1
[DOGS HOWLING AND WHINING]
[DOGS BARKING]
I miss you, Dad.
Sam?
[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
Time to get up.
You don't want to be late
your first day at a new school.
Come on.
Asa.
Sam?
I'll drive to the station.
No trains last night.
He's probably still there.
No, no.
He hasn't run away.
He'd never have left this behind.
He's been here three weeks, that's
the first thing he unpacks.
Well, that's good Ali.
Means he's decided to stay.
Oh.
See?
There he is.
[RINGING BELL]
Kayla?
[DOG GROWLING]
Kayla?
I heard the barking, I just didn't
think they'd jump over the fence.
Can't believe they ran off.
Had those dogs since they were pups.
They'll come back, surely.
No.
Not if they're running deer with
a pack wild dogs, they won't.
Wild dogs?
Where did they come from?
Oh, up north.
Up north?
Yeah.
The Laurentians, Shield Country,
maybe farther.
Indian dogs mostly.
Runaways off the farms.
Some packs have wolf mixed in.
Travel south when the rivers freeze up.
Don't you like your pancakes?
Oh, and I can give Sam
a ride to school this morning.
I have some patients out that way.
What's wrong?
They're purple.
Well, it's because I mushed
dried blueberries in them.
Asa likes them that way.
Ugh.
Yuck.
It was only an experiment.
I'll make the kind you like.
I've got to check up on
old LePlant this afternoon
and I'll see if I can ask him
to make us up some skis for Sam.
I'd like him to go on some
of your calls with you,
see you practice medicine.
Sure.
Any time.
I used to do the rounds with my father.
You'd love that, wouldn't you, Sam?
These are terrific, Ali.
Have fun.
Try to make some friends.
Give me your bag.
Bye.
Check that belt, would you.
The belt's fine, Papa.
And did you check this battery here?
That's fine too.
What are you looking for?
It's in the engine.
It's the rod, I tell you.
- I don't think so, Papa.
- Well, that's what I think.
What's the problem, August?
Problem?
The whole darn problem
is those wolf dogs.
The whole darn town council
won't do a thing about it.
We lost three calf's this morning.
Papa said we'll be in the poorhouse.
Well, the township meeting's coming up.
You can have your say then, August.
I'll be there.
You can bet on it.
Well, what's wrong with the truck?
Just threw a rod, goll darn it.
Well, sorry for your trouble.
Uh, this is Sam MacKenzie, Althea's son.
He's living on the place now.
This is Mr. Nightingale, he's
our neighbor to the North,
and Jaynie's his daughter.
And your new classmate.
Well, one of them anyway.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi.
Happy new year, Jaynie.
Happy new year.
August?
All the best in 1920.
Papa, I think I fixed it.
It's the rod, I tell ya.
Set the choke, Papa.
What a useless piece of scrap.
If you ain't going nowhere, you might
as well catch a ride in with Asa.
Ne, ne, ne, careful now.
Okay?
She'll blow.
See, Papa?
She's running sweet as a top.
Take care, August.
Poor old, Jaynie.
Hope she got a decent breakfast.
I don't think August is much of a cook.
Well, where's her mother?
She died last winter.
Influenza epidemic.
There you go.
You know, I'd be happy to go
in with you and introduce you.
No.
Sam, listen.
Your mo...
Sam?
Sam's mother married
Dr. Robinson last September.
Sam has been at boarding school
in Montreal but from now
on he's going to live here in Bolton.
Will you tell us something
about yourself?
Tell the class who your
famous father was, Sam.
Samuel Clearwater MacKenzie.
And who was
Samuel Clearwater MacKenzie, class?
Yes, Jaynie?
- Famous explorer.
- And what did he explore?
Could you show us on the map, please?
The Northwest Passage,
Beaufort Sea and Greenland.
Very good.
Disappeared eight years ago,
never found his bones.
Frozen and 1,000 miles from anywhere.
No.
Disappeared without a trace.
Shut up.
That's enough, Jaynie.
Probably got eaten by wolves.
You stupid idiot, he's alive.
I read it in National Geographic,
in the township library.
Expeditions still go
looking for him every summer.
Think they'd go back to
look for someone who's dead?
Whalers got shipwrecked in Greenland.
They lived with the Eskimos for years.
Everyone thought they were
dead, but they came back.
And he'll come back.
But if you father's coming back,
how could your mother marry Asa?
[LAUGHTER]
What's so funny?
It's not funny.
