Starring Douglas Fairbanks as Robert Stobow in The Unheroic Hero. Presented by the DuPont Company, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. With Douglas Fairbanks as Robert Stobow, here is the unheroic hero. Time, twenty years before the American Revolution. Place, a prison in Montreal. Montreal, the fortress, 1756. It is November now in Canada. But almost two years ago in Virginia, it was spring. I was twenty-seven and a bachelor. I had a house. I had ten men servants. I had bagpipes. I've always been inordinately fond of bagpipes. About two o'clock one morning, I decided to send Robertson, my butler, to rouse out the servants and fetch them to me. And to help rouse the sleepy rascals, I reached for my bagpipes. Here we all are, sir. Here we all are, sir. Good morning, sir. Good morning. Good morning. I've called you ten sleepy rascals together in order to announce a change in my manner of living. A change, sir? Yes, I was at supper with the governor tonight. They say there's a bit of trouble on the Virginia frontier with the French and the Indians. And so it occurred to me that it might be amusing to sign up as a soldier. Or have I already mentioned it? Why, no, sir. This comes quite freshly to us, sir. Well, now, when I said so at supper, all the ladies laughed and thought of me wrestling with the red savages in the wilderness. Oh, yes, sir. I see what you mean, sir. The governor did too, you know. So I'm duced if he didn't offer to commission me captain. And I'm duced if I didn't, with more brandy than brains, sign up. Oh, well, that's great. Heartiest visitation, sir. But we'll miss you sadly, sir. Indeed we'll miss you, sir. And lonely we'll be here without you. Lonely? Oh, no, no. You needn't be lonely because after a round of toast to my future, I took to thinking how dull it would be without civil food and my wardrobe kept in order and my sheets clean and smooth. And of course I knew how loyal you all are to me. And so what did I do but sign you all up too? What, what, what? I beg your pardon? That's right. Speak up. Speak up. Feel free. Robertson, yes. Do you know, sir, if there is to be a war? Well, if there were, would I sign on? Oh, then, sir, you mean we might look on this more in the nature of an excursion? Well, it's a lot. Of course, sir, there may be two little Indians and one little Frenchman poaching somewhere along the Ohio, but that can't bother us. The governor said he'll have a force of over a thousand. So we'll all say scat to the French and the Indians and then come home. Very good. And he says scat to the French. When do we start? Anyway, I've always found Williamsburg dullish after the middle of June. They say the mountains and the Monongahela can be rather refreshing. Uh, when do we start? Huh. Well, is, is anyone sleepy? No? No one? Good. Well, then we might as well start right now. And that was the simple beginning of this, my simple end. If there is one man responsible for my imprisonment, aside from myself, it was the commander of our ludicrous little expedition to the forks of the Ohio. He was a sober young upstart at 22, a colonel by the name of George Washington. I took a dislike to Washington that first evening we caught up with him in the wilderness. Oh, there. Oh! Stand back at the counter side. Captain Stowell, perhaps you should stop playing the bagpipe. Oh, thank God. Oh! Who in heaven's good name is making that infernal racket? Captain Stowell is looking for Colonel Washington. I am Colonel Washington. How do you do, Colonel? Yes, but you are not musical. I regret that you, Captain, weren't here a few weeks ago when you were due. Well, sir, I would have been here sooner, but I brought along a wagonload of comforts and knickknacks that I thought I might need, such as two hogsheads of really capital Madeira. Captain Stowell, if you... And so, of course, with the wine being rather heavy and the Alleghenies rather high, and then the weather was indeed most gracious. Well, sir, the trip took on a more leisurely aspect than it otherwise might have. Captain Stowell, would you be in my tent in 20 minutes, sir? Oh, yes, yes. There will be a council of officers. Oh, pleasant. Tell me, Colonel Washington, have any of those hideous red rascals been popping up in the bushes? Not as yet. How disappointing. I... I thought I might at least see one good scalping. Do you think you could wait? How do you mean, sir? We expect a force of 800 French and 400 Indians to attack us. I beg your pardon, sir? And since we have an effective total of 284 men to meet their 1200, I should think, Captain Stobow, that you might see at least one good scalping? I had never heard more annoying news. After all, I hadn't sat over the Blue Ridge Mountains and across the lovely Shenandoah expecting a war. And I had been terribly happy ambling along under the great roofy trees lost in the green wonder of the wilderness. Now there's horrible shock. This dreary, sober young Colonel. I'd always thought that 22 was a hideous age for men, or boys, or whatever the male is at 22. So