Two Lost Worlds (1951) Movie Script
(dramatic music)
(cannon firing)
(dramatic music)
- [Narrator] On August 16, 1830,
the Hamilton Queen sailed from Salem
on her maiden voyage,
bound for the East Indies.
This was an era when the whole world
stood at a new threshold of commerce
and communication between nations.
The story of this vessel
is a vital chapter
of America's rise to
prominence in that era.
The historical hour of the clipper ship.
Laden with American goods,
the queenly vessel slipped from the harbor
to which she would bring back
the treasured produce of the Orient.
As she rode the outgoing tide,
the tides of fortune for the young
American republic flowed with her.
With speed that was never
equaled in the days of sail,
the clipper skimmed over
the wide blue waters.
It was the clipper ship that won America's
place in the race between
nations for trade and wealth.
Yes, the Hamilton Queen carried far more
than the valuable cargo in the
hold below her rolling deck.
She carried the American dream of destiny,
and she carried the dreams of men,
who took in their hands
the wheel of destiny.
Men like young Kirk Hamilton.
His was the vision and courage
of the seafaring Yankee pioneer.
He knew the dangers
that faced the pioneer,
but his was the energy and the enterprise
that ignored the danger
and achieved the dream.
86 days out of Salem with a fair wind,
the fate of the nation and the fate
of Kirk Hamilton was bound up in his ship.
Bound around Cape Horn,
across the Pacific,
and westward to the fabulous
fortune laden Indies.
Outward bound for destiny.
- 18 days ahead of our
original charted course,
Captain Tallman.
- Aye, Mr. Hamilton.
The clipper certainly
justified your new design,
and proven her worth.
- We haven't proven anything yet, Captain.
How do we take on the last of our cargo
in the East Indies?
And deliver it on the Salem docks,
ahead of competitive shipping companies?
- Well, barring unforeseen
trouble and weather permitting,
we should be in East
Indies in about six weeks.
- Five.
Five, if we nose her through
the New Hebrides islands.
- That's risky son.
Too many seizers in those waters.
- Oh, there isn't a pirate ship afloat
that can keep this
clipper's sails in sight
for 24 hours, Captain,
much less board her.
- That's still taking a big chance, Kirk.
- Dad took a chance on us, Captain.
His company and everything he owns
is tied up in this voyage.
If we're not the first ship
back in Salem, no contract.
That'll mean no more ship
sailing under the Hamilton flag.
- You're a very persuasive
mate, Mr. Hamilton.
- It's a very important voyage, Captain.
- Chart the course as you see her, mate.
- Thank you, Captain.
- Confound it, I never can
keep any cigars around here.
Salty!
Salty!
(whimsical music)
Salty!
- Coffee, Captain, Mr. Hamilton.
- Put it on the table.
By the way, Salty,
I had some cigars around
here this morning.
You didn't see them when you
cleaned my quarters, did you?
- Who me, oh no, sir.
- Good, I was just going to
throw them out, they're poison.
- Poison sir?
(whimsical music)
Excuse me, captain, I,
I don't feel very good.
- I don't guess you'll be
missing any more cigars.
- At least not until tomorrow.
(whimsical music)
- Sail ho!
Sail ho!
Larboard quarter.
- Sail ho, sir!
- Where away?
- Right off our larboard quarter, sir.
(lively music)
- What do you make of it?
- Looks like a merchant
frigate to me, Captain.
- Man the sails, bail out.
Look alive!
(dramatic music)
- Sail ho, off port bow!
- An American ship.
Run up an American flag.
- Aye, Captain Hackett.
Speak of luck, they carry rich cargo.
- Have the crew man the guns.
We'll bracket in on them
when we clear the fog bank.
- Aye, Captain.
(dramatic music)
(cannons firing)
- She surprised us.
It's the Phantom.
- Main battery of nine pounders.
Secondary battery of six pounders,
mounted on the forecastle and quarterdeck.
- We won't be able to battle it.
- We can outrun it.
- You want to test the
speed of the clipper,
here's your chance.
Have the men crowd on the sail.
Run out the guns and get
every man to his station,
I'm going forward.
- Aye, aye.
(cannons firing)
- (indistinct) Mr. Fuller.
- Man the port side.
(cannons firing)
- Pack up that rigging!
Raise those (indistinct).
Pull her off again.
(cannons firing)
(men shouting)
Lay on, fire at will.
- We've been hit on
port beam, water level.
- Man the pumps.
- Aye-aye, sir.
- Hicks, lay below and look for damage.
Fire off again!
(dramatic music)
- Take over, Mr. Morgan!
- Get some hot water, quick.
(dramatic music)
- How'd the clipper do, Captain?
- Ship shape mate, but don't try to talk.
- Tell me about her.
- She left the pirate ship last night
like she had wings for sails.
Pain ease any, son?
- I'll be up deck-side
in short order, Captain.
- There's no use fooling yourself, Kirk,
you've got a nasty
splinter in that left leg.
We can't remove it.
You need medical attention,
so we're dropping anchor at Queensland.
- I can hold out til we reach
the East Indies, Captain.
- Our destination is Queensland,
mate, that's an order.
- [Narrator] Under a full head of sail,
the clipper veered
southward from her course,
and raced with the wounded
Kirk Hamilton for medical help.
Four days later, she
arrived at a tiny harbor
on the coast of northeast
Queensland, and dropped anchor.
The disturbing news of
her escape spread quickly.
This community had been
attacked before by the pirates,
whose return was greatly feared
by the peaceful settlers.
But they welcomed the Yankee
seamen as fellow pioneers,
and in a simple shack, Kirk Hamilton
was made as comfortable as
his painful injury permitted.
- How is he, Doctor?
- Can't tell, I couldn't
remove all the splinter.
He's lost a lot of blood.
- How long will it be
before you'll be able
to remove the rest of it?
- Um, 'nother week, maybe two, it depends.
Besides, he should stay
here under observation
for at least a month.
Blood poisoning.
- You'll have to ship out
without me, Captain Tallman.
- Is that the way you want it, son?
- That's the only way it can be, Captain.
What happens to the clipper
and her cargo right now
is more important than
what happens to one man.
We can't afford to lose even one day.
- I wanted to hear it from you, Kirk.
I knew you'd want it that way.
We can pick up the rest of
the cargo in the East Indies
and stop for you on the way back to Salem.
It'll take two months.
- I'll be waiting, Captain.
- I'll leave Salty and Mercer
here to take care of you.
- You'll need 'em.
- That's an order, son.
Besides, with Salty here I'll be able
to smoke one of my own
cigars for a change.
- Thanks, Captain.
- Right, mate.
- [Narrator] Yes, the news spread quickly
throughout the little
Australian settlement.
And to men like Martin
Shannon, a sheep rancher,
the arrival of the Yankee clipper
and the story of her running
fight with the pirates
brought a very serious problem.
The presence of the sea
raider threatened to disrupt
the operation of the ranch,
and to Martin Shannon,
his ranch was of first importance.
Here too, as in America,
a new civilization
was being built, on a primitive frontier.
Here, where wild kangaroos
hopped among the fields,
the land was forced to yield
to the farmer and the rancher.
The land meant security, and
the bright hope of the future.
But the colonists sent
their wool and mutton
to the Western world by
only one route, the sea.
Now their very homes,
as well as the sea lane,
were threatened by the pirates.
While the men worked diligently
in the pastures and sheds,
their minds dwelt on the danger
to their homes and families.
Nerves became tense
and tempers grew sharp.
- We should have government--
(men talking over each other)
- All right, just a
minute, men, one at a time.
Now what is it, Jackson?
- [Jackson] If the Americans
were fired upon by the same
pirate ship that raided
our colony last year,
then we might be in for
more trouble, and soon.
- Why aren't these men at work?
- The men are worried, Mr. Shannon.
- Worried about what?
- The raider ship's so close they feel
it isn't safe here
without government troops.
- So?
- Unless the magistrate does something,
they're moving back to the city.
- I see.
Well men, Magistrate Jeffries
is on his way right now
to Brisbane to request
the governor's help.
I just saw the American ship
and she's ready to sail.
Now if any of you men are afraid, get out.
But if you're the men I
think you are, you'll stay.
And you'll forget this
nonsense and get back to work
with the rest of the men.
Let me have those shears.
- Yeah I can't even understand--
(men talking over each other)
(light, upbeat music)
- I got him.
There he is.
Here you are Janice, he's all yours.
- Thank you, Mr. Shannon.
- It's all right.
(goat bleating)
- Come on, little fella, you need a bath.
- I plan on going to Brisbane
for a couple of weeks on business.
- How wonderful.
- [Martin] You do wanna go, don't you?
- Yes Martin I--
- Hello, Miss Elaine, Mr. Shannon.
- Oh hello, Mr. Hartley.
- Hello, John.
- I just came up to tell Mr. Davis
I saw the government sloop off the point.
- Father's coming home!
- He should be here shortly.
- Oh, excuse me, Martin.
- Don't forget to ask him now.
- Father's coming home, Mr. Davis.
- Yes, and I'll be glad to see him, too.
It's been three long
weeks since he went away.
(goat bleating)
- There you are Magic, all clean.
A little perfume, smell like a lady.
- Oh Janice, what in the
world are you in to now?
