Savage_Jouney--1st_Draft_by_louis

SAVAGE JOURNEY
Written by-
Louis Sihler
Louis Sihler
332 Younglove Ave.
Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060
(831) 425-8537
WGA # 727765

1.
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
A pretty young woman named VIRGINIA REED MURPHY
fitfully closes the door and sits down on a bed
near a window.
Virginia's hair, a lovely blend of light and dark
streaks, is up in a bun and she wears a blue brides-
maid dress.
We HEAR sounds of a party going on downstairs.
Virginia's little sister, PATTY, is celebrating
her new marriage.
Virginia looks tired. She rests her head against
the bedboard and looks at the window.
It is 1856 in Santa Cruz, California. People
walk along the wooden planks of the streets.
Wagons breeze by and stir up little whirlwinds
of dust and cheery blossoms; people duck for
cover.
Virginia's eyes feel heavy as she leans against
the bedboard. She lays down on the bed to rest.
She closes her eyes and begins to mumble.
VIRGINIA
(to self)
We had only a few drops left I
We had to make it through the
night! We must reach the other
wagons! We will die of thirst!
We will all certainly perish...
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. INDEPENDENCE MISSOURI - DAY
It is early morning on May 12th, 1846. Large
groups of people are assembled near a wagon
called the, "Pioneer Palace Car." It is a
luxurious wagon with a fire stove, bunk beds
and spring seats.
MARGRET REED, a rough-worn, delicate woman,
weeps. JAMES REED, 45, brown hair and beard,
shakes the hands of the friendly crowd.
CONTINUED

2
Little Virginia Reed, 12, plays with her sister
Patty, 8, dark, expressive eyes.
One of the Reed's hands, BAYLIS WILLIAMS, young
and strong, loads barrels of flour and dried
fruit onto a wagon.
His sister, ELIZA, somewhat awkward and shy,
carries folded blankets to the wagon. She
watches the young men around her as she walks
and almost trips over a mound.
ANOTHER ANGLE
of the Donner brothers. GEORGE, 63, greying
hair, is talking to his brother JACOB, older,
slightly frail.
GEORGE
I want you to take it easy, Jacob.
Your health is too fragile to not
be takin' seriously.
Jacob steps up onto his wagon.
JACOB
Don * t worry about me, brother.
You fret too much. Stop being
a mother hen!
GEORGE
I just don't want anythin' bad
to happen to you on our trip.
You can understand that, can't
you?
JACOB
If I feel bad, I'll make sure
and tell you, George.
GEORGE
Thanks, that's all I ask.
AT GEORGE'S WAGON
TAMSEN DONNER sits on a buckboard. She is a well
educated woman who works as a teacher.
She has a short frame, but a fiery disposition.
George approaches the wagon.
TAMSEN
What were you discussing with
Jacob, George?
CONTINUED

3.
GEORGE
I was tellin' him to watch
himself. I want nobody gettin'
sick on this trip, if we can
help it.
AT JIM'S WAGONS
Jim is checking his teams. The oxen, six paired
up at yokes, bawl and kick at the dirt. They
always seem agitated.
George approaches Jim, smiles and points west.
GEORGE
Are you ready to head for
California, Jim?
Jim looks at the crowd of people assembled.
JIM
As ready as I am ever going to
be, I suspect.
GEORGE
(smiles)
We have a dauntin' task ahead
of us, but I think we'll make
it fine.
They shake hands and wave to the weeping and cheering
crowd.
George heads back to his wagon. Jim steps up to
the "Pioneer Palace Car" and kisses a continuously
weeping Margret. He pulls the reins and the oxen
move, slobbering and straining under the load.
AT GEORGE'S WAGON
George whips his oxen on and they move with the
same discontented disposition.
WIDE SHOT
of the wagon train, stretched on for two miles.
EXT. GEORGE'S WAGON - DAY
George drives as Tamsen sits. Their daughter,
FRANCES, 6, brown hair, pokes her head through
the wagon cover.
CONTINUED

4.
FRANCES
Mommy? How much longer till we
stop?
TAMSEN
Just a little while from now,
baby. You just lay down and
rest.
FRANCES
Okay mommy.
She pulls her head back.
EXT. ELM GROVE KANSAS - NIGHT
The train pulls into camp.
EXT. CAMPFIRE - NIGHT
Tamsen is cooking over the carapfire. Her daughters,
GEORGIA, 4, and ELIZA, 3, sit eating bread.
George eats soup by the wagon.
GEORGE
This is good, Tamsen. It's just
like at home.
LUKE HALLORIN, 29, brings over some wood. He has
consumption and does not look well.
LUKE
I have some firewood for you,
ma'am.
TAMSEN
Thanks, Luke. You can just lay it
here by the fire.
He puts the wood down and tilts his hat.
LUKE
Ma'am.
EXT. ELM GROVE KANSAS - MORNING
We HEAR a rifle FIRE. SAMUEL SHOEMAKER from
Springfield, Ohio is in an uproar.
CONTINUED

5.
SHOEMAKER
Hey! Listen up! There's an Indian
in the camp!
The train stirs and people file around. The Indian,
•who is carrying a colorful spear, yells something
in his native tongue.
INDIAN
(fiercely)
Enemy!
He raises his spear and shakes it. Shoemaker
takes out his pistol and raises it towards the
Indian.
Jim Reed grabs his arm and pulls it down. The gun
FIRES.
JIM
No Shoemaker!
The Indian runs off.
SHOEMAKER
Why did you stop me?
JIM
Do you want to get us all killed?
We have to be careful with these
Indians. We don't know what they
are capable of.
Shoemaker reholsters his gun.
SHOEMAKER
My mistake, Mr. Reed.
The people in the camp breathe a sigh of relief.
EXT. GARDNER KANSAS - DAY
A campfire is burning dried out cow pies. This
makes the air fill with an unmistakable smell.
LAVINA MURPHY, the matriarch of a large family,
cooks over the fire. Many in the group look up
to her.
PATRICK BREEN, 66, Irish, brings her some scriptures.
CONTINUED

6.
BREEN
I have some scriptures for you,
Mrs. They are of the Psalms.
LAVINA
Oh, thank you, Mr. Breen. I'm
sure I'll have many hours of
joy reading them.
Her daughter, HARRIET PIKE, young and nubile,
brings her some kindling.
LAVINA
(continuing)
Mr. Breen, have you met my girl,
Harriet?
BREEN
No, I have not.
He shakes her hand.
BREEN
(continuing)
Nice to meet you young lady.
Are you the praying sort?
HARRIET
Yes, my husband and I are.
BREEN
(pats her hand)
Good, that's good. I better
get back to my brood. Need to
keep their ears fixed on the
word of the Lord.
LAVINA
(touches his hand)
Yes, Mr. Breen, this is true.
He raises his hat and walks away. Harriet giggles
a bit. Lavina looks at her and smiles.
LAVINA
(continuing)
Pious man, Harriet.
INT. REED WAGON - DAY
Margret's mother, SARAH KEYES, coughs blood onto
a handkerchief.
CONTINUED

7.
Patty holds near her. She is an elderly woman,
who is sick from consumption.
PATTY
How are you feeling now, grandma?
Virginia sits next to Patty.
VIRGINIA
Don*t bother grandma Patty. She
is sleepin'.
SARAH
It's okay children, I'm not
feeling too bad.
PATTY
See, I told you Virginia, grandma
is feeling fine.
VIRGINIA
How are you feel in' grandma?
SARAH
I'm just feeling a bit tired.
Patty hugs Sarah and she laughs.
EXT. BIG BLUE RIVER - DAY
Tarnsen is picking flowers as camp is set up.
She is joined by CHARLIE STANTON, 29, small frame.
Charlie is an intelligent, but not well educated man
He presses flowers into a book.
CHARLIE
This is quite a lovely specimen.
He holds up a purple flower.
TAMSEN
Oh, yes, that is lovely, Charlie.
Please put it in the book.
CHARLIE
As you wish.
He places the flower gently between the pages.
ANGLE ON JIM
CONTINUED

8.
who stands by a large rock, which has been etched
by many passing emigrants.
Jim carves out a message.
"J.F. Reed 26 May, 1846"
EXT. REED WAGON - DAY
Jim helps Sarah out of the wagon. He is helped by
JIMMY REED JR., a tough, impatient young man.
They rest her over a quilt, laid under a tree.
Margret kneels down and holds her hand.
MARGRET
You rest, momma.
Sarah touches her face lightly.
SARAH
Thank you, dear. I think I'll
just rest here a spell.
MARGRET
(tears up)
Okay, ma.
Little TOMMY REED runs up and jumps on his grandma's
lap. She is startled a bit.
SARAH
Oh! Aren't you a strong young
man?
Tommy smiles at her.
INT, REED WAGON - DAY
Sarah is lying in her bed, breathing heavily.
Patty opens the wagon cover and brings her an
apple.
PATTY
Grandma, I brought you something
to eat.
She lies there, speechless.
CONTINUED

9.
PATTY
(continuing)
Grandma! What is wrong?
Patty jumps out of the wagon and returns after a
few moments with her parents.
MARGRET
Momma! Momma! What is wrong!?
Jim, there is something wrong!
Jim puts his hand to her chest.
JIM
She is struggling to breathe.
Margret grabs Sarah and weeps.
MARGRET
Don't leave us, momma! Don't leave!
EXT. BIG BLUE CAMP - DUSK
Patrick Breen speaks over Sarah's grave.
BREEN
"In the sweat of thy face shalt
thou eat bread, till thou return
unto the ground; for out of it
wast thou taken: for dust thou
art, and unto dust shalt thou
return."
Breen steps away from the grave. Patty places a
handful of flowers on her coffin.
Tommy and Jimmy are brought up to the grave by Jim.
They drop a handful of dirt each.
Margret steps up to the grave.
MARGRET
Momma... we shall all miss your
love. You brought sunshine to our
lives, we shall remember you always.
She kisses a flower bouquet and places it on the
coffin.
The camp walks away as Jim grabs a shovel and
buries Sarah.
CONTINUED

10.
ANOTHER ANGLE
of the Reed family watching Jim bury her. They all
weep.
MARGRET
We have to go on children. Momma
always told me life was for the
living. She would've wanted us
to go on to California and start
a new life.
EXT. LARGE RIVER - DAY
The train is crossing a river.
WILL EDDY, 29, intelligent, crosses in his wagon.
His wife, ELEANOR, a young mother of two, sits
by him.
ANTOINE, a young, dark skinned, hand from New
Mexico, rides ahead on horseback.
WILL
How's the water look?
Antoine looks back.
ANTOINE
It's a little rough, but I think
you can get through.
WILL
All right, I'm coming through.
Antoine signals him through. The wagon pushes
deeper in the river.
The spaces between the rocks are large and the
wagon tilts dramatically as it passes the rocks.
ELEANOR
(screams)
Oh! Careful Will!
Will touches her arm.
WILL
I'm trying to be, dear.
CONTINUED

11.
The wheels continue to cross. Antoine watches
from the bank. Slowly, the wagon makes it
across the river.
Finally, they pull out of the river and Eleanor
gives Will a big kiss.
EXT. WINDLASS HILL - DAY
The train has encountered Windlass Hill. The hill
is very treacherous and difficult to cross.
One wagon is staked with its hind wheels up. A
rope is attached to the hub.
JACOB DOWNER'S WAGON
is coming up the hill. A rope is attached to his
wagon, as it slowly climbs up the hill.
ON THE HILL
Jim, George and a few other men turn the wheel
and bring the wagon up.
The work is strenuous. They turn the wheel as hard
as they can.
AT THE WAGON
it is in a precarious position. If the rope breaks,
the wagon will go rolling backwards with the oxen
dragging along.
The wagon slowly makes it up the hill. After a few
moments, it reaches the top.
Jacob steps down from the wagon and breathes a sigh
of relief.
JACOB
Good work, boys. That was
fearsome for a spell. I was
worried for awhile we wouldn't
make it.
GEORGE
You kept very calm, brother.
Jacob's hands shake, as he shakes the hands of the
men.

