Original subtitles

This is a story of the old northwest territories of Canada...

and the earliest days of the Northwest Mounted Police.

The year was 1876 the force was only three years old and in scattered posts...

from Edmonton to Fort Calgary to Fort Macleod from Battleford to Maple Creek

to Fort Walsh...

we were trying to bring the law and keep the peace throughout thousands of square miles...

of Indian country.

The great loan land it's been called.

Land of prairies and lakes and mountains.

Beautiful peaceful but in those days it was a powder keg

the savage tribes of plane and mountain were ready to explode into bloody war...

To prevent that was our job.

There were only three hundred of us then in the North West Mounted.

I was a relative newcomer constable Duncan McDonald at your service.

And listed in Toronto.

Applied for duty in the Far West and was sent to join Troupe B at Fort Walsh Saskatchewan.

Close by the Montana line.

Be prepared for trouble.

South of the boundary the Sioux and the American cavalry...

called Long Knives by the Indians because of their sabers for fighting bloody skirmishes...

and our own war like Canadian tribes were Restless

I'm going to tell you the story of a patrol I made.

I will tell it to you exactly as it happened...

with the exception that when the Cree Indian speak they will speak in our language.

Many miles to the south of Fort Walsh Standing Bear and his tribe of Canadian crees...

had illegally slipped across the boundary line into the United States to hunt Buffalo.

Standing Bear chief of all the trees was pleased.

The lodges were red with meat...

and his people have forgotten the starvation days of the past winter...

but Standing Bear's joy was short-lived.

Who did this?

American Long Knives looking for Sioux.

They don't know the difference between Cree an Sioux.

We will teach them the difference.

The Cree dance to mourn the soules of their dead to re ment their defeat.

Standing Bear and his chiefs were troubled.

Warning sign.

From our friends the Assiniboines

Long Knives coming.

Horse soldiers.

Thunder guns.

We must go north...

back to the country of the Great White Mother.

Here there are many buffalo. Here the hunting is good, Konanh says fight the Long Knives.

We cannot...

The Long Knives are as many as the pine needles of summer

we must go north swiftly.

For what?

To starve?

Itis our right to hunt where we like.

Will you let the Long Knives drive you back to land of hunger?

Konah says: Fight!

No.

No.

You're all woman hearts.

Even Standing Bear.

Konah has spoke.

Standing Bear is not afraid to fight and to die

There is no glory in running from an enemy.

Only Standing Bear is the chief of all his people...

he must think of the women and children who will be left without husbands and fathers...

this is his duty.

We will not fight, we will go north.

Standing Bear has spoken.

The hearts of the Long Knives are soft with love for their own people.

Assemble your best warrior find some white people and take captives.

If the Long Knives attack us before we can cross the Medicine Line...

we will use the captives to trade for peace.

Listen... listen to Konah.

A raid is to be made.

Konah asks for warriors to ride with him.

Break camp.

Break camp.

Quick hide everybody.

Crees.

You are sure?

A fool with one eye could know these dogs.

If they find us they Kill us.

Have no fear small face. Their eyes are on white scalps.

Nice spot over there. Plenty of water.

Build our cabin on that rise.

Corrals below.

Dad.

Dad, come back.

- Nelly. - Come back.

Stay where were you are, you can't do no good now.

Get back in the wagon.

No we take the two alive. use fire arrows.

Crees not stealing horses not stealing cattle taking captives.

Where are you going Natayo my husband?

Across the Medicine Line to see the new pony soldiers at Fort Walsh.

This evil that has happened to these ranchers...

maybe good fortune for us.

You will not return with the second wife my husband?

You forget my father was a white man,

it's not the custom of his people to take more than one wife

Have no worry, you're enough wife for me Small Face.

- Well? - I caught up with a horse thief.

I caught up with a horse thief and followed him into the Saw Tooth Mountains.

On the morning of the third day...

Hello Natayo Smith.

I'm busy just now.

I said I'm busy Natayo, come back in 10 minutes.

Did you hear me tell you I'm busy!

Two times. Me - I'm not busy got plenty time - I wait.

