# THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY

(For Steve)

THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY.

WE'RE JUST A-MOVIN' OUT TO FIND A BETTER DAY,
AND WE'RE TAKIN' OUR PISTOLS IN CASE,
IN CASE IT DON'T TURN OUT THAT WAY,

IN CASE IT DON'T TURN OUT A BETTER DAY—

WE'RE TAKIN' OUR PISTOLS, YES, TAKIN' OUR PISTOLS—
BUT, THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY.

MIST AND FOG A-RISIN' O'ER THE SWAMP.

FOG AND MIST A-RISIN' FROM THE BAY.

IT'S A HELL OF A PLACE TO LIVE, SO WE'RE LEAVIN'—

BUT THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN',
NAW, THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN',
NAW, THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN',
THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY!

THEY'VE HUNTED US AND HOUNDED US LIKE HARES AND LIKE FOXES.
WE TURNED AND FOUGHT 'EM BACK, YEAH, EVERY DAY.

NOW WE'RE BUCKLIN' ON OUR SIDEARMS
TO TRECK OUT WEST TO TEXAS—

BUT THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN',
AIN'T RUNNIN', AIN'T RUNNIN',
THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY!

WE'RE JUST A-MOVIN' OUT TO FIND A BETTER DAY—
BUT THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY!

STEVE LOWRIE'S SONG

I RECKON IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD
SO AND
THAT MAKES ME FIERCE, PROUD AND strong.

I RECKON IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD

THAT MAKES ME HOLD MY HATE SO LONG.

I

I RECKON IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD

THAT LEADS ME THROUGH THE SWAMP AT NIGHT.

WHEN
THROUGH THE MOON IS DARK AND THE FOG HANGS LOW
I CAN A
ME FOLLOW THIS/TRAIL WITHOUT A LIGHT.

And I don't need a moon to skirt the lagood.

WHEN THE WILD BOAR, THIRSTY, COMES OUT OF THE WOOD,
THAT OLD

ONE SHOT---STEAMBER BOAR FALLS DEAD IN THE MUD.

AT BAGGING WILD GAME, WHAT MAKES ME/SO GOOD?

DUNNO, I RECKON IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD.

AT SCOUTING, AND HUNTING, AND SUCH, ALWAYS WAS GOOD.

AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE, IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS, SAUNDERS, MY INDIAN BLOOD.

I NEVER HEARD A TOM-TOM

NOR DID A WAR DANCE,

BUT LET A WHITE MAN CROSS ME
AND HE DON'T HAVE A CHANCE.

AT SCOUTING AND HUNTING---

AND SUCH---I ALWAYS WAS GOOD.

THE INDIAN IN ME, JOHN

SAUNDERS, MY

INDIAN BLOOD.

4

I SAW THAT FLOWER, THAT ONE LONE FLOWER,
GROWING YESTERDAY IN THE SWAMP OUT THERE.

TODAY I DIDN'T SEE THAT FLOWER.

YOU GOT IT IN YOUR HAIR.

A FLOWER FOR A FLOWER.

I'M GLAD TO SEE IT THERE.

YOU LOOK LIKE A PICTURE WITH THAT FLOWER IN YOUR HAIR.

LOVE IS LIKE A FLOWER X

BETWEEN GROWING AND DROOPING LIKE CANARY BIRDS, GROWING VERY NEAR.

A PRETTY GIRL WILL TAKE A FLOWER

AND I'M TAKING IT NUMBER ONE TO WEAR BEHIND HER EAR.

PETALS RED AS LITTLE HEARTS ARE RED
GOD MUST HAVE SHAPED WITH CARE.

A PRETTY GIRL WILL TAKE THEM
AND WEAR THEM IN HAIR.

//JUNE, I'M GLAD I'/ABOUT THAT FLOWER IN YOUR HAIR.

OPENING-ACT I

S1

Langston Hughes
May 27,
1951

STEVE: GONNA GET AWAY,

GONNA GET AWAY,

GONNA GET AWAY TO TEXAS,

I BELIEVE I COULD MAKE UP A TUNE FOR THEM THAR WORDS IF I HALF
WAY TRIED.

HENRY: AW, YOU'RE TOO DRUNK TO MAKE UP A TUNE TO NOTHING, STEVE.

YOU'RE ABOUT THE NO-GOODEST BROTHER I EVER HAD.

STEVE: I GOT MORE NOTCHES ON MY GUN FOR KILLING WHITE MEN THAN ANY
OF THE REST OF YOU-ALL.

HENRY: NO LIE ABOUT YOU BEING A CRACK SHOT, BUT YOU CAN'T BEAT ME
HATIN' THEM. I'm as much of an endsman as you.

SANDERS: YOU'RE BOTH GOOD HATERS FAR AS THE TOWN FOLKS GO.

BUT, THANK GOD, YOU FELLONS CAN PUT ALL THAT HATE AWAY.

WHEN WE GET OUT TO TEXAS, AND LIVE LIKE FREE MEN, NOT MINIMUM PENNED IN
IN A SWAMP

MINIMUM LIKE OUTLAWS AS YOU ARE NOW.

HENRY: I HOPE THEY AIN'T GOT NONE MYSELF.

THIS AIN'T NO NIGHT FOR YOU TO BE DRINKIN', STEVE.

FOR THE GET-AWAY, YOU NEED YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU.

JOHN SANDERS, FIX HIM UP SOME OF THAT THAR POTION YOU
SOBER HIM UP WITH.

(SANDERS MIXES AN ALKALAI FOR STEVE)

SANDERS: DRINK IT DOWN, S TEVE, IT'LL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.

(STEVE DRAINS THE GOURD)

STEVE: SISSIES! ONE THING BEFORE I LEAVE, I SURE WOULD LIKE
TO GET A GOOD SHOT AT THAT DONAHOE.

SANDERS: PUT ALL THAT OUT OF YOUR MIND, STEVE, AND WIPE THE SLATE
CLEAN. GOD DIDN'T INTEND FOR FOLKS AS FINE AS YOU LOWRIES
TO BE HATIN' AND FEUDIN' THE WAY YOU DO---LONG AFTER
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAUSED IT HAVE PASSED. WHY DO YOU
THINK YOU DO IT?

NOT A PREACHER AND HEALER WHICH YOU ARE.