That's enough, children.
That's enough!
I walk this way every day,
Sam MacKenzie.
You can walk with me if you want.
It's a very tedious walk,
but I'm accustomed to it.
I didn't mean for everybody
to laugh at you, Sam.
Well, suit yourself.
[DOG GROWLING AND BARKING]
It's okay.
Whoa!
[DOG GROWLING]
Get outta here.
Go on.
Get outta here!
Go on.
Go on!
Get outta here!
Let's go.
Come on.
It's okay.
Come on.
Ow.
Is he all right?
Well, there's no
concussion or frostbite.
Pretty tough for a city kid.
You know, you could have frozen to death
being knocked out like that?
Mightn't have found
you 'til next spring.
Well, he found me.
He's just like Kayla.
Kayla?
His father's sled dog.
His leader.
Kayla's dead.
It was not Kayla.
How do you know?
You don't know everything.
Why are you doing this?
[SNEEZES]
Well, I think you
ought to get up to bed.
Will you carry him upstairs please?
Mmmhmm.
I can walk.
Jeez.
Well, at least he can walk.
Mom!
It's 99 degrees.
It's almost normal.
Can I get up now?
Mom!
[KNOCK ON THE DOOR]
Come in.
Washburn said to bring
you your homework.
There it is.
Althea, your ma, she's
teaching me piano lessons.
Well, well wait.
What's that?
This?
It's a duck.
A duck?
Yeah.
Well, let me see.
I started making them when I was a kid.
I sell them to hunters.
You made this?
Look.
Carpenter hands.
Carpenter hands?
I have a feel for the wood.
Born with it.
Feel my calluses.
All the Nightingale's
have carpenter hands.
We build the church
steeple and Loyalist Hall.
Great-grandpa Nightingale
made schooner ships
in Saint John's, New Brunswick.
Well, what kind of duck is it?
A Mallard.
Look at the ring on its neck.
I don't know anything about ducks.
Sure don't.
You can have him if you want.
- How much?
- I ain't selling him.
So do you want him.
Sure I want him.
Quack.
Quack.
I call this township meeting to order.
Now, the first item is the
township winter fair, which
may seem like a foolish
notion, but a good time
was had by all last year so
we thought we'd try it again.
Including prizes, an ice
sculpture, and this year
a little something extra.
Show them in, Jaynie.
[DOGS BARKING]
[APPLAUSE]
Sled dog race.
Open to any and all.
Loggers, farmers, even policemen.
Anybody who thinks he has a
team who can stand a little bit
of rough running is
welcome to come and show
some of that pioneer spirit
that made the townships great.
All right everybody.
Settle down, settle down.
The second item is the wild dog problem.
A number of actions have
been tabled for discussion.
You heard of strychnine, ain't ya?
Wolf poison.
Mr. Nightingale.
I didn't come here to discuss.
The chair recognizes August Nightingale.
Wild dogs ran down
three of my best calves
the night before last.
They have to be exterminated.
Wold poison, and plenty of
it, paid for by this township.
That's the only way we're going...
He's right!
Terminate 'em.
Kill every last one.
Now, now, hold on just a minute.
A farmer's got the right
to protect his creatures.
- That's right.
- Now I say put it to a vote.
I'm not the only one
that's losing stock.
Wolf poison's extremely dangerous
and it's extremely toxic.
If you set it out in
sufficient quantities
to destroy a pack of ranging dogs,
God knows what else will pick it up.
There are cases in Megantic
of children getting
strychnine poisoning from squirrels.
You're no farmer.
Come on, August.
Be reasonable.
What gives you the notion
to run this township.
Put it to a vote, I say.
- Put it to a vote.
- [CROWD CHANTING] Vote!
As township health officer I have
to say we must maintain the
ban against using poisons
to get rid of unwanted animals.
[CROWD CHANTING] Vote!
[GAVEL BANGING]
Settle down.
Vote, vote, vote!
Settle down.
It has been proposed and seconded
that this matter be brought to a vote.
All those who agree
that the township raise
the ban on strychnine... wolf
poison... will raise your hand.
[AUDIENCE] Yes.
The proposal has been
accepted by the township.
There you go.
They set out poison.
Kayla will eat it, won't he?
He's not Kayla.
Won't he?
Yeah.
That's what they're hoping.
Come on.
All the way from Florida.
Must be expensive.
Give it back.
Too good for a city pup like you.
[SCREAMING AND GRUNTING]
Boys, stop it!
