The Searchers Page #2

MARTHA:

(a bit shakily)

Hello, Ethan.

Ethan slowly, stiffly swings out of the saddle. Aaron and

Martha exchange quick glances...troubled, puzzled. Aaron

pastes on an uncertain smile as Ethan comes around his horse

toward their side.

AARON:

How's California?

ETHAN:

How should I know?

AARON:

But Mose Harper said...

ETHAN:

That old goat still creakin'

around?...Whyn't someone bury him?

He goes to his saddle pack, begins unlacing it. Ben and

Debbie have inched closer -- half-shy, half-curious.

Debbie's dog begins sniffing at his heels. Ethan looks

down at them - not unfriendly, just a man not used to

children.

ETHAN:

Ben, ain't you?

Ben nods.

ETHAN:

(frowning at Debbie)

Lucy, you ain't much bigger than

when I saw you last.

DEBBIE:

I'm Deborah!

(pointing)

She's Lucy.

Ethan looks in the direction of the pointing finger.

11EXT. YARD - ANOTHER ANGLE

as Lucy steps down from the porch and approaches.

MARTHA:

Lucy's going on seventeen now...

BEN:

An' she's got a beau! Kisses him,

too!

MARTHA:

That's enough...Go on inside and

help Lucy set the table...You, too,

Deborah!

12EXT. YARD - FULL SHOT - ANOTHER ANGLE

as Martin -- with slightly averted face -- crosses to take

the bridle of Ethan's horse and lead him away.

ETHAN:

(wheeling on him)

MOMENTO!

Martin checks his stride, stares in surprise.

MARTHA:

(contritely)

Martin!...Here we've been stand-

ing...Ethan, you haven't forgotten

Martin?

ETHAN:

Oh...Mistook you for a half-breed.

MARTIN:

(levelly)

Not quite...Quarter Cherokee. The

rest is Welsh...So they tell me.

ETHAN:

You've done a lot of growin'...

AARON:

It was Ethan found you squallin' in

a sage clump after your folks was

massacred...

ETHAN:

(bluntly)

It just happened to be me...No need

to make any more of it...

MARTIN:

I'll take care of your horse for you,

Uncle Ethan.

Again, he starts to lead away.

ETHAN:

Hold on!

Martin stops again.

ETHAN:

I'll take this...

He completes unlacing the pack and takes it -- treating it

as though it contained something of value. Martin watches

with a touch of resentment: Ethan doesn't trust him.

Ethan turns and sees the look. He doesn't care what Martin

thinks, nor does he explain. Martin leads the horse off.

MARTHA:

Supper'll be ready by the time you

wash up...Let me take your coat

for you, Ethan.

He hesitates, then grudgingly surrenders it -- conscious

of its sorry condition.

MARTHA:

(smiling faintly)

And...welcome home.

He just nods, then turns to follow Aaron around the side of

the house toward the wash-up.

13EXT. THE EDWARDS HOUSE - CLOSE SHOT - MARTHA

She stands alone, looking after Ethan -- his coat in her

arms. She holds it against her breast for just a moment

and her eyes are tender.

DISSOLVE TO:

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