Original subtitles

Come on, boy! Put your back into it!

Move, you lazy good for nothings! I said move!

The oppressed await deliverance, Nathan.

We must not fail them.

Let's go.

You're free.

It's time to go. Let's go to the wagon.

Look here.

Don't look at me like this.

Good, you haven't left yet.

Actually, I've been gone an hour. Why?

Teaspoon's got a special dispatch for Kansas City. Figured you could use the

company. Well, it's all right. You don't have to.

I don't want to.

Look, kid.

This ain't no big thing.

Just going to see my sister is all.

Becoming an uncle for the first time ain't a big deal?

No.

Huh.

Well, uh... What's... What's this?

Give me...

You can go.

Just hurry up before we get any more interruptions.

Jimmy?

You going someplace?

What do you guys want?

Well, we didn't think it was right for you to leave without saying a proper

goodbye.

All right, well, you did it, so if you don't mind... Jimmy, Jimmy, we need...

What?

Rachel knit a little blanket for the baby.

One side's pink and the other side's blue for whichever way it turns out.

And I got something for you, too.

Aww.

It's in case you get thirsty along the way.

I'll be sure to share it with the kid.

Look at that. Jimmy Hickok.

Fastest bottle in the West.

Fastest Uncle Jimmy.

In a few hours.

You will take the long journey north.

And very soon, the righteous war we are about to enter

will spread across this great land until all of us

stand again in freedom and equality.

God bless you.

And have mercy on us all.

Are the children in any condition to travel?

Most of them.

This girl has a fever.

Perhaps she should stay behind.

It's more important she be with her mother.

And if she infects the others?

If she hasn't by now, she won't.

Isaiah, don't worry.

I'll have her ready.

Very well.

Thank you, Rosemary.

You must be real proud to be his wife.

He's a great man.

Yes, he is.

What is it?

Kansas.

I can't believe I'm back in Kansas.

You ever stopped here before?

No, but I don't see anybody defusing man water for his horse.

Yeah, well, don't be so sure about that.

Jimmy, I know this is Kansas, but it can't be that crazy.

Let's take a look.

Doesn't look like anybody's home.

Ain't crazy, huh?

Who are you?

What do you want?

Just pony express riders, ma'am.

I'm headed to Kansas City. He's headed to Leavenworth.

You... You ain't here to take Calvin?

Who's here, ma'am?

We just want water for our horses, ma'am. Be on our way. If that's too much

trouble... Calvin!

Morning. You want to order your horses, go ahead.

But you ain't taking Calvin here.

Whatever you say, ma'am.

It's the way.

Ain't right folks telling you how to live your life and then shooting if you

don't see things the same way.

I agree with you, ma'am.

Well.

When they've had their fill, Calvin will rub them down.

You don't have to do that, ma'am.

Just because humankind's gone to hell in a handbasket don't mean dumb animals

have got to suffer.

Well, if you'll excuse me, I got work to do.

Well, if she don't beat all, Miss Lees is a good woman.

Won't you work this place all alone?

Do now?

Family's over there.

Her husband, three sons, a brother, and their wives.

The flu took the women.

Abolition has got the men.

Me and her buried them all.

Pardon my asking, but Kansas is a free state now.

Why don't you just leave?

What for?

This here's my home.

Besides, she needs me.

Jimmy, I don't abide by slavery any more than you do, but what do you think about

a fellow like that?

Come on, kid, we're talking about an old man in the middle of the state.

About the thousands of people, people who are bought and sold every day.

You think they're as happy or as well-treated as him?

No, but like she said, it ain't up to the federal government to decide.

Well, then who the hell is it up to?

The way I see it, it's up to the folks closest to you.

Your family, your friends, the next farm, the nearest town, like that.

What this country doesn't need is a bunch of damn politicians in Washington

telling us what to do.

If folks could just live and let live, he'd be right.

But it might be too late for that.

Let's just hope it ain't.

Katie's feeling strong. We ought to make Kansas City by tomorrow morning.