12.
EXT. KAW RIVER - DAY
CHARLES BURGER, German, drives a wagon for another
German, named WOLFINGER. Mr. Wolfinger is very
wealthy. He travels with MRS. WOLFINGER who wears
elegant clothes and occasionally jewelry.
Their wagon waits to board a makeshift ferry the
train has made.
JAMES SMITH who is a teamster for George Donner
stands on the ferry. A signal is given from the
other side of the bank.
SMITH
Bring it across Burger.
BURGER
Okay.
Burger pulls the wagon over the ferry.
SMITH
Okay! Pull him across!
A rope pulls the ferry over to the other side.
The ferry CREEKS as it crosses. Water blows
across the deck.
SMITH
(continuing)
Keep it up, he's looking good J
The ferry reaches the other side.
Another German named AUGUSTUS SPITZER leads Burger
off the ferry.
SPITZER
Okay! Pull it back over!
EXT. SOUTH FORK NEBRASKA - DAY
Tamsen writes a letter as George drives.
TAMSEN (V.O.)
"Near the junction of the North
and South Platte, June 16, 1846.
My old friend: We are now on the
Platte, two hundred miles from
Fort Laramie. Our journey so far
has been pleasant, the roads have
been good and food plentiful.
(MORE)
CONTINUED

1 J .
TAMSEN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The water part of the way has
been indifferent, but at no
time have our cattle suffered
for it...
EXT. CAMPFIRE - MORNING
Tamsen is cooking over the fire. An Englishman
named JOHN DENTON is taking a plate from Tamsen.
Two men, HIRAM MILLER and NOAH JAMES, are standing
behind him with plates.
They have left Sangamon County, Illinois with the
Donners.
TAMSEN (V.O.)
We had this morning buffalo steaks
broiled upon 'buffalo chips.' They
had the same flavor they would have
had upon hickory coals. Indeed, if
I do not experience something far
worse than I have yet done, I shall
say the trouble is all in getting
started. Yours, truly, Mrs. George
Donner."
INT. BEDROOM - DAY (1856)
Virginia, sleeping, stirs a bit.
EXT. NEBRASKA TERRITORY - DAY (1846)
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
Durin1
the same period we were
travelin1
through Nebraska, a
family named Graves was travelin*
behind us. The Graves had a
daughter named Mary Ann. She was
very beautiful. One day...
FRANKLIN GRAVES is the patriarch of the Graves
family. There are thirteen members in his family
CONTINUED

14.
As Franklin drives the wagon, a party of Pawnee
Indians come up to them.
One PAWNEE tries to buy MARY ANN. She is a beau-
tiful twenty year old. She has brown curled hair
and brown eyes. The Pawnee signals that he wants
to buy Mary Ann.
PAWNEE
(in native tongue)
She is for me to take.
Her eighteen year old brother, BILLY, rides towards
him.
BILLY
She's not for sale.
The Indians grab Mary Ann's bridle and try to
steal her.
BILLY
(continuing)
Frank, get a rifle!
Her brother, FRANK, gets a rifle from a wagon.
The Indians see the rifle and let her go. She
comes riding back.
BILLY
(continuing)
Are you okay, Mary Ann?
She is shaking.
MARY ANN
I just need a second to calm down.
BILLY
Those goddamn Indians.
EXT. FORT LARAMIE - DAY
The party arrives at Fort Laramie early. They
proceed to set up camp.
The fort is in the foothills of the Rockies. It
is the last outpost before entering the range.
There are many mountainmen and Indians. The
Indians sell goods and the mountainmen buy.
CONTINUED

15.
Jim runs into a mountainman he knows. JIM CLYMAN
is a wily sort. He served with Jim and Abe Lincoln
in the war against Chief Black Hawk.
CLYMAN
Jim Reed? Darn tootin1
, is that
you Jim Reed?
JIM
Yes, it's ine. How are you old
goat?
They hug.
CLYMAN
Don't tell me, you're headin'
west?
JIM
Yes, we are. We left Springfield
about six weeks ago.
CLYMAN
Well, what do you know?
It is the Fourth of July. The people are having
a picnic and they dance and socialize.
The Reeds eat with Clyman.
CLYMAN
So, you're headin' to Californy.
How's your travelin' been so far?
JIM
It's been somewhat uneventful.
(beat)
Have you ever heard of the
Hastings' Cutoff?
CLYMAN
The Hastings' Cutoff? What's that?
JIM
There's a book written by Lansford
Hastings that speaks of a southwest
route.
CLYMAN
I *ve never heard of that Jim.
CONTINUED

16.
JIM
Well, my friend George Donner
has a copy of the book with him.
CLYMAN
I don't know about no southwest
route, Jim. I sugges' you stay
with the northwest route. You1
11
rue the day if you take this
other route.
JIM
Many in my party have faith in
this route.
CLYMAN
I don't want to tell you what to
do, but believe me, I've been in
Californy and I don't sugges'
this route.
The Reed,Donner wagon train has been gone for a
short time. Franklin Graves and his family are
just about to leaver after spending a few days
here.
A mass of Sioux Indians, with twigs in mouth
signifying peace, escort the Graves out of the
fort.
Fifty of the Sioux surround a Graves wagon. Some
of the Indians try to steal trivial items. Billy
is outraged and rides away.
EXT. SIOUX CAMP - DAY
Billy rides up to the Sioux CHIEF.
BILLY
I need you to come with me!
Your people are stealing from
my family!
The chief grabs a shotgun and gets on his horse.
AT THE FORT
Billy and the chief are about a hundred yards away.
CONTINUED

CHIEF
Whoop!
The Indians scatter, but one is too slow. The
chief FIRES the shotgun and two pieces of buck-
shot hit his pony. One piece hits the Indian in
the leg and he rides off.
The chief gives Billy a signal and rides off. Billy
rides back to his family.
EXT. INDEPENDENCE ROCK - DAY
The train arrives at Independence Rock, which
indicates they are 840 miles from Independence,
Missouri.
The landmark, which looks like an upside down
bowl, is notorious to passing emigrants.
People in the wagon train look at the names
scrawled on the rock, as they slowly pass
through.
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
"Independence Rock, July 12, 1846.
Dear cousin, I take this oppertuny
to write to you and let you know
that I am well at present and I
hope that you are well. We are
travelin1
along the Sweetwater
River. Paw goes buffalo huntin'
most everyday and kills two or
three buffalo everyday. One day
paw shot an elk. Some of our
company saw a grizzly bear a few
days ago...
EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - DUSK
Some wagons pass the train going east.
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
We are meetin' folks goin' east
all the time. I am goin' to send
this letter by a man comin' from
California. We are all doin* well
and in high spirits. I send my
best love to you all, so I must
close your letter, you are forever
my affectionate cousin, Virginia
E.B. Reed."

18.
EXT. INDEPENDENCE ROCK - DAY
The Graves family passes through.
EXT. SOUTH PASS - DAY
The oxen struggle up a very steep hill called the
South Pass. A man on a horse rides up to them. He
hands them a letter and rides off. George reads it
GEORGE
"At the headwaters of the
sweetwater. To all California
emigrants now on the road. War
between States and Mexico. Keep
together so Mexicans can't get
you. Head southwest to Fort Bridger,
then to Salt Lake. I will be at
Fort Bridger to take you to
California."
EXT. LITTLE SANDY CREEK - DAY
Twenty wagons are leaving northwest for California
EXT. LITTLE SANDY CREEK - LATER
Luke is counting ballots. The party has voted to
decide who will be captain. He counts the last
ballot and they all gather around.
LUKE
It looks like the winner is...
George Donner.
There is a scattering of applause. Jim looks
disappointed, but he shakes George's hand.
JIM
Congratulations, George.
GEORGE
Thank you, Jim.
(to crowd)
Thank you for appointin' me
your leader. I'll do my darndest
to get us to California safely,
thank you.
More applause.

19.
EXT. FORT BRIDGER - DAY
The party arrives at the fort. It is not much,
just a few crude buildings.
Like most outposts, there is the usual assortment
of Indians and mountainmen. The fort is run by an
accomplished mountainman named JIM BRIDGER.
EXT. FORT - LATER
Jim and Margret are standing in front of a "lodging
apartment." It consists of a small cubicle with a
stack of buffalo hides on the floor.
MARGRET
(peering in)
The children might be comfortable
in here? It doesn't look like
there is much breathing room,
though.
JIM
I'm sorry, Margret, it's all
there is.
Margret notices Patty talking to an Indian squaw.
The squaw is dirty and wears only a loin cloth.
MARGRET
What are you doing?
The squaw looks for bugs on Patty's body.
MARGRET
(continuing)
Leave her alone!
The squaw angrily walks away with a few children
in tow.
JIM
Perk up, Margret, we won't be
here long.
INT. FORT - LATER
Jim is talking with Bridger. They sit at a table.
Bridger pours himself a glass of whiskey.
JIM
Do you know where Hastings is?
CONTINUED

20.
BRIDGER
You want a snort?
JIM
Wo.
BRIDGER
Well... let's see... I outfitted
his wagon train a few days ago,
had about sixty-six wagons, I
think.
JIM
He said he would lead us to
California.
BRIDGER
He could be comin' back for you.
JIM
(beat)
How's the road ahead?
BRIDGER
Well, let's see... the injuns
between here and California are
no threat. They are mostly
"diggers," they just like to
steal. The "dry drive" is just
ahead. It's about thirty miles
across, maybe a mite more, you
could cut grass at the springs,
before you launched yourself
into it and feed your animals
all they wanted.
Jim looks disappointed.
EXT. FORT - DAY
Jim is talking to BAPTISTE TRUBODE. He is a small,
dark young man, with protruding eyes.
JIM
You can work some of my wagons
as a teamster.
BAPTISTE
Okay, sounds good.
CONTINUED

21.
They shake hands and Baptiste walks away.
A large, imposing man approaches Jim. WILL McCUTCHEN
has been traveling from one wagon to another, he
shakes Jim's hand.
McCUTCHEN
Hi, Will McCutchen, I'm wondering
if me and my wife can hook up with
your outfit?
JIM
Sure f no problem.
McCUTCHEN
Great! You can call me Mac.
JIM
Okay, Mac. Let me introduce you
to the others.
McCUTCHEN
Great.
EXT. FORT - DAY
An OLD SQUAW gives Margret a cake made of berries
and grasshoppers as a TRAPPER notices.
TRAPPER
It' s good.
MARGRET
Really?
The squaw puts out her hand.
OLD SQUAW
Two needles.
MARGRET
Just a minute.
Margret goes to her bag and pulls out two needles
and gives them to the squaw. The squaw leaves and
Margret throws away the cake.
EXT. FORT - DAY
George is talking to Luke.
CONTINUED

22.
LUKE
I•ve asked three wagons if I
could ride with them, they all
said no. I'm wondering if I
can ride with you.
GEORGE
I don't know, Luke, let me ask
Tamsen.
George approaches Tamsen, who sits on a buckboard.
GEORGE
{continuing)
Luke wants to ride with us. He
can't make it on his horse any
longer. He asked three other
wagons, but they all have an
excuse.
TAMSEN
Sure, he can ride with us.
GEORGE
Good, I'll tell him.
George walks back to Luke.
GEORGE
(continuing)
She said it is fine Luke.
LUKE
Thanks, George, I really
appreciate it.
George walks back to Tamsen.
TAMSEN
So, George, what's the plan?
GEORGE
Well, considerin * Hastings hasn't
shown up, we probably should be
gettin* on.
TAMSEN
He seems a wholly unreliable
man to me George. I think
Margret feels the same way.
CONTINUED

15.
GEORGE
Well, others have faith in him.
We should give it a try.
EXT. OPEN LAND - DAY
The party notices Hastings' wagon tracks.
EXT. OPEN LAND - LATER
Thirteen-year-old EDDIE BREEN rides his pony too
fast. The pony falls and Eddie gets a compound
fracture on his left calf.
PEGGY BREEN, his mother, runs to his side.
PEGGY
Eddie! Oh, Eddie, you are hurt I
Patrick!
Patrick Breen goes to Eddie's side.
BREEN
It's a compound fracture. We're
going to have to amputate.
Eddie moans.
PEGGY
No!
BREEN
There is no other way. We can't
carry him like this on the wagon.
PATRICK DOLLAN steps forward. He is an un-
attractive man, with a toothy smile.
Pat is a wealthy Irish immigrant, with an easy
going disposition.
PAT
I'll ride back to the fort and
get help.
BREEN
What do you think misses?
CONTINUED

24.
PEGGY
Yes, please Patrick, rapidly.
PAT
•Tis but a short while before I
return.
INT. FORT BRIDGER - DUSK
Pat steps into Bridger's cabin.
PAT
Excuse me, sir, I need a surgeon.
BRIDGER
Where the hell did you come from?
PAT
I'm with Jim Reed.
BRIDGER
Oh, okay, come with me.
EXT. A CAMP - NIGHT
Pat finally arrives with a SURGEON. He is an old,
bearded man riding a mule.
He chews tobacco as he steps off his mule. He
pulls out a bundle wrapped in canvas.
He leans down next to Eddie. He pulls out a meat
saw and a knife.
SURGEON
Hot up the fire.
Eddie screams.
EDDIE
Don't cut my leg off!
PEGGY
Patrick!
SURGEON
(angry)
•Tis not my fault if you change
your mind. I have to be paid.
CONTINUED