WHEN YOU FIRST COME DOWN HERE, I THOUGHT YOU WAS THE LAW
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN MY MIND I DISGUISE YOU, YOU COULDN'T
MUCH BLAME US FOR NOT TRUSTIN' NO WHITE MAN, THE WAY THEY
DONE US SINCE BEFORE I CAN REMEMBER. MY GRANDPA MURDERED
ON THE ROAD WHEN HE WENT TO GET HISCOW FROM PASTURE. MY
PA SHOT AT A COURT-MARTIAL TRIAL FOR TAKIN' A BARREL OF
MOLASSES FOR US CHILDREN. AND THE TOWN FOLKS GLOATIN' OVER
IT---NOTHIN' BUT A INDIAN KILLED. THEY DROVE US INTO THIS
SWAMP. THEY MADE US OUTLAWS AGAINST THEM. BUT NOW I'M READY
TO LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND---AS SOON AS THE MOON GOES DOWN---AND
I FEEL KINDER HAPPY ON MY LAST NIGHT IN THIS HERE OLD SWAMP-
TOWN. ONLY THING IS, THEY'RE GONNA SAY WE'RE COWARDS---
SNEAKING OFF BY NIGHT. STILL I'D RUTHER BE IN TEXAS.

STEVE: HURRAY FOR TEXAS! THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOIN'. AND JUST TELL
ALL OF 'EM WITH THEIR TRAPS LAID FOR US THAT:

(HE SINGS TO HIS BANJO)

THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN',
NAW, THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN',
THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY.
WE'RE JUST A-MOVIN' OUT TO FIND A BETTER DAY,

HENRY: NOW THAT YOU'RE GETTING HALF WAY SOBERED UP, YOU BETTER START TO CLEAN YOU RIFLE, STEVE.

STEVE: JUST ONE MORE SHOT AT THAT DAMN MUDAHAME DEPUTY DONAHOE, THAT'S ALL I WANT. JUST ONE MORE BEFORE I E AVE.

HENRY: I'D LIKE TO E AVE HIM LAYIN' IN THE MUD MYSELF, BUT IT'S TOO LA TE NOW.

STEVE: LUCK'S BEEN AGAINST US WITH THAT MAN. HE MUST BE A WILL-O-THE-WISP FLOAT IN' THROUGH THIS SWAMP LIKE A JACK-O-LANTERN---NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T. AND HE ALWAYS KNOWED SO MUCH ABOUT OUR GOIN'S ON HERE. I SPECT HE'S OUT THERE NOW.

(STEVE GOES TO WINDOW AND OPENS IT)

HENRY: YE DAMN FOOL! SHUT THAT THAR WINDOW. OLD DANAHOE'S RIFLE WILL BARK FROM THE BOG OUT THAR, THEN YE WON'T BE GOIN' TO TEXAS. CAN'T YOU KEEP QUIET TILL THE MOON GOES DOWN?

STEVE: I'VE GOT MY RIFLE, TOO.

(SINGING INTO THE NIGHT)

JUST TRY TO STOP ME, JIM DONAHOE,
THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY!

THE LOWRIES ARE LEAVIN', JIM DONAHOE,
BUT THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY.

YOU CAN'T SAY WE LEFT CRYIN' AND BLUBBERIN' LIKE WOMEN.

STEVE: I GOT MY BIBLE, TOO. I DON'T WANT 'EM TO SAY WE RUN LIKE WOMEN.

Henry: Shut that window, fool!

SANDERS: OH, IT WON'T MATTER WHAT THEY SAY AFTER WE LEAVE. AND IT WON'T BE BUT A COUPLE MORE HOURS NOW. HENRY, YOU'RE SURE EVERYTHING IS READY?

HENRY: EVERYTHING IS READY, JOHN SANDERS.

SANDERS: HAVE YOUR WAGONS BEEN GREASED?

HENRY: ALL GREASED, STUFF STOWED AWAY, MULES FED.

SANDERS: WHAT ABOUT MY SHARE OF GREASE FOR MY WAGON?

HENRY: LUKE AND RHODY'S DUE HERE WITH IT ANY MINUTE.

SANDERS: WHO'VE YOU GOT WATCHING THE ROADS TONIGHT, HENRY?

STEVE: THE ROADS IS ALL WATCHED, JOHN SANDERS.

THAT I ATTENDED TO.

THERE IS SOME LITTLE THINGS THAT NOBODY CAN LEAVE TO A WHITE MAN LIKE YOU.

HENRY: CUT IT OUT, STEVE. YOU KNOW SANDERS IS ONE OF US NOW.

SOMETIMES HE'S GOT MORE PATIENCE WITH YOU THAN I HAVE.

CHAVIS IS AT THE CRICK BRIDGE, APPLEWART IS AT THE BIG ROAD, AND MY BROTHER TOM IS OVER BY RED BANK,

SO THE ROADS ARE COVERED.

(FOOTSTEPS ARE HEARD OUTSIDE. STEVE AND HENRY
SEIZE THEIR GUNS, SPRING TO THEIR FEET READY TO
FIRE. A SIGNAL OF THREE SHORT WHISTLES CALM THEM)

IT'S RHODY AND LUKE.

(HENRY ANSWERS THE SIGNAL AS STEVE OPENS THE DOOR)

STEVE: COME IN.

(RHODY AND LUKE ENTER AND STEVE BOLTS THE DOOR)

RHODY: EVERYTHING IS READY WITH US FOR THE STARTIN'.

HERE'S YOUR GREASE, JOHN SANDERS.

SANDERS: WELL, I'D BETTER GREASE MY WAGON RIGHT NOW. CAN ANY OF YOU HELP ME.

HENRY: COME ON, STEVE. WE'LL HELP HIM.

SANDERS: LUKE, LAD, SIT DOWN HERE WITH RHODY AND REST A BIT.

HENRY: AND KEEP THAT WINDOW SHUT. BOLT THE DOOR.

(THEY EXIT. LUKE BOLTS DOOR)

RHODY: MY MIND TELLS ME THERE'S SOMETHIN' WRONG, LUKE.
HIT MOUGHT BE GOOD, THIS LEAVIN', BUT I DOUBT IT.
THE LOWRIES AIN'T NEVER SNUCK OFF NOWHERE BEFORE.
AND WHO KNOWS WHAT KIN HAPPEN ON THAT ROAD TO TEXAS-----
WITH THAT WHITE MAN, SANDERS, LEADIN' US.

(SHE BEGINS TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH AS SHE CROONS)

I DON'T TRUST HIM----

I DON'T KNOW WHY.

HE'S BEEN GOOD TO US, IT'S TRUE,
BUT THERE'S SOMETHING IN HIS EYE,
LUKE, THAT'S LIKE A LIVIN' LIE
WHEN HE LOOKS AT ME OR YOU.

