Original subtitles

And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Hyah! Yah!

Yah! Yah!

Howdy, folks. I'’m the Old Ranger,

and I have another interesting true story for you

about the historic Death Valley country.

You'’ve all heard about marriages of convenience,

and I guess that'’s how you'’d rate this one.

Except that it really wasn'’t a marriage at all.

What I mean is...

Well, suppose I let you hear the story for yourself.

It'’s called...

And it'’s late back in the 1880s,

where the first railroads were being built

across the great American desert.

[ Indians whooping ][ gunfire ]

[ whooping continues ]

I told you in my telegram, Mr. Phelps,

that I couldn'’t help you.

You'’ve just wasted your time coming out here to see me in person.

I never waste my time, Major Lewis,

and I never accept a man'’s refusal

without good and sufficient reason.

I gave you my reasons.

Which I refuse to accept.

This railroad is for the good of the whole country,

and it seems to me that the government should be very happy

to cooperate in its building.

The government is, but unfortunately, the Indians aren'’t.

I haven'’t enough troops in this garrison

to patrol your right-of-way and protect your construction work.

If you'’d run the line south of here like I suggested, Mr. Phelps,

you wouldn'’t have any trouble with the Indians.

No, but I'’d add 200 miles of the cost.

I'’m not giving up on this problem yet.

There'’s a way to solve it somehow.

There might be, at that.

Make your own treaty with Black Hawk, their chief.

Treaty?Yes.

You could convince him that all you wanted to do was to cross their territory.

Well, he might, uh--

An excellent suggestion, Major.

I told you there was a solution.

Get Black Hawk here at once. Tell him I wanna talk with him.

It isn'’t that easy.

Black Hawk and I are not exactly on speaking terms.

In fact, we'’ve been playing hide-and-seek for several months.

There'’s only one man I know who could bring you and Black Hawk together.

Andy Prentiss?Who'’s he?

He'’s a mining engineer.

Has some claims scattered around the country.

Seems to be on pretty good terms with the Indians.

Let him come and go as he pleases.

Where can I find him?

Well, if Andy'’s in town, you can usually find him

in the backroom of Townsend'’s Tonsorial Parlor.

♪ Oh, I washed my socks in the Pecos ♪

♪ And rinsed them in the Cimarron ♪

You know, Dobie, there'’s nothing like a hot bath

to make a man feel like he hasn'’t got a care in the world.

Yeah. But I wish Townsend would change this water oftener.

I bet this is the same stuff we used two weeks ago.

Well, it might help some if you'’d quit washing your socks in it.

[ knocking on door ]Man or woman?

Man.Come on in.

Prentiss, I want you to meet Mr. Phelps.

Howdy. Come for a bath?

Dobie and I will be through here pronto.

No, I don'’t want a bath.

I'’m Alonzo Phelps, vice president

in charge of construction for the A&P Railroad.

That'’s my private car out there on the siding.

Yeah, you sound like a pretty big man.

I am, and I'’m also a man of action.

I don'’t believe in sitting behind a desk

and pushing buttons when there'’s a job to be done.

Get out and do it-- that'’s my motto.

Well, I never had a chance to sit behind a desk and punch buttons,

but I imagine that'’d be--

I don'’t believe in beating around the bush either.

That'’s another motto of mine-- come to the point.

And the point is, I want you to arrange a conference

with Black Hawk for me.

Black Hawk?

About his unreasonable objections to railroad construction.

Unreasonable?

The Indians have owned that land for hundreds of years.

Generally speaking, all the white man has brought them is trouble.

He'’s killed their game, settled on their land, and broken their laws.

All in all, we'’ve been pretty obnoxious.

So now you come along and start tearing things up.

How would you feel?

I feel if I explained to him that all I want to do

is cross his territory,

he'’d stop his confounded interference.

Is that all you want?

Certainly.

Well, it'’s worth a try.

Just so happens I'’m heading in that direction tomorrow

to look at some claims.

I'’ll take you along.

Good.Ridiculous.

I mean, well, going out there would be too dangerous, Mr. Phelps.

Indians can be treacherous.

So can a white man.

But you'’ll be all right with me if you do as I say.

When do we start?

Dawn tomorrow morning. Meet me at the livery stable.

I'’ll be there.

Oh, uh, there'’ll be a thousand-dollar charge for this little service.

A thousand dollars?

That'’s a pretty big fee.

Well, you'’re a pretty big man.

[ clearing throat ]

Well, we'’re all ready. Had the things brought here to speed up the operation.

You planning on taking all of this?

War tent, camp cot,

folding chairs, fancy groceries.

Looks like we'’re going on a safari."So far as" what?