Stop it!
[SQUEALING AND PLAYING NOISES]
Get the city pup!
[YELLING AND CHEERING]
Get off of him!
Stop it!
[DOGS BARKING]
Wild dogs!
[SCREAMING]
Come on, get up.
Get up.
Who are you?
[DOG GROWLING AND BARKING]
[YELLING]
I'm not afraid of you!
Come on.
He was my father's dog.
His leader, Kayla.
Be thou my breastplate,
my sword for the fight.
Be thou my armor and
be thou my might.
Thou my soul shall
turn now my high tower.
Be though...
Hey!
...my breast...
Wait up.
Pass.
So, uh, they play hockey around here?
Yep.
Come on, bring it up.
Come on, guys.
Block him.
Pick it up.
Over here.
Pass.
Sam, pass.
Come on bring it up.
He tripped me.
You should have passed.
Get out of my way.
Yay!
[WOLF HOWLING]
That's the big gray.
He was after our sheep last night.
He saved my life.
[LAUGHTER]
I fell down a cliff.
I was freezing to death.
I got knocked out.
I kept falling asleep
so he chased me home.
[LAUGHTER]
Dogs don't save people
they don't even know.
[WOLF HOWLING]
Bugaboo. That's what Mama Mass says.
Werewolf.
No bullet kills him.
Ghost dog.
Maybe it comes back from the dead.
Like Sam's pa.
Shut up.
[WOLF HOWLING]
Well, I, I got chores.
Yeah.
Me, too.
[HUMMING]
[DOG GROWLING AND BARKING]
Bugaboo?
Where's Herbie?
I gotta go milking.
Feed the pigs.
Herbie!
[DOG GROWLING]
Go away.
Leave me alone.
Herbie!
Go away.
[DOG BARK]
Ahhh!
Get away!
Get away!
Ahhh!
Get outta here!
Wait'll I tell the other kids.
When you guys rescued me?
I'm not gonna forget it.
Stuff like this they put in
the newspaper with a headline
like, Innocent Child Nearly
Devoured By Savage Beast.
How about what really happened?
Innocent Weenies
Devoured By Savage Beast.
Nah.
Herbie ate most of them.
Innocent Weenies
Devoured By Savage Child.
Come on, guys.
I only saved one.
He got the rest.
Innocent Weenie Saved By
Stalwart Young Herbert Gooch.
[WOLF HOWLING]
[SAM HOWLS]
Come on, you guys.
Let's get outta here.
Maybe he isn't your father's dog.
He is.
[WOLF HOWLS]
[SAM HOWLING]
Ohhh.
That's a very good splint, very nice.
He kept saying he was cold, cold.
SPEAKING FRENCH But I did
like it said in the medicine book.
Keep him warm, blankets, you need
blankets SPEAKING FRENCH.
...SPEAKING FRENCH Shock is the worst.
You have to keep them warm.
You did everything exactly right.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
...SPEAKING FRENCH Sam,
I'm going to need your help.
I'm going to reset the
bone and then I'm gonna...
I'm gonna sew up this nasty cut.
Hold his upper leg.
This is gonna hurt.
Yell if you have to, Monsieur.
Let it out.
Scream if you have to.
Ahhhh!
Gaah!
Sam, in the little bowl of iodine
there's a length of surgical gut.
Looks like thread.
Bring it here.
Hold on.
[COUGHING] Oh!
Ahhhh!
Hold him steady.
Ahh.
Ooooooh!
Hold on.
[DOG WHINING]
Strychnine.
Mmmmmf!
Nothing else to be done, Sam.
Sam.
You're not going to shoot it.
I will not set poison on my land.
A dog runs wild, there's
nothing else you can do.
What about your dogs?
Dodger and Mike?
Bullets cleaner than poison.
I'm going with you.
Sam!
All right.
[DOGS BARKING AND WHINING]
There's no shame in going back, Sam.
(WHISPERS) No.
I used to hunt every inch of
this land when I was a boy.
My father hunted polar bears.
Yeah, well, squirrels were more my line.
I used to camp out all summer.
Fish the river.
Take down a deer every autumn.
I haven't hunted since the war.
Seem to have lost a taste for it.
[COUGHING]
Take it easy, Sam.
Take it easy.
It's a fresh kill.
They'll be back.
Let's go.
No!
[SHOT FIRED]
Sam!
What is with you?
That is the most childish,
the dumbest... Sam, stop it.
Asa.
Asa!
