All language subtitles for The Command (1954).en

How about dusting their tails, Captain?

No, we'll get back to bivouac.

Then in the morning we'll make tracks for Fort Stark.

Get our report in.

Yes, sir.

Left by twos!

Ho!

Captain Forsythe's hit!

They got Captain Forsythe!

Don't move, Captain!

Nikirk, give me a hand!

Don't move sir!

Take your hand away.

Don't move, sir.

Take it easy.

No good, eh, Doc?

Elliot.

Yes, sir?

The Doc...

...Captain Maclaw, will take command.

Un...til you get back to Fort Stark.

That's an order.

Tell the men.

Now.

Yes, sir.

Elliot's a great trooper, Maclaw.

But not a commander.

Neither am I, I'm a doctor.

Get the men back to Fort Stark.

Get 'em back.

Little piece of flint in the gut and there's stinkin' little patrolling.

From now until we get to Fort Stark...

...the Doc's in command.

Him?!

Him.

A pillole.

A green eared pillole giving orders to cavalry.

Captain Forsythe's orders, Gottschalk.

Look, I'd've chewed my way straight through Lucifer's backyard for him.

But what's a Doc know about fighting?

He's only had a couple of months service out here anyway.

Sure, a man get's a bellyache, he's got the right hogwash.

But a dose of caster oil never got rid of no Indians.

You know as well as I do Sarge that we've been chopped up enough already.

And another thing.

Something's cooking with them Indians.

We seen more Indians on this patrol, than we seen in six months.

What's gonna happen going through hostiles, huh?

What's gonna happen with an officer, that don't know a cavalry tactic from the seat of his britches?

You said you piece, Gottschalk?

No I ain't!

Yes, you have.

The Doc's in command.

Now maybe I don't like it no better than any body else.

But it's an order. Captain Forsyth's orders and any man that backs off from it gets spreadeagled under a wagon.

Now get that through them muleheads of yours.

Sgt. Elliot.

At ease.

Be ready to move out at 5am for Cashman's.

We'll bury Captain Forsyth there.

We got plenty of water, food.

And our mounts are in good shape, so I don't think there's going to be any trouble.

But if something should come up...

...I'll see if I can't come up with the right hogwash.

That's all.

Hey, you know Sarge, he's right.

We got nothing to worry about.

All we gottta do is be someplace else when these come flying, that's all.

That's Cashman's down there, Doc.

Sir.

Take a look back.

Whatta you make of it?

Well it ain't like em to dog in so close into a town.

You worried, Elliot?

No I guess not.

Once we get through Cashman's it's easy going to Fort Stark.

Take a look.

That's infantry down there.

Infantry. Dirty, stinking, crawling beetlecrushers

And they gotta see us coming in like this.

Tails between our legs, officers all gone...

You can always blame it on the Indians.

Aint no way for infantry to see cavalry, sir.

Pride, sergeant?

A lot of us get that. We're with an outfit long enough.

I see.

Captain Forsythe would have known what to do.

Well?

With the Captain's permission, sir?

PREPARE TO DISMOUNT!

DISMOUNT!

There's two companies of infantry at Cashman's

Most likely green eared recruits.

Well we're going in like cavalry.

So pair off and beat the dust outta them shirts.

Beat it out.

And roll down them sleeves.

Cock your hats over your eyes.

And when we ride in.

Eyes straight ahead.

And shut your mouths.

And keep 'em shut.

Guidon bearer, uncover the guidon and fly it.

Trumpter.

When we're ready sound the trump.

And put some spit and lip in it.

Feel better?

Well, they look like troopers, sir.

I believe your right, Sgt.

Sir, there's something else. It ain't important but...

Well if them doughfoots see...

See what?

Them, sir.

The background on them's black, it ain't yellow like a regular line officer's.

What do you want me to do? Give myself back to the Indians?

No, sir.

I beg your captain's pardon.

I wear these straps because I can patch up a man after another man's torn him to pieces. It's...

Pride with me too, Sgt.

Yes, sir.

Captain's right.

Well do you have any suggestions, Sgt?

With the captain's permission, sir?

Permission granted.

Well, there's Captain Forsythe's straps, sir.

Think I'd be able to stand up under them?

It'd just be until we get through Cashman's.

Just so them doughfoots won't know that..

Won't know that you haven't got a real officer, is that it?

If they see them straps they'll be calling us nurses, but...

Captain's right.

You're a doctor.

I thought they always rode mules.

Nah, mules got better sense than horses.

Kinda hard to tell where the horse leaves off and the man starts ain't it.

That's all of Captain Forsythe's belongings, sir.

Not much to show for 25 years.

Not much you can see, Captain.

Cavalry tactics.

Pretty well used.

Captain Forsythe knew it by heart, sir.

Any family to send this to?

He didn't have nobody, sir.

Then I don't think he'd mind if you kept this, Sgt.

I got no right to it, sir.

You mean you think I don't have the right to give it to you.

Go on, Elliot, take it. You served with him a long time.

I'll have to think some about it.

Make up your mind before Fort Stark.

Otherwise, I'll turn over the watch to the Dept in Washington.

