Original subtitles

Personally, I agree with Sam Houston.

I say we have to fight for our rights.

Well, I disagree.

We've gotten along all right as a free state

under the Mexican Republic for years.

I see no reason to fight.

You've overlooked one thing, Jim.

Although the Spanish gave us

the right of colonization in 1821,

when Santa Anna seized control of the presidency,

we ceased to be a free state.

Now, we can either fight or face the prospect

of a government by a military authority.

General Houston.

Gentlemen, I'll get to the point.

I have been commissioned to recruit an army

for the defense of Texas as an independent republic.

Many of you are already well acquainted

with the difficulties implicit

to such an undertaking.

The others of you soon will be.

If victory is to be ours in the coming struggle,

we must have every able-bodied man

in Texas under arms.

In the absence of any active fighting, Sam,

it's becoming increasingly difficult

to convince the people of their danger.

The men are reluctant to leave their families and farms.

That is why I called you gentlemen together.

I have just received a dispatch that General Santa Anna

has occupied San Antonio.

Colonel Travis, with less than 200 men,

has withdrawn across the river to the Alamo

to prepare for its defense.

At this moment, that is the only military force

between the Mexican army and the Sabine River.

And those men need help.

How do you feel, Jim?

I'd feel better if somebody move me out on that wall.

Never get any shooting done in here.

Don't be too sure of that.

There's a lot of them left out there,

some of them might even pay you a visit.

Just bring them in,

me and Mr. Bowie's all ready for them.

I don't think we'll have to bring them in, Sam.

It looks as though they intend to come in on their own.

No word from Houston?

Not yet.

You figure the messenger got through?

I hope so.

Sam's a good man.

He'll send some boys down to help us.

He'd better send them pretty quick.

It's no use to fret, Bill.

You can always run out if things get too tough.

Nah, you aren't planning on leaving, are you, Jim?

No, I guess not.

I don't figure I could run very good.

I don't run good either, Jim.

Colonel Travis!

Colonel Travis!

Yes?

There's a Mexican out there riding under a white flag.

Says he wants to talk to you.

What did he say, Colonel?

He just said, if we don't walk

out of here right now with our hands in the air,

we won't walk out at all.

What are you gonna tell him, sir?

Is this cannon loaded?

Yes, sir.

This is driving me crazy.

First, they spend a couple hours blowing the place apart,

then you have to sit around for a couple of hours

and there ain't a sound. You don't figure

they're running out of ammunition, do you?

Why don't you stick your head over the side and find out?

I ain't that curious.

I ain't had no real sleep in four days.

How long is a man supposed to stand it?

If you get tired of it here,

why don't you just open the gate and walk out.

I've been thinking, the biggest mistake I ever made

was when I walked in.

You had all the way from Tennessee to think it over.

If I'd had five more miles to go,

I'd probably have changed my mind.

I don't understand that anyway.

What are you guys from Tennessee

doing way down here?

Ain't no war in Tennessee.

Seems to me you could've found one nearer home.

Yeah, well, we was considering in starting one,

but Davy Crockett said you Texans need some help,

so I come down here to fight.

I'm fighting.

Still don't know what I'm fighting for.

What are you fighting for?

I got a ranch up at Oxbow, with a wife and kids.

There's four or five more of us

got a ranch up that way, too.

Ain't that right, Stroud?

Yeah.

Does that answer your question?

Got a family of my own in Tennessee.

I wish mine was there instead of where they are.

Yeah? Where's Oxbow located?

Up north of here.

There ain't no Mexicans up that away, is there?

Well, none that I know of.

Well, I don't see what you got to worry about.

It's not the Mexicans I'm worried about.

We got word that Santa Anna's giving out land

grants to Texans to fight on his side.

Why? You don't think anybody's gonna hire out to him, do you?

Yeah, know one of them already.

Got a lot of followers too, fella named Jess Wade.

Well, here we go again.

Hold it. It's one of our boys!

Came right through the Mexican line.

It's one of our boys!

Open those gates!

I'm Colonel Crockett, lieutenant.

What can I do for you? I've got a dispatch

from General Houston. Where's your commanding officer?

Hey, lieutenant!

What's going on up north?

Same thing that's going on here.

They started raiding up around Oxbow.

You heard what the man said, didn't you?

Yeah, I heard him. Come on, let's go.

Stroud! Kay!

Come with me, I wanna talk to you.

Bill!

It. Lamar, sir.