AND WHAT HE'S DONE TO JUNE----

LUKE: RHODY, HE IDN'T BELONG HERE IN THIS SWAMP
WITH THE INDIAN PEOPLE.

RHODY: YOU'RE TALKING WITH LUKE, JUNE,
NOT TALKING WITH ME.

JUNE: I DIDN'T COME HERE TO TALK WITH LUKE.
I RAN OVER TO SEE IF I COULD HELP JOHN
PACK UP HIS THINGS.

WE'RE ALREADY PACKED AT OUR HOUSE.

I THOUGH MAYBE JOHN NEEDED A LITTLE HELP.

LUKE: THAT WHITE MAN DON'T NEED YOUR HELP.

JUNE: MAYBE HE DOESN'T.

IF HE DOES, I'LL HELP HIM.

(SUDDENLY ANGRY, LUKE LEAVES)

LUKE: THEN HELP HIM! HELP HIM!
HELP HIM IF YOU WANT TO!
DAMN HIM! HELP HIM!

(EXITS SLAMMING DOOR. RHODY BARS IT)

RHODY: THERE GOES THE BEST BOY IN THIS SWAMP, JUNE.
YE,
HE'D BE GOOD TO XEMIL LASS.

I DON'T THINK YE BE DOIN' RIGHT BY TURNIN' HIM DOWN
'SPECIALLY FOR A WHITE MAN.

JUNE: BUT, AUNT RHO', I LOVE JOHN.

RHODY: HUH! IF YOU'D A-BEEN IN THAT LUMBERTOWN JAIL WITH ME AND
STEVE'S WIFE, AND ALL THE WIVES FROM SWAMPTOWN THAT TIME THEY
WAS TRYIN' TO MAKE OUR MEN GIVE UP, YOU WOULDN'T LOVE NO WHITE
OUTSIDER, NOT ONE WOULD YOU LOVE! BUT THEM JAILIN' US DIDN'T WORK.
I WOULD OF KILT MYSELF IF HENRY HAD GIVE UP ACCOUNT OF MY BEING IN
JAIL. AND, BLESS GOD, NO LOWRIE HAS EVER TOUCHED A WHITE WOMAN.
YE GO AGAINST YOUR BLOOD, LASS, WHEN YOU TALK OF MARRYIN' ME
SANDERS. I DON'T TRUST NONE OF 'EM. I CAINT FORGET THEIR JAILS
WITH THEM COLD IRON BARS A-SHADOWIN' THE WALLS. I CANT FORGET
THE BULLETS WHISTLIN' THROUGH THE EDGE OF THE SWAMP IF WE GO TOO
NEAR THEIR TOWNSHIP. THEY'RE MEAN! THEY'RE EVIL! ENEMIES

GO GET YOUR SW REST as I say.

JUNE: LET ME STAY A LITTLE WHILE. I WON'T BE IN THE WAY.
CAN'T I HELP YOU PACK?

SANDERS: NO, BUT MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME ANYHOW.

(HAPPY TO BE NEAR HIM, JUNE WATCHES John

PACKING)

JUNE: WHERE'S UNCLE HENRY AND STEVE? AIN'T THEY COMIN', TOO?

SANDERS: THEY'VE GONE DOWN TO THEIR WAGONS TO SEE THAT EVERYTHING'S READY FOR THE START AT MOONDOWN.

JUNE: JOHN, WE BE ALL BY OURSELVES. DO SOMETHING FOR ME.

SANDERS: YOU KNOW I'D DO ANYTHING FOR YOU, JUNE.

JUNE: THEN TELL ME ABOUT THAT COUNTRY WE'RE AGOIN' TO--
THAT BIG WIDE OPEN COUNTRY WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR EVERYBODY,
WHERE THERE WON'T BE NO MORE KILLIN', NOR BEIN' KILLED,
WHERE UNGLE HENRY CAN GO TO TOWN WITHOUT BEIN' ARRESTED,
WHERE LITTLE ONES CAN PLAY UNAFEARD THEIR PART, WON'T COME HOME AT NIGHT,
WHERE WE CAN START TO BUILD THE CROATAN NATION ALL OVER AGAIN,
WHERE WHITE MEN AND INDIANS GET ALONG TOGETHER-- TELL ME ABOUT
THAT COUNTRY, JOHN.

SANDERS: JUNE, HONEY,

JUNE: JOHN!

SANDERS: WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS, A MAN CAN BE FREE.
WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS, I'LL BUILD A HOME FOR THEE.
WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS, THE SKY IS HIGH AND WIDE.
WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS, I'LL TAKE YOU FOR MY BRIDE.
AND THERE IN THE GREAT OPEN AIR,
WHERE THE MOUNTAINS ARE TALL AND THE PRAIRIES ARE VAST
WE'LL FIND A LAND OF HAPPINESS,
WE'LL BIND OUR LOVE AT LAST.
WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS, WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE,
YOU'LL SETTLE DOWN WITH ME AND I'LL SETTLE DOWN WITH YOU.

JUNE: IT'S SOUNDS SO WONDERFUL!
SAY IT ALL OVER AGAIN, JOHN.

(repeat as duet)

SANDERS: WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS
A MAN CAN BE FREE.

JUNE: WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS
YOU'LL BUILD A HOME FOR ME.

SANDERS: WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS
THE SKY IS HIGH AND WIDE.

JUNE: WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS
YOU'LL TAKE ME FOR YOUR BRIDE.

BOTH: AND THERE IN THE GREAT OPEN AIR,
WHERE THE MOUNTAINS ARE TALL
AND THE PRAIRIES ARE VAST,
WE'LL FIND OUR LAND OF HAPPINESS,
WE'LL BIND OUR LOVE AT LAST
WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS
WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE,

JUNE: YOU'LL SETTLE DOWN WITH ME,

BOTH: AND I'LL SETTLE DOWN WITH YOU.

(THEY EMBRACE)

SANDERS: NOW GO HOME, DARLING! GET AN HOUR'S SLEEP.
THIS GET-AWAY IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.

JUNE: I DON'T WANT TO GO, BUT I WILL IF YE SAY SO.

(HE FOLLOWS HER TO THE DOOR, THEN IMPETUOUSLY
PULLS HER TOWARD HIM)

SANDERS: JUNE, I LOVE YOU, GIRL! BUT TELL ME, WOULD YOU ALWAYS LOVE ME,
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS? EVEN IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE SHOULD HAPPEN,
WOULD YOU LOVE ME?