You got enough stuff here for a half a dozen people, Mr. Phelps.

That'’s how many there'’ll be. PRENTISS: What?

PHELPS: My wife and daughter are going along.

Well, here we are. [ chuckles ]

Oh, are these the two natives who are going to guide us?

I'’m Mrs. Phelps. This is my daughter Evelyn.

Isn'’t it thrilling? I'’ve always wanted to get close to nature.

I'’m a great disciple of Rousseau. Or is it Thoreau?

I never could keep those two straight. What'’s your name?

Uh, Rousseau-- Uh, Thor-- Uh, Dobie, ma'’am.

Dobie? That'’s an odd name.

Well, you see, it'’s a nickname.

I'’m sorry to throw cold water on your fun, Mrs. Phelps,

but I'’m afraid you ladies can'’t go along.

Why not?

This is a business trip and not a pleasure tour.

Women only get in the way.

That'’s exactly what I said, Prentiss.

Besides, there'’s a certain amount of danger.

If anything happened to you, Miss Evelyn,

I'’d never forgive myself.

There'’s no more danger to me than to Father.

And where Father goes, I go, Mr. Prentiss.

Well, not this time.

Yes, this time too.

And so, the party headed out into the desert,

with Andy leading the way and Dobie bringing up the rear,

and Otis riding careful herd on Evelyn.

All day, Andy pushed steadily onward,

with the country growing more forbidding

with every mile.

On the afternoon of the second day,

Andy called a halt.

End of the line. We'’ll camp here.

Where are the Indians?

They'’re all around you.

I don'’t see any.

Well, they see you.

They'’ve been following us and watching us since early this morning.

Gracious!

Dobie!

Drop it here. We'’ll make camp.

I'’m gonna send word to Black Hawk that we want a powwow.

[ whinnying ]

Where are you going?With you.

I wanna see how you send messages to Indians.

I appreciate your curiosity,

but this is no time to satisfy it.

Now, you go back with the others.

Don'’t order me around, Mr. Prentiss. I go where I please.

Yes, ma'’am.

[ whinnying ]

Tell your chief, Black Hawk,

that his brother, White Wolf,

has brought the Big Chief of Iron Horse for a powwow.

We will wait here.

You think you can put it over for Mr. Phelps?

Oh, I think so.

I'’ll give you $5,000 if you don'’t.

If I don'’t?

I want that railroad to go the southern route.

I didn'’t know you owned property down that way.

I don'’t, but some friends of mine do.

Oh.

Is it a deal?

I only work for one man at a time, Otis.

And I got a job.

Yah.

The Indian wasted no time

getting Andy'’s message to Black Hawk.

And the chief wasted no time in acting on it.

Now what?

We'’re going for a ride.

No, you'’re not.

I told everybody to stay close to camp, and I meant it.

If you expect us to sit around twiddling our thumbs

while we wait for your red friend to show up--

That'’s exactly what I expect.

Come on.

High-and-mighty Mr. Prentiss.

I oughta punch him in the nose.

Why don'’t you?

Well, I would,

except he might refuse to help your father then.

[ horse whinnying ]

Look!

They'’re all around us.

[ whinnies ]

[ sputtering ]

It'’s good to see my brother again.

Yes, it is good.

I feel just like Christopher Columbus. How.

These people are my friends.

They have traveled far. Many suns.

Many sleeps.

This man is the Big Chief of the Iron Horse.

Yes. Uh, Big Chief Iron Horse.

Black Hawk is enemy to Iron Horse.

Oh, you mean you get carsick? So do I.

But if you'’ll take a teaspoon--I'’ll do the talking.

I understand my brother'’s feelings,

but I speak with straight tongue when I tell you

that the Iron Horse will not harm your people.

The white chief only wishes to cross your country

as the canoe crosses the river.

It is hard, White Wolf,

for Black Hawk to hold his anger at talk of Iron Horse.

It is well these people are friends to White Wolf.

I will call a council.

Tell my people what my brother has said.

Tell them also the white chief will give 100 horses

loaded with trade goods if they agree.

Fifty horses.

One hundred horses.

I have spoken.

And I will give you this.

No.I will if I please.

Here.

[ clicks ]

You shouldn'’t have done that.

I'’m getting a little tired of you telling me what I should and shouldn'’t do, Mr. Prentiss.

But you don'’t understand.

When a squaw gives an Indian brave a gift--

For your information, I do not happen to be a squaw.

Oh! How.

I was, uh, just picking some flowers.

Aren'’t they pretty?

Well... you'’re welcome.

Oh, no, thank you. I'’m not cold.

Well, I-- I guess I better be going now.

It'’s getting awfully late.

Thank goodness!

What'’s the matter?He was following me.

