The DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry, presents the cavalcade of America. Tonight's star, Ginger Rogers. Next story, 700 Boiled Shirts. Do you know what it's like to be in love with a seafaring man? Well, if you happen to be a Cape Cod woman, you gather up your skirts and you climb up through a trap door to the roof. The little fair fenced in flat pace, the top of copped Cape Cod houses called a widow's walk. You end up there gazing out over the dunes until your eyes burn. You say to yourself, you'll watch just a little longer, that there must be a white sail out there soon, that your father or your brother or the man you love will come home. And then if you're lucky and you do see that sail at last, you hurry, hurry with your heart pounding down to the wharf where he'll come in. Where's India? Where's India separate? Here I am, Mr. Locke. Oh, India. Greetings, little one. Let me look at you. Oh, Mr. Locke, it was such a long wait. Oh, it was no tea party, I can tell you, but I've got good news for us anyway. News? What? Tell me. Ah, not till tonight. It's Jeb Pollard's turn to give the welcome home for the crew and the atmosphere will be more appropriate to the teller. Oh, please, tell me now. Nope. Come on, I'll walk you to your house. Oh, you're cruel. Did you bring me a present? What's in your duffel bag? Still a little girl. Look, I'm afraid all that's in here is 25 shirts to be voiled. Poor bachelor. Give them to me, I'll do them up for you. You'll do no such thing. Why wouldn't it be proper till after we're married? I suppose then it will be perfectly proper, leading me, loading me down after a voyage with hundreds of shirts. You're a mutinous one, aren't you? I'm the daughter and the sister of sea captains, and don't you forget it. Come on, tell me you're new. Uh-uh, you have to wait till tonight. I'm a man that likes things properly done and told. Well, I warn you, Mr. Locke, it's the very last time I'll wait for anything. Come on, little one, let's go topside to the widow's walk and get some fresh air. All right, but try not to make it too obvious. Pardon me. Say, I'm a man that likes things properly done and told. Say, where are you going, you two? Oh, let them go. They're not interested in crowds tonight. Excuse me. When's the wedding, Mr. Locke? Uh, Wednesday, Mrs. Baxter, and you're all invited. Oh, thank you. Come on, Ninja. Excuse me, I'm sorry. Careful now. Here, let me lift you up. You'd think I hadn't managed to climb up here all by myself while you were gone. There you are. Say, did you really come up here to watch for me? Oh, Zachary, if you only knew what it's like just to wait and wait, never knowing. Well, darling, this isn't helping me to tell you. Your news? Are you going to tell me now? Look out there to the harbor. You see that schooner? Which one? The handsome one with her masts against the moon. Oh, isn't that the Belle of Cadiz? The Belle of Cadiz. She's going to be bound for Portugal and Africa and the West Indies with Vermont maple sugar and New Hampshire cotton cloth and sandwich glass. And she's going to carry America to the world. Oh, that's wonderful. Well, what's that got to do with... With us? Yes. Well, Belle of Cadiz and I will go out and trade for spices and sugar and... Wait, the Belle of Cadiz and you? That's my news, little one. I've signed on as the captain. Captain? Your first real command. Oh, I'm so happy for you. There's only one thing wrong, India. What's that? I'm sailing Thursday morning. The day after our wedding? I'm sorry, but, well, we'll have to take our honeymoon when I come back. You see, I... I'm going with you. You understand that I can't... What did you just say? I'm sailing with you. What kind of nonsense is this? Is it such nonsense? Will the captains take their wives along on voyages? India, India, believe me, I'll be lonely too. Well, you don't have to be, except that you were born stubborn. And brought up strict. My mother always stayed home or she properly belonged. Yes, and she was a lonely woman for 30 years, finally died alone. There are 400 widows in the Cape today and I'm not going to be one of them. I'll either be your wife with you wherever you go or I won't marry you at all. Is that quite clear? You'll marry me and stay at home where you belong. Is that quite clear? Quite. And I'm sure you'll find someone else. Jane Lovett perhaps, who'd adore to be your wife in waiting. Good evening, Captain Locke. India, come back, India. Oh, such a lovely bride. So radiant, isn't she? Poor girl, though I feel so sorry for her. I understand he told her he wouldn't marry her at all unless she obeyed him. Oh, really? Yes, the poor innocent child is completely taken in. Why, she's even going to see with him tomorrow morning. She is a beautiful chick, Mr. Locke. She's all red. Come on, let's go aboard. Oh dear, here, let me brush you off a bit. There's lint on your shoulders and you're stopping. Oh, now, now, don't. I'm all right. Come on now, go on up the gangway ahead of me. But your first command, you don't want to look. Oh, stop fussing over me like a... Like a wife. All right, I'll