All language subtitles for Pioneer Woman

( Instrumental music
playing )

Woman narrating:
March 10th, 1867.

The events of this day
have been extraordinary,

indeed almost frightening.

I had expected to
live out the rest of
my days here in Indiana.

- Here where I was born--
- ( Bell tolling )

--Was married and gave birth
to my two children.

Within a week,
I will never again

be able to call
huntingburg my home.

It seemed like
any other day

most of the day through

until late
this afternoon.

Jeremy was at school,

as was Sarah.

And then our lives
were overturned.

Strange are
the ways of men.

John and I have been man and
wife for some 13 years now.

Yet in matters
of importance,

he consults me no more
than he does the children.

And today, once again,

he made this
incomprehensible decision

no differently.

He hadn't a thought
for my wishes.

( Laughing )

I'd intended to tell John
tonight of my condition,

my mind being fixed on this
happiest of circumstances.

I was pulling from
the basket the things saved

as Sarah outgrew them.

( Dog barking )

Whoa!
Sarah! Ho!

Jeremy!
Come over here!

Maggie?

Maggie, we're going
to Nebraska!

- Where's Nebraska?
- There's a man in town

from the union pacific railroad.
He's selling land

for homesteading.
Good land, the finest.

No need to clear it and
rich for the planting.

- Where's Nebraska?
- And I bought it.

The whole 80 acres permitted--
that's only $4 an acre!

Where is Nebraska?

My geography book says
it's in the middle of
the great American desert.

Nonsense.
It's out west...

On the prairie.

Out west where
the Indians are?

Uh-huh!
( Laughs )

And I've made plans,
Maggie.

We'll take the train.
They've laid track to
grand island

and we can outfit a wagon
for settlement there.

Our land stretches
from here

to here to here to here!

John, are you serious?

But of course!

But Mr. Colfax promised to
make the store over to you.

You can't mean
to give that up?

Mr. Colfax gives hints,
not promises.

John, you-- you haven't
handled a plow

since you were a boy
on your father's farm.

Don't you worry
about that, Maggie.

What about
the children's schooling?

There will be.

The railroad's building
whole new towns for settlers.

But what of all our things?
The furniture?

Well, we'll sell it,
of course.

It's our money in the bank
for everything we need.

But this is our home.
I don't want to go
anyplace else!

Maggie.

Maggie.

Why don't you grow up
and see things as they are?

I'm a clerk in a drugstore...

Living in a house
I don't own.

This is my chance.

A man must have land.
It's his only surety.

And I'll never have
enough money to buy land
here in Indiana.

Land of our own, Maggie.

We'll turn it into an Eden

for all of US.

I'd best be going.

We'll leave in a week.

The children can miss
the school year.

No more school,
no more school!
I've gotta go tell bennie!

I'll want to get a crop in.
So the sooner we leave,
the better.

We won't be here
for the maypole dance.

But Clarissa and I have
worked out our steps
and everything.

Seems to me if somebody's
gonna do something for
somebody else,

they ought to
ask 'em first.

Now I won't get
my new dress!

Maggie's voice:
John will be much angered that
I didn't tell him of the baby.

But I can't
tell him now.

But am I so childish
not to want to go off into
the wilderness?

Why? Why must we go?

How am I to ride in a wagon
over rough roads

carrying our child?

A thought has
just occurred:

What if there are no roads,
rough or otherwise,

in Nebraska?

( Whistle blowing )

March 27th.

Is it barely one week
since we left home?

The trip seems endless.

The ride is
uncomfortable and dirty.

Oh, I ought not to complain.
All of US seem to be thriving,

even my secret companion.

We have changed
trains often.

And of course,
I've brought too much with US.

John would be angry with me
were it not for the fact

that so much
else delights him.

Privacy has been
unattainable.

We share intimacy with
the most peculiar
fellow passengers.

Jeremy, what are
you scratching at?

Come here, let me see.

Mama, not in front
of everybody.

Ah!

