Original subtitles

How much longer do you think it'll hold out?

About 30 seconds.

Yeah?

And I guess it's about time I make me a snort.

Make them blackbirds that much more thirsty.

Whoa!

Hey, you squint -eyed, greasy -skinned murdering red devil.

Come and pull the trigger on some of this.

All right, Chief.

Got one for you, too.

From the early 50s onward, it was only possible to reach many western

settlements by crossing land owned by the Indian.

And the United States government made treaties with various tribes to ensure

safe passage.

Sadly, there were always unscrupulous men who abused these treaties, which

led to armed conflict between Indian and white.

Some of these conflicts, such as the army's pursuit of Chief Joseph and the

Perce, have been recorded.

But there were dozens of other struggles whose records have been lost in the

passage of years, but which were no less frightening and deadly to those

involved.

How much do you think them horses will bring?

I'd say near a hundred.

It's time.

There's one in every crowd.

You shoot one of them, they'll lift our hair, sure.

All they want is the wagon and the horses.

Now, you

boys

is all new to this here Indian fighting, so I want you to remember what I told

you. And one more thing.

When it comes to fighting Indians, A feller's got to keep his ears to the

because they's tricky.

Now, there you got your gray hawks and your blue hawks. Now, your blue hawks is

just your kind of common, everyday, ordinary tornado -type Indian. But them

hawks, they got a special knack for slipping in on a man.

Yes, sir, you'll be out there on the perimeter watching and awaiting. And you

know they're out there because a hare's standing up on the back of your neck.

And you're awaiting there, and then pretty soon there's the closest of

Day's onion got a knife. between your ribs and they're walking away with their

gifts. And what's more, they'll walk away...

Tell them I'll be right there.

Oh, that's... You know, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if that wasn't

by a sailor.

Say, boys, you know all them hawks. He's talking about gray hawks, blue hawks,

and such. Well, there ain't no such thing.

Sergeant Tripp here, he's the only hawk I know of.

He's part.

The other part ain't figured out yet.

Colonel. Got a job for you, Zeb?

This is Lieutenant Ailis.

Yes, sir. Done met.

Oh, good.

At ease, Lieutenant.

It's two bears again.

They've been raiding freight wagons in the Colburn.

I want him brought into this fort so that I can tell him personally that he's

going to be nailed tight as a coffin if he doesn't stop.

Two bears.

He's smart enough to know that if he goes on raiding them freight wagons,

just going to bring grief to his own people.

Well, smart or not, he's doing it. Half a dozen freighters set on in the past

few weeks.

You know, back in 55, we made a treaty with the Indians and let us pass through

to Colburn and back.

But them freighters, they're abusing that treaty plenty.

I know, I know. We've been through all this before.

We're in the wrong as usual.

But I've got my orders.

You know, Colonel, to get down to Colburn, we're going to have to pass

Blackfoot country.

Well, Blackfeet haven't given us any trouble up to now. Well, that's because

they've been staying off to themselves pretty much.

But believe me, their teeth are sharper than most.

Colonel, who you got in mind to... to command this expedition?

Lieutenant Ailis.

Well, he's relatively new to the territory, but he has notable credits.

First in his class for West Point. Colonel, how far west is West Point?

Mr. McCahan.

West Point graduates like Lieutenant Ailis here may not know everything there

to know about fighting Indians, but I don't have to tell you that the Academy

the finest military institution that ever turned out an officer.

Yes.

And in recent years, men at the Academy have undergone specialized training in

Indian warfare.

Oh, they got a lot of engines back here, do they?

McGeehan, I expect this job to be done, like I said.

Lieutenant Ailis was head of his class.

Yes.

First light, Lieutenant. Take five men.

Yes, sir.

Now, hold on a second.

Five men and Sam Tripp.

Tripp?

Tripp.

You're right.

Sam Tripp.

Good night. First light.

Yes, sir.

Permission to question the colonel, sir.

Permission granted.

Is it essential that Mr. McCahan be associated with this mission, sir?

According to your dossier, Lieutenant, you were transferred out here from

general staff because you've been voicing a ferocious desire to fight

wherever they can be found. Is that true?

Yes, sir.

