Original subtitles

For centuries, the United States waterways south of the Canadian border

used by a fiercely proud people of mixed French and Indian blood, known as

Metis. They were by choice the freight handlers of the West, carrying in their

fragile birchbark canoes the rich fur harvests of the Canadian North, finest

whitewater paddlers in the world.

But in 1869, the land they'd owned for generations became part of the expanding

dominion of Canada.

and the hot -blooded Metis rose in revolution as their homesteads were

by English -speaking settlers.

The revolution failed, but its leader, a brilliant and impassioned man born

under a tragic star, fled to the United States.

His name, Louis Vauvier.

How do I make this clear?

How do I make you understand?

It is now as it has been before, and always will be, the cause, and only the

cause.

But many of you have lost your fathers, your brothers, your good friends in this

struggle to keep land which has been ours for 200 years.

And nothing, nothing must be permitted to endanger the cause for which we

To forget that, as Antoine Laforce has thrice forgotten it, is to endanger that

for which we all fight.

It is a fault from which there can be no retreat.

And still, still what we do today, it is hard.

It is very hard.

Antoine Laforche is one of us.

But twice his temper has brought us to the verge of disaster.

And now he has broken the one rule to which we have all agreed on pain of

And you, a jury of his peers, have found him guilty.

Here on American soil, he has killed an American in a pond. I have told you

before he insulted me.

Because you, in your pride, tried to take his woman from him. She wanted me,

him. He was an American.

We are here in America on sufferance. It is our sanctuary.

He called me a pig, a French pig.

It is the way of the Metis to avenge an insult.

But to kill an American risks turning all Americans against us.

I killed him, yes.

I will do it again.

He was a fat slug who stagged whiskey.

We have been over this before, Antoine.

You forced him to a fight.

You killed him in front of witnesses.

In any country in the world, that would be called murder.

But for us here, it is worse.

Because it threatens that for which so many have already given their lives.

Antoine Laforge.

You have been found guilty of the charges that were brought against you.

And for that, there is only one sentence.

Death.

Now, if there is anyone here who disagrees with the findings of this

him speak now.

Let the judgment be carried out.

Henri.

I cannot.

She's like a son to me.

I'm sorry, Louis.

I ask your pardon.

There is a right here.

I pray for all of you.

Leave the cause.

I'll be hornswoggled.

Who is it, Uncle Sam?

I miss my guests. We're going to get a visit from our Army General.

General?

Phil Sheridan.

Ain't nobody else rides a horse like that.

hell brings you to these parts?

Well, I'd like to say I stopped by just to say hello, but I'm afraid it's a lot

more serious than that.

Excuse me, ma 'am. My name is Sheridan. Oh, I know. I've seen your picture,

General. We are very honored.

Phil, I want you to meet my family here. This is Molly Culhane, and these are my

two nieces here, Jesse and Laura.

This is Luke and Josh, my two nephews.

Josh, take the General's horse, please. Oh, sure.

Thank you. Get.

Come on.

My apologies to everybody, but it is imperative that I speak to Zeb.

Of course, General.

It's been a pleasure meeting you.

Thank you, ma 'am.

And may I say that it has been a great honor to meet you.

All of you.

General?

Zeb, shall we go?

Well, I think you can tear yourself away.

Well, Aunt Molly, looks to me like you made yourself a conquest.

And a general, too.

Nonsense. The man was just being polite.

That kind of politeness can get a man into a lot of trouble if he isn't

Now, that'll be quite enough from all of you.

Zeb, you got about as much tact as a bull in a china shop.

I'll say, Phil, if it's any interest to you, she's a widow.

Well, I kind of figured that might make a dent.

Damn it, Zeb, she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

What is she doing out in this wilderness?

All the exciting things women get to do out here. Cooking, sewing, milking,

plowing, taking care of the rest of it. It's a disgrace is what it is.

God said would she set Washington on fire.

Golly, Phil, I mean to wonder about you. I thought you was a confirmed bachelor.

Well, I just never had much time for the finer things in life.

Well, if that's the way the wind's blowing, I wouldn't waste much time.

You know, you ain't no spring chicken.

Ha!

Damn it, Philly, I've already had a couple of your fancy britches boys up

asking me the same question, and the answer's still the same no.

What's the matter with you, McCahan?

You think I don't know a couple of my officers came down here to talk to you

already? You think I don't know what goes on in my own army?

What do you think I'm doing here?

I'll tell you what you're doing here. You're drinking a damn sack more of that

corn liquor than your lab... to be able to hold.

I'll drink you under the table any time you want to try, McCann.

All right, let's get to the facts.

I need you, Zeb.