Oh, John, it's dreadful.
Jeremy was harboring a louse.

Maggie, did you see
the buffalo out there
just before dark?

To the left.
Hundreds of them.

Oh, Maggie.

Maggie, it's all
so fine.

( Whistle blows )

( Horse neighs )

Maggie's voice:
April 2nd.

We have two days
on the trail now.

The railroad reached the end
of the line in mid-Nebraska

and there we joined
captain symington's
wagon train.

John has equipped US with
everything for our new life.

We even have a cow.

The children have
named her Jupiter.

John meet ever challenge
with pleasure,

but too often,
I fail at my new tasks.

Oh, how I do long for
the sight of a tree.

John?

Gopher hole.

Take the reins for a while.
I want to stretch my legs.

- What, me, drive?
- You gotta learn sometime.

Oh, John, no.

( Dog barks )

- Oh.
- Come on.

( Cow moos )

Know what?
I have a surprise for you.

Do you know what I packed
around the China?

That special blue dimity
for your dress.

- Oh, mama, really?
- Mmm.

But papa said to pack
only important things.

Well, your new dress is.

Anyway, I bet I packed
away a lot of things

that your papa doesn't
think are important.

Maggie's voice:
One can get used to things.

( Mooing )

Every morning while Jeremy
and John cajole the oxen
to their yoke,

it is I
who hitch them up.

But fueling a cook fire
with buffalo chips

is one thing
I'll never get used to.

It does seem an unpalatable
method of cooking food.

The buffalo are everywhere

so we are rarely
without meat

or fuel either.

So numerous are the herds,

the man have hardly to
leave the trail

in order to shoot.

And even I have come
to relish its taste.

( Firing )

Did I ever really have
a clean wash-set of my own

with a pump close by?

It seems like
a dream,

as does so much
of our old life.

April 21st.

Tomorrow we shall
leave the wagon train.

After 21 days
on the trail,

we go our own way.

I find I rue less and less
this great adventure,

as John calls it,

for as never before
he is turning to me

in the sharing of it.

It is Jeremy's
dearest wish

that we will reach our
own land on his birthday.

Maggie.

Be done with it.

In a minute, John.

Maggie's voice:
April 23rd.

Yesterday morning
as the wagon train
continued westward

to Oregon,
we turned southwest

through this vast,
empty land ocean.

All the bouncing
and shaking I and
my precious burden

have undergone
these past weeks

seems to have done
neither of US harm.

John calculates
we should now be in reach
of our own land.

Oh, how good it will be
to end this journey,

to be in the land
of our promise.

Mama?

Will people
already be there?

Oh, Sarah, you've asked
me that over and over again.

You know what your papa says.
The railroad's gonna
build a town

- and a school--
- that isn't why i'm
asking this time.

That awful hat, mama--
do you have to wear it today?

Sarah, it's your father's
army hat.

Anyway, haven't
you noticed

the look on the faces
of the women

at the homesteads
we've passed?

They're all weathered
and hard.

Am I gonna look like that,
Sarah, in one year or two?

- Ooph!
- John: We're here!

We're here!

Well, you have your wish.
We're here.

Haaa!

Haaay!

( All calling out )

All:
Hi! Hello there!

- Man: The welcome party--
- your hat.

- How do?
- How do? My name
is John sergeant.

- This the Seymour settlement?
- It would seem likely.

US four brothers, we're all
seymours from back in Iowa.

- Nice to see you.
- I'm so glad to see you!

- I'm Mrs. Seymour.
- I'm Maggie sergeant.

- And these are
my three daughters.
- Hello.

- This is my son Jeremy.
- Welcome to you, John.

We don't get many folks
passing through here.

The women do need for
some new gossip.

- It's my birthday.
- Isn't that a fine thing?

- It surely is.
- You'll be staying the night.

- We'll make the room.
- That's very kind of you.

- We hope to spend the night
on our own place.
- Where would that be?

Well, it's supposed
to be east of that
ground spring over there.