Go on McDonald

In the morning of the third day I saw my man stopping at a deserted cabin.

He still had the stolen horse with him?

Yes Sir. As I got near the cabin he opened fire.

One of his shots hit my mount, and he went down, pinning me under him.

This gave my man a chance to get away.

You can put the details in your report. How did you finally make the arrest?

I didn't Sir.

You didn't?

Oh no Sir. By the time I got to the nearest farm wehre I could buy another horse...

my man had about a nine hour head start.

I figured that before I could catch up with him, he'd be across the American border.

You figure that out, did you?

- Yes Sir. - What's the border got to do with it?

Well Sir, rules and regulations article 33 states...

that members of the Force are not permitted to enter the United States.

So actually you're only obeying the rules and regulations.

Yes Sir.

How long have you been with the force McDonald?

About a year and a half Sir.

Most of it was desk duty in Toronto, is that right?

Yes Sir. You wanna go back to that desk?

Oh no Sir, I like this Duty Then like it hard!

Get the fancy notion that this is a life of gentlemanly adventure out of your head

It's exactly what they told you it would be when you took your oath.

You get paid seventy-five cents a day to carry the law where there is none.

This is your first patrol Constable and you haven't earned your pay.

Yes Sir.

Sit down over there and make out your report.

And quintuplicate.

That's article 85.

What can I do for you, Natayo?

Is so strange when man comes to see his friend?

Oh, a friendly visit.

How much will this visit cost her majest?

What is interesting to one man may not be interesting to his friend.

Your information is always interesting, Natayo.

Thank you for pleasing opinion and high regard.

Much snow in mountains.

Very interesting.

I have been in the United States

I Know.

Pony Soldier chief knows much.

Thank you for pleasing opinion and high regard...

Now what you see in the states?

I see many different Indians.

Even Crees of Standing Bear.

You have news of the crees?

Does my friend find this interesting - Get to the point, Natayo, what's your price?

My rifle don't shoot good much leaded barrel All right you get a new rifle.

Pony soldier rifle - Enfield. Shoot many bullets

Your news had better be worthwhile. Enfield rifles are expensive.

Also last winter much cold.

Two Hudson's Bay blankets.

Two blankets. Get to the news.

Also in matter of my woman she needs new cooking pot.

- Cooking pot. - Of copper.

- Of copper. - Of size to hold two buffalo tongues.

- All right. - Al right. - AISsO...

That's all, Natayo. Arifle two blankets the copper pot.

Standing Bear's Crees have left their reserve.

We know that, we've been looking for them. Is that your news?

Calm your heart.

They fought with american Long Knives in Canyon of Red ROCKS...

they were cut to pieces.

How do you know this?

Seven, eight Crees raid american homestead party in Black River.

They take captives alive - Two.

Life captives? It's unusual.

Hostages probably.

I Natayo saw this.

These seven or eight Crees? Where are they headed?

Assiniboine Trail. Going north.

You will give me piece of paper for things you promised me?

Just moment. McDonald!

Yes, Sir.

How good were you at training school in the Cree language?

I passed the course, Sir.

You heard what Natayo's been saying?

Yes, Sir.

I want those captives released and the Crees escorted back to their reserve.

It's your patrol.

- Natayo! - No No No!

You know the Assiniboine Trail like the back of your hand.

I'd like you to go with Constable McDonald Scout for him.

No no no my plans look in other directions.

You'll get paid well, Natayo.

No. Ask Natayo to make bed in nest of ratties. Ask him to put hand in grisly's mouth.

Ask to walk barefooted through blizzard. This he will do.

But go with this, this fine tenderfeet Pony Soldier. NO!

I can't force you to do this, Natayo.

An, Sir.

One of our duties is out of customs inspection, is it not?

Mr. Natayo Smith has just come from the states.

As a matter of routine wouldn't be advisable just to examine his parfleche?

Perhaps it would constable, perhaps it would.

I'm surprised at you Mr. Smith former scout of the Mounted Police.

You know liquor is outlawed in the Northwest Territories.

I came in hurry.

