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♪♪

♪♪

Are you the Cartwrights?

Yes. I'm Ben Cartwright. These are my boys.

Sergeant Devlin.

Would you be good enough to accompany me, sir?

Yes.

Reckon what they're planning on doing, drafting us?

Well, you don't have to worry about that--

The object is to win wars, not lose them.

Hello, Ben.

Keith!

Keith Jarrell!

Colonel Keith Jarrell.

My goodness gracious.

17 years, Ben. Remember?

The Southwestern territory? The Apaches? Comanches?

Remember? How could I ever forget?

My goodness, you're a sight for sore eyes.

You haven't met my sons-- this is Little Joe.

Colonel Jarrell.

How are you? My son Hoss.

My pleasure, young gentlemen.

Well... sit down, sit down, come on, sit down.

Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Cartwright, I sure glad you're home.

Hop Sing... Hop-Hop Sing,

he's an old friend of mine, Colonel Jarrell.

Oh. Old friend? Oh, of course, of course.

Listen, uh, he's got a whole bunch of men outside.

Will you, uh, get some coffee

and make up a mess of sandwiches, will you?

For whole army?! For whole army, yes.

Keith... what brings you to the Ponderosa?

To what do we owe this honor?

Ben, I've come because I need your help.

My help?

Major Cartwright was a fine soldier,

a man to be counted on for any mission,

however difficult or dangerous.

Now, wait a minute.

Now, that was 17 years ago.

Ben, I need that dependability again.

You know the Indians and this land

better than any man in this territory.

I need you to guide me to the Jarbidge Mountains.

I must find Elkoro, War Chief of the Paiutes.

Elkoro.

That the young fanatic that led that attack

at Pyramid Lake a couple of years ago?

Yeah. He wiped out almost a whole battalion of militia.

He's the one.

After that battle, the tribes broke up and scattered.

He's up there in that mountain with a band

of warriors, women and their children.

Some 80 heavily armed men who refuse to recognize

the authority of the United States.

Ben, I want to talk peace,

to convince Elkoro that we're willing to extend our friendship

to him and his people at almost any price.

Colonel, that little band of men you got out there

wouldn't stand a chance if the Indians decided to attack you.

Precisely why I've brought only a small detachment.

Two troops of cavalry were sent out last year.

They were repulsed with heavy casualties.

This time, the army feels that we must find Elkoro

and convince him that ours is a peace mission.

Don't you think that a permanent treaty with Elkoro

is worth the trouble?

Yes, of course I do.

Then join us, Ben.

Yes, of course I will.

All right, get ready to move out!

Can't hang around here all day.

Horses all watered?

Canteens all filled?

All right, let's move; we got a long way to go.

All right, tie off these Irish pennants.

Where you think you are, the Navy?

What do you think you're doing?

Going with Pa, that's what I'm doing.

No, you ain't. I'm going with him.

I already got my horse saddled and everything.

I know you got your horse saddled.

I got my horse saddled, too, and I'm going with him.

No, you ain't. Let me tell you something...

No, all right, all right, now, we'll make it

a sporting proposition, all right?

Sporting proposition-- high card goes, low card stays.

Wait a minute. Them cards the same ones

we played poker with the other night, ain't they?

Yeah, they're the same cards. Yeah. Well, them pasteboards

is educated, and you ain't no gentlemen.

Yeah, well, just exactly what's that supposed to mean?

What, that I cheat? Is that what you're saying?

That's right.

Yeah, well, I don't think that's very fair.

If you just... just look at the cards,

there's nothing phony about it all.

Just look right at them, take any card you want to take.

Okay?

Hmm.

Ace of diamonds.

That looks to me like a three of spades underneath there.

Nice try.

Why don't we just stop playing the games,

and we'll both go.

Look, Joe, somebody's got to stay here

and look after the ranch, and you know that.

I know, doggone it.

Quit worrying about it.

I'll take care of Pa.

Yeah? Who's gonna take care of you?

What's all this about?