be good. And when we're on deck, listen, just stand there beside me and don't say anything. Oh, of course. Henshin on deck. Good morning, Mr. Baxter. Welcome to the Bell of Cadiz, Captain Locke and Mrs. Mrs. Locke, may I present Mr. Baxter, First Officer. Ma'am. Mr. Joy, Second Officer. How do you do, ma'am? Mosinor. How do you do, ma'am? And the ship's company. How do you do, ma'am? Men, men I trust we shall dispose of our cargo to our mutual profit and honor. I wish us all blue skies, fair winds and calm seas. Thank you very much, sir. Now, Mr. Baxter, if you'll await me on the quarter deck for instructions. Bosinor, please show Mrs. Locke to her quarters. Mrs. Locke? Pardon, Captain, Mrs. Locke is sailing with us. That she is? Then, sir, I'm not. Mr. Orr, you've signed on as Bosin agreeing to fulfill your duties. Aye, sir. Then you'll make good your contract. My papers said nothing about a woman. Bosin, I gave you your orders. Be good enough, either carry him out or get your gear ashore. That goes for all of you. My wife stays. Now, if we're going to stand here all day, this way to your quarters, Mrs. Locke. As the schooner gets underway and moves off from the wharf, you stand on the deck knowing how unwelcome you are. And you watch the man you love up there on the quarter deck, seeing his ship through the treacherous channels of the bay. You catch your breath once or twice in fear, knowing that the crew is watching him too. Then suddenly, you know he's met his first challenge. And now you're facing the wide, wide sea. The day after day of it, the nothing to do. Last night a down rally came at half night. Good morning. Oh, good morning. That smells rather good. What is it? Eel stew, Mrs. Eel? Oh, it's fragrant, isn't it? You're, you're Mr. O'Connor the cook. Oh, yes. I am afraid there ain't much space in this galley. Oh, I'm not going to interfere. That's a two way street. I'm afraid you'll have to go through the I'm not going to interfere if that's what you're worried about. I just couldn't help being curious. You know how women are about kitchens and cooking. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Lockmey, Cabinboy is seasick and he worked for me at all. So I wish you would see fit to give me a hand. Well, if you really want me to, what can I do first? This badly pretentious thing. Peel them? Here's the knife. Put them in the pot with the stew. Here, I'll leave the lid on. All right. Last night a down rally came at half night. Nice old geezer with his kid. We're swaying a bit this morning, aren't we, Mr. O'Connor? Always seems that we're in here. But I mean more than usual somehow. No, I wouldn't say since. You're not seasick. Oh, certainly not. I'm not seasick. It's just that stew. Hey, you cook. Hey, boss. Plenty of hand here. Mr. Backer's been hurt. What are you doing here, Mrs. Lock? Well, I came down to help. Well, you'd better leave. This man's been cut bad and he's losing a lot of blood. Better get out, ma'am, so you don't have to look. Well, I'm not afraid of a little blood here. Here, let me. Maybe I can help you. I know how to. Oh, oh dear. Mrs. Lock, I said she's swooned dead away. Mrs., are you all right? Sure she's all right. It's Mr. Backer I'm worried about. Break out a length of muslin. Leave her be. The days pass by and you try to forget the shame of your weakness and seasickness. And there's still nothing to do. Oh, but there is. The captain of the Bell of Cadiz is a proper captain and he must wear a clean white shirt every day. And you see the soiled ones piling up and you think of the job at the end of the voyage and so. That's what he said to me. And then what? And then what did you do? You should have seen him. Oh, oh, change the subject. Is the captain's Mrs. Oh, good afternoon, gentlemen. Good afternoon. Here, ma'am. Let me help you with that basket. Oh, that's all right. I just, I just thought if none of you mind it, I'd put a line here and I'd put a line on the back of the basket. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. OK, well I'll put a line here and hang out some wash. This is the only sunny place there is. What? Well how do you like that? I don't want to chase you away. Well, you go ahead and hang up your wash. We'll go below. It's real nice and sunshiney down in a hold. Captain Locke? Yes. Steady as she goes. Yes, Captain. What is it, Bosin? From the men, sir. It's about Mrs. Locke, sir. Oh? And it's legitimate, sir. The men have only so much time to themselves, and the furred deck is their territory. I give up. What's she done now? Well, she's been hanging her wash on the deck. Hangin' her washin'? Aye, sir. All right, send one of the men for Mrs. Locke. Have her come to the quarter deck immediately. Is there something wrong, Mr. Locke? No. No, not a thing. What took you so long? Where were you? In the cabin, sewing. Why? Sewing what? Curtains. Curtains. Well, the place looks so bare. Look, the captain's cabin doesn't need curtains. Leave it alone. This is a sailing ship, not a Cape Cod cottage. I know that, but I'm only trying to keep busy and be useful. I can't spend all of my time working samplers. You