The Prisoner of Shark Island

On a Sunday in November of 1864, John Wilkes Booth first made the acquaintance of Dr. Samuel Mudd. The men discussed a horse sale and Booth was invited to spend the night at Mudd's home. On December 23rd, the two men met again, by accident, this time, on a street in Washington D.C. Four months later, John Wilkes Booth shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln.

From Hollywood, California, the Lux Radio Theater presents Gary Cooper, Fay Wray, and Walter Connolly in The Prisoner of Shark Island.

To the thousands of loyal listeners who wouldn't miss a Monday night with us, and who loyally purchased Lux Toilet Soap, our sincere thanks. Your continued patronage helps us to bring you these weekly performances. Tonight, the Lux Radio Theater welcomes to its audience here in Hollywood more than 40 of the country's leading radio editors. Our great cast this evening stars Gary Cooper, Fay Wray, Walter Connolly, John Carradine, and Ernest Whitman in The Prisoner of Shark Island. Our play is one of the most amazing chapters in American history, a story of the romance, the gripping drama, and the final pardon of a man condemned by fate to life, imprisonment for a crime which authorities tell us he never committed.

President Lincoln has been shot!

Lincoln's dead! He's in the army!

I.

But we've got to get across the Potomac. We won't be safe until we're in Virginia.

I can't do it. I can't.

Wait a moment. There's a boy coming along the road. Boy. Boy, come here. Yes, sir?

Oh.

Can I help you, boss?

No. Go on about your business.

Get away. Yes, sir. We've got to get to that, doctor.

I'll help you, sir. We'll make it. Somehow.

Sam!

Sam?

Sam, there's somebody at the door.

Oh. What's that?

The door.

Oh. I guess it's that stork looking for Aunt Rosabelle's cabin. I've been waiting up for him.

Well, if the stork doesn't know his way to Aunt Rosabelle's, after 12 visits, he never will learn. No, it's more likely that big lumbering husband of hers.

Looks all right. He's the best worker I've got on this plantation.

You'd better take a coat, too. It's chilly.

Oh.

Are you, Dr. Mudd?

Yes, I am.

This gentleman, my friend's leg is broken. Can you do something for him?

Oh. Well, let's get him inside first. What happened? His horse threw him. Oh.

Yes, Sam?

Get some hot water and towels, and you might bring some coffee, too. Oh. Wait a minute, friend. I'll get that boot off. Oh.

Hurry, please.

I've got to be going. Not on that leg. You've got a bad transverse fracture. If you're out in a week, you'll be lucky.

A week?

Are you mad?

Just fix the doctor the best you can.

Well, I haven't had any regular splints here, but excuse me a minute. I think I can rake up a substitute.

Howard, quick.

Give me that boot and that knife on the table.

What are you going to do?

My name's on the inside.

I've got to scrape it out.

There.

That'll do it.

This coffee's not very strong, but I hope it'll warm you up a little.

Oh. Thank you.

I never thought that anybody but doctors had to be out at this hour of the night.

His mother's dying over in Virginia.

Oh. I'm sorry.

Lucky, I didn't throw that cigar about yesterday. It'll make pretty fair temporary splints. Well, friend, I've got to set this leg. But I'm going to give you a stiff drink of brandy first. Peggy, will you bring the brandy in from the dining room?

Will you hurry, please? I've got to go.

I can't stay here all night. Now, now. Don't be impatient. I know you're in pain. Let's see that leg.

Here's the brandy, Sam.

Good. Drink it down, sir. It'll help you bear the pain.

Lean on me, sir. We'll make it all right.

This is downright foolish. trying to travel on that leg. I could put you up in the spare room. No, thanks. How much do I owe you?

And good night.

We're sort of, sort of a snake, wasn't we?

How much did he give you?

I didn't notice the bill. Let's see. Gosh. Fifty dollars.

Fifty dollars?

No name.

Oh.

Fifty dollars instead of two to hold affairs clear.

Oh, they've discovered their mistake. They've come back.