This Louis Riel, he fomented this revolution up in Canada to help these

half -breeds to get whatever rights they think they're entitled to. But that

revolution blew up in Riel's face and he escaped to this country.

What's the Army getting all excited about? They figure he's going to start a

revolution here?

Well, that's exactly what Washington's afraid he's doing.

They think he's planning to go back up to Canada to start another uprising.

Well, damn it, Phil, you can't arrest a man for talking.

Well, of course not.

It's not the talking we're worried about.

There's a group of English Canadians who call themselves Firsters.

They're the ones following him out of Canada, and now they're after his scalp.

I see.

You want me to find this Real fella and bring him in, is that it?

You're one of the few men I think could, Zeb.

Now, tell me this. What's the Canadian government going to do when they get him

back? I don't know, and I don't care. It's none of my business. All we want to

do is get him out of this country.

I'll tell you something.

I don't know this Real. I don't know whether he's right or wrong.

But I don't like the smell of this whole deal.

Now, you listen to me.

I would rather kiss the backside of a Barbary ape than come to a hard -nosed

like you for help.

I'm going to remind you of something.

I once got the Secretary of War out of bed at 4 o 'clock in the morning in

answer to a telegram I got from you. And then I rode 500 miles to save your

Sioux brethren from annihilation.

I've still got the saddle source to show for it. Now, wait a minute.

Let me get this straight.

You're asking me to go through with this deal on the basis of owing you that

favor? You owe me. Now's the time to pay.

Sheridan, you ain't got no scruples at all.

Hmm. How do you think I ever got to be a general?

Oh, Zeb, look, you bring Rial to me, I'll take him back up to Canada, and

try and see to it that the authorities keep him there. Look at it this way.

You may be saving Rial's life.

Because if the firsters get to him before you do,

they'll hang him.

You are absolutely the most impossible man that I have ever met in my entire

life.

Yeah.

Did you or did you not promise all of us that you would not go running off again

on some damn fool adventure before we had this place stocked with animals?

Hey, Molly, you better watch your language around the kids.

And just when can we expect you back again?

I don't know.

And do you care the least little bit about the fact that we need you? All of

Was it you or was it not you who kept the boys up in the high country for

on end, capturing those wild horses so that we could start this ranch here?

Aunt Molly, we didn't mind being up... Now you stay out of this, young man.

Oh, you love it, don't you? You just cannot stand having to do anything that

keeps you in the same place for more than five minutes.

You listen to me, you little hellcat. I'm leaving because I got to.

Owe somebody a favor and I aim to return it.

I'll be back when I can.

Yes, sir.

I'll see your kids.

Oh, I know exactly what your mother meant when she used to write to me about

Zebulon McKay and... He doesn't think women know anything.

Laura!

Look, it's General Sheridan.

He's back! He's back!

Zed? No, do you know Sheridan?

Oh!

My Lord!

Good morning, General.

Marvelous day, isn't it? Oh, yes, it's a lovely day.

My horse lost a shoe yesterday. I had to spend the night in town.

Oh, that's a shame.

Well, it may well prove a blessing in disguise.

It was something I remembered I had to tell your Uncle Zeb.

Is he around?

Oh, I'm afraid you're too late.

He's already gone.

Oh, he has?

Well, it wasn't all that important.

I can wait till I see him next time.

Of course, with your Uncle Zeb, no knowing how long that might be.

Well, I guess if Zeb's gone, I better be on my way.

Oh, no.

Please stay for dinner.

I'd like that, but I really don't have the time.

I hope that you will...

Tell your Aunt Mrs.

Culhane that I said goodbye.

Well, she'd just feel awful if she didn't get a chance to see you.

I mean... Well, she's just in the house. I'll get her.

No, no, I wouldn't want to bother her.

Thank you anyway.

General Sheridan.

What a delightful surprise.

Thank you, ma 'am.

I was just telling the ladies that there was something I'd forgotten to tell

Zeb, but they tell me he's already gone.

Oh, yes, I'm afraid so.

I'm sorry you've had such a long ride for nothing.

But it is a pleasure to see you again, General.

Yes, ma 'am.

I mean, it is a real pleasure for me, too.

Do you intend to keep my hand, General?

I am sorry, Mrs. Culhane.

I'm not much of a ladies' man, I'm afraid.

Just a very rough soldier.

Oh, I think you're a great deal more than just a rough soldier, General.

And I insist that you stay for supper.

Mrs. Culhane, I hope you will believe me when I say to you that there is nothing

in the world that I would like more.

But I must get back to my headquarters. I've been gone far too long.

Oh, I understand, of course.

Well, I hope we will meet again, General.

You are always welcome here.

Madam, I shall keep that invitation in my heart every hour of every day.