Washington, sir?

I'm getting out of the Army in seven days.

A civilian?

As a doctor.

But your one now.

Am I?

A vetenarian can yank an arrow out of a dead man, or a live one.

A blacksmith can cauterise
a wound with a hot iron...

...but neither of them can pull a
child through diptheria or pnuemonia.

Well, I guess there's some who just don't take to solidiering.

Just ain't right for it.

I guess you're right Elliott.

There's some who like to stink of blood, sweat and leather.

When you get to Fort Stark, you'll get one.

Yes, Sir.

Excuse me , but...

Sorry, ma'am.

There's no civilians allowed in the biouvac area.

I was looking for your doctor.

Oh, well he's...

It's against regulations for civilians
to be in the biouvac area, ma'am.

Just a moment, Sgt.

It's alright ma'am.
Come in.

Thank you.

But its against regulations...

I know Sgt.

I'm Robert McClaw,
commanding D troop, 7th Cavalry.

My name is Martha Cutting.
I'm with the civilian wagon train.

You said something about a doctor?

Isn't there one with you?

Not a civilian doctor, Captain.

With the Captain's permission?

Well?

There's a surgeon with the infantry.

Why don't you see him, ma'am?

I have!

But he...

He what?

I'd like to talk to your doctor, Captain.

There's a little boy ill in one of the wagons.

Ill, of what?

I don't know.

What'd the infantry surgeon say?

That the symptons were those of...

...grip.

Well, he outta know.

But he doesn't, he...

Go on Miss Cutting.

Nothing. I'm sorry to have bothered you, Captain.

Now just a minute.

Which wagon is it?

The Pellegrini's. They're immigrants from New York.

Its alright Miss Cutting. I'll see what I can do.

Thank you Captain McClaw.

ATTENTION

I assume your duties kept you from making your
required call on the senior officer in the area?

I'm sorry, sir...

I expect nothing more from cavalry.

I'm never disappointed.

You with the wagon train, ma'am?

Yes.

What's she doing here, Captain?

I was looking for the doctor.

Of course.

If you have no further business here, ma'am?

Your name, sir?

Captain Robert McClaw.

Commanding D troop, 7th Caval...

I'm Colonel Janeway.

Major Gibbs, Mister O'Hirons.

How do you do gentlemen.

Please make yourself comfortable.

I'm sorry Colonel, we're bivouced only for the night. Leaving in the morning for Fort Stark.

Oh, an easy march Captain.

We've had our troubles, sir. Arapaho...

Did you see that civilan wagon train, Captain?

Yes, sir.

Well I was on my way to the Paradise river to join General Cook.

With as sorry a mess of recruits
as ever held the wrong end of a rifle.

Now the Department's wrapped
that wagon train around my neck.

Convoy to the Paradise river.

With officers who've never been west of the Mississippi before.

And two companies of infantry
where I should have at least four.

So you've had troubles.

I'm sorry, sir.

Think those troubles are over, Captain?

Think the hostiles will follow the wagon train?

Think we'll bird dog em off your tail and on ours?

Mister O'Hirons!

Sir?

The confirmation.

Read it!

"Colonel Janeway is authorised to attach for immediate duty..."

"...any troop of 7th Cavalry on patrol in area and proceed."

Sir, my men have been out for a week.

They need a break.

I need a cavalry screen!

Your it!

Then there's something else, sir.

Well, what sir?

I thought perhaps you'd had an experienced cavalry
officer who'd like to take over my command, sir.

I haven't got an experienced officer who can sit a standing horse!

Mister O'Hirons will give the order of march later. Move out at 4am.

Good evening, sir!

Good evening, sir.

I better go tell the men
their not going home, sir.

I'll tell 'em, Elliott.

You're the doctor.

< Alright Troop D.

00:15:25,284
< Let's go. Around the fire.

< Officer wants to talk to ya.

Gottschalk, get on your feet.

Come on, move up!

Attention!

Stand at ease.

Cap'n got something to say to you.

We're not going to Fort Stark.

You're not going home.

I know you got a break coming.

But the troop's been attached to the infantry as a screen for the wagon train.

That's all.

Take over.

Captain Forsythe'd have got this break for us.

MURMURS OF AGREEMENT

Shut up.

All right! All right!

ALL RIGHT!

Curly.

I gotta talk to my mother about being born.

I shouldn't a been.

Sometimes you make sense, Gottschalk.

Yeah.

But he don't!

Now you listen to me.

All'a yer.

He could have pulled outta this just by saying he was a doctor.

But he didn't.

None of your are...

Don't worry.

We got enough troubles without letting them
doughfoots know we're playing nursemaid to a pillole.

Lets keep it that way.

Now turn in and get some sleep.

It may be the last
you'll get for some time.

Curly!

Reveille's at 3:30

Hey Sarge!

Would it be too much trouble to get me transferred out of this outfit?

LAUGHTER

Go to sleep and dream about it.

LAUGHTER

Which one is the Pellegrini wagon?

Right over there, Cap.

Thanks.

KNOCK KNOCK

Mr Pellegrini?

Si. Si.