Stop it right now.
You understand?
Did you get him?
No, I didn't get him.
I missed.
[WOLVES HOWLING]
When my Mary heard those beasts howl,
said this country was too hard.
[INAUDIBLE]
I told her I'd protect here.
Papa, don't.
It's not your fault that Mary died.
It was the influenza.
It was nothing you did or didn't do.
Papa, let's go home.
They'll pay.
But you keep that filthy
stuff off of my land.
Your land?
Yeah.
You crossed the property
marker about 10 yards back.
Come on, Sam.
Let's go.
You think this is sport, Asa?
You and your fancy $100 rifle?
Papa, it's cold.
Let's go home.
I'll get 'em.
I'll get 'em, I swear to you I will.
Come on, Papa.
You're going straight to bed.
You never saw the grey?
Not a trace.
Come on.
Very good.
Ba dum, ba bum, ba rump, ba bum.
[INAUDIBLE]
Hey, Mom?
Red, Red Rose?
Oh, sweetie, it's too sad.
I don't feel like being sad anymore.
It was dad's favorite.
Play it.
[HUMMING]
I swear a vow my only love,
so deep in love am I.
For I will come again my dear,
though 'twer 10,000 miles.
(SINGING TOGETHER)
Though 'twer 10,000 miles,
my love, though 'twer 10,000 miles.
Oh, I will come again my love,
though 'twer 10,000 miles.
I wish you felt well
enough to come to church.
You seemed so much better yesterday.
It's funny, isn't it.
There isn't a single photograph
of the three of us together.
How come?
Your father liked being
alone in his photographs.
Sam, what your going
through, it's my fault.
I wanted to believe
that he was coming back
and I raised you to believe it.
Yeah.
And you stopped because of him.
I was 20 when your father disappeared.
And I know that sounds
old to you, but it isn't.
It isn't old to be a widow.
I thought I was being
brave, never giving up hope.
But it would've been
braver to face the truth.
And one day you're going
to have to face it too.
He's never coming back.
And Asa wants to be a father to you.
And he would be such a good father.
I already have a father.
It's okay.
You can come out now.
You're safe.
I'll always take care of you.
I promise.
My father had a lead dog called Kayla.
You like that name?
It was a great dog.
I won't make you do dog tricks.
You won't have to sit up and beg.
And I won't make you heal.
I'm going back now.
You can follow me if you want.
Come on, Kayla.
Come on.
[DOGS BARKING]
Dodger, where have you been hiding?
Good boy.
Mike?
You all right?
Come on, boy, let's go home.
[SAM HOWLING]
[DOGS BARKING]
Huh.
I told you I was right about the dogs.
I know.
What do I owe you?
Oh, SPEAKING FRENCH.
And you gotta wax the table.
Uh oh.
He's after Sam.
I'll get the rifle.
God, my hands are cold.
Wait.
I'm as good a shot as you.
Althea.
Sam's father taught me.
(SHOUTING) Don't!
Don't!
No!
He's not getting my son.
(SHOUTING) No, don't shoot, please!
(SHOUTING) Sam!
Get out of the way!
(SHOUTING) No, don't shoot.
Come here, Kayla.
Come on.
Look at that.
See, Mom?
See?
[DOG BARKING]
It's not so bad.
You'll get used to it.
You have to trust me.
Sam.
He isn't used to this place.
Settle down.
He feels like he doesn't belong here.
He wants to go back out there.
They'll kill you out there.
He doesn't trust me yet.
Well, I trust you.
Sam.
What?
Nothing.
I'm not scared.
I'm going to build us a sled
and you'll be our leader.
It's okay.
If you want a dog of your
own we'll get you one.
A Setter or a Lab or a Scottie.
Well, can I train Mike
and Dodger for my team?
Team?
What team?
What are you talking about?
No.
It's not all right.
My dog sled team.
Are you trying to hurt me?
You're acting just like your father.
And what's wrong with that?
You never knew your father.
I think you should both just...
Do you know how old you were
the first time your father
found the time to come home and see us?
He was an explorer.
He was busy.
You were two years old.
Do you know how long he stayed.
Six weeks.
Then he was off cross Elzimere
and then back to island.
When he comes back I'm
telling him everything...
He is dead!
And you know it.
So you can stop this mean,
childish, foolish game
or I will send you back to boarding
school on the very next train.
Ali.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Well, my father never wore an apron.
He hates me.
No, he doesn't hate you.
