happened.
So, you yourself...
I wasn't here when it happened.
Well, then, Mrs. Grinder.
Priscilla, sit down.
I know this is difficult, ma'am.
If it could
be avoided, I would do so.
But, Meriwether
was a good friend to me
and to many others,
including the President.
And those of us
in the East have yet to come
to peace with
the bits and pieces of the tale
as they've
come from the wilderness.
Suicide, they say.
That's hard to accept
for those of us who knew him.
There were two reports,
one from the Indian
agent to the Chickasaw,
James Neely,
the other from John Pernia,
the governor's
personal attendant.
Both indicate you two.
Specifically you,
Mrs. Grinder,
as the last to see him
closest to his death.
We simply want to know
what happened
to our dear friend.
What was going on inside of him.
Can you tell
me that, Mrs. Grinder?
Who the hell
could know a thing like that?
[footsteps]
[door creaking]
Only the Lord would know
something like that, Mr. Wilson.
But I'll tell
you what I do know.
It was October.
Two years ago.
It was cool for October.
The nights were very cool.
I do remember that.
Neely?
Something spooked the horses.
What?
- What is it?
- The pack horses.
Something
spooked the pack horses.
They pulled free. I think they
ran down through the hollow.
All right, I'll help you.
No, no.
You stay here.
You stay with the governor.
He's not well.
I'll get the horses.
If I'm not back by sun up,
you go on ahead. It's not that
far to Grinder's Stand.
We can catch 'em a lot
quicker if there's two of us.
Tom can stay
here with the Governor.
No, I want you both
to stay with the governor.
I'll get the horses.
How the hell we gonna
get all that up this road?
Shit.
Tom.
Go back to sleep.
[water rushing]
Governor, it's going to take
a while to load these horses
me and Captain Tom
have been riding.
They're not pack animals.
They're going to buck and cut
up if we don't handle them easy.
It was five and now three.
- Where is Neely?
- Sir, I already told you.
Something spooked the pack
horses
during
the night and Captain Neely
went out to round
them and bring them back in.
Oh, yes.
He's on the round up.
I need to get on
to Nashville, then. Let's see.
Sir, can you please
wait for me and Captain Tom?
We'll have these horses loaded
in a few minutes
and we can start out together.
Grinder's Stand isn't
that far off, Neely said.
But... but Governor, me and Tom
are gonna have to walk it.
These animals were our rides.
We're gonna
be slow... slow going.
I need to get on to Nashville.
That's for sure.
On the road here then...
I see.
JOHN: Sir? Sir... Sir,
Hold on.
[Meriwether humming]
Governor, your pants.
Governor, your coat.
Despite the contention,
my ledger is balanced
and payment is due.
No sir, John Pernia.
They will not make a Burr of me.
There's no time to lose.
[clicks tongue]
- Seaman. Come boy.
- JOHN: Governor.
Governor!
Well, hell, Tom.
Don't just stand there.
Four... three... two... one.
Ready or not, here I come.
[water pouring]
Get in the house.
Can I help you, sir?
Good afternoon, madam.
I am Meriwether Lewis,
and I am in need
of immediate accommodation.
You can put your things
in the room there, Mr. Lewis.
I'm about
to start making a supper.
Over here, Mr. Lewis.
The room is a dollar.
Certainly ma'am.
Bargain, I'd say.
If Wilkinson had his way,
we'd all be finished.
Terminado.
General for whom, Sir?
Ah, but I have
to cross the country?
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Pay the damn bills, Hamilton.
Of course you have.
Your successor then.
Governor.
Hasn't Neely gotten
here with the horses, yet?
Are they with you?
JOHN: Yes, ma'am.
We are with Governor Lewis.
These are his things.
- Governor?
- JOHN: Yes, ma'am.
Of Louisiana.
PRICILLA: Is he alright?
Mostly. He will
be when he settles down.
There's a store house
over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation,
hay and water for the horses.
Governor Lewis
has taken the room here.
Oh, but that will
be another dollar for them,
Mr. Lewis.
Governor Lewis.
Bargain, I'd say.
That way?
Yes. Over the hill back there.
Just over the rise.
Are the rest
of my papers there too, Tom?
- And the powders?
- Yes sir.
Thank you, ma'am.
Governor, before we go,
sir, are you all right?
TOM: Governor.
Sir, are you all right?
...He's been this way...
Why wouldn't I be, Prenia?
I've got a good dog here. A good
meal coming.
What else is there? Good God.
[sighs]
Do you think
an appeal is in order?
What if the first volley fails?
Where do I go from there?
That's the question, my boy.
To the chief himself. Bold.
Sir?
Governor Lewis,
can I answer something?
Bobby doesn't really know.
Hey?
Oh.
I'm not really asking the boy.
Unless he knows the answer.
Do you know the answer, Bobby?
No. No.
You don't. You don't.
I'm just... I'm asking myself.
Just playing out both sides.
Where's the boy's father?
Mrs. Grinder. Is he around here?
I'm very sad.
Bobby. Go to bed.
Is there anything I can
do for you, Governor Lewis?
[crying] No.
No, there's not.
I'm sad, Mrs. Grinder.
I said that, I think.
How far is it to Nashville?
About 70 miles, sir.
MERIWETHER: Can I make that?
I don't see why not.
Where is my room?
Across there.
[panting]
[ominous banjo music]
♪♪♪
[sniffs]
♪♪♪
[objects clanging]
[panting]
♪♪♪
[grunts]
♪♪♪
[gunshot]
MERIWETHER: Oh Lord.
[gunshot]
BOBBY: Mama.
Shh.
You stay there.
Cover up.
Mrs. Grinder.
I need help, ma'am.
Please open your door, ma'am.
Ma'am, please open your door.
[grunting]
Ma'am.
Please, ma'am.
[groaning in pain]
Ma'am. I'm so thirsty. Could
you please get me some water?
Mrs. Grinder. Please.
I'm so thirsty.
Get me some water.
[breathing heavily]
Mrs. Grinder. Are you awake?
[grunting]
[panting]
Heal me. Heal me.
Mrs. Grinder.
Please.
Please. Oh God.
Please heal me.
[birds chirping]
[hiccupping]
Kill me, John.
End my suffering.
No, sir. I'm sorry.
I can't do that.
Tom.
You do it.
[breathing coarsely]
[Seaman whimpering]
Take care of my dog.
[swallows harshly]
PRISCILLA: There was nothing.
Nothing I could've
done to have saved him.
Pernia and Neely
buried him where you saw.
[door creaking]
What a hellacious ending.
It was.
It raises
so many more questions.
Questions?
Aye. Questions of life.
What goes
on inside a man's brain?
Was he sick?
Was he sad?
He had everything to live for.
He was 35 years old.
Like my wife said,
Mr. Wilson,
we don't have any answers
to those questions.
Of course, Mr. Grinder.
It's just philosophical.
Rhetorical.
Where were you,
Mr. Grinder?
- That night?
- Yes, sir.
I had business in Franklin.
Land dispute with a neighbor.
It's resolved.
Could you
provide your own summary
of the death
of the governor, Mr. Grinder?
What do you think?
Hmm?
I think that the Colombian
highway is a dangerous route.
Especially farther south.
The Natchez Trace.
- Apple?
- No, thank you.
Wish I'd have been here.
Couldn't have
done anything about it.
Can't stop a man
from doin' what he did.
Alone in the night.
She hasn't
been right since then.
I'm sure death
is no stranger here.
But what could drive a man
to try to take
his own life once,
fail at it,
then already mortally wounded,
take up the weapon
a second time?
What kind of person
could... could summon
such resolve
to achieve such a bitter end?
My heart aches for my friend.
What do you think made him?
Who knows what may
have happened to him
in all that country from
Chickasaw Bluff to here?
- Neely. What is it?
- I'm leaving.
All right.
I ought to be able to make it
to Franklin by tomorrow night,
and I'll circle back
and meet you at the trace.
What should I say?
Tell 'em the horses got spooked.
Tell 'em they ran off
down the hollow and,
uh, tell 'em
I ran off after 'em.
