 The Defant Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry, presents the Cavalcade of America, tonight's story, Adventure on the Kentucky, starring Richard Widmark, as Cincinnati's Shryok. W-A-M-U-F-M, Washington, D.C. The story I've got to tell involves an incident of the Civil War, to use the Yankee expression. It begins in 1861, September of 1861, to be exact, and I, Cincinnati Shryok, was doing the double job of operating the ferry across the Kentucky River, and teaching school in the little town of Versailles. Mr. Shryok, sir. You have a question, Master Drew? Yes, sir. Is Kentucky getting in the war? Yes. Uh, our, uh, our homework for tomorrow has nothing to do with current events. It's about Roman history. Now, on, uh, on page 74 of your Roman history books, you'll find the story of Cincinnati. Yes, that's right. Naturally, this story has a kind of personal attachment to me, because it's about a Roman whose name I proudly bear. I'll ask you to read up on that story and be ready to talk on it tomorrow. But, Mr. Mead says Gerald Polk has a Confederate army right across the river in Anderson County. We gonna join up with him? Well, now, according to the governor, we're taking no sides. Just kind of sitting on the fence. Who cares a lick about that pussy-footin' governor? Hooray for Jeff Davis and the boys in gray! Now, hold on, boy, hold on, hold on there, hold on. I think it might be well for you boys to remember the wise words of Ben Franklin. Poor Richard says, painting and fighting are best seen from a distance. Now, you boys think that over. Class dismissed. Well, afternoon, James. Afternoon, Cincinnati. Howdy, Father. Hello, son. I was just talking with Olive about Johnny here. He's sprouting like some acorn. He could eat pie off your head right now. Yeah, he's a good boy. What brings you over this side of the river, James? I don't remember faring you across. I've forwarded over up near Tyrone. Been over to Lexington. Oh, business. In a way. You know General Leonidas Polk has a Confederate regiment at Lawrenceburg? Yes, I heard. Acting on his commission, I've come over this side of the river to recruit a company of volunteers. I want to go, too. Will you take me, Mr. Cobbs? Well, we aren't turning down any healthy prospects, especially if they own their own mountains. I've got the fastest coat in the country. Is that a fact? You're a little young for soldier and son. I'm not. War is a grim business, Johnny. It's not the fine adventure that you think it is. Maybe not, Cincinnati. But war has come, and that makes it our business. That's why I'm here. I'm counting on you for our company of Kentucky volunteers. Counting on me? That's what I said. You're with us, aren't you? Well, I'm with my people, yes. Then I can put your name on my list. No, I don't think so. Not just now. You turning me down? No, I'm saying that I don't think I'll join up. Not just now. I don't think I'd be doing right joining up. Let me tell you something, James. War is a complicated business. It's not just soldiering. What is it then? It's every man doing the job he's best fitted to do. Now, I'm an architect and a school teacher and a ferryman. None of which professions has made me especially fit for soldiering. Little training will take care of that. Might be. Might make a fair to midland soldier of me, if that. But fair to midland efforts don't make for winning wars, James. It's every man doing what he knows best to do and doing that twice as good as he ever believed possible. That's chili-challion language. Is it? The kind of language that can cause a lot of trouble. Well, I'm not looking for trouble, James. No. Good day to you. Oh, won't you stay for bite to eat, Mr. Cobbs? Don't think so, Ollie. Well, I... I don't think I'll be accepting hospitality from... from a man who are labeled a coward, James. Good day, Ollie. Father, he called you a coward. Do you believe that, Johnny? Well, what else can I believe? He'll spread the story all over Anderson County. Maybe he will, Alice. But I'm doing what I think is best. I'm joining up. You're doing no such thing, Johnny. I am. Now, maybe you can eat pie off the top of my head, young fella, but that still doesn't mean I can't bend you in half and give you a lace-in if you deserve one. Now, you'll do no joining up, and that's final. You're too young. But I don't... That's enough, Johnny. I'll see you's at the door. Hello, Johnny. Remember