Goodbye, Mrs. Coheed.

Goodbye, General.

He even forgot we were here.

I know.

I'm going to tell you something straight out.

This poor touchin' don't get no easier with the years.

If I'd have known what you was getting me into, I'd have come to horseback.

Not in this country, old coot.

There ain't a way across this river except by canoe for a hundred miles.

You sure of that?

I'm sure.

I've been trapping this territory for nine to thirty years.

And you can't get through it except with a birch bark.

I'll take your word for it.

How much farther we got to go? If I remember right, about another mile or

Of course, if you're getting tired, old coot, we could try the river.

Nope.

Well, I'll tell you.

Them Mattis are still the best whitewater men I've ever seen.

I'm not sure they could run that water the way she is right now.

There's a rumor going around the man you're following ran it once on a deer.

Louis Rial?

I'll tell you something.

I can understand how the army has a hard time keeping up with him. Every time I

get a line on him, he disappears.

Well, he's got men all up and down these rivers.

Ain't one of them wouldn't give their life for him.

Did you ever meet him?

Once. Big man for a Matisse.

Eyes that smolder like cold fire.

You meet him once, you know why men follow him.

Of course, my problem is I've been hunting him for two weeks and I can't

find him.

Now, that's downright embarrassing.

Well, I don't know if it would work, but you might could get him to come to you.

I'm listening, Pard. Word is he's got a woman who runs a trading post downriver.

I've met her.

I'll tell you something, old coot.

I'd follow her.

What's her name?

Marie. Marie Rivard.

You are so beautiful this morning.

Would you like to go for a little walk with me?

Sure. I'm so big.

Come on.

Come on. Come on.

Easy now, fella.

That's a good boy. You're a pretty friendly fella at that, ain't you?

Hey, now, look at that.

Didn't mean to interrupt your bath, ma 'am.

Who are you? Name's McCahan.

Is that McCahan?

McCahan. Maybe that explains it.

Explains what?

Live.

He's only allowed one other man to touch him.

Louis Riel?

Riel? Yeah, I heard he was a friend of yours.

You heard wrong, monsieur. I know no Riel.

But you heard him.

Everyone has heard of him.

What do you want here?

Oh, came for some supplies.

I heard that a beautiful woman named Marie Rivard ran this here trading post.

So you're heading out this way? Thought I'd follow.

Come along.

Where do you go with all this?

Oh, just wherever the spirit moves me.

You are here for no reason?

Well, it's a pretty country here, and, well, it's getting too crowded further

down south.

I heard it said you are a scout for the soldiers.

Oh, sometimes.

Of course, me and the Army, we don't always see eye to eye.

Well, it's been nice meeting you, Marie.

Maybe I'll see you again.

It's you, McCann.

You are in a hurry?

No.

Perhaps you would like a cup of tea.

Well, now.

Sounds mighty neighborly.

Our time will come.

I have heard much of Monsieur McCain.

It is said you are a friend to the Indians.

The Indians also say...

The bullet has not been made that can kill you.

Well, they've been right about that so far.

Who are they?

They call themselves Canada Firsters.

They say they are patriots.

But if they had their way, all matters, those French Canadians who have Indian

blood, would drown in rivers or lie in graves.

The port of the Canyon River starts here. How far?

Four miles.

I need some shells. How about eight boxes and 45 sevens?

I understand a fellow I know has passed through here not long ago.

Name of Riel.

Louis Riel.

Come on, Mama.

Good friend of mine.

Louis, he passed through here recently?

Riel. Louis Riel.

I know no one by that name, monsieur.

Monsieur.

Got a little French blood in you and you don't know Riel?

When was it you last seen him? When? When?

How do you go, mister?

How do you want a lesson in politeness?

Just who's going to teach me this lesson?

You just made a big mistake, mister.

Yours was coming in here.

It would give me the greatest of pleasure to blow your head off,

Now get out of here and take your men with you.

And don't ever come here again.

It is said they wish to kill him because he is the leader of the Metis.

Must mean they don't think much of you either.

You are too clever for your own good, monsieur.

But Rana thanks you for defending her.

I still cannot believe that you made friends with him so quickly.

He is never like strangers.

Oh, well, except for that other fellow that you were talking about.

What was his name?

It is not important.

It might be to some other man who was interested in him, Marie.

It would be a mistake, mon ami.

The North is ours.

It has always been ours.

It was worked by our fathers' fathers and their fathers before them, and we

never give it up. Never!

Never! Never!

Never! And we fought once, and we failed in that fight because we believed the

lie. The lie that the 1 ,200 soldiers who came into our settlements came to

protect us from those who would steal our lands with their real purpose.

was to deny us the rights for which we fought. But we will never believe again

in their promises.