25.
Breen gets five dollars from his money bag and
pays the surgeon.
The surgeon gets back on his mule, disappointed
he can't cut the leg off. Peggy proceeds to make
a splint.
EXT. BEAR RIVER VALLEY - DAY
The wagons slowly make their way through a great
canyon. The wagon wheels make a loud ECHO as they
move through the deep and steep canyon.
The canyon seems endless and Jim tries to calm the
people down.
EXT. RED FORK CROSSING - DAY
The party is at a crossing of the Webber River.
They find a note left by Hastings and Jim reads it.
GEORGE
What does it say, Jim?
JIM
It says the road ahead is
impassable. He suggests a route
around Webber Canyon.
The people give out a sigh.
EXT. WEBBER RIVER - NIGHT
The party rests at the entrance to Echo Canyon.
Campfires burn and spirits are low. Pat tries to
cheer the people up.
PAT
Don't fret people! We'll be
dancin' the jig in the valleys
of Californy in no time at all.
Some of the people laugh.
AT A CAMPFIRE
The leaders of the party discuss their options.
CONTINUED

JIM
I think we need to find Hastings.
GEORGE
You really think we have to do
that, Jim?
JIM
Yes, I'll go alone if I have to.
McCUTCHEN
One man is vulnerable to Indians
out there. I don't know how my
family will feel about it, Jim,
but I will go with you.
CHARLIE
I shall accompany you as well, Mr.
Reed .
JIM
Thanks, Charlie.
VIRGINIA
I don't want you to go paw. You
won't be safe!
JIM
It will be okay, Virginia.
MARGRET
Maybe, you should think of the
children, Jim, why do you have
to go?
JIM
I just feel it is the right thing
to do.
GEORGE
We'11 take care of your family,
Jim.
GEORGE
Thank you George.
McCUTCHEN
We should head out in the morning
to make good time.

z , .
JIM
I agree.
The people are silent.
JIM
(continuing)
We will be okay.
EXT. WEBBER RIVER CAMP - DAY
Jim has been gone a few days. Margret is washing
clothes over a hot pot.
EXT. WITH JIM - DAY
The men look for Hastings. The undergrowth is
thick, the going hard.
EXT. A CAMP - DAY
LANSFORD HASTINGS is with his wagon train. They
rest near a high peak.
Hastings is in his late twenties. He has an
arrogant air about him. He is a lawyer by
profession, but a general in his mind.
Hastings sees Jim and his men ride into camp.
HASTINGS
Hello, there. Who may you be?
They dismount their horses.
JIM
Hello, we are with a wagon train,
not too far behind here, at the
entrance to Echo Canyon.
HASTINGS
Really? Did you see my note?
JIM
Yes, that's what we are here
about.
CONTINUED

2B.
HASTINGS
Come, have some coffee, you look
exhausted.
EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY
Jira and his men sit with Hastings drinking coffee
HASTINGS
So, what can I clarify for you?
JIM
We weren't expecting to go the
route ourselves.
HASTINGS
You weren't? I'll tell you what.
I'11 show you a route I think
will be beneficial to you.
JIM
Okay.
EXT. A BLUFF - DAY
Hastings and Jim are overlooking the Salt Lake
from a bluff. He looks at a range.
HASTINGS
(pointing)
Do you see that high peak?
JIM'S POV - PEAK
JIM
Yes.
HASTINGS
If you follow that peak backwards,
it will take you back to the head
of the Webber River and your
campsite.
BACK TO SHOT
JIM
You will not take us through it?
CONTINUED

29.
HASTINGS
I must stay with my wagon train.
Come back with me to my camp,
I'll give you a fresh horse. Your
men can stay with me a few days
and bring some supplies back to
your people.
JIM
(beat)
If that is all you can offer.
HASTINGS
Goodr let's get back to camp.
EXT. WASATCH MOUNTAINS - NIGHT
A flame lightens the night sky. Jim blazes a
tree to make a landmark.
EXT. HASTING'S TRAIN - DAY
Hastings slowly makes his way along the Webber
River. The wagons precariously drive down pre-
cipices on the river.
EXT. WEBBER RIVER CAMP - DUSK
The party watch Jim slowly ride into camp. Drawn,
he searches for his family.
He slowly gets off his horse. People ask him what
happened. George approaches him.
GEORGE
What is it, Jim?
JIM
It's not good, George. Hastings
showed us a route, but he won't
help us through it.
GEORGE
What happened to your horse?
JIM
He lent me a fresh one.
GEORGE
And he took yours?
CONTINUED

JU.
Young MRS. McCUTCHEN steps forward.
MRS. McCUTCHEN
Where is my husband?
JIM
He is okay. He is resting with
Charlie. They will join us as
, soon as they can with supplies.
The people look depressed.
EXT. WEBBER RIVER CAMP - DAY
George has convened a meeting.
GEORGE
We need to decide what to do.
We need to decide whether we
turn around and take the normal
route or go forward. We need to
take a vote. SO, those in favor
of turnin' around raise your hand.
A few hands are raised.
GEORGE
(continuing)
Those in favor of goin' forward,
raise your hand.
The majority raise their hands.
GEORGE
(continuing)
May God be with us.
EXT. ECHO CANYON - DAY
Echo Canyon is hard going. The wagons pivot when
they encounter large rocks. The canyon is dark
and the walls are high. This spooks the oxen.
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
There was absolutely no road,
not even a trail. The canyon
wound around among the hills...

EXT. RIVER - DAY
The party has placed willows across the river so
the oxen can cross. The oxen bawl as the stubs
dig into their feet.
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
... Heavy underbrush had to be
cut away and used for makin'
road bed... I used to enjoy
cuttin' Christmas trees with
paw, but if I never see another
tree saw again, I'll be happy.
EXT. RIG MOUNTAIN - DAY
The oxen are doubled teamed. The mountain is a
struggle, tempers flare.
Three wagons reach the party and George greets
them.
GEORGE
Hello, strangers.
The wagons stop to reveal the Graves.
FRANKLIN
I've been whippin' to keep up
with you. I'm Frank Graves and
this is my family. From Lacon,
Illinois. Goin' west, like
everybody and would like to join
if we can.
GEORGE
Sure, you can hitch up.
FRANKLIN
Thank you much.
EXT. TOP OF BIG MOUNTAIN - DAY
The party look over a grand view of Salt Lake Valley
The view reveals flat deserts and high peaks.
Suddenly, Charlie and Mac come up a rise. They both
look gaunt and weak. The people greet them. Mrs.
McCutchen hugs her husband.
CONTINUED

J Z .
CHARLIE
Hello, people. It's nice to see
you.
MRS. McCUTCHEN
Where have you been?
McCUTCHEN
Lost in the mountains... I have
some bad news.
TAMSEN
What is it?
McCUTCHEN
An even bigger mountain is next.
The people despair. They look at their wagon
covers and notice they are tattered and torn.
INT. TAMSEN'S WAGON - DUSK
The party is trekking through the desert. Luke is
seriously ill. He lays on a pallet. He is pale,
thin and feverish. Tamsen nurses him on her lap.
LUKE
(weakly)
There is something I want you
to have... There's a small
trunk in my saddle bags...
There's fifteen hundred dollars
in it. I want you to have it.
TAMSEN
Thank you, Luke.
LUKE
I die happy.
EXT. DESERT - DAY
A body lays in a hole wrapped in a buffalo robe.
The body lays in a hole made of pure salt.
The people mourn and Jim says a few words over
Luke's body.
CONTINUED

33.
JIM
Luke was a Mason, so in the
brotherhood of all Masons, we
proclaim his body to the soil.
EXT. DESERT - DUSK
Tamsen goes through Luke's saddle bags. She pulls
out a small tin trunk. She opens it up and finds
$1,500 in gold and silver.
TAMSEN
(to Luke)
I will start a school with this
money, Luke, thank you.
EXT. TWENTY SPRINGS - DAY
The party has reached Twenty Springs. An assortment
of holes blankets the landscape.
Some are a few inches wide, some a few feet. A
bucket is dropped seventy feet down one hole.
The hole refills as soon as the bucket is pulled
up.
The people load wood and grass onto the wagons.
They fill flour barrels with water.
People gather around Tamsen as she finds a tattered
note glued to a board. She sits in the sand and
pieces it back together. She reads it aloud.
TAMSEN
"Two days, two nights, hard
driving. Cross desert, reach
water."
The people are speechless.
EXT. SALT LAKE - MIDDAY
The wagons sink in the hot sun.
We notice that most water holes
The oxen are thirsty,
are alkaline.

J^.
INT. JIM'S WAGON - NIGHT
Patty sleeps with her dog Cash. She is bundled up,
the night is cold.
EXT. SALT LAKE - DAY
WALTER HERRON, an intense young man, mounts a horse.
A teamster for Jim, he leaves the "Pioneer Palace
Car. "
Two INDIANS follow the party. They make friendly
signs and one of them imitates them and speaks
gibberish. Jim laughs at their antics.
INDIAN
Gee, haw, whoa.
EXT. SALT LAKE - NIGHT
The two Indians gather wood. One Indian puts out
a small fire with a stick.
The two Indians are gone with two oxen. Some in
the party are angry.
LEWIS KESEBERG is a tough German with beady eyes.
He has a long beard and speaks with a heavy accent.
KESEBERG
It's all your fault, Mr. Reed!
You let Indians stay with us!
Jim looks perplexed.
George unyokes six oxen for a rest. They bolt out
into the desert.
George attempts to chase them, but they are too
fast. The other oxen look weak. George approaches
Tamsen.
CONTINUED

J D .
GEORGE
We'll have to throw over.
TAMSEN
I'll throw out some furniture.
Tamsen throws objects onto the salty earth. George
goes to the back of the wagon.
GEORGE
I'm afraid you girls will have
to walk.
The girls get out of the wagon.
Jim is riding a horse ahead of the party looking
for water. He sucks on a deshelled, flattened
bullet to keep hydrated.
He finds a water hole. He dismounts his horse and
drinks excessively. His horse drinks as well.
Jim is riding back to the party. Baptiste and one
of Jim's teamsters, MILT ELLIOT, meet up with him
They are walking with just a few of his oxen.
JIM
What's going on?
MILT
Bad times, Jim. One of your
horses laid down. As we were
tryin' to get him back up, your
oxen fled. We tried to gather
them up all day. Meanwhile, the
others went ahead.
JIM
Where•s my family?
MILT
We'11 go back for them.
Jim looks at him, concerned.
CONTINUED

MILT
(continuing)
Your oxen couldn't take the
thirst anymore, Jim. We felt it
was best to leave the wagons
there until we could regroup.
JIM
(hurriedly)
I'll see you later.
He yanks the reins and his horse tears off.
Jim reaches his family. He dismounts his horse
and hugs Margret. It is pitch black.
JIM
I'm sorry for leaving you.
MARGRET
It's okay, we're okay.
He picks up Tommy.
JIM
Come on kids, we need to get
to water.
VIRGINIA
What about the wagons?
JIM
I'll get them later. Let's get
going!
The Reeds walk through the desert. A crazed young
steer comes running out of the darkness. Patty
screams. They notice Jacob's wagon and Jacob sees
them.
JACOB
I'm glad to see you are okay,
Jim.
CONTINUED

JIM
Where are the others?
JACOB
They went ahead to a water hole.
JIM
We'11 meet you there. I need to
get my family to water«
EXT. WATER HOLE - NIGHT
The Reeds lay down in the cold, exhausted.
Milt searches for oxen in the intense sun. He sees
what looks like an oxen and rides closer. He reaches
it and discovers it is a bush.
EXT. WATER HOLE CAMP - DAY
The people are exhausted from looking for Jim's
oxen.
JIM
Well, I only have one ox and a
cow. That's not enough to get
my wagons back.
Franklin and Breen each bring Jim an oxen.
JIM
(continuing)
Thank you Patrick, Franklin.
EXT. AT WAGONS - DAY
Jim puts two teams of oxen on one of his wagons.
EXT. AT WAGONS - LATER
Jim has dug a six foot square hole. He has unhitch-
ed a bed from one of his wagons.
CONTINUED

Jim places furniture and other valuables in the
box. He places old clothing and broken furniture
on the top and buries the hole.
EXT. WATER HOLE CAMP - DAY
George holds a meeting. We can see snow in the
mountains.
GEORGE
We need to get some help. I
don * t want to get help from Fort
Bridger. We need to send someone
ahead to Sutter•s Fort. Who is
willin' to go forward and get us
help?
There is silence.
CHARLIE
I will go.
McCUTCHEN
I will go too.
The people clap and Pat laughs.
PAT
r
Tis a funny sight. Little
Charlie and Big Mac. 'Twould
make a brass monkey laugh.
The people laugh.
EXT. WATER HOLE CAMP - LATER
McCutchen says goodbye to his wife.
McCUTCHEN
I will be okay misses. I will be
back with help.
Mrs. McCutchen cries as they kiss. McCutchen hugs
his baby, HARRIET, and wells up with tears. After
a moment, he mounts his horse.
Charlie is on his horse with the reins of a mule
tied to his saddle.
CONTINUED