How the hell
are we supposed to get
this load up the road, Neely?
Pack your own ride and walk it.
It's not that far
to Grinder's Stand.
Oh, Pernia,
don't cross Robert Grinder.
Shit.
Tom. Go back to sleep.
JOHN: Governor,
it's gonna take us a few minutes
to load these horses.
If you would just wait.
We need to get moving.
Where exactly did Neely go?
Sir, I already told you
something spooked
the pack horses in
the night and Neely went off
the round them
and bring them back up.
So he's on a round up.
I have to get to Nashville.
Why would he go off on his own?
You know, John?
[sighs] Late start already.
Sir. If you could just
wait on Tom and me,
we'll travel with you.
Governor,
please do not ride alone.
We just need you to load
these horses and just wait
for Neely to come meet us
with the pack horses.
Grinder's Stand isn't
too far up the road, here.
Governor, your coat.
Don't leave anything behind.
If I cross Neely, I'll
send him back with the horses.
I won't go past Grinder's.
Hurry it up.
Seaman. Come on boy.
JOHN: Governor,
if you could just wait a minute.
Well, hell, Tom,
don't just stand there.
BOBBY: Five... four...
three... two... one.
Ready or not, here I come.
Get in the house.
Hello.
My husband is away
at the moment,
but he should be back shortly.
Is there something
I can help you with?
Good afternoon, ma'am.
I'm Meriwether Lewis.
I'm in need of accommodations.
Mr. Lewis, you can put
your things in the room there.
I'm about to start
making a supper.
Did you say Meriwether Lewis?
Yes. That's the one.
Not every day you meet
a Meriwether, I bet.
Governor Lewis.
The room is a dollar, sir.
That's a bargain, I'd say.
If Wilkinson had his way
we'd all be finished.
Terminado, he'd say.
Just whose General are you, sir?
Still, I'm the one
who has to cross the country.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Just pay the bill.
Save me the trip.
Why can't you just do that?
You don't mind, do you, boy?
Just another journey.
One more adventure.
Pernia. Tom.
- Any problems?
- No, sir.
Has Neely not gotten
here with the horses, yet?
No, no sign of him.
I need to have a word with
Major Neeley when he arrives.
Some damned escort he is.
This isn't the time
or place to go off on your own.
Where shall we unload, Governor?
Governor Lewis.
Are these men with you?
Yes. These are my men.
John Pernia. Captain Tom.
They'll need a roof tonight
as well.
There's a storehouse
over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation.
Hay and water for the horses.
Mr. Lewis has taken
the room here.
Oh, but that will be
another dollar, governor.
Still a bargain, I'd say.
You two go ahead.
And if you see Neely this time,
come get me.
PERNIA: Yes, sir.
That way?
Over the hill back there.
Just over the rise.
- My papers here too, Tom?
- Yes, sir.
- And the powders?
- Yes sir.
Governor, will you be needing us
any more tonight and tonight?
Not tonight, gentlemen.
Unless Neeley turns up.
I've got a good dog here.
Good meal coming.
What more could a man want?
My husband will be back shortly.
Yes. So you said.
1ST RIDER: Well, well, well.
2ND RIDER: I thought you said
the cupboard was bare.
What's that?
What's that you said
I couldn't hear.
Governor.
I believe we're ready to eat.
Friends of yours?
I don't know them.
Did I hear you correctly?
Something in this kitchen
smells wonderful.
[belching]
I could take my appeals
directly to Jefferson.
Madison now.
But should I fail
in my pleas there,
I'm left with no alternative,
and the issue
will be finally closed.
Not in my favor.
So could I be successful
with the bolder move?
Given the source of my
difficulties is Wilkinson,
I feel certain I'd find
a friend in the President.
But there is a risk.
Should my argument
fall on deaf ears,
my financial situation
in Louisiana
will most certainly
plummet as well.
Bobby, I have a dilemma.
Where do I go from here?
That's the question, my boy.
Can I afford to be so bold?
Sir?
Governor Lewis,
can I answer something?
Bobby doesn't really know.
Oh. No. No. No.
My apologies, Mrs. Grinder.
I wasn't really asking the boy.
Unless he knows the answer.
Do you bobby?
I was just talking to myself.
Playing out both sides.
- Do you believe your husband...
- Robert.
Robert? Yes. Robert.
Do you expect Robert
will be home soon?
I had hoped to meet him before
I retired for the evening.
He seems to have been
delayed with his business.
He had business in Franklin.
Go to bed, Bobby.
Go on to bed, son.
What's your husband's business,
Mrs. Grinder?
Farming.
And this stand here.
Farming?
Well, that's a noble pursuit.
Perhaps I will meet him
in the morning.
Is there anything else I can
do for you? Governor Lewis.
How far is it to Nashville?
About 70 miles, sir.
Can I make that tomorrow?
I think you could, sir.
But, probably not
with the pack horses.
It gets very treacherous
the closer you
come to Nashville.
Treacherous?
- Hilly.
- Oh, yes, I guess you're right.
Well, good woman.
I thank you for the dinner
and the conversation.
I'll make my way to my room.
It's just across there.
[horse whinnying]
No. Be still.
[Seaman barking and whimpering]
[door creaking]
[gun shot]
Oh, Lord.
[gun shot]
[gun shot]
- BOBBY: Mama?
- Shh Shh Shh. Lay down.
You stay there. Cover up.
I'm Robert Grinder.
He killed himself.
Damn shame.
Bury him.
It's a damn shame
this country's the way it is.
It's a damn shame.
Some say it's improving.
Some say.
Whoever says that probably lives
in Nashville. Or Philadelphia.
I noticed Meriwether's grave
outside.
It's sinking badly.
I want to leave you with
some money to repair it.
- Put a stone on it.
- I could do that.
It was already buried
when I got back.
Who was it again,
who buried the governor?
Pernia and the slave.
I believe Tom was a free man.
- I believe.
- And Neely.
Oh yeah.
That's right, Neely.
Chickasaw Indian agent.
Him too.
I'll fix the grave.
We'll work out a price.
I'd like to get that in writing.
My word not good enough?
It's for my records,
to be reimbursed.
I'll put it in writing.
Here you are, Mr. Wilson.
Thank you.
Please call me Alexander.
All right.
ALEXANDER: What a dismal tale.
My God, to think my friend
would spend his last day
on Earth in such a way.
I struggle with it.
He and I were not so different.
What could put a man so low?
I cannot fathom it.
Mrs. Grinder, rest assured,
I do not fault you
for your fear.
No one knows how we would truly
respond in such a situation.
A woman should
not bear such a load.
Out here.
All alone.
And you, Mr. Grinder.
Even you.
What could you have
possibly thought
arriving home to such
a bitter scene?
ALEXANDER:
I can't imagine how shocking
it must have been, Mr. Grinder.
How truly shocking.
Get in the house.
- Can I help you, sir?
- I certainly hope so.
I'm Meriwether Lewis,
governor of Louisiana.
I'm traveling on
government business,
and I need accommodations.
I have a room there.
It's across the hall from mine.
I'll help you
put your things away.
I think I'll manage.
Of course.
How silly of me.
You can water
your horse around back
and I'll start fixing us
a supper shortly.
- Thank you, miss...
- Priscilla.
I'm Priscilla.
I'm Meriwether.
Not every day you meet
a Meriwether, I bet.
You can call me
Governor if you like.
The room is a dollar,
Meriwether.
Well, that's a bargain. I'd say.
You don't mind, do you boy?
Another journey.
One more adventure.
I like it too.
Pernia. Tom.
- Any problems?
- No, sir.
Has Neely gotten here
with the horses yet?
No sign of him.
I'll have to have a word with
Major Neely when he arrives.
This isn't the time or
place to go off on your own.
Where should we unload
this governor?
- Hello.
- Priscilla.
These are my men,
John Pernia, and Captain Tom.
They'll need a roof
tonight as well.
Is there someplace else nearby?
Well, Governor,
there is a storehouse
over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation,
hay and water for your horses.
Plenty of room for sleeping.
