 The Cavalcade of America starring Bert Lancaster, presented by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. This is Bert Lancaster. Tonight, Cavalcade's play is called The Darkest Hour. It's an exciting story of a patriotic young American, Jack Dewitt, who foiled a British plot to capture Thomas Jefferson. I will play the part of Jack Dewitt. The Darkest Hour starring Bert Lancaster is Jack Dewitt on the DuPont Cavalcade of America. Sunday, June 3rd, 1781. The place, the headquarters of Lord Cornwallis in Hanover County, Virginia. Oh, there goes there. Lieutenant Branbury on mission to Lord Cornwallis. Very good, sir. Lord, you've been expecting me. Take my horse, then. Yes, sir. Lieutenant Branbury reporting, sir. Very good. Sit down, Branbury. Thank you, sir. All right, Branbury, what's the news? Good, sir. I should say very good. Go on. Go on, Lieutenant. The Americans are tired, sir. They have no more stomach for this war. Now that we control Virginia and may move where we please, I'd say it'll be over before long. Don't underestimate the colonies, Branbury. Five years is a long time for no stomach. This time it's true, your lordship. From what I've learned here in Virginia, one good blow will finish them. One good blow, eh? We've been measuring them for that one blow since 1775. That's just it, sir. Just it? What do you mean? Your lordship, they're disheartened, discouraged, tired. Even those who are most wholeheartedly for the war at first are ready to come to terms. You're sure of that? Yes, sir. I've been in taverns, and I've heard them, seen them. I tell you, sir, we can end this rebellion here and now with one good stroke. One good stroke? One good stroke, Lieutenant. A quick, sharp campaign, sir. A surprise move? No, there's a much better way. A much better way. How would you like this war to end? Gentlemen, we can end it here and now in Virginia. Perhaps without a battle. I see you don't believe me, gentlemen. We're going to capture Thomas Jefferson. Well, I'm sure of that, sir. How's that? Yes. Take prisoner, the man who wrote the American Declaration of Independence, and we've taken the heart of this revolution. Colonel Tartan. Yes, your lordship. You're going to do it. Yes, sir. No questions, Tartan? I assume there's a plan, sir. There is? Colonel Simcoe. Yes, sir? I've learned that Baron von Sturben has arrived at Point of Fork on the upper James River with reinforcements for General Green. You will proceed against him. Very good, sir. Tartan, Simcoe's move will be a masking maneuver for you. You are to disrupt what is left of the Virginia Assembly in Charlottesville and what is most important. You are to take Governor Jefferson at Monticello. Your force will be 180 dragoons and 70 mountaineer deputies. That large a force to take one man, sir? Jefferson is not one man, Colonel. The author of the Declaration of Independence embodies the spirit of freedom. He is the revolution. That's all, gentlemen. Colonel Tartan, you have your orders. Carry them out and end this war now at Monticello. And Captain, yes, sir, if one word of our mission leaks out. I understand, sir. Good. Climb quarters for the men. I'll be in the tavern. Yes, sir. To the landlord. This is my end. The cuckoo, sir. Odd name. Have you a room? Well, to tell the truth. Please do. There's no room, sir. I see. None for an English officer. For no one, your worship. We're full of. I see. All patriots, eh? Patriots, sir? In what way, your worship? Is there more than one way to be a patriot? That's a good one. A good one. My humor pleases you, even if my uniform does not. The uniform your worship is common enough here of ours. Probably. Will you serve me food? That I will, sir. The man needs filling, even if the uniform does not. Thank you, Lendon. I'll sit over there. Please, gentlemen, I should feel offended where you're not to continue your conversations. Please continue. Is a colonel, Jimmy? Ah. Ah. A colonel. And I saw dragoons outside. Now I wonder why. It's not an uncommon thing to see a colonel with troops. There's something of foot. Aye. And you're a fool, Jack. That may be, Jimmy. It's more than me. You were captain in our army and showing your face in here. What if one of them recognizes you? I want to find out where these fine lads are off to. Rumors says they've joined in another force. It's marching against General Green. Rumors lost many a battle, Jimmy. Hmm. I wonder