Wednesday, July 20, 2016

"You know what I hate more than ...."

This is James Butler Hickok, better known as Wild Bill. He was murdered in Nuttal & Mann's Saloon No. 10, Deadwood Gulch, South Dakota, on August 2, 1876. Hickok -- who at various times during his life had been an army and Indian scout, a wagon-master, courier, frontiersman, gunfighter, lawman, prospector, addicted gambler and short-time actor -- was thirty-nine years old when shot in the back of his head while playing poker. The photograph probably shows him approaching that age. This post really is not specifically about him, but if you wish to learn more, there is a thorough biography written by Joseph G. Rosa.
 
The song below, written and performed by Ted Nugent, sort of contrasts the Native American way of life and their utilization of buffalo, and their reality and spiritual / religious concept of the "Great White Buffalo," with that of, in Nugent's words, "the white man, with his thick and empty head ...." Who am I to dispute that verdict?
Located between these two elements is dialogue from a novel / film entitled, "The White Buffalo," between Hickok and a fellow-frontiersman named Charlie Zane. The fictional story is about Hickok's hunt for a rumored, yet legendary, white buffalo and his encounter and subsequent friendship with a Sioux named Crazy Horse, who was hunting the same creature. It is a fascinating tale on a few levels, from my point of view. Those lines of dialogue are where this post began, with Hickok's remark that the thing he hated most in this world was being afraid of what awaited him in "the Big Open and the Black Hills:" That was the domain of the white buffalo.
So, that is the nexus of this post. What did Hickok mean? With his background, physical fear should not be present. Or, maybe it was, since he gradually was losing his eyesight, and the white buffalo had a fearsome reputation for ferocity. Or, maybe not; maybe the fear was deeper, more primitive, more profound, stemming from the Native American mythology of the white buffalo.
Anyway .... since this post is long already, it now has become Part 1 of 2. The question is whether Part 2 ever will be completed. As of today, who can say ??

The depths of fear in a fearless man
A few lines of conversation
between Wild Bill Hickok & Charlie Zane
moments after a gunfight
in which Wild Bill killed three men
from the novel / film, "The White Buffalo,"
novel and screenplay by Richard Sale (1977)

Charlie: You sure used this town up fast.  We'd best show a heel in these parts.

Wild Bill: Question is, which way?

Charlie: New camp forming up north. Place called Deadwood Gulch.

Wild Bill: Charlie, you know what I hate more than anything else in this world?

Charlie: More than Indians?

Wild Bill: Even more than dying.

Charlie: What?

Wild Bill: Being afraid.

Charlie: What, you mean in there? (Pointing back to the saloon where the gunfight took place.)

Wild Bill: I mean out there.

Charlie: Easterly? That's Sioux land. There's nothing out there but the Big Open and the Black Hills.

Wild Bill: And the white buffalo.


9 comments:

Smareis said...

Olá Fram!

Que tipo esse camarada, que cara de homem mal ele tem. "Sorrindo aqui". Triste fim, morto com um tiro nas costas. Final trágico desse jogador viciado. Fram deve ser muito bom esse filme. Búfalo branco. Esse filme deve ser bem curioso. Eu já vi algumas tomadas de um filme bem parecido com esse, mais acho que não é o mesmo. A direção é Jack Lee Thompson éo grande búfalo branco.
Que bom que voltou com as postagens. Eu tenho tentado postar com mais frequência, mais sempre falta à animação, inspiração pra postar.

Muito bom o vídeo. Gostei da animação da banda.
Continuação de ótima semana Fram!
É vida que segue!
Boa noite!

Fram Actual said...

Well, Smareis, I was about to close off comments for this post, but you arrived just in time to ensure that I keep it open.

It is the same film, one directed by Jack Lee Thompson. It is a fascinating work, from my point of view, in that it approaches actual historical figures, the conflict between European settlers and Native American tribes and the significance of the buffalo to both groups.

More importantly, it is a study in what men fear. I suppose not everyone sees those elements present in the film, but I look as a one-time film critic and as a man whose primary interest in life is observing people and their interactions with others. I also look at films primary through an artistic lens more than as an entertainment entity.

Wild Bill Hickok was rough and tough and fiercely independent, and, if anything, he was a force for good in an untamed frontier. I think of him primarily as an army scout, an U.S. deputy marshal, a sheriff and a town marshal. He might have been many things, but he was always on the right side of the law.

