Original subtitles

A Warner Brothers television production.

This is the story of a Sioux chief and how I came in contact with him.

That's him.

His name? Running Horse.

Gold had been discovered in the Black Hills of the Dakotas.

Naturally, this started something of a stampede.

The Sioux resented the intrusion and demonstrated their resentment by sending

back prospector after prospector, all dead.

The Army resented the Sioux resentment and sent several regiments into the

territory to build forts and protect the tax payers.

All right, Mr. Maverick, haven't got all day.

Now, you may be in a hurry to get to McKittred Sarge, but I kind of like it

here. Sure you do, because there ain't no board of inquiry waiting for you

Are they going to hang him, Sarge?

Please, Willie, I'm a civilian.

This is strictly a case of mistaken identity.

Sure it was.

You mistook a colonel's wife for a gay young thing.

Baines, it was someone who just looked like me.

Come on, let's go.

Well, it's a shame a colonel didn't come out to say goodbye.

I like to be on friendly terms with all the colonels I can these days. Well,

Colonel Parkinson ain't feeling very sociable. I can't say that I blame him.

The regular complement here is about 140 men, just enough to man the fort in

case of serious trouble.

Where'd they all go?

Out chasing the running horse and his two.

He called a big war parley.

Most of the two nations about ready to jump down our throats on account of this

gold rush business.

Thank you.

Running Horse aimed to get rid of the military, and so he called for every

of the Sioux Nation to combine in one mass effort.

And here they are.

The chiefs of the many tribes called to council to discuss the war that Running

Horse proposed.

This fire burns brightly.

It warms us as we sit here and remember the cold winters of our wanderings,

driven on and on by the long knives and their treaties.

Look into my face, my brothers.

Listen to my words.

And let the fire that burns within me warm your blood and light your way to

final victory for our nation.

Come.

I will take you to the nearest fort of the Long Knives.

And you will see with your own eyes that running horse does more than speak with

a hot tongue.

There is no need for caution Come and see

This is the work of a few warriors.

To the braves who will follow you, we number in the hundreds.

If you abide my decision to war and call all your fighting men, within a few

days we will number in the thousands.

We will fight and destroy and make the pillaging of our land so costly to the

white men that they will leave.

The long knives are not invincible.

We will drive them out or kill them.

Tear down their banner.

We will drag it in the dust behind us.

Look.

Look familiar?

Well, it should.

We're going back to that exact moment when our story began.

You see, I was making a little trip with two real sports.

A Sergeant Baines and a Corporal Daggett.

And we had stopped at Fort Burnside to get fresh mountains.

That's Running Horse waiting to attack the fort.

It's all taking place again.

But now we're going to tell you the story from my point of view.

We're taking you back to the beginning because this time you'll see the way it

really happened.

Think there any Sioux around here, Sarge? Post by me?

Don't you fret now, Willie.

My guess is that they won't be nosing around where all the soldiers are.

I ain't worried about myself.

I wouldn't want anything to happen to our prisoners.

I'm not your prisoner, Willie. You're just escorting me.

There's nothing we could do.

No?

Colonel, he guessed wrong, too.

Sending all his men out, not leaving enough help to mine the store.

He didn't guess wrong about there being trouble in the area. He just looked for

it in the wrong area.

Well, this could be the beginning.

For a running horse, I mean.

Bane! Fortune Bane!

Well, it's over.

The best approach are the forts from the east. There's a gully.

Wait a minute.

The fort?

Do you mean Fort Burnside or Fort McKittrick?

Well, we can't just ride off and leave them. There might be survivors.

You know, I know, the corporal knows, and the two know.

There aren't any survivors.

Sarge, I don't think... Shut up.

Some of them could have hid.

Come on, Sarge. Well, it's possible.

Sarge, I don't... Shut up and go get the horses.

He's green.

That's why I've got to keep him calm.

Because, Mr. Maverick, we are in a pickle.

That's why I need your help.

Now, we're going back to the fort. We're going to look around and see what we

can do.

Now, you go ahead and start arguing with me and get it over with, because I want

to get moving.

All right, I'll turn my cart's face up.

You're an army man.

The Indians are your job.

Me? I'm just an ordinary civilian -type citizen.

I just don't feel that there's any... I know I can't force you to go back to the

fort with us.

Because as you say, you're not a prisoner.

You're under escort to Fort McKittredge.

Dagger and I are only along to see that you get there before you change your

mind. Well, now, if you'll give me your word that you'll go directly to

McKittredge, well... I'll take it.

I give you my word. I'll go to McKittredge.

I, uh...