insisted on coming along, remember? You think you can throw that in my face now? I am only stating a fact. You've brought nothing but trouble ever since you came aboard. But the gold. What's happened to you, Zachary? We've had crows before, but they weren't like this. You're so stern and cold. Oh, I don't know. I don't know. A trading ship is a world all its own. It's no place for a woman. I'd hoped you didn't really believe that, like the others do. Oh, no. Look. Oh, please, don't cry. Please don't cry. Listen. Listen, India, when we put in at Lisbon, I'll find a nice place for you to stay. And the next Boston Packet will pick you up and take you back home. No. No, I won't do it. Stubborn, aren't you? So are you. I wonder which one of us is more stubborn, you or me? That's simple. I am. And I'm staying aboard for the entire voyage. You are listening to the Cavalcade of America, starring Ginger Rogers as India and featuring Cy Harris as Captain Zachary Locke, sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Tonight on the Cavalcade of America, Ginger Rogers is starring as India Locke, wife of a Cape Cod sea captain, in the days when New England sailing vessels roamed the seven seas. What is it like to sail with your husband aboard a trading schooner? Well, you walk the deck, you sit in the cabin, and I tell you the days pass, one like the other. And at last, when it seems that the whole world is water, you sight land, and suddenly you're walking with wobbly legs in the streets of a faraway port where everything is foreign and strange. And then before you go, you're in the middle of the sea. Where everything is foreign and strange, and then before you've even begun to get accustomed to the sights and smells and people, your white sail schooner is moving out again into the wide sea lanes, on, on, down towards the wild western coast of Africa. And then, because you're blown off your course many days... Let's try putting in at Cape San Louis, Mr. Baxter, see if we can't get some fresh water. Aye, sir. Mr. Locke, may I please go ashore with you? We're only going in for water, India. There's nothing but a beach and a jungle. Oh, please, please. I've got to feel the ground under my feet for just one minute. Please. Well, I don't... Thank you. May I go the way, Andres? Look, this is no social visit. Just get in the boat. Come on, Mr. Baxter. Let's not waste any more time. Don't wander away, India. Oh, don't worry. I won't. Men will be back from the river in just a minute. As soon as we get the water, we'll go out to the ship. Oh, it won't be too soon for me. This isn't the coziest looking place in the world. Zachary, listen. Sounds like visitors. Mr. Baxter, come on with that water. Hurry it up. Aye, sir. Zachary, there's somebody behind you coming through the trees. Yes. It looks like a whole tribe in full war regalia. Mr. Baxter, can't we get on the way? I'm going to load the casks right away, sir. We may manage if we're quiet and don't panic. India, if anything happens, I want you to stand right there. I'm all right. I'm not afraid. Try to look calm. Here they come. Englishy. American, friends. Friends, trade. Captain Locke, they've got ivory. Look at that ivory. I see it. Trade cloth, cotton cloth from America for ivory. No, no cloth. Woman. What do they want? What do they mean? Darling, I think they want me. What? No, no trade, woman, not for sale. Two. Gesture, Captain. Show him she's your wife. Put your arm around her. Stand close to her. Point to her, then to yourself. Close your hand over hers. That's it. Trade, ivory, woman. My wife, no-sell wife. I guess it's no use, Captain. They're closing in. Zack, these beads you gave me here, they're shiny and bright. Maybe if I offer them. Look, look. American lady gives these to friends. Lady, friend, good, good. That's doing it. I think maybe that's doing it. Let's see how this does. Lady has more beads on ship out there. Trade for ivory. We come sundown, bring ivory, lady. Trade. Two more. They're going. Phew, that was a close one. Worth it, though, for ivory like that. Did you get a close look at it, Captain? That'll be a bonus for the whole crew. Hadn't we better go back to the ship before they change their mind? They won't. You're like some kind of goddess to them, Mrs. Locke. They wouldn't harm you for the world. Here they come, Captain. Off the starboard bow. What are your orders? All hands to stand at attention while they board us. Some of them may be native royalty, and they'd probably rile easy. Aye, sir. Where's Mrs. Locke? She must be ready to come on deck to greet them. She's ready, sir. Captain, their canoes are loaded to the gunnels with ivory, and they... Wait a minute. Captain Locke, the men in that lead canoe. What about them? Give me the glass. Wait, they can't be the same ones. They're all painted up? Paint is right. They're not a stitch of clothes on them. Mr. Baxter, see that Mrs. Locke stays below. She's not to leave her cabin. But, Captain, that's ceremonial paint of some kind. They think of Mrs. Locke as a goddess. They'd be insulted if she weren't here. I can't help it. We'll just have