Well, let me put it to you this way, Lieutenant. In our early days out here,

before we began hiring men like McCahan, we discovered that some of our officers

couldn't find their way back to the fort, let alone find Indians.

That answer your question?

Yes, sir.

Something else, Lieutenant?

Well, just one thing, sir.

Mr. McCahan is a civilian.

Is he still under my command, sir?

Well, now, that's a little tougher, Lieutenant.

Technically, since McCahan is paid by the Army, he is, by regulations, under

your command.

However, you may find that his interpretation of that

technicality will vary a trifle from your own.

Yes, sir.

And, uh, Ailis.

Yes, sir?

This is your first patrol out here.

I expect you to bring this mission to a successful conclusion.

Yes, sir.

Of course, now, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

Being scalped ain't the worst thing in the world that can happen to you. They

only take a little piece right from here, clear on into the back there. I

lot of people that lived through it. Of course, it... Doesn't improve your looks

much. There's only one fellow. That was up on the Wind River.

Jack was his name. That improved his looks. He was the ugliest looking

man you ever saw in your life.

Hey, uh, there.

Where are we heading?

We? Well, sure. You can't do nothing right without me.

Well, I don't know, Sam. I don't think I can take you on this one.

Why not?

Well, because you...

You're making yourself too big a target there. Well, that's the trouble.

I've got to see some action.

Sitting around here, John, telling stories ain't good for me.

Now, where are we heading? Well, nothing big. Just down over, take a little ride

to Colburn.

Colburn? Through Blackfoot country? Who's in command?

Lieutenant Avis.

Alice?

Sure hope you know how to pray.

I'm sure we'll find somebody along one of these roads to tell us where the fort

is.

It's just, uh... Well, the horses are very tired.

We'll have to lighten the wagon some more.

Susan, Jeff, come back there and hand down the chairs.

Nothing is going to happen to us because we are not going to stay lost, as you

put it. Now, you and your brother just hand down the chairs.

The harp weighs more, Mama. The harp stays. I told you that before. Now, just

hand down the chairs.

Gentlemen, there's something going on here I would like to be included.

These are engine ponies.

Passed through here not more than three, four hours ago, Lieutenant.

Tried to cover up the track.

Along with a big wagon they got.

Crow? Well, it's either crow or it could have been Blackfoot.

Either way, we better talk in a whisper from here on out.

Voice carries a mile or better than these rocks.

kill us, Mama?

No.

No, of course not.

Try not to be afraid.

Would you play, Mama?

Go ahead.

Stare.

Stare.

You loathsome, despicable... You're nothing but savages.

Savages! Savages!

You don't matter.

All young bucks, too.

I'll tell you something else, Sam.

That ain't Two Bears, neither.

That's Wolfpaw, son of Two Bears.

He ain't as smart as his pappy, neither.

Look at there. He hasn't even set out any guards.

That's the truth.

This is Blackfoot country.

He's really asking for trouble.

Don't you know them young bucks is gonna put up a fight?

That ever bother you, Sam?

Always. I'd better get down there and tell Alice what's going on. Now, Sam,

keep writing him about that Alice business, and I'll tell you something.

going to put you on report.

There'll be enough paper to paper a squad room.

And him the head of the class, too.

You better get the head of the class up here and let him take a peek at what we

got.

In the future, if you have information to impart to me, you will come to me,

salute, and deliver your message. Is that clear?

Anything you say, Alice, but... I'm tired of warning you, private trip.

McCahan? Lieutenant, there's eight crow just over down in that ravine there, and

they're being led by Wolfpaw. He's the son of Two Bear.

By the looks of them, they feel pretty safe. Now, I'm thinking... I'll have a

look for myself.

He won't know what he's looking at.

Bows and arrows and lances.

Now, I suggest we flank them and sweep in from the north.

Sweep? You try to organize a sweep?

Lieutenant, I think we better have us a little discussion.

Now, you see, if we try to go in there in broad daylight like this, it's going

to give them Indians time to mount up and ride.

Then they're going to be able to fight.

Bows and arrows against rifles. What chance will they have?

Chance?

Lieutenant, let me tell you something in case you didn't know.

Along with the Sioux, them Crow Indians, there is probably some of the world's

finest cavalry.