Be careful, kid. That's Missouri.

I will.

Say hello to Slender for me.

I'll try and stop by on my way back. All right, good.

Thanks for the ride, kid.

You too.

Jimmy, even if things do get worse, we'll always be friends.

Look at you.

Me? Look at you.

Come here.

So, how's life at the Pony Express?

It's all right, I guess.

You know, I just can't get over seeing you like that.

Having this baby's gonna be the best thing that ever happened to us.

You'll see.

At first, Nathan was a little worried because these are such dark times.

Any sign of the coming trouble up your way, Jimmy?

Yeah, it's like a disease.

Past couple months, I ain't hardly been to any place that there ain't some sign

of it.

So I guess you're still working with the vigilance committee, huh?

More than ever.

It's getting to the point where I hardly ever see him anymore.

We're doing some real important work.

Ever since Mr. Burke got here.

Isaiah Burke?

You know him?

No, I've heard of him, though.

They say he's another John Brown.

He's a great man, Jimmy.

For the last month alone, we've rescued over 100 slaves.

Only lost two men.

Sorry I'm late. Little Lucinda was breaking a fever.

It took some doing, but I think I persuaded the driver to take her along.

Excuse me, I didn't know you were expecting company.

No, I ain't exactly company. Just, uh, uncle to be.

Rosemary Burke, this is my brother, Jimmy Hickok.

Pleased to meet you.

The pleasure's mine, Mr. Hickok.

Celinda's told me all about you.

Uh-oh.

She also told me not to believe everything I hear.

Well, good.

So,

you ain't in relation to Isaiah Burke, are you? He's my husband.

Oh.

I'm happy to inform you that the people we free today are already heading north,

on their way to new lives.

Is that him?

I am equally pleased to announce that our next target will be the slave

compound at Crown Point, Missouri.

Excuse me, Mr. Burke. I know that place, and it's heavily guarded. I'm aware of

that. Well, we're liable to suffer heavy losses.

I refer you to Hebrews 9.22.

Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.

And without the shedding of blood, there can be no end to slavery.

I'm afraid Nathan is right, gentlemen.

Now, those of you who will be riding with us on Crown Point, please stay.

The rest of you may go.

Good.

I believe that covers everything.

It's late.

Go home to your wives and families.

If they ask you where you've been this evening or where you're going, tell them

that your children's children will sleep better for what we planned here tonight.

Isaiah Burke.

I'd like to meet my brother-in-law, James Butler Hickok.

It's an honor, Mr. Hickok.

Although I did not know him well, I admired your late father very much.

Thank you.

He's a good man.

He died for the noblest cause of all.

The brotherhood and dignity of all men.

The way I remember it, he was stabbed by a drunken slaver.

You know, he died in my arms.

Yes.

You also have something of a reputation, Mr. Hickok, whether rightly earned or

not.

Regardless.

We could use your help.

I don't think so.

Think about it.

This is a rare opportunity to be part of a greater good.

Yeah?

And in a couple of days, how many of these men's wives are going to be

widows?

Too many, unfortunately.

Just give it some thought.

In the meantime, perhaps you could lend us some benign assistance.

We'll be needing medical supplies.

And since many of our members are already living under a veil of

suspicion, I would be greatly indebted if you would accompany my wife to the

apothecary.

I guess I can do that.

Thank you.

You really think that fella in there believed these were for an orphanage?

Probably not.

But I'm sure Isaiah will have his people checking out.

What do you mean, like, with saddies on?

People's lives are at stake here, James. You can't be too careful. So I gather.

Sorry.

You're gonna fall back.

Go ahead.

Do it!

You like kids, don't you?

Very much.

Rosemary,

I know I don't hardly know you at all, but it sure looks like, I don't know,

you and your husband should seem different, I guess.

Do we?

We weren't always.

When I met him, he was so heroic.

Back then we believed that if people were only educated they would recognize

the evils of slavery and change would come peacefully Hasn't quite

worked out that way it usually does it when you're telling folks to roam

So is that why you married him because he was a hero

I fell in love

I've never met a man like Isaiah before.