Tamsen touches Charlie's leg and they exchange
glances.
The party watches as they ride out. Pat notices
the somber mood of his friends.
PAT
Everyone be cheerful. We'11
soon be in Californy, livin *
like kings and queens, bonny
Mary Ann Graves will be married
to the richest rancher in the
state and won't even be speakin'
to the likes of us.
They all laugh.
EXT. HUMBOLT RIVER CAMP - DAY
The party has set up camp by the Humbolt River.
Spirits are better. Eddie Breen runs around.
EXT. HUMBOLT RIVER - DAY
George and Jacob drive their wagons ahead of the
rest. Their oxen are strong and wagons good.
EXT. GRAVELLY ROAD - DAY
CLOSE on oxen *s rump. We can see wounds covered
in tar. The two Indians tried unsuccessfully to
kill some of the oxen with poison arrows.
PULL BACK to reveal the party working up a steep
ford by the Humbolt. The oxen are double teamed
and the driving is hard. Franklin's wagon is in
the front.
A young, married man, named JAY FOSDICK is second
JOHN SNYDER, a teamster for Franklin, is third.
He is an athletic young man who is infatuated
with Mary Ann. To impress her, Snyder has not
double teamed. Milt is behind him with Jim's
wagon.
Jay is attached to Franklin's wagon and he
moves slowly.
CONTINUED

41 U .
MILT
Why aren't you double teamed?
Get your goddamn wagon out of
my way!
SNYDER
Kiss my ass!
Milt tries to pass Snyder and the lead yoke of the
two teams gets tangled.
ANGLE ON JIM
who is hunting on horseback. He hears the argument
and rides his horse up the hill.
SNYDER
(continuing)
What the fuck are you doing!?
You tangled up the oxen!
MILT
If you weren't goin' so goddamn
slow, I wouldn't have to pass!
Snyder whips Jim's oxen with his whip and Jim
rushes forward.
JIM
Stop that! Stop that!
SNYDER
Get your animals out of my way!
JIM
John, calm down! You can attach
to ray team if you want help. Wait
till we get to the top of the hill
and we'll settle the matter.
SNYDER
We'll settle it now!
Snyder hits Jim with the butt end of his whip as
Margret watches in horror. He hits him a second
time as Margret rushes to his side.
Margret stands between Jim and Snyder as Snyder
raises his stock to hit Jim and instead hits
Margret.
CONTINUED

Jim's face bleeds heavily and he can barely see
Margret get hit.
JIM
John! John!
Margret reels in pain. Jim pulls out his hunting
knife in rage and stabs Snyder in the ribs.
Snyder staggers out of the wagon and Rreen rushes
to his side. He puts his arms around Snyder.
SNYDER
Patrick, I'm dead.
Jim tries to staunch the wound with a cloth.
SNYDER
(continuing; quietly)
I am to blame.
MARGRET
Jim, oh my God, come with me.
Jim throws the knife in the river. Margret, whose
head bleeds as well, leads Jim to their wagon.
Margret and the girls wrap his head in bandages.
Over the next fifteen minutes, Snyder dies.
EXT. GRAVELLY FORD CAMP - DAY
A meeting is held to decide what to do. Keseberg
is livid and takes his oxen out of his yokes. He
takes the tongue of his wagon and props it up
with an oxbow.
KESEBERG
String him up! String him up!
Milt and Will stand next to Jim with rifles. Jim
is livid at their incongruity. He bares his neck.
JIM
Come on gentlemen.
Keseberg looks at Jim, unhinged.
KESEBERG
Look, he is bad. He killed Snyder.
He must pay.
CONTINUED

The men talk out of earshot of Jim. They occasionally
look at him.
After a few moments, the men approach him. Spitzer
looks Jim sternly in the eye.
SPITZER
We've decided what's to be done.
You're to be banished.
JIM '
Banished!?
SPITZER
You ought to be thankful it not
worse. We don't want a man like
you with us. We!
re going to give
you a horse and grub, but no
rifle and you make up for what
you've done by going over the
mountains to Fort Sutter to
send us help. That's what we
decided.
JIM
I'11 not go! It's a death sentence
to send me over the mountains
without a rifle!
KESEBERG
We must string him up!
JIM
I won*t leave my family! I don't
know what you would do to them!
WILL
I'll take care of your family,
Jim.
Jim looks at his family.
JIM
Okay... Will you at least let me
help bury him?
No.
SPITZER

EXT. CAMPFIRE - NIGHT
Jim is gathered around his family.
MARGRET
(praying)
Dear Lord, please deliver Jim
safely from this violent mood.
Please deliver him safely to
Fort Sutter and refuge for our
weary souls.
EXT. REED WAGON - NIGHT
Milt and Will guard Jim's wagon as he sleeps.
EXT. GRAVELLY FORD CAMP - DAWN
Jim stands alone at Snyder's grave.
EXT. GRAVELLY FORD CAMP - LATER
Jim and his family hug and cry. After a few moments
Jim gives Margret their money belt.
JIM
I have taken a little.
He strokes Margret's face.
JIM
(continuing)
Don't worry, I'll get through,
I'11 be back.
His family cries as he mounts his horse. He gives
a slight smile and rides off.
EXT. WEBBER RIVER - DAY
Jim rides his horse'along the river; he HEARS a
VOICE.
VOICE
Father!
CONTINUED

Jim turns his horse and sees Virginia and Milt.
She has a bag and Milt carries a rifle. Jim
dismounts his horse. Virginia rushes him and
hugs him.
VIRGINIA
We brought you a riffle and
ammunition.
They hand him the items.
VIRGINIA
(continuing)
There's some crackers in there too.
Jim kisses her.
JIM
Thank you sweetheart.
VIRGINIA
I know I'11 see you again.
He remounts his horse.
JIM
Thank you, Milt. Take care of
my family.
Milt tilts affirmatively. Jim smiles at Virginia
and gallops off. Virginia watches him leave and
her eyes well up with tears.
Will and his family walk on worn shoes. There is
much loss and depravation and the Eddy family is
on exception.
Will carries his young son, JAMES, on his shoulder
Eleanor carries MARGRET.
The hardships show on Eleanor. A beautiful woman,
she looks worn.
JAMES
Poppa, I am thirsty. I want
something to drink.
CONTINUED

Breen has a large barrel filled with water on the
side of his wagon. Will approaches Breen's wagon.
WILL
Mr. Breen, I need some water for
ray children. Could I please have
a small amount?
BREEN
No f I have to conserve my water
for my family and stock.
WILL
Children should be put before
animals, Mr. Breen.
BREEN
I'm sorry , I cannot.
Will puts down James. He walks to a wagon and pulls
out a rifle. He walks back to Breen.
He points the rifle at hira. Breen notices this and
stops his wagon.
WILL
If you don't let my children
have water, I will kill you.
BREEN
Okay, you can have some water.
Will lowers the rifle.
WILL
Thank you.
Keseberg is driving his wagon. His wife PHILLIPINE
sits by him. She has a slight bruise on her left
eye.
Keseberg stops the wagon. On the wagon is a man
named HARDCOUP, who is of Belgian descent. He is
an unmarried man with two grown children and he
is very wealthy.
CONTINUED

Keseberg steps down from the wagon and goes to the
back. He opens up the wagon cover revealing Hardcoup
KESEBERG
I need you out.
HARDCOUP
Me? Why?
KESEBERG
You are slowing me down. You are
weak Hardcoup. Only the strong
should keep going.
HARDCOUP
I will get out and walk, but please
don't leave me.
Hardcoup gets out. Keseberg slowly increases the
speed of the wagon.
Jim is riding his horse. He sees a wagon lumbering
ahead of him. He notices it is the Donners.
Jim rides up to them and surprises them.
JIM
George, I've been banished.
GEORGE
What do you mean, Jim?
JIM
I've been put out of the wagon
train for murder.
GEORGE
For murder? That couldn't be, Jim.
You wouldn't do that.
JIM
I killed Snyder because he was
hitting me and Margret. Our oxen
got tangled and he became angry.
I stabbed him unintentionally and
they banished me.
CONTINUED

GEORGE
It's bad Jim- The people hardly
know what they're doin1
. We're
goin• to have breakfast and you
can have it with us. Then we can
talk some more... Things are bad,
Jim.
EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY
Jim has breakfast with the Donners and they are
joined by Walter . He has been with the Donners
since the "Pioneer Palace Car" was abandoned.
WALTER
This is terrible Mr. Reed. How
can they put you out of the
wagon train, it was self defense!?
JIM
I don't think they are thinking
straight.
WALTER
It is outragious! I will go with
you Mr. Reed, if you will have me.
JIM
Thank you, Walter.
George takes a note Tamsen has been writing and
hands it to Jim.
GEORGE
Jim, this is a note for Captain
Sutter. It says that I will pay
for relief, if he sends help as
soon as possible.
JIM
Okay.
GEORGE
We will make it out of this, Jim.

The Donners have been waiting for the others. They
see a train of wagons approaching.
GEORGE
Hello.
WILL FOSTER, a son-in-law of Lavina, approaches
George. The others slowly ride into camp.
FOSTER
Hello, Mr. Donner.
GEORGE
Hello, how are things with you?
I met Jim, he *s gone on to
Sutter's.
FOSTER
Good, I don't know what some of
us were thinking... I have to
go back and find Hardcoup. He
was left out a spell back by
Keseberg, who said he wanted to
walk. Keep an eye on my family,
will ya?
GEORGE
Sure.
Foster turns his horse and rides away.
Foster finds Hardcoup walking on swollen, bloody
feet. He dismounts his horse.
FOSTER
Are you okay, Mr. Hardcoup?
HARDCOUP
Mr. Keseberg abandoned me.
FOSTER
Really? He said you wanted to walk.
HARDCOUP
He's stretching the truth.

EXT. HUMBOLT SINK - DAY
The party rests at the head of the Humbolt River.
The oxen are grazing half a mile from the camp.
The men who have been guarding the oxen come in
for breakfast.
AT THE OXEN
Attrition has lessened the stock. Many have been
lost to poison arrows. The oxen eat and rest.
ANGLE ON INDIANS
who shoot poisonous arrows into the oxen. The
oxen bawl loudly.
AT THE CAMP
the party hears the sound. They mount their horses
and move out.
AT THE OXEN
the Indians have fled. Twenty-one oxen have been
shot with arrows; some are dying, some in pain.
The men try to put the oxen in yokes. The badly
wounded ones are roped and snubbed.
The men take out their knives and kill them. The
situation is horrendous.
EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - NIGHT
Jim and Walter tread along. They have been taking
turns riding the horse. Jim walks, spreading feathers
from game they have eaten. He hopes they will be
seen by Margret.
They worry about Indians who have periodically shot
arrows at them.
Walter chews some onion root as he rides the horse,
he stops.
CONTINUED

WALTER
Jim, I want to kill the horse.
Jim stops.
JIM
Wait twenty-four hours, Walter.
Then if we don't get food, I'll
agree to it.
WALTER
Kill it now!
JIM
We must wait, Walter.
Walter jumps off the horse and rushes Jim. He
tries to steal the rifle and succeeds.
Jim rushes him and gets the rifle back. They both
lay down, exhausted.
EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - DAY
Jim and Walter continue without the horse. Walter
licks his fingers of tallow they found in an
abandoned wagon.
JIM'S POV - THREE MEN
who are approaching on horseback. As they get
closer, Jim can see it is Charlie with two Indians
LEWIS and SALVADOR are traveling with Charlie,
with a few pack mules at their side.
JIM
smiles.
JIM
Charlie!
Charlie sees Jim and laughs. He dismounts.
CHARLIE
Hello, Jim.
CONTINUED

WALTER
Have you anything to eat?
CHARLIE
Yes, plenty. I made it to Sutter's
and was provided provisions and
two guides.
Charlie opens up a saddle bag and gives Walter
some biscuits. Walter scarfs them down.
JIM
Easy, Walter, don't eat too fast.
Jim takes a biscuit and eats.
JIM
(continuing)
Where's Mac?
CHARLIE
The exposure was too great. He
is at the fort recovering. He'11
come with a rescue party of his
own, as soon as he can.
Charlie points out Lewis and Salvador.
CHARLIE
(continuing)
These two men are Lewis and Salvador.
They tilt their heads at Walter and Jim.
CHARLIE
(continuing)
They are fine travelers. I would
not have been able to get through
without them.
JIM
That is good... Charlie, I want
you to get to the people as fast
as you can, they need your help.
CHARLIE
I will bring help to these starving
people, or lay down my life.
CONTINUED