JUNE: I WOULD LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER, JOHN SANDERS, NO MATTER WHAT
HAPPENED. FOREVER AND EVER!

(QUICKLY SHE KISSES HIM AS THE MUSIC RISES
AND SHE DISAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS. JOHN
SANDERS STANDS ALONE, A WORRIED LOOK ON HIS FACE.
THE TEXAS MUSIC STRANGLES INTO DISCORD. HE
PAGES THE FLOOR. THERE IS A SUDDEN TAPPING AT
A SIDE DOOR. HE LISTENS. AGAIN THE TAPPING IN
CODE. HE TAPS BACK THE SAME NUMBER OF RAPS.
AN ANSWER. SANDERS OPENS THE DOOR ADMITTING
A TALL LANKY BOOTED MAN, JIM DONAHOE, WHO STRIDES
TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE ROOM, GLANCING QUICKLY
INTO EVERY CORNER)

DONAHOE: IS EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT, JOHN?

SANDERS: I THINK SO, DONAHOE. WON'T NOBODY BE HERE FOR A WHILE.
AND EVERYTHING'S SET FOR THE LEAVIN'.

(HE POURS DONAHOE A DRINK FOR STEVE'S JUG)

DONAHOE: THANK YE, LAD! TASTES GOOD. CRAWLING THROUGH THE SWAMP LIKE
A SNAKE CALLS FOR SOME KIND OF NERVE SETTLER.

SANDERS: I DON'T SEE HOW YOU DO IT, DONAHOE. YOU MUST BE A GHOST. GOD KNOWS, THEY ALL HATE YOU. SINCE YOU KILLED THAT LAST CROATAN, YOU RUN IN STEVE LOWRIE'S MIND ALL THE TIME.

DONAHOE: AND HE RUNS IN MINE, THE DIRTY DRUNKEN SKUNK! I'D LOVE TO DRILL HIM WITH A SIX-SHOOTER, INSTEAD OF SEEING HIM HUNG AS HE WILL BE AFTER WE CATCH HIM TONIGHT. YOU SURE EVERYTHING'S ALL RIGHT, JOHN?

SANDERS: I RECKON SO. WE'RE MOVING ON PLAN.

DONAHOE: GOOD! WE GOT OUR END FIXED—MEN UNDER THE BRIDGE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES FROM LUMBERTON IN THE WOODS ALL AROUND THE BRIDGE, GOOD SHOTS, TOO. NOT AN INDIAN WILL GET AWAY ALIVE IF THEY DON'T GIVE UP. ABOUT THE TIME YOU GET TO THE BRIDGE, TRY TO CALL HENRY AND STEVE AND THE OTHER LEADERS UP TO THE HEAD WAGON FOR A CONFERENCE. EASIER TO CATCH 'EM ALL AT ONCE. AND IN THE MORNING THE REWARD WILL BE YOURS, MIGHTY-NIGHT FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.

(SANDERS SPEAKS BITTERLY)

SANDERS: I DON'T DESERVE IT.

DONAHOE: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, DON'T DESERVE IT? THAT'S WHAT YOU COME DOWN HERE FROM THE NORTH FOR, AIN'T IT? AND, MOM MOTHER MAN, I ADMIRE YOUR GUTS, LIVIN' OUT HERE WITH THESE SWAMP DEVILS FOR TWO YEARS/TILL YOU GOT THE TRICK SET. NOW MAAAA THE TRAP'S READY, I SHAKE YOUR HAND.

SANDERS: I CAN'T SHAKE HANDS ON THIS DEAL, DONAHOE. I JUST CAN'T.

DONAHOE: WHAT'S THE MATTER, JOHN? YOU OUGHT TO BE THE HAPPIEST MAN IN NORTH CAROLINA.

SANDERS: I DON'T BELIEVE I CAN SEE IT THROUGH.

DONAHOE: WHAT? do you mean?

SANDERS: I'VE LIVED WITH 'EM, DOCTORED 'EM, TAUGHT 'EM, PREACHED TO 'EM, NOW THEY TRUST ME. I KNOW THEY DO WRONG, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THEY KNOW TO STRIKE BACK AT THE WHITE MEN WHO'VE WRONGED THEM.

DONAHOE: WRONGED THEM? WHAT ABOUT THE WAY THEY SHOT DOWN OWEN NORWENT IN HIS OWN FRONT YARD WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN PLEADIN' TO SPARE HIM? WHAT ABOUT OLD SHERIFF KING MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD BY HIS FIRESIDE? PAP BARNES SLAIN ON THE MILL? A WHITE MAN DAREN'T WALK OUTSIDE THE TOWNSHIP WITHOUT HIS RIFLE. AND THE PAPERS UP NORTH FULL OF US CAROLINA COWARDS LETTING A HANDFUL OF INDIANS RUN WILD IN OUR MIDST. THAT'S THE REASON WE'RE ALL BEHIND YOU, JOHN SANDERS. YOU WORKED OUT THIS PLAN TO BAG 'EM ALL AT ONCE.

SANDERS: GOD AS MY JUDGE, DONAHOE, I CAN'T BETRAY 'EM. HOW COULD I EVER FACE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN AGAIN, AND ME A TRAITOR TO PEOPLE WHO TRUSTED ME?

(HE TAKES A FADED PHOTOGRAPH FROM HIS BOSOM)
THIS WOMAN? SEE THESE KIDS? HOW COULD I FACE them? my children?

DONAHOE: YOU CAN FACE ANYBODY WITH FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, LAD.

SANDERS: WE NEED THAT MONEY, YES, BUT DONAHOE—

DONAHOE: I KNOW YOU BEEN UNDER A STRAIN. YOU'RE TALKING FROM NERVES NOW. BACK UP, LAD. THINK WHAT THESE INDIANS HAVE DONE TO US! THINK

OF THE TERROR YOU'RE SAVING / ALL THE WHITE WOMEN AND CHILDREN OF THIS
COMMUNITY FROM. / THINK OF ME, HOW I COUNTED ON YOU AS DEPUTY OF THIS
TOWNSHIP. / THINK, LAD, THINK!

SANDERS: I'M THINKING,
AND MY MIND IS TROUBLED.
AND MY HEART IS SORE,
AND MY SOUL IS TORN.
AND I CAN'T THINK ANY MORE.
THEY TRUSTED ME.
I MUST. RETURN THEIR TRUST.
AND THERE'S ONE WHO LOVES ME.
AND I LOVE HER.—I MUST.
IN SPITE OF MYSELF, I LOVE HER—
SOMEHOW GOD DECREED I MUST.
I ONLY MEANT TO PLAY WITH HER AT FIRST,
BUT JUNE HAS TIED HER TINY FINGERS AROUND MY HEART.