Understand you have a
sick boy in your wagon?

WHIMPERING

UNDISTINCT ITALIAN SPEECH

What d'you want here Captain?

I promised I'd do what
I could, Miss Cutting.

You could send your doctor.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

..For the time being.

But if I could take a look at the boy...

No. It won't be necessary, thank you.

Why the chip on you
shoulder, Miss Cutting?

I'm sorry I seem that way.

Now...

...how about the boy?

I said "No".

I can take care of him.

You weren't so sure about that a while ago.

I've got to go, their waiting for me.

Hello, there.

Howdy, Cap'n.

Say...

...you know anything about the sick Pellegrini boy?

Another one sick?

Another one?

Yeah!

Just buried one a couple of hours ago.

Don't know nothing about this'ne.

Thanks.

KNOCK KNOCK.

What is it you want, Captain?

I'd like to talk to you.

ITALIAN SPEECH

Well, what is it this time Captain?

You didn't say one boy had died.

Would that've made any difference?

How long was he sick?

Three days.

Only three days.

The regimental surgeon said it was grip.

You don't believe that otherwise you wouldn't
have come looking for another doctor.

Your very curious aren't you?

Why?

You've made me curious.

The symptoms of grip could mean almost anything.

Even smallpox.

It wasn't smallpox.

How do you know?

Because I've seen smallpox.

My father was a doctor.

Miss Cutting, I didn't say the boy had smallpox.

But these people in this wagon train.

Well they come from everywhere.

Who knows what they carry with them, what they've picked up, or passed through on their way out here?

A disease like smallpox has an incubation period.

In other words, it wouldn't show up immediately.

Only its symptoms, which could be...

I've seen smallpox too.

I know how it acts.

Then, er...

...then you'd know one of the symptoms would be a rash?

That's right.

The boy who died would've...

He didn't have.

I see.

It was kind of you to take an interest Captain, now I've got to go.

Beggin' the Captain's pardon, sir.

Troop's ready to move on orders, sir.

All troopers for duty.

Farrier reports all mounts checked and ready.

At ease, Sgt.

Have you ever read
this cavalry manual?

No, sir.

Yet you live by it,...

...fight by it, die by it.

If it's orders, sir.

There's nothing in here
about Indians though is there?

You only get to know hostiles by fighting them, sir.

Well, who wrote a book on that?

You don't get to know Indians in a couple of months, Captain.

You?

Well, sir.

I know. I've got green ears.

Go on, Elliott.

What were you going to say?

Well Indians fight two ways Cap'n.

When they're running against a little outfit...

...they go ring around right away...

..and close in quick for the kill.

But if they're running against a big outfit, like we're tied up with now.

They keep hacking and chopping away at your weak spots till they wear you down.

Then they go ring around.

And once they get you in a circle...

...they know you're finished.

Thanks, Elliott.

I'll remember that.

Sir.

"I want three scouts to move out toward the hills" he said.

Just like he knows what he's doing.

Corporal Fleming,...

...Private Nikirk,...

...and Private Gottschalk.

You see, Fleming...

All you gotta do is read a book.

Like I always said.

Read a book.

Be a Cap'n.

Two...

Got to make you a major.

Three, a Brevet Colonel.

And Four...

Go back to being a private.

Education's dangerous.

Shut up!

Get downwind next time, Gottschalk.

Why don't you duck next time, Corporal.

Can't duck that smell.

You ever change shirts?

Nothing to change for out here.

Anyway's you don't like the smell.

Why don't you transfer to the infantry.

Christopher!

WHISTLE

Glory.

Glory!

GLORY!

Arapahoes!

Cheyennes!

Omahas!

Sac!

Otoes!

Fox!

We've seen enough.

Let's get back.

Hostiles must be crazy.

A line like that and nobody riding scout for them.

WAR CRY

GUNSHOTS

Deploy for action.

1st Squad, follow me!

Charge!

Come on, let's give 'em a dusting.

Let 'em go.

Nikirk's back there.

Was he hit?

Clean through the chest.

Then there's no helping him.

Maybe not, but you just can't leave him out there.

We can't afford to lose another man.

Gottschalk.

Hold it, Elliott.

Now get this.

All of you.

I took over because Captain
Forsythe asked me to.

I stayed in because of your precious pride.

Now your going to respect mine.

I'll give the orders and you'll follow 'em out.

Or I'll have the seat of your britches nailed to a stump and then have you kicked over backwards.

Cashman!

Rejoin the rest of the troop.

Elliott, take over.

Column, by twos!

YO!

What was that scouting party doing as far out as the hills?

My orders, sir.

My orders are for you to screen the column.

Not drag your yellowlegs all over the country looking for glory.

I wasn't looking for glor...

I've got orders to join
General Cook at the Paradise.

I intend to get there without trouble.

Unless these hostile raiding parties are poked up by your jackasses on horseback.

They won't attack an outfit as big as this.

They're not just small
raiding parties, sir.

My scouts saw Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Sac, Fox, Omaha, Pawnees...

Pawnees!

What'ta you talking about man?

Pawnees this far west?!

Pawnees!