He's just unsure of where
he stands, that's all.
No.
I'm losing him and I'm
never going to get him back.
He's just finding his own way.
I think it's kinda, kinda cute.
It's a manuscript for a book
your father planned to publish.
He wrote that the winter
he spent at Baffin Island
when his ship was trapped by the ice.
I suppose you'll find what you need
to know in there if you're
going to have a dog team.
Talk.
I want him getting used to voices.
I don't know what to say.
I've been working on the rail road
all the live long day.
(SINGING TOGETHER)
I've been working
on the rail road just
to pass the time away.
Can't you hear the whistle blowing,
rise up so early in the morn?
Can't you hear the captain
calling, Dinah blow your horn.
Dinah, won't you blow,
Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah,
won't you blow your horn.
[DOG HOWLING]
Dinah, won't you blow, Dinah,
won't you blow, Dinah,
won't you blow your horn.
[HOWLING TOGETHER]
Come on.
(SAM) Hi, Mom, I'm home.
Uh, Monsieur Chinaud,
this is my son, Sam.
Hello.
May I have another piece of pie, madam?
Certainly.
(ASA) Hello?
Asa.
They're gonna should Sam's dog.
Who's gonna shoot Sam's dog?
Magistrate's order to destroy the dog.
(WHISPERING) Shhh.
Be quiet.
Come on.
I'm not breaking my promise to you.
You understand?
Go on!
Go on!
Beat it!
Go on.
Go on.
Go on.
Get outta here!
Go on.
Go North where they won't find you.
[DOGS BARKING]
Go on.
Get outta here!
Well, this charge is
bound to enforce it.
I wish you would have come
to me before going to the law.
I know it ain't neighborly
you live up, but you gave me
no choice, keeping a savage animal.
I let him go.
Well, that solves it.
Well, he didn't go very far.
Sam.
All right.
He don't look like no more savage.
Well, he won't be running loose.
I'll take full responsibility.
My boy's training him to be a sled dog.
Vraiment?
Yeah.
Sled doggy, eh?
Yeah.
Eh, you know, Asa, that's,
that's a lot of work.
Just do it.
Get it over.
I put down many of severe
savage in my time, but, uh,
if I ever shot one who
just sat there looking...
No.
Sam.
Mom, let go!
(SAM) No!
Mom.
Keep the boy back.
Hey there...
Sam. Ali, take him back in the house.
No.
I want him to watch.
Just do it.
Got the court order.
Get it over with.
Asa.
The year you went to
the Brentwood College,
I lived here too.
You remember where I headed?
No.
The Klondike.
Do your job.
I was a rough boy then.
That winter on the Chillicut Trail,
that man,
it was cold.
I wouldn't have
have been for my sled dogs.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
My lead dog, he looked
just like this one here.
(WHISPERING) Kayla.
Kayla.
August, you were a decent man once.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
Now you're meaner than a rusty nail.
No, there's nothing in
the magistrate's order
that says anything about
a dog that has an owner.
It must be a different animal entirely.
Coward.
You want a different opinion, Monsieur?
Hire yourself a lawyer.
You know, my, my lead
dog's name was Luke.
Hey.
How are you?
He would pull until
his just about broke.
What do you have there?
Um, nothing.
Bring it up here and
read it to the class.
Well, it's a drawing.
What sort of drawing?
Bring it up here.
Carpenter hands.
Jaynie has them.
Oh?
All the Nightingale's
have carpenter hands.
We built the church steeple
and the Loyalist Hall.
Great-grandpa Nightingale
made schooner ships
in St. Johns, New Brunswick.
And what's this?
It's a three-dog sled, a racing sled.
You want me to build you a sled?
Well, I can build it.
Maybe I could use a little help.
Where would we get the dogs?
Well, Mike, Dodger and Kayla.
Kayla?
Well?
I can do this.
I think.
[DOGS BARKING]
Tighten up, boys, tighten up.
Ready?
Hike!
Let's go, Kayla.
Go Mike!
Go Dodger!
Let's go, come on!
Mush!
[CAR HORN]
(SINGING TOGETHER)
It's a long way to Tipperary,
to the sweetest gal I know.
Goodbye Piccadilly,
Farewell Leicester Square.
It's a long, long way to Tipperary,
but my heart's right there.
You said you'd be working on the sled.
We've got some news, Sam.
What?
It'll be so much fun.
We're gonna have a baby.
You're so lucky?
What do you think?
Well, I don't know if I'd
want Sam as a big brother.