Is possible to forget when mind is crowded.

Mr. Smith for smuggling liquor in the Northwest Territories...

you're fine is one Enfield repeating rifle, two hudson bay blankets...

- One copper pot. - and one copper pot.

The wisdom of Inspector Frazer is more greater than that of Natayo.

Also the tender feet has sharp ears of Muskeasis the Fox.

I will go away now.

Just a moment I haven't finished.

In addition as part of your fine you will cut and stack 20 cords of wood for this post

Ohhh!

On the other hand accompany constable McDonald in his patrol...

No wood chopping and you get the things I promised.

For this one to cut 20 cord of wood Is to die 20 times.

Also to go with this tender feet is to die more faster.

I go.

Good.

The Pony Soldiers chief knows this Patrol iS much, much dangerous?

All right, Natayo. I won't force you to go. McDonald will go alone.

- Perhaps I could go if... - Not a thing more, Natayo.

You've been well-paid. No it is no more of things that I talked it is of my life...

The Crees do not love the Blackfeet.

Because I'm half Blackfeet, half White Man they do not love me double.

Maybe you would give me red coat to wear?

SO they will think two times before they take my scalp.

This is a small post, Natayo. We don't have any extra tunics here.

Is not red coat.

Ah, I feel more better.

About the things you promised...

- When you get back. - If I don't get back, if I am killed?

We will see that your Widow gets them.

My widow?

I need flag too like real Pony Soldier.

All right.

Good luck McDonald, good luck to both of you.

And so we rode Northeast trying to cut the trail of that raiding party...

of seven or eight crees and the two captives.

We found traces of many war and scouting parties, but never saw a living soul.

Natayo would point out moccasin tracks and grunt.

Sioux, Assiniboine, Blackfoot. Never a sign of a Cree.

Natayo may have been a schemer...

but he was a scout who certainly knew his way around in the bush.

It was seldom that anything baffled him, until one day...

What's the matter?

Since I was boy I have known this place like skin on my nose...

there is no lake here, yet here is a lake.

I don't see any lake.

You have sharp fox ears, but White Man's eves...

Come, here.

Observe.

Oh, It's a mirage.

Ah, mi...

A mirage, an illusion.

Ride over here.

Now you observe, it's gone.

Wait, Natayo.

It's nothing to be afraid of its Just...

a trick of nature caused by the heat under certain conditions.

I have seen the same thing one or two times before.

Is the evil spirit making bad medicine.

No, Natayo. Now listen.

That lake exists somewhere it's real and so are the trees.

But because of the heat the light rays are bent The sky becomes a giant mirror...

So we look here and see a reflection of something that's really over...

over here.

There's nothing to be afraid of it's just a phenomenon.

Phenomenon?

That's right

Who makes this Phenomenon?

Well God or as you say Kitche Manitoo.

That's what an Natayo say. Is the Evil Spirit

Come, we go back.

No Natayo.

You made a bargain with inspector Frazer.

Pony Soldier has spoken.

By now I had begun to feel that the Cree raiding party had completely given us the slip.

And then...

Do not move.

I will not point.

LOOK where I say. Observe bushes ahead.

Man hiding their. War scout.

See him?

Nobody there.

Big bush to right.

See tips of eagle feathers?

No eagle feathers.

Wait here.

Crees.

They are cautious as moose when ice is thin.

They wish to make sure that we are not American Long Knives.

Thanks to Great Spirit we wear red coats.

But if they're where you say they are, What are we standing out here in the open for?

Please, Pony Soldier do not move, do not say anything - please.

I will speak.

Oh crees, Oh famous fighters of the North.

Oh dogs, and eaters of dogs.

Listen to me Natayo, the Bobcat.

I bring pony soldiers from Great White Queen he comes as friend...

seeking beautiful children of Queen Mother. The Crees.

Do not skulk and hide from him.

Natayo has spoken. Natayo the Bobcat

I told you they were there.

Something was wrong.

This was a larger party that we were searching for.

There were more than eight of them.

They hadn't traveled far and no food with them...

and there was no sign of the american captives.