And when we return to Canada, we will return with the fury of men who have

not defeated, but betrayed. For I tell you, the dream is not dead.

I called you here today to say the revolution lives.

It lives in the heart of Louis Riel. It lives in the breast of every Metis. And

it cannot die as long... as there is a single Metis alive to hold that dream

in his heart.

So be gone.

Go back to where you came from. And if anyone asks you, this land, not Canada,

is your home.

You know nothing of Revolution or Louis Riel.

But when the time comes, you will be called.

So until then, mes amis, until we...

Fight again for that which is ours.

And win.

Be gone.

And vive la cause.

Vive la cause. Vive la cause. Vive la cause. Vive la cause. Vive la cause.

Louis. Louis.

There is bad news.

What news?

It is Marie. She has been taken.

What do you mean taken? There was a man.

A giant. He come to the trading post. His name was Macan.

They were walking by the river.

Suddenly he seized her, threw her in the canoe and was gone.

An Indian at the post saw it all.

And you, Jacques, where were you and Pierre and the others when she was

The firsters were at the trading post.

When they left, we followed them, all of us, to see where they went. When we

come back, she was gone.

What is this man to do with Marie?

Why does he take her? I do not know, Louis.

We will go with you, Louis. All of us. No, mon ami.

She is my woman.

This is for Louis Riel alone.

If I am not back at the trading post by this time tomorrow, you can look for me.

But only one canoe, Jacques, is too dangerous for all of you on the river

together.

What is wrong, Henri?

I have a bad feeling for all this.

Why? There is no one better with a knife or a gun than Louis Riel. It is

true, Henri. So, he will go and kill this giant and bring Marie back with

mean, what is wrong with that?

This Macron is an American, no?

Oui.

For killing an American, we have shot Antoine Lafourche.

it is Riel's woman.

Oui, this is true.

But who shoots Riel if he breaks his own rule?

snowpack. We can't speak.

Well, it's possible.

That's why I cut you loose.

You're not safer if you pick up a pen.

By then, I will not help you.

Well, do it yourself.

You'll only get worse.

What?

Who told you I was Riel's woman?

How far do you take me?

A few more hours down river.

Where you will wait for Riel?

Where we will wait for Riel.

I think, monsieur, we will not get much further downstream today.

Well, I'll say one thing for you. You're sure full of surprises.

Young lady, I'm going to lift you out of this canoe.

Now, is it going to be your way or mine?

Mine!

I'll kill you!

Help!

You want to kill Louis Riel?

Ain't my intention.

But when he come, he will kill you, monsieur.

Believe he'll try, all right.

You see, Marie, that's part of the whole plan.

Give him some from the cow.

Well, I guess.

Morning, ladies.

Morning. Is this the McCann Ranch?

Yes. Yes, it is.

We're looking for Mrs. Culhane.

In the house.

Thank you.

Why is it that every time a good -looking man comes around here, I am a

Two good -looking men.

Get going, Blue.

Morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, ma 'am. Would you be Mrs. Culhane?

I would.

Oh, General Philip Sheridan's compliments, ma 'am.

He's giving a party at the fort a week from Saturday, and he'd be honored if

you'd be the guest of honor.

That's extremely gracious of the general.

But I'm not sure that I... Aunt Molly!

It would appear that the entire family doesn't share my feelings.

But I'm really afraid that I wouldn't want to make that journey alone.

Oh, our apologies, ma 'am. You are to be the guest of honor, but the invitation

is for the entire McCann family.

The general will send a carriage, and accommodations have been provided for

to stay at the fort overnight.

Well, that's most gracious of the general.

But before I give you my answer, I think you ought to come inside and have a

glass of cider.

Oh, we thank you, ma 'am. We surely do.

But the general is very explicit in his orders. We're to give you his

compliments, convey his message, and return to the fort post haste with your

reply. Aunt Molly, please. Please.

Very well, gentlemen. You may tell the general that the McCains accept his kind

invitation with pleasure.

However, you may also tell him that I ordered you to take some refreshment

us. And I'm accustomed to having my orders obeyed.

Yes, ma 'am.

Now, if you ladies can take a couple of minutes to clean yourselves up, I'm sure

these young men might enjoy your company.

Come inside, gentlemen.

Now it is clear.

The American soldiers, they could not find Louise, so they sent you.

That's about the size of it.

You would take Real back to Canada?

The army will.

You'd do this for money?

Nope.

Then why?

As a favor.

You are a fool.

Well, I've been called that before, too.

How long do you think it'll be before your friend starts looking for you?

What does it matter?

When he comes, you will not see him, you will not hear him until his knife is at

your throat, and then it will be too late.