Thank you, ma'am.
That'll work fine.
Pernia, you and Tom head
on over to that storehouse.
I should give you another
dollar for putting up my men.
Oh, it's just an old store
house, governor.
Still a bargain, I'd say.
Go ahead, gentlemen.
And if you see Neely, tell him
to bunk with you down there.
Yes, sir. That way?
Over the hill, yes.
Just over the rise.
- Are my papers here, too, Tom.
- Yes, sir.
- And my powders?
- Yes sir.
Oh, and Tom takes Seaman
to the storehouse with you.
- Take care of him tonight.
- Come on!
Governor,
are you all right, sir?
Will you need us
anymore tonight?
Not tonight, gentlemen.
I do believe I'm set right here.
What more could a man want?
I'm truly pleased that you're
at the stand tonight, Governor.
I would have been out
here all alone.
My husband's away in Franklin.
He won't be back for two days.
You have a husband?
I think there's a lad in
there that might need a little
something to eat before
he turns in for the night.
Yes.
Let me make her supper.
I could take my appeals
directly to the president.
But should I fail in my pleas,
the issue will be finally
closed and not in my favor.
Now, could I be successful
with the bolder move?
Given the source
of my difficulties
is General Wilkinson,
I feel certain I might find
a friend in the President.
But there is still the risk.
Should my argument fall
on deaf ears, my financial
situation in Louisiana will
most certainly plummet as well.
Bobby.
It appears
I have quite a dilemma.
So once to Washington,
what strategy must I employ?
That's the question, Bobby.
Can actually afford
to shoot directly
at the heart of the matter?
Or do I dance
around the periphery?
Sir?
Governor Lewis.
Bobby doesn't really
know what you're talking about.
Maybe it's time for him
to go to bed.
Of course, Mrs. Grinder.
My apologies, Bobby.
I wasn't really asking you.
I was just playing out both
sides of my business to myself.
Talking in the air.
Seeing what it sounded like.
Sorry if I bored you two.
No, no, not at all.
Well, the boy
does seem to be drifting.
Bobby. Go on to bed.
Go on to bed, son.
Goodnight, young man.
- I'll take care of your dishes.
- Yes, mama.
What is your husband's business,
Mrs. Grinder?
Why isn't he here?
Court in Franklin.
Today and tomorrow.
And how far is Franklin?
About 50 miles, sir.
That's a full day's ride.
Priscilla, good woman.
I thank you for the dinner,
and the conversation.
I'll make my way to my room.
Do you know the way to my room?
Yes, I do.
It's across there.
I'll make sure you've found it
as soon as he's asleep.
[moaning]
[bed knocking against the wall]
♪
♪
[footsteps]
[bed squeaking]
Oh Lord.
No. No.
Bitch.
You killed him.
Oh.
Oh.
What have you done?
What have I done?
Robert, he's the governor.
He's the governor.
He has men in the storehouse.
Get up.
Get up.
Robert, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry, Robert.
Please think of Bobby.
Think, I'm his mother.
Please, Robert.
Please.
Get up.
[gun shot]
[gun shot]
BOBBY: Mama?
He killed himself.
He killed himself.
Neely.
Robert, that man
is the governor of Louisiana.
What the hell happened?
He killed his self.
Is that right?
Priscilla'll bear witness to it.
Tie him up.
He killed himself.
- Bury him.
- Wait.
Hell.
Tom, I'll help you find
a place to dig a hole.
Yeah. It was a hard thing to
come home to, that's for sure.
We knew life out here
wouldn't be a bed of roses.
You think you can get 1600 acres
of land for nothing?
Hell.
They sent us out here
to fight the dark.
It costs blood to be out here.
Damn Chickasaws killed
my brother.
Now we're supposed
to kiss their asses
to get over the Tennessee River.
It's a hell
of a fucked up country.
Excuse me, Wilson.
If you don't mind,
I'm gonna step outside
for a minute.
ALEXANDER: Of course,
Mr. Grinder.
Is everything alright?
Yeah, yeah. It's peachy.
She can answer anything else.
You're movin'
on tomorrow, right?
You're gonna find some
other birds down south.
Aye. I plan to leave
in the morning.
I only needed to get
the information on Meriwether.
- As I as tasked to do.
- Right, right, right.
I heard you say that.
Well, she can tell you
all you wanna know
about the night he was here
if there's anything else.
She hasn't been right
since then.
It's been a bad damn
thing all the way around.
- Certainly for him.
- Yeah.
Certainly for him.
Excuse me.
I'm gonna have another smoke.
Mrs. Grinder.
Are you alright?
To be honest, Mr. Wilson,
this whole retelling
has taken me back in my
mind to a very hard place.
I'm sorry.
I hope you understand.
My asking you
to revisit the tale
is only because
I loved Meriwether,
as did his friends and family
from the east to the west.
We hope and pray for
some speck of information
that can make
his death make sense.
He was 35 years old,
a young man,
a national hero,
governor of upper Louisiana.
Why would my dear friend
take his own life?
He drank too much.
Maybe he was insane or sick.
He looked and acted both.
He wasn't like a regular man.
At least not when I saw him.
So, maybe the rules
that govern regular men
didn't apply to him.
- Mrs. Grinder...
- I don't know.
I don't know.
I just wish I had given him
a drink of water.
Why didn't I give him
a drink of water before he died?
Who does that?
How weak am I?
You're not weak, Mrs. Grinder.
You exist in a land
where most women
would curl up and die.
That's not weak.
Thank you.
[sighing]
What can you tell me
about the other men
who were with Meriwether?
Did he at least die
with his friends?
Did you know
John Pernia took his own life
in Washington?
- Good.
- Ma'am?
He wasn't a good man.
To be honest, if you ask me,
none of them were.
Maybe the other servant,
but who knows about that?
And what of Agent Neely?
It was General Wilkinson
who gave him the Indian job.
I didn't really know
Agent Neely.
He came by here a few times.
I think he worked with Robert
on some things in Franklin.
But, I never heard anyone say
they liked him.
Not even Robert.
Neely wasn't with the governor
the day he came here.
He was supposed to be
the governor's escort,
but no one really knows
where Agent Neely was.
I'll circle back around
and meet you at the Trace.
Tell him the horses got loose,
and you went after them.
Yeah. Remember what I told you
about Grinder.
Yes, sir.
We'll pack the other two horses
and we'll send them to Grinder's
at first light.
C'mon.
I tied the other one
just up the road there, sir.
Now?
Tomorrow. Go back to sleep.
[horses huffing]
[birds chirping]
[exhaling]
Governor.
It's going to take us
a few minutes
to pack these horses.
We need to get moving, John.
What exactly did Neely say?
Sir, I already told you.
He woke me up and said something
spooked the two pack horses
and they bolted into the woods.
Neely went off to round them
and bring them back in.
So, he's on a round up?
I have to get to Nashville.
Late start already.
Son of a bitch.
Sir, if you waited
on Tom and me,
we could travel with you.
We just need to load
these horses
and we can head out then.
We'll be a lot slower since
we'll have to wait on Neely
to bring back
the two pack horses.
From what he said,
the Grinder's Stand is
not too far up the road there.
You can go ahead, Governor.
Don't leave anything behind.
If I cross Neely,
I'll deal with him.
Won't go past Grinder's.
Now, get a move on.
Understand? Hurry up.
Yes, sir. Be right
behind you, Governor.
MERIWETHER:
Seaman. Come on boy!
[rapid footsteps]
Get in the house.
My husband isn't here right now.
Maybe I can help you.
I hope so. I'm Meriwether Lewis.
I'm traveling on
government business,
and I need accommodation.
I plan to stay here for now.
Yes, I have a room there.
Yes, sir.
I'll help you
put your things away.
I'll manage.
Of course.
You can water your horse
around back.
I'll be
starting a supper shortly.
Thank you, Miss...
Grinder.
I'm Priscilla Grinder.
My husband is Robert.
He owns this stand.
And he should be back soon.
How much is the room
for the night?
The room is a dollar, sir.