if the colonel didn't like a bit of company with his fool. Jack, don't be a fool. On second thought, no. He'd be close enough to not spill a drop of information. No, I think one of his men need to be a likelier sauce. What are you going to do? Be a British soldier for a while, Jimmy. A what? In uniform? Aye. There are dragoons in infantry outside, quartering the odds in the stables. The chances are a dragoon could go among the infantry, or infantrymen could go among the dragoons without being known. Yeah, idiot. Where do you find a uniform to fit that frame of yours? It is big, but there are big Englishmen too. Keep the colonel busy with his food, Jimmy. You'll be shot. You'll be killed if they find you out. I'm going to my quarters in the tavern. Keep a sharp watch. Yes, sir. How do you do? Move along. You go on. No, that's real unfriendly. It'll be more if you don't move along. All right, all right. Have a nipkin. Slave it off over there, fellow. Go on. Now, move off with it. You're a big one. Almost as big as I am. Now, get bigger if you don't move on. Now, would you look at this, Major? One of your own men over here in the brush. One of our men in the brush? Yeah, move away. See, Captain? He's right here. It's a bad way to run an army this. Sorry, Sergeant, but I like the cut of your uniform, and probably the fit of it on me. Way off, too, soldier. Now, I would on, uh, lay down, tell us what. Hey, wait a minute. I never seen you before, though, are you? Who am I? Well, the same as you, lad. Ragoon in the service of his majesty. Here comes the Colonel, huh? Yes, Colonel Fulton. We are ready to move. Yes, sir. Very good. Captain, we must reach Monticello today. We will, sir. Did I hear the Colonel say Monticello? You've got ears, you dead. Now, what would we do at Monticello? Say, who are you? What's your name? Jewett. Jack Jewett. I've never seen you before. Well, like his nut, you haven't. Nor will you again. What? Who's the man who rode off? I don't know. He asked questions, and they went off like a street. The trouble, Captain McLeod. I don't know, sir. One of our men suddenly broke ranks and rode off. One of our men? Yes, sir. Our wager, he wasn't. After him, you. You. And you. After him, see that he's caught. I didn't like the wind, Colonel. And so were we, Captain. Pull and gallop ahead. We've got to reach Monticello before that man. Forward. Forward. British uniform. Quick, Molly, let me in. I need help. Come into the cabin. Hello. What are you up to, Jack? Where's Todd? Over there. Sleep. Get him up. No, never mind. I will. Todd, Todd. Come on, wake, will you? Uh, uh, what's the point? Molly! Eat your neck! I have no time for talk. I need a horse, a strong one, and clothes. Ah, you get them. Clothes and the cars are there on the peg. Horse and the staples. Good. I'll change. I'll go settle the horse. That's from Todd, too. Hand me the britches. Here. To where? There's British soldiers on their way to Monticello. Monticello? Aye. Unless I miss my guests, they're on their way to take Tom Jefferson. Take Tom Jefferson? What for? Well, can't you guess? Once Tom Jefferson's a prisoner, there are those among us who lose what heart they've left. Why? That'd mean the end. The end of the war. Worse. It'd mean the end of our land. How far, the British? Well, I had to come by the back trails and the bypass. I can't risk the roads. They have a good lead, two hours at least. You're not making time, Jack. Got to. You kill yourself, man, racing along the back trails. You break your neck. It's better to risk my neck than the whole of our cause. Yeah, take this uniform, Todd and Bernard. Chances are that'll be British dragoons out after. They'll not get a word from me. Now, don't risk yourself or Mully, Todd. Tell them you saw me. I won't. You've got to. Like us not, they'll see my trash. Hide that uniform. Quickly. Now, wait a minute. Give it to me. But, Jack, if they catch you with you on my head. This is for your own good. Don't you know? It'll look as though you had not to do with me. Woman. You there in the stable. Come over here. Well, where do you lock here? Have you seen a man in dragoon uniform? A big man? A man? There's no one here. Or were you standing that old? Tom Jefferson first and gotten to the darkest hour, starring Bert Lancaster as Jack Jewett on the cavalcade of America, sponsored by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. After Thomas