Master Sam.

Well, hello, Buck. Master Sam, she's ready for you. Roosevelt's sure ready for you now. The stork arriving at last, sir. All right, Buck, let's go.

Goodbye, darling.

It's going to be a lucky day after all.

Open up.

Open up there.

Oh, Yankees again.

Sorry, sir, but is this Dr. Mudd's home? Yes, it is. Where's Dr. Mudd?

He's out on a case. Who wants to know?

Lieutenant Lovett, United States Army. And this is Sergeant Henderson, my aide.

I am Dr. Mudd's father-in-law. Colonel Jeremiah Milford Dyer, 4th Virginia Cavalry. Confederate States Army, sir.

Then maybe you can help us. We're looking for two men who passed through this part of Maryland last night. One of them was hurt. Had a bad leg. Broken, perhaps.

I've seen or heard of no such men. Were you here last night?

I live here. And nobody came or knocked?

I've told you, sir, nobody.

Well, with your kind permission, Colonel, I'll go inside with you and wait for Dr. Mudd's return. You stay out here on the porch, Sergeant.

Yes, sir.

Hello, sir.

Howdy, little Johnny Red. What's your name?

Martha.

Martha what? Martha Mudd.

And this is my dolly, Samantha.

Howdy, Samantha.

What's that thing? your dolly's in?

That's my dolly's carriage. Well, well.

That's the first time I ever saw a boot used for a doll carriage.

It's a nice one, but it's broke. Yeah?

Say, where did you get this boot?

Out behind the house. Mommy threw it out this morning.

She said I could have it.

She did, eh? Johnny? Yes, sir?

Wait for me.

And if you insist on waiting, that's your business, but I.

What is it, Anderson? Lieutenant, take a look at this boot. Funny, ain't it? Hmm. Where'd you find it?

Mudd's daughter was hauling a doll around in it.

Somebody's tried to scratch out the name inside of it. Looks that way, sir. The kid said her mother had thrown it out behind the house this morning. Good work, Anderson. I think this is all we need.

Here's my son-in-law right now.

Well, good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, nothing. Don't even speak to him. They dare become busted into a man's house asking a lot of dead, bloomed, pool questions.

Keep quiet, Grandpa. Are you, Dr. Mudd?

Yes.

I'd like to ask you just one question. Did the man come here last night?

Why, yes.

Who was he?

I, uh, I don't know. His leg was broken.

Ever seen him before?

No.

Sergeant Henderson, go and get Mrs. Mudd.

Yes, sir.

What is the meaning of all this?

You can't even guess, I suppose.

I can't.

You'll be telling me next that you, uh, never saw this slit boot before.

Oh, that? Why, certainly I...

Sam, what does this mean? What are these soldiers doing here?

That's just what I've been trying to find out. Would you be good enough to tell us, Lieutenant? Certainly.

I'm here on duty, and it isn't a pleasant duty. Dr. Mudd, you are under arrest for conspiracy in the assassination of President Lincoln. He was murdered in Ford's Theater last night with a man you aided to escape. That man was John Wilkes Booth.

The court is now in session.

Mr. President.

Judge Advocate General.

The death of John Wilkes Booth, who was shot down while resisting arrest in Virginia,

has left us eight members of his criminal band.

So, in the name of the government of the United States,

the crime of assassination and conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln is charged against the following.

David E. Harrell,

George A. Atzerodt,

Lewis Payne, Michael O. Laughlin,

Edward Spangler,

Samuel Arnold,

Mrs. Mary E. Surratt,

and Dr. Samuel A. Mudd.

Dr. Mudd was a dyed-in-the-wool slaver.

Dr. Mudd served in the Confederate Army. Dr. Mudd denied he'd ever seen Booth.

Dr. Mudd's name was on the prescription, I feel. When I examined Dr. Mudd in prison, he confessed to me he'd set Booth's broken leg, then aided him with directions how to reach the Potomac and Virginia.