Well, that's a bargain. I'd say.
Thank you, ma'am.
If Wilkinson had his way,
we'd all be finished.
But, I'm the one
who has to cross the country.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
Just pay the damn bill
and save me the trip.
You don't mind, do you boy?
Just another journey.
One more adventure.
Pernia. Tom.
You took a while.
We're sorry, sir. These
horses are not pack horses.
Has Neely not gotten back
with the ones that ran off yet?
No. No sign of him.
I'll have a word with
Major Neely when he arrives.
This isn't the time or place
to go off on your own.
Is there are a barn here or...
Or a shed?
Some where we might
unload all this, Governor?
These are my men, Mrs. Grinder.
John Pernia and Captain Tom.
They'll need a roof tonight
as well.
Just a barn or a shed.
Something like that, ma'am.
That'll suit us.
The storehouse.
It's over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation.
Hay, and water for the horses.
Plenty of room for sleeping.
I'll add another dollar
to your rate
for putting up my men.
It's just an old storehouse,
Governor.
Still a bargain, I'd say.
Go ahead, gentlemen.
But if you see Neely,
send him to me.
Yes, sir.
If we see him.
That way?
Over the hill back there,
just over the rise.
- Are my papers here, too, Tom?
- Yes, sir.
- And the powders?
- Yes, sir.
Governor, will you need us
anymore tonight?
Not unless Neely turns up.
I've got a good dog here.
A good meal comin'.
What more could a man want?
My husband will be home shortly.
So you said.
[outdoors din]
Looks like he found the horses.
[fire crackling]
[sighing]
I could take my appeals
directly to the president,
But should I fail
in my pleas there,
I'm left with no alternatives
and the issue
would be finally closed
and not in our favor.
Now, could I be successful
with the bolder move?
Given that the source
of my difficulties
is General Wilkinson,
I feel certain I'd find
a friend in the President.
Madison now.
Where is
General Wilkinson these days?
You know of Wilkinson?
I was only rambling.
You know who I'm speaking of?
He was governor out there
before you, a general,
before that.
We have news here, Mr. Lewis.
We know you too.
Here's something
you might not know.
Wilkinson is
a son of a bitch. Sorry.
I just wouldn't
have expected you
to pay attention to politics.
To someone like that.
Because I'm a woman.
I have ears and a brain
to go with these other parts.
My apologies.
I see that you do.
You're a surprising woman,
Priscilla.
Bobby. It's time
to go to bed, son.
Mama, can I stay up
a little bit longer?
No, you cannot.
- Please?
- No, sir.
Damn.
Move your tail now.
Stop.
Plate.
Yes, ma'am.
I love you, Bobby.
Love you too, Mama.
The boy does obey, Mrs. Grinder.
Sometimes.
You heard a taste
of his daddy's language.
Well, that's the language
of the frontier, Mrs. Grinder.
His daddy's and everyone else's.
Priscilla.
I guess so.
What is your
husband's business, Priscilla?
Why isn't he here?
Mostly, he's a farmer.
He had to go to Franklin
for some reason.
He didn't say why.
Today and tomorrow.
Hm.
How far is Franklin?
It's about 50 miles.
That's a full day's ride.
I thank you for the dinner
and for the conversation.
I do like a sweet potato.
I'll make my way to my room now.
[thud]
Do you know the way to my room?
Yes, I do.
It's across there.
[gentle banjo instrumental]
♪♪♪
[inhaling]
[sighing]
♪♪♪
[whistling]
♪♪♪
[footsteps]
♪♪♪
Is it done?
Bein' done.
[tense music]
[gun shot]
[quick footsteps]
That is that.
[horse trotting]
BOBBY: Mama?
Shh. Lay down.
You stay right there. Cover up.
[grunting]
Mrs. Grinder.
Mrs. Grinder.
Ma'am, I need help.
[groaning]
Mrs. Grinder.
Please open your door.
Please, ma'am.
[panting]
[grunting]
Mrs. Grinder. Please.
I'm so thirsty.
Please get me some water.
I'm hurt badly.
Get me some water.
The end of the journey.
Mrs. Grinder, are you awake?
I need some water, please.
Oh, Lord.
Please.
Water.
[grunting] Going to have
some water, Mrs. Grinder.
Ahh, ahh, ahh.
[grunting and groaning]
[groaning]
[strained panting]
Heal me. Please. Please.
Oh, God.
Please heal me.
[birds chirping]
[strained inhaling]
This it?
You have dammed yourselves
to hell, you sons of bitches.
Whoa.
Neely.
Damn it, Robert.
What in the hell happened?
Put that in my saddlebag.
In the saddlebag.
[sniffling and choking]
[sniffling]
Kill me, Pernia.
End my suffering.
Tom. You do it.
Do it.
Do it now, you coward!
[gun shot]
[Seaman barking]
[Seaman whimpering]
Bury him.
[Seaman whimpering]
Somebody shut up that damn dog.
Shut up the damn dog.
No. No, sir. No, sir.
PRISCILLA:
Neely came out the next day.
He was here when they buried
the governor out there.
Neely was.
It's out there where you saw.
I see.
[sighing]
Mr. and Mrs. Grinder,
is there anything else?
Anything at all?
About Meriweather or that night.
Perhaps some small detail
you'd forgotten,
but recalled,
even as we spoke of it.
Meriwether was a mason.
Did you know that?
Thank you both. For your story.
It still consumes me
with depression.
I don't know how you bear it.
Sorry.
Well, my day is done.
I shall retire.
And renew my journey
in the mornin'
to the far lighter pursuit
of hunting birds.
Ah. I have something for you.
It's a mockingbird.
Of course,
it's not a new species.
They're actually quite common
in these parts.
But, I studied
this one intently.
And believe I captured the image
of what they really are.
Anyway.
It's for you.
Thank you both again
for your full
and candid tale
of my friend's death.
I'll report it to our friends
in the East.
They won't be at ease
with the truth.
But at least they'll know it.
[sighing]
[soft melancholic instrumental]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[dramatic music]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
We've seen it all.
Saint Louis, boy. Two days more.
Lewis.
Clark.
There we shall
be met with vast riches
and glory untold.
The most beautiful sight
we've seen, Meriwether. The end.
- The end of the beginning.
- No, sir.
Our journey has just begun.
[dramatic music]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[wings flapping]
BOY: Four... three... two... one.
Ready or not, here I come.
[water pouring]
[thumping footsteps]
Get in the house.
Can I help you, sir?
Good afternoon, madam.
I'm Meriwether Lewis.
And I'm in need of...
[stammering] imme... imme...
Immediate accommodations.
[panting]
[muffled voices arguing]
[object shattering]
[gunshot]
MERIWETHER: Oh Lord!
["End of The Dream"
by Evanescence]
♪ I found a grave ♪
♪ Brushed off the face ♪
♪ Felt your light ♪
♪ And I remember
why I know ♪
♪ This place ♪
♪ I found a bird ♪
♪ Closing her eyes ♪
♪ One last time ♪
♪ And I wonder
if she dreamed ♪
♪ Like me ♪
♪ As much as it hurts ♪
Ain't it wonderful to feel? ♪♪
♪ So go on and break ♪
♪ Your wings ♪
♪ Follow your heart ♪
♪ 'Til it bleeds ♪
♪ As we run towards the end ♪
♪ Of the dream ♪
[dramatic music]
♪♪♪
[birds chirping]
[gunshot]
It's a mocking bird.
It's a fine specimen, I'd say.
We'll sketch the old boy tonight
if we can get
to where we're goin'.
[chickens clucking]
[chicken clucking ends abruptly]
Is this Grinder's Stand?
Yes, it is.
Do I know you?
ALEXANDER:
I don't think so, ma'am.
My name is Alexander Wilson.
I've ridden
here from Philadelphia.
I'm an ornithologist.
That is, I study birds.
I've been commissioned
by the government
of the United States
to survey
for new species along this way.
From Cumberland Gap
down to New Orleans.
That's a chicken.
That's an easy one,
even without the head.
You must be the Grinders then.
That there's my husband, Robert.