Little Joe and me was just cutting cards

to see who's gonna go with you and I won; I'm going.

Oh, I see.

I have nothing to say about that?

Well, Pa, there ain't no use

in both of us staying here just to take care of the ranch.

I mean, one can stay here, and... Oh, I see.

One of you can stay here and take care of the ranch,

and the other can come along

and take care of the poor, weak, old man, is that it?

Aw, come on, Pa, now that's not what Hoss meant at all.

What we meant... The answer's no.

What do you mean, no?

N-O. No.

All right, look, Pa.

You can tell me to go jump in a well

and I'll do it without thinking twice.

But I won that... that card cutting and...

and I'm going, even if I have to go out there and volunteer

and go as a bluecoat with the colonel.

Now you make up your mind which way it's gonna be.

You know, Hoss, you talk that way to Elkoro,

and, well, he'll have his whole tribe surrendering.

Then I'm going, right?

Well, I always said

two Cartwrights are tougher than one.

Come on.

Morning, Ben. Ready to march?

Yeah, all ready.

Except, uh, one little problem:

we have a little mutiny on our hands.

We have an extra volunteer.

Hoss.

It's your decision, son.

I hope you realize the risk involved.

Yes, sir.

Good-bye, young man.

Good luck, Colonel.

You take care of yourself, now.

Yeah. You, too.

Little brother, don't give away the ranch while we're gone.

Yeah, you watch yourself, too.

Forget you're the biggest target on the field,

aside from that wagon.

Prepare to mount!

Mount!

Follow by twos!

Forward... ho!

♪♪

♪♪

Colonel.

What is it, Ben?

We got company.

Where?

Over your left shoulder.

From now on, we're in their territory.

Sergeant Devlin.

Yes, sir.

I want a man on point.

Also establish flank security

about 300 yards out along those foothills.

Remember, this is a peace mission.

If the men are fired on, they'll fall back on the main body

without returning fire. Is that clear?

Clear, sir!

Wiggins, you take the point.

Shaw, left flank.

Huntley, right flank.

And keep your eyes peeled if you want to save your scalp.

Keith...

might be a good idea to substitute a white cloth

for that guidon.

They're gonna have us under surveillance from now on.

We might as well let them know why we're here.

Private Lowell...

...convey that to Sergeant Devlin.

I want the man on point to carry a white flag

as a sign of truce.

Yes, sir.

I thought it'd been too quiet the last couple of days.

If Elkoro decides to attack,

we're just gonna be sitting ducks.

Well, let's just hope he doesn't.

He can see what a small, peaceful party we are.

Keith, you've been fighting Indians long enough

to know how unpredictable they are.

Look up ahead now.

There's no turning back now.

All right! Lend a hand here!

I'll teach you to control your mount... Sergeant.

Mr. Cartwright!

This is a military matter, and you'll stay out of it.

Keith, that sergeant was brutalizing the boy.

I know enough about the military...

I know something of the military, too, Ben,

and I give orders here.

Sergeant, one more infraction of the rules,

you'll account to a general court-martial.

You all right, boy?

Keep out of it, Cartwright.

I'm all right.

Thank you, mister.

I'd best stay out of that sergeant's way, if I were you.

He's poison.

Ho!

Ho!

More coffee, Colonel?

No, thank you, Poker. That'll be all.

Mr. Cartwright?

No, I'm fine, Poker. Thank you.

You can join the others, Poker.

I'm sorry about today, Ben.

Devlin's a good soldier. I need him.

Well, Keith, a good soldier doesn't abuse the men under him.

Ben, that boy's carelessness almost cost us the wagon.

There are enough foodstuff, blankets and medicines in it

to keep Elkoro's people alive for the winter.

Devlin knows that.

I guess he just lost his head.

It's been a hard ride.

Guess we're all a bit edgy.

Let's see now.

Barring any hostile action,

we should reach the foot of the Jarbidge Mountains

in about two days.

Yeah, that's the way I figure it.

This spot might make a good camp.

As a matter fact, it would. Uh, I know it.

Splendid.