- I washed Magic.
- Oh, look at your stuff,
just look at this stuff,
and father coming home.
Hurry, put it down now,
and change your clothes.
He'll be right here.
(pastoral music)
Oh Janice, hold still.
- Ow!
- Elaine.
- Oh, hello Nancy.
- I heard that your father's coming home.
- Yes, he'll be here shortly.
- Oh, I'm just dying
to see how Mr. Shannon
will like the new clothes.
Oh you're such a lucky girl.
- Thank you.
- Elaine.
Elaine, I just saw the Yankee sailor.
- So, what about him?
- The way he smokes.
- The way he smokes?
- It's the way he holds it, Elaine.
Oh and the way he walks.
- The way he walks?
- Yes and limps when he's walking.
- He limps?
- The way he limps, Elaine.
- I don't care if he does
limp, I think he's grand.
- Janice!
- I don't care, I'm going
to marry Mr. Hamilton.
- You're what?
- Why not, after all,
I'm almost 10 years old.
- Janice, aren't you ashamed
to talk about a man like that?
- Oh you girls are old-fashioned.
- [John] Welcome home, Mr. Jeffries.
- [Janice] Dad, daddy!
- Oh, oh baby, have you hurt yourself?
- Oh daddy, I missed you so.
- Mm-hm.
- Is that my new doll?
- Why don't you open it and find out?
- Oh, thank you.
- Father!
- Dear, dear.
- Oh welcome home.
My how well you look,
traveling must agree with you.
- Well girls, there you are,
the latest from Brisbane.
- Oh!
- I can't wait!
- Oh, thank you, father.
- Thank you, father.
- They missed you, sir.
- And I've missed them.
Has the situation here eased any, Davis?
- No sir, the people are still
disturbed and frightened.
Are we getting any troops?
- I've done the best I could.
- The governor refused?
- No, not exactly, he's
promised to do the best he can.
He's even promised to come here himself,
and investigate our situation.
He's going to establish a garrison
for our protection, once and for all.
- But when?
Promises don't help us now.
There's talk sir, that if
something isn't done soon,
the people will move back to the city.
- We'll try to formulate a
temporary plan of defense.
Call a meeting of the council
here tomorrow evening.
- Yes, sir.
(light, upbeat music)
- What's in the basket?
- Oh, something.
- Where are you going?
- Oh, places.
(light, upbeat music)
- That's gonna be the finest ship afloat.
(knocking at door)
- Come in.
- Well hello, Janice.
- Hello Mr. Salty, hello Mr. Mercer.
Happy birthday, Mr. Hamilton.
- Happy birthday, well how did you know?
- Mr. Salty told me.
He said it would be
nice if I brought a cake
and we had a party.
- I see.
Say, that's a beauty, who baked it?
- I did, with a little help of my sister.
- [Kirk] Oh.
- [Salty] Uh, you didn't
tell us you had a sister.
- [Nat] Well, why didn't
you bring her along?
- [Salty] Is she older than you?
- Yes, but you wouldn't like her.
- No?
- No, she's big and fat and knock-kneed,
and bow-legged and everything, silly.
- [Nat] Well, I'm not so particular.
- Janice, how dare you talk like that.
You'll have to excuse my sister.
Come along young lady, you're going home.
- Excuse me.
After all, Salty did
promise her a party, I,
I'd hate to see him break that promise.
Won't you join us?
- Sure, then we could have a real party.
- You said it!
- Well, I should be going--
- Please stay.
My name is Hamilton, and
these are my two shipmates,
Salty and Nat.
- How do you do?
- Hello.
- So you're Mr. Hamilton.
I've heard a lot about you from Janice.
- Talking behind my back, young lady.
- Have I?
- Well, what are you standing there for?
Get a bucket of water,
we'll brew up some tea.
- Wait a minute,
how about you getting
the water for a change?
- I've got plenty to do here.
I think we need some flowers.
Come on, lady.
- I'll be right back, Mr. Hamilton.
- I, I want to apologize for the way I,
well I stormed in here, I
must have seemed rather awful.
- I didn't think so.
On the contrary, it was
a very pleasant surprise.
- Yours?
- The next ship I plan to build.
- How is it with men who build ships?
I mean, do you form an attachment
to the ships you build or,
or do you feel the same for each one?
- Well.
There's an attachment you
feel for every ship you build,
when you see her slide down the waves,
take shape on the water.
- But isn't there one
ship above all the others
that you favored?
- Yes, the first one.
It's like a first love,
you never forget her.
- Why do you talk about a ship as her?
- Well, to a sea-going man she's a lady.
Beautiful, graceful,
proud in spirit,
trim lines.
And when you have a real
ship like a real lady,
you know you're safe in her arms.
- You talk as though you might marry one.
- Five minutes ago I might have.
- Do you always talk
like this, Mr. Hamilton?
- Not always.
- Hello, Mr. Shannon.
- How's Hamilton?
- Oh, just fine, we're all fine.
Matter of fact, we're
beginning to enjoy your place.
- What changed your mind?
- Well, we're having a
party down at the cabin.
Tea and cake, all the trimmings.
And the magistrate's daughter.
- Janice?
- And her sister, the big one.
- Elaine?
- Yeah, that's her.
- We're waiting for you, Mr. Shannon.
- You have all the men ready?
- They're inside.
- Be with you in a minute, John.
- Right.
- Well, so long, Mr. Shannon.
If you get a chance, drop up.
I'll introduce you.
- Oh Janice, why don't you
say goodnight to Mr. Hamilton
and run along, I'll be there in a minute.
- Goodnight, Mr. Hamilton.
- Goodnight, Janice.
And thanks for that birthday cake.
- You're welcome.
- It's been a wonderful
evening, Mr. Hamilton.
- Sure.
- I liked it.
- Will I see you tomorrow?
- Maybe.
Why don't you come in now.
I know my father'd like to meet you.
- You think so?
Very well, it'll be a pleasure.
- I ask you to share my
confidence with me in the future.
Now let us all reach a definite plan
that will satisfy each of us.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Father.
- Come in.
- Please be seated, gentlemen.
- Come in, darling.
- Father,
this is Mr. Hamilton.
- A great pleasure, sir.
- Thank you, sir.
- Mr. Shannon, Mr. Hamilton.
- We've met.
- And Captain Allison.
- How do you do, sir.
- How do you do.
- If you'll excuse me, Father,
I'll put Janice to bed.
- I didn't mean to interrupt sir.
If you'll excuse me, I'll leave.
- No trouble at all, sit down.
I'd like to have a chat
with you after the meeting.
- Thank you.
- It seems to me magistrate
that if the governor
can't send troops now,
he'll never be able to.
- That's right!
- I don't know what all you
men are so worried about.
After all, pirates prey on
ships at sea, not on land.
- They did invade our colony once before.
- Could happen again.
- Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen.
- If I might suggest--
- Why not organize your own militias?
They do in America.
- The Yankee's right.
That's what we need,
our own militia, a plan.
- How do we go about it, Mr. Hamilton.
- Have a general signal
in case of invasion,
meet at one central point,
and fight as a unit.
- [Magistrate] Mr. Hamilton makes sense.
- But the plan will take time
and men away from their work.
- It needn't.
The plans can be worked
out by one individual.
The important thing is that
everybody knows the plan.
- Sounds exactly like what we need.
- Would Mr. Hamilton
assume the responsibility
of developing such a plan?
- You have my hardiest approval.
Why not begin at once?
- Is there some central location,
a high ground close about?
- Cavanaugh Peak.
- Well, it would be best
to start right there.
- You can take one of my mounts.
We'll all meet at
Cavanaugh Peak at the pass.
(adventurous music)
- Elaine.
- Oh, aren't you going with the others?
- Yes, but I thought I'd
stop for a few moments
to tell you how beautiful you are.
Especially so tonight.
- Well, thank you, Martin.
- Elaine, I've decided
that I want to announce
our engagement before
we leave for Brisbane.
- Martin, you agreed to wait.
- Is there any reason why
I shouldn't announce it?
- No, I,
well, it's just that I see no reason
to change our plans now.
- Since this Mr. Hamilton
has come into our lives,
you've changed, I hardly know you.
- Why Martin, I think you're jealous.
- Course I'm jealous, why shouldn't I be?
I love you and I always will love you.
Don't let a momentary infatuation
make you do something foolish.
He's from a different world.
He has his home and his obligations.
Your home is here with us, with
your father, Janice, and me.
- I'm aware of my obligations, Martin.
I always will be.
- He'll be leaving soon.
Can't you see that it won't work out?
- I see no reason to change our plans now.
- Well, maybe at the dance
you might feel differently
about it, let's talk about it then.
- [Narrator] But the
plans of Elaine Jeffries
did not reckon with the
plans fate had drawn
for the young American, nor did Elaine
reckon with her own heart.
She did not reckon with the springtime,
and springtime in
Queensland is just the same
as springtime anywhere in the world.
There is the same bright sunshine
and the fresh green on the hills.
The quickening pulse in
the earth is the same.
The fragrant caress of
the wind is the same.
The stirring life is
the same in the trees,
in the flowers, in the birds of the air.
And the man and the woman are the same.