He owns this stand.
ALEXANDER: I guess
you'd be Priscilla.
Do we know you?
No, sir. But you did
know a good friend of mine.
Or at least you met
his acquaintance briefly.
I'll explain.
I've been sent
here specifically to stop
at your stand along
the way to speak with you both
about an event that
happened here two years ago.
A most terrible one, I'm afraid.
I've been sent to speak with you
about the death
of Meriwether Lewis.
He shot himself.
I know it may
be difficult to recall
the details of such
a horrific occurrence, ma'am.
I understand.
But if you could give
your own accounting of the death
of my friend, I'll
take your words unedited back
to my superior, who only
sent me on this inquiry because
he himself was a good
friend to the late governor.
Your superior.
Who might that be?
The President.
The president?
Aye, ma'am.
Is your guest room available?
It's been a long ride.
I'll be sure to retire here
this evening after we speak.
If you can accommodate me,
I can pay in coin.
Take the room there.
Wilson. Alexander Wilson.
We'll tend to your horse.
We'll bring your things inside.
I'll be
starting a supper shortly.
- We're having...
- Chicken.
I can see that.
I know my birds.
Right there.
ALEXANDER: Thank you.
I have some drawings
to tend to before supper.
[fire crackling]
It was delicious.
I certainly wasn't
expecting sweet potatoes.
My mother
makes a sweet potato dish,
but I think I'm free to say,
as I'm 500 miles
from home, yours is better.
Sincerest compliments, ma'am.
Delectable.
Thank you.
You had some
question you wanted to ask.
If you don't mind,
I'll hold on that inquiry,
the one we spoke of earlier,
'til the boy's been put to bed.
Don't you
think that's best, Mr. Grinder?
Get on to bed, boy.
First off,
I wasn't here when it happened.
So, you yourself...
I wasn't here when it happened.
Well, then, Mrs. Grinder.
Priscilla, sit down.
I know this is difficult, ma'am.
If it could
be avoided, I would do so.
But, Meriwether
was a good friend to me
and to many others,
including the President.
And those of us
in the East have yet to come
to peace with
the bits and pieces of the tale
as they've
come from the wilderness.
Suicide, they say.
That's hard to accept
for those of us who knew him.
There were two reports,
one from the Indian
agent to the Chickasaw,
James Neely,
the other from John Pernia,
the governor's
personal attendant.
Both indicate you two.
Specifically you,
Mrs. Grinder,
as the last to see him
closest to his death.
We simply want to know
what happened
to our dear friend.
What was going on inside of him.
Can you tell
me that, Mrs. Grinder?
Who the hell
could know a thing like that?
[footsteps]
[door creaking]
Only the Lord would know
something like that, Mr. Wilson.
But I'll tell
you what I do know.
It was October.
Two years ago.
It was cool for October.
The nights were very cool.
I do remember that.
Neely?
Something spooked the horses.
What?
- What is it?
- The pack horses.
Something
spooked the pack horses.
They pulled free. I think they
ran down through the hollow.
All right, I'll help you.
No, no.
You stay here.
You stay with the governor.
He's not well.
I'll get the horses.
If I'm not back by sun up,
you go on ahead. It's not that
far to Grinder's Stand.
We can catch 'em a lot
quicker if there's two of us.
Tom can stay
here with the Governor.
No, I want you both
to stay with the governor.
I'll get the horses.
How the hell we gonna
get all that up this road?
Shit.
Tom.
Go back to sleep.
[water rushing]
Governor, it's going to take
a while to load these horses
me and Captain Tom
have been riding.
They're not pack animals.
They're going to buck and cut
up if we don't handle them easy.
It was five and now three.
- Where is Neely?
- Sir, I already told you.
Something spooked the pack
horses
during
the night and Captain Neely
went out to round
them and bring them back in.
Oh, yes.
He's on the round up.
I need to get on
to Nashville, then. Let's see.
Sir, can you please
wait for me and Captain Tom?
We'll have these horses loaded
in a few minutes
and we can start out together.
Grinder's Stand isn't
that far off, Neely said.
But... but Governor, me and Tom
are gonna have to walk it.
These animals were our rides.
We're gonna
be slow... slow going.
I need to get on to Nashville.
That's for sure.
On the road here then...
I see.
JOHN: Sir? Sir... Sir,
Hold on.
[Meriwether humming]
Governor, your pants.
Governor, your coat.
Despite the contention,
my ledger is balanced
and payment is due.
No sir, John Pernia.
They will not make a Burr of me.
There's no time to lose.
[clicks tongue]
- Seaman. Come boy.
- JOHN: Governor.
Governor!
Well, hell, Tom.
Don't just stand there.
Four... three... two... one.
Ready or not, here I come.
[water pouring]
Get in the house.
Can I help you, sir?
Good afternoon, madam.
I am Meriwether Lewis,
and I am in need
of immediate accommodation.
You can put your things
in the room there, Mr. Lewis.
I'm about
to start making a supper.
Over here, Mr. Lewis.
The room is a dollar.
Certainly ma'am.
Bargain, I'd say.
If Wilkinson had his way,
we'd all be finished.
Terminado.
General for whom, Sir?
Ah, but I have
to cross the country?
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Pay the damn bills, Hamilton.
Of course you have.
Your successor then.
Governor.
Hasn't Neely gotten
here with the horses, yet?
Are they with you?
JOHN: Yes, ma'am.
We are with Governor Lewis.
These are his things.
- Governor?
- JOHN: Yes, ma'am.
Of Louisiana.
PRICILLA: Is he alright?
Mostly. He will
be when he settles down.
There's a store house
over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation,
hay and water for the horses.
Governor Lewis
has taken the room here.
Oh, but that will
be another dollar for them,
Mr. Lewis.
Governor Lewis.
Bargain, I'd say.
That way?
Yes. Over the hill back there.
Just over the rise.
Are the rest
of my papers there too, Tom?
- And the powders?
- Yes sir.
Thank you, ma'am.
Governor, before we go,
sir, are you all right?
TOM: Governor.
Sir, are you all right?
...He's been this way...
Why wouldn't I be, Prenia?
I've got a good dog here. A good
meal coming.
What else is there? Good God.
[sighs]
Do you think
an appeal is in order?
What if the first volley fails?
Where do I go from there?
That's the question, my boy.
To the chief himself. Bold.
Sir?
Governor Lewis,
can I answer something?
Bobby doesn't really know.
Hey?
Oh.
I'm not really asking the boy.
Unless he knows the answer.
Do you know the answer, Bobby?
No. No.
You don't. You don't.
I'm just... I'm asking myself.
Just playing out both sides.
Where's the boy's father?
Mrs. Grinder. Is he around here?
I'm very sad.
Bobby. Go to bed.
Is there anything I can
do for you, Governor Lewis?
[crying] No.
No, there's not.
I'm sad, Mrs. Grinder.
I said that, I think.
How far is it to Nashville?
About 70 miles, sir.
MERIWETHER: Can I make that?
I don't see why not.
Where is my room?
Across there.
[panting]
[ominous banjo music]
♪♪♪
[sniffs]
♪♪♪
[objects clanging]
[panting]
♪♪♪
[grunts]
♪♪♪
[gunshot]
MERIWETHER: Oh Lord.
[gunshot]
BOBBY: Mama.
Shh.
You stay there.
Cover up.
Mrs. Grinder.
I need help, ma'am.
Please open your door, ma'am.
Ma'am, please open your door.
[grunting]
Ma'am.
Please, ma'am.
[groaning in pain]
Ma'am. I'm so thirsty. Could
you please get me some water?
Mrs. Grinder. Please.
I'm so thirsty.
Get me some water.
[breathing heavily]
Mrs. Grinder. Are you awake?
[grunting]
[panting]
Heal me. Heal me.
Mrs. Grinder.
Please.
Please. Oh God.
Please heal me.
[birds chirping]
[hiccupping]
Kill me, John.
End my suffering.
No, sir. I'm sorry.
I can't do that.
Tom.
You do it.