JIM
Thank you, Charlie.
Jira shakes his hand.
EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER - NIGHT
Camp is made at the Truckee River. The Sierras are
soon to be crossed.
Most of the party is in camp, a few stragglers
have yet to show up.
Stragglers are a burden to the party considering
their strained resources. Hardcoup was lost a
second time, only to be left.
Spitzer and another German, JOSEPH RINEHART, arrive
in camp. Mrs. Wolfinger approaches them.
MRS. WOLFINGER
SPITZER
Indians swept out of the mountains
and killed him.
Mrs. Wolfinger is shocked.
MRS. WOLFINGER
What?
EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER - DAY
Billy Graves and Lavina's other son-in-law, WILL
PIKE, find Wolfinger's wagon along the river.
Keseberg told them Wolfinger was a short distance
behind, as he rode into camp the previous night.
Billy rides his horse down by the river bank.
BILLY
Mr. Wolfinger! Wolfinger!
There is silence. Billy rides back up the bank.
CONTINUED

BILLY
(continuing; to Pike)
I don't see him anywhere.
PIKE
There is no one in the wagon.
Billy looks around.
BILLY
What a mystery.
EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER CAMP - DAY
Billy and Pike ride back into camp with Wolfinger's
wagon. Mrs. Wolfinger runs toward them.
MRS. WOLFINGER
Pike stops the wagon and steps off.
PIKE
We couldn't find him, I'm sorry.
Mrs. Wolfinger bursts into tears.
MRS. WOLFINGER
Then the Indians did get him!
Charles Burger puts his arm around her. She cries
as he walks her away.
Little Charlie rides into camp and the people are
happy to see him.
CHARLIE
Hello, everyonel
He sees Margret and dismounts his horse.
CHARLIE
(continuing)
Mrs. Reed, I have met up with
Jim. He is on his way to the fort.
CONTINUED

Margret hugs Charlie.
MARGRET
Oh, thank you, Charlie!
CHARLIE
Yes, the Sierra is worse than the
Wasatch, but it can be crossed.
EXT. SIERRA SUMMIT - NIGHT
We can see snow begin to fall.
Will Pike and Will Foster are getting ready to go
over the Sierra for help.
Foster is cleaning a gun and Pike holds the
bullets. Foster proceeds to hand Pike the gun.
ANGLE ON LAVINA
who cooks over a f ire.
LAVINA
(yells)
More wood for the fire!
Foster turns his head towards Lavina as he hands
Pike the gun.
We HEAR a loud BANG as the gun goes off. Pike
falls on the ground, shot.
Harriet Pike and others rush over.
HARRIET
Oh, my God!
(looks at Foster)
What has happened, Will!?
FOSTER
(in panic)
I was handing him the gun and
it went off!
CONTINUED

Pike lays moaning on Harriet's lap. Her skirt is
covered in blood.
NAOMI, 3, runs and hugs her father. Everyone is
in shock.
EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER CAMP - LATER
Pike lays in a small trench. Foster buries him,
with tears in his eyes. It begins to snow.
George is driving his wagon. The party slowly
makes it up the mountains.
Tamsen and Frances are walking along the wagon.
The wagon hits a boulder and the rear axel brakes.
The wagon sways and topples. A scream is heard from
inside the wagon. Georgia and Eliza are inside.
George and Tamsen frantically search through the
wreckage and hear only silence.
TAMSEN
Georgia! Eliza!
GEORGE
Kids, can you hear me?
There is no answer. After a few moments they find
Georgia. She is so frightened, she is speechless.
TAMSEN
Eliza!
There is no answer. Finally, they pull her out,
unconscious, but breathing. Tamsen puts her arms
around the children and weeps.
EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - LATER
George and Jacob drag a tree towards the wagon.
CONTINUED

SERIES OF SHOTS
A) George and Jacob hew the tree into an axel.
B) They wrap coil around the axel. George cuts his
right hand when his chisel slips.
Tamsen grabs some cloth. She wipes blood off the
wound and wraps it.
GEORGE
It is nothin'.
The rest of the party is moving on; time is of the
essence.
Keseberg is riding a horse, his foot in a sling.
His foot was injured earlier when he stepped on
a thorn.
INT. SUTTER'S FORT - DAY
Jim and Walter reach the fort. The fort is much
more luxurious than the previous forts they were in.
Jim meets CAPTAIN SUTTER, 43, dignified. Captain
Sutter is a decent man, known for his generousity.
He speaks with a light Swiss accent. Jim and
Walter shake his hand.
JIM
Hello, Mr. Sutter. I am James
Reed. I am with Charlie Stanton
and the others in the mountains.
SUTTER
Yes, Charlie is a fine young man.
Did you meet him on your way down?
JIM
Yes, we did sir, but I would like
to get more help to my people as
soon as possible.
CONTINUED

SUTTER
Yes, yes, I understand. I will do
everything I can, but it is not
much. I am afraid we are having
a conflict with Mexico at the
moment. We have enlisted and sent
away most of our able bodied men.
But, I will help you in some way.
JIM
Thank you.
(beat)
Where's McCutchen?
SUTTER
McCutchen is well now and he can
help you.
JIM
Good.
INT. SUTTER'S FORT - NIGHT
Jim and Walter are warming by a fireplace. Sutter
enters the room.
SUTTER
I have bad news, Mr. Reed. Our
forces in Monterey have been
driven back to their ship. The
situation is not well. You•ve
been in war already yet. You can
raise reinforcements.
JIM
Okay.
Captain Sutter hands Jim a paper signed by others,
agreeing to help in the war movement. Jim signs it.
WALTER
I would like to do what I can to
help, Captain Sutter.
SUTTER
Good, we can use a strong man like
yourself.
(MORE)
CONTINUED

SUTTER (CONT'D)
(to Jim)
Now, this order requires that
you gather up materials and
reinforcements for Colonel
Fremont. It is addressed to
Captain Kern. He is commandant
here at the fort.
JIM
I will do all I can to help sir.
SUTTER
Thank you.
EXT. ALDER CREEK - DUSK
The Donners limp into Alder Creek. They are ten
miles into California, five miles from Truckee Lake.
It begins to snow, darkness soon approaching. George
rallies the men together.
GEORGE
Fast, boys, we need to build
shelters!
SAM SHOEMAKER, from Springfield, Ohio, James Smith
and Jacob hurriedly cut logs. They cannot overcome
the loss of sunlight.
EXT. ALDER CREEK - NIGHT
It is dark and snowing. The men are cutting brush
and making shelters. They place blankets and oxen
skins on top.
INT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - NIGHT
The children lay on beds made of brush and bed
clothes. They are raised above the ground and
the bed is held together with branches and stakes.
The ceiling begins to sag from the weight of the
snow. George goes outside.

EXT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - NIGHT
George wipes off the snow.
George enters, the children complain.
ELIZA
We are hungry mommy!
FRANCES
Please, let us eat something.
Tamsen boils some dried fruit over a pot. After
a few moments the fruit is boiled.
Tamsen gives it to the children and they eat it.
FRANCES
(continuing)
We want more!
Tamsen makes cups of water filled with sugar. She
gives it to the children.
EXT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - NIGHT
George is looking at the snow. It is two feet deep.
George steps back in. The children are asleep.
TAMSEN
(whispers)
How is it out there?
GEORGE
It is still snowin1
. I think
the snow is two feet deep.
TAMSEN
When do you think it will stop?
CONTINUED

GEORGE
I don1
t know.
EXT. SUTTER'S FORT - DAY
Walter rides away to fight in the Mexican war. Jim
watches him leave, with Mac at his side.
JIM
Time is of the essence, Mac. The
sooner we can deal with this war,
the sooner we can get help to our
loved ones.
McCUTCHEN
I'm anxious to get back up there.
EXT. SACRAMENTO STREET - DAY
Jim and Mac ride down the street. They are followed
by an ever increasing number of men, enlisted to
fight in the war effort.
EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE - DAY
Members of the party arrive at the lake. It is
snowing hard. People are in despair. They aban-
don their wagons and struggle to take provisions
out.
EXT. SIERRA SUMMIT - DAY
Will Eddy and his family are at the summit. The
snow is intense. He decides to turn around.
ANGLE ON CHARLIE
coming up the hill. He stops the Eddys.
CHARLIE
Mr. Eddy, where are you going?
You must try to get across. Others
are coming with what they can.
WILL
Do you see this weather, Charlie!?
There is no getting across.
CONTINUED

CHARLIE
You must try!
Will ignores him and Charlie, helpless, watches
them walk away.
Jim and Captain Sutter stand outside of the fort.
THEIR POV - MOUNTAINS
which are covered in snow.
BACK TO SHOT
SUTTER
It is bad, but you can make it.
Jim is at a corral. Two INDIANS assist him in
gathering up twenty-six horses. Mac comes out
of a barn with packs of provisions.
EXT. JOHNSON'S RANCH - DAY
Jim has reached Johnson's Ranch, which is a small
shanty town in the foothills. He arrives in the
falling snow with Mac and the two Indians.
EXT. BEAR VALLEY - DAY
Jim has reached Bear Valley, he sees smoke. He
finds a crude, half tent, half pole, structure.
MR. and MRS. CURTIS step out of the shelter. Mr.
Curtis is a crude, unintelligent man.
CURTIS
Howdy! Me and the wife movin'
westward. We came to this nice
valley and thought we *d stay
awhile. Then we were snow'd in,
we're just about starvin'. Do
you have any grub?
CONTINUED

JIM
Sure, we are on our way to help
some refuges in the mountains,
but we'll help you out.
CURTIS
We'll give you some of ours, little
as we got.
Mrs. Curtis goes to a dutch oven. She opens the
door and shows Jim a tempting smelling dish.
Jim and Mac sit down at a makeshift table and
bench. Mrs. Curtis places pewter plates on the
table. She places meat on the plates.
JIM
What kind of meat is this?
MRS. CURTIS
Try it.
Jim tastes the meat.
JIM
It's good. What kind of meat is
this?
MRS. CURTIS
It's our pet dog.
Jim pushes the plate away. After a few moments Mac
tastes the meat.
McCUTCHEN
It•s not too bad.
Jim looks at Mac for a moment, then eats. Mrs.
Curtis brings them some hot bread.
CURTIS
It's all we got, no other dog. If
you don't help us, we'11 starve.
You are our angles from Heaven.
Jim goes to the saddle bags for provisions.
CURTIS
(continuing)
Will you take me and the woman out
when you get back?
CONTINUED

JIM
I will... I'll leave nine horses
and an Indian with you. I have
too many horses.
CURTIS
How long do you think before you'll
be back?
JIM
It might be a week. It might even
be two weeks.
On the following day, Jim, Mac and an Indian are
off. The horses struggle in the falling snow.
Jim and Mac are asleep. The horses graze on boughs.
Jim wakes up, gets up and looks around.
He notices that three horses and the Indian are
gone. He wakes up Mac.
JIM
Mac, the Indian took three horses.
McCUTCHEN
That fucking Indian has a lot of
nerve. I'll get him.
Mac gets on his horse and rides off. Jim is upset
at the setback.
EXT. BEAR VALLEY - NIGHT
Mac reaches the Curtis shelter. The horses are gone.
McCUTCHEN
(yelling)
Curtis! Get the hell out here!
Curtis comes out of the shelter.
CONTINUED

McCUTCHEN
(continuing)
Where are the horses?
CURTIS
Are you takin' us back now? If
you want the horses, I sent them
back to the fort with the Indians.
McCUTCHEN
Son-of-a-bitch!
Mac turns his horse and heads back up.
Mac makes it back to Jim and dismounts his horse.
McCUTCHEN
Curtis wanted us to fail, Jim, so
he tried to foul up our rescue.
JIM
We can't waste another moment. We
need to move out now!
Jim and Mac struggle up the mountains. The pack
horses are exhausted and lay down to die.
They struggle to get one to its feet and succeed.
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
My father really had a hard time
strugglin' up the mountain. His
spirits were low, but he was not
goin' to fail us. That is what
kind of paw he was.
Jim uses the horse to break a path in the falling,
deep snow.
Jim and Mac are weak and exhausted.
CONTINUED

THEIR POV - PASS
which they can barely see through the falling snow.
JIM AND MAC
turn around and head back down.
They dig the horses out of the snow.
The Curtis' are waiting for them. Jim and Mac
dismount their horses.
CURTIS
Why didn't you get us out sooner?
Jim points out a horse.
JIM
You see that pack horse there?
Take charge of it and we•11 head
back to the fort.
CURTIS
I will not!
Mac approaches Curtis and hits him a few times.
Curtis cowars on the ground.
McCUTCHEN
I will not kill you Curtis, just
do as you are told!
Curtis attends the pack horse. Jim approaches
Mrs. Curtis.
JIM
Please gather up your things,
ma'am. We'11 be heading back.
MRS. CURTIS
We should've left earlier.
She gathers her things.