(birds singing)
(romantic music)
(dance music)
(crowd applauding)
- Everyone seems to be
enjoying themselves, Davis.
- Good evening, Magistrate.
- Good evening.
I hope you and your mates
are enjoying your stay.
- We are, sir.
Excuse me.
- Tell me, have you ever
kissed the Blarney Stone?
- Have I ever kissed the Blarney Stone?
And the Blarney Stone is not
all I'm going to be kissing.
- Close your eyes, Captain Salty.
- Honey, you go tell Elaine
that I want to see her, will you?
- All right.
- Well.
- Let's dance, Captain Salty.
(romantic music)
- Kirk, there's so many people around.
- Really?
I haven't noticed.
You're the only thing
I've seen all evening.
Did I ever tell you I loved you?
- Oh, just a thousand
times this past week.
Oh Kirk.
Oh Kirk, when you find
someone you really love,
it is a great discovery, isn't it?
You're suddenly warm and alive.
- [Kirk] And happy.
- Sounds silly, doesn't it?
- No.
No, when two people make
a discovery like this,
it's important.
It's more important than who they are
or where they're from or anything else.
Look Elaine,
my ship's coming back
in a couple of weeks.
I want to take you home with me.
- But your home's so far away, Kirk.
I'd never see my family again.
It isn't that I don't--
- Or is it Shannon?
- Oh, I'm very fond of Martin.
- Yes, but you don't love him.
- No.
But we grew up together,
and it just seemed natural that someday.
Kirk, I don't know what to say.
- [Kirk] What is there to say?
We belong together, Elaine.
- I love you, Kirk.
I want you to stay.
There's so much to be done,
and we could be happy here.
- I have to go back, Elaine.
A lot of people are counting on me.
My entire future's staked
on this voyage of mine.
My life's on the sea,
I can't give that up.
- What about my life, Kirk?
- Elaine, I.
- Oh, oh, stop it, stop it, both of you,
you're acting like children.
- Come on, I'll take you home.
- [Kirk Voiceover] I have to go back.
A lot of people are counting on me.
My entire future's staked
on this voyage of mine.
My life's on the sea,
I can't give that up.
- [Shannon Voiceover] I love
you and I always will love you.
Don't let a momentary infatuation
make you do something foolish.
He's from a different world.
He has his home and his obligations.
Your home is here with us, with
your father, Janice, and me.
(ominous music)
- Are the men on, Bermy?
- Aye, Captain Hackett.
- You men know why we're here.
We haven't boarded a
vessel in a long time.
I want to see the decks of
the Phantom loaded by dawn.
Are the horses ready?
- We got the best stock
that we could find.
They're in the corral, over there.
- Look what we found,
crawling around back there.
- You know what to do with him.
- Yes sir.
Come on.
- All right, shove off.
(dramatic music)
- Some quarry, huh, Wilson?
- I'll say.
- Best one I've seen around here.
- Which one of you forgot to
close the gate on the horses?
- We didn't leave it open, Mr. Shannon.
- Well, it's open now
and the horses are gone.
Go get 'em.
- Yes, sir.
- And be sure to get them
all back in the corral.
- [Elaine] Is Mister Shannon in there?
- [Man] Yes, ma'am.
- Elaine, what are you doing here?
- Martin, you were right.
My place is here with you.
I want you to take me to Brisbane.
- We'll go next week.
- No Martin, now.
- All right, tomorrow.
(guns firing)
- It's the raiders,
they're surrounding us.
- I've got to get her out of here.
Wilson, you go out the
front and draw their fire.
John, you cover us from that window.
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
- Get them!
(guns firing)
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
Get back on your horses and head him off.
- [Narrator] The magistrate's only thought
was for Elaine and Janice.
Momentarily evading the attackers,
he galloped furiously
to seek the two girls.
Jeffrey's horse, seeming
to share his urgency,
ran as though pursued
by the devil himself,
and devils they were,
clamoring hot upon his heel.
The magistrate was riding
for his life, and knew it.
(dramatic music)
Leaving a wake of devastation and death,
the evil crew of the
Phantom fled to their ship
and put to sea.
The settler who first had been captured
by the invaders and then left for dead
feebly told Kirk and the
others that the pirates
had taken Elaine and
Nancy aboard the Phantom.
- The magistrate is dead,
your homes are burned.
You're not going to stand
idly by and do nothing,
we've got to go after them!
- He's right!
- Your sloop, Captain
Allison, is our only chance
to catch that raider ship.
- But I've no authority to
undertake such a mission.
I'd have my ship's commission
taken away from me.
And besides, she has a
small crew and no guns.
- We'll get you additional men,
and all the guns and
ammunition you'll need.
- Just give us permission to board
your sloop, Captain Allison.
- What if one of those
girls was your daughter?
What would you do?
- Oh hang the orders, we'll go.
You get your men and guns and ammunition.
Have the men stand by to
pull anchor, on the double.
- I'll see you at the landing.
(adventurous music)
(man humming)
- Find anything yet?
- Nothing.
Mate wants the crew to eat in shifts.
- You probably fixed it so
you eat in the first one.
Ah!
- Aw, just one.
- Do you see what I see?
- Salty.
- Oh, Janice.
- Janice.
Am I glad to see you but, here.
- Mr. Shannon, Mr. Hamilton.
- Why Janice, what are you doing here?
- My daddy told me that
if anything ever happened,
I should hide, so I thought
I would be safe here.
Where's my daddy?
- Well you see, Janice,
your daddy and all of us
were out fighting and we--
- Why isn't my daddy here?
Where's Elaine?
- Look honey, we'll tell
you all about that later.
Right now how about something nice to eat.
- How about a nice hot bowl of soup, huh?
- Salty has it all ready.
- I could use a bit of a meal myself.
- What'll it be, Salty?
- Well, we have soup and uh, cheese,
and uh, cheese.
- Well, Janice will have a bowl of soup.
- I really don't feel
like eating, Mr. Hamilton.
(crying)
- Well, what are you standing there for?
You eat with the second shift.
- You ought to be proud
of yourself, captain.
Looting, killing, preying on
innocent victims and hiding
on the sea like the spineless
creature you really are.
I always thought I'd be
afraid to face a man like you.
Well, maybe these parasites
you call men are afraid,
but I'm not!
I feel sorry for you, you're
nothing but a (yelps).
- Set our course for the nearest land.
I don't care if it's in
the middle of nowhere,
but get them off my ship.
Now get them out of
here, throw them below.
- Seems to be changing her course.
- That may be to our advantage.
- How do you figure?
- Well, as long as we can
keep her in our sights,
we're all right.
- We're getting closer.
She's about two hours away.
- That gives us plenty of
time to chart our strategy.
Make sure that every
man knows his station.
- Captain Hackett, sloop
sighted off the larboard bow.
There she is, off the starboard bow.
- Roll out the nine pounders,
we'll blast her out of the sea.
- Long as the fog holds,
they can't bracket their fire on us.
- Aye.
Saints be with us, Hamilton.
- Now men, I don't have to tell
you what you're up against.
You know.
You've seen these men fight.
They've got no rules.
Don't give them a chance.
All right, to your stations.
- Hold her steady.
(dramatic music)
- Up with the anchors!
- All right, Salty.
Take your men and swim
underneath the water
to the other side of the ship.
Climb aboard and draw their
attention away from us.
(cannons firing)
(men shouting)
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
(men shouting)
- Cast off the anchors.
(intense dramatic music)
(men fighting)
(intense dramatic music)
(men fighting and shouting)
(intense dramatic music)
- [Narrator] Kirk Hamilton's
small boatload of survivors
slipped away from the doomed
vessels into the darkness
as the savage battle roared to
a flaming climax behind them.
Into the immense arms of the dark sea,
through the cold night they
rowed and drifted aimlessly,
without compass or chart, at
the mercy of wind and current.
Through a blistering
day and another night,
they drifted helpless.
Then on the second day, they sighted land.
Only an island, perhaps, but land.
Wearily they managed to
bring their small boat
through the turbulent
surf of a strange shore.
The castaways straggled from the boat,
exhausted by exposure to chilling winds
and tropical sun, from
which their meager clothing
gave little protection.
They faced their desperate
situation, and desperate it was.
With two frightened women and the child,
and with Shannon wounded,
Kirk Hamilton knew that he
and John Hartley must bear
the burden of their survival.
Grimly, his eyes met the glowering,
forbidding aspect of a barren
and desolate landscape.
Harsh and cruel, it conveyed
a silent, brooding menace.
- Well, let's move inland.
- Let's find a place for a campsite.
- [Narrator] The tropical sky that night
looked down on a ragged,
sprawling little group
of people who were blind to its beauty.
In the deep sleep of complete exhaustion,
they were also deaf to the
wind and to the raging surf
that thundered behind them,
as if it had been cheated
of its human prey.
In the morning, the immediate concern
of the party was food and water.
In the harsh, forbidding land,
the silent watching
vultures seemed to know,
seemed to be waiting.
- Feeling better?
- It's like a nightmare.
Hard to believe it ever happened.
- Don't talk about it, Martin.
We're on land now.
Things will work out.
- I'm glad we're together.
- [Narrator] Seeking food along the beach,
Kirk Hamilton discovered new tragedy.