I have a message from General Houston.

We've been expecting you.

How soon will the troops be here?

There are no troops.

Right now, the General's recruiting a fighting force

for the defense of Texas.

It may be days before... Why'd Sam waste his time

sending us a message like this?

The General asked that you hold the Alamo as long as you can.

There's a whole army out there.

How long does he think we can keep them back?

I don't know, sir.

But he feels, the longer the Alamo holds,

the better his chances are

of getting ready for Santa Anna's army.

Dave, muster the men.

So there's just five of us here

got families up there in Oxbow,

nobody to take care of them.

If one of us don't do it, nobody else will.

Now, one man here ain't gonna make any make any difference

but one man up there could take care

of all our womenfolk and kids and get them to a place

where they're safe and then come back.

How is he going to get out?

The messenger from Houston got in, didn't he?

Who's it gonna be?

Well, If it's agreeable with all you, fellas,

I figured we draw lots for it.

I got a hand full of beans here and one of them is black.

Whoever draws the black bean goes.

You wanna start her off, Johnny?

Why not?

I have here a dispatch from General Houston.

"March the 2nd, 1836.

"On this date, Texas has been declared

an independent republic.”

That's fine, Colonel.

But what I wanna know is, are we going

to get reinforcements or not?

We haven't slept in a week.

I'm afraid we aren't.

General Houston doesn't have an army.

He's recruiting one as fast as he can.

So if General Santa Anna can be held here

for a few days longer,

it can mean the difference

between life and death for Texas.

We all know General Santa Anna

is going to give no quarter.

I'm staying here, but anyone else who wants,

may withdraw.

Those who volunteer to stay with me,

step forward.

Would you help me out, Sam?

Anyone up there who wants to leave?

Mr. Stroud, I assume you have your reasons for leaving.

I'll see that you get a horse in a moment.

Lieutenant.

Men, this is the dispatch

I'm sending to General Houston,

"I am besieged by a thousand or more Mexicans

"under General Santa Anna.

"I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade.

"The enemy have demanded a surrender at discretion.

"Otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword,

"if the fort is taken.

"The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily

"and will no doubt increase to 3,000 or 4,000

"in four or five days.

"I have answered the summons with cannon shot,

"and our flag still waves proudly from the walls.

"I am determined to sustain myself

"as long as possible

"and die like a soldier who never forgets

"what is due his own honor

"and that of his country.

"I shall never surrender or retreat."

"Victory or death."

Lieutenant, see that the General gets our message.

Sir, with your permission, I'd like to stay here

in that man's place.

He's leaving, why not use him as a messenger?

No, you brought Houston's message,

you're going to return with ours.

Yes, sir.

Get Mr. Stroud a horse.

Back to your posts.

Mapes.

Never thought I'd live to see the day

Johnny Stroud would turn yellow.

Who says he has? He's running out, ain't he?

Do you ever figure it might take more nerve

to leave than to stay?

Worst that can happen to you is somebody

will say you died a hero.

There's a man gonna be called a coward

the rest of his life.

Then why is he leaving? We drew lots for it.

Johnny always was unlucky.

Ha!

Carlos.

Senor!

Senor Stroud!

I not know it was you.

I thought they come back.

Where's my wife and son?

I buried them over there, Senor,

beside my father.

What do you do now, Senor?

I'm going back to the Alamo.

A lot of Mexicans are going to pay for this.

Senor, it was not Mexicans who did this.

It was Americans.

Now, you and your father

have been with my family a long time, Carlos.

My wife and my son and I,

we loved you very much.

It's no time now to start lying

to protect your people.

I'm not lying.

They have Mexican Uniforms,

but they are not Mexicans.

I hide in the hills and watch.

Sometimes they are so close, I can almost touch them.

I do not lie, Senor.

Wade's guerrillas.

You know who they are?

Yeah, maybe I do.

Come on, Carlos, we gotta find somebody

to take care of you.

Ho!

Sam Houston!

What brings you to Franklin?

Hello, Fred.

I've got bad news.

You want to gather the people?

Daddy.

With the General's permission, sir,

it's my wife.

Go ahead, son.

Darling, darling, I've been...

Daddy.

Daddy.

Hey, how's the big man of the house?

Do everything your mother told you?

Folks, the Alamo has fallen.

What about the garrison, Sam?

Travis, Bowie and...

They're all dead.

[I asked them to hold out as long as they could,

and they did.

They've given us time to recruit more men.