me? Oh, Captain Morgan. Dad, mother, Captain Morgan. Oh, come in, please, sir. Well, Captain Morgan, how's you, Captain? Oh, well, how are you both? Well, we're fine, fine indeed. How nice to see you again. Well, this is a pleasurable surprise, Captain Morgan. Well, two years' ferrying hasn't changed you much, Captain. You look brown and healthy as a cool cup. And I am. I bet you're glad you gave up architecting in Lexington for the outdoor lighting. Well, let's say architecting gave me up. I've turned from house builder to ferry captain. Well, it's province. Pure and simple providence that has you own in that ferry, Captain. Why is that? Well, I'm moving the Lexington rifles out of the state. You mean you're going over to the Confederate's captain? Down to the drummer boy. But we've got to get across that river before morning. There's a regiment of bluecoats camp right in the county fairground. Once they get wind that we've pulled out of Lexington, they'll be after us, faster than a hound, dog after a tabby. How far behind are your men? Well, an hour or two at the most. They should be at your landing by eight o'clock. Oh, but they aren't crossing. Not crossing? No, it's impossible. The river's flooding. My ferry couldn't handle any normal traffic right now, and your loaded wagons would swamp us for sure. But we've got to get across, Cincinnati. The Yankees will be on our tails by midnight. Well, I'm just telling you plain facts. Facts be hanged. We've got to get across. Oh, that'd be mighty risky. Cincinnati, men going off to war expect to take a few risks. I'd rather chance the Kentucky than the Yankee rifles at this stage anyway. Mm-hmm. Well, on that basis, I guess we could give it a try. Johnny, go fetch old Billy. Tell him to be at the landing in an hour. Yes, sir. Cincinnati. Mm-hmm. I got something else in my mind. Oh, I was here. Well, I'd like to offer you a commission as a lieutenant in my company. Well, now that's a funny thing, Captain Morgan. What is? Jimmy Cobbs was here just before you arrived. He wanted me to join up with Polk's volunteers. Did you? No. Why not? Because I didn't think it was the right thing to do. Not for me. You see, everybody's jumping into this thing whole hog at the moment without thinking if what they're doing is right. Now, as for me, I intend to do a little more thinking. Is there time for that? There's always time for good, hard thinking. Well, that's up to you and your conscience, Cincinnati. Will I see you at the ferry in an hour? I'll be there. Think over what I said. Remember, soon or later, you're going to have to take sides. Maybe so, maybe so. But like you said, this is a matter between me and my conscience. You all set? Yeah, all set. Good. Here come the troops and wagons. You'll have to take them aboard at once. Can we do it? I reckon so. Yes, yes, we all set. All right. Captain Morgan, we're ready for you. You can send the wagons and the men aboard the ferry now. First platoon, move them off. As we loaded the first troops and wagons into the boat and started crossing to the opposite shore, I couldn't help worrying about my wife, Ollie. She's a strong-minded woman, but I'm still worried anyway. Had I known what was going on back home, I'd have worried even more. Open up in the name of the United States Army. Open up, or we'll break down the door. You'll break down. Sounds real friendly, doesn't she? What do you want? Is this the home of Cincinnati Shryak? It is. Are you Mrs. Shryak? I am. We were told your husband runs the ferry below here. Where is he? He isn't here. Where can we find him? How should I know? Are you alone? My son is upstairs. Any soldiers passed by in the last hour or two? I've been asleep. Ma'am, our Yankee troops are marching up this way and they need food and water. We'll reconnoiter them for provisions. Get a lot her in the kitchen, haven't you? I have, and they belong to nobody but me. Let me remind you, ma'am, that failure to cooperate with us could be regarded as an act of treason against the United States. There are several United States south of here. Incidentally, this particular state happens to be neutral. We're not going to get very far with this one, sir. I would be violating your neutrality if we asked you to cook some supper just for us. I have three brothers wearing gray uniforms. I'm not going to cook for people who are fighting them. Well, it's up to you, ma'am, but invitation and nowhere