DONAHOE: YOU HAVE A WIFE, SANDERS.

SANDERS: ABOUT ALL THIS I'M THINKING,
AND MY MIND IS TROUBLED.
AND MY HEART IS SORE,
AND MY SOUL IS TORN,
I CAN'T THINK ANY MORE.

I can't think any more!

(HE BOWS HIS HEAD ON THE TABLE AND SOBS)

DONAHOE: COME LAD, DON'T THINK.
YOU DON'T NEED TO NOW.
EVERYTHING IS FIXED.
YOU WON'T SUFFER.
WE'LL HAVE THOSE SAVAGES BEHIND BARS BY DAWN,
AND THE RING LEADERS EXECUTED NEXT WEEK.
YOUR NAME WILL BE FAMOUS IN OUR HISTORY.

ONE DAY I WENT TO MY FISH BOX IN DROUGHT CREEK
TO GET SOME FISH FOR RHODY—

AND IN THE TRAP WAS A POKE LITTLE SILVER PERCH,
HIS HEAD ALL CHAWED AWAY AND HIS FINS ET OFF—
A JACK FISH DONE IT!

WE CROATANS ARE LIKE JACK-FISH, JOHN SANDERS.

ANOTHER DAY WHILST I WAS WATCHIN' M.CNEIL'S DAM BY MYSELF,
I SAW A KING-SNAKE SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT'N A MOCCASIN.

HE WROPPED HIMSELF AROUND THE OTHER SNAKE,
AND HE SQUEEZED, AND HE SQUEEZED UNTIL HE MASHED THE MOUTH
UNTIL HE MASHED THE LIFE OUT OF THAT MOCCASIN.

WE CROATANS ARE LIKE KING SNAKES, JOHN SANDERS.

WITH MY OWN HANDS, I COULD TAKE YOUR THROAT AND—

(SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENS, JUNE RUSHES IN)

JUNE: JOHN!

HENRY: GO HOME, JUNE!

RHODY: GIRL, GO HOME!

JUNE: I HAD TO COME, UNCLE HENRY!
AUNT RHODY, I HAD TO COME!

(SEEING JOHN'S CONDITION SHE SAYS)
GET ME SOME WATER QUICK!

(NO ONE MOVES. SHE RUSHES TO THE BUCKET AND BRINGS
A GOURD FULL, LIFTING IT TO SANDERS' LIPS.) THEN
NOW, DOESN'T THAT FEEL BETTER?

(SHE WIPES HIS FACE WITH HER KERCHIEF)

STEVE: JUNE, GO ON HOME WHERE YOU BELONG.

LUKE: YOU CAN'T DO ENOUGH FOR HIM, CAN YOU, June?

JUNE: I HEAR YOU, STEVE.
I HEAR YOU, LUKE,

CAN'T YOU SEE JOHN IS TOO WEAK TO TALK FOR HIS SELF?

(SANDERS DOES NOT MOVE)

HENRY: GO, JOHN SANDERS! GO!

GO QUICK! QUICK!

RHODY: WHAT?

STEVE: YOU'RE GOIN' TO LET HIM GO?

HENRY: WE ARE GOIN' TO LET HIM GO.

(THE OTHERS ARE ASTONISHED AT HENRY'S ORDER, incredulous.)

(WITH QUIET AUTHORITY HENRY SPEAKS)

(JUNE SITS DOWN AND PICKS UP HIS PICTURE AND HANDS IT TO HIM. AS HE REACHES OUT TO TOUCH HER, SHE TURNS HER BACK.)

LUKE: GOD DAMN YOU!

HENRY: QUIET, LUKE! STAY WHERE YOU ARE.

JUNE: THERE'S A WIDE, WIDE RIVER,

A WIDE, WIDE RIVER,

AND THERE AIN'T NO CROSSING FOR ME......

(SANDERS OPENS THE DOOR, HESITATES A MOMENT, THEN TURNS TO MIND/LOOKS BACK. THEIR EYES MEET.)

IT'S A WIDE, WIDE RIVER,

A WIDE, WIDE RIVER,

AND THERE AIN'T NO CROSSING......

(SANDERS FACES THE NIGHT AGAIN. SLOWLY, HE WALKS OUT, UNOBSERVED BY THE OTHERS, STEVE RAISES HIS RIFLE AND AIMS AT THE DOORWAY. THERE IS NO ONE AS SANDERS DISSAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS, STEVE FIRES.)

FOR.....ME......

(THERE IS A SCREAM, A THUD INTO THE SWAMP WATERS, SILENCE. STEVE LOWERS HIS RIFLE AS RHODY CLOSES THE DOOR. JUNE SINKS DOWN AT THE TABLE.)

LUKE PUTS ONE ARM ABOUT HER. THE LIGHT FADES LEAVING ILLUMINATING THE STILL FIGURES OF THE INDIANS ONLY THE GLOW OF THE FIRE AS THE MUSIC RISES IN "THERE'S A WIDE, WIDE RIVER--AND THERE AIN'T NO CROSSING FOR ME"

HENRY BURIES HIS FACE ON THE EDGE OF THE CHIMNEY

CORNER SHELF.

CURTAIN

Langston Hughes
May 30, 1951

CHARACTERS:

JOHN SANDERS..................Tenor
A white man from Nova Scotia

HENRY BERRY LOWRIE............Bass Baritone
Chief of the Croatan Outlaws

STEVE LOWRIE..................Baritones
Henry's bad-egg brother

RHODY.........................Contralto
Henry's homespun wife

JUNE..........................Lyric Soprano
Henry's lovely Indian niece

LUKE..........................Tenor
An eighteen year old Croatan

JIM DONAHOE..................Bass
A white deputy from town

SETTING:

The interior of John Sanders' shanty in Swauptown,
the settlement of the Croatan Indian Outlaws in a
swampy region of Robeson County, North Carolina.

TIME:

The evening of November 19, 1870 about eight o'clock.

CLOTHING:

Simple homespun for the women, a shawl for Rhody. For
the men calfskin boots, skin and woolen jackets, blue
jeans, wide-brimmed hats, pioneer style. Faded but
slightly more urban clothes for Sanders who is not of
the tribe. Donahoe wears a deputy's holster and pistol.