Man:
Those fields are
all cultivated!

Well, I don't see how
it could be east.

So it says on
the map anyway.

( Unfolding map )

The union pacific supplied
me with this map

when I bought
the 80 acres.

John.

Sarah?

The deed is in the trunk.
Go get it.

Looks to me like you've
been had by that railroad,
mister.

There ain't no land
for sale around here.

Never has been and
never will be.

Me and my brothers,
we got plans for this land.

I paid the railroad
and I've got the deed
to show for it.

Sarah.

Maggie,

get on the wagon.
Take the children with you.

Keep them there.

Here it is.

My deed.

We can pace the land out
if you like.

- It's all marked down.
- Claim jumpers.

You ain't jumping
no claim here, mister.

We've been proving up
on this land for
seven years.

John, maybe we were
cheated by the railroad?

If you have a rightful deed,
show it to US.

I told you.
I told you, Jordan:

Go to julesburg
and file on--

- hush up, Trudy!
- You've never registered
your claim?

- Can't you never
shut up, woman?
- Ain't no matter!

Our claim is the seven years
of back-breaking,

sodbusing toil we
put in here.

I put all my money into
this land-- all my savings.

Why, you're nothing but--

west of you, in Wyoming,
there's homestead land aplenty.

Now you best sign
that deed over to US.

No, this is my land.
And I'm claiming it.

He'd change his mind if
we dunk him in the hole.

John, for the love of heaven,
do what they ask.

We don't want
no trouble, mister--

no more than you do.

No.

John! John!

- Papa!
- Ahhh!

Papa! Papa!

Maggie:
Please leave him be!

We'll go!
Leave him be! We'll go!

No, please, don't!

You'd best promise
to sign, Mr. Sergeant.

No. No!

Please, John!
No no!

Please, John!
Let go!

Like Henry says,
you will!

And better now
than later.

No!

Let go!

No, John!
Ahh!

Ahhhh!

No!

- Mama.
- My baby.

- You all right?
- Oh, my baby.

William! William!
I done a terrible thing.

The woman back there,
she's aborting a baby.

And I done it!

Man:
What are you trying
to do, Henry?

We don't need a corpse.

I didn't know, mister.

We-- none of US.
We didn't know.

Are you ready to sign
the quit-claim?

Oh my god.

Yes, anything you want.

Now let me go.

How are you feeling?

I feel fine, John.

Truly.

I-- I keep thinking how

fearful I was of Indians.

Look at our own kind.

Thank you for bringing me away
so quickly, John.

Oh, that
dreadful place.

We must talk, Maggie,

decide what to do.

I want to know how
you feel about it.

We could go back
to the rail head,

make a complaint
against those people.

But that could be

a long affair.

I did sign
that quit-claim.

We could move on west.

There's land-- a homestead--
in Wyoming.

Not as good land
as here, but...

There's more of it.

Well?

We could go home, John.

If...

That's what you want.

If I hadn't been
so stubborn.

You didn't know, John.

Could have been
your life.

Sarah's. Jeremy's.

The land--

the land belonged
to me.

It's overburdened me
with pride.

We must go to Wyoming,
of course.

A quarter section--

that's 160 acres, John.

Can you farm
that much land?

Maybe not this year.

But you just watch me.

I'll go check
the stock.

Then I'll come
back to bed.

Maggie's voice:
April 29th.

The sun sets before US
again and again,

but we have yet
to reach Wyoming.

I do feel stronger with
each day that passes

and I try not to
think of what we left behind
in the prairie,

though it is hard.

John set some stones to
Mark the place for me.

I want never
to return there.

Whoa.

I'll inquire
in here.

John, please take care.

If anyone seems
not to welcome US,

it's best to go on.

Sarah:
Papa?

Buy me some
pink ribbon, papa?

Oh, Sarah, papa's worried
about money now.

What do you want
pink ribbon for anyway?

I wanted to tie
a bow on it.