But now, General Santa Anna's army is free to move

and they're sweeping across Texas.

Franklin may be next on their list.

My troops are just a few miles outside town.

We're going to try to head him off at Gonzales.

Meanwhile, there's no time to lose.

I want you to evacuate all women and children

and men over 60 from Franklin.

I leave this detachment to accompany the wagon train.

This is a black day for Texas,

but I can assure you of one thing,

no one shall ever forget the Alamo.

Get everyone alerted.

The wagon train must leave as soon as possible.

Good luck to everyone.

Good luck to you, sir.

I can't believe it.

Every single man killed.

No, not all of them.

Travis gave everybody a chance of leaving.

One man took it,

a man by the name of John Stroud.

Come on, honey.

Excuse me, ma'am. Who's the fella

you talk to around here?

Gage, he runs the newspaper,

the man down there with the one arm.

Thank you, ma'am.

Come on, son.

Mr. Gage?

Yes. You got a mission school

around here some place where I can leave a child?

I'm afraid you're out of luck, fella.

In a little while, there isn't gonna be anything

left in Franklin.

We've got word that Santa Anna's coming this way,

and we're pulling out.

- Where you headed? - 70 Nacogdoches.

Uh-hmm. Is there anybody on the wagon train

maybe I can pay to take care of the boy?

Him? Yeah, what's wrong with him?

Well, he's a Mexican.

Or maybe you didn't know we're at war with them.

I didn't know we were at war with kids.

Why don't take care of him yourself?

That's not fair, Mr. Gage.

The gentleman undoubtedly wants to join the army.

I'll look after him. Ma, he won't be any trouble

and there'll be no charge.

What's your name?

Carlos.

What are those bells for?

For the men in the Alamo.

What about the Alamo?

It's fallen.

And every man in it was killed.

Stroud.

What are you doing here?

I might ask you the same thing.

I got orders to be here.

Those orders come in mighty handy sometimes,

don't they, lieutenant?

Are you the John Stroud that left the Alamo?

That's right.

Hey, folks, gather round.

Gather around!

This here is the man that left the Alamo.

My man was there.

So was mine.

And I can be proud of one thing,

he didn't run away.

But he had a reason to leave.

And I thought you wanted to join the army.

Maybe I did. Which one?

I'm sure General Santa Anna would be glad to have you.

Mr. Gage.

One of the great privileges I enjoy

is the choice of the people that I talk to.

You don't have to carry on a conversation with me.

Just answer yes or no.

Do you know the names of the families

traveling on this wagon train?

Yes.

Is there a Mapes, Kaye, Billington, Hawes?

No.

Thanks.

I don't know about the rest of you,

but it seems to me that the air around here

is getting pretty foul.

Look, Carlos, you stay here, huh?

Be a good kid.

You know, maybe the kid's right.

He must've had a reason for leaving.

Mister, the way the people

in this town feel about that man,

you'd better talk soft if you're trying to defend him.

Oh, now, wait, wait a minute boys.

I ain't trying to defend him.

I reckon I'm just as good a Texan as any of you.

Senor, Senor Stroud!

All right, you, soldiers,

take him down and lock him up.

Senor Stroud, that's the man.

He was one of them, the men in the Mexican uniforms.

Are you sure?

You think I'd forget the man who killed my father?

Stroud, you better get out of town.

Maybe I like it here. I don't care

what you like or don't like.

I'm telling you to get out of town.

What'll we do with him? Put a rope around his neck.

Come on, let's string him up!

Get a rope, Ed!

Stand back, everybody.

We'll have no lynchings in Franklin.

I'll try and get you out of here alive, Stroud.

Get on your horse and get out of town.

I got business here. Get out of town

or I'll throw you in jail. That's up to you, Sheriff,

but I'm not leaving.

You're not only a coward, Stroud.

You're a fool.

Get on.

Get his hat, lieutenant.

So they gave you a rough time, didn't they?

They did the same to me.

Got an awful lot of law in this town.

Seems like.

My name's Dawes.

What's yours?

Stroud.

So you're the guy who quit the Alamo, huh?

From what I heard, there wasn't much use in staying.

Man's a fool to buck a game

if the cards are stacked against him.

I knew a lot of guys that didn't feel that way about it.

They ain't walking around, either.

What you figuring on doing when you get out of here?

Hmm, gonna get myself hung.

No. I mean... I mean, if you don't get hung.

Maybe do what a lot of others are doing.