[breathing coarsely]
[Seaman whimpering]
Take care of my dog.
[swallows harshly]
PRISCILLA: There was nothing.
Nothing I could've
done to have saved him.
Pernia and Neely
buried him where you saw.
[door creaking]
What a hellacious ending.
It was.
It raises
so many more questions.
Questions?
Aye. Questions of life.
What goes
on inside a man's brain?
Was he sick?
Was he sad?
He had everything to live for.
He was 35 years old.
Like my wife said,
Mr. Wilson,
we don't have any answers
to those questions.
Of course, Mr. Grinder.
It's just philosophical.
Rhetorical.
Where were you,
Mr. Grinder?
- That night?
- Yes, sir.
I had business in Franklin.
Land dispute with a neighbor.
It's resolved.
Could you
provide your own summary
of the death
of the governor, Mr. Grinder?
What do you think?
Hmm?
I think that the Colombian
highway is a dangerous route.
Especially farther south.
The Natchez Trace.
- Apple?
- No, thank you.
Wish I'd have been here.
Couldn't have
done anything about it.
Can't stop a man
from doin' what he did.
Alone in the night.
She hasn't
been right since then.
I'm sure death
is no stranger here.
But what could drive a man
to try to take
his own life once,
fail at it,
then already mortally wounded,
take up the weapon
a second time?
What kind of person
could... could summon
such resolve
to achieve such a bitter end?
My heart aches for my friend.
What do you think made him?
Who knows what may
have happened to him
in all that country from
Chickasaw Bluff to here?
- Neely. What is it?
- I'm leaving.
All right.
I ought to be able to make it
to Franklin by tomorrow night,
and I'll circle back
and meet you at the trace.
What should I say?
Tell 'em the horses got spooked.
Tell 'em they ran off
down the hollow and,
uh, tell 'em
I ran off after 'em.
How the hell
are we supposed to get
this load up the road, Neely?
Pack your own ride and walk it.
It's not that far
to Grinder's Stand.
Oh, Pernia,
don't cross Robert Grinder.
Shit.
Tom. Go back to sleep.
JOHN: Governor,
it's gonna take us a few minutes
to load these horses.
If you would just wait.
We need to get moving.
Where exactly did Neely go?
Sir, I already told you
something spooked
the pack horses in
the night and Neely went off
the round them
and bring them back up.
So he's on a round up.
I have to get to Nashville.
Why would he go off on his own?
You know, John?
[sighs] Late start already.
Sir. If you could just
wait on Tom and me,
we'll travel with you.
Governor,
please do not ride alone.
We just need you to load
these horses and just wait
for Neely to come meet us
with the pack horses.
Grinder's Stand isn't
too far up the road, here.
Governor, your coat.
Don't leave anything behind.
If I cross Neely, I'll
send him back with the horses.
I won't go past Grinder's.
Hurry it up.
Seaman. Come on boy.
JOHN: Governor,
if you could just wait a minute.
Well, hell, Tom,
don't just stand there.
BOBBY: Five... four...
three... two... one.
Ready or not, here I come.
Get in the house.
Hello.
My husband is away
at the moment,
but he should be back shortly.
Is there something
I can help you with?
Good afternoon, ma'am.
I'm Meriwether Lewis.
I'm in need of accommodations.
Mr. Lewis, you can put
your things in the room there.
I'm about to start
making a supper.
Did you say Meriwether Lewis?
Yes. That's the one.
Not every day you meet
a Meriwether, I bet.
Governor Lewis.
The room is a dollar, sir.
That's a bargain, I'd say.
If Wilkinson had his way
we'd all be finished.
Terminado, he'd say.
Just whose General are you, sir?
Still, I'm the one
who has to cross the country.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Just pay the bill.
Save me the trip.
Why can't you just do that?
You don't mind, do you, boy?
Just another journey.
One more adventure.
Pernia. Tom.
- Any problems?
- No, sir.
Has Neely not gotten
here with the horses, yet?
No, no sign of him.
I need to have a word with
Major Neeley when he arrives.
Some damned escort he is.
This isn't the time
or place to go off on your own.
Where shall we unload, Governor?
Governor Lewis.
Are these men with you?
Yes. These are my men.
John Pernia. Captain Tom.
They'll need a roof tonight
as well.
There's a storehouse
over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation.
Hay and water for the horses.
Mr. Lewis has taken
the room here.
Oh, but that will be
another dollar, governor.
Still a bargain, I'd say.
You two go ahead.
And if you see Neely this time,
come get me.
PERNIA: Yes, sir.
That way?
Over the hill back there.
Just over the rise.
- My papers here too, Tom?
- Yes, sir.
- And the powders?
- Yes sir.
Governor, will you be needing us
any more tonight and tonight?
Not tonight, gentlemen.
Unless Neeley turns up.
I've got a good dog here.
Good meal coming.
What more could a man want?
My husband will be back shortly.
Yes. So you said.
1ST RIDER: Well, well, well.
2ND RIDER: I thought you said
the cupboard was bare.
What's that?
What's that you said
I couldn't hear.
Governor.
I believe we're ready to eat.
Friends of yours?
I don't know them.
Did I hear you correctly?
Something in this kitchen
smells wonderful.
[belching]
I could take my appeals
directly to Jefferson.
Madison now.
But should I fail
in my pleas there,
I'm left with no alternative,
and the issue
will be finally closed.
Not in my favor.
So could I be successful
with the bolder move?
Given the source of my
difficulties is Wilkinson,
I feel certain I'd find
a friend in the President.
But there is a risk.
Should my argument
fall on deaf ears,
my financial situation
in Louisiana
will most certainly
plummet as well.
Bobby, I have a dilemma.
Where do I go from here?
That's the question, my boy.
Can I afford to be so bold?
Sir?
Governor Lewis,
can I answer something?
Bobby doesn't really know.
Oh. No. No. No.
My apologies, Mrs. Grinder.
I wasn't really asking the boy.
Unless he knows the answer.
Do you bobby?
I was just talking to myself.
Playing out both sides.
- Do you believe your husband...
- Robert.
Robert? Yes. Robert.
Do you expect Robert
will be home soon?
I had hoped to meet him before
I retired for the evening.
He seems to have been
delayed with his business.
He had business in Franklin.
Go to bed, Bobby.
Go on to bed, son.
What's your husband's business,
Mrs. Grinder?
Farming.
And this stand here.
Farming?
Well, that's a noble pursuit.
Perhaps I will meet him
in the morning.
Is there anything else I can
do for you? Governor Lewis.
How far is it to Nashville?
About 70 miles, sir.
Can I make that tomorrow?
I think you could, sir.
But, probably not
with the pack horses.
It gets very treacherous
the closer you
come to Nashville.
Treacherous?
- Hilly.
- Oh, yes, I guess you're right.
Well, good woman.
I thank you for the dinner
and the conversation.
I'll make my way to my room.
It's just across there.
[horse whinnying]
No. Be still.
[Seaman barking and whimpering]
[door creaking]
[gun shot]
Oh, Lord.
[gun shot]
[gun shot]
- BOBBY: Mama?
- Shh Shh Shh. Lay down.
You stay there. Cover up.
I'm Robert Grinder.
He killed himself.
Damn shame.
Bury him.
It's a damn shame
this country's the way it is.
It's a damn shame.
Some say it's improving.
Some say.
Whoever says that probably lives
in Nashville. Or Philadelphia.
I noticed Meriwether's grave
outside.
It's sinking badly.
I want to leave you with
some money to repair it.
- Put a stone on it.
- I could do that.
It was already buried
when I got back.
Who was it again,
who buried the governor?
Pernia and the slave.
I believe Tom was a free man.
- I believe.
- And Neely.
Oh yeah.
That's right, Neely.
Chickasaw Indian agent.
Him too.
I'll fix the grave.
We'll work out a price.
I'd like to get that in writing.
My word not good enough?
It's for my records,
to be reimbursed.
I'll put it in writing.
Here you are, Mr. Wilson.
Thank you.
Please call me Alexander.
All right.
ALEXANDER: What a dismal tale.