The lifeboat pounded all
night against the rocks
by the surf was a broken shell,
already bleaching in the sun.
Meanwhile, John Hartley
from a nearby hilltop
stared in dismay across the vast expanse
of shimmering, burning desert.
No human being could hope to survive
in this empty land of...
But wait, was it a mirage, or did that
dark patch in the distance
mean vegetation, trees?
It must be, and trees meant fresh water.
- Good morning.
Not many, but it will help.
- Find any fresh water?
- No.
- Do you have any idea
where we are, Hamilton?
- Somewhere in the Dutch East Indies.
It's typical of the lower island group.
Barren, windswept, very little vegetation.
- [Nancy] Well, what are we going to do?
- Nancy.
- Mr. Hamilton!
Mr. Hamilton!
Water!
I saw it from the hilltop, plenty of it.
- Where?
- To the east, about 10 or 15 miles.
Trees in a valley, lot of them.
- If we take the boat to
the other side of the island
it can't be too far inland.
- Well, let's get started.
- There's no boat.
- What?
- Smashed up on the rocks last night.
But that shouldn't stop us from moving on.
Why, with luck we can make it over
those mountains in one day.
It won't be easy, but
it's our only chance.
- Well, what are we waiting for?
Let's go.
(weary music)
Water!
Over there, too!
- [Narrator] Frantically at the sight of
the small isolated water hole,
they forgot their weariness and dashed
headlong to the precious liquid.
But even wearier than he was thirsty,
Shannon stopped in his tracks to rest.
The others flung themselves
feverishly down the slope
to quench the agony of parched
lips and swollen tongue,
threw themselves vapidly
at the edge of the pool.
Water!
They plunged their burning
faces to the wonderful water,
and drank with delirious joy.
Elaine hurried with a brimming pail full
to the exhausted Martin Shannon.
Refreshed, their spirits lifted with hope,
hope that they could conquer the desert
and cross to the green valley beyond.
Children know no danger.
The whole earth is their playground,
the world of living
things their playmates.
And what could be more fascinating
than a tiny desert hop toad
begging a little girl to come and play?
- Feel better?
- Elaine if uh.
- If what, Martin?
- Well, I was just thinking.
If it wasn't for me,
you'd be on the other
side of the mountain.
- That isn't fair.
- Is it fair to the others?
- I know how you must feel.
You're tired.
You'll rest when you
get to the other side.
- Then what?
- You'll feel much
better, just wait and see.
(beast growling)
- Elaine, Elaine!
- Janice?
Janice!
(dramatic music)
Janice!
Janice!
(beast growling)
- Elaine!
Elaine!
- No, John.
John!
(Elaine screams)
(dramatic music)
- Janice!
(Janice screams)
(beasts growling and roaring)
(dramatic music)
(beasts roaring)
(intense dramatic music)
(beast growling)
- [Narrator] Resuming
their painful journey,
they pushed onward immediately toward
their original goal, the green
country across the desert.
They trudged on, footsore,
aching in every muscle.
Their torrid trail took them upward
through broken, rocky wastelands,
their bleary eyes searching the horizon
for the telltale patch of green.
The long day dragged on,
seemingly without an end.
Suddenly, across the ravine,
animal life was sighted.
This was the sign that Kirk
Hamilton had been looking for.
Where animal life could
exist, so could men survive.
I meant food as well as water.
The little group pushed
on with hope redoubled.
As they plodded farther and farther
through the sharp cactus,
that hope seemed justified.
The gaunt and cruel desert
terrain began to change.
Grass and trees began to appear,
and soon blended into
the lush, rank growth
of the tropical jungle.
The sounds of birds
and wind in green trees
lifted their heavy spirits.
Now, although Shannon grew
weaker with every step,
perhaps the worst part
of the ordeal was over.
They breathed new hope with
the odor of growing things.
From a clearing, the
smoking cone of a volcano
was seen towering against the sky.
Kirk Hamilton knew then the explanation
of the rich soil and
fertility of the region.
On these volcanic tropical islands,
nature often provided food in abundance,
and Kirk's judgment was correct.
There just ahead was wild
fruit and berry bushes,
food at last.
They rushed forward like
any famished animal,
as fast as their weary
legs could carry them.
They raced for the growing
food with hungry eyes
as though fearful that
the bounty might vanish
like a desert mirage.
Greedily, they crammed the tasty morsels,
grabbing eager handfuls right and left.
The simple fruits were
the most royal feast
they had ever known.
Then, as the pangs of hunger faded,
the little band of castaways relaxed.
Despite the terrors they had experienced,
secret thoughts of one another
spoke in the hearts of Elaine and Kirk,
and in Shannon's heart,
bitterness and resentment.
Even in the midst of their dreadful trial,
the old human emotions
made themselves heard.
Here in the shelter of
this natural garden,
they finally made their camp.
Meanwhile, the Hamilton Queen had returned
from the East Indies to take Kirk aboard
for the homeward voyage.
Now Captain Tallman learned of the battle
with the pirates, and the
fate of his young friend.
- The prisoner's self and seven settlers
and Salty here were
spotted by a merchant ship
and picked up.
- And the others?
- Both ships were in flames.
We saw them go under.
- What was your position
at that time, Captain?
- Longitude 131 east, latitude 8 south.
The lower part of the
Dutch East Indies group.
- It's possible they
might have drifted onto
one of those islands in that vicinity.
- I wouldn't hold out any
false hopes, Captain Tallman.
- Thank you gentlemen for the briefing.
I think I'll take the clipper
and do a little scouting in that area.
If they made land, it's possible
they might still be alive.
Thank you, Captain.
- Right, sir.
- Mr. Davis.
Come on, Salty.
- [Narrator] On the island, the castaways
were drawing up their own plan for escape.
A raft had been built, and
a course was being charted.
- We'll shove off at dawn
and set our course south.
When we reach the point of Queensland,
we should be able to make
our way down the coast
and back to the colony.
You'd better gather all the food you can.
We'll need it.
- I'll tell the others.
Well, we're,
we're shoving off at dawn.
- Home.
I can't believe it.
- After all, Hamilton's
a seagoing man, isn't he?
He should know his business.
- At least we can be thankful for that.
What are you thinking?
- I'm not thinking.
I'm praying.
- We have plenty to do.
Let's get all the melons
and berries we can find.
I'll help you.
- Is there really a chance, Kirk?
- It's our only chance.
- We've been here over two weeks now.
Martin needs care and (indistinct).
Do you think he can survive the trip?
- He has everything to live for.
Tomorrow if the good weather holds,
we have at least an even break.
- Hey Hamilton, come here a minute.
John tells me we're going to
shove off tomorrow morning.
Tell me, how are the chances,
and tell it to me straight.
- Don't worry, Shannon.
I'll see that you and Elaine get back.
- [Narrator] Ranging far inland,
they collected all the food
that the small raft might hold,
preparing for the perilous
attempt to sail home.
They were certain that risking
the sea on the frail craft
would be the greatest
challenge they had yet to face.
- Janice, honey.
That's no way to be.
We're going home now.
If Daddy were alive, he wouldn't--
- I know.
Daddy would want me to be brave.
- That's right, honey.
(volcano rumbling)
- What's that?
(volcano rumbling)
(volcano erupting)
(intense dramatic music)
(rocks crumbling)
(Nancy screams)
- Nancy!
(ground rumbling and cracking)
(beast roars)
(flames crackling)
(beast roars)
(intense dramatic music)
(beast roars)
(intense dramatic music)
(volcano erupting)
(intense dramatic music)
- [Narrator] The very mountain
crumbled in glowing ruin,
as in the grip of the hideous nightmare
they watched the white-hot river of lava
that smothered the charred jungle
like the molten marrow of the earth.
Only as the dark sky began to gray
with the approach of
morning were they able
to number the disastrous
hours that had passed,
and at long last as the
worn and beaten little group
lifted their red-rimmed eyes
of the dust-clouded dawn,
the incredible eruption began to subside.
The smoldering ruin of
the shattered island
was overhung by a giant mushroom
of volcanic dust and ash,
revealing the catastrophe far out to sea.
- We'll have that raft back
in shape in a couple of days.
- Yeah.
I hope you make it.
- Shannon, you're going to be with us.
- Nevermind that.
Just take care of Elaine.
- Martin!
(crying)
- He had a lot of courage.
- Elaine, look!
- Nothing could be alive on
that island, Captain Tallman.
Shall I set our course for home?
- Aye, Fuller.
- [Narrator] With a heavy heart,
Captain Tallman gave the
world to lower the flag
of the Hamilton Queen to half mast.
Resigned to the tragic turn of events,
he ordered the ship about.
Unwilling hands turned the clipper back
toward her homeward course.
Kirk Hamilton was given up as lost.
- Look!
- Captain.
Captain!
Some people sighted on the
lower part of the island.
(triumphant music)
- Chart our course for
the island, Mr. Fuller.
We'll pick up the survivors.
- Aye-aye, sir.
- [Narrator] Yes, it was
these courageous Yankee seamen
who conquered the
dangers and the hardship,
men like Kirk Hamilton,
who carried forward the dream of a nation
and remade the plans of
destiny to fit their own dream,
dreams of home and hope and happiness
in a new world of the future,
a new world just over the bright horizon.