A ribbon for you, mama--
for your hat.

Oh, it's beautiful.
Put it on.

They're king of wilted now.
I picked them this morning.

I picked some too.

And you I haven't
forgotten, Jeremy.

I owe you a birthday cake.

There, how do I look?

It helps, I guess.

You need your hat.
Put this on.

Maggie.

There's a man inside
named wormser.

He says there's a quarter
section above his place.

Maggie, he wants US
to settle there.

Mrs. Sergeant.
How do?

I was telling your husband,
this acreage just to
the north of me,

it's pretty good land--

most as good as mine.
Same creek running through
and all.

Fox branch, I mean.

If the mister would like to
have a look at it,

I'll ride along and
show you the way.

My, oh, my, ain't slim hall
gonna be pleased?

We been looking for folks
to settle that parcel

so's we could share in
the harvest work.

Man, it don't seem right,
your walking and me
sitting up here.

Oh, no no, Mr. Wormser.
I like the exercise.

My missus will
sure be happy to have
a new neighbor, ma'am.

Mrs. Hall-- they live down
below US like I said before--

she's a fine woman.

But them nine kids of her
keep her pretty much at home.

That be Robert Douglas.

He runs cattle
hereabouts.

Good man
for a rancher.

How do, Douglas?

- How do, Douglas?
- Good day to you.

This here fine family
are the sergeants--

Mrs. Sergeant,
Mr. Sergeant, this here
is Mr. Robert Douglas.

They're gonna homestead
the quarter section just
to the north of me.

Mr. Sergeant's a sodbuster,
like me.

The rain's pretty sparse
around here, Mr. Sergeant.

The elevation's above
5,000 feet.

You might do better farming
back in Nebraska.

We're here to stay,
Mr. Douglas.

Good luck to you, then.

Now don't you pay him
no nevermind, John.

Them cattlemen, see,
they want to hog all this
fine growing land

for themselves.

I guess I'll ride
for a while.

Now get!

Wormser:
We're almost there now.

- If you pull up,
I'll leave you.
- All right.

Ho!

A man ought to have some
peace and quiet when spying
out his land.

And like the missus
always says,

I talk too much.

You'll see fox branch
right over that rise.

I'd plant my wheat
right out over that way
if I was you.

See what I mean?

- Thank you, Mr. Wormser.
- You're welcome, Mr. Sergeant.

Ma'am.

Well,

what are we
waiting for?

Hyah!

Whoa!

Look.

Maggie:
Trees!

Oh!

Jeremy!
He'll turn an ankle.

Oh, let them be, John.

Those trees will make fine
timber for a house,

don't you think,
Maggie?

( Laughing )

We'll have US a sod house
and be content with it,
John sergeant.

The trees will stand and
be shade for you, I swear.

Maggie's voice:
May 4th.

Our first day here.

John was so impatient
to begin,

he left the unloading and
went to his field to
begin breaking sod.

( Cow bellowing )

Come on!

- ( Bellowing )
- Come on, come on.

Come on!

Come on, come on.
Go on!

( Jupiter moos )

Maggie?

You'll have to drive
the team.

I'll need both hands
to force the plow.

- ( Jupiter moos )
- What do you want with
Jupiter?

The team can't
do it alone.

They can't move the plow
through the sod.

Without a horse,
I have to use a cow.

John, she'll go dry.

Then she'll go dry!

Here.

Drive her
when I say "go.'

Take them.
I bet he could use this.

All right.

All together now,
let's go!

Ho! Ha ha ha!

Go! Hey!
Ho ho!

( Cows bellow )

All right,
fall back!

Whoa! All right.

( Jeremy moans )

Jeremy:
We unloaded almost
everything.

Sarah:
Except the stove.
It's too heavy.

When are we gonna eat?

John, it is
almost noon.

Yeah.

We're gonna plow...

About a half
an acre a day.

Almost as good as
my pa used to do.

And it won't be nearly
as hard next year.

Oh, it's hotter on
than off.