Ted Nugent and his music might be described in a similar way -- fiercely independent: He is conservative politically, an avid hunter, a patriotic, religious family man, and more of an environmentalist than most so-called liberal-progressives. He also is a fantastic guitar man.

It probably will be a while before I post again, Smareis, but I do want to write a "Part 2" for this post. I am rather disenchanted with the sea of blogs, and need to be looking elsewhere for a bit of harmony in my life.

Thank you, Smareis. I am happy you were here and wrote a comment for me. May the rest of your week be a fine one, too ....

Fram Actual said...

Unlike politicians, I try to correct errors when I make them. I originally listed Richard Sale as the writer of the novel, "The White Buffalo," and as the director of the film version. I have changed the data to read Richard Sale as the writer of the novel and the film screenplay. Jack Lee Thompson was the director.

While I am here, I will mention that three of my favorites, movie-maker Dino De Laurentiis, composer John Barry and actor Charles Bronson were instrumental in this film.

Smareis said...

Então o filme é o mesmo Fram? Vou ver se consigo assistir. Eu só vi algumas tomadas, mas não assisti na íntegra. Parece bom!
Ah, Fram desculpa, não sabia que ia fechar a postagem . Você pode fechar a postagem, não permitir comentários e ocultar os comentários. Assim fica tudo ocultos. Eu não importo com o comentário ficar oculto. Assim você pode escrever a "Parte 2" da postagem. As vezes passamos por fases assim de desencanto no blog, sempre acontece comigo. Espero que você se anime logo, e não pare de blogar. Se cuida Fram!
Ótimo fim de semana!
Sorrisos pra você.

Fram Actual said...

Yes, it is the same film, Smareis.

You have no reason to be sorry about whether comments on the post remain open or are closed. What I said was meant in a serious manner, but also in a teasing or joking manner. I often close a post for comments if there has been none after twenty-four hours, but that is not always the case. There are times I do not wait at all and close them immediately, and other times I might wait two or three or four days before I block a post without comments. In fact, a few times I have closed a post and, a day or two later, opened it back up again. I am purposely inconsistent about how I use this so-called "twenty-four hour rule" of mine.

As for completing my "Part 2," we shall see. I am not altogether sure which direction I want to go with it, how I want to end it, or even if I want to publish it. It centers around my thoughts regarding physical fear and psychological fear .... fear of the known vs. fear of the unknown.

By the way, I started watching "Ladyhawke" for the second time last night -- but, I fell asleep during it. I want to watch it two or three times to absorb it more deeply, to look for things I might have missed when watching it the first time. Films often are like books, I think. They must be viewed / read a few times to comprehend all their nuances and aspects. You will have to have patience while waiting for me to write more about this film. I really do like the happy ending, though.

Yes, my moods have been very turbulent in recent months. I am looking for something, but no longer know what I am seeking. I think I have entered an abstract state of mind. Well, I will not try to explain that at the moment.

I am here for now, Smareis .... easy to find. Thank you, for your return visit, and I hope your weekend will be pleasing and pleasant ....

Anita said...

Greetings from the Island of Love:)

Short internet letter to you.First I hope you are all right.What is fear?Fear can be good as long as you are the commander..Dont let fear stay too long!Have experienced fear alot ,alot of times..But am one of the type that becomes ice cold.It would e interesting to read your post about it.

So here we are Alexander and me in hot hot weather.About 35 degress ,but we love it.Sunbathing every day and enjoying good meals by the tavernas.
Sorry my cellphone could not coupe with the heating so its dead.Goodbye 4 years of dreadful Samsung telefoni..Now I have to buy a new one.Suprisingly I took my computer with me..and here is wifi on the room..So yes I will blog something in some days.
Alex has got a serious sunburn after being to much in the waters with only 30 sunprotection..My poor little strong Indian boy..So we are home for some days before we travel to Famangusta and Salamis..The Archeologigal place.

Its good to be here.

Hope you are all right and dont think to much dear..Life goes on anyway..

See you soon!
Anita

Fram Actual said...

The Island of Love? I thought it was the Island of the Crusaders .... hmmmm .... I wonder if I might have been there in another life. Well, I suppose it always has been many things to many people, and your description is preferable to mine, Anita.