Jefferson, Captain Jack Jewett rides to warn him. The British and a Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton have a head start. And Jewett is forced to take the back trails to avoid discovery. Meanwhile, knowing nothing of the British plan, Thomas Jefferson is at his home, Monticello. Mr. Jefferson? Yes, here's Patty. Does my playing disturb you? No, not at all. Were you listening? Of course, my dear, please. Go on. What about Monticello? It's beautiful. Two miles away, there's ugliness and war. You're worried, aren't you, Mr. Jefferson? No, Patty, not worried. I'm tired. I know. Will this war ever stop? Do you want it to stop now? No. Why do you say that? You must have heard the talk, talk of making terms, ending the war now. Yes, I've heard it. Some of our own assemblymen want to do it, get it over with. They say we haven't got a chance anymore. Virginia overrun with enemy troops. Surrender now and accept parole. Don't listen to them. They're fools. No, they're not fools. No one can blame them, Martha. Men always start out with their heads high and hearts filled with courage. We did, didn't we? Yes, we did. We thought a quick victory and then one defeat, another another. Victory gets farther and farther away, always just out of reach until one day it takes only a small thing to convince us that we are fighting in vain, that the odds against us are hopeless. But they are not. Don't talk like that. I'm only repeating what I've heard. Martha, believe me, if one more thing happens to discourage the people to throw the army into despair, we're done. Is it really that bad? The darkest hour. Martha, pray God that nothing happens now to turn discouragement into bitter and final defeat. You'll not make it, will you? I've run your legs to the ground. I think we've lost the ones that were after us. Don't make a move, stranger. Use your horse, stranger. Listen, man. Get off. It's clear of the pistols now. You fool. You don't know who I am. I have no wish to know. Well, I don't know who you are either. But if you're a patriot, patriot. I wasn't until I became convinced that patriotism is a dangerous thing. I was at Brandywine, Monmouth, the point of fork. With Stoibann? I was left with Stoibann's force. What happened? We had a run like a pack of frightened rabbits. No more talk. I want that horse. Look, man. Get off. Hit like a bullet in your head. That's better. Now, stand aside. Why do you want the horse? To go home. Home to my wife and my children. I see. Where is your home? Pennsylvania. But I want no more talk. Wait a minute, man. Look down there. What is it? That cloud of dust. It's a force of enemy dragoons. What are that? That's the end of the war, my friend. The bitter final end. And so much the better. We'll all go home. Yes. You'll go home. Go home to what you had before. Living under a rule that no one wanted. Without being able to raise your voice in that rule. I've heard that talk before. Then hear it again and again. Stand away from the horse. Listen to me, man. That force is on its way to take Tom Jefferson at Monticello. What are you saying? Just that. And it mustn't happen. Because if it does, the news will spread fast into Pennsylvania and Maryland, to New York and New Jersey. Think what it'll mean. The end. The end. If we're to lose, let's lose honorably. Not like this. You said you were at Brandewin and Monmouth. Now what did you see there? I'll tell you. You saw men and boys willing to give their lives and did. Did because they had faith in you and me to carry on. I must get to Monticello. You're a fool. And I'll be a fool. Will you? I... You'll not make it. The horse won't carry you. A few more miles is all I ask of him. Then the rest on foot. And if you lose, then we all lose. Get back on your horse. God speed you. We should, sir. We'll not ride straight on, Captain McLeod. Thirty dragoons will approach from the west, thirty from the east. The infantry will circle above and beyond. Monticello is to be surrounded. Yes, sir. And Captain McLeod. Sir. Remind yourself and your men that this is no criminal we're taking. But a gallant and brave man. I will have his home and his possessions respected. I understand, Colonel. Not one thing will be touched. If there must be firing, avoid firing into the house. But we meet resistance, sir. Overcome it as quickly as possible. But respect Governor Jefferson and his possessions. You have your orders. Carry