And the rest!

With their squaws!

It's a migration.

Mister O'Hirons!

D'you know what's happened, MacClaw?

It didn't take long for every hostile to hear about Custer and Little Big Horn.

A cavalry defeat, sir!

One that lowered the
prestige of the whole army.

Sitting Bull can wave that, and 300 scalps, under the nose of every Indian in the territory.

He's got 'em together.

Probably promised them more scalps.

Sir.

Move out at four in the morning.

Fifteen minutes double
time.

Ten minutes quick time.

Ten minute halt every hour.

Yes, sir.

Just hope we reach the Paradise
before they get too strong.

Sir.

May I suggest that my troop act as a rearguard?

Where did you learn your cavalry tactics, Captain?

Well...

Infantry isn't mobile, sir...

Neither is dead cavalry. Ask Custer!

But in this case, sir...

In this case you'll follow my orders!

Don't presume to teach me how to soldier!

Don't think that you can play hero at the expense of my command!

Just screen me and leave the Indians alone! D'ya hear me, leave 'em al...

Get out!

Get out of here!

Sentry?

Yes, sir?

At ease.

Where's your regimental surgeon?

Down by the civilian wagons, sir.

Thank you.

You're the regimental surgeon? >

Um hum

I think that you'd better take a look at the Colonel.

Captain, I've looked at that Colonel every
day for the last five years except today.

Now why spoil it for me?

He's sick.

CHUCKLES

He's sick?

Why that old fool outta be home in bed writing memoirs that nobody'll ever read.

Instead of that he slogs off his thirty miles every...

Until he gets his pension so he won't starve to death. Meanwhile, he's sick!

High blood pressure. And he's close to a stroke.

Captain, stick to horses.

I'll throw water on the Colonel and wipe the noses of these idiots that should have stayed at home.

One of 'em sniffles and they all get it.

Get what?

Well since you seem to be so
expert at diagnosis you name it.

Meanwhile, I'll just call it the grip.

Hello, sonny.

You hurt down here?

Back hurt too?

Miss Cutting?

I'd like to speak to you.

Outside.

ITALIAN SPEECH

Miss Cutting.

Where'd the Pelligreni's come from?

From New York.

From the slums?

That's right Captain, from the slums.

From filth and sickness.

They ran away from all those things. Is that a crime?

Hardly, but that's not the point right now.

Then you make the point.

You said your father was a doctor?

Yes.

Then you can make the point as well as I.

You know what I'm talking about. The boy who died and now this one.

Sick.

Doctor Trent said it was the grip.

I know what you think of Doctor Trent.

You never saw the other son. Did you?

He was nine years old and looked twenty.

Because every day of those nine years he walked on legs that were crooked and ugly.

Because of the filth and sickness he was raised in.

So his mother and father brought him out here to give him what they couldn't find in New York.

Life.

But it was too late.

And this other son, was he sick when they left?

Was he sick when they left?

He wasn't.

And because he is now you're
determined to make the worst of it.

Why?

Because we've got to expect the worst and prepare for it and the worst might be smallpox.

Can't you understand, if we knew that the boy who died had a rash, what the rash looked like.

Then we'd know...

I told you he didn't have!

Your lying.

SCREAM

SCREAM >

Captain MacClaw's waiting, sir.

All right. Send him in.

Yes, sir.

Mister O'Hirons?

Sir?

The, er,...

...first time is always the worst, son.

It make you a soldier or a...

I'll see Captain MacClaw

Yes, sir.

Where did they come from, MacClaw?

How did they manage to get through?

I dunno.

Probably lying out there waiting for us.

A few of them could do it.

You said something earlier about a...

...about a rearguard?

Yes, sir.

What about it?

We'll be outnumbered three to one before we hit the Paradise river, sir.

I know that.

Infantry protects the flanks of the column on the march, sir.

But the rear?

That's where the Indians are going to hit us.

They'll try to weaken us enough to force us into a defence circle.

Once they see that, sir, they know they can wipe us out.

Go on.

Well if my troop hangs back.

They may be able to stop the Indians from hitting the rear of the column, at least until your infantry gets set.

If we hang far enough back...

We may be able to stop them from
doing what they did a little while ago.

Surprise us.

Alright MacClaw, go ahead.

Thank you, sir.

They're keeping in touch, sir.

Main body's moving out, sir.

Deploy, Sgt.

DEPLOY!

YO!

One thing I'll say for the doc.

He figures out good ways to get us killed.

Smallpox.

I wonder why the Colonel split up the camp?

I dunno, sir.

Bivouac here, Sgt.

PREPARE TO DISMOUNT!

Dismount! >

What is this?

Colonel's orders, sir.

Smallpox.

I'm sorry, sir.

But no-one's allowed in the circle.

It's alright, Lieutenant

I'm vaccinated.

Yes, sir.

KNOCK KNOCK

Ask 'em to wait outside.

Tell 'em its alright, I just want to take a look at their boy.

ITALIAN SPEECH

ITALIAN SPEECH

There are three more sick children in the other wagons. And one adult.

I want the truth now...

...the son who was buried at Cashmans, did he have this rash?