Just when you start talking about flanking and sweeping and such like

you're talking about getting a lot of people hurt.

Now, I got an idea or two that just might keep us from getting anybody hurt.

have an alternate suggestion, then?

I do.

This here day's almost gone.

We waited out tonight.

Then at first light, me and Sam, we go down there amongst them. We run off

horses.

Now, a crow without a horse.

Like a bird without wings.

That's an excellent tactic, Mr. McCahan.

I think it just might work.

you

No guards on the horses.

Two bears would have him staked for that.

Now, Sam, I don't want to start no war here.

I don't do no killing that you don't absolutely have to.

Ma 'am, tell the lieutenant we went to round up the ponies.

Let's go.

How long have you been here, ma 'am?

Since yesterday.

They rode down on our wagon.

Are you and the children all right?

Yes.

Yes, thanks to you.

I don't know what would have happened to us if you hadn't come along.

It's all right.

There's no danger now.

But I do want you and the children to remain in the wagon until I've dealt

these Indians.

Yes, of course.

Do any of these savages understand English?

All of them do, one way or another.

Which one of them is Wolfpaw?

Right here in front of me.

Where is your father, Two Bears?

I said, where is Two Bears?

You sure he understands?

Oh, he understands all right. But look at it this way, Lieutenant.

What if it was your father he was hunting?

Would you answer?

Well, then you tell him in his own language that if he doesn't tell me, he

suffer the consequences.

It won't be necessary.

He understands.

Where is Two Bears?

You will tell me now!

I want the men in a line with their rifles.

Firing squad?

Yes.

And now that you understand, maybe you can make him understand.

And this time, do it in Crow.

He's willing to die?

Can't you get it through your head, Lieutenant? He'd rather die than tell

where his father is.

His braves, too.

Then tell him that his braves will die first.

Every one of them, if necessary.

Tell him!

He says if he has to die, he'll die.

That's the way they are, Lieutenant.

Fine.

Then take them in front of the wagon, two at a time. But you can't... Move!

All right, you and you.

Take two at a time.

Form rank and prepare to fire.

It's not your place to do a thing like this.

You just watch me.

Now. The last time.

Where is Two Bears?

Lieutenant!

Ready! Lieutenant!

Put them rifles down.

What's going on?

Alice is fixing to wipe out the Crow Nation, starting right here.

Prepare to fire.

Mister, you give an order to fire, I'm going to gut you neck to knees.

You use that knife on me, McCahan, and they will hang you from the highest

gallows in the United States Army.

Damn the Army and damn the gallows. There's something you berry pies from

Point don't seem to understand. Maybe never will.

Let's just put it this way, mister.

There ain't gonna be no dead Indians here today. You got that?

The colonel specifically ordered me not to return without two bears.

And these Indians are going to tell me where he is.

That's where you're making your big mistake.

Two bears probably don't even know what's going on here.

Oh, Pa.

Does your Pa know anything about this?

Two bears not tell.

And you take his word for it?

Damn right I do.

You respect his father too much to lie, and he and these young bucks don't have

two bits patience with the white man's treachery.

You kill Wolfpaw and two bears will burn every settlement and homestead in a

hundred miles.

After which, the colonel will have your brains bronzed, whatever's left of them.

All right.

They'll go back to the fort, but I'll still see to it that they are tried and

hanged.

For raiding freight wagons.

For abducting a white woman and her children.

Trip, I want these savages tied for riding.

You can't tell me that Wolfpaw and those braves of his are out there trying to

abuse a woman.

I don't believe it.

You sure don't figure.

This must have been a harrowing experience for you and the children,

Baxter.

Elizabeth Baxter.

My daughter Susan, son Jeff.

Hello. I'm Lieutenant Ayliss, ma 'am.

Are you sure you're all right?

Yes, we are now, Lieutenant.

But they were very rough with us.

At one point I thought they were trying to kill my son.

Yes, I'm sure it was.

But, ma 'am, a woman traveling alone out here, I... I got some bad advice,

Lieutenant.

I left Livingston Falls with the understanding that a day's ride would

the fort where they were organizing a wagon train to St. Joe.

But there were so many forks in the trail and none of them marked.