Don't envy you your journey, Mr. Maverick.

You don't think you'll have it any better at the fort?

Sure. If the Indians don't come back, of course if they do, well, I'll think

about that when the time comes.

At least we'll be able to see him coming.

That's more than you'll be able to do.

Corporal, give Mr. Maverick his horse.

You and me are going back to the fort without him.

When and if you get to McKittredge, request an interview with the general.

You tell him exactly what you saw here, that Fort Burnside was wiped out, at

least 20 officers and men were killed.

The rest of the regiment under Major Harrington is off to the south on

nervous and let's fly. You know what you're shooting at.

You fool.

I was going up on the wall to look around. If any Indian heard that... I

it was somebody, an Indian.

I know, Willie. I know.

You go see if you can find some mattresses or something. We'll bed down

No, Willie.

I'm not going to put it on your report.

Thanks, Sarge. Only a month and a half to go, and I sure wouldn't want anything

to mess up my discharge.

Golly day, I sure wouldn't.

No, Willie.

Don't you worry. There's nothing in this world that I'd do to keep you in this

army one day longer than need be.

Thanks, Sergeant.

Busting in on an out.

It's nice and quiet and still out there.

I think they just hit the run.

And I'm guessing he'll be coming back soon with a whole bunch of other soup

brass to show what a big man he is.

He could have been spying and watching. He knew the fort was shorthanded. And

I'm also guessing he'll be coming back tonight or tomorrow morning for the

latest while everything's still fresh.

Well, then I am late.

Corporal.

Remove Mr. Maverick's sidearm and take his rifle.

I hereby declare a state of emergency and martial law.

Now, roaming around those hills out there, you constitute a danger to this

because you know that Corporal and me are here.

Now, why don't you stick around, Mr. Maverick, and be my prisoner?

That's too bad we can't defend this fort, even when those Sioux come back.

Worst comes to worst, we can at least put a few rounds in the running horse

before he gets us.

Well, Corporal?

Station yourself near the blockhouse.

If you hear any noise at all, you come running back here.

Sergeant, you don't mean for us to... How do you say it?

Sell our lives as dearly as possible?

If that bloody Sioux chief gets his nation into war, a lot of good people,

and red, are going to suffer.

That's my job. It's our job to do everything we can to stop it.

Dealer's choice.

We can't fight them. We won't run.

We can't hide if they burn the place down.

All we can do is just sit here.

Hey, wait a minute.

All we have to do is keep them away until the regiment gets back, right?

That's all.

How would you like to celebrate a holiday early this year? Just for them.

A holiday.

They're out there, Thor. The whole slew of them. About a half mile away.

Mr. Maverick had an idea.

You're going to have to be very brave and calm, Willie, and when I get out in

the yard, I'll explain everything to you.

But you're going to have to do exactly as I say, do you understand?

Okay, let's go. Hey, Maverick, now listen.

If anything goes wrong, we both trap a running horse. That's the only way I'll

go along with it. All right, it's a deal.

When you hear a shot, count three and then start turning.

Don't worry, kid.

You'll be all right. Just do what I say.

This is the work of a few warriors.

For the braves who will follow you, we number in the hundreds.

You abide my decision to war and call all your fighting men.

Within a few days, we will number in the thousands.

We will fight and destroy you and make the pillaging of our land so costly to

the white men that they will leave.

The long knives are not invincible.

We will drive them out or kill them.

Tear down their banner.

We will drag it in the dust behind us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Beautiful rendition, Sergeant.

Very effective.

Hey, what happened? Who shot the Indian?

Where'd the music come from?

Ghosts, Corporal.

Ghosts and evil spirits.

Come on, let's take a look.

I'll bet that's Running Horse himself wondering what the devil happened.

I hope you can think up some more tricks in case they come back for another look

in the morning.

I've already thought of something, Sarge.

We cannot fight devils and spirits.

Tyler!

Since when do the Sioux run like children at the shadows of the night?

wind did not close the gates and only the long knives blow the bugles. It is

true.

We cannot fight spirits.

But those were men.

And dead men do not fire rifles or make noises.

Tomorrow with the sun we shall return and see what there is to see.

Tomorrow with the sun.

I am taking my warriors and returning to our women and children.

I too will leave.

Wait!

I called this council for three days and you all agreed.

Two days remain.

If in that time I have not explained what we have seen tonight, then you are

free to go.

We did agree.

Three days.

Then tomorrow with the sun, we will return.

You can begin, maestro.

Wait any longer, they might decide to take a closer look.

You want me to play another chorus?

I even know another tune.