Oh, I think he'd be a very good brother.
Kinda grumpy.
Oh, no.
He's big and brave.
Exactly like the kind of
brother anyone would want.
You said you know how to steam wood
so it'll bend for the backbone.
Sam.
What about the lashing and the tow line.
Have you thought about that?
Don't do this.
Don't you think of
anyone besides yourself?
Do you want to win or not?
Sure.
But...
Then we have to get to work.
Nothing else matters.
Sam.
Hmm.
That's it Come on, let's go.
[COWS MOOING]
- That's it.
- [DOGS BARKING]
(SAM SHOUTING)
Come on, Kayla. Come on, come on.
(SAM SHOUTING) Go Kayla!
Tighten up, boys.
A washcloth.
Soak it in water.
Honey?
It's okay.
It's okay.
I was like this every morning
when I was pregnant with Sam.
Every day for six weeks.
Thank you.
Well, all right.
Let's get you back to bed.
Well, I can help.
That's all right, Sam.
You can... you can go back to bed.
She doesn't need you.
It's all your fault anyway.
That is enough.
Do you understand?
I will not have you in this house
if you continue to behave in this way.
We are trying to make a family here.
Now, if you don't want
to be a part of it
you can go back to Montreal.
Asa.
I hate you.
I hate you both.
[DOOR SLAMS]
Go Kayla!
Go Mike!
Go Dodger!
Come on!
We need more firewood.
This is going to have
cook for a long time.
Is it gonna work?
Of course.
Hike, hike!
Come on.
Go!
Tighten up, boys!
Go Dodger!
Go Mike!
Go Dodger!
Come on, faster, faster!
All right!
Whoa.
Yep.
They're ready.
Could you grab the other two?
Okay.
Hold it right there.
Bend it.
Tie it and it'll hold
its shape until it dries.
Well, I wouldn't be surprised
if she build a piano.
I just don't like doing
anything behind August's back.
You know?
Mmm, no.
If he finds out about the sled, he'll
stop Jaynie from coming around.
You know he would.
Well, we've been
neighbors all our lives,
he looked after the place
when I was off at the war.
Well, I think it does
her good to come by.
And I love seeing here.
It gets awfully lonely around here.
I read a book.
You read too many books, Nightingale,
that's why you don't know nothing.
It was about the Eskimos.
From the library.
Eskimos are Pagans.
That's what my father says in his book.
They don't even care about exploring,
they figure they know
everything already.
Yeah, well, in the book it
said the Eskimos carved dogs out
of stone and when the
hunters went on long trips,
the relatives would tie the
stone dogs to hunters sleds.
Dumb idea.
Extra weight.
To help pull the hunters home
with enough food for everyone.
They'd look at the carved dogs and think
of all the people
they'd have to hunt for.
Not just themselves.
My father says it's a mistake to listen
to too much Eskimo talk.
They're superstitious.
Yeah.
Well, maybe your father
didn't know everything.
He knew a lot more than you.
He was famous.
Forget it.
[DOG BARKS]
Chow time, buckaroos.
From now on, I should be
the only one that feeds them.
Only one dog handler,
that's what my dad says.
What about mushing?
Only one musher.
Let me guess, that'd by you, right?
They have to get used to
commands from only one person.
You've got to think about the race.
You want to win as much as me, right?
I train the dogs, you ready the sled.
We're still a team.
Yeah.
Your team.
How's it going?
Need a hand?
No.
It's okay.
We can use this for our tow line.
He won't need 'til spring plowing.
He won't even know it's gone.
Here he comes.
[WHISTLING]
It's beautiful.
Most beautiful thing I ever made.
If it works.
We'll try it out tomorrow.
It'll work.
Don't get them too tied or
they won't think it's fun.
If it isn't fun they won't pull hard.
I know that.
I'll take 'em out tomorrow.
Come on, Sam, I can do it.
I'm as strong as you.
They'll listen to me.
They're not supposed to listen to you.
I'm their leader.
I built the sled.
It was my father's plan.
If it wasn't for his plan you wouldn't
know anything about sleds.
Why do you have to do this?
I'm being a leader.
There's only one leader on
every team and that's me.
Hold on a sec, boys.
We're not a team.
You're just using me.
You're getting to spend
a lot of time here.
You think my mom likes
having you around so much?
She just feels sorry for ya.
Hike!
- Hike!
- (SHOUTING) Hey, wait!
Stop!
Come back!