Join the Mexicans.

What do you mean by that?

I thought you were smart enough to figure

that out for yourself.

Maybe I can.

A lot of good men on the Mexican side.

I heard of some.

Well, as long as we understand each other, huh?

I figure we do.

Fine.

Now let's figure a way to get out of this place, huh?

It's been done before.

How?

You'll see.

Beth, Kate, hurry up!

We're almost ready to go.

Mr. Gage, I've got the money from the vault.

Where do you want it? We got room in here.

Put it in the wagon.

Are you ready to go? Just about.

All right, men, check your equipment.

Let's get ready to roll.

You know, it sure is a shame we have to leave here so soon.

Yup. I'd sure like to be here

when they break Stroud out of jail.

That's one hanging I'd like to see.

Hey, maybe that's them now.

Who are you expecting?

Some friends of mine.

No, it's just some kid.

Maybe he's a friend of mine.

I didn't know you had any.

The wagon train is leaving now, Senor.

The soldiers go with it.

You better get back.

I'll not leave you.

You are my father now, and I'll not leave you.

They say after wagon train goes,

they will take you out of jail and hang you.

Nobody's gonna hang me, boy.

Carlos, the wagons are about to leave.

I'll not go!

But Carlos, I'm your father now,

- is that right? - Si, Senor.

Well, a good son always obeys his father,

isn't it true?

That is true.

All right. Then go with the lady.

But they will kill you.

No, they won't.

You're going to obey him, aren't you, Carlos?

Please take care.

Be good to the boy.

Where'd you pick up the kid?

He's an orphan.

And a Mex.

What's wrong with that? Nothing.

Maybe that answers something I've been trying to figure out

about you and the Mexicans.

You said you wanted to get out of here.

I don't see any future in staying.

You ever hear of Jess Wade?

What about him?

He don't like Texans.

Well, from what I hear, Texans feel the same way about him.

That sort of gives you something in common, don't it?

He's paying Franklin a visit

as soon as that wagon train and those soldiers

get a few miles away.

What's that got to do with me?

We could always use another man.

Maybe Wade won't feel that way about it.

Well, you won't have to wait long to find out.

How about it?

I don't owe Texas anything.

Hey, count me in.

All set?

All right, let's move out.

Heeyah. Giddy up, Heeyah.

Hooh.

Heeyah.

Heeyah.

You want somebody to spell you, Ma?

You've been beating that team over the rope

for quite a while now.

No, thanks, Tom.

You go back and help those that need it.

Fred and I get along fine.

Hi, honey.

Hi. How are the kids behaving?

I don't know. They're so excited.

I'm afraid they're gonna be pretty hard to handle.

Daddy, are we going to see Indians?

Well, I hope not.

I wanna see Indians.

Now you just mind what your mother tells you.

Come on.

He'll be all right, Carlos.

He won't be alright.

They will hang him now.

I've left him when he needs me.

That was his wish.

If I had stayed I could have told them

why he left the Alamo,

to help his family and the families of others.

The only reason he came to Franklin

was to find a place for me.

Then he was going back to the Alamo.

I heard him say it.

And you believe him?

He meant to go back. I swear it.

You believe me, Miss Beth?

I do not lie.

You will tell the others.

You will tell them he is not a coward.

I'm afraid it's a little late for that.

Well, there go the soldier boys.

You sure they got Dawes in jail?

Well, they weren't taking him to church

the last time I saw him.

Next time I send on a job, stay out of saloons.

We only had a couple.

Couple of gallons.

We'll head for the bank.

The rest of them can break Dawes out.

Well, this ain't gonna hold the Mexican army.

It'll hold for a while.

What you wanna do, run out

and leave the town for them?

Why not? There ain't nothing left in it.

What gets me, while we're fighting Mexicans,

that deserter from the Alamo

will be sitting nice and snug in jail.

Well, then why don't we string him up like we was going to?

Now hold on. Wait a minute.

Wait for what? If we're gonna get shot up,

he's can stretch. What are we waiting for?

Let's hang him. Hold on now.

Hold on.

Hey, Jim, shoot twice

if you see any of them Mexicans.

Stop or I'll shoot.

Oh, go ahead and shoot!

Looks like we're gonna have visitors.

Eh, Maybe it's Wade.

No, it's not Wade.

Who is it, then?

It's a lynching party for me.

All right, Stroud, we got a nice new necktie for you

made of pure hemp. Come on!