to do the best we can without her. But the ivory, the men want that ivory. They'll all have a share of it, and it fetches the highest prices. I know, but I'm sorry, Mr. Baxter. We'll have to trade here without Mrs. Locke. If we lose the ivory, well, it can't be helped. So the men didn't get their ivory, and you find out why. And you feel once again you've let your husband down. But you sail on down the African coast and trade cloth for mahogany. In the West Indies, you trade for palm leaf and sugar. And at last, you know you're on your way home. Then suddenly a storm hits. And you're all alone. You're all alone. You're all alone. You're all alone. You're all alone. Then suddenly a storm hits. Morson, I need a hand here. Right, Mitchell. Mr. Orr. No time to talk now, Mrs. Locke. Too busy. Everybody's got his hands full. Look out, Mr. Orr. Look out for the boat. Orr. Oh. Mr. Orr. Help me, Mr. Mitchell. He's outcored, ma'am. His arm's broken. Look at it. Oh, the poor man. Can we get him below, Mr. Mitchell? Yes, ma'am. But I don't know nothing about patching broken bones. Oh, I do. Come on. I'll try to help. Now, Mr. Mitchell, hold the splint in place. Oh. That's it. Well, I finished wrapping the bandage. Oh. There. Oh. Oh, he's coming, too. Oh, watch it. Watch it now. Oh, my arm. It's all right, Mr. Orr. Mrs. Locke. Please don't move. I think the bone's in place now, but I... I don't want to take chances. You set the bone for me, Hugh? I... I did the best I could. Mrs... Mrs. Locke. Don't move. Please don't. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Locke. You're more than welcome. Mr. Orr. After the storm dies down and the days pass during the rest of the voyage, you notice that the crew seems friendlier. The ivory incident seems to be forgotten, and you feel you're allowed some small place in the little world that is a sailing ship. Then, at last, the Belle of Cadiz lies at anchor in the harbor on Cape Cod. You've been away a long time, and everything on the Cape seems strange and somehow smaller than it was when you left. Jane Lovett's bonnets aren't any smaller, though. When you spy her coming into the Baxter's welcome party under full sail with a couple of flying gibs to boot, you suddenly realize how sunburnt you are, how dowdy and thin and unwomanly after five months at sea. And you know that if you can't have a new bonnet yourself as big and as handsome as Jane's, you'll die. You'll simply die. What did you say? I can't hear a word you're saying. Let's get out of here, topside. Up to the widow's walk on the roof? Why not? Come on. Here, let me help you up the ladder. You forget. I've been climbing ladders for five months. I'm pretty good at it now. I haven't forgotten. There. Here we are. Oh, it's a beautiful night. Look, Mr. Locke, how lovely the Belle of Cadiz looks down there with her masks against the moon. Hmm. Uh, India. Yes. You understand a little why I, why I was so stern with you? I know just one thing. I want a new bonnet. Not that it'll help me. It'll take me a long time to get peaches and cream and plump and pretty again for you. Oh, I like you the way you are. I love you the way you are. Oh, Zachary. Next voyage. You'll be gone so long. Yes, two long years, little one. Two years. Hmm. Round the Horn to San Francisco, across to China, and then Melea and Zanzibar. We'll be shipping furs and loading on tea and trading cotton for ginger and glass for clothes. What about ivory? Ha ha ha. This trip, you and I will take along a chest full of spare pantaloons. You and I, Mr. Locke? This time you're inviting me along? India, the captain of a ship making an important voyage like this has to dress properly. It means a clean white shirt every single day. In two years, that's a... Oh, Mr. Locke, that's more than 700 boil shirts. Well, you can even set up your foolish wash boiler wherever you want. I'm a quarter-deck if it has to be. Oh, darling. How could I ever be jealous of Jane Lovett? She has a bonnet and she's plump and pretty. But I've got Captain Zachary Locke, 700 boil shirts and the best life of all, a captain's wife at sea. Our thanks to Jim G. Rogers, Cy Harris, and the Cavalcade players for tonight's story. Next week, the star of the DuPont Cavalcade will be Douglas Fairbanks. Our play, The New Commandment, tells an exciting story of the founding of a very familiar organization of American youth. Tonight's DuPont Cavalcade, 700 Boiled Shirts, was written by Virginia Radcliffe based on incidents in Women Who Went to Sea by Ora Hickley, late librarian of the Hyannis, Massachusetts Free Public Library. Music was composed by Arden Cornwell and conducted by Donald Voorhees. The program was directed by John Zoller. Ginger Rogers is currently starring in person in the new Broadway play, Love and Let Love. This is Bill Hamilton speaking. Don't forget next week, our star, Douglas Fairbanks. The DuPont Cavalcade of America comes to you from the Belasco Theater in New York and is sponsored by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware, makers of better things for better living through chemistry. Next, it's Hollywood Theater on NBC.