No one takes Royale's woman and lives.

I sure hope you're wrong about that.

How long do you keep me tied up like this?

Long as it takes.

I hurt.

Well, I didn't tie you any tighter than I needed to there.

But I do hurt.

It is hard to sit like this.

Well, I imagine it is.

A man, a real man, would not treat a woman so.

You know something? You may be right about that.

If I give you my word, I will not run away.

Can I trust you?

I swear.

On the grave of my sainted mother, I swear.

Could a promise be more sacred?

I'll tell you what, Marie. I'm going to take you as a woman of your word.

How far is this place you try to take, Louis?

That's about 50 miles down river.

50 miles down river alone?

You try and do this alone with Louis Riel?

Ah, my friend, you are not only a fool, you are a madman.

Evening to you.

What about the grief of your mother?

My mother is alive, you pig!

Well, well.

Now, Marie, what am I going to do with you anyway?

I don't want to have to keep you tied up till Riel gets here.

You're right. It is foolish, huh?

You're only...

Paying back a favor to someone.

That's right.

We should be friends.

Until Riel gets here.

Until Riel gets here. Of course.

We could be very good friends.

If we were.

No, friend.

Maybe then you could forget Louis Rayet.

Well, see, that's... That's a mighty tempting offer.

I'm afraid I can't make no deals.

I'm not going to tie you up again.

I'm not going to tie you up. I'm going to leave you right here, and I'm going

be sleeping right by this canoe. But I'll tell you something. I'm a light

sleeper. There ain't no way you can get away from me.

So why don't you just relax until Rial gets here?

You're right.

Maybe it's better this way.

I will be here to watch when Rial cuts your heart out.

On the other hand I wish very much to kill you.

Is she not, monsieur?

Will he die, monsieur?

No, he's not going to die, Marie. He'll make it.

He's an interesting man, this McCann of yours.

He's not of mine.

I hate him.

He took me by force. And after he had pretended to be a friend.

Well, for that, I do not think I can blame him much.

What?

To have you in my power alone in the forest, I would pretend almost anything.

Oh, Louis, be serious.

He is without honor.

And you?

Me.

Did you not tell me you promised not to run away and then you ran like a little

rabbit?

It was for the car.

This man, I think he has a cause also.

It's sad, is it not?

That in order to have that which should be the meanest man's birthright,

freedom, we have to make an enemy of others.

Kill.

Or be killed.

But whenever that thought begins to make me drown in grief, I lay it beside your

name.

And suddenly the world is a brighter place.

You are teasing me.

No.

Do you not know by now that you...

Cut a shape upon the air.

It will be my skull.

For me, Duck?

For all of us.

I think even for him.

He took you knowing I would try to kill him if I could.

Knowing that any matters who found you with him would try to kill him. And yet

he came.

It takes a very brave man.

Also a man with a very strong reason.

Great. He paid back a debt.

Oui.

But to whom?

Coffee for the enemy.

Oh, I wouldn't say you're my enemy, Riel.

Just a prisoner.

For the time being, my friend, it is a long way down the river.

Yeah, and I don't figure you're going to give me much trouble, either. That

shoulder of yours, that's in bad shape.

How do you feel?

I felt better.

Well, I don't doubt it.

It's a 45 -70 slug you're carrying.

It's going to have to come out.

Oh, and who does this?

You? Not me.

I've taken bullets out, but not out of a shoulder like that. That's too

dangerous. You could lose an arm.

Then who?

That'll be a doctor.

That's very unfortunate.

There's not a doctor for a hundred miles.

Well, I don't know about that.

This time of year, there's usually kind of a rendezvous downriver.

A doctor would be there?

Well, he's sort of a doctor. Name of Teevers, he's got a cabin down there. If

we're lucky, we can catch him in.

You'll need more than luck, my friend.

Already my men are on the river looking for me, and they can move much faster

than we can.

You will wait for the Metis.

They will help us.

I can't do that, Marie.

If I do, I'm going to lose him forever.

That's not the way I got it figured.

Ariel, I'm going to have to lift you. It's going to hurt.

Well, I don't wish to cause you any inconvenience, monsieur. My legs are all

right.

I think I can walk.

Thank you, monsieur.

It is a pity that someday I'll have to kill you.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

But you're a man of surprises, monsieur McCain.

Already you have understood his pride.

Here. They were here.

How long?

Oh, it's only still warm from the fire.

Two or three hours ago. Huh?

Got no choice.

Got a place I gotta get to before your friends catch me.

He's too dangerous. It would kill him.

No, no.

Make it a damn sight more comfortable, Adam, if you'll pat him.

Thank you.