He was so gentle and kind, thoughtful.

We were part of a great and noble cause.

Look, when I was growing up, the cause was all I ever heard about.

And, of course, the other side had their cause, too.

So I've seen some pretty strange things from both sides.

Lately, I can't help wondering how much any cause is worth.

As opposed to what?

Family, living next to your neighbor in peace, things like that.

That'll come someday.

For someone else, right?

Not you.

No, not me.

Not you either, if I'm any judge.

Given the heavy traffic of slaves through this compound, it's very well

defended. Warren, when I fire a shot, your men will ride in from behind these

trees.

Rosemary, on my signal, you'll approach the south gate.

Excuse me, Isaiah. Ain't there some other way of doing this without using

your wife?

Mr. Hickok, Rosemary has assisted us twice before.

Quite successfully, I might add.

Again, I must stress that speed is essential.

It's up to you, gentlemen.

Any questions?

No, sir.

Good.

Let's get started.

Can't you talk him out of this?

Even if I wanted to, I doubt it would be possible.

You've got to help me.

We were crossing the river. We were attacked.

Abolitionists. They wanted to take our slaves. My husband's holding them off,

but he's hurt bad and he can't ride.

I'll get Jack, Wade.

Just a few more minutes.

Nathan, get in position.

Pick her up.

I'll go with him.

Please, you've got to help me. The longer we wait, the less chance they've

got. I'll get some men ready to ride.

Wait.

Ma'am, just how many abolitionists did you see?

At least a dozen, maybe more.

And you say this happened down by the bend in the river? Yes, please. There's

no time.

Lady, I've got a work crew down there. If there was trouble, we'd have heard

about it.

Now, let's go have a little talk with Mr. Sutton.

Double the watch.

Get her.

Jimmy, no.

What is he doing? He'll ruin everything!

Dammit!

That's the signal! Go right behind him!

I'm sorry, I said... Mr. Hickok, because of your foolishness, Warren and his men

will die today.

There's nothing we can do for them now. We failed.

Let's go.

Now.

I think so.

When he gets ready to travel, I'll take him on home.

Tell your sister.

I'll come by to pray with her later.

Praying's fine, but I think a doctor would be a better idea right now, don't

you? I'm sorry we can't take that chance.

We gotta talk.

There is nothing to talk about, Mr. Hickok. What happened this morning was

most unfortunate.

But it's over now. All that matters is that we regroup.

I don't believe you.

We could have just been looking at Nathan and Rosemary in a grave, and all

you can talk about is regrouping?

These are merely the opening salvos of what promises to be a long and bloody

war. And unless I'm mistaken, wars usually entail casualties.

And what if Rosemary's one of them?

She'll be mourned by no one more than myself, I can assure you.

Mr. Hickok, it was your heroics which doomed us to failure.

Put that on me!

We were under man from the start. You know it.

You know what I don't understand?

Is how you can use your wife and just sit there as they take her off. We would

have gotten her out, but instead you roused the whole camp and made success

impossible.

At least for today.

What do you mean today?

I mean that we will have to try again.

Well, that's crazy. They'll be waiting for you out there. Not necessarily.

I have a contact inside named Edwards.

He'll eat the word that Warren and his men were all we had. Meanwhile, I will

muster replacements.

So you already got a bloodbath.

Now you just want another one.

Hickok, if you don't believe that the lives of 30 of our black brothers and

sisters are worth the sacrifice, I will have to ask you to leave and never speak

of today's events again.

How's he doing?

He's almost asleep.

I'm gonna get some more water. All right.

We messed up pretty good, didn't we?

You mean me, don't you?

Don't worry, you'll get another chance.

Seems old Isaiah's bound and determined to make a martyr out of himself.

And... Just about anyone else who's fool enough to go along with him. What are

you talking about?

He's planning another raid on Crown Point.

When?

A couple days, I think.

You know it fast.

Come on, Nathan, think about this.