Well.., when we topped the ridge and I saw what was below in the valley...

My heart went down to rock bottom We'd ridden full tilt into a track.

You told inspector Frazer, Standing Bear's Crees were cut to pieces.

Natayo, made mistake.

Sometimes even when smart beaver down tree, tree fall on beaver.

Observe brave, by tepee with beaver painted on it.

That brave stands guard. White captives should be in there.

Wwe'll know soon enough. We'll probably end up in there with them

Today I, Konah, War Chief and leader of the dog soldiers, will give a pony to a poor man

Bringing in a captive, a red coat Pony Soldier.

I have heard of the Pony Soldiers. You are the first I have seen.

Speak.

That you dismount is courteous.

Standing Bear said, speak!

The great white queen is angry here children the Crees have left their reserve.

We are a free people these are the lands where we were born...

where we have hunted for a hundred snows leave us Pony Soldier.

Take this fat half blood and leave our camp.

Go Pony Soldier. But have no fear my young men will not follow.

We do not even desire your scalps.

Come. Constable Mac. We go!

Standing Bear.

Before I leave, I ask a council smoke with you.

There is no need for a council smoke, go!

You have led your people INto the land Of the Long Knives.

Your warriors fought them in the canyon of the Red Rocks.

And another wrong on you have done you have taken two captives from the country of the Long Knives.

The Pony Soldier speaks with the tongue of the snake that ratties.

It is Standing Bear who speaks forked tongue.

I will deal with him.

Stand aside I said stand aside.

No!

We kept praying.

Don't, no time to talk,

I'm taking you before their chief can say anything, or do anything.

Just follow me

Here is living proof that Standing Bear speaks with a forked tongue.

The prisoners are Konah's.

By what medicine do the pony soldiers know of these captives?

And were they were hidden?

The Pony Soldiers of the Queen have powerful medicine.

Now once again I ask for a council smoke.

I will consider I will consult my Chiefs.

Konanh, take the slaves back they're still yours.

Only let no harm come to them.

You can stay and wait our answer.

You are at liberty to speak to the captives but do not move outside the camp circle.

Thank you.

Provide the two of them with shelter.

Come.

Many years this one have observed rabbits, antelope, men do foolish things.

But you Constable Mac do most foolishest. You come into camp of thousand Crees like army.

You call Big Chief liar before all his people.

You take prisoners from their hands.

But more worst of all you have chance to go with your own scalp - and you stay.

Why you try so hard to die?

Article 22. Remember?

We got a bear by the tail.

Tail of a bear is always short.

You go wit him and set up camp I'm going to talk to the prisoners.

- This one would like to go with you. - You go with him!

Yes, yes, yes...

Ah, it's no use, Natayo. Pony Soldiers have spoken.

Jess!

That soldier...

you don't seem glad he's here.

Jess!

Yeah?

He said he was a pony soldiers of the Queen and he must be in the Canadian Army.

The police...

What's the difference? It shows there is law around here.

Yeah.

Doesn'tit?

Yeah!

I don't understand you?

Some food.

I brought you some bannock and jerked venison.

It isn't very fancy but it helps keep the stomach full.

Thank you.

This is good.

Anything taste good after the scraps and and filth they've been feeding us.

Jess said, you are Canadian police officer?

I'm constable in the Northwest Mounted Police

We've not been organized very long and there aren't too many of us...

You must've been in Canada recently?

No. No never been up here before.

Just heard about your outfit

Do you think the chief will let us go?

If he he'll agree to a council smoke there's is a good chance.

Good chance! Anybody talks like that don't know Indians.

You got a better idea?

Sure.

Let me have that Enfield rifle of yours.

Soon as it gets dark we'll grab a couple of horses and light out.

You wouldn't even get outside the camp.

I'd just as soon go down fighting the Red Devils, as have them torture me to death.

I can't help wondering why did you come here all alone?

I'm not exactly alone, I have scout with me.

And you think all you got do to get them Indians to do what you say is just go out there and talk with them?

I have no other choice except to get them to talk.

Talk with an indian?

Look take it from me from...

from Jess Calhoun...