It's easy to lose one's way out here, ma 'am.

I should have headed back, but I gambled we were going in the right direction.

Well, we'll be at the fort in a few days.

So all you'll have lost is a little time.

What will happen to the Indians, Lieutenant?

For raiding freight wagons along the trail, they'd be sentenced to prison.

But you may rest assured, ma 'am, that once we get back to the fort, I will

personally see to it that these savages are hanged for what they did to you.

Wolf Bar.

You took the woman and her children.

Why? She is not harmed.

That's not what I asked you.

Soldiers will think worst. Let them.

Ma 'am, you and the children can get off and stretch your legs a while if you

like. We'll be here a few minutes.

Stay close, children.

Yes, Mama.

Here, let me help.

You know, I don't believe I've ever heard your son speak.

I stopped two years ago when my husband drowned in the river.

Oh, no.

And the boy saw it happen?

His father had started to repair a bridge, took Jeff along for company.

Somehow, the bridge gave way, and...

Later, when Susan and I got

there, there was no trace of my husband, and Jeff was still clinging to the

remains of the bridge.

It was as if he was frozen with the horror of what he had seen still on his

face.

It took forever to get him down.

And despite all we've tried, he's not made a sound since.

I am so.

But I, uh, I can't help but wondering why and... educated, and obviously well

-bred lady as yourself, why you would have come out here in the first place.

I didn't have any choice, Lieutenant.

Aylor?

Gentlemen? I'm going to take Sergeant Tripp here and head up into the back

country. You have my permission to take Private Tripp with you, Mr. McCahan.

We'll be moving out soon.

So you'll have to catch up.

We figured to do that, Lieutenant.

When you're moving out, be sure you do it as quiet as you can.

We'll talk more later, ma 'am.

Where did you get that?

Did you take it from a freight wagon?

Or did you get it from a white woman?

You tell me where you got that garter!

No, to the fire!

Army coat.

Better be out.

What do you think you're doing?

Stay out of this, McCahan. A couple of miles of riding on his belly will calm

this one down.

Did you fire that shot?

Yes. A rattler shied my horse. I tried to stop the shooting. This savage

attacked me.

He had to keep us from maybe getting killed.

Killed? I don't understand.

Lieutenant, we got three, maybe four hours.

And then the Blackfoot are going to be down our backs and up our noses. The

hills are crawling with sign, all of it spelling trouble.

We are not at war with the Blackfoot.

But the crows are.

Why do you figure he tried to stop you from taking that shot?

Because he's the son of a crow chief.

Him and his braves are prisoners right here in the middle of the Blackfoot

nation. You might have told me that.

I didn't figure it was necessary.

The Crow -Blackfoot war is one of the oldest in our country.

Didn't they tell you that at West Point?

is to tell these boys to have their rifles at their ready and look out of

sides of their eyes at the same time.

But nobody fires a shot till I say so.

Two or three hours, I believe you said, McCahan.

It's been half a day since my infamous gunshot.

Where are your dangerous black... They're too late coming, Lieutenant.

They got their reasons.

They're gonna be here, and then you'll have to do some real pointed thinking,

west or east.

We'll see.

Well, there they are, Mr. Ellis.

Blackfoot.

Let me try, but the Apache never gave the white man age.

Not only that, but like the Apaches, they got ways of making a man wish he'd

never been born.

Say his name is Red Kettle?

That's him, all right.

He's got us right where he wants us to.

Now, it looks like you're caught in the middle, Lieutenant.

You get the job of protecting these Indians from those Indians.

They're all meant to keep their rifles in the boot until we find out what kind

of mood he's in. That means no shooting.

Don't even touch your weapons unless we're fired upon.

It's all right, Chipper.

It's all right. It's all right.

Sam, that cover over there, wouldn't you say it's a couple hundred yards?

Them up there on the ridge, it's more like a couple of hundred miles.

Trip, you better handle that wagon.

Good idea, Lieutenant.

I'm going to keep you company, ma 'am.

Lieutenant, just go nice and slow around this corner up here.

And like whistling in the graveyard.

Get up there!

Looks like Red Kettle's wearing his Sunday war hat.

I just take it so uneasy, Lieutenant.