You and Celinda got a little one coming. Don't you think that child deserves a

father? We have to take chances in the cause of liberty.

I don't believe this.

Well...

Get some rest.

You don't need it.

What's he talking about, Nathan?

Nothing.

We're committed to Isaiah Burke.

If you don't share that commitment, you'd best leave.

Nathan! It's between me and Jimmy, honey.

I wanted to thank you for coming after me this morning.

I was afraid you might leave before I got the chance.

Well, a lot of people have been telling me to, that's for sure.

Don't hate Isaiah James.

Rosemary, I don't hate Isaiah.

I just, uh... feel more sorry for him.

Why?

Because he doesn't appreciate you.

Tell me something.

When was the last time Isaiah told you that he loved you?

Those things aren't important anymore.

To him or to you?

Come on, you're the one who said it wasn't always like this.

Won't you tell me what happened?

We had a son.

We were living in Boston.

When Michael was six months old, there was an influenza epidemic.

Isaiah was in New York at a vigilance meeting.

He never forgave himself.

Changed him.

I'm sorry.

No, James, please.

I'm already ashamed of myself.

For what?

For what I feel when I'm around you.

I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that.

Why not?

It's human.

I don't know what's happening to me. I came here to thank you for saving my

life, and I also wanted to see you again.

I know it's wrong, but I don't want you to leave.

You know you don't have to do this.

No one will think any less of you.

I know.

Jimmy, please tell him not to go.

I tried, Celinda.

But he won't listen.

I have to, honey.

This is what we've been working for all this time. You know that.

And I promise, when our baby takes its first breath, I'm gonna be there, okay?

I'd better go.

James, be careful.

Yeah. What are you doing here?

Well, I got these in Kansas City, and I figured I'd deliver them myself, and

we'd ride back together.

This here is my brother-in-law, Nate.

How do you do?

Hello.

Thanks.

Rosemary, give these to Celinda, would you, please?

Is there something wrong?

Come on, Jimmy. Isaiah's waiting.

Isaiah Burke?

Be back in a few hours, kid. We'll talk then.

You're riding with him, aren't you?

What if I am?

Jimmy? It's all right, Nathan.

Isaiah's doing some important work, kid. Jimmy, he's a fanatic like John Brown.

Murdered a federal marshal in Kentucky, shot him in the back.

They're killing slaves down south, and they ain't calling that murder.

At least he's doing something about it.

Why are you doing this?

Nathan!

Give us away.

No, he won't.

I guess you were right about Kansas all along.

It ain't just about Kansas, kid.

I don't understand.

I thought Jimmy was gonna stay out of this kind of trouble.

Well, being from the South, kid, I know this is hard for you.

But lately, staying out of it is getting harder and harder for decent people to

do.

Well, maybe.

But Isaiah Burke?

Ma'am, I know he's your husband, and I'm sorry, but he's a murderer.

Kid! It's all right, Celinda. It's true.

Isaiah did kill that marshal.

Would you like to know why?

He was going to send a family of six runaways back to a living hell in

Mississippi.

I was there.

Isaiah tried arguing with him, but the man wouldn't listen.

There was nothing else he could do.

I'll get it.

Nathan here.

He rode over to Seneca a little while ago. Something I can help you with,

Marshal? Well, these soldiers here got word that he might be part of that

vigilance committee that's giving aid to Isaiah Burke.

I just got here.

I'll let you know if I hear anything.

How about we take a look for ourselves?

All right, Sergeant.

I know these folks.

They wouldn't be involved in something like that.

Thank you.

So, Linda, as soon as Nathan gets back, you're gonna have to leave here.

If he gets back...

You're a brave man, Mr. Edwards.

But I know you're working for Isaiah Burke.

Why don't you tell me, when is he coming back?

You know, Isaiah, I can't seem to figure you out.

What's to understand, Mr. Hickok?

Why, man, so much to live for seems so bent on dying.

Is that how you see me?

It's true, ain't it?

Perhaps.

Rosemary thinks quite highly of you.