(triumphant music)
(cannon firing)
(dramatic music)
- [Narrator] On August 16, 1830,
the Hamilton Queen sailed from Salem
on her maiden voyage,
bound for the East Indies.
This was an era when the whole world
stood at a new threshold of commerce
and communication between nations.
The story of this vessel
is a vital chapter
of America's rise to
prominence in that era.
The historical hour of the clipper ship.
Laden with American goods,
the queenly vessel slipped from the harbor
to which she would bring back
the treasured produce of the Orient.
As she rode the outgoing tide,
the tides of fortune for the young
American republic flowed with her.
With speed that was never
equaled in the days of sail,
the clipper skimmed over
the wide blue waters.
It was the clipper ship that won America's
place in the race between
nations for trade and wealth.
Yes, the Hamilton Queen carried far more
than the valuable cargo in the
hold below her rolling deck.
She carried the American dream of destiny,
and she carried the dreams of men,
who took in their hands
the wheel of destiny.
Men like young Kirk Hamilton.
His was the vision and courage
of the seafaring Yankee pioneer.
He knew the dangers
that faced the pioneer,
but his was the energy and the enterprise
that ignored the danger
and achieved the dream.
86 days out of Salem with a fair wind,
the fate of the nation and the fate
of Kirk Hamilton was bound up in his ship.
Bound around Cape Horn,
across the Pacific,
and westward to the fabulous
fortune laden Indies.
Outward bound for destiny.
- 18 days ahead of our
original charted course,
Captain Tallman.
- Aye, Mr. Hamilton.
The clipper certainly
justified your new design,
and proven her worth.
- We haven't proven anything yet, Captain.
How do we take on the last of our cargo
in the East Indies?
And deliver it on the Salem docks,
ahead of competitive shipping companies?
- Well, barring unforeseen
trouble and weather permitting,
we should be in East
Indies in about six weeks.
- Five.
Five, if we nose her through
the New Hebrides islands.
- That's risky son.
Too many seizers in those waters.
- Oh, there isn't a pirate ship afloat
that can keep this
clipper's sails in sight
for 24 hours, Captain,
much less board her.
- That's still taking a big chance, Kirk.
- Dad took a chance on us, Captain.
His company and everything he owns
is tied up in this voyage.
If we're not the first ship
back in Salem, no contract.
That'll mean no more ship
sailing under the Hamilton flag.
- You're a very persuasive
mate, Mr. Hamilton.
- It's a very important voyage, Captain.
- Chart the course as you see her, mate.
- Thank you, Captain.
- Confound it, I never can
keep any cigars around here.
Salty!
Salty!
(whimsical music)
Salty!
- Coffee, Captain, Mr. Hamilton.
- Put it on the table.
By the way, Salty,
I had some cigars around
here this morning.
You didn't see them when you
cleaned my quarters, did you?
- Who me, oh no, sir.
- Good, I was just going to
throw them out, they're poison.
- Poison sir?
(whimsical music)
Excuse me, captain, I,
I don't feel very good.
- I don't guess you'll be
missing any more cigars.
- At least not until tomorrow.
(whimsical music)
- Sail ho!
Sail ho!
Larboard quarter.
- Sail ho, sir!
- Where away?
- Right off our larboard quarter, sir.
(lively music)
- What do you make of it?
- Looks like a merchant
frigate to me, Captain.
- Man the sails, bail out.
Look alive!
(dramatic music)
- Sail ho, off port bow!
- An American ship.
Run up an American flag.
- Aye, Captain Hackett.
Speak of luck, they carry rich cargo.
- Have the crew man the guns.
We'll bracket in on them
when we clear the fog bank.
- Aye, Captain.
(dramatic music)
(cannons firing)
- She surprised us.
It's the Phantom.
- Main battery of nine pounders.
Secondary battery of six pounders,
mounted on the forecastle and quarterdeck.
- We won't be able to battle it.
- We can outrun it.
- You want to test the
speed of the clipper,
here's your chance.
Have the men crowd on the sail.
Run out the guns and get
every man to his station,
I'm going forward.
- Aye, aye.
(cannons firing)
- (indistinct) Mr. Fuller.
- Man the port side.
(cannons firing)
- Pack up that rigging!
Raise those (indistinct).
Pull her off again.
(cannons firing)
(men shouting)
Lay on, fire at will.
- We've been hit on
port beam, water level.
- Man the pumps.
- Aye-aye, sir.
- Hicks, lay below and look for damage.
Fire off again!
(dramatic music)
- Take over, Mr. Morgan!
- Get some hot water, quick.
(dramatic music)
- How'd the clipper do, Captain?
- Ship shape mate, but don't try to talk.
- Tell me about her.
- She left the pirate ship last night
like she had wings for sails.
Pain ease any, son?
- I'll be up deck-side
in short order, Captain.
- There's no use fooling yourself, Kirk,
you've got a nasty
splinter in that left leg.
We can't remove it.
You need medical attention,
so we're dropping anchor at Queensland.
- I can hold out til we reach
the East Indies, Captain.
- Our destination is Queensland,
mate, that's an order.
- [Narrator] Under a full head of sail,
the clipper veered
southward from her course,
and raced with the wounded
Kirk Hamilton for medical help.
Four days later, she
arrived at a tiny harbor
on the coast of northeast
Queensland, and dropped anchor.
The disturbing news of
her escape spread quickly.
This community had been
attacked before by the pirates,
whose return was greatly feared
by the peaceful settlers.
But they welcomed the Yankee
seamen as fellow pioneers,
and in a simple shack, Kirk Hamilton
was made as comfortable as
his painful injury permitted.
- How is he, Doctor?
- Can't tell, I couldn't
remove all the splinter.
He's lost a lot of blood.
- How long will it be
before you'll be able
to remove the rest of it?
- Um, 'nother week, maybe two, it depends.
Besides, he should stay
here under observation
for at least a month.
Blood poisoning.
- You'll have to ship out
without me, Captain Tallman.
- Is that the way you want it, son?
- That's the only way it can be, Captain.
What happens to the clipper
and her cargo right now
is more important than
what happens to one man.
We can't afford to lose even one day.
- I wanted to hear it from you, Kirk.
I knew you'd want it that way.
We can pick up the rest of
the cargo in the East Indies
and stop for you on the way back to Salem.
It'll take two months.
- I'll be waiting, Captain.
- I'll leave Salty and Mercer
here to take care of you.
- You'll need 'em.
- That's an order, son.
Besides, with Salty here I'll be able
to smoke one of my own
cigars for a change.
- Thanks, Captain.
- Right, mate.
- [Narrator] Yes, the news spread quickly
throughout the little
Australian settlement.
And to men like Martin
Shannon, a sheep rancher,
the arrival of the Yankee clipper
and the story of her running
fight with the pirates
brought a very serious problem.
The presence of the sea
raider threatened to disrupt
the operation of the ranch,
and to Martin Shannon,
his ranch was of first importance.
Here too, as in America,
a new civilization
was being built, on a primitive frontier.
Here, where wild kangaroos
hopped among the fields,
the land was forced to yield
to the farmer and the rancher.
The land meant security, and
the bright hope of the future.
But the colonists sent
their wool and mutton
to the Western world by
only one route, the sea.
Now their very homes,
as well as the sea lane,
were threatened by the pirates.
While the men worked diligently
in the pastures and sheds,
their minds dwelt on the danger
to their homes and families.
Nerves became tense
and tempers grew sharp.
- We should have government--
(men talking over each other)
- All right, just a
minute, men, one at a time.
Now what is it, Jackson?
- [Jackson] If the Americans
were fired upon by the same
pirate ship that raided
our colony last year,
then we might be in for
more trouble, and soon.
- Why aren't these men at work?
- The men are worried, Mr. Shannon.
- Worried about what?
- The raider ship's so close they feel
it isn't safe here
without government troops.
- So?
- Unless the magistrate does something,
they're moving back to the city.
- I see.
Well men, Magistrate Jeffries
is on his way right now
to Brisbane to request
the governor's help.
I just saw the American ship
and she's ready to sail.
Now if any of you men are afraid, get out.
But if you're the men I
think you are, you'll stay.
And you'll forget this
nonsense and get back to work
with the rest of the men.
Let me have those shears.
- Yeah I can't even understand--
(men talking over each other)
(light, upbeat music)
- I got him.
There he is.
Here you are Janice, he's all yours.
- Thank you, Mr. Shannon.
- It's all right.
(goat bleating)
- Come on, little fella, you need a bath.
- I plan on going to Brisbane
for a couple of weeks on business.
- How wonderful.
- [Martin] You do wanna go, don't you?
- Yes Martin I--
- Hello, Miss Elaine, Mr. Shannon.
- Oh hello, Mr. Hartley.
- Hello, John.
- I just came up to tell Mr. Davis
I saw the government sloop off the point.
- Father's coming home!
- He should be here shortly.
- Oh, excuse me, Martin.
- Don't forget to ask him now.
- Father's coming home, Mr. Davis.
- Yes, and I'll be glad to see him, too.
It's been three long
weeks since he went away.
(goat bleating)
- There you are Magic, all clean.
A little perfume, smell like a lady.
- Oh Janice, what in the
world are you in to now?
- I washed Magic.