Mess call.

They're turning and leaving, Sergeant.

Any more of that magnificent playing might attract them back, ghost or not.

Besides, this whitewash is hard on my delicate complexion.

Council is over, running horse.

No.

We have one more day.

But you have no words to speak about the ghost soldiers.

No one here to listen.

Is this council?

Let them come out of their lodges.

Let them hear me speak.

They have no heart for your words.

Let them go.

No. I have one day left.

They will spend that day also in their lodges.

They wish to hear no more.

The soldiers do not die.

They fall to the ground and rest.

Then they ride again.

We cannot conquer such spirits.

Spirits!

When I rode to the fort with my braves, and I ran my lance through the heart of

soldier after soldier, do you not think they died?

I know they did.

I felt them die at my hands.

And I do not fear them.

Then you have more courage than your brother.

We will stay another day, as agreed.

But we are all ready now to leave this land to the soldiers who will not die.

Before you is a white man's spirit soldier.

One of the invincible Long Knives who dies and comes alive again.

A true spirit would not cry out.

Do you agree?

A true spirit would not bleed.

Do you agree?

Let us see what I have brought from the Long Knives' stronghold.

Let us examine this spirit who shows fear on his face.

Eric, Daggett's gone.

You mean he took off? No, he wouldn't run away.

We're taking this as his rifle.

He wouldn't leave?

What do you think?

I think one of them Indians caught himself a ghost.

And now Halloween's almost over, Maverick.

You have decided?

We will ride behind you, running horse.

His medicine was not strong enough to free him during the night. Or to heal

bleeding body.

He is not a ghost.

Then prepare your men for battle against the others who dare to trick the Sioux.

We will take him with us.

Let them all die within the fort.

Cut him down.

Another day, another dollar.

I keep wondering what happened to Daggett.

I've been trying not to think about it, Stark.

That's the best way, I suppose.

Well, I asked for this life.

All in all, I suppose I'm better off and happier than I would have been in a New

Jersey fish market.

Ever been to New Jersey, Maverick?

On the waterfront, I mean.

Nope, never have.

You ought to join the Army, too.

The Army's full of folks from the Jersey waterfront.

Just something about that place.

I was fixing to get Dag at a job working the old man's fish market.

Just to show him how much better off he was here.

Now they know.

They know they've been tricked.

Why don't we just light out?

If we can make it to the brush, we might even have a chance.

I once knew a fellow who walked clear through the Cherokee Nation stark naked

and never even saw so much as an Indian.

Well, we got guns, clothes, everything you need.

Too late now.

What?

Look.

Hey, Indians don't ride like that. That's cavalry.

Oh, I wish I had my bugle here. I'd tune them in.

We've saved it. Just like I said, we've saved the fort.

Wonder where the rest of them are.

Oh, they're in the back someplace.

Hey, I'd better get down and open up that gate. Can't leave our rescuers

out in the cold.

Sergeant Bain, 4th Cavalry. Thanks for escort duty, sir.

Lieutenant Jennings of the 6th.

Man, we're glad to see you.

How long before the rest of the regiment is expected to arrive?

Where's Colonel Parkinson?

Who's in charge here?

Well, sir, Colonel Parkinson's dead, and I guess I'm in charge.

Sergeant Watts, take two men and inspect the fort.

All right, Sergeant.

Explain the situation.

Yes, sir.

And that's when Mr. Maverick and myself saw your squad coming out of the woods.

That's all, Sergeant.

Thank you.

I'll say, Lieutenant.

You never did say when the rest of the men were coming, Captain Harriman and

the soldiers.

Major Harrington and the regiment are not in the area. I do not expect them

at least three days.

It's them.

He's kind of young.

Yeah.

Lieutenant.

Could I have a word with you, please, sir?

Yes, Mr. Maverick, but please be brief.

Sir, did you understand everything Sergeant Payne's told you or described

you, the situation that is?

Certainly. Did you understand that Running Horse and several hundred Sioux

likely to be back here any moment, mad as can be? Did you understand that,

Lieutenant? Certainly.

Oh.

Sergeant, have the bugler sound assembly.

He doesn't understand either.

Well, he's an army officer.

Men, you've seen the disaster here at Fort Burnside.

The enemy is rumored to be still in the area and capable of another attack.

Because of Fort Burnside's strategic position, it must be held at all costs.

You're also aware of the impending conflict with the Sioux.

Therefore, we must set an example.

Show them the stuff the United States Army is made of.

I'm depending on you.

Sergeant. Deploy the troops.

Squad, about the fort and the best defensive positions.