EXT. ALDER CREEK - DAY
Tamsen exits her shelter• Baptiste is playing with
the children and Tamsen approaches him.
TAMSEN
Baptiste.
He stops and the kids run off.
BAPTISTE
Yes, what do you want?
TAMSEN
I want you to go to the main camp
and get us some provisions.
A party of refugees are heading out of camp.
Baptiste tries to catch up with them.
Will Foster's wife, SARAH, brings up the rear and
Baptiste runs towards her.
BAPTISTE
Where're you going?
Sarah turns around.
SARAH
We're trying to make the pass.
BAPTISTE
I * 11 go with you.
We see thirteen blanketed forms struggling to
walk in the deep snow.
EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE NIGHT
The refugees return.

Baptiste returns to Alder Creek and Tamsen approaches
him.
TAMSEN
Where have you been? You have been
gone five days!
BAPTISTE
We tried to cross summit, we failed.
TAMSEN
I expected you to come right back
with food! I am disappointed in
you !
Tamsen leaves the camp for Truckee Lake.
Tamsen falls after tripping on a large boulder in
the deep snow. She lays there, out of breath.
Tamsen reaches the lake and notices lumps in the
snow. She sees smoke coming from a lump.
TAMSEN'S POV - LUMP
She gets closer and notices it is a shelter. She
notices steps leading down. t
TAMSEN
walks down the steps.
TAMSEN
Hello!
MRS. GRAVES opens the door of the shelter. She has
heavy creases in her face.
CONTINUED

She is a primitive, but capable woman. She sees
Tamsen.
MRS. GRAVES
Mrs. Donner.
TAMSEN
Hello, Mrs. Graves, how are you?
INT. GRAVES SHELTER - DAY
Six children are laying on platform beds. They
squint from the light as the door is closed.
MRS. GRAVES
It's hard on the young'uns. But
we'11 get them over the mountains.
TAMSEN
Do you think so?
MRS. GRAVES
(nods)
One knows such things... You got
any hides left?
TAMSEN
They're getting scarce.
MRS. GRAVES
(nods)
Our'n eat them better now, especially
the older children. Our people been
goin' over the mountains, or tryin'
to. Nobody's made it yet, but we
will. No mountain can hold us back,
you'11 see.
TAMSEN
I hope so. The children must be got
out.
MRS. GRAVES
(nods)
They•11 get out and so'11 we.

Tamsen walks around the desolate camp. She sees
footprints here and there.
INT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - DAY
Tamsen enters her shelter. Her girls are asleep.
George has developed a fever because of his wound
He lays on a bed and stirs.
GEORGE
How are things in the main camp?
Tamsen sits down to rest.
TAMSEN
Better, an escape party has set out
on foot to get over the pass and
everyone is hopeful•
GEORGE
Did you hear anythin' about Jim
Reed?
TAMSEN
Not since Charlie saw him.
GEORGE
They haven't heard anythin1
from
him?
TAMSEN
No.
INT. SUTTER'S FORT - NIGHT
Jim sits with his elbows on his knees and his
hands around his head. He sits next to a fire
with Captain Sutter.
SUTTER
The snow was bad like I said, but
more. If they have enough oxen to
slaughter, they can make it.

Tarasen is collecting wood. She HEARS a VOICE shout
and FOOTSTEPS walking in the snow.
She climbs up a steep snowbank and sees Salvador.
He hands her a letter and she reads it.
CHARLIE (V.O.)
"9th Dec. 1846: Mrs. Donner,
Donnersvilie, Cal., Mrs. Donner:
You will please send me number
one: your best tobacco. The storm
prevented us from getting over
the mountains. We are now getting
snowshoes ready to go on foot.
I should like to get your pocket
compass, as the snow is very deep
and in the event of a storm, it
would be very valuable. Milt and
Mrs. Graves are coming right back
and either can bring it back to
you... The mules are all strayed
off. If any should come around
your camp - let some of our
company know it at first
opportunity. Yours, very
respectfully, C.T. Stanton."
The party is preparing for the trip.
SERIES OF SHOTS
A) Franklin takes an ox bow and saws it into thin
slices.
B) They weave the strips together to make snowshoes.
C) They practice walking on the shoes and they
stumble and fall.
INT. MARGRET1
S SHELTER - NIGHT
Baylis Williams lays dead in Margret's shelter,
a victim of malnutrition.

EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE - NIGHT
A campfire burns. The people, filled with much
apprehension, gather around and talk.
Pat Dollan, as usual, tries to cheer people up.
PAT
What am I hearin1
? Listen here,
you folks, don't have fear in
your bodies. We got across the
Plains and we got over the
Wasatch Mountains and we got
across the Salt Desert, an'
we can lick the pass.
There are a few smiles.
The snowshoers are about to leave and say their
goodbyes. Lavina says goodbye to her two daughters.
LAVINA
I will take care of the children,
girls. You needn't worry.
Sarah and Harriet kiss their mother.
HARRIET
Thank you, mother. We'11 see you
soon.
SARAH
We love you mother.
ANGLE ON MRS. GRAVES
who is talking to Mrs. McCutchen.
MRS. GRAVES
You must leave Mrs. McCutchen. You
need to stay strong and get help
for your young'un.
MRS. MCCUTCHEN
But, I am afraid to leave her.
CONTINUED

MRS. GRAVES
I will take care of your child, you
can depend on it.
MRS. McCUTCHEN
Thank you, Mrs. Graves.
ANGLE ON PAT DOLLAN
who is talking with Patrick Breen.
PAT
I want you to give my meat to Mrs.
Reed. Please take them in and take
care of them.
BREEN
If you wish.
PAT
Thank you.
Margret approaches Pat. She hands him a gold watch
and a Mason emblem.
MARGRET
I want you to take these, Pat. I
appreciate your generousity...
Tell my husband I am okay, if you
see him.
She kisses him and Pat smiles.
ANGLE ON CHARLIE
as he inspects the people.
CHARLIE
All ready!
He waves his hand and the snowshoers follow. The
others wail as they leave. Margret watches them
leave and looks up at the pass.
MARGRET•S POV - PASS
It is impressive and white in the morning sky.

EXT. WEST TRUCKEE LAKE - NIGHT
Young WILL MURPHY tires and turns around.
Joseph Rinehart lays dying in Tamsen•s shelter.
Rinehart motions her closer as she comforts him.
RINEHART
I have something to tell.
TAMSEN
What is it, Mr. Rinehart?
RINEHART
I kill Wolfinger. Me and Spitzer.
Tamsen freezes for a moment.
TAMSEN
Well, I am sorry you did that, Mr.
Rinehart- I think you should make
peace with the Lord, don't you?
RINEHART
Yes, make peace with the Lord.
Please pray for me.
INT. JACOB'S SHELTER - NIGHT
Jacob Donner sits at a table. His head rests on
his clasped hands. He is frozen in rigor.
The snowshoers camp within sight of the main camp.
A fire burns on a platform of green logs.
The people lay on quilts and eat small rations.
The snowshoers walk wearily through the mountains.
Mary Ann Graves sees something on a gorge.
CONTINUED

MARY AWN'S POV - GORGE
What appears to be smoke billows out of the gorge.
MARY ANN
MARY ANN
Look! There is smoke! We should go
that way!
The others look.
LEWIS
It is not way.
MARY ANN
Let's fire a gun! Someone might
hear !
Will Eddy FIRES one shot from the rifle he carries.
There is no answer.
MARY ANN
(continuing)
Hello!
Franklin puts his arm around Mary Ann.
FRANKLIN
Let's go, Mary Ann.
It begins to snow.
EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - DAWN
The snowshoers travel down a deep slope. The snow
is blindingly bright in the morning sunshine.
They trip and fall in the drifts. Lewis and Salvador
cannot see the trail.
Charlie is weak and exhausted, he walks slow. The
others try to wait for him.
Charlie sits at a campfire smoking a pipe.
CONTINUED

Charlie's snowshoes sit at his side. Mary Ann
approaches him.
MARY ANN
It's time to start, Charlie.
CHARLIE
Yes, I know. I'm corning soon.
EXT. CAMPFIRE - LATER
Mary Ann walks back to Charlie, who has not moved.
MARY ANN
Let's go, Charlie.
CHARLIE
It's no good, Mary Ann. You go on
without me, I'll be okay.
Mary Ann begins to cry.
MARY ANN
Noooo... Charlie, you must come
with us, you'll die. I don't
want you to die, Charlie.
CHARLIE
Don't fret for me, Mary Ann. You
just move on, you can make it.
Mary Ann holds Charlie's hand and cries. He calmly
smokes his pipe.
Will, tired, leads the snowshoers.
WILL
I don't know which way to go.
FOSTER
Why don't we take a break?
WILL
Okay.
CONTINUED

They sit down to rest. Will takes off his pack
and looks through it.
WILL
(continuing)
I'll be damnned!
Mary Ann sits next to him.
MARY ANN
What is it, Will?
He pulls out a bag filled with bear meat.
WILL
It's from the bear I shot...
There's a note.
SARAH
What does it say?
Will reads it.
WILL
"Your dear Eleanor."
He has tears in his eyes. Mary Ann holds him.
EXT. SAN JOSE - NIGHT
We see the brilliant glow of a cannon ball EXPLODE
in the night sky. Mexican soldiers fly in the air
as the ball impacts.
EXT. YERBA BUENA BAY - NIGHT
Jim is in a war boat with the U.S. Army. The boat
moves in what is now San Francisco Bay. We are
witnessing the "Battle of Santa Clara."
The snowshoers are in a blizzard. They stumble
and fall in the snow drifts.
The group feels desperate as the wind HOWLS loudly.

INT. PATRICK BREEN SHELTER - NIGHT
HOLD CLOSE ON VIRGINIA'S FACE
as she sits in the Breen shelter. Breen is reading
the Bible to the people.
BREEN
"The Lord is my shepard; I shall
not want. He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures: he leadeth
me beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul: he leadeth me
in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. Yea, though
I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me; thy
rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou
preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enimies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup
runneth over. Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life: and I shall dwell in
the house of the Lord forever."
Virginia is impressed with him.
Will sits down in the snow.
WILL
Let's sit down and rest awhile.
Young MRS. FOSDICK sits by her husband, Jay.
MRS. FOSDICK
I'm sooo tired.
JAY
Maybe we should return. We're hardly
eating. We can't go on like this.
MARY ANN
I, for one, don't want to go back.
(MORE)
CONTINUED

MARY ANN (CONT'D)
I can't stand to hear the cries
of my brothers and sisters.
SALVADOR
We need go on.
(beat)
We no go onf we die.
PAT
I agree with Mary Ann. We should
be goin' on and get help to the
folks in the mountains.
SARAH
We should go on.
They look at each other.
WILL
We'll go on.
INT. BREEN SHELTER - NIGHT
On Christmas Eve, many in the camp are gathered
in the Breen shelter. The people try to ignore
the stench, which grows greater everyday.
Peggy Breen passes out burning sticks, which act
as a sort of candle. The light glow brightens the
shelter. Children are gathered in a circle saying
quiet prayers of Christmas.
Breen, as usual, reads from the Bible. Lately he
has also been reading a prayer called, "The
Thirty Days Prayer," which is in Latin. These
words have built the people up, but the stress
of their ordeal is getting to them and they look
gaunt and worn.
The snowshoers gather together in a snowstorm.
They try to warm themselves near a fire.
They feel desperate and look at each other wearily.
CONTINUED

WILL
We need to make a decision.
MARY ANN
What is it Will?
WILL
We need to decide if we are
willing to eat the dead.
FOSTER
•Do you think it will come to that!?
WILL
I think we should make slips and
decide who will give their life
for the rest of us.
SARAH
That's crazy!
PAT
We need to do it, Mrs. Foster. We
can't go on like this.
Will takes a piece of paper and tears it into slips.
He gives each person a slip.
They turn their heads from each other and one by
one, reveal their slips.
Pat Dollan has the fatal slip. He is in shock, but
he takes it well.
PAT
(continuing)
Yes, here 'tis, me friends and
it went to a good man.
They look at each other.
PAT
(continuing)
Come on now, get out yer pistol.
They hesitate.
CONTINUED

PAT
(continuing)
Don't be all day 'bout it, I'm
gettin' cold.
They smile slightly -
PAT
(continuing)
Come on! Out with yer pop gun.
They look at Will.
PAT
(continuing}
Come on! Ain1
t there a man among
ya?
WILL
Pat... Why don't you
grab a pistol. We'll
five paces and fight
over.
PAT
Sure! Anythin' to oblige a friend.
Will tries to hand Pat a pistol, he can't.
It is Midnight. The snowshoers are sleeping.
Antoine sleeps closest to the fire.
He throws his arm into the fire. Will sees this
and pulls his arm out.
He sets Antoine's hand across his chest. Antoine
lays there motionless.
The storm is raging. The campfire sinks into the
snow and they pile on more wood.
After a moment the fire sinks into a stream they
built the fire over. The wind blows strong.
They struggle to rebuild the fire. After a moment,
the fire is rebuilt.
and I each
step off
till it is
CONTINUED

ou *
They are bundled up in their blankets and quilts.
They freeze, even with the heat of the fire.
They eat what food they have scrapped together.
After a moment the wind SHRIEKS out a large gust.
The fire almost burns completely out. They wail.
The green logs are scattered. They try to collect
the wood.
INT. MARGRET'S SHELTER - DAY
It is Christmas Day. Margret has made a Christmas
meal for her and her children.
The children are gathered around a crude table.
Margret serves each of the children: Some dried
apples, some rice, some white beans and a square
of pork. The children gaze at it, enraptured.
MARGRET
Children, eat slowly, there is
plenty for all.
The children eat, happily.
INT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - DAY
George lays in his bed and stirs uneasily. The
fever has gone up his arm.
Clothes hang from the ceiling; keeping the children
dry is difficult.
The children drink cups of sugar water as Tamsen
consuls them.
TAMSEN
Don't fret, children. We will be
in California soon. We will all
be together in my new school and
this all will be a memory.