We'll plant our white flag and find some way

to bring Elkoro to negotiate.

Well, that's my job.

I'll go on ahead and seek him out.

Ben, you know how dangerous that can be.

I would like to leave Hoss behind.

If EIkoro's in any mood to talk, one man's enough.

And if he isn't...

...well, Hoss would just make an extra scalp for him.

I don't have to tell you what this means to me, Ben.

To the mission.

I couldn't ask, yet I knew you'd offer.

Look at this, Ben.

Mexican brandy.

And look at the year!

The same year you and I crossed into Mexico after Comanches.

Our baptism of fire, remember?

You know, Keith, I've always been suspicious of you.

I always figure that underneath that regulation tunic,

there beat the heart of an unabashed sentimentalist.

Duty is a hard mistress, Ben.

One day, you wake up wondering where it all went.

Wondering what you got to show for all the years--

All the scars.

But you, Ben, you've got something to point to.

You've got three fine sons,

the Ponderosa, wealth and respect.

And I've got...

...one final mission.

And this bottle of brandy.

Well... to the last mission.

To the last mission.

Just a coyote probably.

Yeah, them coyotes may have feathers.

Better have a look around.

Be careful, Ben. I can't afford to lose you.

Keith, I can't afford to lose me either.

Yeah, you sure enjoy your chow.

Yeah, that's mighty good grub, Corporal.

You hear something, Mr. Cartwright?

Don't you?

Sergeant, I suggest that you get your men away from the fire.

They're sitting ducks there.

All right, you men, take cover!

It's kind of spooky out here, ain't it?

Yeah, sort of.

Hoss, you and your pa

known Colonel Jarrell a long time, ain't you?

Yeah, well, Pa has. I ain't.

How long you been with him anyhow, Corporal?

Going on ten years.

Ride through Texas, Kansas, Montana--

All them blazing spots.

Wherever there was Injuns to fight.

He was sure some fine officer in them days.

Earned every bar on his shoulders.

Till the Creek Summit Massacre, that is.

That was where that whole column of soldiers got wiped out,

ain't it?

Yes, sir.

The colonel's braves cut them to pieces.

Nary a soul nor beast walked away.

Colonel Jarrell was never the same.

His wife and daughter was in that massacre.

His wife and daughter?

Yes, sir.

They joined up with the column

on their way to be with the colonel.

We rode out there the next afternoon

and found what was left of them.

Thought we'd have to tie the colonel down.

Never saw a man act like that in your life.

Kept screaming for us to kill, kill!

There was nothing to shoot at.

Not an In jun in sight.

Just some wagons...

and poor soldier boys...

the colonel's dead kinfolk.

You telling those stupid yarns again,

Poker?

I wasn't doing nothing, Sergeant.

We just having a... a little jawing session, that's all.

Right, Mr. Cartwright?

Yeah.

Crazy old barracks rat.

He's gets to lying worst every year.

He was just telling me about the colonel's wife and...

Wife and daughter,

and how they got killed in the massacre?

Yeah.

No wife, no daughter.

Colonel Jarrett's never been married.

You mean that all that was...

In Poker's head.

Now, let me give you some free advice, Cartwright.

You stay away from my men.

Sergeant, what makes you such a pleasant one anyhow?

Now, get this through your head, Cartwright.

Maybe to you and your meddling father, I'm some kind of a dog.

Well, if that's so, I only serve one master:

Colonel Keith Jarrell.

I do my job and I don't ask any stupid questions.

In other words, I'm a soldier.

You get in my way again,

and you'll find out, the hard way.

Don't you threaten me.

I'm not threatening you, Mr. Cartwright.

I'm just telling you, for your own good.

Ben, why is it always so cold in the morning

just before the light?

Didn't seem that bad in the old days, did it?

Well, we don't have the hot blood of youth

to help us out today.

Don't seem to be helping me much, I'll tell you.

How about you, Poker?

Cold don't bother me much, sir.

I just follow orders.

Well, we better finish packing up.

Pa?