staying. First, though, sergeants, you better get down to the ferry and see what's going on. Wait just a minute. Yes, ma'am. I won't cook for you. But you're welcome to what you can find in the kitchen. Hey. Mmm. Is that fresh biscuits I'm smelling, ma'am? That's right. It is biscuits. Just baked. And there's some ham, too. Help yourself. You kind of changed sides in a hurry, ma'am. A minute ago, you were saying you wouldn't cook for men or out-fighting your brothers. I still won't cook for you, but the food is there. And if you just help yourself, well, that isn't as if I cooked it, especially for you. Yes, that's exactly right. Now, the kitchen's through there. Help yourself. Is there anything you can't find? Call up the stairs. I'll be down in a minute. All right. Might as well, I guess. Sure. Come on. That's real southern hospitality. Johnny, mother, what is it? Listen carefully. Union soldiers are downstairs. They say a whole regiment will be here any minute. Now, quickly, get down to the ferry landing and warn Father and Captain Morgan. I'll hold them here as long as I can. You'll be all alone, right? I'll be all right. Now, don't argue. Get to the ferry and warn Father. Quickly. Use the back door. I'll try to keep those soldiers from getting to the ferry. All right, mother. I'm going. Hurry now. I'll go back downstairs. Come in, ma'am. Let me pull up the chair for you. You know, I was just saying cooking is something you southern ladies really know how to do. What was that? Door slam. Oh, it must be the wind. I didn't hear anything. Wait a minute. Look, out the window, that kid running. Who is it? I don't care who it is. He's up to something. Get after him. Hurry. Follow him. Yes, ma'am. Right on Cavalcade of America, Richard Widmark is starring as Cincinnati's Shryokian. Adventure on the Kentucky. I've finally managed to get all the Captain Morgan's troops across the river. Horses, wagons, and supplies. The Kentucky southern lady that she is proved real hospitable to Captain Morgan and his men. She held her temper in, and except for an occasional impish toss of her head, she showed her good manners and high breathing. Then my good mate Belly and I and our crew returned to the landing on our side of the river. Father! Father! Johnny, what are you doing down here? Yankees. They're Yankees up at the house. What? They told Mother the whole regiment's marching up. They'll be at the house any minute. How many are there? Two when I left. Stuffing themselves full of ham and biscuit. Well, that's one way of holding an army off. Captain Morgan saved across the river. Easy cross, but it'll take hours for him to move his heavy wagons up over the bluff. We gotta stop the Yankees and keep them from crossing the river. What, hold back a whole regiment? That'll take a powerful lot of biscuits, son. Come along, we better get back to the house. What's going on here? You Shryok? Olive? Where's my wife? She's in the kitchen. She's perfectly safe. Olive, you all right? Where's Johnny? I'm right here, Ma. I, uh, I was just putting up the horses. All right, who are you? What do you want? I'm Captain Watson of the First Ohio. You operate the ferry here? Yes. Want to arrange to have my men taken across the Kentucky right away? The river can't be crossed. It's flooding. Sergeant? Yes, Captain. This man followed your son down to the ferry. Tell Mr. Shryok what you saw. Morgan's men were across the river making their way up the bluff on the other side. Thank you, Sergeant. So, you managed to get Captain Morgan and his men across? Well, didn't you? You heard your man. Morgan's across. If you've got Morgan across, you can get us across. I'm going to make a bargain with you. A bargain? Yes. You took Morgan over on your ferry. Now you're going to take us. My orders are to catch up and either capture or destroy Morgan before he can join up with the Confederate Army. And I mean to carry out those orders. Since you went to military arrest for giving aid and comfort to the enemy, I could do that. But I'll agree to forget the whole matter if you do for us what you did for Morgan. You mean use the ferry? That's right. Well, I don't know any reason why I shouldn't do that, Captain. He's a man. Father. I'm loyal to the state of Kentucky and our state is neutral in this war. So, I'm at your service, Captain. You're going to do it. I just can't believe you, Father. Someday you'll understand. I'll never understand