- Oh, look at your stuff,
just look at this stuff,
and father coming home.
Hurry, put it down now,
and change your clothes.
He'll be right here.
(pastoral music)
Oh Janice, hold still.
- Ow!
- Elaine.
- Oh, hello Nancy.
- I heard that your father's coming home.
- Yes, he'll be here shortly.
- Oh, I'm just dying
to see how Mr. Shannon
will like the new clothes.
Oh you're such a lucky girl.
- Thank you.
- Elaine.
Elaine, I just saw the Yankee sailor.
- So, what about him?
- The way he smokes.
- The way he smokes?
- It's the way he holds it, Elaine.
Oh and the way he walks.
- The way he walks?
- Yes and limps when he's walking.
- He limps?
- The way he limps, Elaine.
- I don't care if he does
limp, I think he's grand.
- Janice!
- I don't care, I'm going
to marry Mr. Hamilton.
- You're what?
- Why not, after all,
I'm almost 10 years old.
- Janice, aren't you ashamed
to talk about a man like that?
- Oh you girls are old-fashioned.
- [John] Welcome home, Mr. Jeffries.
- [Janice] Dad, daddy!
- Oh, oh baby, have you hurt yourself?
- Oh daddy, I missed you so.
- Mm-hm.
- Is that my new doll?
- Why don't you open it and find out?
- Oh, thank you.
- Father!
- Dear, dear.
- Oh welcome home.
My how well you look,
traveling must agree with you.
- Well girls, there you are,
the latest from Brisbane.
- Oh!
- I can't wait!
- Oh, thank you, father.
- Thank you, father.
- They missed you, sir.
- And I've missed them.
Has the situation here eased any, Davis?
- No sir, the people are still
disturbed and frightened.
Are we getting any troops?
- I've done the best I could.
- The governor refused?
- No, not exactly, he's
promised to do the best he can.
He's even promised to come here himself,
and investigate our situation.
He's going to establish a garrison
for our protection, once and for all.
- But when?
Promises don't help us now.
There's talk sir, that if
something isn't done soon,
the people will move back to the city.
- We'll try to formulate a
temporary plan of defense.
Call a meeting of the council
here tomorrow evening.
- Yes, sir.
(light, upbeat music)
- What's in the basket?
- Oh, something.
- Where are you going?
- Oh, places.
(light, upbeat music)
- That's gonna be the finest ship afloat.
(knocking at door)
- Come in.
- Well hello, Janice.
- Hello Mr. Salty, hello Mr. Mercer.
Happy birthday, Mr. Hamilton.
- Happy birthday, well how did you know?
- Mr. Salty told me.
He said it would be
nice if I brought a cake
and we had a party.
- I see.
Say, that's a beauty, who baked it?
- I did, with a little help of my sister.
- [Kirk] Oh.
- [Salty] Uh, you didn't
tell us you had a sister.
- [Nat] Well, why didn't
you bring her along?
- [Salty] Is she older than you?
- Yes, but you wouldn't like her.
- No?
- No, she's big and fat and knock-kneed,
and bow-legged and everything, silly.
- [Nat] Well, I'm not so particular.
- Janice, how dare you talk like that.
You'll have to excuse my sister.
Come along young lady, you're going home.
- Excuse me.
After all, Salty did
promise her a party, I,
I'd hate to see him break that promise.
Won't you join us?
- Sure, then we could have a real party.
- You said it!
- Well, I should be going--
- Please stay.
My name is Hamilton, and
these are my two shipmates,
Salty and Nat.
- How do you do?
- Hello.
- So you're Mr. Hamilton.
I've heard a lot about you from Janice.
- Talking behind my back, young lady.
- Have I?
- Well, what are you standing there for?
Get a bucket of water,
we'll brew up some tea.
- Wait a minute,
how about you getting
the water for a change?
- I've got plenty to do here.
I think we need some flowers.
Come on, lady.
- I'll be right back, Mr. Hamilton.
- I, I want to apologize for the way I,
well I stormed in here, I
must have seemed rather awful.
- I didn't think so.
On the contrary, it was
a very pleasant surprise.
- Yours?
- The next ship I plan to build.
- How is it with men who build ships?
I mean, do you form an attachment
to the ships you build or,
or do you feel the same for each one?
- Well.
There's an attachment you
feel for every ship you build,
when you see her slide down the waves,
take shape on the water.
- But isn't there one
ship above all the others
that you favored?
- Yes, the first one.
It's like a first love,
you never forget her.
- Why do you talk about a ship as her?
- Well, to a sea-going man she's a lady.
Beautiful, graceful,
proud in spirit,
trim lines.
And when you have a real
ship like a real lady,
you know you're safe in her arms.
- You talk as though you might marry one.
- Five minutes ago I might have.
- Do you always talk
like this, Mr. Hamilton?
- Not always.
- Hello, Mr. Shannon.
- How's Hamilton?
- Oh, just fine, we're all fine.
Matter of fact, we're
beginning to enjoy your place.
- What changed your mind?
- Well, we're having a
party down at the cabin.
Tea and cake, all the trimmings.
And the magistrate's daughter.
- Janice?
- And her sister, the big one.
- Elaine?
- Yeah, that's her.
- We're waiting for you, Mr. Shannon.
- You have all the men ready?
- They're inside.
- Be with you in a minute, John.
- Right.
- Well, so long, Mr. Shannon.
If you get a chance, drop up.
I'll introduce you.
- Oh Janice, why don't you
say goodnight to Mr. Hamilton
and run along, I'll be there in a minute.
- Goodnight, Mr. Hamilton.
- Goodnight, Janice.
And thanks for that birthday cake.
- You're welcome.
- It's been a wonderful
evening, Mr. Hamilton.
- Sure.
- I liked it.
- Will I see you tomorrow?
- Maybe.
Why don't you come in now.
I know my father'd like to meet you.
- You think so?
Very well, it'll be a pleasure.
- I ask you to share my
confidence with me in the future.
Now let us all reach a definite plan
that will satisfy each of us.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Father.
- Come in.
- Please be seated, gentlemen.
- Come in, darling.
- Father,
this is Mr. Hamilton.
- A great pleasure, sir.
- Thank you, sir.
- Mr. Shannon, Mr. Hamilton.
- We've met.
- And Captain Allison.
- How do you do, sir.
- How do you do.
- If you'll excuse me, Father,
I'll put Janice to bed.
- I didn't mean to interrupt sir.
If you'll excuse me, I'll leave.
- No trouble at all, sit down.
I'd like to have a chat
with you after the meeting.
- Thank you.
- It seems to me magistrate
that if the governor
can't send troops now,
he'll never be able to.
- That's right!
- I don't know what all you
men are so worried about.
After all, pirates prey on
ships at sea, not on land.
- They did invade our colony once before.
- Could happen again.
- Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen.
- If I might suggest--
- Why not organize your own militias?
They do in America.
- The Yankee's right.
That's what we need,
our own militia, a plan.
- How do we go about it, Mr. Hamilton.
- Have a general signal
in case of invasion,
meet at one central point,
and fight as a unit.
- [Magistrate] Mr. Hamilton makes sense.
- But the plan will take time
and men away from their work.
- It needn't.
The plans can be worked
out by one individual.
The important thing is that
everybody knows the plan.
- Sounds exactly like what we need.
- Would Mr. Hamilton
assume the responsibility
of developing such a plan?
- You have my hardiest approval.
Why not begin at once?
- Is there some central location,
a high ground close about?
- Cavanaugh Peak.
- Well, it would be best
to start right there.
- You can take one of my mounts.
We'll all meet at
Cavanaugh Peak at the pass.
(adventurous music)
- Elaine.
- Oh, aren't you going with the others?
- Yes, but I thought I'd
stop for a few moments
to tell you how beautiful you are.
Especially so tonight.
- Well, thank you, Martin.
- Elaine, I've decided
that I want to announce
our engagement before
we leave for Brisbane.
- Martin, you agreed to wait.
- Is there any reason why
I shouldn't announce it?
- No, I,
well, it's just that I see no reason
to change our plans now.
- Since this Mr. Hamilton
has come into our lives,
you've changed, I hardly know you.
- Why Martin, I think you're jealous.
- Course I'm jealous, why shouldn't I be?
I love you and I always will love you.
Don't let a momentary infatuation
make you do something foolish.
He's from a different world.
He has his home and his obligations.
Your home is here with us, with
your father, Janice, and me.
- I'm aware of my obligations, Martin.
I always will be.
- He'll be leaving soon.
Can't you see that it won't work out?
- I see no reason to change our plans now.
- Well, maybe at the dance
you might feel differently
about it, let's talk about it then.
- [Narrator] But the
plans of Elaine Jeffries
did not reckon with the
plans fate had drawn
for the young American, nor did Elaine
reckon with her own heart.
She did not reckon with the springtime,
and springtime in
Queensland is just the same
as springtime anywhere in the world.
There is the same bright sunshine
and the fresh green on the hills.
The quickening pulse in
the earth is the same.
The fragrant caress of
the wind is the same.
The stirring life is
the same in the trees,
in the flowers, in the birds of the air.
And the man and the woman are the same.
(birds singing)
(romantic music)
(dance music)
(crowd applauding)
- Everyone seems to be
enjoying themselves, Davis.