then I took a sickening stroll around the flimsy little stockade they call a fort, and ended up at the officer's powwow. Colonel Washington, I think the entire position is untenable. We're on low marsh ground. From the hills they'll be able to shoot right over the stockade. They won't have to shoot, they can scar us out. Half the men there starved already. Colonel Washington, we want to ask you directly. Do you intend to make a stand here? As against what alternative? Withdrawal. I intend to make a stand. Impossible. Gentlemen, I believe we have a duty to the colony. Duty? What about their duty to us? Maryland promised troops, and where are they? New England promised to send 12 companies against the French, and here we are a handful of idiots from Virginia with scarcely a man that's ever shot more than a squirrel. Keep your voice down, the tent is thin. Soldiers can hear you. Colonel Washington, you must tell that the only sensible course is to clear it out tonight. Then we can wait on the other side of the mountains until we have proper supplies and support. Don't you agree? Supplies and support. Don't you agree, sir? Our duty lies here. Colonel, you're a boy. We commissioned you, Colonel, because you once took a walk through this country. And you're in command now only because Colonel Fry was killed. And how you can sit there and tell us what you're... Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen. I agree with... May I have a moment without your barking? Captain Stobow, you've been quiet during all this. Let us put the problem to you. Yes, yes, yes, of course. Anything I can do. We were sent out here to build a fortification at the forks of the Ohio Howl. But... Ohio Howl. But before we could reach there, the enemy was there. Excuse me, sir, but you said... Excuse me, sir, but you said... Then we agree that a stand must be made at Jist's new settlement. But the moment we arrived, news came that the enemy with ten times our numbers was marching upon us. Again, we decided to retreat. Last night, we arrived here, at the Great Meadows. Now, Captain Stobow, I want your opinion. Shall we retreat once again? Or shall we stand? I must confess, I really haven't the slightest notion of anything military. I came here under the impression, well, that it is rather serious, isn't it? You wanted to see a good scalping. Here's your chance. Well, frankly, sir, I was thinking of one which I might tell my grandchildren about. Then I gather that you are not with me, Captain. I'm afraid, sir, I have a taste for discretion. I have a taste for discretion. I see. And the rest of you seem to be in agreement. Gentlemen, I grant you my inexperience and my mistakes, and I grant that I am in command by an unfortunate accident. But do you grant me that I am in command? Yes, certainly. Then, it is my decision, despite all criminal negligence at home, despite all weakness here, to make our lives count tomorrow in a determined and deadly stand. I believe that there comes a point when discretion calls to cowardice. I believe a man can retreat once too often and so retreat forever. But if he stands, even though he is defeated, still he can win. He can be wiped out and rouse the world. I'm not one to enjoy heroics. Washington's little plea didn't please me. I dislike these serious long-nosed people. Well, at any rate, we worked all that night building a stockade. It was an endless night, yet I knew that the next morning would come. And it did come. The troops were ordered under arms. Then it rained. Watch your powder. Yes, sir. Keep your powder dry. I am captain. The low ground around the encampment was a catch basin. For nine eternal hours we stood or sat or lay in that rain, and still no sign of the enemy. You corporal, watch your powder. I'm doing the best I can, sir. Oh, it'll never stop. It's raining on the enemy too. The place was afloat, and the mud, we were deep in the mud. Then about 11 o'clock, the enemy appeared. There they are. There they come. Keep your powder dry. The yell of the Indians told us to expect the utmost in savage cruelty. Hour after hour, from every little light in the trees, stumps, stone, and bush, the enemy kept up a constant galling fire upon us. And so did the rain. In the late afternoon, the fury of the firing rose, and the fury of the rain rose, and fell, and the hits came out. Someone's calling. They want to talk things over with us. No. No, father. But Colonel Washington, we haven't a dry shot. What can we do? We can fix our bayonets. Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! Fix bayonets! And so the rain didn't stop, nor did we. And it was dark. A third of our men were now dead or wounded. About midnight, the rain stopped. It was time for the rain to stop. It was time for it all to stop. We were defeated, and the French sent us their terms. Again we met in Washington's tent. Gentlemen, by our determined stand we have won light terms. Now in order to ensure the carrying out of these terms, the enemy demands two of our captains as hostages. What, Colonel Washington, they want two captains? Correct. By giving up two, then the rest of us can march out of here free. So before we sign this capitulation, though is this matter of picking two hostages? Who will they be? Well, it shouldn't mean much more than a short march to the Ohio and then a month or so at Fort Duquesne. Volunteers? Gentlemen, I have a space here where I must put the names of two captains. Five captains sit before me. Surely two will volunteer so that the whole force can go free. I'm waiting for volunteers. Well, I'm not married. Put my name down. Thank you, Captain Dunbram. Who else isn't married? I believe Captain Stobow is the only other one not married. I'm waiting for one more man to offer. I sat there. Isn't anyone going to? I sweated and sat there, but I couldn't offer. Still waiting? They dragged in chains all the way to the Ohio. Waiting? Jeered at or maybe given to the Indians to run their gauntlet. Waiting? I couldn't. I'm not made of heroic stuff. But they picked me anyway since I was the only single man left. So that was that. You are listening to Douglas Fairbanks as Robert Stobow in the unheroic hero on the cavalcade of America. Presented by the DuPont Company. Makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Robert Stobow is imprisoned by the French in Montreal during the French and Indian War in North America. He's recalling the adventures which led to his predicament. The next morning we started off. Washington came up to me. I knew he came to make some cutting farewell because I hadn't volunteered. Captain Stobow, one moment please. I had something in mind to say to you. Colonel Washington, if you had in mind to reprimand me for the past... Stobow, I was thinking of the future. Oh. Captain, I was sent out to take Fort Duquesne. I failed. But sometime that fort will fall. You're going to be there. You can help. Aye, sir. As a hostage you will be kept within the fort, but you won't be imprisoned. That means you can walk. Look, count, pace off, listen to gossip. You can study the plan of the fort. You can collect information on the strength and intentions of the enemy. To what avail, sir? So that next month when you are exchanged you can tell me. Then we can act on your intelligence accordingly. I see. But don't put a line or word on paper. Memorize. If you don't you may be caught as a spy and end as a spy. Oh. Do you consent to help, sir? Possibly, Colonel Washington. I might possibly take a little fling at it. Washington had won me over. I didn't deserve his trust and yet he trusted me. This George Washington seemed able to reach in and uncover and bring out a part of me I never knew existed. Every day on that march to Fort Duquesne I thought of the way he had fought and handled his men and what he had said in the tent. And every day I liked that sober boy better. By the time we reached the fort I liked him so much that I wanted to give him the place as a birthday present. So I tried to do everything he asked. After a month there I had the information by rote. But we weren't exchanged. Another month and Captain Van Bram and I were still there and still another month and still there. Then I found out something that made me act. Impossible for you to do. This is plain dumb fooling. What else can I do? Sit and be sensible. Nothing man can always do. You don't understand. I found out today that the French are sending most of their force away for the winter. And by the end of October there will be only 200 soldiers left. Good. Then we can all sit and be sensible together. But don't you see if I can only get this map to the fort to Washington. If only Washington knew. No boys you do that they'll chop off your head for a spy. Then you won't help. No. Will you give me your coat? Why? I want to sell this map and paper and its lining. How will my coat get to Washington? Well tonight we'll take it around to the trading post and sell it to a certain Indian. I've already talked with him and he's promised to go to Colonel Washington. There. Now do you see how simple it is? And so my dear Captain may I have the honor of your coat. With winter coming? But if you do this we'll be out of here by winter. My dear Captain Stover. You mean to say that you don't want to help? All my life I am the soldier of fortune. Not for the patriotism but for the pay. So excuse me if I sit when I can and be sensible. Come on now off with your coat. Wait wait. You can sit and be sensible in your shirt sleeves. Look Stover. Everywhere the French officers they stole among the Indians trading. Captain I have begged you for the last chance not to do this. Well there's no law against a man selling his coat to an Indian. But the map's so inside his lining. So I have your friend believe me. If the French find the map they will kill you. Who'll find it? I shall merely sell the coat to my Indian and he'll be off. What if your Indian speaks with a French accent? What if the French pay him to trap you? Well now I hadn't really thought about that. You see you sell to him my coat and he sells to them your life. There's