SWAMP—TOWN OUTLAWS

NUMBERS:

1. OVERTURE

2. SONG OF THE SWAMPLAND..................QUINTETTE..................Page 1

3. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A CHANGE...........SANDERS..................7

4. I RECKON IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD...........HENRY..................9

5. THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY...........STEVE..................11

6. THEY NEVER THREATEN US HIGHTS...........RHODY & LUKE..................15

7. LOVE IS LIKE A FLOWER..................LUKE & JUNE..................17

8. THERE'S SOME PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD........RHODY..................19

9. I LOVE HIM JUST THE SAME..................JUNE..................20

10. A GIRL NAMED JUNE..................SANDERS..................22

11. TELL ME ABOUT THAT COUNTRY..............JUNE..................24

12. WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS..................SANDERS AND JUNE...........24

13. WRONGED THEM? (RECITATIVE)............DONAHOE..................28

14. I CAN'T THINK ANY MORE..................SANDERS..................30

15. SOME PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD (REPRISE)....RHODY..................32

16. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE SWAMP...........HENRY..................35

17. THERE'S A WIDE, WIDE RIVER..................JUNE..................39

18. ORCHESTRAL REPRISE OF "I LOVE HIM JUST THE SAME"..................40

RETURNING TO THEM OF "THERE'S A WIDE, WIDE RIVER" AT THE CURTAIN

DRAMATIC PASSAGES MAY BE UNDERSCORED AGAINST SPOKEN DIALOGUE OR BLENDED INTO RECITATIVE AS DESIRED, BUT ONLY LINES OF INTENSE EMOTION SHOULD RISE INTO SONG, EXCEPT AS INDICATED IN RHYMED SEQUENCES. A COMBINATION OF SPEECH AND SONG WITHIN A MUSICAL FRAMEWORK.

SCUFFLEBOW OUTLAW - 3 -

WHERE THE SHADE IS DARK,
WHERE THE SUN NEVER SHINES,
WHERE THE WATER IS STAGNANT AND GREEN,
WHERE THE TREES ARE DEAD TREES,
AND THE PINES ARE DEAD PINES,
AND CROCODILES SILENT AND MEAN,
DOWN IN THE SWAMP,
IN THE SWAMPLAND,
WHERE THE TURTLES ARE ROUND
AS A WASHTUB IS ROUND
AND OLD AS THE YEARS ARE OLD,
WHERE THE BLACK-SNAKES ARE LONG
WITH FANGS BRIGHT AND STRONG,
AND THE MOGASINS SLIMY AND COLD,
SLIMY AND COLD,
SLIMY AND COLD,
DOWN IN THE SWAMP,
IN THE SWAMPLAND.

ALL:
DAMP SOD OF THE SWAMPLAND,
DARK AIR OF THE SWAMPLAND,
DAMPNESS, AND DARKNESS, AND FOG.
WE'RE LOST IN THE SWAMPLAND,
SHADOWS OF THE SWAMPLAND,
GHOSTS IN THE MUD OF THE BOG—
DOWN IN THE SWAMP,
IN THE SWAMPLAND!

-10-

## ACT I

HENRY: I NEVER HEARD A TOM-TOM BEAT,
I NEVER DID A WILD WAR DANCE,
BUT LET A WHITE MAN CROSS A LOWRIE—

STEVE: HE DON'T HAVE A CHANCE.

HENRY: AT SCOUTING AND HUNTING AND SUCH
I ALWAYS WAS GOOD—
THE INDIAN IN ME, I REOKON,
IT'S MY INDIAN BLOOD.
NO I DON'T NEED A MOON TO SKIRT THE LAGOON.
HENRY BERRY LOWRIE DON'T NEED NO MOON.

JOHN: THAT'S WHY THEY'VE NEVER CAUGHT YOU YET, EITHER, IN
SPITE OF THAT TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR REWARD POSTED
FOR YOU HEREABOUTS.

(HENRY BEGINS TO CLEAN HIS RIFLE)

HENRY: THAT'S A PRICE ON EVERY LIVING LAST ONE OF US, INCLUDING STEVE
OVER THAR—THAT'S WHY I FINALLY COME AROUND TO AGREEING
WITH YOU ABOUT ESCAPING OFF TO TEXAS. YOU GOT ME TO SEE YOUR WAY.
WHEN YOU FIRST COME DOWN HERE, I THOUGHT YOU WAS THE LAW
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN DISGUISE, NOT A PREACHER AND HEALER
WHICH YOU ARE. YOU COULDN'T MUCH BLAME US FOR NOT TRUSTIN' NO
WHITE MAN, THE WAY THEY DONE US SINCE BEFORE I CAN REMEMBER. MY
GRANDPA MURDERED ON THE ROAD WHEN HE WENT TO GET HIS COW FROM
PASTURE. MY PA SHOT AT A COURT-MARTIAL TRIAL FOR TAKIN' A BARREL
OF MOLASSES FOR US CHILDREN, AND THE TOWN FOLKS GLOATIN' OVER
IT—NOTHIN' BUT A INDIAN KILLED. THEY DROVE US INTO THIS
SWAMP. THEY MADE US OUTLAWS AGAINST THEM. BUT NOW I'M READY

-11-

ACT I

TO LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND---AS SOON AS THE MOON GOES DOWN---AND
I FEEL KINDER HAPPY ON MY LAST NIGHT IN THIS HERE OLD SWAMP-
TOWN. ONLY THING IS, THEY'RE GOING A SAY WE'RE COWARDS---
SNEAKING OFF BY NIGHT. STILL I'D RATHER BE IN TEXAS.

(HE SINGS TO HIS BANJO)

WE'RE JUST A-MOVIN' OUT TO FIND A BETTER DAY,
AND WE'RE TAKIN' OUR PISTOLS IN CASE,
IN CASE IT DON'T TURN OUT THAT WAY,
IN CASE IT DON'T TURN OUT A BETTER DAY---

WE'RE TAKIN' OUR PISTOLS,
YES, TAKIN' OUR PISTOLS---
BUT THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY.

MAN, THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN'
THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNNIN' AWAY.

-13-

ACT I

STEVE: JUST ONE MORE SHOT AT THAT DAMN DEPUTY DONAHUE, THAT'S ALL I WANT. JUST ONE MORE BEFORE I LEAVE.

HENRY: I'D LIKE TO LEAVE HIM LAYIN' IN THE MUD MYSELF, BUT IT'S TOO LATE NOW.