Yes.

If I'd told you the truth, what good would it've done?

There was nothing anyone could do.

Except protect the rest of the column.

That would've meant leaving the Pelligreni's back in Cashmans.

The Pellegreni's are one family against the whole column.

You've endangered the lives of everyone in it.

How do you know?

If there'd been a decent doctor...

...one who could've been sure.

If I'd found anyone to help...

...maybe I would've told about the other boy.

But you didn't so you took the stupid chance.

And you wouldn't've?

You'd've left the Pelligreni's behind!

That's right, I would've.

Because your profession is war.

Following orders and regulations.

That's all that matters.

But I...

...I don't understand?

I was supposed to be in command of my
troop only until we got through Cashmans.

A little matter of pride.

You see infantry and
cavalry don't mix well.

Doesn't anyone know?

Uh huh.

My troop...

...and now you.

But the colonel?

The colonel's a very sick old man.

If I told him all I knew about cavalry tactics
was what I read in a book it'd kill him.

I see.

I'm sorry the way I spoke.

Unbutton your blouse and roll it down off your shoulder.

Vaccination.

It's alright.

What are the Pelligreni's to you?

My father died two days after the wagon train left Illinois

I'm sorry.

The Pelligreni's took me in.

They had almost nothing yet...

...yet they shared it with me.

And now you're alone.

Yes.

Why didn't you turn back after your father died?

There was nothing to go back to.

Nothing and no-one.

My father always had a dream of
coming out here to a new life.

It became my dream too and I couldn't give it up.

No more than you could deny being a doctor when...

And you?

You already know my big secret.

I don't mean that.

Family?

None.

I won't even have the army in a few days.

My enlistment will be over.

So you'll leave and go back east?

Uh huh.

Wouldn't a doctor be more useful out here?

Where there are none?

For...

...for kids like this.

What do you do now?

Do?

What d'you mean?

C'm here.

Ya see that that light in the sky?

That comes from the campfires of the Indians.

That many of them?

Um huh

Right now they're five, maybe six, miles away.

But they'll come closer every day.

Won't take 'em long to spot these isolated wagons.

My troop's too far back to come up fast and...

...the infantry has to fight where it stands.

Why're you telling me all this?

You can't stay with these wagons.

Someone has to take care of the sick.

These people know nothing about it.

They're frightened.

Like the Pelligreni's, and no-one else will come near their wagons.

You're taking an added risk when you don't have to.

So are you...

..doctor.

Alright.

If you're going to do it, do it right.

Destroy, get rid of everything that comes in contact with the sick.

Understand?

Yes, I will.

Good night.

Cap'n.

Some more of 'em.

There's enough of them to hit us real hard but they're holding off.

Why?

Well the column could have 'em worried, sir.

Never say an Injun's dumb.

He just waits for the chance to
use his one good cavalry tactic.

Ring around and close in.

So far, we ain't given 'em nothing but a long flank.

He can't ring it without spreading too thin.

GUNSHOT

It's the column.

Close formation. Have the trumpter sound the charge.

CLOSE FORMATION!

SOUND THE CHARGE!

They hit us before we knew what happened.

Which one?

The Pelligreni's, sir.

Take over, Sgt.

Yes, sir.

TROOP DISMOUNT!

Martha!

Are you alright?

I...

...I was in one of the other wagons.

There's nothing we can do about it.

That's what the Indians want, to draw us into the main body.

CRYING

Bad?

Yes, sir.

One wagon cut out.

Well there's nothing I can do about it.

Nothing!

I can't spare another man from the main column to guard those isolated wagons.

Close the gap between 'em, sir.

Sure, go ahead close it, if you want
smallpox to hit every manjack of a command.

I can't risk that, MacClaw.

That gap gives us two weak spots to guard.

At least narrow it down until we can be sure there is smallpox.

And while we're making sure we'll have a plague.

MacClaw, I told you once before to mind your
horses and keep your nose out of my business.

Now I got wounded to patch up.

Mister O'Hirons.

Twenty minutes of double time, quick time fifteen.

Cut down halts to five minutes every hour.

But sir, the men!

The men have the choice of staying with the pace or the Indians.

Lash the stragglers to the wagon tails.

Pass the word, Mister O'Hirons.

Rejoin your company, Gibbs.

The Department pulled him away from a desk in Washington.

Gave me a paper soldier and two companies of recruits.

My troop has extra mounts, sir.

Thought perhaps you'd like to...

I'm an infantryman, MacClaw.

If I'm going to die, I won't do it sitting down.

I can still march the pants off any man in my command.

That's all.

Rejoin your troop.

Yes, sir.

What'd ya make of that, Elliott?

Well I hope it ain't what I think it is, sir.

Rest the troop. We'll take a look.

TROOP, REST!

Just what I thought, sir.

Them green eared infantry recruits are starting to travel light.

I'd have them spreadeagled and kicked from here to California.

Them Injuns ain't dumb.

Where are they?

Why haven't they hit us again, Elliott?

That's what I mean, sir.

They seen this.

They know that any outfit in good shape cleans up a bivouac area.