Who?That awful Indian, Black Hawk.

Why, he'’s gone.

He must'’ve seen you coming.

Thought I told you to stay close to camp.

What are you doing out here alone?

I was just taking a walk and picking some wildflowers,

and then all of a sudden, there he was.

I showed them to him, and he took them.

Took them?

Yes.

And then he tried to put his blanket around me.

You little idiot, you'’re gonna get us in a mess yet.

I didn'’t do anything.

Except smile at him, make up to him like you do every man you meet.

Why, Mr. Prentiss, I believe you'’re jealous.

Don'’t flatter yourself.

You'’re not gonna add my scalp to your collection. Now get on my horse.

I'’ll walk.

Stop it! Let me down this instant!

Let me down! Don'’t you dare!

Thinking Evelyn would behave herself after her scare,

and that her refusal to accept Black Hawk'’s blanket

would discourage the chief'’s interest in her,

Andy left Dobie in charge of the camp

and set out to inspect some of his mining property,

planning to return the next day.

That night...

This is the most ridiculous thing I'’ve ever heard of.

Well, nevertheless, it'’s true.

Black Hawk wants you for his squaw.

These ponies are the price he offered.

When your father brought them in, he accepted it.

Dobie, you should'’ve stopped Mr. Phelps.

Well, he done it before I knowed it, Andy.

I thought the Indian was just trying to be friendly.

Of all the effrontery!

That heathen savage, expecting you to live in a "wag-wim,"

or a "petee," or whatever you call it.

If this is your idea of a joke, Prentiss,

it'’s a pretty bad one.

I was never more serious in my life.

And so is Black Hawk.

He wants Miss Evelyn, and he means business.

It'’s preposterous.

Not according to Indian custom.

He took a shine to Miss Evelyn, and she gave every indication that she liked him.

Now you'’ve given your consent.

It'’s as simple as that.

I know. We'’ll put the ponies back where Father found them.

It'’s too late. He'’s been watching. You can be sure of it.

Then we'’ll gather up our things and flee from here

with the speed of the wind.

We could never outrun him. It'’d only make matters worse.

He wants your daughter.Stop saying that.

Here he comes now.

He'’s got a pony to take you back on him.

Mercy!

Oh, what'’ll I do?

I know. Tell him that you'’re already married and have a husband,

that this has all been a mistake. You didn'’t understand.

By Jove, that'’s the answer.

I knew you were a smart young man.

Mr. Otis, you'’ve cut the "guardian" knot.

Do you think he'’ll believe it?

I'’ll give you my wedding ring to wear as proof.

And I will be very happy to serve as your husband pro tem,

with the hope that when this is all over,

I can make the temporary part of it permanent.

May I?Yes.

I bring words from council.

When Big Chief of Iron Horse gives 100 horses and trade goods,

Iron Horse can cross Indian country

as canoe crosses river.

Thank you. Uh, thank you very much.

Now Black Hawk take white squaw back with him.

Hear me speak.I'’ll tell him.

White squaw did not understand ways of Indians.

She gave presents to Black Hawk only as a friend.

She already has a husband.

What Black Hawk wants, he takes.

Wait.

I ask Black Hawk to obey the white man'’s law

as I obey the Indians'’ law.

White man'’s law says squaw can only have one husband.

Black Hawk hears his brother'’s words

and will not break white man'’s law.

Black Hawk will fight husband of squaw to death...

and she have only one husband--

Black Hawk.

Which man is squaw'’s husband?

I am.

I have spoken,

but my heart is heavy that I fight my friend

who is like a brother.

But desire for squaw is much stronger.

My heart is with my brother.

One knife.

One knife.

No, Andy, no. I won'’t let you. Tell him the truth.

Be quiet. This is your only way out.

You coward.

[ whinnying ]

[ sputtering ]

[ whinnies ]Yah!

[ whinnying ]

[ grunting ]

[ breathing heavily ]

[ grunts ]

[ breathing heavily ]

Don'’t make me kill my brother.

It is no dishonor to lose to White Wolf.

His courage and strength has been proven many times.

I am beaten.

I have given my word about Iron Horse

and will keep it.

Oh, Andy!

Nice going, partner.

My boy, I can never repay you.

Horatio was never so wonderful when he stood on the viaduct--

or the aqueduct, or the bridge, or whatever it was.

[ crying ]

Here now. Take it easy.

I was just your husband pro tem.

You'’re not gonna stay pro tem much longer.

And that'’s the story of "Husband Pro Tem."

Or, as a friend of mine put it,

"The Story of a Girl Who Was Rescued From the Injun

and Married the Engineer." [ chuckles ]

♪♪ [ trumpet ]