(SAM SHOUTING) No!
No!
Kayla!
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Kayla!
Kayla!
What happened daughter?
Fighting again?
Come inside.
I'll patch you up.
I expect you gave as good as you got.
Hmm?
He's never coming back.
[DOGS BARKING]
(SAM SHOUTING) Hey, wait for me!
I'm coming!
I'm coming.
Dad.
Sam?
Mom.
Wake up.
What?
He's come home.
Kayla.
He's come home.
[DOG BARKS]
Kayla.
Kayla, you're home.
I'm so glad you're home.
Good boy.
Yeah.
Proceed, Ernest.
The Tree, by Ernie Wallace.
I think that I will never
be tall and straight
as a white pine tree.
[CLASS GIGGLING]
For it is very old you see,
100 or 200 years older than me.
I think that I will never fly
like a lark or bluebird way
up high.
For bird's have wings so
they try to touch the clouds,
I know not why.
The end.
Very nice, Ernest.
Sam MacKenzie, could you
read us your poem, please?
Um, I don't have one.
And why not?
I forgot.
I was working on my sled dogs.
We're racing in the winter fair.
Now, everybody here has
chores and caring for sled dogs
isn't any more important than
caring for pigs or cattle.
They ain't dogs, they're sheep killers.
(CLASS) Woof, woof, woof,
woof, woof, woof,
woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.
[BARKING AND HOWLING SOUNDS]
Shut up!
Fight.
Fight...
(CHANTING) Fight, fight, fight, fight,
fight, fight, fight, fight.
Say uncle, say it.
Look at him.
He's getting beat by a girl.
Say it, you jerk Say it.
Say it.
Say it, you stupid idiot.
No.
Say it.
[BARKING AND HOWLING SOUNDS]
- (SAM SHOUTING) Hike!
- [DOGS BARKING]
(SAM) Yip, yip, yip, yip, yip.
Come on, hike.
Come on!
[CAR HORN]
(SAM) Kayla, Dodger, you guys okay?
This is your work, isn't it.
I'm sorry, Papa.
(SAM SHOUTING) Go, go, go.
Go, boys!
Yahoo!
Hey-ya.
There... there you go.
Come on.
That's it.
Keep going there.
A little more.
Whoa.
[DOGS BARKING]
(SHOUTING) Kayla!
[DOGS BARKING]
Steady, steady.
Hold that.
Steady, steady, steady.
(SHOUTING) Kayla!
Kayla!
Papa, they're not running
deer, they're just running.
Papa, don't!
Ahhhhh!
My leg.
It hurts, it hurts!
Sam.
It hurts.
Darn beasts.
[SCREAMS]
(SAM) Easy boy.
Easy.
Ow.
Mr. Nightingale, take off your coat.
We need to give her warmth.
[DOGS BARKING]
We have to get her outta here.
[DOGS BARKING]
(SHOUTING) No!
The dogs can pull Jaynie out.
They can pull her on the sled.
[DOG WHINING]
Gentle, gentle.
He's shot.
You shot him.
It hurts, it hurts!
It hurts.
(SAM) Yell it out.
Yell if you want to.
We need to make a splint.
Gently.
(SOFTLY) It'll be okay.
It'll be okay.
Gentle, gentle.
(SAM) It's okay.
It's okay.
Ow.
Hike!
Come on.
Get, get, get.
(AUGUST) Go, go go, go.
Go, go, go.
Come on, boys.
Come on!
It's okay.
You're losing too much blood, boy.
Lay back for me.
We can't leave him.
(SAM) Shut up.
Mike, Dodger, tighten up!
Hike!
Hike!
(SHOUTING) Asa!
Asa!
(JAYNIE) So cold.
Asa!
Where have you been?
Jaynie's hurt.
What happened?
I think it's broken.
Yeah?
Oh, Jaynie.
Okay.
Let me get you inside.
Now put your arms around my neck.
That a girl.
Oh, it's okay.
It's okay.
It's okay.
It's all right.
(JAYNIE) I want my papa.
Yeah.
Where's Kayla?
(ASA) Ali, I need your help.
It's all right, sweetie.
Let's go.
Come on.
Let's go.
That's a nasty break.
And you're not going to be
playing hockey for a while.
Kayla.
Where is Kayla?
It's okay.
Just squeeze my hand, okay?
[CRYING]
All right.
It's all right.
I see the dog stars, Kayla.
I see the North Star, I see Orion.
I'm working on the rail road
just to pass the time away.