Sarah, after you eat,

you're gonna
drive the team.

- You too, Jeremy.
- Oh, John.

If you can do it,
they can.

Here, tie it on
poor old Jupiter.

Maybe it'll
make her cool.

Unhitch the team,
you two.

Turn them
out in the grass.

Maggie's voice:
The day has been
a long one

with settling in and
field work too.

But John would not
rest after supper.

He took the spade
and the empty wagon back
to the field

and he began cutting and
loading the bricks

of turned-up sod
for our house.

May 9th.

John never stops.

He spent several nights
leveling the floor

and tonight he started
laying the walls.

I have never known
a man to work so hard.

It must be
after midnight, John.

Please stop.
Please.

I thought you
were in bed.

I was.

Why must you
push yourself so?

When we're together,
you're too tired.

We scarcely exchange
a word anymore

and then you're
gone again.

Go to bed, Maggie.

I must file claim
on this place,

soon as I can.

We mustn't lose
this place too.

And I won't leave until
you're under a roof.

Maggie!

Let me be.

Maggie's voice:
May 12th.

We had our first
company today.

Mr. and Mrs. Wormser
came calling.

While he went to
the plow to see John,

Philippa and I visited.

She is just beginning
to show with child.

Oh, my, it is
such lovely China.

Thank you.

However did you dare
to bring it with you?

Well, I just flat refused
to leave it behind.

John thought me a dunce.

Only one broke
on the way.

Come on, Philippa!
It's almost milking time!

Philippa?

Don't do anything
foolish.

Don't forget yourself
and do anything foolish.

The baby matters
too much.

I'll be over sometime soon.
We'll talk some more.

Maggie's voice:
May 18th.

We have plowed and sown
and harrowed in these
two short weeks

and John, almost alone,
has built our house.

But today, Mr. Wormser
and Mr. Hall

are here to help
put the roof in.

And then tomorrow,
John is bound for Cheyenne
to file our claim.

Though he spares US
all he can,

he will not
spare himself.

I am an ingrate
to resent it.

My hope is
that when he returns

there'll be more
time for US.

He is truly
the best of men.

- Mr. Hall, Mr. Wormser.
- Ma'am.

I'm just about to ice
Jeremy's birthday cake.

It's a little overdue,

but would you gentlemen stay
and share it with US, please?

It would make a lovely party
for Jeremy if you could.

They'll be back from
fishing anytime now.

Angel cake, I hope.

Nothing I like better
than angel-food cake.

( Jupiter moos )

I put in some antelope,
John.

And some bread too.

Good. Remember if it rains,
you and the children

will have to cultivate.

Otherwise, the water
will go right back up in
the sky again.

John?

You get yourself
a good meal in Cheyenne.

Yes yes yes.

We'll miss you.

Maggie?

My little Maggie.

So often I've said,
"grow up, Maggie."

And all along--

all along you
already had.

I'll be about six days.

You'll be fine.

Won't papa be surprised
when he gets back?

Lettuce, beans, potatoes

and beets.

Look how they're coming
to life already.

Oh, please rain.

Oh, well, if it doesn't,
we'll just have to water
and water.

( Thunder rumbles )

It's gonna rain!

Get everything inside,
children, quickly!

Quickly!
Inside, children. Come on.

Hurry up.

Rain!

Mama, the roof
is leaking!

Oh!
Get the pots, quick.

Go get Joe wormser
and his wife.

Mama, it's the man we met
on the way here.

Mrs. Sergeant.

Mr. Douglas, isn't it?

I think you'd better
send the children inside.

Go in the house,
children.

Is something wrong,
Mr. Douglas?

We were down in one of
the arroyos looking
for some cattle

that strayed
during the rain.

We found him at
the bottom of a washout.

No.

He must have gotten
caught in a flash flood.

No. You're wrong.
It can't be. It's not John.

It's not John.
It can't be.

Oh, John.

Oh, John.

Oh, no.

Oh, John.