The only talk an Indian understands is hot lead in his belly.

The Indian figures that's the only language the white man understands.

And right now there are about a thousand of them out there who are thinking just that way.

We appreciate your trying to help us... really we do.

You two related? You married?

No.

Jess worked for my father. He joined up with us about a month ago.

Whereabouts?

Wyoming, why?

No particular reason, just asking.

Soon as we set up camp, 'Il bring some pemmican stew and fresh bannocks.

Thank you.

We're all walking on pretty thin ice

Now keep your mind off that Enfield Keep your shirt on.

Keep your shirt on!

- I just don't understand you Jess? - You ain't required to!

First chance I get I'm going to hightail it out of here.

Everything all right?

Say, Natayo... That red haired captive...

claims he's never been in Canada before...

Yet he seems to know all about us and our Enfield rifles.

Have you ever seen him?

Sure when they raid the wagon.

No no before that?

Is possible...

Or, did you or didn't you?

I quite sure...

That you did or you didn't?

I see him.

When, where?

I try to remember...

Oh... No.

There's another rifle in it for you if you do.

This help me remember much

Ah... No

Natayo, there's always the matter of that second bottle of rum.

This help me remember much better...

Maybe soon. Now my mind crowded.

Oh Kitche Manitoo... answer for your children this problem...

A Redcoat Pony Soldier has come among us his medicine is powerful...

his medicine told him we fought the long knives in their country...

his medicine told him we took two captives...

his medicine directed his steps to the lodge of the captives...

Shall we offer him the sacred pipe?

Oh, show to us your answer, Oh Kitche Manitoo!

Natayo, how long these councils go on?

Indian never have small ceremony.

All ceremony must be big.

Oh, no, Natayo. We don't raise the flag at night. We fly it only in the day time.

Is good rule for Pony Soldier camp. In Cree camp we fly flag day and night.

I felt the same way about the flag, too, But I didn't have the frankness to say So...

the waiting was the hard thing, the absence of action...

we just had to sit there in that hornet's nest and wait for a decision of a council of savages.

Then I saw a boy watchings us. A little Cree. His ook was friendly his eyes trusting.

After all the hatred and screeching, his presence was like a fresh brezze.

My second son is of his years.

Ah._.. that I might see him again.

You will, Natavyo, AS SOON as we finish this patrol.

That means never. In this matter, both sides of this one agree.

Gift requires gift of equal value. Is old custom.

Whistle made from wing bone of eagle.

What's your name?

Orphan boy, since Blackfeed killed my family.

Those Blackfeet murderers...

Some have given me another name: Comes Running.

Comes Running?

Yes.

When there is food in someone's lodge, they always say: This one Comes Running.

Only now there's little food for anyone

Come eat in our lodge.

Since the Redcoat has my Eagle whistle, and I have his of white metal...

we are brothers.

We are brothers.

Natayo, some food for our brother.

Now everybody brothers!

Good thing Natayo's head not in hat.

Everybody in camp say: Why have you come Pony Soldier?

To make peace... between my people and the Cree people.

Everybody say: Pony Soldier very brave to come here.

My friend Natayo had something to do with that.

When cree gives praise, close your ears. He asks for something.

I, Comes Running, am also brave.

I can herd horses, I can hunt, ride and dance.

When Cree praise himself watch out.

He will wear your eyeteeth on his necklace.

The Pony Soldier says he comes to make peace.

When peace is made, it's the custom for warriors of one tribe to choose sons from the other.

This makes the peace strong.

That's a good sensible idea.

There you see Constable Mac, what Natayo tell you?

You don't watch out, you'll find yourself papa to a little Cree puppy.

This one!

Listen... All listen. It is Awaskis The Elk, who cries the camp.

Observe this fine pony that he rides.

Konah gave it to him to tell the people of his young brother, Shemawgun.

Konah gives him Onechanee Awakun for a wife.

You sit there chewing while this goes on?

Listen!

Somebody's getting married.

None of our business.

Tell the Phony Soldier what Onechanee Awakun means.

Slave woman.

That's what we call the captured white girl.