Come on. Get him out of there!

Here's a rope, wart.

Here, take the rope!

Come on! Come on!

It's a raid! Take cover boys!

Which side are you on?

Here.

There ain't no gold in that bank!

That bank was torn wide open.

They cleaned the place out. All right. Get to your horses.

Cobby!

Open up this barricade!

Thanks!

Where'd you come from?

Town. Why'd you leave?

Had a little throat trouble.

They were gonna hang him.

Why?

He quit the Alamo.

Is that right?

That's right.

The Alamo?

What were you doing there in the first place?

Now what would you be doing there

if the whole Mexican army was after you?

That wasn't what I asked you.

That's the answer you'll gonna get.

I'll say one thing for you, you've got plenty of guts

because right now you could be in a lot of trouble.

I've been in trouble before.

What makes you think I want you up here?

You don't like Texans, neither do I.

Then answer my first question.

What were you doing in the Alamo?

Why? I left, didn't 17.

I heard the Mexicans were giving

land grants at the end of the war.

Yeah, they're giving land grants, but I'm the one

that decides who gets them.

Anybody who works with me will be treated all right.

What's your name?

Stroud, John Stroud.

Cavish, get me some fresh coffee.

That must've been some fight the boys put up.

I'll bet old James Bowie carved up a hundred of them

before they got him.

Is that right, Stroud?

Did old Bowie fight them with his knife?

How about Davy Crockett?

I heard he was a man who could charm a possum

right out of a tree.

When a possum saw old Davy Crockett looking at him,

he just knew that was the end.

So, instead of waiting to get shot,

he just climbed down and dropped dead at Davy's feet.

You say Davy Crockett did good?

Wait a minute, Stroud.

We wanna hear more.

Won't you tell us why you run out on old Davy Crockett?

Maybe he just didn't feel like hanging around

and getting shot at.

I've been thinking, if you quit on them,

maybe you'll quit on us too.

Leave him alone, Cobby.

He ain't answered my question yet.

I say he's yellow.

Cobby, I believe the gentleman thinks you talk too much.

You'll do. You can help us start chasing the wagon train

the first thing in the morning.

There wasn't any money in the Franklin bank.

That means it's on the wagon train.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Whoa. What's the matter?

We turn off here, heading straight for High Peak.

If you ask me I think we ought to keep going

through these low hills.

It's safer. If we get strung out going through that gorge

and somebody happened to jump us, we're in trouble.

That's Indian territory, Tom.

I know all about Indians.

I lost an arm with them.

I'd like to keep the one I got left.

Well, Fred, those are the chances we gotta take.

We'll save a whole day by going through the gorge.

That's the way it's got to be.

Let's go. Heeyah.

Come on, mama. Heeyah. Heeyah. Giddy up.

Giddy up.

Cavish,

take five men and find yourself a spot on that cliff.

Cobby, you and Stroud get up on that crag.

Keep an eye on him.

I'd rather keep a gun on him.

You can do that too.

You won't be needing this for a while.

What about this Stroud,

do you think this it'll work out?

I hope so. I can use him.

I'd tell you one thing, I'd sure hate to fight him

every morning before breakfast.

Then why'd you send him off with Cobby for?

He's liable to shoot him in the back, he don't like him.

That's what I've figured.

This is Stroud's first raid.

If he don't work out Cobby will take care of him.

Tie them up.

Get up there as high as you can,

and I'll get down on that ledge.

Don't get any funny ideas.

There's only way out of here and that's right by Wade.

Hold it. Whoa. Whoa.

Hey, Tom.

What are you stopping for? Honest, Tom,

driving a wagon through that gorge is like

putting your foot in a bear trap,

and I don't think any sensible man would do it.

Fred, I've got scouts out there.

They haven't reported a thing.

Oh, I don't know. I just got a feeling.

Well, regardless of your feelings we're going on ahead.

Now get the horses moving.

Heeyah. Heeyah. Giddy up. Giddy up.

Hey, Jess, here they come.

How far off?

A good half hour.

They're all strung out in a nice long line.

When they hit this gorge, we can pick them off like ducks.

- Anything in sight? - Not yet.

I wonder what's holding them up?

Wanna trade places for a while?

You just stay up there where I can keep an eye on you,

and we'll get along just fine.

What's the matter, Cobby? Don't you trust me?

Sure, I trust you. I trust you so much

I'm not gonna give your gun back until the shooting starts.