She's quite a woman.

Very fortunate.

Yes. Yes, I suppose I am.

She told me how you used to be a pacifist.

What happened?

History. History.

Or was it a little boy named Michael?

It wasn't your fault.

Mr.

Hickok.

The failure.

of our last raid.

That was not your fault either.

I don't know if I would have had the courage to do what you did.

Yeah, you did.

As he died to make men holy, let us fight to make them free.

Something's wrong

Oh, my God. What happened?

We didn't stand a chance. They were waiting for us.

Isaiah?

He's alive, but they got him.

I'm sorry.

Kid, what are you doing here?

Federal troops came right after you left. They were looking for Nathan.

Jimmy, they think he's working for the Vigilance Committee. It's only a matter

of time before they come back.

What about Celinda? Is she all right?

Don't worry, Nathan. She's safe with the Colberts.

What are you gonna do?

Wait until dusk, and I'm going back. Get him out of there.

By yourself?

No, I'm going with him.

Michael?

Well, well, well.

What have we here?

Looks like old Daniel got himself caught in the lion's den.

The son that there is Mr.

Isaiah Burke.

He's a real important person.

Figures God gave him the right to teach the rest of us how to live.

Go on, take a look at him.

Tomorrow, we're gonna hang him till he's dead.

While 10,000 Missourians look on and cheer.

Come on, son.

Why

are

you doing this?

Because, why else?

Jimmy, if you don't get him out... Don't worry, we'll get him out.

Come on.

Would you look at that?

Well, that's pretty as a picture.

Of course, this time tomorrow, the...

I'll be heading back to their rifle homes, big plantation.

Somewhere down around Baton Rouge.

Funny, ain't it?

What brings men like you and me together?

Hi there.

Evening. Who are you?

When those Yankee friends of yours get to seeing what we're gonna do with you

tomorrow, maybe they'll finally understand that we can no longer

tolerate being part of any union that regards a man like you as some kind of

hero.

Personally, I'm looking forward to it.

One sound and you're dead.

Isaiah, are you all right? I think so.

The keys are up by the lantern.

God, what have they done to him?

Come on, let's get you out of here.

Kid.

Go ahead.

I'll watch him.

What are you laughing at?

I'm just wondering how you're figuring on getting out of here.

Don't you worry. We'll figure out something.

Isaiah.

Go ahead.

Shoot. You won't get ten feet past that door.

It doesn't matter.

Isaiah. I'm sorry.

Papa?

Over here, son.

Woke up. Didn't know where you were.

Papa, why is that man putting a gun at you?

Isaiah.

Don't do this.

Please.

Get rid of the boy.

Go on back to the house, son.

Go on.

I'll be along in a minute.

You get them.

I'll take care of them.

Now listen to me.

You're all free to go, but you're on your own.

Someone's coming.

Isaiah!

Oh, my God.

What have they done to you?

Nathan, help him down.

Careful.

You're okay.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

What for?

Not being there.

When you needed me.

And Michael.

It's all right, Isaiah.

It's all right.

How's, uh, how's your head?

Did you have to hit me so hard?

Look, Nathan.

If they've linked you up with Isaiah, you know it's only gonna be a matter of

time before they come back.

I know.

The committee's got safe houses all through the state.

We'll move as soon as we get back. All right, well, you let me know where you

are, because I want to know when that baby comes.

You sure you don't want to join up with us?

Maybe one day.

If folks don't come to their senses.

Meanwhile, I'd just as soon deliver the mail.

Give Celinda my love, all right?

Give me.

Thanks.

You bet.

You're leaving.

Yeah.

There's too much fighting going on around here.

James, if things had been different... Don't say it.

Just promise me one thing, all right?

Anything.

As soon as Isaiah gets healed up, make sure he takes you dancing or something.

I promise.

James, I'll never forget you.

Sure you will.

Jimmy, we got a problem.

Yeah, what's that?

Fastest way home is through Kansas.

Oh, yeah?

Well, anything beats Missouri.