The snowshoers are gathered around a fire. Franklin
motions his daughters over to him.
SARA GRAVES has travelled with her father and
sister with the snowshoers.
The two approach their father. He tries to talk
over the DRONE of the storm.
FRANKLIN
The end has come for me girls.
The girls give out a wail.
FRANKLIN
(continuing)
I want you to cook and eat me
after my death.
(pats Mary Ann's
hand)
I will it!
The storm is raging. The snowshoers are in a des-
perate state.
WILL
Let's sit in a circle facing each
other!
They slowly get up and reposition themselves. They
spread their quilts on the ground and sit, with
their blankets pulled over their heads.
The storm rages on. Will returns to the circle
after a short absence, to check the storm.
PAT
(agitated)
We must get to the settlements!
They are not too far!
CONTINUED

He pulls his boots off and runs into the snow.
Will chases him and they struggle in the snow.
Will comes back to the circle. After a moment,
Pat returns, breathing heavily.
The snowshoers are delirious. They grab at each
other's fingers and bite them.
LEMEL MURPHY, 13, is in a trance.
JUMP CUT TO:
The snowshoers are sitting before a great feast.
There is no storm, no sound, with the exception
of a tinny CHIMING sound.
Multiple colored lights shoot up from the feast.
They cover all the colors of the spectrum.
Lemel thrashes about. His sister, SARAH, tries to
hold him.
EXT. FEAST - NIGHT
Lemel frantically reaches for the food. He stuffs
his face.
Sarah continues to hold Lemel down. After a few
moments, he grows quiet.
Will looks at Pat.
WILL
Pat, how are you holding up?
Pat sits with his head leaning forward. He does
not respond to Will.

The storm has abated. The snowshoers are walking
about the camp. Two lumps lay under the snow.
Will has a large knife; he unburies Pat's body.
He proceeds to chop him up.
Lewis and Salvador watch in horror; they walk away
from the camp.
The snowshoers are wet and miserable. They stay
under their blankets.
Will attempts to light a fire, by striking a spark
with his flint gun.
He has a powder horn around his neck. He strikes
a spark and the powder horn EXPLODES.
His blanket catches on fire and he stomps it out.
Sarah and Mrs. McCutchen, who were sitting by Will,
have blackness on their faces.
Will bleeds from his face and hands.
WILL
Are you two okay?
MRS. McCUTCHEN
(breathless)
I think so.
Sarah tears a piece from her dress and wraps Will's
wounds.
SARAH
What happened?
WILL
The goddamnned powder horn exploded.
It was around my neck.
SARAH
Well, thank God, it wasn't worse.
Will winces from the pain.

It is the following day. A fire, set in a dead tree,
flames into the air.
The snowshoers are gathered around the fire.
Burning branches fall from the top of the tree,
but they ignore it.
Sarah, who left to urinate, returns to the fire.
She is horrified to see Lemel's heart roasting
on a stick; his body sliced up in the snow.
The human flesh dries over the fire. Mary Ann
comforts Sarah, who is crying.
MARY ANN
Don't worry, Sarah. Nobody will
eat their kin.
Lewis and Salvador reluctantly eat human flesh.
The snowshoers prepare to move on.
The snowshoers cross an ice bridge. It is a pre-
carious crossing.
Mary Ann is in the front. We can see blood oozing
from her shoes. Her feet are frozen.
MARY ANN'S POV - STREAM
below the ice bridge. It is a dizzying sight.
BACK TO SHOT
Mary Ann struggles to cross, her snowshoes make
the crossing difficult.
Will is bringing up the rear.
CONTINUED

He slides down a steep hill in his snowshoes.
He reaches the bottom of the hill and crashes
in the snow.
The snowshoers gather at a summit.
THEIR POV - MOUNTAIN RIDGES
which stretch on for an eternity.
MRS. McCUTCHEN
It goes on forever!
BACK TO SHOT
They sit down.
WILL
I know we are tired, but we have
to go on.
HARRIET
I feel like I want to lay down and
die.
WILL
We just need to make it a few more
miles, we can do it!
A body lays in a crude hole in the ground. It is
the decomposing body of Charles Burger.
ANGLE ON LAVINA
who drags her dead son John out onto the snow.
She is in tears as she struggles with the body.
The snow falls lighter on the snowshoers. They
are much closer to the valley, but very weak.
CONTINUED

They sit in the snow and rest as a campfire burns.
Jay approaches Will as he rests in the snow.
JAY
(quietly)
There is food in the camp.
He looks towards the Indians.
WILL
No! Lewis and Salvador have been
of great use to us, we will not
do that!
JAY
The Indians should die so white
men can live... Give me the rifle!
WILL
We will cast lots to see who will
die. But I cannot condone killing
the Indians.
JAY
It is necessary!
ANGLE ON LEWIS AND SALVADOR
Will approaches them.
WILL
I think you two should flee. I
think if you stay here you will
be killed for food.
The Indians look at each other. They say something
to each other in their native tongue and leave.
Margret, Virginia, Milt and Eliza Williams march
in a single file out of camp. They are attempting
to reach the summit.
Will and Mary Ann are hunting.
CONTINUED

They find an impression on the ground from a deer
who slept there the previous night.
They look at each other, excited and Mary Ann
begins to cry. They quietly head down a trail.
Will, who is weak, travels very slowly. They come
to a fallen tree. Will steps over the tree one leg
at a time, with much difficulty.
They see the deer about eighty yards away and
begin to edge toward it. Will kneels and rests
his elbow on his knee. His muscles shake, he
tries another position and FIRES.
The deer takes off and they run to the deer's
position. They notice a bloody trail.
ANGLE ON THE DEER
as it struggles to rise. Will and Mary Ann find it.
Will staggers forward and gets out his knife as
Mary Ann holds the horns. Will cuts the deer's
neck and they both put their lips underneath
and drink.
They sit and look at each other, thankfully. Their
faces are smeared with blood.
Margret's party has slept all night on the snow.
We can see Eliza Williams weakly return to the
main camp.
Jay Fosdick lays dead in the snow. His wife is
asleep next to him.
The bones of the consumed deer lay in the snow.
Sarah accompanies Mrs. Fosdick to Jay's body.
She travels much faster.

A campfire burns. Sarah holds a stick, with Jay's
heart on it, over the fire.
Mrs. Fosdick reaches her and is in shock. She runs
tries to stop Sarah.
MRS. FOSDICK
No! How dare you!? Stop it right
now!
Sarah pushes her away.
SARAH
Get away from me! It's mine, you
can't have it!
Mrs. Fosdick drops to her knees and bawls in agony
Virginia's feet bleed on the snow. She is very
weak. Milt picks her up and carries her.
Milt reads his compass. He cannot figure out their
location. The area is very rocky and treacherous.
There is a spooky quality about the area. Fallen
trees, from avalanches, are everywhere.
MARGRET
Well, what do you figure, Milt?
MILT
I cannot tell if we are headin'
in the right direction, or not.
Margret•shakes her head in resignation.
EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE - LATER
Margret and her party head back into camp. A storm
looms on the horizon.

INT. MARGRET'S SHELTER - NIGHT
Margret cuts green rawhide into strips. She lays
them on coals and waits for the hair to burn off.
Afterwards^ she scales both sides with a knife.
She places the rawhide in a pot and boils it.
After boiling a few moments a goo is formed.
She gives some goo to each of the children. They
don't look pleased. They try to spice it with
pepper.
Eliza lays in a corner of the cabin, depressed.
The snowshoers are in a desperate state. Their
feet are bruised and bleeding.
They come upon bloody footprints and find Lewis
and Salvador dying on the snow.
Will Foster is crazed and stumbles towards the
Indians.
FOSTER
They must die, so we can live!
The Indians do not resist as the others move on.
The Indians try to get to their feet.
FOSTER
(continuing)
You will have to die.
He takes his pistol and SHOOTS Lewis through the
head, he then SHOOTS Salvador.
ANGLE ON SNOWSHOERS
Foster approaches them.
FOSTER
(continuing)
We have meat.

The flesh from Lewis and Salvador roast over a fire.
Foster, Sarah and Harriet sit, eating, at one corner
of the camp.
Will, Mary Ann, Mrs. McCutchen and Mrs. Fosdick
sit and eat on the opposite side of the camp.
They look the worse for ware as it starts to rain.
EXT. INDIAN CAMP - DAY
The snowshoers limp into an Indian camp. They see
footprints everywhere. Indians watch indiscreetly
from the bushes.
MARY ANN
Those are human prints.
After a moment the Indians come out of the bushes.
The Indian women and children cry as they look at
the snowshoers.
EXT. INDIAN CAMP - DAY
It is the next day. The snowshoers have eaten some
acorn bread. Will could only stomach bo iled grass.
They feel stronger, but are still in dire straits.
ANGLE ON SNOWSHOERS
who are at a clearing. Will Foster and the women
lay on the ground, with their eyes closed. Will
tries to raise them.
WILL
Get up! We have to go on. You
can't just lay here and die.
They ignore him. Will looks at them sternly. He
motions an INDIAN over to him.
WILL
(continuing; to
Indian)
I want to walk! Go on!
CONTINUED

The Indian puts his arm around Will and helps him
walk. Will walks a few feet, his legs buckle.
Another Indian rushes to his side. They both help
him to walk.
INT. HOUSE - DAY
Young HARRIET RITCHIE lives in this small house
with her parents. They are among the emigrant
residents of Johnson's Ranch.
Harriet HEARS a KNOCK on her door. She opens the
door. Will and the two Indians stand in the door-
way . She looks at him, in shock.
HARRIET
Mother! Father!
MR. and MRS. RITCHIE come to the door. They see
Will and wince.
They help him into the house and put him in a bed.
The Indians leave. Harriet and her mother weep.
Two lumps lay under the snow. These are the bodies
of two babies, Harriet McCutchen and Margaret Eddy.
INT. YERBA BUENA BAR - NIGHT
A meeting is held by Jim. The bar is filled with
many sailors, who listen intently.
JIM
My name is James Reed. I am here
to ask for help for my family and
friends in the mountains. These
people have been in the mountains
for...
(chokes up)
A minister named DONLEAVY takes over.
CONTINUED

DONLEAVY
These people have been in the
mountains about three months...
Now, I do not exaggerate their
plight. I have been in this place,
just a year ago and it is a hard
place, even in the summer.
The sailors begin to cry.
DONLEAVY
(continuing)
We think the refugees are on Truckee
Lake. We'll now pass the hat.
A bartender passes the hat around the room.
DONLEAVY
(continuing)
Now, I would like to ask for
volunteers.
Hands go up around the room.
A rescue party headed by, REASIN TUCKER, 40, has
formed. DANIEL RHODES has returned from Sutter's
Fort with men and provisions.
Cattle meat burns over a fire as horses and mules
are prepared.
EXT. BREEN SHELTER - NIGHT
Lavina hurries out of the shelter with meat in her
hands.
INT. MURPHY SHELTER - NIGHT
Lavina rushes into the shelter. One wall of the
shelter consists of a large rock.
Lavina's young son, LANDRUM, lays, dying. A large
boy, he is delirious. He has not been able to
sustain himself on a small amount of food.
CONTINUED