There is he, who will marry the white girl. Shemawgun, brother of Konah.

Now Konah has drawn knife against you.

Is like sending arrow. His message of war.

That's true Pony Soldier. There'll be tangled trouble.

Standing Bear has the decision of the medicine council.

You will go Redcoat and take the fat Blackfeet with you.

Go out of our champ and away from our hunting lands.

And the prisoners?

They were taken in war. They remain, as is our law.

My people say for me to keep you.

They want your blood.

I give you mercy.

Go, quickly the Warriors will not start after you till the sun is half through the afternoon.

There was the answer It was final.

I done all I could...

and I lost.

In spite of Frazer and my bluffing and everything else...

this was the showdown.

It looked as if that red headed captive, that tough indian hater Calhoun was right.

He said, it was no use trying to talk to Indians.

Well...

The chief was playing games. he'd given us a few hours head start.

It was high time to think of our own lives before it was too late

Pony Soldier...

I'll go with you.

I'm afraid not this time son.

A sons place is by his father's side.

Kitche Manitoo...

Twice I have seen pictures in the sky...

but I have never seen anything like this.

It walks on the water.

Is the sign good or bad?

Itis strange to Custin.

It must be an ill omen.

Does anyone know?

The Pony Soldier knows.

It is the medicine of the Great White Queen.

Look at it.

Itis the great water to the east.

The big smoke canoe was built by my people.

It fills its belly with fire and walks across the water.

The Queen Mother has more of these monsters than the crees have horses.

Does this smoke canoe walk on the prairies too?

No.

It lives in the water.

But we have others that eat fire and walk on wheels.

They will come soon to this land.

This is the medicine of the Great White Queen.

It is a sign from her that the council decided wrong

It is a warning that you must hear.

Pony Soldier

The medicine of your queen is powerful we will grant you a council.

Standing Bear has decided wisely.

When?

When the sun is at the peak of its teepee.

Council'd be the proper time.

For what?

To ask permission that I become your son.

Yes, yes I guess it would. We'll see.

We pledge every man here to speak truly and as his heart feels.

Pass two left, bowl must point to chief.

Let the Pony Soldiers say, why he has come among us.

The heart of a Great White Queen is heavy with sorrow.

Her children the Cree people have disobeyed her.

They have left their reserve, they have fought with the Long Knives.

One of the Cree war parties stole two captives.

When the lodges are empty of food and the women grow weak and the children cry...

what man who is a man will not hunt where he wills?

The Long Knives drove us from the land of buffalo.

Now the hunters come back with snakes and prairie dogs...

these my people are eating... The Crees the fit people are starving.

That is why the Crees must return to their reserve.

The Pony Soldier promises to bring the law and keep the peace.

The Pony Soldier promises that that law shall be the same for all the children of the Queen...

for red men and white men alike.

Further he promises food.

When you march, he will arrange for a wagon train to meet you.

There will be tea and flour and beans and beef and bacon.

This is the first command of the Great Queen.

The Crees must return to their reserve.

Second: The two white captives must go unharmed and free.

The marriage of Konah's brother to the white girl is forbidden.

Konah will speak!

I captured the prisoners in a raid They belong to me.

This is the law of the Cree people. If the Pony Soldier tries to take them...

he's breaking the Cree law.

The Queen's law says: That no one shall be the slave of another.

The white girl I promised to my younger brother, Shemawgun for a wife.

The marriage will take place the other prisoner the Pony Soldiers can have.

But if the Pony Soldier tries to steal the white woman...

I will cut out his heart and dry his scalp behind my lodge.

Konah has spoken.

There will be no marriage.

The prisoners will go unharmed and free.

The Pony Soldier has spoken.

The council will decide.

Shall we agreed to return to the reserve?

Agreed... agreed... agreed... agreed... agreed

SO it is agreed!

We will march!

But if it happens the Pony Soldier speaks with a forked tongue...

he will answer to the law of the Crees.

Konah does not agree!

The Council has decided.

How does this change our agreement?

I am chief of all the Crees...

The word of Standing Bear is as strong as stone and as true as water.