You know, I'm going to do anything till I give the word.

Just make sure the crows stay with us, McCann.

The crows got more to fear from the Blackfoot than we do.

What's your old wheeler's name, ma 'am?

Croaky. Hang on to something.

Get ready, Lieutenant.

to the Indian.

It's played by rules of honor. He could be playing cat and mouse with us.

They don't mind a soldier going across their land with some crows. But they've

ridden away.

I can't figure that part out, neither.

Until I do, I want you and your soldier boys to stay low, Lieutenant.

I'll take Sergeant Tripp here and we'll scout around.

It's an excellent idea.

You have my permission to take Private Tripp with you.

When are you going to quit volunteering me? Which one of us is going to learn

how to pray, Sam?

Jeff? Susan?

You can come down now. It's safe.

There you go, partner.

There we are.

Guess you two aren't used to running away from Indians, are you?

We weren't that scared, were we, Jeff?

Say, listen.

You were very brave, both of you.

Brave as any of my soldiers.

I guess I was kind of scared, mister.

You can call me Colin if you like.

But there's nothing to worry about now.

Nothing.

Hold to that thought, all right?

I got to sell us another toy to play with.

You got any ideas?

Nothing that might not get us killed.

I don't find that funny no more.

On the other hand, we can't just leave him there, Sam.

Look, you remember dry wells? I remember it.

I got a narrowhead in my leg that keeps reminding me of it. Yeah, you still got

your scalp too, ain't you?

Now get on over and tell Ailis what we need. Three fast horses.

We need him muy pronto. He ain't got all day.

Sure taking their own sweet time.

What if we are that we don't live through the next charge?

Telly, what are you doing?

Seven.

Twenty -eight. Count, what do you think I'm doing?

Twenty -nine. You know I'm from local.

Go worry about the grief of seven when you're out counting kids. Ready to go.

Come on, Telly, get over there.

Considering. Considering what?

Considering that there weren't no Gabriel to begin with.

the army problem. All I'm interested in is getting these goods to the mining

camp. All the money's tied up in it. All the money in the world's not going to

keep you out of an anthill if Red Kettle figures out what made that dust back

there in the draw.

We're all the army there is, mister. You're looking at it.

There's only two of you?

That's right. These five horses dragging branches.

You coming or ain't you?

They should be here by now.

I never should have let them go.

How long have you lived out here, ma 'am?

Close to eight years now.

My husband Eric and I had a lovely home in Boston.

Everything seemed so perfect then.

What made you decide to move west?

My husband's health.

The doctor said that Eric needed a warm, dry climate.

Eric refused at first, knowing how much I loved Boston and the life we were

leading.

Then he became worse.

And... Well, I insisted we move west.

It seemed so long ago.

Susan was barely a year old then.

She's a lovely child.

She'll grow to be as lovely as a mother, I'm sure.

That's very gallant, Lieutenant.

Colin, if you will.

Colin.

You found it, though, your...

Looking forward to living in the East again.

Oh.

Oh, yes.

But it won't be easy.

I abandoned our homestead and everything we now own is in the wagon.

Well, don't you have relatives living in Boston?

None living there now, no.

Well, then, how will you live?

I don't know, Lieutenant.

At least my children will grow up in civilized surroundings.

And maybe, just maybe, I can find a doctor to help my son.

I think you're a very brave woman.

I saw you reassuring my children, comforting them.

You seem to have a way with, well, speaking to young children.

I love children.

We planned on having a large family.

It must be very difficult, raising children by yourself.

It's not been easy.

Fortunately, though, they themselves have been wonderful.

How about you, Mr. Ellis?

You said you wanted a large family.

You are married, then?

Uh, no.

My wife is dead.

I have no children.

Oh, Colin.

I'm so sorry.

Lieutenant!

Excuse me.

I have our troubles getting out.

Lieutenant, no shooting.

I ain't no damn army.

As long as you're under my protection, you'll obey my orders to the letter. Is

that understood?

Why, sure enough, General.

We understand things like that real good.

Don't we, boys?

I want to thank you, mister.

You too, sergeant.

My name is Joby Pender.

Tally Gibbons, Mosey Hatch. I want to thank you for saving our bacon back

If I'd have meant for you two, we'd all be in this abode.