Hmm?

How long did you say it'd been since you seen Colonel Jarrell?

Oh, about 17 years I'd say.

Why?

Talking to old Poker last night,

and he told me the colonel lost his wife and daughter

in that Creek Summit Massacre.

Did he ever mention that to you?

Never did.

Just wondering.

Prepare to mount.

Prepare to mount!

Mount! Mount!

Colonel, who's riding point today?

Poker?

Sir?

You ride point.

Forward, ho!

Get moving, Poker.

♪♪

Come on, soldier! Make 'em pull!

Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah!

Let's go. Get over there. Let's do it.

Move 'em!

Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah! Hyah!

Make 'em pull! Ha!

Whoa!

Sir, that's... that's Poker's horse.

♪♪

He was a good man.

Stop sniveling!

He died like a soldier.

Sergeant.

Form a burial detail.

Yes, sir.

Mount!

Colonel, you're gonna need a new point man.

I'm volunteering.

You're a civilian; you're not obligated.

Nevertheless, you're gonna need a new man.

It's up to you, son.

So long, Pa.

Giddyup.

Forward... ho!

Ben?

No, thank you.

Son?

No, thank you, Colonel.

To a task well done, young Cartwright.

It took courage and fortitude to volunteer to ride point.

Ah, wasn't much to it, Colonel.

Those Indians tired pretty fast,

and I don't reckon they was bent on killing, anyhow.

Ah, those red devils are always in a killing mood.

Keith?

How come you didn't tell me about...

your wife and daughter being killed by Indians?

I must get some sleep.

Keith, I... I asked you a question.

Tomorrow's another day, Ben.

We'll talk then.

Good night.

Night, Keith.

Wiggins, how's it going?

What's the matter?

Cartwright, you and your old man...

well, most of this outfit, we... we think you're all right.

You... you trying to tell me something, Wiggins?

Did Lowell talk to you?

No. Why?

Poker was a friend of mine and Lowell's.

The night before he got it,

he told us about the colonel's plans.

He said he weren't gonna go through with it.

Said he was gonna tell you or your pa.

Devlin heard him.

That's why he put him out on the point to die.

Look, buddy, you ain't...

you ain't making a whole lot of sense to me.

You got to help us.

You and your pa, Hoss.

What are you talking about?

Jarrell didn't come here to make no peace.

Oh, he talked headquarters into thinking so.

But that ain't what he's got on his mind.

He come here to wipe out Elkoro and all those Indians.

All of them.

With ten men?

I'm gonna show you something that'll convince you.

I'm gonna...

Do you hear it?

Keith! Keith!

Wiggins.

Cart... wright...

Tell... tell your pa.

T... Tell...

Well, Ben, it's time.

It'll soon be sunup.

Yeah.

Good luck.

What's your horse doing here?

I made up my mind, Pa. I'm going with you.

We had this out last night.

You're staying here. Pa,

there's something going on around here,

this whole setup...

If there's something wrong with this whole setup...

"If"?

Pa, you know it is.

First it was Poker, then Wiggins.

They both tried to tell me something.

I'm trying to say something to you, if you'll listen.

If there's something wrong,

it's better for you to stay here

and keep an eye out, for both our sakes.

I've got to go see Elkoro.

You're right.

Now you take care of yourself.

You take care of yourself.

Be careful.

Something troubling you, young man?

Well, Colonel, now that you mention it, yeah.

Couple of things.

First is Elkoro, and then you.

There's some questions I'd like to get some answers to.

Answers?

That's right.

The answer, young Mr. Cartwright,

can be found in that wagon.

You have my permission to enter it and look.

Colonel, you can't... Relax, Sergeant.

We'd have uncovered our little secret presently, anyhow.

A few hours more or less scarcely matters.

Go ahead, have a look.

An interesting weapon, don't you agree,

Mr. Cartwright?

Never saw anything like it.

What is it, anyhow?

It's newly invented by a man named Richard Gatling.

It'll give this small unit the firepower of 100 men.

You plan on using this?