His breathing is shallow. Lavina tries to introduce
the meat to him.
LAVINA
Dear, I've some meat for you.
He just moans.
LAVINA
(continuing)
Oh, Landrum! Landrum!
She lays her head on his chest.
EXT. SACRAMENTO RIVER - DAY
Jim is joining a ferry. The ferry is captained by
MIDSHIPMAN SELIM WOODWORTH. Supplies are loaded on.
It has been a rainy winter and the Sacramento plains
are flooded, transport is difficult.
A cantankerous eighty-year-old directs the mission.
CALEB GREENWOOD has spent all of his life in the
mountains, which he knows like the back of his hand.
He is dressed in rags and has a heavy beard.
CALEB
Get those supplies on board...
We * 11 never make it, but we can
all die on the trail like men.
Eleanor Eddy is on the snow all by herself. She
seems to be having a conversation.
ELEANOR
I have nothing to live for. I just
want to die.
She HEARS a VOICE.
VOICE
Your husband is out there trying
to get you help, you can't give
up hope.
CONTINUED

Tears stream down her face.
ELEANOR
My husband is dead... and so am I.
INT. MURPHY SHELTER - NIGHT
Milt lays dead as Margret and Virginia look at
his body and cry.
MARGRET
He was a good man, Virginia.
VIRGINIA
He always took care of me.
Margret kisses his lips.
EXT. MULE SPRINGS - DAY
Tucker's rescue party reaches Mule Springs. The
ground is wet from the constant rain.
This is a beautiful spot. Small springs flow from
various locations on the grassy landscape.
Jim finds that a cache of food he left has been
destroyed.
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
We spent much of our time waitin'
for a rescue. I would sit on top
of our cabin watchin' for somebody
to show up. One day...
Virginia sits on top of her shelter.
ANGLE ON TUCKER
who has reached the lake on foot.
CONTINUED

TUCKER'S POV - CAMP
Bodies lay everywhere under quilts. He notices
the large lumps of snow, which cover the shelters-
He notices Virginia sitting on one of the shelters.
Virginia sees him, jumps up and runs towards him.
VIRGINIA
Are you from Heaven or California?
TUCKER
TUCKER
(laughs)
Well, you could call California
Heaven, if you wish.
The refugees have gathered around for food. Even
though they are tired, the rescuers have to stop
fights breaking out among the starving people.
Tucker is concerned. He approaches AQILLA GLOVER,
his second in command.
TUCKER
Aqilla, I want you to post guards
on the food tonight.
GLOVER
Okay.
Tucker marches out, Noah James, Mrs. Wolfinger;
Jacob Donner's wife ELIZABETH and their boys,
WILL HOOK, 12 and GEORGE DONNER JR.; and Tamsen's
teen daughters, ELITHA and LEANNA DONNER.
Keseberg walks past Patty Reed as she crouches near
the bones of her consumed dog, Cash.
CONTINUED

Keseberg approaches Tucker.
KESEBERG
Mr. Tucker, please take me out with
you. I am no good here, I cannot
walk. My lame foot demand you take
me.
TUCKER
We cannot afford to carry JOVL, Mr.
Keseberg. I will take your wife
and child out, though.
Keseberg begins to cry.
KESEBERG
That is something.
The refugee party marches for the summit. The snow
is deep and they struggle.
Tommy Reed does his best to keep up as he walks
in the footprints of those ahead. Patty also
struggles to walk in the snow.
Jimmy Reed is ahead of his siblings and is stronger
His mother walks ahead of him.
JIMMY
I'm getting nigher to paw and
something to eat, maw.
Glover turns around and looks at the Reed children.
He walks back to Margret.
GLOVER
I'm sorry, Mrs. Reed, but we can't
take Patty and Tommy along. They'll
have to go back.
MARGRET
(distressed)
Mr. Glover, are you a Mason?
CONTINUED

GLOVER
Yes, ma'am, I am.
MARGRET
My husband is a Mason and I am
going to ask you to do something
for a brother Mason. Will you,
when you get across the mountains
to Bear Valley, come back and
rescue my two at the camp?
GLOVER
That's a pretty big order, ma'am.
MARGRET
Will you, promise it on your record
as a Mason!?
GLOVER
Yes, ma'am, I promise.
Tommy begins to sob.
TOMMY
I don't want to leave you, momma.
GLOVER
(friendly; but firm)
We can't lose time, children.
He points out a rescuer named MOULTRY.
GLOVER
(continuing)
You won't have to walk. We'11
carry you both.
Glover picks up Patty and puts her in a sling over
his back. Moultry does the same with Tommy.
Patty looks at her mother as Glover walks away.
PATTY
If you never see me again, mother,
do the best you can.
Margret watches them leave and chokes up. She
turns to Virginia and Jimmy. They join the rest,
who have not stopped.

The refugees march on. ADA KESEBERG, Phillipine
Keseberg's infant, begins to weaken. Her young
son, Lewis, died at the lake.
Phillipine struggles to carry her, she cannot. She
walks up and down the line, desperate for a man
to carry her baby.
PHILLIPINE
Will any of you, hold baby? I am
so tired, baby is ill. I will
give twenty-five dollars.
No one offers.
PHILLIPINE
(continuing)
I will give gold watch.
A young, cocky, ship jumper, NED COFFEEMEYER, stops
NED
There are other children to think
of Mrs. Keseberg, but I will carry
her for a time.
PHILLIPINE
Oh, thank you!
She hands him the baby.
The refugees are in shock as they find a suspended
cache destroyed. Footprints from wild animals are
all over the snow.
EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY
John Denton sits by a campfire smoking a pipe. He
rests on a comfortable bed of pine boughs.
He is a well educated man, from a well off family.
CONTINUED

The others have gone on ahead. He reads a poem he
wrote after the others left. SUPERIMPOSE a young
English boy playing by a brook in the English
countryside.
DENTON (V.O.)
"But I am changed since I last
gazed upon that tranquil scene.
and sat beneath the old witch
elm that shades the village
green. And watched my boat upon
the brook - It was a regal galley-
And sighed not for a joy on Earth,
beyond the happy valley. I wish I
could once more recall that bright
and blissful joy and to summon my
weary heart the feelings of a boy.
But now scenes on past delight, I
look and feel no pleasure. As
misers on the bed of death gaze
coldly on their treasure."
End SUPERIMPOSURE to reveal Denton frozen in death
The refugees carry on. Jimmy is weak from all
the walking.
As Margret walks she HEARS muffled VOICES ahead.
Phillipine lunges forward.
PHILIPPINE
(to Margret)
It' s your husband! They're here!
Margret peers forward. She cannot see who it is
and moves closer.
MARGRET*S POV - JIM
who sees Margret and laughs.
MARGRET'S
legs buckle and she almost falls. Jim rushes to
her. She drops to her knees, hugs his leg and
weeps.
CONTINUED

VIRGINIA (V.O.)
Mother knelt on the sno¥, while
I tried to run and reach, poppa...
The children run to him.
VIRGINIA
Bread ! Give us bread!
JIM
Thank God! Thank God!
Margret stands up and they all hold each other
tight.
JIM
(continuing)
Where are the other children?
VIRGINIA (V.O.)
When my father learned that two
of his children were still at the
cabins, he wanted to hurry on, so
fearful was he that they might
perish before he reached them.
MARGRET
They were not strong enough to
travel, my love.
JIM
Are they alive?
MARGRET
I hope so.
JIM
Where are they?
MARGRET
In the camp by the lake.
They kiss and look at each other fatefully.
MARGRET
Have you got food?
JIM
Yes! We have plenty for all.

EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - NIGHT
The people eat ravenously as the rescuers try to
keep them calm. Refugees climb over each other
for food.
Will Hook eats more than he should and doubles
over in pain. Caleb Greenwood notices him.
CALEB
In pain boy?
HOOK
Yes.
Caleb goes to his saddle bag. He pulls out a
satchel of tobacco and mixes some tobacco with
some snow water in a tin cup. He takes it to Hook.
CALEB
Here, drink this.
He hands him the cup and he drinks it. Hook vomits
all the food he ate.
CALEB
(continuing)
That'11 do ya.
{smiles)
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - NIGHT
Hook stuffs his face as the others sleep.
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - DAY
Hook vomits after drinking more tobacco juice
The camp is picking up. Margret says goodbye
to Jim.
MARGRET
Goodbye, husband.
(kisses him)
JIM
I will see you again. I will give
Patty and Tommy your love.
CONTINUED

They hug for a few moments and Jim walks away.
Margret approaches Glover.
MARGRET
Mr. Glover, I release you from
your promise. You are a noble
man and I thank you from the
depths of my heart.
GLOVER
I would have done what I promised,
Mrs . Reed.
Margret smiles. Virginia stands in her rags and
sorrowfully watches her father leave.
EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - DAY
The camp is virtually deserted, with the exception
of a CAMP KEEPER, Will Hook and Will Murphy.
Will Hook is still too sick to travel. Will Murphy's
feet are swollen and frostbitten.
ANGLE ON WILL HOOK
who is on his knees on the snow. His head is down
and his elbows rest on his knees.
The camp keeper cooks breakfast.
CAMP KEEPER
(to Hook)
Come on over here and get some
grub!
He does not come.
CAMP KEEPER
(continuing}
Murphy, get the boy over here.
Murphy painfully walks over to Hook, his feet bleed.
He reaches Hook and touches his shoulder.
MURPHY
Willie.
CONTINUED

Hook falls over, dead. The camp keeper walks over.
CAMP KEEPER
Shit f that's a shame.
They run through his pockets and find biscuits
and beef jerky.
CAMP KEEPER
(continuing)
Well, we better bury the boy.
Patty sits on her shelter with her feet dangling.
Jim and his party are on a ridge overlooking the
lake.
JIM'S POV - LAKE
It is a white expanse. Smoke pours out of several
holes in the snow.
EXT. MULE SPRINGS - DAY
Tucker's party reaches Mule Springs. Jimmy Reed
walks in the snow tracks with one foot. The other
leg is bent at the knee dragging on the snow.
Patty sees Jim come into camp. She jumps up from
the roof and runs to him. She falls in the snow
and Jim rushes to pick her up.
PATTY
Father! Father!
(in tears)
I never expected to see you again
when the cruel people drove you
out of camp. But I knew that God
was good and would do what is best.
CONTINUED

JIM
We're okay Patty! We're okay.
PATTY
Is dear momma living? Is Mr. Glover
living?
JIM
Yesf they are on their way home.
PATTY
Did you know that Mr. Glover is
a Mason? Masons must be good men.
Is Mr. Glover the same sort of
Mason we had in Springfield?
JIM
Yes, he is.
PATTY
He promised momma upon the word
of a Mason that he would bring
me and Tommy out of the mountains.
(beat)
Ohr my dear poppa, I am so happy
to see you.
JIM
Where's Tommy?
PATTY
He's in the hole.
INT. BREEN SHELTER - DAY
Jim steps into the darkened shelter and finds
Tommy laying on a pallet. He is delirious.
TOMMY
Who is the man Patty?
PATTY
That's our father.
TOMMY
Oh, I'm hungry.

JIM
I've got food Tommy.
TOMMY
Has he Patty?
Jim holds Tommy and weeps.
Jim hands Patty two dozen biscuits, which she holds
in her apron. She runs off to distribute them.
INT. RREEN SHELTER - DAY
Patty and Tommy lay clean and dry in their beds.
Jim kisses them both, tenderly.
EXT. KESEBERG SHELTER - DAY
Jim stands outside of Keseberg's shelter, which
is attached to the Breen shelter.
He cries as he looks over the multilated body of
Milt.
INT. KESEBERG SHELTER - DAY
Jim steps into the darkness and sees a figure.
KESEBERG
What is it you need?
Jim pauses for a moment.
JIM
I'm going to help you Keseberg.
KESEBERG
I don't need it.
Mac sits on a stump and reads a note.
CONTINUED

MRS. McCUTCHEN (V.O.)
"Dear husband, If you are reading
this note you have reached the
lake. I have left with a party in
an attempt to escape the mountains.
If all goes as planned, I "will see
you at Fort Sutter. Please stay
well and know I love you. Your
loving wife, Misses McCutchen."
Mac folds up the note and puts it in his pocket.
INT. KESEBERG SHELTER - DAY
Mac steps into the shelter. Jim pulls him to a
corner.
JIM
I'm trying to get Keseberg to
undress, he's resisting me.
McCUTCHEN
Mrs. Graves gave me a note from my
wife.
JIM
What does it say?
McCUTCHEN
She left with a group earlier,
hopefully she's made it to the fort.
JIM
I hope so.
McCUTCHEN
You need help with Keseberg?
KESEBERG
(hears them)
I will not undress. I cannot.
McCUTCHEN
(grabs him)
Take your clothes off!
Keseberg gives in and takes off his clothes. He
eyes Jim and Mac fearfully as he undresses.

Savage_Jouney--1st_Draft_by_louis

Savage_Jouney--1st_Draft_by_louis

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