They figure things are getting sloppy and bad, so they figure they've got plenty of time.

This'll be a bonanza for 'em.

They'll come running to
this like kids to a junk pile.

What if we make them think
their wrong about the outfit?

What if we give them something else to think about?

Sir?

Nothing in the book, Elliott.

Just an idea.

No rash.

No.

And not on any of the other's in the wagons that were isolated today.

So we don't know yet whether it's smallpox or not.

And as long as we don't know we can't close the gap
between these isolated wagons and the main body.

If the Pelligreni wagon hadn't been...

If the Pelligreni boy
was still alive you mean.

I'm sorry.

Can't you understand?

He was our only...

Guinea pig!

Now look, don't blame me for what's taken centuries to accomplish.

We breed our own diseases in our own previous civilisation.

Then we breed a limited immunity which only holds off the disease for a while.

Makes it hard to recognise.

I don't know, maybe the Indians better off.

He's a savage.

A barbarian, if you like.

But he has no disease like this.

And no immunity.

But then he has no civilisation.

We bring it to him.

One way or another. Whether he likes it or not.

You sympathise with them.

Why?

Perhaps because we've destroyed the Indian's ability
to make a distinction between the good and the bad.

He has a child's logic.

The white man hurt him.

Therefore all white men are bad.

You hate being a soldier and you hate killing yet you do it.

I've a uniform and a conscience.

Right now the uniform covers the conscience.

Tomorrow, I'm going to do something that...

...that a week ago I wouldn't have thought of doing.

And I'll despise myself for doing it.

On the other hand I'll excuse myself by blaming my responsibility to...

...to you and everyone else. I have no choice.

None of us has, Robert.

Each of us has to fight any way he can.

A life is precious to an Indian, or to us.

Robert, how much chance do we have to get through?

As long as we keep moving, we'll be alright.

I've been watching the soldiers. How much longer can they keep up that pace.

I dunno.

And when they can't?

When they can't, we stand and fight.

With no chance of winning.

There's always a chance.

For everyone?

I may not see you for the next couple of days.

Why not?

The troop will have to hang back.

If I can, I'll...

...I'll come back later.

ALRIGHT, MOUNT UP

Shall we go get the rest of 'em, sir?

Let's not press our luck, Sgt.

We're heading for the wagon train.

By twos.

COLUMN OF TWOS.

YO

Whatta they waitin fer?

They been doggin us like this for five days.

Why don't they come in and get it over with.

They're everywhere.

Really got us pinned in.

He ain't got another day left in him.

Can't do it, huh?

Not after seven years.

Injuns's pick him up.

Leastways he'll have a chance.

Go on.

'45-70 Infantry.

One starts it, they all do it.

End of the rope.

Take over.

MacClaw?

Haven't seen you.

Two days.

We've been pretty far back, sir.

Not much longer, MacClaw.

We'll make it.

Infantry rifle, sir.

Discarded.

Find the man.

Spreadeagle him on a wagon wheel.

Discipline.

No good, sir.

It'll happen again.

We haven't got another day left in us.

My troop or your men.

They'll keep moving.

We won't stop.

Any man who does, I'll have shot as a deserter.

Your's or mine.

D'ya hear that, MacClaw.

D'ya hear tha...

Sentry.

Get your surgeon.

On the double!

Major Gibbs, Mister O'Hirons!

I'll take over, MacClaw.

Stroke.

Shoulda happened sooner.

It's a wonder he's still alive.

Do something!

Alright, I'll prescribe a vine covered
verandah with a rocking chair.

Meantime, I'll have him moved to a wagon.

Trent!

Yeah?

And keep your mouth shut about
this until we find out what we can do.

We don't want panic.

What we got's good enough.

You're senior officer now Major.

I?

My seniority means nothing.

I should've been kept at a desk, shuffling papers.

But when the army cuts personnel, somebody
always puts a square peg in a round hole.

If you'll accept the command, MacClaw.

I'll place myself at your orders.

You're the only officer with enough experience to give us a chance.

Experience?

Sure!

You men don't know it but I've only been in the...

Look, MacClaw, we've got
two companies of green recruits.

They've been on the edge of panic for five days now.

Colonel Janeway held them together but...

..well if they find out he's not fit for duty...

...they'll break wide open.

I can't give 'em what the old man did.

You can!

They'll have confidence.

Mister O'Hirons.

Get Sgt. Elliott and Sgt. Major Jason.

I make it about thirty miles to the Paradise, sir.

If we send a runner ahead...

He'd never make it. They'd cut him down.

What's this like?

Elliott?

What's the terrain here like?

That's Medford pass right there, sir.

It's about ten miles from here.

It's the only way you can get through the mountains to the Paradise.

That gives us an answer, gentlemen.

Why the Indians haven't hit us with everything they've got up to now.

They've just been waiting.

Waiting until we got weak.

They're going to get to the pass first, they're going to command it...

Block us.

And wipe us out.

Never say an Injun's dumb.

Any chance of us getting their first, Elliott?

None!

We can move only as fast as the slowest of us.

Look like...

..we stand and fight here, sir.

That's what they want us to do.