Precisely.

With that gun and the element of surprise,

peace should come rather quickly, I should say.

It's the only way peace can be achieved.

You're out of your mind.

On the contrary, I'm a realist.

These inferior savages who stand in the way

of our civilization must be annihilated.

It's the only way.

Sergeant Devlin,

place Mr. Cartwright under guard.

If he tries to escape, shoot him.

What about my pa?

Your father will be

a regrettable sacrifice for the cause of peace.

For that, I'm truly sorry.

Yeah.

Not half as sorry as you're gonna be!

Run, Hoss, run for it!

I think I got him, sir.

He won't go far.

But what if he does? Well, we can't go after him.

We can't leave the Gatling gun. I don't like it!

Well, neither do I,

but we don't have much choice, do we?

♪♪

♪♪

I came to see you, Elkoro.

You have found me, Ben Cartwright.

I wish to speak of peace with honor.

Then you are a welcome sight to my eyes.

Come with me.

♪♪

Tobacco good.

Thank you.

I must tell you, Ben Cartwright...

...that in these mountains, our people are starving,

our horses are dying.

We have no food, no ammunition.

And each day, I bury men who are like my right arm.

Good fighting men who die of the lung sickness.

In the beginning, I had 50 warriors.

Now I have 15.

Even the will to fight is dying within us.

Then make peace.

The white man's peace.

My warriors have fought well, Ben Cartwright.

They are men, not animals.

They could not endure prison or slavery.

Oh, Elkoro, they... they won't be slaves.

I give you my word.

Colonel Jarrell, the soldier who's with me,

he's empowered to make a peace treaty with you.

And that treaty will be honored.

You have my word on that.

What will happen to my people?

Nothing will happen to them.

They'll go to the reservation at Pyramid Lake.

But they'll be free to hunt, to farm,

to live.

This was once all our land.

We were free to hunt everywhere.

As far as we could ride.

Now that time is gone.

'Tis gone. I cannot bring it back.

All right.

I will meet with the soldier.

We will make a treaty.

Good.

You're a true chief to your people.

What is it?

A white man.

My warriors found him in a desert not far from here.

He's been shot by your soldiers.

It's my son.

Pa...

Jarrell...

It's a trap.

He's fainted.

We have both been betrayed.

Wait a minute.

I will deal with the soldiers.

Hold on, hold on, wait, Elkoro.

You-you can't face those soldiers alone.

Stay here with your son.

When I return, we will talk.

Elkoro! Let me deal with him!

I will let you bury him.

♪♪

They're out there.

I can feel them.

We won't see them till they're right on top of us.

All the better.

Fire!

Cease firing.

Pretty sight, huh, Colonel?

It's only the beginning, Sergeant.

They'll be back.

See to the men, Sergeant.

Yes, sir.

Only one survivor, sir.

Lowell.

He'll live to hang.

Sergeant?

Sergeant Devlin!

Many of my men were killed.

I better go back with you.

Thirsty work for you, huh, boy?

Well, don't worry, it'll soon be over.

When I get through, there won't be a single Indian left.

Nothing can stand against me.

I'll destroy everything that does.

It's Mr. Cartwright, sir.

I've got eyes.

Jarrell!

I'm coming in.

Don't do it, Ben.

Don't try it.

Drop to the ground, Cartwright!

There's been enough killing here today.

I gave you an order, Ben.

Do I have to kill you?!

We came here to make peace.

There'll be no peace till they're all dead!

You don't know what you're saying, Jarrell.

They've got to die! Every one of them!

You're gonna have to kill me, too.

I'm going to fire, Ben.

This is an automatic weapon!

It'll kill every one of you!

Nothing can stand against it!

No!

No, Colonel!

I've got to kill them! Keith!

Kill them! Kill them! Kill them! Keith!

You don't understand, Ben.

I've got to kill them.

They massacred my wife and my daughter.

I've got to kill them!

Kill them! Kill them! Kill them!

We will have peace, Ben Cartwright.

Yes.

Yes, we want peace.

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