My God, to think my friend
would spend his last day
on Earth in such a way.
I struggle with it.
He and I were not so different.
What could put a man so low?
I cannot fathom it.
Mrs. Grinder, rest assured,
I do not fault you
for your fear.
No one knows how we would truly
respond in such a situation.
A woman should
not bear such a load.
Out here.
All alone.
And you, Mr. Grinder.
Even you.
What could you have
possibly thought
arriving home to such
a bitter scene?
ALEXANDER:
I can't imagine how shocking
it must have been, Mr. Grinder.
How truly shocking.
Get in the house.
- Can I help you, sir?
- I certainly hope so.
I'm Meriwether Lewis,
governor of Louisiana.
I'm traveling on
government business,
and I need accommodations.
I have a room there.
It's across the hall from mine.
I'll help you
put your things away.
I think I'll manage.
Of course.
How silly of me.
You can water
your horse around back
and I'll start fixing us
a supper shortly.
- Thank you, miss...
- Priscilla.
I'm Priscilla.
I'm Meriwether.
Not every day you meet
a Meriwether, I bet.
You can call me
Governor if you like.
The room is a dollar,
Meriwether.
Well, that's a bargain. I'd say.
You don't mind, do you boy?
Another journey.
One more adventure.
I like it too.
Pernia. Tom.
- Any problems?
- No, sir.
Has Neely gotten here
with the horses yet?
No sign of him.
I'll have to have a word with
Major Neely when he arrives.
This isn't the time or
place to go off on your own.
Where should we unload
this governor?
- Hello.
- Priscilla.
These are my men,
John Pernia, and Captain Tom.
They'll need a roof
tonight as well.
Is there someplace else nearby?
Well, Governor,
there is a storehouse
over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation,
hay and water for your horses.
Plenty of room for sleeping.
Thank you, ma'am.
That'll work fine.
Pernia, you and Tom head
on over to that storehouse.
I should give you another
dollar for putting up my men.
Oh, it's just an old store
house, governor.
Still a bargain, I'd say.
Go ahead, gentlemen.
And if you see Neely, tell him
to bunk with you down there.
Yes, sir. That way?
Over the hill, yes.
Just over the rise.
- Are my papers here, too, Tom.
- Yes, sir.
- And my powders?
- Yes sir.
Oh, and Tom takes Seaman
to the storehouse with you.
- Take care of him tonight.
- Come on!
Governor,
are you all right, sir?
Will you need us
anymore tonight?
Not tonight, gentlemen.
I do believe I'm set right here.
What more could a man want?
I'm truly pleased that you're
at the stand tonight, Governor.
I would have been out
here all alone.
My husband's away in Franklin.
He won't be back for two days.
You have a husband?
I think there's a lad in
there that might need a little
something to eat before
he turns in for the night.
Yes.
Let me make her supper.
I could take my appeals
directly to the president.
But should I fail in my pleas,
the issue will be finally
closed and not in my favor.
Now, could I be successful
with the bolder move?
Given the source
of my difficulties
is General Wilkinson,
I feel certain I might find
a friend in the President.
But there is still the risk.
Should my argument fall
on deaf ears, my financial
situation in Louisiana will
most certainly plummet as well.
Bobby.
It appears
I have quite a dilemma.
So once to Washington,
what strategy must I employ?
That's the question, Bobby.
Can actually afford
to shoot directly
at the heart of the matter?
Or do I dance
around the periphery?
Sir?
Governor Lewis.
Bobby doesn't really
know what you're talking about.
Maybe it's time for him
to go to bed.
Of course, Mrs. Grinder.
My apologies, Bobby.
I wasn't really asking you.
I was just playing out both
sides of my business to myself.
Talking in the air.
Seeing what it sounded like.
Sorry if I bored you two.
No, no, not at all.
Well, the boy
does seem to be drifting.
Bobby. Go on to bed.
Go on to bed, son.
Goodnight, young man.
- I'll take care of your dishes.
- Yes, mama.
What is your husband's business,
Mrs. Grinder?
Why isn't he here?
Court in Franklin.
Today and tomorrow.
And how far is Franklin?
About 50 miles, sir.
That's a full day's ride.
Priscilla, good woman.
I thank you for the dinner,
and the conversation.
I'll make my way to my room.
Do you know the way to my room?
Yes, I do.
It's across there.
I'll make sure you've found it
as soon as he's asleep.
[moaning]
[bed knocking against the wall]
♪
♪
[footsteps]
[bed squeaking]
Oh Lord.
No. No.
Bitch.
You killed him.
Oh.
Oh.
What have you done?
What have I done?
Robert, he's the governor.
He's the governor.
He has men in the storehouse.
Get up.
Get up.
Robert, I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry, Robert.
Please think of Bobby.
Think, I'm his mother.
Please, Robert.
Please.
Get up.
[gun shot]
[gun shot]
BOBBY: Mama?
He killed himself.
He killed himself.
Neely.
Robert, that man
is the governor of Louisiana.
What the hell happened?
He killed his self.
Is that right?
Priscilla'll bear witness to it.
Tie him up.
He killed himself.
- Bury him.
- Wait.
Hell.
Tom, I'll help you find
a place to dig a hole.
Yeah. It was a hard thing to
come home to, that's for sure.
We knew life out here
wouldn't be a bed of roses.
You think you can get 1600 acres
of land for nothing?
Hell.
They sent us out here
to fight the dark.
It costs blood to be out here.
Damn Chickasaws killed
my brother.
Now we're supposed
to kiss their asses
to get over the Tennessee River.
It's a hell
of a fucked up country.
Excuse me, Wilson.
If you don't mind,
I'm gonna step outside
for a minute.
ALEXANDER: Of course,
Mr. Grinder.
Is everything alright?
Yeah, yeah. It's peachy.
She can answer anything else.
You're movin'
on tomorrow, right?
You're gonna find some
other birds down south.
Aye. I plan to leave
in the morning.
I only needed to get
the information on Meriwether.
- As I as tasked to do.
- Right, right, right.
I heard you say that.
Well, she can tell you
all you wanna know
about the night he was here
if there's anything else.
She hasn't been right
since then.
It's been a bad damn
thing all the way around.
- Certainly for him.
- Yeah.
Certainly for him.
Excuse me.
I'm gonna have another smoke.
Mrs. Grinder.
Are you alright?
To be honest, Mr. Wilson,
this whole retelling
has taken me back in my
mind to a very hard place.
I'm sorry.
I hope you understand.
My asking you
to revisit the tale
is only because
I loved Meriwether,
as did his friends and family
from the east to the west.
We hope and pray for
some speck of information
that can make
his death make sense.
He was 35 years old,
a young man,
a national hero,
governor of upper Louisiana.
Why would my dear friend
take his own life?
He drank too much.
Maybe he was insane or sick.
He looked and acted both.
He wasn't like a regular man.
At least not when I saw him.
So, maybe the rules
that govern regular men
didn't apply to him.
- Mrs. Grinder...
- I don't know.
I don't know.
I just wish I had given him
a drink of water.
Why didn't I give him
a drink of water before he died?
Who does that?
How weak am I?
You're not weak, Mrs. Grinder.
You exist in a land
where most women
would curl up and die.
That's not weak.
Thank you.
[sighing]
What can you tell me
about the other men
who were with Meriwether?
Did he at least die
with his friends?
Did you know
John Pernia took his own life
in Washington?
- Good.
- Ma'am?
He wasn't a good man.
To be honest, if you ask me,
none of them were.
Maybe the other servant,
but who knows about that?
And what of Agent Neely?
It was General Wilkinson
who gave him the Indian job.
I didn't really know
Agent Neely.
He came by here a few times.
I think he worked with Robert
on some things in Franklin.
But, I never heard anyone say
they liked him.
Not even Robert.
Neely wasn't with the governor
the day he came here.
He was supposed to be
the governor's escort,
but no one really knows
where Agent Neely was.
I'll circle back around
and meet you at the Trace.
Tell him the horses got loose,
and you went after them.
Yeah. Remember what I told you
about Grinder.