With your counsel, I was able to arrange it, but you'll only have a few moments.

Take me to them.

Down this corridor.

Oh, Sam, darling. Daddy!

Peggy. Martha.

Well, Doctor, I'm going to wait outside. I'll call you when the time is up.

How are you, Peggy?

I'm all right. Dad is here in Washington with us.

And the plantation?

Buck and Rosabelle are looking after things. They've been so loyal. Especially Buck. He'd do anything for you, Sam.

You can count on Buck. Have you heard anything of the trial?

Only what I've read in the papers.

I don't know.

They can't find you guilty.

They found the others guilty.

But you only did what any doctor would have done. You didn't know who Booth was. You didn't even know that President Lincoln had been assassinated.

They don't know that, Peggy. They believe the evidence. And the evidence is against me. They can't help themselves any more than I can.

Something's got to be done.

It's just like a nightmare. You can't fight. You can't run. You can't do anything. And all the time it's coming toward you, closer and closer.

We haven't given up yet. We're not through yet.

No. Not yet. And I haven't said I'm guilty yet.

I'm sorry, but we'll have to leave.

Be brave, Peggy. It's got to come out all right. Are you coming with us, Daddy? No, not now, honey. But it won't be long and we'll all be back together again.

Sam!

The case is not ended.

Prisoner will observe order.

Why?

What more can you do to him? What threat have you got left? You believe these witnesses because... Well, I'm telling the truth, too. Believe the evidence against me, if you must, but ask yourselves in your hearts, was I a physician in the plot because it was part of John Wilkes Booth's plan to break his leg and to need me?

You have heard the prisoner.

The court will bring in a verdict.

You have reached the verdict, gentlemen. We have, Mr. Secretary. What is your verdict? Imprisonment on the dry Tortugas for life.

Dr. Mudd was sentenced to imprisonment for life on the dry Tortugas. At Garden Key in the Gulf of Mexico, a federal prison ship has just discharged its motley cargo. In the white heat of the noonday sun, they march over the bridge and into the receiving yard of the prison. Corporal O'Toole, in charge of the detail, brings them to a halt and reports to Sergeant Rankin.

Two hundred from Washington Prison, Sergeant. Hardens, too.

Got the commitment papers?

Yes, sir.

Let's have them. They all checked in?

Yes, sir.

Samuel A. Mudd. Step forward, Mudd.

Are you Samuel Mudd?

Yes.

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd. Dr. Mudd, I've been waiting for you.

Get up!

Take a good look at him, the rest of you, filthy hounds. Take a good look at one of the men who killed Abe Lincoln, the greatest man who ever lived. Look at him. Watch him get what's coming to him.

Speak up!

Yes, sir.

You can see it all right, can't you, Dr. Mudd?

Yeah.

All right. It runs all the way around the island. It's 75 feet wide and 35 feet deep. You know what we keep in it? We keep pets in it.

Yes, sir.

Now watch.

Close.

See those black fins? Know what they are?

Sharks.

You don't see the meat anymore, do you? Well, that gives you a little idea of what would happen to any of you if you tried to swim that moat. How do you like that, Dr. Mudd?

That's all, Mudd.

Put your shirt back on.

Thank you. Dr. McIntyre, I'm also a physician. I know you are. I simply thought that, as another physician, you would understand the evidence against me.

Mr. Mudd,

if you assume you might find sympathy here, get rid of the idea.

The profession you have dishonored.

is ashamed of you.

Ashamed of your membership in it.

As a doctor, I may inform you.

that I despise you even more.

than the rest of the world. It would be of no use for me to swear to you on the honor of the profession we both love and respect, that I had no part whatsoever in the death of Mr. Lincoln. It would be of no use whatever. I see.

Who's that?

It's me, Master Sam.

It's Buck.

Buck? What are you doing here? I sold you down here, Master Sam. When did you get here? I've been here a month, waiting for you, sir.

They say they need big husky-colored boys for soldiers,

and they took me right off. But why? Why did you do it? Miss Mudd, she said,

get down on that island, Buck.