Can't you hear
the whistle blowing, rise
up so early in the morn'.
[DOG WHINING]
Kayla, you're alive.
You're alive.
You could still come
for your piano lessons.
Hmm?
Sam said you didn't want me around.
Said you just felt sorry for me.
Jaynie Nightingale.
Mmmmm.
Sweet.
You're gonna be all right, Kayla.
You're gonna be all right.
Looks like the bullet just grazed him.
Huh.
There are no fractured bones.
But he's lost a lot of blood.
Will he be all right?
Hold him steady.
Will he be all right.
Sam, I don't know.
Hold him steady.
I promised him I'd
always take care of him.
You know, you did all the
right things for Jaynie.
Exactly the right things.
Couldn't have done it better myself.
[DOG WHINES]
Atta-boy.
I'll get the door.
Okay.
Here you go.
Careful.
Here's your boot and your blanket.
There you go.
Thanks.
Good-bye.
I'm sorry, Sam.
It hurts too much.
You can let yourself die.
I don't care if you never want to race.
You're the best dog.
You're the best.
You can go inside now.
No, I'll... I'll stay.
Asa?
Hmm?
Will you and her always be together?
Yes.
I used to think when my father
came back there'd be questions
I could ask and he'd
know all the answers.
There wouldn't be
anything he didn't know.
It'd be great to have
a father like that.
Is he gonna die now?
Why don't you try and get back to sleep.
I'll wake you if anything happens.
Hi.
Sam.
Sam.
Here you go.
Oh.
Seems to have found his appetite.
My father's never
coming back again, is he?
No.
Hi.
[DOGS BARKING]
Hey, Kayla, you're getting better.
Look at you.
Hike!
Come on, Kayla!
(SAM) That's it, Kayla.
Almost ready for the race.
Okay, Kayla.
Come on.
Come on up.
Come on, Kayla.
Come on, come on.
Come on up.
Yeah.
Good boy.
Have some nice raw fish.
All right.
Good boy.
Good boy.
Yeah.
No.
Argh.
Okay, Dodger.
Dodger.
Dodger, come on.
Come on, Dodger, come on.
Come on. We're going to the race.
Come on Dodger.
Good boy.
Yeah.
Good boy.
Mike.
Come on, Mike.
No.
Mike!
Come on.
Come on!
Thought you might need
some transportation.
That's a good idea, Auggie.
All spectator, report to the start area.
The race will begin very soon.
The course will be about 10 miles long.
I saved us a perfect spot.
Excuse us, will ya.
I built that sled.
You wouldn't be here
without me, Sam MacKenzie.
You outta admit it.
(ANNOUNCER) All mushers,
report to the registration area.
He thinks it's all up to
him but it isn't, is it?
Nah, it isn't.
He'd never make it without us.
Toute sais ir! / Everyone listen!
I want a good, clean start to the race.
And once you're on the
trail, there are no rules.
At least none that I ever heard of.
Good mushing and may the best team win.
Bonne chance / Good luck.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
(ASA) This is it, Sam!
[STARTING GUN]
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
He did very well.
[YELLING AT DOGS]
Whoa, whoa.
Kayla!
Come on!
Whoa.
Yeah.
Sorry.
It's too late.
Jaynie.
Now we've got six dogs.
Maybe it's worth a try, eh?
Yeah.
Good boy.
Come on, let's go.
Yip, yip, yip, yip, yip.
Come on, boys.
We can do it.
Come on, Kayla.
Go, go!
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
The teams should be nearing
the fifth point of the course
by now.
Mush!
Hike!
Mush!
Get outta my way, kid.
No!
Move!
Move!
(SAM) Get off.
(RACER) Get outta there.
Get.
(SAM) No!
(RACER) Come on, dogs!
(SAM) Get off!
[GRUNTING]
(RACER) Move it, kid.
(SAM) Leave me alone!
[GRUNTING]
(SAM) Hya!
Hike!
Come on, boys.
We can do it.
Attention! They're rounding
the final marker right now.
(RACER) Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
Come on, Kayla!
[CROWD CHEERING]
(SAM SHOUTING) Go Kayla!
Go Kayla!
Yes, Kayla!
Yeah, go!
All right, Kayla!
Yes!
All right, Kayla!
Yes!
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE]
Hold on a sec.
Come on.
It's your work.
You built it.
I couldn't have done it.
You have the carpenter hands daughter.
Okay.
Hold it.
Nice family.