Yes, sir.
We'll pack the other two horses
and we'll send them to Grinder's
at first light.
C'mon.
I tied the other one
just up the road there, sir.
Now?
Tomorrow. Go back to sleep.
[horses huffing]
[birds chirping]
[exhaling]
Governor.
It's going to take us
a few minutes
to pack these horses.
We need to get moving, John.
What exactly did Neely say?
Sir, I already told you.
He woke me up and said something
spooked the two pack horses
and they bolted into the woods.
Neely went off to round them
and bring them back in.
So, he's on a round up?
I have to get to Nashville.
Late start already.
Son of a bitch.
Sir, if you waited
on Tom and me,
we could travel with you.
We just need to load
these horses
and we can head out then.
We'll be a lot slower since
we'll have to wait on Neely
to bring back
the two pack horses.
From what he said,
the Grinder's Stand is
not too far up the road there.
You can go ahead, Governor.
Don't leave anything behind.
If I cross Neely,
I'll deal with him.
Won't go past Grinder's.
Now, get a move on.
Understand? Hurry up.
Yes, sir. Be right
behind you, Governor.
MERIWETHER:
Seaman. Come on boy!
[rapid footsteps]
Get in the house.
My husband isn't here right now.
Maybe I can help you.
I hope so. I'm Meriwether Lewis.
I'm traveling on
government business,
and I need accommodation.
I plan to stay here for now.
Yes, I have a room there.
Yes, sir.
I'll help you
put your things away.
I'll manage.
Of course.
You can water your horse
around back.
I'll be
starting a supper shortly.
Thank you, Miss...
Grinder.
I'm Priscilla Grinder.
My husband is Robert.
He owns this stand.
And he should be back soon.
How much is the room
for the night?
The room is a dollar, sir.
Well, that's a bargain. I'd say.
Thank you, ma'am.
If Wilkinson had his way,
we'd all be finished.
But, I'm the one
who has to cross the country.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
Just pay the damn bill
and save me the trip.
You don't mind, do you boy?
Just another journey.
One more adventure.
Pernia. Tom.
You took a while.
We're sorry, sir. These
horses are not pack horses.
Has Neely not gotten back
with the ones that ran off yet?
No. No sign of him.
I'll have a word with
Major Neely when he arrives.
This isn't the time or place
to go off on your own.
Is there are a barn here or...
Or a shed?
Some where we might
unload all this, Governor?
These are my men, Mrs. Grinder.
John Pernia and Captain Tom.
They'll need a roof tonight
as well.
Just a barn or a shed.
Something like that, ma'am.
That'll suit us.
The storehouse.
It's over the hill back there.
It's good accommodation.
Hay, and water for the horses.
Plenty of room for sleeping.
I'll add another dollar
to your rate
for putting up my men.
It's just an old storehouse,
Governor.
Still a bargain, I'd say.
Go ahead, gentlemen.
But if you see Neely,
send him to me.
Yes, sir.
If we see him.
That way?
Over the hill back there,
just over the rise.
- Are my papers here, too, Tom?
- Yes, sir.
- And the powders?
- Yes, sir.
Governor, will you need us
anymore tonight?
Not unless Neely turns up.
I've got a good dog here.
A good meal comin'.
What more could a man want?
My husband will be home shortly.
So you said.
[outdoors din]
Looks like he found the horses.
[fire crackling]
[sighing]
I could take my appeals
directly to the president,
But should I fail
in my pleas there,
I'm left with no alternatives
and the issue
would be finally closed
and not in our favor.
Now, could I be successful
with the bolder move?
Given that the source
of my difficulties
is General Wilkinson,
I feel certain I'd find
a friend in the President.
Madison now.
Where is
General Wilkinson these days?
You know of Wilkinson?
I was only rambling.
You know who I'm speaking of?
He was governor out there
before you, a general,
before that.
We have news here, Mr. Lewis.
We know you too.
Here's something
you might not know.
Wilkinson is
a son of a bitch. Sorry.
I just wouldn't
have expected you
to pay attention to politics.
To someone like that.
Because I'm a woman.
I have ears and a brain
to go with these other parts.
My apologies.
I see that you do.
You're a surprising woman,
Priscilla.
Bobby. It's time
to go to bed, son.
Mama, can I stay up
a little bit longer?
No, you cannot.
- Please?
- No, sir.
Damn.
Move your tail now.
Stop.
Plate.
Yes, ma'am.
I love you, Bobby.
Love you too, Mama.
The boy does obey, Mrs. Grinder.
Sometimes.
You heard a taste
of his daddy's language.
Well, that's the language
of the frontier, Mrs. Grinder.
His daddy's and everyone else's.
Priscilla.
I guess so.
What is your
husband's business, Priscilla?
Why isn't he here?
Mostly, he's a farmer.
He had to go to Franklin
for some reason.
He didn't say why.
Today and tomorrow.
Hm.
How far is Franklin?
It's about 50 miles.
That's a full day's ride.
I thank you for the dinner
and for the conversation.
I do like a sweet potato.
I'll make my way to my room now.
[thud]
Do you know the way to my room?
Yes, I do.
It's across there.
[gentle banjo instrumental]
♪♪♪
[inhaling]
[sighing]
♪♪♪
[whistling]
♪♪♪
[footsteps]
♪♪♪
Is it done?
Bein' done.
[tense music]
[gun shot]
[quick footsteps]
That is that.
[horse trotting]
BOBBY: Mama?
Shh. Lay down.
You stay right there. Cover up.
[grunting]
Mrs. Grinder.
Mrs. Grinder.
Ma'am, I need help.
[groaning]
Mrs. Grinder.
Please open your door.
Please, ma'am.
[panting]
[grunting]
Mrs. Grinder. Please.
I'm so thirsty.
Please get me some water.
I'm hurt badly.
Get me some water.
The end of the journey.
Mrs. Grinder, are you awake?
I need some water, please.
Oh, Lord.
Please.
Water.
[grunting] Going to have
some water, Mrs. Grinder.
Ahh, ahh, ahh.
[grunting and groaning]
[groaning]
[strained panting]
Heal me. Please. Please.
Oh, God.
Please heal me.
[birds chirping]
[strained inhaling]
This it?
You have dammed yourselves
to hell, you sons of bitches.
Whoa.
Neely.
Damn it, Robert.
What in the hell happened?
Put that in my saddlebag.
In the saddlebag.
[sniffling and choking]
[sniffling]
Kill me, Pernia.
End my suffering.
Tom. You do it.
Do it.
Do it now, you coward!
[gun shot]
[Seaman barking]
[Seaman whimpering]
Bury him.
[Seaman whimpering]
Somebody shut up that damn dog.
Shut up the damn dog.
No. No, sir. No, sir.
PRISCILLA:
Neely came out the next day.
He was here when they buried
the governor out there.
Neely was.
It's out there where you saw.
I see.
[sighing]
Mr. and Mrs. Grinder,
is there anything else?
Anything at all?
About Meriweather or that night.
Perhaps some small detail
you'd forgotten,
but recalled,
even as we spoke of it.
Meriwether was a mason.
Did you know that?
Thank you both. For your story.
It still consumes me
with depression.
I don't know how you bear it.
Sorry.
Well, my day is done.
I shall retire.
And renew my journey
in the mornin'
to the far lighter pursuit
of hunting birds.
Ah. I have something for you.
It's a mockingbird.
Of course,
it's not a new species.
They're actually quite common
in these parts.
But, I studied
this one intently.
And believe I captured the image
of what they really are.
Anyway.
It's for you.
Thank you both again
for your full
and candid tale
of my friend's death.
I'll report it to our friends
in the East.
They won't be at ease
with the truth.
But at least they'll know it.
[sighing]
[soft melancholic instrumental]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
[dramatic music]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
We've seen it all.
Saint Louis, boy. Two days more.
Lewis.
Clark.
There we shall
be met with vast riches
and glory untold.
The most beautiful sight
we've seen, Meriwether. The end.
- The end of the beginning.
- No, sir.
Our journey has just begun.
[dramatic music]
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