Get on there and look after Master Sam. So, here I am, sir. Buck, my wife. Master, how are they? They're just all right, Master Sam.

and I'll give you the letter. It's all in Washington Nine. There goes Taps, Master Sam. I've got to go.

But don't you worry. Me and the good Lord and Miss Mudd and the Colonel are going to get you out of here.

Who is it? It's me. Oh, Father.

I've finally persuaded General Ewing to pay our Washington home a little visit.

How do you do, General?

My pleasure, madam.

General Ewing, this is Judge Maven of the District Superior Court.

Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Judge Maven. The judge is a Yankee. Much honorable.

Thank you, Colonel.

The judge is going to get Sam out of jail, General.

Just a moment, Colonel. You're taking too much for granted.

Do you have some kind of a plan, Judge Maven?

Well, the plan is, Mrs. Mudd. No judge would dare devise anything so... so extreme.

General, I explained to Judge Maven what happened to the writ of habeas corpus you obtained for Sam.

Well, of course, you understand, Dr. Mudd is in the military prison.

The writ was useless.

But if a writ were served on him in, say, Key West, a civil municipality, it would be honored, wouldn't it?

Of course, but Dr. Mudd is not in Key West.

No, I know he isn't yet. But suppose, just suppose, that we could get him there.

Great Scott, Mrs. Mudd,

you surely wouldn't dare do such a.

I'd dare anything for my husband. And it's not only freedom I want for him, it's exoneration, too. He's innocent. And they've got to say so to the entire world.

Just a moment, Mrs. Mudd. General Ewing, all I have to say is this. If Dr. Mudd should be able to deliver himself to the civil authorities in Key West, I could have a writ of habeas corpus there to be served on him.

Oh, thank you, Judge. Oh, we'll sell everything, pawn, everything, mortgage, everything. We'll get enough money.

Mrs. Mudd, but...

You understand what this means to me, don't you, General Ewing? It's all that's left of our lives. Sam's and Martha's, and... and mine.

General, you can leave the escape entirely to me. Within 24 hours, I'll have 5,000 of my whole brigade under my command. We'll seize a war vessel or two, blow the whole prison to dust again, and deliver Sam to Key West with a guard of honor. I'm sorry, Mrs. Mudd, but if you're set on such a foolhardy plan, I must withdraw from the case.

But we've got to do it. He's got to be free to be tried again. It's the only way, don't you see?

Yes, but I'm sorry, but I cannot sanction such a plan. I can only believe that you're not serious, that you're simply overwrought. Again, sir.

Never mind, Dad.

Mrs. Mudd, if you'll take my advice, you'll abandon this mad scheme. Goodbye to both.

Dad, what do you think? Dad, sugar, we'll show him.

I'm sick and tired of this fiddling around. I'm a man of action again. We'll get Sam out of that prison, and we'll raise enough money to do it.

This sword here on the wall,

Stonewall Jackson gave me this blade. Pure Toledo. This will be the starter to raise money to hire a ship. And if I don't get $150 for it, I'll have the pleasure of splitting the heart of the swine who dares to offer me less.

Master Sam.

Yes, Buck. I've got a letter for you, and a piece of soap with a key to your cell in it. Give me the letter, quick. Yes, sir. Here it is.

Can you see enough to read it?

Yes, Buck. It's from my wife. Yes, sir. I thought it was. Listen.

Are you sure, Buck? Yes, sir. All right, Buck.

I'm ready to go. Tonight? Tonight. But how about the moat?

I'll have to try the bridge.

There's got a guard on it, Master Sam.

Yes.

If I could go with you, I can arrange to be the guard. that's on the bridge.

That's it, Buck.

You arrange to be on the bridge, and we'll go together. Now, listen carefully.

Who? Who is it?

Sergeant Rankin. Get up.

Yes, sir. Anything wrong, Sergeant?

Do you know what post that boy Buck is on?

Yes, sir. The bridge. He swapped it with another fellow.