STEVE: LUCK'S BEEN AGAINST US WITH THAT MAN. HE MUST BE A WILL-O-THE-WISP FLOATIN' THROUGH THIS SWAMP LIKE A JACK-O-LANTERN—NOW YOU SEE HIM, NOW YOU DON'T. AND HE ALWAYS KNOWED SO MUCH ABOUT OUR GOIN'S ON HERE. I SPECT HE'S CUT THERE NOW.

HENRY: YE DAMN POOL! SHUT THAT THAR WINDOW. OLD DANAHOE'S RIFLE WILL BARK FROM THE BOG OUT THAR, THEN YE WON'T BE GOIN' TO TEXAS. CAN'T YOU KEEP QUIET TILL THE MOON GOES DOWN?

(SINGING INTO THE NIGHT)

JUST TRY TO STOP ME, JIM DONAHUE, THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY!
THE LOWRIES ARE LEAVIN', JIM DONAHUE, BUT THE LOWRIES AIN'T RUNnin' AWAY.
YOU CAN'T SAY WE LEFT CRYIN' AND BLUBBERIN' LIKE WOMEN,

HENRY: SHUT THAT WINDOW, FOOL!

SANDERS: OH, IT WON'T MATTER WHAT THEY SAY AFTER WE LEAVE. AND IT WON'T BE BUT A COUPLE MORE HCURS NOW. HENRY, YOU'RE SURE EVERYTHING IS READY?

HENRY: ALL GREASED, STEPP STOWED AWAY, MULES FED.

ACT I

CHAVIS IS AT THE CRICK BRIDGE, APPLEWATTE IS AT THE BIG ROAD,
AND MY BROTHER TOM IS OVER BY RED BANK,
SO THE ROADS ARE COVERED.

STEVE: COME IN.

ACT I

YOU JUST CAINT TRUST.

LOOK AT US LIVIN' IN A CABIN IN A BOG.

LOOK AT ME, RUN ME OUT OF TOWN JUST LIKE A DOG.

IT USED TO BE THAT ALL THIS LAND WAS INDIAN LAND,
THEY COME, WE HELPED 'EM GROW THEIR CORN—

THEY BIT OUR HAND!

YOU JUST CAINT TRUST, LITTLE GIRL,

YOU JUST CAINT TRUST.

JUNE:

JOHN AIN'T LIKE THAT, AUNT RHO'.

HE'S BEEN GOOD TO ALL US SWAMPTOWN FOLKS—

DOCTORED US IN FEVER,

CURED THE MEN WHEN THEY'RE SHOT UP,

PREACHED TO US EVERY SUNDAY,

PRAYED WHEN FOLKS ARE DYIN'.

IT WAS A LUCKY DAY FOR SWAMPTOWN WHEN JOHN COME.

WHEN HE GOT SICK, I NURSED HIM BACK TO HEALTH.

I STAYED BESIDE HIM NIGHT AND DAY.

I KNOW JOHN SANDERS, AUNT RHO'.

HE AIN'T MEAN!

NO, HE AIN'T THAT WAY!

RHODY:

HUH? THAT'S WHAT YOU SAY.

JUNE:

IF HE IS, THEN I DON'T CARE!

I LOVE HIM IN MY HEART, RIGHT HERE!

I LOVE HIM IN MY HEART.

ACT I

JUNE:

GO GET YOUR REST AS I SAY.

CAN'T I HELP YOU PACK?

SANDERS:

(HAPPY TO BE NEAR HIM, JUNE WATCHES JOHN
PACKING)

JUNE:

SANDERS:

THEY'VE GONE BOWN TO THEIR WAGONS TO SEE THAT EVERYTHING'S
READY FOR THE START AT MOONDOWN.

(SHYLY)

JUNE:

SANDERS:

JUNE:

THEN TELL ME ABOUT THAT COUNTRY WE'RE A-GOIN' TO—

THAT BIG WIDE OPEN COUNTRY WITH PLENTY OF ROOM FOR EVERYBODY, WHERE THERE WON'T BE NO MORE KILLIN', NOR BEIN' KILLED WHERE UNCLE HENRY CAN GO TO TOWN WITHOUT BEIN' ARRESTED, and

~~GOTTO~~ LITTLE ONES CAN PLAY UNAFEARD THEIR PA WON'T COME HOME AT NIGHT, WHERE WE CAN START TO BULID THE CROATAN NATION ALL OVER AGAIN, ~~and~~ WHERE WHITE MEN AND INDIANS GET ALONG TOGETHER—

SANDERS:

JUNE, HONEY!

JUNE:

JOHN!

SANDERS:

ACT I

BOTH:
AND THERE IN THE GREAT OPEN AIR,
WHERE THE MOUNTAINS ARE TALL
AND THE PRAIRIES ARE VAST,
WE'LL FIND OUR LAND OF HAPPINESS,
WE'LL BIND OUR LOVE AT LAST—
WAY OUT WEST IN TEXAS
WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE,

(THEY EMBRACE)

SANDERS:
NOW GO HOME, DARLING; GET AN HOUR'S SLEEP.
THIS GET-AWAY IS SERIOUS BUSINESS,

(QUICKLY SHE KISSES HIM AS THE MUSIC RISES
AND SHE DISAPPEARS INTO THE DARKNESS. JOHN
SANDERS STANDS ALONE, A WORRIED LOOK ON HIS FACE.)

ACT I

THE TEXAS MUSIC STRANGLES INTO DISCORD. HE
PAGES THE FLOOR. THERE IS A SUDDEN TAPPING
IN CODE AT THE SIDE DOOR. HE LISTENS. AGAIN
THE TAPPING IN CODE. HE TAPS BACK THE SAME
NUMBER OF RAPS. AN ANSWER. SANDERS OPENS
THE DOOR ADMITTING A TALL LANKY BOOTED MAN,
JIM DONAHOW, WHO STRIDES TOWARD THE CENTER
OF THE ROOM, GLANCING QUICKLY INTO EVERY
CORNER)

(HE POURS DONAHOE A DRINK FROM STEVE'S JUG)

DONAHOE: THANK YOU, LAD! TASTES GOOD. CRAWLING THROUGH THE SWAMP LIKE
A SNAKE CALLS FOR SOME KIND OF NERVE SETTLER.

SANDERS: I DON'T SEE HOW YOU DO IT, DONAHOE. YOU MUST BE A GHOST. GOD
KNOWS, THEY ALL HATE YOU. SINCE YOU KILLED THAT CROATAN,
YOU RUN IN STEVE LOWRIE'S MIND ALL THE TIME.