Got a couple of friends on that wagon train.

What are you getting at?

That's why I joined up with you

to help keep them out of trouble.

Why you dirty double-crossing.

Go ahead and shoot, Cobby.

That wagon train is about a half a mile away.

You fire that rifle, you'll have those soldier boys

right up to you. You're lying.

Come on up and see for yourself.

[ Will.

Cobby. Stay here.

Whoa.

There's firing above the gorge, Lieutenant.

What are we gonna do?

There's probably an ambush at High Peak

just like I told you.

George, take the first four men

and head up back into the cliffs.

Fight in the lake if you might, if you have to.

Yes, sir. You four men, come with me.

All right. Everybody, follow me to the line.

- Whoa. - Whoa.

Get those kids behind those trees.

Cobby.

Stroud.

I'm coming after you, Stroud.

Now, I'm gonna find out if you're really yell a,

if that's why you left the Alamo.

I'll tell you why I left.

I had a wife and son at Oxbow.

I came back to take care of them.

The only trouble is you and your gang got there before me.

I think I remember her, Stroud.

She had pretty yellow hair, didn't she?

The same color as the kids.

Too bad she wouldn't listen to reason.

Come on. We're getting out of here.

Let's go after him. We'll go after him later.

Make an opening there.

They were Mexicans, sir.

They tried to run when they saw us coming.

We picked up one of their horses.

You sure it was Mexicans?

That's one uniform I'm not gonna forget, sir.

Did you get a close look at them?

Not too close, but they were Mexicans, sir.

Let's take a look at this stuff on the saddle,

and see what we can find out.

Ms. Beth, that's Senor Stroud's coat.

I'm not lying. It is Senior Stroud's coat.

Look at it. Let's see it.

I thought Stroud was in jail in Franklin.

So did I. Stroud

joining up with the Mexicans?

It don't make sense.

Maybe it does.

On top of everything else, it looks like

our Mr. Stroud has turned renegade.

No, senior, that's not true.

They're not Mexicans.

They're just dressed like Mexicans.

Hush, Carlos.

But if it is Stroud,

there's no one I'd rather see left up in those rocks

without a horse.

But you cannot just leave him.

Please, Lieutenant.

We'll be camping here until morning.

Post a five-man lookout. Yes, sir.

Lieutenant.

Can I have that,

please?

Hey, kid, where are you going?

I'm thirsty.

I'm going to find him, Ms. Beth.

It's impossible, Carlos.

Well, you'd get lost out there.

He's like my father.

I must try and find him.

No, you'd never be able to.

And even if you did, don't you see?

Well, he's not a good man, Carlos.

He's a very good man.

But he broke out of jail and joined the Mexicans.

I tried to tell you, Ms. Beth.

They're not Mexicans.

They're Americans disguised as Mexicans.

Well, it's even worse.

It's best if you try and forget him.

I'm sorry, Ms. Beth.

Give me your foot.

Thank you very much, ma'am.

I promise I'll come back.

Where does he think he's going, ma'am?

He thinks he's going to find John Stroud.

He really believes he's out there.

That ain't no place for a kid.

Come on, Bob, we better tag along.

We'll take care of him, ma'am.

Senor Stroud, Senor Stroud.

Tom, Tom.

The kid was right, Lieutenant.

Here's Stroud.

Where did you two men get the idea you can leave

this encampment without permission?

You'll hear about this later.

See, Ms. Beth? It was senor Stroud.

He needs help.

Well, he sure came to a mighty poor place for it.

Beth, get up from there.

What do you want me to do? Let him lie here and die?

Why not? Save them the trouble of hanging him.

How can you talk like that?

He was gonna attack the wagon train of women

and children, wasn't he?

What could he expect?

You have no proof of that.

Then what's he doing in that Mexican outfit?

I don't care what he's done. He's a human being,

and he's gonna be treated like one.

Now somebody help me get him to the wagon.

I'll give you a hand, miss.

So will I, and with the lieutenant's permission.

You're gonna let them help him?

He was shooting at us just a little while ago.

Go ahead.

You know something?

I think you've lost your grip

on ramrodding from this wagon train, Tom.

Yes, Beth?

Well, you know something about doctoring, Mr. Gage.

A little. If you'd tell me what to do.

Why should we do anything for him?

Because he's hurt

and you are the only one who can help him.

He's also a renegade and a murderer.

That's not true. We don't need you, boy.

But what you just said about Senor Stroud.