The captives will not be harmed and my people will march tomorrow.

Itis a treaty between us.

Itis a treaty between us.

Did the Pony Soldier talk to the chief?

Yes.

How did they say?

They were agreeable.

Then I'm your son.

Oh, I'm sorry I didn't ask about that there were other things to talk about.

More important things.

More important?

Well, not more important perhaps but more, more urgent.

We must be patient.

You do not want me for a son?

Oh, now look this is a matter of just between us we don't have to ask anyone's permission.

I made a peace with your people let us make the piece strong.

From now on you're my son.

The whole camp must know.

It is fitting that someone should cry the camp.

We will find someone.

It is also fitting...

Yes?

The son of a Pony Soldiers must wear an Eagle's feather and he cannot go about on foot.

True... True a pony soldiers son must wear an eagle's feather and he must ride.

I know where there's a fine pinto.

He runs like an antelope.

Let's go, look at him.

He's a fine pinto.

Listen, All listen.

It is Awaskis the EIK, who cries the camp.

The Pony Soldier has given him a knife and some cloth to tell the people...

that he takes the boy Kewatch-Ewasis, the orphan, for his son.

Hear Awaskis the Elk he's talking about me.

The whole camp knows that you're my father and I'm your son. I'm now somebody.

It's important that I have a new name.

Highly important.

I will give you my name Duncan.

Duncan, Comes Running McDonald.

Duncan... Duncan it is nice

What animal does it mean?

Well, it doesn't. It doesn't mean an animal.

In my father language - Gaelic, it means brown warrior.

Duncan. Brown warrior.

I must tell everybody!

You smart, Constable Mac.

You no more tender feet. Adopting little Cree boy till you bring them back to reserve.

Good trick.

No trick I mean it.

You mean it?

Do you not know this little rattlesnake grows into a big...

Never mind.

I want you to ride to our post at Maple Creek ahead of us.

You mean now? Right now I am free to leave?

Yes.

But wait...

wait I'll tell you what to do.

When you get there load 25 Red River carts with pemmican, beef, tea, flower, potatoes...

Oh, more work.

Then drive west meet the tribe as we go north.

All right. 25 red river carts.

I will cut your trail somewhere between Maple creek and Many Islands Lake...

but there may be great danger...

this one may not get through war parties are out many hunters...

Standing Bear has ordered that you be given safe conduct

But Constable Mac, Natayo is still one half Blackfeet one half...

All right, Natayo, how much?

Not much.

Fine Buffalo Pony and...

Agreed, a fine Buffalo Pony

And...

This one must hurry. Goodbye Constable Mac.

Just a moment...

About that red haired captive is your mind still crowded?

More or less.

More or less?

Less.

Before I say, you must promise two things.

Goon.

One: You will forget for all time that second bottle of Rum...

And two?

You will let me keep for all timel this red coat.

Agreed.

He's escaped prisoner from Winnipeg jail.

How do you know this?

Before Pony Soldiers come to Fort Walsh...

This one make a little, very little mistake...

and have to spend six month in this jail.

There I see this captive.

His name is Johnny Pierce.

He is escaped bank robber.

Johnny Pierce?

Yes.

Why didn't you tell me this before?

I did not wish Pony Soldier to tell inspector Frazer of my mistake.

There's no need to worry, Natayo.

You won't tell him?

He already knows.

Pony Soldiers know everything I must go now.

Good luck.

Natayo, will need good luck.

I'm Shemawgun brother of Konah. In the morning I will come for you.

What do you mean?

How do I know?

The Onechanee Awakun is to be my wife.

Standing bear and the council have decided otherwise.

At the rising of the sun Shemawgun will come for you Shemawgun will bring five ponies as a sign of his love.

Standing Bear has promised that you'll not be harmed...

and that we march tomorrow. He's given his word.

His word, huh?

We made a piece with the chief, and we're gonna give him a chance to live up to it.

So far, he's shown good faith.

You're not bound or gagged, there's no guard out there.

Why don't you stop talking like a prairie lawyer...

and start acting like a man?