Well, mister, you're telling the truth there.

Sam?

They're my prisoners.

They're taking them back to Fort Ellis.

All that way, huh?

Why don't you just shoot them?

You'll have to ask Mr. McCahan about that.

Perhaps they've decided to withdraw for good.

Oh.

They're out there, Lieutenant.

Savages.

We ought to just leave the crow here and let them kill each other.

You hate all them dens, do you, Lieutenant?

Yes.

I hate them.

You got any particular reason?

My first duty station out west, Mr. McCahan.

was at Fort Smith.

My wife knew that she couldn't join me right away, so she gave me this flask

filled with brandy.

To my husband, love always, Jane.

I never opened it.

I promised myself I would save it until we could share it together.

After a year, she came to join me.

Her stage was attacked.

She was murdered.

By savages.

Your noble Indians, Mr. McCahan.

They took my wife as these Indians took Mrs. Baxter.

The only difference is that she was luckier than Jane.

Because we hit them before they were able to do to her.

I'm sorry.

We can't stay here forever, can we?

No.

We'll be heading out for a first light.

Looks like we got company again, Lieutenant.

Let's see if a little talking will help.

What are they doing out there?

Having a blabber.

Well, I can see that, Private.

What are they talking about?

Oh, old times, old combats, for one thing.

They know each other? Know each other.

Lieutenant, that man sitting on the blanket down there with Red Kettle knows

every Indian in these mountains.

He's near one himself.

And if Red Kettle can count Koo on Zep McKay Hand...

The story'd be told around the campfires from father to son, from now till I's

caught far.

of this type, it's simple enough.

We're free to move on. All we got to do is give him wolf paw and arrest them

crows.

Surrender the prisoners?

That's all there is to it.

What do you say?

No.

Now, I don't give a damn for these Indians.

Or for those Indians over there, for that matter. But no Indian is going to

the United States Army what to do. Just hold on a second now, General.

Like my friend Talley here would say.

That ain't sound business.

The joke's right. Our life's a bunch of stinking engines. Would I be killed

anyway? Now, that don't make too much sense to me. My decision stands.

The prisoners remain with us. Just a minute. You heard the lieutenant. The

palaver's over.

Mr. McCahan?

Well, lieutenant, you know, sometimes that book of yours fools me.

I'll try something.

What's McCahan doing?

There was nothing wrong with that man before.

I don't know, but I think I'm beginning to get together.

Sir, I think old Sergeant Private Tripp's got...

It's working.

The kettle's beginning to boil.

What's he up to?

Well, you see, McCann's trying to convince Red Kettle that we got an idiot

amongst us.

Oh, nothing intended, Lieutenant.

You see, an Indian, when he sees and senses something different in somebody,

thinks it's been spelled.

Sort of possessed by the devil, so to speak.

And what's more, he thinks it can come out and rub off on him. And he'll end up

barking at shadows.

You! You!

That depends on whether or not Red Kettle had somebody watching him up

Oh, if they'd have seen anything, Sam, we'd be in a fight right now.

What it did do is buy us a little time, but the only trouble is only an hour of

daylight left.

We can't cross that river after dark.

I don't understand either of you.

I may not know everything there is to know about Indian warfare.

But one thing I do know is one of the basic principles of military strategy is

if you want to elude an enemy, use the cover of darkness.

That's right, Lieutenant.

Unless you happen to be surrounded by engines that are going to be watching us

every second.

If they see us trying to sneak out, they'll know we tried to trick them.

Our only chance, Lieutenant, is to camp by the river.

Then in the morning, just meander on across like we didn't have a worry in

world.

But we've got a day or more still to the fort.

That's right. We got us a chance.

But it wouldn't build no tomorrow, son.

Move out!

Giddy up!

Giddy up!

How come you keep eyeing that gal, Joby?

Something coming to me is all.

I don't understand your concern, Mr. McCahan.

Red Kettle backed off because he thinks we have an idiot among us.

If he didn't attack us before, why should he do so now?

Well, now, Red Kettle is a real good chief and all that, but don't forget

an Indian and they live by superstition.