I thought so. I saw him around Mudd's cell early in the evening. Take a detail out and relieve him. Then place him under arrest and bring him here. What's up?

Buck.

Buck.

It's Dr. Mudd, Buck. Halt down there. Halt, or I'll shoot. Halt.

Did you get him, sentry?

No. There he is on that ledge on the wall,

just above the moon.

Hurry, Judas. He must have gone with the boat.

Find the bridge man.

There he is.

Down in the water.

What's the matter with you fools? Hang on there. Get in. He's swimming underwater.

Keep shooting. That's the plan.

He'll never make it. If we don't get him, the sharks will.

What sharks?

Why, what sharks do you think, Dr. McIntyre? That barrage of bullets on the water,

you're lucky if you've got a shark left in a hundred yards of it. Halt. Halt.

You scum will let him escape. There's the sharks. They're coming back. Don't fight till, I tell you. Just keep him to the face.

I don't see him. Look. Sergeant, there he is. Where? He's outside the moat,

swimming out to sea.

Why, Judas, he must have gotten.

through the drainpipe on the seawall.

There's a schooner out there.

with two riding lights pulling in toward him. They're going to pick him up.

I'll fix that. O'Toole. Yes, Sergeant. Detail men for three, eight-odd cutters and get them launched on the double. Yes, sir.

And I want him back alive,

understand?

Alive.

Man, two points off the starboard bow.

It's him. Steady. Steady. now. Grab him.

Ron. Dad.

It's all right, son. You're safe now, again. Just put your arm over my shoulder and we'll go down into the cabin. Captain. Archer.

Dad.

Oh, Sam, my darling.

Peggy. I was afraid I... I couldn't make it.

Oh, Sam, you're wounded.

Lie down here on this bunk, son.

It's nothing. A bullet nicked my arm.

It's all arranged, darling. Everything. You're going to have a new trial. You'll be freed. And you're going to see Martha.

Where is she?

In Key West. She's waiting for you, darling. She...

She hasn't forgotten me.

Oh, no. Not for one minute.

What was that? It couldn't be from the port.

Forget. if it's the dead, blamed Yankees. I'll show them a thing or two.

I'm going on deck.

You stay here with Sam, Peggy. Yes.

They can't take you back. They can't.

They must have sent boats out after me.

But how could a boat catch this schooner?

We have sails. The port has cutters. They can travel.

Oh, but we've got to get away. We've got to. Safety and freedom are so near.

You can't.

They'll never take me back to that hellhole alive. Oh, Sam.

Oh, dear God, help us.

Help us.

Well, now, ain't that a touching little scene? Hiya, Judas.

Rankin.

Very flattering, Dr. Mudd. I didn't think you'd remember me being away so long. Who's that old man out there on deck?

He.

Not anymore, ma'am. He's dead.

No.

No!

Yeah. And where Dr. Mudd's going now, he'll wish he was dead, too.

The tragic circumstances which gave us the story of tonight's play seem to belong to a dim and distant past. This is a new world, and for our reflections on the 1860s, we're accustomed to rely upon ancient records and books of history. Yet tonight, a human link binds us to the time and to the hero of our play. For with us in Deluxe Radio Theater is the daughter of the prisoner of Shark Island. She is Mrs.

Thank you, Mr. DeMille. I wish to extend to Deluxe Radio Theater both my gratitude and congratulations for devoting this splendid hour to my father's memory. I'm amazed by your play, for with most exceptions, the prisoner of Shark Island is proving to be a most accurate portrayal. In my possession are many letters which my father wrote to my mother from Fort Jefferson.

Furthermore,

my father felt no malice. For if he had, the events that you will hear in the next act of your play could never have come to pass. Father's unfortunate life, strangely enough, taught me a very beautiful lesson. It made me realize that out of great suffering can come something glorious. Through injustice, the world becomes more just.

Through cruelty,

the world gains kindness.