Once we form a defence ring, they'll know they've got us.

But if we hold out, we'll be overdue at the Paradise.

General Cook...

...will send troops and find
the remains of our heroic stand.

They'll bury what's left of us and Custer will have company.

You ever study medicine, Major?

My medical friends tell me that sometimes a doctor has to improvise.

That the book doesn't always cover everything.

How many expert riflemen do you have, Major?

Forty, sir.

Get 'em ready.

Get plenty of ammunition.

Yes, sir.

Sgt. Elliott.

Sir?

Pick twenty men.

I want you to keep all the Indians scouts aways from the camp tonight.

Can you do it?

Yes, sir.

Report back later.

You know, giving me the...

...command wasn't orthodox, Major.

So let's just forget all about the book, huh?

Mister O'Hirons?

I want the sick and the wounded doubled up.

Use as few wagons as possible.

Muffle the harness with rags,...

...give the axle all the grease they can hold.

I want the remaining wagons, and I want them empty.

Now, MacClaw, we can't just commandeer the civilian wagons just like that.

We're going to!

Get movin'

What's your plan?

You,...

...the civilians,...

...and most of the infantry will move out for the pass tonight.

On foot.

You should be able to make it before morning.

And you?

The Indians are going to see a defence circle in the morning, Major

The riflemen and half of my troop are going to be there to man it.

Now wait a minute, MacClaw,...

...your men have mounts.

They've got half a chance.

It's murder for the riflemen.

The riflemen are going to fight from the wagons.

Fight from wagons?

Well why not?

Its never been done!

Wagons are supposed to be used as a defence.

So the book says.

Lets keep a closed book...

...and an open mind, Major.

Mister O'Hirons.

Sir?

Sick and wounded are doubled
up in those two wagons, sir.

The rest of the wagons will be empty in a couple of minutes.

Fine.

Civilians would like
to know what's up, sir.

You can tell 'em they're moving out for the pass tonight on foot, as soon as they are ready.

Yes, sir.

When we hear from Sgt. Elliott you can move out, Major.

Mister O'Hirons.

You'll be in charge of
the column moving out.

I'll stay with Captain MacClaw.

Not courage, Captain, curiosity.

If I'm going to die, I'd like to be different.

This should do it.

Mister O'Hirons?

The move has got to be made in absolute silence.

The Indians must believe that the entire column is bivouaced here until morning.

I'll see to it, sir.

Good.

Now when you reach the pass, dig in.

Rifle pits for every able bodied man.

Alright you better move up to the front.

I'll pass the word along as
soon as its time to move out.

Major Gibbs.

Take six of those wagons.

Bulwark their sides with sacks of oats.

Man 'em with your expert riflemen.

Form the rest of the wagons into the defence circle.

That's it.

I heard what your going to do.

Oh, Robert.

Why can't we all go?

< COUGH

< Sir.

It's all clear for the time being, sir.

They're having a big pow-wow dance right now.

Good.

Excuse me, sir.

Sgt. Elliott.

Sir?

Ten of the troopers are going with the column.

You're in charge.

I just put Corporal Fleming in charge, Cap'n.

Alright, Elliott.

You tell Corporal Fleming to keep well ahead.

If the hostiles spot the move, start fighting, we'll come up fast.

Pass the word to Mister O'Hirons to move out.

Yes, sir.

Move the wagons up to the front.

Put out those lanterns and keep it quiet.

What's the matter, Major?

I hope you know what you're doing, MacClaw.

I don't.

Look.

These are the eight wagons in the defence circle.

Six of them...

...will hold the expert riflemen.

They'll be protected by sacks of oats.

The sixth one'll hold the howizter, besides the riflemen.

That one.

That clear?

Then what happens?

When the Indians attack...

...they'll form a complete circle around the wagons.

And just when they think they've got us, these six wagons are going to break out.

Forming a triangle, like this.

The triangular formation will let the fire of one wagon...

...cover the next...

...and so on.

Each side of this triangle will be practically a solid wall of fire.

Kind of like an enfilade fire.

The sixth wagon...

...the howitzer wagon will plug up the open end of the triangle.

That's it.

What d'ya think?

I don't think anything.

I just hope it works.

Emergency operation, Major.

Column's been gone almost two hours.

Think the Indians have seen them?

I dunno.

Say, Sgt. Elliott?

Sir?

Think we got away with it?

So far, Cap'n

Look like they're still whipping themselves into shape for the kill tomorrow.

WAR DRUMS

That doesn't mean they won't suspect and head for the pass themselves.

I know.

But chances are they saw the whole column bed down for the night.

Right, Elliott?

Most likely, sir.

They'll be sending out scouts though pretty soon for sure. Just to keep a check on us.

They'll see us here.

And not the civilians.

Yes, sir.

So lets make it look good.

This should do the trick, Sarge.

Yes, sir.

Pick five troopers, have 'em put those on.

Come along, Major.

Webb,

Twist,

Davis,

Yo.

McDermett.

Gottschalk.

C'm here.

You five men are going to pretty yourselves up now.

In this?

That's just your colour, Gottschalk.