Now listen to me, Calhoun and listen carefully.

This is the last time I'm going to talk to you.

I'm putting you on warning. Don't you make one wrong move

I'm obliged to you for everything you've done.

Oh, we get paid for this, ma'am.

75 cents a day... Don't worry, we'll march tomorrow.

The white dogs has killed my brother.

Let the people assemble!

Do you want to help me Duncan Comes Running?

Yes, of course.

Go stay with a white girl if anyone tries to harm her come and warn me.

Dom't worry Onechanee Awakun. The Pony Soldier sent me to protect you.

When my arm drops. let the riders move out.

Don't drop that arm Konah.

Go back Redcoat, or we'll tear you apart.

I know this man has killed your brother but you've no right to punish him.

Only the Great Queens Law can punish him.

And I assure you that it will.

He has killed, let him be killed!

Wait!

Standing Bear will speak!

This prisoner must not be harmed.

Hear me!

The Pony Soldier promisses the same law for white men and Indiana alike.

And I've given my word that we follow this law.

The Pony Soldier promises this killer will be punished.

I will pledge my honor that he speaks the truth.

Here is my shield of office.

I will surrendered and step down if the Pony Soldier speaks with a forked tongue.

The Cree law is to kill him! Kill him now!

Very well, the people do not trust Standing Bear.

The people do not regard his honors as of any worth.

You have chosen. I surrender the Eagles wing.

You like Konah's way.

Let Konah be your chief.

No!

I White Moon, have sat in Council and listened to many...

The Pony Soldier speaks with a straight tongue.

Standing Bear speaks in wisdom.

Let Standing Bear remain our chief.

Now go to your lodges in peace.

You stupid idiot...

I don't let them tear you apart...

except for the pleasure I'm going to get out taking you back and turning you in...

For killing an Indian?

For killing a man...

Johnny Pierce!

This man is my prisoner he will stand trial before the Queen's law for Killing Shemawgun.

Look after his wounds and place it under close guard.

You will do as the Pony Soldier request The prisoners in your keeping.

I offer you my gratitude and thanks.

When a man gives his word duties go with it.

But it would not be proper to ask my people to march today.

A chief's brother has been killed. In three days we mach.

That's good enough for me.

Come... we will get our horses and ride side by side as brothers.

Pony soldier, father!

Don't worry we march in three days.

I'm very proud of my Pony Soldier father riding with the chief.

Your father?

Of course, he adopted me.

You should be...

Father, father!

Pony Soldier father...

the white girl. Konah and the 3 dog soldiers have taken.

Look.

The girl must be brought back.

And Konah and his followers.

I wish to go too, Pony Soldier Father.

You have chosen a brave son, but you are much ti young in years.

You will go back to camp.

Come!

I'll see you back at camp.

Three horses have gone this way, one that way

It may be a trick. You go there I'll go this way.

Come out of there!

I'll give you a count of three...

One...

Two...

What are you doing here? I almost shot you.

I'm afraid for you.

I don't want to be an orphan again.

When a father speaks, a son obeys.

I have my bow and arrows.

Please let me help you.

NO... Follow me!

Now listen to me Comes Running...

Duncan Comes Running...

Duncan Comes Running.

I want you to stay here. Keep your horse quiet and don't move.

You understand?

Yes, Father.

That's enough.

This white squaw has brought evil days to us.

I captured his Onechanee... and the Redcoat came.

Because of her my brother was Killed.

She has brought bad medicine.

We'll burn her.

We'll destroy this medicine, The Redcoat will go away...

and we'll hunt and fight as free men again.

You have chosen a brave son.

And a brave warrior!

Oh Crees of the northern plains...

Oh my people hear me!

Your chiefs have smoked in Council with The Pony Soldier.

Your Chiefs have taken his hand in friendship.

We have agreed...

to follow the White Man's road,

Let us march!

And so Constable McDonald singlehanded...

returned Standing Bear and his Crees to their reserve.

It has been this same devotion to duty of many another...

on many a difficult patrol that...

through three quarters of a century...

has shaped and formed the living tradition and greatness...

of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police!