Maggie's voice:
May 26th.

Today more than ever

I feel myself
an alien here.

Everyone meant
to be kind.

But it did hurt me that
there was no minister

to speak for John.

Can there be a lonelier
place in this world?

Mr. Wormser?

John must have
served in the war.

Did he, Mrs. Sergeant?

They've taken
those years off the five
needed to prove up.

This place'll be yours
free and clear

in a year and a half.

You think we're going to
stay here without my husband?

No, we're going home.

This was all?

John never said we'd
gone through it all.

Uh, how will we--

we need money to
join a wagon train,

to pay for
railroad tickets.

He left US
the house, mama.

And-- and the wheat.

And land,
mama.

Mr. Hall?

You wouldn't want to
buy my milking cow,
would you?

Mr. Wormser, I'll
sell you my wheat
right now.

All of it.

Mrs. Sergeant?

None of US got any money
to spend this time of year.

We're all living on
the promise of Autumn:

The harvest
or fat cattle.

Don't cry, mama.
Please.

We'll be fine.

You'll see,
we'll be fine.

Maggie's voice:
I cannot sleep.
I am too frightened.

I never did understand
why we had to come.

And now,

without John, to stay
seems a hopeless plight--

two children and
a woman alone.

I want to go home.

Oh, John.

John.

Papa!
Papa papa!

Papa!
Where's papa?

- Shh, Jeremy.
- No, papa!

- Please, shh.
- Papa!

Come on, baby.

Go to sleep.
It's all right. Go to sleep.

( Wind howling )

Mama, would it be proper
to ask Mr. Wormser

next time he shoots game
to get some for US?

He has enough trouble
looking after his own,
Sarah,

let alone US.

Yes, ma'am.

Here, that's fine.

Jeremy, there were lots
of times

you watched papa load
his firearm, weren't there?

Yes, ma'am.

Well, maybe together
you and I could

figure out how to do it.

One thing he did
say though--

if you put in too
much powder, it blows up.

( Fires )

I guess we're still using
a little too much, mama.

Why don't you try
a little closer?

- You hit it, you hit it!
- Whoo-hoo!

Tomorrow, Jeremy,
you and I are gonna get
US some meat for supper.

Look what I found
in the creek.

There are lots and lots
of them in the dirt up there.

- There are?
- Did you get anything?

- No.
- Didn't you even
see anything?

Well, I saw chuckers,
antelopes, rabbits.

I couldn't get
close enough to hit any.

Look, aren't they funny?

They're fossils,
Sarah.

Did you catch US
some fish for supper?

But they weigh like stone.
Did they all have names, mama?

I don't know.

Can I make
a collection? Can I?

- Sarah.
- To take back to
show Clarissa.

Didn't you even try
to catch some fish?

I forgot.

Anyway, who likes fish?

Oh, Sarah.

I'm sorry, mama.

Jeremy:
Mama! Mama!

Jeremy, for heaven's sake,
what is it?

Come quick!

- ( Cow moos )
- Oh, no, the wheat!

Shoo her out
of the wheat!

The wheat!
Oh, shoo her out in the field.

All:
Shoo! Shoo!

- Shoo shoo!
- Shoo shoo!

( All shooing )

Shoo!
Get out!

Shoo! Shoo!

Get out of the way,
children.

Don't miss this time,
mama.

( Cow moos )

- Shoo shoo!
- Go!

Shoo!
( Screaming )

( Hoofbeats approach )

That's our cow
you shot.

Your cow was
ruining my crop.

That's apt to happen
when you farm open range.

Come on, drag him out,
Jake.

How're you getting along,
Mrs. Sergeant?

Well enough, thank you.

It's a pretty tough life
for a woman without a man.

It's a hard life, Mr. Douglas,
with or without a man.

Good day to you.

Of all
the patronizing people.

Did you see him
work that rope?

I suppose we're going
to have to have fish
for supper again.

There isn't any fish.

There isn't any fish.