Through inhumanity,

we find mercy. Thank you, Mr. DeMille, for asking me to be a guest tonight in your Lux Radio Theater.

Thank you.

Four days have passed since Dr. Mudd was captured. Taken from the ship and thrown into a dank and dreadful hole far below sea level. Buck has been imprisoned with him. On the floor of their cell.

Master Sam.

Master Sam.

How long has it been, Master Sam? Three days, I think. Maybe four. Five. Master Sam,

can you give me?

a little more of that water, sir?

Hello?

Coming this way.

Here we is, here. What? Dr. Love? Major Stone.

Major Stone? The commander? What do you want here?

Are you all right, Mud?

Well, we're alive. My colored boy here is pretty sick. Why didn't you send someone?

Doctor, I'm here on a curious mission. I want your help.

My help?

Yes. I need it desperately. Doctor, this island is a pest hole. It's steaming with yellow fever. Yellow fever?

And what's this to do with me?

That's what you must decide for yourself. All that I can do is to tell you that I'm helpless. There's a thousand yellowjack cases jammed in that cheese box of a hospital. And as good as dead already if I can't get a man to do something for them.

And what about the good doctor, McIntyre?

The good doctor McIntyre is dead.

That's unfortunate. Even the just died.

I know what you're thinking, Mark. And you're quite right. Everything you were thinking is true. And still, in spite of that, in spite of the fact that I can't even promise you a reward, that I can offer you nothing but exposure to death and possibly a better cell if you live. In spite of it all, I ask you, will you help me?

One night, a long time ago, Major, I was the doctor. And I'm still the doctor.

Come in. Dr. Martin. Come in, Doctor. How's it going?

Sadly, sir. When the soldiers heard about Dr. McIntyre dying, they all quit.

Where are they now?

They're in the mess hall, barricaded. Guards and all.

But we've got to get somebody to help. The patients are all alone, deserted.

Have I any authority?

You give the orders, and I'll take the responsibility.

Then you wait here.

Where are you going?

To the mess hall. You come with me, orderly.

Doctor, I'm scared out of my pants.

That's all right. So am I.

Look, Doctor, I've got a guard posted in the window there with a rifle.

Don't you come?

no, closer, white man.

Keep going, orderly.

Better put it down, Zack. There ain't no Yankees.

talking.

I think I'll come out from nobody.

I'm not going to ask you to come out, but you're going to listen to me. I'm just going to tell you what you're going to get if you don't come out.

You're going to get.

hanged, all of you. You're soldiers and you've deserted your posts, you've shot at your officers and you can't get away.

I don't want to get away.

I'll stay right here.

You bet you are. And here's what they're going to do to you. They're going to take you before the judge, the white judge. They're going to try you and they're going to find you guilty. Then they're going to take you out in the courtyard and build a scaffold.

That ain't no yanker, just talking to here, except talk. That's a southern man.

He means it. Then the law's going to hang you. They're going to put ropes around your necks and choke you until you're dead. Dead!

I don't know what the rest of them say, White Boss, but here I is.

Good.

Here we is.

Now part of you men begin tearing out the windows of the hospital building. Sash and all, I'm going to get fresh air and sunlight in there. You others get to soak the blankets piled over there. I'm going to wrap the sick men up and keep them wet until I wash out some of this fever. Now, go on.

how do things look, All right, I guess.

No new cases. today. Temperatures are down.

No deaths?

No. But wait till tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.

What do you mean?

How long do you think these supplies are going to last? Where's the medicine coming from? Two days from now. Out of the air?

Steady, bud.

And how long do you think I'm going to last? I'm human, too.

You've got to get some sleep, doctor. You've had five days of this. You're exhausted.

and right out yonder. Not a quarter of a mile away, there's a ship full of supplies and a half a dozen doctors. And the whole United States government can't make that boat come in and help us.

Bud, will you let me put you to bed?

No. I'll go myself. I'm tired.

You've got to take care of yourself. We need you.

All right. I'm sorry.

Get a good rest and I'll look in on you in the morning.