DONAHOE: HE RUNS IN MINE, THE DIRTY DRUNKEN SKUNK! I'D LOVE TO DRILL HIM
WITH A SIX-SHOOTER... INSTEAD OF SEEING HIM HUNG AS HE WILL BE AFTER
WE CATCH HIM TONIGHT. YOU SURE EVERYTHING'S ALL RIGHT, JOHN?

SANDERS: WE'RE MOVING ON PLAN.

DONAHOE: GOOD! WE GOT OUR END FIXED--MEN UNDER THE BRIDGE, THE SHERIFF'S
DEPUTIES FROM LUMBERTON IN THE WOODS ALL AROUND THE BRIDGE, GOOD

ACT I

SHOTS, TOO. NOT AN INDIAN WILL GET AWAY ALIVE, UNLESS THEY
DON'T GIVE UP. ABOUT THE TIME YOU GOT TO THE BRIDGE, TRY
TO CALL HENRY AND STEVE AND THE OTHER LEADERS UP TO THE HEAD
WAGON FOR A CONFERENCE. EASIER TO CATCH 'EM ALL AT ONCE,
AND IN THE MORNING THE REWARD WILL BE YOURS, SOME FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS.

(SANDERS SPEAKS BITTERLY)

SANDERS: I DON'T DESERVE IT.

AND, MAN, I ADMIRE YOUR GUTS,

LIVIN' OUT HERE WITH THESE SWAMP-DEVILS FOR TWO YEARS
TILL YOU GOT THE TRICK SET.

NOW THE TRAP'S READY, I SHAKE YOUR HAND.

SANDERS: I CAN'T SHAKE HANDS ON THIS, DONAHOE. I JUST CAN'T.

DONAHOE: WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

SANDERS: I'V LIVED WITH 'EM, DOCTORED 'EM, TAUGHT 'EM
PREACHED TO 'EM, NOW THEY TRUST ME.

DONAHOE: WRONGED THEM?

ACT I

OWEN NORWENT IN HIS OWN FRONT YARD—

WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN PLEADING TO SPARE HIM?

PAP DANES SLAIN AT THE MILL?

A WHITE MAN DAREN'T WALK OUT SIDE THE TOWNSHIP WITHOUT
HIS RIFLE.

SANDERS:

GOD AS MY JUDGE, DONAHOE, I CAN'T BETRAY 'EM NOW.

SEE THESE KIDS? THIS WOMAN? HOW COULD I FACE THEM?

DONAHOE:

SANDERS:

DONAHOE:

BACK UP, LAD! THINK WHAT THESE INDIANS HAVE DONE TO US!

THINK OF THE TERROR YOU'RE SAVING

THINK, LAD, THINK!

ACT I

- 33 -

AND ALL THE TIME HIM NO BETTER THAN A STRAY DOG.

HENRY:

HE'LL BE TREATED LIKE A STRAY DOG NOW.

I TOLD STEVE AND LUKE TO BRING HIM HERE WHEN THEY CATCH HIM.

HE WON'T GET AWAY.

THEY'LL RUN HIM UNTIL HE SWEATS BLOOD.

UNTIL THE DEAD LIMES TEAR HIS FLESH,

OR THE SWAMP SUCKS HIM IN—

AND HE CAN'T GET AWAY.

BESIDES, THE MOON IS DOWN—

AND WHITE MEN CAN'T SEE.

RHODY:

THAT MOON—

THAT WE WAS WAITING FOR TO ESCAPE OURSELVES.

THAT MOON KNOWS SANDERS WAS LYIN'.

I DON'T TRUST NO WHITE MAN.

LISTEN! DON'T I HEAR SEM PANTIN' NOW?

DON'T I HEAR 'EM DRAGGIN' SOMETHING THROUGH THE BRUSH?

(HENRY OPENS THE DOOR TO PEER OUTSIDE)

HENRY:

THEY'RE HERE, RHODY!

RHODY:

LEAVE RUN MY FINGER NAILS ACROSS HIS FACE.

HENRY:

STAND OVER THERE AND HOLD YOUR TONGUE.

I'LL HANDLE THIS.

(STEVE AND LUKE DRAG IN SANDERS, BOUND AND BLEEDING. HE REELS AND SITS TO THE FLOOR. STEVE JERKS HIM TO HIS FEET)

ACT I

- 35 -

IF HE THinks THAT'S ANY help.

HE'S GOT A WHITE GOD, I RECKON.

HENRY: QUIET, STEVE,

(TO SANDERS)

MAN, DO YOU WANT TO PRAY?

SANDERS: I HAVE PRAYED, HENRY, OUT THERE IN THE SWAMP.

HENRY: YES? WELL, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE SWAMP—
AND THE KIND OF CREATURES THAT LIVE IN THIS SWAMP—
LIKE US, LISTEN!

ONE DAY I WENT TO MY FISH BOX IN COOL CREEK
TO GET SOME FISH FOR RHODY—

AND IN MY TRAP WAS A PORE LITTLE SILVER PERCH,
HIS HEAD ALL CHAWED AWAY AND HIS FINS ET OFF—
A JACK FISH DONE IT!

ANOTHER DAY WHILEST I WAS WATCHING MONEILL'S DAM BY MYSELF,
I SAW A KING-SNAKE SQUEEZING THE LIFE OUT IN A MACCASIN.

UNTIL HE MASHED THE LIFE OUT OF THAT MACCASIN.

(SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENS. JUNE RUSHES IN)

JUNE: JOHN?

HENRY: GO HOME, JUNE?

ACT I

- 36 -

RHODY: GIRL, GO HOME!

(SEEING JOHN'S CONDITION SHE CRIES)

GET ME SOME WATER QUICK!

(NO ONE MOVES. SHE RUSHES TO THE BUCKET AND BRINGS
A GOURD FULL, LIFTING IT TO SANDERS LIPS)

LUKE: YOU CAN'T DO ENOUGH FOR HIM, CAN YOU, JUNE?

JUNE: I HEAR YOU, STEVE.

I HEAR YOU, LUKE,

WHY DON'T YOU LET HIM GO?

AND I'LL GO WITH HIM.

HE MUST OF TRIED TO TALK TO YOU

AND YOU WOULDN'T HEAR HIM.

(NO ONE ANSWERS)

I'M GONNA TALK FOR HIM,

AND YOU'LL LISTEN TO ME.

WHAT WAS WE SWAMPTOWN FOLKS UNTIL HE COME HERE?

NO DECENCY, NO RELIGION, NO CLEANESS,

NO NOTHING BUT KILL, KILL, KILL!

YOU, STEVE, HOW MANY TIMES

HAS JOHN SAVED YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU WAS DRUNK?