It's narrow here. This is where we'll wait for your friends.

Why do you do this? You made a promise.

Things have changed.

But I want you running loose when your friends arrive.

You think you can fight so many Metis?

Not hardly.

Obviously not if they all fight like your friend there.

He sets a trap.

He puts a rope across the river.

Here's a problem.

We must falter then.

It will do no good. On the river they will not hear.

It is my fault you would have killed him.

Perhaps.

something.

The bullet's out.

I gave him a little sleeping potion. He'll be feeling fine.

Oh, that's good, Doc.

Say, you figure you'll be able to travel by tomorrow?

Well, he's a man with a strong constitution.

He'll be a mite weak in the morning, but I think he'll move out.

Speaking of that, after I do a good patch -up job, I always need a little

nourishment myself.

Know what you mean.

Sleeping like a child.

There must be no pain.

Well, Doc, he knows what he's doing.

You were at the old rendezvous?

The real one?

Well, I was at the Green River rendezvous back in 40.

Yeah, that one lasted most all summer. There must have been a thousand mountain

men trappers there like us.

On top of that, another thousand engines.

Them was a real glory days.

Used to call them the shining times.

You miss those days?

Nope.

Never miss nothing in the past.

Nothing behind you?

Not even a love affair?

Marie, did anybody ever tell you you ask too many questions?

It is the right of every woman to be curious.

He is the first, girls.

Kenyon and his men.

They look for Louis.

Yeah, don't worry about it. They can't do nothing here.

This island's neutral territory.

Howdy, boys.

Looking for a night of socializing?

Oh, we've seen them canoes.

Looking for a man named Riel.

Louis Riel. Well, you've come to the wrong place for that.

We've got hard, fast rules here.

No group fighting, no politicking.

Yeah, well, we ain't looking for no witnesses when we take him.

What are them two doing here?

Well, I reckon they'd be doing what you'd be doing here.

Looking for a way to socialize.

Yeah.

Well, they don't know Riel will be here, but I think they're going to be here

for the night.

They'll follow us tomorrow.

Hey, Doc, keep an eye on Rial here till I get back, will you? I'll do that, Zeb.

at knocking holes in canoes, Marie.

Now, wait a minute. Hold on.

Now, don't try to pull it out now. Wait a minute.

All right.

Take it easy now.

Here we go.

Sit down, Marie.

Yeah, let me take a look at her here.

See what you've done.

You do not have to carry me.

You're not heavy, Marie.

I wish to be put down.

I'll put you down when I get you to where Doc can take a look at that ankle.

I believe it is the woman's choice if she wants a man's arms about her.

Well, I'm afraid this is a little different, Marie. If I was lusting after

I would have taken you up on the offer when you made it, remember?

It was for the cause.

Yeah, you know.

You almost had me believing in that cause for a while.

want me to fetch the doc? No. It is just fine.

You see? It is just fine.

Good looking leg you got there.

What's the price, Frenchy?

If there was a price, I do not lie with pigs.

Stinking half -breed baggage.

Any objection?

No group fight. Man against man.

We're always considered part of the entertainment.

I'm going to feed you your liver, McCann.

Bragging don't count.

Doing does.

Now.

Get to it.

Come on, Ted.

for me, mister.

Louis. Louis.

Louis.

Oh, Marie.

Louis, we have a chance to...

it free.

Can you walk?

I don't know.

I will help you. We must try.

McCall, where is McCall?

He is drunk. He fights with someone.

Drunk? After he worked so hard to find them?

Something is very wrong here.

Please, there is no time to explain.

We must.

Nothing to say besides apologize, now, that lady.

You can go to hell!

Well, I hope you're right, Doc. I got a long, hard road ahead of me there

tomorrow getting him downriver.

Well, why don't you stay with us?

Respect what you heard. Yeah, I wish you could, Doc, but I want to get started

first light.

That is, if that potion you give Riala wasn't too strong.

Well, what is it, Doc?

It's gone.

I'll tell you, she's going to be in real trouble if she tries to take him

through those rapids alone.

You're very beautiful.

I thank you for the compliment, General.

Facts are not compliments.

They state an existence that is as unassuming, as unbending as the Sphinx.

Oh, my.

That sounds as precise as a military campaign.

Speaking of campaigns, I'm having a dinner for two served in my office.

I hope that the lady will accept.

The lady would be pleased.

You dance divinely, Josh.

Never figured that, ma 'am. My name's Phoebe.

May I ask, Miss McCahan, if there's anybody calling at the ranch? I mean, on

regular basis.

Do you expect any girl in her right mind to say she has no callers?

Rephrasing that question, would Miss McCahan take offense if a lowly cavalry

second lieutenant was to call one evening?