I said we don't need you.

You better wait outside, Carlos.

Can you do anything for it?

Maybe I can and maybe I can't.

[ Think maybe you can.

I think he means it, Mr. Gage.

Get some hot water.

All right. Get them up.

Let's go. Everyone up. We're moving out in half hour.

Everyone up. We're moving out.

Get up, ladies. We're moving out in half hour.

Let's go. Everyone up. We're moving out in half hour.

Everyone up. We're moving out.

How are you?

Oh, I don't... I don't know yet.

You weren't feeling so good

when Carlos brought you in last night.

Oh, wait, you better take it easy.

Look, I got to get up some time, might as well be now.

I will get you some food.

You stay there, senor.

Thanks.

For what? I'd do it for anyone.

Yeah. You know, this isn't gonna

make you very popular with your friends.

I don't care what they think.

Maybe I do.

Then why don't you tell them the truth?

Carlos told me you left the Alamo

to take care of your family

and the families of your friends.

Who would believe it?

I do.

You're no coward.

Then why don't you try telling that to Lieutenant Lamar?

You know, he offered to stay at the Alamo in my place.

Stroud.

You'll remain in this wagon.

You're under arrest.

Aren't you gonna say something?

Aren't you gonna try to defend yourself?

That was Wade's gang of outlaws you were with.

That's right.

Why'd you join up with them?

Was a good way as any of getting out of town.

Stroud, you had every intention of joining

the attack on this wagon train.

I did not.

You're a very unconvincing liar.

Tom, why don't you ask Mr. Stroud

who fired the shots that kept us out of that ambush?

Well?

I fired the first one.

You're trying to tell me... I'm trying to tell you

nothing except that you're still in trouble.

Wade knows you have the money from the Franklin Bank

and he wants it, and if you're real smart, he's gonna get it.

For the sake of these women and children, I hope

for once in your life, you've got the decency

to be telling the truth.

From now on, I'm gonna keep this wagon train out in the open.

Beth.

All right, everybody, finish your chow as fast you can.

Let's get this wagon train rolling.

What do you intend doing now?

I don't have very much choice. I'm still under arrest.

I wouldn't be looking if you happen to fall out

of the back end of the wagon.

Oh, thanks very much.

I'll play it along the way I am.

There's not much future in it.

What? Oh yes, there is.

Jess Wade.

You really think he'll attack us?

Yeah, if we keep on going this way.

If I were running this outfit, I'd head south,

I'd cross the river further on down.

Why did you join up with him?

He's the man that killed my wife and son.

And that's why you wanna stay with us?

Now, he's gonna be real surprised when sees me.

He thinks I'm dead.

Why didn't you tell Lieutenant Lamar that?

You heard what the lieutenant said, I'm a very poor liar.

But you aren't lying.

Maybe [ am.

I left the Alamo.

That's pretty hard to justify, even to myself.

Your family was in danger.

So were the families of a hundred other men.

I don't guess mine was any more important than theirs.

Are you condemning yourself?

Yeah, I'd condemn another man who did the same thing,

I'm no different. It's done now.

Regretting it won't undo it.

[I know. That's what's bad about it.

Other men have made mistakes.

Not like mine.

What good would it have done if you had stayed?

What good did it do that I left?

I didn't help my family, I didn't help anybody.

Well, that's something Lieutenant Lamar

could understand. He has a family.

Sure he'd understand it,

but only if it happened to him.

Look, Ms. Beth,

you'll only stir up a lot of antagonism

if you stick with me, why don't you

switch to another wagon?

Ha.

Why don't we go after them?

In open country?

What do you want to do, get shot?

All I wanna do is get my hands on some of that money.

Well, heading the way they are, they'll cross

the Trinidad River at Cutner's Point.

We'll be there waiting for them.

Sure, and when they get the wagons out into the river,

we'll pick them off in the water.

That sounds easy.

Well, I'm a man that likes things easy.

You follow along after them and keep an eye on them.

If there's any change in plans, we'll be at Cutner's point.

Let's go.

Whoa. Hold it.

Lieutenant Lamar?

Sergeant Macauley, sir, Army of the Republic.

Orders from General Houston, sir.

Well, what is it, darling?

Orders to report to San Jacinto at once.

Everybody?

Myself and this detachment of soldiers.

What about us?

Well, the word is, ma'am, that General Houston

is ready for an all-out attack against Santa Anna's army

at San Jacinto.