it. I hope you're sinking the river. Johnny, come back. Listen. Olive, please, I've got to... If you've been forced to the point of a gun, I might understand it. But to make a cheap bargain with an enemy. Olive, I... Captain Watson, you might as well make yourself comfortable while we discuss this. I don't want to discuss this. I'm really sorry, man, to have to cause you this unpleasantness. I'm in no need of your apologies. Man's got to admire the high spirit of your Southern women, Shroyak. Olive's folks are all Georgia people. I understand. Now, how bad is this river flooding? Well, uh... You ever seen the Kentucky River, Captain? No. It's a cantankerous old mud stream. Never can make up its mind if it wants to be a crick or a millwash. More moods than a widow woman. As well as... And twisty and vexing as she can be, too. Smooth and silky as china cloth, one minute. Back up like an angry cat the other. Well, you know that river... Shroyak, you're wasting time. When do we get started? Well, Captain Watson, I'm afraid I can't guarantee my crew. They're all rebel-minded, and they're pretty exhausted, besides. That's no problem. My men can help take over the oars. What we need is a navigator. You can do it. Yes. One last word, Shroyak. Mm-hmm. Heaven help anyone who tries to stop us. Neutral state or not, I have ways of seeing that they'll rot in the northern jail until the war is over. How about getting some of my horses aboard, Shroyak? Oh, I wouldn't do that, Captain. The ferry's overloaded, as it is. Billy, get up front with the log and pole. Fend off the driftwood. I ain't gonna do it. Do as you're told, Billy. Hooray! For Captain Morgan! Billy! Now, who's gonna make anything of it? Well, I think we'd better leave your healthy hair on shore. Oh, someone's got to fend off the driftwood. Now, give me the pole. I'll turn to that myself. As you like, Captain. You stay behind, Billy. I mean, I hope they all end up as breakfast for the catfish. Oh, now I reckon the catfish has got more sense to get indigestion from the Yankee pole cat. You see, Billy's got a temper. So I see. All right, now, what do I do? Well, you just stand forward on the prowl. If you see any driftwood logs headed toward the ferry, you just fend them off with the pole. Is that all? That's all. Oh, I think I can manage that. Yes, I'm sure you can. And if you can't reach one with the pole, just call out to me which way to rudder it. You understand? No, certainly. Good thing. You get your men to push us out into the streams, you don't mind, Captain. Put a few on the oars. Sergeant, get your men ready to give us a shove. Yes, sir. Four of you on the right side and four on the left. Take up the oars. All ready, Captain? Ready. Then let's be off. All right, you men. Shall we? You men at the oars, dig in. Row. Watch that driftwood coming at us, Captain. Ah, I see it. I got that one fine. There's another. More rolling down. Here comes the big log. Left. No, no, no, right. Right, right, right oars. There's too many. The river's full. Bend them off, Captain. Better hold them off. Yeah, well, I'm trying. Left oars. Left oars. I said the left. Look out for that log. Look out. Oars in. Oars in. Better get those oars in. There's another one coming. Get down. Everybody down. Don't use your oars. Look where we're spinning. Go on the boat and we'll tip for sure. What do we do, Swayak? What do we do? Pray, Captain. Pray loud and pray fast. That's all there's left to do. There was no holding back the river. Not then. She took a ferry in her teeth and sent us spinning down river, tearing along like a barn roof in a twisty. How we managed to keep from being swarmed, I don't know. But luckily enough, about a mile below the ferry crossing, the river widens out a bit. The flood water slackened off, and a mud bank came into sight. Hold tight. I'm going to try and feature on that mud bank. Here she goes. All right. All right. Get up now. We're stuck in solid. We're in a fine-fixed try-out. Yes, that's true. How far downstream are we? Oh, I don't know. Quite a ways, I guess. We've got to get back there. Well, now, that presents a problem. We can't leave the ferry mired here in the mud bank. I've got all my equipment aboard. Well, if we got to get back, I guess we just got to get back. All right. How? Rather luckily, I've got a strong towing line aboard. Towing line? Sure. We'll have to haul her back upstream. Paul, you need mules