I'd rather think I would not take offense.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Too hoping that I didn't step on the gal's toes too many times.

Well, if you did, I didn't notice.

Have you seen the moon yet tonight, Josh?

The moon?

Looking east, from just behind the stable.

Oh, my!

Yes, I instructed my orderly that if that table did not look like I was

entertaining the most gracious and most important lady that ever set foot in

this fort, he'd be sweeping out stalls for a month.

Well, please inform him that the impression is nothing less than

I shall do so, Mrs. Culhane.

Now, perhaps a little wine and some pleasant conversation before supper.

I shall try to supply the pleasant conversation.

Unfortunately, I have a habit of using cuss words about every other sentence.

What? Now, I just can't imagine a general of the army ever using a cuss

Well, you're right.

I should try to set an example.

Bit of humor.

Proving how little I have.

Nonsense. I find men of importance have an excellent sense of humor.

It's simply more refined.

I suppose they have so little time for trivia.

Thank you for the compliment.

I don't mean for trivia.

I probably sound very oafish trying to explain what I meant by my having very

little time.

Perhaps it's something that doesn't need explaining, General.

Thank you.

I seem to be forever thanking you or apologizing, taking side trails, as it

were, and then skirmishing.

Rather than attacking.

Oh, my God. I didn't mean... Oh, no. Of course not, General.

Damn it. What I meant to...

Yes.

Sir, did you wish to be served now?

Yes, sir. Thank you.

I am retreating.

For the moment, retreating.

See here, below the gorge, the river, she winds like a snake. Here and here

and here, they must portage.

It will take them a day to reach this place.

For us to catch them by river, it would be foolish. We are too far behind.

But here, if we take to the mountains... Up there, it is impossible.

Nothing is impossible for the Métis.

Have not each of you carried near 300 pounds of Le Gros portage?

I mean, after that, this is nothing.

All day, we climb up the cliffs. All night, we climb down. By morning, we

shall be close to them.

If we are not dead, all of us, before we reach the river.

If Louis dies, our way of life is gone forever.

David! Hello!

Afternoon.

Marie.

I sure didn't figure you'd be foolish enough to try to take Real through those

rapids. I should have listened to Louis.

He said you would not be fooled.

I'll tell you somebody else that isn't fooled, and that's Kenyon and that gang

of his.

As soon as they get their canoes repaired, they're going to be hot on

trail.

I felt very guilty leaving with you fighting for me.

Don't worry about that.

I'd have done the same in your place.

Then I knew you would win.

How's Louis?

Another day and he will out -paddle anyone.

Come along.

So you believe to first just know I am wounded and with Marie.

I figure they'll be after us like a badger down a hole.

You know, I keep thinking it is you I have to defeat, not those others who

follow. You better just keep remembering that some firsters got that rope they

want to put around your neck.

How do you want to go, Rial?

You want to have a truce or you want to go trussed up like a hog?

A truce, of course.

Well, that's all well and good, Marie, except your word ain't exactly like

banking money, is it?

Which way is it going to be, Real?

Agreement between us, yes.

But do not trust me once it is only the two of us.

I'll keep that in mind.

I don't think you understand, either one of you, what I'm trying to say.

Now, if the Metis and the Firsters want to have a fight, they're going to have

to do it in their own territory.

They're going to have to do it in Canada.

Your argument is too vague, McCann.

People will yet learn.

An injustice occurring in one land and left unchallenged will find a stray seed

of that injustice falling in their own land to be nurtured there.

The oppression of any one people is a universal problem. Tyranny anywhere is a

threat to every man.

Hear me.

A farmer owns a piece of land.

People from government offices come to him and say, prove this land is yours.

The farmer says, I have been here 100 years. Land given me by my father, given

him by his father.

The government says, our records do not go back that far.

You must file a claim.

Then the land is yours.

So the farmer agrees. He files a claim for the land, his own land.

But lo, other people are filing a claim for the same land, and somehow his

name does not end up on that which was born out of generations of work and

sorrow. He loses that little piece of ground where the laughter of lovers and

the cries of babies over generations have made that land and his name one.

He loses an identity.

Instead of feeling like a true man, he is only flotsam, that which

is carried against its wishes into light and darkness, into uncertainty, into

confusing shadows.

But who can overcome that which is uncertain?

You see, shadows cannot be fought.

A dispossessed farmer cries out with loved ones in his arms, who does this

to me?

There is no answer. You see, this, this is the importance.

No one has an answer. No voice is heard in reply.

If a word had been invented to rest upon this simple

man's head, would that word not be despair?

And the reason?

Do they say all men shall be dispossessed? Or do they not say only

And why the reason?