Troops can no longer be spared

for the protection a wagon train.

Is that so?

Well, you go back and tell Sam Houston.

Well, that are soldiers for if not protect their families?

As a soldier, ma'am, I can't question a command.

Sergeant, my previous orders were to see these wagons

safely across the Trinidad River.

That's what I intend to do.

If I could have a fresh horse, sir,

I'll start back at once with the men.

The soldiers are staying with me.

If you wanna remain, sir, it'll be on your own conscience.

But I don't think you can ask 20 of your men to do the same.

And why not? I'm in command here, Sergeant.

I'm afraid that'd be called desertion, sir.

Desertion?

Your orders are to report to San Jacinto

at once, sir. I'll go when these wagons

are across the Trinidad River.

I'll tell that General Houston, sir.

Sergeant, if we leave now,

these people would be defenseless.

There are no able-bodied men here,

only women, children, and elders.

I'm still here, how would you classify me?

As a deserter, Mr. Stroud.

Oh.

Kind of looks like there's gonna be quite a lot of us,

doesn't it, Lieutenant?

These people need protection.

My family needed protection.

They're apt to be murdered if we leave here.

My family was murdered.

I'm not only trying to protect my family,

I'm trying to protect other as well.

Look, if you'd bothered to ask, you'd have found out

that's why I left the Alamo.

I was trying to do the same thing.

Stroud, from what you're saying

I can't figure out what side you're on.

You have your orders, Lieutenant,

if I were you I'd obey them.

Go ahead, darling, we'll be all right.

What do you intend to do?

I intend to take these wagons through.

I'll get my horse.

All right, men, check your equipment.

We're leaving for San Jacinto right away.

Mr. Stroud,

good luck.

Thanks, we're gonna need it.

Do you mind shaking hands?

Take care of them, will you for me, Fred?

Goodbye, darling. Lieutenant, I'd like to have

10 of your rifles.

All right, you first 10 men bring your rifles up here.

Forward, ho.

What do we do now, Mr. Stroud?

Get these wagons in two lines of four each.

If we run into any trouble, I don't want us to spread out

all over the country.

It's gonna be kind of rough from now on, ma'am.

We're gonna ride without a break.

Come on.

They headed this way? No, somebody must've figured

we'd waiting for them. They took off

southeast towards Boulder.

That's a long haul from here.

We can still make it in plenty of time.

The soldiers left them. What do you mean?

Just what I'm telling you, the whole military

detachment took off.

Figure they're trying to lay some kind of a trap?

No, I watched them long enough to make sure,

they ain't coming back. Let's go.

Ha.

Ho.

Whoa. Whoa.

- Whoa. - Whoa.

Wade's gang is coming from three miles back.

Okay, get the rest of the women and children

on the bottom of the wagon. Come on, let's go.

Ho, ha.

Heeyah, heeyah.

Heeyah, heeyah.

My line's broke.

Ho.

Heeyah, heeyah.

All right, let's go.

Heeyah.

Heeyah, heeyah.

Heeyah.

Heeyah.

Pile everything you have in the back of the wagon.

Come on, get those children down behind that bank.

Come on, children. These women know how

to shoot a gun? They don't know how,

I can teach them. All right, come on. Let's go.

Give me the gun, Carlos. How can I shoot without a...

Get down.

This is a trap for sure. I knew he was leading us into a trap.

Keep quiet and help.

Reload. They'll be coming back.

Cavish, Dawes, Morrell, and Brown,

you come with me, we'll circle the lake

and come in behind them.

Williams, when you hear me shoot,

you take the rest of the men and go at them from the front.

Hey, Gage!

Grab yourself a horse and a couple of pistols

and follow me. You want me to go with you?

You can shoot, can't you?

Mr. Stroud, I can shoot real good.

Well, let's go then.

Now, remember, don't shoot

till you're sure we can get one.

Get up there.

Wade will try to come around this side of the lake

and behind the wagons.

Heeyah! Get out of here!

Hey, Stroud.

Stroud.

Stroud, you're going over the fall.

Stroud.

Everybody all right?

Yes, thanks to you, Mr. Stroud.

Well, you haven't got far to go now.

Carlos, I'll be back for you just as soon as I can, son.

!I'm headed for San Jacinto.

All right, Mr. Gage, let's get these wagons rolling.

You heard what the man said. Let's get these wagons rolling.

He'll come back, Ms. Beth.

I hope so, Carlos.

So do I for both of us.