Use your own discretion.

I'll be in my quarters.

There. That house over there.

Lieutenant. That's the stable, sir.

Oh.

Very well, then.

The one with the beige door.

Well, Sergeant Bain?

It takes all kinds to make a world.

Since we're about to leave said world, shall we go through that bay's door and

make one last try to pound some sense into that green head?

Lead on, Mr. Maverick.

Don't you know how to knock, Sergeant?

Talk to me, Lieutenant.

I'm a civilian.

And you're right, we should be knocking.

We should be knocking your stubborn head in. Close the door, Bane. Are you

threatening me, Mr. Maverick? I don't have to threaten you, Sonny. Those hills

are full of Indians. They're threatening you.

And me and everybody else in the fort.

Now, normally I don't like to fight. I've tried to go through life without

fighting. But if that life is about to end and I don't want it to end, then I'm

willing to fight.

So I can go on living without having to fight.

Do you follow that?

And just who do you propose to fight?

Me? Well, you do for a start.

Unless you change your mind about trying to defend this fort with ten or twelve

men. You see, Sonny, I deal in odds.

And the odds are about a thousand to one. And I think we ought to throw our

cards in and try another game.

So now you suggest we run.

We're soldiers, Mr. Maverick, and it's our duty to remain. Let me phrase it

another way.

Why don't we just blow recall and have a strategic withdrawal?

Is that better?

No.

I've given that plan consideration.

Undoubtedly, the fort is under surveillance.

Any attempted running would be disastrous.

To be caught in the open against a force so powerful, well, it would be suicide.

Well, you just suit yourself.

Me, I'd rather have a run for my money.

Now, if you'll just let me leave, give me a horse, or rather Sergeant Bainton

myself. He's escorting me to Fort McKittredge, and we'll just be following

orders. Sort.

Thanks, Maverick, but I'll stay.

I mean it.

Thank you for the try.

Sir, Indians. There's hundreds of them out there in the plain.

They're just sitting there.

must still be a little spooked if they'd ride right on in.

Bring up the prisoner.

I will return him to his companions myself.

They will see what happens to enemies of the Sioux Nation.

If we could scare them again.

If we could let them see twelve ghost soldiers instead of three.

What do you suggest, Mr. Maverick?

Painting my men with whitewash?

That won't work again.

Not now.

Let us now make sport with these men who pretend to be ghosts.

Here, spirits!

Here is one of your kind!

One who cries out like a woman!

This is what will happen to all long knives in the Sioux Nation.

I'd been elected.

The sight of all these Indians made the lieutenant more agreeable to any plan I

might have.

As long as he didn't have to order one of his men to carry out that plan.

So that left me.

After

all,

if some whitewashing of bugles scared them, this should frighten them to

Why shouldn't they be scared? It even scares me.

Come attack!

That's it, boys.

Don't listen to him. Go on, shoo.

Cut the body into pieces.

More trick.

Another man.

Thank you

You fainted.

Did they leave?

Every last one of them, except running horse.

You stuck him dead center. Even his own tribe wouldn't stop to pick him up.

I'd like to shake your hand, Mr. Maverick. You've saved our lives, this

and the whole territory from a terrible and bloody war.

Well, it was nothing, Lieutenant. I always try to help matters wherever I

Speaking of going, if you'd just loan me a horse, I promised my brother I'd pay

him a visit.

Well, Sergeant Baines has already requested two horses. You may leave any

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Thank you, Mr. Maverick.

You going my way, Baines?

Or vice versa.

I think we could get to Kittredge in about two days now.

Like Kittredge and the Board of Inquiry?

Mm -hmm.

Seeing what a tricky man you are, Mr. Maverick, you just might get away from

Oh, Baines, I wouldn't think of such a thing. Oh, I know you wouldn't think

about it, Mr. Maverick.

Just come sore naturally.

I was right glad the lieutenant was going to let it go at a mere handshake.

I mean, if I was to get a medal out of this ruckus, my pappy would never speak

to me again.

Who is the tall, dark stranger there?

Maverick is the name.

Ride the trail to who knows where. Luck is his companion.

Camden is his game.

Smooth as a handle on a gun, Maverick is the name.

Wild as the wind in Oregon, blowing up a canyon, easier to tame.

Riverboat, ring your bell, fare thee well, Annabelle.

Luck is the lady that he loves the best.

Natchez to New Orleans,

living on Jackson Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

River, well, ring your bell.

Fare thee well, Annabelle.

Luck is the lady that he loves the best.

Hats to New Orleans, living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

Maverick is a legend of the West.