Now, he believes that if he brings down any harm to a person who's not all there

in the mind, that's going to mean misfortune for himself and his tribe.

Yes, that's exactly the reason why we have nothing to worry about.

With Spotted Elk drooling and clawing at him, see, he's got a hundred years of

superstition that he's hooked into there.

But he also happens to be a very intelligent man.

And I'll guarantee you that he's back over there right now.

And he's beginning to wonder whether or not we tricked him.

So we're not exactly home free.

Far from it.

Lieutenant, if you take my advice, I'd like to see you let them engines go. Cut

them loose and give them back their weapons.

We're going to need all the help we can get to fight our way out of here.

Cut them loose?

They got a stake in this, too.

They're going to be dying just like you and me.

Now man's got a right to a say -so when it comes down to that.

Zeb's right.

With just us against them over there, it's going to be a scalp dance.

I suppose I have no choice but to trust your judgment, gentlemen.

Give them back their weapons, Tripp.

Seems... me, the lieutenant, finally grew himself a side order of brains.

It was the perfumey water that set before me.

The perfume that liked to drive me half crazy that night in the high lady's

saloon in Crippled Crook. Remember that night?

Huh?

Yeah, I had to buy you saloon drinks all night before we went up in the stairs.

I gotta tell you, baby, it was worth it.

Please don't. Please don't. Don't you go acting the high and mighty lady with

me. Come on, we know each other better than that, honey. I'm not trying to act

high and mighty. I just want you to leave me alone.

Oh, I see. They don't know her.

I can understand that with your kids here and everything like that.

But nobody's got to know about our little secret, honey. Huh?

Just as long as you can get along real good.

What are you getting mad at, General?

We've got a little merchandise here for a bracket.

There ain't no need to cause a ruckus.

you, mister.

You're gonna get killed.

Now, her and I are just old friends from her saloon days. Ain't that right?

This wagon is off limits to you and your men. If I so much as see you look in

this direction, I'll have you shot.

Is that clear?

McCahan. Lieutenant.

You're still awake.

Well, there you are.

The thing I wanted to say to you.

Now, I noticed, Lieutenant, that when somebody don't measure up to your

standards, you have a tendency to kind of push them aside.

Like that Mrs.

Baxter there now.

Now, maybe she ain't perfect, but then which one of us is?

Damn sure not you or me.

An understanding word from you back there at the wagon might have helped a

Something to think on.

On your feet, Tubert.

I

thought

he was trying to kill me.

If he had a bin, you'd be dead.

I'm not key.

Can't get down.

Blackfoot. There's two of them. One got away.

It'd be real cool for them to take a scalp right in the middle of our camp.

Yeah, except I don't think that's what they were here for this time, Sam.

They wanted to get a look at Spotted Elk, our crazy Indian here.

I'm afraid that this time Red Kettle got his answer.

take a look down along the riverbank.

See if I can find a place where we can slip past red cattle without being seen.

All right.

Don't take any unnecessary chances, Mr. McKay.

Lieutenant, don't you never worry about that.

Be real quiet now, General.

Real quiet.

all stand easy, soldiers, just right where you are.

Hey, you Indians!

I'll give you a choice.

You can die right here now or out there.

What's it gonna be?

God sakes, man.

At least give the Indians their weapons back.

And have them circle around the back of us and kill us?

When word of this reaches the fort, you all three will hang.

Oh, I don't think so, General. You see, we're gonna save your lives.

And the lives of that lady there and her kids.

Now, if you can hang us for that, you're going to be in a lot of trouble with

the settlers more than with these Indians.

That ain't smart politics.

Now, with these crows gone, we all got clear passage back to the fort.

Ain't that a little bit better than what we was facing?

Depends. Hold it right there.

What you're facing right now is a barrel of this gun, mister.

It's just itching to go off.

Put them guns down.

All we're trying to do is save everybody's hides. I said drop.

Get your weapons, men.

What you're going to do is get.

There's Blackfeet out there.

We wouldn't stand a chance.

They'd stand more of a chance than them engines you was going to send out there

to their death.

I tell you what, you're going to pick up them guns and be off.

Or I tell the Blackfoot you're fair game.

A forthright decision,

Mr. McCahan.