Orderly, orderly. Get up. Orderly.

What is it, sir?

Get up and come with me.

But, but sir, I.

Do what I say and don't make any noise.

Doctor, you're sick.

Yes, I'm sick. Yellowjack, I'm the doctor, but I've got the fever. You didn't know doctors could get yellow fever, did you? Come on.

Doctor, would you tell me where we're going?

Here's where we're going. first. There's a signalman still on duty, isn't there? Yes, sir.

He's over there by the gun emplacement.

That's just fine. Gonna need his signal lights and maybe the cannon.

What are you going to do, sir?

You don't need to worry about that. Signalman.

Yes, sir?

You in communication with that supply ship out there?

Yes, sir.

Is it coming in? No, sir.

The captain says it's impossible. Too dangerous in this storm. All right.

Signal him to come in. Tell him if he doesn't, I'm gonna fire on him.

Excuse me, sir, but that's a government ship. I can't. I can't signal such a message.

You see this gun I got in my hand? Well, yes, sir. You signal that ship what I told you, you'll never signal again. Tell the captain. I say come in.

Yes, sir. I'll tell him.

You boys over there, load that cannon.

Yes, sir. Load it up, boys.

You good marksmen?

Yes, sir.

You'd better be.

I want the first ball dropped just close. Let's see how close you can come without hitting the ship.

Oh, he'll be close, sir.

What does the captain of the ship say, signalman?

He says he won't come in, sir.

Give him one. Close.

Fire.

They're putting out to sea, sir.

They are, huh? Hit him this time.

You can't do that, doctor.

You fool. I've got to get that medicine. I've got to get those doctors. I've got the yellowjack, too, like everybody else. I'm sick.

That one hit the mast.

He's.

He's turning. He's coming into the wharf. Mud.

Doctor, what are you doing?

Compliments, Major. I've just got somebody to take over my job.

Catch him.

Looks like I'm going to live. That other doctor said.

Moses Sam will be up and around in three days, Major.

Three days? Well, that'll give you time enough to get a cell ready for me, Rankin.

Dr. Mud.

Wait, Rankin. Dr. Mud. I have a paper here I'm preparing to send to Washington by special messenger today. I'm in no position, of course, to speak for our government, yours and mine.

Please.

This is to the President of the United States. As Commandant of the Military Prison at Fort Jefferson, Florida, I can testify that the final checking of the recent yellow fever epidemic was the direct result of extraordinary and unselfish courage, bravery, and skill on the part of Dr. Samuel A. Mud. On behalf of the personnel of the post, including officers, enlisted men, civilians, and prisoners, I take this means of urging executive clemency for Dr.

Major Stone.

Yes, Rankin?

If it.

Thank you, Sergeant. Thank you. Freedom. A chance to prove my innocence. And I will prove it.

Mama,

is he coming home today, Mama?

Is Daddy coming home?

Yes, dear.

He sure is, honey.

And the President of the whole United States.

is sending him home. just special for you.

But where is he, Mama? Why doesn't he come?

Oh, he'll be here, darling, very soon. And when he comes, he... he may not look like he did when you saw him last. But don't say so, dear. Just...

and his hands

and.

There he is.

He's coming now, Miss Moore. He's coming right now.

Welcome home, Uncle Ray. Daddy. Daddy.

My baby. Peggy.

Oh, Sam. Sam, darling.

Dear God,

I'm home.

Our sponsors, the makers of Luxe Toilet Soap, join me in inviting you to be with us again next Monday night, when the Luxe Radio Theater presents William Powell and Carol Lombard in My Man Godfrey, with Gail Patrick and Mischa Auer. This is Cecil B. DeMille saying goodnight to you.

from Hollywood.

Almost 70 miles west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square-mile park is mostly open water, with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, but also picturesque blue waters, coral reefs, marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area. Garden Key is home to the park headquarters, visitor center, campgrounds, and great swimming and snorkeling. It's the second-largest island in the Dry Tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has the most human impact.