my Indian. Here he comes. Stover I beg you don't. A coat for sale. Coat for sale. Look he's watching you. The French officer. He's watching you. He's suspicious. Walking wind come here. Such a pretty name he has and such a pretty face for blood. Coat. Good coat walking wind. Coat. A warm coat can travel far in coat. How cost? Oh not much. One good coat not much. Oh well give two beaver. Two beaver you. One good warm coat you. Shake hand. Take care. Still bookie comes the officer. Deal done. Deal done. Ah bonsoir Captain Stobow. Ah bonsoir Captain Van Dome. Ah ha. I see Captain Van Bram you sell the coat. Yes he finds an old coat a dull thing. Perhaps I buy the coat myself. Oh it's sold. It's sold. He couldn't go back on his word now. Coat sold. May by. A thing like that could mean an Indian uprising. Pity you weren't here earlier. Captain Van Bram I will give you three Louis. Good. Three Louis and I sold for two beaver. A good coat for two beaver. Silly of him wasn't it. And to the seven. Of when Mr. He looked all of a shiver. Captain Van Bram thought of that poor red skin against the winter's snow. And he thought to himself never had he ever lifted a finger for anyone. And here was a chance to do one fine thing. So he sold the coat for two beaver to my ruddy friend here. Goodbye walking wind take good care of that coat. He took good care. The message reached Washington. But unfortunately someone talked. And someone else talked. It was even printed in a newspaper. Oh yes everyone read the exciting story of Captain Stobel. The French read it too. So they marched me through the winter to Montreal. Two and a half prison years. Then my trial. And now. Are you ready Monsieur? I am sorry you must go. The officer comes now to take you to hear your sentence. I know I'm ready. Captain Stobel. Yes Captain. You will come now. The court is waiting. Good luck Monsieur. Bon chance. I will wait here your return. March. Left. Left. Open the door. Stop. The prisoner is approaching the court. The war council condemns the accused to have his head on a hat. The accused will be brought to the plaza of this city. March. Right. Right. Captain Stobel you will be pleased now to return again into yourself. Please I'll be delighted. Delighted. Enchanted. Enchanted. Enchanted. Perhaps you did not understand in French your sentence. Oh yes I think so. The council of war. Condemns me to have my head tranché. On this hat. Tranché. Enchanted. a full what he did. How should I say he should believe that he is something good I think he my head will be trunched on something built and country. Such an easy it is simply to slide off oh yes of course I'll still be done well I'll try and remember it next time. It. Giles look at that we want to. Keep watch. It didn't stop yes I mean. How is the weather out if it didn't stop I cannot eat the moon tonight. Now you think that God is mad don't you he said I cannot eat the moon tonight to you that doesn't make sense to me it makes a great deal of. Our signal in case I was sentenced to death my cell door. It was left open by my kind friend of liberty this God whom I. Shall we say cultivated during these last two years in prison another door another I shall find open and soon I shall be out into the night. And warm clothes and. Free at last wait I must leave this letter behind for the prison governor to thank him for his hospitality. Or why. Robert Stobow Captain Virginia militia. Robert Stobow a hostage for Washington escaped that night from the French prison in Montreal he did return to Virginia to rejoice in the fall of Fort Duquesne the plans of which he had risked his life to send Washington. Gay and lighthearted though he was there was something that compelled Robert Stobow's faith in the young Colonel whom he served that young Virginian named George Washington. The story written by Halstead Wells was suggested by an incident in the biography Young Washington by Douglas Southall Freeman published by Scribner music was composed by Arden Cornwell conducted by Donald Bryan appearing in the role of young Colonel Washington with Lamont Johnson. Next Monday Cavalcade will present an original radio play Pink Lake a colorful adventure of romance excitement and a beautiful actress who was a spy during the war our star will be the captivating screen personality Janet Blair. This is Ted Pearson reminding you that the American Heart Association is conducting a nationwide campaign to raise funds this money will be used by local heart associations to maintain and expand their efforts to eliminate America's number one killer heart disease your help is urgently needed. Thank you. Our star tonight Douglas Fairbanks who appeared on Cavalcade as Robert Stobow will soon be seen in the Universal International release of his own production the Fighting O'Flynn. Cavalcade of America is directed by Jack Zoller comes to you each week from the stage of the Longacre Theater on Broadway in New York and is presented by the DuPont Company of Wilmington Delaware. This is NBC the national broadcasting company.