Sarah, put your stones down
and eat your supper.

They're fossils.
That's what you said.

Right in my molasses.

Papa said he was gonna
put up muslin for a ceiling.

Why don't we use the tent?

Because we need the canvas
for the wagon

- to go home in.
- Well,

I don't see why we have to
go back to Indiana anyway.

I want to stay here
and be a cowboy.

I don't want to go back
either especially.

Well, what about
all your friends? Clarissa?

Clarissa's dumb.

Sarah sergeant.

She is, mama.

What does she know
about fossils?

I bet she doesn't even
know how to milk a cow.

Mama, how much money is
the wheat gonna bring?

I mean, well, after we get
back to Indiana,

how're we gonna live?

With your grandparents,
of course.

I'll work out somewhere,
I suppose.

- For somebody else?
- Doing what, mama?

Nana's always telling me
to wipe my shoes outside,

even if I'm not wearing any.

Look, we're going back
to Indiana

just as soon as the wheat
is harvested and sold.

We're going back to family,
friends and your schooling.

- I don't want to hear
any more about it.
- ( Screams )

Sarah, shut up!
You'll scare him.

- ( Sarah screams )
- For heaven's sake, Sarah.

Hush! Jeremy,
get rid of that thing.

It's only pompey, mama.
He wouldn't hurt anything.

And he keeps down
the mice.

Jeremy, don't you dare.

Jeremy, get rid of it.

- ( Hoofbeats approach )
- ( Man calls out )

Jeremy, get it
out of here.

From Mr. Douglas.

We don't want any charity
from Mr. Douglas.

He says it's for
any damage done.

Wait! Wait!

Mama, look.

Meat on the table.

Some of the time.

Maggie's voice:
June 17th.

The garden has
an endless thirst.

Thank heaven wheat is hardier
or we'd empty fox branch dry.

But I am glad to
be tired at night

and to fall
quickly asleep.

July 9th.

Today I shot a rabbit.

Oh, I felt so triumphant...

Until Mr. Douglas
rode up.

He of course had shot
a large, fat antelope.

( Horse neighing )

You're looking
very well, Mrs. Sergeant.

You're kind, sir.

Hey, Mrs. Sergeant?

If you put your foot
in here,

I'll help you up
and give you a ride home.

Maggie's voice:
So it was that Mr. Douglas
brought me home.

Tonight when the children
were asleep

I thought of
the other homestead women,

silent and
dull of eye...

But they
luckier than I.

At least
they had their men.

What matter if
in Indiana or here?

I am alone
and lonely.

Looking at myself,

I wonder how
Mr. Douglas sees me.

I think perhaps if we were
not going back to Indiana,

I would make myself
a new bonnet.

July 30th.

Only two more weeks
till harvest.

The wheat is tall
and golden straight.

It's glorious.

August 14th.

Tomorrow harvesting begins.

We shall start at hall's farm,
thence to wormser's,

thence here,
for we planted last.

Immediately after threshing,
we will leave for Indiana.

Jeremy:
Mama! Mama!

What is it, Jeremy?

Come see!

Look!

Oh my god.

Hey, Mr. Douglas here yet?

He sent down for slim
and his boys too.

Hyah! Whoa!

Douglas figures we can
make a stand here.

Save the house,
maybe.

Make a stand?
What for?

That's a rip-roarin'
death-bringer.

A prairie fire,
Mrs. Sergeant.

And like usual, the wind's
blowing right this way.

Now get aboard!

Douglas wants to form up
down at your house.

Hang on 'cause we gonna go.

Okay, Jeremy.
Let's go, Jack.
Hyah! Hang on tight.

Whoa! Whoa!

- Ahh!
- What about the team?

- Let 'em free.
- And Jupiter?

They'll run ahead
of the fire.
Don't you worry.

It's moving fast but with
the wind's help,

we've kept it from
getting any wider.

Looks like it's gonna
top on that Ridge back there

so that's where we'll cut
the brake and start
the backfire.