Here is the difference.

The blood which flows through a man's veins.

Louis!

Here is the difference.

You see, that is the only difference.

And you have no interest?

What is it?

Perhaps I can say it for you.

You are beginning to believe that what you are doing is wrong.

It's true, isn't it?

Is the debt you owe really worth the price you pay?

You better let go of that log and paddle like your life depended on it. I know

you, McCann.

You will not shoot.

And I think we no longer have a truce.

What else would the mateys do?

And now, Louis, this one.

The river swallows him, no?

Jacques, Jacques, there is no reason for this man to die.

Especially...

Since he has no interest.

Our fight is not his concern.

To release him means the American army will come hunting us, led by him.

Louis, on this we must take a vote. Allies are also at stake.

Perhaps Macron can speak for himself.

If freed, would he return home and be willing to say his mission failed?

You know the answer to that one, Riel.

People drown in the river. It happens often.

And without question.

There is another way.

Take him north with us and release him when we are in a safe place.

At the rendezvous, we heard how Louis was shot.

These are strange words for a woman who once tried to kill Macron.

To save Louis' life.

He took Louis to a doctor.

He fought... for my honor at the camp of the trappers.

He fought, Kenyon.

He was not drunk.

Marie, nothing is important but the cause.

Not our lives, not his life, only the cause.

We took the life of Antoine Lafourche because in his anger he forgot the

Jacques!

Like I told you, Riel, them fellas you better look out for. They got a rope

want to put around your neck.

He's right, Louis.

We stay to fight. You go.

No, no, I stay and fight with you. But can't you take Marie with you?

Louis, if you die, our cause is lost.

It is only your life that is important.

Take Louis with you, monsieur.

We will hold the river at this point.

In the shore, quickly, and take cover.

Allons -y, vite, vite.

It would have been easy to remain behind and fight.

Leave takes a very brave man.

They will all die.

And others will die in the days to come.

But in the end, we will win.

Why are we stopping here?

Well, let's just say this. We're going to be part in company, Louie.

There's a trading post right over that hill. Go over there and get the supplies

you want. Tell them I sent you. They won't ask no questions.

You're freeing Louie?

Marie, let's just say that I don't want to be part of anybody passing judgment

on Louie Riel or what he believes.

You are a man to know, McCann.

It is my honor.

What a pleasure knowing you, Riel.

Marie.

You must not come with me.

Marie. Marie.

Look there.

I see a gallows on that hill.

And I am swinging from it.

Never say that.

A foolish vision?

No.

Not even a foolish vision. An imagining of foolish things.

He says I must not be with him.

But he needs me.

I think he does, Marie.

I do not think that Louis and I will ever marry.

So I will return to the river.

To the trading post.

Perhaps by next spring.

One day you may be passing by.

I'll be passing by.

We will have a drink.

Between friends.

Between friends, Murray.

you had Real in your hands, not ten miles from this bivouac, and you let him

You heard me. If you don't mind, General, I'd like to get back to the

right now. I ain't seen my family in a month. I'll tell you, McCahan, you

have one damn good reason. Well, I got a damn good reason.

I don't mind returning a favor I owe you, General, but I don't aim to use a

man's life to do it.

Now, if that Louis Real got taken back to Canada by them firsters, I'm not

think much of myself.

I ain't paying you to feel good about yourself.

If you think I'm doing this for money, General, you're crazy.

Louis Riel's a brave man. He's a man of principle.

And you're not taking sides.

As far as I'm concerned, there's three sides to this. And the third one is for

you and me to keep our noses out of it.

All right, you tell me one thing. But first, you're going to have to sit down

with me and help compose a telegram back to Washington explaining how Riel

escaped from you.

Now you tell me this.

How'd you ever finally catch up to him?

Well, I didn't. He located me.

Well, what did he go looking for you for?

Well, we found out that we had something in common between us.

Something kind of special.

And that's all I'm going to be telling you about the story of Louis Riel.

Well,

Zeb, maybe you're right about using a man's life trying to repay a favor.

I'll just tell Washington that we've just got too many big problems out here

go chasing after Real.

Thank you, General.

Oh, by the way, I had the McCahan ladies as my guests out at the fort last

weekend.

Molly, Mrs.

Culhane.

Marvelous lady.

Marvelous.

Louis Riel's prophecy that he would die on the gallows was to come true.

He did build the second revolution he had promised his followers, and when it

too was put down, he was tried by a Canadian court and hanged on the 16th

of November, 1885.

As he approached the gallows, he handed a note to a bystander which read, I have

devoted my life to my country.

If it is necessary for the happiness of my country that I should now cease to

live, I leave it to the providence of my God.

Signed, Louis Riel.