them out. Captain John Jewett. I must see Governor Jefferson. He's a bitch. All right. I was working on the study. Governor Jefferson. The enemy. They're coming to take you. The enemy here in Monticello? Please, sir. You must leave. They'll be here very short time. Cesar, fetch medicine bandages. Yes, sir. No time, sir. They're almost here. He'll attend to you first. Your face is torn to shreds. Yes, I know. I had a ride through Thicketson. Here, here. Take this chair. Sir, please. We've no time. Get your family out. I'll get my family out. You've ridden far, haven't you? Yes, sir. To warn you. Please, sir. We can't stand here talking. There's no time. You must go, too. Captain Jewett, I appreciate this service. But I must refuse to leave. I will not run like a fox before the humps. What if you're taken, sir? Here are the things, Master John. Thank you, Cesar. Put them down and tell my family. They must leave immediately. Right away, sir. Yes, sir, Master John. Now, Captain, we must attend to your cuts first. My family will be safe. But it's you. Believe me, sir. You've got to leave. Master John, there's enemy troops coming into the town. You see? There's still time, Governor Jefferson. Take the back road. How do you know, Cesar? Boy, he rode up from the town. All right, Cesar. Get my family out fast. Yes, sir, Master John. Right now, sir. And you, Mr. Jefferson? My home is here. No, it's not. You have no home, Mr. Jefferson. What are you talking about? You have no home any longer, nor I, nor anyone who's fought. We have a cause, sir. That's all. You want me to run and let people say that Tom Jefferson turned tail and scooted away from the British? Yeah, let them say what they like. Captain, do you believe our cause would be lost if I were taken? Yes. Believe me, sir. I've heard men talk. So have I. No, I cannot betray a trust. I cannot be a coward. Coward? It would be cowardice to stay. What? Yes, because you're afraid of what people will say, living people. I listen. The dead. The dead of Concord and Lexington. The dead of Boston and Philadelphia, Virginia, Maryland and New York. These are the dead. These are the only ones who have a right to a voice now. They want you to go to keep alive the cause that they died for. There's still time, sir. Time? Yes, there is time, Captain. You'll go? I'll go, Captain Joyce. The house is empty, Colonel Talton. Yes, empty. Jefferson's gone. Safe somewhere. His paper, sir. Yes. What is it, sir? Listen to this, Captain McLeod. And when the day comes when we shall live in peace, may God grant that it may be coincident with freedom. Not only freedom of body, but freedom of mind and heart. But it will entail a greater fight. A fight to keep alive the ideals and principles for which we wage this present struggle. Thomas Jefferson wrote that, sir? Yes. Come along, Captain McLeod. Lock the door to this study, Captain. Lock it? But there may be papers, valuable papers. Lock it, Captain. Perhaps someday, Thomas Jefferson will want to use this study again. We'll be one of the loveliest ladies of the screen, Irene Dunn. Our play is called Brian's Station. It's an exciting drama about a woman named Jemima Johnson who outwitted a band of Indians attacking her settlement in the Kentucky wilderness. Be sure to listen to Cable Cade next week for another thrilling drama starring Irene Dunn. Tonight's DuPont Cable Cade, The Darkest Hour, was based on the book Jefferson the Virginian by Dumas Malone, published by Little Brown & Company and was adapted for radio by Russell Hughes. The program was directed by Jack Zoller. Music was composed by Arden Cornwell and conducted by Donald Brian. Bert Langcaster may soon be seen in the Harold Hecht Norma production Against the Blood off My Hands, a universal international release. We've been asked to make the following announcement by the American Association for the United Nations. The responsibility for securing a lasting peace is everyone's obligation and the extended support of the United Nations is essential to its success. Remember, we can work it out together or fight it out alone. As Americans, let's work it out together. This is Ted Pearson inviting you to listen next week to Brian's Station starring Irene Dunn. Cable Cade of America comes to you each week from the stage of the Longacre Theatre on Broadway in New York and is presented by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.