- Good evening, Magistrate.
- Good evening.
I hope you and your mates
are enjoying your stay.
- We are, sir.
Excuse me.
- Tell me, have you ever
kissed the Blarney Stone?
- Have I ever kissed the Blarney Stone?
And the Blarney Stone is not
all I'm going to be kissing.
- Close your eyes, Captain Salty.
- Honey, you go tell Elaine
that I want to see her, will you?
- All right.
- Well.
- Let's dance, Captain Salty.
(romantic music)
- Kirk, there's so many people around.
- Really?
I haven't noticed.
You're the only thing
I've seen all evening.
Did I ever tell you I loved you?
- Oh, just a thousand
times this past week.
Oh Kirk.
Oh Kirk, when you find
someone you really love,
it is a great discovery, isn't it?
You're suddenly warm and alive.
- [Kirk] And happy.
- Sounds silly, doesn't it?
- No.
No, when two people make
a discovery like this,
it's important.
It's more important than who they are
or where they're from or anything else.
Look Elaine,
my ship's coming back
in a couple of weeks.
I want to take you home with me.
- But your home's so far away, Kirk.
I'd never see my family again.
It isn't that I don't--
- Or is it Shannon?
- Oh, I'm very fond of Martin.
- Yes, but you don't love him.
- No.
But we grew up together,
and it just seemed natural that someday.
Kirk, I don't know what to say.
- [Kirk] What is there to say?
We belong together, Elaine.
- I love you, Kirk.
I want you to stay.
There's so much to be done,
and we could be happy here.
- I have to go back, Elaine.
A lot of people are counting on me.
My entire future's staked
on this voyage of mine.
My life's on the sea,
I can't give that up.
- What about my life, Kirk?
- Elaine, I.
- Oh, oh, stop it, stop it, both of you,
you're acting like children.
- Come on, I'll take you home.
- [Kirk Voiceover] I have to go back.
A lot of people are counting on me.
My entire future's staked
on this voyage of mine.
My life's on the sea,
I can't give that up.
- [Shannon Voiceover] I love
you and I always will love you.
Don't let a momentary infatuation
make you do something foolish.
He's from a different world.
He has his home and his obligations.
Your home is here with us, with
your father, Janice, and me.
(ominous music)
- Are the men on, Bermy?
- Aye, Captain Hackett.
- You men know why we're here.
We haven't boarded a
vessel in a long time.
I want to see the decks of
the Phantom loaded by dawn.
Are the horses ready?
- We got the best stock
that we could find.
They're in the corral, over there.
- Look what we found,
crawling around back there.
- You know what to do with him.
- Yes sir.
Come on.
- All right, shove off.
(dramatic music)
- Some quarry, huh, Wilson?
- I'll say.
- Best one I've seen around here.
- Which one of you forgot to
close the gate on the horses?
- We didn't leave it open, Mr. Shannon.
- Well, it's open now
and the horses are gone.
Go get 'em.
- Yes, sir.
- And be sure to get them
all back in the corral.
- [Elaine] Is Mister Shannon in there?
- [Man] Yes, ma'am.
- Elaine, what are you doing here?
- Martin, you were right.
My place is here with you.
I want you to take me to Brisbane.
- We'll go next week.
- No Martin, now.
- All right, tomorrow.
(guns firing)
- It's the raiders,
they're surrounding us.
- I've got to get her out of here.
Wilson, you go out the
front and draw their fire.
John, you cover us from that window.
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
- Get them!
(guns firing)
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
Get back on your horses and head him off.
- [Narrator] The magistrate's only thought
was for Elaine and Janice.
Momentarily evading the attackers,
he galloped furiously
to seek the two girls.
Jeffrey's horse, seeming
to share his urgency,
ran as though pursued
by the devil himself,
and devils they were,
clamoring hot upon his heel.
The magistrate was riding
for his life, and knew it.
(dramatic music)
Leaving a wake of devastation and death,
the evil crew of the
Phantom fled to their ship
and put to sea.
The settler who first had been captured
by the invaders and then left for dead
feebly told Kirk and the
others that the pirates
had taken Elaine and
Nancy aboard the Phantom.
- The magistrate is dead,
your homes are burned.
You're not going to stand
idly by and do nothing,
we've got to go after them!
- He's right!
- Your sloop, Captain
Allison, is our only chance
to catch that raider ship.
- But I've no authority to
undertake such a mission.
I'd have my ship's commission
taken away from me.
And besides, she has a
small crew and no guns.
- We'll get you additional men,
and all the guns and
ammunition you'll need.
- Just give us permission to board
your sloop, Captain Allison.
- What if one of those
girls was your daughter?
What would you do?
- Oh hang the orders, we'll go.
You get your men and guns and ammunition.
Have the men stand by to
pull anchor, on the double.
- I'll see you at the landing.
(adventurous music)
(man humming)
- Find anything yet?
- Nothing.
Mate wants the crew to eat in shifts.
- You probably fixed it so
you eat in the first one.
Ah!
- Aw, just one.
- Do you see what I see?
- Salty.
- Oh, Janice.
- Janice.
Am I glad to see you but, here.
- Mr. Shannon, Mr. Hamilton.
- Why Janice, what are you doing here?
- My daddy told me that
if anything ever happened,
I should hide, so I thought
I would be safe here.
Where's my daddy?
- Well you see, Janice,
your daddy and all of us
were out fighting and we--
- Why isn't my daddy here?
Where's Elaine?
- Look honey, we'll tell
you all about that later.
Right now how about something nice to eat.
- How about a nice hot bowl of soup, huh?
- Salty has it all ready.
- I could use a bit of a meal myself.
- What'll it be, Salty?
- Well, we have soup and uh, cheese,
and uh, cheese.
- Well, Janice will have a bowl of soup.
- I really don't feel
like eating, Mr. Hamilton.
(crying)
- Well, what are you standing there for?
You eat with the second shift.
- You ought to be proud
of yourself, captain.
Looting, killing, preying on
innocent victims and hiding
on the sea like the spineless
creature you really are.
I always thought I'd be
afraid to face a man like you.
Well, maybe these parasites
you call men are afraid,
but I'm not!
I feel sorry for you, you're
nothing but a (yelps).
- Set our course for the nearest land.
I don't care if it's in
the middle of nowhere,
but get them off my ship.
Now get them out of
here, throw them below.
- Seems to be changing her course.
- That may be to our advantage.
- How do you figure?
- Well, as long as we can
keep her in our sights,
we're all right.
- We're getting closer.
She's about two hours away.
- That gives us plenty of
time to chart our strategy.
Make sure that every
man knows his station.
- Captain Hackett, sloop
sighted off the larboard bow.
There she is, off the starboard bow.
- Roll out the nine pounders,
we'll blast her out of the sea.
- Long as the fog holds,
they can't bracket their fire on us.
- Aye.
Saints be with us, Hamilton.
- Now men, I don't have to tell
you what you're up against.
You know.
You've seen these men fight.
They've got no rules.
Don't give them a chance.
All right, to your stations.
- Hold her steady.
(dramatic music)
- Up with the anchors!
- All right, Salty.
Take your men and swim
underneath the water
to the other side of the ship.
Climb aboard and draw their
attention away from us.
(cannons firing)
(men shouting)
(dramatic music)
(guns firing)
(men shouting)
- Cast off the anchors.
(intense dramatic music)
(men fighting)
(intense dramatic music)
(men fighting and shouting)
(intense dramatic music)
- [Narrator] Kirk Hamilton's
small boatload of survivors
slipped away from the doomed
vessels into the darkness
as the savage battle roared to
a flaming climax behind them.
Into the immense arms of the dark sea,
through the cold night they
rowed and drifted aimlessly,
without compass or chart, at
the mercy of wind and current.
Through a blistering
day and another night,
they drifted helpless.
Then on the second day, they sighted land.
Only an island, perhaps, but land.
Wearily they managed to
bring their small boat
through the turbulent
surf of a strange shore.
The castaways straggled from the boat,
exhausted by exposure to chilling winds
and tropical sun, from
which their meager clothing
gave little protection.
They faced their desperate
situation, and desperate it was.
With two frightened women and the child,
and with Shannon wounded,
Kirk Hamilton knew that he
and John Hartley must bear
the burden of their survival.
Grimly, his eyes met the glowering,
forbidding aspect of a barren
and desolate landscape.
Harsh and cruel, it conveyed
a silent, brooding menace.
- Well, let's move inland.
- Let's find a place for a campsite.
- [Narrator] The tropical sky that night
looked down on a ragged,
sprawling little group
of people who were blind to its beauty.
In the deep sleep of complete exhaustion,
they were also deaf to the
wind and to the raging surf
that thundered behind them,
as if it had been cheated
of its human prey.
In the morning, the immediate concern
of the party was food and water.
In the harsh, forbidding land,
the silent watching
vultures seemed to know,
seemed to be waiting.
- Feeling better?
- It's like a nightmare.
Hard to believe it ever happened.
- Don't talk about it, Martin.
We're on land now.
Things will work out.
- I'm glad we're together.
- [Narrator] Seeking food along the beach,
Kirk Hamilton discovered new tragedy.
The lifeboat pounded all
night against the rocks
by the surf was a broken shell,
already bleaching in the sun.