Unfortunately, one that the Army manual would not allow me to make.

Well, turn the other cheek. I said we'd get a man killed.

Tell me, is our friend Red Kettle still along the river?

He's not only over there, he's getting reinforcements. So we have no choice but

to cross in the morning?

No choice.

Bye.

After they regroup, they'll be coming again.

So we'll have to outrun them?

Yeah, unless we leave them wounded.

The fastest way would be straight in, but... See, if we took the flat land,

longer, but... But that's open ground again.

That's the reason I'm thinking. It won't occur to them that fast.

Now, me and Trip here, we can hold them off as long as possible.

Of course, it won't take the kettle long to figure out what we're doing.

When he does...

The rest will be up to God and the horses.

You're right again.

Good luck, Mr. McCahan.

You too, Sergeant.

Mount up and move out!

Sorry we had to lose your wagon.

About something that was a lot more precious in return.

My son cried.

Isn't that miraculous?

Cried. You know, there's a doctor at the fort.

Perhaps he could help.

Perhaps?

I... I am sorry.

Truly am.

Instead of understanding you, I just walked away from you.

You had that right.

Right. After my husband died, I had no income.

I lost the farm.

My children were crying with hunger.

In town, there were no jobs for women except for... Elizabeth, please, you

owe me any explanation.

But I feel it's important that you understand.

I feel I do understand.

I just hope that someday you can forgive me.

There's nothing to forgive.

Well, you had to go and volunteer me again, didn't you?

I ain't complaining about Sam. Got your stripes back for you, didn't I?

You're about to hurt him.

Glad to see you again, gentlemen.

Lieutenant, looks like we've both been lucky so far.

There was no pursuit?

Oh, they're out there.

They're probably five minutes behind us if Red Kettle's following us. Now, if he

went on ahead, he could be up there waiting for us, for it's just ahead.

Let's move out, men.

Never thought I'd be fighting on the same side with Indians.

Well, you spend much time around Indians, Lieutenant, you realize there

of them ordinary Indians.

Only one thing they want, really.

What's that?

To be listened to.

Well, maybe two things.

Listened to and heard.

There's four up ahead.

Looks like it's going to be a horse race.

Which we'll do our best to win.

We're going to have to make a run for it.

But don't worry.

We'll get through.

Now, Jeff, hold tight to your mother.

Mr.

Cahen?

They don't think there's a chance of making it.

What's your opinion?

I tend to agree with them.

There's one thing, though, if you want to think about it.

What's that?

Well, he says he's willing to take his braves back out on the flats there, take

the Blackfeet with him. But that's suicide.

Probably. But it'd save our lives.

No.

They'll stay with us.

We'll make that fort together or not at all.

You know, Lieutenant, I don't know who's bent and who's mind around, but...

You and I, we're thinking more like all the time.

Ready? At a gallop! Forward!

Halt!

Stop you! Stop you! Help us!

Why did they stop?

They're honoring you, Lieutenant.

Honoring me?

Coming back for Wolfpaw like that.

Red Kettle considers that uncommon act of bravery.

They honor that.

You better recognize it, Lieutenant.

Where the hell's your military courtesy?

What did the doctor say?

Jeff's still in with him.

But it looks very encouraging.

If he can cry, that's a start.

So you will be staying on for a while, then?

Yes.

May I call on you?

I'll be looking forward to that.

to ask you almost since the first moment I saw you.

Yes?

Well, I... I'm not very good at that sort of...

Gentlemen.

Oh, Lieutenant.

Talk that young lady out of going back to Boston yet?

Well, Mr. McCahan, I'm going to take a page from your book, as the saying goes.

How's that?

Going to examine the situation, consider carefully, and seize the opportunity if

it presents itself.

Good.

Wish him well.

election, that's the first time in history that U .S. government has sent

engines back to their own chief for punishment.

Thanks to your good words at the hearing, sir.

You called me, sir.

I just realized this is the first time since I met you.

And how you've avoided it, I will never know, but this is the first time that

you called me, sir.

I guess that's right, sir.

I'll buy you a drink on that, Lieutenant.

No. This one's on me, Mr. Cahan.

Sergeant, I know this isn't by the book, but would you care to join us?

Yes, sir.