The Americans Part 30

HARVEY ANDERSON.

With the cattle?

EGERTON.

Yes.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

It all depends upon the mood they're in.

Sometimes a man can just sit on his horse, If the feed's good; and sometimes in the night, If a storm's brewing, then it's best to sing; Go round them this way--

(_Circles and sings one of the strange melodies of the cowboys_)

for they're restless then.

EGERTON.

Sing to your cattle?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Let them know you're friends All out together and a big storm on.

EGERTON.

That's interesting.

(_Anderson comes forward and looks off right, the direction from which he came, as though he were expecting some one_)

EGERTON.

We've got an opening here I think would suit you.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Well.

EGERTON.

In half an hour, Or less than that, there'll be a lot of men Come from the station, the force I'm bringing in, Guarded by soldiers; then, if I guess right, The Union--they'll be crowding here for work, Wanting to go to work, you understand, But with their eye on Williams. He'll say 'No.'

But there's another faction will say 'Yes.'

HARVEY ANDERSON.

And while they're balanced----

EGERTON.

That's just what I want.

You've got a good cool head, and you know men.

And then you have a way of putting things.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Make 'em a little speech?

EGERTON.

I don't care how.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Just get 'em in your pen, eh?

EGERTON.

It's their last chance.

And I can say, my boy, if you make good And prove to be the man we're looking for, I'll push you on as fast as you can go.

My partner here was one that proved himself.

And then next year we'll take my other mills And break this Union thing or we'll know why.

A shot or two for your own land, you see.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Free Work.

EGERTON.

Free Mills.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Free men.

(_Starts left_)

EGERTON.

You know the way?

(_Egerton turns and goes into the mill-yard_)

SECOND SENTRY.

(_Comes in right and meets the First Sentry, who has just come forward_)

d.a.m.n stuck-up fool! Just because Egerton Invites him to his house.