clap of thunder and storm noises] She's a-comin' down now! Come on, follow me! Giddap, boy!

RODNEY

Giddap! [sound of horses' hoofs]

ANNOUNCER

And on into the storm they rode. Another hour—another change of horses. It is after midnight and they come upon a stretch of good road—

URIAH

Here we be on the turnpike.

RODNEY

Is that as far as we've got?

URIAH

It's nigh onto thirty mile.

RODNEY

But we've got fifty miles more! Can we make it?

URIAH

We got to make et. How ye feelin'?

RODNEY

I guess I'll—hold out.

URIAH

Then let's step along a mite and make up some of thet time we lost in the storm.

RODNEY

All right. Tch—tch—come along.

URIAH

Giddap, boy! [beat of horses' hoofs increases] [to himself] Fifty mile. We got to make et, boy—we got to make et—come on—tch—tch—come on—and don't ye make a misstep.

RODNEY [off a bit]

Oh—whoa! Ow! [thud of falling body, a groan]

URIAH

Whoa, boy! Hey! What's the matter? What's happened?

RODNEY [off]

Quick! Catch the horse—I'm off.

URIAH

Hey! Whoa, thar—whoa, thar—stand still thar, boy! Thar—I got ye! [calling] Where are ye, Mr. Rodney? What happened? Be ye hurt?

RODNEY

No—I—I guess I'm all right.

URIAH

How'd he throw ye?

RODNEY [in]

I don't know—the saddle slipped—then it came clear off and I came with it.

URIAH

Here—hold the hosses, will ye—let me see thet saddle! Ah-ha!—Girth broken!

RODNEY

Can you fix it?

URIAH

Ain't got time.

RODNEY

I'm afraid I can't—can't keep a seat bareback.

URIAH

Here—you climb on my hoss—I'll take your'n.

RODNEY

But—

URIAH

Not another word—climb aboard, thar. [sound of getting Rodney on horse] All right, boy, stand still. Thar we be! Go along with ye!

BOTH

Tch—tch—giddap! [sound of horses' hoofs]

ANNOUNCER

And now five miles farther into the next remount station. Rodney and Uriah clatter up to the stable and find the stable closed, with everything dark.

URIAH

Whoa, boy! Hm—cal'ate they've all gone to bed. Wal', we'll fetch 'em out. Hold the hosses a minute!

RODNEY

All right.

URIAH

I'll git thet lazy stableman out! Here's where he lives. Hey! Wake up! [knocking]

Wake up—come on out here. [knocking] Come on—we want a pair of hosses—wake up thar.

TOM [off]

Hey—what's goin' on out there? What do ye want?

URIAH

We want some hosses—come on out. [door opens]

TOM

Who is et?

URIAH

Et's Uriah Clarke of Philadelphia.

TOM

Oh, hello, Uriah. Kinda late fer ye to be out, ain't et?

URIAH

Oh, hello, Tom. I'm in a big hurry—come on—saddle me a couple of yer best hosses!

TOM

Pshaw now, I'm right put out.

URIAH

Eh? What the trouble?

TOM

I let my last hoss go not two hour ago.

URIAH

Yer last hoss?

TOM

Yes, sir—my last fresh one.

URIAH

Wal', we've got to have two hosses. Give us what ye got.

TOM

There's nothin' in the stable but two hosses thet come in so tuckered out they couldn't hardly eat their corn—ye'll hev to go on with the hosses ye got—less'n ye want to wait until mornin'.

URIAH

We got to be in Philadelphia by mornin'.

TOM

Philadelphia? Ye'll never make et.

URIAH

We got to—I give my word. If ye can't give me a hoss, let me hev a saddle. We broke a saddle girth.

TOM

All right, Uriah—I'll git ye a saddle! Come on—but ye'll never make Philadelphia by mornin'! Not with the roads the way they be!

URIAH

We got to make et.

TOM

Here—git this door open! [sound of opening door] There's a saddle fer ye.

URIAH

Come on—give me a hand—git et on this hoss! [sound of putting saddle on]

TOM

There ye be!

URIAH

All right, Mr. Rodney. Let me give ye a hand up. How ye feelin'?

RODNEY

I guess—I'll make it.

URIAH

Thar! Good-bye, Tom.

TOM

Good-bye—good luck.

URIAH

Tch—tch—giddap! [sound of horses' hoofs]

TOM [off—fading]

I'll bet ye a new hat ye don't make Philadelphia!

URIAH [yelling back]

I'll bet ye a hat and a new pair o' boots—come on, boy! [sound of horses' hoofs]

ANNOUNCER

And now two hours later Rodney is riding ahead when his horse stops suddenly—

URIAH [calling]

What's the matter?

RODNEY

Listen—[sound of rushing water]

URIAH

Pshaw now! Thet brook's kinda doin' business, ain't et?

RODNEY

The storm has turned it into a torrent.

URIAH

Wal', we got to git across!

RODNEY

How?

URIAH

Let the hosses swim!

RODNEY

All right.

URIAH

You drive in fu'st! I'll be right behind ye.

RODNEY

Tch—tch—giddap!

URIAH

Lean way over his neck—give him his head!

RODNEY

Tch—tch—get in there, boy! Go on!

URIAH

What's the matter? Is he skittish of the water?

RODNEY

Get in there—go on! He won't go in, Uriah.

URIAH

Here—let me hev the reins. I'll lead him in with my hoss.

RODNEY

Here you are.

URIAH

Come on, boy—come on in—'tain't goin' ter hurt ye! Come on—giddap! [sound of splashing water—roar of stream rises]

URIAH

Go on—swim fer et! Go et, boy! Hold on tight, Mr. Rodney! Go et, boy—go et! [sound of water recedes a little—we hear horses' hoofs on solid ground]

URIAH

Wal'! Thar we be! Made et slicker'n a greased griddle! You all right, Mr. Rodney?

RODNEY

I'm still here.

URIAH

Mite wet?

RODNEY

I've been dryer.

URIAH

All right, take yer reins—we'll ride fast to keep warm. You ready?

RODNEY

All ready.

URIAH