for that. Men were hauling boats upstream long before mules were invented. Captain, here's a rope. I'm afraid your men will have to get their feet wet. Oh, what a mess. All right, men. Over the side. You heard me. Over the side, all of you. Here you go, lads. Take your line. Now, just get the fuller. You heard him. Get the fuller. I don't know. Good strong lads. How long will it take us to get back to the ferry landing at this rate try-out? Well, at this rate, maybe three hours, maybe four. Four hours? By that time, Morgan will be safe in Confederate line. Quite possible. Quite possible. We'll never get to him. Captain Watson, remembering back to what you said at the house about how to go bad with anybody who kept you from catching up to Morgan. Well, I'm just thinking, Captain, do you think you've got a jail up north big enough to hold the Kentucky River? Cincinnati. Oh, you should be in bed, Ollie. I stayed up to speak with you. Yes? Cincinnati. Why did you do it? Why did you agree to take Captain Watson and those Yankee troops across the river? Oh, Olive, I'm afraid you and Captain Watson both misunderstood me. Misunderstood? Yes. I said that they could use the ferry, but I never said a word about getting them across. Come here to the door a minute. Take a look, Ollie. It's the Yankees. That's right. Marching back to Lexington. Then they didn't get across. Seems like there was a little accident. Accident? Well, in a manner of speaking, of course. You see, old Billy wouldn't make the crossing. So this Captain Watson, he took over the prowl and the log-in pole. You mean he tried to fend off the river log? Yes, he tried. But that takes skill, and here's the practice. You know, Olive, a clean forgot to tell that to the Captain. Well, don't do this, Shyrock. You've done it. You've done it. Done what? He held back the Yankees. That's what you've done. And that's something the South ain't never going to forget. Why, why, why? I bet you they'll make you a general. Who me? No. I'm just a schoolteacher, so. Uh-oh, listen. The school bell. It's past eight o'clock. Now, what's it going to look like, teacher being late for school? Sorry, I'm cloudy, boys. The ferry got in late. Now, then, what's it going to look like? The ferry got in late. Now, then, back to our lesson in Roman history. Master Connors? Yes, sir? Suppose you tell us the story of Cincinnati's. Lucia's quench of Cincinnati's was a Roman legendary patriotic, left his farm to defeat the equine, the bull-chai who was threatened in Rome from the east and southeast. She returned from battle, put aside his power and honors, and went back home to his farm. Well, is that all you got out of the story? Was there any more to it, sir? Well, I'm afraid you missed a rather important point, Master Connors. You see, the story of the Roman Cincinnati's is not a routine lesson in war and heroism. It's something a great deal more. The quality in Cincinnati's that deserves our attention is this. Once he had served his people, he went back to his quiet ways again. You see, boys, like Cincinnati's, we never know just how or when or in what manner. The call to duty may come, but we should always be ready. Our thanks to Richard Whitmark and the Cavalcade players for tonight's story. Adventure on the Kentucky. Next week, the DuPont Cavalcade will present the story of Sergeant Lou Diamond, the fabulous Lebanon. Our story, the Marine who was 200 years old, our star, William Bendix. Be sure to listen. Tonight's DuPont Cavalcade, Adventure on the Kentucky, was written by Robert Tallman and Irv Tunick, and based on material from the book, The Kentucky by Thomas D. Clarke, a volume in the Rivers of America series published by Reinhardt & Co. Original music was composed by Arden Cornwell, conducted by Donald Vorreys. The program was directed by John Zoller. With Mr. Whitmark, our Cavalcade cast included Neva Patterson as Olive, Dick York as John, Don Briggs as Cobbs, Bill Post Jr. as Morgan, Les Damon as Watson, and Roy Phant as Billy. Richard Whitmark appeared for the courtesy of 20th Century Fox and can currently be seen in that studio's production, Red Skies of Montana. This is Cy Harris speaking. Don't forget, next week, our star, William Bendix. The DuPont Cavalcade of America comes to you from the Velasco Theater in New York and is sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. Makers of better things for better living. Through chemistry.