Meanwhile, John Hartley
from a nearby hilltop
stared in dismay across the vast expanse
of shimmering, burning desert.
No human being could hope to survive
in this empty land of...
But wait, was it a mirage, or did that
dark patch in the distance
mean vegetation, trees?
It must be, and trees meant fresh water.
- Good morning.
Not many, but it will help.
- Find any fresh water?
- No.
- Do you have any idea
where we are, Hamilton?
- Somewhere in the Dutch East Indies.
It's typical of the lower island group.
Barren, windswept, very little vegetation.
- [Nancy] Well, what are we going to do?
- Nancy.
- Mr. Hamilton!
Mr. Hamilton!
Water!
I saw it from the hilltop, plenty of it.
- Where?
- To the east, about 10 or 15 miles.
Trees in a valley, lot of them.
- If we take the boat to
the other side of the island
it can't be too far inland.
- Well, let's get started.
- There's no boat.
- What?
- Smashed up on the rocks last night.
But that shouldn't stop us from moving on.
Why, with luck we can make it over
those mountains in one day.
It won't be easy, but
it's our only chance.
- Well, what are we waiting for?
Let's go.
(weary music)
Water!
Over there, too!
- [Narrator] Frantically at the sight of
the small isolated water hole,
they forgot their weariness and dashed
headlong to the precious liquid.
But even wearier than he was thirsty,
Shannon stopped in his tracks to rest.
The others flung themselves
feverishly down the slope
to quench the agony of parched
lips and swollen tongue,
threw themselves vapidly
at the edge of the pool.
Water!
They plunged their burning
faces to the wonderful water,
and drank with delirious joy.
Elaine hurried with a brimming pail full
to the exhausted Martin Shannon.
Refreshed, their spirits lifted with hope,
hope that they could conquer the desert
and cross to the green valley beyond.
Children know no danger.
The whole earth is their playground,
the world of living
things their playmates.
And what could be more fascinating
than a tiny desert hop toad
begging a little girl to come and play?
- Feel better?
- Elaine if uh.
- If what, Martin?
- Well, I was just thinking.
If it wasn't for me,
you'd be on the other
side of the mountain.
- That isn't fair.
- Is it fair to the others?
- I know how you must feel.
You're tired.
You'll rest when you
get to the other side.
- Then what?
- You'll feel much
better, just wait and see.
(beast growling)
- Elaine, Elaine!
- Janice?
Janice!
(dramatic music)
Janice!
Janice!
(beast growling)
- Elaine!
Elaine!
- No, John.
John!
(Elaine screams)
(dramatic music)
- Janice!
(Janice screams)
(beasts growling and roaring)
(dramatic music)
(beasts roaring)
(intense dramatic music)
(beast growling)
- [Narrator] Resuming
their painful journey,
they pushed onward immediately toward
their original goal, the green
country across the desert.
They trudged on, footsore,
aching in every muscle.
Their torrid trail took them upward
through broken, rocky wastelands,
their bleary eyes searching the horizon
for the telltale patch of green.
The long day dragged on,
seemingly without an end.
Suddenly, across the ravine,
animal life was sighted.
This was the sign that Kirk
Hamilton had been looking for.
Where animal life could
exist, so could men survive.
I meant food as well as water.
The little group pushed
on with hope redoubled.
As they plodded farther and farther
through the sharp cactus,
that hope seemed justified.
The gaunt and cruel desert
terrain began to change.
Grass and trees began to appear,
and soon blended into
the lush, rank growth
of the tropical jungle.
The sounds of birds
and wind in green trees
lifted their heavy spirits.
Now, although Shannon grew
weaker with every step,
perhaps the worst part
of the ordeal was over.
They breathed new hope with
the odor of growing things.
From a clearing, the
smoking cone of a volcano
was seen towering against the sky.
Kirk Hamilton knew then the explanation
of the rich soil and
fertility of the region.
On these volcanic tropical islands,
nature often provided food in abundance,
and Kirk's judgment was correct.
There just ahead was wild
fruit and berry bushes,
food at last.
They rushed forward like
any famished animal,
as fast as their weary
legs could carry them.
They raced for the growing
food with hungry eyes
as though fearful that
the bounty might vanish
like a desert mirage.
Greedily, they crammed the tasty morsels,
grabbing eager handfuls right and left.
The simple fruits were
the most royal feast
they had ever known.
Then, as the pangs of hunger faded,
the little band of castaways relaxed.
Despite the terrors they had experienced,
secret thoughts of one another
spoke in the hearts of Elaine and Kirk,
and in Shannon's heart,
bitterness and resentment.
Even in the midst of their dreadful trial,
the old human emotions
made themselves heard.
Here in the shelter of
this natural garden,
they finally made their camp.
Meanwhile, the Hamilton Queen had returned
from the East Indies to take Kirk aboard
for the homeward voyage.
Now Captain Tallman learned of the battle
with the pirates, and the
fate of his young friend.
- The prisoner's self and seven settlers
and Salty here were
spotted by a merchant ship
and picked up.
- And the others?
- Both ships were in flames.
We saw them go under.
- What was your position
at that time, Captain?
- Longitude 131 east, latitude 8 south.
The lower part of the
Dutch East Indies group.
- It's possible they
might have drifted onto
one of those islands in that vicinity.
- I wouldn't hold out any
false hopes, Captain Tallman.
- Thank you gentlemen for the briefing.
I think I'll take the clipper
and do a little scouting in that area.
If they made land, it's possible
they might still be alive.
Thank you, Captain.
- Right, sir.
- Mr. Davis.
Come on, Salty.
- [Narrator] On the island, the castaways
were drawing up their own plan for escape.
A raft had been built, and
a course was being charted.
- We'll shove off at dawn
and set our course south.
When we reach the point of Queensland,
we should be able to make
our way down the coast
and back to the colony.
You'd better gather all the food you can.
We'll need it.
- I'll tell the others.
Well, we're,
we're shoving off at dawn.
- Home.
I can't believe it.
- After all, Hamilton's
a seagoing man, isn't he?
He should know his business.
- At least we can be thankful for that.
What are you thinking?
- I'm not thinking.
I'm praying.
- We have plenty to do.
Let's get all the melons
and berries we can find.
I'll help you.
- Is there really a chance, Kirk?
- It's our only chance.
- We've been here over two weeks now.
Martin needs care and (indistinct).
Do you think he can survive the trip?
- He has everything to live for.
Tomorrow if the good weather holds,
we have at least an even break.
- Hey Hamilton, come here a minute.
John tells me we're going to
shove off tomorrow morning.
Tell me, how are the chances,
and tell it to me straight.
- Don't worry, Shannon.
I'll see that you and Elaine get back.
- [Narrator] Ranging far inland,
they collected all the food
that the small raft might hold,
preparing for the perilous
attempt to sail home.
They were certain that risking
the sea on the frail craft
would be the greatest
challenge they had yet to face.
- Janice, honey.
That's no way to be.
We're going home now.
If Daddy were alive, he wouldn't--
- I know.
Daddy would want me to be brave.
- That's right, honey.
(volcano rumbling)
- What's that?
(volcano rumbling)
(volcano erupting)
(intense dramatic music)
(rocks crumbling)
(Nancy screams)
- Nancy!
(ground rumbling and cracking)
(beast roars)
(flames crackling)
(beast roars)
(intense dramatic music)
(beast roars)
(intense dramatic music)
(volcano erupting)
(intense dramatic music)
- [Narrator] The very mountain
crumbled in glowing ruin,
as in the grip of the hideous nightmare
they watched the white-hot river of lava
that smothered the charred jungle
like the molten marrow of the earth.
Only as the dark sky began to gray
with the approach of
morning were they able
to number the disastrous
hours that had passed,
and at long last as the
worn and beaten little group
lifted their red-rimmed eyes
of the dust-clouded dawn,
the incredible eruption began to subside.
The smoldering ruin of
the shattered island
was overhung by a giant mushroom
of volcanic dust and ash,
revealing the catastrophe far out to sea.
- We'll have that raft back
in shape in a couple of days.
- Yeah.
I hope you make it.
- Shannon, you're going to be with us.
- Nevermind that.
Just take care of Elaine.
- Martin!
(crying)
- He had a lot of courage.
- Elaine, look!
- Nothing could be alive on
that island, Captain Tallman.
Shall I set our course for home?
- Aye, Fuller.
- [Narrator] With a heavy heart,
Captain Tallman gave the
world to lower the flag
of the Hamilton Queen to half mast.
Resigned to the tragic turn of events,
he ordered the ship about.
Unwilling hands turned the clipper back
toward her homeward course.
Kirk Hamilton was given up as lost.
- Look!
- Captain.
Captain!
Some people sighted on the
lower part of the island.
(triumphant music)
- Chart our course for
the island, Mr. Fuller.
We'll pick up the survivors.
- Aye-aye, sir.
- [Narrator] Yes, it was
these courageous Yankee seamen
who conquered the
dangers and the hardship,
men like Kirk Hamilton,
who carried forward the dream of a nation
and remade the plans of
destiny to fit their own dream,
dreams of home and hope and happiness
in a new world of the future,
a new world just over the bright horizon.
(triumphant music)