Time will tell if I ever write my "Part 2" for this post. I began by thinking about the concept of fear within myself and others I personally have known, then shifted to also include more cases or illustrations of it. But then, I discovered I could write only so far, only so much, before I came to a point where I did not know how to continue. And, I am not even sure why I began writing it. Anyway ....

Under the circumstances, I am glad you brought your computer with you to Cyprus and happier yet that you have used it to write a note to me. It is too bad about your cell phone, but it seems to me both they and computers are designed not to last much longer than four or five years.

I think either you or Alexander, or maybe both of you, have encountered this same problem on earlier visits to Cyprus -- the problem of more than a bit too long a time under the Mediterranean sun upon your arrival. I have a tendency to do that, too. Be careful, so that you do not spoil your holiday by having to stay indoors.

I was not familiar with the story of Famagusta, and did a bit of research. When you mention Salamis, does this mean you are going to the Greek mainland? I read about the Battle of Salamis when I was younger than Alexander. I am not sure if I was interested in ancient Greece or in ancient warfare at the time. Probably both. There are many elements to your holiday journeys that I envy.

I am glad you are there, too, Anita, if it makes you happy. I hope all goes well and that good weather and good fortune are your companions every moment you are there. As for me, I will try not to think too much .... in fact, it usually just gets me in trouble when I do.

Thank you, again, for your note, Anita, and enjoy your time of freedom ....

Anita said...

Goodmorning or should I say early afternnon..chilling out on the big big bed be its soo hot outside..everything is closed between 14-00 and 16.00-Siesta as the spanish says.You have absolutely right about Alexander The Great.He took over Cypruz too.The earliest archaeological finds go back to the eleventh century BC.Looking forward to go there probably on upcoming sunday.The Temple of Zeus Salaminios, whose cult was established, according to tradition, by Teucer himself, is a must to see.No not going to Greece.(may be next year at Kreta or Rhodos)Salmas is a few km from Famangusta.

Ok Fram.So what are you doing this summer?How is life treating you?

Iam glad you are easely happy.We have lived so many years no..A little smile and contentness is good.So can we say we have had a good life.

Sorry if I disturb you writing to you.'you are the only normal person which I find relaxing to talk to.On the net.Soo much assholes around myh ohh myh!

See you later Fram..or Rick or John or Ola Ola ??Just kidding!sometimes I wonder what your real name is..

Now I must go to the swimming pool for al litte brake in the day!

Much hugs!


Fram Actual said...

What am I doing this summer? Well, today, Anita, I cut grass. I did. Good exercise. I have been home for about a week now doing little more than reading and trying to stay cool and dry. The summer suddenly became very hot and very rainy around here. Otherwise, I am getting myself in trouble by thinking (and talking) too much -- I am teasing, joking about that. I think I will be home for another two weeks before it will be time for another brief trek.

I made an error on one point in my last note to you. For a long, long time, I have been aware of the Greek city / island of Salamis because of the naval battle there between the Greeks and the Persians. I did not realize there is a city on Cyprus also named Salamis. So, I assumed you were heading to Greece on a "day trip" or whatever. I should have realized I was making a mistake. Anyway ....

You certainly do not disturb me with your notes. Quite the contrary. I enjoy reading what you write to me. I am not at all certain everyone would call me normal, though. Quite the opposite, according to some, and very set apart from the mainstream in many ways. Essentially, I try to treat people the way they treat me -- like I occasionally wrote in some of my earlier posts: Look at me and you are looking in a mirror in terms of how you act. Polite gets polite in return; anger gets anger in return. Anyway, I am glad you enjoy my company; I certainly enjoy your presence.

As for happiness, yes, it does not take much to make me happy, but I am moody and melancholy and often brooding. I guess I am like the weather when I am alone, ever-changing, but a sweet voice and a cute smile keep me pretty much in line.

I think there are only two on the sea of blogs who have learned my actual name, Anita, and I am not so sure they actually knew it or figured it out or understood it. I always have preferred shadows and invisibility in as much as possible. There are many people who relish center stage and, from my point of view, they can have it; I would rather write the play than act in it.

So, I hope you enjoyed your swim .... just remember not to overdo the sun. Thank you, Anita, for coming all the way from Cyprus to visit me and to leave me a note. Take care and have fun and see you next time ....

Something special ....