- Backfire? Why?
- That way, Mrs. Sergeant,

we may be able to save some
of your field.

No!

That's John's wheat.

If you want to save
range down valley,

you burn off range
above here, but not
our wheat.

Mrs. Sergeant, I don't
need the range down valley.

I can drive my herd over
the divide and winter
on the crow.

It's the only way,
Mrs. Sergeant. This
whole valley could go.

If this were your homestead,
Mr. Hall,

would you be
so eager then?

Ma'am, try and understand--

for god's sake, wormser,
we're wasting time.

- Go find a plow.
- Fellas, get some flails.

- Get some blankets,
some sheets--
- no!

Ma'am, Douglas has
the truth of it.

He doesn't need
that range.

But we need his help
and yours

or we're all lost.

( Men calling out )

( Horses neighing )

Man:
Hyah! Hyah!

All right, get
that team round again.
That's all the time we got.

Oh, Sarah, darling,
not your blue dimity.

If it's needed.

Man:
I need some more
blankets too!

Fire's coming
hell-bent, Mr. Douglas.

All right, ride the line.
Make sure it's clean.

Let's start spreading
the coal oil.

Come on, grab a bucket!
Grab that coal oil.

Let's go.

Grab a bucket!
Let's bring that coal oil.
Come on, grab a bucket!

- Here, I'll take that.
- I'll take it.

Sarah, get your brother,
get out of the way.

All right, stand back.
Let's get back there!

Stand back!

You all ready?
You ready?

Ready here.

Let's light 'em!

Man:
Is the firebreak holding?

Man #2:
I need help over here.

Go over there
near the firebreak!

Over here!
In the firebreak!

Man:
Behind you!

The wind's taking it!

We need more men!

Over here.
Quickly.

Let's get those fires out!

If it spreads,
we're ruined!

It's working.

It's working.

Man:
Watch those embers.

Man #2:
Beat 'em out.

Beat 'em out!

Looks like you're gonna
have a good crop in spite
of it, Mrs. Sergeant.

Oh, that'll do it.

This'll be about the same
as what we brought with
US from Nebraska.

"Good seed wheat,"
papa would call it.

Mama, I could help
sow it next year.
I'll be big enough.

Papa would be proud
of US, I think.

Let's go to town.

Mrs. Sergeant?

Good day, Mr. Douglas.

Just wanted to say goodbye
and good luck.

Well, thank you
for the good luck,

but no need
to say goodbye,

unless you're
going away.

- Mama, mama!
- Mr. Douglas, Mr. Douglas,

we're staying!
We're staying in Wyoming!

And mama bought US some
smoked pork and bacon and
butter and fresh eggs!

Come on, you two,
in the wagon.

I don't suppose you'd like
to put that money into cattle?

Run your stock with mine;
You'd be welcome.

We'd go shares at
the market.

Then we'd be ranchers and
I'd get to be a cowboy.

Jeremy, your papa saw
his land in wheat.

( Horse neighs )

You'll get to be
a cowboy anyway.

It's inevitable.

I see my land in wheat
too, Mr. Douglas.

I thank you.

What happens if there's
a drought next year maybe?

I don't believe in
borrowing, Mr. Douglas.

Not money nor trouble.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Douglas?

They say there'll be
rails for fencing

when the union pacific
goes through.

Well, till then,
you best keep a sharp eye
on your stock.

Either that

or you're welcome to come
share a roast of beef with US
some evening.

Maggie's voice:
August 21st, 1867.

Today once again
our lives have been overturned,

this time by me.

I have made
an amazing decision.

My head is full of plans:

Whitewash for
the inside of the house;

our cow must be freshened
to give US milk again;

and soon I will talk
to Philippa and Mrs. Hall

about writing east
for a teacher.

Big pines must
have a school.

And a church too.

John dreamt of the promise
in this land.

Now that promise
is ours

for I know myself
an alien here no more.

Tomorrow--
all our tomorrows--

will be busy days.