Did he order this?

There ain't nothing in regulations says I gotta wear...

No, but there's something in there about obeying orders.

Get 'em on.

No.

I...

I ain't gonna get killed in this, it won't look right.

When you get it on...

...I want the first waltz.

LAUGHTER

I knew it!

I knew that pillroller would ruin the cavalry...

Davis?

Dav...

You remind me of a little
ol' gal I used to call on.

Yeah?

I had to give her up,
I started drinking too much.

It's the only way IO could stand her.

HOLLOW LAUGHTER

Hey!

Look at this.

A built in saddle.

LAUGHTER

Not a sign of 'em.

Maybe the gamble didn't work.

If it didn't we've sacrificed every one of those poor devils that moved out last night.

They wouldn't stand a chance on foot.

I'm already spoken for.

THERE THEY ARE!

GET TO YOUR POST!

ALRIGHT ON THE DOUBLE!

ON THE TRAP!

I want the one with the pretty feathers.

Yeah?

Your hair'll look good on him.

READY, FIRE!

The circle's getting pretty tight, sir.

GET ABOARD, MAJOR!

CAVALRY

CAVALRY, MOUNT UP!

GO ON MAJOR!

GO!

WILHELM SCREAM

MOVE OUT

KEEP GOING!

AS FAR AS YOU CAN!

THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT.

TOOK 'EM RIGHT BY THE SHORT HAIR

ITS NOT OVER YET

THAT'S NOT HALF OF THEM

REIN YOUR HORSE

REST

They won't try the flanks again, but they'll come down and hit the rear.

I can't figure where the rest of them are.

Must be two, three hundred more.

Well, there's enough of them to go around for a while.

THERE THEY ARE!

MOVE OUT!

ALRIGHT, REST.

The grapshot did it, doc!

Yeah.

It's them or us, sir.

Where are they?

Where's the rest of 'em?

The pass, maybe?

THEY AIN'T GONNA RUN INTO THAT HOWITZER AGAIN, SIR.

FALL OUT!

YO!

TAKE 'EM UP

DON'T LET 'EM CUT US OFF!

DOC!

DOC!

THE PASS!

THE INFANTRY'LL COVER US!

IF THEY'RE THERE!

STAND AND FIGHT!

THEY MADE IT!

THEY MADE IT!

TAKE COVER!

It's alright, sir, we got 'em on the run.

Is it bad?

Sir, you said once I oughta have this.

But I'd kinda like to have it now, Cap'n.

Cap'n!

Yes?

Captain?

Yes?

Me and the...

..my lady friend's like to...

...well...

...you sure found the right hogwash, doc.

Sir.

Hey, Davis!

Unhitch me will ya.

Sure!

You still worried about the rest of them, Elliott?

Yes, sir.

Well you don't have to.

Not anymore.

They're sick and they're going to be sick for quite a while.

Smallpox?

Chicken pox.

Take care of the wounded, Elliott.

Yes, sir.

This the cloth you used on the sick?

Yes.

I told you to destroy them, get rid of 'em.

I threw them away.

You know better than that.

You should've burned them. Why didn't you.

What do you mean?

The Indians picked up chicken pox from that.

Chicken pox!

Then it's not...

Smallpox, no, but it might've been.

You could've been spreading a terrible disease among a people with no immunity.

No defence against it.

They could've gotten it from the Pelligreni wagon.

Or from any of the rubbish that was left behind.

And your accusing me of...

Scuse me, sir.

The colonel wants to see you.

The colonel said immediately, sir.

Alright, lets go Sgt.

Well, I...

...I heard what you did, MacClaw.

Armoured wagons! Huh!

That'll give the Department something to think about for while.

They'll give you a medal and...

...then forbid anyone else to do it again.

Thank you, captain.

Thank you, sir.

Mister O'Hirons.

We move out in an hour.

We'll take the...

I wouldn't worry about moving out, sir.

The Indians aren't going to attack again.

What?

What're you talking about?

They're sick.

Riddled with chicken pox.

MacClaw.

I told you twice before to stick to your horses.

I suggest you take a look at some of the Indians, Dr Trent.

You'll find they have chicken pox.

Hit 'em like wildfire.

No immunity.

Practically no incubation period.

Yet, they have the typical rash.

You see, doctor...

First its armoured wagons now your a doctor.

Yes, sir, I always have been.

Your not a line officer?

No, sir.

I was supposed to have taken the troop over, only for seven days.

The line officer was killed and...

Well.

Mister O'Hirons.

Mister O'Hirons!

Regulations stipulate ten dollars a month additional for command function.

When we reach the Paradise, notify the paymaster that Captain MacClaw has commanded with distinction

The government owes him...

...three dollars and thirty cents.

Thank you, sir.

I'm sorry Martha but...

...when I found those rags on the Indians I...

I know what you were thinking.

Maybe you still believe it.

What should I believe?

It's something you'll have to answer in your own mind, Robert.

COUGH >

COUGH >

Scuse me, sir. Any orders?

None, Sgt.

And I think I'll ride up here for a while.

You're the doctor.

COLUMN OF TWOS!

YO!